Performance output toy and performance output toy set

Abstract

To provide a performance output toy that can output performance according to operation of a user.SOLUTION: A performance output toy 10 comprises a main body part 11, a linear part 12 provided in the main body 11, and an output part 24 capable of outputting performance according to operation on the linear part 12. The main body part 11 includes a supporting part 13 capable of supporting a lower end part of the linear part 12 in a movable state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a performance output toy capable of outputting performance using sound or the like, and a performance output toy set including the performance output toy. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1, listed below, discloses a wind-up toy in which a first moving body modeled after an animal and a second moving body modeled after a harp are mounted on a base so that they move back and forth at different speeds, giving the appearance that the first moving body (animal) is playing the second moving body (harp).

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned wind-up toy, the main effect is the predetermined movements of the first moving body (animal) and the second moving body (harp), and the effect is not based on the user's operation, so in this respect it cannot be said to be very entertaining. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-074888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a performance output toy and a performance output toy set that are capable of outputting a performance in response to a user's operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The toy for outputting effects according to the present invention includes a main body, a linear part provided on the main body, and an output part capable of outputting effects according to an operation on the linear part, and the main body includes a support part capable of movably supporting at least one end of the linear part. The toy for outputting effects according to the present invention also includes the toy for outputting effects described above and an article that can be attached to the toy for outputting effects. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the performance output toy and performance output toy set of the present invention, a performance can be output in response to the user's operation, thereby increasing the interest of the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is a front view of a performance output toy to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1(A), and FIG. 1(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 1(A). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a control system of the performance output toy shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] Figure 3(A) is a front view of an item (one example) that can be attached to the performance output toy shown in Figure 1, Figure 3(B) is a rear view of the same item, Figure 3(C) is a side view of the same item, and Figure 3(D) is an explanatory diagram of how to attach the same item to the performance output toy shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] 4(A) and 4(B) are explanatory diagrams of a method of using the performance output toy shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of performance output by the performance output toy shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] For convenience in the following description, the front side of Figure 1(A) will be referred to as "front," the back side as "rear," the left side as "right," the right side as "left," the upper side as "upper," and the lower side as "lower," and directions will be represented in the same manner in other figures.

[0010] Configuration of the performance output toy and control system First, the configuration of a performance output toy 10 to which the present invention is applied and the configuration of its control system 20 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the performance output toy 10 includes a main body portion 11, a linear portion 12, a support portion 13, a mounting portion 14, and a light-transmitting portion 15.

[0012] The performance output toy 10 is formed with an appearance imitating a harp (musical instrument), and an opening 11a that penetrates in the front-rear direction and has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front is formed in the main body 11. Although not shown in the figure, a power source unit such as a storage battery or a rechargeable battery is housed in the main body 11 so that it can be inserted and removed, and a power switch is provided on the rear surface of the main body 11.

[0013] 1(A) shows the opening 11a having a rectangular shape in front view, but there are no particular limitations as long as it can accommodate the linear portion 12. The shape of the main body 11 in front view may be changed to match the shape of the opening 11a, etc.

[0014] 1(A) and 1(B), the linear portion 12 is made up of a total of four linear portions, a first linear portion 12a, a second linear portion 12b, a third linear portion 12c, and a fourth linear portion 12d, and each of the non-supported portions (portions excluding the upper and lower ends) is located inside the opening 11a. Each of the linear portions 12a to 12d is formed linearly from a rigid material such as ABS resin or polypropylene, and preferably has the same diameter, and more preferably is parallel to each other in the left-right direction and is spaced equally apart.

[0015] 1(A) shows the linear portion 12 consisting of a total of four linear portions 12a-12d, but it may be three or less or five or more. That is, the linear portion may be one, but considering the diversification of the performance output, it is preferable to have n linear portions (n ​​is an integer of 2 or more).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the support portion 13 consists of four upper stationary support portions 13a and four lower movable support portions 13b, and each stationary support portion 13a and each movable support portion 13b is provided facing the inner upper surface and inner lower surface of the opening 11a.

[0017] Each fixed support portion 13a supports the upper end portion of each linear portion 12a to 12d in a fixed state, and consists, for example, of a recess (symbol omitted) provided on the inner upper surface of the opening 11a, and the upper end portion of each linear portion 12a to 12d is fitted into each recess via an adhesive and fixed.

[0018] Each movable support portion 13b supports the lower end portion of each linear portion 12a to 12d in a movable state, and is composed, for example, of a long hole 13b1 that penetrates the inner lower surface of the opening 11a in the vertical direction, and the lower end portion of each linear portion 12a to 12d is inserted into each long hole 13b1 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0019] That is, the lower end of each of the linear portions 12a-12d can be moved along the corresponding slot 13b1 under elasticity with respect to the upper end as a base point by flicking the unsupported portion of each of the linear portions 12a-12d with a fingertip or the like (contact operation, see the arrow in FIG. 4). Incidentally, the maximum value of the movement of the lower end of each of the linear portions 12a-12d is limited by the front-rear dimension of each of the slots 13b1.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIG. 1(B), within the lower portion of the main body 11, detection elements 22a (four in total, see FIG. 3) consisting of well-known switches such as tactile switches or push switches are provided so as to face the lower ends of each of the linear portions 12a to 12d.

[0021] Each of the detector elements 22a is for detecting an operation on each of the linear portions 12a-12d when the above-mentioned contact operation is applied to each of the linear portions 12a-12d and the lower end of each of the linear portions touches the detector element 22a (see FIG. 4(B)). Of course, when the above-mentioned contact operation is applied to each of the linear portions 12a-12d but the lower end does not touch the detector element 22a, the operation of each of the linear portions 12a-12d is not detected.

[0022] 1(A) and 1(C), the mounting section 14 is composed of a hole that penetrates the lower front surface of the main body section 11 in the front-rear direction and has a horizontally long rectangular shape in front view, and at the deepest part, there are provided recognition elements 23a (5 in total, see FIG. 3) consisting of well-known switches such as tactile switches and push switches. The method of mounting the object AR (see FIG. 2) to the mounting section 14 and the method of recognition will be described in detail later.

[0023] 1(A) and 1(B), the light-transmitting portion 15 is provided in the center of the upper surface of the main body portion 11 and has a spherical shape, and the light output portion 24b (see FIG. 3) made of a monochromatic light-emitting diode or a multicolor light-emitting diode is provided at the lower inside portion. The light-transmitting portion 15 is transparent or semi-transparent (including those colored milky white or lightly colored), and the light from the light output portion 24b (see FIG. 3) passes through the light-transmitting portion 15 and is emitted to the outside.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the control system 20 of the performance output toy 10 includes a main control unit 21 including a microcomputer and various drivers, a detection unit 22 for operation detection having the four detection elements 22a mentioned above, a recognition unit 23 for item recognition having the five recognition elements 23a mentioned above, an output unit 24 having a sound output unit 24a such as a speaker and the light output unit 24b mentioned above, and a memory unit 25.

[0025] The ROM of the main control unit 21 or the storage unit 25 stores a program for performing the performance output shown in Fig. 5. The storage unit 25 also stores performance data for performing performance by outputting sounds such as voice, music, and sound effects, and performance data for performing performance by outputting light such as continuous light emission or blinking light emission (including light emission colors in the case of the multi-color light output unit 24b).

[0026] {Configuration of an article, a method for wearing the article, and a method for recognizing the article} Next, the configuration of an object AR (one example) that can be attached to the attachment unit 14 of the performance output toy 10 described above, and a method of attaching the object AR to the attachment unit 14 and a method of recognizing the object AR will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(C), the article AR has an insertion part ARa that is heart-shaped when viewed from the front and a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the rear, and has a total of five recognized parts ARb consisting of hemispherical protrusions on the rear surface of the insertion part ARb. The shape of the insertion part ARa when viewed from the rear is such that it can be detachably fitted into the mounting part 14 in a predetermined orientation.

[0028] When the article AR is attached to the attachment part 14 of the performance output toy 10, as shown in Fig. 3(D), the orientation of the insertion part ARa of the article AR is aligned with the orientation of the attachment part 14, and then the insertion part ARa is fitted into the attachment part 14. By this attachment, each recognized part ARb of the article AR comes into contact with each recognition element 23a of the recognition part 23, and the article AR is recognized.

[0029] In addition, if there is a concern that the insertion portion ARa of the article AR shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(C) may be attached to the mounting portion 14 upside down, a mark indicating the upside down orientation may be provided on the insertion portion ARa of the article AR, or the insertion portion ARa and the mounting portion 14 may be provided with alignment protrusions and recesses, or the rear view shape of the insertion portion ARa and the front view shape of the mounting portion 14 may be made polygonal to restrict the mounting orientation.

[0030] 3(A) to 3(C) show the number and positions of the recognized parts ARb in accordance with the number and positions of the recognition elements 23a of the recognition unit 23 for the sake of convenience, but if at least one other type of article (not shown) is prepared in which the number and positions of the recognized parts ARb are changed, the types of the article AR and the other articles can be identified and recognized by the number and positions of the recognized parts ARb. The other articles here include articles that have a different color from the article AR, as well as articles that have a different shape when viewed from the front from the article AR.

[0031] To supplement the identification of the article AR and other articles, when the number of recognized parts ARb is 5, the arrangement of the recognized parts ARb can be up to 31 patterns, including the combination when the number of recognized parts ARb is 5 and the combination when the number of recognized parts ARb is 1 to 4 and each position is changed. In other words, the recognition unit 23 having five recognition elements 23 can identify up to 31 types of articles.

[0032] How to use the production output toy and the production output process Next, a method of using the aforementioned performance output toy 10 and a flow of performance output by the aforementioned performance output toy 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In this description, for convenience, the aforementioned object AR and a plurality of types of objects including other objects will be collectively referred to as "object AR".

[0033] The user selects a desired object AR from a plurality of types of objects AR and attaches it to the attachment portion 14 of the performance output toy 10 (see FIG. 3(D) and FIG. 4). Then, the user performs an operation (touch operation) of flicking at least one of the four linear portions 12a to 12d constituting the linear portion 12 with a fingertip or the like (see the arrow in FIG. 4).

[0034] When the article AR is attached to the attachment section 14, the recognized portion ARb of the article AR comes into contact with at least one of the five recognition elements 23a of the recognition section 23, and the article AR is recognized (including type identification).

[0035] Furthermore, when a touch operation is applied to at least one of the four linear portions 12a to 12d, the linear portion bends and its lower end touches at least one of the four detection elements 22a of the detection unit 22, and the operation on the linear portion is detected. As described above, even if a touch operation is applied to at least one of the four linear portions 12a to 12d, if the lower end of the linear portion does not touch the detection element 22a, the operation on the linear portion is not detected.

[0036] To add a bit more about the touch operation, since the linear portion 12 is made up of four linear portions 12a to 12d, there are a maximum of 15 patterns of operations on the linear portions 12a to 12d, including combinations in which the number of linear portions to which the touch operation is applied is four, and combinations in which the number of linear portions to which the touch operation is applied is one to three, each at a different position. In other words, the detection unit 22 having four detection elements 22a can distinguish a maximum of 15 types of operations. In addition, the touch operation includes a case where one flicks one to four of the four linear portions 12a to 12d individually with a fingertip, and a case where two to four of the four linear portions 12a to 12d are flicked consecutively by moving the fingertip in the left-right direction.

[0037] The performance output of the performance output toy 10 is based on operation detection by the four detection elements 22a of the detection unit 22 and item recognition (including type identification) by the five recognition elements 23a of the recognition unit 23, so when performing performance output even when the item AR is not attached to the attachment unit 14, the following cases may occur during the above-mentioned use: (X1) a case where both item recognition and operation detection are satisfied, (X2) a case where only operation detection is satisfied, and (X3) a case where only item recognition is satisfied. That is, during the above-mentioned use, it is determined which of the cases X1 to X3 applies in steps ST101 to ST103 of FIG. 5.

[0038] In case X1, performance data corresponding to the combination of the type of recognized object AR and the positions and number of linear portions 12a to 12d where operation was detected is selected from all performance data stored in memory unit 25 (see step ST104 in Figure 5).

[0039] Then, a performance using sound (voice, music, sound effects, etc.) based on the selected performance data is output from the sound output unit 24a of the output unit 24, and a performance using light (continuous light emission, blinking light emission, etc., including the emitted color in the case of the light output unit 24b that emits multicolor light) based on the selected performance data is output from the light output unit 24b and emitted to the outside through the light-transmitting unit 15 (see step ST105 in FIG. 5). Incidentally, since the performance output in step ST105 in case X1 has a predetermined time, the performance output stops when the time has elapsed.

[0040] In the case of case X2, performance data corresponding to the position and number of the linear parts 12a to 12d where the operation was detected is selected from all performance data stored in the storage unit 25 (see step ST104 in FIG. 5). Incidentally, in the case of case X2, since it is not necessary to attach the object AR to the attachment part 14, it is possible to prevent the appearance from being deteriorated by covering the attachment part 14 with a cover part or the like (not shown).

[0041] Then, a performance using sound (voice, music, sound effects, etc.) based on the selected performance data is output from the sound output unit 24a of the output unit 24, and a performance using light (continuous light emission, blinking light emission, etc., including the emitted color in the case of the light output unit 24b that emits multicolor light) based on the selected performance data is output from the light output unit 24b and emitted to the outside through the light-transmitting unit 15 (see step ST105 in FIG. 5). Incidentally, since the performance output in step ST104 in case X2 has a predetermined time, the performance output stops when the time has elapsed.

[0042] In the case of the case X3, since no operation is detected on the four linear portions 12a to 12d, in principle, no sound or light effects are output.

[0043] <Main Effects> Next, a description will be given of main actions and effects obtained by the aforementioned performance output toy 10. In this description, for convenience, the aforementioned object AR and other objects will be collectively referred to as "object AR".

[0044] According to the effect output toy 10, it is possible to enhance the entertainment value since it is possible to output effects according to the operation of the operation unit 12. In addition, if the linear unit 12 is two or more, it is possible to diversify the types of effects that can be output, thereby further enhancing the entertainment value mentioned above.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the performance output toy 10, it is possible to output a performance according to a combination of the recognition of the AR object attached to the attachment portion 14 and the detection of an operation on the linear portion 12, thereby enabling the output of a wider variety of performances and further enhancing the above-mentioned interest.

[0046] <<Variation>> Next, a description will be given of a modified example of the aforementioned performance output toy 10. In this description, for convenience, the aforementioned object AR and other objects will be collectively referred to as "object AR".

[0047] (Variation 1) Although the upper end of the linear portion 12 (12a to 12d) is supported in a stationary state and the lower end is supported in a movable state, the upper end may also be supported in a movable state so that the entire linear portion 12 moves when an operation is applied to the linear portion 12.

[0048] For example, by providing non-through elongated holes (with the same outline as elongated hole 13b1) on the inner upper surface and inner lower surface of opening 11a, and biasing the upper and lower ends of linear portion 12 inserted into the upper and lower elongated holes forward with an elastic member such as a coil spring, and positioning detector element 22a so that the lower end comes into contact with linear portion 12 when it moves rearward, an operation on linear portion 12 can be detected when the entire linear portion 12 moves rearward.

[0049] (Variant 2) Although the above embodiment has an attachment unit 14 capable of attaching an object AR and a recognition unit 23 capable of recognizing the object AR, in cases where the performance is output only by operating the linear unit 12, the attachment unit 14 and the recognition unit 23 may be eliminated.

[0050] (Variation 3) Although the above embodiment shows a configuration in which sound effects and light effects are output in response to an operation on the linear portion 12, the light output portion 24b may be eliminated if only sound effects are output. In this case, the light-transmitting portion 15 may be opaque (merely decorative), or the light-transmitting portion 15 itself may be eliminated.

[0051] (Variant 4) Although a configuration has been shown in which different types of AR objects can be attached to the attachment unit 13, if the attachment unit 14 and the recognition unit 23 are eliminated and a substitute object that replaces the AR object is provided in an uninterchangeable and rotatable manner, it is also possible to change the presentation output when the linear unit 12 is operated by rotating the substitute object.

[0052] For example, if a detectable part consisting of a protrusion or the like is provided on the rotating part of the substitute item mentioned above and four detector elements are provided around the rotating part at 45° intervals, and the detectable part touches one of the detector elements by rotating the substitute item by 45°, then it is possible to output an effect that corresponds to the combination of the rotational position (four positions) of the substitute item detected by the four detector elements and the positions and number of the linear portions 12a to 12d whose operation is detected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10...performance output toy, 11...main body portion, 11a...opening, 12...linear portion, 12a-12d...first linear portion to fourth linear portion, 13...support portion, 13a...immovable support portion, 13b...movable support portion, 14...attachment portion, 15...translucent portion, 20...control system, 21...main control portion, 22...detection portion, 22a...detection element, 23...recognition portion, 23a...recognition element, 24...output portion, 24a...sound output portion, 24b...light output portion, AR...article, ARa...insertion portion, ARa...recognized portion.

Claims

1. A performance output toy, A main body portion, A linear portion provided on the main body portion; an output unit capable of outputting a performance in response to an operation on the linear portion, The main body portion includes a support portion capable of movably supporting at least one end portion of the linear portion. A performance output toy.

2. Further comprising a detection unit capable of detecting a movement of the linear portion based on an operation on the linear portion. The presentation output toy according to claim 1.

3. The operation on the linear portion is a contact operation on the linear portion. The toy according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The unsupported portion of the linear portion is provided so as to be located inside an opening provided in the main body portion. A toy having a performance output according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The linear portion is composed of a first linear portion to an nth linear portion, the first linear portion being a total of n (n is an integer of 2 or more). The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first linear portion to the nth linear portion are parallel to each other and are equally spaced apart. The effect output toy according to claim 5.

7. the support portion includes a stationary support portion that supports one end of the linear portion in a stationary state, and a movable support portion that supports the other end of the linear portion in a movable state, The linear portion is formed from a hard material having elasticity with one end of the linear portion as a base point. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The stationary support portion and the movable support portion are provided to face each other on an inner surface of an opening portion provided in the main body portion. A toy having a performance output according to claim 7.

9. The movable state is a state in which a maximum value of the movement of the other end of the linear portion is limited. The toy according to claim 7 or 8.

10. When the performance output toy includes the detection unit according to claim 2, The detection unit is configured to detect the movement of the linear part when the other end of the linear part touches a detection element, and not to detect the movement of the linear part when the other end of the linear part does not touch the detection element. A toy having a performance output according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. When the linear portion is composed of the first linear portion to the n-th linear portion according to claim 5 or 6, The performance output from the output unit corresponds to the position and number of the operated linear parts among the first linear part to the nth linear part. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The output unit includes at least one of a sound output unit and a light output unit, The effect is at least one of a sound effect and a light effect. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A mounting section on which an article can be mounted; A recognition unit capable of recognizing the article attached to the attachment unit, The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The effect output from the output unit corresponds to a combination of the item recognized by the recognition unit and the operation on the operation unit. The toy according to claim 13 .

15. The performance output toy is formed in an appearance imitating a harp. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The toy includes the output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and the article according to claim 13. Production output toy set.

17. The article is a plurality of types of article. The presentation output toy set according to claim 16.

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