Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention an interactive toy includes a body, a head extending from a front portion of the body and a plurality of feet extending downwardly from the body. A pair of sensors are separately positioned on the left and right sides of the toy, and the sensors activate upon receiving a signal. A microprocessor is in communication with the pair of sensors controls a mechanical movements of the toy upon activation of the sensors. In one embodiment the mechanical movements of the toy include a pair of motors separately driving a gear spur meshed to a wheel. Each wheel extends from underneath the toy to drive the toy on a surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/625,425 filed on Nov. 5, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an interactive moving toy, such as a plush figure or animal, that has an area or enclosure that the figure automatically returns to and enters. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Interactive toys are well known in the prior art. A toy created by one of the current inventors included a toy vehicle that returned to and entered a “garage.” However, various improvements in returning a toy to an area or enclosure are desired. For example, toys are often placed on tracks or rails to direct and guide a toy into an enclosure. And a toy&#39;s ability to enter into a designated area or enclosure and turn around such that it is facing out is often limited to having tracks or rails in the designated area. It is thus an improvement over the prior art to provide a toy that can be freely directed without tracks or rails into a designated area and have the toy automatically turn around. In addition, it is desired to have a toy that if placed around the side of the area could use sensing devices to move itself and maneuver into a proper position and automatically guide itself into the area. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention an interactive toy includes a body, a head extending from a front portion of the body and a plurality of feet extending downwardly from the body. A sensor is positioned on the left and right sides of the toy, and the sensors activate upon receiving a signal. A microprocessor, which is in communication with the pair of sensors, controls a mechanical means to move the toy upon activation of the sensors. In one embodiment the means to move the toy includes a pair of motors separately driving a gear spur meshed to a wheel. Each wheel extends from underneath the toy to drive the toy on a surface. 
   The toy may also include a pair of feet positioned on either side of the toy. Each foot includes a bottom portion secured to a cam that is driven by a gear train meshed to the gear spur. And each foot includes a slot in a top portion sized to receive a pin secured to the body of the toy. Thus when the gear spur rotates, each foot moves up and down while the bottom portion reciprocates. 
   The toy may also include a lead switch positioned in the front end of the toy and in communication with the microprocessor that will play preprogrammed responses upon activation of the lead switch. The lead switch has a portion extending outwardly from the front end of the toy that when pulled activates the lead switch. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the toy is used in connection with a designated area therefor. The designated area has an entrance, and a transmitter positioned within the designated area for sending a signal out of the entrance. The microprocessor will guide and move the toy through the entrance of the designated area when the toy&#39;s sensors receive the signal from the transmitter. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the toy includes a reference pointer sensor positioned underneath the toy and in communication with the microprocessor that plays preprogrammed responses upon activation of the reference pointer sensor. The reference pointer sensor is used in connection with pointers on the floor of the designated area. The microprocessor controls and moves the toy within the designated area as the toy moves over the pointers on the floor such that the toy is able to turn itself around and face out the entrance of the designated area. 
   In another aspect of the invention the toy includes pairs of transmitter/sensors, and has a microprocessor that moves the toy in response to the sensors receiving signals reflected off of an obstacle on the surface. The toy is thus able to automatically maneuver around such obstacles and orient itself to a proper position for entering the designated area. 
   Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy and enclosure therefor in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the toy without its outer covering; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the internal components of the toy; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the toy; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the motor and drive train used to rotate the wheels and reciprocate the legs of the toy; 
       FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of the enclosure and a transmitter; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a toy positioned at three different angles towards the entrance of the enclosure; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the toy and enclosure illustrating the magnetic strips and rails used to guide and orient the toy within the enclosure; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the internal components of another embodiment of the toy having a pair receiver/transmitters; 
       FIG. 10   a  is a sectional view of the internal components of another embodiment of the toy having a pair receivers on either side of the toy and a pair of receiver/transmitters on either side of the toy to help maneuver the toy around objects; 
       FIG. 10   b  illustrates the toy from  FIG. 10   a  being able to move around a designated area and which is capable of orienting itself into position to move into the designated area; and 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the internal components of another embodiment of the toy having a pair receiver/transmitters on either side of the toy and a single receiver in the front of the toy. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention, an interactive moving toy  100  is shown along with a designated area  300  or in this instance an enclosure. The toy is illustrated as a animal, however, the toy&#39;s shape or appearance can change without effecting the scope of the invention. In addition, the appearance or shape of the designated area  300  may relate to the toy&#39;s appearance. For example, if the toy is a car the designated area may be a car port or garage, alternatively, if the toy is a dog, the designated area may be dog house or have the appearance of a fenced yard. It is important to note that the designated area may or may not include walls, roofs or related items. 
   The toy  100 , shown without its outer covering  102  in  FIGS. 2-5 , includes a body  104 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the toy  100  includes various appendages extending from the body  104 . The appendages include legs  106  and a head  108 . The toy  100  also includes switches positioned about the body that when activated sets off specific pre-programmed responses that are stored on a microprocessor  110 . For example, the toy  100  includes a head switch  120  that when a user actives by rubbing or pressing the user&#39;s hand across the top of the head  108 , activates a set of pre-programmed responses. The pre-programmed responses may include movement and/or sound responses. The movement of the toy  100  is explained in detail below. The sound responses are emitted through a speaker  122 . Various pre-recorded sounds may be stored on the microprocessor  110 . 
   The toy  100  may also include a sound activated switch or microphone  124 , which when activated by a loud sound sets off specific pre-programmed responses that are stored on the microprocessor  110 . Similarly, the responses may include movement and/or sound responses. 
   The toy  100  may also include a mouth switch or sensor  126  positioned in the front of the head  108 . If a mouth switch is used (such as a mechanical switch) the switch will activate when a user presses a object (such as a dog toy  128 ) into the mouth switch. The mouth switch preferably is configured to also frictionally grab and hold onto the object. As such, as long as the bone  128  is pressed and held against the mouth switch, the activation of the switch will cause the microprocessor to run a set of pre-programmed responses. If a mouth sensor  126  is used, a magnet  127  positioned in the mouth sensor engages and holds onto a magnet  129  positioned in the bone  128 . The mouth switch or sensor would be sewn into the outer covering  102 . 
   The toy  100  may further include a lead switch  130  positioned about or below the neck or collar portion  114 . When the lead switch  130  is pulled it is activated, causing the microprocessor to run a set of pre-programmed responses. The pre-programmed responses could move the toy backwards such as in a tug of war or could move the toy forwards such as if the toy was following the user. A leash  132  can be removably attached to the lead switch  130  by providing a clip (not shown) that the user secured around a ring  134  operatively secured to the lead switch  130 . When the user pulls the leash  132 , the ring  134  pulls and activates the lead switch  132 . The lead switch  130  may automatically return to the off position once the leash is released. However, once the lead switch  130  is activated, the microprocessor may run the pre-programmed responses in their entirety or randomly, and will keep playing the pre-programmed responses as long as the lead switch is subsequently activated. 
   The toy  100  moves along a surface through a pair of wheels  140  that partially protrude from a bottom plate  116  in the body  104  of the toy  100 . As further explained below, when the wheels  140  are rotating, the legs  106  of the toy  100  move up and down and back and forth providing the appearance that the legs  106  are moving the toy. 
   To drive the wheels  140  and reciprocate the legs  106 , the toy  100  includes a pair of motors  150 . Depending upon the type of movement desired the number of motors may change and dedicated motors may be used to reciprocate the legs. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the pair of motors separately operate one side of the toy  100 , with each side including identical gear trains. Each motor  150  drives a first gear train  152  that is meshed to a drive spur  154  attached to a wheel  140 . 
   Branching from the drive spur  154  are a pair of foot gear trains  156 , one branching to the front and one branching to the rear. Meshed to the end of each foot gear train  156  is a cam  158  with a knob  160  extending outwardly therefrom. Each leg  106  has an opening  164  (see  FIG. 2 ) to accommodate the knob  160  and has a slot  166  that accommodates a pin  168  secured to the body  104  of the toy. As the cam  158  rotates the knob  160  reciprocates the leg  106  back and forth. In addition, the slot  166  allows the leg  106  to slide up and down during upward and downward movement of the cam, giving the overall appearance that the leg is moving in an up and down, back and forth movement. 
   The motors  150  are controlled through the microprocessor  110  and switch  124  such that movement may be made forwards, backwards, left turns, right turns and spins. In a forward direction both motors are moving the wheels  140  forwards. In a backwards direction both motors are moving the wheels  140  in a reverse direction. In a left or right turn, only one motor is operating, causing the toy to turn in the direction of the stalled motor or non-rotating wheel. To spin the toy, the motors rotate the wheels in reverse directions to each other. 
   The toy  100  also includes a caster wheel  170  positioned towards the front of the toy and a pair of skids  172  positioned in the rear of the toy. The caster wheel and skids provides extra stability when the toy is moving. In addition, the toy  100  may include an on/off switch  178  and an enclosure sensor  176 . The enclosure sensor  176  is used to orient the toy  100  when it is inside the designated area, explained in greater detail below. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the designated area  300  has an exterior back portion  302  with an indented section  304 , which matches an object or bone  310 . Within the indented section  304  is an aperture  306  to the interior of the designated area that will permit a transmitter  308  in the bone  310  to emit a signal through the designated area  300 , when the bone  310  is positioned in the indented section  304 . The designated area  300  also includes an entrance opening with walls on either side connecting the entrance to a back wall. The bone  310  may also be removed from the designated area  300  and used separately apart therefrom. The user may angle the bone  310  towards the toy  100  such that the transmitter  308  emits a signal that is received by the toy  100 . The toy  100  can then follow the user or bone  310  around. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the toy  100  includes a pair of receivers  180 , positioned in the collar section  114 . The receivers  180  are slightly recessed to help keep the receivers  180  separated and the reception of signals clearer. The toy  100  may enter a programming mode or phase that directs the toy to “go home.” This phase may be initiated upon the activation of a switch or sensor. In this mode, the toy  100  begins to look for a signal emitting from the entrance  310  of the designated area  300 . When the toy  100  is positioned at an angle to the entrance of the designated area, such as in positioned A or B, only one of the receivers  180  is sensing the transmitted signal. The microprocessor will continually cause the toy to move or turn the toy until both sensors  180  are receiving the signal. In addition, if the toy  100  is 180° from the entrance  310  and neither sensor  180  is receiving a signal, the motors  150  may spin the toy until a sensor  180  begins to receive the signal. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , once the toy  100  begins entering the designated area  300 , both the toy  100  and the designated area  300  employ a means to help properly guide the toy into the designated area  300 . The designated area  300  includes a rail  315  and the toy  100  includes a railing guard  190  that extends outwardly from the bottom plate  116  in the body  104  of the toy  100 . If the guard  190  comes into contact with the rail  315 , the toy is pushed towards the correct position in the designated area. The rail  315  does not extend into the designated area  300  and is used only to help position the toy  100 . The rail  315  is not used to turn the toy  100  around once inside the designated area. 
   Continuing to refer to  FIG. 8 , in addition, the designated area and the toy further include a means to orient the toy such that the toy is turned around in the designated area to face the toy towards the outside. The orientation means used is preferably a pair of position reference pointers, such as magnetic pointer or optical pointers  340 ,  342  positioned on the floor  320  of the designated area  300 . A first position reference pointer  340  is positioned in a first corner  322  of the back portion  324  of the designated area  300 , and a second position reference pointer  342  is positioned in a second corner  326  that is diagonal from the first corner (or in the front portion  328  of the designated area  300 . As mentioned above the toy  100  includes a position reference sensor  176 . While the toy  100  is in the designated area, the position reference sensor  176  is activated by moving over the first position reference pointer  340 , the microprocessor spins the toy  100  until the position reference sensor  176  is activated by the other position reference pointer  342 . At this point the toy  100  has turned around inside the designated area and is facing outwardly. Once in the designated area, a noise or sound may activate the toy&#39;s sound sensor  124  causing the microprocessor to move the toy forwards and out of the designated area. Additional position reference pointers may be positioned in the designated area to turn or orient the toy in different directions. In other embodiments, the position reference pointers  342  may cause the toy to stop at a predetermined position, for example, if the enclosure included a window, the toy may stop to look out the window and then after a predetermined time or after hearing a noise may continue to orient itself such that it is facing out of the designated area. Moreover, the predetermined position may itself be such that the toy is facing out of the designated area. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, the toy  400 , illustrated in  FIG. 9 , may include a pair of receiver/transmitters  410  positioned on either side of the toy. The receiver/transmitters work in concert to move and orient the toy inside the designated area, especially within an enclosure. As the transmitter is bounced off of the interior of the enclosure, the receiver can identify the bounced signal which in turn causes the microprocessor to move the toy until the toy is facing out of the enclosure. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10   a , in another embodiment, the toy  450  includes a pair of receivers  460  to receive and recognize a signal emanating from within the designated area or from a bone, as mentioned above, will cause the toy to move and orient itself such that the toy can enter the designated area. The toy  450  also includes a pair of receiver/transmitters  470  oriented on either side of the toy  450 . This receiver/transmitters  470  permits the toy to move itself around objects or the outside perimeter or walls of the designated area until it is oriented towards the entrance and until the toy  450  picks up the transmitted signal from inside of the designated area and then the toy  450  would go inside the designated area, See  FIG. 10   b.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , in another embodiment, the toy  480  includes a pair of receiver/transmitters  470  oriented on either side of the toy  480 , permitting the toy to move itself around objects or the outside perimeter or walls of the designated area. The toy  480  also includes a single receiver  490  positioned directly in front of the toy  480 . The single receiver  490  works with a single coming out of the designated area to orient the toy  480  in a position to move into the designated area. 
   From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.