System and interface for controlling programmable toys

Details System and interface for controlling programmable toys System and interface for controlling programmable toys

1999-03-30

2003-04-08

Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Input/output command process

C345S156000, C345S215000, C345S473000, C446S175000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06546436

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of programmable devices for entertainment and educational purposes, and more particularly to toy systems having programmable interfaces that communicate with and are controlled by personal computers or by other interfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer-controlled, programmable robotic, or other electrically-powered, toy systems have existed for several years. One example of such a system is a programmable toy construction robot having one or more electrically-powered output components such as motors for driving wheels, arms, and clamps, visual outputs such as lights, and/or audio outputs such as sirens and music. Early systems typically operated only in an open-loop mode (without sensory feedback), and were programmable to permit simple move/stop or on/off commands. Further, programming the output commands were fairly complex as the child had to know or learn how to program source code in languages such as “Basic,” “C,” and the like. These factors limited the target audience for these toy systems to adolescent children and young adults.
Nevertheless, technological advances, such as improvements in computer processing power and speed, the increasing availability of user-friendly, icon-based, programming, and the dramatic reductions in the size and cost of components have led to programmable toy systems that are appropriate for a wider range of users. Specifically, these systems have become (
1
) more controllable or “smarter” and, thus, (
2
) more fun for the user, (
3
) easier to program, even for a young child, and (
4
) important educational tools (e.g., by teaching and sharpening a wide range of skills, including, problem-solving, logic, electro-mechanical design, and computer programming). Further, the personal computers (“PC”) needed to program the toy systems have become widely available to children of all ages in the home and school enviroments.
A schematic example of a conventional programmable robotic toy system is shown in FIG.
1
. The system
10
includes a PC
12
, a programmable toy unit
16
and a communications link
18
for enabling communication from the PC
12
to the toy unit
16
. The programmable toy unit
16
has two primary components, namely, a toy structure, or model,
20
, and a programmable interface, or controller,
22
. The toy structure
20
is often a model, such as a robot or automobile that is assembled by the child from smaller components in a construction kit or from blocks or “bricks,” either with instructions or designed completely by the child. Alternatively, the toy may require no assembly, as it may be purchased pre-assembled or is of generally unitary construction. The toy structure also includes one or more electrically-powered components that affect some action, such as a motor for moving a robotic arm, a light or lamp for providing visual effect, or a buzzer, siren or other audio generator. In the present example, the electrically-powered component is a motor
23
for driving the wheels of the toy structure
20
. More sophisticated toy structures also include detectors, or sensors (not shown). The sensors monitor the toy's environment for processing by the controller and for affecting the action of theelectrically powered components, thereby creating sophisticated closed-loop operation. Light, temperature, touch, angle and rotation detectors are a few examples of such sensors.
The conventional interface, or controller
22
, is a separate device that connects to the toy assembly and includes a microcontroller
24
, a memory
26
that, among other functions, stores one or more control programs, a power supply
28
for powering the controller components and the toy's electrically-powered components, a communications port
30
for connecting the interface to the PC
12
through the communication link
18
, and an output strip
32
, having one or more power outputs, that are connectable to the toy's power components. Input sensors on the toy structures connect to inputs (not shown) on the interface
22
. conventional, high-level programming language, such as Basic or “C,” that requires significant programming knowledge to create control programs for the toy. Newer systems implement graphical, or iconbased, “programmer programs” that enable even young children to create logic-based control programs by simply selecting icons displayed on the computer screen that correspond to executable functions (both input and output) for the toy. The PC converts the graphical program into a control program that is executable by the toy's controller
22
. After the user programs the control program on the PC
12
via a keyboard, it is transmitted, or downloaded, to the memory
26
of the toy interface
22
for execution upon controller's receipt of the appropriate signal.
There are generally two broad categories of transmission systems, namely, wired and wireless modem, the latter including infrared and radio frequency transmission. In the wired mode, the communications link
18
either remains tethered to the toy unit
16
, thereby limiting its range of operation from the PC, or is disconnected after program download for remote operation of the toy.
While such systems have become reasonably popular with a certain segment of the children's toy market, they have drawbacks. First, the young programmer/player of these toy systems does not have as much control over the operation of the toy unit as is desirable. In particular, the role of the computer
12
is limited to creating and downloading one or more programs to the toy's interface
22
. Once done, the PC
12
and control software
14
typically play no further role until one wishes to program and download a new program to the toy unit. Thus, after programming is completed, the operator is not really a player. Instead, he or she merely plays the passive role of watching the toy unit execute the program in either open-loop or closed-loop (sensor) mode. Thus, it would be desirable to have a programmable toy that is relatively interactive for individuals playing with it.
Further, existing systems are primarily designed for programming and controlling a single toy. In other words, while one PC and its control software can be used to program more than one toy unit, the toys cannot communicate or interact with each other. Each downloaded toy operates completely independently of any others.
A further drawback to existing systems is that their programmable interfaces are designed to operate only with one particular line, or make, of toys. It would thus be desirable to have an interface that can operate with a wide range of manufacturers' programmable toy structures, each having different electrical requirements for its input and output components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, which addresses these needs, resides in a programmable toy interface that connects to a toy structure and a system for programming and controlling one or more controllable toys. The invention described below has a number of advantages, including: (a) it is designed to be operated either as a single toy unit or as a system of toys that interact with each other; (b) it provides the ability to program a unique identification code for each toy unit within a group of toys; (c) it keeps the programming computer relevant to the operation of the toy unit or system of toys even after the toy units have been programmed; (d) it permits multiple modes of controlling one or more toys; (e) it enables multiple program and control computers to operate at substantially the same time in a single room without interference with one another; and (f) it opens up the field of programmable toys to interactive team play.
In accordance with the present invention, the programmable toy interface electrically connects with and controls a toy structure having at least one electrically-powered output device, such as a motor, light or sound output. The interface is adapted to communicate with a computer loaded with a programmable toy control and i

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