Level/position sensor and related electronic circuitry for interactive toy
First Claim
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1. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
- a base plate having at least one pad and at least two terminals disposed thereon; and
at least two switches attached to the base plate, each of the switches being electrically connected to the pad and to respective ones of the terminals;
the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the base plate relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a conductive path between the pad and at least one of the terminals by at least one of the switches.
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Abstract
A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device. The sensor is operative to generate a plurality of different output signals 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 one or more actuation balls of respective switches of the sensor, which in turn results in the generation of differing conditions or output signals corresponding to the particular pattern of electrical or conductive connection between a pad and terminals of the sensor facilitated by the switches thereof.
53 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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a base plate having at least one pad and at least two terminals disposed thereon; and at least two switches attached to the base plate, each of the switches being electrically connected to the pad and to respective ones of the terminals; the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the base plate relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a conductive path between the pad and at least one of the terminals by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sensor assembly for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a first sensor comprising; a first base plate defining a generally planar first plate surface and having at least one pad and at least five terminals disposed on the first plate surface; four switches attached to the first plate surface at intervals of approximately ninety degrees; and a fifth switch attached to the first plate surface and oriented so as to extend along a switch axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the first plate surface; each of the switches of the first sensor being electrically connected to the pad and to respective ones of the five terminals thereof; a second sensor comprising; a second base plate defining a generally planar second plate surface and having at least one pad and at least four terminals disposed on the second plate surface; and four switches attached to the second plate surface at intervals of approximately ninety degrees, each of the switches of the second sensor being electrically connected to the pad and to respective ones of the four terminals thereof; the second base plate of the second sensor being offset at an angle of approximately forty five degrees relative to the first base plate of the first sensor such that the four switches of each of the first and second sensors are oriented at intervals of approximately forty five degrees relative to each other, the sensor assembly being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the first and second base plates relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a conductive path between at least one of the pads and at least one of the terminals by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor assembly for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a first and second sensors which each comprise; a base plate defining a generally planar plate surface and having at least one pad and a plurality of terminals disposed on the plate surface; a plurality of switches attached to the plate surface at prescribed intervals, each of the switches being electrically connected to the pad and to respective ones of the terminals; the plate surface of the base plate of the second sensor extending generally perpendicularly relative to the plate surface of the base plate of the first sensor, the sensor assembly being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the first and second base plates relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a conductive path between at least one of the pads and at least one of the terminals by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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a platform having at least one conductive pad disposed thereon; and at least two switches attached to the platform, each of the switches being electrically connected to the pad; the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the platform relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a conductive path between the pad and at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A sensor for use in an interactive electronic device, the sensor comprising:
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at least two base members, each of the base members having at least one pad and at least one terminal disposed thereon; and at least two switches attached to respective ones of the base members, each of the switches being electrically connected to the pad and to the terminal of one of the base members; the base members of the sensor being attached to a common platform, with the sensor being operative to generate different output signals corresponding to respective positions of the platform relative to a reference plane, each of the output signals being generated by the creation of a conductive path between at least one of the pads and at least one of the terminals by at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification