Interactive toys

• US 7,568,963 B1
• Filed: 09/16/1999
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dialware Communication, LLC
• Original Assignee: Beepcard Limited (Beepcard, Inc.)
• Inventors: Atsmon, Alon, Cohen, Moshe, Antebi, Amit, Shimoni, Sharon
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T
• Application Number:
  US09/787,265
• Time in Patent Office: 3,610 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446/297, 446/298, 446/299, 446/484
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6063 for sound processing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• 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: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/16 using difference in transit time between electrical and acoustic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/74 Systems using reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/22 Position of source determined by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements G01S5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0728 the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 : Game play aspects of gaming systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 : Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

A plurality of individual toys, at least a first one of which generates acoustic signals and at least a second one of which receives acoustic signals. When the second toy receives acoustic signals from the first toy, it responds, for example, by generating a sound and/or controlling its motion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the toys flock and/or form a procession of toys which follow a leader toy, for example a mother goose and a plurality of following and preferably quacking goslings.

Claims

1. A toy kit comprising:

a first toy having a first function, which includes an acoustic sound transmitter which generates acoustic signals for play; and

at least one second toy, which includes;

a microphone adapted to receive the acoustic signals for play;

an analyzer adapted to analyze the received acoustic signal and decide a response to the received signals for play based upon an outcome of the analysis; and

an actuator adapted to control the at least one second toy to perform a second function responsive to the decision of the analyzer,

whereby the acoustic signals for play generated by the first toy are suitable both for playing purposes and for analysis by the analyzer of the second toy.

2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said toys are child-safe.

3. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said toys are toddler-safe.

4. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said toys are baby-safe.

5. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic signals are indirectly generated by motion of at least a part of said first toy.

6. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said toys have external forms matching said functions.

7. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said toys are operative to move in a manner matching said functions.

8. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said toys are operative to generate sounds in a manner matching said functions.

9. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said first function comprises a leader function, and wherein said second function comprises a following function, which function exhibits locomotion which follows locomotion of said first toy.

10. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said first function comprises a mother-emulating function and wherein said second function comprises a child-emulating function.

11. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said functions comprise different toy-soldier functions.

12. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said functions comprise emulations of different farm-animals.

13. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said first function comprises an emulation of a sheep-dog and wherein said second function comprises an emulation of a sheep.

14. A kit according to claim 1, wherein neither of said first and second functions designates one toy as a hierarchical superior of the other toy.

15. A kit according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second functions comprises an emulation of a speaker in an interactive conversation between figures represented by the two toys.

16. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said second function exhibits a response to an exhibition of said first function.

17. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response comprises a generation or modulation of locomotion of said second toy.

18. A kit according to claim 17, wherein said locomotion is directed towards said first toy.

19. A kit according to claim 17, wherein said locomotion is directed away from said first toy.

20. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response comprises a modulation or generation of sound by said second toy.

21. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response comprises a modulation or generation of light by said second toy.

22. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response comprises a generation or modulation of motion of a segment of said second toy.

23. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response is dependent on a relative position of said toys.

24. A kit according to claim 23, wherein said relative position is determined by said second toy analyzing said acoustic signals.

25. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response is dependent on a relative orientation of at least one of said toys relative to the other one.

26. A kit according to claim 25, wherein said orientation is determined by said second toy analyzing said acoustic signals.

27. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response is dependent on a functional state of at least one of said toys.

28. A kit according to claim 27, wherein said functional state comprises motion.

29. A kit according to claim 27, wherein said functional state is determined by said second toy analyzing said acoustic signals.

30. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response is dependent on a functional state of the first toy.

31. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said response is dependent on a functional state of the second toy.

32. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said at least a second toy comprises at least two interacting child-safe toys.

33. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said at least a second toy comprises at least four interacting child-safe toys.

34. A kit according to claim 33, wherein said interacting toys interact in a linear network-configuration, each toy interacting with a previous toy in said network.

35. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said at least a second toy comprises at least seven interacting child safe toys.

36. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said at least a second toy comprises at least ten interacting child-safe toys.

37. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic signals are not coded.

38. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the first toy includes only a single transmitter for transmitting signals to the at least one second toy, the single transmitter being the acoustic sound transmitter.

39. A toy kit comprising:

a first child-safe toy which indirectly generates acoustic signals, by motion of at least parts thereof; and

at least a second child-safe toy which receives the acoustic signals through a microphone and analyzes the acoustic signals and exhibits a behavior, responsive to said analysis of said acoustic signals,

whereby the motion that indirectly generates the acoustic signals is perceptible by a player of the first toy.

40. A kit according to claim 39, wherein said indirect acoustic signals are generated by a rattle attached to said first toy.

41. A kit according to claim 39, wherein said indirect acoustic signals are generated by a contact or a portion of said first toy with a ground surface which supports said first toy.

42. A kit according to claim 39, wherein said behavior comprises locomotion of said second toy.

43. A kit according to claim 39, wherein said first toy is further adapted to respond to said exhibited behavior of said second toy.

44. A kit according to claim 39, wherein said indirect acoustic signals are generated by squeezing said first toy.

45. A kit according to claim 39, wherein said indirect acoustic signals are generated in conjunction with movement evident to a user of the first toy.

46. A toy kit comprising:

a first toy adapted to generate acoustic signals and to exhibit a first behavior, and

at least one second toy comprising a microphone adapted to receive the signals from the first toy, and relay said acoustic signals received via said microphone to a signal analyzer adapted to determine from an analysis of said acoustic signals a relative position, relative orientation or relative motion of the first and second toys and to exhibit a second behavior, responsive to said relative position, orientation or motion determined responsive to said analysis of said received signals.

47. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said second toy transmits additional signals to said first toy, which said first toy exhibits a third behavior responsive to said additional signals.

48. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said second behavior comprises movement of the toy.

49. A kit according to claim 48, wherein the movement of the second toy comprises movement toward the first toy.

50. A kit according to claim 48, wherein the movement of the second toy comprises movement away from the first toy.

51. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said second behavior comprises generating sounds.

52. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said second toy receives said signals directly from said first toy.

53. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said second toy receives said signals via an intermediate device.

54. A kit according to claim 53, wherein said intermediate device comprises a third toy.

55. A kit according to claim 53, wherein said intermediate device comprises a computer.

56. A kit according to claim 53, wherein said intermediate device comprises at least two computers connected by a network.

57. A kit according to claim 53, wherein said first and second toys are operative to operate when separated by at least 2 meters.

58. A kit according to claim 53, wherein said first and second toys are operative to operate when separated by at least 5 meters.

59. A kit according to claim 53, wherein said first and second toys are operative to operate when separated by at least 100 meters.

60. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said signals comprise acoustic signals.

61. A kit according to claim 60, wherein said signals comprise ultrasonic signals.

62. A kit according to claim 60, wherein said signals comprise an overlay on toy-play related sounds.

63. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said signals comprise encoded signals.

64. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said signals are digitally encoded.

65. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said signals comprise electromagnetic signals.

66. A kit according to claim 65, wherein said signals comprise RF signals.

67. A kit according to claim 65, wherein said signals comprise light signals.

68. A kit according to claim 67, wherein said signals comprise visible light signals.

69. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said at least one second child-safe toy comprises at least four child-safe toys.

70. A kit according to claim 69, wherein said at least four toys exhibit interacting behavior.

71. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said first toy is covered with a soft fur.

72. A kit according to claim 46, wherein said first toy comprises an action figure.

73. A toy comprising of:

a toy portion;

a microphone; and

a signal responding portion comprising essentially of;

a power source; and

an integrated circuit which receives signals from said microphone, determines a respective location, a respective orientation or a respective motion of a remote toy responsive to the signals and controls said toy portion to respond to the received signals according to the determination.

74. A toy according to claim 73, comprising:

an interfacing circuit between said microphone and said integrated circuit; and

an interfacing circuit between said integrated circuit toy portion.

75. A toy according to claim 73, wherein said integrated circuit receives said signals, in analog form into a digital port thereof.

76. A toy kit comprising:

a first toy having a first function and also capable of generating acoustic signals; and

at least one second toy, comprising a microphone adapted to receive the acoustic signals and an analyzer adapted to analyze the received acoustic signal and perform a second function based upon an outcome of the analysis of the acoustic signals of the first toy,

wherein the first toy includes;

a detector adapted to detect the performing of the second function by the at least one second toy;

a timer adapted to measure a predetermined time from generating the acoustic signals; and

a controller adapted to actuate a third function, if the second function was not detected by the detector, within a predetermined time after generating the acoustic signals.