Toy having data downloading station

• US 5,873,765 A
• Filed: 01/07/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Lam, Peter Ar-Fu, Hartling, Donald C., Rifkin, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US08/797,364
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 446/143, 446/297, 446/298, 446/299, 446/300, 446/301, 446/175, 446/436, 446/484, 434/308, 434/307 R, 369/63
• US Class Current: 446/301
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A conventional computer is coupled to a data downloading station which in turn receives a downloadable toy. The downloading station includes a data transmitter such as an infrared light emitting diode while the toy includes a corresponding receiver or sensor such as an infrared sensor. Data is selected by the user operating the computer and is downloaded to the toy via the communication link while the toy is situated in proximity to the downloading station. Once the data has been downloaded, it is stored within a memory within the toy. Thereafter, the toy may be removed from the downloading station and operated in response to the stored data while completely independent from the downloading station and the computer. In one embodiment, the data downloading station replicates a miniature computer work station supporting a light emitting diode for transmitting infrared energy and operatively coupled to the computer. A doll having an infrared sensor supported thereon is seatable within the miniature work station. The doll includes a processor and memory together with an audio system and a jaw moving system which cooperate to simulate speech by the doll. The doll may be downloaded with a substantial amount of words and phrases which are stored within the doll memory and communicated via the infrared communication link. Thereafter, the doll is operable independently from the work station providing simulated speech included coordinated audio output and jaw motion. The doll is also operable in a pass-through mode.

Claims

1. A toy system operable in response to data received from a computer having an input means and a data output, said toy system comprising:

a doll configurable into a seated position;

a downloading station having means for data coupling to receive data signals from a computer and having means for receiving and supporting said doll without electrical connection thereto, said means for receiving said doll including a seating environment;

an infrared-transmitter, within said downloading station, constructed to receive data from a computer and produce infrared signals incoded to communicate received data;

an infrared sensor, supported by said doll, responding to said infrared signals and converting said infrared signals to corresponding data signals;

a processor, supported within said doll and having an associated memory, operative to store data received from said infrared sensor; and

speech simulating means, supported within said doll and responsive to said processor, for causing said doll to appear to speak audible phrases using data stored in said memory once said doll is removed from said downloading station.

2. A toy system set forth in claim 1 further including means for operation said doll in a pass through mode in which said doll appears to speak in real-time while seated in said seating environment.