Simulated Musical Instrument, Radio, Camera, Or Television Device Patents (Class 446/408)
  • Patent number: 9712902
    Abstract: A speaker ball with housing with spherical outer surface, defines an interior volume. A button with a segment of the spherical surface is movable from a first position where the segment is held contiguous with the spherical surface, to a second inward position, that leaves a circular contact ring on which the speaker ball can rest without rolling. An audio driver is in the interior volume for generating sound and a toggle mechanism connected between the button and a remainder of the housing alternately holds the button in its first position and allows the button to move to its second position when the button is repeatedly pressed and released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MIWORLD ACCESSORIES LLC
    Inventors: Judah Uziel, Uran Kamfer, Andrew Kanakis
  • Patent number: 8998671
    Abstract: Systems and associated methods for providing a play device capable of capturing an image stream through a camera module and process the images through computer vision software. Embodiments provide interactive toys that recognize a set of pre-programmed images and provide responses to images presented by a user. For example, embodiments provide for a toy that requests a certain image and provides a response based upon whether the user presents the correct image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Heatherly, Kenlip Ong, Scott Traylor, Christine Donadio, Liane Czirjak, Leah Osterman, Jordan Bach
  • Patent number: 8936502
    Abstract: Sensory wall systems are provided. In one embodiment, a sensory wall system includes one or more middle sections, one or more end sections, and an insert panel. The one or more middle sections have sides that are configurable to be attached to other middle sections or to the end sections. The one or more end sections are connected to the one or more middle sections. The insert panel is within the one or more middle sections and includes an activity for a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Landscape Structures Inc.
    Inventors: Steven G. King, Thomas L. Keller
  • Patent number: 8896458
    Abstract: This method of converting a displacement of a magnetic object into a signal directly perceptible by a human being, comprises: —the acquisition (32) of a temporal succession of measurements of a magnetic field modified by the displacements of the object during a sliding time window of predetermined duration, —the construction (34) on the basis of this acquired temporal succession of measurements of several signals each representing a characteristic of the measured magnetic field dependent on a corresponding characteristic of the displacement of the object, and —the adjustment (50) of several parameters of the directly perceptible signal as a function of the signals so as to render these characteristics directly perceptible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Jerome Doutaz, Roland Blanpain, Viviane Cattin
  • Patent number: 8029329
    Abstract: A drumming toy is provided as having a center drumming apparatus and a pair of side drumming apparatus. The center drumming apparatus includes movable drumming pads with switches that activate when the pads are pressed downwardly. The activation controls sounds. The side drumming apparatuses include controlled drumming hands that act like or connect with a side drum. The controlled drumming hands movements are directed by an integrated circuit which controls the movement to mimic the pressing of the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Greenley
  • Patent number: 7973234
    Abstract: A video game controller includes: a string instrument-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion, said body portion including a opening; a console interface for coupling with a game console; and a strum interface coupled to the console interface. The strum interface includes: a pin having a central portion and distal end portions; a pin support structure for supporting the distal end portions of the pin; a strum bar comprising a body portion rotatably coupled to the central portion of the pin and a flange portion protruding from the opening in the housing; a compressible liner provided between at least a portion of the strum bar and the pin; an upper button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a first direction; and a lower button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Jien-Mei Yang, Johnnie Tam
  • Publication number: 20100255754
    Abstract: In order to be able to salvage toy pianos that have become damaged during shipping, a structure and process for manufacture of toy pianos has been developed wherein (1) stop piece (or block members) are permanently affixed to certain side forming members, allowing certain other side forming members to be non-permanently affixed thereto via connectors non-permanently anchored to said block members; (2) horizontal slits are provided near the bottom of certain side members to fit over edges of the bottom member, allowing the edges of said bottom member to firmly but non-permanently nest therein; and (3) vertical grooves are provided near ends of certain side members to fit over ends of certain other side members, allowing the ends of said certain other side members to firmly but non-permanently nest therein. These innovations each assist, and together greatly facilitate, the production of a toy piano that is solid and durable in structure while simultaneously allowing easy replacement of damaged parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Leonard Trinca
  • Patent number: 7754961
    Abstract: A video game controller includes: a string instrument-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion, said body portion including a opening; a console interface for coupling with a game console; and a strum interface coupled to the console interface. The strum interface includes: a pin having a central portion and distal end portions; a pin support structure for supporting the distal end portions of the pin; a strum bar comprising a body portion rotatably coupled to the central portion of the pin and a flange portion protruding from the opening in the housing; a compressible liner provided between at least a portion of the strum bar and the pin; an upper button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a first direction; and a lower button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Jien-Mei Yang, Johnnie Tam
  • Patent number: 7728213
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention creates a method and system for assigning notes to be played by a musical synthesizer to a predetermined number of instrument voices available to be sounded by said musical synthesizer, so that the musical synthesizer may emulate the sound of a live orchestra or other ensemble. The method includes the steps of building an array based on the number of notes to be played and the number of instrument voices available to play such notes, and allocating notes to the voices pursuant to algorithmic determination. As notes are released or newly played, all notes are dynamically reassigned to instrument voices so that, to the extent practicable, all channels play almost all the time. Additional methodology provides for correct assignment of notes across multiple different sections (or types) of instruments for purposes of real time orchestration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Stone Family Trust of 1992
    Inventors: Christopher L. Stone, Gary D. Davis
  • Publication number: 20100041307
    Abstract: A drumming toy is provided as having a center drumming apparatus and a pair of side drumming apparatus. The center drumming apparatus includes movable drumming pads with switches that activate when the pads are pressed downwardly. The activation controls sounds. The side drumming apparatuses include controlled drumming hands that act like or connect with a side drum. The controlled drumming hands movements are directed by an integrated circuit which controls the movement to mimic the pressing of the pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Greenley
  • Patent number: 7347760
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to interactive toys. In one embodiment, the interactive toy includes a housing, and a receiving region on the housing. A detection device including a plurality of detectors is in the receiving region. A processor operatively coupled to the detection device. A solid object is received in the receiving region. The toy could be a toy electronic train, or an interactive book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Craig R. Hendrickson, Kathleen Campisano, Jim Cordova
  • Patent number: 7294060
    Abstract: An interactive device includes a base unit and at least one interchangeable cartridge. The base unit comprises a transparent pressure-sensitive touchscreen overlying the cartridge and a microphone. The cartridge comprises a scroll having a plurality of image frames which are sequentially viewable through the transparent touchscreen and a digital memory. The cartridge is configured to key into a cartridge receptacle in the base unit and couple the memory with a processor in the base unit. The cartridge includes release levers which prevent rotation of the scroll when the cartridge is removed from the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Al Ferrigno, Dan Muldoon
  • Patent number: 7252510
    Abstract: An entertainment device that includes an output generator that produces audible outputs is disclosed. The output generator produces outputs in response to user inputs. In one embodiment, the entertainment device includes several actuators that can be activated by a user. The output generator produces different outputs in response to different user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Basu, Nancy M. Cariffe
  • Patent number: 7163431
    Abstract: A toy percussion instrument that is characterized by a novel method of attaching a tether to a striker and/or main instrument body. The new location of attachment enables compliance with stringent safety standards without detracting from the playability of the toy instrument. In particular, two tethered strikers can be provided while still satisfying cord maximum perimeter standards and at the same time allowing an appropriate length of cord to play the instrument without difficulty. The provision of two tethered strikers enables a more realistic instrument while satisfying a parent's preference to have the tethers. In particular, The striker attachment location is spaced inwardly from the ends of the striker, thereby to allow a shorter tether to be used while still allowing the instrument to be played without difficulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Walraven
  • Patent number: 7109406
    Abstract: The invention is a method and system for assigning notes to be played by a musical synthesizer to a predetermined number of channels of said musical synthesizer, so that the musical synthesizer may emulate the note allocation of a live orchestra section. The method includes the steps of selecting a note/channel assignment table corresponding to the number of notes to be played and the number of channels allocated to the playing of such notes, and assigning notes to the channels pursuant to the assignment table. The number of channels would typically be the same as the number of instruments in the orchestra section being emulated As new note events occur, notes are dynamically reassigned to channels so that hard and soft attacks are taken into account and, to the extent practicable, each channel plays a single note at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher L. Stone, Gary D. Davis
  • Patent number: 6822154
    Abstract: The miniature self-controlled musical system includes a plurality of musical instrument assemblies including a drummer, a bass guitar, a guitar and a turntablist. Each assembly represents the selected musical instrument and includes a processor/storage member for storing musical sounds associated with the musical instrument for a particular pre-programmed song. Each musical assembly also includes a speaker member for playing the musical sounds and a control switch for controlling the on-off status of the musical instrument assembly. The system also includes initiating control (selection) elements on each musical assembly for selecting one musical instrument assembly as a master assembly member for a particular pre-recorded song and for communicating control information from the selected master assembly to the remaining musical assemblies to play the particular song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sunco Ltd.
    Inventor: Vincent T. T. Thai
  • Patent number: 6612897
    Abstract: A toy includes a housing, a plurality of buttons arranged to initiate playback of a tune or other sounds, a transparent enclosure containing a plurality of balls, an agitator extending into the enclosure, a motor mounted within the housing for causing the agitator to oscillate and propel balls that encounter the agitator against the walls of the enclosure, a sound generator and speaker, and control circuitry for causing the sound generator to play selected sounds upon pressing of one of the buttons, and for intermittently activating the agitator during playback of the sounds. The housing of the toy may be arranged to resemble a piano, and the buttons may be configured to resemble keys of the piano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Shelcore Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20030143920
    Abstract: A toy includes a housing, a plurality of buttons arranged to initiate playback of a tune or other sounds, a transparent enclosure containing a plurality of balls, an agitator extending into the enclosure, a motor mounted within the housing for causing the agitator to oscillate and propel balls that encounter the agitator against the walls of the enclosure, a sound generator and speaker, and control circuitry for causing the sound generator to play selected sounds upon pressing of one of the buttons, and for intermittently activating the agitator during playback of the sounds. The housing of the toy may be arranged to resemble a piano, and the buttons may be configured to resemble keys of the piano.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6514078
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Jacqueline E. Jones
  • Patent number: 6479741
    Abstract: A musical device includes a body and at least one actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, the musical device can generate an audio output in response to activation by a user of the actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, the musical device body includes multiple parts that can be moved relative to each other. The parts enable the musical device to resemble one or more musical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Morton, Kenneth G. Parker, Peter F. Reile, Maarten Van Huystee
  • Patent number: 6454627
    Abstract: A child's portable toy having an audio signal producer is provided with a plurality of pressure switches designating different tones of a fixed interval scale. When one of the pressure switches is depressed, the sound of a corresponding tone is produced through a speaker provided in the toy so that a child may play a melody thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Well Creation Limited
    Inventor: Danny Wai Keung Mak
  • Patent number: 6359549
    Abstract: A sound generator includes a memory bank storing user-selectable recorded sounds, a microprocessor that can quasi-randomly time-delay at least one of the recorded sounds, and a mixer that can combine a user-selected recorded sound and the time-delayed sound for output by speakers or earphones. The microprocessor can also cause the output sound to include a microprocessor-selected one of the recorded sounds for inclusion during playback of a user-recorded sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, Richard J. Thalheimer, Edward C. McKinney, Jr., Tristan M. Christianson, Charles E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6353168
    Abstract: The educational music instrument is a musical toy that allows one or more musical sequences to be played. The toy includes a base with a signal processing unit and five receiving portions. The toy also includes five blocks which are configured to be inserted to the receiving portions. When the blocks are engaged with the receiving portions, a musical sequence or phase is played by the toy. The musical sequence played by the toy is dependent upon which face of the block is engaged with the receiving portion and different blocks preferably cause different musical sequences to be played. Accordingly, the musical toy can play numerous different musical sequences depending upon location and orientation of the blocks in the receiving portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Neurosmith, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Sosoka, Jr., Brooke Abercrombie, Brad Emerson, Adam Gerstein
  • Patent number: 6332824
    Abstract: A child's toy is provided which is convertible between an infant's gym and a toddler's piano. In the infant configuration, a small child can be placed under or seated in front of the toy within reach of hanging shapes. When the infant moves the hanging shapes, a sensory output of music and lights is produced through audio speakers and lighted keys. The infant's gym can be converted into a toddler configuration, which has keys arranged on top, resembling a piano. A toddler standing in front of the piano can produce a sensory output of music and lights by pressing the keys. A mode switch can be adjusted to vary the duration of the sensory output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventors: Robert A. Tell, David B. Fisher, Domenic T. Gubitosi, Christopher D. Cimerman
  • Patent number: 6290568
    Abstract: A monitor toy assembly includes a rotary platform mounted on a lower portion of a support frame to pivot relative to the support frame along a horizontal axis of the rotary platform, a casing secured on the rotary platform to pivot therewith and rotatable relative to the rotary platform along a vertical axis of the casing, an actuating device mounted in the casing for rotating the casing relative to the rotary platform, a battery box secured on a bottom of the casing for supplying power to the actuating device, and a front cover secured on a front side of the casing and including a camera lens extending outward therefrom, a sensor mounted therein, and a light emitting component mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Jung Hou
  • Patent number: 6274800
    Abstract: A combination musical instrument comprising first and second instrument portions each having first and second sides and a plurality of input devices actuable by a user on one side thereof. The first and second portions are coupled to each other. In one embodiment of the invention, the first portion resembles a keyboard and the second portion resembles a guitar. When the input devices on the guitar portion are actuated, sound files stored in a microcontroller are transmitted through a speaker, producing sounds that resemble those made by a guitar. When the input devices on the keyboard portion are actuated, different sound files are transmitted by the microcontroller through the speaker, producing sounds that resemble those made a keyboard, organ, drums, xylophone or other instrument. In one embodiment of the invention, the keyboard portion is foldable about an axis, concealing the keyboard portion from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Elliot Rudell
    Inventor: Roger J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6224455
    Abstract: A toy figure includes a head, torso, arms and legs conforming generally to a plush figure. The head defines a mouth and the arms are pivotally secured to the torso. The arms each support a hand between which a simulated harmonica is secured. The arms and simulated harmonica are pivotable between and arms lowered position to an intermediate arms forward position and to an arms raised position. In the arms raised position, the simulated harmonica is placed against the mouth providing a harmonica play posture. A sound and control circuit within the torso of the toy figure respond to arm position to provide silence in the arms lowered position, speech or singing in the arms forward position, and harmonica music in the arms raised position. A light emitting diode is supported within the transparent body of the simulated harmonica and is caused to flash by the sound and control circuit when the arms are raised to the harmonica play posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Dominic Laurienzo
  • Patent number: 6132281
    Abstract: A music toy kit combining a music toy instrument like a piano or a drum, with a set of construction toy blocks. The music toy instrument is provided with coupling elements similar to or compatible with those of the construction toy blocks and at least some of the blocks are provided with a music score on at least one of their sides, whereby, in use, one may stack one or more of the construction toy blocks onto the music toy instrument and use these blocks as a combined music stand and score to play a given tune.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Ritvik Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Klitsner, Brian Clemens, Christian Lemire, Solange Jacques, Drew Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6116983
    Abstract: A remotely-controlled crib toy generates audio and/or video sensible output in response to user commands received by a remote control system. The nature and duration of the sensible output can be selected by the user. The sensible output is selected to be soothing to an infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Long, Christopher Cimerman, James P. Meade, Charles D. Smith, James A. Bishop, Jr., Elisabeth Krisel, William R. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 6093428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a confectionary holder which simulates the sound of rain as the holder is vertically positioned. The holder comprises a transparent tube having ends, two sides, and at least two sets of indents directed inward toward the center of the tube and one set of indents per side of the tube. Each indent has a peak, a peak depth, a sloping upper face, a sloping lower face, and between each indent is a space length. The peaks of the indents alternate from one side to the other side along the tube length. The angle of incline of each indent face and the length of the space between each indent are selected to allow rigid items, e.g., candy or gum, when placed in the holder, to create the sound of rain as the confectionary pieces flow downward dropping onto each indent face, sliding off each face, and moving from side to side from one end of the holder to the other end when the holder is vertically positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Oddzon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Sean T. Mullaney
  • Patent number: 6089948
    Abstract: A toy which simulates playing a toy stringed instrument is provided. The toy stringed instrument is attached to a body of the toy and a disc couples the body to the toy stringed instrument. A hand on the body is secured to the disc which rotates in response to activation of a motor housed in the body. Thus, rotation of the disc causes corresponding rotation of the hand. A controller is configured to produce music and to activate the motor in conjunction with the music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Franklin LaBarbara, Jr., Georgina M. Melone, Nash S. Desent, Gregory R. Horton
  • Patent number: 6079985
    Abstract: An electronic sound and music making device includes a memory that stores a plurality of sound segments, such as musical notes, animal noises, etc., a keypad having a series of keys, each of each indicates and is associated with a different one of the stored sound segments, and a set of visual indications, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), that indicate when different ones of the sound segments are being played. The device repeats a programmable sequence of, for example, four of the stored sound segments to form a song while, simultaneously turning on different ones of the LEDs to indicate the different sound segments being played. The keypad enables a user to specify the identity and the order of the sound segments to be played and allows a user to substitute any of the sound segments stored in the memory with the sound segments being played so as to produce a new or different song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignees: Hasbro, Inc., Pragmatic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wohl, Joseph F. Truchsess, Alexander L. Baytman, Robert S. Winslow
  • Patent number: 6066025
    Abstract: A musical toy includes a train-like vehicle traveling on a track which includes visual indicia representative of a standard nine note musical staff. Note tiles having first fastener halves may engage with second fasteners at predetermined locations on the track corresponding with the locations of notes on the represented staff. Switch operators extending down from the train may engage the note tiles to play the music so represented by the note tiles and track in the staff and note configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: John M. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6029042
    Abstract: A novel educational audio playback device is disclosed which, in the preferred embodiment, is in the shape of a simulated telephone. On the body of the apparatus are a plurality of buttons, each of the buttons having a hinged cover mounted thereon. These hinged covers have indicia on their front, this indicia, in the preferred embodiment, being letters of an alphabet. Upon the user opening the hinged cover, a simulated sound of a telephone ringing is generated and the associated button is exposed. On each of the buttons is a symbol or picture that is representative of a character, object or thing that is related to the letter of the alphabet on the hinged cover. The letter "H", for example, could contain a picture of a nursery rhyme figure, such as Humpty Dumpty. Upon the user depressing the associated button, an index is generated that tells a circuit or microprocessor where on the internal sound storage portion of the device is to be found the appropriate sound segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Leah Yaron-Moallim
  • Patent number: 5984758
    Abstract: A simulated computer includes a plurality of images, including at least one character image and a plurality of activity images, and user-operable keys for selecting one of the images, a selected one of the activity images being illuminated to indicate the selected activity. A sound chip simulates talk by a character represented by the character image, the character image being illuminated during simulated talk by the character. User-operable keys are provided for selecting a simulated computer function. A microprocessor performs a sequence of simulated computer play, including a plurality of sequential events, the sequence of play commencing at an event responsive to the selected computer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Kiddesigns, Inc.
    Inventors: John Driska, Isaac Ashkenazi
  • Patent number: 5955125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a confectionary holder which simulates the sound of rain as the holder is vertically positioned. The holder comprises a transparent tube having ends, two sides, and at least two sets of indents directed inward toward the center of the tube and one set of indents per side of the tube. Each indent has a peak, a peak depth, a sloping upper face, a sloping lower face, and between each indent is a space length. The peaks of said indents alternate from one side to the other side along the tube length. The angle of incline of each indent face and the length of the space between each indent are selected to allow rigid items, e.g., candy or gum, when placed in the holder, to create the sound of rain as the confectionary pieces flow downward dropping onto each indent face, sliding off each face, and moving from side to side from one end of the holder to the other end when the holder is vertically positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Oddzon/Cap Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Sean T. Mullaney
  • Patent number: 5944574
    Abstract: An interactive audio-visual toy that includes a base unit that receives removable audio-visual ("AV") cassette. The AV cassette includes a pair of rollers on which a picture scroll is wound. The pictorial scenes of the picture scroll are evident through a transparent viewing window. Moreover, a pre-recorded audio cassette is mounted on its bottom surface. The base unit controls the AV cassette to successively display these pictorial scenes without the use of expensive display hardware and to output audio from the pre-recorded audio cassette tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Shoot the Moon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Small, Paul S. Rago, Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 5915261
    Abstract: A storage medium designed to simulate a standard information storage medium such as a floppy disk, video tape, or compact disc. A toy playback system accesses information stored on a printed circuit board, integrated circuit or other storage area, disposed on the storage medium. The storage medium comprises a plurality of memory locations each of which stores a sequence of analog or digital signals representative of a different block of stored information. Upon insertion into the toy playback system based upon user input, the printed circuit board or integrated circuit comes into selective contact with a contact plate, which activates the contacted memory location or locations to provide the selected information as sounds image, or video via a speaker, display screen, or combination thereof. The sound or audio information may be stored in a plurality of voice chips on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Scientific Toys Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Kit Chan
  • Patent number: 5773738
    Abstract: A piano set having automatic playing keys comprises a bracket having a plurality of fixing columns and mounting sockets. A gear set, linkage set of a gear set driven by a motor and connecting shaft of the keyboard are rotationally mounted thereon. The bracket further includes a controlling circuitry which includes a printed circuit board, a battery set, a microswitch and a speaker and which are electrically connected. The keyboard set includes an upper fixing board and a lower fixing board by which a plurality of keys are movably fixed therebetween. Each of the keys is aligned with a driving gear of the connecting shaft. The upper cover is provided with a front recess in which a fallboard is pivotally disposed thereof by means of a fixing plate. The fallboard is provided with a pair of pressing tabs at both sides. When the fallboard is uncovered, those two pressing tabs will trigger on the microswitch such that the motor is powered to drive the gear set and connecting shaft and the connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Jin-Long Chou
  • Patent number: 5681200
    Abstract: A toy telephone which has an integral lollipop holder. The toy telephone has a voice recorder which can be used by a child to record and play back messages for amusement. A lollipop is removably attached to a retractable slide which extends the lollipop for consumption and retracts the lollipop into the toy telephone for storage. During storage, the lollipop is enclosed within the telephone to prevent the lollipop from being contaminated. The lollipop is optionally formed in the shape of an antenna. The data keys of the telephone can be optionally illuminated to simulate a real telephone. The audio data and record function can be replaced or used in conjunction with a radio. Optionally, preselected sounds can be stored such as telephone tone dialing sounds or telephone ringing sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Jules Shecter
  • Patent number: 5679049
    Abstract: A toy telephone includes a telephone base enclosure a microphone, a speaker, a memory chip for recording sounds for later retrieval, a microprocessor electrically connected to the memory chip, and at least one button electrically connected to the microprocessor for selecting one of a plurality of segments of the memory chip for recording. The memory chip is configured to produce an output signal the duration of which has a known mathematical relationship to the recording capacity of each of the plurality of segments of the memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
    Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5651681
    Abstract: A toy playback system adapted to access information stored on a printed circuit board, integrated circuit or other storage area, disposed on a toy storage medium designed to simulate a standard information storage medium. The storage medium comprises a plurality of memory locations each of which stores a sequence of analog or digital signals representative of a different block of stored information. Upon insertion into the toy playback system, based upon user input, the integrated circuit comes into selective contact with a contact plate, which activates the contacted memory location or locations to provide the selected information as sound, image, or video via a speaker, display screen, or combination thereof. The playback system may additionally include preloaded storage locations and available storage space for user recording or storing of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Scientific Toys Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Kit Chan
  • Patent number: 5551905
    Abstract: A device for successively displaying a plurality of images includes a plurality N of overlying panels where N is at least 3. Each of the panels defines a longitudinal series of flexible slats and louvers between the slats, the slats being longitudinally longer than the louvers. Each of the slats of all underlying panels are interleaved longitudinally through the louvers of all overlying panels, the slats of each panel cooperatively defining one of the plurality of images. Each of the slats of an overlying panel is laterally narrower than the slats of all underlying panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Zeb Billings, Michael Henning
  • Patent number: 5545071
    Abstract: An educational toy keyboard is constructed of a main body, keys arranged on the main body, and transparent cylinders corresponding to the individual keys. The transparent cylinders are mounted on the main body and tone-indicating characterful figures are fitted for flotation within the respective cylinders. The tone-indicating characterful figures are floated by buoyancy of compressed air. The keyboard further includes a blower for feeding the compressed air, and a sound-generating circuit capable of sounding a scale or melody in response to depression of the individual keys. When the individual keys are selectively depressed, the sound-generating circuit sounds the scale or melody and the tone-indicating characterful figures are caused to float in the corresponding transparent cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignees: Stuff Co., Ltd., Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 5540608
    Abstract: A toy for interacting with a series of bubbles to play a tune. The illustrated toy has a housing that includes a handle and at least two spaced-apart electrical contacts. Housed within the housing and electrically connected to the contacts and to one another in a circuit are a microprocessor chip, a speaker and a holder for a power source such as a battery. Each time the contacts strike a bubble, the circuit is completed, which causes a note to be emitted from the speaker. The microprocessor is programmed so that when the contacts sequentially engage a plurality of bubbles, a series of notes are emitted that create a tune. The illustrated toy also includes a blower mechanism for producing a plurality of bubbles for use with the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Adolph E. Goldfarb
  • 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: 5431591
    Abstract: An educational and amusement device for the development of a sense of rhythm with eye and hand coordination is described. An embodiment device combines the action of a helical spring with a pressure-actuated tone generator, annunciated through a transducer in the form of a musical melody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Juan Carlos C. Muzzi
  • 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: D374259
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Kwong Fei Expectation Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Hsuan Hsu
  • Patent number: D412540
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: David Chen