Abstract:
A toy with electronic sensing mechanism is disclosed. Specifically, the toy can detect the presence of an electrically conductive material and respond accordingly. Particularly disclosed is the use of modeling dough as the conductive material which allows a broad flexibility of play and response.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toys with Sensors Generally 
     Although the invention is suitable for a wide variety of applications, the description of the preferred embodiment uses it in a toy application. Toys with sensors are well-known in the toy and game art. These sensing mechanisms are usually concealed switches which are tripped when the appropriate location is impacted on the toy or a specially-shaped implement is used to trigger them, such as a spoon which has a protruding section impacting upon a hidden switch in a doll&#39;s mouth. 
     While this approach works, it would be advantageous to have a less apparent sensing mechanism for greater realism in the doll or other toy in which the sensor is located. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a sensing mechanism which is less likely to be tripped by accident or with an inappropriate implement or means. The present invention addresses these concerns. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a toy with a new and improved electronic sensing mechanism. 
     A second object of the invention is to provide a toy with a sensing mechanism which can detect the presence of a given material. 
     A third object of the invention is to provide a toy with a sensing mechanism which is unlikely to be activated by accident or at an inappropriate time. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electronic sensing mechanism for toys. Specifically, the toy has a switch comprising contacts which is closed when both contacts are in physical contact with a conducting material. This material may have a given resistance, which can be measured by the electronic sensing mechanism, and if the resistance is too great or too small, the mechanism can reject the signal, reducing false reactions. Of particular interest is the fact that modeling clay or dough has sufficient conductivity to activate such a mechanism, and therefore creative means of reacting to its presence can be incorporated into a toy with the sensing mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims. The descriptions of the preferred embodiment refer to the preceding drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a representational profile view of the entire apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sensing mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The description of the preferred embodiment uses the invention in a doll which responds to the presence of moldable modeling dough using the invention. The invention is suitable for a wide range of uses, and with the proper linkages could be made to respond to a large variety of media or other materials. “Modeling dough,” such as that marketed by Hasbro, Inc., under the trade name “Play-Doh®,” is usually made of wood or paper pulp mixed with water as the base ingredients. Any moldable material which has the ability to conduct electricity will serve, although of course if it is intended for use by children it is preferred to use non-toxic materials. 
     By referring to FIG. 1, the basic concept of the invention may be easily understood. Doll  10  contains controller  18 , which is a circuit board with the desired controlling electronics, integrated circuitry, and so forth to enable doll  10  to react as desired to input from the sensing mechanism. Controller  18  may also perform other functions, such as letting the doll talk, respond to her environment in other ways, controlling motivating mechanisms, and so forth. When power switch  19  is actuated, batteries  17  provide power to controller  18 , and doll  10  is ready to use. In this embodiment, multiple sensing mechanisms are installed, namely hand sensors  16   a  and  16   b , and foot sensors  14   a  and  14   b . These are connected to controller  18  with the indicated wire pairs ( 21  and  23  for the hand,  13  and  15  for the foot.) The actual working of the mechanism is discussed in the next paragraph with respect to the sensors in leg  12   b , which would stimulate a response if the doll were “standing” on the appropriate conductor. The sensors in arm  12   b  would function in the same way, but would respond to something doll were “touching” or “holding.” 
     FIG. 2 shows the actual arrangement and activation of the sensors. Doll  10  (see FIG. 1) is in physical contact with modeling dough  11 . Modeling dough has the ability to conduct electricity to some degree. When sensor  14   a  and sensor  14   b  are in physical contact with modeling dough  11 , an electrical circuit is completed and this can be detected by controller  18  via its connection to the sensors. (See FIG. 1.) Depending on the complexity of controller  18 , it can simply detect a closed-circuit condition, which would mean that any conductor which contacted both sensors at the same time would trigger a response, or it may measure the resistivity of whatever is contacting the sensors. A conductor with either too low a resistance or too high a resistance would then not trigger a response. Alternatively, different responses could be triggered by different resistance levels. 
     If the doll is to respond to a particular material, it is preferred, but not required, that controller  18  have circuitry that is calibrated to respond to the resistivity of that material within the narrowest range which provides the desired response. If modeling dough is to be used to simulate sand at a beach, for instance, and the doll to have a beach “play pattern,” controller  18  should be calibrated to respond to the average resistivity of the modeling dough which is anticipated to be used with the doll for this purpose. 
     While the description above details the preferred and best mode of practicing the invention, many other configurations and variations are possible. For example: 
     1) The invention need not be practiced as a doll, but could be a simulated piece of construction equipment, an animal, or have some other desired appearance. 
     2) The sensors need not be in pairs (although two is the minimum number) and may be spaced as desired to provide the desired sensory input of whatever is incorporating the mechanism. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the claims below and their equivalents.