Programmable toy

• US 5,908,345 A
• Filed: 01/16/1998
• Issued: 06/01/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Silverlit Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverlit Toys USA Incorporated (Silverlit Toys)
• Inventors: Choi, Kei Fung
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOSSUM, LAURA J
• Application Number:
  US09/008,378
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 446/431, 446/436, 446/457, 446/460, 446/437, 701/36, 180/204
• US Class Current: 446/436
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/004 Stunt-cars, e.g. lifting front wheels, roll-over or invertible cars
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/395 steered by program
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard which can be activated by a user to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment.

Claims

1. A programmable toy device comprising:

a body;

a motor for activating a motive generator on the body for causing the body to move relative to a surrounding environment;

a key pad mounted on the body including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

the control switches being in the body and being connected with a microprocessor located in the body for translating signals received from the switches into control signals for operating the motor whereby the body is caused to move in different directions according to the action of the motor on the motive generator; and

the arrangement being such that the motor, motive generator, key pad, switches and microprocessor are contained with the body, and wherein the switches and key pad are not operable or controllable under the action of a remote or detached controller, the body being representative of an automobile vehicle with four spaced wheels, two wheels being driven wheels, the two wheels being the motive generator, and wherein the center of gravity of the vehicle is located strategically relative to the wheels thereby to permit tipping of the vehicle according to the control of the wheel motion to thereby permit pop-wheeling.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the driven wheels are the rear wheels of the automobile vehicle.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is programmable so as to permit for a selection of motions including multiple motions of forward, backward, left turn, right turn or sinusoidal.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a free roller element located towards the rear of the vehicle, the free roller element being for facilitating motion of the vehicle where the motion is in a tilted pop-wheeled state.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a sound generator and a speaker for transmitting sounds, and means for selectively interacting, via activation of the motion generator, with sounds from the speaker.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a light generator for creating light, and means for selectively interacting the light generator in relation to the activation of the motive generator.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is connected to control means for operating the motor, and including control means for operating a light generator and a sound generator.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the key pad permits the operation of multiple controls which is thereby to permit the selection of multiple combinations of motion of the body.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 including sensors for determining the nature of the environment surrounding the device, and means for relating the nature of the environment as sensed selectively to activate a sound, light, or motion according to signals from the sensor.

10. A toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is preprogrammed to activate respective motions and including a selected key on the key pad such that activation of the selected key activates the selected preprogrammed action of the respective motors.

11. A toy as claimed in claim 10 wherein the microprocessor is programmed for at least thirty-two actions.

12. A programmable toy vehicle comprising:

a body;

motor means for activating wheels on the body for causing the body to move on a surface;

a key pad located on the body including a series of multiple control switches for operation by a user;

the control switches being in the body and being connected with a microprocessor located in the body for translating signals received from the switches into control signals for operating the motor whereby the body is caused to move in different directions on the surface according to the action of the motor on the wheels;

the arrangement being such that the motor means, wheels, key pad, switches and microprocessor are contained with the body, and wherein the switches and key pad are not operable or controllable under the action of a remote or detached controller, the body being representative of an automobile vehicle with four spaced wheels, and wherein two wheels are driven by the motor means, the microprocessor being programmable so as to permit for a selection of motions including multiple motions of forward, backward, left turn, right turn or sinusoidal,

the center of gravity of the vehicle being located strategically relative to the wheels thereby to permit tipping of the vehicle according to the control of the wheel motion and thereby to permit pop-wheeling;

a sound generator and speaker for transmitting sounds, and means for selectively interacting, via activation of the wheels, with sounds from the speaker;

a light generator for creating light, and means for selectively interacting the light of the light generator in relation to the activation of the wheels; and

the microprocessor being connected to control means for operating the motor means, and control means for operating the light generator and the sound generator in the body, and wherein the key pad permits the operation of the multiple control switches thereby to permit the selection of multiple combinations of motion of the body.

13. A toy as claimed in claim 12 wherein the microprocessor is preprogrammed to activate respective motions, the light source and the sound generator, and including a selected key on the key pad such that activation of the selected key activates the selected preprogrammed action of the respective motors, light source and sound generator.

14. A toy as claimed in claim 13 wherein the microprocessor is programmed for at least thirty-two actions.

15. A programmable toy car comprising:

a body and four spaced wheels;

two motor means for activating a respective one of two wheels on the body for causing the body to move on a surface;

a key pad located on the body including a series of multiple control switches for operation by a user;

the control switches being in the body and being connected with a microprocessor located in the body for translating signals received from the switches into control signals for operating the respective motors whereby the body is caused to move in different directions on the surface according to the action of each motor on the respective one of the two wheels;

the microprocessor being connected to control means for operating the two motors, and control means for operating a light source and a speaker in the body;

the key pad permitting operation of the multiple controls thereby to permit the selection of multiple combinations of motion of the body; and

the arrangement being such that the motors, wheels, key pad, switches and microprocessor are contained in the body, and wherein the switches and key pad are not operable or controllable under the action of a remote or detached controller, the center of gravity of the vehicle being located strategically relative to the wheels thereby to permit tipping of the vehicle according to the control of the wheel motion and thereby to permit pop-wheeling, and the microprocessor being programmable so as to permit for a selection of motions including multiple motions of forward, backward, left turn, right turn or sinusoidal.

16. A toy as claimed in claim 15 wherein the microprocessor is preprogrammed to activate respective motions and including a selected key on the key pad such that activation of the selected key activates the selected preprogrammed action of the respective motors.

17. A toy as claimed in claim 16 wherein the microprocessor is programmed for at least thirty-two actions.