A toy

Abstract

The present invention provides a toy, including a ball-chasing robot, including: a controller, configured to receive electrical energy from a battery; a plurality of infrared sensors, configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by a satellite body, the plurality of infrared sensors being connected to the controller; a motor, configured to drive a wheel device, the wheel device including at least two driving wheels, wherein: the controller is configured to control the motor and the wheel device to drive the ball-chasing robot toward the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body; the ball-chasing robot includes multiple settings: a game setting, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor so as to drive the ball-chasing robot toward the infrared radiation source emitted by the satellite body, and a sleep setting, wherein the controller is configured to turn off the plurality of sensors, wherein the sleep setting is automatically entered after being idle for a period of time; and / or: a hard floor setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel device at a first power and a carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel device at a second power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a toy, and more particularly to a toy comprising a ball-chasing robot. Background Art

[0002] Robots that track objects can use artificial intelligence (AI) capture cameras. AI capture cameras involve the use of artificial intelligence algorithms to capture and process images or videos in real time. AI cameras can identify and track objects, recognize faces, and detect movement or anomalies. AI capture cameras are generally used in higher-priced electronic products such as mobile phones, surveillance cameras, game controllers, etc., because their sensors are relatively expensive. The accuracy of AI algorithms can be affected by various factors such as lighting conditions, camera angles, and object occlusion, resulting in false alarms or misjudgments. In addition, AI capture cameras also bring privacy and data security issues. As AI cameras capture and process large amounts of data, there is a risk that sensitive information will be leaked or misused.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a simple and reliable toy capable of tracking another device and can at least partially solve the problems of the above-mentioned known devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to the content disclosed in the present application, the present application provides a toy, wherein the toy comprises a ball-chasing robot, and the ball-chasing robot comprises:

[0005] a controller configured to receive power from a battery;

[0006] a plurality of infrared sensors configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body, the plurality of infrared sensors being connected to the controller;

[0007] A motor configured to drive a wheel device, the wheel device comprising at least two drive wheels, wherein:

[0008] The controller is configured to control the motor and the wheel device to drive the ball-chasing robot toward the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body detected by the plurality of infrared sensors;

[0009] The ball-chasing robot includes multiple settings, including:

[0010] a game setting, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to drive the ball-chasing robot toward the source of the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite, and a sleep setting, wherein the controller is configured to turn off the plurality of sensors, wherein the sleep setting is automatically entered after a period of inactivity; and / or:

[0011] a hard floor setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a first power setting, and a carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting.

[0012] The toy may include the satellite.

[0013] The plurality of infrared sensors may include at least three infrared sensors, and the plurality of infrared sensors may be configured to detect infrared radiation at a 360-degree angle around the ball-chasing robot.

[0014] The first power setting may have a lower power value than the second power setting.

[0015] The carpet setting may include at least two sub-settings, the sub-settings including:

[0016] a light pile carpet arrangement, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting or a third power setting; and

[0017] a deep pile carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting or a third power setting;

[0018] The light pile carpet setting and the deep pile carpet setting are different.

[0019] when:

[0020] When configured in the light pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting; and

[0021] When configured in the deep pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a third power setting,

[0022] The third power setting may have a higher power value than the second power setting;

[0023] when:

[0024] When configured in the light pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a third power setting; and

[0025] When configured in the deep pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting,

[0026] The second power setting may have a higher power value than the third power setting.

[0027] The toy may include a switch configured to switch the ball chasing robot between the hard floor setting and the carpet setting, and, if applicable, between at least two sub-settings.

[0028] The toy may further include a wheel torque measurement system, and when the rotational resistance exceeds a threshold value detected by the wheel torque measurement system, the ball chasing robot may be configured to automatically switch from the hard floor setting to the carpet setting.

[0029] The wheel device may further include a directional wheel configured to guide the ball-chasing robot to move in the direction of the satellite body.

[0030] When an infrared signal from the satellite is detected, the controller may be configured to restore the ball-chasing robot to a game setting.

[0031] The toy may further include an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the ball-chasing robot, and when movement of the ball-chasing robot is detected, the controller may be configured to restore the ball-chasing robot to a game setting.

[0032] The toy may further include a game switch configured to place the ball chasing robot in a game setting or a sleep setting.

[0033] When the plurality of infrared sensors do not detect infrared radiation, after a period of time when no infrared radiation is detected, the controller may be configured to drive the wheel device so that:

[0034] The ball-chasing robot travels within a certain area, or

[0035] The ball-chasing robot rotates in place.

[0036] When the multiple infrared sensors detect infrared radiation and then do not detect infrared radiation, the controller can be configured to drive the ball-chasing robot in the direction of the last known position after a period of time when no infrared radiation is detected, and the last known position corresponds to the direction in which the multiple infrared sensors detected infrared radiation and then did not detect infrared radiation.

[0037] The satellite body may include at least five infrared emitters, which are located in the satellite housing and configured to emit infrared radiation within a 360-degree radius in three-dimensional space.

[0038] The satellite body may include a satellite controller configured to receive power from a satellite battery and place the satellite body in a satellite gaming setting and a satellite sleep setting, wherein in the satellite gaming setting the satellite controller is configured to turn on the infrared transmitter, and in the satellite sleep setting the satellite controller is configured to turn off the infrared transmitter.

[0039] The satellite sleep setting may be automatically entered after being idle for a period of time.

[0040] The ball chasing robot may further include:

[0041] At least two motors are configured to drive the wheel assembly.

[0042] Each of the at least two motors may be respectively configured to drive each of the at least two drive wheels.

[0043] The number of the at least two motors may correspond to the number of the at least two driving wheels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In order to make the content of the present application more easily understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0045] Figure 1 A top plan view of a toy ball-chasing robot according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A front side view of the ball chasing robot shown;

[0047] Figure 3 A top plan view of a toy satellite body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Bottom-up plan view of the satellite body shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present application provides a toy 1, including a ball-chasing robot 10. The ball-chasing robot 10 includes: a controller configured to receive power from a battery; a plurality of infrared sensors 12 configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by a satellite 20, the infrared sensors 12 being connected to the controller; and a motor configured to drive a wheel device, the wheel device including at least two driving wheels 14. The controller is configured to control the motor and the wheel device to drive the ball-chasing robot 10 toward the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite 20 detected by the plurality of infrared sensors 12. The toy 1 includes multiple settings, including: a game setting, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor so as to drive the ball-chasing robot 10 to move toward the source of the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite 20, and a sleep setting, wherein the controller is configured to turn off the plurality of infrared sensors 12, wherein the sleep setting is automatically entered after a period of idleness; and / or: a hard floor setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel device at a first power setting, and a carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel device at a second power setting.

[0050] In this application, the term "infrared radiation" may be used interchangeably with the terms "infrared light" and / or "infrared signal".

[0051] Therefore, the ball-chasing robot 10 can chase the satellite body 20 during use. The ball-chasing robot can also be called an object-chasing robot. The toy 1 has many advantages. In particular, the toy 1 can be used for sports training, such as football training. When used in this manner, the satellite body 20 can be a football, which will be described in detail below. The toy 1 can be used on surfaces of mixed materials, such as wood, stone, and carpet (including light pile and / or deep pile carpets described in this application). The first power setting and the second power setting can be determined by the controller. The multiple infrared sensors 12 can detect infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body 20 within 1.5 meters.

[0052] It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the ball chasing robot 10 may include the above-mentioned motor and steering device and / or gear device to achieve the steering of the ball chasing robot 10. In addition, the ball chasing robot 10 may also include a motor for each driving wheel 14, so that each motor can drive its own driving wheel 14 at different speeds according to the controller, thereby achieving the steering of the ball chasing robot 10. In particular, the wheel device can be driven by more than one motor. When configured in this way, the ball chasing robot 10 includes at least two motors configured to drive the wheel device, and the at least two motors correspond to one of the at least two driving wheels respectively. It can be understood that the ball chasing robot 10 may include more than two motors and more than two driving wheels 14. At least three or at least four driving wheels 14 can be configured. The ratio of the corresponding number of motors to the number of driving wheels 14 can also be obtained. Each motor can be configured to drive one driving wheel 14 (for example, the ratio of motor to driving wheel 14 is 1:1). When configured in this manner, the controller can provide different levels of power to each motor corresponding to each drive wheel 14 to make the ball-chasing robot 10 turn left or right (or move forward or backward). Therefore, the ball-chasing robot may not need one or more wheels configured to guide the ball-chasing robot (e.g., the directional wheels 16 described below).

[0053] The first power setting may be different from the second power setting; in particular, the first power setting may be lower than the second power setting, for example, in a hard floor setting, the motor may be configured to drive the wheel device at a power value lower than the second power setting, and the second power setting corresponds to the carpet setting. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that since the hard floor setting and the carpet setting use different power settings, the hard floor setting and the carpet setting may drive the wheel device at different speeds at each power. For the sake of brevity, when discussing power settings related to hard floor and / or carpet settings (including light pile and deep pile carpet settings described in this application), the corresponding "power" setting may also be used interchangeably with the term "speed" setting, for example, the first power setting and the second power setting (etc.) may be described as a first speed setting and a second speed setting (etc.), respectively. Therefore, the first speed setting may be slower than the second speed setting.

[0054] The toy 1 can also save energy due to the use of an "energy-saving" sleep setting, which can prevent the toy 1 from being turned on for longer than necessary. Therefore, in the sleep setting, the ball-chasing robot 10 may not actively search for infrared radiation emitted by the satellite 20. For example, if the ball-chasing robot 10 does not detect any infrared radiation for a period of time (e.g., 60 seconds), corresponding to the idle period of time described above, the ball-chasing robot 10 can enter a sleep setting (e.g., sleep mode), which can save power. The idle time period can be 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 120 seconds, 180 seconds, 240 seconds, 300 seconds, or any value between the above values. The time period can be set by the user (e.g., via a time switch).

[0055] The term "turn off" used in this application may refer to the controller disconnecting a component (e.g., the infrared sensor 12) from the battery. In addition, the controller may turn off the motor (i.e., disconnect the motor from the battery) when placing the ball chasing robot 10 in a sleep setting. The controller may be a control circuit.

[0056] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the toy 1 may include a satellite 20. The satellite 20 may be (but not limited to) a ball, such as a soccer ball, a basketball, an American football, or a golf ball. The satellite 20 may be placed inside a ball (not shown), so that the satellite 20 may be used in a variety of different configurations (i.e., in a modular manner). When arranged in this manner, i.e., when the satellite 20 is placed inside a ball, the combination of the ball and the satellite 20 may be considered as the satellite 20.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the plurality of infrared sensors 12 may include at least three infrared sensors 12. The plurality of infrared sensors 12 may be configured to detect infrared radiation at a 360-degree angle around the ball-chasing robot 10. Therefore, the ball-chasing robot 10 may detect the satellite 20 at any position around it on a plane parallel to the surface on which it is located.

[0058] The ball-chasing robot 10 may also have a plurality of infrared sensors 12, which do not cover the periphery of the ball-chasing robot 10 at 360 degrees. The ball-chasing robot 10 may be configured to rotate (i.e., rotate in place, such as in a circular motion), thereby still achieving 360-degree coverage. Figure 1 As shown, the infrared sensor can be located on the "front" of the ball chasing robot 10. When arranged in this manner, the ball chasing robot 10 can rotate in place until infrared radiation is detected. When infrared radiation is detected, the ball chasing robot 10 can move toward the infrared radiation source. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when a group of infrared sensors 12 are arranged near the front end of the ball chasing robot 10, the accuracy of detection and guidance can be improved (for example, when at least three infrared sensors 12 are used, the accuracy can be improved by triangulation).

[0059] The carpet setting may include at least two subsettings, including: a light pile carpet setting, wherein the motor may be configured to drive the wheel device at a second power setting or a third power setting; and a deep pile carpet setting, wherein the motor may be configured to drive the wheel device at a second power setting or a third power setting; wherein the light pile carpet setting and the deep pile carpet setting are different. In other words, the carpet setting may include two subsettings, each suitable for driving the ball chasing robot 10 through a deep pile carpet or a light pile carpet. The light pile carpet setting and the deep pile carpet setting may not use the same power setting; in particular, if the light pile carpet setting is configured to drive the wheel device at a second power setting, the deep pile carpet setting may be configured to drive the wheel device at a third power setting, and vice versa. Therefore, when using a conventional carpet setting as described above (without subsettings), the second power setting may be equivalent to the light pile carpet setting or the deep pile carpet setting (e.g., equivalent to when such subsettings exist). Thus, for example, if the deep pile carpet setting uses the second power setting, the third power setting may include the motor being configured to drive the wheel arrangement (via the controller) at a power value lower than the second power setting and higher than the first power setting. Alternatively, for example, if the deep pile carpet setting uses the third power setting, the second power setting may include the motor being configured to drive the wheel arrangement (via the controller) at a power lower than the third power setting and higher than the first power setting.

[0060] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that although the terms "hard floor", "carpet", "light pile carpet" and "deep pile carpet" are used, the toy 1 can be used on various surfaces, including but not limited to grass, land, concrete floor, asphalt road, artificial turf, etc. Therefore, the user can select the most appropriate setting for the surface on which the toy 1 is placed, or as described in the present application, the ball chasing robot 10 can automatically change its power setting according to the movement resistance (e.g., wheel torque described below).

[0061] The ball chasing robot 10 may also include a wheel torque measurement system. When the rotational resistance exceeds a threshold detected by the wheel torque measurement system, the ball chasing robot 10 may be configured to automatically switch from a hard floor setting to a carpet setting. The wheel torque measurement system may be a wheel torque sensor. Thus, the wheel torque measurement system may measure the resistance to wheel rotation while moving and transmit the measurement results to the controller. When configured in this manner, the ball chasing robot 10 may move on a surface of mixed materials, and the controller may adjust the power to the most appropriate power setting without the user having to manually switch settings. Automatically changing settings (such as hard floor, carpet (optionally light pile and deep pile)) may reduce wear on the motor and / or drive wheel device, for example, if the ball chasing robot 10 moves from a hard floor to a deep pile carpet.

[0062] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the wheel device may also include a directional wheel 16 (or multiple directional wheels), which is configured to guide the ball chasing robot to move in the direction of the satellite body 20. The directional wheels 16 may be driven by respective motors. When configured in this manner, the two driving wheels 14 may be non-steering, so that the same power may always be provided to the two driving wheels 14, so that only the directional wheels 16 guide the ball chasing robot 10 to turn. The directional wheels 16 may also work in conjunction with the driving wheels 14 (as described above, for example, each driving wheel 14 has its own motor), thereby improving the steering efficiency of the ball chasing robot 10. The directional wheels 16 may also be configured to drive the ball chasing robot 10 (i.e., using a motor), so that the directional wheels 16 may enable the ball chasing robot 10 to rotate in place without providing power to the driving wheels 14.

[0063] Upon detecting infrared radiation from the satellite 20, the controller may be configured to restore the ball chasing robot 10 to the game setting. Thus, once the infrared sensor 12 detects an infrared signal, the controller may turn on the ball chasing robot 10 (e.g., exit the sleep setting and enter the game setting). Thus, the ball chasing robot 10 may monitor infrared radiation in the sleep setting. The monitoring may be continuous or intermittent. For example, in the sleep setting, the controller may turn off the infrared sensor 12 for a preset time, and then turn on the infrared sensor 12 for another preset time (and repeat the process), so that the monitoring may be a "pulse" monitoring. For example, the infrared sensor 12 may be turned on for up to 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds, and the infrared sensor may be turned off for up to 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, or 60 seconds. When configured in this manner, while saving power, the ability of the ball chasing robot 10 to return to the game setting without user intervention is retained.

[0064] The toy 1 may further include an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the toy 1. Upon detecting movement of the toy 1, the controller may be configured to restore the toy 1 to a game setting. The (or each) accelerometer may be placed in the ball chasing robot 10 and / or the satellite 20. In other words, there are multiple options for using the accelerometer:

[0065] 1) The ball-chasing robot 10 may also include an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the ball-chasing robot 10. Upon detecting movement of the ball-chasing robot 10, the controller may be configured to restore the ball-chasing robot 10 to a game setting. Thus, when the ball-chasing robot 10 is in a dormant setting (e.g., after being idle for a period of time), the ball-chasing robot 10 may be "woken up" when, for example, it is placed elsewhere by a user (e.g., near the satellite 20).

[0066] 2) The satellite 20 may also include an accelerometer configured to detect the movement of the satellite 20. When the movement of the satellite 20 is detected, the controller of the satellite may be configured to cause the satellite 20 to enter a game setting. In other words, if no movement is detected for a period of time (e.g., 60 seconds), the satellite 20 may enter a sleep mode. Such a design allows the satellite 20 to save power. This will be described in more detail below.

[0067] like Figure 1As shown, the toy 1 may further include a game switch 18, which is configured to place the ball chasing robot 10 in a game setting or a sleep setting. Therefore, the end user can manually switch the ball chasing robot 10 to the sleep setting to save power, or manually switch the ball chasing robot 10 back to the game setting.

[0068] When the plurality of infrared sensors 12 do not detect infrared radiation for a period of time (for example, when the ball-chasing robot 10 is turned on for the first time and does not detect infrared radiation at all, or when the plurality of infrared sensors 12 previously detected infrared radiation but subsequently do not detect infrared radiation), the controller may be configured to drive the wheel device so that the ball-chasing robot 10 drives within a certain area, or rotates in place. Thus, the ball-chasing robot 10 can effectively "search" within a preset area until infrared radiation is detected, or can stay in place and scan the surrounding area until infrared radiation is detected. The period of time when infrared radiation is not detected can be instantaneous or after a longer period of time, such as 30 seconds.

[0069] When the plurality of infrared sensors 12 detect infrared radiation and then fail to detect infrared radiation, the controller may be configured to drive the ball-chasing robot 10 to travel in the direction of the last known position after a period of time when infrared radiation is not detected, and the last known position corresponds to the direction in which the plurality of infrared sensors 12 detect infrared radiation and then fail to detect infrared radiation. In other words, the ball-chasing robot 10 may be configured to travel in the direction of the last known detection of infrared radiation emitted by the satellite 20. Or the toy 1 may be configured to travel around the location of the ball-chasing robot 10 when the infrared sensor 12 of the toy 1 can no longer detect infrared radiation emitted by the satellite 20. The period of time when infrared radiation is not detected may be the same as the above-mentioned period of time when infrared radiation is not detected, or may be different from the above-mentioned period of time when infrared radiation is not detected. The controller may be configured to enter a sleep setting after a period of time when infrared radiation is not detected as described above, so that the ball-chasing robot 10 does not travel in the direction of the last known position for too long.

[0070] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the satellite body 20 may include at least five infrared emitters 22. The at least five infrared emitters 22 are located in the satellite housing and are configured to emit infrared radiation within a 360-degree radius in three-dimensional space. When configured in this manner, the satellite body 20 can be located at any orientation in three-dimensional space and emit infrared radiation, so that the infrared sensor 12 on the ball-chasing robot 10 can more easily detect the infrared radiation. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the infrared transmitter 22 can be installed on the top and bottom of the satellite body. In addition, the infrared transmitter 22 can also be installed on the side of the satellite body 20. It can be understood that the satellite body 20 can include fewer infrared transmitters 22, such as a maximum of 2, 3 or 4 infrared transmitters 22. Those skilled in the art can also understand that the satellite body 20 can include more transmitters, such as at least 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 infrared transmitters 22. The infrared transmitter 22 can be an infrared light emitting diode.

[0071] The satellite body 20 may include a satellite controller configured to receive power from a satellite battery and place the satellite body 20 in a satellite game setting (wherein the satellite controller is configured to turn on the infrared transmitter 22) and a satellite sleep setting (wherein the satellite controller is configured to turn off the infrared transmitter 22). The satellite sleep setting may be automatically entered after being idle for a period of time. This configuration of the satellite body 20 enables it to save power after being idle for a period of time.

[0072] Exemplarily (but not limited to), the operating principle of the toy 1 is as follows. First, a battery can be connected to the ball chasing robot 10. The power switch (if any) can be turned on, and the ball chasing robot 10 can enter a sleep setting or a game setting (depending on the position of the game switch 18 (if any)). The floor mode switch (if any) can be operated as described above to select an operating mode (for example, hard floor, carpet (optionally light velvet or dark velvet)). The infrared sensor 12 can be an infrared receiving tube having a fan angle of approximately 90 degrees. The infrared receiving tube can have a fan angle of approximately 120 degrees, 160 degrees, or 180 degrees. Once the controller places the ball chasing robot 10 into the game setting, the ball chasing robot can begin searching for infrared radiation. Figure 1 As shown, since the directions of the three receiving tubes may be different, the distances from the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body 20 may also be different. In addition, the received infrared radiation signal strengths may be different. The controller can analyze the signal voltages (from the infrared radiation) received by the three infrared receiving tubes, and then the controller can select the strongest signal to drive the wheel device to drive the ball chasing robot 10 to the destination. When there are two motors (i.e., Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, each driving wheel 14 has a motor), and the controller can control the two rotating motors to go straight, turn left or turn right. When the ball is located on the left side of the ball-chasing robot 10, the signal from the left receiving tube is the strongest, and the controller will drive the ball-chasing robot 10 to turn left (by providing more power to the rightmost wheel than to the leftmost wheel). When the ball is located on the right side of the ball-chasing robot 10, the signal from the right receiving tube is the strongest, and the controller will drive the ball-chasing robot 10 to turn right (by providing more power to the leftmost wheel than to the rightmost wheel). When the satellite body 20 is located in the middle or near the middle (such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the signal strength may be the same, so the power of each motor corresponding to each wheel may be the same, so that the ball chasing robot 10 will follow the direction of the ball. As described in the present application, the game setting can be divided into at least a carpet mode and a hard floor mode. Due to the large driving resistance on the carpet, its speed may need to be higher than the speed in the hard floor mode, or at least the wheel device may be driven with a higher power than the hard floor mode. Therefore, as described in the present application, the controller can adjust its speed and / or power by adjusting the power of the wheel device.

[0073] The terms "comprises" and "comprising" and their variations used in this specification and claims refer to the inclusion of specific features, steps or integers. These terms should not be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0074] The present invention may also include parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features and any combination thereof that are mentioned or indicated individually or jointly in the specification. In particular, one or more features in any embodiment described in the present application may be combined with one or more features in any other embodiment described in the present application.

[0075] In combination with the contents disclosed in the present application, any features disclosed in any one or more public documents cited in the present application may be protected.

[0076] Although certain specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, the protective scope of the appended claims is not limited to these embodiments. The claims should be interpreted literally, in terms of intent, and / or to include equivalents.

Claims

1. A toy, comprising a ball-chasing robot, the ball-chasing robot comprising: a controller configured to receive power from a battery; a plurality of infrared sensors configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body, the plurality of infrared sensors being connected to the controller; A motor configured to drive a wheel device, the wheel device comprising at least two drive wheels, wherein: The controller is configured to control the motor and the wheel device to drive the ball-chasing robot toward the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite body detected by the plurality of infrared sensors; The ball-chasing robot includes multiple settings, including: a game setting, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to drive the ball-chasing robot toward the source of the infrared radiation emitted by the satellite, and a sleep setting, wherein the controller is configured to turn off the plurality of sensors, wherein the sleep setting is automatically entered after a period of inactivity; and / or: a hard floor setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a first power setting, and a carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting.

2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the toy comprises the satellite.

3. The toy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of infrared sensors comprises at least three infrared sensors, wherein the plurality of infrared sensors are configured to detect infrared radiation at a 360 degree angle around the ball chasing robot.

4. The toy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first power setting is a lower power value than the second power setting.

5. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carpet setting comprises at least two sub-settings, including: a light pile carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting or a third power setting; as well as a deep pile carpet setting, wherein the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting or a third power setting; The light pile carpet setting and the deep pile carpet setting are different.

6. The toy according to claim 5, wherein: when: When configured in the light pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting; as well as When configured in the deep pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a third power setting, The third power setting is higher than the power value of the second power setting; or when: When configured in the light pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a third power setting; as well as When configured in the deep pile carpet setting, the motor is configured to drive the wheel arrangement at a second power setting, The second power setting has a higher power value than the third power setting.

7. A toy according to any preceding claim, comprising a switch configured to switch the ball chasing robot between the hard floor setting and the carpet setting and, if applicable, between at least two sub-settings.

8. The toy according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wheel torque measurement system, wherein the ball chasing robot is configured to automatically switch from the hard floor setting to the carpet setting when the rotational resistance exceeds a threshold value detected by the wheel torque measurement system.

9. The toy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel device further comprises a directional wheel configured to guide the ball-chasing robot to move in the direction of the satellite body.

10. The toy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to restore the ball chasing robot to a game setting when an infrared signal from the satellite is detected.

11. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the ball-chasing robot, wherein: When movement of the ball-chasing robot is detected, the controller is configured to restore the ball-chasing robot to a game setting.

12. The toy according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a game switch configured to place the ball chasing robot into a game setting or a sleep setting.

13. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: When the plurality of infrared sensors do not detect infrared radiation, after a period of time when no infrared radiation is detected, the controller is configured to drive the wheel device so that: The ball-chasing robot travels within a certain area, or The ball-chasing robot rotates in place.

14. A toy according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: When the multiple infrared sensors detect infrared radiation and then do not detect infrared radiation, the controller is configured to drive the ball-chasing robot in the direction of the last known position after a period of time when no infrared radiation is detected, and the last known position corresponds to the direction in which the multiple infrared sensors detected infrared radiation and then did not detect infrared radiation.

15. The toy according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the satellite body comprises at least five infrared emitters, the at least five infrared emitters being located within the satellite housing and configured to emit infrared radiation within a 360 degree radius in three-dimensional space.

16. The toy according to claim 15, wherein: The satellite body includes a satellite controller, which is configured to receive power from a satellite battery and place the satellite body in a satellite game setting and a satellite sleep setting, wherein in the satellite game setting the satellite controller is configured to turn on the infrared transmitter, wherein in the satellite sleep setting the satellite controller is configured to turn off the infrared transmitter, wherein the satellite sleep setting is automatically entered after being idle for a period of time.

17. The toy according to claim 16, wherein: The satellite includes a satellite accelerometer configured to detect movement of the satellite, wherein when movement of the satellite is detected, the satellite controller is configured to restore the satellite to a satellite gaming setting.

18. The toy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball chasing robot further comprises: At least two motors configured to drive the wheel arrangement, wherein: Each of the at least two motors is respectively configured to drive each of the at least two drive wheels, wherein the number of the at least two motors corresponds to the number of the at least two drive wheels.

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