Patent Publication Number: US-2009233518-A1

Title: Interactive Feeding Doll

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention was not federally sponsored. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the general field of toy dolls, and more specifically toward an interactive toy doll where the doll interacts with the user by reacting to its own orientation and to pressure applied to its body or mouth. If the doll is placed in a horizontal position, such as being laid down in a bed, it will close its eyes and go to sleep. Squeezing the doll&#39;s chest, as if hugging it, or placing the doll in an upright position can wake the doll. The doll can be fed by placing a toy bottle in the doll&#39;s mouth. The doll will then react by making sounds of a baby sucking on a bottle. After a set period of time in which the doll has not been fed, the doll will emit crying sounds, as if the doll is hungry. 
     Dolls have been around for thousands of years, mainly as toys for small children. As times have progressed, these dolls have become more and more sophisticated. Batteries and electronics have been added to these dolls, as well as moving parts. Children and parents continue to expect more technologically advanced features present in the dolls they purchase. With this, they expect dolls to reflect current societal interests and practices. 
     Feeding is a normal part of taking care of a baby. When a baby is hungry, it will often cry or give other audible indications that it is unhappy and wishes to be fed. While it is being fed, the baby will make sucking noises at it pulls the fluid from the bottle. After the baby is finished being fed, it is often burped and then laid down for a nap. The baby then falls asleep. If, however, the baby is lifted from its sleeping position, it will wake up. The current invention strives to reflect this current societal practice. 
     Some dolls have been designed to represent this practice. However, these dolls lack sound and eye movement to effectively convey lifelike wants and needs of the doll. Further, these dolls do not react based realistically upon sensing a change in orientation or pressure. 
     Thus there has existed a long-felt need for a technologically advanced doll that not only reflects current societal interests and practices, but also entertains children of various ages. The doll must be interactive and respond to various inputs, and give feedback to the user. Further, the doll should be designed so that it is safe to use and will also operate for an extended period of time without excessive power requirements. 
     The current invention provides just such a solution by providing an interactive toy doll where the doll interacts with the user by reacting to its own orientation and to pressure applied to its body or mouth. If the doll is placed in a horizontal position, such as being laid down in a bed, it will close its eyes and go to sleep. Squeezing the doll&#39;s chest, as if hugging it, or placing the doll in an upright position can wake the doll. The doll can be fed by placing a toy bottle in the doll&#39;s mouth. The doll will then react by making sounds of a baby sucking on a bottle. After a set period of time in which the doll has not been fed, the doll will emit crying sounds, as if the doll is hungry. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To begin using the doll, the user should first switch a three-way switch, described below in more detail, to the on position. Optionally, a user must press a button in one of the hands of the doll to start the interaction. Otherwise, the doll will interact with the use immediately after the three-way switch is switched to the on position. After the interaction begins, the doll enters a normal mode where the doll gurgles, coos, or laughs off and on. The doll will stay in this mode until the doll has not been fed for a set period of time, such as twenty seconds. After this set period of time, the doll switches to hungry mode. In this mode, the doll emits sounds of crying or other sounds that signify the doll is upset and hungry. The user can then place a toy bottle into the doll&#39;s mouth. Doing so causes the doll to emit sounds as if the doll was drinking from the bottle. If the doll is fed for at least a fixed period of time, for example fifteen seconds, the doll will burp and giggle, and return to normal mode. If the doll is fed for less than this fixed period of time, then the doll will stay in hungry mode and continue to cry. The user must continue to feed the baby for at least the fixed period of time before the doll will return to normal mode. Feeding the doll for longer than the fixed period of time causes the baby to burp and cry. Once the bottle is removed after feeding the doll for more than the fixed period of time, however, the baby will nonetheless laugh and return to normal mode. 
     When the doll is in normal mode, its eyes will blink and the doll will emit sounds of cooing, just like a real baby. The doll will also respond to pressure and its own orientation. If the doll is laid down horizontally, such as being laid down to rest, the doll will enter sleep mode. In this mode, the doll&#39;s eyes are closed and the doll will randomly emit sounds of snoring and deep breathing, just as if the doll is really asleep. To wake the doll, the user can pick the doll up and change its orientation to a more vertical position. This will change the mode from sleep mode to normal mode. Another alternative to wake the baby is to lightly squeeze its chest, which can be done, for example, by giving the doll a hug. This will also return the doll to normal mode. 
     An integrated circuit located inside of the doll controls the functionality of the doll. Various input devices, such as sensors, buttons, and switches, are all connected to and send signals to the integrated circuit and allow the user to interact with the doll. Output devices, such as a speaker are also connected to the integrated circuit to provide feedback to the user, where the integrated circuit sends signals to the output device. Further, the eyes of the doll are also controlled by the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit determines which mode the doll is in and sends different signals to the speaker, eyes, or both, based upon the mode that the doll is in. The modes contemplated by the inventor for this embodiment of the invention can include a normal mode, hungry mode, sleeping mode, and low power mode. Depending on the input signals it receives, the integrated circuit will send various signals to the output devices, change the mode that the doll is in, or both. 
     Because the doll uses electronic circuitry to function, the doll requires a power source. The working voltage of the integrated circuit is contemplated to be 4.5 volts. Three “AA” sized batteries are preferably used to power the doll at this voltage, as “AA” sized batteries are inexpensive and readily available in most areas. 
     The doll emits sounds through a speaker that is located in the chest of the doll. The speaker is connected to and receives signals from the integrated circuit. It produces various sounds based upon the input it receives from the integrated circuit. 
     There is also a button located in the mouth of the doll, known as a mouth button. The mouth button is connected to and sends signals to the integrated circuit. The button is located in the mouth of the doll such that it is difficult to press with the user&#39;s finger, but can be pressed easily using a device such as a toy bottle. When a toy bottle is placed into the doll&#39;s mouth, it presses the mouth button, which then sends a signal to the integrated circuit. The action that the integrated circuit takes upon receiving the signal from the mouth button depends on the mode that the doll is in. 
     If the doll is in normal mode and the mouth button is pressed, the integrated circuit will cause the speaker to emit sounds of slurping, as if the doll is sucking on the bottle. Once the mouth button is no longer being pressed, the integrated circuit causes the speaker to emit burping sounds. 
     If the doll is in hungry mode and the mouth button is pressed, as when it is in normal mode, the integrated circuit will cause the speaker to emit sounds of slurping, as if the doll is sucking on the bottle. Once the button is no longer being pressed, however, the integrated circuit not only causes the speaker to emit sounds of burping, but also changes the mode that the doll is in from hungry mode to normal mode, depending on the length of time that the mouth button has been pressed. For example, the feeding time for the doll could be fixed at fifteen seconds. If the mouth button is depressed for less than fifteen seconds, the mode of the doll will not change to normal mode. However, if the feeding time for the doll exceeds fifteen seconds, then once the mouth button is no longer being pressed, the mode of the doll will change to normal mode. 
     The doll could be in sleep mode when the mouth button is pressed. If this occurs, different resulting actions are contemplated. One possibility is that the doll responds just as if it is in normal mode; it leaves sleep mode and emits sounds of a baby drinking from a bottle. Another possible response is that the doll does not emit sounds of a baby drinking from a bottle, but rather cries, as if it was rudely awaken from its sleep. The doll could also be in low power mode when the mouth button is pressed. When the doll is in low power mode, the integrated circuit will not respond to signals from the mouth button. 
     The doll also includes an orientation sensor. The orientation sensor is connected to and sends signals to the integrated circuit. The orientation sensor senses two main orientations of the doll: horizontal and vertical. The orientation sensor then sends a signal to the integrated circuit depending on the orientation of the doll. If the doll is in the normal mode and the orientation of the doll is changed from vertical to horizontal, the mode of the doll will change to sleep mode. If the doll is in sleep mode and the orientation is changed from horizontal to vertical, the mode of the doll will change to normal mode. The doll, however, can also change orientations when the doll is in hungry mode. Different results are contemplated by the inventor to respond to this situation. One option is that the doll would not enter sleep mode even though the orientation of the doll changes from vertical to horizontal. Another option is that the doll would enter sleep mode from hungry mode. When the orientation changes from horizontal to vertical, however, after going from hungry mode to sleep mode, the doll could either return to hungry mode, or enter back into normal mode. In any embodiment of the invention, however, the orientation sensor gives the doll the ability to react in a more lifelike manner than if the doll did not have the orientation sensor. 
     A pressure sensor is also contemplated, where the pressure sensor is located in the chest of the doll. The pressure sensor is connected to and sends signals to the integrated circuit. When the user applies pressure to the pressure sensor, such as from hugging the doll or picking the doll up by the chest, the pressure sensor sends a signal to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit then responds based upon the mode that it is in. If the doll is in sleep mode, the mode will change to normal mode. If the doll is in normal mode, the doll will laugh and coo, a response typical of a baby when it is hugged or picked up. 
     The eyes of the doll are designed to open and close. This action can be used to close the eyes when the doll is in sleep mode, or make the eyes blink when the doll is in normal or hungry mode. The doll&#39;s eyes are controlled by magnetism. Each eye has a permanent magnet located therein. Near the eyes is a coil where, when electricity is run through it, creates a magnetic field. The coil is connected to the integrated circuit, and the integrated circuit controls the polarity of the electricity that runs through the coil. Reversing the polarity of the electricity that runs through the coil reverses the polarity of the magnetic field created by the coil. This action is used to create the effect of the eyes opening and closing. When the coil creates a magnetic field in one direction, the magnetic field will pull or push the permanent magnet located in the eye, which, in turn, will either open or close the eye. Reversing the polarity of the magnetic field produced by the coil will have the opposite effect, either closing the open eye or opening the closed eye. 
     In one of the hands of the doll is a hand button. The hand button is not visible on the outside of the hand. However, by pressing the palm of the hand where the hand button is located, the hand button can nonetheless be pressed. The button is connected to and sends signals to the integrated circuit, and serves various functions depending on the position of the three-way switch, described below. 
     The doll also includes a three-way switch, which is preferably located near the power supply. The three-way switch can be in the on position, off position, or the limited function position. When the three-way switch is in the off position, no power is supplied to the electrical elements of the doll and the doll will not function. However, when the three-way switch is in the on position, power is supplied to all of the various electronic devices of the doll that require electricity. When the three-way switch is first turned to the on position, the integrated circuit, optionally, will not accept input from all of the various input devices nor will it send any signals to the eyes or the speaker. The integrated circuit will only accept input from the hand button. Once the hand button is pressed, the interaction between the user and doll and is started. The integrated circuit will accept input from all of the various input devices that are connected to the integrated circuit as well as send signals to the eyes causing them to blink and to the speaker causing it to emit sound. Finally, the three-way switch can be in the limited-function position. In this position, the doll has limited functionality, and the integrated circuit will only accept signals from the hand button. If the hand button is pressed while the three-way switch is in the limited-function position, some of the sounds usually emitted from the speaker while the doll is in the normal mode will be emitted from the speaker. This allows potential buyers to hear particular sounds emitted by the doll during normal mode while not quickly draining the power from the batteries. 
     While the doll has three main modes, normal mode, hungry mode, and sleep mode, the doll also has a low-power mode. After a finite period of time, such as sixty seconds, where the integrated circuit receives no signals from any of the input elements, the doll will change to a low-power mode. In this mode, the doll will not respond to any input from the various input element elements except for the hand button in an effort to conserve power and extend the useful life of the batteries. The doll can be returned to the normal mode by pressing the hand button. 
     It is a principal object of the invention to provide a child&#39;s toy that reflects a current interest and practice of society. 
     It is another principal object of the invention to provide a child&#39;s toy that is fun and entertaining to use. 
     It is a final object of this invention to provide a child&#39;s toy that is safe and efficient to operate. 
     It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the toy doll. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the toy doll 
         FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram of the electronics of the toy doll. 
         FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are cutaway schematic views of the eyes of the toy doll. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the toy doll. The toy doll  10  has a head  17  that is attached to a body  19 . The head  17  contains two eyes  11  and a mouth  12 . Inside of the mouth  12  is a mouth button (not shown in this figure). To activate the mouth button, a toy bottle can be placed into the mouth thereby pressing the mouth button at the same time. When the doll is in normal mode, the eyes  11  close and open quickly, as if the doll is blinking its eyes. In the chest  13  of the doll  10  is a speaker (not shown in this figure), which emits sounds. Inside of the palm of the left hand  14  of the doll  10  is a hand button (not shown in this figure). 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the toy doll. The toy doll  10  has a head  17  that is attached to a body  19 . Inside of the palm of the left hand  14  of the doll  10  is a hand button (not shown in this figure). A pocket  18  is sewn into the body  19 . Inside of the pocket  18  is placed a battery back  15 , which contains the batteries that provide power to the electronics of the doll  10 . On the battery pack  15  is a three-way switch  16 , which can be in the on position, off position, or the limited function position. The limited function position may be labeled as “Try-Me.” 
       FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram of the electronics of the toy doll. An integrated circuit  30  accepts signals from input elements, and produces output signals to various output elements. One input element is a mouth button  31 . The mouth button  31  is located in the mouth of the doll and is preferably pressed by placing a toy bottle into the mouth of the doll. The mouth button  31  is connected to and sends signals to the integrated circuit  30 . A hand button  33  is also an input element that is connected to the integrated circuit  31 . The hand button  33 , when pressed, sends a signal to the integrated circuit. 
     Also connected to the integrated circuit  30  is an orientation sensor  32 . The orientation sensor  32  senses whether the doll is in a vertical or horizontal position. The orientation sensor  32  is contemplated to be a ball sensor. The orientation sensor  32  sends a signal to the integrated circuit  31  depending on whether the doll is in a more vertical or horizontal position. In this embodiment, when the ball sensor is high, the doll is in more of a vertical position. When the ball sensor is low, the doll is in more of a horizontal position. When the orientation sensor  32  senses that the doll is in more of a horizontal position, it sends a signal to the integrated circuit  30 . When the orientation sensor  32  senses that the doll is in more of a vertical position, it does not send a signal to the integrated circuit  30 . Therefore, in this embodiment, if the integrated circuit  30  receives a signal from the orientation sensor  32 , the doll is in more of a horizontal position. 
     The integrated circuit  30  sends signals to a speaker  34 , a coil  35 , or both based upon the input that the integrated circuit  30  receives from the various input elements. A three-way  16  switch is also connected to the integrated circuit  30 . When the three-way switch  16  is in the uppermost position, the three-way switch  16  is in the on position and the doll is fully functional. When the three-way switch  16  is in the lowermost position, the three-way switch  16  is in the limited function, or “Try-Me,” position. When the three-way switch  16  is in the middle position, the three-way switch is in the off-position, and no power is supplied to the electronic components of the doll and the doll will not function. Finally, various resistors, capacitors, and transistors are included in the circuit, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are cutaway schematic views of the eyes of the toy doll.  FIG. 4A  shows an eye  11  in the open position. A permanent magnet  42  is located inside of the eye  11 . The top of the eye  41  is painted to resemble an eyelid. However, when the eye  11  is in the open position, the tope of the eye  41  is not visible, but rather is hidden from view inside of the doll. A coil  35  is used to control whether the eye is in an open or closed position. When the coil has current flow through in one direction, it creates a magnetic field. In  FIG. 4A , a magnetic field is create such that a north pole is located at the bottom of the coil  35  and a south pole is located at the top of the coil  35 . This magnetic field attracts the opposite poles of the permanent magnet  42  located in the eye  11 . This moves and keeps the eye  11  in the open position. 
       FIG. 4B  shows an eye  11  in the closed position. A permanent magnet  42  is located inside of the eye  11 . The top of the eye  41  is painted to resemble an eyelid. In this figure, the eye  11  is in the closed position, and the top of the eye  41  is visible to the user. A coil  35  is used to control whether the eye is in an open or closed position. When the coil has current flow through in one direction, it creates a magnetic field. In  FIG. 4B , a magnetic field is create such that a north pole is located at the top of the coil  35  and a south pole is located at the bottom of the coil  35 . This magnetic field attracts the opposite poles of the permanent magnet  42  located in the eye  11 . The coil  35  and the eye  11  are situated proximately to each other such that the magnetic field located at the top of the coil  35  has a slightly greater effect on the permanent magnet  42  than the magnetic field located at the bottom of the magnet. Therefore, when the polarity of the magnetic field created by the coiled is switched, the magnetic field located at the top of the coil  35  will pull the permanent magnet  42  of the eye  11  up such that the eye closes. Further, the eye is not allowed to move into a position other than open or closed position, therefore the only movement the eye  11  can make to align the magnetic fields of the permanent magnet  42  and coil  35  is to move to the closed position.