Filtered light signal control suitable for toys

• US 5,847,854 A
• Filed: 08/02/1996
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trendmasters, Inc. (Jakks Pacific, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trendmasters, Inc. (Jakks Pacific, Inc.)
• Inventors: Benson, Rambo Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCAL, LESLIE C
• Application Number:
  US08/691,378
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 359/147, 359/124, 359/133, 359/127, 359/156, 359/122, 359/142, 359/128, 446/175
• US Class Current: 398/111
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum

Abstract

A toy method and apparatus is presented which utilizes a filtered signal to control a toy. A number of signal sources are filtered such that they each provide a signal of a specific wavelength(s) or polarization angle. A number of toys contain similar filters, such that the toys provide a mechanical, visual, acoustical, etc., response to reception of a signal of the wavelength(s) for which they contain the filter. In this manner, signal sources which control one toy cannot interfere with another toy, or parts of same toy, during an interactive game.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled toy, comprising:

a remote unit that receives a signal for remotely controlling the toy and thereby causes at least one response in the toy, including;

a first signal filter designed to pass a signal of a first wavelength(s),

a first signal sensor, arranged to receive a signal which passes through the first filter,

an actuator wherein a first actuator response causes at least one toy response,

a first power source, connected to the first signal sensor,

a control circuit, connected to the power source, the first signal sensor, and the actuator, the control circuit, in response to the impingement of a signal of the first wavelength(s) on the first signal filter and first signal sensor, causing a first actuator response in the actuator,

a second signal filter, designed to pass a signal of a second wavelength(s),

a second signal sensor, arranged to receive a signal which passes through the second signal filter and connected to the control circuit and first power source, the control circuit causing a second actuator response in the actuator when a signal of the second wavelength(s) impinges on the second signal filter and the second signal sensor, wherein

the second actuator response causes at least one toy response,

the signal of the second wavelength(s) does not pass through the first signal filter, and

the signal of the first wavelength(s) does not pass through the second signal filter;

a first remote controller for providing at least one signal for remotely controlling the toy, including;

a second power sources,

a first signal source, connected to the second power source,

a third signal filter, arranged to receive the signal from the first signal source and pass only signals of the first wavelength(s), and

a first control switch, connected to the second power source and the first signal source, the first control switch switching the signal source on and off, wherein the first remote controller is used to provide the signal of the first wavelength(s) to the first signal filter; and

a second remote controller, for providing at least one signal for remotely controlling the toy, including;

a third power source,

a second signal source connected to the third power source,

a fourth signal filter, arranged to receive a signal from the second signal source and pass only a signal of the second wavelength(s), and

a second control switch, connected to third power source and second signal source, which permits a user to switch the second signal source on and off, wherein the second remote controller is used to provide a signal of the second wavelength(s) to the second signal filter, and wherein

the signal of first wavelength(s) is a light signal of a first color;

the signal of second wavelength(s) is a light signal of a second color;

the first and the second signal sensors are light sensors;

the first and the third signal filters pass light of the first color; and

the second and the fourth signal filters pass light of the second color.

2. The remotely controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the first and second signal sensors are cadmium sulfate sensors.

3. The remotely controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the first remote controller further comprises:

a first lens for focusing the filtered light of the first color; and

wherein the second remote controller further comprises;

a second lens to focus the light of the second color.

4. The remotely controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the first and second colors are complementary colors.

5. The remotely controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the first color is red and the second color is green.

6. The remotely controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the first remote controller further comprises:

the signal of first wavelength(s) is a light signal of a first polarized angle;

the signal of second wavelength(s) is a light signal of a second polarized angle;

the first and second signal sensors are light sensors;

the first and second signal filters pass light of the first polarized angle; and

the third and fourth signal filters pass light of the second polarized angle.