Programmable toy and game

• US 6,645,037 B1
• Filed: 08/12/1998
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Silverlit Toys USA Incorporated (Silverlit Toys)
• Original Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Limited (Silverlit Toys)
• Inventors: Choi, Kei Fung
• Primary Examiner(s): BANKS, DERRIS HOLT
• Application Number:
  US09/140,060
• Time in Patent Office: 1,917 Days
• Field of Search: 496/436, 496/457, 496/460, 496/431, 496/437, 496/438, 496/397, 496/409, 701/36, 180/204
• US Class Current: 446/436
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/143 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/006 Missile-launching means on toy vehicles
• 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 or 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. The keyboard can also be used to play a game of skill, for instance, shooting at a target.

Claims

1. A programmable 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 keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the body; and

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches, and wherein the game of skill is played by a player activating selected switches, the game being unrelated to moving the body relative to the surrounding environment,

wherein the body is a representation of a vehicle having lights, and having the keypad for the game mounted on the top of the vehicle, the vehicle including an automobile chassis supported by four wheels; and

program means for controlling the game of skill using said lights.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is programmable so as to permit for a selection of motions including at least one motion of forward, backward, left turn, right turn or a circular direction.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 including the motion of pop-wheeling, and wherein a 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 and thereby to permit pop-wheeling.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lights include LEDs for indicating a state of operation of the first mode or the state of operation of the second mode.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a speaker for creating sounds, and means for selectively activating the motion generator at a time to coordinate with sounds from the speaker.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is connected to control means for operating the motor, and control means for operating the lights and additionally sounds, the sounds being operable selectively according to a state of operation in the first mode and the second mode.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the keypad permits the lights to select, through the microprocessor, at least one of a series of different skill games.

8. A method of operating a programmable device comprising:

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

operating a keypad to activate a series of control switches;

energizing selectively lights on the body; and

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, into control signals for operating the motive generator whereby the body is caused to move in different directions; and

in a second mode, into signals for a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches, and wherein the game of skill includes the interaction of a player with the control switches, and a response by the microprocessor as indicated by the lights on the body causes selective different reactions with the switches, and wherein the game of skill is played by a player activating selected switches, the game being unrelated to moving the body relative to the surrounding environment, and including the activation of a light signal as part of the game to move in at least one direction over the body.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the body is representative of an automobile vehicle and wherein there are four spaced wheels, and wherein two wheels are driven by a single motor.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the microprocessor is programmable so as to permit for a selection of motions including at least one motion of forward, backward, left turn, right turn or circular direction.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 including a speaker for creating sounds, and means for selectively activating the motive generator at a time to coordinate with sounds from the speaker.

12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the series of lights selectively reacts in relation to the activation of the motive generator.

13. A method as claimed in claim 9 including a speaker for creating sounds, and means for selectively interacting relative to activation of the wheels, the sounds from the speaker.

14. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the microprocessor is connected to control means for operating the motor, and control means for operating the lights and a speaker in the body.

15. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the keypad permits the operation of multiple controls which is thereby to permit the selection of multiple combinations of motion of the body.

16. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the lights include LEDs for indicating a state of operation of the first mode or the state of operation of the second mode.

17. A programmable 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 keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the body; and

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches, and wherein the game of skill is played by a player activating selected switches, the game being unrelated to moving the body relative to the surrounding environment, and

wherein the body is a representation of a train.

18. A programmable 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 keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the body; and

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches, and wherein the game of skill is played by a player activating selected switches, the game being unrelated to moving the body relative to the surrounding environment, and

wherein the body is a representation of a plane.

19. A programmable 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 keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the body; and

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches, and wherein the game of skill is played by a player activating selected switches, the game being unrelated to moving the body relative to the surrounding environment, and

wherein the body is a representation of a motorbike.

20. A programmable device comprising:

a automobile body;

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

a keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the automobile body;

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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;

the directions including the motion of forward, backward, right turn, left turn and circular; and

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches;

wherein the automobile body includes lights, and wherein the keypad for the game is mounted on the top of the automobile body, the vehicle including an automobile chassis supported by four wheels; and

program means for controlling the game of skill using said lights.

21. A programmable 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 keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the body;

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the body react to selective operation of the switches;

wherein the motion of the body is not operable under remote control; and

wherein the body is a representation of a vehicle having lights, and having the keypad for the game mounted on the top of the vehicle, the vehicle including an automobile chassis supported by four wheels; and

program means for controlling the game of skill using said lights.

22. A programmable device comprising:

a vehicle body;

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

a keypad including a series of control switches for operation by a user;

a series of lights on the vehicle body;

the switches being connected with a microprocessor for translating signals received from the switches selectively, in a first mode, 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

in a second mode, into signals for engaging a game of skill wherein the lights on the vehicle body react to selective operation of the switches;

the motive of the vehicle body in the first mode including tipping of the vehicle body relative to the surface; and

wherein the body is a representation of a vehicle having lights, and wherein the keypad for the game is mounted on the top of the vehicle, the vehicle including an automobile chassis supported by four wheels; and

program means for controlling the game of skill using said lights.