Inter-cooperating toys

• US 6,246,927 B1
• Filed: 08/03/1999
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph Dratman
• Original Assignee: Ralph Dratman
• Inventors: Dratman, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, SHEELA S
• Application Number:
  US09/355,787
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83, 700/246, 700/245, 700/248, 446/436, 369/63, 701/25, 709/200, 318/568.12
• US Class Current: 700/246
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/183 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A method of managing a plurality of controllable objects in the storage and execution of instructions related to a performance of n desired actions comprising the steps of: (a) advising the plurality of objects that a first selected object is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action; (b) storing, in the first object, instructions related to the performance of the first desired action; (c) advising the plurality of objects that the storing of the instructions in the first selected object has been completed; (d) preparing the plurality of objects to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action; (e) storing, in a next selected object, the instructions related to the performance of the next desired action; (f) advising the plurality of objects that the storing of the instructions in the next selected object has been completed; and (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until instructions related to the performance of said n desired actions have been stored.

Claims

1. A method of managing a plurality of controllable objects in the storage and execution of instructions related to a performance of n desired actions, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) advising said plurality of objects that a first selected object is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action;

(b) storing, in said first object, said instructions related to said performance of said first desired action;

(c) advising said plurality of objects that said storing of said instructions in said first selected object has been completed;

(d) preparing said plurality of objects to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action;

(e) storing, in a next selected object, said instructions related to said performance of said next desired action;

(f) advising said plurality of objects that said storing of said instructions in said next selected object has been completed; and

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until instructions related to said performance of said n desired actions have been stored.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of advising said plurality of objects to begin executing said instructions related to said n desired actions.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said performance of said n desired actions is carried out by the further steps of:

(i) causing each object of said plurality of objects to individually determine whether it is the object that has stored said instructions related to said performance of said first desired action;

(ii) causing said object determined in step (i) to perform said first desired action by executing said instructions related to said first desired action;

(iii) causing said object determined in step (i) to advise said plurality of objects that said performance of said first desired action has been completed;

(iv) causing each object of said plurality of objects to individually determine whether it is the object that has stored said instructions related to said performance of said next desired action;

(v) causing the object determined in step (iv) to perform said next desired action by executing said instructions related to said next desired action;

(vi) causing the object determined in step (iv) to advise said plurality of objects that said performance of said next desired action has been completed; and

(vii) repeating steps (iv) through (vi) until said n desired actions have been performed.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of instructing said plurality of objects to erase any previously stored instructions.

8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of instructing said plurality of objects to erase all stored instructions related to said performance of said n desired actions.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of illuminating an indicator light in any one of steps (a) through (f).

12. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of illuminating an indicator light in any one of steps (i) through (vi).

15. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of editing any of said stored instructions.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein said editing is performed by a remote control unit.

19. The method according to claim 1 wherein any of said instructions are pre-recorded.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein an external source is used to store said pre-recorded instructions on any one of said objects.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein said pre-recorded instructions comprise an instruction with a unique identifier code to be stored in an object with a corresponding identifier code.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said corresponding identifier code is input by a toy user.

23. The method according to claim 21 wherein said corresponding identifier code is pre-programmed into an object.

29. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (c), (d) and (f) are effectuated via narrow band radio communication.

30. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (c), (d) and (f) are effectuated via infrared communication.

31. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (c), (d) and (f) are effectuated via a Local Area Network.

32. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (c), (d) and (f) are effectuated via an ultrasonic signal.

33. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (c), (d) and (f) are effectuated via a wired communication link.

34. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (c), (d) and (f) are effectuated via a fiber optic communication link.

35. The method according to claim 1 wherein a Voice Activated System is used for said storing steps.

36. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of causing said object determined in step (iv) to advise said plurality of said objects that said performance of said next desired action has been started.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising the step of causing said object determined in step (i) to advise said plurality of objects that said performance of said next desired action has been completed if said object determined in step (iv) fails to advise said plurality of said objects that said performance of said next desired action has been started.

38. The method according to claim 36, further comprising the step of causing said object determined in step (iv) to advise said plurality of objects that said performance of said next desired action has been completed if said object determined in a repetition of step (iv) fails to advise said plurality of said objects that said performance of said next desired action has been started.

41. The method according to claim 2, wherein said performance of said n desired actions is carried out by the further steps of:

(i) causing each object of said plurality of objects to individually determine whether it is the object that has stored said instructions related to said performance of said first desired action;

(ii) causing said object determined in step (i) to perform said first desired action by executing said instructions related to said first desired action;

(iii) causing said object determined in step (i) to advise said plurality of objects to perform a next desired action by executing instructions related to said next desired action;

(iv) causing each object of said plurality of objects to individually determine whether it is the object that has stored said instructions related to said performance of said next desired action;

(v) causing the object determined in step (iv) to perform said next desired action by executing said instructions related to said next desired action;

(vi) causing the object determined in step (iv) to advise said plurality of objects to perform a next desired action by executing instructions related to said next desired action; and

(vii) repeating steps (iv) through (vi) until said n desired actions have been performed.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein execution of said instructions related to performance of said n desired actions occurs in an order different from the order in which said instructions were stored.

4. A system for managing a plurality of controllable objects in the storage and execution of instructions related to a performance of n desired actions, the system comprising:

advising means for advising said plurality of objects that a first object is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action;

storing means for storing, in said first object, said instructions related to said performance of said first desired action;

second advising means for advising said plurality of objects that said storing of said instructions in said first object has been completed;

preparation means for preparing each object of said plurality to prepare to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action;

second storing means for storing, in a next object, said instructions related to said performance of said next desired action;

third advising means for advising said plurality of objects that said storing of said instructions in said next object has been completed; and

repetition means for further activating said preparation means, said second storing means and said third advising means until instructions related to said performance of said n desired actions have been stored.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising instructing means for instructing said plurality of objects to begin performing said n desired actions.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising:

determining means for causing each object of said plurality of objects to individually determine whether it is the object which has stored said instructions related to said performance of said first desired action;

performance means for causing said object determined by said determining means to perform said first desired action by executing said instructions related to said first desired action;

fourth advising means for causing said object determined by said determining means to advise said plurality of objects that said performance of said first desired action has been completed;

second determining means for causing each object of said plurality of objects to individually determine whether it is the object which has stored said instructions related to said performance of said next desired action;

second performance means for causing said object determined by said second determining means to perform said next desired action by executing the said instructions related to said next desired action;

fifth advising means for causing said object determined by said second determining means to advise said plurality of objects that said performance of said next desired action has been completed; and

second repetition means for further activating said second determining means, said second performance means and said fifth advising means until said n desired actions have been performed.

9. The system according to claim 4, further comprising an advising means for advising said plurality of objects to erase any previously stored instructions.

10. The system according to claim 6, further comprising an advising means for advising said plurality of objects to erase all stored instructions related to said performance of said n desired actions.

13. The system according to claim 4 further comprising an indicator means for indicating that any of one said advising, storing or preparation means are in use.

14. The system according to claim 6 further comprising an indicator means for indicating that any one of said determining, performance or advising means are in use.

16. The system according to claim 4 further comprising an editing means for editing any of said stored instructions.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said editing means is a remote control unit.

24. The system according to claim 4 wherein any of said instructions are pre-recorded.

25. The system according to claim 24 wherein any one of said storing means receive said pre-recorded instructions from an external source.

26. The system according to claim 25 wherein said pre-recorded instructions comprise an instruction with a unique identifier code to be stored in an object with a corresponding identifier code.

27. The system according to claim 26 wherein said corresponding identifier code is input by a toy user.

28. The system according to claim 27 wherein said corresponding identifier code is pre-programmed into an object.

39. The system according to claim 6, further comprising a sixth advising means for causing said object determined by said second determining means to advise said plurality of objects that performance of said next desired action has begun.

40. The system according to claim 39, further comprising a fallback means for causing said object determined by said determining means to advise said plurality of objects that performance of said next desired action has been completed if said sixth advising means fails to advise said plurality of objects that performance of said next desired action has begun after a predetermined period of time.

43. A programmable object capable of intercommunicating with other programmable objects to perform a series of desired actions, comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting signals to be received by said other objects;

receiving means for receiving signals transmitted by said other objects;

storage means for storing a set of instructions related to a performance by said object of a desired action of said series of desired actions;

assigning means for assigning a unique event code to each set of instructions stored so that each desired action is represented by said assigned event code, said event code being stored in said storage means;

tracking means, in communication with said assigning means, for tracking said unique event code so as to permit said object to track which desired action of said series of desired actions is stored in said object;

commencement means, in communication with said transmitting means, for causing said transmitting means to transmit a first advisory signal indicative of the commencement of the storing of said event-coded instruction set in said storage means and to transmit a second advisory signal indicative of the completion of the storing of said event-coded set of instructions;

interpreting means, in communication with said receiving means, said assignment means and said tracking means, for interpreting advisory signals received by said receiving means so as to permit said object to track whether said other objects have stored an other event-coded set of instructions and to track what event codes have been assigned to those other objects, so that said assignment means can determine a next available event code for assignment;

executing means for executing said event-coded set of instructions; and

playback means, in communication with said transmitting means, for causing said transmitting means to transmit a playback signal, said playback signal causing said object and said other objects receiving said playback signal to execute all stored event-coded sets of instructions in event-coded order, so as to cause the performance of all desired actions in said series of actions.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

determining means, responsive to said playback signal and in communication with said tracking means, for determining which desired action in said series of actions is the next to be performed;

second determining means, responsive to said playback signal and in communication with said tracking means, for determining if said object has stored an event-coded instruction set corresponding to said next action to be performed; and

instructing means for instructing said executing means to execute said event-coded instruction set corresponding to said next action.

45. The apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising:

second commencement means, in communication with said transmitting means, for causing said transmitting means to transmit a third advisory signal indicative of the commencement of the execution of an event-coded instruction set; and

completion means, in communication with said transmitting means, for causing said transmitting means to transmit a fourth advisory signal indicative of the completion of the execution of an event-coded instruction set.

46. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means utilize narrow band radio communication.

47. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means utilize infrared communication.

48. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means utilize a Local Area Network.

49. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means utilize an ultrasonic signal.

50. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means utilize a wired communication link.

51. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means utilize a fiber optic communication link.

52. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said storage means is a storage device chosen from the group consisting of a digital microprocessor, an EEPROM memory chip, DRAM, and RAM.

53. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein any one of said assigning means, tracking means, commencement means, interpreting means, playback means, executing means, determining means, instructing means, or completion means comprise a software controlled microprocessor.

54. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said transmitting means, said receiving means, said storage means, said assigning means, said tracking means, said commencement means, said interpreting means, said executing means, said playback means, said determining means, said second determining means, said instructing means, said second commencement means and said completion means are provided within a separate, releasable unit, and wherein said releasable unit is attachable to an object to permit said object to intercommunicate with other programmable objects.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said releasable unit comprises pre-recorded instructions.

56. A method of controlling a plurality of controllable, spontaneously programmable toys in the storage and execution of user input instructions related to a performance of a series of n desired actions, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) causing a selected one toy to signal said plurality of toys that said selected one toy is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action;

(b) storing, in said selected toy, instructions input by a toy user related to said performance of said first desired action;

(c) causing, upon the completion of said toy user'"'"'s input, said selected one toy to signal said plurality of toys that said storing of instructions in said first selected toy has been completed;

(d) causing each toy of said plurality of toys to prepare to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action;

(e) storing, in a next selected toy, instructions input by a next toy user related to said performance of said next desired action;

(f) causing, upon the completion of said next toy user'"'"'s input, said next selected toy to signal said plurality of toys that said storing of instructions in said next selected toy has been completed;

(g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until instructions related to said performance of said n desired actions have been stored;

(h) causing any one of said plurality of toys to signal that said first selected toy should commence execution of said instructions related to said first action;

(i) causing, in said first selected toy, the execution of said instructions related to said first desired action;

(j) causing, upon the completion of the execution of said first action, said first selected toy to signal said plurality of toys that said performance of said first desired action has completed;

(k) causing said plurality of toys to determine which toy is said next selected toy;

(l) causing said next selected toy to perform said next desired action by executing said instructions related to said next desired action;

(m) causing said next selected toy to signal said plurality of toys that said performance of said next desired action has been completed; and

(n) repeating steps (k) through (m) until said n desired actions have been performed.

58. The method according to claim 56, wherein said toy user and said next toy user are the same user.

57. A system for controlling a plurality of controllable, spontaneously programmable toys in the storage and execution of user input instructions related to a performance of a series of n desired actions, the system comprising:

signal means for causing a selected first toy to signal said plurality of toys that said first toy is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action;

memory means for storing, in said first toy, instructions input by a toy user related to said performance of said first desired action;

second signal means for causing, upon the completion of said toy user'"'"'s input, said first toy to signal said plurality of toys that said storing of said instructions in said first toy has been completed;

preparation means for causing each toy of said plurality of toys to prepare to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action;

next toy memory means for storing, in a next toy, instructions input by a next toy user related to said performance of said next desired action;

third signal means for causing, upon the completion of said next toy user'"'"'s input, said next toy to signal said plurality of toys that said storing of said instructions in said next toy has been completed;

repetition means for causing the further activation of said preparation means, said next toy memory means and said third signal means until instructions related to said performance of said n desired actions have been stored;

commencement means for causing any one of said plurality of toys to signal that said first toy should commence the execution of said instructions related to said first action;

execution means for causing, in said first toy, the execution of said instructions related to said first desired action;

fourth signal means for causing, upon the completion of said performance of said first action, said first toy to signal said plurality of toys that said performance of said first desired action has been completed;

determining means for causing said plurality of toys to determine which toy is said next toy;

next toy performance means for causing said next toy to perform said next desired action by executing said instructions related to said next desired action;

next toy signaling means for causing said next toy to signal said plurality of toys that said performance of said next desired action has been completed; and

second repetition means for causing the further activation of said determining means, said next toy performance means and said next toy signaling means until said n desired actions have been performed.

59. The system according to claim 57, wherein said toy user and said next toy user are the same user.

60. A system for storing and performing a series of n desired actions in the order stored, comprising:

a plurality of programmable objects, each object comprising;

memory means for storing instructions related to a performance of a desired action of a series of n desired actions;

tracking means for tracking said instructions that have been stored in said object; and

performance means, in communication with said tracking means, for executing said instructions so as to perform said desired action in the order in which said instructions related to said desired action was stored in said object.