Device with flapping display

Abstract

To provide an electronic toy for providing visual output and audio output in response to a user interaction.SOLUTION: A toy includes a magnetically responsive member, a fulcrum member, a printed circuit board (PCB), a lid covering the PCB, an actuation switch, a touch sensor, a motion sensor, an audio transducer, a signal generator, and a controller. The flexible PCB includes an electromagnetic coil, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Opening of the lid actuates the activation switch, and in response, the controller controls the signal generator to generate a coil control signal for the electromagnetic coil to produce a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member, to induce oscillatory flapping of the PCB. In response to detecting a touch signal from the controller, or a motion signal from the motion sensor, the controller also generates an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs while the PCB is flapping, and an audio control signal to control the audio transducer to output sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a joint venture with U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 397,786, filed on August 12, 2022. No. 6,349,513, filed on May 13, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic display devices, and more particularly to electronic toys that provide visual and audio output in response to user interactions including opening the toy, the user's touch, and moving the toy. [Background technology]

[0003] The prior art includes electronic toys referred to as "digital pets" that provide visual and audio output in response to user interaction to simulate the companionship and development of a live pet. The toy sold as Tamagotchi™ (Bandai Co., Ltd., Japan) is an example of a digital pet, and includes push buttons for user input, a liquid crystal display screen for displaying an image of the pet, and a voice converter for producing sounds. In the field of such digital pets, there is a need to provide the user with a three-dimensional representation of the pet and tactile interaction with the pet. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention includes a toy including a magnetically responsive member, a base, a printed circuit board (PCB), at least one touch sensor, a signal generator, and a controller. The PCB includes an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs are distributed in a first direction. The PCB is attached to the base such that the PCB is flapable relative to the base to vibrate the LEDs in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The at least one touch sensor is for generating at least one touch signal when touched by a user. The signal generator is operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil and generates a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil. The controller includes a processor operatively connected to the PCB, the at least one touch sensor, and the signal generator. The controller also includes a memory including a non-transitory computer readable medium. The memory stores a plurality of different LED lighting sequences for a plurality of LEDs, each of the LED lighting sequences including a sequence of lighting states of the LEDs. The memory also stores a set of instructions executable by the processor to implement a method including: (i) controlling the signal generator to generate the coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying, fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member to induce vibratory flapping of the PCB and the attached plurality of LEDs relative to the base, and (ii) in response to detecting the touch signal, during step (i), generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs according to at least one of the LED illumination sequences.

[0005] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the PCB is a flexible PCB, and the toy comprises a fulcrum attached to the base, the flexible PCB being cantilevered from the fulcrum, and the flexible PCB is flapable relative to the base by bending the PCB relative to the fulcrum. The base may define a substantially horizontal platform, the fulcrum extending upwardly from the platform. The toy may further include a clamping member horizontally spaced from the fulcrum and pressing the PCB downwardly against an upper surface of the platform and the fulcrum member. The clamping member may define a channel extending from above the platform to below the platform, the PCB extending through the channel to be attached to the processor located below the platform.

[0006] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the PCB is either a flexible PCB or a rigid PCB, the PCB is pivotally attached to the base, and the toy further includes a PCB spring for biasing the PCB either towards or away from the base, and the PCB is flapable relative to the base by pivoting relative to the base.

[0007] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, said magnetically responsive member is a permanent magnet.

[0008] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, said at least one touch sensor comprises at least one capacitive touch sensor.

[0009] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the method further comprises the step of selecting at least one of said LED lighting sequences for use in step (ii).

[0010] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the at least one touch sensor comprises a plurality of touch sensors, and the method may include selecting at least one of the LED lighting sequences to be used in step (ii) based on which of the touch sensors generated the touch signal.

[0011] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, in step (ii), the detected touch signal indicates that the at least one touch sensor has been touched with a swipe gesture and / or that the at least one touch sensor has been touched for a predefined touch duration.

[0012] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the at least one touch sensor comprises at least one PCB-mounted touch sensor attached to the PCB such that, in use, the at least one PCB-mounted touch sensor flaps integrally with the PCB against the base. The at least one PCB-mounted touch sensor may be attached to an upwardly facing surface of the PCB.

[0013] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the LEDs are arranged on a downward facing surface of the PCB.

[0014] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the at least one touch sensor comprises at least one fixed touch sensor fixedly attached to a portion of the toy fixedly attached to the base.

[0015] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the toy further comprises a motion sensor for detecting motion of the toy, which may comprise a ball switch sensor. The method comprises, in response to detecting a motion signal generated by the motion sensor, during step (i) generating another LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs according to another one of the LED lighting sequences. The method may comprise selecting another one of the LED lighting sequences, which may be based on a type of motion indicated by the motion signal. The type of motion may comprise either a rocking or a tilting.

[0016] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the toy includes an audio converter and the method includes storing a plurality of different audio files. The method includes, in response to detecting the touch signal generated by the at least one touch sensor, generating an audio control signal to control the audio converter to output a sound in accordance with one of the audio files. The method may further include selecting one of the audio files.

[0017] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the toy includes a lid movably attached to the base, the lid moving between a closed position in which the lid covers the PCB to prevent the PCB from being viewed from outside the housing, and a fully open position in which the housing exposes the PCB for viewing from outside the housing. The toy further optionally includes an activation switch operable by the processor from an off state to a fully on state by moving the lid from the closed position to the fully open position. When the activation switch is in the fully on state, the processor is programmed to execute a first set of functions. The first set of functions may be a set of functions associated with ownership of the toy. For example, the first set of functions may include receiving an input from the at least one touch sensor and generating the LED control signal based on the input from the at least one touch sensor to control illumination of the LEDs according to a first sequence of the LED illumination sequence. Optionally, the activation switch is activated from the off state to the partial on state by moving the lid from the closed position toward the fully open position at an angle between 10 degrees and 15 degrees, and when the activation switch is in the partial on state, the processor is programmed to execute a second set of functions different from the first set of functions. The second set of functions may be a set of functions associated with a try-me mode of the toy while the toy is not yet owned by the user (e.g., while the toy is placed in a store prior to purchase). For example, the second set of functions may include generating the LED control signals based on input from the at least one touch sensor to control illumination of the LEDs according to a second one of the LED illumination sequences.More broadly, the activation switch can be said to be actuable from the off state to the partial on state by movement of the lid from the closed position to the half-open position, and when the activation switch is in the partial on state, the processor is programmed to perform a second set of functions different from the first set of functions, and the activation switch is further actuable to a fully on state by moving the lid from the half-open position to a fully open position, and the method further includes, in response to detecting that the activation switch is in the fully on state, generating another LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs according to another one of the LED illumination sequences.

[0018] In embodiments, the lid may be pivotally mounted to the base, in which case the open position of the lid may correspond to the lid pivoting at an angle between 10 degrees and 15 degrees from an orientation of the lid in the closed position. In embodiments, the toy may further include an activation switch operable from an off state to an on state by movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position. The processor is operatively connected to the activation switch, and in the method, step (i) is initiated in response to the activation switch being activated to the on state. In embodiments, the open position corresponds to a half-open position, an on state corresponds to an intermediate on state, and the activation switch is further operable to a fully on state by moving the lid from the half-open position to a fully open position. In such embodiments, the method further includes the step of generating another LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs according to another one of the LED illumination sequences in response to detecting that the activation switch is in the fully on state. In embodiments, the toy includes a lid spring biasing the lid to the closed position. In an embodiment, the toy includes a spring loaded latch pin insertable into at least one hole in the lid to releasably retain the lid in either the closed or open position.

[0019] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the plurality of LEDs comprises at least 24 LEDs. The LEDs may be arranged in a row. In an embodiment, the LEDs are multi-color LEDs, and the lighting state of the LEDs is defined at least by the lighting color of the LEDs. Additionally or alternatively, the LEDs are dimmable LEDs, and the LED lighting state is defined at least by the lighting brightness of the LEDs.

[0020] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the electromagnetic coil includes a plurality of linear segments oriented in a plurality of different directions.

[0021] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the base defines a substantially horizontal platform and the PCB extends upwardly from the platform. The platform may define a platform recess for receiving the LED and preventing contact between the LED and the platform when the PCB is at a lower limit of its vibration relative to the base. The platform may be contacted by the PCB in use to define a lower limit of its vibration relative to the base.

[0022] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, in step (i), the vibrational flapping of the PCB includes the PCB repeatedly moving in a first stroke direction followed by a second stroke direction opposite to the first stroke direction. In step (ii), the LED control signal is configured to illuminate the LED when the LED moves in either the first stroke direction or the second stroke direction, but not in both the first stroke direction and the second stroke direction. The first stroke direction may be an up stroke direction and the second stroke direction may be a down stroke direction, or vice versa.

[0023] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the PCB comprises an internal metal foil layer which overlaps the electromagnetic coil, extends beyond the periphery of the electromagnetic coil and dissipates heat from the electromagnetic coil to a portion of the PCB beyond the periphery of the electromagnetic coil.

[0024] In an embodiment of the toy of the first aspect, the toy further comprises a temperature sensor attached to the PCB for measuring a temperature of the PCB and a circuit interrupt switch for interrupting the coil control signal to the coil, the processor is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the circuit interrupt switch, the method further comprises the step of the processor controlling the circuit interrupt switch to interrupt the coil control signal to the coil in response to the temperature of the PCB or a rate of temperature rise of the PCB exceeding a predefined threshold.

[0025] In a second aspect, the invention includes a toy including a magnetically responsive member, a substantially horizontal platform, a fulcrum member extending upward from the platform, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), a signal generator, a clamping member, and a controller. The PCB includes an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs are distributed in a first direction. The PCB is cantilevered from the fulcrum member such that the PCB can be flappable relative to the fulcrum member to vibrate the LEDs in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The signal generator is operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil and generates a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil. The clamping member moves horizontally away from the fulcrum member and presses the PCB downward against the platform and an upper surface of the fulcrum member. The controller includes a processor operatively connected to the PCB and the signal generator. The controller also includes a memory including a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method. The method includes: (i) controlling the signal generator to generate a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying, fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member to induce vibratory flapping of the PCB and the attached plurality of LEDs relative to the fulcrum member; and (ii) during step (i), generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs.

[0026] In an embodiment of the toy of the second aspect, the platform may define a platform recess for receiving the LED and preventing contact between the LED and the platform when the PCB is at the lower limit of its vibration relative to the fulcrum member. The clamping member may define a channel extending from above the platform to below the platform, the PCB extending through the channel and attached to the processor located below the platform. The LEDs may be located on a downward facing surface of the PCB.

[0027] In a third aspect, the invention includes a toy including a magnetically responsive member, a base, a printed circuit board (PCB), a lid, an activation switch, a signal generator, and a controller. The printed circuit board (PCB) includes an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs are distributed in a first direction. The PCB may be either a flexible PCB or a rigid PCB and is attached to the base such that the PCB is flapable relative to the fulcrum member to vibrate the LEDs in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The lid is movably attached to the base between a closed position in which the lid covers the PCB to prevent it from being viewed from outside the lid, and a fully open position in which the lid exposes the PCB for viewing from outside the lid. The activation switch is actuable from an off state to an on state by movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position. The signal generator is operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil and generates a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil. The controller includes a processor operatively connected to the PCB, the activation switch, and the signal generator. The controller also includes a memory including a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor to implement a method. The method includes: (i) in response to the activation switch being activated to the on state, controlling the signal generator to generate a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying, fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically-responsive member to induce oscillatory flapping of the PCB and attached plurality of LEDs relative to the base, and (ii) during step (i), generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs.

[0028] In an embodiment of the toy of the third aspect, the lid may be pivotally mounted to the base, and the open position of the lid corresponds to the lid pivoting at an angle between 10 degrees and 15 degrees from an orientation of the lid in the closed position. The toy may further include a lid spring biasing the lid to the closed position. The toy may further include a spring-loaded latch pin releasably retaining the lid in either the closed or open position. The open position may correspond to a half-open position, and the on state corresponds to an intermediate on state. The activation switch is further operable to a fully on state by the lid moving from the half-open position to a fully open position. The method further includes the step of generating another LED control signal, different from the LED control signal, to control illumination of the LED in response to detecting that the activation switch is in the fully on state.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present invention includes a toy including a magnetically responsive member, a base, a printed circuit board (PCB), a signal generator, and a controller. The PCB may be either a flexible or rigid PCB and includes an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs are distributed in a first direction. The PCB is attached to the base such that the PCB is flapable relative to the base to vibrate the LEDs in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The signal generator is operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil and generates a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil. The controller includes a processor operatively connected to the PCB and the signal generator. The controller also includes a memory including a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method. The method includes: (i) controlling the signal generator to generate the coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member to induce oscillatory flapping of the PCB and the attached plurality of LEDs relative to the base, the oscillatory flapping of the PCB including repeated movement of the PCB in a first stroke direction followed by a second stroke direction opposite the first stroke direction; and (ii) during step (i), generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs, the LED control signal configured to illuminate the LEDs when the LEDs move in either the first stroke direction or the second stroke direction, but not in both the first and second stroke directions. In an embodiment, the first stroke direction is an up stroke direction and the second stroke direction is a down stroke direction, or vice versa.

[0030] In a fifth aspect, the present invention includes a toy including a magnetically responsive member, a base, a printed circuit board (PCB), a signal generator, and a controller. The PCB may be either a flexible or rigid PCB and includes an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs are distributed in a first direction. The PCB is attached to the base such that the PCB is flapable relative to the base to vibrate the LEDs in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The signal generator is operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil and generates a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil. The controller includes a processor operatively connected to the PCB and the signal generator. The controller also includes a memory including a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method. The method includes: (i) controlling the signal generator to generate the coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member to induce vibrational flapping of the PCB and the attached plurality of LEDs relative to the base; and (ii) during step (i) generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs. The base defines a substantially horizontal platform and the PCB extends upwardly from the platform. The platform is contacted by the PCB in use to define a lower limit of its vibration relative to the base. In such an embodiment, the platform may define a platform recess to receive the LEDs and prevent contact between the LEDs and the platform when the PCB is at a lower limit of its vibration relative to the base.

[0031] In a sixth aspect, the present invention includes a toy including a magnetically responsive member, a base, a printed circuit board (PCB), a temperature sensor attached to the PCB to measure a temperature of the PCB, a circuit breaker switch, a signal generator, and a controller. The PCB may be either a flexible PCB or a rigid PCB and includes an electromagnetic coil, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a temperature sensor, and a circuit breaker switch. The LEDs are distributed in a first direction. The PCB is attached to the base such that the PCB is flapable relative to the base to vibrate the LEDs in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The signal generator is operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil and generates a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil. The controller includes a processor operatively connected to the PCB, the temperature sensor, the circuit breaker switch, and the signal generator. The controller also includes a memory including a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method. The method includes: (i) controlling the signal generator to generate a coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying, fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member to induce vibratory flapping of the PCB and the attached plurality of LEDs relative to the base; (ii) during step (i), generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs; and (iii) controlling the circuit interrupt switch to interrupt the coil control signal to the coil in response to a temperature of the PCB or a rate of temperature increase of the PCB exceeding a predefined threshold.

[0032] An embodiment of the toy of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect may include features of an embodiment of the toy of any other aspect, as described above.

[0033] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] ~ [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a toy of the present invention with its lid in a fully open position. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top-front-right quarter perspective view of the toy when the flexible PCB is at its lower vibration limit. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a top-front-right quarter perspective view of the toy when the flexible PCB is at its upper vibration limit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a top-front-left quarter perspective view of the toy when a user's finger touches the touch sensor on the upward-facing side of the flexible PCB. [Figure 4] Top-front-right quarter perspective medial cross-section of the toy. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the toy when the flexible PCB is at its lower vibration limit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the toy when the flexible PCB is at its lower vibration limit. [Figure 7] ~ [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a view of the toy of FIG. 1 with its lid in a half-open position. [Figure 7] A top-front-right quarter perspective view of the toy. [Figure 8] 8 is a right elevational cross-sectional view of the toy taken along a vertical plane through line A-A of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] ~ [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a view of the toy of FIG. 1 with its lid closed. [Figure 9] A top-front-right quarter perspective view of the toy. [Figure 10] A top-rear-left quarter perspective view of the toy. [Figure 11] A bottom-front-left quarter perspective view of the toy. [Figure 12] A bottom-rear-right quarter perspective view of the toy. [Figure 13] ~ [Figure 20] FIG. 2 shows parts of the toy of FIG. 1. [Figure 13] Bottom-rear-left quarter view of the inner portion of the lid. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top-rear-right corner of the base. [Figure 15] 1 is an upper right oblique inner cross-sectional view of the platform, the fulcrum member, the clamp member, and the flexible PCB. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a flexible PCB. [Figure 17] 17 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the free end of the flexible PCB of FIG. 16 along line XVII of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a bottom-front-left perspective view of the lid and activation switch when the lid is in the closed position. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a bottom-front-left perspective view of the lid and activation switch when the lid is in a fully open position. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a top-front-right quarter perspective view of the flexible PCB attached to the controller rigid PCB. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an electronic component of a toy according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine implemented by a toy controller to respond to the opening of a toy lid. [Diagram 23] 11 is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine implemented by a toy controller in response to the toy being touched. [Figure 24] 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine executed by the toy's controller in response to the toy being moved. [Figure 25A] ~ [Figure 25F] 1A-1C illustrate exemplary user interactions and responses with one embodiment of a toy of the present invention. [Figure 25A]FIG. 13 illustrates a user opening the lid to reveal a flapping LED displaying an animation of a pet dog, accompanied by an audible "Ruff" greeting. [Figure 25B] FIG. 13 illustrates a user touching a touch sensor mounted on a PCB to activate a flapping LED to display an animation of a pet dog expressing affection. [Figure 25C] 13A-13C show how a user touches a touch sensor attached to the base with a swipe gesture to change the reward or toy image displayed by a flapping LED. [Figure 25D] FIG. 13 illustrates a user touching a PCB-mounted touch sensor with a swipe gesture to activate a flapping LED to display an animation of a pet dog playing with a hula hoop and to activate a speech converter to output an audible reading of "Let's Hula!" [Figure 25E] FIG. 13 shows a user rocking the toy, activating the voice converter to output an audible read-out of "Whoaa!" before the lid is opened, and activating a flapping LED to display an animation of a pet dog with a sad face emote, and activating the voice converter to output an audible read-out of "Grrr..." after the lid is opened. [Figure 25F] FIG. 13 shows a user tilting the toy left and right or forward and backward to activate a flapping LED to display an animation of a dancing pet dog after the lid is opened, and also to activate the audio converter to output audible music. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a right-side, inner cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a toy of the present invention when the flexible PCB is at the lower limit of its vibration. [Figure 27] ~ [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another non-limiting embodiment of a toy of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a top-front-left quarter perspective view of the toy with its lid in a fully open position, with part of the base removed. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a left, inner, cross-sectional view, with part of the base removed, of the toy when its lid is in a fully open position, showing the range of motion of the flexible PCB. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a left side interior cross-sectional view of the toy with its lid in the closed position. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a left elevation view of another non-limiting embodiment of a toy of the present invention having a PCB with LEDs pivotally attached to a base. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a top-right-front quarter perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of a toy of the present invention with the lid and a portion of the platform removed to show a magnetically responsive member extending across substantially the entire width of the PCB. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] interpretation

[0036] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures where appropriate to indicate corresponding or similar elements. Furthermore, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments or implementations described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Although exemplary embodiments are shown in the figures and described below, it should be understood at the outset that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary embodiments and techniques illustrated in the figures and described below.

[0037] Various terms used throughout this specification may be read as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: "or" as used throughout is inclusive as if written "and / or", singular articles and pronouns used throughout include their plurals and vice versa, pronouns of genders include their corresponding pronouns, such that pronouns should not be understood to limit anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc., by a single gender, and "exemplary" should be understood as "exemplary" or "illustrative", and not necessarily as "preferred" over other embodiments. Further definitions of terms may be described herein, which may apply to preceding and following examples of those terms, as understood from a reading of this specification. It should also be noted that the use of the term "a" or "an" is understood to indicate "at least one" in all examples, unless expressly stated otherwise or clearly understood to mean "one".

[0038] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, devices, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, system and device components may be integrated or separated. Furthermore, operations of the systems and devices disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components, and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Furthermore, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used herein, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0039] As used in this document, "attached" when describing the relationship of two connected parts includes "directly attached," where the two connected parts are in contact with each other, and "indirectly attached," where the connected parts are not in contact with each other but are connected by one or more other intervening part(s).

[0040] "Memory" refers to a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium for storing information in a form readable by a processor and / or instructions readable by a processor for implementing an algorithm. The term "memory" includes multiple physically discrete and operatively connected devices, even though it is used in the singular. Non-limiting types of memory include solid state, optical, and magnetic computer readable media. Memory may be non-volatile or volatile. Instructions stored by memory may be based on multiple programming languages ​​known in the art, including, as non-limiting examples, C, C++, Python™, MATLAB™, and Java™ programming languages.

[0041] "Processor" refers to one or more electronic devices capable of reading and executing instructions stored in a memory and performing operations on data, which may be stored in a memory or provided in a data signal. The term "processor" includes multiple physically discrete and operatively connected devices, even though it is used in the singular. Non-limiting examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, microcontroller units (MCUs), central processing units (CPUs), and devices known as digital signal processors.

[0042] Aspects of the present invention may be described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor such that the processor and a memory storing the instructions executed by the processor collectively configure a machine for performing the function / act specified in the block or blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams.

[0043] The flowcharts and functional block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, may be executed by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or acts, or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0044] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary (e.g., with respect to details of materials, shapes, dimensions, and construction) and are not limited by the claims appended hereto and any modifications made thereto. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many further alternative implementations and modifications are possible, and that the following examples are merely illustrative of one or more embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto and any modifications made thereto.

[0045] toy

[0046] In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to one embodiment of a toy 10, variously shown in Figures 1-12, with parts shown in Figures 13-20. Figure 26 illustrates a second embodiment of the toy 10, Figures 27-29 illustrate a third embodiment of the toy 10, and Figure 30 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the toy. In the illustrated embodiments, common reference numbers are used to indicate similar parts. Any of the embodiments of toy 10 may be modified with any one or combination of features of the other embodiments of toy 10.

[0047] 1-4, the toy 10 includes a magnetically responsive member 20 (FIG. 4), a base 30, a lid 50, a flexible PCB 80, a fulcrum member 100, a clamping member 110, touch sensors 120, 122, and an audio transducer 130. FIGS. 16 and 17 are bottom views of the flexible PCB 80 showing its electromagnetic coil 88 and a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 90. FIG. 20 illustrates the flexible PCB 80 operably connected to a rigid PCB forming a controller 150. FIG. 21 is a block diagram of the electronic components of the toy 10 including a power source 180, a signal generator 182, the coil 88 of the PCB 80, the LEDs 90, and a controller 150 having a processor 152 and memory 154 operably connected to the temperature sensor 94, the touch sensors 120, 122, the audio transducer 130, the motion sensor 132, and an electromechanically actuated switch 140 actuated by the lid 50. These and other components of this embodiment of the toy 10 are described in more detail below.

[0048] Magnetically responsive components

[0049] The magnetically responsive member 20 is used in conjunction with the electromagnetic coil 88 to induce a vibratory flapping motion of the PCB 80. The magnetically responsive member 20 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the magnetically responsive member may be a permanent magnet formed of various suitable materials, such as ferromagnetic metals, such as nickel or iron. In other embodiments, the magnetically responsive member may be, for example, an electromagnet. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the magnetically responsive member is a permanent magnet having a cylindrical shape that is disposed within a recess defined by the underside of the platform 36 of the base 30 and secured thereto by a retaining member attached to the underside of the platform 36. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 31, the magnetically responsive member 20 may extend horizontally substantially across the width of the PCB 80 (shown transparently in dashed lines), or multiple magnetically responsive members 20 may be disposed substantially across the width of the PCB 80. 31 may help balance the magnetic field across the width of the PCB 80 to prevent warping or shifting of the PCB 80 as it flaps, as compared to the magnetically responsive member 20 localized near the mid-width of the PCB as shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the magnetically responsive member 20 is a permanent magnet having a permanent magnetic field. In another embodiment, the magnetically responsive member 20 is an electromagnet.

[0050] base

[0051] The toy 10 includes a base 30 which supports the entire toy 10. Referring to FIG. 4, a lower portion of the base 30 defines a battery compartment 32 having battery contacts for receiving a pair of "AA" size batteries which are used as a power source 180 (FIG. 21) for the electronic components of the toy 10. The base 30 includes a battery compartment cover 34 which is removably attached to the remainder of the base 30 by screws 35. The middle portion of the base 30 defines a compartment 40 for receiving the controller 150, as shown in FIG. 8. The upper portion of the base 30 is terminated by a substantially horizontal stage-like platform 36. The top surface of the platform 36 defines a platform recess 38 to prevent the LEDs 90 of the PCB 80 from colliding with the platform 36, as such an impact could damage the LEDs 90 and generate noise. FIG. 26 shows another embodiment of a toy 10 that is the same as the toy 10 shown in FIG. 1, except that the PCB 80 has a greater length so that the LEDs 90 of the PCB 80 are received within the platform recess 38 at the lower limit of vibration of the PCB 80.

[0052] lid

[0053] The lid 50 is attached to the base 30 so as to be movable between a closed position and a fully open position. As shown in Figures 1-6, when the lid 50 is in the fully open position, the lid 50 exposes the PCB 80 so that the user can see and touch it. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the lid 50 is in the half-open position, the gap between the base 30 and the lid 50 may be large enough to allow the user to see the PCB 80, but small enough to prevent a child's finger from passing through to touch the PCB 80. As shown in Figures 9-12, when the lid 50 is in the closed position, the lid 50 covers the PCB 80 to prevent the PCB 80 from being touched by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 50 is made of an opaque material (plastic), so that the lid 50 hides the PCB 80 from view even when the lid 50 is in the closed position.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the lid 50 is made of three parts: an outer shell 52, an insert 54, and an inner layer 56. The outer shell 52 and the insert 54 are primarily decorative in function. The outer shell 52 defines a finger recess 53 for receiving a fingertip to facilitate opening the lid 50. The insert 54 is attached to the inner surface of the outer shell 52 and is visible from the outside of the toy 10 through a hole defined by the outer shell 52. The lid 50 defines a compartment 58 between the outer shell 52 and the inner layer 56 for housing the audio transducer 130. The inner layer 56 defines a plurality of holes 60 (FIG. 4) for sound transmission from the audio transducer 130. Preferably, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 27-29, the inner layer 56 defines a downwardly facing inner recess 59 for receiving the PCB 80 without contacting the PCB 80. Thus, when the lid 50 is in the closed position, a clearance exists between the inner layer 56 and the PCB 80 to prevent the inner layer 56 from impacting the PCB 80, as a prolonged impact could permanently deform the PCB 80 and impair its flapping capability.

[0055] In this embodiment, the lid 50 is pivotally attached to the base 30. In other embodiments, the lid 50 may be movably attached to the base 30 in other ways for movement between the closed and fully open positions. FIG. 13 shows the lid 50 and associated parts used to pivotally attach the lid 50 to the base 30 shown in FIG. 14. A pair of shafts 62 pass through holes defined by the lid inner layer 56, one of which is defined by a boss 64 in the lid inner layer 56. The shafts 62 insert into aligned holes defined by the bosses 42 in the base 30 to form a hinge, allowing the lid 50 to pivot upwardly from the base 30. A torsion lid spring 68 has one end fixed to the base 30 and the other end fixed to the lid inner layer 56 and biases the lid 50 toward the closed position. The lid inner layer 56 has a protrusion 57 that interferes with the base boss 42 to limit rotation of the lid 50 relative to the base 30 to a fully open position. A spring loaded latch pin 70 has one end that is inserted into the hole 44 defined by the base boss 42. A latch pin spring of the latch pin 70 biases the other end of the latch pin 70 against the lid boss 64. Referring to FIG. 18, when the lid 50 is in the closed position, the latch pin spring presses the tip of the latch pin 70 into the lid first hole 72 to hold the lid 50 in the closed position. The tip of the latch pin 70 is chamfered so that pivoting of the lid 50 retracts the latch pin 70 from the lid first hole 72 against the biasing force of the latch pin spring. Referring to FIG. 8, when the lid 50 is partially open, the retracted latch pin 70 allows the lid 50 to pivot relative to the base 30. 19, once the lid 50 has pivoted to the maximum angle permitted by the interference between the projection 57 and the base boss 42, the latch pin spring presses the tip of the latch pin 70 into the lid second hole 74 to hold the lid 50 in the fully open position. The lid 50 can be moved to the closed position by applying sufficient force to the latch pin 70 to retract the latch pin 70 from the lid second hole 74.

[0056] Flexible PCB

[0057] Flexible PCBs are well known in the art. In general, the flexible PCB 80 includes wiring and other electronic components attached to a flexible substrate, which may be, by way of non-limiting example, a plastic material such as polyimide or polyetherketone (PEEK), or a conductive polyester. The present disclosure is not limited by any particular substrate, so long as it is sufficiently flexible to allow for the vibratory flapping motion of the PCB 80, as described in more detail below. In an embodiment, the flexible PCB 80 may have a thickness of about 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, although other thicknesses may be appropriate depending on the bending stiffness of the PCB 80 and the desired range of flapping motion of the PCB 80.

[0058] FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of a flexible PCB 80 for use in the toy 10 of the present disclosure. The fixed end 82 of the PCB 80 has pin connections that are used to operably connect the PCB 80 to a circuit board of the controller 150. The free end 84 of the PCB 80 includes an operably connected electromagnetic coil 88, a plurality of LEDs 90, a metal foil 92, and a temperature sensor 94. The middle portion 86 of the PCB 80 has a narrower width to increase the flexibility of the PCB 80. The width of the middle portion 80 may be selected taking into account considerations such as the desired flexibility of the PCB 80, the desired range of flapping motion of the PCB 80, and the desired durability and fatigue resistance of the PCB 80. By way of example, the width of the middle portion 86 may be approximately 10 mm to 18 mm. The fixed end 82 and the free end 84 may be strengthened with reinforcing members.

[0059] Flexible PCB: Electromagnetic coil

[0060] Electromagnetic coils and their operating principles are well known in the art. Electromagnetic coil 88 is a wire having a shape that generates a loop-like (e.g., circular) magnetic field when a current is passed through the wire. To produce such an effect, the wire may be laid out in the shape of a circular coil, a helix, or a spiral, as is well known in the art. FIG. 16 shows a wiring layout for electromagnetic coil 88 that includes multiple linear segments oriented in multiple different directions. Compared to a conventional circular wiring layout, the layout of FIG. 16 may provide a higher strength magnetic field.

[0061] The coil 88 is positioned in proximity to the magnetically responsive member 20 such that the magnetic field of the coil 88 (when energized) interacts with the magnetically responsive member 20 within at least a portion of the range of motion of the PCB 80. If the magnetically responsive member 20 has a magnetic field (e.g., if the magnetically responsive member 20 is a permanent magnet), that magnetic field also interacts with the magnetic field of the coil 88 (when energized). In use, the controller 150 is used to generate a coil control signal to cause the coil 88 to generate a time-varying, fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member 20 to induce oscillatory flapping of the PCB 80. Oscillatory flapping of the PCB 80 refers to the PCB repeatedly moving in a first stroke direction (e.g., an upstroke direction) followed by a second stroke direction (e.g., a downstroke direction) opposite the first stroke direction. The coil control signal can take a variety of forms that vary the strength of the magnetic field of the electromagnetic coil over time, non-limiting examples of which include a pulse width modulated waveform, or a sinusoidal waveform. The interaction between the time-varying magnetic field and the magnetically-responsive member 20 may be either attractive or repulsive, or alternating attractive and repulsive in a periodic manner (e.g., alternating between positive and negative currents) by changing the direction of current flow through the coil 88. It will therefore be appreciated that the processor 152 includes, or is operatively connected to, a signal generator 182 capable of generating a coil control signal having a desired waveform to the coil 88. A signal generator is an electronic device that generates an electrical signal having controlled characteristics (e.g., amplitude, frequency, waveform), such as It is well known in the art. The signal generator may be an analog or digital signal generator. The interaction of the magnetic field(s) acting on the PCB 80, combined with the elastic return tendency of the flexible PCB 80 (and taking into account the weight of the PCB 80), causes the PCB 80 to vibrately flap. In this embodiment, the flapping motion of the PCB 80 is up and down with respect to the fulcrum member 100. In other embodiments, the flapping motion may be in a different direction (e.g., left and right) depending on the arrangement of the plane of the PCB 80, the fulcrum member 100, and the direction of the magnetic field(s).

[0062] As the PCB 80 vibrates, its plurality of LEDs 90 flap as well. The frequency of the vibratory flapping motion of the PCB 80 should be relatively rapid so that the illumination of the LEDs 90 produces an optical illusion known as "persistence of image" or "retinal persistence." That is, a human user perceives the illuminated rows of LEDs 90 as forming a composite image over a short time interval, even though the LEDs 90 are actually moving along a vibratory path over the time interval. In an embodiment, the frequency of the vibratory flapping is at least 24 flaps per second. One skilled in the art would be able to configure the toy 10 to flap the PCB 80 at a desired frequency, taking into account parameters such as the strength of the magnetic field of the magnetically responsive member 20 (if any), the strength of the magnetic field produced by the electromagnetic coil 88, the characteristics of the coil control signal, including its periodicity, and the mechanical properties of the PCB 80, including its stiffness and weight.

[0063] Flexible PCB: LEDs and LED lighting sequences

[0064] The LEDs 90 illuminate according to an LED illumination sequence 156 under the control of LED control signals generated by the controller 150. In this embodiment, the LEDs include 32 LEDs, but in other embodiments, the LEDs include any integer number of LEDs greater than or equal to 2 (e.g., ranging from 24 to 50 LEDs). In this embodiment, the LEDs 90 are multi-color LEDs, i.e., the LEDs 90 are controllable to generate light in different colors and to illuminate in "on" and "off" states. In other embodiments, the LEDs 90 may be monochromatic, in which case different LEDs 90 may illuminate to generate light of the same color or different colors. Furthermore, in embodiments, the LEDs 90 may be dimmable, i.e., the brightness of the LEDs may be varied by parameters of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

[0065] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the LEDs 90 are disposed on the underside (i.e., downward-facing surface) of the PCB 80. In this manner, the LEDs 90 do not interfere with and are not interfered with by a user's finger touching the touch sensor 120 on the top side (i.e., upward-facing surface) of the PCB 80, as shown in FIG. 3. The LEDs 90 may be arranged in various ways on the plane of the PCB 80, so long as the LEDs 90 are distributed from each other in a certain direction. As a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the LEDs 90 are arranged in two linear rows extending substantially horizontally, with the LEDs in one row being horizontally offset from the LEDs in the other row. In other embodiments, the LEDs 90 may be arranged along a non-linear topology.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 21, LED lighting sequences 156 are stored in memory 154. The term "LED lighting sequence" as used herein means a sequence of lighting states of LEDs 90 over a time interval. In an LED lighting sequence, the lighting states of LEDs 90 may be defined by a sequence of "on" and "off" states of each LED over a time interval. In the case of multi-color LEDs 90, the LED lighting sequence may additionally or alternatively be defined by a sequence of color states of each LED over a time interval. In the case of dimmable LEDs 90, the LED lighting sequence may additionally or alternatively be defined by a sequence of brightness states of each LED over a time interval. The lighting states of different LEDs 90 may be the same or different from each other at any time within the time interval. The duration of each lighting state in the sequence may be selected to produce a desired effect. As a non-limiting example, a sequence may be defined by 70 LED lighting states per second. In use, the LEDs 90 are illuminated while the PCB 80 is flapping. As described above, the vibrational flapping of the PCB 80 refers to the PCB repeatedly moving in a first stroke direction (e.g., an upstroke direction) followed by a second stroke direction (e.g., a downstroke direction) opposite to the first stroke direction. The LED control signal generated by the controller 150 to illuminate according to the LED illumination sequence may be configured such that the LED 90 illuminates only when the PCB 80 moves in only one of the first and second stroke directions of its vibration (e.g., an upstroke or a downstroke, but not both), or only when the PCB 80 moves in both directions of its vibration (e.g., both upstroke and downstroke). The LED control signal configured to illuminate the LED 90 when the PCB 80 moves in only one of the stroke directions (e.g., either an upstroke direction or a downstroke direction, but not both) may prevent image blurring perceived by a user, especially when the PCB 80 periodically moves slightly in a direction transverse to the first and second stroke directions (e.g., horizontally).Due to a "persistence of vision" effect, the LED lighting sequence 156 may be configured such that a human viewer perceives the illuminated LEDs 90 as an image of a recognizable object (e.g., a pet animal). Additionally, the LED lighting sequence 156 may be configured to change over the vibration of the PCB 80 such that a human viewer perceives the illuminated LEDs 90 as an animated image.

[0067] Flexible PCB: Heat dissipating metal foil layers and temperature sensors

[0068] The long term flow of electrical circuits through the coil 88 and LCD 90 can cause the temperature of the PCB 80 to rise above an acceptable level. To mitigate this temperature rise, the PCB 80 includes an internal layer of metal foil 92 distributed within the PCB 80 to dissipate heat from the PCB 80. In one embodiment, the metal foil 92 is sandwiched between the substrate layers of the PCB 80, as shown in FIG. 17. The metal foil 92 overlaps the coil 88 and extends beyond the perimeter of the coil 88 to dissipate heat to the portion of the PCB 80 beyond the perimeter of the coil 88. The metal foil 92 is preferably fabricated from a metal having a relatively high thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[0069] The temperature sensor 94 is used to measure the temperature of the PCB 80. The temperature sensor 94 may be implemented by various types of temperature sensors that can be attached to or integrated into the PCB 80, including NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistors or PTC (positive temperature coefficient) thermistors, as are known in the art. As is known in the art, the electrical resistance of an NTC thermistor decreases with increasing temperature, while the electrical resistance of a PTC thermistor increases with increasing temperature, and thus may be used as a fuse in the circuit to the electromagnetic coil 88 of the PCB 80. Other types of temperature sensors that may be used are digital thermistors (e.g., metal oxide semiconductor-based thermistors) and analog temperature sensors, such as thermocouples. The memory 154 may store instructions executable by the processor 152 of the controller 150 to monitor the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 94 and control the circuit interrupt switch 96 (FIG. 21) to interrupt the coil control signal to the coil 88 when the measured temperature of the PCB or the rate of increase of the measured temperature of the PCB exceeds a predefined threshold. The predefined threshold temperature value may be defined as an absolute value (eg 50° C.) or as a temperature rise relative to the temperature measured when the lid 50 is opened.

[0070] Support and clamping parts

[0071] The fulcrum member 100 provides a structure on which the PCB 80 rests and from which the PCB 80 (including its constituent electromagnetic coil 88 and LEDs 90) is cantilevered. That is, the PCB 80 extends unsupported from the fulcrum member 100 such that the PCB 80 and its associated LEDs 90 can vibrationally flap relative to the fulcrum member 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the fulcrum member 100 is in the form of a protrusion extending perpendicularly from the platform 36 of the base 30. The upper end of the fulcrum member 100 is rounded to facilitate bending of the PCB 80 without compressing the PCB 80. In other embodiments, the fulcrum member 100 may be attached to other parts of the toy 10 and provided in other forms. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 27-29, the fulcrum member 100 is formed by a ledge of the platform 36 of the base 30.

[0072] As previously mentioned, the LEDs 90 are distributed along a direction, referred to as a "first direction." The cantilevered relationship of the PCB 80 to the fulcrum member 100 is configured such that the PCB 80 can be flapped relative to the fulcrum member 100, causing the LEDs 90 to vibrate in a "second direction" that is at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. As an example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the LEDs 90 are distributed along a substantially horizontal "first direction." The PCB 80 is cantilevered from the fulcrum member 100 such that when the PCB 80 flaps relative to the fulcrum member 100, the LEDs 90 vibrate in a substantially vertical "second direction," as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0073] The clamping member 110 may serve several purposes, including pressing the PCB 80 against the fulcrum member 100 and toward the magnetically responsive member 20, and controlling the vibration amplitude of the PCB 80. In this embodiment, the clamping member 110 is necessary because the fixed end 82 of the PCB 80 is below the platform 36 for connection to the controller 150, and the PCB 80 extends upward above the platform 36. The PCB 80 has sufficient rigidity such that its unbent "neutral" shape projects diagonally upward from the platform 36 of the base 30. Thus, the clamping member 110 bends the PCB 80 downward from the neutral shape such that the electromagnetic coil 88 of the PCB 80 moves closer to the magnetically responsive member 20. In other embodiments, the clamping member 110 may be omitted, depending on how the PCB 80 is secured to the rest of the toy 10 and the shapes of the PCB 80 and the magnetically responsive member 20.

[0074] In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the clamp member 110 defines a curved channel 112 for routing the middle portion 86 from the top side of the platform 36 to the underside of the platform 36 for connection to the controller 150 (FIGS. 8 and 20). The clamp member 110 is secured to the platform 36 by a bolt that extends upward into the clamp member 110 through a hole in the platform 36. The clamp member 110 defines a foot 114 that is horizontally spaced from the fulcrum member 100 and contacts the top surface of the PCB 80 to press the fulcrum member 100, as well as the PCB 80, downward against the top surface of the platform 36. The foot 114 assists the PCB 80 in moving downward when the amplitude of the PCB movement is large and the magnetic attraction between the electromagnetic coil 88 and the magnetically responsive member 20 may be minimal. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 15, the width of the foot 114 may be approximately equal to the width of the middle portion 86 of the PCB 80 (e.g., 10 mm to 18 mm). 31, the width of the foot 114 may be substantially less than the width of the PCB mid-portion 86. By selecting the cantilever length of the PCB 80 and the shapes and relative positions of the fulcrum member 100 and clamp member 110, the flapping performance of the PCB 80 (e.g., the amplitude and angular range of flapping) may be tuned to a desired effect.

[0075] Vibration flapping of PCB

[0076] As an example, Figures 5 and 6 show an embodiment of toy 10 with PCB 80 at its lower and upper limits of vibration, respectively. In moving from the lower limit of Figure 5 to the upper limit of Figure 6, PCB 80 may have an angular displacement of about 90 degrees and LED 90 may move a vertical distance of about 25 millimeters. The latter measurement is essentially the dimension of the image that may be displayed by LED 90 when vibrating.

[0077] 28, the dashed lines indicate the PCB 80 within its angular range of motion. The vibratory flapping motion of the PCB 80 can define angular changes α and β in opposite directions relative to a neutral position of the PCB 80. The "neutral position" refers to the rest position of the PCB 80 when it is not subjected to any magnetic field of the magnetically responsive member 20. In an embodiment, the scalar values ​​of α and β can be the same as each other or different from each other. In one non-limiting example, the scalar values ​​of α and β can be 75 degrees and 15 degrees, respectively, for a total angular range of motion of about 90 degrees. In another non-limiting example, the scalar values ​​of α and β can both be about 45 degrees for a total angular range of motion of about 90 degrees. For a given total angular range of motion, it may be preferable for the scalar values ​​of α and β to be similar or the same to minimize the maximum stress experienced by the PCB 80. As shown in the figures and in FIG. 28, the lower limit of motion of the PCB 80 may be limited by the PCB 80 contacting a limiting protrusion 39 on the platform 36 of the base 30.

[0078] Alternative embodiment: Rigid PCB with electromagnetic coil and LED

[0079] In an embodiment, the toy 10 of the present invention may be implemented with a rigid PCB rather than a flexible PCB 80. Rigid PCBs are well known in the art. In general, a rigid PCB includes wiring and other electronic components attached to a rigid substrate, which may be, by way of non-limiting example, resin-coated fiberglass. To create the vibrating flapping effect, the rigid PCB must be pivotally attached to the base 30, whereas the flexible PCB 80 can simply bend around a fixed point. FIG. 30 illustrates an embodiment of the toy 10 having a rigid PCB 190 rather than a flexible PCB 80. It will be appreciated that the rigid PCB 190 includes an electromagnetic coil 88 (not shown) and an LED 90 in a manner similar to the flexible PCB 80 described above. One end of the rigid PCB 190 is securely held or attached to a holding member 192. By way of example, the holding member 192 may be implemented by a member similar to the fulcrum member 100 and the clamp member 110 described above. The retaining member 192 is attached to the base 30 by a connecting pin 194, thus allowing the rigid PCB 90 to pivot relative to the base, as shown by the curved arrow and dashed line representations when the rigid PCB 90 is in the raised position. A spring 196 (referred to herein as the "PCB spring" to distinguish it from other springs in the toy 10) biases the rigid PCB 190 either toward or away from the base 30 when the rigid PCB 190 is displaced from the neutral position. The PCB spring 196 may be a compression spring as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 30, or a torsion spring in other embodiments. The interaction between the time-varying magnetic field of the electromagnetic coil 88 and the magnetically responsive member 20 constitutes a biasing effect of the PCB spring 196, inducing a vibratory flapping of the rigid PCB 190. To overcome the biasing effect of the PCB spring 196, it may be necessary to use a relatively strong permanent magnet in the magnetically responsive member 20.

[0080] Although not shown, in embodiments, the flexible PCB 80 may also be pivotally attached to the base 30 in a manner similar to the rigid PCB 190 shown in Figure 30. In such embodiments, the vibratory flapping of the flexible PCB 80 may result from a combination of bending of the flexible PCB 80, pivoting of the flexible PCB 80 relative to the base 30, and the biasing effect of the PCB springs 196.

[0081] Touch Sensor

[0082] The touch sensors 120, 122 detect tactile user interaction with the toy 10 by generating a touch signal when touched by a user. The touch sensors 120, 122 may be implemented with a variety of sensor types, including capacitive touch sensors, resistive touch sensors, infrared (IR) touch sensors, and surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, and such sensors and their principles of operation are well known in the art. An embodiment of the toy 10 may have a single touch sensor or multiple touch sensors to provide multiple touch points for user interaction.

[0083] 1, the toy 10 has two physically discrete touch sensors 120, 122. The first touch sensor 120 is attached to the PCB 80, and more specifically, to the top (i.e., upward-facing) surface of the PCB 80. This touch sensor 120 may therefore be referred to herein as a "PCB-mounted" touch sensor to distinguish it from the "fixed touch" sensor 122. To the extent that the LEDs 90 of the PCB 80 are used to represent a pet, touching the touch sensor 120 attached to the PCB 80 can provide a simulated experience of touching a pet.

[0084] The second touch sensor 122 is fixed to the platform 36, and more generally to the base 30. Because the fulcrum 100 is generally fixed relative to the base 30, this touch sensor 122 may be referred to herein as a "fixed" touch sensor to distinguish it from the "PCB-mounted" touch sensor 120. The second touch sensor 122 may be formed from three discrete sub-sensors 124 arranged in a horizontal row separated by grooves, or may be formed from a single elongated sensor. In other embodiments, one or more touch sensors may additionally or alternatively be located on different portions of the toy 10. For example, one or more touch sensors may be located on an exterior surface of the base 30 or the lid 50.

[0085] In conjunction with the controller 150, the touch sensors 120, 122 may be used to detect touch, touch gestures (e.g., a "swipe" or "slide" of a user's finger across the touch sensors 120, 122), or touch duration (e.g., how long a user's finger remains in contact with the touch sensors 120, 122). Configurations of touch sensors and processors for detecting touch, touch gestures, and touch duration are well known in the art. The controller 150 may use the detection of touch, touch gesture, or touch duration as criteria for selecting among LED lighting sequences 156 to be output by the LEDs 90, or as criteria for selecting among audio files 158 to be output by the audio converter 130.

[0086] Audio converter and audio files

[0087] The audio converter 130 is used to output sounds according to stored audio files 158 under the control of audio control signals generated by the controller 150. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the audio converter 130 is implemented by a loudspeaker located in the compartment 58 defined by the lid 50. Referring to Figure 21, the audio files 158 are stored in the memory 154, such as in digital form. Different audio files 158 encode different sounds, such as musical sequences, voiced speech, or sound effects.

[0088] Motion Sensor

[0089] The motion sensor 132 is used to generate a motion signal in response to the motion of the toy 10. In an embodiment, the motion sensor 132 may include a ball switch sensor capable of detecting the orientation and tilt of the toy 10 as well as the motion of the toy 10. Ball switch sensors are well known in the art and generally include a metal ball that rolls within a tube, engaging and disengaging electrical contacts within the tube. In other embodiments, the motion sensor 132 may be implemented by other types of motion sensors known in the art, such as a MEMS accelerometer.

[0090] Lid-activated mechanically actuated switch

[0091] The mechanical activation switch 140 is switchable between an off state and a fully on state, which correspond to the lid 50 being in a closed position and a fully open position, respectively. In an embodiment, the activation switch 140 may be switchable to an intermediate on state, which corresponds to the lid 50 being in a half-open position, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The off, full on, and intermediate on states of the activation switch 140 may be detectable by the controller 150 to end or start vibration flapping of the PCB 80, or may be used as criteria to select among LED lighting sequences 156 for output by the LEDs, or among audio files 158 for output by the audio converter 130.

[0092] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 8, 18 and 19, the mechanical activation switch 140 is implemented by a tactile switch attached to the base 30. As the lid 50 pivots relative to the base 30 from a closed position (Figure 18) to a half-open position (Figure 8) to a fully-open position (Figure 19), a cam 74 defined by the lid inner layer 56 engages a pivoting portion of the activation switch 140 to actuate the switch from an OFF state (Figure 18) to an intermediate ON state (Figure 8) to a fully ON state (Figure 19). Conversely, as the lid 50 pivots relative to the base 30 from a fully-open position to a half-open position to a closed position, the cam 74 engages the activation switch 140 to actuate the activation switch 140 from an ON state to an intermediate ON state to an OFF state. The activation switch 140 may be configured to actuate between an OFF state and an intermediate ON state when the lid 50 pivots from a closed position to a half-open position by an angle toward the fully-open position, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. As a non-limiting example, in the half-open position, the angular change in orientation of the lid 50 may be approximately 10 degrees to 15 degrees from the orientation of the lid 50 in the closed position, and in the fully-open position, the angular change in orientation of the lid 50 may be approximately 70 degrees to 80 degrees from the orientation of the lid 50 in the closed position. As described below, vibrational flapping of the PCB 80 may be initiated when the lid 50 is in the half-open position such that a user of the toy can see the movement of the PCB 80 whenever the lid 50 is opened.

[0093] controller

[0094] 21 illustrates operative connections (represented by dashed lines) of controller 150 to power source 180, electromagnetic coil 88, LED 90, touch sensors 120, 122, audio transducer 130, motion detector 132, and mechanically actuated switch 140. Power source 180 may be one or more batteries, or in other embodiments, other power sources (e.g., a power supply adapter).

[0095] The controller 150 includes at least one processor 152 and at least one memory 154. In one embodiment, the processor 152 and memory 154 are implemented by a microcontroller 150 unit (MCU), i.e., an integrated chip having one or more processing cores and one or more memories. The MCU is connected to a circuit board such as that shown in controller 150 in FIG. 20, which has operative connections (e.g., data bus connections, pin connectors, solder connections, etc.) to other electronic components shown in FIG. 21. In such an embodiment, the memory 154 may be a read-only memory that stores firmware that is installed at the time of manufacture.

[0096] The firmware includes a set of LED lighting sequences 156 and a set of sound files 158, as described above. The firmware also includes a set of instructions executable by the processor 152, some of which are shown conceptually as modules in FIG. 21. The coil control module 160 generates coil control signals to control the electromagnetic coil 88 to generate a time-varying magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member 20 to induce vibratory flapping of the PCB 80. The LED control module 162 generates LED control signals to control the LEDs 90 to illuminate according to the LED lighting sequences 156. The audio control module 164 generates audio control signals to control the audio transducer 130 to output sound according to the audio files 158. The touch detection module 166 analyzes and / or responds to touch signals from the touch sensors 120, 122 to detect whether the toy 10 has been touched, touched in a particular gesture (e.g., a swipe or slide gesture), or touched for a particular duration. The motion detection module 168 analyzes and / or responds to a motion signal from the motion sensor 132 to detect movement of the toy 10, or a particular type of movement of the toy 10 (e.g., rocking or tilting). The switch detection module 170 analyzes and / or responds to a switch signal that depends on the state of the activation switch 140 to detect whether the activation switch 140 is in an off state, a neutral state, or an on state. The play response module 172 encodes subroutines that operate in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned modules to control the toy 10 to respond to user interactions. Examples of such subroutines are described in the examples below. Any one or more of the subroutines may be implemented in any order and in combination with each other.

[0097] Example 1: Controlling a toy in response to its lid being half-open or fully-open

[0098] FIG. 22 illustrates a subroutine 200 implemented by the controller 150 in response to the lid 50 being partially open, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, or fully open, as shown in FIGS. 1-6. In step 202, the controller 150 analyzes the signal and / or responds to the signal to determine whether the activation switch 140 is in an intermediate on state or a fully on state, which correspond to the lid 50 being in a partially open or fully open position, respectively. If the activation switch 140 is in an off state, the method returns to step 202. Otherwise, if the activation switch 140 is in an intermediate on state or a fully on state, in step 204 the controller 150 selects one of the LED lighting sequences 156 and, optionally, one of the sound files 158. These selections may be made according to a set of instructions stored by the memory 154. In an embodiment, the selection may provide different play patterns depending on whether the activation switch 140 is in an intermediate on state or a fully on state. For example, the LED lighting sequence 156 and sound file 158 selected when the lid 50 is moved to a half-open position activating an intermediate on state of the activation switch 140. This may be used to configure the toy 10 for a "try me" phase that allows the user to view an image or animation displayed by the vibrating LED 10 when the toy 10 is displayed on a retail shelf in its retail packaging, without having to fully open the lid 50. In contrast, the LED lighting sequence 156 and sound file 158 selected when the lid 50 is in a fully open position activating a fully on state of the activation switch 140 may be different from those used during the "try me" phase. This may be used to configure the toy 10 for a "play phase" that encourages or corresponds to a user interaction with the toy 10 in a particular way, such as touching the touch sensors 120, 122 or moving the toy 10. In other embodiments, instructions stored by memory 154 may program controller 150 to use one of LED lighting sequences 156 and one of audio files 158 without making its own selection.In step 206, the controller 150 controls the signal generator 182 to generate a coil control signal to the coil 88 to induce a time-varying magnetic field in the coil 88 that interacts with the magnetically-responsive member 20 to induce vibratory flapping of the PCB 80 and its LEDs 90. Step 208 is performed simultaneously with step 206. In step 208, the controller 150 generates an LED control signal to control the LEDs 90 to illuminate according to the selected LED lighting sequence 156. If the controller 150 selected one of the sound files 158 in step 204, then in step 208 the controller 150 further generates an audio control signal to control the audio transducer 130 to output a sound according to the selected sound file 158. In a variation of the subroutine, step 204 is performed before step 202, and steps 206 and 208 are performed after step 202 if the condition in step 202 evaluates to true.

[0099] It will be apparent that subroutine 200 may be augmented with the further steps of deactivating the flapping of PCB 80 and actuating activation switch 140 to the off state when lid 50 is closed. In this manner, the augmented subroutine can control toy 10 such that the vibration flapping of PCB 80 is activated only when lid 50 is in the half-open and fully-open positions, but not when lid 50 is in the closed position.

[0100] 25A illustrates a typical application of subroutine 200. Controller 150 selects an LED lighting sequence 156 that displays an animation of a pet dog and an audio file 158 that encodes a voiced reading of the greeting "Ruff." LED 90 displays the pet dog and audio converter 130 outputs the sound "Ruff" after lid 50 is opened.

[0101] In other words, the toy 10 optionally further comprises an activation switch 140 operable by the processor 152 from an off state to a fully on state by the lid 50 moving from a closed position to a fully open position. When the activation switch 140 is in the fully on state, the processor 152 is programmed to execute a first set of functions. The first set of functions may be a set of functions related to the ownership of the toy 10. For example, the first set of functions may include receiving input from at least one touch sensor and generating LED control signals to control the illumination of the LEDs 90 according to a first illumination sequence of the LED illumination sequence based on the input from the at least one touch sensor. Optionally, the activation switch 140 is operable from an off state to a partially on state by the lid 50 moving from a closed position to a fully open position at an angle of 10 degrees to 15 degrees, and when the activation switch 140 is in the partially on state, the processor 152 is programmed to execute a second set of functions different from the first set of functions. The second set of functions may be a set of functions associated with a try-me mode of the toy while the toy 10 is not yet owned by a user (e.g., while the toy 10 is in a store prior to purchase). For example, the second set of functions may include generating an LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs 90 according to a second illumination sequence of the LED illumination sequence, regardless of input from the at least one touch sensor. More broadly, it may be said that the activation switch 140 is actuatable from an off state to a partially on state by the lid 50 moving from a closed position to a half-open position, and when the activation switch 140 is in the partially on state, the processor 152 is programmed to perform a second set of functions different from the first set of functions, and the activation switch 140 is further actuatable to a fully on state by the lid 50 moving from a half-open position to a fully open position, and the method further includes generating another LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs 90 according to another sequence of the LED illumination sequence, in response to detecting that the activation switch is in the fully on state.

[0102] Example 2: Controlling a Toy in Response to It Being Touched

[0103] 23 illustrates a subroutine 300 implemented by the controller 150 in response to one of the touch sensors 120, 122 being touched. In step 302, the controller 150 controls the signal generator 182 to generate a coil control signal to the coil 88 to induce a time-varying magnetic field in the coil 88 that interacts with the magnetically responsive member 20 to induce vibratory flapping of the PCB 80 and its LED 90. (Step 302 may be performed as a continuation of step 206 of the subroutine 200.) In step 304, the controller 150 analyzes and / or responds to the touch signal from the touch sensor to determine whether the toy 10 has been touched. This evaluation may include determining whether the toy 10 has been touched with a particular gesture (e.g., a swipe gesture in a particular direction) or for a specified touch duration (e.g., one second or longer). If no touch signal has been received, the method returns to step 304. Otherwise, if a touch signal is received, in step 306, the controller 150 selects one of the LED lighting sequences 156 and, optionally, one of the sound files 158. These selections may depend on the detection of a particular touch gesture in step 304. That is, the detection of different touch gestures may result in the selection of different LED lighting sequences 156 and sound files 158 according to stored rules. Step 308 is performed simultaneously with step 302. These selections may be made according to a set of instructions stored by the memory 154. In other embodiments, the instructions stored by the memory 154 may program the controller 150 to use one of the LED lighting sequences 156 and one of the sound files 158 without making a selection of its own. In step 308, the controller 150 generates an LED control signal to control the LEDs 90 to light according to the selected LED lighting sequence 156. If the controller 150 selects one of the audio files 158 in step 306, then in step 308 the controller 150 further generates an audio control signal to control the audio converter 130 to output sound according to the selected audio file 158.

[0104] 25B illustrates one exemplary application of subroutine 300 when touch sensor 120 on PCB 80 is touched to simulate petting a dog. In response to the touch, controller 150 selects LED lighting sequence 156 to control LEDs 90 to display an animation of a dog emote an affectionate response, as symbolized by an image of a heart.

[0105] 25C illustrates another exemplary application of subroutine 300 when touch sensor 122 attached to platform 36 is touched with a swipe gesture. Depending on whether the user swipes left or right on touch sensor 122, controller 150 selects different LED lighting sequences 156 to display different pet toys or treats. For example, LED 90 is controlled to first display an image of a tennis ball. If the user swipes right, LED 90 displays a hamburger. If the user swipes left, LED 90 displays an apple.

[0106] 25D illustrates yet another exemplary application of subroutine 300 when touch sensor 122 on platform 36 is touched in a swipe gesture. In response to a user swiping alternately left and right on the touch sensor, controller 150 selects LED lighting sequence 156 to control LED 90 to display an animation of a dog playing with a hula hoop and selects audio file 158 to control speech converter 130 to output a voiced reading of "Let's Hula!"

[0107] Example 3: Controlling a Toy in Response to It Being Moved

[0108] FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a subroutine 400 that the controller 150 may implement in response to the toy 10 being moved. At step 402, the controller 150 analyzes and / or responds to a motion signal received from the motion sensor 132 to determine whether the toy 10 has been moved. This evaluation may determine whether the toy 10 has been moved in a particular manner (e.g., rocked or tilted back and forth in a particular direction). If no motion is detected, the method returns to step 402. Otherwise, if motion is detected, at step 404 the controller 150 selects one of the LED lighting sequences 156 and, optionally, one of the sound files 158. These selections may depend on the detection of motion in step 402. That is, detection of a different motion (e.g., rocking as opposed to tilting) may result in the selection of a different LED lighting sequence 156 and sound file 158 according to stored rules. In other embodiments, the instructions stored by memory 154 may simply program controller 150 to use one of LED lighting sequences 156 and one of audio files 158 without making a selection of its own. In step 406, controller 150 generates an audio control signal to control audio transducer 130 to output a sound according to the selected audio file 158. Step 406 may be performed when lid 50 is either closed or open, or both. The subroutine then performs steps similar to subroutine 200, except it is understood that the LED lighting sequence 156 selected in step 404 is used for the selection in step 204.

[0109] 25E illustrates one exemplary application of subroutine 400 when toy 10 is shaken. In response to the detected shaking, controller 150 selects LED lighting sequence 156 to control LED 90 to display an animation of a dog emoting with a sad face after lid 50 is opened. Controller 150 also controls audio converter 130 to select two different sound files 158 to output different sounds when lid 50 is closed and when lid 50 is fully open. When lid 50 is closed, audio converter 130 outputs a voiced readout of "Whoaa!" according to the first selected sound file 158. When lid 50 is closed, audio converter 130 outputs a voiced readout of "Grrr..." according to the second selected sound file 158.

[0110] 25F illustrates another exemplary application of subroutine 400 when toy 10 is tilted back and forth. In response to the detected tilt, controller 150 controls LED 90 to select LED lighting sequence 156 to display a dancing dog animation and controls audio converter 130 to select audio file 158 to output music after lid 50 is opened. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10 toys 20 Magnetically responsive member 30 base 32 Base, battery compartment 34 Base, battery compartment cover 35 Base, battery compartment cover screw 36 Base, platform 38 Base, platform recess 39 Base, platform, limiting protrusion 40 Base, controller section 42 Base, boss 50 lids 52 Lid, outer shell 53 Lid, outer shell, finger recess 54 Lid, insert 56 Lid, inner layer 57 Lid, inner layer convex part 58 Lid, audio transducer compartment 59 Lid, inner recess for flexible PCB 60 Lid, hole for audio transducer 62 Lid, shaft for attachment to base 64 Lid, boss 68 Lid, lid spring 70 Lid, spring latch pin 72 Lid, first hole for spring latch pin 74 Lid, 2nd hole for spring latch pin 76 Cam for activating the cover and operating switch 80 Flexible PCB 82 Flexible PCB, fixed end 84 Flexible PCB, free ends 86 Flexible PCB, middle section 88 Flexible PCB, electromagnetic coil 90 Flexible PCB, LED 92 Flexible PCB, metal foil layer 94 Flexible PCB, Temperature Sensor 96 Flexible PCB, Circuit Breaker Switch 100 Support member 110 Clamping member 112 Clamping member, channel 114 Clamping member, foot 120 Touch sensor, PCB mounted 122 Touch sensor, fixed to a fulcrum member on the base 122 Touch sensor and sub-sensor on board 130 Voice Converter 132 Motion Sensor 140 Lid-operated operating switch 150 Controller 152 Controllers, processors 154 Controller, memory 156 memories, memorized LED lighting sequences 158 Memory, stored audio files 160 Memory, coil control module 162 Memory, LED control module 164 Memory, Voice Control Module 166 Memory, Touch Detection Module 168 Memory, Motion Detection Module 170 Memory, Switch Detection Module 172 Memory, Play Response Module 180 Power supply 182 Signal Generator 190 PCB, flexible or rigid 192 PCB Retaining Material 194 connection pins 196 PCB Springs (PCB Springs) 200-208 Subroutine and steps in response to toy lid being opened 300-308 Subroutine and steps in response to toy being touched 400-406 Subroutine and steps in response to toy being moved

Claims

1. It is a toy, a magnetically responsive member; A base and a printed circuit board (PCB) including an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) distributed in a first direction, the PCB being attached to the base such that the PCB can be flapped relative to the base to vibrate the LEDs through vibration in a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction; at least one touch sensor for generating at least one touch signal when touched by a user; a signal generator operatively connected to the electromagnetic coil to generate a coil control signal for the electromagnetic coil; a controller; The controller: a processor operatively connected to the PCB, the at least one touch sensor, and the signal generator; a memory comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium; The memory storing a plurality of different LED lighting sequences for the plurality of LEDs, each of the LED lighting sequences comprising a sequence of lighting states of the LEDs; and storing a set of instructions executable by said processor to perform a method; The method comprises: (i) controlling the signal generator to generate the coil control signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate a time-varying, fluctuating magnetic field that interacts with the magnetically responsive member to induce vibrational flapping of the PCB and the attached LEDs through the vibration relative to the base; (ii) in response to detecting the touch signal, during step (i), generating LED control signals to control illumination of the LEDs according to at least one of the LED illumination sequences; toy.

2. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the PCB is a flexible printed circuit board, the toy comprises a fulcrum member attached to the base, the flexible PCB being cantilevered from the fulcrum member, and the flexible PCB being flapable relative to the base by the PCB bending relative to the fulcrum member.

3. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the PCB is either a flexible PCB or a rigid PCB, the PCB is pivotally attached to the base, the toy further comprising a spring for biasing the PCB either towards or away from the base, and the PCB can be flapped relative to the base by pivoting relative to the base.

4. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically responsive member is a permanent magnet.

5. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one touch sensor comprises a plurality of touch sensors, the method further comprising selecting at least one of the LED lighting sequences used in step (ii) based on which of the touch sensors generated the touch signal.

6. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein in step (ii), the detected touch signal indicates that the at least one touch sensor has been touched in a swipe gesture.

7. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one touch sensor comprises at least one PCB-mounted touch sensor attached to the PCB such that, in use, the at least one PCB-mounted touch sensor flaps against the base integrally with the PCB.

8. 8. The toy of claim 7, wherein the at least one PCB-mounted touch sensor is attached to an upward-facing surface of the PCB.

9. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the LEDs are disposed on a downward-facing surface of the PCB.

10. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the at least one touch sensor comprises at least one fixed touch sensor fixedly attached to the base.

11. the toy further comprising a motion sensor for detecting motion of the toy; 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the method includes, during step (i), generating another LED control signal in response to detecting the motion signal generated by the motion sensor to control the plurality of LEDs to illuminate according to another one of the LED illumination sequences.

12. 12. The toy of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises selecting another one of the LED lighting sequences based on a type of motion indicated by the motion signal, the type of motion comprising either a rocking or tilting motion.

13. the toy further comprising an audio transducer; the memory further stores a plurality of different audio files; 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the method includes, in response to detecting the touch signal generated by the at least one touch sensor, generating an audio control signal to control the audio converter to output a sound according to one of the audio files.

14. 2. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a lid movably attached to the base, the lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the PCB to prevent it from being viewed from outside the housing and a fully open position in which the housing exposes the PCB so that it can be viewed from outside the housing, the toy further comprising an activation switch operable from an off state to a fully on state by movement of the lid from the closed position to the fully open position, the processor being programmed to perform a first set of functions when the activation switch is in the fully on state.

15. 15. The toy of claim 14, wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the base, and movement of the lid from the closed position toward the fully open position through an angle of 10 to 15 degrees activates the activation switch from the off state to a partial on state, and when the activation switch is in the partial on state, the processor is programmed to perform a second set of functions different from the first set of functions.

16. the activation switch is operable from the off state to the partially on state by movement of the lid from the closed position to the half-open position; when the activation switch is in the partially on state, the processor is programmed to perform a second set of functions different from the first set of functions; the activation switch is further operable to the full on state by moving the lid from the half-open position to the fully open position; 15. The toy of claim 14, wherein the method further includes, in response to detecting the activation switch in the full on state, generating another LED control signal to control illumination of the LEDs according to another one of the LED illumination sequences.

17. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the base defines a substantially horizontal platform, the PCB extends upwardly from the platform, and the platform defines a platform recess that receives the LED and prevents contact between the LED and the platform when the PCB is at the lower limit of the vibration relative to the base.

18. 18. A toy as claimed in claim 17, wherein the platform is contacted by the PCB in use to limit the lower vibration limit relative to the base.

19. 3. The toy of claim 2, wherein the base defines a substantially horizontal platform, the fulcrum member extends upwardly from the platform, and the toy further comprises a clamp member spaced horizontally from the fulcrum member and pressing the PCB downwardly against the platform and an upper surface of the fulcrum member.

20. 20. The toy of claim 19, wherein the clamping member defines a channel extending from above the platform to below the platform, the PCB extending through the channel to attach to the processor below the platform.

21. 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein in step (i), the vibrating flapping of the PCB includes the PCB repeatedly moving in a first stroke direction followed by a second stroke direction opposite the first stroke direction, and in step (ii), the LED control signal is configured to illuminate the LED when the LED moves in either the first stroke direction or the second stroke direction, but not in both the first stroke direction and the second stroke direction.

22. 10. The toy of claim 1, wherein the PCB includes an inner metal foil layer that overlaps the electromagnetic coil, extends beyond the periphery of the electromagnetic coil, and dissipates heat from the electromagnetic coil to a portion of the PCB beyond the periphery of the electromagnetic coil.

23. the toy further comprising a temperature sensor attached to the PCB for measuring a temperature of the PCB, and a circuit interruption switch for interrupting the coil control signal to the coil; the processor is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the circuit interrupt switch; 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of the processor controlling the circuit interruption switch to interrupt the coil control signal to the coil in response to the temperature of the PCB or a rate of temperature rise of the PCB exceeding a predefined threshold.

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