Abstract: An audio switching system alternately directs an input audio signal to an audio output and to a remote puppet. The system includes an audio switching arrangement with a transmitter and a puppet including a receiver, an amplifier and a speaker. The audio switching arrangement includes an electronic switch electrically switchable between a straight-through state wherein the audio signal from the audio input is transferred to the audio output and a diverted state wherein the audio signal from the audio input is transferred to the transmitter for transmitting to the puppet. A signal processor, associated with the audio input, responds to a predefined actuation signal superimposed on the audio signal as part of the electrical signal from the audio input to switch the electronic switch from the straight-through state to the diverted state. The frequency and/or duration of the actuation signal is preferably chosen to render the actuation signal substantially non-intrusive to the hearing of the user.

Abstract: A story-telling doll includes a doll body (10) which contains a processing system (12) including at least one digital processor, a programmable data storage device (14) and an audio output device (16). At least one user-operable switch (SW1, SW2, SW3) is manually operable by manipulation of at least one region (18, 20, 22) of body (10) to provide an input signal to processing system (12). A communications unit (24), also contained within body (10), is configured to operate under control of processing unit (12) in response to the input signal to: (a) initiate a data communications link via a general purpose communications network with a remote content provider source, (b) transmit to the remote content provider a request for download of at least one data file including audio content, and (c) receive the at least one data file including audio content from the remote content provider.