GB2331713A

GB2331713A - Stuffed toys

Info

Publication number: GB2331713A
Application number: GB9826375A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gene Huh; Konoshin Kiyose
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-01
Filing date: 1998-12-01
Publication date: 1999-06-02
Also published as: KR100517813B1; GB2331713A8; GB2331713A9; GB9826375D0; KR19990062674A; JPH11179061A

Abstract

A stuffed toy animal or doll figure comprising an LCD panel (2) serving to express eyes, sensors (52-57) for detecting an external stimulus, such as pressure sensors, an optical sensor, vibration sensors, and a controller (4). Receiving a signal from each of the sensors, the controller selects a previously set or programmed eye expression corresponding to a detected stimulus and causes the LCD panel to display the selected eye expression. The stuffed toy animal or doll figure changes its facial expressions in response to a user's action toward it to thereby become animated like a pet.

Description

2331713

STUFFED TOY ANIMALS AND DOLL FIGURES HAVING LCD EYES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to stuffed toy animals and doll figures.

Description of the Related Art:

Stuffed toys are loved by many people, especially children. There have been many stuffed toys which feature response to motion. For example, there are known stuffed toys which close their eyes when they are laid down and which open their eyes when picked up.

With implementation of miniaturized electronic devices, stuffed toys which are powered by battery and are able to move have become popular.

Some of such powered stuffed toys are equipped with. for example, an audio medium, such as a tape recorder, in which audio patterns are recorded, and detection means for detecting an external stimulus, such as grasping of the stuffed toys' hands or pushing on the toys' abdomen, and means for activating the audio medium to replay a recorded audio pattern upon detection of such an external stimulus. Some stuffed toys replay a recorded human voice. Upon detection of an external stimulus, some stuffed toys produce a visual reaction; for example, a nose flashes. Some stuffed toys start to play music upon detection, through use of a built-in thermal sensor or a like device, of a person's approach.

2 These stuffed toys which feature response to motion have attracted and are beloved by children.

However, the above conventional stuffed toys follow only one pattern and thus in many cases soon become tiresome and uninteresting.

In the case of a stuffed toy which replays a recorded audio pattern upon detection of an external stimulus, audio patterns to be replayed are limited and are not necessarily appropriate responses to the external stimulus. For example, the stuffed toy replays the same audio pattern regardless of whether a child pats it tenderly or hits it strongly.

In the case of a stuffed toy whose nose flashes upon detection of an external stimulus, children initially have fan with the toy, but soon loose their interest.

This is also because the toy responds in the same manner to children's various actions toward the toy.

As mentioned above, one of the reasons why children lose interest in a stuffed toy is that the toy's response to a children's action toward the toy is inconsistent with the children's action. In contrast, a pet or other animal will show joy when patted tenderly and anger when hit strongly.

Generally facial features, particularly the eyes, show feelings of joy and anger. However, the conventional stuffed toys do not change facial expressions; particularly, their eyes stare unresponsively at the same point.

Also, in the case of the above-mentioned stuffed toys which replay recorded audio patterns, their facial expression remains unchanged in any situation; for example. a joyful situation or a sad situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a stuffed toy which, like a pet, reacts in a lively and responsive manner to an external stimulus such as a child's action.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention pro-vides a stuffed toy comprising an LCI) panel serving to express eves. stimulus detection means for detecting an external stimulus, display changing means for changing displays on the LCI) panel according to a detected external stimulus, and a power source.

Preferably. the LCI) panel has a plurality. of eye expression patterns to be displayed, and the display changing means selects at least one of the eye expression patterns.

Further preferably, the stimulus detection means comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a photosensor, an audio sensor, a vibration sensor, a horizontal position-recognizing sensor, a thermal sensor. and a tracking sensor.

Changing its eye expressions according to an external stimulus, the stuffed toy of the present invention acts more like a live animal and stimulates people, such as children, who handle it, eliciting feelings of curiosity and strong affinity.

Also, the stuffed toy behaves as if it had emotions; for example, it 4 smiles when patted on the head, or expresses anger or sadness when neglected, thereby producing an educational effect such that children learn how to behave toward animals or persons.

Further, eyes formed of an LCI) panel are inexpensive and can be readily attached to a stuffed toy made of cloth or plastic through, for example, sewing as in the case of eyes of conventional stuffed toys. thereby vielding an r> 1 - Z:1 advantage in manufacture.

BRIEF DESCPLIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external view of a stuffed toy animal according to an embodiment of the present invention., FIG. 2 is a view showing an internal structure of the stuffed toy animal according to the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a view showing a structure of an eye of the stuffed toy animal according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a view showing a battery box of the stuffed toy animal according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a view showing an electrical configuration of the stuffed toy animal according to the embodiment; FIGS. 6A to 6H are views showing patterns to be displayed on LCI) of the stuffed toy animal according to the embodiment; FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an operation of a controller of the stuffed toy animal according to the embodiment; and FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing stuffed toy animals according to other embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will next be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. I shows the external appearance of a stuffed toy according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a stuffed toy body I is made of a soft material such as cloth or plastic as in the case of a conventional stuffed toy. The stuffed toy of the present embodiment has a shape of a duck and includes wings 6, a beak 7, and an LCD panel 2 serving 0:-D to express eyes. The LCD panel 2 is inexpensive and can be attached to the stuffed toy body I through, for example, sewing or adhesive as in the case of eves of conventional stuffed toys.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the stuffed to), of the present embodiment.

A sewing allowance sheet 21 is provided along the periphery of the Z ID LCD panel 2. The LCD panel 2 is sewed onto the stuffed toy body I via the sewing allowance sheet 21. FIG. 33 shows the LCD panel 2 in detail. The LCD panel 2 is covered with a convex LCD panel cover 22 that is made of a transparent, soft plastic or a like material and has the functions of magnitring (the LCD display) and producing a more realistic appearance, thereby the LCD panel 2 is also protected from scratches or like undesirable external actions. The LCD panel 2 is connected to a controller 4 by means of signal 6 lines.

A power sourc, J31 is a dry cell, which is accommodated within a battery box.3) 1 and sup- ies power to relevant elements of the toy body 1 b, means of siQnal lines.. 1G. 4 shows the detailed structure of the battery bo 3 1. The battery box 1 is located within the stuffed toy body 1 at an inconspicuous position, rig a seam and is covered with a cover 8. secured b means of MAGIC TAPE VelcrojM) or Zipper or similar means.

FIG. 5 shows win within the stuffed toy body 1. The controller 4 composed of a microproc ssor and a ROM which contains a program and is connected to the LC1) pa: 12, the power source 3. and pressure sensors 5 by means of signal lines. Th. controller 4 changes displays on the LCD panel 2 according to signals recei-,,--d from the pressure sensors 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure sensors 5 are disposed within the stuffed toy body 1 and are c nnected to the controller 4. The pressure sensors 5 are disposed within a truak 51 of the stuffed toy body 1 and an internal region 52 of the beak 7 and detect that the trunk or beak 7 is gr g asped. A photosensor 53) is disposed within the face of the stuffed toy body 1 and detects ambient external brightness through a window 58. A lowsensitivity vibration sensor 54 and a high-sensitivity vibration sensor 55 are disposed within the trunk and the back of the head, respectively, of the stuffed toy body 1. The low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54 detects that the stuffed toy body 1 is vibrated, struck, thrown, or agitated significantly. The high- sensitivity 7 vibration sensor 55 detects that the stuffed toy body 1 is patted or touched tenderly. An audio sensor 56 detects an external sound. A horizontal -position recognizing sensor 57 detects that the stuffed toy body 1 is laid down horizontally on its side.

The operation of the controller 4 will next be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 and Table 1. FIGS. 6A to 6H show eye expressions of the stuffed toy body 1. Table 1 shows external stimuli detected by the sensors 5 and the corresponding patterns displayed on the LCI) panel 2.

An eye expression of FIGS. 6A to 6H may be displayed in either a steady or blinking manner. The eye expression of FIG. 613 may be either a 9ooking -around" pattern or a "tracking" pattern. In the "lookinú!- around" pattern., the eyes are biased upward and downward or leftward and rightward at predetermined intervals; for example every 5 seconds, to produce a looking-around effect. In the "tracking" pattern, as in the case of a CCD camera. the eyes may be displayed in such a manner as to track an external moving object according to an input signal from a tracking sensor.

Table 1 shows the relationship between external stimuli and eye expressions. The stuffed toy smiles in response to a comforting sound, turns its eyes round and round when swung around or shaken, or expresses surprise when handled roughly, as will a pet or other animal.

The operation of the controller 4 will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 4 is started when the stuffed toy body 1 is loaded with a battery or is switched on (71). Immediately after the controller 4 is started and when no external stimulus is detected, the controller 4 causes the LCI) panel 2 to display the "looking-around" pattern (72). In order to produce the effect that the stuffed toy is looking around waiting for an external stimulus, the controller 4 instructs the LCD panel to blink the eyes every 2 or 33 seconds and to bias the eyes in horizontal and vertical directions of FIG. 6B. When the sniffed toy is subjected to an external action (73), a relevant sensor detects the external stimulus and transmits the corresponding signal to the controller 4 (74).

When the input signal to the controller 4 is from the high-sensitivity vibration sensor 55. the controller 4 performs a process B of FIG. 8. When the input signal to the controller 4 is from any other sensor, the controller 4 selects a relevant eye expression as shown in Table 1 (75). The selected eye expression is displayed for 5 seconds and is not interrupted even when another sensor detects an external stimulus during the display. An eye expression is not necessarily displayed in a hard set manner; for example, in response to a loud sound, the controller 4 selects an eye expression of FIG. 6D that indicates surprise. This eye expression of FIG. 6D may be blinked to dynamically express surprise.

9 Table 1 Instructions of Controller in Response to External Stimuli Eye Expression External Stimuli (Actions toward Stuffed Toy from Person) Tender Patting of Head Detection Means Smile (FIG. 6Q High-sensitivity vibration sensor (55) HiRh-sensitivity audio sensor (56) Pressure sensor (52) Low-sensitivity audio sensor (56) Pressure sensor (51) Controller (4) Soft sounds, voices Surprise, shock Strong Grasping of beak (FIG. 6D) Loud sound, voices Pain, anger (FIGS. 6E & 6H) Sadness (FIG. 6F) Sleepy (FIG. 6A) Strong Pressure None for an extended time Laying horizontally Horizontal-position recognizing sensor (57) Photosensor (53) Sleeping (FIG. 6A) Dizziness (FIG. 6G) Placing in a dark place Swinging around or strong shaking Low-sensitivity vibration sensor (54) Next will be described in detail the process B which the controller 4 performs upon reception of a signal from the high-sensitivity vibration sensor 55. According to the present embodiment, the stuffed toy contains two builtin vibration sensors, the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54 and the high- sensitivity vibration sensor 55. When the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54 detects vibration, the high-sensitivity vibration sensor 55 also detects the vibration. Thus, the controller 4 must perform the process of FIG. 8. Even when a child suddenly changes his/her action toward the stuffed toy from tender rocking to strong shaking, the stuffed toy must follow the change in action and then alter its eye expressions accordingly. To achieve the end, upon reception of a signal from the high-sensitivity vibration sensor 55, the controller 4 checks for a signal from the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54.

In this case, if there is no signal from the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54, the controller 4 judges that the stuffed toy is patted tenderly, and thus selects an eye expression that indicates smile (FIG. 6Q. If there is a signal from the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54, the controller 4 gives priority to the sig gnal and selects an eye expression that indicates dizziness (FIG. 6G). When the stuffed toy is subjected to vibration, timewise., the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54 usually falls behind the high-sensitivity vibration sensor 55 in I Zn detection of the vibration. Thus, the low-sensitivity vibration sensor 54 should be allowed to detect the presence or absence of an action strong enough for it to feel. during the 5 seconds that a previously selected eye expression is maintained.

The present invention has been described with respect to the above embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, an eye expression that indicates anger (FIG. 6E) to be selected in response to a strong press may be replaced with an eye expression that indicates pain (FIG. 6H).

I I The present invention may be carried out in the form of a stuffed toy imitating another animal. FIGS. 9A and 9B show stuffed toys imitating other animals according to other embodiments of the present invention. In FIGS.

9A and 913, the stuffed toys each have eyes composed of an LCD panel 2.

Display on the LCD panel 2 is changed according to an external stimulus to thereby change eye expressions accordingly.

12

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A stuffed toy animal or doll figure comprising: an LCD panel serving to express eyes; display changing means for changing displays on said LCI) panel; stimulus detection means for detecting an external stimulus, and a power source.

2. A stuffed toy animal or doll figure according to claim 1, wherein said LCD panel has a plurality of eye expression patterns, and said display chanaina means select at least one of the eye expression patterns.

3.

A stuffed toy animal or doll figure according to claim 1, wherein said stimulus detection means comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a photosensor, an audio sensor, a vibration sensor, a horizontal position-recognizing sensor, a thermal sensor, and a tracking sensor.

4. A stuffed toy animal or doll figure according to claim 2, wherein said stimulus detection means comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a photosensor, an audio sensor, a vibration sensor, a horizontal positionrecognizing sensor, a thermal sensor, and a tracking sensor.

5. A toy comprising:

an electronic display; detecting means for detecting external stimulus; and controlling means for controlling said display in response to a stimulus 1.

detected by said detecting means.

6. A toy comprising a visual portion arranged to change interactively in reaction to an excitation.

1 j

7. A toy substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.