Remote controlled toy

• US 6,814,643 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lego A/S (Kirkbi A/S)
• Original Assignee: Interlego, AG (Kirkbi A/S)
• Inventors: Munch, Gaute, Dooley, Mike, Rasmussen, Jesper
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US09/890,417
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446/454, 446/456-457, 446/397, 446/268, 446/269-270
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A remote controlled apparatus (4), e.g., a remote controlled toy, for remote control from a remote control unit, e.g., a pocket torch (2). The apparatus is characterized in that it is adapted to respond to a sequence of light pulses which have a frequency of repetition that is lower than the maximum frequency which a human being can produce manually, e.g., by alternately turning the torch on and off. In a special embodiment, after a received sequence of light pulses, the apparatus is adapted to emit an acoustic acceptance signal by means of a sound generator (15).

Claims

1. A remote controlled toy element for remote control by means of signals from a remote control unit, said toy element comprising

a sensor which is coupled to a microprocessor for detection of the signals,

at least one unit which is controlled by the microprocessor to control the at least one unit in response to a program which is executed by the microprocessor, said program comprising program steps which when executed make the microprocessor responsive to the signals, wherein

the toy element is arranged to record a pulse pattern with pulses which have flanks, and to

control a predetermined of the at least one unit in dependence of how flanks, with intervals that are longer than 100 milliseconds, occurred temporally in the recorded pulse pattern.

2. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 1, wherein the toy element is arranged to respond to pulses of light.

3. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 1, wherein the toy element is arranged to respond to pulses of visible light.

4. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 1, wherein the toy element is arranged to respond to sound pulses.

5. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 1, wherein said intervals are longer than 200 milliseconds or 300 milliseconds.

6. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 1 wherein at least two different functions which are selected by means of signals from a remote control unit, wherein toy elements, after a received signal for selection of function, are arranged to emit a signal which depends on the received signal.

7. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 6, wherein the emitted signal is an acoustic signal.

8. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 6, wherein the emitted signal is an optical signal.

9. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 6, wherein the signal is emitted before the selected function is carried out.

10. A remote controlled toy element according to claim 6, wherein the toy element is arranged to compare a signal received from the remote control unit with a plurality of expected signals, and to emit a first signal in the event that the received signal matches one of the expected signals, and to emit a second signal in the event that the received signal does not match any of the expected signals.