Proximity responsive toy

• US 5,413,518 A
• Filed: 01/18/1994
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ming-Tuan Lin
• Original Assignee: Ming-Tuan Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Ming-Tuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Application Number:
  US08/182,775
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 446/454, 446/456, 446/484, 446/290, 446/270, 446/441, 446/444, 446/175, 446/442, 446/292, 318/568.16, 318/445, 318/466, 318/478, 318/489, 318/558, 318/567, 340/562, 340/572, 340/573, 273/85 G, 273/86 R, 273/86 B, 273/148 B, 273/460, 273/454
• US Class Current: 446/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/00 Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; convertible into other toys A63H33/003; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor traffic games with figures moved by players A63F9/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/00 Remote-control arrangements specially adapted for toys, e.g. for toy vehicles steering mechanisms for toy vehicles A63H17/36; for model railways A63H19/24, A63H19/28

Abstract

A proximity responsive toy includes a motor-driven drive unit for propelling the toy, and a variable frequency oscillator unit including a capacitor plate for sensing approach of a capacitive body and having a frequency output that decreases in response to proximity of the capacitive body from the toy. A programmable frequency divider receives and divides the frequency output by a predetermined factor. A programmable microcomputer control unit includes a counter unit which generates a count output corresponding to a divided frequency output from the divider, a programmable timer unit which controls a register unit to store the count output therein a predetermined time period after activation of the power supply unit, a reset unit which resets the counter unit, the register unit and the timer unit upon activation of the power supply unit, a programmable offset value generating unit for generating a predetermined offset value, an adder for generating an output corresponding to the sum of the count output and the offset value, and a comparator unit controlled by the timer unit to compare the output of the adder and contents of the register unit periodically. The comparator unit activates the drive unit for a predetermined period when the output of the adder is less than the contents of the register unit.

Claims

1. A proximity responsive toy, comprising:

a power supply means for supplying electrical energy;

motor-driven drive means connected to said power supply means for propelling said toy;

variable frequency oscillator means including a capacitor plate means on said toy for sensing approach of a capacitive body, said oscillator means having a frequency output which decreases in response to proximity of the capacitive body from said toy;

a programmable frequency divider connected to said oscillator means, said frequency divider dividing said frequency output of said oscillator means by a predetermined factor; and

a programmable microcomputer control unit connected to said frequency divider and said drive means, said microcomputer control unit including;

counter means for generating a count output corresponding to a divided frequency output from said frequency divider;

register means;

programmable timer means for controlling said register means to store said count output of said counter means therein a predetermined time period after activation of said power supply means;

reset means for resetting said counter means, said register means and said timer means upon activation of said power supply means;

programmable offset value generating means for generating a predetermined offset value;

adder means for generating an output corresponding to the sum of said count output of said counter means and said offset value from said offset value generating means; and

comparator means controlled by said timer means to compare said output of said adder means and contents of said register means periodically, said comparator means resetting said counter means and said timer means when said output of said adder means is at least equal to the contents of said register means, said comparator means activating said drive means for a predetermined period when said output of said adder means is less than the contents of said register means.

2. A control circuit for controlling a motor-driven drive means of a proximity responsive toy to propel the toy, comprising:

a power supply means connected to said motor-driven drive means for supplying electrical energy;

variable frequency oscillator means including a capacitor plate means on said toy for sensing approach of a capacitive body, said oscillator means having a frequency output which decreases in response to proximity of the capacitive body from said toy;

a programmable frequency divider connected to said oscillator means, said frequency divider dividing said frequency output of said oscillator means by a predetermined factor; and

a programmable microcomputer control unit connected to said frequency divider and said drive means, said microcomputer control unit including;

counter means for generating a count output corresponding to a divided frequency output from said frequency divider;

register means;

programmable timer means for controlling said register means to store said count output of said counter means therein a predetermined time period after activation of said power supply means;

reset means for resetting said counter means, said register means and said timer means upon activation of said power supply means;

programmable offset value generating means for generating a predetermined offset value;

adder means for generating an output corresponding to the sum of said count output of said counter means and said offset value from said offset value generating means; and

comparator means controlled by said timer means to compare said output of said adder means and contents of said register means periodically, said comparator means resetting said counter means and said timer means when said output of said adder means is at least equal to the contents of said register means, said comparator means activating said drive means for a predetermined period when said output of said adder means is less than the contents of said register means.