Interactive toy vehicle adapted to hold doll or character

Abstract

A wheeled toy adapted to respond interactively to movement comprises sensor means adapted to detect a change in movement selected from speed, direction and angle of orientation, computer processing means adapted to process signals from the sensor means, to calculate the orientation of the toy, and to generate an electronic response, selected from a series of pre-selected responses, appropriate to said orientation or change in movement, communication means adapted to receive said electronic response and to generate a visual or audible response which can be sensed by a user of the toy in order to prompt a change in said orientation or movement.

1 . A wheeled toy adapted to respond interactively to movement, comprising: 
 (a) sensor means adapted to detect a change in movement selected from speed, direction and angle of orientation;    (b) computer processing means adapted to process signals from the sensor means, to calculate the orientation of the toy, and to generate an electronic response, selected from a series of pre-selected responses, appropriate to said orientation or change in movement;    (c) communication means adapted to receive said electronic response and to generate a visual or audible response which can be sensed by a user of the toy in order to prompt a change in said orientation or movement.    
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the computer processing means comprises an integrated circuit.  
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the communication means comprises the combination of an integrated circuit and at least one audio speaker.  
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a lever balancing sensor adapted to detect rotation of the toy about an axis of rotation to measure tilting forwards or backwards, or side to side.  
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 4 , wherein two sensors comprise lever balancing sensors adapted to detect tilting of the toy respectively in the back and forth and sideways directions.  
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a direction sensor adapted to sense back and forth movement in the horizontal plane.  
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a speed sensor adapted to sense the speed of movement of the toy forwards or backwards in the horizontal plane.  
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the speed sensor comprises a rotating member adapted to trigger a switch a fixed number of times per rotation, such that the number of triggers of the switch per unit of time indicates the speed.  
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating member comprises a cam surface adapted to trigger a switch only when rotating in one direction.  
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 9 , comprising a pair of said rotating members and switch combinations adapted to trigger one switch when rotating in one direction, and another switch when rotating in the opposite direction.  
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1 , comprising both a pair of lever balancing sensors and a direction and speed sensor.  
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the processing means are adapted to generate signals appropriate to a plurality of background noises.  
     
     
         13 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the processing means are adapted to generate signals appropriate to a plurality of toy character responses.  
     
     
         14 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising doll or toy character carrying means.  
     
     
         15 . The toy of  claim 14 , wherein the doll or toy character carrying means comprises a seat.  
     
     
         16 . The toy of  claim 15 , wherein the communication means is adapted to generate a sound appropriate to the doll or toy character being carried in the stroller.  
     
     
         17 . The toy of  claim 17 , wherein the toy further comprises a status switch to indicate when the doll or toy is in place.  
     
     
         18 . The toy of  claim 18 , wherein the status switch is incorporated into securing means adapted to secure the doll or toy to the stroller.  
     
     
         19 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration sensor.  
     
     
         20 . The toy of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating member comprises a magnet adapted to rotate in relation to at least one reed switch with a wheel of the toy.  
     
     
         21 . The toy of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating member comprises a magnet adapted to rotate in relation to three magnetic field detectors associated with a wheel of the toy, such that the direction of the rotation of the wheel and the speed of rotation of the wheel can be detected and determined.