Abstract: The present invention comprises a mechanism for synchronizing movement of a portion of a bird or other toy character with an audio source. In one form, a tape deck is included within the body of the bird. The tape deck plays cassettes which are prerecorded to provide audio on one channel and data on another channel. The audio is amplified and delivered to a speaker in the bird so that the bird can speak or sing as desired. Typically, the bird includes more than one movable part. The data is decoded and, in response to the data, drive mechanisms are operated to move desired parts of the bird. The data channel also carries address information in the event one or more optional satellite characters are used. Movement of the satellite characters is synchronized to the audio and to the master character.

Abstract: An interactive talking book and audio player assembly, the back cover of the book having an ROM module attached to its end margin in which is stored digitally recorded spoken texts corresponding to texts printed on pages of the book. Printed on the end margin of each book page that carries a printed text is a page-identifying binary bar code formed by reflective and non-reflective elements. Associated with the book is an audio player having a base inlet adapted to receive the end margin of the back cover and to bring the terminals of the ROM module into engagement with inlet contacts connecting the module to a speech unit for converting the digitally-recorded texts into audio signals which are amplified and reproduced. When the pages of the book are turned, they overlie the base inlet of the player, the bar code on the open page being then exposed to ambient light.