Animated multi-persona toy

• US 20040152394A1
• Filed: 09/25/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Marine, Jon C., McGrath, Tara, Choi, Ok-Soo, Gray, Kevin W., Mesch, Joyce
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/20 with parts moved due to movements of other parts, e.g. limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds

Abstract

The present invention provides animated toys adapted to imitate multiple personas.

Claims

1. A multi-persona toy comprising:

a body adapted to function in a plurality of modes, including a first mode imitating a first persona, and a second mode imitating a second persona; and

a manual actuator adapted to change a function of the body between the first mode and the second mode.

2. The multi-persona toy of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one appendage rotatably connected and adapted to move relative to the body, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the at least one appendage, and the manual actuator is actuated by moving the at least one appendage from a first position to a second position.

3. The multi-persona toy of claim 2, wherein the body includes a posterior end, the at least one appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot;

and further wherein the leg may by rotated to assume a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.

4. The multi-persona toy of claim 3, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the leg, and the manual actuator is actuated by moving the leg from a first position to a second position.

5. The multi-persona toy of claim 3, further comprising

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is adapted to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head mounted on the body; and

a lever assembly connecting the at least one appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

6. The multi-persona toy of claim 5, wherein the lever assembly connects the leg to the head.

7. A multi-persona toy comprising:

a body;

at least one sensor, including at least one transition sensor;

a controller adapted to function in a plurality of modes, including;

a first mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output that causes the body to imitate a first persona;

a second mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output that causes the body to imitate a second persona;

a transition mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one transition sensor and produces output that converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode; and

at least one manual actuator that activates the at least one transition sensor.

8. The multi-persona toy of claim 7, further comprising at least one appendage rotatably connected and adapted to move relative to the body, and wherein:

the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the at least one appendage, and

the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the at least one appendage from a first position to a second position.

9. The multi-persona toy of claim 8, wherein the body includes a posterior end, the at least one appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot;

and further wherein the leg may by rotated to assume a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.

10. The multi-persona toy of claim 9, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the leg and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the leg from a first position to a second position.

11. The multi-persona toy of claim 9, further comprising

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is adapted to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head mounted on the body; and

a lever assembly connecting the at least one appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

12. The multi-persona toy of claim 11, wherein the lever assembly connects the leg to the head.

13. The multi-persona toy of claim 7, wherein the at least one transition sensor includes a first transition sensor and a second transition sensor, and the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

further wherein

the first manual actuator activates the first transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode; and

the second manual actuator activates the second transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy from the second mode to the first mode.

14. A multi-persona toy comprising:

a body;

at least one appendage rotatably connected and adapted to move relative to the body;

at least one sensor, including at least one transition sensor;

at least one motion generating mechanism adapted to control movement of the at least one appendage;

a speaker;

a controller adapted to function in a plurality of modes, including;

a first mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output signal that drives the at least one motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker causing the body to imitate a first persona;

a second mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output signal that drives the at least one motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker causing the body to imitate a second persona;

a transition mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one transition sensor and produces output that converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode; and

at least one manual actuator that activates the at least one transition sensor.

15. The multi-persona toy of claim 14, wherein the at least one motion generating mechanism includes a first motion generating mechanism and a second motion generating mechanism, and the at least one sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor;

and further wherein;

the controller receives input from the first sensor and produces an output signal that drives the first motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker, and

the controller receives an input from the second sensor and produces output signal that drives the second motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker.

16. The multi-persona toy of claim 15, wherein the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

and further wherein;

the first manual actuator activates the first sensor providing an input signal to the controller, the controller then produces an output signal that drives the first motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker, and

the second manual actuator activates the second sensor providing an input signal to the controller, the controller then produces an output signal that drives the second motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker.

17. The multi-persona toy of claim 14, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the at least one appendage and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the at least one appendage from a first position to a second position.

18. The multi-persona toy of claim 14, wherein the body includes a posterior end, the at least one appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot;

and further wherein the leg may by rotated to assume a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.

19. The multi-persona toy of claim 18, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the leg and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the leg from a first position to a second position.

20. The multi-persona toy of claim 18, further comprising:

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is adapted to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head mounted on the body; and

a lever assembly connecting the at least one appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

21. The multi-persona toy of claim 20, wherein the lever assembly connects the leg to the head.

22. The multi-persona toy of claim 14, wherein the at least one transition sensor includes a first transition sensor and a second transition sensor, and the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

and further wherein;

the first manual actuator activates the first transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy between the first mode to the second mode, and

the second manual actuator activates the second transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy from the second mode to the first mode.

23. The multi-persona toy of claim 14, wherein the at least one motion generating mechanism includes at least one motor.

24. The multi-persona toy of claim 14, wherein the at least one motion generating mechanism includes a rotary encoder.

25. A toy comprising:

a body, including an anterior end and a posterior end;

at least one appendage rotatably connected to the body and adapted to move relative to the body, wherein the at least one appendage includes a first leg adjacent to the anterior end and a second leg adjacent to the posterior end, and further wherein the first leg includes a first foot and the second leg includes a second foot, and the first leg and the second leg may be rotated to assume a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body;

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the second foot, wherein the support plane is adapted to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head mounted on the body; and

at least one lever assembly connecting the at least one appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the at least one appendage, the at least one lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

26. The toy of claim 25, wherein the at least one lever assembly connects the first leg to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the first leg, the at least one lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

27. The toy of claim 25, wherein the at least one lever assembly connects the second leg to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the second leg, the at least one lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

28. The toy of claim 25, wherein the at least one lever assembly connects the first leg and the second leg to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the first leg and the second leg, the at least one lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

29. The toy of claim 25, wherein the at least one lever assembly includes a first lever assembly and a second lever assembly;

and further wherein;

the first lever assembly connects the first leg to the head and for each rotational position of the first leg, the first lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body, and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane, and

the second lever assembly connects the second leg to the head and for each rotational position of the second leg, the second lever assembly is adapted to hold the head in a different position relative to the body, and maintains the head in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

30. The toy of claim 25, wherein the body is adapted to function in a plurality of modes, including a first mode imitating a first persona, and a second mode imitating a second persona;

and includes

at least one manual actuator adapted to change a function of the body between the first mode and the second mode.

31. The toy of claim 30, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the at least one appendage, and the at least one manual actuator is actuated by moving the at least one appendage from a first position to a second position.

32. The toy of claim 31, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the first leg, and the at least one manual actuator is actuated by moving the first leg from a first position to a second position.

33. The toy of claim 31, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the second leg, and the at least one manual actuator is actuated by moving the second leg from a first position to a second position.

34. The toy of claim 30, wherein the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

and further wherein the first manual actuator is adapted to convert the toy between the first mode and the second mode, and the second manual actuator is adapted to convert the toy from the second mode to the first mode.

35. The toy of claim 25, further comprising:

at least one sensor, including at least one transition sensor;

a controller adapted to function in a plurality of modes, including;

a first mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output that causes the body to imitate a first persona;

a second mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output that causes the body to imitate a second persona

a transition mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one transition sensor and produces output that converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode; and

at least one manual actuator that activates the at least one transition sensor.

36. The toy of claim 35, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the at least one appendage and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the at least one appendage from a first position to a second position.

37. The toy of claim 36, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the first leg, and the at least one manual actuator is actuated by moving the first leg from a first position to a second position.

38. The toy of claim 36, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the second leg, and the at least one manual actuator is actuated by moving the second leg from a first position to a second position.

39. The toy of claim 35, wherein the at least one transition sensor includes a first transition sensor and a second transition sensor, and the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

and further wherein;

the first manual actuator activates the first transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode, and

the second manual actuator activates the second transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy from the second mode to the first mode.

40. The toy of claim 25, further comprising:

at least one sensor, including at least one transition sensor;

at least one motion generating mechanism adapted to control movement of the at least one appendage;

a speaker;

a controller adapted to function in a plurality of modes, including;

a first mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output signal that drives the at least one motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker causing the body to imitate a first persona;

a second mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one sensor and produces an output signal that drives the at least one motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker causing the body to imitate a second persona

a transition mode, wherein the controller receives an input from the at least one transition sensor and produces output that converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode; and

at least one manual actuator that activates the at least one transition sensor.

41. The toy of claim 40, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the at least one appendage, and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the at least one appendage from a first position to a second position.

42. The toy of claim 41, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the first leg and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the first leg from a first position to a second position.

43. The toy of claim 41, wherein the at least one manual actuator is incorporated in the second leg and the at least one transition sensor is activated by moving the second leg from a first position to a second position.

44. The toy of claim 40, wherein the at least one transition sensor includes a first transition sensor and a second transition sensor, and the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

and further wherein;

the first manual actuator activates the first transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy between the first mode to the second mode, and

the second manual actuator activates the second transition sensor sending an input to the controller, the controller then converts the toy from the second mode to the first mode.

45. The toy of claim 40, wherein the at least one motion generating mechanism includes at least one motor.

46. The toy of claim 40, wherein the at least one motion generating mechanism includes a rotary encoder.

47. The toy of claim 40, wherein the at least one motion generating mechanism includes a first motion generating mechanism and a second motion generating mechanism;

the at least one sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor; and

further wherein;

the controller receives input from the first sensor and produces an output signal that drives the first motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker, and

the controller receives an input from the second sensor and produces output signal that drives the second motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker.

48. The toy of claim 47, wherein the at least one manual actuator includes a first manual actuator and a second manual actuator;

and further wherein;

the first manual actuator activates the first sensor providing an input signal to the controller, the controller then produces an output signal that drives the first motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker, and

the second manual actuator activates the second sensor providing an input signal to the controller, the controller then produces an output signal that drives the second motion generating mechanism and generates audio output through the speaker.