Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Mechanical wave producing device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-01-30
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Mechanical wave producing device
C119S859000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178923
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for making live animals appear to talk.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various arrangements are known in the art for producing sounds from toys such as stuffed animals. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,970 to Klees et al. discloses a toy leash with an adjustable harness, electronic sound and a light which is attachable to one of a number of toy animals. Housed within a handle connected to the leash are a battery and integrated circuit or chip for generating various electronic sound signals such as for a barking dog, a meowing cat, roaring lion or tiger, growling bear or the like. The appropriate sound signal is generated using one or more selector switches.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,859 to Klees et al. discloses a novelty item for creating the illusion of an imaginary pet. Mounted within the collar end of the leash is a micro speaker which is connected by wiring through a hollow leash to circuitry in the handle. The circuitry includes a conventional sound producing circuit for a plurality of simulated synthetic animal sounds such as a friendly dog bark, a mean dog growl, a friendly cat meow, and a scary cat hiss. One of these sounds is selected by appropriately depressing selector switches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for making a live animal appear to talk. The system has particular utility with household pets such as dogs and cats, although the invention is not limited in this respect. The system includes a speaker mounted on an article (such as a collar) worn by the animal. A memory stores a plurality of pre-recorded messages. These pre-recorded mesages may be generic messages to be “spoken” by all types of animals or may be messages which are based on the characteristics (e.g., type, breed, size, age) of a particular animal. Using a selection circuit, a user is able to selectively output the pre-recorded messages from the memory to the speaker, thereby making the animal appear to talk. The selection circuit, the memory and a control circuit for causing the pre-recorded messages to be output from the memory to the speaker may be part of a system control panel. This control panel may be conveniently attached to the handle of a leash which is secured to a collar worn by the animal.
The system may be configured so that the memory stores two or more pre-recorded messages constituting a conversation. The system may also be provided with a second speaker. This speaker may be arranged, for example, in the control panel or on an article worn by another animal. Using the selection circuit, the user may select the messages constituting the conversation for output to the two speakers. The selection circuit may be arranged so that a single input results in the output of all of the messages constituting the conversation from the memory to the speakers and the control circuit may be arranged to direct each message to the appropriate one of the speakers. In this way, the animal can appear be involved in “conversations” either with its owner or with another animal.
The system may also be provided with one or more sensors for sensing a parameter such as air temperature. The sensed parameter may be used, at least in part, to select a pre-recorded message for output from the memory. Thus, for example, the animal can appear to be talking about current weather conditions.
The system may still further be provided with a timer. The control circuit is responsive to the timer for periodically (either at regular or irregular intervals) automatically outputting one of the pre-recorded messages from the memory.
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Abbott Yvonne
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Poon Peter M.
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