Abstract: An expandable play set as well as associated methods, communication protocols, and tangible computer-readable media are disclosed. The play set may generate interactive responses based upon which characters are coupled to a base unit and to which connectors of the base unit the characters are coupled. A character may include circuitry that permits the character to identify to which connector of the base unit the character is coupled. Such circuitry may also permit the character to identify and communicate with other characters that are also coupled to the base unit. Based upon obtained identifiers, the character may generate or otherwise cause suitable interactive responses such as activating a load in the base unit, turning on a light in the base unit and/or character, and/or generating a suitable audible response via an audio speaker of the character.

Abstract: A guest robot acquires a right of access to a resource a host robot can access after accreditation by the host robot. The host robot accredits the guest robot on condition that the guest robot is positioned within a predetermined distance. The guest robot receives behavioral characteristic information from a server that determines behavioral characteristics of the host robot, and selects a motion in accordance with the behavioral characteristic information. A behavioral restriction that is not imposed on the host robot may be imposed on the guest robot.

Abstract: Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive backpack comprising a backpack body, wherein the backpack body comprises the form of a character, as well as comprising: lighting means linked to the form of the character, sound means, control means linked to the lighting means and sound means, wherein the control means are configured for the synchronized and coordinated activation of the lighting and sound means; wherein the backpack further comprises an actuator for the control means, with the actuator being disposed in an attachment which is joined to the backpack body.

Abstract: An expandable play set as well as associated methods, communication protocols, and tangible computer-readable media are disclosed. The play set may generate interactive responses based upon which characters are coupled to a base unit and to which connectors of the base unit the characters are coupled. A character may include circuitry that permits the character to identify to which connector of the base unit the character is coupled. Such circuitry may also permit the character to identify and communicate with other characters that are also coupled to the base unit. Based upon obtained identifiers, the character may generate or otherwise cause suitable interactive responses such as activating a load in the base unit, turning on a light in the base unit and/or character, and/or generating a suitable audible response via an audio speaker of the character.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing configured to be added to a body associated with a software application implemented by a computer. The apparatus also comprises a sensor, a transceiver, a power supply, a memory, and a processor inside the housing. The processor is communicatively coupled with the sensor, the transceiver, the power supply, and the memory. The processor is configured to be communicatively coupled with the computer by way of the transceiver based, at least in part, on a determination that the housing is added to the body. The processor is also configured to cause the computer to generate a virtual representation of the body in a virtual reality viewable by way of a display associated with the computer. The processor is further configured to cause the computer to orient the virtual representation of the body in the virtual reality based on data collected by the sensor.

Abstract: A set of interactive toys that perform a sequence of actions in response to one another without external activation other than an initial actuation to begin the sequence of actions. Preferably, each toy has an activation switch and/or a receiver for a wireless signal such as an infrared signal which activates the toy. Upon activation, the toy performs a desired action, such as the enunciation of a speech pattern, and signals another toy to perform a responsive action. Preferably, the toy are capable of performing several different action sequences, such as the enunciation of different conversations, the performance of different A movements, etc. Additionally, the toys are programmable by a remote control device. The remote control device either functions as an activation switch, initiating a random or predetermined (yet not user determined) sequence of interactions, or as an interaction selector, such that a desired sequence of actions may be selected.

Abstract: A toy is provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge for the dynamo located within a housing. A miniature vehicle is induced to locomote through receipt of the electrical charge. A dock is provided for selectively creating an electrical coupling of the vehicle to the dynamo to transfer the electrical charge and decoupling to allow the vehicle to locomote. A charge storage device and an electrical motor in the vehicle allow for prolonged vehicle locomotion separate from the charge transfer by the dynamo. A toy is also provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge, the dynamo located within a housing. The dynamo transfers an electrical charge to a wheeled miniature vehicle through an electrically conductive circuit about which the vehicle travels. Additional amusement functions of LED light output or speaker auditory output are optionally provided.

Abstract: A toy is provided comprising: a transceiver (24, 28) for transmitting and receiving data over a wireless link; a processor (18, 32) a memory (34) for storing expressive responses; and an output (22, 38) for expressive responses; the toy being operable to receive trigger data relating to expressive responses, select an expressive response when trigger data is received, express the expressive response through the output; and to broadcast trigger data indicative that a response has been output.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a system of musically interacting devices. A first device has a first identification code, a first wireless communication interface and a first audio player, and a second device has a second identification code, a second wireless communication interface and a second audio player. The first device and the second device are configured to participate in an interaction sequence in which: the first device wirelessly communicates using the first wireless communication interface, the second device wirelessly communicates using the second wireless communication interface, a musical composition is selected based on both the first identification code and the second identification code, and the first device and the second device cooperatively play the musical composition, with each of the first device and the second device playing a different part of the musical composition.

Abstract: A dynamo powered amusement device is provided that has multiple amusement functions integrated into a housing. The amusement functions include two or more of a movement, a light emitting diode illumination, an auditory output and a video presentation. The electrical power source for the amusement functions is a manually powered dynamo. The direct current generated by a dynamo is provided to a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the amusement functions so as to provide power directly from the manually powered dynamo or, if a chargeable battery is present, to supply power from the chargeable battery. The amusement device provides enhanced performance relative to mechanical amusement devices while avoiding costs and environment problems associated with disposable battery containing amusement devices.

Abstract: An electric toy snail comprises a shell mechanically coupled to a foot and a neck. The shell further comprises a power source and a compartment. The power source is electrically coupled to a motor, a light and a music device.

Abstract: A toy is provided that includes a body portion configured for attachment to a moveable object. An action portion is configured for temporary attachment to the body portion. An energy storage mechanism is attached to the action portion and is configured for storing energy in response to movement of the moveable object. A selectively operable portion of the toy is attached to the action portion, coupled to the energy storage mechanism and configured to be selectively operable when the action portion is disconnected from the body portion.

Abstract: A dynamo powered amusement device is provided that has multiple amusement functions integrated into a housing. The amusement functions include two or more of a movement, a light emitting diode illumination, an auditory output and a video presentation. The electrical power source for the amusement functions is a manually powered dynamo. The direct current generated by a dynamo is provided to a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the amusement functions so as to provide power directly from the manually powered dynamo or, if a chargeable battery is present, to supply power from the chargeable battery. The amusement device provides enhanced performance relative to mechanical amusement devices while avoiding costs and environment problems associated with disposable battery containing amusement devices.

Abstract: An animated holiday-scene display device for providing decorative entertainment tools. The animated holiday-scene display device includes a base member having a top side and being adapted to rest upon a surface; and also includes an ornamental figurine being mounted upon the topside of the base member and having a body and movable arms; and further includes an ornamental object also being mounted upon the top side of the base member; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being disposed throughout the ornamental object; and further includes an assembly for actuating movement of the ornamental figurine.

Abstract: A toy consists of a base, a cap and a toy model. The base has stationary wheels and a movable wheel located on the bottom section thereof. The movable wheel may be driven through a gear set by battery power for moving the base around. The cap has a hollow casing located on the top section to house a motor that is driven by a battery for rotating the cap through another gear set. The base has an arched gear rack located on the top surface. By way of an elastic element and a lever to couple with the gear sets and arched gear rack, the cap may be moved to the left and right, and rotated positively and reversely to generate a wide variety of simulative motions.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for playing music. The apparatus includes a manually movable spring, a generator mechanically coupled to the manually movable spring, and a controller electrically coupled to the generator. The apparatus also includes a memory interface coupled to the controller, the memory interface, in an operative configuration, coupled to a removable memory device containing digital music data. The apparatus can further include an audio interface coupled to the controller, the audio interface, in an operative configuration, coupled to a speaker.

Abstract: A candy container or dispenser having a sound generating device and having an oscillating member protruding from an aperture is disclosed. The candy dispenser comprises a housing adapted for attachment to a candy container, with the housing defining an internal cavity and including an aperture. A member is pivotally mounted to the housing and protrudes from the aperture. A gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity and includes a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the member and includes an actuating trigger. A reed is mounted within the cavity and has an end contacting the peripheral surface, so that upon actuation of the trigger the gear mechanism imparts rotational movement to the wheel thereby causing the reed to produce a sound in response to contact with the wheel peripheral surface. At the same time, the member oscillates about its pivot point.

Abstract: A mobile music-producing ornament which mainly includes a hollow housing to accommodate a base board, a music-producing device, a swing mechanism and a reciprocation mechanism therein. With gear sets provided among the music-producing device, the swing mechanism, and the reciprocation mechanism, the rotating music-producing device shall bring the other two mechanisms to swing leftward and rightward and to reciprocate back and forth, respectively, permitting small decorative figures and the like on the ornament to laterally swing or to move back and forth along with the rhythm of pleasant music, giving the ornament more funs.

Abstract: A music jewelry cabinet having a space left behind a top drawer thereof for mounting a music-producing means therein. A spring winding shaft projects from the music-producing means to extend out of a back of the cabinet so that it is easily accessible for winding a spring of the music-producing means. A cylinder having bosses on its circumferential surface has a shaft upward extended into a showcase with clear door above the drawer to connect an ornament thereto. When the spring winding shaft is turned and then released, the spring of the music-producing means releases the stored kinetic energy to rotate the cylinder to produce pleasant music and to rotate the ornament. A braking shaft backward projects from a back wall of the top drawer and will insert into a flywheel when the drawer is closed, so that the flywheel is stuck and the cylinder is prevented from rotating at the same time.

Abstract: An electric music box powered by wind-up comprises a housing having a rratchetshaft disposed thereof. A wind-up mechanism is enclosed onto the rratchetshaft. A bevel gear is rotated by the rratchetshaft and a transmit group is rotated by the bevel gear. An output shaft and a transmit group is rotated by the bevel gear. An output shaft is connected to the transmit group to generate other movement. A damping shaft is meshed with the transmit group. A wind cap is disposed above the rratchetshaft. A circuit is disposed above the wind cap which is triggered by joint movement of a cam disposed as the top of the rratchetshaft and a controlling plate having a plurality of teeth thereof. The circuit comprises music IC, speaker and a power source. When the music box is triggered to operate, the speaker will announce music. The circuit is connected with LED device to be blinked with music. The output shaft and relevant elements are moved. A cover lid is used to enclose the configuration.

Abstract: This invention provides a doll having a head, a body, a motorized appendage for providing a caress, and a recorder for recording a personal, audible message to be played back. The doll further includes disengagement means for disengaging said motor upon the incidence of a threshold force level.

Abstract: A laterally disposed winding device for music boxes including an extended shaft, a driving gear, an idle gear, a crown gear, a securing frame and linking-up assembly. By turning a handle of the extended shaft, the driving gear brings the crown gear to rotate in a same direction via the idle gear, thereby tightening a spiral spring of the music box. When the spiral spring is released and a revolving axle thereof turns, the crown gear brings a cam on the idle gear to rotate so that a driven element and a reciprocating mechanism of the linking-up assembly respectively bring one of the figures on the music box to move up and down and the other to move backwards and forwards.

Abstract: A musical toy has a simple construction and can accurately produce melodies and rhythms without also producing extraneous mechanical noise. A generally doll-shaped body contains two permanent magnets and is fitted with a pair of swinging members each containing an electromagnetic coil disposed so that it faces the permanent magnets. A control device, containing a rhythm signal generator circuit and a control circuit which creates rhythm drive signals based on the signal from the rhythm signal generator circuit, supplies each of the coils with a separate and independent drive signal. A sound producing body is disposed in the swinging path of each swinging member so that when the swinging member is caused by the magnetic interaction between the coil and the permanent magnets to swing in response to the rhythm signal from the control device, the sound producing body is struck by the swinging member and a musical note is sounded.

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.

Abstract: A motion generating mechanism particularly adapted for use in a music box is equipped with a vertical rod which can be actuated to swing back and forth and a pair of follower rods which are driven to rotate and repeatedly move up and down simultaneously. A shaft having one end engaged with the spring actuated rolling wheel of a music box is provided with an elliptic cam plate at each end thereof; and the bottom end of the follower rods having an abutment plate in contact with the elliptic cam plate are urged to move up and down and circularly. A rotation arm driven by the rolling wheel by way of a gear member and engaged with a swing follower having the vertical rod secured at one end is used to produce a pivotal swing motion of the vertical rod. Each abutment plate is provided with a recess which can be selectively engaged with a stop rod so as to restrain the follower rod from spinning and limit to move up and down only.

Abstract: A motion generation mechanism particularly adapted for use in a music box is mounted in connection to the driving spring of a music box so as to permit the motion generation mechanism to actuate the head and limbs of a doll-like object to motion in tune with the music played by the music box. The motion generation mechanism is equipped with a first swing wire and follower arm wherein the follower arm is actuated by the swing wire to produce a swinging motion and a driving shaft associated with the follower arm is accordingly twisted back and forth. In the meanwhile, the second, third and fourth sets of swing wires and follower arms are driven by the back and forth twisted driving shaft to produce repetitive swing motions, causing the head, limbs of a doll-like object to move or dance in tune with the music.

Abstract: A music box having a hollow base within which a power supply and a driving mechanism are installed. A platform is rotatably mounted on the base to be driven by the driving mechanism on which a music playing doll and a dancing doll are movably and rotatably mounted. Each of the dolls has a driving rod secured thereon and the driving rods are guided by an activity generation plate which is disposed under the platform and driven by the driving mechanism to move and rotate the dolls. The activity generation plate has a circumferential groove in a wavy form in a plane parallel with the activity generation plate to receive therein an offset extension of one of the driving rods so as to move the extension portion in a radial direction and thus rotate the driving rod forth and back as the activity generation plate rotates. The activity generation plate further includes several ridge portions thereon to move the other driving rod up and down when the activity generation plate rotates.

Abstract: A mechanism for dolls which allows for crying, movement of the lips and swivelling of the eyeballs. The mechanism includes a control circuit and timing element which is connected to a switch placed in the mouth of the doll, a magnetic field detector placed in the proximity of the mouth, a voice apparatus, and a motor attached to a mechanism for moving the lips and eyes. The latter mechanism consists of an eccentrically mounted shaft which is attached to one end of a spring having its other end connected to a piece that ends in the shape of an arrow-head connected to the doll face in the proximity of the mouth of the doll. A pacifier inserted in the mouth of the doll, opens the switch to maintain inactive all the devices. If the pacifier is removed the voice device is activated. A bottle having a magnetic element can be inserted into the mouth, and operates the magnetic field detector to start the motor and operate the lips and the eyes.

Abstract: A musical pull string toy having a pull string extending from the head through the body that is displaceable under tension between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The music box emits sound when the string is recoiled from a second position to the first position. The toy body is defined by at least two accordion pleats forming a bellows region. The accordion pleats have a substantially symmetric shape and each pleat is substantially concentric around the pull string when the pull string is extended to the second position. Accordingly, the appearance of the pleats is not distorted at all positions of the pull string.

Abstract: Sports rod equipped with sound reproducer is composed mainly of a first rod case and a second rod case, both being of hollow construction and made of plastic material by injection molding. The first and the second rod cases join to form a rod-shaped body with the central portion thereof being hand grip and with both ends thereof being circularly headed. The sports rod has therein a sound reproducer, which in turn is provided with a speaker mounted on the speaker mount, and a circuit board containing thereon an integrated circuit with music or exercise commands stored programmably therein. When the switch of the sports rod is turned on, the sound reproducing device of the sports rod begins producing the sound of music or exercise commands stored in the integrated circuit thereof.

Abstract: A training method for the care and handling or newborn infants, comprising the steps of providing a doll in which the doll comprises a torso, providing a plurality of reference points printed on the surface of the doll at various locations, and providing instructions, such as a manual or video tape, which includes the same reference points as those printed on the surface of the doll.

Abstract: A mechanism for dolls which allows for crying, movement of the lips and swivelling of the eyeballs. The mechanism includes a control circuit and timing element which is connected to a switch placed in the mouth of the doll, a magnetic field detector placed in the proximity of the mouth, a voice apparatus, and a motor attached to a mechanism for moving the lips and eyes. The latter mechanism consists of an eccentrically mounted shaft which is attached to one end of a spring having its other end connected to a piece that ends in the shape of an arrow-head connected to the doll face in the proximity of the mouth of the doll. A pacifier inserted in the mouth of the doll, opens the switch to maintain inactive all the devices. If the pacifier is removed, the voice device is activated. A bottle having a magnetic element can be inserted into the mouth, and operates the magnetic field detector to start the motor and operate the lips and the eyes.

Abstract: Electronic speech control apparatus that includes a circuit for establishing and changing over time a subject code and an utterance index. The subject code generally indicates one of a plurality of sets of utterances. The utterance index identifies an utterance of at least one word in the set indicated by the subject code. Combined with the circuit is another circuit responsive thereto for generating the utterance identified by the utterance index in the set indicated by the subject code. The apparatus also repeatedly computes an emotion and generates an utterance representing the emotion so computed. The various utterances are made in an alternating conversational fashion in response to a person's speech. These and other aspects of apparatus and method are described in greater detail herein.

Abstract: An appendage motion responsive doll includes a body having a torso portion and outwardly extending leg and arm appendages as well as a neck and head simulation. The arm appendages are pivotally secured to the torso to permit motion with respect to the torso. The arms are further fabricated in a manner permitting bending or flexing of the arm appendages. One or more bend sensors are supported within one or more of the arms and cooperate with an internally supported voice unit to produce a selected group of sounds corresponding to the degree of arm motion and bending induced by the user.

Abstract: It is a toy transmission device, which includes a U-shaped frame being mounted with a spring motor. The spring motor is engaged with gear train and a shaft, on which a music code roller and a number of cam wheels are mounted. Each of the cam wheels is engaged with a cam lever for pulling a member of a toy. Whenever the spring motor is running, a music will be played while the toy makes various gestures as if playing the music.

Abstract: A musical electric signal generated by electric signal generator 1 is supplied to a rhythm signal extractor 2 so that a rhythm signal is extracted. Interval data of rhythm signal peaks are stored in memory 3. Cycle detector 4 detects a musical rhythm cycle based on the interval data stored in the memory 3 and then provides a rhythm synchronizing signal in synchronization with the rhythm. The rhythm synchronizing signal is utilized as a control signal for moving portions of a toy.

Abstract: Animal toys capable of electrically producing sound and/or body movements are switched on and off by a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts disposed on a bottom surface of the animal toys. When a toy is placed in an individual's hand, the two contacts are bridged and an electrical circuit within the animal toy is closed to activate either a sound producing mechanism or a movement mechanism, or both.

Abstract: Two or more dolls with speech synthecizing systems appear to intelligently converse while signaling each other via a radio frequency transmission to indicate what has been spoken, and to request a response which is intelligent with respect to the synthecized speech of the first doll.

Abstract: A sound-producing amusement device, having: a read-only memory having recorded therein digital data representing sounds characteristic of the amusement device, and sound-producing unit for producing the sounds represented by the digital data recorded in the read-only memory. The read-only memory is in a separate unit including connectors for connection to the sound-producing unit. The sound-producing unit includes mating connectors for removably attaching and electrically connecting the sound-producing unit to the read-only memory unit, a battery for supplying power to both the sound-producing unit and the read-only memory unit, and a speaker for producing the sounds represented by the data stored in the read-only memory unit.

Abstract: A doll has bendable arms that are movable from a position generally alongside the doll's torso up toward the doll's head. Each arm has a hand attached for rotation about the wrist. When an arm is bent and moved up, the attached hand rotates. Movement of each arm is effected by a cable extending through a hollow, bendable conduit. One end of each cable is connected to a respective hand and at the other end to a common control knob. The hands are biased to rotate in one direction and rotate in the opposite direction when the respective cable is tightened. Side to side turning of the doll's head is also effected by movement of the control knob. In addition, a "crying" sound is effected through the control knob by turning over a sound drum when the arm and head motions are made.

Abstract: A working toy which alternately moves its hips left and right while slowly turning counterclockwise and a Hawaiian melody is heard to give a lifelikeness that compares with a real hula dancer. The toy includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a base portion. The upper portion resembles the 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. The base portion supports the upper portion and the lower portion by a support bar, one end of which is secured to the base portion and the other end of which is placed in a cavity within the body of the upper portion. The base portion includes a housing with a rotating base secured to its bottom portion, a stationary base with feet spaced below the rotating base, a three-way switch, a battery, a motor, a melody I.C.

Abstract: An animal motion toy wherein a toy body modeled in the form of an animal has movable arm frames on both sides, movable leg frames on both sides, an openable mouth portion, and a built-in sounding member. The arm frames are rotated by a first crankshaft incorporated in the toy body and the mouth portion is opened and closed and the sounding member makes a sound by a second crankshaft incorporated in the toy body. The leg frames are moved by a third crankshaft incorporated in the toy body. A gear changeover mechanism is connected to a motor which is turned on when a microphone provided in the toy body receives a sound generated by an external signal. The gear changeover mechanism is operative to drive either said first and second crankshafts or said third crankshaft.

Abstract: A scarecrow doll is provided and consists of various switches within the doll to produce audible and visual indications such as a switch in the nose to light the eyes, a switch in the stomach to make a sound and a switch in the mouth to light the eyes and make the sound together.

Abstract: A doll has a doll element, a plurality of sensors which sense different parameters of an environment in the vicinity of the doll, and an electronic device which forms, in response to sensing of at least parameter by the sensors, an image of solid expanding and contracting heart in the doll element.

Abstract: In a toy, an image of expanding and contracting heart (309',311') is produced by a separate generator (207), or in response to sensing a pulse beat of a child by a sensor (3,403,405), or in response to sensing at least one parameter of environment by environment sensors (511-513).

Abstract: These small, inexpensive ornaments and novelties emit music and other sounds (such as simulated voice) when exposed to light, and can be placed out-of-doors in a garden. Being light-powered, they can operate for an essentially indefinite time, even though unattended.Each such ornament or novelty consists of a thematically configured body and a three-element working module sealed in a watertight can. It has no input keyboard or other terminal, and no display panel or other electronic or visual data output, except the audio output.Elements are (1) a circuit, preprogrammed to produce electronic oscillations corresponding to a tune or other sounds preestablished at manufacture, (2) a speaker receiving the oscillations and emitting the sounds, and (3) a solar panel powering the circuit. The speaker shuts off if light is inadequate for completely correct operation, and otherwise is amplitude modulated by the light level.

Abstract: A toy doll which responds with spoken words and/or sentences to the touching of selected portions of the doll by a user and/or voice actuation by the user is described. Specific areas of the doll, such as eyes, ears, nose, etc. are provided with touch switches. When one of the switches is activated, the doll responds with one of two randomly selected sentences related to that part which was touched e.g. "that's my nose", "do you like my nose". In addition, voice actuation is provided by a microphone located within the doll. When the user speaks to the doll, the microphone senses the speech. After the speech has stopped for a fixed period of time (usually one second) the doll responds with a randomly selected sentence. Audio responses are stored via ROM in circuitry within the doll. The vocabulary of the doll can be changed or enlarged with additional ROM's. In order to conserve power, a gravity switch is provided to turn the doll on when the doll is placed in a sitting position or otherwise moved.

Abstract: A hand-held puppet of the type configured to represent a living being, and having hand-controllable moving parts to simulate some form of animation, is provided with sound-generating apparatus operable in response to the hand-controlled animation simulation. The sound-generating apparatus includes a sensor that produces a signal in response to animation-producing movement of the hand-controllable parts, a circuit for producing a tone having a pseudo-randomly varying audio frequency, and a modulator that modulates the sensor-produced signal with the varying frequency tone to produce a sound signal that, when applied to a speaker mechanism, provides sound coordinated to hand-controlled animation of the puppet.

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.