Electronic toy

Abstract

Provided is an electronic toy which automatically activates when the user is nearby. An electronic toy controlled so as to react to external information has a movement mechanism structuring the mechanical movement of the toy (FIG. 5 ); an input element for obtaining external information ( 51 - 55 ); a distinction element for distinguishing whether an object body exists in the periphery (S 152 ); and a control element for selecting, among a plurality of control parameters, a control parameter for controlling the movement mechanism in correspondence with the external information based on the distinction result, and controlling the movement of the movement mechanism, and activates when a person exists in the periphery (S 162 - 180 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electronic toy controlled so as to react to external information, comprising: 
 a movement mechanism structuring the mechanical movement of the toy;    input means for obtaining external information;    distinction means for distinguishing whether an object body exists in the periphery; and    control means for selecting, among a plurality of control parameters, a control parameter for controlling said movement mechanism in correspondence with said external information based on said distinction result, and controlling the movement of said movement mechanism.    
     
     
         2 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1  further comprising information display means for externally displaying information, 
 wherein said control means further selects, among a plurality of control parameters, a control parameter for controlling said information display means in correspondence with said external information, and controls the operation of said information display means.  
 
     
     
         3 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  further comprising sound generation means for externally outputting sound, 
 wherein said control means further selects, among a plurality of control parameters, a control parameter for controlling said sound generation means in correspondence with said external information, and controls the operation of said sound generation means.  
 
     
     
         4 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 information display means for externally displaying information;    sound generation means for externally outputting sound;    means for calculating the lifestyle rhythm of a specific person; and    event detection means for detecting the occurrence of an event during said lifestyle rhythm;    wherein said control means further selects the control parameter of at least said movement mechanism, said information display means and said sound generation means in correspondence with said event.    
     
     
         5 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 information display means for externally displaying information;    sound generation means for externally outputting sound;    clock means for detecting the present time; and    detection means for detecting the occurrence of an event planned on a time base in advance;    wherein said control means further selects the control parameter of at least said movement mechanism, said information display means and said sound generation means in correspondence with said event.    
     
     
         6 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein said distinction means detects peripheral sound and/or movement.  
     
     
         7 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein said distinction means detects peripheral sound and/or brightness.  
     
     
         8 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein said distinction means comprises a microphone for collecting sound and/or a camera for photographing the periphery.  
     
     
         9 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein said movement mechanism is structured in the shape of a humanoid robot, and the movement thereof is controlled so as to express at least one of a human emotion of “delight”, “anger”, “sorrow” and “pleasure”.  
     
     
         10 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means selects the control parameter for a predetermined solo play operation when it is judged that a person does not exist in the periphery.  
     
     
         11 . An electronic toy according to  claim 2 , wherein said electronic toy is in the shape of a human, and said information display means is provided to a part corresponding to the face and displays expressions of the face and symbols such as text.  
     
     
         12 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1  further comprising storage means for recording the voice of a person.  
     
     
         13 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein said input means includes at least one of a touch sensor, microphone, light sensor, camera, ∘× switch and condition sensor.  
     
     
         14 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1  further comprising means for detecting the output of a battery, which is the source of power of said movement mechanism; 
 wherein said control means further generates a warning with the information display means for externally displaying information or the sound generation means for externally outputting sound when the output of said battery becomes weak.  
 
     
     
         15 . An electronic toy controlled so as to react to external information, comprising: 
 a human-shaped structure;    control means for controlling the movement of said structure in correspondence with external information;    a miniature camera provided to said structure and for photographing the external situation; and    communication means for externally transmitting the photographed image.    
     
     
         16 . A toy, comprising: 
 a basic frame disposed at the torso portion of the human-shaped toy;    first and second sub-frames respectively provided at both sides of said basic frame and rotatably mounted on said basic frame;    first and second rotational axes respectively provided to said first and second sub-frames;    a cam mechanism provide to a third rotational axis driven by a first motor;    a link for connecting said cam mechanism between said first and second sub-frames and oscillating both sub-frames;    a gear mechanism driven by a second motor; and    a transmission mechanism disposed across said basic frame and between said first and second sub-frames and for transmitting the output of said gear mechanism to said first and second rotational axes.    
     
     
         17 . A toy according to  claim 16 , wherein said transmission mechanism is structured of a gear train formed of a plurality of gears, and each of the gears on both ends are respectively disposed in said first and second sub-frames and respectively engage with said first and second rotational axes via a bevel gear.  
     
     
         18 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal comprising a display unit at a face-corresponding portion of the head capable of displaying text and symbols, and which is structured such that the information input pursuant to the operation of the input unit, which is formed of a plurality of input switches provided on the body, can be visually confirmed with the display unit provided on said face-corresponding portion.  
     
     
         19 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal having a head portion and a torso portion and comprising a display unit at a face-corresponding portion of the head capable of displaying text and symbols, an input unit formed of a plurality of input switches is provided to the torso portion, and which is structured such that the operation results of said input unit can be visually confirmed with the display unit provided on said face-corresponding portion.  
     
     
         20 . An electronic robot in the shape of a human or an animal comprising a display unit at a face-corresponding portion of the head capable of displaying text and symbols, and which is structured such that the information input by the operator operating the input unit provided to the body of said robot can be visually confirmed with the display unit provided on said face-corresponding portion.  
     
     
         21 . An electronic robot in the shape of a human or an animal comprising a display unit at a face-corresponding portion of the head capable of displaying text and symbols, and which is structured such that the information input by the operator operating the input unit provided to the body of said robot is displayed on the display unit provided on said face-corresponding portion so as to form the expression of said robot.  
     
     
         22 . An electronic toy according to  claim 1 , wherein an emotion parameter is included in said control parameter, and said emotion parameter is represented as the biorhythm of a specific person or the biorhythm of the robot.  
     
     
         23 . An electronic toy according to  claim 22 , wherein said emotion parameter is affected by the occurrence of an event.  
     
     
         24 . An electronic toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the response to a question inquired by the electronic toy to the user is included in said event.  
     
     
         25 . An electronic toy according to  claim 24 , wherein defined beforehand in said question are changes in the emotion parameter against the anticipated response to the question.  
     
     
         26 . An electronic toy according to  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 information display means for externally displaying information; and    sound generation means for externally outputting sound;    wherein said control unit further selects at least one of the information to be externally displayed or the sound to be externally output based on said emotion parameter, and respectively supplies this to the corresponding means among said information display means and said sound generation means.    
     
     
         27 . An electronic toy according to  claim 24 , wherein said control means further stores the response to said question, and forms a standard sentence by using data relating to said response.  
     
     
         28 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 a display unit capable of displaying text and symbols on the face-corresponding portion of the head or torso-corresponding portion;    input means provided on the body for performing input operations;    storage means for storing a plurality of words; and    control means having a function for outputting emotion parameter values representing self emotions, and which selects said words based on said emotion parameter value and displays said words on said display unit.    
     
     
         29 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 vocalization means for outputting sound data as a voice;    input means provided to the body for performing input operations;    storage means for storing a plurality of sound data; and    control means having a function for outputting emotion parameter values representing self emotions, and which selects said sound data based on said emotion parameter value and makes said vocalization means vocalize said sound data.    
     
     
         30 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 a display unit capable of displaying text and symbols on the face-corresponding portion of the head or torso-corresponding portion;    vocalization means for outputting sound data as a voice;    input means provided on the body for performing input operations;    storage means for storing a plurality of words and a plurality of sound data; and    control means having a function for outputting emotion parameter values representing self emotions, and which selects said words and said sound data based on said emotion parameter value and supplies said words and said sound data to said display unit and said vocalization means, respectively.    
     
     
         31 . An electronic toy according to any one of  claims 28  to  30 , wherein said emotion parameter value temporally changes between the maximum value and minimum value.  
     
     
         32 . An electronic toy according to  claim 28 , wherein said control means further inquires questions with said text or sound, and changes the value of said emotion parameter in accordance with the input operation in response thereto.  
     
     
         33 . An electronic toy according to  claim 32 , wherein a plurality of said questions are stored in advance, and changes in said emotion parameter are defined against the anticipated response to the respective questions.  
     
     
         34 . An electronic toy according to  claim 32 , wherein a plurality of said questions are stored in advance, and the degree of intimacy between the electronic toy and user is defined against the anticipated response to the respective questions.  
     
     
         35 . An electronic toy according to  claim 32 , wherein said control means further stores the response to said question, and forms a standard sentence by using data relating to said response.  
     
     
         36 . An electronic toy according to  claim 34 , wherein said control unit further accumulates the degree of intimacy obtained pursuant to the. respective questions and, when this exceeds a prescribed value, supplies data for expressing a specific emotion to said display unit and/or said vocalization means.  
     
     
         37 . An electronic toy according to  claim 32 , wherein said questions include questions that will affect and questions that will not affect said emotion parameter.  
     
     
         38 . An electronic toy according to  claim 31 , wherein a plurality zones are defined in advance between the maximum value and minimum value of said emotion parameter and said words and said voice data are distributed in the respective zones, 
 and wherein said control means selects words and sound data of the corresponding zone depending on to which zone the current emotion parameter value belongs.    
     
     
         39 . An electronic toy according to  claim 38 , wherein said control means, in a special zone, further selects the control for performing a special movement accompanying the mechanical movement of the components structuring the human shape or animal shape.  
     
     
         40 . An electronic toy according to  claim 28 , wherein said control means further comprises an exhibition mode for changing said emotion parameter value between the maximum value and minimum value thereof in short cycles.  
     
     
         41 . An electronic toy according to  claim 30  further comprising connection means for connecting the electronic toy to a network, 
 wherein at least one of the words and sound data is downloaded to said storage means from a server device connected to said network.  
 
     
     
         42 . An electronic toy according to  claim 41 , wherein said downloaded words and sound data are current affair terms.  
     
     
         43 . An electronic toy according to  claim 41 , wherein said downloaded words and sound data are terms corresponding to the characteristics of the user.  
     
     
         44 . An electronic toy according to  claim 30  further comprising connection means for connecting two electronic toys, 
 wherein at least one of the words and sound data stored in the connected electronic toy of the opponent is received by said storage means.  
 
     
     
         45 . An electronic toy according to  claim 41  or  claim 44 , wherein said connection means includes at least one of a communication cable, PHS, mobile telephone and personal computer.  
     
     
         46 . An electronic toy according to  claim 44 , wherein text data is exchanged between the electronic toys, and simulated conversation is conducted by incorporating the exchanged data in standard sentences.  
     
     
         47 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 sound detection means for detecting peripheral sound;    a display unit capable of displaying text and symbols on the face-corresponding portion of the head or torso-corresponding portion;    storage means for storing a plurality of expressions; and    control means having a function for outputting emotion parameter values representing self emotions, and which selects said expression based on said emotion parameter value and displays said expression on said display unit, and sets said emotion parameter to an unpleasant state when said sound exceeds a prescribed level and continues beyond a prescribed time.    
     
     
         48 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 a display unit capable of displaying text and symbols on the face-corresponding portion of the head or torso-corresponding portion;    storage means for storing a plurality of expressions;    input means provided on the body for performing input operations; and    control means having a function for outputting emotion parameter values representing self emotions, and which selects said expression based on said emotion parameter value and displays said expression on said display unit, and selects an expression corresponding to said emotion parameter when said input means is continuously operated for a prescribed time or a prescribed number of times.    
     
     
         49 . An electronic toy according to  claim 47 , wherein an expression of anger is displayed on said display unit during said unpleasant state.  
     
     
         50 . An electronic toy according to  claim 48 , wherein the expression selected in correspondence with said continuous operation is a painful expression upon being pounded, or a delightful expression upon being patted.  
     
     
         51 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 a display unit capable of displaying text and symbols on the face-corresponding portion of the head or torso-corresponding portion;    storage means for storing a plurality of expressions;    a light sensor for detecting the peripheral brightness; and    control means for selecting an expression corresponding to the self emotion and selecting the expression of closing the eyes when said light sensor detects a dark state beyond a prescribed time.    
     
     
         52 . An electronic toy according to  claim 51 , wherein said control means further moves the mechanical components structuring the human shape or animal shape so as to express a reluctant expression.  
     
     
         53 . An electronic toy according to  claim 28 , wherein the initial value of the function for outputting the emotion parameter value expressing said emotions is set randomly.  
     
     
         54 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 a display unit capable of displaying text and symbols on the face-corresponding portion of the head or torso-corresponding portion;    movably structured mechanical components structuring a human shape or an animal shape; and    a control unit for distinguishing the message and control information from a file attached to an e-mail, displaying said message on said display unit, and moving said mechanical components in correspondence with said control information.    
     
     
         55 . An electronic toy according to  claim 54 , wherein said attachment file is a sound file.  
     
     
         56 . An electronic toy according to  claim 55 , wherein said sound file is reproduced as a sound signal by a computer, and said sound signal is supplied to said control unit.  
     
     
         57 . An electronic toy according to  claim 54 , wherein said control information designates the movement stored beforehand in said control unit.  
     
     
         58 . An electronic toy according to  claim 54 , wherein said control information designates to said control unit a series of control procedures of said mechanical components.  
     
     
         59 . An electronic toy according to  claim 54 , wherein, when said control information is not attached, said control unit selects adequate movement of said mechanical components.  
     
     
         60 . An electronic toy according to  claim 54 , wherein said control information expresses emotions such as delight, anger, sorrow and pleasure of the robot.  
     
     
         61 . A method of exchanging e-mail, comprising: 
 a step of converting the message to be displayed on the electronic toy of the receiving side and the movement to be made by said electronic toy into a sound signal;    a step of converting said sound signal into a sound file and making this an attachment file of an e-mail; and    a step of transmitting the e-mail with said sound attachment file from the terminal device of the transmitting side to the terminal device of the receiving side.    
     
     
         62 . A method of exchanging e-mail, comprising: 
 a step of receiving e-mail with a sound attachment file in which said attachment file is a sound file where a sound signal bears the message to be displayed on an electronic toy and the movement to be made by said electronic toy, and obtaining said sound signal by reproducing said sound file;    a step of forwarding said reproduced sound signal from the terminal device of the receiving side to the electronic toy of the receiving side; and    a step of making said electronic toy display said message and perform said movement.    
     
     
         63 . A method of exchanging e-mail, comprising: 
 a step of converting the message to be displayed on the electronic toy of the receiving side and the movement to be made by said electronic toy into a sound signal;    a step of converting said sound signal into a sound file and making this an attachment file of an e-mail;    a step of transmitting the e-mail with said sound attachment file from the terminal device of the transmitting side to the terminal device of the receiving side;    a step of forwarding said reproduced sound signal from the terminal device of said receiving side to said electronic toy; and    a step of making said electronic toy display said message and perform said movement.    
     
     
         64 . An electronic toy in the shape of a human or an animal, comprising: 
 a leg structure structuring a pair of movable legs in the shape of a human or an animal; and    a control unit for controlling the movement of said legs in correspondence with sound to be output.    
     
     
         65 . An electronic toy according to  claim 64 , wherein said control unit sets the speed of movement of said legs in correspondence with the volume of said sound and rhythm.  
     
     
         66 . An electronic toy according to  claim 64 , wherein the movement of said pair of legs is a movement of opening/closing said legs in the horizontal direction.  
     
     
         67 . An electronic toy according to  claim 64 , wherein slide prevention means is provided to the sole of one of said legs, and sliding means is provided to the sole of the other of said legs.  
     
     
         68 . An electronic toy according to  claim 64 , wherein said leg structure comprises: 
 a waist portion frame provided with a pair of hip joint portions rotatable at least in one direction;    a pair of leg portions respectively connected to said pair of hip joint portions;    a pair of drive shafts in which one end portion thereof is mounted on said leg portion and the other end portion thereof extends inside said waist portion frame beyond the hip joint portion of said leg portion;    a link member for mutually connecting the respective other end portions of the respective drive shafts;    a cam mechanism interjacent between said other end portion of at least one of said drive shafts and said link member, and for changing the respective one end portions of said drive shafts to become wide or narrow; and    a motor built in one of said leg portions and for rotatably driving said one of drive shafts.    
     
     
         69 . An electronic toy according to  claim 68 , wherein the other end portion of said drive shaft and said link member, or said cam and said link member, are connected via a spherical engagement member.  
     
     
         70 . An electronic toy according to  claim 68  further comprising a sliding means provided on one end portion of the other drive shaft among said pair of drive shafts so as to slide on the ground surface or floor surface.  
     
     
         71 . An electronic toy according to  claim 68 , wherein the other of said leg portions comprises an above-knee portion connected rotatably in the cross direction to said hip joint portion, a below-knee portion connected rotatably in the cross direction with said above-knee portion, and a ground portion connected rotatably in the horizontal direction with one end portion of the other drive shaft among said pair of drive shafts; 
 and said electronic toy having a structure wherein a protrusion is formed at the lower face of said below-knee portion, an inclined face to which said protrusion contacts is formed on the upper face of said ground portion, said protrusion is pushed up pursuant to the opening/closing movement of said leg portions, and the connection of said above-knee portion and said below-knee portion bends thereby.    
     
     
         72 . An electronic toy according to  claim 67 , wherein said sliding means is a roller.  
     
     
         73 . An electronic toy according to  claim 69 , wherein the degree of opening/closing of said pair of legs is adjustable pursuant to the position in which said engagement member is mounted on said cam mechanism.  
     
     
         74 . An electronic toy comprising a walking mechanism for performing bipedal locomotion by moving both legs back and forth, wherein the movement mechanism of one leg comprises: 
 a waist portion frame;    an above-knee portion connected rotatably to said waist portion frame;    a below-knee portion connected rotatably to said above-knee portion;    a ground portion connected rotatably to said below-knee portion;    a rotatably driven cam pulley provided to said waist portion frame;    a first cam provided to said cam pulley;    a second cam provided to said cam pulley;    a long member for vertically oscillating said ground portion with said first cam; and    a short member for oscillating said below-knee portion with said second cam in the cross direction.    
     
     
         75 . An electronic toy comprising a walking mechanism for performing bipedal locomotion by moving both legs back and forth, wherein the movement mechanism of one leg comprises: 
 a waist portion frame;    an above-knee portion connected rotatably to said waist portion frame;    a below-knee portion connected rotatably to said above-knee portion;    a ground portion connected rotatably to said below-knee portion;    a rotatably driven cam provided to said waist portion frame;    a long member for vertically oscillating said ground portion with said cam; and    a short member for oscillating said below-knee portion with said cam in the cross direction.    
     
     
         76 . An electronic toy according to  claim 75 , wherein said long member comprises a guide hole to be engaged with a guide member and a pushdown plate in contact with said cam.  
     
     
         77 . An electronic toy comprising a walking mechanism for performing bipedal locomotion by moving both legs back and forth, wherein the movement mechanism of the respective legs comprises: 
 an above-knee portion connected rotatably to a waist portion frame;    a below-knee portion connected rotatably to said above-knee portion;    a ground portion connected rotatably to said below-knee portion; and    energization means for energizing the tip of said ground portion in the pushdown direction.    
     
     
         78 . An electronic toy according to  claim 77 , wherein the size of said electronic toy is approximately 30 cm.  
     
     
         79 . An electronic toy comprising a walking mechanism for performing bipedal locomotion by moving both legs back and forth, wherein the movement mechanism of the respective legs comprises: 
 an above-knee portion connected rotatably to a waist portion frame;    a below-knee portion connected rotatably to said above-knee portion;    a ground portion connected rotatably to said below-knee portion; and    oblique direction drive means provided to said ground portion and for driving said electronic toy in an oblique direction against the advancing direction by said bipedal locomotion mechanism.    
     
     
         80 . An electronic toy according to  claim 79 , wherein said oblique direction drive means is structured by comprising a rotatably driven drive roller or drive belt.  
     
     
         82 . An electronic toy according to  claim 80 , wherein a plurality of said driver rollers or drive belts are provided.  
     
     
         82 . An electronic toy according to  claim 79 , wherein said oblique direction drive means is respectively provided to the respective ground portions of both legs, and the respective drive directions of each of said oblique direction drive means exist on the circumference of an approximate curvature.  
     
     
         83 . An electronic toy according to  claim 79 , wherein said oblique direction drive means is provided at the toe side of said ground portion, and a sliding roller is provided at the heel side of said ground portion.  
     
     
         84 . An electronic toy comprising a walking mechanism for performing bipedal locomotion by moving both legs back and forth, provided with an oblique direction drive mechanism for driving said electronic toy in an oblique direction against the advancing direction by said bipedal locomotion mechanism.  
     
     
         85 . An electronic toy according to  claim 84 , wherein said oblique direction drive mechanism is structured by comprising a rotatably driven drive roller or drive belt.  
     
     
         86 . An electronic toy according to  claim 85 , wherein a plurality of said driver rollers or drive belts are provided.  
     
     
         87 . An electronic toy according to  claim 84 , wherein said oblique direction drive mechanism is respectively provided to the respective sole portions of both feet, and the respective drive directions of each of said oblique direction drive means exist on the circumference of an approximate curvature.  
     
     
         88 . An electronic toy according to  claim 84 , wherein said oblique direction drive mechanism is provided at the toe side of the sole portion of said feet, and a sliding roller is provided at the heel side of the sole portion of said feet.  
     
     
         89 . An electronic toy according to  claim 84  further comprising an energization means for pushing down the tip side of said feet in the sole direction.