Electronic story board

Education and demonstration – Language – Spelling – phonics – word recognition – or sentence formation

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C434S128000, C434S365000, C463S043000, C463S039000, C273S237000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06190174

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electronic toys. More particularly, this invention relates to educational toys wherein the user's interaction with the toy is facilitated by electronic processing and communication.
In toys to which the invention relates, the user, through manual manipulation, voice command or other techniques, provides an input. The toy is programmed to provide an output in response to the input of the user. The usage of microcomputers and speech synthesizers has found widespread application in conjunction with numerous toys, games and educational devices of various forms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is an interactive toy which tells a story in a creative and interesting fashion. A platform supports a story board which may take the form of an illustrated sheet, a page of a book or other similar media. A CPU is mounted in fixed relationship to the platform. An output device, which “tells” the story, communicates with the CPU. A plurality of readers, each of which communicate with the CPU, comprises an RF transmitter which defines a communication field and is mounted at a fixed position to the platform. Story figures, each comprising a transponder and having a unique electronic code, are placeable at selected locations of the story board. Upon placement of at least one story figure within a field, an output is produced by the output device. The output is a function of the code and corresponding reader of each placed figure.
The output device may take a number of forms including a speaker, which broadcasts synthesized speech narrating the story, noise, sounds or other audibly perceptible outputs, one or more lights and an action module. The story figures comprise one or more representational figures selected from the group consisting of a person, an animal, a tree and an object. The electronic story board may be configured in a case which houses the story figures and is hinged. Outer panels of the case form the platform to which an illustrated sheet or a story book may be placed. The action module may be mounted to the platform and project generally above the story board.
The CPU sequentially polls each of the readers and identifies any story figure which is placed at a corresponding station on the story board. Each of the readers is polled, and a responsive output is then generated to partially narrate or illustrate the story by sound, sight or movement.
An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electronic story board wherein interaction between the user and the board is accomplished in a creative and entertaining manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electronic story board which provides an educational interaction with the user to facilitate appreciation and enjoyment of a story.
A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electronic toy which is capable of providing a multiplicity of sensory outputs in response to a creative method of personal inquiry by the user.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specification and the drawings.


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