Abstract: The interactive toy includes a speech synthesizer for converting digital data representative of speech into audible synthesized speech; an infra-red transceiver for wirelessly communicating infra-red messages over a field-of-view to a second toy; a microphone; and a selector for selecting between a transmission mode and a stand-alone mode. The toy is programmed so that, in the transmission mode, it receives a first infra-red signal from a second toy identifying a synthesized speech phrase generated by the second toy, supplies selected digital speech data representative of a reply synthesized speech phrase to the speech synthesizer in response to the first signal, and transmits a second infra-red signal to the second toy indicative of the selected reply phrase. In the stand-alone mode, the toy monitors the microphone for sound input, and supplies selected digital speech data to the speech synthesizer after the sound input has ceased.

Abstract: This invention relates to a toy supported by a self-generated air-cushion. The toy has a platform, a pillow, a fan and a motor to drive the fan. The platform sits above the pillow. The fan and its motor are located centrally and substantially within the pillow and close to the surface over which the toy hovers. The fan draws air into the pillow and expels air through perforations in a bottom sheet of the pillow. This generates an air-cushion between the pillow and a surface over which the toy hovers. The air-cushion enables the toy to glide along the surface upon application of an external force, such as a push from a child's hand. The platform supports a figure which can be a real or animated character.

Abstract: A toy with movable figures in a toy scene. The toy includes a housing, a scene board with a hole in it mounted in the housing and a movable figure loosely suspended in the hole. The upper body of the figure is larger than the hole and an end of the figure projects downwardly through the hole below the scene board. A spring driven motor is mounted in the housing below the scene board and has a shaft projecting upwardly. The housing contains a covering or a case and the winding of the spring is activated by the opening and closing of the case. An eccentric cam is connected to the shaft of the motor and a cam follower plate moves back and forth below the scene board in response to rotation of the cam. A projection, which may be a ramp, on the upper surface of the cam follower plate contacts the lower end of the figure, causing it to move up and down in the hole. There may be several figures with respective holes and respective ramps on the cam follower.

Abstract: A toy with a dancing figure on a stage. The toy includes a housing, a dancing stage mounted on the housing with a friction causing upper surface, a dancing figure on the stage a turntable mounted in the housing below the dancing stage, the turntable rotating about its centre in a plane parallel to the plane of the stage, and a few relatively heavy pieces distributed on the upper surface of the turntable so that the centrifugal forces of the turntable am balanced about the its centre of rotation. One of the pieces attached to the turntable is a first magnet having its poles oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the stage. The dancing figure has a second magnet at its base. The second magnet's poles are oriented at right angles to the plane of the dancing stage when the figure is upright, and the polarity of the second magnet is oriented relative to the polarity of the first magnet so that the first and second magnets attract each other. The turntable can be activated in response to sounds or by a switch.