Main toy body, performance output toy, and secondary toy body

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel mechanism for connecting to electrical connection pins, for example, in a performance output toy. [Solution] The performance output toy comprises a main toy body and a sub-toy body attached to the main toy body. The main toy body comprises a mounting portion for receiving the sub-toy body, a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction, and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a part of the predetermined portion to the inside of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended. The sub-toy body comprises a connecting terminal that electrically connects to the connecting pin provided on the mounting portion, and a contact portion whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the mounting portion is formed as a curved surface. The sub-toy body enters the mounting portion and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed to the inside of the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a main playing body, a performance output toy, and a sub-playing body.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a performance output toy that performs various performances such as light and sound by attaching a sub-playing body to a main playing body. For example, in Patent Document 1, an action toy that outputs light and sound from a toy body according to the type of detachable item attached to the toy body has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In performance output toys, a mechanism for performing various performances is desired. Therefore, it is necessary to identify many types of sub-playing bodies. However, in the above conventional technology, when a sub-playing body is attached to a main playing body, the attached playing body is identified according to the pattern in which a plurality of concave and convex portions by a mechanical switch are pressed. However, such a mechanical switch has a complicated structure, and the cost for manufacturing the component also increases.

[0005] On the other hand, it is also possible to press a connection pin provided on the main playing body when attaching the sub-playing body to make an electrical connection, and to determine the type of the sub-playing body according to a voltage or an electrical signal. However, such a pressing type connection pin is recommended to be pressed in a predetermined direction, for example, the longitudinal direction of the connection pin, and pressing from other directions may cause damage. Thus, when the pressing direction is limited, the attachment direction of the sub-playing body is also limited, and the degree of freedom in design is significantly reduced.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a novel mechanism for connecting to electrical connection pins, for example, in a toy that produces a visual effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to, for example, a main toy body comprising: a mounting portion for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction; and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a portion of the predetermined portion to the interior of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended, wherein the secondary toy body enters the mounting portion and collides with the portion of the connecting pin exposed to the interior of the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. Furthermore, the present invention also includes, for example, a main toy body comprising: a mounting portion for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction; and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a portion of the predetermined portion to the interior of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended. The secondary toy body enters the mounting portion and collides with the portion of the connecting pin exposed to the interior of the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. The protective member is biased by a spring to protrude into the interior of the mounting portion and is movable outward from the mounting portion together with the connecting pin by the pressure applied by the secondary toy body. Furthermore, the present invention also includes, for example, a main toy body comprising a mounting portion for receiving a secondary toy body, a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction, and a protective member that exposes a part of the predetermined portion to the inside of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended and covers the connecting pin, wherein the secondary toy body enters the mounting portion and collides with the part of the connecting pin exposed to the inside of the mounting portion from the protective member from a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion, wherein the part of the connecting pin exposed to the inside of the mounting portion from the protective member is the spherical tip, the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connection portion is formed as a curved surface, and when attached to the mounting portion, it slides and presses against the spherical tip of the connecting pin, and the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connection portion first collides with the protective member before contacting the connecting pin. Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a main toy body comprising: a mounting portion for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction; a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a portion of the predetermined portion to the interior of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended; and a spring-biased retaining portion. The secondary toy body enters the mounting portion and collides with the portion of the connecting pin exposed to the interior of the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. The retaining portion protrudes into the interior of the mounting portion and fits into a recess provided in the secondary toy body when the secondary toy body is attached. Furthermore, the present invention also includes, for example, a main toy body comprising: a mounting portion for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction; a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a portion of the predetermined portion to the interior of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended; and a light-emitting means. The secondary toy body enters the mounting portion and collides with the portion of the connecting pin exposed to the interior of the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. Light emitted from the light-emitting means is guided through a through hole provided in the protective member to the secondary toy body attached to the mounting portion. Furthermore, the present invention also includes, for example, a main toy body comprising: a mounting portion for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction; a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a portion of the predetermined portion to the interior of the mounting portion when the predetermined portion is extended; an identification means for measuring the voltage at a predetermined position when the secondary toy body is mounted and identifying the type of secondary toy body according to the measured value; and an effect output means for outputting an effect according to the identification by the identification means, wherein the secondary toy body has a resistance of a predetermined resistance value, enters the mounting portion, and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed to the interior of the mounting portion from the protective member in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being mounted to the mounting portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a performance output toy having, for example, a main toy body and a sub-toy body attached to the main toy body, wherein the main toy body comprises an attachment portion for receiving the sub-toy body, a connecting pin having an electrical connection portion at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection portion being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction, and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a part of the predetermined portion to the inside of the attachment portion when the predetermined portion is extended, and the sub-toy body comprises a connecting terminal that electrically connects to the connecting pin provided on the attachment portion, and a contact portion whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the attachment portion is formed as a curved surface, and enters the attachment portion and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed to the inside of the attachment portion from the protective member in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the attachment portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a secondary toy body that is detachable from the attachment part of a main toy body, which comprises, for example, an attachment part for receiving a secondary toy body, a connecting pin having an electrical connection part at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection part being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction, and a protective member that exposes a part of the predetermined portion to the inside of the attachment part when the predetermined portion is extended and covers the connecting pin, the secondary toy body comprising a connecting terminal that electrically connects to the connecting pin provided on the attachment part, and a contact portion whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the attachment part is formed as a curved surface, and which enters the attachment part and collides with the part of the connecting pin exposed to the inside of the attachment part from the protective member, with the contact portion in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the attachment part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a novel mechanism for connecting to electrical connection pins can be provided in a performance output toy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] (a) an external perspective view and (b) a side view of a performance output toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Rear perspective view of the part where the sub-toy body is attached to the main toy body of a performance output toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view of protective block and connecting pin of a performance output toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] A diagram showing the procedure for attaching a secondary toy body to the main toy body according to one embodiment. [Figure 4B] A diagram showing the procedure for attaching a secondary toy body to the main toy body according to one embodiment. [Figure 4C] This figure shows the appearance of light emission when a secondary toy body is attached to the main toy body according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the configuration of an electrical circuit formed by the main toy body and the auxiliary toy body according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Block diagram showing the control configuration of a performance output toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the processing procedure of the production output toy according to an embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Also, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0013] <External Configuration of the Production Output Toy> Referring to FIG. 1, an example of the external configuration of the production output toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1(a) shows the external perspective of the production output toy 100, and FIG. 1(b) shows the external side of the production output toy 100. The arrows of x, y, and z indicate the upward, leftward, and forward directions in the production output toy, respectively, and the same applies to other drawings.

[0014] The production output toy 100 includes a main toy body 101 and a sub - toy body 102. The main toy body 101 has a gripping portion, and an operator 103 is provided inside the gripping portion. By operating the operator 103, the production output toy 100 outputs an effect that is any one of light, sound, vibration, or a combination thereof. The production output toy 100 of this embodiment is described as a toy having a gripping portion, but it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any toy that can attach the sub - toy body 102 to the main toy body 101 may be used.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the sub-toy body 102 is detachable from the mounting portion which is an opening provided in the main toy body 101, and is detached from the rear of the mounting portion. When the sub-toy body 102 is mounted at a predetermined position of the mounting portion, it is electrically connected to the main toy body 101, and the type of the sub-toy body 102 is specified and the production pattern is determined. When performing production output by operating the operator 103 or the like, the production output is performed in a production pattern corresponding to the type of the specified sub-toy body 102.

[0016] In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which one connection portion is provided will be described, but it is not intended to limit the present invention, and a configuration in which a plurality of connection portions are provided may be used. In this case, different types of sub-toy bodies 102 may be connected to each connection portion. Further, the production output may be changed according to the combination of the types of the sub-toy bodies 102 to be connected.

[0017] <Mounting of Sub-toy Body> Referring to FIG. 2, the mounting of the sub-toy body according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the sub-toy body 102 is mounted from the back direction of the main toy body 101. In FIG. 2, only the portion around the mounting portion (the dotted line area in FIG. 1(b)) of the main toy body 101 is shown.

[0018] The main toy body 101 is composed of a mounting section 201, connecting pins 202a to 202c, a protective block (protective member) 203, and a retaining section 204. The mounting section 201 is an opening for attaching the secondary toy body 102 and is shaped to match the shape of the secondary toy body 102. Connecting pins 202a to 202c, protected by the protective block 203, protrude inward from the bottom of the mounting section 201. The detailed configuration of the connecting pins 202a to 202c and the protective block 203 will be described later with reference to Figure 3. In addition, a retaining section 204 is provided on the front side when viewed from the back of the mounting section 201. The retaining section 204 is designed to fit into a recess provided on the bottom of the secondary toy body 102 to prevent it from detaching from the mounting section 201 when the secondary toy body 102 is attached to the mounting section 201. These connecting pins 202a to 202c, the protective block 203, and the retaining part 204 are each biased upward in the figure by springs so that a portion of them protrudes into the inside of the mounting part 201, and can be moved downward by the pressure of the auxiliary toy body 102.

[0019] The connecting pin has an electrical connection at one end and conducts electricity when its tip (a predetermined portion) is pressed in the longitudinal direction (downward, vertical direction in the figure), such as a pogo pin (registered trademark). This predetermined portion has the above-mentioned connection at its tip, is biased upward by a spring provided inside, and is expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, applying force from the horizontal direction can cause the predetermined portion to peel off or the connecting pin itself to bend, leading to malfunction or poor contact. Therefore, pressing such a connecting pin in the longitudinal direction is recommended. However, if the mounting direction of the auxiliary toy body 102 is limited to the recommended longitudinal direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the connecting pin, the design freedom of the main toy body is significantly reduced.

[0020] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the connecting pins 202a to 202c are covered and protected by the protective block 203, and the sub-toy body 102 is attached to the mounting part 201 by colliding with the connecting pins from a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the connecting pins and from a direction that reduces the tip (a predetermined portion). This makes it possible to increase the design freedom of the main toy body without causing failure of the connecting pins.

[0021] <Configuration of protective block and connecting pins> Referring to Figure 3, the detailed configuration of the protective block 203 and connecting pins 202a to 202c of the main toy body 101 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the rear of the protective block 203 that houses the connecting pins 202a to 202c of the main toy body 101. The protective block 203 is an example of a protective member, and the present invention is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 3.

[0022] The protective block 203 incorporates three connecting pins 202a to 202c, protecting them such that when a predetermined portion of each connecting pin is extended, only the tip portion is exposed to the outside. In other words, the parts of the connecting pins 202a to 202c other than the tip portions are protected by the protective block 203, covering the auxiliary toy body 102 so that it does not come into contact with the protective block 203 when the auxiliary toy body 102 is attached. Here, the predetermined portion refers to the part that is biased upward in the figure by a spring provided inside each connecting pin and is pushed in by pressure. Furthermore, the tip portion of each connecting pin that is exposed to the outside is spherical, making it relatively easy to deflect pressure from the horizontal direction. In addition, the tip portion of each connecting pin functions as a connection part that electrically connects to the bottom surface of the auxiliary toy body 102 when the auxiliary toy body 102 is attached to the attachment part 201.

[0023] When attaching the auxiliary toy body 102 to the main toy body 101, the contact portion of the auxiliary toy body 102 presses down the connecting pins 202a to 202c provided on the main toy body 101. When the connecting pins are pressed down, they are electrically connected to the electrical circuit inside the main toy body 101, and further electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the auxiliary toy body 102 that is in contact with the connecting pins. Therefore, the connecting portion provided on the bottom of the auxiliary toy body 102 is also formed with conductive material. Once the electrical circuit is formed by the main toy body 101 and the auxiliary toy body 102, the type of auxiliary toy body 102 can be identified by measuring the voltage of a predetermined part of the electrical circuit. The method for identifying the type of auxiliary toy body 102 will be described later. The number of connecting pins can be changed according to the configuration of the electrical circuit formed together with the auxiliary toy body 102. The circuit configuration of the main toy body 101 and the auxiliary toy body 102 will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, the protective block 203 is provided with a through-hole 210 near the center for receiving light emitted from an LED, which is a light-emitting device located at the bottom of the protective block 203. The way in which light is emitted using the through-hole 210 will be described later with reference to Figure 4C.

[0025] <Installation Instructions> Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the procedure for attaching the auxiliary toy body 102 according to this embodiment to the main toy body 101 will be described. Figures 4A and 4B show the area around the attachment part 201 of the main toy body 101 and a side cross-sectional view of the auxiliary toy body 102.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4A(a), the main toy body 101 is provided with a protective block 203, connecting pins 202a to 202c (connecting pins 202a and 202b are located behind connecting pin 202c in the figure), and a retaining part 204 at the bottom of the mounting part 201. The protective block 203 and the retaining part 204 are biased upward by springs 205 and 206, respectively, and when the secondary toy body 102 is not attached, parts of them protrude into the inside of the mounting part 201.

[0027] The connecting pins 202a to 202c are covered by the protective block 203 except for their tips and are fitted into the protective block 203. The connecting pins 202a to 202c have springs inside, and a predetermined cylindrical portion at the top is biased upward, so that it is pushed downward when pressed. When the predetermined portion of the connecting pins 202a to 202c is pushed in, they become electrically charged and, in this embodiment, form an electrical circuit with the auxiliary toy body 102.

[0028] The secondary toy body 102 comprises a light-emitting part 301, a connecting part 302, a contact part 303, a recess 304, and an LED 305. The light-emitting part 301 is formed on the front surface of the secondary toy body 102 from a transparent or translucent material and transmits light emitted from the LED 305 to the outside. A light-guiding part 306 is formed on the back surface of the light-emitting part 301. The light-guiding part 306 is formed to guide light from the LED 211 provided on the main toy body 101 to the light-emitting part 301 when the secondary toy body 102 is attached to the main toy body 101. Details will be described later with reference to Figure 4C. The connecting part 302 includes a connection terminal that is electrically connected to the connection pins 202a to 202c. The contact part 303 is a part of the outer surface of the light-emitting part 301 in the insertion direction when inserted into the mounting part 201, and is the part that contacts the connection pins 202a to 202c and the protective block 203, and is formed in a curved shape. The recess 304 forms an area into which the retaining portion 204 is fitted when the auxiliary toy body 102 is attached to the mounting portion 201. The LED 305 is a light-emitting device that emits light in the direction of the light-emitting portion 301 according to the performance output pattern.

[0029] The auxiliary toy body 102 is inserted into the mounting portion 201 of the main toy body 101 from the front of the light-emitting portion 301, as indicated by the arrow. As shown in Figure 4A(b), when the attachment of the auxiliary toy body 102 is started, the retaining portion 204 is pressed and moves downward to accept the auxiliary toy body 102 into the mounting portion 201, and as shown in the dotted line area 401, the contact portion 303 of the auxiliary toy body 102 first collides with a part of the protective block 203. The collision of the contact portion 303 pushes the protective block 203 downward, and the connecting pins 202a to 202c move downward together with the protective block 203. In this embodiment, an example in which the protective block 203 and connecting pins 202a to 202c move downward to the mounting portion has been described, but there is no intention to limit the present invention, and they may be designed to move in any direction as long as it is outside the mounting portion.

[0030] Furthermore, the contact portion 303 penetrates further inward and makes contact with the spherical tips of the connecting pins 202a to 202c. This contact causes a predetermined upper portion of the connecting pins 202a to 202c to be pressed and moved downward, allowing the auxiliary toy body 102 to be received further into the mounting portion 201, as shown in Figure 4B(a). In addition, the curved contact portion 303 slides against the spherical tips of the connecting pins 202a to 202c. This allows the contact portion 303 to wipe the tips of the connecting pins 202a to 202c, removing fine dirt and preventing poor contact between the connecting pins 202a to 202c and the connecting portion 302. Furthermore, once the auxiliary toy body 102 penetrates further into the mounting portion 201 and the contact portion 303 passes the tips of the connecting pins 202a to 202c, the bottom surface of the auxiliary toy body 102 following the contact portion 303 wipes the tips of the connecting pins 202a to 202c, similarly wiping away any fine dirt or debris.

[0031] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4B(b), the auxiliary toy body 102 penetrates further into the mounting portion 201, and the contact portion 303 collides with a member of the main toy body 101 and stops, as shown in the dotted line area 402. In this state, the light-emitting portion 301 of the auxiliary toy body 102 penetrates the mounting portion 201, which is a through hole, and protrudes to the front side of the main toy body 101. Furthermore, the connecting pins 202a to 202c come into contact with the connecting portion 302, energizing the auxiliary toy body 102 and forming an electrical circuit across the main toy body 101 and the auxiliary toy body 102. In addition, the retaining portion 204 fits into the recess 304 of the auxiliary toy body 102, fixing the auxiliary toy body 102 so that it cannot be easily removed. However, by pulling the auxiliary toy body 102 with a force greater than a predetermined amount, the retaining portion 204 moves downward, and it is possible to remove the auxiliary toy body 102 from the main toy body 101.

[0032] Thus, according to this embodiment, by covering the connecting pins 202a to 202c with the protective block 203 and exposing only the tip of the spherical portion, the connecting pins can be protected from damage even if the auxiliary toy body 102 collides with the connecting pins from a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the connecting pins and from a direction that reduces a predetermined portion when the auxiliary toy body 102 is attached to the main toy body 101. This increases the design freedom of the attachment portion 201 of the main toy body 101, as it is not limited to pressing on the connecting pins 202a to 202c from the longitudinal direction, and can accommodate various shapes. In addition, since the tips of the connecting pins 202a to 202c are wiped by the contact portion 303 (and the bottom surface of the auxiliary toy body 102 following the contact portion 303), dirt and other contaminants can be wiped away, preventing poor contact.

[0033] <Light-emitting toy body> Referring to Figure 4C, the light emission when the auxiliary toy body is attached to the main toy body according to one embodiment will be explained. Figure 4C, like Figure 4B(b), shows a side cross-section when the auxiliary toy body 102 is attached to the main toy body 101.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4C, a through-hole 210 is formed in the protective block of the main toy body 101, and an LED 211 is provided at the bottom thereof. As indicated by the shaded arrow, the LED 211 emits light upward in the figure. The emitted light passes through the through-hole 210 and reaches the light guide section 306 of the secondary toy body 102, where the light is reflected and guided to the front of the light-emitting section 301. The light emitted from the LED 305 of the secondary toy body 102 is also directed towards the front of the light-emitting section 301, as indicated by the shaded arrow. These lights pass through the light-emitting section 301 and are directed towards the front of the performance output toy 100, causing the secondary toy body 102 to emit light. In this embodiment, an example using two LEDs has been described, but there is no intention to limit the present invention, and either one LED may be used.

[0035] <Circuit Configuration> Referring to Figure 5, an example of the electrical circuit configuration of the performance output toy according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 shows the electrical circuit configuration of the main toy body 101 and the sub-toy body 102.

[0036] The main toy body 101 comprises a first resistor 501, a second resistor 502, a power supply 505, and voltmeters 507 and 508 as its circuit configuration. 511, 512, and 513 indicate connection pins. Voltmeters 507 and 508 are included in IC 506. IC 506 is an example of an identification means for identifying the type of auxiliary toy body 102 by measuring the voltage at a predetermined position in the circuit. On the other hand, the auxiliary toy body 102 comprises a third resistor 503 and a fourth resistor 504 as its circuit configuration. 521, 522, and 523 indicate connection terminals of the connecting part 302.

[0037] When the auxiliary toy body 102 is attached to the main toy body 101, the corresponding connection pins 202a to 202c are electrically connected to each connection terminal 521 to 523. As shown in Figure 5, the first resistor 501 and the second resistor 502 of the main toy body 101 are connected in parallel to the power supply 505. When the main toy body 101 and the auxiliary toy body 102 are electrically connected, the first resistor 501 of the main toy body 101 and the third resistor of the auxiliary toy body 102 form a series connection with respect to the power supply 505. Furthermore, the second resistor 502 of the main toy body 101 and the fourth resistor of the auxiliary toy body 102 form a series connection with respect to the power supply 505.

[0038] IC506 can detect when the auxiliary toy body 102 is electrically connected to the main toy body 101 by the current flowing through the connection pins 202a to 202c. Upon detecting the connection of the auxiliary toy body 102, IC506 uses voltmeter 507 to measure the voltage at measurement point 531, where the voltage of the first resistor 501 and the third resistor 503, which are connected in series, is divided. Furthermore, IC506 uses voltmeter 508 to measure the voltage at measurement point 532, where the voltage of the first resistor 502 and the third resistor 504, which are connected in series, is divided. The voltages at measurement points 531 and 532 can be expressed by the following equation 1. Vx=(VxB) / (A+B)...(Formula 1) Here, Vx represents the voltage at the measurement point. V represents the voltage of power supply 505. A represents the resistance value of either the first resistor 501 or the second resistor 502. B represents the resistance value of either the third resistor 503 or the fourth resistor 504.

[0039] For example, if V is 3V, resistor A is 1Ω, and resistor B is 1Ω, then the voltage Vx at the measurement point will be 1.5V. On the other hand, if V is 3V, resistor A is 1Ω, and resistor B is 2Ω, then the voltage Vx at the measurement point will be 2V. Thus, according to this embodiment, by changing the resistance values ​​of the third resistor 503 and the fourth resistor 504 of the auxiliary toy body 102, the voltage value at the measurement point can be changed, and the type of auxiliary toy body 102 connected can be identified according to the measured voltage (measured value). In other words, according to this embodiment, different types of auxiliary toys can be represented depending on the combination of resistance values ​​of the two resistors provided in the auxiliary toy body 102, and the performance output pattern can be changed according to that type. Note that the resistance values ​​of the first resistor 501 and the second resistor 502 provided in the main toy body 101 are fixed.

[0040] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, two resistors are provided in both the main toy body 101 and the sub-toy body 102. This is because the number of resistance values ​​that IC506 can identify is limited, and if only one resistor is used, the type of sub-toy body 102 will depend on that number. Therefore, by using two resistors, the number of types of sub-toy bodies 102 that can be identified can be increased according to the combination patterns of their resistance values. Thus, although this embodiment shows an example including two types of resistors, it is desirable to change the number of resistors provided according to the number of types of sub-toy bodies to be identified. Of course, a configuration using only one resistor is also possible.

[0041] <Control Configuration> Referring to Figure 6, the control configuration for controlling the performance output of the main toy body 101 and the sub-toy body 102 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, the control configuration of the sub-toy body 102 is shown with an IC. However, in the present invention, the configuration of the sub-toy body 102 may also include a configuration without an IC. The sub-toy body 102 without an IC does not have the control configuration described later, and is only provided with a circuit board including the third resistor 503 and the fourth resistor 504.

[0042] The main toy body 101 comprises a control unit 601, a memory unit 602, a power supply unit 603, an identification unit 604, an LED group 606, a switch group 607, and a speaker 608 as its control configuration. The control unit 601 is a control unit that performs performance output control and is configured to include an IC 506. The memory unit 602 stores performance output data and identification information of sub-toy bodies in association. When the sub-toy body 102 is connected to the main toy body 101, the identification unit 604 measures the voltage at predetermined measurement points 531 and 532 using voltmeters 507 and 508 and identifies the type of sub-toy body 102 according to the measurement result. When performing performance output, the control unit 601 reads and uses the performance output data corresponding to the identified sub-toy body from the memory unit 602. The control unit 601, memory unit 602, and identification unit 604 may be configured to be included on the same board as IC 506, or on a different board.

[0043] The power supply unit 603 supplies power to each part from a power source 505, such as a battery, connected to the main toy body 101. The switch group 607 consists of buttons, levers, and switches, such as the operator 103, which act as triggers for the performance output. The LED group 606 is a light-emitting device used for the performance output, consisting of one or more LED elements. The speaker 608 is a sound output device used for the performance output. When the control unit 601 detects operation of any of the operators included in the switch group 607, it uses at least one of the devices, the LED group 606 and the speaker 608, to produce a performance output.

[0044] On the other hand, the secondary toy body 102 may be configured to include a resistor but not other control devices, as shown in Figure 5, or it may be configured to include other control devices (such as ICs). The secondary toy body 102 shown in Figure 6 is an example that includes other control devices. In this case, the secondary toy body 102 includes a control unit 611 and an LED group 612. The control unit 611 controls the LED group 612 according to instructions from the control unit 601. The control unit 611 is not required; in that case, the control unit 601 of the main toy body 101 controls the LED group 612 on its behalf. The secondary toy body 102 may also be provided with a memory unit (not shown) to store performance output data for controlling the LED group 612. In this case, the control unit 611 reads the performance output data from the memory unit provided in the secondary toy body 102 according to instructions from the control unit 601 and controls the LED group 612.

[0045] <Production output control> Referring to Figure 7, the processing procedure for the performance output control according to this embodiment will be described. The processing described below is achieved, for example, by the control unit 601 reading and executing data or programs stored in the storage unit 602. The number following S indicates the step number in this flowchart.

[0046] In S101, the control unit 601 determines whether the auxiliary toy body 102 has been connected (attached) to the main toy body 101. For example, the control unit 601 can detect the attachment of the auxiliary toy body 102 by detecting the current generated when the connection pins 202a to 202c are electrically connected to the connection terminals 521 to 523 of the auxiliary toy body 102. If the attachment of the auxiliary toy body 102 is detected, the process proceeds to S102; otherwise, the determination in S101 is repeated.

[0047] In S102, the control unit 601 measures the voltages at measurement points 531 and 532 using the voltmeters 507 and 508 of IC 506. Subsequently, in S103, the control unit 601 identifies the type of attached auxiliary toy body 102 based on the measured voltage results. Specifically, the control unit 601 uses the two measured voltage values ​​as search keys to search for the identification of the auxiliary toy body 102 associated with the pattern of measured voltage values ​​pre-stored in the memory unit 602. Once the auxiliary toy body 102 is identified, in S104 the control unit 601 retrieves the performance output data registered in association with the item in the searched table.

[0048] In S105, the control unit 601 determines whether it has detected an operation of the operator 103 that triggers the performance output. If a trigger for the performance output is detected, the process proceeds to S106; otherwise, it proceeds to S107. Here, the operation of the operator 103 is used as an example to explain the trigger for the performance output, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. It may also be an operation of another operator, or the attachment of the sub-toy body 102 to the main toy body 101 may be used as the trigger. In S106, the control unit 601 controls the LED group 606 and the speaker 608 of the main toy body 101 according to the performance output data acquired in S104 to produce a performance output that includes at least one of sound output and light output. Here, if the sub-toy body 102 includes an LED group 612, these may also be controlled to produce a performance output.

[0049] Next, in S107, the control unit 601 determines whether the auxiliary toy body 102 has been detached from the main toy body 101. Specifically, the control unit 601 determines that the auxiliary toy body 102 has been detached from the main toy body 101 when the current detected in S101 can no longer be detected. If it has been detached, the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it has not been detached, the process returns to S105. After that, when a new operation is performed, an output corresponding to the operation and the type of auxiliary toy body 102 is generated.

[0050] As described above, the performance output toy of this embodiment has a main toy body and a sub-toy body attached to the main toy body. The main toy body includes a mounting part for receiving the sub-toy body, a connecting pin having an electrical connection part at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection part being expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction, and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a part of the predetermined portion to the inside of the mounting part when the predetermined portion is extended. The sub-toy body includes a connecting terminal that electrically connects to the connecting pin provided on the mounting part, and a contact portion whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the mounting part is formed as a curved surface. Furthermore, the sub-toy body enters the mounting part and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed to the inside of the mounting part from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that contracts the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting part. According to the present invention, a novel mechanism for connecting to an electrical connecting pin can be provided in a performance output toy.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the shape of the performance output toy is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 1, etc., and may be realized by various shapes.

[0052] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiment discloses at least the following main toy body, performance output toy, and sub-toy body. (1) The main toy body, A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin. Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is A main toy body that enters the mounting portion and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member into the interior of the mounting portion, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. (2) The main toy body as described in (1), wherein a portion of the connecting pin exposed inside the mounting portion from the protective member is the spherical tip. (3) The main toy body according to (2), wherein the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connecting portion is formed with a curved surface, and when attached to the mounting portion, it slides and presses against the spherical tip of the connecting pin. (4) The main toy body according to (3), wherein the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connecting portion first collides with the protective member and then contacts the connecting pin. (5) The main toy body according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the protective member is biased by a spring to protrude into the mounting portion and is movable outward from the mounting portion together with the connecting pin by the pressure applied by the auxiliary toy body. (6) It further includes a spring-driven retaining mechanism, The main toy body according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the retaining portion protrudes into the inside of the mounting portion and fits into a recess provided in the auxiliary toy body when the auxiliary toy body is attached. (7) Further equipped with a means of emitting light, The main toy body according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that the light emitted from the light-emitting means is guided through a through hole provided in the protective member to the sub-toy body attached to the mounting part. (8) The aforementioned toy body has a resistance of a predetermined resistance value. The main toy body is An identification means for measuring the voltage at a predetermined position when the aforementioned auxiliary toy body is attached, and for identifying the type of the auxiliary toy body according to the measured value, The main toy body according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a performance output means that outputs a performance in response to identification by the aforementioned identification means. (9) The system further comprises a storage means for storing performance output data corresponding to the type of the aforementioned toy body, The main toy body according to (8), wherein the performance output means obtains the performance output data corresponding to the identification by the identification means from the storage means and outputs a performance. (10) A performance output toy having a main toy body and a sub-toy body attached to the main toy body, The main toy body is A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin. Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is A connection terminal that electrically connects to a connection pin provided in the mounting portion, The contact portion, whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the mounting part is formed as a curved surface, Equipped with, A performance output toy that enters the mounting portion and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member into the interior of the mounting portion, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. (11) A secondary toy body that can be attached to the attachment part of a main toy body, comprising: an attachment part for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection part at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection part being extendable in the longitudinal direction; and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a part of the predetermined portion inside the attachment part when the predetermined portion is extended, A connection terminal that electrically connects to a connection pin provided in the mounting portion, The contact portion, whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the mounting part is formed as a curved surface, Equipped with, A secondary toy body that enters the mounting portion and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member into the interior of the mounting portion, with the contact portion facing in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100: Output toy, 101: Main toy body, 102: Sub-toy body, 103: Switch, 201: Mounting part, 202a~202c: Connecting pins, 203: Protective block (protective member), 204: Retaining part, 205, 206: Spring, 301: Light-emitting part, 302: Connecting part, 303: Contact part, 304: Recess, 305: LED

Claims

1. The main toy body, A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin. Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is It enters the mounting portion and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed inside the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. The protective member is biased by a spring to protrude into the mounting portion and is movable outward from the mounting portion together with the connecting pin by the pressure applied by the auxiliary toy body, the main toy body.

2. The main toy body according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the connecting pin exposed inside the mounting portion from the protective member is the spherical tip portion.

3. The main toy body according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connecting portion is formed with a curved surface, and when attached to the mounting portion, it slides and presses against the spherical tip of the connecting pin.

4. The main toy body according to claim 3, wherein the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connecting portion first collides with the protective member and then contacts the connecting pin.

5. It further includes a spring-driven retaining mechanism, The main toy body according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion protrudes into the mounting portion and fits into a recess provided in the auxiliary toy body when the auxiliary toy body is attached.

6. Further equipped with a means of emitting light, The main toy body according to claim 1, characterized in that the light emitted from the light-emitting means is guided through a through hole provided in the protective member to the sub-toy body attached to the mounting part.

7. The aforementioned toy body has a resistance of a predetermined resistance value. The main toy body is An identification means for measuring the voltage at a predetermined position when the aforementioned auxiliary toy body is attached, and for identifying the type of the auxiliary toy body according to the measured value, The main toy body according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a performance output means that outputs a performance in response to identification by the aforementioned identification means.

8. The system further comprises a storage means for storing performance output data corresponding to the type of the aforementioned toy body, The main toy body according to claim 7, wherein the performance output means obtains the performance output data corresponding to the identification by the identification means from the storage means and outputs a performance.

9. The main toy body, A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin. Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is It enters the mounting portion and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed inside the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. A portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member to the inside of the mounting portion is the spherical tip. The contact portion of the auxiliary toy body that contacts the connecting portion is formed with a curved surface, and when it is attached to the mounting portion, the spherical tip of the connecting pin is pressed in a sliding manner. The main toy body, wherein the contact portion of the secondary toy body that contacts the connection portion first collides with the protective member and then contacts the connecting pin.

10. A main toy body, A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin, A retaining part biased by a spring and Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is It enters the mounting portion and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed inside the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. The retaining portion protrudes into the mounting portion and fits into a recess provided in the auxiliary toy body when the auxiliary toy body is attached, the main toy body.

11. A main toy body, A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin, Light-emitting means and Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is It enters the mounting portion and collides with a part of the connecting pin exposed inside the mounting portion from the protective member, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion. The light emitted from the light-emitting means is guided through a through-hole provided in the protective member to the secondary toy body attached to the mounting part, which is the main toy body.

12. A main toy body, A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin, An identification means for measuring the voltage at a predetermined position when the aforementioned auxiliary toy body is attached, and for identifying the type of the auxiliary toy body according to the measured value, A performance output means that outputs a performance in accordance with the identification by the aforementioned identification means. Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is Having a resistance of a predetermined resistance value, A main toy body that enters the mounting portion and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member into the interior of the mounting portion, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion.

13. A performance output toy having a main toy body and a sub-toy body attached to the main toy body, The main toy body is A mounting section for receiving the auxiliary toy body, A connecting pin having an electrical connection at one end, with a predetermined portion including the connection being extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction, With the predetermined portion extended, a part of the predetermined portion is exposed inside the mounting portion, and a protective member covers the connecting pin. Equipped with, The aforementioned auxiliary toy body is A connection terminal that electrically connects to a connection pin provided in the mounting portion, The contact portion, whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the mounting part is formed as a curved surface, Equipped with, A performance output toy that enters the mounting portion and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member into the interior of the mounting portion, in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion.

14. A secondary toy body that can be attached to the attachment part of a main toy body, comprising: an attachment part for receiving a secondary toy body; a connecting pin having an electrical connection part at one end and a predetermined portion including the connection part being extendable in the longitudinal direction; and a protective member that covers the connecting pin and exposes a part of the predetermined portion inside the attachment part when the predetermined portion is extended, A connection terminal that electrically connects to a connection pin provided in the mounting portion, The contact portion, whose outer surface in the insertion direction when attached to the mounting part is formed as a curved surface, Equipped with, A secondary toy body that enters the mounting portion and collides with a portion of the connecting pin exposed from the protective member into the interior of the mounting portion, with the contact portion facing in a direction different from the longitudinal direction and in a direction that reduces the predetermined portion, thereby being attached to the mounting portion.

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