Amusement devices: toys – Figure toy or accessory therefor – Having sounding means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-27
2001-05-29
Ackun, Jr., Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Figure toy or accessory therefor
Having sounding means
C434S308000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238262
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic interactive puppet capable of moving and reproducing sounds that are synchronised with a soundtrack of a video program so that the puppet appears to interact with the video program.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
An electronic “stuffed toy” is sold by Microsoft under the trade mark ActiMates™ which appears to interact with a video program viewed on a television screen or video monitor. In the ActiMates™ toy a radio receiver picks up a radio signal transmitted from a special transmitter connected to the television or video cassette recorder (VCR). The VCR must be provided with a special ActiMates™ compatible video in which the sound track has been modified for transmission to the “stuffed toy”. During playback of the video the special transmitter converts the sound track of the video recording to a radio signal for transmission to the toy. The ActiMates™ toy converts the radio signal to an audio signal that is fed to a loudspeaker in the stuffed toy. In this way, the toy appears to interact with the video program. However, in reality, the toy is simply reproducing the dialogue from the sound track recorded on the video tape.
There are several disadvantages with this known puppet. Firstly, it will only work with an ActiMates™ compatible video recording on which the sound track has been suitably modified for the ActiMates™ toy. Secondly, in some jurisdictions, particularly in Europe, there are very strict regulations on the permissibility of transmitting radio signals though air (due to interference with other RF devices) and it is unlikely that the special transmitter provided in the ActiMates™ kit would comply with these regulations. Thirdly, the ActiMates™ toy does not actually interact with the video program. Indeed, other sounds recorded on the sound track of the video recording can be heard emanating from the stuffed toy which tend to spoil the effect.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention was developed with a view to providing an electronic interactive puppet capable of moving and reproducing sounds in synchronism with a sound track of any conventional video program. Throughout the following description the term “video program” will be used with particular reference to a video program reproduced on a video player such as a VCR or DVD player. However, it is to be understood that the term “video program” is also intended to encompass a television program which is transmitted through air or cable and viewed on a conventional television receiver. The term also encompasses a video clip or multimedia sequence recorded on CD ROM, a hard disk or other memory device in a personal computer.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic interactive puppet capable of moving and reproducing sounds that are synchronised with a soundtrack of a conventional video program, the puppet comprising:
a body having one or more moving parts associated therewith;
an actuating means provided within said body for moving said one or more parts responsive to an actuating signal;
sound reproducing means housed within said body for reproducing pre-recorded sounds; and,
an electronic control means operatively connected to said actuating means and sound reproducing means, and including a detecting means for detecting a predetermined point in said video program and for activating said sound reproducing means and actuating means responsive to said detection whereby, in use, the puppet appears to audibly and animatedly interact with the video program.
Typically said sound reproducing means includes an audio recording medium reproducing means and an audio transducer, and wherein said pre-recorded sounds are recorded in a recording track of said audio recording medium inserted for playback in said audio recording medium reproducing means. Preferably said actuating signal is recorded in another track of said audio recording medium. Typically said audio recording medium is magnetic recording medium. Preferably said magnetic recording medium is an audio cassette tape. Alternatively said audio recording medium is an optical disc. Preferably the puppet is in the form of a human-like creature and said body has a head capable of moving. Typically the head has a moveable mouth and moveable eyes. Preferably the head also has moveable eyebrows.
Preferably said actuating means comprises a first electric motor for turning the puppet's head sideways. Preferably said actuating means further comprises a second electric motor for moving the puppet's mouth open and closed.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an audio recording medium for an electronic interactive puppet capable of moving and reproducing sounds that are synchronised with a soundtrack of a conventional video program, said puppet having a body with one or more moving parts associated therewith, an actuating means for moving said one or more parts responsive to an actuating signal, and sound reproducing means for reproducing pre-recorded sounds, the audio recording medium including:
a first recording track in which is recorded said pre-recorded sounds for reproduction on said sound reproducing means; and,
a second recording track in which is recorded said actuating signal for activating said actuating means whereby, in use, when said audio recording medium is played back by said sound reproducing means the puppet appears to audibly and animatedly interact with the video program.
Preferably said actuating signal is recorded in the form of an audio signal having a predetermined sequence of sounds adapted to control said actuating means to move said one or more parts according to a predetermined movement sequence.
Preferably said audio recording medium is magnetic recording medium and said first and second recording tracks correspond to the left and right channels of a stereo audio recording. Most preferably said magnetic recording medium is an audio cassette tape.
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Ackun Jr. Jacob K.
Carlson Jeffrey D.
Larson & Taylor PLC
Technovation Australia Pty Ltd
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