CN210786226U - Toy - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy comprising a body having at least one sensor arranged to detect an action or operation of the toy; an interface having at least one of: i) a display module configured to display visual information in response to the motion or operation detected by the sensor, or ii) an audio module configured to play audio data; and a processing module configured to process information received from the sensor and send an output signal to the interface.

Description

Toy

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a toy, in particular but not limited to a toy with an interface.

Background

The toy is a popular and lovely toy for all families, and is popular among children and adults. The toy brings amusement and imagination, agility and strength for children, and all the characteristics are beneficial to early physical and mental development. Various toys are available on the market, including puzzles, dolls, automobile models, building pieces, board games or card games.

Stuffed toys are among the most popular toys. Children often feel happy with the stuffed toy and feel comfortable, safe, and friendship by familiarizing the toy's attractive soft structure and striking design. Children tend to be attracted to these toys during childhood and adulthood due to their comfortable texture and loveliness, treating them as reliable playmates. Hugging and squeezing these stuffed toys can also promote the intelligence development and mobility of the infant. Stuffed toys are available in the market in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, which have only increased their commercial appeal. They may also be used for educational purposes, such as educating young children with a series of stuffed toys shaped like jungle animals, learning about different ecosystems around the world.

Generally, stuffed toys have a simple design and vivid colors, are visually appealing, and have an ideal full shape to fit in a hug.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy comprising: a body having at least one sensor arranged to detect a motion or operation of the toy; an interface having at least one of: i) a display module configured to display visual information in response to the motion or operation detected by the sensor, or ii) an audio module configured to play audio data; and a processing module configured to process information received from the sensor and send an output signal to the interface.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the sensor is selected from a vibration sensor, a force sensor, a gravity sensor, a tilt sensor or a gyroscope. Preferably, the sensor is a vibration sensor arranged to detect shaking of the toy.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the toy has two or more sensors located in different parts thereof.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the display module displays an image, text, a symbol, an animation, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the interface includes a display module and an audio module.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the processing module is at least partially disposed inside the toy and connected to the power source.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the power source is a rechargeable power source located internally within the toy and rechargeable by connection to an external power source.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the power supply comprises an internal battery holder receiving one or more batteries.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the toy is a stuffed toy filled with a flexible material. Preferably, the flexible material comprises one or more of cotton, plastic granules, plastic beans, hay, wood wool or fibres.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the toy has a fabric outer layer.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the processing module sends the output signal to an interface to display visual information, and when the sensor detects an action or operation of the toy, the visual information is displayed one by one and the audio data is played, or the visual information is displayed and the audio data is played simultaneously.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the display module comprises a light emitting device emitting light of one or more colors.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the toy detects different types of actions or operations of the toy and sends corresponding detection signals to the processing module, and the processing module sends corresponding output signals to the display module for displaying corresponding visual information.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the light emitting device emits one or more lights depending on the type of action or operation detected by the sensor.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the audio module is arranged to play audio data in dependence of the type of action or operation detected by the sensor, or is arranged to play random audio data.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the display module is arranged to display random visual information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plush toy, comprising:

a body having at least one sensor arranged to detect motion or operation of the plush toy;

a processing module arranged to process information received from the sensor; and

an interface having: a display module configured to display visual information in response to a motion or operation detected by the sensor, and an audio module configured to play audio data;

when the sensor detects the action or operation of the plush toy, the processing module sends an output signal to an interface so as to display the visual information and play the audio data one by one or simultaneously.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the display module comprises a light emitting device emitting light of one or more colors.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the sensor is selected from a vibration sensor, a force sensor, a gravity sensor, a tilt sensor or a gyroscope. Preferably, the sensor is a vibration sensor arranged to detect shaking of the toy.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the processing module is disposed at least partially within the plush toy and is connected to a power source.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the power source is a rechargeable power source located inside the plush toy and can be recharged by connecting to an external power source.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the plush toy detects different types of actions or operations of the plush toy and sends corresponding detection signals to the processing module, and the processing module sends corresponding output signals to the interface for displaying corresponding visual information and/or playing corresponding audio data.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the display module is arranged to display random visual information.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a front view of a toy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the toy of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a toy according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a toy is shown, the toy including a body having at least one sensor configured to detect a motion or operation of the toy; an interface comprising at least one of: i) a display module configured to display visual information in response to a motion or operation detected by the sensor, or ii) an audio module configured to play audio data; and a processing module configured to process information received from the sensor and send an output signal to the interface.

As shown in fig. 1, toy 100 is configured as a stuffed toy, and is particularly similar to a teddy bear. In this embodiment, toy 100 has a body 102 that forms an internal cavity for housing a display module 104, one or more sensors 106, a processing module 108, and a power source (not shown). The interior cavity may be filled with a flexible material including one or more of cotton, plastic granules, plastic beans, hay, wood wool, or fibers, and toy 100 is covered by a fabric outer layer, particularly a fur fabric layer.

It should be understood that various configurations of the body 102 may be used. In some embodiments, toy 100 may be configured as, but not limited to, an animal-shaped stuffed toy, a cartoon or cartoon character stuffed toy, or a non-biological stuffed toy, such as a car stuffed toy. In an alternative embodiment, the toy may be a soft toy with a flexible outer layer without padding. The toy may also be provided as a plush toy.

The interface of the present invention is configured to allow a user to interact with the toy, for example, to allow the user to input information and/or to receive any information given by the toy. In the exemplary embodiment, the interface of toy 100 includes a display module 104 configured to display visual information based on the motion or operation detected by sensor 106. The display module 104 of the present embodiment has a display screen 110 disposed on the main body 102 for a user to read visual information presented on the display screen 110. The display module 104 is arranged to display images, text, symbols, animations or a combination thereof in color or monochrome on the display screen 110 with respect to the detection signals received by the processing module 108.

Preferably, the display screen 110 includes a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting (LED) panel, and/or another type of display screen configured to display information transmitted by the processing device 108. In this embodiment, the display module 104 includes an LCD panel. Preferably, the LED panel may be provided as a backlight below the LCD panel to emit one or more lights. This is advantageous because it may draw the attention of the user and improve the readability of the content on the display screen in low light conditions. The color of the light given by the LED panel may be set to indicate different types of actions or operations detected by the sensor 106. The color of the lights may also be varied depending on the visual information displayed. It should be understood that various modes may be used to display light, such as, but not limited to, blinking.

In some embodiments, a transparent element may be further provided on the display screen 110 for protecting the display screen from damage. Preferably, the transparent element is made waterproof in order to protect the display screen located underneath from the ingress of water.

In another embodiment, display module 104 includes a touch screen and/or one or more buttons for a user to input information, such as a toy name, user name, date, and the like. The entered information may then be stored in a memory of the processing module 108.

In this embodiment, the processing module 108 is in electrical communication with each of the display module 104, the one or more sensors 106, and a power source (not shown) such that it can receive and transmit input or output signals between each component. Preferably, the processing module is at least partially disposed within the toy. In this embodiment, the entire process module is housed in the main body 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toy has a power switch 112 in electrical communication with the processing module 108 and the power source to enable or disable the toy 100. Preferably, a power switch 112 is provided on the body 102 so that a user can easily activate or deactivate the toy 100.

Processing module 108 of the present embodiment includes control circuitry that controls the operation of toy 100, and in particular processes detection signals provided by one or more sensors of toy 100 and sends corresponding output signals to display module 104 to display corresponding visual information. The visual information displayed may be random information or a random image, or predetermined information or images associated with a particular type of detection signal given by the sensor. I.e., predetermined information or images are assigned to a particular type of action or operation detected by the sensor 106. In this embodiment, toy 100 displays random textual information, such as greeting information, phrases relating to life, love, family, or success, etc., in response to any action or operation detected by the sensors. The textual information may be in any language according to the user's preferences.

In some embodiments, processing module 108 processes the detection signals and identifies the type of action or operation of toy 100 to instruct display module 104 to display visual information regarding the type of action or operation detected by the sensors. In one embodiment, the detection signal transmitted to processing module 108 contains information related to the strength of the force applied to toy 100. Processing module 108 may then process the signal and instruct display module 104 to display visual information corresponding to the applied force. This is particularly useful in situations where the user is sad and more strongly hugs the toy. Thus, the toy may be configured to display more comforting or targeted textual information as perceived by the user.

Thus, a more interactive user experience may be provided when a user plays with a toy, and the user may receive different responses from the toy based on different operations on the toy.

In one embodiment, a panel of LEDs is provided that is positioned adjacent the display screen, the LEDs illuminating one or more lights depending on the type of action or operation detected by the sensor in order to inform the user that a particular operation has been applied.

In one embodiment, where the display module 104 includes a touch screen and/or one or more buttons as described above, the processing module 108 may be configured to respond to user input information and store the information in the memory of the processing module 108. In addition, the display screen may pop up one or more questions depending on the type of action or operation detected by sensor 106 and allow the user to respond to the questions by selecting an option or pressing a button on the touch screen. This is advantageous in that the user may receive immediate information regarding his/her operations on toy 100.

The sensor 106 according to the present embodiment is arranged to detect an action, such as a vibration or operation of the toy 100, to generate a detection signal to the processing module 108. The user may manipulate toy 100 in various ways, such as hugging, tapping, shaking, squeezing, pressing, or tilting. Sensor 106 may detect these actions or operations of toy 100 and convert them into signals, particularly different detection signals depending on the operation performed.

Preferably, toy 100 has one or more sensors selected from a group consisting of vibration sensors, force sensors, gravity sensors, tilt sensors, or gyroscopes to detect motion or orientation of toy 100 and the operation performed on toy 100. In this embodiment, toy 100 has at least one sensor located near the central axis of body 102 such that when toy 100 is turned on, sensor 106 disposed therein may detect motion or operation of toy 100 and send the detection signal to a processing unit for further processing.

In an alternative embodiment, toy 100 has two or more sensors disposed at different portions of body 102, and at least one sensor is a vibration sensor or a force sensor for detecting vibrations of toy 100 or forces applied to toy 100. Specifically, a vibration sensor is provided to detect the shake of the toy 100. Another sensor may be a tilt sensor or gyroscope that detects the position or orientation of toy 100. This arrangement is advantageous in that the sensors may more accurately detect the motion or operation of toy 100 and send corresponding detection signals to processing module 108 for further processing.

In this embodiment, toy 100 also includes an audio module 114 for playing audio data. The audio data may be stored in a memory of the processing module 108. The audio data preferably comprises at least one or more of speech information or a piece of music or sound. The audio module 114 is in electrical communication with the processing module 108 and includes a speaker for playing audio data when the processing module 108 sends instructions to the audio module 114 regarding the output signal of the action or operation detected by the sensor 106. In this embodiment, the audio module 114 is configured to play audio data according to the type of action or operation detected by the sensor 106. For example, audio module 114 may be configured to play audio data depending on the intensity of the force applied to toy 100. The sensor may be arranged to transmit a detection signal comprising information relating to the strength of the applied force. Processing module 108 may then process the signal and instruct audio module 114 to play audio data associated with the particular force applied to the toy so that the user may receive audio information in response to his/her actions.

In another embodiment, the audio module 114 is configured to play random audio data.

In some embodiments, the audio module 114 may also include a microphone that allows a user to record audio information and store the recorded information in the memory of the processing module 108. The recording of audio information may be activated by a particular type of operation by the user, such as by pressing toy 100, particularly at a point adjacent to the force sensor. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of recording devices may be used. The processing module 108 may store the recorded audio information and associate it with an action performed by the user. Processing module 108 may then play the recorded audio information when sensor 106 again detects a corresponding action on toy 100.

According to the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, when the sensor 106 detects an action or operation of the toy 100, the processing module 108 receives a detection signal from the sensor 106 for processing. The processing module 108 then sends the output signals to the display module 104 and the audio module 114 to display the visual information and play the audio data one by one or simultaneously according to the actions or operations detected by the sensor 106. The visual information may be displayed before, after, or during the period that the audio module 114 plays the audio data. The combination of visual information with audio information or sound attracts the attention of the user and makes it more entertaining.

In some embodiments, the audio module 114 is configured to play one or more random audio data stored in the memory of the processing module 108. In an alternative embodiment, audio module 114 may play a particular piece of audio data regardless of the type of action or operation detected by sensor 106.

This is advantageous because toy 100 not only displays visual information on display module 104, but also plays music or sounds through the speaker. Thus, toy 100 is more entertaining. However, it will be appreciated that the toy may be configured to have only a display module (i.e. no audio module) or only an audio module (i.e. no display module), depending on the type of interaction the user wishes to have.

In another embodiment, processing module 108 may include a wireless communication unit for transmitting information between toy 100 and an electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or the like. The wireless communication unit may use technology such as bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC) and the like, which is arranged to transmit information such as visual information or audio data from the toy to the electronic device and vice versa. This allows the user to update the memory of the processing module 108 so that he/she can play preferred audio data and/or visual information while interacting with the toy. The user may also retrieve any information entered into the toy and then spool the information to the electronic device for recording. Thus, information input to the toy may be retrieved and played by other devices.

The power source of this embodiment is located within the body 102 and is preferably a rechargeable power source that can be recharged by connecting to an external power source. Referring to fig. 2, an electrical receptacle 116 is provided on the rear side of toy 100 for electrical connection between a power source and an external power source. The electrical receptacle 116 may be a USB receptacle or other possible electrical receptacle. This is advantageous for using a rechargeable power supply, since it can be reused and avoids the use of batteries. The use of batteries may generate a great cost and increase environmental burdens. Moreover, toy 100 may retain its attractive appearance because the power source is disposed within body 102 of toy 100.

It should be understood that other arrangements of power sources may be applied to the present invention. The power source may include one or more batteries located either internally or externally to the toy. Thus, the user can easily replace the exhausted battery. Preferably, the toy includes an internal battery holder that receives one or more batteries. In an alternative embodiment, toy 100 may include a solar panel as a rechargeable power source. Solar panels may be provided on body 102 to convert solar energy into electrical energy to power toy 100. The use of solar panels helps to reduce the environmental burden and reduce the huge cost of replacing waste batteries.

Figure 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the toy of the present invention. Toy 200 is configured as a distinctly colored, appearing plush toy. Toy 200 is covered by a fabric outer layer and has a body 202 filled with synthetic fibers, which gives toy 200 a soft feel. The body 202 is configured to house the sensors (not shown), the processing module (not shown), the interface including the display module 204 and the audio module (not shown), and the power source (not shown) as described above.

It will be appreciated from the disclosure herein that when a sensor detects an action or operation of toy 200, toy 200 may display visual information and/or play audio data. Specifically, when the sensors detect the motion or operation of the plush toy 200, the processing module sends output signals to the interface to display visual information and play audio data one by one, or to display visual information and play audio data simultaneously. Preferably, the plush toy 200 has a vibration sensor arranged to detect the shaking of the hugging toy 200. The processing module then receives the detection signal from the vibration sensor and processes the signal to instruct the display module 204 and/or the audio module to play random visual information and/or random audio data. The visual information and audio data are previously input and stored in the processing module.

The power source of the plush toy 200 includes an internal battery holder that receives one or more batteries. The user can easily replace the depleted battery with a new one.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge.

Claims (18)

1. A toy, comprising:

a body having at least one sensor arranged to detect a motion or operation of the toy;

an interface having at least one of: i) a display module configured to display visual information in response to the motion or operation detected by the sensor, or ii) an audio module configured to play audio data; and

a processing module configured to process information received from the sensor and send an output signal to the interface.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from a vibration sensor, a force sensor, a gravity sensor, a tilt sensor or a gyroscope.

3. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the toy has two or more sensors located in different parts thereof.

4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the display module displays images, text, symbols, animations, or combinations thereof.

5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the interface includes the display module and the audio module.

6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the processing module is disposed at least partially within the toy and is connected to a power source.

7. The toy of claim 6, wherein the power source is a rechargeable power source located internal to the toy and rechargeable by connection to an external power source.

8. The toy of claim 6, wherein the power source includes an internal battery holder that receives one or more batteries.

9. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is a stuffed toy filled with a flexible material.

10. The toy of claim 9, wherein the flexible material includes one or more of cotton, plastic granules, plastic beans, hay, wood wool, or fibers.

11. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy has a fabric outer layer.

12. A toy according to claim 5 wherein the processing module sends the output signals to the interface to display the visual information and play the audio data one by one or simultaneously when the sensor detects the action or operation of the toy.

13. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the display module includes light emitting means which emit light of one or more colours.

14. The toy of claim 1, wherein the sensors detect different types of actions or operations of the toy and send corresponding detection signals to the processing module, and the processing module sends corresponding output signals to the display module to display corresponding visual information.

15. The toy of claim 13, wherein the light emitting device emits one or more lights according to the type of action or operation detected by the sensor.

16. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the audio module is arranged to play audio data in dependence on the type of action or operation detected by the sensor, or is arranged to play random audio data.

17. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the display module is arranged to display random visual information.

18. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor arranged to detect shaking of the toy.

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