Amusement devices: toys – Figure toy or accessory therefor – Having sounding means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-08
2001-11-13
Ackun, Jr., Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Figure toy or accessory therefor
Having sounding means
C446S301000, C446S299000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315631
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to toys, and more particularly to an electronic toy figure that generates sound responsive to manual manipulation of the toy.
Toy figures that generate a predetermined word string or sound upon actuation of a switch are well known in the art. Typically, once the switch is actuated the toy will execute a program and an entire sound sequence or word string will be generated responsive to the single input, i.e. change of state, from the switch. Toy figures which segment the sound elements into smaller elements and require repeated switch inputs to force the toy to continue to output the sound are also known in the art. In this regard, the Truchsess U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,381 is the closest prior art to the subject invention of which the applicant is aware. Truchsess discloses a toy figure which sings a nursery song when bounced. The toy figure includes a sound generator which stores a sequence of sound elements that, when sequentially generated, form a song. The rump area of the doll is provided with a contact switch which is connected to the sound generator and when the toy figure is repeatedly bounced on its rump the switch repeatedly changes state generating the sequential output of the sound elements.
While the existing toy design is particularly effective and amusing for younger children having only gross motor skills, the toy is not particularly engaging for older children who have better developed fine motor skills. Accordingly, there is a perceived consumer demand for new and improved toys which require more moderately sophisticated user input and which function in new amusing ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention provides an improved technology that allows a child to more easily control the sound output and motion of a toy figure to achieve convincing and coordinated sound effects without highly sophisticated motor skills. A toy figure constructed in accordance with the invention has a movable mouth coupled to an actuator in the belly area of the figure. The actuator permits proportional movement of the mouth to simulate speech by squeezing the belly actuator. A speech generator in the toy stores sound elements for an entire song, verse, nursery rhyme, joke or other utterances. The content is preferably divided into small syllable level chunks and can comprise any vocalization or sound output that incorporates an instinctive, inherent rhythm. In some cases, the content may be divided at the word level depending on cadence and rhythm of the output. More specifically, the speech generator is provided with a first track (singing track) of sequenced sound elements that form a recognizable sound recitation, such as a nursery rhyme or song, when sequentially generated, and is further provided with a second track (humming track) of a like number of sequenced sound elements also forming a recognizable sound recitation, such as a humming version of the same nursery rhyme or song, when sequentially generated. The second track is closely related to the first track such that sound elements from the first and second tracks are interchangeable at any given point during sequential output thereof.
The toy further includes a switch, i.e. state device. The switch is connected to the speech generator to provide input as to the mouth position, i.e. open or closed. In operation, the character begins to talk or sing when its belly is first squeezed. The squeezing action operates a coupling mechanism that opens the characters mouth, which in turn changes the state of the switch and initiates an output sequence from the speech generator. When the mouth is open, the child is able to easily control and vary the character's mouth position by varying the pressure on the belly actuator, thus mimicking the speech output generated by the speech generator. The speech generator checks the state of the mouth switch after a sound element is output. If the speech generator senses that the mouth is closed, the speech generator pauses and then rechecks the switch. If the mouth is still closed after the pause, the sound generator switches tracks to begin output of the next corresponding humming segment of the song. In other words, the toy automatically stops singing and begins humming. This audio behavior is synchronized with the open and closed state of the mouth. The speech generator continues to periodically check the state of the switch, and if the mouth is reopened, the sound generator switches back to the singing track and the character begins to sing again at the same point within the sequenced output. Since the tracks are interchangeable, the output appears as a continuous natural stream of singing and humming of the same song. If the switch is maintained in a closed position for an extended period of time, the speech generator will automatically reset the program sequence to the beginning. Other configurations for initiating output, for pausing output, and for requiring certain toy movements are also possible.
Other embodiments, such as interchangeable music and singing, or overlapping singing and music are also contemplated.
Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: the provision of an electronic toy that allows a child to more easily control the sound output and motion of a toy figure to achieve convincing and coordinated sound effects without highly sophisticated motor skills; the provision of an electronic toy which automatically switches between parallel tracks of sound elements responsive to the state of an input switch; the provision of an electronic toy figure having a movable mouth assembly coupled to an actuator in the belly area of the figure, wherein the actuator permits proportional movement of the mouth to simulate speech by squeezing the belly actuator; the provision of such an electronic toy figure wherein a switch is located in the mouth of the toy to provide input as to the position of the mouth; the provision of such an electronic toy wherein the speech generator is provided with a first track of sequenced sound elements that form a recognizable sound recitation, such as a nursery rhyme or song, when sequentially generated, and is further provided with a second track of a like number of sequenced sound elements also forming a recognizable sound recitation, such as a humming version of the same nursery rhyme or song, when sequentially generated; and the provision of such an electronic toy wherein the second track is closely related to the first track such that sound elements from the first and second tracks are interchangeable at any given point during sequential output thereof.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.
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Beckman Ralph
Bradford Kipp
Murphy John
Schwartz Stephen
Sharpe, III Henry
Ackun Jr. Jacob K.
Barlow Josephs & Holmes, Ltd.
Design Lab LLC
Fernstrom Kurt
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