JP3246720U - Animated bubble toy that can be activated and customized with accessories - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an animation toy that produces clear animation images, has programmable combinations with sounds, and can activate various functions by attaching accessories. [Solution] The animation toy has a housing including a speaker and a lighting animation device. Animation is produced by lighting LEDs mounted in a plurality of compartments, and is projected onto the inner surface of the housing through a film. A printed circuit board is mounted within the device and is electrically connected to a microcontroller unit mounted within the housing. One activation mode of the lighting animation device is performed via connection of a hat to the housing. The hat has a resistor that closes a circuit between the toy and the hat. The microcontroller unit detects and recognizes the resistance value of the resistor and sends corresponding signals to various electronic components of the toy to activate functions related to the resistance value. [Selected Figure] Figure 9

Description

This invention relates to a device that shines light through a film to create animation. More specifically, the device is mounted inside a bubble toy and is activated by connecting an attachment to the toy.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269667, filed March 21, 2022, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269674, filed March 21, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269654, filed March 21, 2022, and is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 18/054693, filed November 11, 2022, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/263994, filed November 12, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269724, filed March 22, 2022, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 17/335447, filed June 1, 2021. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Toys already exist that use light emitting diodes (LEDs) placed in various chambers to create animations or animated images. However, these existing toys are unsatisfactory in that they do not produce clear animated images that are easily viewable at various distances. Moreover, when the image is projected onto another surface, it becomes distorted or unreadable.

There are also toys that light up in sync with songs or sounds. However, existing toys of this type are limited in use because the synchronization is preprogrammed, such that the toy's animated features are only programmed in combination with one preprogrammed sound. Furthermore, these known toys are not activated by ambient sounds and interactive features.

Also, although toys that produce bubbles exist, these toys do not have the ability to be converted into customizable animated characters with add-on accessories. Furthermore, these existing toys do not provide for the generation of animated images that occur upon attachment of an accessory. For example, these known devices do not provide a way to attach an accessory to the toy that activates various functions of the toy while still allowing bubbles to be produced from the toy.

The present invention is a lighting animation device mounted within the housing of a bubble-generating toy. Animation is created by LED lighting, which are mounted inside the chamber of the device and project through a film onto the inner surface of the housing. A printed circuit board is mounted within the device and is electrically connected to a microcontroller unit mounted within the housing. One activation mode of the lighting animation device is by coupling a hat to the housing. The hat includes a resistor that closes the circuit between the toy and the hat. The microcontroller unit detects and recognizes the resistance value of the resistor and sends signals related to various electronic components of the toy, thereby activating various functions related to the resistance value.

1 is a side perspective view of a lighting animation device in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the lighting animation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the lighting animation device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a front view of a bubble toy with a bubble liquid reservoir connected to a housing via a shaft, where a cap has been added to the housing, and the housing contains the lighting animation device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a side view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is another side view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 2 is a diagram of the lighting animation device shown in FIG. 1 electrically connected to a microcontroller unit. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the circuit that is closed when the hat is connected to the housing of the toy shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an open side view of the hat connected to the housing of the toy shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an open rear view of the hat connected to the housing of the toy shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a top perspective view of the hat removed from the housing of the toy shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is another top perspective view of the cap removed from the housing of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 4, showing the notch into which the cap fits. FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the cap removed from the housing of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 4, the cap having a resistor attached thereto. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the cap detached from the housing of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 4, the cap and housing being attached by a snap-fit mechanism. FIG. 5 is a top view of a hat attached to the toy housing shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 1-4 show a lighting animation device 10 that can be mounted inside a bubble generating toy 100, as shown in FIGS. 4-10 and 12-18. FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a circuit that closes when a hat 140 is connected to a toy housing 130, thereby activating the lighting animation device. The lighting animation device is similar to that made by the applicant disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 18/054693 (U.S. Patent Publication 2023/0111031), and the bubble toy is similar to the bubble wand made by the applicant disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 17/335447 (U.S. Patent Publication 2021/0379503). These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lighting animation device 10 comprises a cylindrical enclosure 20 with a cylindrical cover 30 fixed to its front portion 23 and a cylindrical base (bottom portion) 21 fixed to its rear portion 26. Between the cover and the base is a cylindrical wall portion 22 that reaches from the base to the cover. The wall portion reaches between the front portion and the rear portion, creating an enclosure chamber 25 in which various internal parts of the device are mounted. The cylindrical cover of the front portion has a slot (groove hole) 31 into which a film 28 is mounted.

As shown in Figures 1-3, 8-9 and 12, the device 10 is attached to the housing 130 of the toy 100 by a bracket mounting system that includes one or both of an upper bracket 33 and a lower bracket 34. These brackets are fixed or welded to the exterior surface of the wall portion 22 of the device. These brackets can be fixed in any suitable manner, for example, by screws or adhesive.

As shown in Figures 1-3, and particularly in Figure 2, the device 10 includes a cover 30 secured to the wall 22 around the front 23 of the device. As shown in Figures 1-2, the cover includes a number of notches 37 which correspond to clasps 27 which form part of the wall so that the cover can be simply snapped onto the wall. The cover also includes slots 31 into which the film 28 fits with a snug fit. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the cover is generally open so that when the film is positioned and fitted into the slot, it surrounds the central opening of the cover. Advantageously, the film is tightly secured within the cover so that it does not slip when the device is turned upside down. The film is also easily removable and replaceable with another film having a different image. The film is, for example, an opaque black matte finish acetate sheet with an image die-cut into the film. In this embodiment, the film has a first image 29 engraved (cut) into it, which is a smiley face with two eyes and a mouth. Any image can be engraved or cut into the film according to a user's specifications or design. Optionally, the film also includes a fastening mechanism that forms an outer edge portion of the front portion 23 for connection to a wall portion.

As shown in Figures 1-3, and particularly in Figure 2, the wall portion 22 extends from the base 21 to the cover 30 and forms an enclosure 25 in which various internal components are mounted. The enclosure is divided into a first chamber 38 and a second chamber 40 by a chamber divider 36. The divider is fixed or welded to two opposing points on the inner surface of the wall portion. Since the first image 29 is a smiley face, the divider is curved to correspond to the U-shape of the mouth of this face. The divider is advantageously positioned so that any image that includes a mouth will benefit from the desired speaking animation effect. The number of divided chambers will vary depending on the images to be imprinted on the film 28, the size of the device 10, and/or the desired animation effect. As shown in Figure 3, the film is fixed against the first and second chambers so that the eyes and the upper part of the mouth are in the first chamber and the lower part of the mouth is in the second chamber. This particular positioning of the image adjacent to the first and second chambers helps create the desired animated effect of the image speaking.

As shown in Figures 2-3, the first chamber 38 has a first LED 44 mounted therein and the second chamber 40 has a second LED 46 mounted therein. The LEDs may be of one color and/or may vary in color and/or brightness. The number of LEDs varies depending on factors such as the number of chambers present in the enclosure 20, the image to be imprinted on the film 28, and the animation effect desired. Both LEDs are secured to and electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 42, which is secured within the rear surface 26 of the enclosure, for example by screws 43. As shown in Figure 2, the base 21 of the device is fabricated to include a compartment 47 in which the PCB and LEDs are mounted. The LEDs are secured to the PCB using surface mount technology. Advantageously, the inventors have found that the first and second LEDs can be spaced apart from the film at a precise distance to produce a clear animation image, whether or not the image is projected onto another surface. Specifically, the distance of the LEDs from the film is important to control the size and position of the image projected through the film to create a clear image that can be read. A distance of the LEDs from the film within the range of about 5 mm to about 15 mm produces a clean and accurate animated image that is easily discernible by the eye.

However, this distance will vary depending on the type of toy the device is mounted inside, the size of the device, the number of LEDs, and the image engraved on the film. For example, when the device 10 is mounted inside the housing 130 of a bubble toy 100 as shown in Figs. 8-9 and 12, the image cut into the film 28 will expand when illuminated by the LEDs on the inside surface of the housing. Advantageously, the image 29 projected through the device will appear larger than the size of the film as it is refracted on the inside surface of the housing. Thus, the device is positioned at a correct distance from the inside surface of the housing so that the face projected thereon appears much larger through the front of the housing, but is still legible. The housing is of the correct opacity (preferably 50-80%, especially 70%) that allows the light to refract through the housing and still be clearly visible. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6-7, the front of the housing has a silhouette engraved thereon to depict some character, or a face or eyes. Thus, the first LED 44 mounted in the first chamber 38 is constantly lit when activated, constantly illuminating the character's eyes and the top of the mouth. The second LED 46 in the second chamber 40 lights up in sync with the song or sound being played, so that the bottom of the mouth appears to be speaking. As a result, when the face is projected through the film onto the silhouette, the animated image is magnified and perfectly aligned with the silhouette.

As shown in Figures 8-9 and 12, the lighting animation device 10 is mounted in the housing 130 of the bubble generating toy 100. As shown in Figures 4-9, the bubble generating toy includes a bubble generating liquid (bubble liquid) reservoir 110 connected to the housing via a shaft 120. As shown in Figures 4-9 and 12-18, a hat 140 or other accessory can be connected onto the housing. Also, hair 132 or other accessory can be snapped onto the back of the housing to make the character more colorful and lively. When the lighting animation device is activated and projects onto the inner surface of the front of the housing, the bubble toy comes to life as a unique bubble toy character.

As shown in Figures 10-11, the printed circuit board 42 of the device 10 is electrically connected to a microcontroller unit 150, such as an integrated circuit, mounted within the housing 130 of the toy 100. As shown in Figures 8-9 and 12-13, the microcontroller unit is mounted on the top of the housing around the air duct 162 of the bubble engine 160. The microcontroller unit contains the circuitry necessary to control and activate the lighting animation device and other unique features of the toy (such as bubble generation), activate the microphone 125, generate sound through the speaker 122, and illuminate the LEDs 152.

8-11, mounted inside the shaft 120 is a speaker 122, which is electrically connected to a DF player 124 (see FIG. 11). The DF player is pre-programmed with various songs, narrations and sounds, for example on an SD card, before mounting on the shaft. The DF player is electrically connected to a microcontroller unit 150, which sends signals to the DF player depending on the current operation mode of the toy. The toy mode is activated by a slide switch 126 or a push button 128 mounted inside the shaft. Different sounds are sent from the DF player depending on the mode. Also mounted inside the shaft is a microphone 125, which is electrically connected to the slide switch and the microcontroller unit. Activating the microphone by the slide switch puts the toy into an interactive mode. In the interactive mode, the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 of the lighting animation device are voice activated via the ambient sound detected by the microphone.

8-9, further attached to the shaft 120 are one or more batteries 127, which provide the power source (current supply) for the toy 100. These batteries are electrically connected to a slide switch 126 and a push button 128, which define the mode of the toy. For example, when a user presses a push button, a pre-programmed song, sound and/or narration stored in the DF player 124 begins to play through the speaker 122. The illumination of the first and second LEDs (42, 46) in the lighting animation device are programmed to illuminate in sync with the sound, so that the smiley face's mouth appears to sing or speak.

Another mode of the toy 100 is activated when the user slides the slide switch 126 downward. In this mode, another LED 152 located in the housing 130 is activated and the lighting animation device 10 is also activated. In addition, this mode is interactive, which means that the first and second LEDs (42, 46) located in the animation device light up in synchronization with the sound detected by the microphone 125. As shown in FIG. 10, the microphone is electrically connected to a receiver 154' that detects the sound through the microphone. The receiver detects the sound and transmits the signal to the PCB 42 through a relay 156'. The first and second LEDs light up in synchronization with the sound detected through the microphone. For example, when the user speaks, the lighting animation device lights up in synchronization with the user's voice, so that the character appears to be speaking the words the user is speaking. In addition, the LEDs light up in a unique way to create a visually pleasing light show. For example, the LEDs change intensity, color temperature, color, lighting duration, and timing. Thus, the LED light patterns can be random or ordered, controlled in continuous sequences or patterns, custom sequences or patterns, and/or sequences or patterns that incorporate fixed timing, variable timing, and/or dimming based on various modes of the toy.

Another mode of the toy 100 is activated when the user slides the slide switch 126 up. In this mode, the bubble engine is activated and the toy generates bubbles from the bubble outlet 164 located at the top of the housing 130. The bubble engine and related elements of the toy required for bubble generation are disclosed in, for example, the bubble generating toy, i.e., the Bubble Wand, made by the applicant in U.S. Patent Application No. 17/335447 (U.S. Patent Publication 2021/0379503), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Also, in this mode, the LEDs 152 illuminate in a unique pattern. Additionally, in this mode, the lighting animation device 10 is activated via the connection of the hat 140 to the housing 130. The connection of the hat closes a circuit between the hat and the housing, which activates various functions of the toy (see the closed circuit diagram in FIG. 11).

As shown in Figures 8-9, 12-13 and 17, the hat 140 is connected to the housing 130 via a snap ring 144. The snap ring is secured to the inside surface of the hat, for example by adhesive or screws. This snap ring snaps onto a mating flange 146 that is secured around the bubble release nozzle 143 of the housing. The hat snaps onto this flange via the snap ring, but is easily removable with a light upward force.

As shown in Figures 9, 12-13, 15 and 17, a specially designed key in shaped mount 148 is molded into the inside surface of the hat 140. Attached to this mount are two resistors (145, 147) like pogo pins. As shown in Figures 8-9, 12 and 14-17, the key in shaped mount aligns with a corresponding notch 154 on the top of the housing, which has two slots (156, 158) into which the pogo pins are inserted. Due to the alignment of the key in shaped mount with the notches, the hat can only be connected to the housing in one position, and therefore this connection always results in a closed circuit. As shown in Figures 9 and 12-13, this circuit is closed when the hat is connected to the housing because the pogo pins are connected to a microcontroller unit 150. The microcontroller is pre-programmed and embedded before being installed in the toy housing to recognize the different values of the resistors. When the resistors in the hat are connected to the microcontroller unit, the unit detects and recognizes the specific resistance value. The unit then sends a corresponding signal to the DF player 124 to play the sound associated with that particular resistance value. Furthermore, the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 of the lighting animation device 10 are programmed to light up in synchronization with the sound emitted from the speaker 122 via the PCB 42 and the microcontroller unit. For example, ten different sounds, songs, and/or narrations are programmed into the DF player. Each hat has resistors or pogo pins with different resistance values, for example, 4 kΩ for the firefighter hat, 1 kΩ for the policeman hat, and 2 kΩ for the construction worker hat. When the firefighter hat is connected to the housing, the microcontroller reads the resistance value and recognizes that the firefighter hat is connected. The microcontroller activates the DF player to play the firefighter related sound, song, or narration and synchronously lights up the lighting animation device. As a result, the firefighter character begins to move within the toy 100 as the firefighter's hat connects. The features and elements of each mode described herein should not be construed as limiting and can be programmed and operated in any combination.

The toy 100 can also be activated by remote signals, either through embedded instructions and/or via receipt of an activation signal received by a receiver. This received signal is read and transmitted to various elements of the toy to light LEDs (44, 46, 152), play sounds through the speaker 122, activate the microphone 125, and/or generate bubbles. For example, the microcontroller unit 150 may include a proximity detection device (e.g., RFID or other type of electronics, etc.) that senses location, proximity, or other wireless commands to direct and/or command the lighting of LEDs, sounds, and/or generation of bubbles. Such a proximity detection device may include instructions and circuitry operable to detect location, for example, relative to a transmitted beacon. For example, the toy may automatically activate when it approaches a display, feature, stationary attraction, or any other location within the amusement park that is transmitting its own beacon. When the toy receives the beacon signal, the toy may begin lighting LEDs, playing sounds, and/or other activations in a predefined manner. Upon receiving the unique beacon signal, the toy is programmed by instructions stored in the memory to activate and/or play a specific pre-recorded or streamed audio signal in a specific manner, which is programmed to illuminate the first and second LEDs so that the toy's mouth appears to be speaking in sync with the song or sound being played. Alternatively, if the device incorporates an RFID detector, the toy will begin to emit a predefined sequence of signals upon recognition of a specific RFID signal. Other implementations such as GPS location detection and position determination may also be implemented. Other automated instructions may also be implemented, such as emitting a collar, playing predefined audio stored in the toy's memory or received by the toy's receiver, playing signals streamed and received by the integrated receiver, and other functions.

A further piece of equipment may include an ultrasonic distance sensor that detects if a person is standing in front of it. When a user is detected, an electronic module is activated and broadcasts a signal or code within a certain proximity distance of the toy 100. This code unlocks a certain effect or function of the toy (e.g. activating the light animation device 10, generating bubbles, playing a sound, etc.). Advantageously, the code sent is an unlock code, which unlocks an effect or function that is already preprogrammed in the toy. The microcontroller unit 150 of the toy is advantageously preprogrammed with this same first effect or function. As a result, the piece of equipment only needs to send a code to unlock this function of the toy, without having to send the entire program of the function. Once the first function is thus unlocked in the toy, it is activated in the toy. As a result, the toy starts to act in the same way as the first effect of the function, for example a firefighter, singing the same song, telling the same story, lighting in the same way, etc. This first effect is then unlocked in the toy indefinitely and can be played at any time by the user and is stored in the toy's memory. This same interaction occurs when the user walks by the second, third, fourth, etc. sensor, and the equipment piece and these additional codes are sent to the toy to unlock these further functions, all of which can be replayed by the user at any time.

Furthermore, the toy 100 includes a transmitter that sends a signal from the toy to a certain equipment piece. For example, if the hat 140 connected to the housing 130 is a police hat, the microcontroller unit 150 detects and recognizes it by the resistance value of the resistor. A corresponding signal is sent to the equipment piece via the transmitter, which unlocks the police officer's file stored in the equipment piece's integrated circuit. The equipment piece plays a sound or song specific to a police officer (e.g., a police car siren). Furthermore, the equipment piece may be a robotic animatropic type, in which case it moves with animatropic arms according to the sound being played, telling a story.

In another embodiment, the microcontroller units are not stored in a housing, but rather inside their own hat or accessory. This has the advantage that there is no limit to the number of pre-recorded songs or stories in the microcontroller unit. Since each hat is programmed with its own song/sound, the number of hats that can be connected to the toy is unlimited. The toy is no longer limited by the pre-programming aspects of the microcontroller unit. The circuit can be closed in the same way that a resistor closes a circuit, so the animated talking device will light up (LEDs) in sync with the sound.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other foreseeable embodiments of the embodiments disclosed herein are also encompassed by the present disclosure. The above disclosure is not intended to be construed as limiting the embodiments or excluding other embodiments, applications, modifications, variations, and equivalent arrangements.

10: Lighting animation device 20: Enclosure 21: Base 22: Wall portion 25: Enclosure chamber 27: Clasp 28: Film 29: First image (smiley face)
30: Cover 31: Slot 33, 34: Bracket 38: First chamber 40: Second chamber 42: Printed circuit board (PCB)
44: First LED
46: Second LED
47: Compartment 100: Bubble (soap bubble) generating toy 110: Bubble generating liquid tank 120: Shaft 122: Speaker 124: DF player 125: Microphone 126: Slide switch 127: Battery 128: Push button 130: Housing 132: Hair 140: Hat 144: Snap ring 145, 147: Resistor 146: Flange 150: Microcontroller unit 152: LED
154: Notch 154': Receiver 156': Relay 156, 158: Slot 160: Bubble engine 164: Bubble outlet

Claims (19)

1. An animation toy comprising a housing including a microcontroller unit electrically connected to a speaker and a lighting animation device, the lighting animation device including:
A compartment comprising a base and a film fixed together via a wall portion;
a partition mounted within the compartment, dividing the compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber; and a printed circuit board mounted to the base and electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, the printed circuit board including first and second LEDs, the first LED being mounted within the first chamber and the second LED being mounted within the second chamber, and the illumination of the second LED being activated in synchronization with a sound played through the speaker. The animated toy of claim 1, wherein the film includes an image cut into it. The animation toy of claim 2, wherein the image is a smiley face with a mouth and eyes, and the partition is curved to correspond to the U-shape of the mouth so that the eyes and the upper part of the mouth are illuminated by the first LED and the lower part of the mouth is illuminated by the second LED. The animation toy of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a silhouette of a face engraved into its exterior surface and positioned adjacent to the smiley face. The animation toy of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a DF player electrically connected to the speaker. The animation toy of claim 1, wherein the housing is made from a material with an opacity of 50-80%, preferably 70%. The animation toy of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a microphone electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, and wherein illumination of the second LED is activated in synchronization with a sound detected by the microphone. Animated toys including:
a housing including a slot in a wall thereof, the housing including a light animation device and a microcontroller unit electrically connected to a speaker and fixed adjacent to the slot, the light animation device including:
a compartment comprising a base and a film fixed together via a wall portion;
- a partition mounted within said compartment, dividing the compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber; and - a printed circuit board mounted on said base and electrically connected to said microcontroller unit, the printed circuit board including first and second LEDs, the first LED being mounted within said first chamber and the second LED being mounted within said second chamber; and - a cap including a resistor mounted on an inner surface thereof, the resistor being fixed within said slot, thereby coupling to said microcontroller unit and activating said speaker in synchronization with the illumination of said second LED. The animated toy of claim 8, wherein the film includes an image cut into it. The animation toy of claim 9, wherein the image is a smiley face with a mouth and eyes, and the partition is curved to correspond to the U-shape of the mouth so that the eyes and the upper part of the mouth are illuminated by the first LED and the lower part of the mouth is illuminated by the second LED. The animated toy of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a silhouette of a face engraved into its exterior surface and positioned adjacent to the smiley face. The animation toy of claim 8, wherein the housing further includes a DF player electrically connected to the speaker. The animation toy of claim 8, wherein the housing is made from a material with an opacity of 50-80%, preferably 70%. The animation toy of claim 8, wherein the housing further includes a microphone electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, and wherein illumination of the second LED is activated in synchronization with a sound detected by the microphone. Animated bubble toy that includes:
·handle;
a housing coupled to the handle, the housing including a slot in a wall thereof, the housing including a light animation device and a microcontroller unit electrically connected to a speaker and secured adjacent to the slot, the light animation device including:
a compartment comprising a base and a film fixed together via a wall portion;
- a partition mounted within said compartment, dividing the compartment into a first and a second compartment; and - a printed circuit board mounted on said base and electrically connected to said microcontroller unit, the printed circuit board including first and second LEDs, the first LED being mounted within said first chamber and the second LED being mounted within said second chamber, the film having cut therein a smiley face with a mouth and eyes, the partition being curved to correspond to the U-shape of the mouth such that the eyes and the upper part of the mouth are illuminated by the first LEDs and the lower part of the mouth is illuminated by the second LEDs; and - a hat including a resistor mounted on its inner surface, the resistor being fixed within the slot, thereby connecting to said microcontroller unit and activating said speaker in synchronism with the illumination of said second LED. The animated bubble toy of claim 15, wherein the housing further includes a DF player electrically connected to the speaker. The animated bubble toy of claim 16, wherein the microcontroller unit recognizes the resistance value of the resistor and operates the DF player to play a sound stored in the DF player through a speaker, and the first and second LEDs light up in synchronization with the sound. The animated bubble toy of claim 15, wherein the housing further includes a microphone electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, and wherein illumination of the second LED is activated in synchronization with a sound detected by the microphone. The animated bubble toy of claim 15, wherein the housing is made from a material having an opacity of 50-80%, preferably 70%.