FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for modular assemblies of child amusement and educational devices, and more particularly, a communication toy base that may have an oblate spheroidal body and may have a magnetic band for attachment so that the communication toy base can fit in different environments and can be modified as the child gets older.

Auditory stimulation has been considered for a while as an effective means for promoting development of fetuses and infants at various ages. Babies exposed to prenatal and postnatal music exhibit superior gross and fine motor activities, linguistic development, some aspects of body-sensory coordination and enhancements of cognitive behavior.

Naturally, in order to achieve optimal effect, the auditory stimulation needs to con-elate with the specific requirements and the mental stage of the developing human. Usually, the characteristics of the audio signal are adjusted to match the infant's requirements in accordance with his or her age and development stage. The characteristics of the audio signal may comprise the pitch and the amplitude, as well as other tonal and frequency qualities.

Applicant has filed patent applications for Modular Assemblies for Promoting Development in Developing Humans Via Auditory Stimulation (for example Published international application WO 2009/083991 published September 7, 2009 and U.S. continuation in part application no. 12/81 1,752 filed July 6, 2010). However, because of the variety of parental environments and because of the variety of attachments that can be used to complete a toy from a modular toy base, it is difficult to have a single structure that is adaptable to all environments and attachments.

There is a compelling need to have an effective toy base that can be used to structure a wide variety of educational/amusement devices and that can be adapted, to fit to a wide variety of parental environments. One aspect of the present invention is a communication toy base for structuring a variety of communication toys, comprising a body base of the communication toy base; an oblate spheroidal body positioned on the body base; and a communication toy base band substantially coplanar with an equatorial circumference of the oblate spheroidal body, at least a portion of the communication toy base band forming an outer part of the oblate spheroidal body, the communication toy base band circumscribing at least 190 rotational degrees, the communication toy base band having at least two receiving element spaced at intervals along the communication toy base band for attachment to corresponding male elements of an attachment band of an attachment to the

communication toy base.

A further aspect of the present invention is a communication toy base for structuring a variety of communication toys, comprising a body base of the

communication toy base; an oblate spheroidal body positioned on the body base; and a communication toy base band substantially coplanar with an equatorial circumference of the oblate spheroidal body, at least a portion of the communication toy base band forming an outer portion of the oblate spheroid body, the communication toy base band circumscribing at least 190 rotational degrees and attached to the body base, the communication toy base band dividing the body into a front portion and rear portion, the front portion having at least one eye structure, each eye structure of the at least one eye structure defining an opening and including an annular rim, the communication toy base band having at least two receiving elements spaced at intervals along the communication toy base band for mating with corresponding male elements of an attachment to the communication toy base.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a communication toy base for structuring a variety of communication toys, comprising a body base of the communication toy base; an oblate spheroidal body whose equatorial circumference runs through a vertical plane, the body positioned on the body base, an audio communication system inside the body including a left speaker having a movable left speaker cover and a right speaker having a movable right speaker cover, at least part of the left speaker cover configured to appear through one opening in a front portion of the body as a right eyeball of the body and at least part of the right speaker cover configured to appear through a second opening in the front portion as a left eyeball of the body; and a communication toy base band substantially coplanar with the vertical plane, at least a portion of the communication toy base band forming an outer part of the oblate spheroidal body, the communication toy base band having multiple receiving elements for attachment to corresponding male elements of an attachment to the communication toy base.

A further aspect of the present invention is a communication toy base for structuring a variety of cominunication toys, comprising a body base; a clamp comprising a head, a clamp body and clamping legs, the clamp attachable to the body base such that the clamping legs protrude from the body base, the head movable by a user prior to attachment to the body base so as to adjust the clamping legs and modify a gap between the clamping legs, the clamp suitable for securely holding the communication toy base plus a communication toy attachment to either a rectangular or circular substrate at an option of a user; an oblate spheroidal body positioned on the body base; and a magnetic band substantially coplanar with an equatorial circumference of the oblate spheroidal body, at least a portion of the magnetic band forming a portion of the oblate spheroid body, the magnetic band circumscribing at least 190 rotational degrees and attached to the body base, the magnetic band having at least two magnets spaced at intervals along the magnetic band, each of the at least two magnets for mating with one of a magnet and a metal portion of the communication toy attachment.

A still further aspect of the present invention is a communication toy base for structuring a variety of communication toys, comprising a body base of the

communication toy base; a substantially oblate spheroidal body whose equatorial circumference runs through a vertical plane, the body positioned on the body base, an audio communication system inside the body including a left speaker having a movable left speaker cover and a right speaker having a movable right speaker cover, at least part of the left speaker cover configured to appear through one opening in a. front portion of the body as a right eyeball of the body and at least part of the right speaker cover configured to appear through a second opening in the front portion as a left eyeball of the body, the body including a magnetic band, the magnetic band substantially coplanar with the vertical plane, at least a portion of the magnetic band forming an outer part of the oblate spheroidal body, the magnetic band having multiple magnets for attachment to at least one of a magnet and a metal portion of an attachment to the communication toy base.

A yet still further aspect of the present invention is a system for building a toy, comprising a core including a body base and a spherical or spheroid, body positioned on the body base, the core having a band and including a processor, the band having at least a first electronic sensor and a second electronic sensor spaced at intervals along the band; a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons collectively mate with the core such that the core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non~biotic toy figure.

A further aspect of the present invention is a system for building a toy, comprising a core including a body base and a spherical or spheroid body positioned on the body base, the core having a band and including a processor, the band having at least a first electronic sensor and a second electronic sensor spaced at mtervals along the band; a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons collectively mate with the core such that the core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non-biotic toy figure, at least one of the toy add-ons also having at least one electronic sensor for matching an least one electronic tag of a further toy add-on.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 A is an exploded view of non- fabric portions of a communication toy base showing the main fi'ame and rear frame, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. IB and FIG. 1C are rear and right side views respectively of the main frame within a communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view as in FIG. 1 and showing a clamp prior to attachment to the base of the communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present, invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the clamp shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the clamp shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the communication toy base, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the communication toy base shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the communication toy base of FIG. t, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the communication toy base also showing an attachment band of an attachment to the communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a side view of FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is bottom view of the attachment band shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the attachment band shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the attachment band shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the communication toy base with the rear housing removed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a communication toy base with a non-limiting illustrative example of relative size of eye structures and other dimensions therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a left side view of a communication toy base with a non-limiting illustrative example of the thickness of the communication toy base relative to the non- limiting illustrative dimensions shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a communication toy base with a further non-limiting illustrative example of relative size of eye structures and other dimensions therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a front view of an attachment band showing one non-limiting illustrative example of the rotational degrees spanned by the attachment band and by a gap between free ends thereof, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are front and top views respectively of a teething attachment incorporating an attachment band, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, FIG. 18C and FIG. 18D are front, top, rear and side views respectively of an chick-style attachment to a communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a communication toy base and an attachment together, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20A _f FIG. 20B, FIG. 20C and FIG. 20D are rear, side, front and top views respectively of a pirate-style attachment to a communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing interaction between the controller and the body of the communication toy base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 22-23 are block diagrams of a system for building a toy including a core and add-ons, in accordance with embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention generally provides a communication toy base for structuring a variety of conimunication toys, comprising a body base of the

communication toy base; an oblate spheroidal body positioned on the body base; and a. communication toy base band substantially coplanar with an equatorial circumference of the oblate spheroidal body. The communication toy base band may be a magnetic band and may circumscribe at least 190 and preferably between about 220 to 260 rotational degrees and may form part of a main frame that forms part of the body base. The magnetic band may have at least two receiving elements such as magnets spaced at intervals along the magnetic band and facing outward through openings for mating with corresponding male elements such as one of a magnet and a metal portion of an attachment to the communication toy base. Speaker covers of an audio communication system inside the body may be visible through at least one opening in the front portion, at least part of a left speaker cover configured to appear through one opening as a right eyeball of the body and at least part of the right speaker cover configured to appear through a second opening as a left eyeball of the body. In some embodiments, a bidirectional controller moves a body part that a user in a different mode may move to effectuate a change in audio functionality. A clamp attachable to the base may comprise a head, a clamp body and clamping legs adjustable by rotating the head prior to

attachment. The clamp and hence the communication toy base may fit to a rectangular or circular substrate at the user's option.

In contrast to prior art amusement and educational devices, specifically those that associated audio communications, in which the device is static and has limited ability to be modified, the communication toy base of the present invention may have a magnetic band that may allow secure attachment via magnets of a variety of toy-add ons. The magnetic band may extend at least 190 and preferably between about 220 to about 260 rotational degrees so as to securely connect with a corresponding attachment band of an attachment to securely hold such an attachment so as to add on to or in some cases complete the toy. In further contrast to prior art devices which have limited ability to fit a variety of parental environments, the present invention may have a male clamp adaptable to both round and rectangular substrates. Female clamps built in the body base may allow further adaptability. The male clamp may be easily adjustable by a user by simple rotation of its head and insertion into the clamp body. In contrast to prior art amusement devices, the communication toy base of the present invention may have an oblate spheroid body having large circular eye structures. In contrast to the prior art, the audio communication system may include rotatable speaker covers that double as eyeballs. A first portion of the speaker cover may double as the eye whereas a second more solid portion of the speaker cover may appear as the pupil of the eye. In still further contrast to prior art dolls, the communication toy base may include a bidirectional controller which in a first mode may cause movement of a part of the body, for example rotation of the speaker covers in tandem, so as to simulate movement of the body part, e.g. eye movements and in a second mode may allow a user's movement of the body part, for example rotation of one or both speaker covers, to cause a change in audio functionality. In still further contrast to prior art toys and prior art toy bases, in which different toys are given to a developing human (fetus, infant, child) as it develops, the communications toy base of the present invention can fit such a wide variety of parental environments and such a wide variety of attachments in a simple manner that a single structure can be used for the entire development period of the developing human. This may allow the infant or child to grow more attached to the body structure of the toy and develop greater trust and feelings toward the toy than with prior art amusement and educational devices. The toy may in some embodiments also be programmed to provide sophisticated audio content custom-tailored to the developing human's stage of development. In contrast to the prior art toys, the additional trust and feelings accumulated over the years from infancy through childhood may make the toy more attractive to the child and allow the parent to transmit the desired educational (or amusement) content to the developing human. In still further contrast to prior art toys, the system and method of the present invention may teach basic language skills, fine and gross motor skills and cognitive ability. For example, the voice commands and feedback teach basic language skills to the child in the context of an enjoyable fun task.

The principles and operation of a communication toy base, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

As seen from FIG. 1, a communication toy base 10 for structuring a variety of communication toys, may comprise a body base 30 of the communication toy base 10 and a body 20. The body 20 may have a curved shape. For example it may be an oblate spheroidal body 20. Body base 30 and body 20 of communication toy base 10 may be integrally joined and may form one overall structure, although they may be

distinguishable by a variation in outer shape between the body base 30 and the body 20, as can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 8. A toy 60 shown in FIG. 19 comprises the

communication toy base 10 plus a communication toy attachment 70 (also called an attachment 70). Oblate spheroidal body 20 may be configured to stand on body base 30 in thai the wider or equitaorial circumference of the oblate spheroidal body 20 may be standing vertically or perpendicular to a substrate that body base 20 may rest on.

As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1C, communication toy base 10 may have a main frame 1 1 and a rear frame 13. Main frame 11 may extend from body 20 through body base 30. As seen in FIG. 1A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1 C, communi cation toy base 10 may also include a communication toy base band 40 that may be substantially coplanar with the equatorial circumference of the oblate spheroidal body 20. At least a portion (for example an upper porti on) of band 40 may form part of, for example an outer part of, the oblate spheroidal body 20, although another portion (for example a lower portion) of band 40 may form part of body base 30. As such, communication toy base band 40 may be said to divide body 20 into a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24. Communication toy base band 40 may constitute an integral portion of main frame 11, as shown in FIG. 1 A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1C, the remaining portion of main frame 1 1 being described as lower main frame 12.

Communication toy base band 40 may circumscribe at least 190 rotational degrees, or at least 220 rotational degrees, or at least 240 rotational degrees, or preferably between about 220 and 260 rotational degrees, and may be attached to lower main frame 12 forming part of body base 30, so that attachments to the communication toy base 10 by means of attachment to communication toy base band 40 are securely connected and cannot be conveniently disassembled by a child playing with toy 60 (FIG. 19C). As shown in the rear view of FIG. IB, communication toy base band 40 may have a left end 42 and a right end 44, which although designated as "ends" may be integrally formed with lower main frame 12. Preferably, communication toy base band 40 is centered symmetrically within body 20 such that left end 42 and right end 44 are substantially equidistant from an imaginary center line (not shown) bisecting body 20 vertically. In one preferred embodiment, as can be apprecited from the exploded view of FIG. 1 A, communication toy base band 40 spans the circumference of body 20.

Communication toy base band 40 may have receiving elements at intervals on band 40. Communication toy base band 40 may sometimes be referred to "magnetic band" 40 because in one preferred embodiment communication toy base band 40 has at least two magnets 50, and preferably four magnets, spaced at intervals along the band 40 and ori ented for mating with one of a (i) metal portion such as a metal snap and (ii) a magnet of an attachment 70 to the communication toy base 10. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8 A, magnetic band 40 may be designed to mate with a male element of an attachment band 73 of an attachment to communication toy base 10. Examples of such attachments are shown in FIGS. 17A-D, FIG. 19 and FIGS.20A-20D. In other preferred embodiments, communication toy base band 40 may have, at locations where the magnets 50 would be situated, receving elements that may not be magnets and that may be designed to mate with fastening elements such as snaps, that appear on attachment band 73.

As seen in FIG. 1C, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the at least two magnets 50 may be sunk through openings 55 in magnetic band, for example one magnet may be sunk in one opening 55. Accordingly, magnetic band 40 may serve as a female portion to receive corresponding male portions of attachment band 73 for a mating arrangement between magnetic band 40 and an attachment band 73 of an attachment 70. Other configurations (besides having the magnets 50 sunk in openings 55) may exist so as to securely mate the at least two magnets 50 of magnetic band 40 with attachment 70 or with attachment band 73 of attachment 70.

As seen in FIGS. 1 A, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, if magnetic band 40 has four magnets through portions of four openings 55, the magnets 50 may be configured to include a magnet 51 , 52 (FIG. 16) adjacent left and right ends42, 44 and two upper magnets 45, 46 situated at an upper portion of band 40.

Magnetic band 40 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material or any material sufficient to securely hold, attachment 70 to body 20. As seen in FIG. 8 and in FIG. 8A, attachment band 73 may form the base of an attachment 70 that may be attached to commiunication toy base 10. As seen in FIG. 8 A, the attachment band 73 of the attachment 70 may be aligned with magnetic band 40 and may be of a length similar to the rotational length of magnetic band 40. Accordingly, as also shown in FIG. 16, attachment band 73 may circumscribe at least 190 rotational degrees and preferably between about 220 to about 260 rotational degrees. As seen in FIG. 16, attachment band 73 may have metal snaps 75 or alternatively magnets (not shown) that may mate with and correspond to the at least two magnets of the magnetic band 40 of communication toy base 10. Attachment band 73 may have ends 72, 74 corresponding to ends 42, 44 of magnetic band 40. As can be seen in FIG. 12, release buttons 48, 49 may be used to open the rear housng of communication toy base 10. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 1 7A-17B, attachment band 73 is an integral part of attachment 70 and not separable from it and attachment band 73 forms most of attachment 70. Body 20, which may be an oblate spheroid, may have an audio communication system inside the body 20. The audio communication system may include speakers speaker covers 91 , 92, an MP3 player and a controller 95 (see FIG. 8). The audio communication system has been designated "90" on FIG. 1 A although the speaker covers 91, 92 and controller 95 are the only portion of such system shown in the drawings. As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, at least one and preferably two speaker covers 91, 92 of audio communications system 90 may be visible through at least one opening 81 , and preferably two openings 81, in a front portion 22 of body 20. The audi o communication system 90 may include a left speaker (not shown) having a movable left speaker cover 91 and a right speaker (not shown) having a movable right speaker cover 92. At least part of the left speaker cover may be configured to be visible or appear through one opening 81 A as a right eyeball of the body 20 and at least part of the right speaker cover 92 may be configured to be visible or appear through a second opening 81 B as a left eyeball of the body 20.

The audio communication system 90 may have content suitable for the parental environment in which a toy 60 (FIG. 20) structured from toy base 10 is made. Further, as discussed in Published WO 2009/083991 (based on PCT/IL2009/00001 1) published Sept. 07, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and Applicant's US continuation in part application 12/811,752 filed 06 July 2010, the auditory stimulating assembly may be adapted to produce audio content relating to a developing human in various mental stages, the audio content varying with a time parameter and varying with at least two of the following three parameters in which the developing human is located: light, humidity, temperature, movement, pressure, the system may be attached to various parental environments including but not limited to a maternal carrier, a toy, a crib, a car seat and a stroller, the auditory stimulating assembly having auditory stimulating characteristics that correspond to a parental environment that the auditory stimulating assembly is enveloped within or attached to. Accordingly, the parent can modify the content depending on the location and age of the child or the audio communication system may be programmed to adjust itself based on its environment.

As shown in FIG. 1, front portion 22 of body 20 may have at least one and preferably two eye structures 80, each at least one eye structure 80 defining an opening 81 (see FIG. 19C) and including an annular rim 82. Openings 81 may be circular.

Although the exact size and dimensions of eye structures 80 may vary, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 13, the eye structures 80 may each have a diameter, C, that is at least half a height of the oblate spheroid body 20. All the dimensions and the relative dimensions shown in FIGS. 13-15 are merely non-limiting examples and the present invention is not limited in any way to those shown in these figures. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, each eye structure 80 may have a diameter, C, comprising at least two thirds of a width, M, of a half of the front portion 22. In some versions, eye each structure 80 may have a diameter, C, equal to 70% to 80%, or 75%, of a width, M, of a half of the front portion 22. In FIG. 13, for example, C=3/4M.

As shown in FIG. 8, the left and right speaker covers 91, 92 each may have a sound permeable portion or surface 93 and a solid portion or surface 94 that may be less sound permeable and that may be circular. Solid surface may be smaller than the more sound permeable surface 93 and consequently the solid circular portion 94, which may be smaller, may be configured to appear as a pupil to an observer looking at a front portion 22 of the communication toy base, particular since the speaker covers may be rotatable.

The audio communication system 90 inside the body 20 may include a left speaker cover 91 at least partly visible through a first circular opening in a front of the oblate spheroidal body and a right speaker cover 92 at least partly visible through a second circular opening in the front of the oblate spheroidal body 20.

As seen in FIG. 8, the audio communication system may also include a controller 95. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 21, controller 95 may relate to body portions of body 20 in a bi-directional manner to make body parts of body 20 appear to move in one mode and to allow a user to move body parts to effectuate changes in audio functionality in another mode. For example, if the body portions are speaker covers, if the body parts are eyes of body 20, and if the type of movement is rotation, then controller 95 may relate to speaker covers in the following bi-directional manner. As shown in FIG. 21 and in FIG. 8, in a first mode, controller may be programmed to rotate one or both of the two speaker covers 91, 92 in tandem so that the communication toy base 10 appears to an observer looking at a front of the communication toy base 10 to be moving its eyes. The controller 95 may be a mechanical controller 95 which may include driver arm (not shown) that may be connected to each eye structure 80. Controller 95 may instead be or may include a digital processor that may be connected to a motor that may rotate the speaker covers together. In a second mode, controller 95, which may be or include a digital processor 95, may also allow a user to rotate one or more speaker covers 91, 92 so as to control actuation of audio functionality including audio content and audio volume. For example, in one preferred embodiment of the second mode, a user may rotate left speaker cover 91 to change or select audio content (i.e. change songs) and may rotate the right speaker cover 92 to adjust audio volume. In this context the user may include the developing human (i.le. the child).

Controller 95 may rotate the two speaker covers in tandem so that a similar respective portion of the smaller circular surface of each speaker cover becomes concealed by the body to an obsevrer looking at the communication toy base from outside and so that it appears to the observer that the communication toy base is moving its eyes.

In other embodiments of the relationship between controller 95 and body 20, other body portions besides eyes, for example, ears, nose, hands mouth, cheeks, etc., may be moved by the user and may receive instructions from controller 95.

The following is one particular way of implementing the bi-directional relationship between controller 95 and body 20 or its body portions and body parts.

Persons skilled in the art will envision many other ways of implementing this bidirectional ity. As shown in FIG. 21, between body 20 and controller 95 are first sensor

101 and second sensor 102. Both sensors 101, 102 are operatively engaged to a part of or within body 20 and which is perceived by the user to be a body part. For example, first sensor 101 and second sensor 102 may be operatively engaged to one or both of speaker covers 91, 92 which are perceived by the user to be eyes. In a first mode, which may be a default mode, controller 95 may be programmed to signal the first sensor 101 to actuate speaker covers 91, 92 whenever power is flowing and to stop moving them when power is not on. Whenever the user touches, moves or otherwise actuates a speaker cover 91, 92 while the power is on, the second, mode may take over. In this case, first sensor 101 may be de-activated and second sensor 102 may be activated. In this second mode, whenever the user moves, or some embodiments rotates or otherwise actuates the speaker covers 91, 92, or one speaker cover (91 or 92) of speaker covers 91, 92, second sensor

102 operatively engaged to the speaker covers signals controller 95 to change audio functionality (whether change of content, change of volume, etc.).

Furthermore, a parent may communicate from an external device such as a computer via a USB port or wirelessly (e.g. Bluetooth®, etc.) to controller 95 to control communication toy base 10 or toy 60.

It is noted that, conventionally, human body parts such as left and right eyes are generally given the honor of being denoted by reference to the person they are part of whereas inanimate objects like speaker covers are typically described by reference to the human observer who sees them. Accordingly, the left eye of the oblate spheroidal body may be said to comprise the right speaker cover together with a stationary annular rim as an eye socket perimeter on an outside of the body whereas the right eye of the body may be said, to comprise the left speaker cover together with a stationary eye socket perimeter on an outside of the body.

As shown in FIG. 17A-B, FIG. 18A-D and FIGS. 20A-D, attachments 70 may be a variety of items that form a toy 60 (FIG. 19) together with communication toy base 10 or that function as add-ons to communication toy base. Communication toy base 10 may also be used by a child as a complete doll or toy itself and in that sense attachments 70 may be viewed as add-ons to a toy. FIGS. 17A-B, FIGS. 18A-D and FIGS. 20A-D provide illustrative non-limiting examples of attachments 70 in the form of animal themes, pirates or other amusing forms. By using attachment 70 to add distinctive hair or a face plus hair, or any other combination, the entire appearance of toy 60 may be varied dramatically and with one act performable even by a child. In contrast, the child may have difficulty taking off attachment 70, once attached due to the force of the magnets or snaps or other fastening structures.

As seen in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG 4, communication toy base 10 may further comprise a clamp 110 that may comprise a head 1 11, a clamp body 1 12 and clamping legs 113. The clamp 1 10 may be attachable to the base 30 such that the clamping legs 1 13 protrude from the base 30. As seen in FIG. 5, the head 1 11 may be inserted into a female element 39 of base 30. FIG. 12 shows a security actuator 39a, such as a release button 39a for removing clamp 110 from female element 39 of base 30. Head 1 1 1 may be movable by a user prior to attachment to the base 30 so as to adjust the clamping legs 113 and so as to modify the gap between the clamping legs 1 13. Head 111 may be moved by manually rotating the head, something any parent can do prior to insertion of the clamp 110 into base 30.

The clamp 1 10 may be suitable for securely holding the communication toy base 10 plus any attachment 70 thereto to a wide variety of shapes of substrates including but not limited to a rectangular or circular substrate at an option of a user. "Securely holding" the communication toy base plus any attachment thereto means holding it so that it does not move unintentionally for long enough for users to make use of the toy 60 (FIG. 19) that combines toy base 10 plus any attachment 70 thereto. Clamping legs 1 13 may be a pair of rectangular legs as seen in FIG. 4. Notwithstanding being rectangular, as seen in FIG. 2, clamping legs may be perfectly suited for grabbing rods or other cylindrical objects, for example, bars of a crib, handlebars of a baby carriage, etc. Other versions of clamp 110 may be used to adapt a toy that includes communication toy base 10 to a variety of substrates.

In embodiments not shown in the drawings, body base 30 may take on amusing shapes. For example, body base 30 may have an outer shape of a vehicle. Accordingly, body 20 may be adaptable to different body bases 30. One way of doing this is to have head 1 11, while being within base 30, fit directly into an amusing substrate such as a toy vehicle. In this case, clamp body 1 12 and clamping legs 113 are not present.

The present invention may also be described as a method and system for building a toy, for an example a toy in a form of a doll, so as to interactively teach a child (i) language skills and/or (ii) gross or fine motor skills. Such a toy may comprise a core unit 200. In some preferred embodiments, the core unit comprises body 20 of communication toy base 10, or comprises communication toy base 10 which may include body 20.

Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the core unit may comprise an oblate spheroid body 20 and may have any or all of the structural features described above regarding body 20, or may have any or all of the structural features of communication toy base 10. In other preferred embodiments, the core unit may have other structural features or shapes.

In either case, the core unit may house a controller, for example controller 95, that may be configured to engage in communication, preferably wireless, with a transceiver of a remote device, for example a device that includes a processor that executes an application, for example a software application, designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. The application may therefore run the transceiver and the remote device may be said to operate the transceiver in accordance with the software application. The application may have the ability to communicate with the core unit.

The core unit (for example body 20) may have proximity sensors, i.e. electronic sensors, on the surface. This may include any suitable technology such as electrical, optical, magnetic or sonar technology .There may also be a large variety of add-ons selectable by a user, wherein each add-on has a unique electronic identifier sensors, such as RF-ID. The electronic sensors on the core unit may be an embedded electronic device, sensitive to pressure and. proximity of a matching electronic device (i.e. the electronic sensor on the add-on). The electronic sensor on the add-on may be an embedded electronic device, sensitive to pressure and. proximity of a matching electronic device (i.e. the electronic sensor on the core unit), with a unique identifier (for example: RF-ID). In one preferred embodiment, proximity sensors are embedded on the surface of the core unit. Whenever the matching electronic sensor (embedded in the core unit) is close by, it activates the RF-ID circuit to identify if the "right" one is close by.

In use, a parent may buy the core unit. The parent may also download the software application and configure the communication between the application and the core unit using wireless communication, such as Bluetooth or Wi.Fi. The parent may buy a package of add-ons that may contains X number of add-ons, for example a package with 10 different animals (including for example a rabbit). Each package, using its unique code can be identified using the application. The application may read or scan the code on the package and communicate with the server of the company wherein the server identifies and sends the right content to the application, which the application then may communicate to the core unit.

After this syncronization between the application and the package of add-ons occurs, the application may present to the user/parent the additional characters that can be built from the X number of new add-ons. The parent choose a specific character, for example a rabbit, and this selection is communicated by the application to the core unit. Once this occurs, the core unit from that point on "thinks of itself as the "rabbit". Using an internal sound system within the core unit, the core unit interacts with the child and guides him/her using voice commands to build the selected character.

Since each add-on may be equipped with a unique identifier, and the core unit may be equipped with electronic sensors at a specific location on the surface, the product can make a unique match between a location and an add-on. Therefore, if the child makes a mistake during the building procedure, and puts something in the wrong location, the core unit may be configured to guide him to correct it.

To take one non-limiting example, a package of add-ons may contain ten different animal or other characters. Upon opening the package, the child or parent selects which character the child will build. The selection may be made using the application, which forms part of the remote control device since once the child selects the character that he or she wants to build, the child utilizes the remote control device to communicate the selection to the core's controller. If the sel ection is a "rabbit", the processor/controller in the core is configured to activate its rabbit-building program. The core converses with the child and instructs the child taking the child through the steps of building the rabbit. For example the core may speak to the child using the sound system saying, "take the red nose and put the red nose on the face of the rabbit." The core may have electronic sensors at various points on its external surface that are configured to sense pressure by the child attaching something at that point and also configured to send and receive comunications to and from the controller. If the child builds the toy correctly, a correct match between the portion of the add-on and the location on the core unit may be made, thanks to the unique electronic sensors/identifiers exist within each add-on. On the other hand, if the child mistakenly puts the red nose somewhere else and not where it is supposed to go, the electronic sensor where the red nose was supposed to go will notify the controller. The controller will then provide feedback to the child, in this case correcting the child and giving an instruction where to put it. If the child puts the red nose in its correct place, the core then moves to the next instruction.

The selection teaches fine and gross motor skills, together with cognitive ability (by identifiying the right add-on from amongst all the add-ons) . The voice interaction (the commands and feedback) teach basic language skills to the child in the context of an enjoyable fun task.

While the present invention has been described with a core that is an oblate spheroid, in certain preferred embodiments, the core is instead spherical or substantially spherical.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 22, the present invention may be described as a a system for building a toy, comprising a core 200 including a body base and a body, for example a spherical or spheroid body, positioned on the body base. The core may have a band (for example a band that circumscribes at least 190 rotational degrees and having any of the structural features described above regarding band 40) and including a processor. The band may have at least two electronic sensors, or at least three electronic sensors, for example a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor, each of the electronic sensors spaced at intervals along the band. The system may also include a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons may collectively mate with the core such that the core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non-biotic toy figure. Preferably, the non-biotic toy figure is a human figure or an animal figure. In one preferred embodiment, the package of the at least two different toy addons has at least three different toy add-ons including a third toy add-on that may have a third electronic tag. The third electronic tag may have a code uniquely

identifiable/readable by the third electronic sensor. The at least three different toy addons may collectively mate with the core such that the core together with the at least three different toy add-ons comprise the non-biotic toy figure.

In certain embodiments, an add-on doubles as a core unit for the next add-on, as shown in FIG. 23. The add-on has proximity sensors to match the core unit and additional proximity sensors to match a further add-on, this allowing one form of step- by-step building of the toy. Accordingly, the present invention, as shown in FIG. 23, may also be described as a system for building a toy, comprising a core including a body base and a spherical or spheroid body positioned on the body base, the core having a band and including a processor, the band, having at least a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor spaced at intervals along the band; a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons collectively mate with the core such that the core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non-biotic toy figure, wherein at least one of the toy add-ons also has at least one electronic sensor for matching an least one electronic tag of a further toy add-on.

The processor may be configured to receive communications from a remote mobile communication device, the mobile communication device for identifying an identification code on the package of toy add-ons and communicating the package identifier code to the processor.

The present invention may also be described as a kit comprising different packages, wherein each of the different packages is designed to build, together with the core, a different toy figure and wherein each of the different packages is

structured/configured in accordance of any of the above described packages (for example a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons collectively mate with the core such that the core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non-biotic toy figure).

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.