Level/position sensor and related electronic circuitry for interactive toy

• US 6,437,703 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter Sui Lun Fong
• Original Assignee: Peter Sui Lun Fong
• Inventors: Fong, Peter Sui Lun
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/568,900
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 340/689, 340/686.1, 340/573.1, 340/641.2, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.52, 200/61.48, 200/52.R, 736/49, 736/51, 736/52, 736/54, 736/53, 736/55, 736/57
• US Class Current: 340/689
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/49 with provisions for connecting to a part of the body
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/025 the switch being discriminative in different directions

Abstract

A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device. The sensor comprises a base member having at least one recess formed therein which is partially defined by a peripheral wall thereof. Disposed within the peripheral wall of the base member is at least one switch. Also disposed within the recess is a trigger ball which is freely movable about the peripheral wall of the base member. The sensor is operative to generate at least two different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane. The movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitates the movement of the trigger ball within the recess, with one state being generated when the trigger ball is in contact with the switch and another state being generated when the trigger ball is not in contact with the switch.

Claims

1. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:

a base member having at least one recess formed therein which is partially defined by a peripheral wall thereof;

at least four switches disposed within the peripheral wall at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger mechanism disposed within the recess, the trigger mechanism comprising three trigger balls and a retainer member rotatably connected to the base member and operative to maintain the trigger balls in side-by-side relation to each other, the trigger mechanism being freely movably about the peripheral wall of the base member;

the sensor being operative to generate a plurality of different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane, the movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitating the movement of the trigger mechanism within the recess, with a low state being generated when the trigger mechanism is not in contact with any of the switches, four different high states being generated corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanism and respective ones of the switches, and four additional different high states being generated corresponding to the trigger mechanism being in simultaneous contact with any pair of the switches separated by a ninety degree interval.

2. The sensor of claim 1 further in combination with programmable electronic circuitry which is in electrical communication with the sensor and operative to translate at least some of the states generated by the sensor into respective effects.

3. The sensor of claim 2 wherein the electronic circuitry is programmed to compare at least two successive states generated by the sensor to each other.

4. The sensor of claim 3 wherein the electronic circuitry is further programmed to produce a selected effect upon successive states of a prescribed sequence being transmitted thereto from the sensor.

5. The sensor of claim 2 wherein:

the base member defines first and second axes which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other;

at least two recesses are formed within the base member, with each of the first and second axes extending axially through a respective one of the recesses;

the peripheral wall of each of the recesses includes at least four switches disposed therein at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger mechanism is disposed within each of the recesses;

the sensor being operative to generate the low state when the trigger mechanisms are not in contact with any of the switches and at least sixty-four different high states corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanisms and at least one of the switches.

6. The sensor of claim 5 wherein:

the base member comprises two separate base member sections which define respective ones of the first and second axes; and

the recesses are formed within respective ones of the base member sections, with the first and second axes extending axially through respective ones of the recesses;

the base member sections being attachable to a device such that the first and second axes extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other.

7. The sensor of claim 2 wherein:

the base member defines first, second and third axes which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other;

three recesses are formed within the base member, with each of the first, second and third axes extending axially through a respective one of the recesses;

the peripheral wall of each of the recesses includes at least four switches disposed therein at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger mechanism is disposed within each of the recesses;

the sensor being operative to generate the low state when the trigger mechanisms are not in contact with any of the switches and at least five hundred twelve different high states corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanism and at least one of the switches.

8. The sensor of claim 7 wherein:

the base member comprises three separate base member sections which define respective ones of the first, second and third axes; and

the recesses are formed within respective ones of the base member sections, with the first, second and third axes extending axially through respective ones of the recesses;

the base member sections being attachable to a device such that the first, second and third axes extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other.

9. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:

a base member having at least one recess formed therein which is partially defined by a peripheral wall thereof;

at least four switches disposed within the peripheral wall at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger mechanism disposed within the recess, the trigger mechanism comprising a trigger plate rotatably connected to the base member and defining an arcuate outer surface having three protuberances extending radially therefrom at intervals of approximately forty-five degrees, the trigger mechanism being freely movable about the peripheral wall of the base member;

the sensor being operative to generate a plurality of different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane, the movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitating the movement of the trigger mechanism within the recess, with a low state being generated when the trigger mechanism is not in contact with any of the switches, four different high states being generated corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanism and respective ones of the switches, and four additional different high states being generated corresponding to the trigger mechanism being in simultaneous contact with any pair of the switches separated by a ninety degree interval.

10. The sensor of claim 9 further in combination with programmable electronic circuitry which is in electrical communication with the sensor and operative to translate at least some of the states generated by the sensor into respective effects.

11. The sensor of claim 10 wherein the electronic circuitry is programmed to compare at least two successive states generated by the sensor to each other.

12. The sensor of claim 11 wherein the electronic circuitry is further programmed to produce a selected effect upon successive states of a prescribed sequence being transmitted thereto from the sensor.

13. The sensor of claim 10 wherein:

the base member defines first and second axes which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other;

at least two recesses are formed within the base member, with each of the first and second axes extending axially through a respective one of the recesses;

the peripheral wall of each of the recesses includes at least four switches disposed therein at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger mechanism is disposed within each of the recesses;

the sensor being operative to generate the low state when the trigger mechanisms are not in contact with any of the switches and at least sixty-four different high states corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanisms and at least one of the switches.

14. The sensor of claim 13 wherein:

the base member comprises two separate base member sections which define respective ones of the first and second axes; and

the recesses are formed within respective ones of the base member sections, with the first and second axes extending axially through respective ones of the recesses;

the base member sections being attachable to a device such that the first and second axes extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other.

15. The sensor of claim 10 wherein:

the base member defines first, second and third axes which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other;

three recesses are formed within the base member, with each of the first, second and third axes extending axially through a respective one of the recesses;

the peripheral wall of each of the recesses includes at least four switches disposed therein at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger mechanism is disposed within each of the recesses;

the sensor being operative to generate the low state when the trigger mechanisms are not in contact with any of the switches and at least five hundred twelve different high states corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanisms and at least one of the switches.

16. The sensor of claim 15 wherein:

the base member comprises three separate base member sections which define respective ones of the first, second and third axes; and

the recesses are formed within respective ones of the base member sections, with the first, second and third axes extending axially through respective ones of the recesses;

the base member sections being attachable to a device such that the first, second and third axes extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other.

17. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:

a base mount defining at least one face;

at least four switches attached to the face of the base mount in a generally circular pattern at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

at least one trigger magnet which is rotatably connected to the face of the base mount and produces a magnetic field, the trigger magnet defining an arcuate outer surface which spans approximately ninety degrees, the switches being oriented relative to the trigger magnet such that the trigger magnet is passable over the switches upon the rotation of the trigger magnet;

the sensor being operative to generate a plurality of different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane, the movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitating the rotation of the trigger magnet, with four different high states being generated corresponding to the exposure of respective ones of the switches to the magnetic field of the trigger magnet, and four additional different high states being generated corresponding to the simultaneous exposure of any pair of the switches separated by a ninety degree interval to the magnetic field of the trigger magnet.

18. The sensor of claim 17 further in combination with programmable electronic circuitry which is in electrical communication with the sensor and operative to translate at least some of the states generated by the sensor into respective effects.

19. The sensor of claim 18 wherein the electronic circuitry is programmed to compare at least two successive states generated by the sensor to each other.

20. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the electronic circuitry is further programmed to produce a selected effect upon successive states of a prescribed sequence being transmitted thereto from the sensor.

21. The sensor of claim 18 wherein:

the base mount defines at least first and second faces which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other;

at least four switches are attached to each of the first and second faces in a generally circular pattern at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger magnet is rotatably connected to each of the first and second faces;

the sensor being operative to generate at least sixty-four different high states corresponding to the exposure of at least one of the switches to the magnetic field of at least one of the trigger magnets.

22. The sensor of claim 18 wherein:

the face mount defines first, second and third faces which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other;

at least four switches are attached to each of the first, second and third faces in a generally circular pattern at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and

a trigger magnet is rotatably connected to each of the first, second and third faces;

the sensor being operative to generate at least five hundred twelve different high states corresponding to the exposure of at least one of the switches to the magnetic field of at least one of the trigger magnets.

23. The sensor of claim 17 wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of:

a Hall effect switch; and

a Reed switch.

24. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:

a base member having at least one recess formed therein which is partially defined by a peripheral wall thereof;

at least two switches disposed within the peripheral wall in spaced relation to each other; and

a trigger mechanism disposed within the recess, the trigger mechanism comprising three trigger balls and a retainer member rotatably connected to the base member and operative to maintain the trigger balls in side-by-side relation to each other, the trigger mechanism being freely movable about the peripheral wall of the base member;

the sensor being operative to generate a plurality of different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane, the movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitating the movement of the trigger mechanism within the recess, with a low state being generated when the trigger mechanism is not in contact with either of the switches, two different high states being generated corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanism and respective ones of the switches, and another high state being generated when the trigger mechanism is simultaneously in contact with both of the switches.

25. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:

a base member having at least one recess formed therein which is partially defined by a peripheral wall thereof;

at least two switches disposed within the peripheral wall in spaced relation to each other; and

a trigger mechanism disposed within the recess, the trigger mechanism comprising a trigger plate rotatably connected to the base member and defining an arcuate surface having three protuberances extending radially therefrom at intervals of approximately forty-five degrees, the trigger mechanism being freely movable about the peripheral wall of the base member;

the sensor being operative to generate a plurality of different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane, the movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitating the movement of the trigger mechanism within the recess, with a low state being generated when the trigger mechanism is not in contact with either of the switches, two different high states being generated corresponding to contact between the trigger mechanism and respective ones of the switches, and another high state being generated when the trigger mechanism is simultaneously in contact with both of the switches.

26. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:

a base mount defining at least one face;

at least two switches attached to the face of the base mount in spaced relation to each other; and

at least one trigger magnet which is rotatably connected to the face of the base mount and produces a magnetic field, the trigger magnet defining an arcuate outer surface which spans approximately ninety degrees, the switches being oriented relative to the trigger magnet such that the trigger magnet is passable over the switches upon the rotation of the trigger magnet;

the sensor being operative to generate a plurality of different states corresponding to respective positions of the sensor relative to a reference plane, the movement of the sensor relative to the reference plane facilitating the rotation of the trigger magnet, with two different high states being generated corresponding to the exposure of respective ones of the switches to the magnetic field of the trigger magnet, and another high state being generated when both of the switches are simultaneously exposed to the magnetic field of the trigger magnet.