Abstract:
Radio control model aircraft achieve trim by an offset to the transmitted signal. The offset is generally set by a slider control. Aremote control transmitter, is disclosed having a first input device for providing an input signal to which the transmitter is responsive to provide a control signal to control proportionally an operating parameter of a controlled apparatus. The input device has a neutral state, in which the input signal has a value of zero, corresponding to a desired neutral value of the operating parameter. Operation of a second input device causes the transmitter to provide an offset to the control signal in the same sense as any input to the first input device. The offset increases in value until the first input device is in its neutral state when the operating parameter has the neutral value. In the exemplary application, when the aircraft is flying straight and level, the second input device, which may be a push button, is operated. The pilot continues to fly the aircraft straight and level. In doing so the stick input required reduces until the stick is in the neutral position. The increase in the value of the offset preferably takes place at a rate commensurate with the pilot remaining in control throughout.
Abstract:
A remote controlled toy robot having animated arms is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates a four wheel chassis with combined rear steering and drive mechanism. Both the right arm and the left arm associated with main body chassis of the present invention animate via signals sent by remote control. This animation includes a swinging arm motion, a punching arm motion, and locking arm motion. When a target area is hit a designated number of times, this triggers an event that temporarily disables one or more of a number of functions described. All of a number of push button switches trigger sound events described. The motion of said right arm animates in a manner that emulates a chopping and/or sword swinging motion whereby said right arm swings forward, outward and away from said main body chassis. The motion of left arm raises and lowers about the shoulder axis in a manner that emulates a blocking motion. The present invention allows for left and right steering and forward and backward, propulsion. When the animated arms are operated in conjunction with said combined rear steering and drive mechanism, the present invention can maneuver in a variety of ways, each of which depend on the users specific combination of remotely controlled animated events. The resulting said maneuverability of the present invention coupled with the function of said target area allows for a game of skill and strategy unparalleled in the toy industry.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a gaming system includes a mobile remote control vehicle. The mobile remote control vehicle communicates wirelessly with a control unit, and may be operated outside a line-of-sight (LOS) of the control unit.
Abstract:
A portable personal wireless interactive video device (10) having operators (12, 14); an operator portion (80); a pair of transmitters (36, 38); wireless receiver (56); race cars (16, 18) and a racetrack (20).
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for integrating interactive toys with interactive television and cellular communication systems are described. Interactive toys have real time conversations with users, preferably employing speech recognition. Interactive toys are preferably connected to at least one interactive toy server which is preferably connected to entertainment, education, sales promotion and other content providers possibly via Internet communication systems. Such a connection may utilize, for example, telephone lines, cellular communication systems, coaxial cables, satellite, DSL or other broadband systems. Interactive toys may be connected, via a wireless link, to a computing device such as a home computer, an Interactive Television set-top box or a base unit which provides Internet connectivity for the toy. Interactive toys may support mobile cellular or satellite communication. These toys are able to provide entertainment, education, sales promotion and other content to a user. Content is provided to users for their toys which enables toys to form relationships with users. Interactive Toys further utilize user knowledge bases to match entertainment, education and sales promotion content to user histories, behaviors and habits. Content is thus personalized to an individual user as well as to a user's environment including the user's location and the time at which the toy is used. Integration of content, such as entertainment, education and sales promotion is provided by merging Interactive Television techniques with Interactive Toys.
Abstract:
Method (fig. 2 and 11) and apparatus (fig. 10A) for marketing which employ networked interactive toys (1200). Interactive toys (1200) have real time conversations with users using speech recognition. Interactive toys (1200) are connected to at least one interactive toy server (1208) which is connected to entertainment, education, marketing and sales promotion servers possibly via Internet communication systems (1206) utilizing telephone lines, coaxial cables, satellite or other broadband systems. Interactive toys (1200) are connected to a computing device (1204) such as a home computer, an Interactive Television set-top box or an electronic game station via a wireless link. The interactive toys may support mobile cellular or satellite communication. The interactive toys (1200) provide numerous methodologies for marketing products and services to a user. Interactive toys (1200) may be customized to user requirements by employing a modular design. Content is provided to users for their toys which enables toys to form relationships with users which further enhances entertainment, education, and marketing. Interactive toys (1200) utilize user knowledge bases to match marketing strategies to user histories, behaviors and purchase habits. Content including entertainment, educational and sale promotional content is thus personalized to an individual user. Use of a population or plurality of interactive toys (1200) in methods of marketing to a community of users is employed.
Abstract:
A passive sound telemetry system and method is provided, in which phase differences are calculated for every pulse from acoustic signals received via three or six acoustic receivers, to measure a distance and angle with respect to a sound source. The system is applied to an operating toy giving chase to a user while following the user command. The telemetry system includes first to fourth acoustic receivers (111-114) contained in the housing for receiving first to fourth acoustic signals from a user, first to fourth zero crossing detectors for generating first to fourth pulse signals based on the first to fourth acoustic signals, earliest reception signal detector for detecting a pulse signal having the earliest phase among the first to fourth pulse signals, first to fourth arrival time difference calculator (70) for calculating arrival time differences between the pulse signal of the earliest phase and the first to fourth pulse signals, respectively, thereby obtaining an angle and a distance between the center of acoustic receivers and the user, based on a time difference between the second and third minimum arrival time difference values.
Abstract:
The present invention uses an acoustic data transmission system channel for communicating with remote items such as toys or other novelty devices. Control data is embedded in an acoustic which is broadcast to a toy. The data is received by the toy, which is in the vicinity of a receiver. Operation of the toy can be modified upon receipt of the embedded data. The receiver may be a television and the data broadcast with a television program.
Abstract:
This audio-visual education system using movable toys (4) comprises a multichannel radio transmitter (2) which is mounted on a stereo output terminal of a sound signal regenerative apparatus (1), the radio transmitter (2) separating sound signals, and call signals and movement control signals on specific movable toys (4), and emitting each of the signals in the air; a plurality of movable toys (4) manufactured to move their mouth, hands, feet, or all body by power; a plurality of radio receivers (3) respectively mounted in each of the movable toys (4), the radio receiver (3) for receiving the signals emitted from the radio transmitter (2) and for controlling the relevant movable toy (4) according to the received signals to output sound signals and/or move at least one or more portions of the toy's body when the relevant movable toy (4) is called by the call signal from the radio transmitter; and a plurality of speakers respectively mounted in each of the movable toys, and for outputting the sound signal received from the radio receiver. According to this system, when various sound signals are output complexly, only relevant movable toys (4), called by the call signal output corresponding sound signal and move at least one or more portions of the toy's body during output of the sound signal or independently of the sound signal, thus steeply improving educational effect and audio-visual effect.
Abstract:
A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard (21) which can be activated by a user to set up any one of multiple different motions (figs 21-32) of the toy. Sounds and lights (22) can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car (20) or other device capable of moving in the environment. The keyboard can also be used to play a game of skill (fig. 36), for instance, shooting at a target.