Electronic playset

US008062089B2

(12) UIllt€d States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,062,089 B2 Hardin et al. 45 Date of Patent: Nov. 22 2011 9 (54) ELECTRONIC PLAYSET 5,013,278 A 5/1991 Dixon et al. 5,085,609 A 2/1992 Haberle (75) Inventors: Mark Hardin, Hermosa Beach, CA 5,278,779 A 1/1994 Conway et 31. (Us); Dominic AmbriZ’ Playa Del Ray, 5,312,284 A 5/1994 G-rober et al. CA (US); Erich Weidetz, Santa Monica, 5,445,552 A 8/1995 Hlne CA (US); Tracy Thurman, Torrance, 2 JB°l_aS et 31' CA (US); Eric Skifstrom, Manhattan 5’728’962 A 3/1998 Gamd Beach’ CA (US); Ken Metzler’ RE35819 E 6/1998 Sl.i)ZeU1(ei Fallbrook, CA (US); Martin Ly, San 5,766:077 A 6/1998 Hongo iosea gi (U2); Jack Mlllerlcka San 5,952,598 A 9/1999 Goede 05e, (U ) (Continued) (73) Ass1gnee: Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, CA (US) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS ( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this EP 0978301 2/2000 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 (Continued) U.S.C. 154(b) by 1054 days. (21) APP1- NO-3 11/866,373 Primary Examiner * Dmitry Suhol (22) Filed: Oct 2, 2007 Assistant Examiner * Alex F. R. P. Rada, II (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Kolisch Hartwell, PC (65) Prior Publication Data US 2008/0139265 A1 Jun. 12, 2008 (57) ABSTRACT Related US‘ Application Data A video toy is provided with a video screen and multiple (60) Provisional application No, 60/849,264, filed on Oct selectable dioramas positioned behind the video screen. The 2 2006. 1oramas ma e xe to a s a sot at rotat1ono a an e o , d' yb fi d h ft h ' f h dl f the shaft moves a first diorama to a position behind the screen (51) Int- CL and visible through the screen. Rotating the handle and shaft A63H 29/22 (2006-01) again may sequentially move a second diorama to a position U.S. Cl. ...................................... .. the screen replacing the first djorarna_ The Video toy (58) Field of Classification Search ............ .. 446/72*84, may display characters and obj ects on the screen that engage 446/71, 175, 484; 345/204F206; 463/30; in activities and appear to interact with objects in the diorama v1s1 e t ou t e v1 eo 1s a . 1rtua c aracters ma e _ _ _273/142R "bl I11‘ ghh ‘d d'p1yV' lh yb See apphcanon file for Complete Search h1StOry~ programmed to exhibit development and modify their activi(56) References Cited ties and interactions with the player based on type and fre

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,182,420 A 5/1965 Bender 4,398,723 A 8/1983 Erickson et al. 4,421,317 A 12/1983 Hector et al. 4,432,151 A 2/1984 Morris

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quency of inputs. The video toy may respond to signals from a computer by accessing additional game play modes or options.

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