Amusement devices: toys – Convertible from – or serving as diverse article – Including figure toy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-07-24
Rimell, Sam (Department: 2166)
Amusement devices: toys
Convertible from, or serving as diverse article
Including figure toy
C446S369000, C386S349000, C348S151000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264521
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful interactive toy which is capable of generating and showing a video image to the user of the toy.
Figurines, dolls, and like toys have been used for generations as play things for children. In general, dolls have been used to mimic human or animal entities. In certain case, dolls have been automated, to produce movement and have also included recording devices to produce sounds.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,276 shows an animated doll that possesses articulated arms, legs, and head which are remotely controlled.
U.S. Pat No. 5,738,561 shows a doll having a microphone and sound recording device with a playback speaker, all of which are controlled by the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,072 describes an image projecting toy in which a film element is internally located and may be viewed through an eye piece from the exterior of the toy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,526 shows a toy doll that displays time by wrist watch combined with a speaking system which iterates time and alarm settings.
A doll or toy which is video interactive would be an advance in the art of recreational items.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful interactive toy.
The toy of the present invention includes a figure having an outer surface, an inner cavity, and a wall portion between these two elements. The figure may be in the form of an animal, a person, or an inanimate object such as a vehicle, and the like. In certain cases the figure may include a head having representations of the eyes, nose, and mouth of a human-like entity.
The toy of the present invention also utilizes a video camera which is located at the wall portion of the figure, for example, at one of the eyes of the figure. The video camera has an image capturing lens at the exterior of the figure and is provided with means for generating a video signal from the image capturing lens. The signal is carried, preferably, through the interior cavity of the toy for use.
A video monitor locates at or recessed below, the exterior surface of the figure and is capable of receiving the video signal from the video camera. The monitor also transduces the video signal into a video image on a video monitor which is apparent to a person facing the toy. Thus, the toy may capture the image of a person holding the toy and display the same on the exterior surface of the toy at the same time. The image, which is eventually displayed on the video monitor, may be a moving image or may be a still image. In the latter case, the video still images may be stored in the form of a video signal representing an object and displayed singularly through a digital system. Likewise, a moving image may be displayed in the same manner. Images may be stored in a recording device within the cavity of the toy and retrieved at a later time by the user of the toy.
The toy may take the form of a rigid figurine or a soft figure. The figure may also include other features associated with toys such as articulation, illumination, and the like.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful interactive toy has been described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an interactive toy which may be used to generate and display a video image to the user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy which is capable of storing video images for later retrieval for the user.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an interactive toy which includes a video camera which is essentially hidden from view by the user of the toy.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive toy that is capable of producing video images on the exterior surface of the toy, and includes electronic components located in the inner cavity of the toy.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4819076 (1989-04-01), Briggs
patent: 4864333 (1989-09-01), Barber
patent: 4982281 (1991-01-01), Gutierrez
patent: 5013276 (1991-05-01), Garfinkel
patent: 5587740 (1996-12-01), Brennan
patent: 5738526 (1998-04-01), Cerda et al.
patent: 5738561 (1998-04-01), Pracas
patent: 5792047 (1998-08-01), Coggins
patent: 5825408 (1998-10-01), Yuyama et al.
Bielen, Jr. Theodore J.
Rimell Sam
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