Configurable color selection circuit for choosing colors of multi-colored LEDs in toys

• US 5,902,166 A
• Filed: 04/10/1997
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles L.R. Robb
• Original Assignee: Charles L.R. Robb
• Inventors: Robb, Charles L. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MUIR, DAVID N
• Application Number:
  US08/837,250
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 446/14, 446/47, 446/485, 446/341, 446/389, 446/392, 446/424, 446/438, 446/484, 446/175, 313/512, 362/231
• US Class Current: 446/47
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/005 using light guides light guides specially adapted for lighting devices G02B6/0001
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A multi-colored LED biasing circuit that allows users to selectively choose the colors for a given state or condition. A user will assign by use of switches which color of a multi-colored LED will light on the presence of an electronic signal representing a state or condition in need of a visual output. One embodiment for a tri-colored LED will allow a user to select a base color for when no signal is present, the base color selected between a first color, and a second color and a secondary color for when a signal is present, the secondary color selected between the opposite of the base color (first or second color) and a third color. The present invention can be embodied in toys in a variety of ways. For example, dolls and other figurines having eyes that can change color to represent a change of state or condition in the figurine for enhanced play or decorative purposes. One embodiment uses a figurine with tri-color LEDs as eyes and the configurable color selection circuitry to choose the color of the eyes using switches. The three different colors of a tri-colored LED may be achieved through proper switch positioning and each color can be assigned a condition or state by the fertile imagination of a child in order to enhance the play value of the toy. Another embodiment shows use of tri-color LEDs in a toy helicopter to represent a weapons system. Finally, a flying disk is shown outfitted with tri-color LEDs using the biasing circuit to light the LEDS while the disk is in flight thereby causing bands of illumination caused by the spinning disk.

Claims

1. In a toy a configurable biasing circuit biasing at least one tri-colored LED package capable of emitting a first, second and third color, said circuit used in a toy having a visual output corresponding to the respective at least one tri-colored LED package, the circuit comprising:

means for providing a signal responsive to hand actuation on the exterior of the toy;

means for providing power to the at least one tri-color LED package, the at least one tri-color LED package visible through the exterior of the toy;

switching means for selecting a base color from the first or second color, the base color establishing a visual output when the signal is not present; and

switching means for selecting a secondary color from the previously non-selected first or second color and the third color, the secondary color for establishing a visual output when the at least one signal is present.

2. A biasing circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein the signal is electronic signals caused by switches within a toy figurine.

3. A biasing circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein the signal is generated by a timing circuit.

4. A toy figurine comprising:

a figurine body having at least one tri-colored LED package representing an eye, the at least one tri-colored LED package capable of alternatively being at least two visually discernable colors;

hand-operated means for selectively changing the at least one tri-colored LED package between the at least two visually discernable colors; and

tricolored LED package biasing circuitry as recited in claim 1 electrically connected to the at least one tricolored LED package.

5. A toy flying disk comprising:

a circular disk body having an external surface;

at least one tri-colored LED package visible through and mounted with respect to the external surface, the tri-colored LED package capable of emitting three different colors from a singular LED package; and

tri-colored LED package biasing circuitry as recited in claim 1 mounted with respect to the circular disk body and electrically connected to the at least one tri-colored LED.

6. A toy transportation vehicle comprising:

a transportation vehicle exterior casing;

at least one tri-colored LED package visible external to and mounted with respect to the transportation vehicle exterior casing, the tri-colored LED package capable of emitting three different colors from a singular LED package;

hand-operated means for selectively changing the at least one tri-colored LED package between at least two visually discernible colors; and

tri-colored LED package biasing circuitry as recited in claim 1 internal to the transportation vehicle exterior casing and electrically connected to the at least one tri-colored LED package.

7. A toy comprising:

a toy body having an external surface;

at least one tri-colored LED package visible through or on the external surface of the toy body, the tri-colored LED package capable of emitting three different colors from a singular LED package; and

tricolored LED package biasing circuitry as recited in claim 1 internal to the toy body and electronically connected to the at least one tri-colored LED package.

8. A toy figurine having at least one simulated eye in a head section and at least two separate states indicated by the emitted color of the at least one eye, the toy figurine comprising:

a figurine body having a head section containing at least one simulated eye, the at least one simulated eye being a multi-colored LED package capable of emitting at least three discernible colors and being electronically biased for alternatively emitting at least two visually discernable colors; and

hand-operated means for selectively changing the at least one simulated eye between the at least two visually discernable colors.

9. The toy figurine as recited in claim 8 wherein the multi-colored LED package making up the at least one simulated eye is electronically biased for alternatively emitting at least three different visually distinct colors.

10. A toy transportation vehicle comprising:

a transportation vehicle exterior casing;

at least one multi-colored LED package, capable of emitting at least three visually distinct colors from a singular LED package, visible external to and mounted with respect to the transportation vehicle exterior casing, the distinct colors divided into a base color and at least one secondary color, the at least one secondary color being emitted when a signal is present;

at least one external control that can be used to selectively switch the base color of the at least one multi-colored LED package operable external to and mounted with respect to the transportation vehicle exterior casing; and

multicolored LED package biasing circuitry to choose the base color emitted from the at least one multi-colored LED package responsive to said external controls and to cause the at least one secondary color to be emitted when a signal is present.

11. A toy transportation vehicle as recited in claim 10 wherein the transportation vehicle exterior casing is in the form of a helicopter.

12. A toy transportation vehicle as recited in claim 10 wherein the transportation vehicle exterior casing is in the form of an airplane.

13. A toy transportation vehicle as recited in claim 10 wherein the transportation vehicle exterior casing is in the form of a car.

14. A toy flying disk comprising:

a circular disk body having an external surface, the circular disk body capable of spinning;

at least one multi-colored LED package capable of emitting at least three discernible colors from a singular LED package visible through and mounted with respect to the external surface that will appear as an illuminated band while the circular disk body is spinning; and

biasing circuitry that alternates the color of the at least one multi-colored LED package between a selected base color and at least one secondary color, the biasing circuitry allowing the selection of a base color from among the at least three discernible colors in response to a switching means.

15. A toy flying disk as recited in claim 14 wherein the at least one multi-colored LED comprises at least two multi-colored LED packages capable of emitting at least three discernible colors and offset with respect to the disk body so as to appear as separate bands while the toy disk is spinning and further comprises LED package biasing circuitry that alternates the emitted color of the at least two multi-colored LED packages between at least two different colors so as to alternate the appearance of the illuminated bands caused by the at least two multi-colored LED packages while the toy flying disk is spinning.

16. A toy flying disk as recited in claim 14 wherein the at least one multi-colored LED package is a tri-colored LED package and further comprises LED package biasing circuitry that will alternate the color of the at least one tri-colored LED package between a base color and a secondary color, the base color selectively chosen between a first or second color on the tri-colored LED package and the secondary color chosen between the non-selected first or second color and the third color of the tricolored LED package.

17. A toy flying disk as recited in claim 14 wherein the at least one multi-colored LED package is at least two tricolored LED packages and further comprises LED package biasing and selection circuitry that will alternate the color of the two tri-color LED packages between a base color and a secondary color, the base color selectively chosen between a first or second color on each tri-colored LED package and the secondary color chosen between the non-selected first or second color and the third color of each tricolored LED package, the alternation being caused by timing circuitry that sends a secondary color signal to each tri-colored LED package biasing circuitry that alternatingly corresponds to each of the tri-colored LED packages.

18. A toy flying disk as recited in claim 14 further comprising a centrifugally actuated switch to power the at least one LED package so as to illuminate the at least one LED package while the circular disk body is spinning.