Abstract:
A children&#39;s toy having an opening for receiving objects, a passage for conveying the objects, and an opening for returning the objects. The toy provides the user with a sensory stimulus in response to performance of the task of passing the object through the toy. The sensory stimulus is preferably an audible or visible output to encourage continued use of the toy by a child.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
     Field of the Invention  
       [0001]     The invention relates to children&#39;s toys, and more particularly to children&#39;s toys that provide sensory output in response to performance of a task.  
         [0002]     Many useful children&#39;s toys are designed to teach or test certain motor or problem solving skills. Many of these toys fail to keep the interest of children, often because they lack sufficient visual or audio stimuli. Children&#39;s short attention spans often render such toys obsolete as failed attempts produce frustration or as repeated successes produce boredom. Therefore, children regularly require new devices to maintain their attention for continued development of motor and problem solving skills. Many devices require assistance from parents or older children to set up or reset the toy after each successful performance of a task. Thus, there is a need for a device that provides stimulation, independence and recognition of success to encourage children&#39;s continued interest and efforts in skills development through use of the device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The invention includes a body having a base, an input opening, an output opening and a passage between the openings. The openings and passage are sized to allow an object to pass through each in sequence, triggering an actuator coupled to a sensory output generator. The passage includes a partial obstacle or interior surface features to redirect the movement of the object along the path between the openings. The output opening may be fitted with a door to selectively retain or return deposited objects. The passage may include apertures or transparent portions for viewing the objects in motion. The passage may also be used to store objects. The body of the device may further include a handle and features or surfaces for stacking or other arranging of objects.  
         [0004]     In embodiments of the invention, the device may include audio and visual sensory output. The output may include sounds, music, lights, images or movement. The device may include obstacles to selectively stop or release the object along its path through the passage. Selective operation of these obstacles may include movement of dials, buttons, switches, knobs, sliders, etc., and may also be accompanied by sensory output. The device may also include an on/off switch or volume, intensity, or mode controls for the sensory output generation system.  
         [0005]     In embodiments of the invention, different input openings may require shape sorting, proper orientation of or differentiation between objects. The object may be a block, ball, or other easily grasped object. Movement of objects through the passage may be by gravity or by momentum imparted either manually or mechanically or by automatic operation of the device.  
         [0006]     These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a device according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view according to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0011]      FIGS. 4A-4F  show a cross sectional view according to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , depicting the operation of the device at various stages.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the device shown in FIG. I showing object stacking surface features.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary audio and visual output system.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 7-9  are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     Several embodiments of a children&#39;s entertainment device  100  incorporating the principles of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-9 . A general description of the device is presented first, followed by a description of various implementations.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 1-5  are illustrations of an embodiment of the device  100 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , device  100  includes a body  110 , with a base  112 , a first end  120 , and a second end  130 . Body  110  also includes a passage  140  therethrough that can guide an object  104  through body  110 , and has an input end  142  and an output end  144 . An input opening  122  in body  110  at first end  120  communicates with input end  142  of passage  140 , and an output opening  132  in body  110  at second end  130  communicates with output end  144  of passage  140 . Passage  140  includes at least one structure that can redirect or change the direction of travel and/or the speed and/or direction of rotation of object  104  as it moves through passage  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, this structure is referred to as redirector  146 , and comprises a projection on the interior surface of passage  140 .  
         [0017]     Output opening  132  is fitted with a door  134  for selectively retaining or releasing deposited objects  104 . Body  110  also includes viewing apertures  116  communicating with passage  140 . Apertures  116  thus allow the user to view the motion of object  104  through passage  140  between openings  122  and  132 .  
         [0018]     An actuator  152  is disposed in passage  140  near output opening  132  and is positioned to be impacted by an object  104  passing through passage  140 . Device  100  includes a sensory output generator  160  coupled to, and responsive to signals from, actuator  152 . Sensory output generator  160  is coupled to a controller (not shown), and to a power supply  190 , such as a battery. Power supply  190  can be one or more rechargeable or disposable batteries housed in a compartment which is accessible by removal or movement of power supply cover  192 .  
         [0019]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-5 , actuator  152 , when activated, triggers an audio or visual output or both audio and visual outputs. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  152  includes a compression switch. The actuator  152  is coupled to a sensory output generator  160 . When the actuator  152  is depressed by object  104 , audio or visual signals are generated and output through at least one video or audio transducer  164 . Any number of transducers  164  may be positioned at various locations on or in device  100 .  
         [0020]     Although device  100  is described above as having a single actuator  152  positioned near output opening  132 , device  100  may include multiple actuators  152 . Actuators  152  may be placed near either opening  122  or  132  or along the passage  140 , or at combinations of these locations. The audible and/or visual output from sensory output generator  160  triggered by activation of one actuator may be the same as or different than the output triggered by activation of a different actuator  152 .  
         [0021]     Additionally, although actuator  152  is described above as including a compression switch, it may be a motion detector, magnetic sensor, photodetector, reed switch, contact switch, or other similar actuator or sensor to detect contact, motion, or position of an object  104  relative to device  100 . For example, a photodetector may be placed in the openings  122 ,  132  to detect passage or motion of an object  104  therethrough. Alternatively, actuators  152  may be located so as to respond to objects  104  contacting the redirectors  146  or passing through openings  122 ,  132  or passage  140  to cause different outputs as a function of the combination of actuators  152  triggered by object  104 . A specific output from sensory output generator  160  may be uniquely associated with a particular actuator input sequence or combination.  
         [0022]     Alternatively, actuator  152  and/or sensory output generator  160  may be part of object  104  rather than device  100 . Any of the sensors or actuators  152  discussed above may be incorporated into object  104 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a functional block diagram of an example of an audio or visual output system suitable for use with device  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the device  100  includes a controller  170 , an input block  150 , a control block  172 , and an output block  180 . In response to user input via the input block  150 , the control block  172  controls the output of selected output, such as musical notes, sound effects, light patterns or combinations of musical notes, sounds, and light patterns, from the output block  180 .  
         [0024]     Output block  180  includes output content  182 , which may be audio content and/or video content. Audio content can be, for example, in either digital or analog form, musical tones, speech (recorded, sampled or synthesized), or sounds (including recorded natural sounds, or electronically synthesized sounds). Video content can be, for example, in analog or digital form, still or video images, or simply control signals for activation of lamps or other light-emitting devices.  
         [0025]     The output content  182  can be communicated to a user for hearing, or viewing, by output generator  160 , which can include an audio output generator and/or a video output generator. Output generator  160  can include an audio and/or video signal generator  162 , which converts audio and/or video output content  182  into signals suitable for driving an audio and/or video transducer  164 , such as a speaker, for converting the signals into audible sound waves or a display screen or lights, for converting the signals into visible light waves. Output generator  160  can also include moving physical objects, such as miniature figures, to produce visual stimulus to the user. The selection of output content  182 , and the performance attributes of the output generators  160 , should be driven by the goal of generating output that is appealing or entertaining to a child user.  
         [0026]     Control block  172  controls output block  180 , selecting the output content  182  to be output and activating the output generator  160  to operate on the selected output content  182 . The operation of control block  172  can be governed by control logic  174 , which can be, for example, computer software code. Control logic  174  can select content to be output repetitively or non-repetitively, and/or randomly or in fixed sequences. Video and/or audio output can be coordinated to enhance the desired entertaining effect.  
         [0027]     User input block  150  can include a mode selector (not shown), and at least one actuator  152 , by which the user can provide input to control block  172  to influence the selection of output content  182  and to initiate its output. A mode selector allows the user to select from among output modes. Illustrative output modes include variations of audio and visual outputs or combined outputs. For example, the output content  182  can include a set of musical tones and a set of sound effect segments. Alternatively, output content  182  can include a selected sequence of illumination instructions for lamps. Control logic  174  includes sets of sequences in which the musical tones can be output to produce musical tunes. Various modes of light operation may be selected. A program can include a predetermined sequential output of the sets of tone sequences, producing a sequence of musical tunes. Lamps can be illuminated in response to a set of illumination instructions correlated with the playing of the tunes.  
         [0028]     The components of sensory output generator  160  may be placed in any suitable locations in or on device  100 . Audio and/or video transducers  164  may be placed in various locations in or on device  100  and have location- or actuator-specific sounds  
         [0029]     In addition to input actuators  152 , sensory output generator  160  may be coupled to on/off and/or mode selectors or switches and/or volume or intensity adjustment controls to modify the effect of the audio or visual outputs. Although the actuator  152  is described above as causing electronic output, other outputs such as mechanical sounds or movement are contemplated by the present invention.  
         [0030]     The operation of device  100  is described with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4F . A user inserts an object  104  into input opening  122  and releases the object. The object  104  falls under the influence of gravity into passage  140  via inlet end  142 . As the object  104  passes through passage  140 , it encounters redirectors  146 . Upon striking each redirector  146 , object  104  rebounds, changing direction. The impact with redirector  146  can also impart a tumbling motion, or change the speed or direction of the tumbling motion or rotation that object  104  had before encountering the redirector. As it nears output end  144  of passage  140 , object  104  strikes output actuator  152 , activating the actuator  152 . In turn, actuator  152  initiates operation of sensory output generator  160 , which then produces sensory output. Object  104  continues through passage  140 , leaving through output end  144  and exiting body  110  via output opening  132 .  
         [0031]     Some additional, optional features of device  100  are described with reference to  FIG. 5 . Device  100  may include one or more surfaces or structures for stacking or arranging one or more objects  104 . For example, a handle  118  is coupled to first end  120  of body  110 , and allows a user to carry device  100 . Handle  118  may be pivotally mounted to body  110  and may be disposable in an orientation shown in  FIG. 5  in which one or more objects  104  can be supported on the handle  118 . Similarly, output opening door  134  may receive or support objects  104  in its open position. Alternatively, or additionally, a platform  114  may be formed in, or coupled to, body  110  and receive or support one or more objects  104 .  
         [0032]     Body  110  may be configured to resemble any one of many shapes or objects, including an animal, building, vehicle, geographic formation, landmark, etc. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , device  100  is configured to resemble a giraffe. Thus, body  110  is formed to resemble the giraffe&#39;s body, with passage  140  formed in the giraffe&#39;s neck, input opening  122  formed in the head, apertures  116  are shaped and located to resemble the giraffe&#39;s spots, and a projection is disposed adjacent platform  114  to resemble a tail. Graphic indicia are place on body  110  to depict facial features, etc.  
         [0033]     The object  104  may be any one of many shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, object  104  is shown as a cubic block. Alternatively, object  104  may be formed as a sphere, pyramid, extruded geometric section, etc. Alternatively, object  104  may be formed to resemble any one of many objects typically recognized by children, such as fruit, vegetables, animals, coins, etc.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment in which a device  200  includes multiple input openings  222 , and/or multiple output openings  232  in communication with one ore more passages  240 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the input openings  222  are of different shapes, requiring shape sorting of correspondingly shaped objects  204 . The input openings  222 , passages  240 , and the output openings  232  can be combined in various permutations. For example, each passage  240  may be coupled with a single input opening  222  and a single output opening  232  thus providing multiple independent paths for an object  204 . Alternatively, each passage  240  may be coupled to multiple (or all) input openings  222  and/or output openings  232 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment in which a device  300  has an arcuate or serpentine shaped passage  340  with a substantially circular cross section to accommodate a substantially spherical object  304 . Redirection of object  304  may be by redirectors  346  and/or by variations in the passage shape, size, or contour etc.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment in which a device  400  includes at least one input opening  422 , at least one passage  440 , and at least one output opening  432 . Passage  440  includes a moveable redirector  446  operably coupled to a control  448 . Arrows indicate a range of redirector positions or movements in which redirector  446  may be used to slow, halt, or release object  404  as it travels through passage  440 . Alternatively, redirector  446  may be used to guide or impart momentum to object  404  causing it to enter an alternate passage  440  or causing it to change direction, rotation, orientation, etc. Actuators  452  may be located in various passages  440  or in various locations within any number of passages  440  with variable sensory outputs provided in response to triggering of different actuators  452  or series of actuators  452 . Redirector control  448  may be a manual actuator, a motorized actuator, etc., and may be operated by the user or by automatic operation of the device  400 .  
         [0037]     In the illustrated embodiments, the various components of the devices  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  are formed of plastic materials, but any other material suitable for the intended use can be utilized.  
         [0038]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-5 , although redirectors  146  are shown as projections formed on the inner wall of passage  140 , they may be formed as posts projecting into, or completely across, passage  140 , and may be of any shape or size. They may be rigid, as illustrated, or deformable and/or resilient.  
         [0039]     While particular, illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and modifications exist that would not depart from the scope of the invention. For example, device  100  can be configured to require manual or mechanized agitation to convey object  104  through passage  140 . Although passage  140  is illustrated as a substantially vertical hollow body, in alternative embodiments, passage  140  may be of any shape, configuration, orientation, and/or cross-section that accommodates movement of object  104  between openings  122  and  132 . For example, the passage  140  may follow an arcuate, spiraling, tortuous, or alternating incline path between openings  122  and  132 .  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0040]     While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined in only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.