Toy Vehicle Shaking Input Control System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current small-scale electronic vehicle toys for children require minimal physical engagement and lack a direct relationship between input activity and output events, leading to unchallenging and unsatisfying experiences.
Innovation Solution
An interactive toy vehicle that utilizes a physical shaking input to translate impulses into a range of electronic outputs, including sounds and lights, using an embedded power source and microprocessor to determine operational modes based on the number and intensity of shakes, encouraging sustained physical interaction and providing feedback cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple push button interface is used to activate electronic toys, then the ease of operation is improved, but the engagement and challenge for children deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static push-button interface into a dynamic motion-based control system. The toy vehicle responds to different types of physical inputs (shaking, spinning, throwing) with varying operational modes, creating a dynamic interaction that adapts to the child's physical actions while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing visual and auditory responses that directly correlate with the intensity and type of physical input received. The progressive activation of features (lights, sounds, motor speed) based on shaking intensity creates a satisfying feedback loop that enhances engagement while keeping the interface simple.
2Ease of operation
If minimal physical engagement is required to operate the toy, then the ease of operation is improved, but the satisfaction and challenge for children deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs partial action by requiring different levels of physical input to activate different features. Basic movement requires minimal shaking, while advanced features like high-speed motor operation and special effects require more intense physical engagement, allowing children to progress from simple to complex interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (motor speed, light intensity, sound volume) based on the intensity of physical input. This creates a direct relationship between the child's effort and the toy's response, where greater physical engagement produces more exciting outcomes, thereby increasing satisfaction.
3Ease of operation
If the toy provides fixed output events regardless of input amount, then the ease of operation is improved, but the relationship between input activity and output events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements direct feedback by making the toy's output directly proportional to the input received. The controller monitors the amount and type of physical shaking and adjusts operational modes accordingly, preserving the input-output relationship while maintaining simple operation through automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational characteristics based on real-time input monitoring. Rather than providing fixed output events, the toy continuously adapts its behavior to match the child's physical engagement level, preserving the causal relationship between input and output while keeping the interface simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, and computer program product for an interactive toy vehicle that provides new structures and combinations of features for enhancing education and amusement, particularly for an improved small-scale vehicle toy that produces feedback (e.g., sounds or lights and a motorized output event) directly related to the amount of a child's input. The apparatus, method, and computer program product for a toy vehicle includes: a chassis; a motive element, coupled to the chassis, for moving the chassis; an impulse detector for generating an impulse signal responsive to one or more impulses applied to the chassis; and a controller, coupled to the chassis and responsive to the impulse signal, for: counting a number N of impulse signals received during a setup period; determining an operational mode responsive to the number N; setting a duty mode for the motive element responsive to the operational mode.