Phonograph, Tape, Or Wire Patents (Class 446/302)
  • Patent number: 11529567
    Abstract: A character skin for a toy robot has an outer cover having an inner surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of a robot body housing of a self-propelled, toy robot. The outer cover can be fitted onto the robot body housing to cover an outer surface thereof and then removed from the housing, preferably with requiring a tool. The outer cover has an identification mechanism that provides an identification of a robot character software program, wherein the identification is electronically detected by the toy robot and in response the robot character software program is executed by the toy robot which changes behavior of the toy robot, whenever the outer cover is fitted onto the robot body housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Armen Kroyan, Nader Hamda, Ondrej Stanek
  • Patent number: 10504323
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a frame, a gaming machine coupled to the frame, and an interactive device extending about at least a portion of a periphery of the frame. The gaming machine includes a presentation device configured to present a message associated with an interaction of a player with the gaming system. The interactive device is configured to detect the interaction of the player with the interactive device, and present feedback to the player based on the detection of the interaction of the player with the interactive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Pinder, William Douglas Lamb
  • Patent number: 9833723
    Abstract: A computer system and method for delivering synchronized metadata for a media to a target device that is associated with a plurality of peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Claes Georg Andersson, John Michael Teixeira, Nicholas Daniel Doerring, Nicholas Fishwick, Colin Reed Miller
  • Patent number: 7988522
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic dinosaur toy includes a body, a neck, four legs, a tail, a head, four first actuators, and four pressure sensors. The neck, the legs and the tail are connected to the body. The head is connected to a distal end of the neck. The four first actuators are arranged inside the respective legs and configured for driving the corresponding leg to move. The four pressure sensors are arranged at distal ends of the respective legs, and configured for sensing a variation of a pressure applied to the leg and outputting a feedback signal. Thereby, the first actuator adjusts a movement of the leg based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Publication number: 20080194175
    Abstract: A media player device is disclosed. The media player device has at least one input device configured to receive input from a user of the media player device and to generate a signal indicative of the input; a communication interface configured to selectively connect the media player device to a device separate from the media player device; and a processor in communication with the at least one input device and the communication interface. The processor may be configured to establish a communication channel between the media player device and the separate device when the media player device is selectively connected to the separate device; to receive at least one selected media content item from the separate device through the communication channel; to present an announcement describing content of the at least one selected media content item; and to prompt a user of the media content device to select whether to execute the at least one selected media content item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Michael D. Last, Alexander Davidov
  • Patent number: 7035583
    Abstract: A talking book is combined with a talking, animated toy figure. Each includes a sound synthesizer, a digital memory including at least some speech data to be used by the synthesizer to produce speech and a processor to control the operations of the synthesizer. Each includes a speaker coupled with the synthesizer to actually produce speech and other sounds. The book includes two outer covers and two inner pages, each with some printing. Depressible switches are provided on the inner covers to cue the processor to generate sounds appropriate to the print near the depressed cover switch. Switches in a hinge pin received in hinge rings provided each cover and page to join the covers and pages together are depressed by cam surfaces inside the ring of the front cover and each page and signal, the processor the configuration of the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Ferrigno, Laurie Guiliano Duke
  • Patent number: 6926580
    Abstract: A robotic toy has a pedestal, a first casing assembly, a first transmission device, a mounting shaft assembly and a toy assembly. The pedestal has a speaker and a battery container. The first casing assembly is trunk-like and is mounted on the pedestal. The first transmission device and the mounting shaft assembly are mounted in-to the first casing assembly and cooperate with each other to provide a rotating function. The toy assembly is mounted rotatably on the mounting shaft assembly and has movable wings. The bird-like toy assembly can flap its wings, shake its toy head and open its lower beak and coordinate with the speaker producing music or bird song to perform in a natural and charming manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Gemmy Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Sheng-Chien Wang
  • Patent number: 6758716
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dancing figure that includes a body defined by a torso, a head, and a pair of arms, and a pair of legs pivotally attached to the torso at a hip region. Each leg includes at least an upper leg section pivotally attached to a lower leg section at a knee region. Also included therewith is a pair of oversized feet adapted to provide support such that the figure is free-standing. The pair of oversized feet is separately and pivotally attached to one of the lower leg sections at an ankle region. Each foot houses a foot mechanism for independently pivoting the lower leg sections forwards and backwards at said ankle region, wherein the pivoting at said ankle regions causes pivoting motion at the knee regions and hip region to simulate animated movement in the figure. In addition thereto the foot mechanism may independently twist the foot to the left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Rehco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Michael Kass, Jackson Wilson
  • Patent number: 6729934
    Abstract: An interactive character system that includes one or more toy characters and an environment, such as a theme park. Each toy character has one or more one or more electronic signal receivers, and an electronic system. The electronic system is structured to produce oral communication and has a programmable memory structured to store software. The software is structured to interact with the electronic signals and to cause the electronic system to produce the oral communication. The environment has one or more environmental electronic signal transmitters disposed therein. The toy character, one or more one or more electronic signal receivers interact with the one or more environmental electronic signal transmitters to cause the toy character electronic system to produce the oral communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Driscoll, Edward Wood, Peter Kristoffy
  • Patent number: 6697602
    Abstract: A talking book is combined with a talking, animated toy figure. Each includes a sound synthesizer, a digital memory including at least some speech data to be used by the synthesizer to produce speech and a processor to control the operations of the synthesizer. Each includes a speaker coupled with the synthesizer to actually produce speech and other sounds. The book includes two outer covers and two inner pages, each with some printing. Depressible switches are provided on the inner covers to cue the processor to generate sounds appropriate to the print near the depressed cover switch. Switches in a hinge pin received in hinge rings provided each cover and page to join the covers and pages together are depressed by cam surfaces inside the ring of the front cover and each page and signal, the processor the configuration of the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Ferrigno, Laurie Guiliano Duke
  • Patent number: 6692330
    Abstract: An infant toy includes a body portion having an interior cavity within which an audio device is disposed. The body portion has a soft exterior surface. The audio device has “play” and “record” functions, both of which may be activated manually or by voice. The audio device has the capability of playing pre-recorded sounds such as soothing music, user-recorded sounds such as the parent' voices, or a combination of pre-recorded sounds and user-recorded sounds. The toy can cease operation after a predetermined period of time. By setting the toy in the voice-activated mode, the toy can comfort an infant when necessary and turn itself off after the infant has fallen asleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: David Kulick
  • Patent number: 6544097
    Abstract: A toy doll capable of playing preprogrammed speech. The doll body is in the form of a human infant and includes a head having human facial and head features, arms, legs and a torso. The doll body having a color characteristic, namely being of a uniform color selected from colors which are visually distinguishable from actual human skin colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Cynthia Bain
  • Patent number: 6290566
    Abstract: A toy with developing skills, the toy including a fanciful figure having a capacity to perform an action, and action control circuitry operative to control the fanciful figure to perform the action at different levels of skill at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Creator, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oz Gabai, Moshe Cohen, Jacob Gabai, Dov Shlomo Eylath, Nimrod Sandlerman
  • Patent number: 6236305
    Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) that incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement that straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Frank A. Martin
  • Patent number: 6183337
    Abstract: A toy figure has a movable mouth coupled to an actuator in the belly area. A speech generator stores sound elements for an entire song, verse, or nursery rhyme. The speech generator is provided with a first track of sequenced sound elements (singing version) that form a song when sequentially generated, and a related second track of a like number of sequenced sound elements (humming version). Sound elements from the first and second tracks are interchangeable at any given point during sequential output thereof A switch located in the mouth is connected to the speech generator to provide input as to the mouth position, i.e. open or closed. Squeezing the belly of the figure opens the mouth, changing the state of the switch and initiating an output sequence from the speech generator. When the mouth is open, the child is able to easily control the mouth position by varying the pressure on the belly actuator. The speech generator checks the state of the mouth switch at given intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Design Lab LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Beckman, John Murphy, Kipp Bradford, Stephen Schwartz, Henry Sharpe, III
  • Patent number: 6135846
    Abstract: A method of operating a toy parrot of a known type, as illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,676, having a voice-recording and a recorded voice-playback mechanism in the operation of which the playback of the previously recorded voice, namely that of the user, is initiated from a covert location, such as a pocket of the user, so that a listener is taken by surprise by the playback which significantly contributes to the play value of the toy parrot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Gordon Young
  • Patent number: 6110000
    Abstract: A child's toy having a wireless transmission unit mounted in a first object, such as a doll, and a receiver unit mounted in a second object, such as another doll. The transmission unit includes a first integrated circuit (IC) for producing at least one of an audible sound and movement of a portion of the first object and an infrared transmission circuit for transmitting an infrared signal at the completion of the action. A receiving unit mounted in the second object includes a receiving circuit for receiving the infrared signal. The receiving unit also includes a second IC for producing at least one of an audible sound and movement of a portion of the second object in response to the infrared signal, thus simulating an interaction, such as a conversation, between the first object and the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: T.L. Products Promoting Co.
    Inventor: Charles Ting
  • Patent number: 6106358
    Abstract: A religious doll adapted to recite biblical scriptures and biblical sayings, such as the Ten Commandments. The doll has an internal audio system including a voice chip, portable electrical power source, a speaker, and a pressure sensitive switch operable by externally applied compressive pressure against a pressure plate overlying the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Leila L. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6089942
    Abstract: The interactive toy includes a speech synthesizer for converting digital data representative of speech into audible synthesized speech; an infra-red transceiver for wirelessly communicating infra-red messages over a field-of-view to a second toy; a microphone; and a selector for selecting between a transmission mode and a stand-alone mode. The toy is programmed so that, in the transmission mode, it receives a first infra-red signal from a second toy identifying a synthesized speech phrase generated by the second toy, supplies selected digital speech data representative of a reply synthesized speech phrase to the speech synthesizer in response to the first signal, and transmits a second infra-red signal to the second toy indicative of the selected reply phrase. In the stand-alone mode, the toy monitors the microphone for sound input, and supplies selected digital speech data to the speech synthesizer after the sound input has ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Thinking Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert W. T. Chan
  • Patent number: 6080034
    Abstract: A multi-cultural doll is provided including a color changing mechanism situated therein for changing a color of the doll to simulate persons of various cultures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Shirley R. Bennett Harris
  • Patent number: 6046670
    Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) which incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement which straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Frank A. Martin
  • Patent number: 6007404
    Abstract: A soft-bodied doll bearing a resemblance to a caricature of Jesus. The doll includes a voice simulator which preferably has recorded thereon phrases from Jesus' actual ministry as recorded in God's word, the Bible. A responsible adult can use the Jesus doll to teach young children about Jesus' historic life, His ministry, His teachings and His love for His children. Alternatively, the voice simulator can have recorded thereon simpler phrases which reflect Jesus' character and love for His children. The doll includes an actuator for the voice simulator contained within a body portion of said doll which may be manually activated to speak one or more of these phrases. In one embodiment, both sets of phrases are included in the doll on separate voice simulators with a switch permitting the supervising adult to transition the doll from use with a young child to one who is capable of understanding Jesus' actual teachings when the child's vocabulary and mental faculties dictate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Daniel Trevino
  • Patent number: 6000987
    Abstract: A doll or animal has either an interior compartment or a back pack which contains an audio device having a recorder to record sounds and a sound player to play the sounds recorded. A tape player is also provided to permit a plurality of separate recorded tapes or the like for playing prerecorded messages, stories, or songs. A source of power such as a battery is used to provide power to the various components. A control switch is used to provide a master control over all of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventors: Barbara Ross Belin, David W. Beeline
  • Patent number: 5964054
    Abstract: This present invention relates to apparatus for use in hunting wild game animals and waterfowl, and more particularly to a weapon mounted wild animal game caller. This weapon mounted wild animal game caller finds particular application in attracting deer. It may be conveniently mounted and attached to an archery bow or to a hunting firearm. The game caller emits a grunting sound which is know to attract game animals, such as deer. The use of the grunter is very desirable for short range hunting making it the choice for many bow hunters. The activation of sound is accomplished by a novel air bladder that is filled with a resilient filamentous polyester type fiber. When mounted to an archers bow, it is easily operated with the hand even with a fully drawn bow. In an alternative embodiment, the game caller uses an electronic recording system to store a plurality of prerecorded calls, such as deer, geese, duck and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Joe Galfidi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5908344
    Abstract: A head cover or similar protective article for a sporting implement, particularly a golf club, is disclosed having a sound-generating device for producing sounds which are thematically linked to the decorative or artistic aspects of the cover. The sound generating device may emit music or other sounds (such as simulated voices) when activated by a switch. The sound generating device may be powered by a battery or photoelectric cell. The switch may assume a variety of configurations, and be positioned in a variety of locations on or remote from the head cover. The head cover may include an ornamental or configured portion which resembles or caricaturizes one or more renowned personalities, creatures, or entities. The particular emitted tune or other voice sound may be coordinated in theme to the personality, creature, or entity configured on a portion the head cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Gazelle, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Kociemba
  • Patent number: 5897042
    Abstract: A combination backpack and audio cassette system wherein the audio cassette system, separately contained, is mounted to the back panel of the backpack. The contained audio cassette system is provided with a simulated face, where the components thereof are accessible through various features of the simulated face, such as the mouth, nose, and ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Dianne Sims
  • Patent number: 5820440
    Abstract: A toy doll or bear that laughs or sings a nursery song when bounced or dandled is disclosed. A particular area on the rump of the doll is pressure sensitive and produces the given sound when a pressure level is detected in that particular area that is within a range of pressure levels produced when the doll's rump contacts the child's knee in a gentle bounce. In an alternative embodiment, electrically conductive sensors are provided on the rump area of the doll to detect when the doll's rump is wet. Tapping one of the bear's knees selects a respective song and controls the sound generator's mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Pragmatic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Truchsess
  • Patent number: 5816885
    Abstract: A deformable toy is provided for generating sounds having variable acoustic characteristics. The toy includes a deformable body which changes shapes depending on external pressure applied to the body and a sound-reproducing device for playing back either prerecorded or newly recorded sounds, music, messages, etc., which have a predetermined playback rate as recorded to the device. The device is responsive to changes in shape of the body to vary the playback rate of the sounds by way of a mechanism of the sound reproducing device which varies the playback rate for the sounds being played back from the sound reproducing device to provide a highly interactive game for children which allows them to creatively alter sounds generated from the toy herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Tiger Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Goldman, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5795213
    Abstract: A portable toy having an audio signal producer is provided with a book. The book has a plurality of numbered pages containing parts of a story. The toy is provided with a plurality of pressure switches designating different pages of the book. When a particular pressure switch is depressed, the text of the corresponding page is read aloud through a speaker provided in the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: General Creation International Limited
    Inventor: Richard P. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5749764
    Abstract: An amusement system for children including a soft sculpture character having a plurality of storage pockets for holding a variety of the amusement system components including a tape recorder, a drinking vessel, and a book containing a story about the soft sculpture character; and a costume element wearable by a child that corresponds to the sculpture character to increase identification of the child with the sculpture character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5695381
    Abstract: A bear or baby doll that laughs or sings a nursery song when bounced or dandled is disclosed. A particular area on the rump of the doll is pressure sensitive and produces the given sound when a pressure level is detected in that particular area that is within a range of pressure levels produced when the doll's rump contacts the child's knee in a gentle bounce. Tapping one of the bear's knees selects a respective song and controls the sound generator's mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph F. Truchsess
  • Patent number: 5648753
    Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device which incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges. This device is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device employs an infrared receiver housed within a durable encasement which straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit contains an infrared detector, an electronic diving means, an audio speaker, and a sound cartridge that rests within a sound cartridge chamber. The sound cartridge contains a sound enabler chip that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects. Finally, the sound effect device uses an infrared transmitter that attaches to an adjustable glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Frank A. Martin
  • Patent number: 5634436
    Abstract: An exercise and amusement device for animals for providing repeated audio stimulation to an animal in response to the animal taking hold and pulling upon a portion of the device. A housing containing a audio unit may be mounted to a base or a stationary support, with playback of a series of sounds stored within the audio unit initiated by an attached tension-activated switch attached to an external cable graspable by the animal. The audio unit is provided for storing a series of sounds in a memory, directing a series of sounds stored in the memory to an audio speaker whereby the series of sounds is played, deleting a series of sounds from the memory, receiving a new series of sounds from a microphone, and adding the new series of sounds to the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventors: David M. Coombs, Larry G. Wood
  • Patent number: 5632375
    Abstract: A combined amusement and audio cassette holding device and method for presenting multi-media information to children includes a functional toy having a cassette receiving cavity which receives and frictionally engages and retains one or more cassettes or disks in the cavity in a visible but protected position relative to the exterior of the toy, whereby indicia on exterior surfaces of the cassette(s) remains visible while the cassette(s) is housed in the toy. The body of the toy may be configured to physically correspond to subject matter recorder on the cassette or disk. The toy/cassette combination may be packaged with a text which also corresponds to the subject matter recorded on the audio tape and the character or object which the configuration of the toy represents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Great American Audio Corp.
    Inventor: Nina J. Mattikow
  • Patent number: 5607336
    Abstract: A uniquely constructed message delivering doll or action figure is attained, which is capable of providing, when activated, words or phrases specifically relating to one desired, precise subject, activity, profession or area of interest for which the doll or action figure is dressed, by providing a toy doll or action figure which incorporates an audio generator contained therein for producing audible messages, message containing components removably interconnectable therewith, and outfits of wearing apparel for designating or relating to one specific subject, activity, profession, or area of interest. Each message containing component comprises a plurality of messages, each of which is specifically related to a particular subject, activity, profession, or area of interest designated by an outfit of wearing apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David K. K. Chu
    Inventors: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David K. K. Chu, Ma H. Wai
  • Patent number: 5588678
    Abstract: A talking trading card having two printed trading cards attached to the top and bottom sides of a substrate in which is housed the mechanism for powering, storing, activating, and emitting recorded sounds. The sounds may be prerecorded in a voice chip or may be programmed into the voice chip after the manufacture of the unit through a receptacle placed on the side of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Great Western Press, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Young
  • Patent number: 5489893
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recording/playback circuit able to record voice or sound. The device is installed in the inside of a cylindrical case in which a speaker and a recording microphone are installed on the lower surface thereof. A press button-type switch is installed on an upper surface of the case and used as a playback button when a bottle is fitted in the inside of the cylindrical case and the press button type playback button turns on. Audio signals stored in a memory element are played back and necessary information is recorded by a recording button installed at the lower section. In particular, the cylindrical case is formed so as to accommodate the lower part of the bottle in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventors: Young Sun Jo, Myung Won Ahn, Sang Ki Lee
  • Patent number: 5489231
    Abstract: A stuffed animal for providing tactile and audio stimulation to an individual. The inventive device includes a stuffed animal formed of a plurality of disparate materials, with each material corresponding to a particular portion of the body such that a blind person can effect dressing and undressing of the figure for learning purposes. An audio recorder and player is provided within the stuffed animal for instructing the individual and for selectively recording audio messages as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Debbie Leyser
  • Patent number: 5474484
    Abstract: To educate children how to use the emergency 911 telephone number, a talking doll displays the twelve keys of a conventional telephone instrument. Within the chest of the doll or mounted externally is a tape player having a pre-recorded tape of the words likely to be used by an emergency dispatcher at a "911 number". These include reassuring instructions, inquiries as to the name and address of the child and the nature of the emergency. Hence the user pushes the sequence of buttons "9", "1" and "1". This activates playing the recorded tape. At the end of the tape message, the tape automatically rewinds. A telephone instrument may be suspended on the doll in such manner that a switch is closed when the instrument is lifted from the hook before depressing the "9", "1", "1" buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Julie A. Lemelle
  • Patent number: 5443388
    Abstract: An infant care simulation system for use in teaching individuals the realities, responsibilities and constraints inherent in caring for young babies. The system also demonstrates the special problems of drug-dependent babies. Basically the system includes a doll having the shape and weight of a young baby and accessories of the sort used with such a baby. The doll and accessories are assigned to an individual for an extended period such as several days. A sound system and electronic circuitry are included within the doll to generate sounds simulating a baby crying at selected intervals for selected time periods. A spring loaded key or other manual switch is provided so that the individual can turn off the crying sound by holding the key in an off position. Preferably the key is secured to the assigned individual in a way preventing it being given to another person. Indicators showing rough handling, improper positioning of the doll, periods before a response is made to a crying signal, etc. are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventors: Richard N. Jurmain, Mary M. Jurmain
  • Patent number: 5393257
    Abstract: A stuffed toy figure having a humanoid or animal-like form, such as that of a monkey, the figure including a stuffed torso and a pair of stuffed arms extending therefrom and ending in hands. Housed in the torso is a portable audio tape cassette player. The figure is carried by a child wearing an earphone headset having left and right earphones, these being connected by respective cables which run through the hands and arms to the output of the player housed in the torso. The cables leading to the earphones serve to dangle the figure from the headset and so as to raise the arms to place the hands on the shoulders of a child listening to the recording reproduced by the cassette player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5376038
    Abstract: This invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms, wherein the doll's educational speech is activated by pressing on certain parts of the doll's body and head region. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms, wherein the doll's educational speech can be programmed by the user to play phrases in a desired sequence. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms, wherein the doll's educational speech is programmed to advance with the child user and to educate the child user as to the names and functions of the different body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Toy Biz, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5344034
    Abstract: An electronic musical adaptor for removable attachment to a baby nursing bottle to produce a musical tune to soothe and amuse the baby upon movement of the bottle during the feeding process. The adaptor comprising a cup-shaped housing, a melody producing circuit including an integrated circuit microchip within which is stored musical tune information, a battery power source, a buzzer-type speaker and a motion-activated microswitch for activating the microchip, and a wafer-like container encapsulating the melody producing circuit removably situated within the cup-shaped housing proximate the bottom thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Chris S. Eagan
  • Patent number: 5281180
    Abstract: A battery-powered doll which cries or laughs, depending upon how it has been stimulated. There is an optical sensor fixed in the mouth of the doll and connected to an integrated circuit located in the torso of the doll. When there is insufficient light striking the sensor, the doll cries through a speaker in the doll's torso. When the doll is subsequently brought into the light to sufficiently expose the sensor, the doll laughs for a short, but variable length of time. There is a first pressure actuated switch positioned in the doll's torso such that it may be actuated by a tickling type of pressure applied to the side of the torso. The doll laughs when this switch is actuated. There is a second pressure actuated switch in the doll's torso which may be activated by pressing the stomach area of the doll. The doll cries in response to actuation of this second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventors: Wing F. Lam, Yu F. Lam
  • Patent number: 5260512
    Abstract: Sound signal generator, comprising a housing (1,2) containing a microcontroller for the storage and control of reproduction of several sound messages, and a loudspeaker for reproducing the said sound messages connected to the in lieu thereof microcontroller. The housing of the sound-signal generator also carries, over at least a portion of its outer wall, a keyboard associated with the microcontroller and formed by selection keys (3) respectively bearing identification symbols for the sound messages stored in the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michel Chomette, Robert J. Mathews, Remond Sautreau
  • Patent number: 5256068
    Abstract: A good-bye game is provided in which a miniature coffin with a dead body doll is buried, so that a child with the guidance of an adult can read a saying off a card to the dead body doll for teaching the child a way to confront death when a loved one dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventors: Sally K. Brocato, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5247511
    Abstract: A casing of a sound record playing apparatus includes of an upper body (1B) and a lower body (1A), and a vibration plate (16) is formed by reducing a thickness of a part of the upper body. An inner surface of the vibration plate is in abutment with a pickup (13) to amplify the vibrations of the pickup. Thus, a conical speaker which has been used conventionary can be eliminated, and the thickness of the recording disk reproducing apparatus is reduced. Expansion member (6) includes cam surfaces (71b, 72b) which force the grooved recording disk (2) away from the pickup (13) when the expansion member (6) is rotated conversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Ozen Corporation
    Inventors: Eishi Koike, Masumi Kaneko, Yasushi Ohtani
  • Patent number: 5195919
    Abstract: A panel piece combination toy includes a panel piece having a predetermined shape and a base plate having a fitting hole into which the piece panel is fitted. The panel piece has a sound generating device built in the panel piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ozen Corporation
    Inventor: Bungo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5184971
    Abstract: This invention is a toy audio recorder in the exterior shape of a telephone. The recorder is equipped with large pushbutton assemblies capable of housing illustrations. Depressing one of the pushbutton assemblies will playback the message stored in the storage location associated with that pushbutton assembly, or, if the record switch is depressed simultaneously, a new message will be recorded in that storage location. Messages may be recorded directly or via telephone by using a conventional telephone in concert with the toy telephone recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Susan A. Williams
  • Patent number: RE36776
    Abstract: An infant care simulation system for use in teaching individuals the realities, responsibilities and constraints inherent in caring for young babies. The system also demonstrates the special problems of drug-dependent babies. Basically the system includes a doll having the shape and weight of a young baby and accessories of the sort used with such a baby. The doll and accessories are assigned to an individual for an extended period such as several days. A sound system and electronic circuitry are included within the doll to generate sounds simulating a baby crying at selected intervals for selected time periods. A spring loaded key or other manual switch is provided so that the individual can turn off the crying sound by holding the key in an off position. Preferably the key is secured to the assigned individual in a way preventing it being given to another person. Indicators showing rough handling, improper positioning of the doll, periods before a response is made to a crying signal, etc. are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Baby Think It Over, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Jurmain, Mary M. Jurmain