GB2195092A

GB2195092A - Body motion controller for toy system

Info

Publication number: GB2195092A
Application number: GB08717745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ely Shneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-08-15
Filing date: 1987-07-27
Publication date: 1988-03-30
Also published as: JPS63186687A; GB8717745D0; IL79736A0; KR880002558A

Abstract

A remote-control toy system combination comprises a radio transmitter 13 for generating a command signal, a toy object including a receiver 14 responsive to said command signal, and a means within said toy object for effecting a toy operation in accordance with said receiver means response. The command signal generating means comprises a body-mounted controller 10 electrically associated with the command signal generating means 13 for providing variation in the operation of said generating means in accordance with the motion of the body. The body-mounted controller may be mounted on a head, arm or leg band for the operation of a radio- controlled toy vehicle and may consist of either a ball switch 10 with eight contacting positions and a neutral position of a ball 28 or a pair of pivoted variable resistors with suspended weight (32, 34, 54, Fig. 2) or variable resistors with mercury envelope (J-N, 70, Figs. 3 & 4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Body motion controller for toy system FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to remote control toy systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Known remote-controlled toy systems generally include a hand-held radio transmitter for providing command signals to small toys such as cars, boats, planes or robots.

Examples of such systems are described in U.S. Patents 3,686,447 to Takalo (1972) and 3,878,521 to Licitis (1975). The transmitter is usually equipped with a joystick or a set of pushbuttons to allow a child to operate the toy in various ways, including motion in different directions, flashing lights or horns. Depending on the number of control functions provided by the system, operation of the transmitter requires the child to exercise a certain level of manual dexterity to appreciate fully the variety of toy capabilities. It is possible that the level of manual dexterity required actually limits the child's full appreciation of the toy system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and simplified method of operator control of remotecontrol toy systems, such as computer games and remotely- controlled motive devices. The method eliminates requirements of manual dexterity which are presented by prior art remote-control toy systems.

According to the invention, there is provided in a remote-control toy system combination comprising a means for generating a command signal, a toy object including a receiver means responsive to said command signal, and a means within said toy object for effecting a toy operation in accordance with said receiver means response, the improvement in the command signal generating means comprising: a body-mounted controller means electrically associated with the command signal generating means for providing variation in the operation of said generating means in accordance with the motion of the body.

The body-mounted controller provides a new and different method of controlling the operation of various small remote-controlled toys in combination with a transmitter unit which provides command signals based on any of several techniques, including multi-frequency transmission, frequency or time division, pulse duration, sequential transmission of specific frequencies, infrared transmission, or hard-wired remote connections.

In a preferred embodiment, the bodymounted controller comprises a ball switch having a solid spherical ball contained in a small box-like enclosure which is affixed to a head-mounting band. The enclosure has mounted therein at least one contact arrangement including a movable leaf contact which is moved toward or away from a stationary contact by ball movement upon motion of the head. The ball switch may include several of such contact arrangements on various sides of the enclosure interior. The contact arrangements are electrically connected to the transmitter to provide on-off operation of its circuitry or portions thereof.

In another embodiment, the body-mounted controller comprises a combination of mercury switches affixed to a head-mounting band and arranged to sense motion of the head in several different directions, providing the transmitter circuitry with an on-off operation.

In still another embodiment, the bodymounted controller comprises a variable resistor arrangement of two miniature variable resistors mounted within an enclosure which is affixed to a head-mounting band. The mounting of the variable resistors is such that each has its adjusting screw parallel to one of two perpendicular axes of rotation. Each adjusting screw has a small weight suspended therefrom, or alternatively one adjusting screw is attached to a suspension arm fixed within the enclosure and the other screw has a weight suspended therefrom with the two miniature variable resistors attached to each other. Motion of the head results in rotation of the adjusting screws as the weight attempts to maintain a stationary position, providing a variable resistance to portions of the transmitter circuitry.

In still a further embodiment, the bodymounted controller comprises a liquid-filled variable resistor having an electrically conductive liquid sealed in a glass envelope in which there are situated resistive material elements spaced apart from one another. The variable resistor is affixed to a head-mounting band and the liquid acts as an electrical bridge between portions of the resistive elements to provide a variable resistance to the transmitter circuitry in accordance with head motion.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention featuring a ball switch in a remote-controlled toy system combination; Fig. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the present invention featuring a two-axis variable resistor construction for use in the combination of Fig. 1; and Figs. 3 and 4 are respective illustrationa of the top and side views of another alternative embodiment of the present invention featuring a liquid-filled variable resistor for use in the combination of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to Fig. 1, there is shown an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the body-mounted controller of the present invention featuring a ball switch 10 in a remotecontrolled toy system combination. Ball switch 10 is shown electrically connected within a control unit 11 via interconnecting wires generally shown at 12 to a portion of the toy system associated with a radio transmitter 13, for example, which is operable to generate a command signal producing a response in a toy having a receiver generally designated 14. As described further herein, ball switch 10 is adaptable for mounting on a portion of the body such as the head of an operator of the toy system to provide a novel method of control.

Ball switch 10 comprises a box-like enclosure 15 shown in a top view and having an enclosed space 16 defined by side walls 17, 18, 20 and 22 extending vertically between a top wall (not shown in cutaway view) and a bottom wall 23. Each of walls 17-22 is made of an electrical insulating material and has mounted therein so as to extend therethrough a respective pair of electrical switch contacts A,B,C, and D. Each pair of contacts A-D is identically arranged and, as shown with respect to contact A, comprises a V-shaped movable leaf contact 24 and a stationary contact 26 so that contact pair A can be used as either a normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) switch. A portion of each of movable and stationary contacts 24 and 26 protudes through wall 17 to allow for external circuit connection.

Within enclosed space 16 there is situated a generally spherical ball 28 which has a diameter chosen so as to allow it to be freely movable within the confines of the area defined by movable contacts 24 of each of contact pairs A-D. Ball 28 is made of a generally rigid material, which may have insulation or electrically conductive properties. The weight of ball 28 is such that when it rolls toward any of contact pairs A-D it overcomes the inherent spring-like stiffness in movable leaf contact 24 so as to move it toward or away from its counterpart stationary contact 26 so as to effect a closing or opening switch operation. Each of contact pairs A-D therefore has a "soft" closing or opening motion based on the movement of ball 28 within space 16.Ball 28 can also be suspended within enclosure 15 to provide this closing or opening switch motion of contact pairs A-D.

Control unit 11 can be adapted for mounting on the head of the operator of the remote-controlled toy system, for example. This can be done in any of several ways. One possibility would be to affix bottom wall 23 of enclosure 15 to a head-mounting band (not shown) to be worn over the top of the head.

Another possibility is that the head-mounting band is placed over the forehead. A side wall of enclosure 15 would then be affixed to the front portion of the head-mounting band.

Transmitter 13 would also be adapted to be located on the head-mounting band.

Another possible mounting of control unit 11 on the body would be to use an arm or leg band having ball switch 10 and transmitter 13 affixed thereto.

In operation using a head-mounted control unit 11, ball switch 10 provides a novel method of controlling the operation of control unit 11 in relation to the orientation of the head. As the head orientation is changed, ball 28 rolls around in enclosure 15, thereby causing one or more of contact pairs A-D to move in a closing or opening switch operation.This in turn effects electrical operation of the circuitry of control unit 11 in accordance with a chosen electrical design established by interconnecting wires 12. Where control unit 11 is a radio transmitter 13, for example, the design may be such that each of the contact pairs A D effects an on-off operation of the transmitter 13. Alternatively, certain responses can be designed as the result of certain contact pair closures, such as right or left turns where the toy system is a remote-controlled vehicle.

There are at least nine positions of ball 28 which are obtainable from variations in the head orientation. These are the four associated with each of contact pairs A-D, four associated with corner positions of ball 28 lying against two of contacts A-D simultaneously, and the one neutral position of ball 28 centered in enclosure 15 so as not to close any of contacts A-D. In the case of a metal ball 28, the inward facing side of movable leaf contact 24 may be coated with an electrical insulation material to prevent ball 28 from shorting between adjacent contacts when in a corner position. Otherwise, the electrical circuit design will take this possibility into account as one of the variations in operation.

Where the ball switch 10 is designed to use a metal ball 28, the enclosed space 16 can be provided with one wall of enclosure 15 having a conductive coating which acts as one side of a switch. Metal ball 28 itself provides a bridge to the other side of the switch when it rolls against any one of contact pairs A-D.

Another embodiment of the body-mounted controller of the present invention features a combination of mercury switches arranged to provide an on-off operation of the transmitter 13 similar to that provided by ball switch 10.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention featuring a two-axis variable resistor construction 30 for use in the toy system combination of Fig. 1. The construction 30 comprises a pair of variable resistors 32 and 34 electrically connectable via respective pin connector groups 36 and 38 to control unit 11 (Fig. 1). As described further herein, construction 30 can be adapted for head mounting, and the arrangement of variable resistors 32 and 34 is such as to permit a novel method of operator control of the- toy system in relation to orientation of the head.

Each of variable resistors 32 and 34 is preferably of the miniature box housing type used in printed circuit board design, such as those marketed under the trade name Bourns. Each resistor 32 and 34 typically has a respective adjustment screw 40 and 42 for adjusting its resistance, for example by wiper movement in a wirewound design. The resistors 32 and 34 are attached in suitable fashion one to the other on one side of their housings, with their respective adjustment screws 40 and 42 at right angles to each other. The joint assembly of resistors 32 and 34 is suspended from adjustment screw 40 which is fixed to a horizontal suspension arm 44. The suspension arm 44 extends from and is integral with an end flange 46 whereat it is anchored to a mounting surface 50 by mounting screws attached to wall 51. Wall 51 can be one side of a box enclosure (not shown) for entire construction 30.There is attached to adjustment screw 42 a connecting arm 52 from which there is vertically suspended a weight 54.

Mounting surface 50 serves as a means of attaching the entire construction 30 to a headmounting band (not shown) placed on the forehead. When construction 30 is placed on the forehead, head motion of the operator will affect the orientation of resistors 32 and 34 which are freeiy rotatable about their respective adjustment screws 40 and 42. Because the latter tend to remain fixed in position due to the balance provided by weight 54, the change in orientation of resistors 32 and 34 will in turn vary the resistance presented by each of them to the circuitry of the control unit 12 via pin groups 36 and 38. The variable resistance presented by resistors 32 and 34 may serve to vary the operation of portions of the circuitry in control unit 12, which may be a radio transmitter 13 as described above.The variation can be designed as a triggering operation based on a differential resistance measurement so that the operation is similar to that provided by ball switch 10. In this way, the orientation of the head provides a novel method of controlling the operation of the remote-controlled toy system.

Referring now to Figs. 3-4, there are shown, respectively, illustrations of the top and side views of a liquid-filled variable resistor construction 56 for use in the toy system combination of Fig. 1. A sealed envelope 58, formed of an electrical insulation material such as glass, is provided for enclosing a plurality of electrically resistive elements J,K, L, M and N, each made of a resistive material such as the powdered carbon composite used in the manufacture of carbon resistors. The sealed envelope 58 is mounted on a base 59. Resistive elements J-N are fixed to the interior of envelope 58 and are each shaped to match the curvature of envelope 58 at their respective locations. Each one of resistive elements J-N has a respective single pin connector 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 which protrudes through the sealed envelope 58 so as to provide a respective connection point.A quantity of electrically conductive liquid 70 such as mercury is contained within sealed envelope 58 so that it is in electrical contact with portions of resistive elements J-N.

The variable resistor construction 56 of Figs. 3-4 can be attached to a head-mounting band (not shown) for use in the toy system of Fig. 1. When so mounted, changes in the orientation of the head will have the effect of moving liquid 70 so as to bridge, in variable fashion, portions of two adjacent resistive elements of the J-N resistive elements in envelope 58. The degree of bridging of any two resistive elements varies the overall resistance presented between their respective pin connectors. As before, the variable resistance obtainable from variable resistor construction 56 may serve to vary or trigger the operation of portions of the interconnected circuitry in control unit 11, which may be a radio transmitter 13 as described above. In this way, the orientation of the head provides a novel method of controlling the operation of the remote-controlled toy system.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a body-mounted controller for use in combination with known toy systems such as radio remote-controlled vehicles, etc. The various embodiments may be designed to operate with such systems to fully exploit all of the available control operations by a novel control method. It will occur to those skilled in the art that combinations and interconnections of the body-mounted controllers described above are also possible.

While the present invention has been described with regard to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is by way of example only and is not intended as a limitation of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a remote-control toy system combination comprising a means for generating a command signal, a toy object including a receiver means responsive to said command signal, and a means within said toy object for effecting a toy operation in accordance with said receiver means response, the improvement in the command signal generating means comprising: a body-mounted controller means electrically associated with the command signal generating means for providing variation in the operation of said generating means in accordance with the motion of the body.

2. The toy system combination of claim 1 wherein said body-mounted controller means comprises a ball switch having a solid spherical ball contained in a box-like enclosure which is affixed to the head by a mounting band, at least one of the walls of said enclosure having mounted therein at least one contact arrangement including a movable leaf contact which effects a switching operation with respect to a stationary contact by ball movement upon motion of the head.

3. The ball switch of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of said contact arrangements, each one associated with a wall of the enclosure.

4. The ball switch of either of claims 2 or 3 wherein said contact arrangements are interconnected with a radio transmitter to provide on-off operation of its circuitry or portions thereof.

5. The toy system combination of claim 1 wherein said body-mounted controller means comprises at least one mercury switch arranged to effect a switching operation of said command signal generating means in response to body motion.

6. The toy system combination of claim 1 wherein said body-mounted controller means comprises a- variable resistor arrangement of two miniature variable resistors attached to each other and mounted within an enclosure which is affixed to a head-mounting band, the mounting of the variable resistors being such that each has its adjusting screw parallel to one of two perpendicular axes of rotation, one of said adjusting screws being attached to a suspension arm fixed within said enclosure and the other having a weight suspended therefrom, such that upon motion of the head each of said variable resistors presents a variable resistance to the command signal generating means.

7. The toy system combination of claim 1 wherein said body-mounted controller comprises a liquid-filled variable resistor affixed to a head-mounting band, said resistor having an electrically conductive liquid sealed in a glass envelope in which there are situated resistive material elements spaced apart from one another, said liquid acting as an electrical bridge between portions of the resistive elements to provide a variable resistance to the command signal generating means in accordance with head motion.

8. A method of operating a remote-control toy system combination comprising a means for generating a command signal, a toy object including a receiver means responsive to said command signal, and a means within said toy object for effecting a toy operation in accordance with said receiver means response, said method comprising the step of: varying the orientation of a body-controller means electrically associated with the command signal generating means for providing variation in the operation thereof in accordance with the motion of the body.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the orientation of said body-motion controller means is varied by motion of the head.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the orientstion of said body-motion controller means is varied by motion of an arm.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the orientation of said body-motion controller means is varied by motion of a leg.

12. For use with a remote-control toy system, a body-mounted controller substantially as described herein by way of example and with reference to the drawings.

13. A method of operating a remote-control toy system substantially as described herein by way of example and with reference to the drawings.