US20090053971A1

US20090053971A1 - Interactive Doll

Info

Publication number: US20090053971A1
Application number: US11/842,877
Authority: US
Inventors: Man Kit Hui
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-21
Filing date: 2007-08-21
Publication date: 2009-02-26

Abstract

An interactive doll is disclosed where the doll can exhibit symptoms of being sick or healthy. When the user turns the doll on, the doll is healthy. After a period of time, the doll becomes sick. The user can observe different parts of the doll to determine whether the doll is sick or healthy. If the doll is sick, the user can take corrective measures to return the doll to full health.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the general field of toy dolls, and more specifically toward an interactive doll where the doll can exhibit symptoms of being sick or healthy. When the user turns the doll on, the doll is healthy. After a period of time, the doll becomes sick. The user can observe different parts of the doll to determine whether the doll is sick or healthy. If the doll is sick, the user can take corrective measures to return the doll to full health.
Dolls have been around for thousands of years, mainly as toys for small children. As times have progressed, these dolls have become more and more sophisticated. Batteries and electronics have been added to these dolls, as well as moving parts. Children and parents continue to expect more technologically advanced features present in the dolls they purchase. With this, they expect dolls to reflect current societal interests and practices.
Getting ill is part of every day life. When people are sick, they go see a doctor to help them cure their ailments. The doctor observes various symptoms of the patient, and then proceeds to treat the illness. One such treatment is giving the patient a shot. This doll strives to reflect this current societal practice.
Some dolls have been designed to represent these events. However, these dolls lack sound and lights that create a more realistic and entertaining toy. Further, these dolls do not exhibit different symptoms over time and allow the user to observe, then treat the doll if it is sick.
Thus there has existed a long-felt need for a technologically advanced doll that not only reflects current societal interests and practices, but also entertains children of various ages. The doll must be interactive and respond to various commands, and give feedback to the user. Further, the doll should be designed so that it is safe to use and will also operate for an extended period of time without excessive power requirements.
The current invention provides just such a solution by having an interactive doll where the doll can exhibit symptoms of being sick or healthy. When the user turns the doll on, the doll is healthy. After a period of time, the doll becomes sick. The user can observe different parts of the doll to determine whether the doll is sick or healthy. If the doll is sick, the user can take corrective measures to return the doll to full health.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a toy doll where the user can observe symptoms of the doll and determine whether the doll is sick or healthy. If the doll is sick, the user can take corrective measures to return the doll to full health. The user can observe whether the doll laughs or cries when the user pats the doll's head, whether the heart beat of the doll is regular or irregular, whether the ear temperature is green or red, whether the doll's cheeks appear normal or flushed, and whether the doll takes regular or deep breaths. There is also an injection button. If the doll is sick, it can be given an injection by pressing the injection button. After pressing the button, the doll laughs and returns to full health. If the doll is healthy and given an injection, then the doll cries.
The user begins using the doll by flipping a two-way switch to the on position. Then the user presses a button in the doll's hand to begin the interaction with the doll. When the user first interacts with the doll, the doll exhibits signs of being healthy, and is in the healthy mode. The user can observe the various elements of the doll while it is healthy. However, after a set period of time, the doll becomes sick, and enters the sick mode. At this point, those same elements of the doll now exhibit signs of being sick. The doll will remain sick until the user cures the sickness. The user can cure the sickness by giving the doll an injection, after which the doll returns to the healthy mode and the cycle is repeated. This can be achieved by using a fake syringe to press the injection button. An integrated circuit is used to regulate the timing for whether the doll is sick and healthy, as well as process input and produce output to the electronic elements of the doll. This integrated circuit receives input from various sources, such as from buttons and switches. Based upon the input that it receives, the integrated circuit is pre-programmed to create output for various other electronic components, such as lights or speakers.
When the user pats the doll's head, the doll will laugh or cry. The doll will laugh if it is healthy, or the doll will cry if it is sick. This is achieved by placing a motion sensor in the head of the doll. The patting of the head triggers the motion sensor, and sends a signal to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit receives this input and, depending on whether the doll is in sick mode or healthy mode, sends a different output to the speaker. If it is in sick mode, then the integrated circuit sends a signal to the speaker causing it to emit sounds of crying. If it is in healthy mode, then the integrated circuit sends a signal to the speaker causing it to emit sounds of laughing.
The user can also hear the heartbeat of the doll. Generally, doctors listen to a patient's heartbeat by using a stethoscope. Since it is difficult to hear a heartbeat of a live individual without the help of a tool such as a stethoscope, the speaker of the doll does not emit heartbeat sounds at all times. Instead, the integrated circuit only causes the speaker to emit sounds of a heartbeat if a certain switch is activated. A magnetic switch is contemplated, where the switch is activated when it is in the presence of a magnetic field. In other words, when a magnet is placed near the switch, it is activated and sends a signal to the integrated circuit. This switch is placed in the chest of doll, approximately where the heart would be. To make the doll as life-like as possible, a magnet can be placed on the end of a toy stethoscope. Therefore, when the user of the doll places the end of the toy stethoscope over the chest of the doll, this activates the magnetic switch. The switch sends a signal to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, depending on whether it is in sick mode or healthy mode, sends a different signal to the speaker causing it to emit a regular heartbeat for healthy mode or an irregular heartbeat for sick mode.
The temperature of the doll can also be observed. While this is not the actual temperature of the doll, the user can observe whether the doll is in sick mode or healthy mode by looking at the ear of the doll. Currently, the temperature of an individual can be obtained by using a device that is inserted into the ear canal of the individual. This renders an almost instantaneous measure of the individual's internal body temperature. This invention strives to imitate this real life event. Inside the ear of the doll is a button, known as an ear button. This ear button, when pressed, emits either a green light or a red light. If the doll is in sick mode, the light is red. If the doll is in healthy mode, it is green. The user can use a device that has a small, hollow tip. When the user presses the device into the ear of the doll and looks through the device, the user can see the light: green if healthy, red if sick.
The ear button, when pressed, sends a signal to the integrated circuit. The circuit receives this signal, and depending on the mode, causes the button to produce a different color light. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs can be used to provide the light source, as they are small, durable, and require little power. These LEDs can be placed near the button, so that light from the LEDs travels through the button. This can make the same button can appear to be different colors even though the source of the light is from different LED light bulbs.
The color of the doll's face can also aid the user in diagnosing whether the doll is sick or healthy. Red lights are placed in the cheeks of the doll. If the doll is in healthy mode, the lights are not turned on. However, while the doll is in sick mode, the lights turn on, thereby illuminating the cheeks of the doll and making them appear flushed.
When the speaker is not emitting other sounds, it can emit sounds as if the doll is breathing. While the doll is in healthy mode, the speaker can emit normal breathing sounds. If the doll is in sick mode, the speaker can emit deep breathing sounds. This can aid the user in determining whether the doll is sick or healthy.
In real life, patients are often given injections to help cure them of their sickness. This invention strives to replicate this real life situation. In the posterior section of the doll, near the buttocks, there is a small button, called an injection button, which is difficult to press with the user's hand. A small device that resembles a syringe with a small, blunt end can be used to press the button. This resembles the action of giving the doll a shot, without the use of a real needle and syringe. Pressing this button sends input to the integrated circuit. If the doll is in sick mode, it changes it to healthy mode, and causes the speaker to emit the sound of laughter. If the doll is in healthy mode, it causes the speaker to emit crying sounds, but does not cause the doll to change to sick mode.
The doll also has a button in one of its hands. This button does not aid the user in determining whether the doll is sick or healthy. Rather, this button begins the interaction by the user with the doll. It can be used immediately after the two-way switch, described below, is put into the on position, or after the doll has entered a low power mode, also described below. Further, when the two-way switch is in the try-me position, this button will cause the doll to emit sounds as if the user was fully interacting with the doll, in an effort to aid the user in evaluating the doll before it is purchased.
The doll is preferably powered by standard “AA” sized batteries. The batteries are configured to meet the power requirements of the specific configuration of the device.
The doll also has a two-way switch, preferably located near the power supply. The switch can be in the on or try-me positions. When the switch is in the on position, the power supply powers all of the various electrical components that require electricity. Assuming that the batteries in the power supply have a sufficient voltage potential, the doll will be fully functional and will interact with the user. After a finite period of time, such as sixty seconds, where there is no interaction by the user with the doll, the doll will leave either the sick or healthy mode and enter a low-power mode. In this mode, the doll will not respond to input from the user other than the button in the doll's hand. Power is not supplied to all of the various components that require electricity in efforts to conserve power and extend the useful life of the batteries. The doll can be returned to the healthy mode by pressing the button in the hand of the doll. Finally, the switch can be in the try-me position. In this position, the doll has limited functionality. It will not respond to input other than from the button in the hand. However, if the button in the hand is pressed, parts of normal output from the speaker of the doll are emitted as if it were fully functional. This allows potential buyers to hear particular sounds used by the doll if it were in the on position while not quickly draining the power from the batteries.
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a child's toy that reflects a current interest and practice of society.
It is another principal object of the invention to provide a child's toy that is fun and entertaining to use.
It is a final object of this invention to provide a child's toy that is safe and efficient to operate.
It should be understood the while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of the doll.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the doll.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the doll.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a toy stethoscope.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a tool to view the ear button.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a toy syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of the doll. The doll 10 has a speaker 11 located in its abdomen. Above the abdomen is the doll's chest 12 where the magnetic switch is located (not shown in this figure). When a magnet is placed over the doll's chest 12, the magnetic switch is triggered and sends a signal to the integrated circuit (not shown in this figure). There is also a button 13 in the hand of the doll. The cheeks 14 turn red when the doll 10 is in sick mode. Inside the head 15 of the doll 10 is the motion sensor (not shown in this figure).
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the doll. The doll 10 has a speaker 11 located in its abdomen. Above the abdomen is the doll's chest 12 where the magnetic switch is located (not shown in this figure). The cheeks 14 turn red when the doll 10 is in sick mode. Inside the head 15 of the doll 10 is the motion sensor (not shown in this figure). In the ear 20 of the doll 10 is an ear button 21 which, when pressed, is green when in healthy mode and red when in sick mode.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the doll. The doll 10 has a panel 30, which covers the battery pack (not shown in this figure). “AA” sized batteries are preferably used to power the doll 10. Below the panel 30 is a two-way switch 31. Next to the two-way switch 31 is an injection button 32.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a toy stethoscope. The toy stethoscope 40 has a magnet (not shown in this figure) located at the end of the stethoscope 41. This can be used to activate the magnetic switch in the chest of the doll (not shown in this figure).
FIG. 5 is a front view of a tool to view the ear button. The tool 50 has a small end 51, which is used to push the ear button (not shown in this figure). The user then looks through the opposite end 52 and views the color of the ear button through the small end 51.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a toy syringe. The syringe 60 has a small end 61 that is used to press the injection button (not shown in this figure).

Claims

1. A child's toy comprising

a doll, where the doll is in the shape of a humanoid figure, and where the doll comprises a power source, a speaker, a magnetic switch, an injection button, and an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit is connected to and capable of processing input from the magnetic switch or injection button and sending output to the speaker,

where the power source supplies electricity to the integrated circuit,

where the speaker is connected to the integrated circuit and the integrated circuit can cause the speaker to emit sound by sending signals to the speaker,

where the doll has two or more modes, where the modes affect what sounds are produced by the speaker, and where the modes can automatically change after a set period of time,

where the magnetic switch, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, and when the integrated circuit receives this signal, it causes the speaker to emit sound, where the sound emitted is different depending on which mode the doll is in, and

where the injection button, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, and depending on the mode that the doll is in, causes the doll to enter a different mode.

2. The child's toy of claim 1, where the doll has two modes, a sick mode and a healthy mode,

where, when the integrated circuit receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the sick mode, the doll enters the healthy mode, and

where, when the doll is in the sick mode, the integrated circuit causes the speaker to emit sounds of a baby coughing or crying, and when the doll is in the healthy mode, the integrated circuit causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter and cooing.

3. The child's toy of claim 2, where the magnetic switch is located in the chest of the doll and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the magnetic switch and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit the sound of a rapid heartbeat, and when it receives a signal from the magnetic switch and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit the sound of a normal heartbeat.

4. The child's toy of claim 2, where the injection button is located near the buttocks of the doll and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter, and when it receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of crying.

5. The child's toy of claim 2, where the doll further comprises lights in its cheeks and these lights are connected to the integrated circuit, where the lights illuminate the cheeks when the doll is in the sick mode, but do not illuminate the cheeks when the doll is in the healthy mode.

6. The child's toy of claim 2, where the doll further comprises a motion sensor in its head, where the motion sensor is connected to the integrated circuit and, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the motion sensor and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of crying, and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the motion sensor and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter.

7. The child's toy of claim 2, where the doll further comprises an ear button located in one of the doll's ears, where the ear button is connected to the integrated circuit and, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the ear button and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the ear button to light up in the color red, and when it receives a signal from the ear button and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the ear button to light up in the color green.

8. The child's toy of claim 2, where the doll further comprises a two-way switch and a hand button,

where the hand button is located in one of the hands of the doll and is connected to the integrated circuit,

where the two-way switch can be in either the on position or the try-me position and is connected to the integrated circuit, and when the switch is in the try-me position the integrated circuit only accepts input from the hand button, and when the switch is flipped from the try-me position to the on position, the integrated circuit will not accept input from any switch or button until the hand button is pressed, and

where, when the two-way switch is flipped from the try-me position to the on position and the hand button is pressed, the doll accepts input from the buttons and switches connected to it and the doll enters the healthy mode.

9. The child's toy of claim 8, where the doll has an additional mode called a low-powered mode,

where the doll enters this mode after a set period of time of inactivity, where inactivity occurs when the integrated circuit receives no input signals, and

where the integrated circuit, when in the low power mode, does not accept input from any button or switch except the hand button, where the doll, when the integrated circuit receives input from the hand button and is in the low power mode, enters the healthy mode.

10. A child's toy comprising a doll, where the doll is in the shape of a humanoid figure, and where the doll comprises a power source, a speaker, an ear button, an injection button, and an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit is connected to and capable of processing input from the ear button or injection button and sending output to the speaker,

where the power source supplies electricity to the integrated circuit,

where the ear button, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, and where the integrated circuit, when it receives this signal, causes the ear button to light up, where the color of the light that the ear button produces depends on which mode the doll is in, and

11. The child's toy of claim 10, where the doll has two modes, a sick mode and a healthy mode,

12. The child's toy of claim 11, where the ear button is located in one of the doll's ears, and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the ear button and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the ear button to light up in the color red, and when it receives a signal from the ear button and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the ear button to light up in the color green.

13. The child's toy of claim 11, where the injection button is located near the buttocks of the doll and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter, and when it receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of crying.

14. The child's toy of claim 11, where the doll further comprises lights in its cheeks and these lights are connected to the integrated circuit, where the lights illuminate the cheeks when the doll is in the sick mode, but do not illuminate the cheeks when the doll is in the healthy mode.

15. The child's toy of claim 11, where the doll further comprises a motion sensor in its head, where the motion sensor, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the motion sensor and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of crying, and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the motion sensor and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter.

16. The child's toy of claim 11, where the doll further comprises a two-way switch and a hand button,

17. The child's toy of claim 16, where the doll has an additional mode called a low-powered mode,

18. A child's toy comprising

a doll, where the doll is in the shape of a humanoid figure, and where the doll comprises a power source, a speaker, a magnetic switch, an injection button, an ear button, a motion sensor, and an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit is connected to and capable of processing input from the magnetic switch, ear button, motion sensor, or injection button and sending output to the speaker,

where the power source supplies electricity to the integrated circuit,

where the doll has two modes, a sick mode and a healthy mode, and when the doll is in the sick mode, the integrated circuit causes the speaker to emit sounds of a baby coughing or crying, and when the doll is in the healthy mode, the integrated circuit causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter and cooing,

where the magnetic switch is located in the chest of the doll and the magnetic switch, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the magnetic switch and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit the sound of a rapid heartbeat, and when it receives a signal from the magnetic switch and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit the sound of a normal heartbeat,

where the injection button is located near the buttocks of the doll and the injection button, when pressed, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, and when the integrated circuit receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the sick mode, the doll enters the healthy mode and causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter, and when it receives a signal from the injection button and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of crying,

where the motion sensor is located in the head of the doll and the motion sensor, when activated, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the motion sensor and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of crying, and where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the motion sensor and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the speaker to emit sounds of laughter, and

where the ear button is located in one of the doll's ears and the ear button, when pressed, sends a signal to the integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit, when it receives a signal from the ear button and the doll is in the sick mode, causes the ear button to light up in the color red, and when it receives a signal from the ear button and the doll is in the healthy mode, causes the ear button to light up in the color green.

19. The child's toy of claim 18, where the doll further comprises lights in its cheeks and these lights are connected to the integrated circuit, where the lights illuminate the cheeks when the doll is in the sick mode, but do not illuminate the cheeks when the doll is in the healthy mode.

20. The child's toy of claim 18, where the doll further comprises a two-way switch and a hand button,