Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- HA~VS -C07PATENT
.1 ,
~2~5
MULTIPLE SEGMENT NONSEQU~NTIAL KECORDING
~ack~round of the Invention
The present in~ention relates to recordings for audio
or visual information. The recording of the invention may
5 be used to convey information in a user-interactive ~F
format. The invention also relates to recordings used in
conjunction with play ma~s or other toys.
Audio and visual infor~ation ls typically recorded and
replayed sequentially. Since their inception, phonograph
records have been designed and manufactured for sequential
music and information deliveryO Numerous examples are
known in which a continuous spiral groove is cut in the
surface of the disk record, generally beginning near the
perimeter of the disk, and spiraling inward, to a point
relatively near the center of the disk. At that pOil1t,
the spiral groove becomes a circular groove, called a lock
groove. When a stylus is placed near the perimeter of the
record, the stylu6 follows the spiral groove of the
record, until it reaches this lock groove. In the lock
2~ groove, the stylus ~ollows the circle around the record
indefinitely, until the stylus is physically lifted from
the groove.
In many of the records marketed today, a standard
twelve inch diameter record disk is designed to be played
at 33-1/3 revolutions per minute and may include a number
of musical selections or other segments of information,
which selections are designed to be played in sequence.
The record includes a single groove having modulated
(recorded~ lengths corresponding to the musical
selec~ions. A length of unmodulated or silent groove
se~arates adjacent selections~ so that the stylus, as it
follows the groove, plays the recorded segment, then has a
period of silence, then plays the followin~ band~ The
phonograph record then has a plurality of concentric bands
or rings, each correspondlng to one of the selections.
narrower ring of dead, or silent, space separates adjacent
bandsO
~,~
~L2~529
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Another method of recording multiple segments on one
side of a phonop~raph record is described in U.S. Patent
No. 2,703,241, issued ~larch 1, 1955 to H.C. Abramson.
This patent describes a phonograph record in which several
spiral grooves are recorded parallel each other, each
beginning near the perimeter of the record, and spiraling
parallel to each other in toward the center o~ the record,
until they reach a common circular lock groove.
The record of the Abramson reference is used to record
a story having several segments. Each side of each record
has several interchangeable segments of the story, each
recorded in one of the parallel spiral grooves. The sides
of the records are played consecutively, with each side
being played once. Which of the parallel spiral grooves
is played on each side depends upon where the stylus is
placed around the perimeter of the record, and is
generally a random function. This configuration for the
record requires that each recorded segMent on each side of
each record begin and end so as to coordinate with all of
the segments on the preceding and following sides. The
beginning of each must fit with all the endings from the
previous side, and the ending of each must fit with all
the beginnings on the following side. This limita~ion
substantially restricts the story lines that ~ay be
recorded.
A phonograph record having sequential recorded
information segments pressed on the record in a
nonsequential arrangement is known. The record has
segment 1 of the recording on the ~irst (outer) portion of
side 1 of the record~ The recording at the end of segment
1 instructs the listener to turn the record over and
listen to side 2, and a loc~ groove is provided at the end
of this first segment on side 1. At the end of the second
segment, recorded on the entire side 2, the instructions
tell the listener to again flip the record and listen to
segment 3 on the inner portion of side 1. The recorded
~2~5~
material is thus played sequentially. This arrangement is
made to provide approximately 20 uninterrupted minutes of
recording for segment 2.
Some systems, such as that described in U,S. Patent
No. 4,17Q,832, issued October 16, 1979, to Kurt Zimmerman,
include a method of interactively conveying information
recorded on video tape. Similar systems are known that
use audio tape. These systems use different tracks on the
magnetic video or audio tape for different segments of
recorded information. ~he tracks are selected by the
playback machine in response to user selection through a
keyboard. The machines used to replay the tapes are
expensive because of the complicated mechanisms necessary
to select and play back the appropriate track of the tape.
Laser disks also are used to store and replay video or
audio information. The selection of segments on the disk
is by microcomputer control incorporating a dedicated
program that acts in response to user input through a
"joystick" or a keyboard. Ylayback machines incorporating
this technology are also complicated and expensive.
A need exists for a nonsequential or interactive
recording that uses limited technology, is inexpensive,
simple to use, and uses inexpensive, uncomplicated
playback equipment.
~5 Summar~ of the Invention
The invention is a user interactive recording, which
comprises a recording medium having a plurality of user
selectable recorded segments thereon. Each recorded
segment is identified by a visual indicium, such as a
color, or a band number. The recording, in at least one
of the segments, instructs the user listener to select
another segment, with the other segment identified by its
visual indicium.
The preferred recording medium is a phonograph record
having plural concentric rings, each containing a recorded
segment of information. Each ring is ideally identified
35Z~
by a color to provide a visual indicium that may be
readily recognized as the phonograph record is spinning on
the phonograph for the user to select the appropriate
band.
The recording of the invention is ideally suited for
branched stories or for decisional instruction, in which a
choice is presented at the end of several of the seg~ents
for the user to select among two or more options. The
recording then presents consequences of that choice or
follows different lines of story development.
The recording of the invention is particularly useful
in combination with a play mat providing a two-dimensional
or three-dimensional area displaying pictures or
information coordinated with the information on the
recording. Two or three dimensional toys or trackers can
be provided for interactive play or activity.
The recording of the invention is useful in a wide
variety of education and entertainment applications using
relatively simple and inexpensive technology.
Brief Description of_the ~rawings
Figure 1 is a view of the preferred embodiment of the
recording of the invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the
phonograph record shown in Figure 1~
Figures 3a and 3b are a chart of the possible story
paths for one version of a story recorded on the recording
of the invention.
Figures 4a and 4b are a chart of the possible story
paths for a second version of a story recorded on the
recording of the invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a phonograph that
may be used in conjunction with the preferred embodiment
of the recording of ~he invention.
Figure 6 shows an interactive play field that can be
used in conjunction with the recording of the invention.
5~
Figure 7 shows an interactive play field that can be
used in conjunction with the recording of the invention to
provide a three-dimensional setting, and having an
interchangeable background scene panel.
Figures 8 and 9 show the play field of either Figure 6
or Figure 7 being folded over the phonograph record to
form a jacket for the record.
~etailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
In the preferred embodiment of the recording shown in
Figure 1, the recording medlum is a phonograph record 21
adapted to fit standard modern phonograph turntables. An
opening 23 in the center of the record 21 receives the
spindle of the phonograph turntable. An area 25 around
the cen~ral opening 23 provides room for a label with
printed i~nformation relating to the recording.
A plurality of concentric bands 27, each including one or
more modulated grooves containing recorded segments of
information encircle the center of the record. The
preferred embodiment shown has seven such bands ~7.
The preferred phonograph record is approximately
twelve inches in diameter~ The record is preferably
recorded to be replayed while revolving at 33-1/3 RPM for
play on ~tandard phonographs.
Each band 27 on each side of the record 21 is
identified by a visual indicium. In the preferred
embodiment shown, colors are used as the visual indicia.
Other indicia Are possible, but color is preferred because
it can be readily discerned as the record ~1 is spinning
on the phonograph turntable.
When color is used as the identifier with seven bands
per side of the recording, the inventor has found the
color pattern shown in Figure 2 to be advantageous.
Beginning with the outer band 27a as band #1, band #1 is
pink; band #2, 27b, is red; band #3, 27c, is orange; band
#4, 27d, is yellow; band ~5, 27e, is green; band #6, 27f,
is blue; and band #7, 27g, is purple.
E`or the rings having the visual indicia to accurately
identify the bands of recording, the color rings should
align with the modulated groove of the corresponding band
of modulated groove so the modulated groove begins at the
outer edge of the colored ring. A blank space 29 is
provided between each band, which may be white.
The white, or "blank," color ring aligns with the silent
space between the recorded bands 27.
With the bands 27 identified for the user,
the recording can present nonsequential branching segments
of information that allows the user to select among
different bands. Near the end of one segment of
recording, the user might be asked to choose from among a
plurality of options. The ins~ructions may designate a
particular band, preferably as identified by its visual
indicium, for each option offered. For exa~ple, the
recorded information in the first band 27a, which,
referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, is
identified by the color pink, may include instructions for
the user to select among alternatives provided. The user
might be given the choice of options A or B. The user is
instructed that if he selects option A, he should move the
stylus to the yellow band 27d, but that if he selects
option B, he should move the stylus to the green band ~e.
The ability of the user to select among different
segments of a recording by selecting visually identified
bands on a phonograph record in response to instructions
from the recorded information enables a wide variety of
educational and entertainment purposes to be carried out
using relatively simple and inexpensive technology.
Although ~he recording of the invention is useful for
a variety of applications, including adult games and
instruction, the preferred embodiment will be described
here as applied to a recording of a children's story.
~ser selection of recorded segments allows a children's
story to be recorded so as to allow the child-listener to
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exercise control over the direction of the story. Such a
story can be created and recorded using the concept of
"branching."
In a branched story, at the end of some or all of the
segments of the story~ the user is presented with a choice
to be made. The user selects different segnents of the
recorded story based on his or her choice. For example, a
recording of seven segments in which two options are given
at the end of each segment can contain four different
stories formed of those segments. Segment A may be the
first segment, and offer the listener the option of
choosing segment B or segment C to follow it. From
segment B, the listener may be offered the choice of ~ and
E, for two optional endings. If, at the end of segment A,
1~ the listener selects segment C instead of segment ~,
options F and G may be offered. Thus, the following
sequences of segments are possible: A~, A~E, ACY, AC~.
The story is written so that regardless of the selections
made from the choices offered, the story makes sense.
To illustrate how a branched story on the multiple
segment recording works, a specific example will be
discussed. The story is entitled l'Artie's Birthday
Adventure." This story includes fourteen segments, seven
of which are recorded on each side of the phonograph
record 21. Each segment is recorded on one of the bands
or rings 27.
In the following example the segments arë numbered
according to the bands on which they are recorded, and the
positions of those bands on the phonograph record~
The segments are thus numbered consecutively from the
outside of the first side of the record. Thus, segment #l
is recorded on the outer band 27a o~ the first side,
segment #2 is recorded on the next band 27b, and segment
#7 is recorded on the innermost band 27g on the first
side. Segment ~8 is recorded on the outer band of the
second side of the record, and segment #14 is recorded on
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the innermost ring of the second side. In this example,
the bands are identified by their color~ and the side of
the record on which they are recorded.
The following is a brief synopsis of the fourteen
segments used to make up the story.
"A~TIE'S hL~THDAY ADVEN~U~E"
Sally tells Artie she has sent him a birthday present
but, since it hasn't arrived yet, Artie goes on a
search for it ~nd has many varied adventures.
SEGMENT ~1. (Pink band 27a, side 1) If a play
field or other physical layout is used in conjunction
with the recorded story, the narrator gives
instructions for setting that up. The story
begins: Artie gets a call from Sally and finds out
1~ that his birthday present from her is lost in the
mail~ He walks to the Post Office to check for it
and then can go either: a) home to check his mail
box [listener instructed to play the Yellow band on
side 2] or, b) to the store where the present was
bought and see if it has been mailed [listener
instructed to play the Red band on side 1~.
S~GM~NT #2. (Red band 27b, side 1) Artie arrives
at the store and has to decide what to do: a) check
with the toy department on the first floor .~listener.
instructed to play Orange band on side 1], b) chec~
customer service on the second floor [listener
instructed to play the Green band on side 1], or c)
check the basement [listener instructed to play the
Yellow band on side 1].
3~ SEGMENT ~3. (Orange band 27c, side 1) Artie, on
, .
the first floor of the store, must either a) look
around the toy department to.see if he can figure out
what Sally may have bought him [listener instructed
to play the Purple band on side 1] or b) go ask about
his pre.sent at the gift wrap department ~listener
instructed to play the Blue band on side 1~.
r~
SEGMENT #4. ~Yellow band 27d, side 1) Artie
takes the elevator to the basement~ where he is
frightened and leaves by an outside door~ There he
sees two men jump out of a trash dumpster and run.
One of them has a package and Artie must decide to
either a) follow the men [listener instructed to play
the Red band on side 2] or, b) look in the dumpster
llistener instructed to play the Pink band on side
2].
SEGMENT #5. (Green band 27e, side 1) Artie goes
to customer service and asks Clark the Clerk if he
knows anything about his present. Artie's present
was sent to the wrong address. Artie hurries to the
wrong address to search for his present. He arrives
to discover it is Richard's house and there is a
surprise party for Artie. The end.
SEGMENT_#6. (Blue band 27f, side 1) Artie goes
to the gift wrap department and, since nobody is
there, he starts snooping around and falls into a
~0 large wooden crate that is loaded onto a delivery
truck. At its destination the box is opened. Artie
is discovered and Artie discovers that the crate
contained a bike for him delivered to his house. He
then goes to Sally's house to thank her. [Listener
instructed to play the Blue band on side 2,3
SEGMENT #7. (Purple band 27g, side 1) Artie
gets distracted looking at toys in the toy department
and is there until closing time. [Listener
instructed to choose either the Pink band on side 1,
or the Orange band on side 1.~
SEGMENT #8. (Pink band, side 2) Artie climbs
into the dumpster, only to be picked up by Stinky
Stretch in the trash truck and ~aken to the du~p.
When the truck is emptied Stinky discovers Artie. He
calls for Police Wagon Willie who comes and takes
Artie home. [Listener instructed to play the Orange
band on side 2.~
5~
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SEGMENT #9. (Ked band, side 2) Artie follows
the thieves, Suspicious Sid and Sidekick Sam, and
they lead him to their hideout t where they capture
him, tie him up, and leave him in the closet. A
neighbor sees what is happening and calls the police,
who rescue Artie. He is taken home and then goes to
Sally's to tell her what happened. [Listener
instructed to play the Blue band on side 2~
SEGMENT #10. (Orange band, side 2) Police Wagon
Willie takes Artie home, where he bathes and goes
back to the store. ~Listener instructed to play the
Red band on side 1.]
SEGMENT #11. (Yellow band, side 2) Artie goes
home to check his mailbox, which turns out to be
empty. Now he either a) follows the mailman's route
to try and catch him and, hopefully his present
[listener instructed to play the Green band, side 2],
or b) goes to see if Sally's mail has arrived yet
[listener instructed to play the Blue band, side 2.]
SEGMENT ~12. (Green band, side 2) Artie follows
the mailman's route but ran't catch up with him.
Then he hears music and follows the sound to the
park. [Listener instructed to play the Purple band,
side 2.]
SEGMENT #13. (Blue band, side ~) Artie goes to
Sally's just as she is sneaking out the back door but
he finds a note telling him to go to the park.
[Listener instructed to play the Purple band, side
~-]
SEGMENT #14. (Purple band, side 2) Everybody in
town goes to the park and Artie arrives last. It is
a surprise birthday party for Artie. He gets
presents. The end.
The chart of Figures 3a and 3b maps out the branches
available for the story, based on the options given in
PS2~3
each segment. Each large circle in the figure represents
a colored band or recorded segment of side 1 or side 2 of
the record. Segments 1-7 are recorded on side 1, and
shown in ~igure 3a. Segments 8-14 are recorded on side 2
5 and shown in Figure 3b. The small circles indicate
movement to or from the opposite side of the record. The
line with arrows indicate the possible directions of play
resulting from the choices offered in the script. The
heavily outlined circles represent the two end segments
10 provided in the script for "Artie's ~irthday Adventure."
Thus, using this map, the various options and possible
story paths can be traced.
Referring to Figure 3a, the user listening to Segment
~1 is given the option of selecting Segment #~ or segment
15 #11 (on side 2 of the record). If he chooses Segment #~,
he then is given the selection of any of Segments #3, #4,
or #5. Segment #5 is an ending segment for the story.
The inventor has found that there are forty-six story
sequences possible from the fourteen segments outlined in
20 the story synopsis of "Artie's Birthday Adventure" given
above and shown in Figures 3a and 3b.
By properly composing the story segments and the
choices provided, the story always makes sense, regardless
of which combination of routes is taken, assuming the user
25 selects only the choices offered in each segment.
Because of the various stories available by mixing the
story segments, the inventor has found that a single
twelve inch phonograph record can provide significantly
greater entertainment value for children than a
30 sequentially played recording. Through testing, the
inventor has found that children continue to play with the
recording until they have exhausted all of the choice
options and all the branches in the story. Through such
testing, the inventor has found that a recording of
35 "Artie's Birthday Adventure," with fourteen seg~ents, each
approximately three minutes long, having a to~al of 42
.5~ 9
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minutes of recorded material, can give the listener/user
who plays out all the choices provided approximately 117
minutes of entertainment. This expands the value of the
single phonograph record to the equivalent of a three
S record set. If the child were to listen to all 46
possible complete story lines, the child can obtain even
greater entertainment value from the invention.
~ or longer stories or for other uses, the recording
may include more than one record, with the instructions
lO identifying a selection by a particular band on a
identified record side in the set.
As identified by ehild development psychologists,
answering questions and making choices are key stimuli for
growth and child development. Thus, the nonsequential
lS segmented recording of the invention, which requires the
child listener to make choices between options, provides
an important developmental tool for children that is
inexpensive, easy to use, and provides for a large variety
of applications.
As is shown by the example of "Artie's Birthday
Adventure," it is not necessary that a choice be presented
at the end of every segment. The listener may simply be
instructed to play another band or ring. Nor need the
choice be limited to two options. Virtually any number of
25 selections may be presented.
Each side of the record 21 may include, in one
preferred embodiment, just a single groove in the surface
of the record disk, spiralin~ from near the perime~er oE
the record to a lock groove near the center. Ungrooved or
30 "dead" space 31 at the very outer perimeter provides an
area for the user to place the stylus to begin piaying the
record. A conventional lead-in groove catches the stylus
to direct it into the modulated groove of the first
band. The groove is modulated (con~ains recorded
35 infor~ation) in each of the bands, and is not modulated in
the rings 29 between the bands 27, giving a silent area
for the user-listener to lift the stylus at the end of a
segment, and to provide an area for the stylus to be
placed at the beginning of a selected band. The groove of
such a phonograph record would be similar to the groove of
5 a modern conventional multiple segment sequential
recording, such as a record containing a number of
separate musical selec~ions, each separated by silence.
In another preferred embodiment, the groove of each
band 27 ends in a lock groove, so that when the stylus has
10 moved through the band and played the information recorded
on the spiral groove of that band, the stylus ceases
moving radially inward, and simply follows the circular
lock groove. A smooth surface or "dead area" 29 is
provided between adjacent bands to space the bands apart
15 and provide t~e user an area in which to set the stylus to
play each inner band. The smooth ring 2~ has no groove
crossing it between the adjacent bands. Each inner band
begins with a lead-in groove, which is essentially
identical to the lead-in groove used at the beginning of a
20 conventional phonograph record and at the beginning of the
outer band 27a of the record of the preferred embodimen~
of the invention.
The size of the bands 27 may vary, depending on the
informatlon recorded thereon. For simplicity of
25 manufacturing, it is preferred that each band be identical
in width. For the recording having seven segments per
side, as shown in ~igure 2, each band 27 is ideally
13/32 inch in wid~h, with the dead space 29 between each
band being 3/32 inch wide. This yields a total recorded
30 area 3-13/32 wide from the outermost groove of the first
band 27a to the lock groove of the innermost band 27g.
The bands are colored using available, known picture
disk technology. A piece of material, such as a printed
paper insert with the visual information~ in this case the
colored rings, is sandwiched between layers of clear vinyl
so the material printed on the cardboard shows through the
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vinyl. The recording is pressed onto the vinyl using
standard record pressing techniques. The master recording
must be carefully prepared and the record carefully
pressed to ensure ~hat the recording and the visual
information on the cardboard insert align. The recording
for each band (modulated groove) should begin where the
coloring of the band begins. The cardboard insert may
have white strips between the colored bands that align
with the dead space 29 or unmodulated groove area between
adjacent bands. These strips should also align perfectly
as practical.
A single modulated groove can be cut in the surface of
two or more color bands 27 and across ~he space 29 between
the color bands, so a single "segment" of recorded
information covers two colored bands of the record, giving
more time for that particular segment. This arrangement
allows the recording of segments longer than the standard
band segment length, while still allowing the convenience
of manufacture and use that are associated with having a
uniform band width on the record. The selections provided
in the story or other material must be carefully written
so as not to direct the listener/user to select bands that
begin in the middle of an extended seg~ent.
Visual indicia other than color, such as numbers,
symbols, letters, or other designs may be used to identify
the bands Color is preferred because it is easy to
distinguish as the record rotates on the turntable. The
colors of the bands may be identically reproduced in the
same sequence on both sides of the record, or they may be
3~ reversed to distinguish side 1 of the record from side
2. Of course, the order of the colors or- the colors
themselves may differ from that shown in Figure 2.
The multiple segment recording of the invention can
also be used for instru~tional information. For example,
a question can be presented, and the lis~ener asked ~o
select an answer from among two or more choices. The
~2~3SZ~
listener is instructed to select a particular band 27 of
the recording as identified by its visual indicium
depending on the answer selected. The recording in the
selected bands can give the appropriate response to the
5 listener/student.
When the recording is used wi~h older children or with
adults, visual identification of the bands may not be
necessary. The bands might be identified by their
position on the record such as "the third band from the
10 outside." Each band may have a number or letter assigned
to it to facilitate identification, so band #1 might be
the outer band, band #2 the adjacent band~ and so forth.
Alternative Embodiment Incorporating Random Segment
Selection
As an alternative to having a single spiral groove or
track in each ring providing a single recorded segment in
the band, it is possible to cut two or more nested, or
parallel, spiral ~rooves in at least some o~ the bands 27,
to provide multiple portions or aLternative segments in
20 the band. These multiple grooves can provide a certain
amount of randomness to the segment selection process.
The parallel spiral grooves in a single band are
referred to here as "coils." Each band is still
identified by some visual indicium, such as a color, so
25 the user can select the band based on that visual
indicium. However, it is preferred that each separate
coil or groove in the band not be individually visually
identified.
When this randomi~ation feature is desired, it is
30 preferred that each band end in a lock groove adjacent its
inner edge, so that the modulated groo~es of each band are
completely independent of the modulatea grooves of the
adjacent bands. Each groove of a band begins with a lead-
in or access point that is equally spaced around the
35 perimeter of the band from the other lead-ins. For
example, a band having two coils preferably has two
52~
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starting points 33, 35 spaced 180 apart. A band with
three coils has starting points 37, 39, 41 spaced 120
apart. When the stylus is placed on the dead space
between the bands, it slips into one of ~he lead-ins
according to which access point the stylus is nearest as
the record rotates. The choice of grooves is therefore
not under the control of the user/listener, and is
substantially random.
Below is a synopsis of the ~irst three bands of the
story "Artie's Birthday Adventure," in which the second
and third bands each have three coils or parallel spiral
grooves. The recorded segment portion of each coil within
a band i5 identified by a decimal designation.
The following synopsis illustrates the choices available
to the listener and the random results possible when that
band is played.
"ARTIE'S BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE"
Sally tells Artie she has sent him a birthday present
but since it has not arrived yet he goes on a search
for it and has many and varied adventures looking ,for
it~
SEGMENT #1 (Side 1 Pink ring 27a - no coils).
The narrator giv~s instructions for setting up the
play field, if one is used. The story begins: Artie
gets a call from Sally and finds out that his
birthday present from her is lost in the mail. He
walks to the Post Office to check for it, then he can
either: a) go home to check his mail box [listener
instructed to play segment #11] or, b) go to the
store where the present was bought and see if it has
been mailed [listener instructed to play segment ~2].
SEGMENT #2.1 (side 1 Red ring 27b - coil #1.)
Artie arrives at the store and must decide what to
do: a) check with the toy department on the first
floor [listener instructed to play segment #3], b)
check customer service on the second floor llistener
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- 17-
plays lt5~, or c) check the basement ~listener
instructed to play segment #4~.
SEGMENT #2.2 (Side 1 Red ring 27b - coil #2.) On
his way to the store Artie finds a five dollar
bill. Then another and another. Artie sees two men,
one of whom is carrying a bag from which the money is
falling. He decides to run and catch the men so he
can give the money back. ~Listener instructed to
play segment #9.]
SEGM~NT~ .3 (Side 1 Red ring 27b - coil #3.)
Artie walks to the store. He takes a short cut
through the alley behind the store. Two men come out
the side door of the store, throw something into the
trash dumpster and run past Artie into the street.
Artie ~ust either a) follow the men [listener
instructed to play segment #9] or b) look in the
dumpster [listener instructed to play segment #~].
SEGMENT #3.1 (Side 1 ~range ring 27c - coil
#1.) Artie, on the first floor of the store, mus~
either a) look around the toy department to see if he
can figure out what Sally may have bought him
[listener instructed ~to play segment #7] or, b) go
ask about his present at the gift wrap department
[listener instructed to play segment #6].
SEGMENT #3.2 (Side 1 Orange ring 27c - coil
_ _ . . . _ _ . _ _
#2.) Two thieves run past Artie on the first floor
of the store and knock him into a perfume display.
Police Wagon Willie can't catch them and offers to
rake Artie home so he can clean up. ~Listener
instructed to play seg~ent #10.~
SEGMENT #3.3 (Side 1, Orange ring ~7c - coil
#3.) Artie is on the first floor of the store near
the cosmetics counter when there is a green light
special. During the ladies' mad rush to the counter
a bottle of perfume is spilled on Artie. ~olice
Wagon Willie has just gone off duty and offers to
5~
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take Artie home so he can clean up. ~Listener
instructed to play segment #10].
The inventor has devised a complete synopsis for the
5 story of "Artie's Birthday Adventure" incorporating 14
bands, four of which have two parallel spirals or coils,
and five of which have three coils. The remaining
segments or bands have no coils, having only a single
groove, Figures 4a and 4b show a map of the story
10 segments as devised by the inventor for that synopsis.
This map uses essentially the same identifying information
as the map shown in Figures 3a and 3b.
The arrowed lines in the ~lap of Figures 4a and 4b
contain numbers, such as 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc., designating
15 the individual coils on which the path is available. For
example, band #2 (circle #2 in Figure 4a) has three coils,
identified as segments #2.1, #2.2, and #2.3. When the
user selects segment #2, the stylus may enter any of these
three coils. If segment #2.1 is selected, the available
20 options given lead to band #3, band #4, or band #5. Thus,
three arrows leading from circle #~ are identified #2.1,
one each leading to circles #3, #4, and #5. Segmen~ #2.3
(band ~2, coil #3) permits a choice of either band #8 or
band #9. Thus, two arrows leading from circle #2 are
25 identified #2.3. Segment #2.2 permits no choice, and
leads only to band ~9.
Continuing to refer to circle ~2, representlng
band #2, the graph illustrates that this band may be
reached from any of four segments. Band #2 may be
30 selected from segment #1, segment #9.2, segment ~t10.1, or
segment #11.3. Using this chart or map, one can follow
the available story paths.
For the s~ory devised and represented in the map of
Figures 4a and 4b, the inventor has identi~ied over 1>00~
35 possible complete story lines, having different
combinations of story segments. Based on experiments
--19--
conducted by the inventor, it is estimated that to play
all segments of ~he recording and experience al1 the
choices accordino to the directions, the phonograph record
would need to be played at leas~ 12 times, with a minimum
playing time of over 120 minutes, Thus, the user~listener
receives the benefit of receiving the equivalent of a
three-record set having 120 minutes of recorded material
from a single phonograph record.
The availability of random options in certain tracks
or bands is quite valuable for recorded instruction~l
material. For example, in management instruction, the
listener could be presented with a scenario, and asked to
make a choice as to how he or she would respond, selecting
different bands depending upon the answer. The
randomization feature permitted by the multiple coils in
the selected bands would allow for different responses to
be given each representing a reaction representing a
different type of employee to the situation se~ up by the
user/listener,
The inventor has found that the embodiment in which a
random selection is made among two or more tracks within a
band is not suitable ~or ~he very youngest of children.
It has been found that preschool children tend to have a
strong association between the band and the ~aterial
re~orded thereon. If a second time they play the band a
different audio presentation is made than was made the
first ~ime, the children may react negatively to it.
However, for the older children, this randomization option
can be very valuable for providing added interest to the
story.
An embodiment of the recording including parallel
spiral grooves in at least one band may be used in other
situations in which an element of randomness is desired in
segments of a recording. In such an embodiment, the
recording may be such that visual identification of the
bands is not necessary~
~ ~7~ S 2
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Variations_to the Audio Recording
Another alternative for providing an element of
randomness to the recorded segments is to cut the record
with several parallel spirals running all the way from the
outer edge of the record through to the center, without a
lock groove at the end of any of the bands 27. Each
groove is modulated, or has recorded information, in each
band 27. These bands may again be identified by visual
indicia, such as color. Between the bands, each of the
parallel grooves is unmodulated. The unmodulated and
modulated portions of the parallel grooves must align with
each other as perfectly as possible, so that bands of
parallel modulated grooves alternate with bands of
unmodulated grooves (blank space), each having clearly
defined beginning and end.
The infor~ation recorded in each groove of a band may
instruct the listener to select another band, perhaps
including a choice of different bands. When the listener
selects a band, one of the several parallel spirals will
be selected essentially at random, and a story or
instructional variation will be provided if different
segments are recorded in the different parallel spirals.
If a particular band is to have only one recorded segment
option, the same recorded m terial is included on all the
parallel spirals through that band.
Phonograph
The recording of the invention can be played on
conventional, available, inexpensive playback equipment.
For example, the phonograph record of the preferred
embodiment can be played on a standard phonograph having
a rotating turntable or platter and a hand-operable tone
arm carrying the stylus. With the bands 27 visually
identifiable by the user, the user can move the tone arm
until the stylus is aligned with the dead or blank space
29 just preceding the band selected, then lower the tone
arm to place the stylus on the record surface. Thus, no
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special equipment such as the expensive multitrack video
or audio tape playback machines or the complicated and
costly microcomputer controlled laser disk players for
video and audio disks, is needed.
~or certain applications, however, such as for
extremely young children, it ~ay be desirable to provide a
phonograph that does not require manual manipulation o~
the tone arm. An example of such a phonograph 43 is shown
in Figure ~. That phonograph 43 ~ay best be constructed
10 for use with the phonograph record 21 embodying the
invention if the records are manufactured all with
corresponding bands 27 having the same width. Thus, if
the color scheme shown in Figure 2 is used, the beginning
of the red band 27b is at the same position on each record
15 manufactured in the series. Similarly, the beginning of
the blue band 27f is at the same position on each record
intended to be used with that phonograph 43. The
phonograph shown in Figure 5 has mechanical or
electromechanical controls for moving the tone arm 45 from
band to band without the user directly manipulating the
tone arm. Such control mechanism would allow children to
use the device without the risk of damage to the record.
The phonograph may include a lever 47 that can be
placed in any of a series of slots 49, each slot 49
corresponding to one of the bands 27 ~f the phonograph
record 21. Alternatively, buttons or other controls may
be provided for selecting the band. Thus, when the
instruction near the end of one band provides a choice of
either, for example, the green band 27e or the yellow band
30 27d, the user may make his selection by either placing the
lever 47 in the appropriate slot 49, or by pressing the
proper button. The control mechanism lifts the tone arm
of the phonograph and moves it to the appropriate place,
setting it down so the stylus is at the beginning of the
35 selected band or segment 27.
;2~
The slots or buttons 49 have indicia corresponding to
the visual indicia on the bands of the record. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 5, which is intended to be used
with the preferred phonograph record shown in Figures 1
5 and 2, the slots 49 are coded with colors corresponding to
the colors of the bands. If other indicia are used on the
record to identify the bands, corresponding indicia can
identify the slots or buttons on the phonograph,
The phonograph having mechanical or electromechanical
10 manipulation of the tone arm is simplest i~ all the bands
have the same width. If all the bands are the same width,
the controls can select the proper bands based on the
standard increment.
Alternative Recording ~edia
The multiple segment, nonsequential recording
described above as embodied in a phonograph record can
also be embodied by the use of other recording media, such
as audio cassette tapes or video tape cartridges. Kather
than color coded or other visually identified bands on a
20 phonograph record, color coded cassettes of audio tape or
of video tape are identified with visual indicia, with
each cassette containing recorded information
corresponding to one of the phonograph record bands~ If
only one option is to be provided for each selectable
25 segment, so no randomization is present, one segment is
recorded on each cassette. For audio cassettes, the same
recording may be ~ade on both sides of the cassette tape
to eliminate the need to rewind the tape at the end of
each play.
With audio cassettes, randomization can be provided by
having a different recorded segment on each side of the
cassette tape, so that which segment is played depends
upon which side of the cassette is cued up ready to be
played. If more than two options are desired, more than
35 one segment may be recorded on one or more sides of the
tapeO Protective plastic leader tape may be included
~5~5~
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between recorded segments so the magnetic tape is not
exposed to possible damage when the cassette is removed
from the playback machine at the end of a segment.
With video tape cartridges, randomization can be
5 provided by including two or more segments on the same
tape cartridge, so that one time the segment is played,
the first segment is replayed, but the next time that
particular cartridge is played, the second segment is
played, and so forth, until the end of the tape is
10 reached, and rewinding is necessary. To protect the tape
when the cartridge is removed from the playback apparatus
and it is between segments on the tape) a clear plastic
leader may be included between the tape sections.
Play Mat
Game boards have been used for thousands of years,
providing the "battlefield" terrain for the contest.
Kecently, action ~igures have been provided with a terrain
made of printed cardboard or toy cars are accompanied with
city ætreets printed on a sheet of plastic. These are
20 two-dimensional play fields. Elaborate military sets for
war games provide three-dimensional terrains.
In addition, approximately 100 years ago "theater
toys" were popular. These theater toys were provided with
a specific cast of characters for each play, and a
25 script. Today, many toys are supplemented with a comic
book or phonograph record with sound effects or script to
enhance the fantasy play value o the play field or toy
board.
But, these additional in~ormation eystems with the toy
30 tend ~o be passive, rather than interactive. A puppet
show sound track, or the sound track provided with an
action figure set has the limi~ation of becoming too
familiar after a few listens, thus lessening its
entertainment value for a child.
The multiple segment nonsequential recording described
above provides an opportunity to provide sophisticated
::IL2.5i~!52~
-24-
audio pro~ramming for the user, but still retaining the
user's use of creativity and the user's involvement, as is
especially desirable in children's plày.
Essentially any two or three-dimensional object(s) can
5 be designed as the actor(s) or tracker(s) to follow an
information path o~ the interactive programming of the
recordin~. The terrain for the actor(s) may be a two-
dimensional area 61 or a three-dimensional play space
63. This combination of the user programmable recorded
10 information and a two or three-dimensional scenario area
can be used not only for children's toys, but also for a
variety of educational and game applications. For toy
applications, the inventor has designed a play field to
coordinate with an interactive presentation. This
combination provides a great deal of interaction for the
child, greatly increasing the play value of the set over a
simple sequential script.
The action scenes are programmed into the multiple
segment nonsequential recording. The information on the
20 recording provides a scenario upon which the two- or
three-dimensional characters are moved on the play field
61, 63. The two-dimensional field 61 or three-dimensional
play area 63 contains representations of roads, buildings,
clues to mysteries, and other feedback and interactive
25 features. Thus, the user carries out the action of the
story from the recording on the play area and receives
information and feedback from the trackers or play area.
For example, the play field 61 shown in Figure 6 is one
play area that may be suitable to be used with a recording
30 Of "Artie's Birthday Adventure."
The play area may be either two-dimensional, as shown
in Figure 6, or three-dimensional, as shown in Figure 7.
The two-dimensional play area ~l shown in Figure 6
includes four squares 65, 67, 69, 71 of a rigid material,
35 such as cardboard. These squares are flexibly joined
where they meet 73, 75, 77 except for one place 79, to
5~i~
-25-
facilitate folding and storage. The three-dimensional
area shown in ~igure 7 is formed of four squares ~ 3,
85, 87 of a rigid material, such as cardboard, joined
together to form a large square, with two of the squares
5 81, 87 not joined together where they meet.
The four squares 81, 83, 85, 87 of the three-
dimensional play area are joined to one another so that
one square 83 forms the base of the three dimensional play
area and the three other squares 81, 85, 87 form the
10 backdrop. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the base
square 83 is joined to a first backdrop square 81 along
one edge 91, and to a second backdrop square 85 along
another, adjacent edge 93. The second backdrop square 85
is also joined to a third backdrop square 87 along the
~5 side 95 adjacent the side joined ~o the base square.
The joints 91, 93, g5 between the panels 81, 83, 85,
~7 are preferably flexible, so the play area can be
modified. Specifically, the joint 95 between the second
and third backdrop squares 85, 87 is flexible so that the
20 third background square 87 can be folded back away from
~he base square 83. The joint 91 between the base 83 and
the first backdrop square 81 is also flexible so that the
first backdrop square 81 can be raised to a vertical
position. The first and third backdrop squares 81, ~7 form
~5 interchangeable backdrop scenes. The scenes on the first
and third backdrop squares 81, 87 are different, so that
by changing them, the background for the play area can be
changed. ~owever, they both coordinate with the second
backdrop scene square 85.
Other arrangements for a three-dimensional play area
are also possible. For example, the first backgro~d
square 81 may be joined to the base square 83 along ~he
edge opposite the edge to which the second backdrop 85 is
attached, to fold up and form a third vertical wall for
35 the play area. Alternatively, three vertical backdrop
walls 81, 85, 87 can be provided by joining the first
s~
-26-
backdrop square 81 to the third backdrop square ~7 along
the edge of the third bac~ground square opposite the edge
to which it is joined to the second backdrop square 85,
and the first background square ~1 is not joined to the
5 base square 83. Other possible arrangements will be
apparent upon inspection~
Either the two dimensional play area 61 shown in
Figure 6 or the three-dimensional play area 63 shown in
Figure 7 may be formed in such a way as to fold up to
10 become a package or jacket for the phonograph record 21.
To perform that function, each small square of the play
area is approximately 12 inches square, approximately the
diameter of the phonograph record~ The small squares are
flexibly joined as described above. Adjacent squares are
15 all flexibly connected to each other along the lines at
which they meet, except for where the first and fourth
squares meet.
To form the record jacket of the two-dimensional board
61 of Figure 6, the fourth square 71 is folded over onto
20 the third cquare 69. The record 21 is placed on top ~f
the second square 67, and the first square 65 is folded
over on top of it, as shown by the arrow in Figure 8, to
yield the arrangement shown in Figure 9. The third and
fourth panels 69, 71 then are folded over as shown in
Figures ~ and 9 atop the first and second panels 65, 67
and the record 21, to form the completed package.
The three-dimensional play area shown in Figure 7 ~ay
similarly fold up to form a jacket for the record.
Referring to Figure 7, the third background square ~7 is
30 folded over onto the second 85. The record 21 is placed
on the base 83, and the first background square 81 is
folded over ito Then, the second and third background
squares 85, 87 can be folded over onto the base ~3, first
background square 81, and record 21, to form the completed
35 package~
52~
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Pop-up three dimensional effec~s may also be included
on the play field, either in the two-dimensional
configuration shown in Figure 6 or in the three-
dimensional configuration shown in Figure 7~
The multiple segment, nonsequential format of the
recording yields dozens of different stories on one
phonograph record or other recording medium, as described
above. Using the same recording and play area, the child
can act out dozens of different stories, giving hours of
10 play time.
One of the important benefits the inventor has
identified that can result from the manipulation of three-
dimensional characters through a multiple-choice story is
the value of "role playing" games. Particularly, moral
t5 behaviorists have found that in tests, participants
respond with a high level of moral reasoning when given a
moral dilemma in writing. Yet, they demonstrate lower
quality moral behavior when faced with a true life
situation. A story presented on the multiple segment,
20 nonsequential recording of the invention allows choices to
~e provided for the child at the end of many of the
segments. The child then has the opportunity to choose
different responses to a situation, and vicariously
experience with the toy characters the consequences of his
25 choice by actually performing the actions that result from
the decision made. That experience of moving the toy
character through the consequences of a moral decision
reinforces and enhances the implementation of high moral
thinking with physical execution.
A number of variations are possible using a
combination of an interactive play field and a multiple
segment user programmable recording. One is that the play
field may be a sculptured board with "walking tracks" for
use by wind-up or other powered toys. Thus, on cue, the
35 child listener can push t~e start button of the particular
~2~EP52~
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wind-up character, and have it "walk" to its next
destination in the story.
For particularly young children- a useful variation is
to provide color coded mini-dolls for use on the play
field and coordinate those dolls with the recorded script
to correspond to the color band being played. For
example, the story can be written so that when the pink
band of the recording is played, the pink character is
involved in the story line, and can be moved according to
the directions. At the end of the band, the child will be
given the option to select one of several colors of~ered,
and the corresponding character can be moved.
The applications for this variation for preschool children
seem particularly interesting.
