Interactive therapy figure integrated with an interaction module

Abstract

An interactive figure comprises an interaction module to interact with users and remotely interact with other communications devices and persons remote from the interactive figure. A module is provided having a housing for circuitry, processors, transducers, and communications devices. The module communicates with an exterior surface of the body. An outer perimeter adjacent one axial end of the housing is maintained in a mounting ring projecting through a surface of the toy. A locking ring secures the mounting ring in engagement with the surface. The module has a housing disposed inside of a body. The module can be updated or repurposed without having to take apart the interactive figure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interactive figure including a body and an interaction module, the interaction module defining and enabling interactivity of the interactive figure and a user, comprising:
 a body comprising flexible surfaces;   an aperture in one said flexible surface;   an interaction module releasably secured to said body, the module comprising a housing and a closure member, the housing having a section positioned projecting through said aperture;   a mounting ring for retaining said interaction module with respect to said body;   a locking member surrounding the section and bearing against said mounting ring and capturing a surface of said body;   said closure member being releasably secured to said housing for providing access to an interior of said housing;   said interaction module comprising a receiver and a processor and interface circuitry enabling interaction of said interactive figure with an external server;   interaction circuitry mounted in said interior of said housing being releasably secured in said interior;   said interface circuitry comprising a transducer receiving an input from a user, the processor translating user inputs for transmission to the external server; and   wherein said interface circuitry further comprises circuity to provide received inputs to said processor, said processor translating intelligence received from the external server into outputs perceptible to the user.   
     
     
         2 . An interactive figure according to  claim 1  wherein said support comprises a printed circuit board closing said housing and defining a chamber. 
     
     
         3 . An interactive figure according to  claim 2  wherein said interface circuitry is distributed among said printed circuit board and said chamber. 
     
     
         4 . An interactive figure according to  claim 3  wherein said closure member comprises a closure aperture for receiving a button member and further comprising a button member pivotally mounted to said printed circuit board and biased to project through said closure aperture. 
     
     
         5 . An interactive figure according to  claim 4  wherein said housing comprises a radially extending flange positioned at an exterior of said flexible surface and wherein said housing further comprises an interactive component having an element positioned to be at the preselected position when said housing is secured to said closure member; and wherein a reinforcement in said one flexible surface is at a perimeter of the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . An interactive figure according to  claim 5  wherein said button member transmits light and wherein said elements comprise a light source. 
     
     
         7 . An interactive figure according to  claim 6  further comprising a link for receiving intelligence from a user location, said interactive figure comprising a control circuit and operating components. 
     
     
         8 . The interactive figure of  claim 7  further comprising a cage communicating with said aperture and said external surface and defining a dedicated volume for receiving said interaction module. 
     
     
         9 . The interactive figure of  claim 8  wherein said interaction module comprises terminals for coupling signals to controllable elements mounted in said interactive figure remote from said interaction module. 
     
     
         10 . A therapy figure including a body and an interaction module, the interaction module defining and enabling interactivity of the interactive figure and a user, comprising:
 a body comprising flexible surfaces;   an aperture in one said flexible surface;   an interaction module releasably secured to said body, the module comprising a housing and a closure member, the housing having a section positioned projecting through said aperture;   a mounting ring for positioning said interaction module with respect to said body;   locking members surrounding the section and bearing against said mounting ring;   a cover releasably secured to said body on an opposite side of said flexible surface;   said interaction module comprising interface circuitry enabling interaction of said interactive figure with external sources;   interaction circuitry mounted in said interior of said housing being releasably secured in said interior;   said interaction circuitry comprising a processor configurable for receiving therapy programs;   a processor programmed to execute computer therapy programs; and   a communications link for interacting with a remote server executing a corresponding therapy program.   
     
     
         11 . A therapy figure according to  claim 10  wherein said communications link comprises a Wi-Fi link. 
     
     
         12 . A therapy figure according to  claim 11  wherein said interface circuitry is distributed among said printed circuit board and said chamber and wherein said interface circuitry comprises a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         13 . A therapy figure according to  claim 12  further comprising a wireless charging pad mounted in said housing and coupled to power conditioning circuitry for charging said rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         14 . A therapy figure according to  claim 13  further comprising a removably secured printed circuit board closing said housing and defining a chamber in said housing. 
     
     
         15 . A therapy figure according to  claim 14  wherein said housing is constructed to allow passage of radio frequency signals. 
     
     
         16 . A comfort figure comprising:
 a body comprising flexible surfaces;   an aperture in one said flexible surface;   a reinforcement in said one flexible surface at a perimeter of the aperture;   an interaction module releasably secured to said body, the module comprising a housing projecting into an interior of said body and a closure member on an exterior of said body, the housing projecting through said aperture;   locking members surrounding the section and bearing against opposite sides of said reinforcement;   said housing member having a radial projection for securing between said locking members, said locking members capturing said radial projection and said surface of said body;   said interaction module comprising interface circuitry enabling interaction of said interactive figure with external sources and receivers;   said interface circuitry comprising a processor configurable for receiving instructions for comfort functions; and   a communications link for interacting with a remote server transmitting commanded comfort functions comprising auditory instructions and voice messaging.   
     
     
         17 . A comfort figure according to  claim 16  wherein said interaction module comprises a transducer receiving an input from a user and a processor translating user inputs for transmission to the external server. 
     
     
         18 . A comfort figure according to  claim 16  further comprising a cage communicating with said aperture and said external surface and defining a dedicated volume for receiving said interaction module. 
     
     
         19 . A comfort figure according to  claim 16  further comprising a button supported to said housing and having a preselected shape in a radial dimension, said cover having an aperture shaped to surround said button, said button being biased. 
     
     
         20 . The comfort figure of  claim 19  further comprising a light source positioned in said button.