GB2591230A

GB2591230A - An interactive module for a toy and a toy including the interactive module

Info

Publication number: GB2591230A
Application number: GB2000794.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hughes Barry; Marsden Christopher; Lloyd Gareth
Original assignee: GOLDEN BEAR PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: GOLDEN BEAR PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-20
Filing date: 2020-01-20
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Also published as: GB202000794D0; WO2021148776A1

Abstract

An interactive module 100 for a toy 300 comprises a controller; a power source operatively connected to the controller; an accelerometer operatively connected to the controller; a user operable button operatively connected to the controller; and a speaker operatively connected to the controller. The controller is operable to be responsive to a user operating the button for a first time, control the speaker to provide a countdown noise; after conclusion of the countdown noise, record accelerometer data for a period of time; and subsequently, when a user operates the button for a second time, control the speaker to provide a noise indicative of recorded accelerometer data. The user operable button (106, figure 4) and speaker (108) may be arranged such that the user operable button is operated by the user depressing the speaker. The toy may be a football.

Description

Ref: A14980GB

TITLE

An interactive module for a toy and a toy including the interactive module

FIELD

This specification relates to an interactive module for a toy and a toy including the interactive module. More particularly, although not exclusively, this specification relates to an interactive module for a ball.

SUMMARY

There is provided an interactive module for a toy, the interactive module including: a controller; a power source operatively connected to the controller; an accelerometer operatively connected to the controller; a user operable button operatively connected to the controller; and a speaker operatively connected to the controller, wherein the controller is operable, to: i) responsive to a user operating the button for a first time; control the speaker to provide a countdown noise; fi) after conclusion of the countdown noise, record accelerometer data for a period of time; and iii) subsequently, when a user operates the button for a second time, control the speaker to provide a noise indicative of recorded accelerometer data.

The user operable button and the speaker may be arranged such that the user operable button may be operated by the user depressing the speaker.

The user operable button may be located behind the speaker.

The accelerometer may detect components of acceleration within a single detection axis.

The interactive module further includes an indicator, which indicates the direction of the detection axis.

The accelerometer may comprise an oscillator rotatable about an axis of rotation normal to the detection axis; and the oscillator may have a centre of mass offset from the axis of rotation.

The oscillator may be moveable between a first position and a second position. The accelerometer may comprise a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor. A signal from the first proximity sensor to the controller may indicate that the oscillator is or is not in the first position. A signal from the second proximity sensor to the controller may indicate that the oscillator is or is not in the second position.

The oscillator may be biased towards the first position.

The first and/or second proximity sensors may be photoelectric sensors.

There is also provided a toy including the interactive module of any preceding claim.

The interactive module may be removable from the toy.

The interactive module may be replaceable by a blanking module.

The toy may be or comprise a ball. The ball may be or comprise a football.

The toy may further comprise a tee for supporting the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to 10 the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG 1 shows operation of an interactive module within a toy in accordance with an embodiment; FIG 2 shows an interactive module within a toy in accordance with an 15 embodiment; FIG 3 shows a perspective view of an interactive module in accordance with an embodiment; FIG 4 shows a cut away view of the interactive module of FIG 3; FIG 5 shows an accelerometer sectional view of components of the accelerometer of the interactive module of FIG 3; FIG 6 shows a perspective view of components of the accelerometer of FIG 5 in wherein the oscillator is in a first position; and FIG 7 shows a perspective view of components of the accelerometer of FIG 5 in wherein the oscillator is in a second position;

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to FIGs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings, there is provided an interactive module 100 for a toy 300. The interactive module 100 includes a controller 102. The controller 102 may be a programmable microcontroller or a preprogramed microcontroller, or similar, as would be known to the skilled person.

The interactive module 100 also includes a power source 104 operatively connected to the controller 102. The power source 104 may be a battery, as shown. Alternatively, the power source 104 may be a connection to an external source of power (i.e. a connection to a source of power external to the interactive module 100) or any other power source 104.

The interactive module 100 also includes an accelerometer 200 operatively connected to the controller 102. The accelerometer 200 may be any type of accelerometer 200; for example, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer, a Pendulous Integrating Gyroscopic Accelerometer (PIGA), or any other accelerometer known to the skilled person. However, a particular accelerometer 200 suitable for use with the interactive module 104 will be described in more detail below.

The interactive module 100 also includes a speaker 108 operatively connected to the controller 102. The speaker 108 may be any suitable speaker 108 known to the skilled person.

The interactive module 100 also includes a user operable button 106 operatively connected to the controller 102. The user operable button 106 may be any suitable user operable button 106 known to the skilled person.

The user operable button 106 may be a tactile button. The user operable button 106 may be accessible to the user in any way. For example, as shown, the user operable button 106 and the speaker 108 may be arranged such that the user operable button 106 may be operated by the user depressing the speaker 108. In particular, as shown, the user operable button 106 may be located behind the speaker 108. Such an arrangement may be advantageous; in particular, such an arrangement may be compact and/or durable.

However, any alternative user operable button 106 may be used, for example, including a virtual button, e.g. a capacitive touch sensor.

As shown with reference to FIG 1, the interactive module 100 may be included within a toy 300 (see Step 1, 410). The user may position the toy 300 (see Step 2, 420) The controller 106 of the interactive module 100 is operable to, responsive to a user operating the button 106 for a first time (see Step 3, 430), control the speaker 108 to provide a countdown noise (see Step 4, 440).

The countdown noise may be a voice recording of a countdown, for example, "THREE, TWO, ONE". Alternatively, the countdown noise may be a series of 15 tones or beeps, for example "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP".

After conclusion of the countdown noise, the controller 102 is operable to record accelerometer data from the accelerometer 200 for a period of time. The accelerometer data may be recorded by monitoring signals from the accelerometer 200 since the accelerometer is operatively connected to the controller 102.

During the period of time in which accelerometer data is recorded the user will typically have a task to fulfil. As will be appreciated, in such a case, where the task involves moving the toy 300 and/or the interactive module 100, the accelerometer data will be indicative of the user task. As an example and as illustrated, where the interactive module 100 is included in a toy 300 and the toy 300 is or includes a football, the user may be tasked with kicking the football (see Step 5, 450). Accordingly, the accelerometer data may be indicative of the kick(s) that the football receives.

Subsequently, when a user operates the user operable button 106 for a second time, the controller 102 is operable to control the speaker 108 to provide a noise indicative of recorded accelerometer data (see Step 6, 460). As will be appreciated, the accelerometer data, and consequently the noise, will generally be indicative of the performance of a user. Again, merely as an example, where the module 100 is included in a football, the noise may be indicative of the kick(s) that the football receives. For example, the noise may be a spoken announcement of the fastest speed at which the interactive module 100 has travelled. Alternatively, the noise may be a positive noise (e.g. applause) if a threshold is exceeded or a negative noise (e.g. a fail sound) if a threshold is not exceeded. Other alternative noises will be apparent to the skilled person.

As will be appreciated, the provision of the interactive module 100 can provide a fun toy 300 for children and adults. In particular, the interactive module 100 can be used to provide relatively simple toys 300 which can be enjoyed either alone or as part of a group. For example, when playing alone, one can repeatedly use the interactive module 100 attempting to improve ones own score (e.g. a higher fastest speed). Alternatively, when playing with others, one can take turns to use the interactive module 100, attempting to achieve the highest score (e.g. highest fastest speed) amongst a group of users (or players).

One feature of the interactive module 100, which may be particularly attractive to some users, is that the interactive module 100 does not require a display and/or connection to a further device (for example a smart 'phone). This enables the interactive module 100 (and toy 300) to be enjoyed without the presence of a smart 'phone or other computing device.

The accelerometer 200 may be configured to detect components of acceleration (only) within a single detection axis. Such an arrangement may be preferred where a more skilled game is desired, as, for example, it typically requires greater skill to kick a ball at speed in a particular direction, than to kick a ball in an unspecified direction.

The interactive module 100 may further include an indicator 110 (see FIGs 1 and 3), which indicates the direction of the detection axis. The presence of such an indicator 110 can assist in the playing of the more skilled game.

With reference to FIG 2, where the interactive module 100 is included within a toy 300, the toy 300 may (additionally or alternatively) include further indicators 310. Further, the toy 300 may include a target 312 indicating the "sweet spot" from which to propel the toy 300. Where the toy 300 is a football, the "sweet spot" will generally be at or near the optimum location to kick the football for a high score.

With reference to FIGs 4, 5, 6, and 7 a particular type of accelerometer 200 will be described. The accelerometer 200 may comprise an oscillator 202 rotatable about an axis of rotation 204 normal to the detection axis. The oscillator 204 may have a centre of mass offset from the axis of rotation 204.

As will be appreciated, where the centre of mass is offset from the axis of rotation 204, when the interactive module 100 in which the oscillator 202 is included is caused to accelerate along the detection axis, the oscillator 202 will move relative to the interactive module 100. This movement is indicated by arrow A in FIGs 5 and 7. It will be appreciated that the movement of the interactive module 100 is opposite to the movement A of the oscillator 202 relative to the interactive module 100.

It may be advantageous for the axis between the centre of mass of the oscillator 202 and the intersection between the detection axis and the axis of rotation to be normal to both the detection axis and the axis of rotation.

The oscillator may include a weight 216, to balance the oscillator 202 for optimum performance. The location of the weight may be chosen to optimise the location of the centre of mass of the oscillator 202, as described above, or in some other way, or by trial and improvement.

The oscillator 202 may be moveable between a first position (shown in FIGs 4, 5, and 6) and a second position (shown in FIG 7). The first position may be a rest position, e.g. a position in which the oscillator rests when the interactive module is not experiencing acceleration. The second position may be an acceleration position, e.g. a position to which the oscillator moves when the interactive module is experiencing acceleration along the detection axis.

As shown, the accelerometer 200 may comprise a first proximity sensor 206 and/or a second proximity sensor 208. A signal from the first proximity sensor to the controller 102 may indicate that the oscillator 202 is or is not in the first position. A signal from the second proximity sensor 208 to the controller may indicate that the oscillator 202 is or is not in the second position. In such a case, the controller 102 may be operable to determine acceleration and/or speed of the interactive module 100, from the time taken for the oscillator 202 to move from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, the recording of accelerometer data comprises recording the time taken for the oscillator 202 to travel from the first position to the second positon. Such an arrangement may have particular advantages. For example, the recorded data may relatively simple to collect, the accelerometer 200 itself may be relatively simple, and the data collected may correspond well with real world experience of the measurement of the magnitude of a kick (where the interactive module 100 is included in a football, for example).

The first and/or second proximity sensors 206, 208 may be photoelectric sensors. As shown, the oscillator may include a first hole 210 and a second hole 212 Accordingly, as shown in FIG 6, when no material is present in front of the first sensor 206, the first proximity sensor 206 may return a negative indication indicating that the oscillator 202 is in the first position. When material is present in front of the first sensor 206, the first proximity sensor 206 may return a positive indication indicating that the oscillator 202 is not in the first position.

Further, as shown in FIG 7, when no material is present in front of the second sensor 208, the second proximity sensor 208 may return a negative indication indicating that the oscillator 202 is in the second position. When material is present in from of the second sensor 208, the second proximity sensor 208 may return a positive indication indicating that the oscillator 202 is not in the second position.

Of course, alternative arrangements could be used; for example, appropriately positioned protrusions from oscillator 202 may be provided instead of holes 206, 208, in which case, positive indications from the first and/or second proximity sensors 206, 208 may indicate that oscillator 202 is in the first and/or second position, respectively.

The photoelectric sensors may be opposed (through beam), retro-reflective, and/or proximity-sensing (diffused). Of course, other types of sensor could be used for the first and/or second proximity sensors 206, 208, for example, inductive proximity sensors (where the oscillator 202 is of a suitable material, e.g. metal) or any other type of proximity sensors known to the skilled person.

Additionally or alternatively the accelerometer 200 may include an angle sensor for detecting the relative angle of the oscillator 202, allowing detection of a greater variety of states than just the first and/or second positions of the oscillator 202. However, such an arrangement is inherently more complex and may not be desired.

As will be appreciated, during use of the interactive module 100, where the interactive module 100 includes an accelerometer 200 as shown in FIGs 4, 5, 6, and 7, the sensor readings will generally follow the following pattern: State no. State name 1st 2nd Sound 1 Initial 1st Not 2nd "1, 2, 3" 2 Start of timed movement Not 1st Not 2nd 3 End of timed movement Not 1st 2nd 4 After play 1st Not 2nd XX KPH It will be appreciated that if both the first and second sensors 206, 208 report that the oscillator 202 is in the first and second state, respectively, or that if both the first and second sensors 206, 208 report that the oscillator 202 is not in first and second state, respectively for an extended period of time (i.e. a length of time beyond which it is reasonable for the interactive module to be accelerating or decelerating), this is indicative of an error condition. In the event of an error condition the controller 102 may be configured to control the speaker 108 to emit an error sound, for example an alarm sound and/or a spoken word, for example "error' or similar.

As shown with reference to FIG 5 the oscillator 202 may be biased towards the first position. As shown, the oscillator 202 may be biased towards the first position by use of a resilient biasing means 214, e.g. a spring. Such an arrangement can provide a more reliable accelerometer 200.

There is also provided a toy 300 including the interactive module 100.

The interactive module 100 may be removable from the toy 300. In such case, use of the interactive module 100 may commence with inserting the interactive module 100 into the toy 300 (see Step 1, 410 in FIG 1).

With reference to FIG 3, the interactive module 100 may have a first screw thread 114 for removably fixing the interactive module 100 within the toy 300. In such a case, the toy 300 may comprise a complementary screw thread.

Where the interactive module 100 is removable from the toy 300, the interactive module 100 may be replaceable by a blanking module. The blanking module may be a bung. Such an arrangement may be advantageous, for example where it is desired to play with a toy 300 in which the interactive module 100 is incorporated without playing with the interactive module 100.

The toy 300 may be or comprise a ball. The ball may be or comprise a football. The football may be any type of football, for example, an association football football (for use in the game commonly known as football in most of the world and known as soccer in North America and Oceania), a Gaelic football football, an American football football, or a Rugby football football. In particular, the football may be of the type used in association football.

The football may be a traditional football. Alternatively, in preferred arrangements, the football may be made from or comprise PVC.

The toy 300 may further comprise a tee (not shown) for supporting the ball. The tee may be used in conjunction with the functionality of the interactive module. For example, as shown in FIG 1, the toy may be placed on the tee (not shown, see Step 2, 420 in FIG 1) before a user operates the button for the first time (see Step 3, 430 in FIG 1).

With reference to FIG 3, the interactive module 100 may further comprise a housing 112. The housing may house the controller 102, the power source 104, the user operable button 106, and/or the speaker 108. The housing 112 of the interactive module 100 may be of or comprise PVC. The indicator 110 may be positioned on the housing 112.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An interactive module for a toy, the interactive module including: a controller; a power source operatively connected to the controller; an accelerometer operatively connected to the controller; a user operable button operatively connected to the controller; and a speaker operatively connected to the controller, wherein the controller is operable, to: i) responsive to a user operating the button for a first time, control the speaker to provide a countdown noise; fi) after conclusion of the countdown noise, record accelerometer data for a period of time; and iii) subsequently, when a user operates the button for a second time, control the speaker to provide a noise indicative of recorded accelerometer data.
2. An interactive module according to claim 1, wherein the user operable 20 button and the speaker are arranged such that the user operable button may be operated by the user depressing the speaker.
3. An interactive module according to claim 2, wherein the user operable button is located behind the speaker.
4. An interactive module according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the accelerometer detects components of acceleration within a single detection axis.
5. An interactive module according to claim 4, wherein the interactive module further includes an indicator, which indicates the direction of the detection axis.
6. An interactive module according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the accelerometer comprises an oscillator rotatable about an axis of rotation normal to the detection axis; and wherein the oscillator has a centre of mass offset from the axis of rotation.
7. An interactive module according to claim 6, wherein the oscillator is moveable between a first position and a second position; wherein the accelerometer comprises a first proximity sensor and a 15 second proximity sensor; and wherein a signal from the first proximity sensor to the controller indicates that the oscillator is or is not in the first position, and a signal from the second proximity sensor to the controller indicates that the oscillator is or is not in the second position.
8. An interactive module according to claim 7, wherein the oscillator is biased towards the first position.
9. An interactive module according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first and/or second proximity sensors are photoelectric sensors.
10. A toy including the interactive module of any preceding claim.
11. A toy according to claim 10, wherein the interactive module is 30 removable from the toy.
12. A toy according to claim 11, wherein the interactive module is replaceable by a blanking module.
13. A toy according to any of claims 10, 11, or 12, wherein the toy is or comprises a ball.
14. A toy according to claim 13, wherein the ball is a football.
15. A toy according to any of claims 13 to 14, further comprising a tee for supporting the ball.