JP2006043285A - Associating toy - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide toys in which restrictions such as length of a cable, order of arrangement, range of arrangement are eliminated in arranging a plurality of toy bodies, and which normally move even in the case that the plurality of toy bodies are arranged planes other than the same plane and arranged in positions where the infrared radiating means and the infrared receiving means between the toys can not be directly seen each other. <P>SOLUTION: The associating toy is constituted of an output means comprising either or both of a move means carrying out move output and a voice output means carrying out voice output and the plurality of toy bodies having control means controlling the output means therein, the plurality of toy bodies have both the infrared radiating means radiating infrared control means based on the control signals of the control means and the infrared receiving means receiving the infrared control signals and outputting the received control signals to the control means, or have the infrared radiating means in at least one of the toy bodies, and other toy bodies has both the infrared receiving means and the infrared radiating means or only the infrared receiving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an interlocking toy that is used indoors and that operates in conjunction so that a plurality of toy bodies synchronize with each other and output at least one of voice or motion.

  Conventionally, there has been a toy (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-246284) that is composed of a plurality of toys and that performs operations such as synchronously sounding or dancing together with sound. However, a plurality of toys are connected by a cable that transmits an electric signal, and the arrangement order and possible range of arrangement are limited by the length of the cable. In addition, even when optically connected, when arranging a plurality of toys, the infrared light receiving part of one toy and the infrared light receiving part of another toy face each other so that the infrared light receiving part can be irradiated with infrared rays. When arranging a large number of toys, there is a problem that the arrangement of each toy becomes extremely complicated.

Therefore, there has been a demand for each toy body to perform a synchronized operation while facilitating the arrangement of a plurality of toy bodies.
JP 07-246284 A

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and in arranging a plurality of toy bodies, while eliminating restrictions such as cable length, arrangement order, and arrangement possible range, It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy that operates normally even when a plurality of toy bodies are installed on a plane other than the same plane and the infrared light emitting means and the infrared light receiving means between the toy main bodies are arranged at positions that are not directly visible. To do.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of toy main bodies including an output means composed of one or both of an operation means for performing an operation output and an audio output means for outputting an audio, and a control means for controlling the output means. The plurality of toy bodies are configured by: an infrared light emitting means for irradiating an infrared control signal based on a control signal of the control means; and an infrared light receiving means for receiving the infrared control signal and outputting the received control signal to the control means Or at least one toy body includes the infrared light emitting means, and the other toy body includes both the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means, or only the infrared light receiving means. According to a control signal from the control means, at least one of voice or operation is output from the output means, and an infrared control signal is emitted from the infrared light emitting means. In addition, the infrared light receiving means of other toy bodies receive the infrared control signal reflected through walls, people, ceilings, etc., and the toy bodies are synchronized with each other and output by the toy body control means. It is characterized in that at least one of voice or operation is output from the means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means are arranged upward, and an infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means is irradiated upward, The infrared light receiving means of the other toy main body is made to receive the light reflected on the ceiling or the like.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the infrared light emitting means is disposed horizontally on a side surface of the toy main body so as to irradiate an infrared control signal in the horizontal direction. It is characterized in that the light receiving means receives light.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means is a control signal composed of a music number and a bar number.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a bar having a reflecting mirror at the tip for reflecting an infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means provided on the toy body is added. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 6 is that in any one of claims 1 to 5, at least two or more toy bodies store different ID codes and output controls, and output different contents when outputting them. Features.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of toy bodies are arranged on positions other than the same plane and where the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means between the toy bodies are not directly visible, one toy The infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means of the main body is reflected by a wall, a person (player), the ceiling, etc., and the reflected infrared control signal is received by the infrared light receiving means of each toy main body. The output means can be controlled in normal synchronization by the control of the control means provided in the toy body. As a result, even if the plurality of toy bodies are arranged so as to have a step, sound and movement can be output in synchronization with each other. Moreover, it can arrange | position without minding the arrangement order of a some toy main body, etc., and it becomes possible to arrange | position as a player's favorite.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, by arranging the infrared light emitting means and the infrared light receiving means facing upward, the infrared light receiving means of each toy body can be used by utilizing the reflected light through the ceiling or the lighting fixture. Can be received and synchronized with the control of the control means of each toy body to output voice and movement. In addition, when the infrared control signal irradiates a lighting fixture or the like, it is particularly effective because the lighting fixture itself functions to diffuse the infrared control signal.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by providing the infrared light emitting means so as to irradiate infrared rays in the horizontal direction from the side surface of the toy main body, by irradiating the walls, players, etc. with infrared rays in the case of indoors. In addition, it becomes possible to receive the reflected infrared rays from the wall and the player by the infrared light emitting means of each toy body.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, by specifying the infrared control signal as a control signal composed of a music number and a bar number, the specified bar is selected from a plurality of music stored in the toy body. Therefore, audio can be output synchronously.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the reflection of the infrared control signal can be promoted by providing the rod provided with the reflecting mirror and allowing the player to use the rod.

  According to the invention of claim 6, various outputs can be performed synchronously by making the plurality of toy bodies have different ID codes / output control. For example, piano is recorded as ID code 1, guitar as ID code 2, drum as ID code 3, and piano with ID code 1 stores the piano part score as piano output control. By storing and outputting the score of each part, synchronized music (chords) can be enjoyed.

  The plurality of toys are configured by a plurality of toy bodies including an output means including one or both of an operation means for performing operation output and a sound output means for performing sound output, and a control means for controlling the output means. The main body includes both an infrared light emitting means for emitting an infrared control signal based on a control signal of the control means and an infrared light receiving means for receiving the infrared control signal and outputting the received control signal to the control means, or at least One toy body includes the infrared light emitting means, and the other toy body includes both the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means, or only the infrared light receiving means, and the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means are disposed upward. Arranged in the horizontal direction on the side surface of the toy body, and arranged so as to irradiate the infrared control signal upward or in the horizontal direction. Infrared control signals emitted from the line light emitting means, and a control signal consisting of music number, measure number. In addition, at least two or more toy bodies are provided so as to store different ID codes and output controls, and to output different contents when output. In addition, a reflection mirror that reflects the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means provided on the toy main body may be added with a rod provided at the tip so that the infrared control signal is efficiently reflected. .

  FIG. 1 is an example showing an external appearance of an interlocking toy main body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The interlocking toy (toy main body 10) includes a figure 12, a figure body arm part 14 imitating the arm part of the figure body 12, a musical instrument figure 16 imitating a musical instrument, and an apparatus part 18. The figurine 12 is formed to imitate a fancy character, robot, animal, plant, singer, or the like. In the example of implementation, it is a figure 12 imitating a dog. In addition, the figure arm 14 simulates a part corresponding to the arm of the figure 12, but in the case of a robot or the like, any part may be used as long as it is a movable part. Absent. In addition to the musical instruments that actually exist, the figurative model imitating a musical instrument may be an imaginary musical instrument. In the example of implementation, it is the musical instrument figure 16 imitating a guitar.

  The device unit 18 is provided with an output means 28 for operating the toy main body 10, an infrared light emitting means 20, an infrared light receiving means 22, a control means 24, a storage means 26, a power supply means, an input switch, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the interlocking toy of the present invention. The toy body 10 includes an output means 28 including an infrared light emitting means 20, an infrared light receiving means 22, a control means 24, a storage means 26, an operation means 30 and an audio output means 32. Moreover, although not shown in figure, the input switch for starting a performance and the electric power supply means for operating the toy main body 10 are also provided.

  The infrared light emitting means 20 is a light emitting diode that emits an infrared control signal, and the infrared light emitting means 20 is provided to emit light according to a control signal from the control means 24. The infrared light emitting means 20 is provided in the upper part of the device unit 18 and is provided so as to emit an infrared control signal toward the ceiling. Although not shown, the infrared light emitting means 20 is provided on the four side surfaces of the device unit 18 and may irradiate in all directions except the bottom surface. By providing the infrared light emitting means 20 provided on this side surface, it becomes possible to irradiate another toy body more reliably.

  The control signal of the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means 20 is composed of information relating to an ID code, song number, measure number, and the like. In addition to this, a trigger code for starting output to each toy main body, or voice information and output information related to operation information regarding an operation may be sent directly to another toy main body.

  The infrared light receiving means 22 is a sensor that receives an infrared control signal, and the infrared control signal received by the infrared light receiving means 22 is sent to the control means 24. When the infrared light receiving means 20 is provided with the infrared light emitting means 20 facing upward, the infrared light emitting means 20 is adapted to receive an infrared control signal from above corresponding to the infrared light emitting means 20, and the infrared light emitting means 20 is connected to the device section. In the case where the infrared control signal is radiated horizontally by being provided on the side surface of the infrared ray 18, the infrared light receiving means 22 is provided so as to protrude from the upper portion of the device unit 18, and although not shown, infrared rays from all directions except the bottom surface are utilized using a condensing prism or the like It is provided so that it can receive the control signal. An infrared light emitting means 20 is provided on the upper and side surfaces of the device unit 18 so as to irradiate the infrared control signal upward and laterally, and the infrared light receiving means 22 includes an infrared control signal from above and a lateral direction. It may be possible to receive an infrared control signal.

  The control means 24 controls the infrared light emitting means 20, the operating means 30 and the output means 28 including the sound means in response to the infrared control signal received by the infrared light receiving means 22 and the operation from the input switch from the player. A signal is sent. Further, when outputting to the output means 28, a control signal is transmitted with reference to the ID code, song information, score information, and operation information stored in the storage means 26.

  The output unit 28 includes an operation unit 30 and an audio output unit 32. The output unit 28 outputs in response to a control signal from the control unit 24. The control signal from the control unit 24 is a control signal related to the operation. If there is, the operation means 30 outputs an operation, and if the control signal is an audio output signal, the audio output means 32 outputs an audio.

  The storage means 26 stores ID code, song number, musical score information corresponding to measure number, operation information, and the like. The ID code is a code indicating the type of the toy main body 10 and is a code indicating the type such as piano, drum, guitar, saxophone, trumpet. In addition, a plurality of songs are stored in the toy body, and a song number corresponding to each song is given. When outputting in synchronization with another toy main body, the same music as the other toy main body can be output by transmitting the information via the infrared light receiving means 22. The measure number is given according to the position of the song, and the information is transmitted via the infrared light receiving means 22 so that the measure number is output from the same position of the same song as the other toy main body. .

  The operation means 30 of the output means 28 of the toy body 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the motor 50 installed in the apparatus unit 18 rotates, the pinion gear 52 attached to the motor shaft of the motor 50 rotates, and the spur gear 54 engaged with the pinion gear 52 rotates. It is supposed to be. A shaft 55 on which the spur gear 54 is attached is provided in the vertical direction inside the toy main body 10, and the lower portion of the shaft 55 is pivotally supported by the device unit 18. A crank 56 is provided above the shaft 55. As the shaft 55 rotates, the crank 56 performs a crank motion. An engagement member 58 that engages with the crank 56 so as to be loosely fitted is provided, and the shape body 12 that is pivotally supported by the device portion 18 at the center of the toy main body 10 by the movement of the crank motion in the X-axis direction, A swing motion is performed about the shaft 60. Further, the engagement member 58 pivotally supported inside the figure 12 rotates around the shaft 59 by the movement of the crank motion in the Y-axis direction. The figurine arm 14 pivotally attached to the engaging member 58 swings by the rotational movement.

  By operating in this way, the figure 12 can move as if it were playing the musical instrument that the figure 12 had. In the example of implementation, it is a movement to play the guitar. Further, in the case of a piano, the operation is performed by hitting the keyboard. In the case of a drum, the figure body 12 performs a musical instrument as if the figure arm 12 is moved so as to strike the drum. It is possible to look like.

  Alternatively, the musical instrument that produces the actual sound may be placed on the figure 12 and the musical instrument may be played directly by the action of the figure arm 14. For example, in the case of a drum or the like, the movement of the figure body arm portion 14 can hit the drum so that sound can be produced from the drum.

  Also, the audio output means 32 of the output means 28 will be described. The audio output means 32 is a speaker, and outputs sound according to a control signal from the control means 24. In the embodiment, it is provided so as to output a single musical instrument sound, and by outputting in synchronization with a plurality of toy bodies 10, it becomes possible to enjoy a chord that is played by a plurality of musical instruments. ing. The sound output means 32 is preferably a speaker, but may be a piezoelectric buzzer that can generate sound.

  Next, reflection of the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an example of ceiling reflection in FIG. 4 will be described. By directing the infrared light emitting means 20 to the ceiling, even if a plurality of toy bodies 10 are arranged as shown in FIG. In the case of a toy body using a conventional infrared control signal, if there is a step, the infrared control signal from the infrared light emitting means 20 provided on the side surface or the like is applied to a wall or the like on the side surface of the toy body 10 or the like. In other words, it may not be possible to send an infrared control signal to another toy body. However, by providing as described above, the infrared control signal is reflected by the ceiling or the lighting fixture and reflected to the other toy body. A control signal can be transmitted. Further, in the arrangement of the toy main body, it is possible to receive and output the infrared control signal even when the four sides are divided into the concave portions surrounded by the walls.

  Next, an example of wall reflection in FIG. 5 will be described. In order to irradiate the infrared light emitting means 20 toward the ceiling more reliably, when the infrared light emitting means 20 is provided on the side portions of the plurality of toy main bodies 10, the upper reflecting object such as a bookshelf is at a short distance. The infrared control signal from the infrared light emitting means 20 provided on the side of the toy main body can be transmitted to other toy main bodies.

  An example of reflection using a human will be described with reference to FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 uses the reflection of the infrared control signal by the wall, but by providing the infrared light emitting means 20 on the side of the toy main body and emitting the infrared control signal forward, Since a person who approaches the toy body 10 in order to use the toy body 10 or a person who has passed in front of the toy body 10 is subject to reflection of infrared control signals, other toys are similar to the wall reflection. It can be sent to the main body.

  Further, when the infrared light emitting means 20 is provided on the side of the toy body, the infrared light emitting means 20 and the infrared light receiving means 22 function as a proximity sensor as described above. When there is no obstacle such as a person for a certain period of time, the infrared light receiving means 22 does not receive the infrared control signal, so the state is shifted from the normal state to the standby state. In this standby state, light is emitted in a state where the intensity of light from the infrared light emitting means 20 is weakened to reduce power consumption. When the infrared light receiving means 22 of any of the toy main bodies in the standby state receives light, the toy main body 10 that has received the light shifts from the standby state to the normal state and emits normal infrared light from the infrared light emitting means 20. The other toy bodies that have received the normal infrared light by the infrared light receiving means shift the state from the standby state to the normal state and output in synchronization with each other. By doing so, it is possible to reduce power consumption and to be used as an alternative to a proximity sensor.

  Further, each of the plurality of toy bodies 10 may be provided with a separate proximity sensor. When an object or a person approaches one of the proximity sensors of the plurality of toy bodies that are linked toys, the proximity sensor The control means 24 of the toy main body 10 detected and detected transmits a control signal to the output means 28 and the infrared light emitting means 20, and the other toy main bodies 10 that receive the infrared control signal by the infrared light receiving means 20 You may make it perform.

  Further, an example of reflection by the baton in FIG. 6 will be described. In order to reflect the infrared control signal, a stick 66 provided with a reflecting mirror 64 is provided. When the player performs an effect to swing the stick (conductor stick) toward the toy main body 10, the stick 66 is provided at the tip of the stick. The reflecting mirror 64 reflects the infrared control signal so that the infrared control signal can be transmitted to another toy body. As another example, an infrared light receiving part and an infrared light emitting part are provided at the tip of the stick 66, and the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means 20 of the toy body 10 is received by the infrared light receiving of the stick. The control signal can be transmitted to another toy body by receiving the light at the unit, amplifying the infrared control signal, and emitting the infrared control signal from the infrared light emitting unit.

  As described above, the infrared light receiving means 22 is connected by a conventional method of transmitting an infrared control signal by receiving an infrared control signal reflected by a ceiling, a wall, a person, a conductor, etc., or by an electrical cord. In this case, the distance limitation due to the arrangement of the toy main body 10 is eliminated, and the toy main body 10 can be arranged as the player likes. Further, even when the infrared light emitting means and the infrared light receiving means between the toy bodies are arranged at positions where direct line-of-sight is not directly visible, the control signal can be normally transmitted to another toy body.

  The operation flow of the entire interlocking toy will be described. The movement of the toy main body in the interlocking toy transmits a control signal from the control means 24 to the output means 28 and the infrared light emitting means 20 when the player operates the input switch. The operation means 30 and the sound output means 32 which are the output means 28 each perform output. In the operating means 30, the motor 50 rotates, and the figure arm 14 and the figure 12 swing. In addition, audio output is performed from a speaker which is the audio output means 32. An infrared control signal is transmitted from the infrared light emitting means 20.

  When another toy body receives the infrared control signal by the infrared light receiving means 22, the received control signal is transmitted to the control means 24, and the control signal is transmitted from the control means 24 to the output means 28. Upon receiving the control signal, the output means outputs one or both of the operation output and the audio output, and outputs the output in the same manner as when the toy bodies are connected with a cord. . Thus, the player can enjoy chords by a plurality of musical instruments by outputting a single musical instrument sound from each toy body. For example, by playing with a toy body with a different ID code on the interlocking toy body, it can output with sounds such as piano, guitar, saxophone, drum, etc., and it can feel as if listening to live performances. . It is also possible to listen to a synchronized performance by playing with a toy body having the same ID code.

  In addition, since the plurality of toy bodies are provided with the infrared light emitting means 20, the infrared light receiving means 22, and the input switch, the player can perform the same synchronized output regardless of which toy body is operated. It can be done. As a result, the player does not have to perform an operation for starting a performance on a specific toy main body, and therefore, the player only needs to operate the toy main body at hand.

  By arranging as described above, in arranging a plurality of toy bodies, while eliminating restrictions such as cable length, arrangement order, arrangement possible range, etc., install a plurality of toy bodies other than the same plane, In addition, it is possible to provide a toy that operates normally even when the infrared light emitting means and the infrared light receiving means between the toy bodies are arranged at positions that are not directly visible. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be variously modified within the technical scope described in the claims.

  As another example, only one infrared light emitting means 20 may be provided in one toy body, and only the infrared light receiving means 22 may be provided in the other toy body. Moreover, in addition to the infrared light receiving means 22, the infrared light emitting means 20 may be provided in another toy body.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the interlocking toy which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of the interlocking toy which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement and internal mechanism of the interlocking toy which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure shown about reflection (ceiling) of the infrared control signal of the interlocking toy which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure shown about reflection (a wall or a human) of the infrared control signal of the interlocking toy which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure shown about reflection (bar) of the infrared control signal of the interlocking toy which is one example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toy main body 12 Figure body 14 Form body arm part 16 Musical instrument figure body 18 Apparatus part 20 Infrared light emission means 22 Infrared light reception means 24 Control means 26 Memory | storage means 28 Output means 30 Operation means 32 Audio | voice output means 50 Motor 52 Pinion gear 54 Spur gear 55 shaft 56 crank 58 engagement member 59 shaft 60 shaft

Claims (6)

  The plurality of toys are configured by a plurality of toy bodies including an output means including one or both of an operation means for performing operation output and a sound output means for performing sound output, and a control means for controlling the output means. The main body includes both an infrared light emitting means for emitting an infrared control signal based on a control signal of the control means and an infrared light receiving means for receiving the infrared control signal and outputting the received control signal to the control means, or at least One toy body includes the infrared light emitting means, and the other toy body includes both the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means, or only the infrared light receiving means, and is output by a control signal from the control means of one toy body. And outputting at least one of voice or operation from the means and irradiating an infrared control signal from the infrared light emitting means, When the external light receiving means receives the infrared control signal reflected through the wall, person, ceiling, etc., the toy bodies are synchronized with each other by the control means of each toy body, and at least one of voice or operation from the output means An interlocking toy characterized by the output of   In claim 1, the infrared light receiving means and the infrared light emitting means are arranged upward, the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means is irradiated upward, reflected to the indoor ceiling or the like, An interlocking toy characterized in that the infrared light receiving means of the other toy body receives light.   In Claim 1, the said infrared light emission means is arrange | positioned in the horizontal direction on the toy main body side surface, irradiates the infrared control signal toward a horizontal direction, and was made to receive the infrared light reception means of another toy main body. An interlocking toy characterized by that.   4. The interlocking toy according to claim 1, wherein the infrared control signal emitted from the infrared light emitting means is a control signal composed of a song number and a bar number.   The interlocking toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a stick provided with a reflecting mirror at a tip thereof for reflecting an infrared control signal emitted from an infrared light emitting means provided in the toy main body. .   The interlocking toy according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two or more toy bodies store different ID codes and output controls, and output different contents when output.

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