Abstract: An interactive toy for interacting with a user while a story is being read aloud from a book or played from a movie/video. The toy includes a speech recognition unit that receives and detects certain triggering phrases as they are read aloud or played from a companion literary work. The triggering phrase read aloud from the book or played in the movie/video may have independent significance or may only have significance when combined with other phrases read aloud from the book or played in the movie/video.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for substantially synchronizing sound and smoke in a model train or other model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor is configured to send a signal periodically to a smoke generating device and a controller, wherein the signal is used by the smoke generating device to produce a particular quantity of smoke. The controller is then configured to receive a signal from a motor, wherein the signal includes information that can be used to identify a rotational position of the motor, or a rotational position of an axle in communication with the motor. The controller then uses the signal from the sensor and the signal from the motor to estimate a transmission lime of a next signal from the sensor, wherein the next signal is used by the smoke generating device to produce a next production of smoke.

Abstract: A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. An illumination device, such as luminescent or chemiluminescent coatings or light emitting diodes (LED's) are operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a blinking visual stimulation.

Abstract: A toy apparatus may include a frame and a shell that may extend over and around the frame so that the apparatus takes on the appearance of an animal or thing. The frame may support a power source, a motor, drive and support wheel(s), a controller, one or more sensors and/or switches, and an audio emitting device(s). The sensor(s) and/or switches may include one or more of a photo sensor; a pressure, touch or contact sensor; an audio sensor; or any combination of these or similar sensors or switches that are positioned on the “front” and “top” of the frame. The apparatus may also be positioned in and interact with one or more separate or interconnected environments. These environments may include one or more platforms or enclosures, ramp(s), “exercise” wheel(s) and other light or sound emitting devices.

Abstract: A process execution apparatus and method is disclosed by which a process can be executed significantly simply and readily. The process execution apparatus includes a direction recognition section for recognizing a housing member shaking direction in which a housing member is shaken, and a process execution section for executing a process in response to the housing member shaking direction recognized by the direction recognition section. The direction recognition section recognizes the housing member shaking direction with respect to a direction of the gravity detected when the housing member is held by a person.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for substantially synchronizing sound and smoke, or the like, in a model train or other model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor is configured to send a signal periodically to a smoke generating device and a controller, wherein the signal is used by the smoke generating device to produce a particular quantity of smoke. The controller is then configured to receive a signal from a motor, wherein the signal includes information (e.g., a count) that can be used to identify a rotational position of the motor, or a rotational position of an axle in communication with the motor. The controller then uses the signal from the sensor and the signal from the motor to estimate (or predict) a transmission time of a next (or second) signal from the sensor, wherein the next (or second) signal is used by the smoke generating device to produce a next (or second) production of smoke.

Abstract: A reality generating device wherein a traveling toy with a chassis and a body includes: an operation sound generating unit for generating operation sounds of the traveling toy during operation; a vibration generating unit attached to the body for causing the body to vibrate; and a travel driving unit provided on the body for causing the traveling toy to travel. If desired, operation sounds and vibrations are simultaneously generated for enhanced reality of the traveling toy.

Abstract: A toy in the form of a stuffed toy or 3-dimensional character toy having two headphone speakers on the ears of the toy. The toy has a head with ears, eyes, a body, arms and legs. The head of the toy includes a pair of headphones disposed on the head of the toy; wherein the headphones include outwardly facing speakers; and wherein one of the speakers has a built-in audio player. Each of the speakers are electrically connected to the audio player for allowing a user to listen to sound from the audio player through the headphone speakers. The head of the toy includes a headset carrying strap connected to the headphone speakers to give the appearance of a headset; the headset carrying strap also functions as a carrying strap for the toy. The body of the toy is usable as a pillow for receiving a user's head thereon to listen to sound or music from the audio player.

Abstract: A remotely controlled concealed attack toy vehicle has a relatively normal appearance when the hood is closed; and arrangements are provided for raising the hood, and an armed attack figure is also raised, to present a threatening posture. The vehicle may have two rear drive wheels, which are independently operable by separate motors in the forward or reverse directions to permit rapid swiveling. A third idler wheel may be provided toward the front of the vehicle. A third motor may be provided to raise and lower the hood and the action figure, with an optional lost motion mechanism for delayed raising of the attack figure.

Abstract: A control circuit for an amusement device includes a sound detector, a band-pass filter, a peak integrator and a controller. The sound detector is configured to detect audible sound signals. The band-pass filter is electrically coupled to the sound detector. The band-pass filter is configured to extract sound signals in a predetermined audible frequency range and to output a corresponding filtered signal. The peak integrator is electrically coupled to the band-pass filter. The peak integrator is configured to receive the filtered signal, to average peaks of the filtered signal and to output a trigger signal based on a predetermined range of the averaged filter signal. The controller is electrically coupled to the peak integrator. The controller is configured to receive the trigger signal and to provide a control output in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A finger puppet toy sits comfortably on a finger of a child, and generates a sound when the finger is tapped against a hard object, such as a desk or a table-top. The sound may be a voice, an animal sound, an animal voice sound, a musical note, or any of the above sounds in the key of a musical note. The head of the puppet toy articulates about a shaft when the child articulates the finger, and the head may thus appear to move while the sound is generated. Multiple toys worn on one or more hands and having different musical notes may be tapped in sequence to play a melody.

Abstract: A toy box includes a lid pivotally attached to a base so as to define an internal cavity which can store one or more toys therein. An audio box is disposed within the cavity for transmitting pre-recorded audio messages through a speaker which encourages the placement of toys within the cavity. A sensor is electronically connected to the audio box for activating the audio box upon a predetermined event, such as the detection of light by the opening of the lid, or placement of toys within the cavity.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a vehicle body, a firing apparatus rotatably mounted on the vehicle body and a ram mounted within the firing apparatus. A spring is operably coupled to the ram and a firing lever is rotatably coupled to the firing apparatus and the ram. Rotation of the firing lever retracts the ram against the spring and abruptly releases the ram to strike a projectile within the firing apparatus to fire the projectile from the firing apparatus. A pair of foot rests are pivotally mounted and releasably latched to the vehicle body and released by a button mounted on the rear of the vehicle body. The toy vehicle further includes circuitry having switches for operating light and/or sound effects on the toy vehicle.

Abstract: A pull along toy for a child is provided with an integral cassette recorder. The invention will take the shape of an animal such as a dog, a cat, a lion or the like. A cassette recorder would be built into the back of the animal. An integral speaker is provided. The leash of the animal is formed by a strong electrical cable exiting from the neck area of the animal. Located at the end of the leash/cable is a microphone, for use in recording audio content.

Abstract: An electronic educational device for entertaining and educating a preschooler, in particular. The electronic educational device includes a housing assembly including a tubular housing having a top end and a bottom end; and also includes a turntable drive assembly including a spindle being rotatably disposed through the top end of the tubular housing; and further includes a turntable member being mounted upon the spindle; and also includes at least one disk member being removably disposed about the turntable member and having pictures displayed thereupon; and further includes an audio system for describing the pictures displayed upon the at least one disk member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rotating an object using a music box mechanism having a spring motor. Apparatus includes a mechanical motor having a spring coupled between a body and a shaft of the music box where the shaft and the body are mounted for rotation relative to each other. The spring is windable by a user to store mechanical potential energy and when released, unwindable to release the stored energy and cause relative rotation between the body and the shaft. A base adapted for stationary placement against a surface such as a table or desktop or a wall or other stationary surface is fixedly coupled to or integrally formed with the shaft of the music box motor. An object such as a spherical planetary object or globe or any other object is connected to the body and includes an aperture or hole through which the base extends to the shaft. This aperture permits the object to rotate about the shaft without interference so that the body and the object rotate about the shaft as the spring unwinds.

Abstract: A toy dice comprising a cubical body having six sides, and an internal electronic operating circuit including an integrated circuit configured to perform six electronic playing functions associated with the sides of the dice body respectively. A position sensor is located within the dice body and connected to the integrated circuit for sensing which side of the dice body faces up when the dice is rolled and, in response, triggering the integrated circuit to perform the corresponding playing function associated with that side.

Abstract: A cathode structure of an electron gun includes a rectangular insulating substrate made of an anisotropically heat decomposable boron nitride, a cathode base mounted on one surface of the insulating substrate with a conductive layer interposed therebetween, and a heater prepared by patterning an anisotropically heat decomposable graphite film formed on the other surface of the insulating substrate. A slit is formed in each of the end portions of the insulating substrate, and the end portions of the insulating substrate are fixed to support members of a holder by ribbons wound on the end portion so the insulating substrate with being passed through the slits.

Abstract: A music toy or teaching device includes one or more sound generating devices operative to generate sound in a selected output format chosen from plural formats. The music teaching device provides an output format selector that allows a user to select the particular output format in which the sound will be generated. Upon selection of an output format and actuation of a switch corresponding with a particular pitch, the device retrieves from memory the corresponding sound bite in the format and pitch and audibly recreates the sound bite. At least one of the sound bites is the name of one of the notes; “do”, “re”, “mi”, “fa”, “sol”, “la” or “ti”.

Abstract: A toy that can move around an object. The toy includes a drive mechanism that can move a housing in either a first direction or a second direction. The toy also includes a sensor that can be used to remotely sense an object. The sensor and drive mechanisms are coupled to a controller that can change the direction of the housing when the object is remotely sensed through the sensor.

Abstract: A model, a counter, an actuator, and a termination device is provided. During a rest state the model is stationary in a first position and the counter is not counting. During a first transition state the model moves from its first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator and the counter begin counting. During an operation state the model is stationary in a second position and the counter is counting. During a second transition state, in response to a termination device the model moves from its second position back to its first position and the counter stops counting. A timing mechanism is provided for controlling the duration of the operation state. The counter can be any type, such as a dial counter, digital counter, or analog counter. The actuator may also activate a music box.

Abstract: A voice emitting pin is provided including a housing with a back opening and an interior space. Further provided is a back cover for releasably engaging the back opening of the housing. Also included is a pin assembly coupled to a rear surface of the back cover with an associated pin, whereby the pin may be releasably coupled to a shirt of a user. A triangular ornament is coupled to the housing. A watch battery is situated within the interior space of the housing. Finally, a voice chip is situated within the interior space of the housing and connected to the battery for powering purposes. The voice chip has a switch for effecting transmission of an audible voice remark upon the depression thereof.

Abstract: A hula dancing doll which alternately moves its hips left and right while making a forward or turning motion on a performance stage and a Hawaiian melody is heard to give a lifelikeness that compares with a real hula dancer. The doll includes a body portion, a hip portion, and a base portion. The body portion resembles the head through waist of a human; the hip portion resembles the hip portion of a human. The body portion includes a conical housing with a base, a switch, a battery, a motor, a melody I. C., a speaker, a drive gear, a cam, a push rod, a rack gear, a hip gear, a drive wheel gear, two front wheels connected to an axle, two rear wheels connected to an axle, a shaft is connected at one end to the drive wheel gear and at the other end to a turning drive wheel. When the switch is turned on, the drive gear will turn the cam and drive wheel gear. The cam will move upward the push rod and the rack gear to turn the hip gear.

Abstract: A signal-emitting golf ball, having a chamber formed into its outer surface as a manufacturing step after the ball has been formed into its generally spherical shape.The chamber is of a form providing a reception chamber for the signal-emitting means being placed inwardly of the ball's outer surface at a manufacturing stage in which the signal-emitting means are not subject to ball-shaping or prior manufacturing steps.A novel signal-emitting device, shock-activated in nature, is provided to be silent through the practice swinging, but automatically emits a sound upon the ball being struck, and it keeps sounding until the player finds it and wishes it silent for the next shot, although preferably the sound is dim enough and steady enough so as to not be a bother.

Abstract: A propellable articulating animal toy having a flexible, pliable stuffed body which simulates an animal, preferably a puppy, having freely moveable body components. The body fits over a housing which includes at least one ground-engaging support wheel connected within the housing. The housing also includes a forwardly extending lever pivotally mounted in the housing and structured to be pivotally articulated up and down through an acute angle by eccentric driving engagement with the wheel as the toy is manually propelled over a flat surface. The animal body also covering the lever is thus made to bob up and down appearing to be running or jumping as the toy is propelled over the flat surface. Although only the forwardly portion of the animal body is articulated by the pivoting movement of the lever, the entire body and all body components take on a realistic running motion due to the pliable nature of the animal body and its plush covering, which may also be made removable for holding and cuddling.