# US 8,540,546 B2 · Toys > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,546 B2 - Document ID: US8540546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/912,666 - Filed: 2006-04-26 - Published: 2008-07-03 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-26 - Assignees: Muscae Limited - Applicants: Steven Lipman - Inventors: Steven Lipman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540546B2 ## CPC - A63H 3/28: Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds - A63H 2200/00: Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS ## Abstract A toy is provided comprising: a transceiver (24, 28) for transmitting and receiving data over a wireless link; a processor (18, 32) a memory (34) for storing expressive responses; and an output (22, 38) for expressive responses; the toy being operable to receive trigger data relating to expressive responses, select an expressive response when trigger data is received, express the expressive response through the output; and to broadcast trigger data indicative that a response has been output. A method of communication between first (10) and second (12) toys is provided comprising: activating a first expressive response from the first toy (10) in the presence of the second toy (12); sending trigger data from the first toy (10) indicative of the first expressive response to the second toy (12); the second toy (12) selecting a second expressive response from memory (34) on receipt of said data, activating the second expressive response, and sending data indicative the second expressive response to the first toy (10). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A toy comprising: a processor; a memory for storing at least one group of data, each group consisting of a plurality of expressive responses, and each said group representing a respective theme; an output for said expressive responses; and at least one of means for connection to a computer and a connector for connecting to a computer, to download each said group of data, the group of data for download being user-selectable to enable user selection of a particular theme; the toy being configured to exchange such responses with another such toy, each said group of data comprising both responses and counter-responses, so that the toy may converse with another such toy on the particular theme; wherein a new such group of data can be loaded into said memory so that the toy can converse on a different user-selectable theme; whereby the toy can converse in a plurality of different user-selectable themes, one theme at a time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 further comprising means for analyzing said expressive responses to select a suitable one such response. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A toy according to claim 2 wherein said means for analyzing said expressive responses to select a suitable one such response is operable to receive and respond to situation data concerning its situation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A toy according to claim 2 wherein the means for analysing uses randomization. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 in which expressive responses are ranked and the response is selected according to rank. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A toy according to claim 5 wherein the rank is dependent on trigger data relating to expressive responses. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 in which expressive responses are chosen from a group of responses all of which have a particular rank, and/or said expressive responses are chosen randomly from said group of responses. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 in which output of an expressive response depends on some input from the user. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A toy according to claim 8 wherein the input is triggering a sensor in the toy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 further comprising: a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data over a wireless link; means for receiving trigger data relating to said expressive responses, for selecting one such expressive response when trigger data is received, for expressing the said expressive response through the output, and for broadcasting via the transceiver trigger data indicative that a response has been output. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A toy according to claim 10 in which the trigger data indicates which expressive response was output, or the proximity of a second toy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 wherein at least some of said data is downloadable to the toy from said computer, or from a website via the internet, or from a CD-ROM. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 wherein said counter-responses are compatible with said responses. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1, wherein said data comprises speech data. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A toy according to claim 14 wherein the speech data includes at least one of: a sequencing tag, an action tag, and an affective tag. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1, wherein said data comprises music data. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1, wherein said data relates to accessories. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A toy according to claim 17 wherein the accessories include at least one of: clothes, buildings, equipment, and transportation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1, wherein said output includes a transducer, the transducer being at least one of: a loudspeaker; and a motor operable to move at least one feature of said toy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 wherein the toy is further operable to receive and respond to situation data concerning its situation. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A toy according to claim 20 wherein the situation is at least one of: the toy's environment, the time of day, and the date. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A toy according to any claim 1 in which the expressive response is at least one of: a gesture, a vocalization, a phrase, and music. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 operable to broadcast trigger data on a user command, said user command comprising shaking the toy or squeezing the toy or pressing part of the toy. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 comprising a code segment operable to download expressive responses, grouped data, personality data from the internet, or music from the internet. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A toy according to claim 24 comprising means for reproducing the music audibly, preferably said music being audibly reproduced using personal headphones. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) A toy according claim 24, wherein said downloaded music is in a digitally compressed format. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 comprising a removable memory, said removable memory preferably containing a group of data representing a theme. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 comprising a physical connector. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 comprising an electromagnetic transceiver. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy is programmable. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1 in combination with a further toy according to claim 1, each toy being configured to exchange expressive responses with the other. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) A toy according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze said expressive responses to select a suitable one such response, using randomization. ### Claim 33 A system comprising a toy comprising a processor; a memory for storing at least one group of data, each group consisting of a plurality of expressive responses, and each said group representing a respective theme; an output for said expressive responses; and at least one of means for connection to a computer and a connector for connecting to a computer, to download each said group of data, the group of data for download being user-selectable to enable user selection of a particular theme; the toy being configured to exchange such responses with another such toy, each said group of data comprising both responses and counter-responses, so that the toy may converse with another such toy on the particular theme; wherein a new such group of data can be loaded into said memory so that the toy can converse on a different user-selectable theme; whereby the toy can converse in a plurality of different user-selectable themes, one theme at a time; and a dock for said toy, said dock comprising a physical connector for the said toy for downloading data into the said toy and which is operable to connect to a network for downloading data from the network. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A system according to claim 33 comprising a recharging point for the toy. ### Claim 35 A method of communication between first and second toys comprising: grouping a plurality of expressive responses into at least one group of data, said at least one group representing a particular theme, each toy being configured to exchange such responses with the other toy, each said group of data comprising both responses and counter-responses, so that the toys may converse on the particular theme; selecting, loading and storing a new such group of data into a memory so that the toys can converse on a different theme, the group of data being user-selectable to enable user selection of a particular theme; activating a first expressive response from said at least one group stored in said memory of the first toy, the first toy being in the presence of the second toy; sending trigger data from the first toy indicative of the first expressive response to the second toy; the second toy selecting a second expressive response from said at least one group of expressive responses, from said second toy's memory, on receipt of said trigger data, activating the second expressive response, and sending trigger data indicative of the second expressive response to the first toy; whereby the toys can converse in a plurality of different user-selectable themes, one theme at a time. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 including analyzing said expressive responses to select a suitable one such response. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A method according to claim 36 wherein the analyzing uses at least one of randomization and situation data concerning its situation. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 in which the expressive response is at least one of: a gesture, a vocalization, a phrase, and music. ### Claim 39 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 in which the trigger data broadcast indicates which expressive response was output. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A method according to claim 39 wherein the trigger data is broadcast on a user command, said user command comprising triggering a sensor in the toy by at least one of: shaking the toy; squeezing the toy; and pressing part of the toy. ### Claim 41 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 in which the trigger data is indicative of the proximity of a second toy. ### Claim 42 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 comprising analyzing the trigger data received for an indication of which expressive response the data represents and selecting an appropriate expressive response. ### Claim 43 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 in which expressive responses are ranked and the response is selected according to rank. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A method according to claim 43 wherein the rank of the expressive response is dependent on the trigger data. ### Claim 45 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 in which the output of an expressive response depends on some input from a user. ### Claim 46 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35 comprising downloading expressive responses, themes, personality data from the internet, or music from the internet. ### Claim 47 A method of downloading data into a toy, to enable the toy to exchange expressive responses with another such toy, the method comprising: grouping a plurality of expressive responses into at least one group of data, said at least one group representing a particular theme, each toy being configured to exchange such responses with the other toy, each said group of data comprising both responses and counter-responses, so that the toys may converse on the particular theme; selecting, loading and storing downloading a new such group of data into a memory so that the toys can converse on a different theme, the group of data being user-selectable to enable user selection of a particular theme, wherein downloading comprises logging onto a website; selecting a group of related data representing a respective theme; and downloading the user selected theme to the toy, said data enabling the toy to converse with another such toy in a plurality of different user-selectable themes, one theme at a time, and wherein the toy comprises at least one of means for connection to a computer and a connector for connecting to a computer to download said user selectable theme. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) A method according to claim 47, of purchasing accessories relevant to a theme, comprising logging onto the website; selecting a theme; and purchasing accessories relevant to said theme. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) A method according to claim 48 wherein said related data includes at least one of: music; and speech. ### Claim 50 (depends on 47) A method according to claim 47, of allowing tokens to be purchased on a website, wherein said tokens can be redeemed for items associated with said toys available for sale within said website. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, wherein a user requires a plurality of tokens to purchase a single item thereby providing an incentive to obtain more tokens. ### Claim 52 A non-transitory computer readable memory for a toy, the toy comprising a processor; the memory; an output means, and at least one of means for connection to a computer and a connector for connecting to a computer; wherein the non-transitory computer readable memory enables the toy to: store at least one group of data, each group consisting of a plurality of expressive responses, and each said group representing a respective theme; to output said expressive responses via the output means; and download, using the at least one of means for connection to a computer and a connector for connecting to a computer each said group of data, the group of data for download being user-selectable to enable user selection of a particular theme; exchange such responses with another such toy, each said group of data comprising both responses and counter-responses, so that the toy may converse with another such toy on the particular theme; and enable a new such group of data to be loaded into said memory so that the toy can converse on a different user-selectable theme; whereby the toy can converse in a plurality of different user-selectable themes, one theme at a time. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) A non-transitory computer readable memory according to claim 52 wherein said counter-responses are compatible with said responses. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) A non-transitory computer readable memory according to claim 53 wherein said counter-responses are configured to be used by the another such toy in response to the responses of the said toy. ### Claim 55 (depends on 52) A non-transitory computer readable memory according to claim 52 wherein said set of such expressive responses is a set of speech responses. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) A non-transitory computer readable memory according to claim 55 wherein the set of speech responses is organized into a plurality of groups. ### Claim 57 (depends on 52) A non-transitory computer readable memory according to claim 52, including means for enabling the purchase of an item corresponding to a given theme. ### Claim 58 (depends on 52) A non-transitory computer readable memory according to claim 52 wherein the user uses a website to download the user selectable theme.