Background
[0001] For many years, children have played with wheeled vehicles, such as wagons, toy cars,
or strollers, and have placed a doll or toy in the vehicle in order to give the character
a "ride". The play activity in such circumstances typically consists of the child
creating a situation completely from his or her imagination. Some such toys make noises
relating to a particular activity. These noises are typically triggered by a hand-operated
switch or some movement of the vehicle.
[0002] Accordingly, it would be an advantage to provide a wheeled vehicle toy which could
generate a variety of audible and/or visual signals to correspond with various activities
which a child might undertake. It would be a further advantage if a doll or toy character
could be placed into the vehicle, and the vehicle would generate such signals in response
to, for example, simulated speech by the doll or toy character. It would be a further
advantage if the vehicle would respond to its environment, in terms of its direction
and speed of motion, rocking motion, or the like.
Summary of the Invention
[0003] Accordingly, in a principal aspect, the invention comprises a wheeled toy adapted
to respond interactively to movement, comprising: at least one sensor adapted to detect
a change in movement selected from speed, direction and angle of orientation; a computer
processing means adapted to process signals from the sensor, to calculate the orientation
of the toy. and to generate a signal appropriate to said orientation or change in
movement; and communication means adapted to receive said signal and to generate a
response which can be sensed by a user of the toy in order to prompt a change in said
orientation or movement.
[0004] In further aspects of the invention:
(a) the computer processing means comprises an integrated circuit;
(b) the communication means comprises the combination of an integrated circuit and
at least one audio speaker;
(c) a first sensor comprises a lever balancing sensor adapted to detect rotation of
the toy about an axis of rotation to measure tilting forwards or backwards, or side
to side;
(d) two first sensors comprise lever balancing sensors adapted to detect tilting of
the toy respectively in the back and forth and sideways directions with a vertical
component;
(e) a second sensor comprises a direction sensor adapted to detect back and forth
movement in the horizontal plane;
(f) the second sensor comprises a speed sensor adapted to detect the speed of movement
forwards or backwards in the horizontal plane;
(g) the speed sensor comprises a rotating member associated with a wheel or axle adapted
to trigger a switch a fixed number of times per rotation, such that the number of
switch triggers per unit time provides an indication of the speed of the vehicle;
(h) the rotating member comprises a cam surface adapted to trigger a switch only when
rotating in one direction;
(i) a pair of rotating members and switch combinations are adapted to trigger one
switch when rotating in one direction and another switch when rotating in the opposite
direction, to detect forward and backward motion and the speed thereof;
(j) the vehicle comprises both a pair of lever balancing sensors and a direction and
speed sensor;
(k) the processing means are adapted to generate signals appropriate to a plurality
of background noises;
(l) the processing means are adapted to generate signals appropriate to a plurality
of doll responses;
(m) the vehicle comprises doll or toy carrying means;
(n) the doll or toy carrying means comprises a seat with latching means to secure
the doll or toy;
(o) the communication means is adapted to gencratc a sound appropriate to the doll
or toy being carried in the vehicle;
(p) the toy further comprises a switch to indicate when the doll or toy is secured
in place by the latching means;
(q) the switch to indicate correct positioning of the doll or toy is incorporated
into the latching means adapted to secure the doll or toy to the vehicle;
(r) the vehicle further comprises a vibration sensor,
(s) the rotating member comprises a magnet adapted to rotate in relation to at least
one reed switch associated with a wheel of the toy;
(t) the rotating member comprises a magnet adapted to rotate in relation to three
magnetic field detectors associated with a wheel of the toy, such that the direction
of the rotation of the wheel and the speed of rotation of the wheel can be detected
and determined.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0005] An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the appended drawings, in
which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a stroller;
Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a stroller;
Figure 3 is a partial view of controls for a stroller;
Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of a stroller,
Figure 5 is a cut-away, schematic view of the speed and forward/reverse motion sensor;
Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are schematic illustrations of lever balancing sensor units;
Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the stroller with a doll or toy character
in place.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a stroller, although the invention is equally applicable to
other wheeled vehicles such as wagons, carts, and the like which can be adapted to
carry a toy character. The stroller 1 comprises wheels 3. The wheels may be provided
with forward/reverse sensors 24, which will be described more fully below. A strap
14 comprising a latch 15 including a sensor or switch 16 is adapted to secure a toy
character to the stroller. The latch sensor or latch switch 16 completes an electrical
circuit to signal when the doll or toy character is latched in place. Indeed, the
circuit may be created with or without a doll in place, but the user may be prompted
to put a toy in place. A pressure sensitive sensor or other suitable sensor 18 may
be placed in the seat of the stroller to indicate whether a doll is in place. Such
a sensor may be used alternatively to, or in addition to, latch 15 and latch switch
or sensor 16.
[0007] The stroller 1 is provided with a self-contained electrical power source, such as
storage battery cells 20 located behind battery cover plate 19 as shown in Figure
4. The strollex, may further be provided with multiple sensors to detect vibration,
or tilting in back and forth or sideways directions. Typically, lever balancing sensors
42 are useful in this regard, particularly for tilt detection, as more fully described
below.
[0008] The stroller 1 is provided with an audio speaker 17 located in the vicinity of a
doll or toy character when one is placed in the stroller. The stroller may also be
provided with one or more further speakers 13 somewhat distanced from the vicinity
of a doll or toy character when one is placed in the stroller.
[0009] When a toy character 18 is strapped or latched into place on the stroller as illustrated
in Figure 7, the latch switch 16, which may be located in the closure means 15 or
triggered by the placing of the doll in a seat with sensor 18 (see Figure 1), triggers
or permits the flow of electrical power from the batteries 20 to the electrical or
electronic components. A single microprocessor or integrated circuit, or a combination
of microprocessors and integrated circuits 14 appropriately programmed begins to generate
signals. Typically, such signals are audible in nature although visual signals can
also be generated.
[0010] For example, a segment of human speech recorded on the integrated circuits 41 can
be projected at speaker 17 to simulate speech by the toy character. The location of
the speaker 17 in the vicinity of the toy character 18 creates this illusion. It is
an advantage to be able to use any toy character which can be latched into place in
order to give maximum flexibility to the child using the toy. Of course, a particular
toy character and vehicle combination could be mandated, if desired.
[0011] The toy then interacts with the child to suggest certain play activities and to react
to the activities chosen. For example, by pressing "talk" button 5, under the control
of the microprocessor 41, an initial prompt made audible by the speaker 17 in the
vicinity of the toy character could constitute a request ostensibly by the character
sitting in the stroller to be taken for a walk or to be taken to a specific location,
such as the zoo. If the child then puts the stroller in forward motion for a walk,
an appropriate forward motion is detected by one or more direction and speed sensors
24 which may be mounted on or in wheel 3. Other sounds can be generated at a secondary
speaker 13 to simulate background noises. An initial activity with appropriate background
noises may be chosen by the microprocessor either randomly or in a specific order,
or the user may select a specific activity by depressing button 7 for shopping, button
9 for the park, or button 11 for the zoo, for example. Thus, the doll will appear
to be speaking from a location near its seat while background noises will be generated
from a speaker remote from the toy character but still located on the stroller. The
toy character thus can appear to make various comments about being, for example, at
the zoo while background zoo noises are generated at the remote speaker 13.
[0012] At a certain point, a new set of signals can be generated. For example, the toy character
may ostensibly ask to be taken to another location, such as the grocery store or a
park. When appropriate forward motion is generated and sensed at sensor 24, appropriate
new background noises and toy character phrases can be generated.
[0013] A vibration detector or sensor 61 in the stroller detects bumps or rough conditions.
A signal generated by the vibration detector 61 can prompt a simulated voice response
at speaker 17 appropriate to such bumpy conditions. For example, the toy character
18 may act shocked, or request to be taken to smoother terrain. Similar responses
can be generated if the stroller is tipped from side to side, driven too fast, or
driven in reverse, as more fully described below.
[0014] The stroller may additionally be provided with a microphone 14 to detect speech from
the child using the stroller. The detection of such speech patterns can be used to
generate a further set of responses at the toy character speaker 17 all under the
control of microprocessor 41.
[0015] Thus, the stroller and toy character combination, along with movement imparted by
the child using the combination, leads to real time interactivity with the illusion
of the toy character speaking to the child and responding to changed circumstances.
[0016] The lever balancing sensor unit 43 is more fully described in Figures 6A through
6D. Although any suitable sensor will function for the purposes of the invention,
a lever balancing sensor has the advantage of being simple and relatively inexpensive.
A pendulum 45 hangs between two contact plates 47, 49 creating no signal when the
wheeled vehicle is sitting flat on a plane. When the stroller is rolling up or down
a hill, or tipped to the side, however, appropriately mounted sensors detect such
orientations. The pendulum 45 remains vertical while the contact plates are tilted
along with the vehicle, thus creating a signal when the pendulum touches one or the
other of contact plates 47 or 49. By using a sufficient number of such lever balancing
sensors, sophisticated rocking or tipping movements can be detected. For example,
Figure 6D illustrates an array of two sensors oriented at 90° to detect orientation
or tipping from front to back or from side to side.
[0017] Turning to Figure 5, direction and speed sensor 24 comprises a pair of rotating cams
25, 27 and trigger switches 29, 31. The trigger switches are respectively adapted
to contact stops 37, 39 in one direction, while the cams are permitted to rotate either
clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the rotation of the wheel to which they
are mounted. When a trigger switch is free to rotate, it can ride up its corresponding
cam and avoid the pressure which would lead to the switch being closed. On the other
hand, when the direction of rotation is reversed, the respective stop prevents the
trigger switch from rotating and the cam motion causes the switch to close at least
once per rotation of the cam. Thus, by using a pair of such switches, movement in
either the forward or backward direction can be detected and recognized. Electrical
signals are transported from sensor 24 by wires 33, 35 to the microprocessor 41. Signals
from the microprocessor to generate a sound segment a speaker 17 can indicate to the
user whether the direction of movement of the stroller is forwards or backwards. Thus,
the toy character ostensibly communicates to the user an awareness of the direction
of travel. In addition, by counting the number of times each trigger switch is closed
in a period of time, the speed of motion of the wheels can be calculated. If the speed
becomes too great, an appropriate response can be generated from the microprocessor
41. For example, the toy character 18 may be prompted to appear to ask the child user
to slow down, or to speed up if appropriate, or to express delight at going fast.
[0018] Because the various sensors can detect rapid changes in movement, real time responses
can be generated. Thus, the illusion is created of the toy character being carried
in the wheeled vehicle and reacting as if it were animate. In order to amplify the
illusion of animation or life, the volume and timing of voice responses can be varied.
In addition, the stroller may be provided with lights or moving parts which can also
be made to react to movement or orientation.
[0019] Preferably, the child will remove the toy character 18 from the vehicle when it is
finished playing. This will open the trigger switch 16 and should stop the use of
battery power when not required. Obviously, keeping the sensors powered will use battery
energy. The vehicle can also be provided with buttons to be operated manually by the
child in order to generate responses. This will allow responses to be generated at
the request of the child. When the stroller is left unattended for a period of time,
it can shut down to conserve the batteries by the use of an appropriate timer connected
to a power-interruption switch as known in the art. This timer function can be built
into integrated circuits contained within the vehicle.
[0020] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described, other embodiments
will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are included within the scope of
this invention.
1. A wheeled toy adapted to respond interactively to movement, comprising:
(a) sensor means adapted to detect a change in movement selected from speed, direction
and angle of orientation;
(b) computer processing means adapted to process signals from the sensor means, to
calculate the orientation of the toy, and to generate an electronic response, selected
from a series of pre-selected responses, appropriate to said orientation or change
in movement;
(c) communication means adapted to receive said electronic response and to generate
a visual or audible response which can be sensed by a user of the toy in order to
prompt a change in said orientation or movement.
2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the computer processing means comprises an integrated
circuit.
3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the communication means comprises the combination of an
integrated circuit and at least one audio speaker.
4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a lever balancing sensor adapted
to detect rotation of the toy about an axis of rotation to measure tilting forwards
or backwards, or side to side.
5. The toy of claim 4, wherein two sensors comprise lever balancing sensors adapted to
detect tilting of the toy respectively in the back and forth and sideways directions.
6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the sensor means compriscs a direction sensor adapted
to sense back and forth movement in the horizontal plane.
7. The toy of claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises a speed sensor adapted to sense
the speed of movement of the toy forwards or backwards in the horizontal plane.
8. The toy of claim 7, wherein the speed sensor comprises a rotating member adapted to
trigger a switch a fixed number of times per rotation, such that the number of triggers
of the switch per unit of time indicates the speed.
9. The toy of claim 8, wherein the rotating member comprises a cam surface adapted to
trigger a switch only when rotating in one direction.
10. The toy of claim 9, comprising a pair of said rotating members and switch combinations
adapted to trigger one switch when rotating in one direction, and another switch when
rotating in the opposite direction.
11. The toy of claim 1, comprising both a pair of lever balancing sensors and a direction
and speed sensor.
12. The toy of claim 1, wherein the processing means are adapted to generate signals appropriate
to a plurality of background noises.
13. The toy of claim 1, wherein the processing means are adapted to generate signals appropriate
to a plurality of toy character responses.
14. The toy of claim 1, further comprising doll or toy character carrying means.
15. The toy of claim 14, wherein the doll or toy character carrying means comprises a
seat.
16. The toy of claim 15, wherein the communication means is adapted to generate a sound
appropriate to the doll or toy character being carried in the stroller.
17. The toy of claim 17, wherein the toy further comprises a status switch to indicate
when the doll or toy is in place.
18. The toy of claim 18, wherein the status switch is incorporated into securing means
adapted to secure the doll or toy to the stroller.
19. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a vibration sensor.
20. The toy of claim 8, wherein the rotating member comprises a magnet adapted to rotate
in relation to at least one reed switch with a wheel of the toy.
21. The toy of claim 8, wherein the rotating member comprises a magnet adapted to rotate
in relation to three magnetic field detectors associated with a wheel of the toy,
such that the direction of the rotation of the wheel and the speed of rotation of
the wheel can be detected and determined.