Interactive sports audio toy

Abstract

The invention comprises a portable public-address amplifier with power supply, controls and speaker(s), preferably housed in a box which is shaped in the form of a broadcasting station's call letters, cable network logo, or other sport-oriented shape. The amplifier has a microphone input for the user to provide commentary, as would be provided by a sportscaster. Preferably, more than one microphone input will be provided, and, optionally, reception for a wireless microphone or headset to allow for more distant or “hands free” use. Sound effects, such as crowd noises or “sound bites” or team or station signature music can be provided on interchangeable plug-in storage media and selected by a keyboard or other means.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims an invention which was disclosed in Provisional Application No. 60/487,928, filed Jul. 17, 2003, entitled “INTERACTIVE SPORTS AUDIO TOY.” The benefit under 35 USC § 19(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to the field of audio toys. More particularly, the invention pertains to a portable amplifier with accessories for simulating a sports broadcast.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable public address amplifiers are well known to the art. Some portable PA amplifiers have been provided with built-in sirens or horns.

Different parts that are used in different toy and sound ideas are out there. Researching many toy and sound stores there are parts of each involved in some form or the other. For the microphone and echo concept many Karaoke machines have this option on them. With the sound bite concept there are a few toys that have sound bite discs that play songs when inserted. (Ex. Hit Clips) Many toys have the options that PBP is using but none have used the sports concept or the using of professional stadium sounds to enhance the toys.

Many consumers would be interested in purchasing a PBP. This would start with boys and girls that participate in or watch sports (Ages 5-15). Many young adult males such as Jr. High, High School and into college (Ages 15-20). Adults (parents & grandparents) would purchase this item for their children and grandchildren. The main group would be sports fans of all ages that love their teams and sports. This would give them the opportunity to bring themselves a little closer to the participation in a professional sporting event.

There are no current competitors for this type of product. Many karaoke, Disc Jbckey and sound bite toys available, but none in the context of simulation of a sporting event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “Play By Play” interactive sports audio toy (PBP) brings a professional sports entertainment venue right to the users' own activity. You can be an announcer at your favorite stadium or hear your name announced as it echoes at your game.

The invention comprises a portable public-address amplifier with power supply, controls and speaker(s), preferably housed in a box which is shaped in the form of a broadcasting station's call letters, cable network logo, or other sport-oriented shape. The amplifier has a microphone input for the user to provide commentary, as would be provided by a sportscaster. Preferably, more than one microphone input will be provided, and, optionally, reception for a wireless microphone or headset to allow for more distant or “hands free” use. Sound effects, such as crowd noises or “sound bites” or team or station signature music can be provided on interchangeable plug-in storage media and selected by a keyboard or other means.

PBP will be a hit with anyone who ever dreamed of playing at a professional arena, announcing a game or just being a part of the fun and excitement of a professional sporting event. PBP promotes activity while including participants of all ages, genders and abilities. The Play By Play vision allows anyone to bring the excitement and entertainment of a professional sports venue right to their own sporting event. No matter who, what, where, or when.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the invention

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the invention

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As seen in FIG. 1, the Play-by-Play interactive sports toy is preferably built into a box (1) that is shaped and angled to reproduce the graphic design of a sports station's call letters, cable network logo or sports team logo. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the logo of the ESPN cable network is used as an example. This gives the impression that the sports station is actually covering the sporting event or the user is at a certain stadium or venue. Everything is based out of the box.

The mesh speakers (2) are driven by an amplifier (11) built into the box (1) as seen in FIG. 3. Preferably, the speakers (2) are clear and have stadium quality sound which allows them to be functional for inside or outside use. A mixer or effects generator (15) and amp (11) in the box allows for all functioning parts to come together to have a professional affect. The volume of the amplifer (11) is controlled by knob (16). For power PBP can be used inside with a plug-in option or it can be used with batteries for outside use.

A sport design soft grip retractable handle (not shown in the figures) on the top center of the box (1) allows for easy carrying and transport. The box (1) is preferably made of plastic with the call letters of the specific sports station or sports team logo, in the colors of the selected sports station logo or team logo.

Casing size statistics are based on the logo used for the box design. (For example ESPN's box statistics would be 13½ inches long by 4 inches high and 4¾ inches from front to back). This gives a solid base and keeps it in proportion with the logo design.

The amplifier (11) has provision for one or more microphones (3,12). The microphones give the user or users and the participants in the activity the feeling that they are part of a professional sporting event at a selected stadium or venue. In FIG. 1, the right side has two microphone inputs. The microphones plug in and are preferably regular hand held microphones (3) with the station call letters or team logo. Optionally, a headset microphone (4) is provided with call letters or team logo, as seen on professional sportscasters on TV. This gives the option for one, two or three users of PBP.

As a further option, a receiver (13) with an antenna (14) for wireless microphones (12) or headsets can be built into the box, allowing “hands free” use. This adds the option for one player to imagine being announced at a professional sporting event even when they are the only one playing. Also on the headset there could be buttons that would have the sound bites on them for the full stadium affect. This would allow the user to talk and make sounds while they're playing.

The amplifier (11) preferably has provision for audio effects. The user or users can pretend to be announcers over the microphones with a straight voice sound for regular play by play or an echo voice sound like in a large stadium or venue (for example, while announcing the starting line-ups). Effects can be adjusted, for example by adjusting the echo knob (7) (labeled 1-10) on the right top of the box. Next to the echo knob is the volume knob (6) (labeled 1-10) on the top right side of the box. This can be soft or loud volume depending if it is for inside or outside use.

To enhance the simulation of being at a sports venue or broadcasting over a radio, TV or cable station, selected “sound bites” can be provided on logo sound bite recording media (5). The media can be disks, tapes, CD's, or read-only-memory (ROM) cartridges, or any other convenient way of storing short audio clips. These logo sound bite media (5) can be inserted into an appropriate socket or reader, for example on the left side of the box. Each logo sound bite medium preferably has six or four sound bites on each. The six sound bites are the most used sound bites from the professional sports stadiums or venues. Alternatively, one or more of the sounds will represent a generic version of sound bites from a certain sport—for example, crowd noises, cheers, motor sounds for car or motorcycle races, etc.

The logo sound bite discs can have various options. For example, using the six most used sound bites from a selected stadium, such as Yankee Stadium if the participants like the Yankees, or the Staple Center if the participants like the Lakers. This gives the full affect of each stadium. Alternatively, the system could be recorded using more of a generic sound bite selection from a certain sport instead of a certain stadium. For example, the trumpet sound bit of “CHARGE” would be one used for baseball. Or if using a basketball sound bite you could use “IRIS” from the Chicago Bulls. This keeps options for packaging one or more discs with the logo box or package one logo disc and have others available to purchase separately.

On the top of the box there are shown six selection buttons labeled one through six (8). Each button (8) represents a selected sound from the logo sound bite disc (5). On the top near the sound bite buttons (8) is a labeled theme button (9). This is used for the sports station's sound bite theme or sports team theme, which can be built into the amplifier (11), independent of the sound bites on the recorded media (5).

The logo box can be shaped in different types of angles to enhance whatever logo is decided to be used. This could be a logo of a sports station (Ex. ESPN), a logo of a professional team (Ex. Yankees) or a logo of a sport (Ex. Baseball).

The speakers should have stadium quality sound. The alternative to having the speakers in the box is to have two other speakers that can be detached from the box connected by speaker wire and moved away from the box for even better sound or surround sound. With the box being a logo of a sports station the extended speaker boxes could have selected team logos on them to show the two teams that are playing. These could be interchangeable with velcro and add enjoyment to each game by showing the teams that are playing against each other.

PBP could be used at organized sporting events, not just as a toy. This could enhance their games or just be used for a PA sound system. (Ex. Little League Baseball or Small Fry Football games).

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

1. A portable audio box comprising:

an amplifier having an input coupled to at least one microphone and at least one speaker driven by the amplifier; and

a housing containing the at least one speaker and amplifier, wherein the housing is shaped in an identification indicia for a business entity.

2. The portable audio box of claim 1, wherein the identification indicia is a logo.

3. The portable audio box of claim 2, wherein the logo is for a sports team.

4. The portable audio box of claim 2, wherein the logo is for a broadcasting network.

5. The portable audio box of claim 2, wherein the logo is for call letters of a radio station.

6. The portable audio box of claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiver coupled to the amplifier having an antenna and a wireless microphone for transmitting to the wireless receiver.

7. The portable audio box of claim 1, further comprising an effects generator for providing audio effects coupled to the amplifier.

8. The portable audio box of claim 7, wherein the audio effects alter a user's voice.

9. The portable audio box of claim 7, wherein the audio effects are sound bites from recorded media.

10. The portable audio box of claim 9, wherein the sound bites are crowd noises.

11. The portable audio box of claim 9, wherein the sound bits are signature music identified with a business entity.

12. The portable audio box of claim 9, wherein the recorded media is disks, tapes, CD's, or read-only-memory (ROM).