Abstract:
An interactive toy doll is described for performing and displaying realistic facial expressions and ordered sequences of visual and aural effects upon activation. A head shell is provided having a flexible, elastic sheath layer overlaying its surface and configured for fluid skin-like movement in response to movement of eyelid and jaw pieces to emulate realistic human facial skin movement and expressions. The doll includes at least one sensor disposed thereon and a position orientation switch. Upon initial activation of a sensor, the doll is responsive to subsequent re-orientation thereafter for a pre-determined amount of time.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/262,642. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to toy dolls, and in particular, to an interactive toy doll and method for interacting with and operating same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    In the art, toy dolls in a variety of styles, shapes, features and characteristics are known. In particular, dolls that are mechanized and exhibit action features such as movement and motion such as limb/hand movements, ‘wetting’ diapers, as well as sound effects are familiar in the art. 
         [0005]    Such mechanized dolls typically are switch activated, whereupon the particular action(s) or movement(s) is performed upon activation of a switch, which itself may be activated in a number of ways. Typically, in such dolls, the switch is manually activated by a user. 
         [0006]    However, upon execution and completion of the particular movements(s), the doll becomes sedentary once more. Such a toy&#39;s entertainment value is often limited, since any ‘interaction’ with the toy is simply reduced to a user simply activating and re-activating the switch repeatedly. A child&#39;s interest often quickly disappears in a short period of time with such toys. 
         [0007]    In addition, the movement of many mechanical dolls fail to mimic natural movements; for example, realistic and accurate facial expressions are especially difficult to emulate. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, a toy doll which captures and maintains user interest, provides a stimulating interactive experience for the user, exhibits realistic expressions and movements and encourages continued play, is highly desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to an interactive toy doll for performing and displaying ordered sequences of visual and aural effects, including realistic facial expressions upon initial activation. The doll includes at least one sensor disposed thereon, a position orientation switch, at least one motor and at least one pair of contact switches functionally connected with a controller. Upon initial activation of a sensor, the doll is preferably responsive to, e.g., subsequent re-orientation/re-positioning thereafter for a pre-determined amount of time. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a toy doll is provided comprising a head shell for housing at least a movable eyelid piece and a movable jaw piece and at least one motor for powering said movable eyelid and jaw pieces. A flexible sheath is provided for covering an external portion of said shell, wherein the sheath is attached to the eyelid and jaw pieces. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating an interactive toy doll is provided comprising the steps of activating a sensor switch, determining if the doll is in an upright position, wherein if yes, further comprising activating a first action sequence, and wherein if no, activating a second action sequence. Next, it is determined if the doll has been re-positioned, wherein if yes, it is further determined if the time elapsed from said activating step is greater than about X minutes. 
         [0012]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a toy doll is provided comprising a hollow head shell for housing at least a movable eyelid piece having a first protrusion, and a movable jaw piece having an engagement point; a first and a second rotating guide each including a curved groove, wherein said first protrusion is slidably received in the curved groove of said first guide and the engagement point is slidably received in the curved groove of the second guide; at least one motor for powering said first and second rotating guides, wherein movement of said first and second guides causes movement of said eyelid and jaw pieces; and a controller for controlling operations of the doll. A flexible sheath is provided for covering an external portion of said shell, wherein the sheath is attached to the eyelid and jaw pieces. 
         [0013]    These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be described or become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    This disclosure will present in detail the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of general electrical and mechanical components of a doll according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an electrical system according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of internal mechanical components of a doll assembly according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an eyelid piece according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of an exemplary method of operation of a toy doll according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of mechanical components for effectuating limb movement according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of exemplary components of a mechanical assembly for effectuating torso movement according to an aspect of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary external covering according to an aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary schematic view of general electrical and mechanical components of a doll  100  according to an aspect of the present invention. The doll  100  includes a first control center  101  functionally connected to a second control center  107 . First control center  101  includes a motor  103  operably connected to a controller or circuit board  105 . Motor  103  may drive, e.g., mechanical movements of the doll&#39;s eyes and mouth via e.g., a system of gears, pulleys, etc. which are controlled by the circuit board  105 . The second control center  113  may also include a motor  113  for generating additional movements, e.g., movements of the doll&#39;s torso (simulating breathing), and limbs. 
         [0026]    Movements/sound performed by the doll may be elicited via activation of a sensor/switch  115 , which may be located anywhere on the doll. The doll includes a speaker  109  for sound projection capabilities. A power source  111  is provided functionally connected to and energizes both control centers  101  and  107 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, a rotatable eyelid piece  117 , a movable jaw piece  119  and/or a movable torso piece may be provided which are functionally connected to control centers  101  and/or  107 . Desirable movement of the pieces  117 ,  119  and/or  121  (e.g., in vertical and/or horizontal directions) may be facilitated via gears which may be prompted to reverse direction of rotation, which in turn reverses the direction of movement (up or down) of pieces  117  and  119 . Such gear reversal capability may be facilitated via, e.g., a system of contact switches which may be physically activated (e.g., during operation of the doll) so as to complete/close certain circuits, one of which may direct the rotation of the gears in a first direction, and another which may direct the gear rotation in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the effect of eyelid and mouth movements (opening and closing) as well as respiration (torso expanding and contracting) may be simulated. Other motor-driven or movable pieces may be provided and situated on the doll  100  in any location for facilitating, e.g., other body movements and actions. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram showing an electrical system  200  in accordance with one illustrative embodiment is shown. System  200  includes the controller  105 , which is employed to control operations of the doll in response to the internal and external inputs. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, controller  105  includes a printed wiring board, which may include one or more integrated circuits, transistors and/or logic circuits to perform the tasks as described herein. Controller  105  drives motors  104  and  105  using a power source  111  (e.g., a battery/batteries or other portable energy source). Power may be switched on and off via a switch  220 . Motors  103  and  113  may include, e.g., simple DC powered motors that rotate in accordance with the voltage polarity applied thereto. For example, motors may turn clockwise in accordance with a +3 volt signal and counterclockwise in accordance with a −3 volt signals. Other voltages may be employed depending on the available battery power. 
         [0030]    Motors  103  and  113  may be activated in accordance with a plurality of different signals. In one embodiment, motors  103  and  113  are activated in accordance with a sensor/switch  115 . Sensor/switch  115  may include a normally open switch located in any area of the doll (e.g., a hand, foot, torso, head, etc.). More than one switch  115 ,  114  may be provided on the doll, at any location thereon. 
         [0031]    When closed by, e.g., squeezing or touching a body part of the doll, the sensor/switch  115  may prompt controller  105  to activate e.g., one or more action modes (e.g., a ‘sleep’ mode, an ‘awake’ mode, etc.). For example, the controller  105  may turn on one or more motors  101 ,  113  and/or a sound chip  224  and the speaker  109  to perform one or more tasks for simulating, e.g., a particular action mode. These tasks may include, for example, moving arms of the doll, moving the dolls eye lids and/or mouth, causing a crying effect, causing a sleeping effect/simulating deep breathing, playing sounds or any other mechanical movements or sounds to further simulate the action mode that has been activated. 
         [0032]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a position orientation switch  208  may be provided for prompting one or more of motors  103 ,  113  and/or a speaker  109  to be activated. Position orientation switch  208  functions in a similar way, e.g., as a mercury switch. When a doll is positioned in a particular orientation (e.g., a reclined position, upright position, etc.), the switch is closed, and when the doll is thereafter positioned in a different orientation the switch is opened. 
         [0033]    For example, if the doll is held upright and the sensor switch  115  is activated, the doll begins to exhibit movement/sound in accordance with a pre-programmed sequence matched to that particular position (e.g., the doll will play corresponding samples recorded on a sound chip  124  and display certain pre-programmed movements). If the doll&#39;s position is changed, say to a prone or reclined position, the position orientation switch  208  is closed (for example, by the flow of a conductive fluid in a sealed cavity), and the doll activates controller  105  in accordance with instructions or logic in a program chip  226  to activate motors  103  and/or  113  and/or cause sound chip  224  to noises simulating deep breathing, snoring, etc. Any positioning of the doll may be contemplated for activating the position orientation switch  208 , including but not limited to a face-down position, sideways positions, and any position in between a fully upright and completely reclined position. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, an activated motor  113  is powered via controller  105  causing the torso piece  121  in the abdomen of the doll to move outwards away from the doll until a contact switch  207   a  is closed by the motion of the torso piece  121 . That is, when the torso piece  121  moves a certain pre-determined distance, the contact switch  207   a  is closed. The closed circuit causes the controller  105  to reverse the polarity of the motor  113  to reverse its motion. The reverse motion causes the torso piece  121  to reverse direction until a second contact switch  207   b  is closed, which reverses the motion of motor  113  and thus the torso piece  121 . This is repeated, e.g., for an amount of time determined by program chip or logic  226 . 
         [0035]    Motor  103  and contact switches  206   a  and  206   b  may function in a similar way to cause, e.g., the doll&#39;s eyelids to open and close and/or cause movement in the doll&#39;s mouth and cheeks to simulate eating, talking, sucking or to simulate facial expressions. The motion between contact switches  206   a  and  206   b  may include/incorporate the up and down motion of the doll&#39;s eyes or mouth. For example, when the motion to close the eyes is complete, contact switch  206   a  is caused to close causing the controller  105  to reverse the polarity of motor  103 , thus causing the eyes to open again until contact switch  206   b  is closed. This is repeated until, e.g., an elapsed amount of time or number of iterations has been reached as determined by program chip  226 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 3-5  are various views of internal mechanical components of a doll assembly according to an aspect of the present invention. The mechanical assembly includes a head  301  connected with body  320 , the head comprising a hollow shell  303  having eye apertures  305  through which eyeballs  309  protrude, and mouth aperture  307 , all shaped and sized accordingly. 
         [0037]    A covering may be provided over the shell  303  and housing  323  comprised, e.g., of molded rubber or other preferably flexible materials for simulating features of e.g., an infant head, body parts, etc. Any type or combination of materials, e.g., foam, rubber, plastic, etc., may be utilized as desired to cover shell  303  and housing  323  and form the shape of the doll  100 . It is to be noted that while a toy doll according to the present invention is described and shown here as a human infant, other doll types may be contemplated, including animals, cartoon characters, fictional characters, robotic devices, household appliances, vehicles, airplanes, etc. 
         [0038]    The eyelid piece  117  is positioned over the eyeballs  309  and movement of same is effectuated via e.g., a pulley  403 , a system of gears  311  and a rotating guide  313  powered by motor  103 . The visual effect of eyes which are ‘opening and closing’ may be simulated via movement of the eyelid piece  117  rotating on its axis  407  upon movement of pivot arm  601  which is connected onto the eyelid piece  117  as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0039]    The pivot arm  601  is movably connected to the rotating guide  315  via e.g., a first protrusion  603 , which is slidably received within a curved groove  310  of the rotating guide  313 . Thus, the movement of gears  311  turn the rotating guide  313 , which moves the pivot arm  601 , thus causing rotation about axis  407  and movement of the eyelid piece  117 . The contact switches  206   a  and  206   b  may be repeatedly contacted, and thus activated, in an alternating fashion by a second protrusion  605  provided on the pivot arm  601 . This causes an up and down motion of the eyelid piece  117  (e.g., in direction  410 ). The contact switches  206   a  and  206   b  may be located in any location on the head  301 , preferably in proximity to second protrusion  605 . 
         [0040]    Movement of the jaw piece  119  is effectuated via movement of e.g., gears  317  which drive a second rotating guide  315  powered by the motor  103 . The second rotating guide  315  includes a curved cavity  312 . The jaw piece  119  is movably connected to the second rotating guide  315  via an engagement point  411  on an arm  409 . The engagement point  411  is slidably received within the curved groove  312 . Rotation of the second rotating guide  315  causes the engagement point  411  to slide within groove  312 , thus causing jaw piece  117  to rotate about its pivot point  413 . Ultimately, jaw piece  119  is caused to be moved up and down (e.g., in direction  410 ). 
         [0041]    As the eyelid  117  and jaw piece  119  movements occur, they cause corresponding areas of the external flexible covering layer (e.g., rubber face) which lie over the eyelid/jaw pieces to move accordingly, thus simulating facial features, such as sucking, talking, blinking, etc. (explained further with reference to  FIG. 10 ). Movement of other parts of the face such as cheeks, eyebrows, etc., may be facilitated by altering the location/configuration of the mechanical parts accordingly. Facial expressions and movement configuration may be accompanied by appropriate sounds and body movements as controlled by the controller. For example, a sleepy or sleeping expression may be accompanied by speaker sounds of snoring and slower movement of limbs. 
         [0042]    The body  320  includes a housing  322  which houses the motor  113  for driving gears  323  and pulley  325 , which cause a plate  321  and tab  327  to be moved, e.g., in an up and down motion  405  relative to the body  320 . The torso piece  121  is affixed onto the plate  321 ; accordingly, movement of the plate  321  causes movement, in turn, of the torso piece  121 . The contact switches  207   a  and  207   b  may be repeatedly contacted (and thus activated) in an alternating fashion by movement of the tab  327  back and forth. This causes, e.g., expansion/contraction of the doll&#39;s stomach/torso area to simulate breathing action in the doll. 
         [0043]    Movement of the plate  321  (and thus simulation of torso movement) may be effectuated via a mechanical assembly as shown e.g., in  FIG. 9 . An axle  902  includes a wheel  905  fixedly attached at one end thereon. The wheel  905  includes a rod  903  fixedly attached at an outer surface thereof. The plate  321  includes a slot  901  into which the rod  903  is slidably received. Rotation of the wheel  905  causes rod  903  to slide within slot  901 , thus forcing movement of the plate  321  back and forth in direction  907  as wheel  905  is continuously rotated. 
         [0044]    A power supply may be provided in the form of batteries  401 . Speaker  109  may be provided for sound projection. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a view looking down upon lines A-A of  FIG. 3 , showing a top view of pulley system  325  and gears  323 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary flow chart  700  of a method of interacting with a doll according to one embodiment of the present invention. Upon activation/deployment of a sensor switch (step  701 ), for example, pressing a part of the doll&#39;s body which has the sensor switch, a timer is started and the system ascertains whether the doll is in an upright position (step  703 ). 
         [0047]    If yes, an ‘awake’ mode sequence is activated, and a pre-programmed sequence of movements/sounds imitating, e.g., a baby which is awake, are activated accordingly. If no, a ‘sleep’ mode sequence is activated, in which a pre-programmed sequence of movements/sounds relating to, e.g., a sleeping baby is activated. 
         [0048]    The system proceeds to step  709 , which determines if the doll has been re-positioned. If yes, it is determined if the time elapsed from step  701  is greater than about X number of minutes. The number of minutes may be pre-programmed as desired by the manufacturer and/or user, and may comprise e.g., about 5 minutes. If it is determined that the doll has not been re-positioned within the allotted amount of time, the system is done (step  713 ). 
         [0049]    If greater than X minutes has not elapsed, an action sequence (e.g., ‘awake’ or ‘sleep’ mode) is activated corresponding to the doll&#39;s new position (step  717 ). The system proceeds then to step  709 . If greater than about X minutes or other set time (e.g., 2 minutes) has elapsed, the system is done (step  715 ). 
         [0050]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a doll may be provided which may perform movements/functions in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned functions. For example, a doll may be provided which may perform the above-mentioned facial movements and may further perform limb movements (arms and/or legs). Such limb movement may be enabled via a configuration as shown in  FIG. 8 , in which a limb  801  includes a slotted member  803  fixedly attached thereon, the limb  801  being rotatably held within a socket. A gear train assembly  811  is provided including an axle  813  on which a wheel  809  is fixedly attached at one end. The wheel  809  includes a rod  807  attached on an outer surface. The slotted member includes a slot  805  which slidably receives the rod  807  from wheel  809 . Rotation of the gear train  811  causes rotation of the axle  813 , wheel  809  and rod  807 . The rod  807  is caused to be slidably moved within slot  805 , thus resulting in movement of the limb  801 . 
         [0051]    An exemplary external covering or sheath loll is shown in  FIG. 10 , shaped in the form of an infant&#39;s face. Preferably, the covering is comprised of a highly flexible, pliable and resilient material (e.g., rubber, rubber composites, plastic, silicone, etc.), with a thickness no greater than about 0.20 cm. 
         [0052]    The underlying movable mechanical parts of the doll assembly are preferably arranged in appropriate locations. For example, in the case of providing a doll with movable eyes and mouth, the movable eyelids  117  and jaw piece  119  are provided as shown e.g., in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and the sheath  1001  is then placed over the shell  303 . A tip  607  of each eyelid piece  117  is secured (glued) underneath each top eyelid  1012  of the sheath. The jaw piece  119  is preferably attached (glued) to a lower lip  1014  of the sheath  1011 . Otherwise, the sheath  1011  is preferably free of any other points of attachment to the shell  303  to enable free movement otherwise. Accordingly, when the eyelids  117  and jaw piece  119  move, the attached top eyelids  1012  and lower lip  1014  of the sheath  1011  move in conjunction, and thus result in the simulation of facial expressions. 
         [0053]    Advantageously, the sheath&#39;s  1011  material qualities, thickness and mode of attachment enable a realistic effect of facial movements. A wide array of movements (e.g., movable ears, eyebrows, etc.) can be simulated with alteration of points of attachment and mechanical parts as necessary. 
         [0054]    Having described preferred embodiments for an interactive toy doll (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.