A computer-controlled toy vehicle that provides two distinct modes of play: 1) a roll-around play mode where a child pushes the vehicle around which causes the wheels to slowly rotate and may receive audio/visual feedback related to manual the manipulation of the vehicle in a mode/operation appropriate for the roll-around play mode, and 2) a race play mode where the child pushes the vehicle quickly/vigorously (an increased velocity and/or acceleration) causing the wheels to roll or accelerate more quickly/vigorously. An ON/OFF or grip detector may gate determination of sequencing state and output results.

An interactive play device, method and apparatus, is disclosed that includes means for generating a plurality of interactions, input control mechanisms, means for storing responses to interactions, and control means to select the next interaction based on memorized responses. This invention provides a new class of interactive play devices, which is founded on personalizing a play device so that its current functionality is based on how the player has interacted with it in prior playing sessions. The invention also discloses a doll device and a car device, which operate in a plurality of states that mimic human behavior. Further, the specification describes a game during which the player is challenged to transform a play device from an initial state to a desired state by providing appropriate responses to interactions initiated by the device.

A method and system for activating and cancelling a first or second turn signal indicator for a radio-controlled (R/C) vehicle are provided. The method may include determining that the R/C vehicle is stationary and reading a rotation of a steering input to a stationary activation threshold. In addition, the method may include activating the turn signal indicator on a side of the R/C vehicle and setting an active turn signal indicator to on. Further actions in the method may involve determining that the R/C vehicle is in motion and reading a rotation of the steering input to a moving initiation threshold. Still further actions may include reading a rotation of the steering input in another direction to a moving cancellation threshold and deactivating the first or second turn signal indicator and setting the active turn signal indicator to off.

A method and system for activating and cancelling a first or second turn signal indicator for a radio-controlled (R/C) vehicle are provided. The method may include determining that the R/C vehicle is stationary and reading a rotation of a steering input to a stationary activation threshold. In addition, the method may include activating the turn signal indicator on a side of the R/C vehicle and setting an active turn signal indicator to on. Further actions in the method may involve determining that the R/C vehicle is in motion and reading a rotation of the steering input to a moving initiation threshold. Still further actions may include reading a rotation of the steering input in another direction to a moving cancellation threshold and deactivating the first or second turn signal indicator and setting the active turn signal indicator to off.

A prompting device for prompting state information of a physical game character includes a smog machine and a control circuit. The smog machine include a smog chamber, a heating element, and an air-blowing device. The smog chamber has a receiving cavity for receiving smog fluid, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in communication with the receiving cavity. The heating element is mounted within the receiving cavity and generates heat to vaporize the smog fluid after an electric current is applied. The air-blowing device is disposed corresponding to the outlet for blowing an air flow towards the receiving cavity. The air flow generated by the air-blowing device enters into the receiving cavity from the inlet and discharges smog within the receiving cavity from outlet. The control circuit is configured to control the smog machine to generate the smog that characterizes the state information.

A prompting device for prompting state information of a physical game character includes a smog machine and a control circuit. The smog machine include a smog chamber, a heating element, and an air-blowing device. The smog chamber has a receiving cavity for receiving smog fluid, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in communication with the receiving cavity. The heating element is mounted within the receiving cavity and generates heat to vaporize the smog fluid after an electric current is applied. The air-blowing device is disposed corresponding to the outlet for blowing an air flow towards the receiving cavity. The air flow generated by the air-blowing device enters into the receiving cavity from the inlet and discharges smog within the receiving cavity from outlet. The control circuit is configured to control the smog machine to generate the smog that characterizes the state information.

A cruise control system and method for a model vehicle are provided. The system may include a transmitter having a throttle input to produce a throttle command and a cruise control set input. The system includes a receiver for receiving the throttle command and a speed controller for providing a motor command to a motor of a model vehicle. The speed controller provides a motor command based upon the throttle command at a point when the cruise control set input is activated. The method for providing cruise control for a model vehicle includes receiving a throttle command from a throttle input and activating a cruise control set input. The method may include recording the throttle command as a cruise control throttle input at a point when the cruise control set input is activated and sending a motor command to a motor while the cruise control set input is activated.

A cruise control system and method for a model vehicle are provided. The system may include a transmitter having a throttle input to produce a throttle command and a cruise control set input. The system includes a receiver for receiving the throttle command and a speed controller for providing a motor command to a motor of a model vehicle. The speed controller provides a motor command based upon the throttle command at a point when the cruise control set input is activated. The method for providing cruise control for a model vehicle includes receiving a throttle command from a throttle input and activating a cruise control set input. The method may include recording the throttle command as a cruise control throttle input at a point when the cruise control set input is activated and sending a motor command to a motor while the cruise control set input is activated.

An interactive toy including a reader for detecting a marker in a proximity of the interactive toy. The interactive toy also has a sensor for detecting movement of the interactive toy and a memory having programmed instructions and configuration data thereon. The programmed instructions are configured to control a response of the interactive toy to a detection of the marker, the response being defined at least in part by the configuration data. The interactive toy also has a processing unit configured to execute the programmed instructions according to the configuration data when the processing unit is in a play state. The processing unit is further configured to modify the configuration data in response to a combination of a detection of the marker in a proximity of the interactive toy, and a detection of a movement of the interactive toy when the processing unit is in a configuration state.

An interactive toy including a reader for detecting a marker in a proximity of the interactive toy. The interactive toy also has a sensor for detecting movement of the interactive toy and a memory having programmed instructions and configuration data thereon. The programmed instructions are configured to control a response of the interactive toy to a detection of the marker, the response being defined at least in part by the configuration data. The interactive toy also has a processing unit configured to execute the programmed instructions according to the configuration data when the processing unit is in a play state. The processing unit is further configured to modify the configuration data in response to a combination of a detection of the marker in a proximity of the interactive toy, and a detection of a movement of the interactive toy when the processing unit is in a configuration state.