Virtual character video toy with movable display

• US 8,267,737 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2011
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Hardin, Mark, Ambriz, Dominic, Viohl, Evelyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US13/182,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20110269541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446 82- 84, 446/478, 345201-206, 404/09, 404/11, 401/240.6
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/42 Toy models or toy scenery not otherwise covered models or scenery for general purposes G09B
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 13/00 Panoramas, dioramas, stereoramas, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 19/00 Puppet, marionette, or shadow shows or theatres

Abstract

A display system is provided. The display system may include a housing and a transparent display screen mounted to the housing, the screen configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The display system may further include a sensor mounted to the housing to detect screen position in relation to the housing and a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

a housing;

a transparent display screen mounted to the housing, the screen configured to be moved between a first position and a second position;

a sensor mounted to the housing to detect screen position in relation to the housing; and

a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen;

where the housing includes a first housing segment having a first diorama and a second housing segment having a second diorama, wherein the first diorama is adjacent to the display screen in the first position and the second diorama is adjacent to the display screen in the second position.

2. The display system of claim 1, where the character generator is responsive to the sensor to alter display of the virtual character on the screen as engaging in activities associated with a theme of the diorama adjacent to the screen.

3. The display system of claim 1, where the character generator is configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen based on the detected screen position in relation to the housing.

4. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a control input coupled to the character generator for generating input signals.

5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a junction and the screen is mounted to the housing at the junction.

6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the junction includes a hinge.

7. A display system comprising:

a housing;

a hinge mounted to the housing;

a transparent screen viewable from two sides and mounted to the hinge at a screen edge to allow rotation of the screen relative to the housing;

a rotation sensor mounted on the housing to detect screen rotation; and

a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen;

wherein the character generator is configured to reverse an orientation of the displayed images when the screen is rotated about an axis of the hinge.

8. A display system comprising:

a housing;

a hinge mounted to the housing;

a transparent screen viewable from two sides and mounted to the hinge at a screen edge to allow rotation of the screen relative to the housing;

a rotation sensor mounted on the housing to detect screen rotation; and

a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen;

wherein the character generator is configured to translate a first position of the virtual character on the screen to a second position when the screen is rotated about an axis of the hinge.

9. A display system comprising:

a housing;

a hinge mounted to the housing;

a transparent screen viewable from two sides and mounted to the hinge at a screen edge to allow rotation of the screen relative to the housing;

a rotation sensor mounted on the housing to detect screen rotation;

a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen; and

a first diorama and a second diorama with respective first and second distinct themes, the first diorama and the second diorama being supported on the housing at spaced positions.

10. The display system of claim 9, wherein the screen is adapted to be rotated between a first position adjacent to the first diorama and a second position adjacent to the second diorama.

11. The display system of claim 10, wherein the first diorama is visible through the screen in the first position and the second diorama is visible through the screen in the second position.

12. The display system of claim 11, wherein the character generator is configured to display the character on the screen as engaging in activities associated with the theme of the diorama adjacent to and visible through the screen.

13. A display system comprising:

a housing;

a movable screen connected to the housing to display a virtual character that engages in activities;

a sensor mounted on the housing to detect screen position in relation to the housing; and

a character generator operably connected to the sensor and configured;

in response to positioning the screen in a first position, to generate and display the virtual character engaging in a first activity; and

in response to positioning the screen in a second position, to generate the virtual character engaging in a second activity.

14. The display system of claim 13, further comprising:

a first diorama with a first theme; and

a second diorama with a second theme distinct from the first theme,

wherein the first diorama is adjacent to the moveable screen in the first position and the second diorama is adjacent to the moveable screen in the second position.

15. The display system of claim 14, wherein the first activity is related to the first theme and the second activity is related to the second theme.

16. The display system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a rotation sensor mounted on the housing to detect screen rotation.

17. The display system of claim 13, wherein the character generator maintains a virtual character orientation continuity at least in part by translating or inverting a position of the virtual character on the screen.

18. The display system of claim 13, further comprising a user control input, wherein the character generator is further configured, in response to input from a user at the control input, to portray the virtual character as engaging in additional activities.