Interactive toys

• US 6,682,387 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Limited (Silverlit Toys)
• Original Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Limited (Silverlit Toys)
• Inventors: Choi, Kei Fung
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Francis, Faye
• Application Number:
  US10/021,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446/297-301, 446/390, 446/391, 446/392, 446/393, 446/357
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 11/00 Self-movable toy figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/006 provided with electrical lighting electrical lighting F21
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/48 Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes or parts for animation self-moving A63H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068

Abstract

A pair of toys or novelty devices for moving relative to the surrounding environment comprises a body for each toy. The body of at least one of the toys or devices to be capable of movement over a surface. A switch with the body activates a magnet to react from one state to another state, and in the second state causing at least one of the devices or toys to move relatively closer together in the surrounding environment. A microprocessor circuit with the body is connected with the magnet such that the switch causes the magnet to operate from one state to another state. When there are a pair of toys, which appear as pets, which get together, and when they appear to kiss each other, there is emitted a kissing sound. Then the cheeks of the pets glow and become red color, resembling the human emotion and reaction.

Claims

1. A first toy for moving relative to a second toy, wherein the first toy comprises:

a body for the first toy;

at least a portion of the body of the first toy being capable of movement;

a first switch with the body of the first toy for activating a magnet, the magnet being with the first toy, and the magnet being movable from one physical position to a second physical position within the body of the first toy, and in the second position causing at least a portion of a second toy to move relatively closer relative to the first toy;

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected through the first switch with the magnet such that the first switch causes a further activation of the toy; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a movable feature of the body of the first toy, the movable feature being selectively at least one of eyelids or ears.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a program in the microprocessor circuit, a sound generator, and a light-emitting device, the program being for effecting signals to effect the activation, the activation being at least one of a moving action, sound, or light, the moving action being selectively effected by a motor, the sound being created by the sound generator associated with the body, and the light being effected by the light-emitting device.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is programmed to generate at least one of a different light action or sound effect in response to signals received from the microprocessor.

5. A toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the toy is mounted for rocking motion about the pivot mounting, and including a spring for holding the body of the toy normally in a relatively upright manner, and wherein under action of a user the toy is caused to rock about its pivot.

6. A toy device for moving relative to the surrounding environment, wherein the toy comprises:

a body;

the body being capable of movement;

a magnet with the body for activating a first switch to react from one state to another state, and in the second state causing another device and the toy to move relatively closer together;

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected with the magnet such that the first switch causes the magnet to operate from one state to another state; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit and cause the activation of at least one of a speaker and light source.

7. A toy as claimed in claim 6 wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

8. A toy as claimed in claim 6 wherein the toy is mounted for rocking motion about a pivot mounting, and including a spring for holding the body of the toy normally in a relatively upright manner, and wherein under action of a user the toy is caused to rock about its pivot.

9. A pair of toys, wherein at least one is for moving relative to the surrounding environment, wherein the toys comprise:

a body for each toy;

the body for at least one of the toys for being capable of movement;

a first switch with the body for activating an electronic circuit in response to movement of a magnet from a first position to a second position, and in the second position causing at least one of the toys to move relatively closer to the other toy;

the circuit being connected with the first switch such that closing the switch causes operation of the circuit; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit and cause the activation of at least one of a speaker and light source.

10. A pair of toys for moving relatively to each other, wherein the toys comprise:

a body for each toy;

the body of at least one of the toys being capable of movement over a surface;

a first switch with the body of at least one of the toys for activating a magnet in the respective toy to react from one state to another state, and the magnet in the second state causing at least one of the toys to move relatively closer to the other toy;

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected with the magnet such that operation of the first switch causes the magnet to move from one state to another state; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit and cause the activation of at least one of a speaker and light source.

11. A toy as claimed in claim 10 wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

12. A pair of toys in the form of two animal characters for relative movement, wherein the toys comprise:

a body for each toy;

the body of at least one of the toys being capable of movement over a surface to move relatively towards each other;

a first switch with the body of at least one of the toys for activating a circuit with at least one of the toys when a magnet reacts from one state to a second state, such that when the magnet is in the second state at least one of the toys moves relatively closer to the other toy;

the circuit being connected with a second switch, the circuit additionally acting to active a light source in at least one of the toys to cause a glow in at least of the toys, and to cause a sound generator in at least one of the toys to active a sound from at least one of the toys; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit and cause the activation of at least one of a speaker and light source.

13. A pair of toys as claimed in claim 12 wherein the sound is that of a kiss and the color is a glow resembling an emotion, selectively red, to depict shyness.

14. A first toy for moving relative to a second toy, wherein the first toy comprises:

a body for the first toy;

at least a portion of the body of the first toy being capable of movement;

a first switch with the body of the first toy for activating a magnet, the magnet being with the first toy, and the magnet being movable from a first position to a second position movable from one physical position to a second physical position within the body of the first toy, and in the second position causing at least a portion of a second toy to move relatively closer relative to the first toy;

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected through a first switch with the magnet such that the first switch causes a further activation of the toy; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit.

15. A toy for moving relative to the surrounding environment, wherein the toy comprises:

a body;

the body being capable of movement;

a magnet with the body for activating a first switch to react from one state to another state, and in the second state causing another device and the toy to move relatively closer together; and

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected with the magnet such that the first switch causes the magnet to operate from one state to another state, and a second switch operational independent of the first switch operation with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit.

16. A pair of toys, wherein at least one is for moving relative to the surrounding environment, wherein the toys comprise:

a body for each toy;

the body for at least one of the toys for being capable of movement;

a first switch with the body for activating an electronic circuit in response to movement of a magnet from a first position to a second position movable from one physical position to second physical position within the body of the first toy, and in the second position causing at least one of the toys to move relatively closer to the other toy; and

the circuit being connected with the first switch such that closing the switch causes operation of the circuit, and a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit.

17. A pair of toys for moving relative to each other, wherein the toys comprise:

a body for each toy;

the body of at least one of the toys being capable of movement over a surface;

a first switch with the body of at least one of the toys for activating a magnet in the respective toy to react from one state to another state, and the magnet in the second state causing at least one of the toys to move relatively closer to the other toy; and

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected with the magnet such that operation of the switch causes the magnet to move from one state to another state, and a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit.

18. A first toy for moving relative to a second toy, wherein the first toy comprises:

a body for the first toy, the body being mounted on a pivot for a rockable motion;

at least a portion of the body of the first toy being capable of movement;

a first switch with the body of the first toy for activating a magnet, the magnet being with the first toy, and the magnet being movable from one physical position to a second physical position within the body of the first toy, and in the second position causing at least a portion of a second toy to move relatively closer relative to the first toy;

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected through the first switch with the magnet such that the first switch causes a further activation of the toy; and

a second switch operational independently of the first switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational second switch acting to close the circuit and cause the activation of at least one of a speaker and light source, and the second switch being operational by having the body move in a rocking motion to effect switch closure.

19. A toy as claimed in claim 18 wherein the toy includes a spring for holding the body of the toy normally in a relatively upright manner, and wherein under action of a user the toy is caused to rock about its pivot.