Interactive toy and method of control thereof

Abstract

An electronically actuated interactive audio toy system is disclosed. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the audio toy is a “read-along” toy that is used in conjunction with a corresponding library item such as a book, such that a user can read the text as the audio toy articulates the text. The audio toy includes a number of stored predefined audio tracks that can be played back through audio reproductive means such as a speaker within the toy. The specific audio track to be played back is selected through the use of a sensor embedded in the toy, which detects a selection identifier located on a corresponding book. The selection identifier is a coded identifier, and a control unit within the toy decodes the coded identifier and proceeds to play back the corresponding audio track. Each audio track can include articulated text, music and sound effects. The toy further includes pressure switches operable by the user to repeat segments of the audio track or advance to other segments of the audio track.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of controlling an interactive toy having a plurality of predefined interactions and a selection sensor, the method comprising: 
 (a) selecting an item from a plurality of external library items, the selected item having a selection identifier for distinguishing the selected item from other items in the library;    (b) engaging the selection sensor with the selection identifier for determining an identity of the selected item;    (c) selecting a predefined interaction from the plurality of predefined interactions, the selected predefined interaction corresponding to the identity of the selected item; and    (d) performing the selected predefined interaction.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes touching the selection identifier with the selection sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of touching includes maintaining contact between the selection identifier and the selection sensor for a predetermined duration of time to determine the identity of the selected item.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of pressing a pressure switch for repeating the selected predefined interaction.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of pressing a pressure switch for repeating a segment of the selected predefined interaction.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of pressing a pressure switch for advancing to another segment of the selected predefined interaction.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further including the step of pressing and holding a pressure switch for a predetermined duration of time for performing all segments of the selected predefined interaction without pause.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring a resistance value of the selection identifier.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring a capacitance value of the selection identifier.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring an active inductance value of the selection identifier.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring a passive inductance value of the selection identifier.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring a magnetic field value of the selection identifier.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes scanning an image of the selection identifier.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring infrared light from the selection identifier.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging includes measuring an RF signal from the selection identifier.  
     
     
         16 . An interactive toy for use with an item selected from a plurality of external library items, the selected item having a selection identifier for distinguishing the selected item from other items in the library, the toy comprising: 
 storage means for storing a plurality of predefined interactions;    a selection sensor for engagement with the selection identifier for determining the identity of the selected item; and,    a controller for selecting and performing one of the predefined interactions corresponding to the identity of the selected item.    
     
     
         17 . The interactive toy of  claim 16 , wherein the storage means includes solid state memory.  
     
     
         18 . The interactive toy of  claim 17 , wherein the solid state memory includes non-volatile memory.  
     
     
         19 . The interactive toy of  claim 16 , wherein the selection identifier includes a resistance element.  
     
     
         20 . The interactive toy of  claim 19 , further including a resistance measuring circuit for measuring the resistance value of the resistance element.  
     
     
         21 . The interactive toy of  claim 20 , wherein the selection identifier and the selection sensor each include a pair of dual contacts.  
     
     
         22 . The interactive toy of  claim 16 , further including a pressure switch for providing user input to the controller for controlling performance of the predefined interaction.  
     
     
         23 . The interactive toy of  claim 16 , further including 
 a first pressure switch for instructing the controller to repeat the predefined interaction,    a second pressure switch for instructing the controller to repeat a segment of the predefined interaction, and    a third pressure switch for instructing the controller to advance to another segment of the selected predefined interaction.    
     
     
         24 . An interactive audio toy system comprising: 
 a library item having a resistance based selection identifier; and,    a toy having 
 storage means for storing a plurality of predefined interactions,  
 a selection sensor for measuring the resistance value of the resistance based selection identifier, and  
 a controller for selecting one of the predefined interactions corresponding to the measured resistance value, and performing the predefined interaction.  
   
     
     
         25 . The interactive audio toy system of  claim 24 , wherein the toy further includes 
 a first pressure switch for instructing the controller to repeat the predefined interaction,    a second pressure switch for instructing the controller to repeat a segment of the predefined interaction, and    a third pressure switch for instructing the controller to advance to another segment of the selected predefined interaction.