HK1134661A - Method and apparatus for performing try-me and normal play routines - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for executing demonstration routines and regular play routines

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. US 61/020,914 filed on 14.1.2008 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

A demonstration is a well-known mode of operation of a toy that provides one or more conventional play routines when in a conventional mode and one or more demonstration routines abbreviated with respect to the conventional routines when in a demonstration mode. Typically, toys with demonstration modes are set by the manufacturer to: the toy operates in a demonstration mode when still in a package and placed on a merchandise display shelf. By providing a demonstration mode for the toy, the user can have some insight into the performance of the toy when it is placed in the package on the merchandise display stand. Presentations are particularly useful for battery-powered toys with complex routine play routines because long-term performance patterns, motor operation, presentations, sounds, and/or lights consume significant battery power.

Typically, the state of the demo mode switch is detected by a computer chip controlling the toy mode and the routine to effect switching between the demo mode and the mode in which the regular play routine is executed (i.e., normal mode). Such a demo mode switch is typically different from the switch used by a user to select a particular play routine.

In the prior art, the user is required to take some proactive action, other than selecting a play routine, to switch the toy from the demonstration mode to the regular mode. One known method of switching between the presentation mode and the normal mode is to use a removable tab. When the tab is in place in the toy, it actuates the play switch to place the toy in the play mode. The tab is typically a thin plastic sheet, sometimes with appropriate information (e.g., discarded by an adult, and removed for a regular play mode), that is either automatically removed when the toy is removed from the packaging or manually removed by the user after the toy is removed from the packaging, thereby enabling the regular play mode.

It would be desirable to have a method of switching between play mode and normal mode operation that does not require additional components, such as a separate switch, to intervene in the switching between play mode and normal mode, nor does the user need to take specific actions other than selecting a play routine, such as removing a tab.

Disclosure of Invention

In its broadest form, the first aspect of the present invention is a toy comprising: an electronic device configured to generate a plurality of routines and to operate in a first mode and a second mode; a first sensor operatively connected to the electronic device, actuation of the first sensor by a user causing the electronic device to generate a first routine when in a first mode and a second routine different from the first routine when in a second mode; and a second sensor operatively connected to the electronic device, actuation of the second sensor by a user causing the electronic device to generate a third routine different from the first and second routines and causing the electronic device to be set in the second mode.

In its broadest form, a second aspect of the invention is a method of operating a toy having an electronic device, a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the electronic device is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, the first sensor and the second sensor being operatively connected to the electronic device, the method of operating comprising the steps of: when power is applied to the electronic equipment for the first time, the electronic equipment is set to be in a first mode; actuating, by the user, the first sensor such that the electronic device generates a first routine when in the first mode and the electronic device generates a second routine different from the first routine when in the second mode; and the user actuating the second sensor causes the electronic device to generate a third routine different from the first and second routines and causes the electronic device to be in the second mode.

A third aspect of the present invention is a packaged toy comprising: a toy having a plurality of user-actuated switches, a computer chip controller in the toy operably connected to each of the plurality of user-actuated switches, and a plurality of preprogrammed routines stored in the toy, each routine directing controller actuation and operation of the toy in a different manner. The plurality of preprogrammed routines includes: at least a first set of one or more demonstration routines and a second set of more than two conventional routines. Each of the plurality of switches is associated with one or more particular routines of the plurality of routines. Still further, the packaged toy further comprises: a package for containing a toy, the package configured to: exposing one or more of the plurality of switches when the toy is in the package to allow a user to actuate at least one or more of the exposed switches; and covering one or more remaining switches of the plurality of switches when the toy is in the package prior to opening of the package to prevent a user from actuating the one or more remaining switches. The controller is configured to: (1) initially executing only the demonstration routine of the first set of preprogrammed demonstration routines in response to actuation of one or more of the plurality of switches exposed for actuation by the user while the toy is in the package, (2) executing the routine of the second set of preprogrammed routine routines in direct response to actuation of any remaining switches by the user, and (3) thereafter executing the routine from the second set of preprogrammed routine routines in response to actuation of any of the one or more switches exposed to the user while the toy is in the package. At least one of the pre-programmed routine routines executable by the controller in response to actuation of any of the one or more switches exposed while the toy is in the package after step (2) is different from each of the pre-programmed demonstration routines of the first set of routines. Thereby, the toy is able to automatically reconfigure itself from the demonstration mode of operation to the normal mode of operation.

Drawings

The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the specific embodiments.

In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the combination of a package and a toy with a demonstration mode;

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electronic device that executes the preferred embodiment, an

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a preferred method for switching between a presentation mode and a normal mode.

Detailed Description

Referring now to fig. 1, fig. 1 shows a combination of a toy 10 placed within a package 12. Initially, toy 10 is inserted into package 12 along with a power source, such as one or more batteries (LR 44 in fig. 2). Toy 10 has a plurality of sensors distributed at various locations on or within toy 12 that are activated by a user to cause the toy to operate in a predetermined manner. In the depicted embodiment, package 12 has a cut-out 18 through which a user may see and access a portion of packaged toy 10. Toy 10 and package 12 are configured to: exposing at least first sensor 14 to allow user contact and activation while toy 10 is in package 12; at least second sensor 16 is covered or otherwise prevented from being touched and activated by a user when toy 10 is in package 12.

The number of sensors that may be included in toy 10 that may be activated by a user is not limited herein. Toy 10 may also be equipped with a third sensor 17 and a fourth sensor 15, with third sensor 17 being covered along with second sensor 16 and fourth sensor 15 being exposed when toy 10 is in package 12 to allow a user to activate toy 10 within package 12. Sensors used in the present invention are devices that respond to a physical stimulus (e.g., heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion) made by a user and output a resulting pulse or other electrical signal. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of sensors 14-17 is preferably a switch located within toy 10 or on toy 10 that is manually activated to turn on or off the flow of current. The sensors 14-17 may also be referred to subsequently as switches.

Referring to fig. 2, toy 10 also includes an electronic device, generally indicated at 25. Each of the sensors 14-17 is operatively connected to the electronics 25. In order for the toy to respond to a user, toy 10 also includes at least one electrically operable or responsive device, and preferably a plurality of such devices, for example, one or more sound generators such as speaker 40, one or more light emitters such as Light Emitting Diode (LED)50 or even display screen 52, and/or one or more electrically controlled movers (prime movers) such as motor 60 or electric solenoids, pumps, etc. Each device 40, 50, 52, 60 is operatively connected to the electronic device 25 so as to be controlled (actuated and operated) by the electronic device 25. The electric control device is not limited to those enumerated above.

Toy 10 responds to user activation of sensors 14-17 in various ways, each considered a routine, through various equipped devices 40, 50, 52, 60, etc., and hereinafter, reference to a "routine" in describing the invention is meant to be an activity of toy 10 for a defined duration, which may include the generation of sound, light, heat, magnetic forces, electrostatic activity, or electromagnetic mechanical activity, or any combination thereof, under the control of electronic device 25. Electronic device 25 is configured to generate the routine because the electronic device includes a plurality of predetermined sets of instructions that direct electronic device 25 (and in particular computer chip 20) to deactivate and operate toy 10 by controlling the operation of the various devices 40, 50, 52, 60, etc. in accordance with the instructions. Each routine typically requires a separate set of predetermined instructions to be stored in the electronic device 25, and a "routine" is also to be understood as a set of instructions, as well as a physical activity.

In accordance with the present invention, toy 10 and electronic device 25 are equipped with at least a first routine (hereinafter, also referred to as a "demonstration" routine), and at least second and third routines (hereinafter, also referred to as "conventional" routines or "conventional play" routines). To extend battery life, demonstration routines are often abbreviated in some manner as compared to conventional routines. The demonstration mode may allow a user to exercise one or more devices that can exercise while toy 10 is still in package 12, so that the user can see the operational capabilities of toy 10 at a glance without consuming battery power before toy 10 is removed from package 12.

While only one demonstration routine and two conventional routines are required for the present invention, the only limitation on the number of demonstration routines and conventional routines that toy 10 has is the ability of toy 10 and electronic device 25 to store instructions. Typically, a first limited number of demonstration routines and a second much larger number of conventional routines than the number of demonstration routines are pre-stored in toy 10 and electronic device 25 in order to provide toy 10 with a variety of different operations while in conventional use.

There may even be some correspondence between routines, the demonstration routine being a truncated routine. The demonstration routine may be shorter in duration or have fewer attributes (fewer incentives for sounds, lights, actions, and/or other actions of the toy) or both than certain conventional routines. In contrast, conventional routines are more extended (i.e., longer in duration and/or have more attributes or stimuli, such as more types of sound, mechanical manipulation, and/or optical manipulation, and as a result, consume more power than all or nearly all of the equipped demonstration routines when using the same device.

By configuring electronic device 25, toy 10 is configured to operate in two different modes, a first or "play" mode and a second or "regular" mode or "regular play" mode. When toy 10 and electronic device 25 are in a first or "play" mode, only the "play" routine is executed; the conventional routine is executed only when toy 10 and electronic device 25 are in the second or conventional mode. This distinction is important. When the toy is in the demonstration mode of operation, the normal routine cannot be executed; the toy and electronic device may be configured to continue to execute one or more demonstration routines in the normal mode of operation.

In accordance with the present invention, toy 10 and electronic device 25 are configured to: toy 10 and electronic device 25 are switched from the play mode of operation to the normal mode of operation by the user actuating an actuation sensor of a conventional routine. Toy 10 and packaging 12 are configured to expose sensors 14 and 15 for user contact when toy 10 is in packaging 12, with sensors 14, 15 comprising a first or "play" subset of sensors, toy 10 and packaging 12 further configured to cover sensors 16, 17 or otherwise prevent user contact with sensors 16, 17 when toy 10 is in packaging 12. The sensors 16, 17 constitute a second or "regular" or "regular play" subset of sensors. As toy 10 moves out of packaging 12, whether by normal opening or by breaking packaging 12 around the toy, at least second sensor 16 and/or third sensor 17 of the second subset of sensors becomes accessible to the user.

Still further in accordance with the present invention, user actuation of a first sensor (e.g., sensor 14) operatively connected to the electronic device 25 configured in a first or demonstration mode causes the electronic device 25 to generate at least a first routine, a demonstration routine, and causes the electronic device 25 in a second mode to generate at least a second routine, a conventional routine, different from the first routine. Still further in accordance with the present invention, user actuation of a second sensor (e.g., sensor 16) operatively connected to the electronic device 25 and different from the first sensor causes the electronic device 25 to generate a third routine different from the first routine and also causes the electronic device 25 to set itself in a second or normal mode. These are the minimum requirements of the present invention.

More preferably, the electronic device 25 is configured to: any first subset of the stored demonstration routines is generated in response to user actuation of the first sensor 14 when the electronic device 25 is in the first or demonstration mode. The electronic device 25 is further configured to generate any one of a second subset of stored routine routines that are different from each of the aforementioned demonstration routines, but which are generated only when the electronic device 25 is in a second or normal mode. The same is true of the user's actuation of the fourth sensor 15, although the electronic device 25 typically stores a separate demonstration routine subset and a routine subset that is different from the routines and subsets stored for response to the first sensor 14. The electronic device 25 is similarly configured to generate a routine from a separate subset of the stored routines and place itself in a second or normal mode of operation in response to a first user actuation of the second sensor 16 or the third sensor 17. In this manner, each of sensors 14-17 is associated with one or more particular routines of all routines stored within toy 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 25 preferably includes a controller, shown in the figure as a computer chip U1, for receiving signals from the switches 14-17 and storing and executing commands that make up the routine to cause actions associated with the routine. The computer chip U1 is conventional, including all necessary storage and processing capabilities and other capabilities needed to activate, manipulate, control the various provided devices 40, 50, 52, 60, etc. However, it is not essential to use a computer chip in the electronic device section 25. The electronic device 25 may include discrete components such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors mounted on one or more substrates. Alternatively, separate computer chips and/or separate computer components may be used in combination.

Preferably, the electronic device 25 is adapted or configured to: when power is applied to the electronic device 25 for the first time, the electronic device 25 is in or enters a first or (demonstration) mode of operation. This means that the electronic device 25 may be configured to: the electronic device 25 is set to the first mode whenever power to the electronic device 25 is cut off and reapplied to the electronic device 25. Or the electronic device 25 may be configured to: the first mode is only when power is first applied to the electronic device 25 and is not repeated thereafter whether power is subsequently interrupted or reapplied.

Toy 10 may include a mechanical on-off switch 20 to control the battery power applied to toy 10. With such an on-off switch, the on-off switch 20 is placed in the "on" position when the toy 10 is inserted into the package 12 by the manufacturer, and preferably hidden from the user when the toy 10 is enclosed in the package 12. Preferably, power is applied for the first time by setting the on-off switch 20 from the "off" position to the "on" position after the battery is installed, or by the switch 20 being placed in the "on" position while the battery is installed by the manufacturer.

Figure 3 illustrates the operation of a preferred embodiment of toy 10. After a power source, such as a battery, is incorporated into toy 10, the power applied to toy 10 is switched from off to on by either energizing on-off switch 20 when the battery is incorporated, or by incorporating or removing battery LR44 when the switch is in the "on" position (step 101), at which time the toy first enters the play mode. Upon sensing the change in power, the computer chip U1 enters the demonstration mode (step 103). Typically, toy 10 is pre-set by the manufacturer to a play mode, and when the manufacturer places toy 10 in package 12, toy 10 is also in the play mode.

While in the demonstration mode, the computer chip controller U1 periodically polls the state of each of the play routine switches 14-17 (step 107) to determine if any of the switches 14-17 are actuated. If the play switches 14, 15 are actuated, a play routine may be executed (step 111) and the toy 10 may then return to play mode (step 105). If switches 14-17 are not actuated, toy 10 remains in the play mode (step 105).

In a preferred embodiment, when toy 10 is in the play mode, if either conventional routine switch 16 or 17 is actuated, toy 10 automatically transitions to the conventional mode (step 109) and executes the corresponding conventional routine after switches 16, 17 are actuated (step 113). After the selected routine is executed (step 113), toy 10 remains in the normal mode (step 115) until reset (step 101). In the normal mode, the computer chip U1 periodically polls the state of each of the game routine switches 14-17 to determine if any of the switches 14-17 are actuated (step 117). If any of the switches 14-17 is actuated, the normal routine associated with the actuated switch is executed (step 113). If none of switches 14-17 are activated, toy 10 remains in the normal mode (step 115).

If toy 10 is configured as a one-time play configuration, electronic device 25 will automatically advance to step 115 each time power is interrupted or re-supplied.

It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A toy, comprising:

an electronic device configured to generate a plurality of routines and to operate in a first mode and a second mode;

a first sensor operatively connected to the electronic device, actuation of the first sensor by a user causing the electronic device to generate a first routine when in the first mode and a second routine different from the first routine when in the second mode; and

a second sensor operatively connected to the electronic device, actuation of the second sensor by a user causing the electronic device to generate a third routine different from the first routine and causing the electronic device to be set to the second mode.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the second routine is more extended than the first routine.

3. The toy of claim 1 in combination with a package containing the toy, the toy and the package configured to expose the first sensor to allow a user to activate the first sensor when the toy is loaded in the package, and the toy and the package configured to prevent a user from activating the second sensor when the toy is loaded in the package, the electronic device in the package being in the first mode.

4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the second sensor is covered by the packaging when the toy is enclosed in the packaging.

5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is reset to the first mode whenever power to the electronic device is interrupted and reapplied to the electronic device.

6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is set to the first mode only when power is applied to the electronic device for a first time.

7. A method of operating a toy having an electronic device configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, a first sensor operatively connected to the electronic device, and a second sensor operatively connected to the electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

the electronic device is set to the first mode when power is applied to the electronic device for a first time;

actuating the first sensor by a user such that the electronic device generates a first routine when in the first mode and a second routine different from the first routine when the electronic device is in the second mode; and

actuation of the second sensor by a user causes the electronic device to generate a third routine different from the first routine and causes the electronic device to be set to the second mode.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step, performed after the second energizing step, of: resetting the electronic device to the first mode when power is reapplied to the electronic device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second routine is more extensive than the first routine.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: enclosing the toy within a package such that the first sensor is exposed in the package to allow a user to activate the first sensor and the second sensor is covered in the package and prevented from being activated by the user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the encapsulating step further comprises: covering the second sensor with the package.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: the electronic device is reset to the first mode whenever power to the electronic device is interrupted and reapplied to the electronic device.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: maintaining the electronic device in the second mode each time power to the electronic device is interrupted and reapplied to the electronic device after the first application of power to the electronic device.

14. A packaged toy comprising:

a toy comprising a plurality of user-actuated switches, a computer chip controller located in the toy in operative communication with each of the plurality of user-actuated switches, and a plurality of preprogrammed routines stored in the toy, each routine directing controller actuation and operation of the toy in a different manner, the plurality of preprogrammed routines comprising at least a first set of one or more demonstration routines and a second set of two or more conventional routines, and each of the plurality of switches being associated with one or more specific routines of the plurality of routines;

a package for containing the toy, the package configured to: exposing one or more of the plurality of switches when the toy is in the package to allow a user to actuate at least one or more of the exposed switches; and prior to opening the package, covering one or more remaining switches of the plurality of switches when the toy is in the package to prevent a user from actuating the one or more remaining switches;

wherein the controller is configured to perform the steps of:

a. in response to actuation of one or more of the plurality of switches exposed for actuation by a user while the toy is in the package, initially executing only a first set of preprogrammed demonstration routines,

b. in direct response to user actuation of any of the remaining switches, one of the preprogrammed routine routines of the second set is executed, and

c. thereafter, in response to actuation of any of the one or more switches exposed by the toy when in the package, executing a preprogrammed routine from a second set,

wherein at least one of the pre-programmed conventional routines executable by the controller after step b, in response to actuation of any of the one or more switches exposed when the toy is in the package, is different from each of the first set of pre-programmed demonstration routines whereby the toy is capable of automatically reconfiguring itself from a demonstration mode of operation to a regular play mode of operation.