Abstract: Toys including a body section and at least three sound tubes retained in the body section. Most preferably the sound tubes each have a longitudinal axis extending in a different direction from at least two other sound tubes. The toys can be hard or soft and can include body sections having a variety of different geometric shapes. The toys make a fun sound when moved in a number of different directions.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle and a closed loop trackset for guiding the toy vehicle about the track loop. The trackset further includes a booster having one or more rotating disks positioned to grip the toy vehicle and accelerate the vehicle. The toy vehicle supports a momentum sensitive switch and a microprocessor counter and liquid crystal display for responding to each disturbance of the momentum switch to increment the display lap count upon the liquid crystal display. The momentum switch is positioned and configured to respond to the momentum changes imparted to the toy vehicle as the booster accelerates the toy vehicle.

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.

Abstract: An engine exhaust sound synthesizer is fundamentally configured by an exhaust waveform creating unit and an exhaust pipe circuit. The exhaust waveform creating unit creates an exhaust waveform signal based on accel information and engine speed information. Herein, the accel information is subjected to non-linear conversion, representing relationship between an amount of manipulation of an accel manipulator and an engine output, so that an engine output signal is produced. A plurality of exhaust waveforms are stored in advance; hence, one of them is selected based on the engine speed information and engine output signal. Then, the exhaust waveform selected is combined together with the engine output signal so that the exhaust waveform signal is created. The exhaust pipe circuit, simulating behavior of air-pressure waves propagating through pipes of an exhaust system, is designed similar to a waveguide-type circuit which is configured by delay circuits and junctions.

Abstract: A device for exploring the transferring of motion from one body to another body which utilizes a motion transfer surface is presented. The device is a hollow structure for receiving an object which has a motion transfer surface on its exterior. The hollow structure may be a tube or a polygon, such as for example a pyramid. The hollow structure can be opened and closed so that the object can be secured therein. Preferably, the object is spherical. Further, the object may have a gyroscope seated within its interior. The gyroscope may be activated by waves having a frequency, such as for example sound waves or electronic waves. Further objects, each having a motion transfer surface may also be seated within the hollow structure. Preferably where two or more objects are present, each object has a motion transfer surface and is in frictional contact with another object. Additionally, a toothed ribbon suitable for use as a motion transfer surface is described.

Abstract: A toy car has a doll with a pistol in hand sitting on a seat respectively near to two opposite doors and a a small police car and a small motorcycle respectively at two sides in a car body. The two dolls and the small police car and the small motorcycle are intermittently moved out of and in the car body respectively by an upper push arm unit and a lower push arm unit pushed respectively by an upper cam and a lower cam both rotated by a gear system rotated by a motor powered by electricity.

Abstract: A toy vehicle operated by depressing a body downwardly with respect to a captured case containing a rack and gear assembly so that upon release of the body, the rack actuates the gear assembly to rotate a set of wheels. Visual and sonic effects may be provided for actuation during depressing of the body.

Abstract: A toy speed measuring and voice reporting system is disclosed. The system measures the speed of a toy car and reports the speed contemporaneously in audible speech. The system employs optical detectors and timing circuitry to compute the speed, and a voice synthesizer to sound the speed values and other messages.

Abstract: A sound producing ball includes concentric inner and outer ball elements and a plurality of sound producing particles in an open area therebetween. The sound producing particles are dimensioned to travel in the open area when the ball is rotated, and the inner ball element has a plurality of projections thereon for redirecting the sound producing particles as they travel in the open area. The sounds produced by the sound particles as they strike the inner and outer ball elements are generally similar to the sound of rain striking a building roof.

Abstract: An animal attractant device is disclosed, comprising a ball shaped enclosure 10, a pressure sensitive switch assembly 9, and a dual sound synthesizer assembly 8. The device lures an animal into engaging or contacting the ball by intermittant, luring sounds from synthesizer 36, thereby initiating frequent use of the device. As an animal manipulates or rolls the device, an occasional contact of the pressure sensitive pad 16 of pressure sensitive switch assembly 9 by the animal or floor surface, initiates a brief sound from the second synthesizer 38 unlike the continuous, intermittant lure sound of synthesizer 36.

Abstract: A self-propelled musical toy rolling ball which plays musical tunes and sound effects. The ball may also include decorative images on its surface which may generally correspond to the musical tune or sound effects played by the ball. The electronics of the ball, once energized, operate to propel the ball and simultaneously activate an integrated circuit sound effects chip which plays first sound sequence, typically a musical tune. When the ball bumps into a wall or other object, the propulsion mechanism, typically a drive motor which may be transmissivly connected to a central axis shaft, is disengaged and the circuit then plays a second sound sequence, typically a randomly selected pre-programmed sound effect from one of a plurality of different sounds. Thereafter, the propelling mechanism is again activated and the ball resumes playing the musical tune.

Abstract: A remote controlled movable ball amusement device includes a hollow sphere having two propulsion mechanisms within the sphere, with each mechanism driven on a separate track. Each propulsion mechanism includes a receiver and a drive unit. The drive unit causes the sphere to move when actuated by the receiver. A remote transmitter sends signals to the receiver for causing the actuation of the drive unit.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a sound generating mechanism for generating realistic vehicle engine sound and a smoke generating mechanism for generating simulated smoke vapors. The sound generating mechanism and the smoke generating mechanism are simultaneously actuatable by moving an accessory, such as a spoiler, on a cab portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sound producing ball includes concentric inner and outer ball elements and a plurality of sound producing particles in an open area therebetween. The sound producing particles are dimensioned to travel in the open area when the ball is rotated, and the inner ball element has a plurality of projections thereon for redirecting the sound producing particles as they travel in the open area. The sounds produced by the sound particles as they strike the inner and outer ball elements are generally similar to the sound of rain striking a building roof.

Abstract: A remote controlled movable ball amusement device includes a hollow sphere having a propulsion mechanism within the sphere. The propulsion mechanism includes a receiver and a drive unit. The drive unit causes the sphere to move when actuated by the receiver. A remote transmitter sends signals to the receiver for causing the actuation of the drive unit.

Abstract: A wheel-driven percussion instrument includes a cam made on an inner side of one wheel of a baby car. A spring supported transmission rod in a casing at the bottom of the baby car reciprocates by action of the cam. Two metal plates bilaterally disposed inside the casing, and pendulum horizontally is disposed inside the casing. When the transmission rod reciprocates, the pendulum is moved to sound the metal plates alternatively.

Abstract: An automatic wheel shaft reversing mechanism comprises a drive gear adapted to be rotatably driven by a driver unit; driven gears are provided which are movable in the axial direction of a wheel shaft and supported thereon, the driven gears alternatively meshing with the drive gear at right angles at two engaging portions, respectively; a cam portion is also provided which is adapted to be rotated by the driver unit to change over the engagement of the drive gear with the two engaging portions of the driven gears; a spring is also provided for biasing the driven gears. The driver unit, in preferred form, is a movement box unit. The reversing mechanism is usable in a variety of toy vehicles.

Abstract: A toy assembly includes a base toy unit, a plurality of accessories which are removably receivable in predetermined positions on the base toy unit, a plurality of switch assemblies for detecting the absence or presence of the accessories relative to the respective predetermined positions thereof and a control unit which is responsive to the switch assemblies for issuing prerecorded sound effect, including voice messages. The sound effect are preferably related to the removal or repositioning of the accessories relative to the respective predetermined positions thereof on the base toy unit for leading, responding to and reinforcing the activity of a child in a play format. The base toy unit is preferably embodied as a toy vehicle, the accessories are preferably formed as accessories which are related to the vehicle and the sound effect are preferably related to the vehicle and the accessories.

Abstract: A talking ball has a speaking unit mounted inside including an adapter 30 which fits in an aperture in the ball to hold the unit in position. A plunger 21 fits against an inside surface and operates a test switch 16 when the ball is squeezed. The speaking unit is provided with a voice record chip, batteries and a vibration switch. When the ball is hit or bounced a message broadcast is initiated by the vibration switch.

Abstract: A toy assembly that has a bubble generating machine which can be coupled to a variety of existing bicycles and tricycles. The bubble machine includes a housing which contains a pair of rings that can move in and out of a reservoir filled with bubble liquid. The rings move adjacent to a fan which blows air through the rings to create a plurality of bubbles. Both the rings and the fan are coupled to an electric motor which can be energized by depressing a button The button is also connected to an electronic assembly which emits sounds when the button is depressed. The button is typically located on the bike, so that the child can generate bubbles and noises while driving the vehicle. The assembly also includes a bracket which can be attached to the frame of a vehicle with either a pair of straps, or a pair of screws. The bracket is constructed to be attached to bikes having either tubular or rectangular frames. Extending from the bracket is an adjustable wire that couples the bubble machine to the bike.

Abstract: An activity toy and walker device for prompting and promoting interactive play, motor skill development and intellectual development of a child. A frame having a first portion and a second portion is deployable between a substantially collapsed orientation and a substantially upright orientation. Both of the first and second portions include a top end region and a bottom end region. When the frame is in its substantially collapsed orientation, the top end region of the second portion will be positioned proximate to the bottom end region of the first portion. When the frame is in its substantially upright orientation, the top end region of both of the first and second portions will be positioned proximate to each other. The device further includes an activity toy releasably attached to either the first or second portion of the frame for enabling use of same with the walker, or, alternatively separate and apart from the walker.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a vehicle body having at least one substantially transparent portion and an opaque portion. The substantially transparent portion includes a substantially stripe-shaped pattern extending from the front of the vehicle body to the rear sides thereof. The opaque portion is defined as the entire body except for the substantially transparent portion. A plurality of illuminating devices are disposed within the body and proximate the stripe-shaped pattern of the substantially transparent portion so that when each of the illuminating devices emits light, the emitted light is transmitted through the substantially transparent portion for viewing from the exterior side of the body. An operable control circuit causes the lights to be sequentially illuminated along the stripe-shaped pattern, thereby simulating vehicle motion.

Abstract: A battery and generator operated electro-mechanical device looks like an engine and emits engine sounds. The engine attaches to a bicycle frame giving the bicycle the appearance of being a motor bike. The engine makes an authentic idle sound when first started up and sounds like an engine accelerating to full throttle as the bike is pedalled. In a second embodiment, a fully mechanical engine sound is produced whenever the bike is in motion. Both embodiments are housed in an authentic looking engine housing.

Abstract: A key action, movable toy of the present invention moves in response to a turning action of a switch key. The toy generates a starting sound and an engine sound. A key switch mechanism which has three positions, off, on and starting, energizes a power unit, which moves the toy, to an on-state. The energizing occurs in response to a switch key moving from the off position to the starting position and to the on position. The power unit will stay on when in the on position, and a sound generation mechanism will switch from the starting sound to an engine sound when the switch key moves to the on position. The toy will move in response to a lever which controls whether the toy will move or stay stationary.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a supporting chassis having a plurality of rolling wheels secured thereto. The chassis supports an audio circuit, a battery and an audio transducer together with a pair of switch contacts configured to provide a growling sound when the switch contacts touch. The chassis further supports an articulated body having a cab portion and rear portion resembling a standard truck joined in a pivotal attachment. A shaft and cam mechanism is coupled to a movable arm in a cooperative arrangement in which pivotal motion of the movable arm closes the switch contacts activating the audio circuit and raising the cab and rear portion of the truck body to bear sets of hidden teeth at the front of the toy vehicle.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a generally rectangular hollow supporting chassis and a replica vehicle body pivotally secured to the chassis at the front portion. A return spring resiliently biases the rear portion of the truck body in a generally horizontal position. A battery power unit and electric motor are supported within the vehicle chassis and coupled to the vehicle wheels by a gear coupling mechanism. The gear coupling mechanism is engageable and disengageable by a shift lever extending upwardly from within the vehicle chassis to beyond the vehicle body. A sound unit includes a sound drum and a flexible reed supported closely thereto. A plurality of extending tabs within the drive gear system are operative upon motor rotation to flex and release the spring reed against the drum head sound unit to produce engine sounds. A heavy flywheel is coupled to the motor drive system and produces gradual slowdown when the motor is disengaged.

Abstract: A model railroad cattle car sound effects system includes a speech synthesis circuit (FIG. 6) for "playing" selected cow voices stored as digital data in an EPROM (160). In a random mode of operation, a state generator (30) provides a pseudo-random count that is used to select among four different calm cow voices, one of which is silence. The resulting audio output is perceived as random contented cow sounds. A pendulum motion detector (FIG. 8) provides an indication of lateral motion of the system. An up/down motion counter (40) maintains a motion count reflecting the level of excitation of the system (and the cows). The motion counter increments responsive to motion, and decrements gradually in the absence of detected motion. A motion count of at least four invokes a triggered mode of operation, in which the counter output is used to select among four different excited cow voices. The resulting audio output imitates increasingly agitated cows as the motion count further increases.

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.

Abstract: A toy ball having a solid body of foam plastic material and a noisemaker completely embedded within the foam plastic body. The noise maker includes a hollow rigid housing, which may be formed of a hard plastic, and a marble within the housing free to roll around therein so as to create a clattering sound when the ball is shaken, thrown, and caught. The internal surface of the housing has inwardly-projecting ridges to enhance the clatter produced as the marble, which may be a steel ball, rolls around within the housing. The foam plastic body of the ball is made in a mold cavity having the shape of the ball to be produced. While the mold is open, the noisemaker is resiliently suspended along the centerline of the mold cavity so that the center of the noisemaker substantially coincides with the midpoint of the mold cavity centerline. Plastic material is placed within the mold cavity, the mold is closed, and the plastic foam expands to fill the mold cavity, at the same time completely surrounding the noisemaker.

Abstract: The self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle. The conventional internal control signals of the vehicle are detected by the present invention and are utilized to generate realistic sound effects on board the vehicle. The sound data and programming necessary to coordinate the realistic sound effects with the conventional on-board control signals are entirely contained on the vehicle. A microprocessor is used to provide the coordination of the sound data with the programming and the microprocessor modifies the sound effects with any changes in the on-board control signals by varying the pitch, timbre, amplitude, and the like of the sound effects. A communications port is also provided on the vehicle so that when connected with a remote computer, the sound data and programming can be selectively modified by the operator to add new sound effects or to change current sound effects and operating software.

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.

Abstract: A toy ball having a soild body of foam plastic material and a noisemaker completely embedded within the foam plastic body. The noise maker includes a hollow rigid housing, which may be formed of a hard plastic, and a marble within the housing free to roll around therein so as to create a clattering sound when the ball is shaken, thrown, and caught. The internal surface of the housing has inwardly-projecting ridges to enhance the clatter produced as the marble, which may be a steel ball, rolls around within the housing. The foam plastic body of the ball is made in a mold cavity having the shape of the ball to be produced. While the mold is open, the noisemaker is resiliently suspended along the centerline of the mold cavity so that the center of the noisemaker substantially coincides with the midpoint of the mold cavity centerline. Plastic material is placed within the mold cavity, the mold is closed, and the plastic foam expands to fill the mold cavity, at the same time completely surrounding the noisemaker.

Abstract: A child's walker toy includes a walker unit and a sound and light module on the walker unit. The walker unit is operable by a toddler-age child for stabilizing the child during a walking exercise; and the sound and light module is responsive to movement of the walker toy on a supporting surface for producing predetermined sound and light signals.

Abstract: A hoop type toy is provided having a sound generating system for generating a tone, a steady simple beat, a rhythmic beat, or a tune. In certain embodiments, sound generation only occurs when the hoop is in motion. In other embodiments, the rate, pitch, speed, and/or loudness of the tone, beat or tune varies with the rate of rotation of the hoop. In the preferred embodiments, the sound generating system includes a speaker and a circuit board having an IC chip and integral motion detector. In this way, ruggedness, low cost, and small size are achieved.

Abstract: A battery-powered, electro-mechanical device which automatically generates sound-effects and flashing lights depending on its position or tilt is disclosed. The device, housed in a rigid encasement, consists of a position/tilt actuator and sensor, an electronic circuit board, a sound-effects generator, an amplifier, a speaker, LED lamps and driver. The device can be attached to the underside of a skateboard between the forward and rearward trucks.

Abstract: A toy includes a board having a path and a plurality of animal figures drawn on the board along the path, and a toy sightseeing bus moved along the path. Electrically conductive members are formed on the path at positions opposing the animal figures for producing commands which specify the corresponding animals. A group of contacts are arrayed on the bottom of the toy bus in such a manner that the contacts come into sliding contact with the electrically conductive members. When the toy bus arrives at a position opposing an animal figure, a set of the contacts is closed selectively by the electrically conductive member corresponding to this animal figure so that the closed contacts generate a signal designating the animal.

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

Abstract: A sound effect device for radio controllable toy vehicles is capable of producing various realistic sounds such as a klaxon horn, an emergency braking sound, a small braking sound, and a tire-squealing sound upon sharp turning. The sounds are generated depending upon the driving condition of the toy vehicle, and the device is further capable of producing realistic sounds that are readily modified various types of toy vehicles. The device may have an engine sound on/off switch and a starting switch that causes production of a first engine sound which is thereafter varied based on the driving condition of the vehicle. Further, the device may generate certain sounds only upon simultaneous detection of two signals controlling the movements of the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy police car includes a two-level cam, a sound assembly, a signal control assembly, a projection assembly, and a helicopter. The two-level cam includes an upper cam and a lower cam and is driven indirectly by an electric motor and a series of gears. The upper cam drives the projection assembly to project toy figures out of the car doors and a return spring causes the toy figures to return to their original position. The lower cam urges a push rod which controls the upward movement of the helicopter and another return spring causes the helicopter to return to its original position. The sound assembly is activated by the push rod to generate several sound effects. Another cam, indirectly driven by the motor, impinges an activation arm to control signal lights.

Abstract: The polar-lighted recreational ball is substantially symmetrical about an axis of the ball body and hasa opposing polar regions at opposite ends of the axis. Axially recessed lighting assemblies at each polar region project light outwardly from the ball through a light passage at the polar regions. An annular cushion collar surrounds each polar light passage to cushion axial impacts on the ball. A skewing member causes the lighting assemblies to skew laterally from the axis upon compression impact approximately along the direction of the axis. The skewing member and the lighting assemblies are located in a channel running through the ball at the axis; and the ball is ideally of a substantially ellipsoidal football shape.

Abstract: A bouncing ball within which is incorporated an activatable light in the form of a flashtube which flashes when the ball incurs a physical jolting force such as when it is being bounced. There may also be incorporated within the ball a sound annunciator which produces a sound simultaneously with the flashing of the light.

Abstract: An inexpensive yet effective circuit for producing an irregular pulse train of variable frequency and duty cycle, particularly for generating simulated sounds, such as engine sounds for toy vehicles, is disclosed. The circuit comprises an integrated circuit including a plurality of Schmitt trigger inverters (U1A, U1B) configured for oscillation at different frequencies, and a resistance element (R3, R7) in series with one, and preferably both, of the power supply connections to the inverters, with the circuit output comprising the output of one of the Schmitt trigger inverters (U1B). In a preferred embodiment, a capacitance element (C4) is connected between the output of a Schmitt trigger inverter and its system voltage input for further modulating the circuit output.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a sound system is releasably connected to a sound source such as a portable radio and/or tape player to play actual radio transmissions or prerecorded audio tapes. The toy vehicle will simulate the radio or tape player of an actual vehicle and will allow a child to select any type of music or recorded sounds to be reproduced on the vehicle sound system. The vehicle is provided with an audio mini-jack coupled to one or more small loudspeakers mounted in the vehicle. The portable radio and/or tape player can be clipped to the child's belt or clothing and the toy vehicle can be played with either as an ordinary toy vehicle or as a sound producing vehicle. The vehicle and sound system may be produced in connectable module form whereby the sound system module can be selectively connected to other vehicle components to produce vehicles of various configurations and designs.

Abstract: A toy wheeled vehicle such as a toy truck which is intended to be pushed along by a child includes electronic circuitry which is capable of emitting a plurality of different sounds similar to the sounds of a real truck. The actual sound of a truck's internal combustion engine is digitized and stored in a microprocessor along with other sounds such as those generated by a starter motor, horn, backup beeper and the like. In addition, the microprocessor is capable of synthesizing additional realistic vehicle sounds such as those generated by air brakes and the like. A starter switch first activates the starter motor sound and then the engine sound at idle speed. A speed sensor senses both speed and direction of travel and varies the engine sound in response to the sensed speed. The backup beeper sound is automatically generated along with the engine sound when the truck is moved in reverse. The microprocessor not only stores all of the digitized sounds but also controls all of the operations of the truck.

Abstract: A remote control toy vehicle system includes a toy vehicle and a remote control. The toy vehicle includes a motor for selectively driving the toy vehicle. The remote control is electrically coupled to the toy vehicle and includes a manually actuatable first control switch for controlling the motor. The remote control also includes a sound producing circuit for selectively producing sounds related to the toy vehicle. Manually actuatable second control switches on the remote control the sounds producible by the sound producing circuitry.

Abstract: A music box subassembly and a vehicle structure which incorporates the music box subassembly in such a way that the vehicle structure is useful both as a toy vehicle and also as a collectible music box. The vehicle structure offers selectable operating options. In one operating option, the music plays as the vehicle rolls, and in the other operating option, the vehicle "freewheels", without playing music which makes it attractive as a toy vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle structure is designed to incorporate a music box which is capable of producing rich, resonant sound of high quality, and to drive the music box with a precision designed to take advantage of the sound producing qualities of the music box. Also, the vehicle structure is designed to produce rich, resonant sound of high tonal quality music in a relatively compact package, which is attractive in both the toy and collectible art.

Abstract: A toy vehicle incorporating a sound effect generator similar to an acoustical phonograph having a machined turntable with mutually exclusive sound tracks, each of the sound tracks creating a different sound effect through a tone arm and speaker cone arrangement. The turntable is driven by a gear train from the wheels of the vehicle. Selection of the various sound effects is made by movement of the vehicle in response to the normal forces of the play pattern on the vehicle causing the tone arm to engage different ones of the sound tracks.

Abstract: A walker having wheels rotatably supported for orientation in any direction includes a flexible shaft for coupling rotation of the wheel to a tachogenerator in a supporting column that also carries an electronics cabinet including a relay that turns a tape recorder therein on when the wheel rotates, and off when the wheel is stationary. The electronics cabinet also includes a loudspeaker that reproduces the audible messages recorded on the tape recorder when the tape recorder is turned on.

Abstract: The self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle. The conventional internal control signals of the vehicle are detected by the present invention and are utilized to generate realistic sound effects on board the vehicle. The sound data and programming necessary to coordinate the realistic sound effects with the conventional on-board control signals are entirely contained on the vehicle. A microprocessor is used to provide the coordination of the sound data with the programming and the microprocessor modifies the sound effects with any changes in the on-board control signals by varying the pitch, timbre, amplitude, and the like of the sound effects. A communications port is also provided on the vehicle so that when connected with a remote computer, the sound data and programming can be selectively modified by the operator to add new sound effects or to change current sound effects and operating software.

Abstract: A toy wheeled vehicle such as a toy truck which is intended to be pushed along by a child includes electronic circuitry which is capable of emitting a plurality of different sounds similar to the sounds of a real truck. The actual sound of a truck's internal combustion engine is digitized and stored in a microprocessor along with other sounds such as those generated by a starter motor, horn, backup beeper and the like. In addition, the microprocessor is capable of synthesizing additional realistic vehicle sounds such as those generated by air brakes and the like. A starter switch first activates the starter motor sound and then the engine sound at idle speed. A speed sensor senses both speed and the direction of travel and varies the engine sound in response to the sensed speed. The backup beeper sound is automatically generated along with the engine sound when the truck is moved in reverse. The microprocessor not only stores all of the digitized sounds but also controls all of the operations of the truck.