Level/position sensor and related electronic circuitry for interactive toy
First Claim
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1. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
- a base plate having a conductive pattern disposed thereon; and
at least two switches attached to the base plate, each of the switches being electrically connected to the conductive pattern;
the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the base plate relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches.
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Abstract
A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device. The sensor is operative to generate a plurality of different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane. The movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitates the movement of one or more actuation balls of respective switches of the sensor, which in turn results in the generation of differing conditions or output signals corresponding to closed or open circuit conditions selectively created by the switches.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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a base plate having a conductive pattern disposed thereon; and
at least two switches attached to the base plate, each of the switches being electrically connected to the conductive pattern;
the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the base plate relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor assembly for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a first sensor comprising;
a first base plate defining a generally planar first plate surface and including a first conductive pattern disposed thereon;
four switches attached to the first plate surface at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and
a fifth switch attached to the first plate surface and oriented so as to extend along a switch axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the first plate surface;
each of the switches of the first sensor being electrically connected to the first conductive pattern;
a second sensor comprising;
a second base plate defining a generally planar second plate surface and including a second conductive pattern disposed thereon; and
four switches attached to the second plate surface at intervals of approximately ninety degrees, each of the switches of the second sensor being electrically connected to the second conductive pattern;
the second base plate of the second sensor being offset at an angle of approximately forty five degrees relative to the first base plate of the first sensor such that the four switches of each of the first and second sensors are oriented at intervals of approximately forty five degrees relative to each other, the sensor assembly being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the first and second base plates relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A sensor assembly for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a first and second sensors which each comprise;
a base plate defining a generally planar plate surface and including a conductive pattern disposed thereon;
a plurality of switches attached to the plate surface at prescribed intervals, each of the switches being electrically connected to the conductive pattern;
the plate surface of the base plate of the second sensor extending generally perpendicularly relative to the plate surface of the base plate of the first sensor, the sensor assembly being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the first and second base plates relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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a platform; and
at least two switches attached to the platform, each of the switches being electrically connected to a conductive pattern;
the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the platform relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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at least two base members, each of the base members having a conductive pattern disposed thereon; and
at least two switches attached to respective ones of the base members, each of the switches being electrically connected to a respective one of the conductive patterns;
the base members of the sensor being attached to a common platform, with the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the platform relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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a base plate having opposed top and bottom surfaces and a conductive pattern disposed thereon; and
at least two switch holders attached to the base plate, each of the switch holders including at least one switch disposed thereon, each of the switches being electrically connected to the conductive pattern;
the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the base plate relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a closed or open circuit condition by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification