Sensor configuration for toy
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for a toy set that includes an electronic device and a toy wherein the electronic device communicates with the toy using a light-based control signal and the toy communicates with the electronic device using an audio signal, the method comprising:
- generating a light at a surface of an electronic device wherein the light forms a control signal;
receiving the light-based control signal at a light sensor of a toy that overlies the surface of the electronic device; and
in response to the light-based control signal, generating an audio control signal from the toy;
receiving the audio control signal at a microphone of the electronic device;
detecting, using a sensor on the toy, a motion over the toy;
in response to the detection of the motion, emitting a second audio control signal from the toy;
receiving, at the electronic device, the second audio control signal from the toy; and
in response to the receiving of the second audio control signal, performing an operation at the electronic device wherein the operation is at least one of
1) generating an audible sound; and
2) displaying an image on a display screen of the electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variety of methods and arrangements for facilitating communication between an electronic device and a toy are described. In one aspect, the toy communicates with the electronic device using audio signals and/or conductive touch elements. Some embodiments involve an electronic device that is arranged to use light-based control signals to communicate with a toy. In various implementations, the toy includes a light/motion sensor that allows a user to interact with the toy.
37 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for a toy set that includes an electronic device and a toy wherein the electronic device communicates with the toy using a light-based control signal and the toy communicates with the electronic device using an audio signal, the method comprising:
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generating a light at a surface of an electronic device wherein the light forms a control signal; receiving the light-based control signal at a light sensor of a toy that overlies the surface of the electronic device; and in response to the light-based control signal, generating an audio control signal from the toy; receiving the audio control signal at a microphone of the electronic device; detecting, using a sensor on the toy, a motion over the toy; in response to the detection of the motion, emitting a second audio control signal from the toy; receiving, at the electronic device, the second audio control signal from the toy; and in response to the receiving of the second audio control signal, performing an operation at the electronic device wherein the operation is at least one of
1) generating an audible sound; and
2) displaying an image on a display screen of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A toy that is capable of two way communication with an underlying electronic device using audio and light signals, the toy comprising:
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a speaker that is arranged to emit an audio control signal to be received by the electronic device; a light sensor that is arranged to receive a light-based control signal from the electronic device; a sensor for detecting motion over the toy; and a power supply that is coupled with and provides electrical power to the speaker and the light sensor; wherein in response to the light-based control signal the toy emits the audio control signal; and
wherein in response to detection of motion, the toy emits a second audio control signal which is received by the electronic device and causes the electronic device to perform an operation including at least one of
1) an audible sound; and
2) an image on a display screen of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable non-transitory storage medium that includes executable computer code embodied in a tangible form wherein the computer readable storage medium includes:
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executable computer code operable to generate a light at a surface of an electronic device wherein the light forms a control signal; executable computer code operable to receive the light-based control signal at a light sensor of a toy that overlies the surface of the electronic device; executable computer code operable to generate an audio control signal from the toy in response to the light-based control signal; executable computer code operable to receive the audio control signal at a microphone of the electronic device; executable computer code operable to detect motion from a sensor on the toy, and in response to the detected motion, emit a second audio control signal from the toy to be received by the electronic device; and executable computer code operable to perform an operation at the electronic device in response to receiving the second audio control signal, wherein the operation is at least one of
1) generating an audible sound; and
2) displaying an image on a display screen of the electronic device.
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Specification