Abstract:
A toy wand consisting of a cylindrical housing with a proximal and distal end, power source, voice-activated functionality, a plurality of LEDs, an input microphone, an output speaker, a plurality of control mechanisms, a means of direct-contact data communication port, and a variety of sensors. The LEDs and speaker provide visual and audible output in response to the voice-activated control unit recognition of user spoken commands. The voice-activate toy wand may also interact with other toys of similar construction employing infrared or other means of wireless signal emission and wireless signal detection.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to voice-activated toys and methods of play which accept spoken commands from a user to provide a magical play experience.  
       DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Toys that include voice-recognition circuitry are currently known and available. Primarily, such toys that exist in this domain include dolls or other personified objects. The incorporation of voice-activated technology to these devices has become an important feature to their usability and market potential. Also currently available are toys specifically designed to replicate a magical or wizard-oriented play experience, many originating in association with the Harry Potter™ book series created by J. K Rowling and accompanying motion pictures, produced by Warner Bros. Studios. Based on the success of both the books and movies, a substantial market exists for toys relating to wizards and more specifically, Harry Potter™.  
         [0003]     However, current state of the art toy wands do not offer a voice-activated interface, and are limited to perform basic output of light and sound functions directly controlled though the manual actuation of buttons or switches. These toys do not provide a simulated “magical” play experience.  
         [0004]     Some patents are issued relating to the goal of simulating a magical play experience. Specifically, Weston, et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,761,637/2004, 6,967,566/2005) describe a wand used as a part of a simulated ride or a part of a play environment. The wand described in these patents is only used to interact and control the surroundings and is not primarily voice-controlled. Weston&#39;s device primarily uses RFID and interacts with the environment through a central master control system. The present invention does not require any exterior control system and will only interact with like toys.  
         [0005]     The present invention is not to be confused with common wand lights as used in directing airport traffic and in other like applications such as in Riblett U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,684/2001. The present invention is also not to be confused with an LED flashlight such as Neiser describes in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,358/2005 because the single purpose of these devices is to provide light and the present invention will emit light as one part of a complex combination of output signals.  
         [0006]     A more similar invention is that of Holt U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,728/2003 that is a wand in which all input is received through motion sensors and there is no voice-activated control. This invention is only similar in that it represents a toy magic wand used to simulate a magical play experience.  
         [0007]     The goal of the present invention is to provide a simulated magical play experience for a user that resembles the casting of magical spells by popular literary and cinematic characters with greater accuracy and usability than currently available devices. These characters traditionally use a magical wand and spoken incantation to channel their magical ability. Incorporation of the voice-activated control unit allows the user to initiate functions by speaking an otherwise vain incantation, thereby providing a more accurate representation of a magical experience. The present invention produces new and unexpected results where no other toy wand is controlled via voice interface. This deviation in interface provides the most accurate magical play experience compared to the known prior art. Presently, no such invention exists which provides such accurate replication of the magical adeptness possessed by the aforementioned literary and cinematic characters.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention describes a toy wand equipped with speech-recognition circuitry to act as the sole interface between device and user. This technology provides a more authentic magical play experience to the user who may initiate functions of the toy wand employing a known incantation.  
         [0009]     Additional functionality may be incorporated to the toy wand through the attachment of an accessory. A method of play, both interactive and individual, is also disclosed incorporating the aforementioned voice-activated toy wand. A toy wand that can be turned on or off and also switched between operation modes, including single user mode, herein referred to as “individual mode”, and multi-user mode, herein referred to as “interactive mode”. The interactive mode is initiated by the attachment of an accessory herein referred to as the interactive accessory.  
         [0010]     Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and several details of the invention can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1 -A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the proximal end of the voice-activated toy wand;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1 -B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the distal end of the voice-activated toy wand;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary detail of the distal end of the voice-activated toy wand with emphasis on the system power switch and control switch locations;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3 -A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the proximal end of the voice-activated toy wand with interactive accessory attached;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3 -B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the distal end of the voice-activated toy wand with interactive accessory attached;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4 -A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the distal end of the interactive accessory;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4 -B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the proximal end of the interactive accessory;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the preferred embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating component interaction of the voice-activated toy wand voice-activated control unit;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the voice-activated control unit;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the voice-activated toy wand&#39;s means of direct contact data communications with the interactive accessory communication bus;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a plurality of wands operating under interactive mode with interactive accessories attached;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating logical system operation;  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is pseudo code of the sub-function executed in response to wireless signal detection by the wireless signal sensors; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a detailed view of the voice-activated toy wand input-interface switch, communication bus, and communication bus contacts. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     In the following detailed description of the present invention, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.  
         [0028]     Voice-Activated Wand Specification  
         [0029]     The voice-activated toy wand  20  consists of a hollow housing  52 , a voice-activated control unit  26 , a means for accepting an audible input  24 , an input interface switch  36 , a system power switch  34 , a means for producing an audible output  22 , a plurality of light emitting diodes  38  (LEDs), and a power source  32 . The hollow housing  52  comprises a translucent polymer tip  40 , wherein said tip  40  protects the plurality of LEDs  38  while permitting the transmission of visible and non-visible wavelengths of light. The voice-activated toy wand may further comprise a means of emitting a wireless signal  48  and a means of detecting a wireless signal  50 . The voice-activated toy wand may further comprise a means of direct contact data communication  28  whereby said means of direct contact data communication provides a connection to the interactive accessory internal components  84 . The voice-activated control unit is responsible for controlling all functions of the voice-activated toy wand  20  and attachable accessory  30 .  
         [0030]     Voice-Activated Wand—Control Unit Specification  
         [0031]     The preferred embodiment of the voice-activated control unit  26  shall comprise the Sensory RSC-4128 voice-activated microcontroller  66  manufactured by Sensory, Inc.  FIG. 7  provides a block diagram of the Sensory RSC-4128 voice-activated microcontroller  66 , provided by Sensory Inc. (www.sensoryinc.com). The preferred embodiment of the voice-activated control unit  26  features highly accurate voice recognition and system control capability. The circuitry is capable of providing a speaker-independent interface that may accept spoken commands from a diverse variety of users, regardless of the age or gender of said speaker. The voice-activated control unit  26  shall control the components, functions, and features of the voice-activated toy wand  20 . The general-purpose I/O 3×8 bit ports  54  provide a means of communication between the means of direct contact data communication  28  and the voice-activated control unit  26 . Details relating to specific circuit layout and assembly of the voice-activated control unit system are readily appreciated by one skilled in the art.  
         [0032]     Voice-Activated Wand—Control Unit Operation Modes  
         [0033]     Operating modes govern the system control capability of the voice-activated control unit  26 , wherein each operating mode is responsible for executing system code dependent on the system configuration. The user may adjust the system configuration through activation of a switch  34  or button  36 . Under a preferred embodiment, the user shall adjust the system configuration per the attachment of an accessory  30  to the voice-activated control unit  26  via the voice-activated toy wand communication bus  82  or detachment of an accessory  30  from the voice-activated control unit  26  via the voice activated toy wand communication bus  82 . The preferred embodiment of available operating modes shall comprise “individual mode” and “interactive mode”. Under a preferred embodiment, the default operating mode of the voice-activated control unit is individual mode.  
         [0034]     Under a preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the voice-activated control unit  26  shall detect the attachment of the attachable accessory  30  through the detection of conductivity among a known plurality of conductive communication bus contacts  68 . Furthermore, the voice-activated control unit  26  shall detect components within the attachable accessory  30  through the detection of conductivity among a known plurality of conductive communication bus contacts  68 . Upon the attachment and detection of an attachable accessory  30 , the voice-activated control unit  26  may amend the operating mode to one of a plurality of available operating modes. The connection and detection of the interactive accessory  30  shall amend the operating mode of the voice-activated control  26  unit to interactive mode. Upon the removal of an attachable accessory  30  from the voice-activated toy wand  20 , the operating mode of the voice-activated control unit  26  shall return to the default operating mode.  
         [0035]     Voice-Activated Wand—Input Interface Switch Specification  
         [0036]     The disclosed invention shall comprise a minimum quantity of switches or buttons visible from the exterior of voice-activated toy wand  20 , thereby limiting the quantity of non-magical features providing a more magical play experience for the user.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates the input interface switch  36  and the system power switch  34 . The input interface switch  36  controls connectivity between the microphone  24  and voice-activated control unit  26 . The system power switch  34  controls the flow of electricity between the power source and the voice-activated control unit  26 . Additionally, the system power switch  34  or input interface switch  36  may also control the operating mode of the voice-activated control unit  26  by substituting SPST (single pole single throw) switches with DPST (double pole single throw switches) as appreciated by one skilled in the art.  
         [0038]     Voice-Activated Wand—Microphone Specification  
         [0039]     The voice-activated control unit  26  shall receive spoken commands by a user  64  via a microphone  24  connected to said voice-activated control unit  26 . The microphone  24  type may include high-impedance or low-impedance. The pickup pattern of the microphone may include omni-directional, bi-directional, cardioid, hyper-cardioid, or shotgun. A preferred embodiment of the current invention shall incorporate a low-impedance omni directional microphone. A small bore  56  shall be present through the housing of the voice-activated toy wand  20 , whereby said bore  56  permits the microphone  24  to more accurately receive the user spoken command  64 .  
         [0040]     Voice-Activated Wand—Communication Bus  
         [0041]     The voice-activated control unit  26  may provide a means of direct contact data communication  28  comprising a communication bus  82 . Furthermore, the communication bus shall comprise a plurality of conductive contacts  68 . The voice-activated toy wand communication bus conductive contacts  68  shall connect to a corresponding plurality of attachable accessory communication bus conductive contacts  70 .  
         [0042]     Voice-Activated Wand—LEDs, Infrared Emitters, Infrared Sensors, &amp; Speaker  
         [0043]     A plurality of LEDs  38  may be located at the distal end of the voice-activated toy wand  20  to provide illumination  60  in response to a user spoken command  64  recognized by the voice-activated control unit  26 . The plurality of LEDs  38  located at the distal end of the voice-activated toy wand  20  may comprise one or a plurality of infrared (IR) emitters  48 . Furthermore, the plurality of LEDs  38  located at the distal end of the voice-activated toy wand  26  may include one or a plurality of IR sensors  50 . An output speaker  22  located at the proximal end of the voice-activated toy wand  20  may provide audible output  58  in response to a user spoken command  64  recognized by the voice-activated control unit  26 .  
         [0044]     Interactive Accessory—Specification  
         [0045]     A preferred embodiment of the voice-activated toy wand  20  shall include the interactive accessory. The interactive accessory may comprise, wireless signal emitters  72 , wireless signal detectors  74 , a plurality of user-communication display LEDs  42 , and a means of direct contact data communication  44 . Under a preferred embodiment, the wireless signal emitters shall comprise an IR emitter  72 . Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the wireless signal detectors shall comprise an IR sensor  74 . The means of attachment  46  of the interactive accessory  30  to the voice-activated toy wand housing  52  may comprise spring-loaded clips, threaded holes, nuts and bolts, chemical adhesive, or press/interference fit  46  as readily appreciated by one skilled in the art.  
         [0046]     Interactive Accessory—Wireless Signal Emission and Detection  
         [0047]     A preferred embodiment of the interactive accessory means of wireless signal emission  76  shall comprise one or a plurality of IR LEDs  72 . Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the interactive accessory means of wireless signal detection  78  shall comprise one or a plurality of IR sensors  74 .  
         [0048]     Interactive Accessory—LED Specification and Function  
         [0049]     The interactive accessory  30  may further comprise a means for displaying a quantity  96  to the user of the voice-activated toy wand  20 . Under a preferred embodiment, the quantity of illuminated display LEDs  42  shall represent a score of remaining life points relevant to the disclosed method of interactive play. The plurality of display LEDs  42  shall align with the user to provide optimal observation of said plurality of display LEDs  42  from the distal end viewpoint of the voice-activated toy wand  20 . The state of each of the display LEDs  42  may comprise either illuminated or not illuminated. The voice-activated control unit  26  shall control the state of the plurality of interactive accessory display LEDs  42 .  
         [0050]     Wireless Signal Detection Sub-Function Pseudo Code  
         [0051]     Upon detection of a wireless signal  62  by the voice-activated toy wand wireless signal sensors  88  or the attachable accessory wireless signal sensors  78 , an event is triggered  80 . The result of a triggered event may comprise a plurality of functions and sub-functions, including the Wireless Signal Detection Sub Function  90 , illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The Wireless Signal Detection Sub-Function  90  may comprise actions including emission of audible tones  58  and patterns of illuminated LEDs  60 . If the operating mode of the voice-activated control unit  26  is operating in interactive mode, the Wireless Signal Detection Sub-Function  90  may further comprise actions including the calculation of a number. The calculated number directs the quantity of illuminated accessory display LEDs  42 . Under a preferred embodiment, a user will have an allowance of 5 event occurrences, thus 5 illuminated accessory display LEDs  42  at the start of interactive play. As wireless signals are detected, events are triggered, resulting in execution of the Wireless Signal Detection Sub-Function  90 . The voice-activated control unit  26  will calculate the quantity of remaining illuminated accessory display LEDs  42 , and display the corresponding quantity of illuminated accessory display LEDs  42 . If the voice-activated microcontroller  26  does not detect that the interactive accessory is attached, the Wireless Signal Detection Sub-Function will skip the illuminated accessory display LED  42  calculation.  
         [0052]     Toy Wand Operating Procedure—Method of Individual Play  
         [0053]     The user initiates operation of the voice-activated toy wand  20  by switching the system power switch  34  to allow the flow of electricity from the power source  32  to the voice-activated control unit  26 . The user shall speak a command  64  while depressing the input interface switch  36 . Depressing the input interface switch  36  activates the microphone  24  connected to the voice-activated control unit  26 , permitting said voice-activated control unit  26  to receive and process the spoken command  64 . Depressing the input interface switch  36  ensures that the voice-activated control unit  26  receives only the intended spoken command  64 , thereby reducing the occurrence of unintended mistaken command recognition resulting in unintended audio output  58  and visual output  60 . If the voice-activated control unit  26  recognizes the received spoken command  64 , an audible output  58  and visual output  60  unique to said received spoken command  64 , shall result.  
         [0054]     If the operating mode of the voice-activated control  26  unit has been amended to “individual mode”, output generated in response to a recognized spoken command  64  by the voice-activated control unit  26  may comprise illumination  60  of a plurality of LEDS  38  and output of audible output  58  from the output speaker  22 .  
         [0055]     Toy Wand Operating Procedure—Method of Interactive Play  
         [0056]     The user initiates operation of the voice-activated toy wand  20  by switching the system power switch  34  to allow the flow of electricity from the power source  32  to the voice-activated control unit  26 . Under a preferred embodiment, the user initiates interactive play of the voice-activated toy wand  20  by attaching the interactive accessory  30 . Depressing the input interface switch  36  activates the microphone  24  connected to the voice-activated control unit  26 , thereby permitting said voice-activated control unit  26  to receive and process the spoken command  64 . Depressing the input interface switch  36  ensures that the voice-activated control unit  26  receives only the intended spoken command  64 , thereby reducing the occurrence of unintended mistaken command recognition resulting in unintended audio output  58  and visual output  60 . If the voice-activated control unit  26  recognizes the spoken command  64 , an output unique to said spoken command  64  shall result.  
         [0057]     If the operating mode of the voice-activated control unit  26  is interactive mode, said voice-activated control unit  26  may produce an output in response to a recognized spoken command  64  further comprising the emission of an IR signal  62  by the interactive accessory IR emitter  72 . If the operating mode of the voice-activated control unit  26  is interactive mode, said voice-activated control unit  26  may activate the interactive accessory IR sensor  74 . If the interactive accessory IR sensor  74  detects an IR signal  62 , the voice-activated control unit  26  may adjust the state of the plurality of interactive accessory display LEDs  42  to display one fewer illuminated LED than was displayed immediately before said IR sensor  74  detected said IR signal  62 . The interactive magical play experience continues until the state of the plurality of interactive accessory display LEDs  42  is devoid of illuminated LEDs.  
         [0058]     While the present invention has been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, the present invention is not so limited, but rather covers various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.