Abstract:
An interactive alien toy assembly ( 10 ) includes a chrysalis ( 20 ) that is placed in a test tube ( 22 ) along with water that dissolves the chrysalis ( 20 ) to expose an alien toy ( 12 ) whose super absorbent body portion ( 18 ) swells to simulate growth. Control circuitry ( 16 ) activates when an upper liquid sensor ( 32 ) and a lower liquid sensor ( 34 ) are exposed to the water. A light assembly ( 39 ) displays a simulated heartbeat in orange if both sensors ( 32, 34 ) are immersed to simulate overfeeding, in green if both sensors ( 32, 34 ) are exposed to simulate underfeeding, and in red if only the upper liquid sensor ( 32 ) to simulate correct feeding. A photo sensor ( 26 ) detects time spent in light and dark that is tracked to change the heartbeat, unless overfed. A computer display interrogation pattern ( 162 ) causes output of tracked age/neglect information or to go into an excited or coma mode.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to toys that interact with user and ambient conditions, and in particular to toy pets responsive to light and liquid. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Given the wide range of toys available, especially those that are electronically programmed to mimic living things, a continuing need exists for unusual toy “pets” that interactively engage a child to enhance entertainment and learning potential. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a toy that requires proper care by maintaining a water level and an ambient light level that affect a status displayed on a light assembly mounted on the toy. 
         [0004]    In one aspect of the invention, a display interrogation sequence may be produced on a monitor that is sensed by the toy to cause the toy to enter into a mode that changes light sequences produced by the light assembly. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the invention, control circuitry of a toy monitor ambient conditions, particularly a level of liquid in which the toy is immersed, and responds with an indication to the user. Thereby, the toy emulates a creature who needs to be maintained within a proper level of liquid for feeding. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a body portion is formed of super absorbent material that swells in the presence of liquid to further mimic growth of the toy. 
         [0007]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of an alien toy in a transparent test tube immersed in water at one of three levels to dissolve an encasing chrysalis, and to activate a head portion and to swell a body portion formed of super absorbent polymer material. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a circuit schematic of active electronic circuitry of the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a first alien toy for the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a second alien toy for the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of a third alien toy for the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of a fourth alien toy for the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of a fifth alien toy for the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of a sixth alien toy for the interactive alien toy assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a state diagram of an active electronic circuitry of the alien toy of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an initial unborn/test mode of the active electronic circuitry of the alien toy of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a timing diagram of a “heartbeat” exhibited by a lighting assembly of the alien toy after being “born”. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of ten surprise and neglect transition light sequences displaced by the lighting assembly in some instances. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation that causes the alien toy of  FIG. 1  to enter an age check mode. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of a light sequence denoting age 5 days displayed on the lighting assembly in response to the age check mode interrogation of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of a light sequence denoting age 58 days displayed on the lighting assembly in response to the age check mode interrogation of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation that causes the alien toy of  FIG. 1  to enter a neglect check mode. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a 5-bit dark neglect counter register maintained by the alien toy of  FIG. 1  depiction denoting binary 00110. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a 5-bit light neglect counter register maintained by the alien toy of  FIG. 1  depiction denoting binary 00101. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a diagram of a light sequence denoting the contents of the two neglect counter registers of  FIG. 11-12  displayed on the lighting assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation that causes the alien toy of  FIG. 1  to enter an excited mode. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation that causes the alien toy of  FIG. 1  to enter a coma mode. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the chrysalis being inserted into the test tube. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the chrysalis in the test tube being immersed in water. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the immersed chrysalis dissolving into the water. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the “born” alien toy after the chrysalis fully dissolves. 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the alien toy being overfed by being fully immersed, causing a green LED to illuminate as a heartbeat. 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the alien toy being underfed by having a left antenna exposed, causing an orange LED to illuminate as a heartbeat. 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the alien toy being correctly fed by having an upper portion of the antenna exposed, causing a red LED to illuminate as a heartbeat. 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a correctly fed, immature alien toy after being initially exposed from the chrysalis. 
           [0038]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a correctly fed, adolescent alien toy after being exposed to water for about a week, allowing a super absorbent body portion to swell to a mid-size. 
           [0039]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a correctly fed, mature alien toy after being exposed to water for about two weeks, allowing the super absorbent body portion to swell to a full size. 
           [0040]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a sequence of interactions of the alien toy assembly with a web browser graphic user interface displayed on a computer screen that interrogates the alien toy to selectively enter an age check, a neglect check, an excited mode, or a coma mode that cause a change in the light assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    Turning to the Figures, wherein like numerals denote like components throughout the several views, in  FIG. 1 , an interactive alien toy assembly  10  has an alien toy  12  initially comprised of a head portion  14  containing active electronic circuitry  16  and attached to a non-expanded body portion  18  comprised of super absorbent polymer material. After a week of exposure to water, an adolescent alien toy  12 ′ is formed with a mid-sized adolescent body portion  18 ′. After about two weeks of exposure to water, the mature alien toy  12 ″ has a full-sized mature body portion  18 ″. A chrysalis structure  20  formed of an opaque, water soluble material encompasses the head and body portions  14 ,  18  of the alien toy  12  to deactivate the electronic circuitry  16 , to prevent expansion of the body portion  18  to its mature state indicated at  18 ″, and to enhance play by resembling an insect-like chrysalis. 
         [0042]    A liquid container, depicted as a transparent plastic test tube  22 , of the toy assembly  10  is sized to receive the chrysalis  20  and subsequently the mature alien toy  12 ″ having the mature body portion  18 ″. The head portion  14  is maintained in an upright position by the test tube  22 . Sensors monitor ambient conditions that are maintained by a child who interacts with the alien toy  12 . In an illustrative version, light and water depth serve as environmental inputs for the active electronic circuitry  16 . In particular, a right antenna  24  contains a light sensor  26  responsive to an ambient light threshold to respond with either a “LIGHT” or “DARK” signal to a controller  28  of the active electronic circuitry  16 . Placement of the light sensor  26  in the right antenna  24  advantageously allows detection of ambient light levels in situations in which the toy  12  is immersed in a less than transparent liquid; however, it should be appreciated that the light sensor  26  may be attached to a lower portion of the toy  12 . A left antenna  30  has an upper liquid sensor (“ULS”)  32  and a lower liquid sensor (“LLS”)  34  that sense the presence or absence of liquid, depicted as water  35 , defining three water levels  36 ,  36 ′,  36 ″ that are respectively a low level exposing both liquid sensors  32 ,  34  (“underfed”), a medium level covering only the lower liquid sensor  34  (“correctly fed”), and a high level covering both liquid sensors  32 ,  34  (“over fed”). 
         [0043]    It should be appreciated that the liquid depicted as water  35  as a convenient and safe option. However, applications consistent with the present invention may employ various liquids, mixtures, or solutions. To enhance the entertainment potential, various bubbling, foaming, color changing, or other effects may be selected for the interaction between the liquid and the chrysalis structure  20 . 
         [0044]    It should be further appreciated that the liquid container may be opaque rather than transparent, with the toy  12  viewed from the opening. Alternatively, a view window (not depicted) may be incorporated. In addition, although the test tube  22  advantageously orients an elongate shaped toy keeping certain sensors at or near the top level of the water  35 , liquid containers consistent with aspects of the present invention may be of other shapes, such as much larger than the toy  12 , such as those provided by the end user and not supplied with the interactive alien toy assembly  10 . Weighting a lower portion of the toy  12  and allowing a top portion to be buoyant would thus accomplish the orienting of the toy  12  for liquid level detection. 
         [0045]    Alternatively, flexible portions of an alien toy may further adapt to various water levels, especially when placed in a liquid container that may greatly vary in water depth. For example, weighted legs may stretch toward the bottom of the container and have sensors that detect when the toy is fully floating, when the legs are touching the bottom and when the body of the toy is touching the bottom. Similarly, elongate antennas or snorkels may float with the rest of the body being non-buoyant. 
         [0046]    The active electronic circuitry  16  is powered by a power supply  38 , which in the illustrative version is a battery. Alternatively, the power supply  38  may comprise dissimilar metal electrodes activated by filling the test tube  22  with electrolyte solution, an ultracapacitor or similar storage device charged inductively or by photovoltaic effect, etc. To extend useful life, visual and/or audio outputs are intermittently provided by low power consuming devices and the controller  28  is configured to go into a low power consumption mode under certain conditions described below. In illustrative versions, the controller  28  performs a status mode by activating a light assembly  39  composed of a translucent light panel  40  illuminated by a selected light emitting diode (LED), in particular a green LED  42 , an orange LED  44 , or a red LED  46 . In the illustrative version, a bi-color LED may be activated in (1) green or (2) red mode or in (3) both modes that appear orange. 
         [0047]    Alternatively or in addition to a visual cue, the active control circuitry  16  may include an audio device  48  to enhance the mimicry or mimic sounds of a living organism and/or to provide similar status information described herein as timed and sequenced color data displayed by the translucent light panel  40 . 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 2 , an exemplary active electronic circuitry  16 ′ for the alien toy  12  is built around a 4-bit microcontroller (U 2 ) that operates on very low current, such as the Model W541C200. The circuitry  16 ′ is powered at a Voltage Common Cathode (VCC) node once a short pad (S 1 ) is fused during fabrication to a positive terminal of a double 1.5V cell battery (BAT 1 ) referenced to circuit ground (GND). Protection to the circuitry  16 ′ is given by a 0.1 μF fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C 5 ) and a 4.7 μF fixed polarized capacitor (C 4 ) both connected across VCC node and GND node. The microcontroller (U 2 ) has both pin  5  and pin  10  (VSS) negative power supply (−) connected to GND node. The microcontroller (U 2 ) has both pin  20  and pin  25  (VDD) positive power supply (+) connected to VCC node. 
         [0049]    To generate a system clock, pin  26  (XOUT) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) is connected to GND node via an 18 pF fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C 9 ) and pin  27  (XOUU) is connected to GND node via an 18 pF fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C 1 ). An oscillator (Y 1 ) having a resonant frequency of 32.768 kHz is connected across pin  26  (XOUT) and pin  27  (XOUU). 
         [0050]    A test apparatus (SOCKET 1 ) allows interacting with a Writer to confirm operation of the circuitry  16 ′ during fabrication. To that end, A first pin of SOCKET 1  is connected to pin  4  (  RES ), a system reset pin with pull-high resistor of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A second pin of SOCKET 1  is connected to pin  2  (RA 3 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A third pin of the SOCKET 1  is connected to pin  5  (VSS) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C 3 ) is connected across the first and second pins of the SOCKET 1 . A fourth pin of the SOCKET 1  is connected to pin  3  (  INT ), external interrupt pin with pull-high resistor of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A fifth pin of SOCKET 1  is connected to VCC node and also connected to pin  3  (  INT ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) via a 330 kΩ resistor (R 8 ). A 10 kΩ resistor (R 7 ) is connected across the first and fifth pins of SOCKET 1 . A silicon epitaxial planar switching diode (D 1 ) model IN4148 has a negative terminal connective to the fourth pin of SOCKET 1  and a positive terminal connected to pin  18  (RC 2 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A silicon epitaxial planar switching diode (D 2 ) model IN4148 has a negative terminal connective to the fourth pin of SOCKET 1  and a positive terminal connected to pin  17  (RC 1 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). Pins  17 ,  18  of the microcontroller (U 2 ) are each biased by being connected to VCC node via 330 kΩ resistors (R 3 , R 4 ), respectively. The diodes D 1 , D 2  allow simulating activation of upper and lower liquid sensors. 
         [0051]    The upper and lower liquid sensors  32 ,  34  are provided in the exemplary version by a probe common conductor (PROBE COM) connected to pin  11  (RB 0 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) and physically proximate to a High Electrode (H) and physically proximate to a Low Electrode (L) for being electrically shorted in the presence of a conductive liquid. Alternatively, these High and Low Electrodes (H, L) may represent pressure switches triggered by the fluid pressure of the liquid. The High Electrode (H) is also connected to a base of an NPN silicon transistor (Q 4 ) model 9014D whose collector is connected to pin  18  (RC 2 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) and whose emitter is connected to GND node. Biasing of the transistor (Q 4 ) is provided with a 10 MΩ resistor (R 11 ) connected between the base and emitter. Filtering is provided for this high liquid level signal with a fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C 8 ) connected between pin  18  (RC 2 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) and the emitter of the transistor (Q 4 ). The Low Electrode (L) is connected to a base of an NPN silicon transistor (Q 3 ) model 9014D whose collector is connected to pin  17  (RC 1 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) and whose emitter is connected to GND node. Biasing of the transistor (Q 3 ) is provided with a 10 MΩ resistor (R 10 ) connected between the base and emitter. Filtering is provided for this low liquid level signal with a fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C 7 ) connected between pin  17  (RC 1 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ) and the emitter of the transistor (Q 3 ). 
         [0052]    The light sensor  26  in the exemplary version is provided an NPN silicon photo transistor (Q 5 ) model WPTS-332D whose emitter is connected via a short point (S 2 ) to the GND node and whose collector is connected via a 56 kΩ resistor (R 1 ) to a base of an NPN silicon transistor (Q 6 ) whose collector is connected to pin  16  (RC 0 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). Filter of the transistor (Q 6 ) are provided by a fixed nonpolarized 47 nF capacitor (C 6 ) between the base and GND node and by a fixed nonpolarized 47 nF capacitor (C 2 ) between the collector and the GND node. The emitter of the transistor (Q 6 ) is connected via a short point (S 3 ) to both GND node and to pin  12  (RB 1 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). Biasing of the photo transistor (Q 5 ) is provided by a series combination of resistors (R 2 , R 14 ) between VCC node and the collector, the resistance selected for a desired darkness threshold. The switched transistor (Q 6 ) is biased by VCC node being connected to the collector via a 330 k resistor (R 13 ). The collector is also connected to a test node (T 1 ). 
         [0053]    The light assembly  39  in the illustrative version is provided by a Red LED (LED 1 ) and a Green LED (LED 2 ) each having a negative terminal connected to GND node, with both being turned on to create Orange. Power is selectively provided to Red LED (LED 1 ) by a base of a PNP silicon transistor (Q 1 ) model 9015D being connected via a 10 kΩ resistor (R 5 ) to pin  6  (RE 0 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A collector of the transistor (Q 1 ) is connected to VCC node and an emitter is connected to a positive terminal of the Red LED (LED 1 ) via an 820Ω resistor (R 6 ). Power is selectively provided to Green LED (LED 2 ) by a base of a PNP silicon transistor (Q 2 ) model 9015D being connected via a 10 kΩ resistor (R 12 ) to pin  7  (RE 1 ) of the microcontroller (U 2 ). A collector of the transistor (Q 2 ) is connected to VCC node and an emitter is connected to a positive terminal of the Green LED (LED 2 ) via a 390Ω resistor (R 9 ). 
         [0054]    For a given inner diameter of a test tube  22 , various shapes of an alien toy  12  may be formed that increase the likelihood of additional purchases to complete a set. Each version, depicted in a fully grown state, may share the same electronic circuitry  16  or be programmed for different light responses tailored to a specific model. In  FIG. 2A , a “good alien” TATSUNI™ alien toy  12   a  is depicted. In  FIG. 2B , a “good alien” KURION™ alien toy  12   b  is depicted. In  FIG. 2C , a “good alien” YAGONI™ alien toy  12   c  is depicted. In  FIG. 2D , a “bad alien” SHAKO™ alien toy  12   d  is depicted. In  FIG. 2E , a “bad alien” DODEC™ alien toy  12   e  is depicted. In  FIG. 2F , a “bad alien” TAKON™ alien toy  12   f  is depicted. 
         [0055]    While an alien is depicted in the illustrative version, other aesthetic shapes may be employed consistent with aspects of the invention, such as fantastic sea creates such as mermaids, extinct ancient sea creatures such as trilobites, or realistic or caricatured animals such as a frog. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 3 , an exemplary state change procedure  50  performed by the controller  28  of the electronic circuitry  16  of  FIG. 1  depicts the various modes of the light assembly  39 . Upon fabrication, an initial state is “unborn” and/or test mode  52 . In  FIG. 4 , this stage before reaching an end user (“child”) begins with fabrication of the alien toy (block  54 ), which includes supplying power to the controller  28 . The controller  28  then enters a low power sleep mode (block  56 ), wherein outputs such as the light assembly  39  are disabled and processing is kept to a minimum. Once an antenna sensor  32 ,  34  is triggered in block  58 , the controller  28  is enabled to process and comes out of low power sleep mode. A determination is then made if a test mode has been externally commanded (block  60 ). Specifically, the controller  28  watches for the lower liquid sensor to be triggered three times within  2  seconds and then the upper liquid sensor to be triggered three times within a subsequent two seconds. This type of activation requires a test apparatus setup to initiate as may or may not happen prior to encasing the alien toy  12  and packaging for shipment to the end user. Although not depicted, the controller  28  also looks for simultaneous activation of both antenna sensors  32 ,  34  to go into normal mode, but procedural safeguards during fabrication in the test equipment, etc, may prevent inadvertent activation of the electronic circuitry  16  into normal mode. 
         [0057]    Alternatively, a physical disconnect of a power supply may further extend shelf life, such as a switch, pull tab or other device. 
         [0058]    If the test mode is sensed in block  60 , a test mode indication is output (e.g., 1 second illuminations of each LED  42 ,  44 ,  46  in turn) (block  62 ). Then the controller watches for any of the three sensors  26 ,  32 ,  34  to be triggered within a 10 second test mode period to test a specific LED  42 ,  44 ,  46 . In particular, if a determination is made in block  64  that the lower liquid sensor  34  is triggered, the red LED  46  is toggled on (block  66 ). Then if the upper liquid sensor  32  is triggered (block  68 ), the green LED  42  is toggled on (block  70 ). Then if the photo sensor  26  is triggered (block  72 ), the orange LED  44  is toggled on. These processing/lights tests occur in whatever order until a determination is made in block  76  that a 10 second time-out has occurred, after which the controller  28  goes back to block  56  and returns to sleep mode. 
         [0059]    At some point during fabrication, in block  78  the alien toy  12  is encased in a chrysalis that disables the sensors  26 ,  32 ,  34  and the assembly is packaged and shipped to an end user (block  80 ). The end user then begins play by placing the chrysalis into the test tube and adding water to dissolve the chrysalis (block  82 ). Next the antenna sensors  32 ,  34  are exposed to liquid and are activated (block  84 ). The controller makes a determination whether normal mode has been indicated (block  86 ) (e.g., simultaneous activation of both liquid sensors  32 ,  34  for two seconds). If not, the controller returns to sleep mode in block  88 . If normal mode is detected in block  86  with both antenna liquid sensors  32 ,  34  activated by exposure to water for two seconds, the controller  28  blocks out test mode as an option and initiates processing as a “born” alien and begins tracking time since being born and other light exposure factors (block  90 ). 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 5 , upon activation (i.e., when the alien toy  12  is “born”), the light assembly  39  exhibits a “heartbeat” ( FIG. 4 ) of a repeated series of a pair of 0.02 s color pulses spaced by 0.25 s followed by a 1.5 s low power sleep mode period. Proper care of the alien toy  12  requires proper amounts of time in both light and dark conditions. The life (of the battery  38 ) is maximized by placing the alien toy  12  in light for about 12-14 hours followed by about 12-14 hours of dark per day. (See Tables 1-2.) Either too much darkness or too much light increases power consumption by changing the “heart beat” of the alien toy  12  to a higher power consuming mode. The controller  28  monitors the light level every 15 s under normal conditions. Upon transitioning from light to darkness, monitoring increases to once per second for two minutes to detect a web interaction code, as described below. 
         [0061]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , the selected color (i.e., illuminated green, orange or red LED  42 ,  44 ,  46 ) of the light assembly  39  depends upon the water level sensed by the controller  28 . With a low level, the color is orange, which consumes more battery power by requiring illumination of two LEDs to create the color. With a correct level, the color is red. With a high (“over fed”) level, the color is green (block  104 ), which has a particular heartbeat pattern that does not depend on the light/dark state. See Table 3. This over fed state  104  trumps all other modes. If not overfed in block  104 , a state of “in light” of block  106 , Table 1, or “in dark” in block  108 , Table 3, is entered. The color pattern depends upon the duration of remaining in that state. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Alien in the light 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Time in 
                 LED 
                 LED 
                 LED 
                 LED on 
                 LED off 
                 Sequence 
               
               
                 State name 
                 Light 
                 color 
                 on Time 
                 off Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Duration 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 A 
                  0-12 hrs 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s 
                 0.25 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 1.5 s 
                 1.79 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 B 
                 12-14 hrs 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s 
                 0.25 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 0.7 s 
                 0.99 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 C 
                  14+ hrs 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s 
                 0.25 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 0.5 s 
                 0.79 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0062]    If the alien is in states A, B or C and placed in the dark, it moves directly to state D. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Alien in the Dark 
               
             
          
           
               
                 State 
                 Time in 
                 LED 
                 LED on 
                 LED 
                 LED on 
                 LED off 
                 Sequence 
               
               
                 name 
                 Dark 
                 color 
                 Time 
                 off Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Duration 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 D 
                  0-5 mins 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s  
                 0.25 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 1.5 s 
                 1.79 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 E 
                  5-30 mins 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s  
                 0.25 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 2.5 s 
                 2.79 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 F 
                 30 min-12 hrs 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s  
                 0.25 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 5.0 s 
                 5.29 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 G 
                 12-13 hrs 
                 Food 
                 0.5 s 
                 0.25 s 
                 0.5  
                 5.0 s 
                 6.25 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 H 
                 13-16 hrs 
                 Food 
                 1.0 s 
                  0.5 s 
                  1.0 s 
                 5.0 s 
                  7.5 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                 I 
                  16+ hrs 
                 Food 
                 1.5 s 
                   1 s 
                  1.5 s 
                 10.0 s  
                   14 s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dependant 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0063]    If the alien is in states D, E, F, G, H or I and placed in the light, it moves directly to state A. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Overfeeding/Drowning 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Time 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 State 
                 in 
                 LED 
                 LED on 
                 LED off 
                 LED on 
                 LED off 
                 Sequence 
               
               
                 name 
                 state 
                 color 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Duration 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 J 
                 0-2 
                 Green 
                   1 s 
                 0.5 s 
                   1 s 
                 0.5 s 
                   3 s 
               
               
                   
                 mins 
               
               
                 K 
                 2-4 
                 Green 
                  0.2 s 
                 0.25 s  
                  0.2 s 
                 0.25 s  
                 0.9 s 
               
               
                   
                 mins 
               
               
                 L 
                 4+ 
                 Green 
                 0.05 s 
                 0.2 s 
                 0.05 s 
                 0.2 s 
                 0.5 s 
               
               
                   
                 mins 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0064]    When the alien device  12  has been in the dark state  108  for 30 minutes to 10 hours or has been in the light state  106  for 30 minutes to 10 hours and transitions to the other state  106 ,  108 , the alien device enters one of six “surprised” transition states. If 0.5 to 3 hours in dark, then a first surprised state occurs (block  110 ) before moving to the normal light state (block  106 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: red—orange—green—off—red—orange—green—off—red—orange—green—off. 
         [0065]    If 3 to 7 hours in dark, then a second surprised state occurs (block  112 ) before moving to the normal light state (block  110 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: orange—green—red—off—orange—green—red—off—orange—green—red—off. 
         [0066]    If 7 to 10 hours in light, then a third surprised state occurs (block  114 ) before moving to the normal light state. As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: green—red—orange—off—green—red—orange—off—green—red—orange—off. 
         [0067]    Similarly, if in light in block  106  for 30 minutes to 3 hours, a fourth surprised state occurs (block  116 ) before moving to the normal dark state (block  108 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: red—green—orange—off—red—green—orange—off—red—green—orange—off. 
         [0068]    If in light in block  106  for 3 to 7 hours, a fifth surprised state occurs (block  118 ) before moving to the normal dark state (block  108 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: orange—red—green—off—orange—red—green—off—orange—red—green—off. 
         [0069]    If in light in block  106  for 7 to 10 hours, a sixth surprised state occurs (block  120 ) before moving to the normal dark state (block  108 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: green—orange—red—off—green—orange—red—off—green—orange—red—off. 
         [0070]    If the duration is not 30 minutes to 10 hours that results in a surprised state,  110 - 120 , the transition between light  106  to dark  108  or dark  108  to light  106  may be direct without a transition state if less than 30 minutes or 10 to 12 hours as depicted. If more than twelve hours, then a neglected transition state occurs. 
         [0071]    If in light in block  106  for 12 to 14 hours, a first neglected state occurs (block  122 ) before moving to the normal dark state (block  108 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: red—green—red—off—red—green—red—off—red—green—red—off. 
         [0072]    If in light in block  106  for over 14 hours, a second neglected state occurs (block  124 ) before moving to the normal dark state (block  108 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: green—red—green—off—green—red—green—off—green—red—green—off. 
         [0073]    Similarly, if in dark in block  108  for 12 to 16 hours, a third neglected state occurs (block  126 ) before moving to the normal light state (block  106 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: orange—green—orange—off—orange—green—orange—off—orange—green—orange—off. 
         [0074]    If in dark in block  108  for over 16 hours, a fourth neglected state occurs (block  128 ) before moving to the normal light state (block  106 ). As graphically depicted in  FIG. 6 , the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes: green—orange—green—off—green—orange—green—off—green—orange—green—off. 
         [0075]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , in addition to responding to environmental conditions such as water depth and the presence or absence of light, the alien toy  12  advantageously interacts with coded light-dark flashed sequences by initially making a determination if a web mode selected state (block  130 ) has been commanded, and then to move to an age check state (block  132 ), a neglect check state (block  134 ), a ten minute excited state (block  136 ), or a lower power coma state (block  138 ). 
         [0076]    For instances in which the user chooses to exit the excited state (block  136 ) and/or the coma state (block  138 ) or to otherwise correct a malfunction or inadvertent state of the control circuitry  16 , a reset button or other similar device may be incorporated into the alien toy  12  to return the control circuitry  16  to another state. For example, an internal gravity switch may interrupt power to the control circuitry  16  when the alien toy  12  is upside down, preventing operation if inserted upside down in the test tube  22  or serving as a reset if momentarily inverted. 
         [0077]    In  FIG. 7 , the web mode selected state  130  is invoked by placing the alien toy  12  in dark for at least 15 seconds, since the normal light/dark detection rate is once every 15 seconds. Then the alien device  12  is placed in light for at least 15 seconds. Again, this ensures that the state change has been detected. With a detected dark/light transition, the alien toy  12  begins to monitor light conditions once per second for two minutes before reverting back to the 15 second interval. Thus, when a subsequent one second dark indication is sensed, the web mode selected state  130  is triggered. The alien toy  12  looks for the next three light/dark samples taken once per second to indicate three-bit command, followed by a three second light command that the alien toy  12  takes as a stop condition and coincides with a wait period before the new state  132 - 138  is entered. In  FIG. 7 , the unique  3 -bit code for age check is LIGHT-DARK-LIGHT. 
         [0078]    In response to the age interrogation code, the alien toy  12  enters the age check state  132 . Once the three second delay elapses to give the end user child time to be prompted to look at the light assembly  39  of the alien toy  12 , a visual age code is displayed that may be input into an interactive computer graphical user interface to translate an 8-bit binary number into a base ten number. For example, in  FIG. 8 , first a four second orange indication is given, then green half second flashes for zeroes and red half-second flashes for ones are given, with half second off states between color flashes. After a stop 4 second orange indication, the 8-bit code replays and ends with another four second orange indication (not shown). In  FIG. 8 , the 8-bit binary code given is 0000 0101, which is 5 days old. In  FIG. 9 , the 8-bit binary code given is 0011 1010, which is 58 days old. 
         [0079]    In  FIG. 10 , the web mode selected state  130  has occurred but the subsequent 3-bit unique code received is a dark-light-dark that indicates neglect check state  134 . Supposing that previously the alien toy  12  had been in the third and fourth dark neglected states  126 ,  128  five and one times respectively, then  FIG. 11  depicts a 5-bit binary register representation of a dark neglected counter register  140  containing 00110, which is 6. Further supposing that previously the alien toy  12  had indicated the first and second light neglected states  122 ,  124  zero and five times respectively, then  FIG. 12  depicts a 5-bit register representation of a light neglected counter register  142  containing 00101, which is 5. In  FIG. 13 , in neglect check state  134  with reference to these registers  140 ,  142 , the alien toy  12  displays a 4 second orange flash, followed by 10 half second color flashes of green for zero and red for one with interspersed half second off between color flashes, followed by 4 second orange flash, a repeat of the 10-bit display, and then a 4 second orange stop flash. The first 5 bits of information correspond to the dark neglected counter register  140  and the second 5 bits of information correspond to the light neglected counter register  142 . Thus, in  FIG. 13 , the 10-bit code for 0011000101 is green—green—red—red—green—green—green—red—green—red. The counters  140 ,  142  reach their maximum count at binary 11111, which is 31. This value is maintained if subsequent neglected states are encountered. 
         [0080]    In  FIG. 14 , if after web mode selected state  130  is entered and the next 3-bit unique code received is dark-dark-light, then the excited state  136  is entered, which imparts a temporary change in the heartbeat of the alien toy  12  to a rapid beat. Thus, the timing of the heartbeat depicted in  FIG. 5  would be modified as described in Table 4. The alien toy  12  returns to ‘normal’ condition (state A of Table 1, light state  106  or state D of Table 2, dark state  108 , as appropriate) after 10 minutes. Detecting an overfed state  104  overrides the excited state  136 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Time 
                   
                   
                 LED 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 State 
                 in 
                 LED 
                 LED on 
                 off 
                 LED on 
                 LED off 
                 Sequence 
               
               
                 name 
                 state 
                 color 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Duration 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 M 
                 10 
                 Food 
                 0.05 s 
                 0.2 s 
                 0.05 s 
                 0.2 s 
                 0.5 s 
               
               
                   
                 mins 
                 dependent 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0081]    In  FIG. 15 , if after web mode selected state  130  is entered and the next 3-bit unique code received is light-light-dark, then the coma state  138  is entered, which imparts a change in the heartbeat of the alien toy  12  to a slow beat and suspends incrementing a counter used for the age check state  132 . Thus, the timing of the heartbeat depicted in  FIG. 5  would be modified as described in Table 5. The alien toy  12  remains in the coma state  138  until an overfed state  104  is detected, or otherwise until a light state  106  is detected (State A of Table 1). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 LED 
                   
                 LED 
                   
               
               
                 State 
                 Time in 
                 LED 
                 LED on 
                 off 
                 LED on 
                 off 
                 Sequence 
               
               
                 name 
                 state 
                 color 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Time 
                 Duration 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 N 
                 Until 
                 Food 
                 0.02 s 
                 0.5 s 
                 0.02 s 
                 10 s 
                 10.54 s 
               
               
                   
                 light is 
                 dependent 
               
               
                   
                 detected 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0082]    In use, in  FIG. 16 , the chrysalis structure  20  is inserted into the test tube  22 . In  FIG. 17 , the test tube  22  is filled with water  35 . In  FIG. 18 , the water soluble chrysalis  20  dissolves into solution. In  FIG. 19 , the chrysalis  20  is completely dissolved, exposing the immature alien toy  12  that is thus “born” and begins its light heartbeat on the light assembly  39 . In  FIG. 20 , if the level of water  35  is too high at level  36 ″ fully covering the left antenna  30 , then the light assembly  39  of the alien toy  12  is green, activating the green LED  39 . In  FIG. 21 , if the level of water  35  is too low at level  36  fully exposing the left antenna  30 , then the light assembly  39  of the alien toy  12  is red, activating the red LED  44 . In  FIG. 22 , if the level of water  35  is correct at a midpoint of the left antenna  30  at level  36 , then the light assembly  39  of the alien toy  12  is orange, activating the orange LED  46 . The immature alien toy  12  of  FIG. 23  with a non-expanded immature body portion  18  is exposed to the water  35 . In  FIG. 24 , after a week of exposure to water  35 , the adolescent alien toy  12 ′ has the mid-sized adolescent body portion  18 ′. After about two weeks of exposure to water  35 , the mature alien toy  12 ″ has a full-sized mature body portion  18 ″. 
         [0083]    The interactive alien toy assembly  10  may be placed next to web browser graphical user interface (GUI)  150  of a computer display  152  to provide further interactive possibilities other than varying the light and water depth. Once launched, the web browser GUI  150  instructs the end user child to turn off the lights in the room in which the computer display  152  resides to initiate web mode selection state  130 . The approximately 15 seconds necessary in darkness (state  108 ) then elapses. Active spots on the web browser GUI  150  are provided to select one of four web modes. In particular, an age check icon  154  may be selected to enter age check mode  132 . A neglect check icon  156  may be selected to enter neglect check mode  134 . An excite mode icon  158  may be selected to enter the excite mode state  136 . A coma mode icon  160  may be selected to enter the coma state  138 . Once one of the icons  154 - 160  is selected, which in the illustrative version is the neglect check icon  156 , a display portion  162  on the web browser GUI  150  proximate to the alien toy  12 —“hypnotizes” the alien toy  12  prior to interrogation for 15 seconds that ends with the one second dark screen that signals the alien toy  12  that the unique 3-bit code is to follow. The display portion at  162   a  has gone black as the first bit. The display portion at  162   b  has gone white as the second bit. The display portion at  162   c  has gone black as the third bit. After the web browser GUI  150  instructs the child to memorize the light pattern exhibited by the alien toy  12 , the web browser GUI  150  provides a color sequence entry screen  164 , if in the age check mode  132  or neglect check mode  134 , that accepts entry of the displayed pattern. The web browser GUI  150  then converts the input binary code into a base ten number in an output display  166 . 
         [0084]    It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material. 
         [0085]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art. 
         [0086]    For example, the web browser GUI may be an Internet supplied JAVA applet, or locally installed computer program, a game console-based program, or a dedicated interface device that becomes part of the interactive alien toy assembly  10 . 
         [0087]    For example, alternatively or in addition to a flashed interrogation pattern on a computer monitor, a microphone or other audio transducer may monitor a sound pattern emanated by the computer monitor to control the toy. In addition, while an interactive web browser GUI has various advantages, applications consistent with the present invention may include a broadcast program that includes the interrogation patterns with instructions for the viewers to place their toy in proximity to the screen. 
         [0088]    As another example, while the “growth” of the alien toy  12  enhances the mimicry of a living creature, it should be appreciated that applications consistent with the present invention may not have an expansive portion. For example, a “meteorite transported aquatic robotic soldier” may require a period of time in an ocean environment after reentry for activation. 
         [0089]    As an additional example, instead of swelling in the presence of water, a toy consistent with aspects of the invention may change over time by having resilient portions that are freed after release from the chrysalis structure or that are otherwise mechanized for actuation. 
         [0090]    As yet a further example, while incorporation of a chrysalis structure enhances the entertainment potential, applications consistent with the present invention may omit such a structure. 
         [0091]    As yet an additional example, applications consistent with the present invention may include a body formed entirely from a rigid material, formed entirely from a resilient but nonabsorbent material, formed entirely from a super absorbent, swelling material, or from some combination of these materials. 
         [0092]    While a particular sequence of interrogation light signals and colored, timed light responses are illustrated herein, applications consistent with the present invention may employ various combinations of light and/or audio responses to various combinations of light and/or audio interrogation or ambient conditions. For example, the web page interface may include color codes that are detectable by a light sensor to make additional unique interrogation codes and/or to avoid inadvertent activation of a web mode. Certain sound triggers could also “wake” or “excite” or “surprise” the alien toy. Further, for clarity, a single color signal at a time is depicted, whereas multiple colors may be displayed at the same time. Moreover, instead of LED type lights, light panels (e.g., LCD, OLED, etc.) may be incorporated into the alien toy.