Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates generally to animated toy figures and particularly to those
responsive to light energy.
Background of the Invention
[0002] While computers have made amazing strides in increasing the efficiency of workers
in the marketplace and in providing amusement and entertainment to consumers, often
times persons operating computers in the workplace or at home for extended intervals
are subject to fatigue and boredom. Such extended interval use reduces the accuracy
and effectiveness of computer users as boredom and fatigue set in. Recognizing these
problems, psychologists and other efficiency experts in the workplace often advise
measures such as limited time intervals of intense use separated by short breaks and
rest periods.
[0003] In a technology related to a portion of the present invention, practitioners have
provided various apparatus which respond to the light output from a computer monitor
screen in some fashion. For example, U.S. Patent 5,823,386 issued to Vandenberg sets
forth a REWARD CANDY DISPENSER FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS having a candy dispensing apparatus
which includes its own power source and operative mechanism to dispense candy stored
therein when triggered. An amplifier circuit in the dispensing device is coupled to
a photosensor element secured to the front face of a monitor screen. Light output
changes from the monitor screen are amplified by the amplifier circuit and used by
the control unit of the dispenser for triggering the dispensing of candy rewards.
[0004] U.S. Patent 5,746,602 issued to Kikinis sets forth a PC PERIPHERAL INTERACTIVE DOLL
having a microphone, a speaker and control circuit to facilitate bidirectional communication
with a personal computer. Scripted data stored at the computer directs doll activity
and verbal articulation and utilizes responses from the child through the doll to
the computer in directing output to the doll.
[0005] US-A-5 636 994 shows a system in which the eyes of an animated doll move in response
to signals generated by a computer.
[0006] While such elaborate apparatus provides entertaining interaction with computers,
there remains a continuing need in the art for a convenient, low cost and effective
device for minimizing the boredom and fatigue associated with extensive computer use.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a device
which helps to minimize fatigue and boredom by computer users. It is a more particular
object of the present invention to provide a device which requires no connection or
coupling to the computer in periodically amusing and entertaining the computer user.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a light-responsive toy
figure for use with a computer monitor having a light-emitting display screen, the
toy comprising: a housing constructed to rest upon a computer monitor having an aperture
and a downwardly extending portion; a faceplate supported on the housing and defining
eye apertures; a movable eye plate having eye images thereon slidably supported within
the housing behind the aperture; a motor having gear means for moving the eye plate
to move the eye images behind the eye apertures; a light sensor supported in the downwardly
extending portion; a motor controller responsive to the light sensor to energize the
motor.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects
and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which
like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
Figure 1 sets forth a perspective view of an animated toy figure constructed in accordance
with the present invention positioned upon a typical computer;
Figure 2 sets forth a front view of the present invention animated toy figure having
the covering face removed therefrom;
Figure 3 sets forth a section view of the animated toy figure of Figure 2 taken along
section lines 3-3 therein; and
Figure 4 sets forth a partially sectioned top view of the animated toy figure of Figure
2 taken along section lines 4-4 therein.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0010] Figure 1 sets forth a front perspective view of an animated toy figure constructed
in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. Animated
figure 10 is shown resting upon a conventional monitor 31 operative with a conventional
computer generally referenced by numeral 30. Computer 30 is fabricated entirely in
accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and utilizes a keyboard 34 and
a mouse 35 operatively coupled to computer 30. Monitor 31 of computer 30 is also fabricated
in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and includes an upper surface
33 upon which figure 10 rests and a monitor screen 32. Monitor screen 32 provides
light output as images are formed by computer 30 in conventional computer operation.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, animate figure 10 is supported upon upper
surface 33 of monitor 31 by simple placement and rests there without the need for
permanent attachment. In further accordance with the present invention, animated figure
10 supports a faceplate 11 which in the example of Figure 1 resembles an animal head
and face. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety
of faceplates having a corresponding variety of appearances may be used in place of
faceplate 11. For example, an entire figure body and head may be fabricated to rest
upon upper surface 33 in place of faceplate 11 and be operative in accordance with
the apparatus set forth below. Faceplate 11 defines a pair of eye apertures 12 and
13 through which a pair of movable eyes 14 and 15 may be seen. Faceplate 11 further
defines a downwardly extending portion 16 extends upon and partially overlies an upper
portion of screen 32.
[0012] In operation, as computer 30 is being utilized by a user, the light output of screen
32 is subjected to periodic variations as the images thereon are changed .or moved.
In accordance with the present invention and by means set forth below in greater detail,
a photosensor operative behind extending portion 16 of faceplate 11 receives light
energy from the image changes on screen 32 and triggers the operation of an internal
battery-powered motor 42 (seen in Figure 3). By means set forth below in greater detail,
the triggering of the photosensor within animated toy figure 10 causes energizing
of the internal motor drive operative upon eyes 14 and 15 to cause eyes 14 and 15
to move back and forth behind apertures 12 and 13 in the directions indicated by arrows
17. In addition and in accordance with the preferred fabrication of the present invention,
this operation is accompanied by predetermined sounds stored within the control unit
of toy figure 10. Thus, as the user plays or works upon computer 30, toy figure 10
periodically provides a slight interaction in response to a predetermined level change
of image upon screen 32 to emit sound and move eyes 14 and 15 back and forth. It has
been found that this slight distraction occurring randomly in the view of the computer
user provides the desired periodic distractions to alleviate the onset of fatigue
or boredom.
[0013] Figure 2 sets forth a front view of animated toy figure 10 having faceplate 11 removed.
Toy 10 includes a housing 20 having a front surface 22, a downwardly extending portion
23 and an elongated aperture 21. In accordance with the structure set forth below,
figure 10 further includes a movable eyeplate 24 positioned behind aperture 21 and
supporting a pair of eye images 14 and 15. In the preferred fabrication of the present
invention, housing 20 is fabricated of a molded plastic material or the like.
[0014] Figure 3 sets forth a section view of animated toy figure 10 taken along section
lines 3-3 in Figure 2. As described above, a computer monitor 31 includes an upper
surface 33 and a display screen 32. As is also described above, animated toy figure
10 rests upon upper surface 33 and extends downwardly overlapping a portion of display
screen 32.
[0015] More specifically, toy 10 includes a housing 20 defining an interior cavity 40 and
a rearwardly extending plate 26. The latter is received upon surface 33. Toy figure
10 rests upon monitor 31 without attachment and is freely movable upon surface 33.
Housing 20 further defines a downwardly extending portion 23 which in turn supports
a light sensor housing 50 forming a passage 51 therein. In accordance with the present
invention, a light sensor 52 is supported at the upper end of passage 51. For purposes
of illustration, faceplate 11 is shown in phantom line depiction secured to surface
22 of housing 20 using conventional attachment such as adhesive attachment or the
like.
[0016] Front surface 22 defines an elongated aperture 21. A plurality of conventional batteries
41 are supported within interior 40 and interconnected by conventional electrical
connecting apparatus (not shown). A bidirectional motor 42 having an output gear 43
is supported within interior cavity 40 by conventional means.
[0017] In further accordance with the present invention, an elongated movable eyeplate 24
defines a gear rack 25 upon its upper edge which engages gear 43. Eyeplate 24 is slidably
supported within a channel 28 formed within housing 20 and engages gear 43. As a result,
rotation of motor 42 rotates gear 43 and engages gear rack 25 moving eyeplate 24 back
and forth within housing 20.
[0018] A sound and control circuit 55 includes conventional motor operative circuitry which
moves motor 42 back and forth for a predetermined interval and provides output sound
signals which are operative to drive speaker 44 (seen in Figure 4). A plurality of
conventional electric circuit components such as component 56 are supported upon control
circuit 55.
[0019] In operation, as light changes upon screen 32, sensor 52 responds to a predetermined
level of light change and couples a signal to control circuit 55. Control circuit
55 triggers the operation of motor 42 through a predetermined cycle which in turn
causes eyeplate 24 to be moved back and forth. Correspondingly, control circuit 55
outputs a predetermined sound signal which is utilized by speaker 44. In the preferred
fabrication of the present invention, control circuit 55 responds to light energy
of a predetermined level to energize motor 42 for a predetermined time and thereafter
turn it off.
[0020] Figure 4 sets forth a partial section top view of animated toy figure 10 taken along
section lines 4-4 in Figure 2. As described above, toy figure 10 includes a housing
20 having an interior cavity 40 and a rearwardly extending plate 26. Housing 20 further
defines a front surface 22 having an elongated aperture 21 formed therein. A plurality
of batteries 41 and a motor 42 are further supported within interior cavity 40. Motor
42 includes a gear 43.
[0021] A movable eyeplate 24 having eye images 14 and 15 formed thereon is slidably supported
within channel 28 (seen in Figure 3) of housing 20 and is thus movable in the directions
indicated by arrows 27. The upper edge of eyeplate 24 defines a gear rack 25 which
is engaged by gear 43 to facilitate movement of eyeplate 24 when motor 42 is energized.
[0022] A sound and control circuit 55 is operatively coupled to motor 42 by conventional
wiring means (not shown) and includes a plurality of electronic components such as
component 58. Circuit 55 is further coupled by a plurality of wires 45 to a speaker
44.
[0023] When a sufficient amount of light is sensed by light sensor 52 (seen in Figure 3),
motor 42 is energized by control circuit 55 causing eyeplate 24 to move back and forth
behind aperture 21 in the directions indicated by arrows 27. Correspondingly, signals
are coupled to speaker 44 by wires 45 from circuit 55 to cause the production of audible
sounds.
[0024] What has been shown is an animated toy figure which is structured to rest upon the
upper portion of a conventional computer monitor. The animated toy figure responds
periodically to light produced by the monitor screen to provide animated movement
or action and to provide sound.
[0025] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will
be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in
the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within
the scope of the invention.
1. Lichtempfindliche Spielzeugfigur (10) zur Verwendung mit einem Computermonitor (31),
der einen lichtemittierenden Anzeigebildschirm (32) aufweist, wobei das Spielzeug
Folgendes umfasst:
- ein Gehäuse (20), das auf einem Computermonitor (31) aufliegen kann und eine Öffnung
(21) sowie einen sich nach unten erstreckenden Bereich (23) aufweist;
- eine Gesichtsplatte (11), die an dem Gehäuse abgestützt ist und Augenöffnungen (21)
aufweist;
- eine mit Augenabbildungen (14, 15) versehene, bewegliche Augenplatte (24), die hinter
der Öffnung (21) gleitbar in dem Gehäuse gehaltert ist;
- einen Motor (42) mit einer Getriebeeinrichtung (25) zum Bewegen der Augenplatte
(24), um die Augenabbildungen (14, 15) hinter den Augenöffnungen (21) zu bewegen;
- einen Lichtsensor (52), der in dem sich nach unten erstreckenden Bereich (23) gehalten
ist;
- eine Motorsteuereinrichtung, die auf den Lichtsensor (52) anspricht, um den Motor
(42) mit Energie zu versorgen.