Toy Sensor Configuration for Bidirectional Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toys lack effective methods for bidirectional communication with electronic devices, limiting their interactive capabilities and requiring costly components like antennas and video screens for wireless interactivity.

Innovation Solution

The use of audio signals, light sensors, and conductive touch elements enables full duplex communication between toys and electronic devices, allowing for asynchronous interaction without the need for wireless communication mechanisms or video displays, with the toy emitting inaudible audio signals and responding to light-based control signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If toys use traditional wireless communication components (antennas, video screens) to achieve bidirectional communication with electronic devices, then interactivity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive capabilityVSAvoidcomponent complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication function from traditional wireless components (antennas, video screens) and implements it using simple, inexpensive components already present in the toy (light sensor, speaker, microphone). This eliminates the need for complex wireless communication hardware while maintaining bidirectional communication capability between the toy and electronic device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing components serve multiple functions: the light sensor detects both ambient light and communication signals, the speaker produces both sound effects and transmits audio signals, and the microphone captures both environmental sound and receives audio signals. This multi-functionality enables complex interaction without adding specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If toys use light sensors and audio signals for communication, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but communication reliability may be affected by environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the electronic device monitors the toy's responses and adjusts its communication signals accordingly. The system uses bidirectional communication to verify signal reception and maintain reliable interaction, compensating for potential environmental interference through active signal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the electronic device as an intermediary that processes and manages communication between multiple toys and the user. The electronic device receives signals from toys, interprets them, and coordinates responses, which helps maintain communication reliability even when individual toy-to-environment signals are affected by environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables robust, cost-effective wireless interactivity between toys and electronic devices, allowing for synchronized operations and enhanced user engagement without expensive components, supporting a wide variety of interactive effects and game mechanics.

Implementation Method 1

the toy includes a light/motion sensor that allows a user to interact with the toy... the light sensor is situated in the base and is arranged to face the underlying electronic device... the electronic device uses a display screen to flash a sequence at a region of the screen that directly underlies the light sensor of a toy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the motion/ambient light detecting sensor at the other, opposing end... a user who covers the toy or waves a physical object near the toy can trigger the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Implementation Method 3

the motion/ambient light detecting sensor at the other, opposing end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmbient light detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

The toy can respond to the electronic device by emitting inaudible audio signals from its speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 5

Some embodiments involve a toy that also communicates to an underlying electronic device using conductive touch elements. The conductive touch elements are detectable using a capacitive touch screen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9492762B2Sensor configuration for toy

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 FUNFARE LLC

AI summary

A variety of methods and arrangements for facilitating communication between an electronic device and a toy are described. In one aspect, the toy communicates with the electronic device using audio signals and/or conductive touch elements. Some embodiments involve an electronic device that is arranged to use light-based control signals to communicate with a toy. In various implementations, the toy includes a light/motion sensor that allows a user to interact with the toy.