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[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to interactive amusement devices for use in a group party or gathering where a plurality of active participants interact with the amusement device. In particular, the invention relates to an interactive pinata equipped with at least one sensor and an electronic recording/playback system.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] It is known to provide toys or other amusement devices which incorporate voice record chips that are activated to broadcast appropriate noises or messages during play to make the toy more versatile and attractive to play with. However, there exists a need for an amusement device which is useful in a game involving a plurality of players, such as a pinata, and which can interact with the players by responding to actions or miscues of the players.
[0005] It is therefore a feature of the present invention to overcome the above shortcomings related to interactive amusement devices, especially pinatas, by providing a novel interactive pinata and method for employing the interactive pinata.
[0006] In a first general aspect, the present invention provides an interactive pinata comprising: a first object, wherein said object includes a sensor for operationally receiving an action from a second object, wherein said second object is manipulated by a person; a control device responsive to an input from said sensor; and an audio device, said audio device responsive to at least one input from said control device.
[0007] In a second general aspect, the present invention provides a method for an interactive pinata, said method comprising: providing a first object, wherein said object includes a sensor for operationally receiving an action from a second object, wherein said second object is manipulated by a person; providing a control device responsive to an input from said sensor; and providing an audio device, said audio device responsive to at least one input from said control device.
[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the invention.
[0009] The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014] The following is a detailed explanation of the interactive pinata, and a method for employing the interactive pinata, with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that the same reference numbers are assigned to components having approximately the same functions and structural features in the following explanation and the attached drawings to preclude the necessity for repeated explanation thereof.
[0015] In an illustrative embodiment, the interactive pinata
[0016] As shown schematically in
[0017] Control unit
[0018] In an alternative embodiment, remote control unit
[0019] Alternatively, sensor
[0020] In another alternative embodiment, the pinata
[0021] As shown in
[0022]
[0023] Similarly, a variety of additional games are envisioned, such as “pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey” type games, wherein the pinning of the tail activates a sensor.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize, however, that certain modifications would come within the teachings of this invention. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of the invention.