US20090305603A1

US20090305603A1 - Interactive toy system

Info

Publication number: US20090305603A1
Application number: US12/422,962
Authority: US
Inventors: Kun-I Yuan; Chun-Yu Lee; Tsung-Yu Lin
Original assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-04
Filing date: 2009-04-13
Publication date: 2009-12-10
Also published as: CN101596368A

Abstract

An interactive toy system comprises an image sensor, an information collecting unit, a memory, a comparative unit, a main control unit, and a light emitting diode array. The image sensor picks up movements of a user and output electrical signals. The information collecting unit collects the electrical signals and outputting processed signals after processing the electrical signals. The memory has a series of reference levels and an operation procedure stored therein, the operation procedure comprising many control signals corresponding to the reference levels. The comparative unit receives the processed signals and comparing the processed signals with the reference levels to output one of the corresponding control signals. The light emitting diode array is configured for emitting patterns of light by the main control unit based on the control signal from the comparative unit.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to an interactive toy system with light emitting diodes.
2. Description of Related Art
Among the various kinds of toys available in the market, entertaining toys are particularly popular for young children. The inclusion of entertaining tools in toys allows children to learn in an informal, relaxed manner, i.e., by playing with the toys. For example, the toys can be operative to generate an illumination pattern/image or audio sounds to interact with the user. However, keeping the interest of the user of such toys may be limited because of the single unchangeable pattern of the entertaining tools thereon.
Therefore, what is needed is an interactive toy system which can overcome the described limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present interactive toy system can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present interactive toy system. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an interactive toy system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of an interactive method for an interactive toy system with an user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an interactive toy system 100 comprises an image sensor 110, an information collecting unit 120, a memory 130, a comparative unit 140, a main control unit 150, and a light emitting diode array 160.
The image sensor 110 is configured for picking up the movements of a user (such as child), converting the captured images into electrical signals and sending the electrical signals to the information collecting element 120.
The information collecting unit 120 is configured for collecting the electrical signals from the image sensor 110 and sending a plurality of processed signals to the comparative unit 140 after a series of processing, such as filtering, noise reduction, amplification, etc.
The memory 130 has a series of reference levels and an operation procedure stored therein. The operation procedure comprises many control signals corresponding to the reference levels, that is, one of the control signals can be outputted when one of the reference levels is selected.
The comparative unit 140 receives the processed signals from the information collecting unit 120, compares the processed signals with the reference levels, and selects one or more of the reference levels corresponding to said processed signals, and then outputs one of the control signals which responds to reference levels to the main control unit 150.
The main control unit 150 obtains the control signal from the comparative unit 140 to drive the light emitting diode array 160 emit light in a desired manner. The light emitting diode array 160 includes a number of light emitting diodes arranged to form patterns. In present embodiment, the light emitting diodes are positioned surrounding the image sensor 110, such that the interactive toy system 100 has a compact structure. The light emitting diode array 160 can be controlled by the main control unit 150 to radiate interesting and phantasmagoric light, such as a colorful light with regular variation of brightness or a flickering light. Therefore, a variety of interactive patterns can be shown to keep the user entertained and retain his interest longer when using the interactive toy system 100. In addition, the interactive toy system 100 may further includes a light guide element coupled with the light emitting diode array 160 to mix the light from the light emitting diode array 160, such that glare can be avoided.
Referring to FIG. 2, an interactive method, for the interactive toy system 100, with a user, in accordance with a second embodiment, comprises the following steps:
S210, detecting movements of the user by an image sensor 110 to output several electrical signals.
S220, collecting the electrical signals from the image sensor 110 to sent them to a comparative unit 140 after a series of processing.
S230, comparing the processed electrical signals from an information collecting unit 120 with reference levels that are stored in a memory 130 and as a result of the comparison outputting a corresponding control signal to a main control unit 150.
S240, driving a light emitting diode array 160 to radiate interesting and phantasmagoric light, such as a colorful light with regular variation of brightness or a flickering light by the main control unit 150 after obtaining the control signal from the comparative unit 140.
In the above-described exemplary method, the movements of a user can be picked up by the image sensor 110, and then a colorful light with regular variation of brightness or a flickering light can be emitted from the light emitting diode array 160, such that a variety of patterns interactive with the user, the interest and entertainment of a toy can be improved.
It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An interactive toy system, comprising:

an image sensor configured for picking up movements of a user and outputting electrical signals;

an information collecting unit configured for collecting the electrical signals from the image sensor and outputting processed signals after processing the electrical signals;

a memory having a series of reference levels and an operation procedure stored therein, the operation procedure comprising many control signals corresponding to the reference levels;

a comparative unit configured for receiving the processed signals from the information collecting unit and comparing the processed signals with the reference levels and outputting one of the corresponding control signals;

a main control unit configured for obtaining the control signal from the comparative unit;

a light emitting diode array configured for emitting patterns of light by the main control unit.

2. The interactive toy system of claim 1, wherein the processing for the electrical signals from the image sensor comprises filtering, noise reduction or amplification.

3. The interactive toy system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode array comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in patterns.

4. The interactive toy system of claim 3, wherein the light emitting diodes are positioned surrounding the image sensor.

5. The interactive toy system of claim 1, further comprising a light guide element coupled with the light emitting diode array to mix the light from the light emitting diode array.

6. An interactive method for an interactive toy system, comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting movements of a user by an image sensor to output several electrical signals;

(b) collecting the electrical signals from the image sensor and outputting a plurality of processed signals by an information collecting unit;

(c) comparing the processed signals from the information collecting unit with reference levels stored in a memory by a comparative unit and outputting a corresponding control signal to a main control unit; and

(d) driving a light emitting diode array to emit patterns of light after obtaining the control signal from the comparative unit.