Interactive intelligent toy

INTERACTIVE INTELLIGENT TOY The present invention is directed to an interactive intelligent toy that provides the appearance and experience of a person, animal, vehicle, or other character moving in, and/or interacting with, its environment or habitat on its own. In one embodiment, a motive component simulating the appearance of a person, animal, vehicle or other character comprises a drive mechanism to move the motive component, a control mechanism and a power source. The control mechanism is programmed to monitor and detect user and event inputs, and to detect and decode embedded codes in a pathway component and perform predetermined actions or generate predetermined sounds in response to the inputs and codes. In another embodiment, the motive component engages with a coupling component and supplies the drive mechanism and power source for moving both the motive component and the coupling component. In yet another embodiment, the motive component is adapted to perform certain actions upon contact with, or becoming in proximity to, an auxiliary component. The invention therefore provides a simulated character that appears to have a mind of its own in operating within a certain environment. Given that the intelligent element is able to supply the means (drive mechanism, control mechanism and power source) to enable other elements to perform actions, the cost of the toy can be minimized while providing a large variety of different activities and the ability to expand to new environments and activities.