Abstract: An interactive drum set includes a storage device for storing data representing sounds of a plurality of background music styles, sounds of a plurality of drum beat sequences, and sounds of a plurality of percussion instruments. The drum set also includes a plurality of drum plates for receiving user-directed forces, each of the plurality of drum plates being associated with the data representing sounds of one of the plurality of percussion instruments. A sensor disposed at each of the plurality of drum plates detects the user-directed forces and generates a signal indicative of the user-directed forces. A triggering device operatively connected to each sensor outputs a trigger signal when the signal of the sensor exceeds a threshold value. A user-interface device responsive to user commands supplies signals indicative of a user's selection of at least one background music style and/or at least one drum beat sequence.

Abstract: A raised character display structure for an educational toy includes a label having a first character printed on one side thereof and a layer having a first and a second opposite side. The layer's second side has a projection defining a second character shaped substantially identical to the first character and made of a non-opaque material. The layer is disposed on the label with the first side of the layer adjacent to the one side of the label and with the second character substantially coincident with the first character on the label so that the first character may be viewed through the second character and that a user is provided with an illusion that the second character has the color and/or pattern of the printed first character.

Abstract: A storage medium designed to simulate a standard information storage medium such as a floppy disk, video tape, or compact disc. A toy playback system accesses information stored on a printed circuit board, integrated circuit or other storage area, disposed on the storage medium. The storage medium comprises a plurality of memory locations each of which stores a sequence of analog or digital signals representative of a different block of stored information. Upon insertion into the toy playback system based upon user input, the printed circuit board or integrated circuit comes into selective contact with a contact plate, which activates the contacted memory location or locations to provide the selected information as sounds image, or video via a speaker, display screen, or combination thereof. The sound or audio information may be stored in a plurality of voice chips on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A toy playback system adapted to access information stored on a printed circuit board, integrated circuit or other storage area, disposed on a toy storage medium designed to simulate a standard information storage medium. The storage medium comprises a plurality of memory locations each of which stores a sequence of analog or digital signals representative of a different block of stored information. Upon insertion into the toy playback system, based upon user input, the integrated circuit comes into selective contact with a contact plate, which activates the contacted memory location or locations to provide the selected information as sound, image, or video via a speaker, display screen, or combination thereof. The playback system may additionally include preloaded storage locations and available storage space for user recording or storing of information.