Abstract:
A breath-sensitive toy responding with interesting behavior to human breath such as caused by whispering, speaking, singing, or blowing. A processor monitors sensors for detecting humidity or temperature variations due to the proximity of human breath. When the presence of breath is detected, the processor actuates one or more output devices capable of producing sound, light, or movement. The toy can have the form of a figure such as a doll or stuffed toy, or the form of a child&#39;s musical toy, such as a pan flute or harmonica.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/410,068 filed Sep. 11, 2002 whose contents are incorporated herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to children&#39;s toys. More specifically, the present invention relates to interactive toys programmed to respond to breath, and other forms of human input, with interest-inducing behavior. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of interactive toys, including dolls, are well known. Toys that are responsive to a user&#39;s actions are desirable because they may enhance the interest and, consequently, the enjoyment of a user during play. The responses of toys in general, and particularly of toy animals and dolls, have conventionally been controlled using one of several standard triggering mechanisms. For example, children&#39;s dolls are known that cry or flutter their eyelids when tipped horizontally. It is also common for simple toys to make noise when air is forcefully expelled from them. Other toys are known that recite preprogrammed phrases or play songs when activated by the press of a button or the pull of a string. The sound activating buttons of such toys are often imbedded within them to create a more lifelike effect. For instance, a pressure sensitive button may be placed within the paw of a teddy bear so that the teddy bear plays pleasing music when the paw is squeezed. 
     The complexity of user-actuated stimuli and their corresponding reactions varies greatly along the spectrum of children&#39;s toys. As technology has advanced the responsive capacities of toys have matured as well, replacing squeeze toys and pull-string dolls with others controlled by embedded buttons, pressure sensors, photo sensors, and microphones. Prior publications of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,703,696; 4,328,478; 4,450,429; 4,768,378; 5,394,883; 5,820,440; and 6,053,797; and U.S. patent application Pub. No. U.S. 2002/0086607 A1, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,440 to Truchsess discloses a doll with pressure sensors located on its rump. The doll of Truchsess laughs or sings a nursery song when bounced or dandled on a user&#39;s knee. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,797 to Tsang et al. discloses a toy figure having multiple mechanical pressure sensors. The toy of Tsang responds in different ways depending on the amount and kind of mechanical stimulation applied. 
     Regardless of the particular embodiment, it is desirable to develop toys that incorporate sensing and responding means that are able to function together to produce the most realistic behavioral effect possible. Furthermore, the proficiency with which a toy is able to differentiate between and respond to varying inputs is also significant in producing a distinctive and enjoyable play experience. In these capacities, some toys are better equipped than others. For instance, a toy animal that plays a recorded song when a string is pulled is quite different from one that responds to a more lifelike stimulus such as a touch or spoken word. 
     However, toys that respond to auditory input received through a microphone, such as the doll taught by Chan in U.S. patent application Pub. No. U.S. 2002/0086607 A1, are also affected by certain inherent limitations. It is significant that the microphones in such toys lack the ability to distinguish between human voices and unrelated background noise, since they are activated solely in accordance with the volume of an input. As a result, the performance of such a toy is hindered by its tendency to respond inappropriately when confronted with any extraneous sound that lies within its effective volume range. For this reason, there remains a need in the art to develop toys that incorporate alternative techniques for sensing and responding to user stimuli in order to create an interesting atmosphere of human interaction. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides an interactive toy that senses and responds, among other possible stimuli, to the presence of human breath. In particular, the present invention includes an electronic humidity or airflow sensing apparatus that detects the variation in humidity or temperature accompanying the proximity of human breath with respect to an ambient value, the detection of which causes the toy to respond in a predetermined manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy illustrating elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing elements of another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a stuffed toy illustrating elements in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a doll illustrating elements in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a humidity sensor which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a temperature sensor which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a musical toy illustrating elements in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another musical toy illustrating elements in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a toy  10  in the form of a magical dragon having identical left and right breath sensors,  12  and  14 , mounted within its head cavity near the location of its ears. Breath sensors  12  and  14  detect when a user of toy  10  breathes near the ears of the dragon, by detecting a change in humidity or temperature at one or both of the sensors. Alternative embodiments may include a single humidity sensor  12  located as desired on or in the dragon, perhaps as a way to reduce the cost of producing toy  10 . 
     The preferred embodiment further includes a reference sensor  16 , preferably an additional humidity sensor located elsewhere on toy  10 . Sensor  16  measures ambient humidity and produces a reference signal for comparison to signals from either or both of sensors  12  and  14 . Reference sensor  16  should be positioned so as to be protected from the moist air to which the other sensors  12  and  14  are exposed, such as on the side of the dragon&#39;s torso, under an arm. 
     A processor  18  is mounted within toy  10  and operatively connected to breath sensors  12  and  14  and reference sensor  16 . Processor  18  monitors the electrical characteristics of breath sensors  12  and  14  and reference sensor  16 . When a user whispers, speaks, or blows near the ears of toy  10 , processor  18  may detect the difference in electrical characteristics caused by the humidity of his or her breath, and may cause toy  10  to produce output in response. Thus, when a positive humidity differential is registered, processor  18  may, in turn, actuate an appropriate preprogrammed output. 
     Toy  10  may respond to user input in a variety of output modes, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Its eyes may light up or glow, as shown at  20 . Toy  10  may produce sounds  22 , particularly speech sounds or singing, by means of a speaker or other sound transducer located in or near its mouth. It may move its tail or wings, as shown at  24 , or even its claws. Combinations of these output modes are also possible, as described further below. 
     For instance, in keeping with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , toy  10  may, when turned on, audibly prompt a user to move closer and speak into its ear. Breath sensors  12  and  14  are located near the ears of toy  10  for purposes of realism. When a breath sensor ( 12  or  14 ) indicates that a user has performed the indicated action, toy  10  may proceed with the recitation of an entertaining story, the telling of which is intermixed with further prompts for the user. If, for example, toy  10  fails to sense that a user has complied with its requests, it may churn the air with its claws and wings  24 , flash light from its eyes  20 , and emit a roar from its mouth  22 , followed by a repeated exhortation to the user to perform the previously indicated action. These behavioral characteristics may be achieved as desired by including appropriately located motorized or mechanically actuated limbs, light emitting diodes or other light emitting devices, and a speaker with prerecorded sound clips to be controlled by processor  18  in a manner as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As taught, toy  10  may initiate interaction with a user by audibly requesting a particular user input when its power switch is turned on. Because sensors  12  and  14  are able to discern the presence of speech, but not its meaning, toy  10  does not preferably ask “yes” or “no” type questions. Rather, the manner of prompt most fittingly played by toy  10  is of the general form: “speak into my ear if . . . .” In order to conserve power, toy  10  may automatically enter a “sleep” mode after operating for a predetermined amount of time without receiving additional user input. Subsequently, the “sleep” mode may be cancelled and the toy returned to full operating power when a user next activates breath sensor  12  or  14 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention. Toy  110  includes sensors  112  for input, device or transducer  114  for output, and processor  116  operatively connected to sensors  112  and output device  114 . Input  118  caused by a user&#39;s actions is registered by one or more of sensors  112 . Sensors  112  may include a breath sensor  120 , a photo sensor  122 , or a pressure sensor  124 . In the case that sensors  112  include a breath sensor, toy  110  may also include a reference sensor  126  operatively connected to processor  116 . When sensors  112  include breath sensors only, the block diagram shown in  FIG. 2  is appropriate to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Output device  114  may produce sound  128  through a speaker. Alternatively or in addition, device  114  may produce light  130  by means of incandescent lamps, LEDs, or other electrically activated light emitting devices as known in the art. Similarly, device  114  may produce movement  132  for example through mechanical actuators for limbs or other appendages. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIG. 3 , a children&#39;s doll  210  is equipped with breath sensors  212 , a reference sensor  214 , a processor  216 , and a speaker  218  as previously taught with reference to toy  10 . Doll  210  is programmed to initiate dialogue with a child by playing prerecorded phrases tailored to prompt response from the child. Doll  210  may request that the child lean closer and whisper a secret in its ear. When the child does so, his or her breath is detected by breath sensors  212  and doll  210  may respond appropriately. In this manner, the programmed responses of doll  210  allow it to carry on a seemingly confidential whispered conversation with the user, producing an atmosphere of playful companionship for the child. 
     Such a doll, in keeping with the present invention, also has the capability of playing pleasant songs, along with which the user may be prompted to sing. Breath sensors  212  may indicate whether or not the child is singing along simultaneously with the doll  210  by detecting the presence of the child&#39;s breath. In the event that the child is singing as well, speaker  218  may play such a phrase as, “Good job, now let&#39;s sing . . . .” Likewise, if the breath sensors  212  fail to detect singing, doll  210  may respond, “I can&#39;t hear you—please continue singing in my ear.” In this general manner, a doll in accordance with the present invention may provide an ideal sing-along buddy for a young child. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a stuffed animal toy such as a pig may serve as another embodiment of the present invention. For instance, stuffed pig  310 , containing breath sensors  312 , reference sensor  314 , processor  316 , and speaker  318  as previously taught, may be preprogrammed with interactive stories such as “The Three Little Pigs”. Pig  310  may prompt a user to whisper into its ear if he or she would like to hear a story. As with other embodiments of the invention, pig  310  may pause in the course of its story telling with additional prompts for the user. For instance, pig  310  may request that the child speak certain repetitive phrases into its ear, such as: “Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.” When the breath sensors indicate the child&#39;s compliance, pig  310  may respond with affirmative feedback. Conversely, when the sensors  312  fail to detect the anticipated presence of breath, pig  310  may voice an inquiry into the child&#39;s failure to respond, followed by repeated urging to participate in the story. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are intended to fully utilize the receptive capabilities of breath sensors. For this reason, they may elicit a variety of detectable user responses as fitting within the contexts of particular applications. For example, pig  310  may, in telling the story of “The Three Little Pigs”, request that the user try to “huff and puff and blow the house down”. If the child blows near one of the pig&#39;s breath sensors  312 , pig  310  may detect the action and respond accordingly. In this manner, the embodiment may take advantage of the full range of utility possessed by the sensors by prompting users to whisper, speak, or blow as appropriate in each interactive scenario. 
     In keeping with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, humidity sensors  12  and  14 , as well as reference sensor  16 , may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,696 to Browall et al. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , such sensors include an electrically insulating substrate  410 , a pair of separate but interdigitated electrodes  412  and  414  on one surface of the substrate, an electrical lead  416  contacting electrode  412 , an electrical lead  418  contacting electrode  414 , and a thin film  420  of chloromethylated quaternized polystyrene containing from 3.3 to 8.6 percent chlorine. The electrical resistivity of each sensor is highly dependent upon its ambient relative humidity. As a result, when a user breathes upon sensor  12  or  14 , the moisture in his or her breath raises the relative humidity surrounding the sensor and results in an immediate decrease in the resistance across the gap between its electrodes. The decreased resistance of electrical sensor  12  or  14  with respect to reference sensor  16  signifies the completion of an anticipated action by the user and triggers a corresponding response on the part of toy  10 . It is to be understood that other preferred embodiments of the present invention may incorporate alternative humidity sensing devices, such as those taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,328,478, 4,450,429, and 4,768,378 to Murata et al., Murata, and Ando et al., respectively. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may, alternatively, include a sensor such as the one taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,883 to Neuman. The Neuman device provides multiple thermoresistive elements, each of which may function as a flow sensor. One such sensor is shown in  FIG. 6 . The sensor  510  of  FIG. 6  includes an insulating substrate  512  such as polyimide or polyester. Wide conducting paths  514  and  516  are deposited on the substrate to serve as electrodes. Between electrodes  514  and  516  is deposited a long, thin thermoresistive element  518 . The temperature change effected by the air flow past thermoresistive element  518  causes a change in its electrical resistance with respect to an ambient or reference value. This functional characteristic allows for not only the indication, but also the quantization, of airflow past thermoresistive element  518 . 
     The sensory device, when utilized in conjunction with a processor as previously taught, may provide very desirable capabilities for use in accordance with the present invention. For example, while useful in an embodiment such as toy  10 , a sensor system of the type taught by Neuman having multiple thermoresistive elements may also be ideally implemented in a children&#39;s toy such as a pan flute, as shown in  FIG. 7 , or harmonica, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a pan flute  610  includes a number of cylindrical channels  612 . In this embodiment, a thermoresistive element  614  may be placed in each channel  612  of pan flute  610 , the activation of which causes a signal to be sent to a processor  616 , resulting in the corresponding emission of an audible tone at an appropriate musical pitch. Alternatively, the result of activation of a thermoresistive element in a channel could be the corresponding emission of a prerecorded sound, for example, one made by a barnyard animal. A reference thermoresistive sensor may be placed outside a channel, as shown at  618 . The capacity of thermoresistive sensor  614  to register the quantity, as well as the existence, of airflow through each orifice allows for the processor&#39;s production of tones of varying volume, as well as pitch. In this manner, tones may be played from a speaker  620  in proportion to the force with which a user blows into a respective orifice of instrument  610 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a harmonica  710  includes a number of channels  712 . As in the previously discussed embodiment, a thermoresistive element  714  may be placed in each channel  712  of harmonica  710 , the activation of which causes a signal to be sent to a processor  716 , resulting in the corresponding emission of an audible tone at an appropriate musical pitch, or perhaps a prerecorded sound. A reference thermoresistive sensor may be placed outside a channel, for example at  718 . The capacity of thermoresistive sensor  714  to register the quantity, as well as the existence, of airflow through each orifice allows for the processor&#39;s production of tones of varying volume, as well as pitch. In this manner, tones may be played from a speaker  720  in proportion to the force with which a user blows into a respective orifice of instrument  710 . 
     In another embodiment, the humidity or airflow sensors taught previously may be utilized in conjunction with additional sensors of different types in order to provide more diverse interactive capabilities on the part of the toy. For instance, an embodiment of the present invention may incorporate, in addition to humidity or airflow sensors, pressure sensors as taught by Truchsess in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,440, as well as photo sensors as taught by Chan in U.S. patent application Pub. No. US 2002/0086607 A1. Such a combination of different sensory devices in a single toy, when constructed with a processor and communication means as previously taught, provides for complex and varied interactive scenarios. 
     For example, referring back to  FIG. 3 , doll  210  may have, in addition to breath sensors  212  near its ears, photo sensors  220  near its eyes, and pressure sensors  222  on its hands and feet. Doll  210  in this case has the capacity to prompt a child to do such things as shake its left hand, kiss its cheek, or whisper into its right ear, and to respond in accordance with the child&#39;s actions. Such a doll may be instrumental in teaching a child the names of common body parts, as well as the ability to discern between “right” and “left”, and may provide positive feedback when the user successfully accomplishes requested tasks. Additionally, a doll with such diverse sensors may also function as an electronic game by prompting a user or users to complete similar tasks within a certain time constraint, in a manner similar to the traditional “Simon Says” game. 
     The invention has been described with reference in particular to a preferred embodiment of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, as described above, the toy could be a stuffed pig or doll. Alternatively, the invention may be embodied in a toy having channels and capable of producing a variety of sounds depending on which channel is blown into. It is intended that the present invention be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.