Performance output toys

Abstract

To improve the interest of a performance output toy that counts the number of operation inputs. [Solution] A performance output toy 1 is used, which includes an operation input unit 3, a detection unit that detects input to the operation input unit 3, a timing unit that measures the time interval between a first operation input detected by the detection unit and a second operation input that follows the first operation input, a determination unit that determines that the first operation input and the second operation input are consecutive operation inputs if the time interval measured by the timing unit is less than a predetermined first time, a counting unit that counts the number of consecutive operation inputs by adding up the number of operation inputs that the determination unit determines to be consecutive operation inputs, and a performance output unit that outputs a predetermined performance based on the number of consecutive operations counted by the counting unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy that outputs a visual effect, and more particularly to a toy that outputs a visual effect in response to an operation performed by a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a toy that counts the number of times an operation input unit is rotated is known, which starts counting the competition time and counts the number of times the handle is operated, and when the number of operations reaches a threshold value, stops counting the competition time and outputs the competition time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-185066 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, counting the number of rotations of the handle is started by pressing a start switch. However, if the step of pressing the start switch could be omitted, it would be easier to enjoy operating the effect output toy, and the entertainment value of the effect output toy could be improved.

[0005] Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A brief summary of a representative embodiment of the present invention will be given below.

[0007] In one embodiment, a presentation output toy comprises an operation input unit, a detection unit that detects input to the operation input unit, a timing unit that measures the time interval between a first operation input detected by the detection unit and a second operation input that follows the first operation input, a determination unit that determines that the first operation input and the second operation input are consecutive operation inputs when the time interval measured by the timing unit is less than a predetermined first time, a counting unit that counts the number of consecutive operation inputs by adding up the number of operation inputs that the determination unit determines to be consecutive operation inputs, and a presentation output unit that outputs a predetermined presentation based on the number of consecutive operations counted by the counting unit. In one embodiment, the effect output toy includes a toy main body, a rotation operation input unit provided on the toy main body, a detection unit that detects an input to the rotation operation input unit, a determination unit that determines whether the rotation input operation detected by the detection unit is a continuous rotation operation input, a counting unit that counts the number of continuous rotation operation inputs by adding up the number of rotation operation inputs that the determination unit determines to be continuous rotation operation inputs, and an effect output unit that outputs a predetermined effect based on the number of continuous rotation operations counted by the counting unit. , including rotating parts a rotation operation input unit; a detection unit that detects an input to the rotation operation input unit; a timing unit that measures a time interval between a first operation input detected by the detection unit and a second operation input that follows the first operation input; a determination unit that determines that the first operation input and the second operation input are consecutive operation inputs when the time interval measured by the timing unit is less than a predetermined first time; a counting unit that counts the number of consecutive rotation operation inputs by adding up the number of rotation operation inputs that the determination unit determines to be consecutive rotation operation inputs; and an effect output unit that outputs a predetermined effect based on the number of consecutive rotation operations counted by the counting unit. the rotating part has a first part that is relatively thick in a thickness direction along the central axis, and a second part that is thinner than the first part, the second part being a light-transmitting part that extends in an arc from the peripheral part of the rotating part toward the center of the rotating part, and includes a light-emitting mechanism including: the light-transmitting part; an internal plate that is provided between the toy main body part and the rotating part and has a through-hole that extends in an arc from a position facing the peripheral part of the rotating part toward a position facing the center of the rotating part; and a light-emitting part that is provided in the toy main body part and emits light from the inside of the toy main body part toward the internal plate and the rotating part, and by rotating the rotating part, the overlapping state between the light-transmitting part and the through-hole changes, so that the light irradiated from the light-emitting part to the light-transmitting part appears to spread from the center side of the rotating part toward the peripheral part, or to move from the peripheral part side toward the center . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment, it is possible to improve the entertainment value of a performance output toy that counts the number of operation inputs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a performance output toy according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view of the operation input unit detached from the effect output toy according to the embodiment, as viewed from the back side. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of a main body of a performance output toy according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of a main body of a performance output toy according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view showing a part of the main body of a performance output toy according to an embodiment and an operation input unit detached from the performance output toy. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a performance output toy according to an embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all drawings for explaining the embodiments, components having the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted. In the following embodiments, explanations of the same or similar parts will not be repeated unless particularly necessary.

[0011] In addition, the X, Y, and Z directions described in this application are perpendicular to one another. For simplicity of explanation, the Z direction may be described as the vertical direction, height direction, or thickness direction of a structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the plane formed by the X and Y directions forms a plane, which is perpendicular to the Z direction. In this application, the expression "planar view" means viewing a plane formed by the X and Y directions from the Z direction, or viewing a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. (Embodiment)

[0013] The effect output toy of this embodiment is a toy that rotates an operation input unit that appears on the surface of the effect output toy, and outputs different effects depending on the content of the rotation operation.

[0014] <Configuration of the performance output toy>

[0015] A performance output toy 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the performance output toy 1 has a main body 2 and an operation input unit 3, which is a rotating unit rotatable about an axis relative to the main body 2. The main body 2 includes a first bowl-shaped container 2a and a second bowl-shaped container 2b, which are joined together with their openings facing each other. The first container 2a has a circular opening penetrating between the inside and outside of the main body 2. The operation input unit 3 has a disk-like shape. A mark 4 composed of projections and recesses is provided on the front surface of the operation input unit 3, i.e., the surface exposed to the outside of the performance output toy 1. The front surface of the operation input unit 3 here refers to the outer surface opposite the main body 2. The mark 4 is provided at a position on the front surface of the operation input unit 3 other than the center in a plan view, for example, near the edge of the circular operation input unit 3. In this way, since the mark 4 is provided near the edge of the operation input unit 3, the operator can easily recognize that the operation input unit 3 is rotating by visually recognizing the mark 4.

[0016] The operation input unit 3 is a part that is rotated by the operator. Specifically, the mark 4 is composed of an annular portion that protrudes outward from the front surface of the operation input unit 3, opposite the main body unit 2, and a recess that is recessed toward the main body unit 2 at the center of the annular portion. The operator can rotate the operation input unit 3, for example, by pressing a finger against the recess and applying a force in the rotation direction. The operator can also rotate the operation input unit 3 by pressing a rod-shaped tool against the recess and applying a force in the rotation direction. In this way, the mark 4, which is composed of projections and recesses, also defines the position at which the operator inputs operations to the operation input unit 3.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the operation input unit 3 as seen from the back side. The back side of the operation input unit 3 is the side opposite to the front side of the operation input unit 3, that is, the side facing the main body 2 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, the operation input unit 3 has a thin, disk-like shape, and a pair of input protrusions 5 that protrude toward the back side (main body 2 side) are provided on the peripheral edge of the back side. The two input protrusions 5 are provided at positions facing each other across the center of the operation input unit 3 in the radial direction.

[0018] The back surface of the operation input unit 3 is provided with a first portion 3a formed by protrusions and recesses. The first portion 3a has a relatively large thickness in the thickness direction along the axial direction of the operation input unit 3, and a second portion 3b has a smaller thickness in the thickness direction than the first portion. The first portion 3a and the second portion 3b are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction surrounding the center of the back surface of the operation input unit 3. Each of the first portion 3a and the second portion 3b extends in an arc from the peripheral edge of the back surface of the operation input unit 3 to the central portion of the back surface of the operation input unit 3 from the peripheral edge of the rotating portion. Therefore, the first portion 3a and the second portion 3b form a spiral shape when viewed from the back side of the operation input unit 3. Here, the operation input unit 3 is made of a transparent material that easily transmits light. Therefore, the first portion 3a is thick and therefore relatively impermeable to light in the thickness direction, while the second portion 3b is thin and therefore functions as a light-transmitting portion. That is, the light transmitting portion is configured by a recessed portion located inside the main body portion 2 of the operation input portion 3.

[0019] 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the main body 2 (see FIG. 1). Note that in FIGS. 3 and 4, structures for fixing the internal plate 6, rollers 7, printed circuit board 9, etc. may be omitted. The performance output toy 1 shown in FIG. 3 shows a structure in which the first container 2a and operation input unit 3 of FIG. 1 have been removed. The performance output toy 1 shown in FIG. 4 shows a structure in which the first container 2a and operation input unit 3 of FIG. 1, the internal plate 6, and rollers 7 (see FIG. 3) have been removed.

[0020] 3 and 4, a printed circuit board 9 is fixed to the second container 2b inside the main body 2. As shown in Fig. 4, a light-emitting unit 10 that emits light toward the operation input unit 3 (see Fig. 1) is mounted on the front surface of the printed circuit board 9, i.e., on the operation input unit 3 (see Fig. 1) side. The light-emitting unit 10 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits light over a wide range with low directionality.

[0021] An internal plate 6 is fixed to the second container 2b and provided inside the main body 2 between the printed circuit board 9 and the operation input unit 3, i.e., between the light-emitting unit 10 and the operation input unit 3. The internal plate 6 has a through hole 6c between the light-emitting unit 10 and the center of the operation input unit 3. The internal plate 6 also has through holes 6b aligned in the circumferential direction of the through hole 6c so as to surround the periphery of the through hole 6c in a plan view. The internal plate 6 also has support portions 6a between adjacent through holes 6b in the circumferential direction of the through hole 6c. In other words, a plurality of support portions 6a are provided aligned in the circumferential direction of the through hole 6c, and between adjacent support portions 6a in that direction, through holes 6b are formed that penetrate the internal plate 6 from the printed circuit board 9 side toward the operation input unit 3 side.

[0022] Each of the support portion 6a and the through-hole 6b extends in an arc from the through-hole 6c side toward the outside. The light-emitting portion 10, the through-holes 6b and 6c, and the operation input unit 3 are arranged in positions that overlap in a plan view, and the through-hole 6c and the center of the operation input unit 3 overlap in a plan view. The back surface of the operation input unit 3 and the surface of the internal plate 6 in which the through-holes 6b and 6c are provided face each other, and each of the through-hole 6b and the support portion 6a extends in an arc from a position facing the periphery of the operation input unit 3 toward a position facing the center of the operation input unit 3.

[0023] Within the main body 2, multiple rollers 7 are provided around the approximately circular region where the through holes 6b and 6c are provided. The rollers 7 are attached to the internal plate 6 so as to be rotatable about their axes. Some of the rollers 7 have rotation axes that are radially aligned with the operation input unit 3 and are positioned so as to contact the rear surface of the operation input unit 3. Other rollers 7 have rotation axes that are parallel to the rotation axis of the operation input unit 3 and are positioned adjacent to the operation input unit 3 in a plan view, with the peripheral side surfaces of the rollers 7 being in contact with the peripheral side surfaces of the operation input unit 3. The rear and side surfaces of the operation input unit 3 are supported by these multiple rollers 7, and the peripheral edge of the front surface of the operation input unit 3 abuts against the first container 2a. Therefore, the operation input unit 3 can rotate about its axis relative to the main body 2 even without a rod-shaped rotation axis. Furthermore, if the operation input unit 3 is made of a material with high friction and low slippage, it becomes easy to rotate the operation input unit 3 while pressing the mark 4 (see FIG. 1). In this case, even if the operation input unit 3 is made of a material that has high friction and is not easy to slip on, the operation input unit 3 is supported by a plurality of rollers 7 and can therefore rotate smoothly.

[0024] The second part 3b, which is the light-transmitting part of the operation input unit 3, the internal plate 6 having through holes 6b and 6c, and the light-emitting part 10, which emits light from the inside of the main body 2 toward the internal plate 6 and the operation input unit 3, constitute a light-emitting mechanism.

[0025] Here, the plan view shown in FIG. 5 shows the internal plate 6 and light-emitting unit 10 visible through the opening of the first container 2a, and the operation input unit 3 removed from the main body 2. In FIG. 5, the outlines of the first portion 3a and the second portion 3b (see FIG. 2) on the back surface of the operation input unit 3 are indicated by dashed lines. As shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 3a and the second portion 3b form a spiral shape when viewed transparently in a plan view. Furthermore, each of the through-holes 6b and 6c also forms a spiral shape in a plan view. However, in a plan view, the spiral formed by the first portion 3a and the second portion 3b and the spiral formed by the through-holes 6b and 6c have opposite spiral directions when overlapped with each other. Therefore, when the operator rotates the operation input unit 3 and the light-emitting unit 10 is emitting light, the overlap between the light-transmitting portion (second portion 3b) and the through-hole 6b changes, and the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 10 to the light-transmitting portion appears to spread from the center side to the periphery side of the operation input unit 3, or to move from the periphery side to the center side.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front surface of the operation input unit 3 (the outer surface opposite the main body 2) is provided with a pattern composed of shapes formed by protrusions and recesses. The pattern is, for example, a spiral pattern. This spiral pattern extends in the direction in which the light-transmitting portion extends in an arc. In other words, in a plan view, the pattern and the spiral formed by the first portion 3a and the second portion 3b have the same spiral direction. The provision of such a pattern can improve the interest of the movement of light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 10 onto the light-transmitting portion. Furthermore, the provision of such a pattern allows the operator to visually recognize the rotation of the operation input unit 3, and can improve the interest of rotating the operation input unit 3.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a detection unit 8 is provided on the printed circuit board 9 inside the main body 2. The detection unit 8 is, for example, a push switch having a sliding portion that is pressed by the input protrusion 5 of the operation input unit 3 and slides in the axial direction of the operation input unit 3. That is, in response to a rotation operation of the operation input unit 3, the input protrusion 5 presses the push switch. This allows input using the operation input unit 3. The sliding portion that comes into contact with the operation input unit 3 is, for example, triangular, and when its slope comes into contact with the input protrusion 5, the sliding portion is pressed without interrupting the rotation of the operation input unit 3. The sliding portion protrudes toward the operation input unit 3 beyond the internal plate 6.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the effect output toy of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the effect output toy has a detection unit 21 that detects input to the operation input unit 3, and a timing unit 23 that measures the time interval between a first operation input detected by the detection unit 21 and a second operation input following the first operation input. The effect output toy also has a determination unit 24 that determines that the first operation input and the second operation input are consecutive operation inputs when the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is less than a predetermined first time. The effect output toy also has a counting unit 25 that counts the number of consecutive operation inputs by adding up the number of operation inputs determined to be consecutive operation inputs by the determination unit 24, and an effect output unit 26 that outputs a predetermined effect based on the number of consecutive operations counted by the counting unit 25. The timing unit 23, the determination unit 24, and the counting unit 25 are included in a control unit 22. The detection unit 21 is connected to the control unit 22, and the control unit 22 is connected to the effect output unit 26.

[0029] The detection unit 21 corresponds to, for example, the detection unit 8 shown in Figs. 3 to 5. The performance output unit 26 is, for example, the light-emitting unit 10 shown in Fig. 5, and may be a speaker that outputs sound. The detection unit 21, the control unit 22, and the performance output unit 26 are all housed in the main body 2 shown in Fig. 1. Input to the operation input unit 3 is performed when the switch serving as the detection unit 21 changes from an OFF state to an ON state in response to the rotation of the operation input unit 3.

[0030] <Operation of the performance output toy>

[0031] The effect output toy of this embodiment is a toy that outputs an effect by continuously rotating the operation input unit 3. When the effect output toy is in a standby state where it is not being operated, the operator rotates the operation input unit 3 (rotating unit), and the input protrusion 5 presses the detection unit 8, thereby performing a first operation input. When the operator continues to rotate the operation input unit 3, the other input protrusion 5 presses the detection unit 8 again, thereby performing a second operation input. The timing unit 23 shown in FIG. 6 times the time interval between the first operation input and the second operation input following the first operation input, and if the time interval is less than 0.3 seconds (first time), for example, the determination unit 24 determines that consecutive operation inputs have been performed.

[0032] The counting unit 25 adds up the number of operation inputs determined to be consecutive operation inputs, and when consecutive operation inputs are made, for example, six or more times in a row, the effect output unit 26 outputs a relatively long or relatively flashy first effect. This effect output is performed using light and / or sound. Also, when consecutive operation inputs are made, for example, less than six times in a row, the effect output unit 26 outputs a second effect that is shorter than the first effect. Six consecutive operation inputs means that the operation input unit 3 rotates three times. The more consecutive rotations there are (the longer the duration of the consecutive operations), the longer or more flashy the effect that is output, thereby increasing the interest.

[0033] As described above, the effect output unit 26 outputs different effect contents when the number of consecutive operations counted by the counting unit 25 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number and when the number of consecutive operations counted by the counting unit 25 is less than the predetermined number. In this way, the effect output toy of this embodiment allows the user to start input to the operation input unit 3 at any timing desired by the user without performing any operation (start-up operation) other than on the operation input unit 3, and therefore can be easily operated and can achieve high entertainment value by the different effects output depending on the content of the consecutive operations.

[0034] As another example of the operation of the effect output toy of this embodiment, it is possible to consider changing the content of the effect to be output depending on whether the number of operation inputs, of which the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is less than the predetermined third time, among the operations input within a predetermined second time period is greater or less than the number of operation inputs, of which the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is equal to or greater than the predetermined third time period. Specifically, when the operation input unit 3 is rotated within 4 seconds (second time) from a predetermined timing, and the number of operations, during those 4 seconds, of which the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is equal to or greater than 0.4 seconds (third time period) is greater than the number of operations, of which the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is less than 0.4 seconds (third time period), the effect output unit 26 outputs a relatively long or flashy effect. On the other hand, if the number of operations in which the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is 0.4 seconds (third time) or more during those 4 seconds is less than the number of operations in which the time interval measured by the timing unit 23 is less than 0.4 seconds (third time), a relatively short effect is output by the effect output unit 26. In this way, the number of times the rotation is performed quickly and the number of times the rotation is performed slowly within a predetermined time may be compared, and different effects may be output depending on the ratio.

[0035] In this embodiment, the number of input protrusions 5 may be one, but by providing two or more, the amount of rotation of the operation input unit 3 after the first operation input until the second operation input is performed can be reduced. This makes it easier for an operator who is not good at rotating the operation input unit 3 to successfully perform continuous rotation. Furthermore, by providing two or more input protrusions 5, the variation in the amount of rotation required to successfully perform continuous rotation can be reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, the rotation direction of the operation input unit 3 does not need to be constant, and the rotation direction may be changed during continuous rotation.

[0037] The present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Performance output toys 2 Main body 3 Operation input section 4 marks 5 Input protrusion 6 Inner Plate 6b Through hole 8. Detection unit 10 Light-emitting part

Claims

1. a toy main body; a rotation operation input unit including a rotation unit provided on the toy main body; a detection unit that detects an input to the rotation operation input unit; a timer that measures a time interval between a first rotation operation input detected by the detector and a second rotation operation input that follows the first rotation operation input; a determination unit that determines that the first rotation operation input and the second rotation operation input are consecutive rotation operation inputs when the time interval measured by the timing unit is less than a predetermined first time; a counting unit that counts the number of consecutive rotation operation inputs by adding up the number of rotation operation inputs that have been determined by the determination unit to be consecutive rotation operation inputs; an effect output unit that outputs a predetermined effect based on the number of consecutive rotation operations counted by the counting unit; Equipped with the rotating portion has a first portion having a relatively large thickness in a thickness direction along a central axis and a second portion having a thickness smaller than that of the first portion, the second portion, which is a light-transmitting portion, extends in an arc from the peripheral edge of the rotating portion toward the center of the rotating portion; The light transmitting portion; an internal plate provided between the toy body and the rotating part, the internal plate having a through hole extending in an arc from a position facing the periphery of the rotating part to a position facing the center of the rotating part; a light emitting unit provided on the toy body and emitting light from an inside of the toy body toward the internal plate and the rotating unit; a light emitting mechanism including: By rotating the rotating part, the overlap between the light-transmitting part and the through hole changes, so that the light irradiated from the light-emitting part to the light-transmitting part appears to spread from the center side to the periphery side of the rotating part, or to move from the periphery side to the center side.

2. The effect output toy according to claim 1, The performance output unit outputs different performance contents when the number of consecutive rotation operations counted by the counting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number and when the number of consecutive rotation operations counted by the counting unit is less than the predetermined number.

3. The effect output toy according to claim 1, The detection unit is a switch, and the switch changes from an off state to an on state in response to the rotation of the rotating unit, thereby performing input to the rotation operation input unit, in this performance output toy.

4. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the detection unit is provided as a push switch inside the toy body, the rotating part is disk-shaped and has an input protrusion on the inner side of the toy body part, This is a performance output toy in which the input protrusion presses the push switch in response to rotation of the rotating part, thereby performing input to the rotation operation input part.

5. 5. The effect output toy according to claim 4, A performance output toy having two input protrusions provided at opposing positions across the radial center of the disk-shaped rotating part.

6. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A performance output toy in which a mark is provided near the edge of the outer surface of the rotating part opposite to the toy main body part side.

7. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A performance output toy, in which a mark is provided on the outer surface of the rotating part opposite to the toy main body side, to make it visible that the rotating part is rotating.

8. 8. The effect output toy according to claim 6 or 7, The mark is a concave / convex portion that constitutes an operation input position.

9. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A performance output toy, in which, in a plan view, a first spiral formed by a plurality of the light-transmitting portions and a second spiral formed by a plurality of the through holes have opposite spiral directions.

10. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 9, A performance output toy, wherein the light transmitting portion is configured as a recess on the inside of the toy main body portion of the rotating portion.

11. The effect output toy according to any one of claims 1 to 10, an outer surface of the rotating part opposite to the toy body part side is provided with a pattern made up of shapes formed by projections and recesses; The pattern extends along the direction in which the light-transmitting portion extends in an arc.

Images