Color changing three-dimensional toy using iridescent manipulation

Abstract

A system enables the creation of a three-dimensional craft toy that uses translucent pegs inserted into a body containing a color-changing light matrix. The light matrix manipulates the iridescence of the pegs, dynamically altering their colors based on interactions with light, sound, motion, or other inputs, fostering interactive and imaginative play.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy comprising:
 a three-dimensional body having a plurality of holes;   a plurality of translucent pegs, each peg comprising:
 a shaft configured to be inserted into one of the holes in the body, and 
 a head extending from the shaft, the head being visible when the shaft is inserted into the hole, wherein the pegs are made of a translucent material that allows light to pass through; and 
   a light matrix positioned within the three-dimensional body, the light matrix comprising:
 a plurality of light sources oriented to illuminate the plurality of holes inside the three-dimensional body, and 
 a control circuit configured to activate and adjust a color of light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources; 
   wherein light emitted by the light matrix where activated interacts with the translucent pegs to produce a combined color effect visible at the head of each peg, the combined color effect comprising a combination of the color of the emitted light and the color of the peg.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft of each translucent peg is tapered from a tip to a base, the base being adjacent to the head when the peg is inserted into one of the holes. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the head of each translucent peg is shaped as a predefined design selected from a group consisting of geometric shapes, letters, numbers, and animal figures. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the translucent pegs are made of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light matrix further comprises a sound-activated control mechanism configured to adjust the color of light emitted by the plurality of light sources in response to sound. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light matrix further comprises a motion-activated control mechanism configured to adjust the color of light emitted by the plurality of light sources in response to motion. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light matrix is positioned at a base of the three-dimensional body to lower the center of gravity of the toy and improve its stability. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light matrix includes a remote-control interface for activating and adjusting the color of light emitted by the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional body is formed of a material that is opaque except for regions surrounding the holes, which are translucent or transparent. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to emit light in a predefined sequence to create dynamic color patterns visible at the heads of the translucent pegs. 
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources comprises color-changing LEDs capable of emitting light in a range of colors. 
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the combined color effect visible at the head of each peg changes in response to an external user input via a control interface. 
     
     
         13 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light matrix is powered by a rechargeable battery positioned within the three-dimensional body. 
     
     
         14 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the translucent pegs are configured to be removably and interchangeably inserted into the holes.