Having Electrical Or Voice Feature Patents (Class 446/142)
  • Patent number: 10694027
    Abstract: A system for automated audio quality testing, comprising a plurality of endpoint emulators, call engines, and optionally audio generator devices and head and torso simulator devices, and a method for using such a system for testing of audio quality over a variety of system architectures for optimization of contact center operations and improvement of customer experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: CYARA SOUTIONS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Alok Kulkarni, Geoff Willshire
  • Patent number: 10230836
    Abstract: A system for automated audio quality testing, comprising a plurality of endpoint emulators, call engines, and optionally audio generator devices and head and torso simulator devices, and a method for using such a system for testing of audio quality over a variety of system architectures for optimization of contact center operations and improvement of customer experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cyara Solutions Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Alok Kulkarni, Geoff Willshire
  • Patent number: 9363356
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and methods to enable the interactive management of incoming and outgoing communications in an automated or manual fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: QULA, INC.
    Inventor: Jack Colletti
  • Patent number: 8986120
    Abstract: An entertainment system includes an object tracking camera, a logic subsystem operatively connected to the object tracking camera, and a data holding subsystem holding instructions executable by the logic subsystem. The instructions are executable to receive one or more images of a scene from the object tracking camera, the scene including a human and a companion object. The instructions are further executable to recognize a gesture of the human based on the received one or more images, and to wirelessly send a control command to the companion object responsive to the recognized gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sari Davidson, John Ikeda, David Nelson, Brian Allen Bilodeau
  • Patent number: 8666549
    Abstract: An automatic machine includes N output units, a storage unit and a control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the output units and the storage unit. The storage unit stores a first reaction pattern corresponding to a first command. The first reaction pattern includes a header and N reaction modes and each of the reaction modes is corresponding to one of the output units. Each of the reaction modes includes M reaction frames. The header records a number of the reaction frames of each reaction mode. The control unit receives the first command, looks the first reaction pattern up in the storage unit according to the first command, and selectively controls at least one of the output units to perform the reaction frames correspondingly according to the header and the reaction modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Compal Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Fu-Kuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 8660691
    Abstract: An automatic machine includes an output unit, a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores a motion pattern corresponding to a command and recording N predetermined motion information and N time tags. The control unit receives the command, reads a current motion information of the output unit, looks the motion pattern up in the storage unit according to the command and the current motion information, determines that the current motion information is between the i-th predetermined motion information and the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information, calculating a time adjusting information by the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information, the (i+1)-th time tag and the current motion information, and controls the output unit to execute the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information according to the current motion information, the first time tag through the i-th time tag, and the time adjusting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Compal Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Fu-Kuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 8647202
    Abstract: A game-interactive customizable companion object includes a body, a communication subsystem housed within the body, and a behavior subsystem configured to control movement of the body. The behavior subsystem may include an initiation module configured to set initial behavioral characteristics of the companion object in accordance with the companion object profile, and an update module configured to change behavioral characteristics of the companion object responsive to control commands received from the entertainment system via the communication subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sari Crevin, John Ikeda, David Nelson, Brian Allen Bilodeau
  • Publication number: 20140011423
    Abstract: A communication system, method, and device for a talking Doll using communication signals, including a Transmitter Cell Phone shaped to resemble a modern smartphone, a computer chip unit at the Doll, a computer chip unit at the Transmitter Cell Phone, a first transceiver at the Doll and a second transceiver at the Transmitter Cell Phone. The computer chip units in the Doll and Transmitter Cell Phone are programmed to recognize the lack of signal and to respond to signals received from the opposite device (i.e. the Doll or Transmitter Cell Phone), to exchange signals between the first transceiver and the second transceiver, and to respond to user-selected sequential operation signals from either the first transceiver or the second transceiver, which enables the Doll to verbally and/or physically react to each chosen sequential operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Uneeda Doll Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Deborah Wong Simmons
  • Patent number: 8012024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously indicating, on each of a plurality of communication terminals, instructions transmitted by each terminal and the identity of the respective terminals that transmitted the instructions. Such a feature can be used to indicate the moves of parties playing a game over a telephone line. Once a communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection and player identification circuitry located within the terminals. Multi-colored indicators and player identification displays at each terminal are activated, their color being dependent upon the source of received instructions. In one embodiment, player identification indicators may be incorporated into a touch tone keypad located on the terminals. The keypad's touch tone keys are modified such that each key has two or more color coded indicators incorporated within, each color representing a particular player's move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: New Illuminations LLC
    Inventor: Scott Wolinsky
  • Patent number: 7798885
    Abstract: A wireless toy phone system that may be used with toy figures, such as dolls. The system may include doll sized phones and child sized phones. The child sized phone may have a display screen and input buttons. A child can compose a message with a phone keypad on the child's phone and send the message to another child sized phone, which will display the message. The phone may also receive messages from other child sized phones. The child may also be able to send a message to a doll sized phone associated with a doll or other figure, and the doll sized phone may respond with lights or sounds or both. The child sized phone may then compose a response that is displayed on the child sized phone simulating a return message from the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Wong, Ahmad A. Asbaghi, Cassidy Park, Catherine Demas
  • Publication number: 20090111352
    Abstract: An interactive doll is disclosed where the doll is controlled by a remote control. When the user pushes a button on the remote control, it can cause the doll and the remote control to interact via electromagnetic transmissions where both emit sounds simultaneously or at different times. The remote control can represent various items, including mobile phones and birthday cakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Man Kit Hui
  • Patent number: 6940432
    Abstract: An apparatus for recording and replaying a message comprising a plurality of control buttons for controlling the apparatus; a processor connected to the record control button for communicating instructions to a memory; a memory connected to the processor for storing audio data; a microphone connected to the memory for providing audio data to the memory; and a speaker connected to the memory for producing audio output. Upon activation of a first of said plurality of control buttons a microphone is controlled to receive audio data. The microphone provides the received audio data to a memory for storing the audio data. Upon activation of a second of said plurality of control buttons the processor controls the memory to provide the stored audio data to the speaker for audiblizing at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Vern Hall
  • Patent number: 6816754
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling drive of a robot having two or more drive axes and driven in accordance with an action program transmitted from a system controller to a robot controller by a wireless transmission way, checks whether a detected current position of the robot coincides with a predetermined start position of the robot in terms of the drive axes, and allows the robot to be driven in accordance with the designated action program when the detected current position coincides with the predetermined start position. Failure in the position control of the robot due to transmission error is prevented by the position checking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Mukai, Saburo Ashihara, Noboru Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6728598
    Abstract: An arithmetic processing device for inter-object data communication has an object manager for connecting objects so as to enable exchange of data between the objects, and a connection data supplying unit for supplying the object manager with connection data necessary for achieving the connection between the objects. Disclosed also are an inter-object communication method and a robot incorporating the arithmetic processing device. The robot may be designed to enable a user to replace parts thereof, thus changing the robot configuration. The robot preferably includes a part detection unit for detecting parts attached to the robot, and outputting a part detection result in accordance with the detection. An information storage unit stores information corresponding to the part detection result for each configuration obtained by replacement of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujita, Takayuki Sakamoto, Kotaro Sabe, Tsuyoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 6718231
    Abstract: An action editing window (200) is formed as a time table of a two-dimensional time line style, made up by a horizontal time axis and a vertical channel. Within the time line table, respective constituent elements of an action of a robot, such as a time ruler (201), a keyframe channel (202), a motion channel (203), a sound channel (204) or an LED operation channel (205), are chronologically displayed. A user is able to edit as synchronization between the respective components of the action is checked. This supports the creation and the editing of a series of commands and data stating a pattern of robot movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Reizo Konno, Satoko Ogure
  • Patent number: 6692328
    Abstract: A toy, such as a toy pager or a toy telephone, generates an attention signal and plays a recorded message to the user. The attention signal is generated in a seemingly random fashion to simulate the operation of a real pager or telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Reinberg, Graham R. Wolstenholme
  • Patent number: 6684127
    Abstract: A robotic system, robot apparatus, and a control method are presented wherein behaviors suitable for a robot are embodied based on information distributed by a number of information distributing devices. Also, the robotic system, robot apparatus, and a control method are designed based on information distributed by the number of information distributing devices such that a robot is prohibited from embodying corresponding behaviors out of the behaviors the robot could embody, or that prohibition on the robot embodying corresponding behaviors is withdrawn. Furthermore, control data for the robot to generate behaviors can be modified to meet the desires of the robot and/or the user of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujita, Hideki Noma, Makoto Inoue, Noritoshi Inoue, Katsuya Muramatsu, Masashi Takeda, Takao Yamaguchi, Kenichiro Ueki
  • Patent number: 6659835
    Abstract: An interactive toy phone includes a handset having a keypad, microphone, and speaker. A CPU connected to a memory module is positioned in the handset, the memory module having a plurality of message storage locations corresponding to the keys of the keypad. The toy phone includes recording and playback modules for recording audio messages in selectable memory locations and for selectively playing those messages stored in memory. The toy phone includes an interface for connecting the handset with a conventional telephone base or telephone line so as to receive conventional telephonic signals. These signals may be selectively recorded for future playback upon actuation of a key corresponding to the memory location in which the message was recorded. The toy phone is programmed to include educational games using recorded message in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Kathy L. Allen
  • Patent number: 6629133
    Abstract: An interactive doll is disclosed having one or more sensors contained therein. The one or more sensors are operable to trigger output of a signal from the doll in response to the one or more sensors being activated by physical stimuli of a user. A processor located with the user and the doll at a first node of a global communication network processes the signal. The processor is operable to link the signal with one or more remote nodes also located on the global communication network. The one or more remote nodes return information to the processor for presentation to the user via the user's computer, in response to the one or more sensors being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: LV Partners, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffry Jovan Philyaw, David Kent Mathews
  • Publication number: 20020107591
    Abstract: A controllable toy system operative in conjunction with a household audio entertainment player, the system including a controllable toy, and an audio entertainment signal analyzer operative to analyze an audio entertainment signal so as to recognize therewithin predetermined audio entertainment elements and to command the controllable toy to perform at least one action according to the predetermined audio entertainment elements at a time corresponding to a time at which the audio entertainment elements are played by the household audio entertainment player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: OZ GABAI, JACOB GABAI, NIMROD SANDLERMAN
  • Patent number: 6056550
    Abstract: An educational interaction device is provided with a housing having a handle and a phone handset. A numeric keypad representative of a telephone keypad is situated on the front face of the housing below the liquid crystal display. A plurality of lamps are situated on the front face of the housing for illuminating upon the actuation thereof. A tape player mechanism is situated within the interior space of the housing for playing back a plurality of audio and information signals. The tape player mechanism is connected to the speakers for transmitting the audio signals to the speakers. A speech synthesizer with associated memory means is connected to the speakers for emitting therefrom a plurality of audio signals representative of various instructions. A sound generation device is also connected to the speakers for emitting therefrom a plurality of audio signals representative of various sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Rosalyn Gail Richardson
  • Patent number: 6029042
    Abstract: A novel educational audio playback device is disclosed which, in the preferred embodiment, is in the shape of a simulated telephone. On the body of the apparatus are a plurality of buttons, each of the buttons having a hinged cover mounted thereon. These hinged covers have indicia on their front, this indicia, in the preferred embodiment, being letters of an alphabet. Upon the user opening the hinged cover, a simulated sound of a telephone ringing is generated and the associated button is exposed. On each of the buttons is a symbol or picture that is representative of a character, object or thing that is related to the letter of the alphabet on the hinged cover. The letter "H", for example, could contain a picture of a nursery rhyme figure, such as Humpty Dumpty. Upon the user depressing the associated button, an index is generated that tells a circuit or microprocessor where on the internal sound storage portion of the device is to be found the appropriate sound segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Leah Yaron-Moallim
  • Patent number: 5681200
    Abstract: A toy telephone which has an integral lollipop holder. The toy telephone has a voice recorder which can be used by a child to record and play back messages for amusement. A lollipop is removably attached to a retractable slide which extends the lollipop for consumption and retracts the lollipop into the toy telephone for storage. During storage, the lollipop is enclosed within the telephone to prevent the lollipop from being contaminated. The lollipop is optionally formed in the shape of an antenna. The data keys of the telephone can be optionally illuminated to simulate a real telephone. The audio data and record function can be replaced or used in conjunction with a radio. Optionally, preselected sounds can be stored such as telephone tone dialing sounds or telephone ringing sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Jules Shecter
  • Patent number: 5679049
    Abstract: A toy telephone includes a telephone base enclosure a microphone, a speaker, a memory chip for recording sounds for later retrieval, a microprocessor electrically connected to the memory chip, and at least one button electrically connected to the microprocessor for selecting one of a plurality of segments of the memory chip for recording. The memory chip is configured to produce an output signal the duration of which has a known mathematical relationship to the recording capacity of each of the plurality of segments of the memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
    Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5609508
    Abstract: In order to improve the effects which can be achieved with pre-recorded data, a toy telephone is provided with a suitable display such as a LCD. A suitable memory (e.g. IC memory) is included in the telephone enabling both audio and image data to be recorded by parents or the like, and played back in response to the manipulation of one or more of the buttons provided on the numerical key pad. A programmable timer is included in the device allowing calls containing suitable instructions or greetings to be "placed" to children at appropriate times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Wingate
  • Patent number: 5513993
    Abstract: An educational training device in disclosed which includes a replica of a telephone including a telephone headset having an operational speaker and a telephone keypad having a plurality of numeric key buttons. A machine is associated with a telephone operatively connected to the speaker and a machine readable medium which embodies an 911 emergency program is provided. The 911 program contains a series of questions relating to a predetermined 911 emergency situation to be asked to a child or other person being trained by the device. A voice converter or synthesizer is operatively connected to the machine and receiver for converting the machine readable program into a voice output through the handset speaker so that the voice of a 911 operator is realistically reproduced to the child listening on the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Cathy R. Lindley
    Inventors: Cathy R. Lindley, Gerald R. Boss
  • Patent number: 5474484
    Abstract: To educate children how to use the emergency 911 telephone number, a talking doll displays the twelve keys of a conventional telephone instrument. Within the chest of the doll or mounted externally is a tape player having a pre-recorded tape of the words likely to be used by an emergency dispatcher at a "911 number". These include reassuring instructions, inquiries as to the name and address of the child and the nature of the emergency. Hence the user pushes the sequence of buttons "9", "1" and "1". This activates playing the recorded tape. At the end of the tape message, the tape automatically rewinds. A telephone instrument may be suspended on the doll in such manner that a switch is closed when the instrument is lifted from the hook before depressing the "9", "1", "1" buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Julie A. Lemelle
  • Patent number: 5382188
    Abstract: An audio playback device is formed in the configuration of a conventional telephone. The device includes an image plate having a plurality of images thereon, and an integrated circuit assembly having a memory which is pre-programmed with a plurality of sound tracks which correspond to the images on the image plate. The circuit assembly further includes an output unit for outputting selected sound tracks, and a switch assembly for actuating the output unit for outputting selected sound tracks. The device is further provided with a rotatable selector for individually selecting the images and for operating the switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Playskool, Inc.
    Inventor: Dalita R. Tomellini
  • Patent number: 5184971
    Abstract: This invention is a toy audio recorder in the exterior shape of a telephone. The recorder is equipped with large pushbutton assemblies capable of housing illustrations. Depressing one of the pushbutton assemblies will playback the message stored in the storage location associated with that pushbutton assembly, or, if the record switch is depressed simultaneously, a new message will be recorded in that storage location. Messages may be recorded directly or via telephone by using a conventional telephone in concert with the toy telephone recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Susan A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5183431
    Abstract: A toy facsimile machine has a hollow case for housing a rotatably mounted roll of paper, transfer roll members that frictionally engage the paper to unroll it, a plate positioned between the roll and the transfer roll members to support the unrolled paper so that the user of the toy may write and draw on the paper, a motor for activating the transfer roll members, an integrated circuit for generating tone signals, a speaker for converting those signals into sound, and a battery for operating the motor and integrated circuit. A window frame formed in the case exposes the paper so that the user may write and draw on it. A delivery port is formed in a leading end of the toy and operation of the transfer roll members feeds the paper out of the hollow interior of the toy through that port. A cutting device is positioned at the port so that the discharged paper may be cut off by pulling up on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Staff Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Todokoro
  • Patent number: 4973285
    Abstract: A simulated car phone includes a handset unit configured to resemble an operational car phone. The handset unit includes a simulated keypad and a simulated signal cord. A radio frequency receiver is provided in the handset for receiving signals from a small remote battery powered unit radio frequency transmitter. A battery powered audio tape player in the handset unit produces simulated telephone ring signals through an audio speaker. The audio tape player is actuated by switching circuitry in the handset unit on reception of radio signals produced by manual actuation of the remote transmitter. The device provides an amusing and inexpensive novelty item which may be used in conjunction with simulated car phone antennas to amuse and impress an individual's friends and acquaintances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Manuel A. Diotte
  • Patent number: 4713035
    Abstract: A toy telephone having a base, a dial connected to the base and noise generating means within the base actuatable by the dial, characterized in that the dial is connected to the base for both rotary and axial motion relative to the base and the noise generating means within the base is actuatable to generate one noise upon rotary actuation and a different noise upon axial actuation of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Kiddie Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Thom