Location-sensitive toy and method therefor
US8157610B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63H2200/00
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A small stuffed animal (10) is worn on the wrist of a user (14) and is held on via long arms featuring hook and loop fasteners. When the user wishes to activate the toy, the user places the animal's mouth close to the user's ear. A sensor (50) detects this action, and triggers one of many entertaining audio messages stored in the toy, thus creating the sensation of the animal whispering in the user's ear. In addition, the toy has a sensor (30) that can detect the presence of nearby location transmitters. This allows the toy to appropriately choose the audio messages to match the current location. Also, rather than waiting for the user to randomly discover the location driven messages, the toy alerts the user that it has an interesting message waiting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.