Patents Assigned to Tutor Toys, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5178545
    Abstract: An electronic puzzle game for one or more players that combines skill and chance. The device includes a memory for storing codes corresponding to a plurality of sets of alphanumeric symbols, each set comprising a puzzle. A display is provided for visibly indicating a selected puzzle to the user(s), and a keypad permits a user to select a game, a topic within that game, and a category within the topic. Further, the keypad permits a user to ascertain a correct solution to the selected puzzle category. While skill is of value in playing a game with the device, a timer generates a signal at random times that calls an end to a game, the particular user of the device at this time being declared a loser. In the preferred embodiment, there is a second timer to establish a time duration for providing an answer by the user. Although significant memory exists within the device, additional or replacement memory can be plugged into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Tutor Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Barbara J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4961579
    Abstract: An electronic puzzle game device for players/students. The device includes a memory for storing code corresponding to a plurality of sets of alpha-numeric symbols, each set comprising a puzzle. A display is provided for visibly indicating a selected puzzle. In the preferred embodiment, a player can vary the degree of difficulty of the displayed puzzle which generally includes a topic together with a selected number of letter cues. A player or student will preferably list words which start with the randomly selected letter cues and correspond to the displayed topic. A timer serves to determine the length of the time period a player has to solve the puzzle. In one embodiment, audible signals, including the counting down of the timer and the ending of the timer cycle are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Tutor Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara J. Thompson, Russell D. Bingham, William Holmes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4959017
    Abstract: An electronic learning device (10) for teaching how to handle money is provided. A student provides input to the device, in a preferred embodiment, by a plurality of keys (40) which select the learning activity and its difficulty level. In certain activities, the device (10) requests (visually and/or auditorily) the student to engage in randomly selected currency identification/manipulation problems. The student's response is compared with the correct response, and the information concerning the appropriateness of the response is provided to the student. In the case of erroneous response, the correct response can be presented to the student both arally and visually. A speech synthesizer (28) (and/or visual display)) (20) serve to generate a reguest to the student concerning the student's response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Tutor Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara J. Thompson, Jesse Ursery, Jr.