Abstract: A method of preparing and conveying a personalized message from a sender to a recipient utilizes a toy having a cavity containing a cassette player, a battery holder, a switch and circuit elements interconnecting the player, the holder and the switch. The method includes the following steps which are performed by the sender: personally taping the personalized message on a cassette; inserting the cassette in the player; and giving the toy to the recipient with the cassette therein. The toy is cuddly and may be in the general likeness of the sender or may be a stuffed animal, in either case having a flap that is movable between a closed position in which the flap covers the cavity and an open position in which the cavity is exposed. The switch is of the push button type and the push buttons produce bulges in the flap when the latter is closed, so that the switch can be operated without moving the flap to its open position.

Abstract: A toy figure for detecting and signaling changes in ambient light level in which a detection circuit includes an operational amplifier acting as a comparator for comparing two signals from a voltage divider network. The first input signal is the signal of interest to be detected. The second input signal is held stable by a capacitor with a relatively long time constant. When the first signal exceeds the second signal, a change in output of the comparator is produced to effect both radiation and audio signal outputs from the toy figure.

Abstract: A cap firing mechanism for use with a cap strip and in a toy having a wall and a housing, and comprising an anvil mounted on the wall and a firing mechanism mounted in the housing. The mechanism includes a mounting pin connected to the housing, and a hammer mounted on the pin. A hammer spring connected to the hammer urges the hammer against the anvil in order to fire a cap between the hammer and the anvil. An extended portion of the hammer is manually engageable in order to swing the hammer away from the anvil, and the hammer spring returns the hammer against the anvil when the extended portion is released. An advance wheel is mounted on the pin adjacent the hammer, and an advance mechanism connects the hammer with the advance wheel. The advance mechanism turns the wheel in one direction to advance the cap strip between the anvil and the hammer, the movement of the hammer operating to rotate the advance wheel. The wheel holds the strip during the firing of a cap.

Abstract: A doll cooperates with a remote signal source which provides a narration with which the doll interacts, and it has a vocabulary stored in digital data in a memory which may be accessed to cause a speech synthesizer in the doll to simulate speech. The doll has a radio frequency receiver which receives encoded data from the remote signal source, and a central processing unit which accesses the memory for selected speech data to simulate the doll's response to portions of the narration from the remote signal source. The remote source provides a narrative and substantially simultaneously transmits a radio frequency signal providing binary coded data which, when analyzed by the logic of the doll, elicits an intelligent or responsive statement from the doll. In one embodiment, the remote source includes a cassette tape player for providing the narration and the encoded signals.

Abstract: A small sound generating device such as may be incorporated into a child's stuffed doll or the like. The device includes a cover having a sound radiating hole formed therein, a holding plate, a sound generating element supported between the cover and the holding plate, a touch plate case, and a circuit board supported between the rear side of the holding plate and the touch plate case. A contact switch is provided on the rear side of the circuit board, and the touch plate of the contact switch is exposed through a window formed in the touch plate case.

Abstract: A speech unit for producing preselected words or phrases based on the orientation of a toy doll or figure. A gravity sensing means produces an output corresponding to the orientation of the sensing means with respect to gravity. The output of the sensing means is coupled to a speech synthesizer which produces an output based on transitions from one orientation of the sensing means to a second orientation. A timing circuit coupled to the sensing means establishes a time period during which the sensing means must maintain its orientation for an output to be realized. The timing means also is used to shut off power to the speech synthesizer and speaker means to conserve power of the circuit. In an alternate embodiment, the absolute position of the sensing means is used to select a speech output.

Abstract: An action figure toy construction is disclosed which has been configured to exhibit animate characteristics for enhanced entertainment for children. In particular, the present toy construction inludes a liquid crystal graphics display mounted on a humanoid torso portion of the action figure. Suitable micro-processor controls are provided which are operatively connected to the graphics display for controlling and regulating the graphic representation of a plurality of simulated life functions shown by the display, thus lending animation to the toy construction. Embodiments of the toy constructon may include interchangeable limbs for connection to the torso portion, as well as light and sound sensors, and light and sound generating devices.

Abstract: Various patterns of receptor holes formed in the torso, arms and legs of a plastic toy action figure permit various accessories, also of plastic, having compliant press-in pins to be selectively added to and removed from the toy figure. Additionally, a rotatable coupling mechanism extends through the torso, the coupling mechanism having a receptor hole at each end thereof, the holes in the coupling mechanism being in a predetermined relation with respect to prearranged patterns of receptor holes in the front and rear of the torso. In this way, accessories can be plugged into the ends of the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is provided with two sets of facial teeth or serrations that are normally resiliently urged into engagement but which disengage if the coupling mechanism is subjected to an excessive amount of twisting force, thereby avoiding breakage.

Abstract: An amusement device comprising a marionette possessing lifelike qualities, including the appearance of ability to speak through a coordination of head movements and audio input to a speaker disposed in the mouth area of the marionette, provided with a theatre setting for use with the marionette when a realistic setting is desired.

Abstract: A toy having an optically actuated sound generator includes first and second phototransistors coupled in series for creating a substantially binary output voltage based on the relative light intensities striking such phototransistors. A Schmitt-trigger circuit receives the binary output voltage and eliminates therefrom light-flicker components resulting from fluorescent lighting. Additional circuitry creates an enabling pulse at each transition of the Schmitt-trigger output signal, which enabling signal enables dual oscillator circuits. The dual oscillator output signals are gated together to drive a speaker for creating audible signals and to activate a light emitting diode. The electronic circuitry and speaker are housed in a baffle through which the phototransistors and light emitting diode protrude for communicating with a face portion of the toy.

Abstract: A noise-generating toy includes first and second optical sensors to detect the intensity of light in first and second optical fields, respectively. The sensor signals serve as inputs to a comparator which provides as an output a differential signal indicative of the difference between the sensor outputs. The comparator output drives an oscillator which generates audio signals in response to the differential in the intensity of light. The oscillator drives one or more speakers with the audio signals, and the speakers use the audio signals to produce audible sound or noise.

Abstract: A music box toy including a cube having a recess formed in each of the six faces, each of the recesses being disposed to receive a separate music box which plays a separate tune. The toy includes a cover disposed around the cube and the cover includes an aperture for each of the actuator shafts that extend outwardly from each of the six music boxes. The cover may be constructed to facilitate easy removal for cleaning or replacement by a separate cover.

Abstract: A toy, such as a stuffed doll, having a melody-making mechanism of a sound-detection type is disclosed, in which the melody-making mechanism is provided with a sound-detector, an amplifier circuit and a switching circuit in such arrangement that operation of the melody-making mechanism may be discontinued after a predetermined period of time. The sound-detector may be in the form of a ceramic condenser or a microphone.

Abstract: A toy including a figure adapted to be moved slowly from a lowered position in which the figure is concealed behind a portion of a housing to a raised position in which the figure is visible and to be moved rapidly from its raised position to the lowered position. The mechanism moving the figure is driven by a music box and includes a post supporting the figure, a pin fixed to the post, an actuating arm having an aperture at one end in which the pin is loosely engaged and being secured to a housing at its other end. The means driven by the music box to cause the arm to reciprocate between the raised and lowered positions, also rotates the figure about a verticle axis.

Abstract: A communication display device for simulating a humanoid or other animal structure. Fiber optic light elements are included with the device to simulate movement of various parts such as the joints, eyes or mouth for purposes of communication. Sound synchronization is also provided with the fiber optic light simulated body movements. The display device is effective in reaching the conscious and subconscious states of individuals with both vocal and non-vocal communications.

Abstract: A dancing hula doll which alternatively moves its hips left and right to give it a lifelikeness that compares with a real hula dancer. The doll includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a base portion. The upper portion resembles and head through waist of a human; the lower portion resembles the waist through hip portion of a human. The upper portion is pivotally connected to the lower portion by a hinge pin. An activator pin is connected to the inner surface of the lower portion. The base portion supports the upper portion and the lower portion by a support rod, one end of which is secured to the base portion and the other end of which is placed in a cavity within the head of the upper portion. The base portion includes a housing with a turning plate secured to its bottom portion, a stationary base with feet spaced below the turning plate, a switch, a battery, a motor, an I.C.

Abstract: A player for a pre-recorded sound magnetic tape package in a cartridge or a cassette format in which each package is united with a three-dimensional character thematically related to the recording and animated thereby. The character is provided with eye and mouth openings covered by translucent elements. Housed in the character are light guides extending from the eye and mouth elements to a common optical inlet. When the package is inserted in the player to effect actuation thereof, the character is then at an erect position thereabove and the optical inlet is then in registration with a light outlet on the player behind which is a light bulb connected to the audio output thereof. As the recorded sound is reproduced, the light emitted by the bulb is modulated in accordance therewith. The resultant light pulses are conveyed by the guides to the eye and mouth elements to impart animation to the character in synchronism with the reproduced sound.

Abstract: A toy including apparatus for producing a desired sequence of sounds and chordic keyboard apparatus for operating same. The desired sequence of sounds may be human speech, music or any other desired sequence of sounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a talking doll is provided.