Radio controlled toy for free form drawing

According to one embodiment a remote controlled drawing toy can be provided that allows a user to operate a drawing unit that couples drawing implements. For example, such a drawing unit can be used outdoors on sidewalks and driveways.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NOT APPLICABLE

NOT APPLICABLE

NOT APPLICABLE

One embodiment of the invention relates generally to a toy for remote controlled drawing. For example, the toy can be used for free form drawing on a large drawing surface.

BACKGROUND

Children that like to draw are limited in the media that they can use. Furthermore, their artwork is typically performed inside while sitting down at a table or easel. This limits the child's ability to utilize their natural energy to create their art. Furthermore, it typically restricts them to a limited drawing surface and most times requires them to remain inside. Thus, a child forced to choose between their artwork and going outside to play or their artwork and playing a game indoors may likely choose the more active option and neglect their artistic skills.

Furthermore, for a child that likes to be outside, there are limited artistic activities that the child can do without specialized facilities and expensive drawing media.

In addition, an active child generally prefers to be actively employed in a game or learning activity rather than sitting at a desk or easel. Therefore, for such a child it can be difficult for him or her to develop his or her skills because previous art activities have required one to remain seated or in a substantially fixed location.

Consequently, it would be desirable if there were an activity that children could do that allowed them to be active while creating their art.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, a toy for drawing is provided comprising a self-powered body; a receiver coupled with the self-powered body and configured to be responsive to at least one signal from a remote transmitter for controlling the self powered body; and at least one drawing implement holder coupled with the self-powered body and configured to cause the drawing implement to contact a drawing surface during operation of the toy on the drawing surface.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a control module for controlling a remote controlled toy, the control module comprising a memory; a processor coupled with the memory wherein the processor is configured to utilize an initiate storage signal to instruct storage of a sequence of drawing commands for a remote controlled drawing toy; and to receive the sequence of drawing commands, the drawing commands for causing the remote controlled drawing toy to draw a drawing; and to instruct storage of the sequence of drawing commands in memory for available playback to the remote controlled drawing toy at a later time so as to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to reproduce the drawing; and to utilize a cease storage signal to cause the processor to stop storing the sequence of drawing commands.

Still another embodiment of the invention provides a toy for drawing comprising a self-powered body; a receiver coupled with the self-powered body and configured to be responsive to at least one signal from a remote transmitter for controlling the self powered body; at least one wheel coupled with the self-powered body; wherein the at least one wheel is at least partially configured from chalk.

In accordance with one embodiment an apparatus is provided that comprises a substantially wheel shaped body; an axle passage formed by the substantially wheel shaped body; chalk disposed as part of the wheel shaped body; wherein the substantially wheel shaped body is configured so as to be placed on an axle of a self-powered toy device for use in drawing on a drawing surface.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of storing drawing commands can be implemented by inputting an initiate storage command to a processor to cause the processor to begin storing a sequence of drawing commands for a remote controlled drawing toy; inputting the sequence of drawing commands to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to draw a drawing; storing the sequence of drawing commands in memory for available playback to the remote controlled drawing toy at a later time so as to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to reproduce the drawing; inputting a cease storage command to the processor to cause the processor to stop storing the sequence of drawing commands.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of free form drawing on a drawing surface can be implemented that comprises configuring a toy drawing apparatus with a drawing implement; controlling the toy drawing apparatus with a remote control transmitter; and utilizing the remote control transmitter to cause the toy drawing apparatus to move across the outdoor drawing surface so as to draw a free form drawing on the drawing surface.

DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a remote controlled drawing apparatus can be utilized by a child to allow the child to make large scale drawings in a remote controlled fashion. This can be particularly useful for a child that likes to play outside in that it allows the child to draw on a driveway or sidewalk in an active fashion. In addition, it allows the child to move freely about and even stand on the drawing surface itself while creating the drawing. Furthermore, it allows complete free form drawing so that the child can create expressive art as he or she desires. But also, it introduces a playful aspect in that the drawing vehicle can take different forms such as a bug, a car, an animal, or other such form.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a child160playing outside on a driveway120. The child is shown holding a controller150that remotely controls drawing vehicle100.FIG. 1shows that a design170has been created by the drawing vehicle. This can be accomplished by utilizing drawing implement holders, such as drawing implement holder112inFIG. 1to hold a variety of different drawing implements. For example, a crayon, a piece of chalk, or a marker can be utilized for the drawing implements.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a transmitter controller250and a drawing unit200. The drawing unit200is comprised of a self-powered body204which can be comprised of a chassis, wheels, and a power supply. The drawing unit200is shown as having a receiver208for receiving signals from the transmitter250. In addition, a processor220can be coupled with the receiver for making use of the signals. A memory216can be coupled with the processor and can also be utilized for storing a sequence of signals. A drawing implement holder212is coupled with the self-powered body204for holding the drawing implement of choice. Signals can be transmitted from transmitter250to receiver208as would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a transmitter and receiver combination in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3illustrates a transmitter350for transmitting signals to receiver300. The double headed arrow between transmitter and receiver represents signals from at least the transmitter to the receiver; however, signals could also be sent from the receiver to the transmitter in some embodiments if the receiver is also equipped with transmitting capability and the transmitter350is equipped with receiving capability. Transmitter350is shown as having a processor360coupled with a memory370via a bus. Similarly, receiver300is shown having a processor320coupled with memory316via a bus. The transmitter can be equipped with a variety of controllers. For example, control buttons391,392,393,394can be utilized by a user to control the movement of a drawing vehicle such as a self-powered car. Alternatively, the controller could take the form of a steering wheel or gimbaled stick as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand from other toy designs. In addition, control switches384,385,386, and387can be utilized for controlling the position of multiple drawing implement holders on the drawing vehicle. For example, switch384illustrates a switch in the “engaged” position wherein the corresponding drawing implement holder on the drawing vehicle is in a position so as to cause the drawing implement that it is holding to engage a drawing surface. However, switches385,386, and387are in the “non-engaged” position so that their corresponding drawing implement holders are not causing their corresponding drawing implements to engage the drawing surface. This can be understood with reference toFIG. 9B, for example.

The embodiment shown inFIG. 3illustrates controls that a user can use to store a design sequence. For example, by engaging button381to record a series of control commands, the transmitter350can store an initial as well as subsequent commands transmitted to receiver300. Once button382is engaged to stop the recording, the storage of the subsequent commands can stop. The commands can later be played back by engaging control383so that the stored series of commands can then be retransmitted to the drawing vehicle. The sequence of commands can be stored in memory370. Alternatively, if the receiver is equipped with memory as shown onFIG. 3where memory316is provided, then the sequence of commands can be stored in memory316. Thus, it is optional as to where the sequence of commands is actually stored.

In addition, a drawing vehicle can be programmed with pre-programmed designs that a child can utilize in creating his or her artwork. For example, a flower design could be stored in the memory of the transmitter and receiver and activated. Then, the child could activate that design by activating a control on the transmitter, such as control button397, or even on the receiver so as to cause the pre-programmed design to be implemented. Similarly, control buttons395and396can be used to activate pre-programmed circles and flowers, respectively.

FIG. 4broadly illustrates how individual computing elements can be implemented. System400is shown comprised of hardware elements that are electrically coupled via bus408, including a processor401, input device402, output device403, storage device404, computer-readable storage media reader405a, communications system406processing acceleration (e.g., DSP or special-purpose processors)407and memory409. Computer-readable storage media reader405ais further coupled to computer-readable storage media405b, the combination comprehensively representing remote, local, fixed and/or removable storage devices plus storage media, memory, etc. for temporarily and/or more permanently containing computer-readable information, which can include storage device404, memory409and/or any other such accessible system400resource. System400also comprises software elements (shown as being currently located within working memory491) including an operating system492and other code493, such as programs, applets, data and the like.

System400has extensive flexibility and configurability. Thus, for example, a single architecture might be utilized to implement one or more servers that can be further configured in accordance with currently desirable protocols, protocol variations, extensions, etc. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may well be utilized in accordance with more specific application requirements. For example, one or more system elements might be implemented as sub-elements within a system400component (e.g. within communications system406). Customized hardware might also be utilized and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including so-called “portable software,” such as applets) or both. Further, while connection to other computing devices such as network input/output devices (not shown) may be employed, it is to be understood that wired, wireless, modem and/or other connection or connections to other computing devices might also be utilized. Not all system400components will necessarily be required in all cases.

Referring now toFIG. 5an example of a drawing vehicle and controller can be seen. InFIG. 5a controller550is provided with an on/off switch and control buttons. The arrow shaped buttons shown on controller550allow a user to control the movement of the drawing vehicle504. An antenna552is provided for transmission of signals to the receiver of drawing vehicle504. In addition, the controller is shown as having drawing implement storage holders for drawing implements. InFIG. 5the drawing implements being stored are crayons513and514. In accordance with one embodiment, the drawing vehicle can be configured so as to engage a charging receptacle on controller550. Thus, controller550can serve as both a controller during use of the toy as well as a charger when the toy is not in use. As shown by the arrow inFIG. 5, the drawing vehicle504can be pushed into a charging receptacle to perform the charging operation. The charging unit can be powered from an AC power supply during the charging process.

Drawing vehicle504is also shown with a drawing implement holder512. This drawing implement holder is essentially a clamp in the drawing vehicle. The shape of the clamp can be controlled via a slide button disposed on the drawing vehicle. Thus, the size of the clamp can be increased for a marker, for example, and decreased for a smaller drawing implement, such as a crayon. The downward force on the drawing implement can be implemented via a ratchet mechanism that is incrementally activated so as to incrementally cause the drawing implement to be forced downward. This is particularly true for use with a piece of chalk or crayon. It may not be necessary for a drawing implement such as a marker. As the device rolls across the drawing surface, the axle of the wheels can be coupled with the ratchet mechanism so as to move the drawing implement towards the drawing surface after a predetermined travel distance of the drawing vehicle. Thus, one can estimate how often or how much to move the drawing implement towards the drawing surface during travel of the drawing vehicle and configure the ratchet mechanism accordingly.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate top and bottom views of the remote controlled device shown inFIG. 5. Namely,FIG. 6Ashows the drawing vehicle in an engaged position with the controller.FIG. 6Aalso shows the controller as storing two crayons for positioning within the drawing vehicle.FIG. 6Billustrates a rear view of the controller and drawing vehicle.FIG. 6Balso illustrates that the controller can store a marker.FIG. 6Bfurther illustrates that the controller can be equipped with a switch604that allows a variety of frequencies to be used for the toy. A similar switch605allows the drawing vehicle to be set to a corresponding frequency so that the controller and the drawing vehicle can be in communication. Such frequencies are especially beneficial when multiple remote controlled toys are being use in proximity to one another. This prevents a transmission from the controller of one toy from being received inadvertently by a second toy.FIG. 6Balso shows compartments on the drawing vehicle and controller for housing power supplies, such as batteries.

FIGS. 7A,7B, and7C illustrate an example of how the clamp switch can be utilized to provide an orifice for different sized drawing implements. For example,FIG. 7Aillustrates a slideable switch between a crayon and a marker position.FIG. 7Billustrates a drawing vehicle as holding a marker, whileFIG. 7Cillustrates the same drawing vehicle as holding a smaller shaped crayon. This can be accomplished by allowing the slideable switch shown inFIG. 7Ato cause a change in size of the clamp that holds the drawing implement.

FIGS. 8A,8B, and8C illustrate an example of a drawing vehicle with a removable and replaceable shell or cover. As a toy, it may be desirable for a family with several children to be able to reconfigure the toy to a child's preference. For example, different shell coverings could be patterned with different artwork, such as a flower design, a bug design, an animal design, etc.FIG. 8Aillustrates a drawing vehicle with the removable shell removed.FIG. 8Billustrates an example of a removable shell having a ladybug design.FIG. 8Cillustrates the drawing vehicle fromFIG. 8Acoupled with the removable shell fromFIG. 8B.

Referring now toFIGS. 9A and 9B, another embodiment of a remote controlled toy drawing vehicle can be seen.FIG. 9Aillustrates a pistol grip controller that can be used to transmit control signals to the drawing vehicle inFIG. 9B.FIG. 9Billustrates a drawing vehicle having drawn a partial design with its front port arm. Notably, the rear port arm has the corresponding drawing implement in a raised position so as not to have drawn on the drawing surface. According to one embodiment of the invention, the controller can be used to control different drawing implement holders so as to cause their respective drawing implements to engage or not to engage the drawing surface, respectively.

FIG. 10illustrates a front view of a drawing vehicle, according to one embodiment of the invention. As can be seen by the double headed arrow, the drawing implement holder can be raised and lowered. This embodiment shows a spring activated drawing implement holder. The spring is coupled with one end of the drawing implement holder as well as the body of the drawing vehicle. The spring force of the spring forces the end of the drawing implement holder towards the drawing surface. This can be accomplished by coupling the drawing implement holder via a hinged coupling at the end of the drawing implement holder that is proximate to the drawing vehicle. The spring can be coupled to the drawing vehicle and to the distal end of the drawing implement holder. Thus, the spring force pulls the distal end of the drawing implement holder downward while rotating the near end of the drawing implement holder about the hinge.

FIGS. 11A and 11Billustrate a top view and side view of one embodiment of a drawing implement holder.FIG. 11Ashows that the drawing implement holder can be provided with a clamp mechanism that can be closed via a screw driven control. The screw driven control can expand or contract the circumference of the clamp so as to accommodate different sized drawing implements.FIG. 11Billustrates a side view of the drawing implement holder shown inFIG. 11Aand further illustrates the spring activated drawing surface engagement mechanism.

FIG. 12illustrates a top view of a drawing vehicle having a configuration of a spider. Also shown inFIG. 12are clamped drawing implements. In this embodiment, the end of the screw serves to force the drawing implement against the inner surface of the drawing implement holder so as to mechanically hold the drawing implement in place. Also shown inFIG. 12are wheels on the drawing vehicle. In addition to or in place of the drawing implement holders, the wheels of the drawing vehicle can be utilized to perform the drawing on the drawing surface. Namely, this can be accomplished by configuring the wheels with chalk or ink or even crayon.

FIG. 13illustrates a top view of a wheel with a patterned design. An internal layer can be configured from chalk and as the wheel turns the chalk dust can be transmitted to the tread design for disposition on the drawing surface.

FIG. 14illustrates a wheel configured from different layers, such as a plastic or rubber outer layer and an intermediate chalk layer over a core layer. Alternatively, the wheel could be comprised substantially of chalk without an outer tread layer.

Referring toFIG. 12again, the drawing vehicle and drawing implement holder arms can be configured so as to allow the arms to be retractable. In larger units, this can easily be accomplished by creating a tabbed arm for example that provides an intermediate position as well as switching to a retracted position.

Referring now toFIG. 15, a flowchart1500demonstrating a method of utilizing a remote controlled drawing vehicle can be seen. In block1504one can input an “initiate storage” command to a processor to cause the processor to begin storing a sequence of drawing commands for a remote controlled drawing toy. Furthermore, in block1508, one can implement a sequence of drawing commands to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to draw a drawing. Block1512shows that the sequence of drawing commands can be stored in memory for available playback to the remote controlled drawing toy at a later time so as to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to reproduce the recorded drawing. In block1516, one can input a cease storage command to the processor to cause the processor to stop storing the sequence of drawing commands.

FIGS. 16A and 16Billustrate a more detailed flowchart1600of that shown inFIG. 15. Namely block1604shows that one can input an “initiate storage” command to a processor to cause the processor to begin storing a sequence of drawing commands for a remote controlled drawing toy. In block1608, one can input the sequence of drawing commands to cause the remote control drawing toy to draw a drawing. One can store the sequence of drawing commands in memory for available playback to the remote controlled drawing toy at a later time so as to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to reproduce the drawing, as shown in block1612. The sequence of drawing commands can be stored in memory at a transmitter for use in controlling the remote controlled drawing toy as shown by block1616or the sequence of drawing commands can be stored in memory at the remote controlled drawing toy as shown by block1620. Either or both storage locations is possible. One can input a “cease storage” command to the processor to stop storing the sequence of drawing commands as shown by block1624. In block1628one can activate a control to cause a stored command to be repeated so as to cause the remote controlled drawing toy to reproduce the drawing.

FIG. 17illustrates a flowchart1700demonstrating a method of utilizing the drawing toy to prepare a drawing. In block1704one can configure the toy drawing apparatus with a drawing implement. Block1708shows that one can control the toy drawing apparatus with a remote controlled transmitter. In block1712one can use the remote controlled transmitter to cause the toy drawing apparatus to move across a drawing surface so as to draw a free form drawing on the drawing surface.

FIG. 18illustrates a more detailed flowchart from that shown inFIG. 17. Namely, flowchart1800illustrates in block1804that one can configure a toy drawing apparatus with a drawing implement. For example, one can couple a piece of chalk with the toy drawing apparatus so as to use the piece of chalk to draw a free form drawing, as shown in block1808. Similarly, one can couple a marker with the toy drawing apparatus so as to use the marker to draw the free form drawing as shown by block1812. In addition, one could also couple a crayon with the toy drawing apparatus so as to use the crayon to draw the free form drawing as shown in block1816. In block1820, one may control the toy drawing apparatus with a remote control transmitter. Block1824illustrates that the remote control transmitter may be utilized to cause the toy drawing apparatus to move across the surface so as to draw a free form drawing on the drawing surface.

The toy drawing apparatus can be utilized on multiple drawing surfaces. For example, a child could utilize the toy outside on a sidewalk or driveway with water soluble chalk that can be washed away with a hose or by rain. Similarly, one could couple a crayon to the drawing vehicle and use the drawing vehicle to draw on a large sheet of art paper. Such drawing could take place either outdoors or indoors. Similarly, the drawing vehicle could be equipped with markers as the drawing implements and utilized on drawing paper either outdoors or indoors.

Through the use of a transmitter a child can actively participate in the drawing by actually standing on the drawing surface while creating the art. Furthermore, free form drawing can be implemented so as to allow the drawing vehicle to cross over previously created lines and designs after they have initially been created.

The drawing vehicle can be configured in a variety of kit forms for assembly in the field. For example, the drawing vehicle can be manufactured as a separate unit but sold with different types of drawing implements, such as crayons, chalk, markers, etc. Multiple colors for drawing implements can be provided so as to allow different colored designs to be created. In addition to being provided with drawing implements, the drawing vehicle can also be provided with the controller as part of the kit and the controller as shown in some embodiments herein can be configured to serve as a charger. Alternatively, a separate charger can be provided in kit form with the drawing vehicle or a battery unit could also be provided. Once provided, the drawing vehicle can be assembled with the drawing implements and if necessary a removable power supply such as batteries.

In addition, one might also utilize a paint supply or ink supply and brush or jet the paint or ink onto the drawing surface via an applicator.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described as methods or apparatus for implementing the invention, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented through code coupled to a computer, e.g., code resident on a computer or accessible by the computer. For example, software could be utilized to implement many of the methods discussed above. Thus, in addition to embodiments where the invention is accomplished by hardware, it is also noted that these embodiments can be accomplished through the use of an article of manufacture comprised of a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, which causes the enablement of the functions disclosed in this description. Therefore, it is desired that embodiments of the invention also be considered protected by this patent in their program code means as well. Furthermore, the embodiments of the invention may be embodied as code stored in a computer-readable memory of virtually any kind including, without limitation, RAM, ROM, magnetic media, optical media, or magneto-optical media. Even more generally, the embodiments of the invention could be implemented in software, or in hardware, or any combination thereof including, but not limited to, software running on a general purpose processor, microcode, PLAs, or ASICs.

It is also envisioned that embodiments of the invention could be accomplished as computer signals embodied in a carrier wave, as well as signals (e.g., electrical and optical) propagated through a transmission medium. Thus, the various information discussed above could be formatted in a structure, such as a data structure, and transmitted as an electrical signal through a transmission medium or stored on a computer readable medium.

It is also noted that many of the structures, materials, and acts recited herein can be recited as means for performing a function or steps for performing a function. Therefore, it should be understood that such language is entitled to cover all such structures, materials, or acts disclosed within this specification and their equivalents.

It is thought that the apparatuses and methods of the embodiments of the present invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from this specification. While the above is a complete description of specific embodiments of the invention, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.