Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
COMMUNICATION PRODUCING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a communication producing
system, and more particularly to a communication producing
system which is adapted to produce as if there is any
communication among exhibited movable articles formed in
imitation of a human being, an animal, a plant, a character
such as a hero or heroine of a comic picture, and the like
or between such movable articles and an image reproduced on
an image display from a video tape or the like.
Conventionally, program control by a computer is
used for such a communication producing system.
In a conventional communication producing system,
it is required to increase the number of steps in order to
cause the system to carry out satisfactory performance or ~-
execution. Unortunately, this renders a computer program
highly complicated, so that much labor and time are
required to make the program. Also, the execution of such
a complicated program requires a highly expensive computer
unit of a complicated structure. Thus, the conventional
communication producing system is not suitable for use on a
small scale such as that in the home.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to
develop a communication producing system which is capable
of effectively carrying out satisfactory performance on any
scale and capable of using a readily prepared computer
program and a readily available equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, in accordance with the present
invention, a communication producing system is provided.
The communication producing system includes at least one
movable article including at least one drive unit for
actuating at least a part of the movable article and
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recording means including track means on which information
of at least the movable article is recorded. The recording
means may be an audio tape or a video tape. The system
also includes reproducing means for replaying the recording
means to carry out at least the reproducing of the
information on the recording means in the form of a sound
signal; loudspeaker means for outputting the reproduced
sound signal in the form of sound; and a control circuit
for receiving the reproduced sound signal from the
reproducing means to discriminate the track means
corresponding to the reproduced sound signal to actuate the
movable article through the drive unit depending upon the
informations on the track means, resulting in the movable
article being actuated in association with at least the
reproducing means.
In accordance with the present invention there is
also provided a communication producing system. The system
includes at least two movable articles each including at
least one drive unit for actuating at least a part of the
movable article and an audio tape including at least two
tracks on which sound informations of the movable articles
are recorded, respectively. Also, the system includes
reproducing means for replaying the audio tape to reproduce
each of the sound informations of the movable articles
recorded on the tracks of the audio tape in the form of a
sound signal; loudspeaker means for the movable articles
which receives the reproduced sound signal to generate
sound therefrom; and a control circuit for receiving the
reproduced sound signal from the reproducing means to
discriminate the track on which the sound information
corresponding to the reproduced sound signal is recorded,
to thereby selectively actuate the drive units of the
movable articles and supply the reproduced sound signals to
the loudspeaker means depending upon the sound informations
on the tracks and a combination thereof, resulting in
performing a communication between the movable articles.
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Also, in accordance with the present invention, a
communication producing system is provided. The system
includes at least one movable article including at least
one drive unit for actuating at least a part of the movable
article; a video tape recorder for carrying out sound
reproducing and image producing; an image display unit for
displaying thereon an image reproduced by the video tape
recorder; loudspeaker means for outputting sound reproduced
by tha video tape recorder; and a video tape on which sound
informations for the movable articles and image display
unit and image information for the image display unit are
recorded. The video tape is replayed by the video tape
recorder. Also, th-e system includes a control circuit for
receiving a sound signal reproduced by the video tape
recorder to control the drive unit, the loudspeaker means,
and the image and sound of the image display unit to
establish at least a predetermined communication between
the operation and sound of the movable article and the
image and sound of the image display unit.
Further, in accordance with the present invention,
a communication producing system is provided. The system
includes at least two movable articles each including at
least one drive unit for actuating at least a part of the
movable article; a video tape recorder for carrying out
sound reproducing and image producing; an image display
unit for displaying thereon an image reproduced by the
video tape recorder; a video tape having a video track on
which image information for the image display unit is
recorded and stereo audio track means comprising two audio
tracks on one of which sound information for one of the
movable articles is recorded and on the other of which
sound information for the other of the movable articles is
recorded. Sound information for the image display unit is
concurrently recorded on both audio tracks. Also, the
system includes loudspeaker means for outputting sound for
the movable articles reproduced due to replaying of the
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video tape by the video tape recorder; and a control
circuit for receiving a sound signal reproduced by the
video tape recorder to discriminate the audio track on
which the sound information corresponding to the reproduced
sound signal is recorded to selectively actuate the drive
units of the movable articles and supply the sound signal
for each of the movable articles to the loudspeaker means
depending upon the sound informations on the tracks and a
combination thereof, to thereby control the drive units,
loudspeaker means and image display unit to establish a
predetermined communication between the movable articles
and/or between the image display unit and the movable
articles.
In addition, in accordance with the present
lS invention, a communication producing system is provided.
The system includes at least one movable article including
at least one drive unit for actuating at least a part of
the movable article; a video tape recorder for carrying out
sound réproducing and image producing an image display
unit for displaying thereon an image reproduced by the
video tape recorder a video tape having a video track on
which image information for the image display unit and
stereo audio track means comprising two audio tracks on one
of which sound information is recorded and on the other of
which a digital control signal for a sound generation and
selection program is recorded loudspeaker means for
outputting sound for the movable article reproduced due to
replaying of the video tape by the video tape recorder and
a control circuit for receiving a sound signal and the
digital control signal reproduced by the video tape
recorder to~ selectively actuate the drive unit of the
movable article and supply the reproduced sound signal to
the loudspeaker means depending upon the reproduced digital
control signal, to thereby control the drive unit,
loudspeaker and image display unit to establish a
predetermined communication between the movable article and
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the image display unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with the present
invention, a communication producing system is provided.
The system includes at least one movable article including
at least one drive unit for actuating at least a part of
the movable article; a video tape recorder for carrying out
sound reproducing and image producing; an image display
unit for displaying thereon an image reproduced by the
video tape recorder; and a video tape on which sound
informations for the movable article and image display unit
and image information for the image display unit are
recorded. The video tape is replayed by the video tape
recorder. Also, the system includes an image detecting
means for detecting and decoding an image ,on a
predetermined position of an image plane of the image
display unit; loudspeaker means for outputting sound for
the movable article; and a control circuit for receiving an
image signal from the image detecting means to selectively
actuate the movable article and supply a sound signal
reproduced due to replaying of the video tape by the video
- tape recorder to the loudspeaker means.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a communication producing system which
is capable of permitting viewers or audiences to be
impressed as if there is any communication between the
movable articles and/or between the movable articles and
reproducing means with a simple structure.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a communication producing system which is capable
of suitably using an audio tape and a tape recorder which
are readily commercially available.
It is a further object of the present invention to
- provide a communication producing system which is capable
of permitting a program for actuating the system to be
easily prepared and facilitating the maintenance.
It is still another object of the present invention
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to provide a communication producing system which is
capable of being conveniently practiced on a small scale as
well as on a large scale.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention
will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from
the specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of
parts which wilL be exemplified in the construction
hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will
be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the invention,
reference is had to the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings in which like
reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts
throughout; wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view generally showing an - -
embodiment of a communication producing system according to
the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation view partly in section
showing a movable article incorporated in`the communication
producing system shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the
movable article shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation view
showing the head section of the movable article shown in
Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation view of the
head section shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI
of Fig. 5:
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view taken along line
VII-VII of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end view taken along line
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VIII-VIII of Fig. 5;
Figs. 9 and 10 each are a fragmentary front
elevation view of the front section of Fig. 4 showing the
operation of eyes and a mouth;
Fig. li is a fragmentary sectional view of the head
section of Fig. 4 showing a mouth moving mechanism arransed
in the head ssction
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary end view taken along line
XII-XII of Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary schematic view taken along
line XIII-XIII of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary schematic view similar to
Fig. 13
Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing an electric
circuit for actuating the communication producing system
shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 16 is a circuit diagram showing a control
circuit incorporated in the communication producing system
shown in Fig. 1; ~
Fig. 17 is a perspective view-generally showing --
another embodiment of a communication producing system
according to the present invention;
Fig. 18 is a circuit diagram showing an electric ~ ~~
circuit for the communication producing system of Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view generally showing a
further embodiment of a communication producing system
according to the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a circuit diagram showing an electric
circuit for actuating the communication producing system
shown in Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a circuit diagram showing a control
circuit incorporated in the communication producing system
sho~n'in Fig. lg;
Fig. 22 is a circuit diagram showing an electric
circuit for still another embodiment of a communication
producing system according to the present invention;
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Fig. 23 is a circuit diagram showing a control
circuit incorporated in the communication producing system
shown in Fig. 22;
Fig. 24 is a perspective view generally showing a
still further embodiment of a communication producing
system according to the present invention;
Fig. 2S is a circuit diagram showing an electric
circuit for actuating the communication producing system
shown in Fig. 24; and
Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram showing a control
circuit incorporated in the communication producing system
shown in Fig. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, a communication producing system according to
the present invention will be described hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 generally shows an embodiment of a
communication producing system according to the present ~-
invention. A system of the illustrated embo~iment~
generally indicated at reference numeral 100 generally
includes a stage 102 provided on a rear portion thereof
with a background 104, a pair of movable articles 106A and
106B each formed in imitation of a lady or a girl and
arranged on the stage 102, a tape recorder 108 serving as
rep~oducing means for carrying out the replaying of an
audio tape 110 acting as recording means. A cassette audio
tape and a cassette tape recorder may be used as the audio
tape 110 and tape recorder 108, respectively. In the stage
102 is arranged a control circuit 112 which is electrically
connected t~o the tape recorder 108. The tape recorder 108
includes a loudspeaker 114 from which sound is output. In
the embodiment, the stage 102 is provided on the tape
recorder 108.
The movable articles 106A and 106B each are so
constructsd that its one of arms, one of legs, eyes and a
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mouth thereof are actuated through two motors each arranged
so as to act as a part of a drive unit, as shown in Figs. 2
to 10.
Now, the actuation of the arm and leg will be
described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.
For this purpose, the movable articles 106A and
106B each include an arm and leg actuating mechanism for
actuating an arm 116 and a leg 118 which includes a motor
120 serving as a part of a first drive unit and provided
10 with a pinion 122 and a first gear train 124 engaged with
the pinion 122 of the motor 120 and operatively connected
to the arm 116 to transmit the output of the motor 120 to
the arm 116 to pivotally move the arm 116. Also, the arm
and leg actuating mechanism includes a second gear train
15 126 operatively connected between the pinion 122 of the
motor 120 and the leg 118 to pivotally move it. The other
arm 128 is stationarily provided and the other leg 130 is
fixedly on a base 132 arranged on the stage 102 to~erectly
hold the movable article 106 thereon. The arm 116 and leg
20 118 are vertically held when the motor 120 is turned off;
however, when the motor 120 is driven, they are pivotally
moved as indicated at phantom lines in Fig. 3.
, In each of the movable articles 106A and 106B is
arranged a loudspeaker 134. Alternatively, the loudspeaker
134 may be arranged in proximity to the movable article.
One such loudspeaker may be provided common to both movable
articles. The movable articles 106A and 106B, as shown in
Fig. 3, each include a sound sensor 136 and a drive circuit
138 electrically connected to the sound sensor 136, as well
30 as to the motor 120 and loudspeaker 134. The drive circuit
138 is also electrically connected to the control circuit
112 using lead wire means (not shown). The control circuit
112 may be arranged in the drive circuit 138.
Now, the actllation of the eyes and mouth of each o~
35 the movable articles 106A and 106B will be described
hereinafter with reference to Figs. 4 to 10.
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For this purpose, each of the movable articles 106A
and 106B includes an eye and mouth actuating mechanism for
actuating both eyes 140 and a mouth 142, which includes a
movable plate 144 arranged in the head section 145 of the
movable article or movable girl doll so as to be slidable
in the lateral direction of the movable article. The
movable plate 144 is provided on the upper portion of the
front surface thereof corresponding to the openings 146 of
the eyes 140 with a pair of pupil marks 148 and at the
lower portion of the front surface thereof with an
artificial flower 150, which is arranged so as to outward
extend from the movable plate 144 through a laterally
extending slit 152 of the mouth 142. The movable plate 144
is provided on the rear surface thereof with a pair of
projections 154 vertically extending parallel to each other
and each acting as a guide. Also, in the head section 145
is arranged a motor lS~ serving as a part of a second drive
unit, which is operatively connected through a gear 158 and
a reduction unit 160 to a rotating plate 162 including an
eccen~ric pin 164 eccentrically arranged by an amount of e ~~~~~~;~"
with respect to the center of the rotating plate 162,
resulting in the rotating plate 162 being rotated when the
motor 156 is turned on or driven. The eccentric pin 164 is -~
engagedly fitted between the guides 154, so that the
rotation of the rotating plate 162 may cause the movable
plate 144 to be laterally moved through the operative
engagement between the eccentric pin 164 and the guides
154. The motor 156 is electrically connected to the drive
circuit 138 (Fig. 3). Thus, the driving of the motor 156
causes the movable plate 144 to be laterally moved,
resulting in the pupils 148 and flower lS0 being laterally
moved.
The movable articles 106A and 106B, as shown in
Figs. 11 to 14, may be so constructed so as to actuate the
mouth as if the movable article or girl doll talks. For
this purpose, cams 166A and 166B are provided on the upper
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and lower portions of the rear side of the slit 152 and a
projection 168 serving as a striker is provided on the
front surface of the movable plate 144, so that the striker
168 strikes against the cams 166A and 166B at the center of
stroke of its lateral movement to open the slit 152 as
shown in Fig. 14, resulting in a viewer or audience being
impressed as if the movable articles 106A and 106B have a
conversation with each other.
The movable articles each may be so constructed
that the portions of the movable article other than the
eyes, mouth, arm and leg or the whole movable article may
be actuated.
Now, a circuit for producing a communication or
conversation between the movable articles 106A and 106B and
its function will be described hereinafter with reference
to Figs. 15 and 16.
The audio tape 110 replayed by the tape recorder
108, as shown in Fig. 15, has a stereo track comprising~an
R track and an L track. On the R track and L track are
recorded sound for the movable article 106A and that for
the movable article 106B, respectively. In Fig. 15,
reference numeral 170 designates a stereo plug.
The control circuit 112 may be constructed as shown
in Fig. 16. More particularly, it may be constructed so as
to function depending on a sound signal on the R side
supplied thereto, a sound signal on the L side supplied
thereto and a combination between both sound signals in
such a manner that when the sound signal on the R side is
supplied to the control circuit 112, it causes the movable
article 106A to move its eyes and mouth and generate sound;
when the sound signal on the L side is supplied to the
control circuit 112, it causes the movable article 106B to
move its eyes and mouth and generate sound; when both sound
signals are input thereto, both movable characters 106A and
106B move the arms and legs and generate sound; and when
both sound signal are not input thereto, both movable
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articles 106A and 106B move the arms and legs in response
to external sound such as, for example, viewers' or
audiences' hand clapping which is detected by the sound
sensors 136 of both movable articles. The control circuit
may be so constructed that when the sound signals on both R
and L sides are supplied thereto, it prevents the
generation of sound from at least one of the movable
articles using a muting circuit (not shown).
On the audio tape 110, a conversation, a song, an
explanation and the like which the movable articles 106A
and 106B perform depending on the supply of the sound
signals to the control circuit 112 in the above-described
manner may be recorded according to a predetermined
program. Accordingly, when the audio tape 110 is replayed
by the tape recorder 108, the communication producing
system of the illustrated embodiment permits the movable
articles 106A and 106B to play as if there is any ~
communication therebetween. As the audio tape 110 and tape ;
recorder 108 may be used commercially readily available ~ ~
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ones such as a cassette audio tape and a cassétte tape
recorder. Thus, it will be noted that the communication
producing system of the illustrated embodiment may be
constructed with a simple manner and its maintenance may be
easily carried out. Also, it permits the program to be
25 readily prepared. In Fig. 16, reference numeral 172
designates an input and output connector, 174 is an audio
amplifier, 176 is an input amplifier for an R channel, 178 ;~
is an input amplifier for an L channel, 180 and 182 each
are a motor drive, and 184 is a sensor amplifier.
In the illustrated embodiment, an increase in the
number of e`lectrical connections permits a plurality of-
additional movable articles such as flowers and animals to
desirably perform in several groups.
In the above-described embodiment, the double-track
audio tape 110 having the R track and L track is used and
two such movable articles 106A and 106B in imitation of a
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girl are arranged. Alternatively, the use of a multi-track
audio tape and a reproducing unit for such audio tape
permits three or more movable articles to join in a
communication. In this instance, the loudspeaker 134 may
be provided with respect to each of the movable articles.
Alternatively, one such loudspeaker may be provided common
to all the movable articles.
Loudspeakers for the movable articles 106A and 106B
and tape recorder 108 such as the loudspeakers 114 and 134
may be provided with respect to each of the movable
articles and tape recorder. In this instance, the
generation of sound is carried out through the respective
loudspeakers. When the tape recorder is of the stereo
type~ two loudspeakers may be provided at the tape
recorder. Alternatively, the loudspeaker arrangement may
be carried out in such a manner that a loudspeaker is
provided common to at least a part of the movable articles
and a loudspeaker is provided with respect to the tape
recorder, wherein the common loudspeaker generates sound;of
each of the movable articles and the loudspeaker for the
tape recorder generates sound reproduced by the tape
recorder. Alternatively, a single loudspeaker is provided
common to all the movable articles and tape recorder,
wherein sound from each of the movable articles and tape
recorder is output through the single loudspeaker. Also,
the loudspeaker for the tape recorder may be eliminated.
When the movable articles are arranged in close
proximity to each other or the tape recorder as seen in the
case that the communication producing system is constructed
on a small scale, a single loudspeaker may be conveniently
provided common thereto as described above. Such
arrangement of the single loudspeaker permits the
mechanical and electrical structure of the communication
producing system to be highly simplified. This results in
the system being significantly small-sized and readily
handled.
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In the arrangement of the loudspeaker(s) described
above, the relationship between the sound information on
the audio track means and the sound therefrom may be
determined, for example, in such a manner that the
generation of sound from the movable articles, the
generation of sound from the reproducing means or tape
recorder, the driving of the drive units, or the stopping
of sound generation is carried out according to a
predetermined order or program depending on the sound
informations on the L and R tracks of the audio tape and a
combination of the sound informations. Alternatively, the
operation of the movable articles such as the actuation of -
the drive units, the generation of sound or the like may be
carried out upon detection of external sound of a
predetermined level or more by the sound sensors.
The communication producing system of the
illustrated embodiment may be constructed so as to carry
out further operation such as light-emission, illumination
or the like.
The determination as to whether the sound sensor -~~
responds to external sound may be carried out not only when
the portions of both R and L tracks of the audio tape which
are free of the sound information are concurrently executed ~;
or operated by the tape recorder but when the generation of
sound is prevented by a muting circuit or the like.
As can be seen from the foregoing, the
communication producing system of the illustrated
embodiment permits a viewer to be impressed as if there is
any communication between the movable articles with a
simple structure, because it can use an audio tape and a
tape recorder which are`readily commercially available.-
Also, the illustrated embodiment permits a program for
actuating the system to be easily prepared and facilitates
the maintenance. Further, the system of the embodiment may
be practiced on a small scale such as in the home.
Figs. 17 to 19 show another embodiment of a
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communication producing system according to the present
invention. A communication producing system of the
illustrated embodiment is adapted to perform or produce the
communication between a movable article and an image formed
on an image display unit such as a cathode ray tube (CRT)
unit. For this purpose, the system includes a movable
article 106 and a CRT unit 186 having an image plane 188.
Also, the system includes a video tape recorder (VTR) 190
in place of the tape recorder 108 in the first embodiment
described above. The video ~ape recorder 190 is adapted to
replay a video tape 192. The CRT unit 186 includes a
loudspeaker 114 for outputting sound for the CRT unit
reproduced by the VTR 190, which is arranged at the lower
corner portion of the image plane 188. The remaining part
of the system 100 and the movable article 106 may be
mechanically constructed in substantially the same manner
as in the above-described embodiment.
Now, a circuit for producing a communication such
as a conversation between the movable article 106 and an ~
image on the CRT unit 186 and its function will be
described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 18.
The video tape 192 replayed by the video tape
recorder 190, as shown in Fig. 18, has a video track on
which an image data or image information for the CRT unit
18`6 is recorded and stereo track means comprising an R
track and an L track. On the R track is recorded sound
information for the movable article 106. On the L track is
recorded sound information for a character 194 displayed on
the image plane 188 of the CRT unit 186 or that for a
background music, a narration or the like relating to an
image displayed on the image plane 188.
A control circuit 112 may be constructed in
substantially the same manner as shown in Fig. 16. More
particularly, the control circuit may be constructed so as
to function depending on a sound signal on the R side
supplied to the thereto, a sound signal on the L side
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supplied thereto and a combination between both sound
signals in such a manner that when the sound signal on the
R side is supplied to the control circuit 112, it causes
the movable article 106 to move its eyes and mouth and
geherate sound; when the sound signal on the L side is
supplied to the control circuit 112, it causes generation :.
of sound relating to an image on the image plane 188 of the
CRT unit 186 such as the character 194 or the like; when :~ :
both sound signals are input thereto, the movable article :
106 moves its arm and leg and the movable article 106 and
the image on the CRT unit 186 generate sound; and when both
sound signals are not input thereto, the movable article
106 moves the arm and leg in response to external sound
such as, for example, viewers' or audiences' hand clapping ~:~
or the like which is detected by sound sensors 136, without
generating sound. The control circuit may be so :~
constructed that when the sound signals on both R and L ~ :
sides are supplied thereto, it prevents the generation of
sound from the movable article 106 using a mutlng circuit
(not shown).
On the video tape 192, a conversation, a song, an
explanation or the like which the movable article 106 and
the character 194 on the image plane 188 perform according
to a predetermined story depending on the supply of the
sound signals to the control circuit 112 in the above-
described manner, or a narration, a background music or the
like relating to the image on the image plane 188 may be
recorded according to a predetermined program.
~ccordingly, when the video tape 192 is replayed by the
video tape recorder 190, the communication producing system
of the illustrated embodiment permits the movable article
106 to play as if it talks to the character 194, the
narration or the like relating to the image on the image
plane 188. As the video tape 192 and video tape recorder
190 may be.effectively used readily commercially available
ones. Thus, it will be noted that the communication
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producing system of the illustrated embodiment may be
constructed with a simple manner and its maintenance may be
easily carried out. Also, it permits the program to be
readily prepared.
In the above-described embodiment, the double-track
video tape having the R track and L track is used and the
single movable article in imitation of a girl are arranged.
Alternatively, the use of a multi-sound-track video tape
such as a four-track stereo video tape and a reproducing
unit for such audio tape permits two or more movable
articles to join in a communication. In this instance, the
loudspeaker 114 may be provided with respect to each of the
movable articles. Alternatively, one such loudspeaker may
be provided common to all the movable articles.
In the illustrated embodiment, an increase in the
number of electrical connections permits a plurality of
additional movable articles such as flowers and animals to
perform in several groups.
Figs. 19 to 21 show a further embodiment of a
communication producing system according to the present
invention.
A system of Figs. 19 to 21 is adapted to produce a
communication between at least two movable articles 106A
and 106B and a background image, particularly, a character
25 194 appearing on a image plane 188 of a CRT unit 186.
Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, two such movable
articles 106A and 106B are arranged on a stage 102 and a
video tape 192 is used which has stereo audio track means
comprising two audio tracks. One of ~he tracks of the
audio track means is recorded sound information for one of
the movable articles 106A and 106B and on the other track
is recorded sound information for the other movable
article. Also, on both tracks are concurrently recorded
sound information for the C~T unit 186 serving as an image
display unit. The movable articles 106A and 106B each may
be constructed in substantially the same manner as in the
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~Ov~447
-18-
embodiments described above. A control circuit 102 is
adapted to selectively judge or discriminate the audio
tracks on which the sound informations corresponding to
reproduced sound signals are recorded to selectively
actuate the movable articles depending on the sound
informations and a combination thereof and output sound for
each of the movable articles from the corresponding
loudspeaker, as well as to utilize an image on the image
display unit as a background.
The video tape 192 replayed by the video tape
recorder 190, as briefly described above and shown in Fig.
20, has the video track on which an image data or image
information for the CRT unit 186 is recorded and the stereo
audio track means comprising two audio tracks or an R audio
track and an L audio track. On the R track is recorded
sound information for the movable article 106A and on the L
track is recorded sound information for the movable article
106B in a manner to prevent both sounds from concurrently
generated. Also, on both R and L audio tracks is
concurrently recorded sound information for the image
displayed on the image plane 188 of the CRT unit 186 such
as sound information for the character 194, a background
music, a narration or the like relating to the image. 188.
A control circuit 112 may be constructed in such a
manner as shown in Fig. 22. More particularly, the control
circuit may be constructed so as to function depending on a
sound signal on the R side supplied thereto, a sound signal
on the L side supplied thereto and a combination of both
sound signals in such a manner that when the sound signal
on the R side is supplied to the control circuit li2, it
causes the movable article 106A to move its eyes and mouth
and generate sound; when the sound signal on the L side is
supplied to the control circuit 112, it causes the movable
article 106B to move its eyes and mouth while generating
sound; when both sound signals are input thereto, the
movable articles 106A and 106B each move its arm and leg
. .. . .
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and sound is generated which relates to the image such as
the character 194 or the like displayed on the image plane
188 of the C~T unit 186; and when both sound signals are
not input thereto, the movable articles 106A and 106B each
S move the arm and leg in response to external sound such as,
for example, viewers' or audiences' hand clapping or the
like which is detected by sound sensors 136, without
generating sound.
On the video tape 192, a conversation, a song, an
explanation or the like which the movable articles 106A and
106B perform according to a predetermined story depending
on the supply of the sGund signals to the control circuit
112 in the above-described manner may be recorded according
to a predetermined program. Alternatively, a narration, a
background music or the like relating to the image on the
CRT unit such as the character 194 may be recorded thereon.
Accordingly, when the video tape 192 is replayed by the
video tape recorder 190, the communication producing system
of the illustrated embodiment permits the movable articles
106A and 106B to play as if they talk to each other andjor
the character 194 of the image on the image plane 188, as
well as the image on the CRT unit 186 to create an
atmosphere on the stage 102. In the illustrated
~ embodiment, the control circuit is so constructed that when
the sound signals on both R and L sides are supplied
thereto, it prevents the generation of sound from each of
the movable article 106A and 106B using a muting signal
supplied through muting circuits designated by reference
numeral 196 in Fig. 21.
Figs. 22 and 23 show still another embodiment of a
communicati`on producing system according to the present
invention. In a system of the embodiment, two movable
articLes 106A and 106B which are constructed in
substantially the same manner as described above are
arranged and a video tape 192 is used which has stereo
audio track means comprising two audio tracks. On one of
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the audio tracks is recorded audio or sound information and
on the other audio track is recorded digital control signal
information for a sound generation and selection program,
so that the movable articles 106A and 106B each may be
selectively actuated through a drive unit thereof depending
on a digital control signal and a sound signal for each of
the movable articles reproduced from a video tape recorder
190 may be output through a loudspeaker of each movable
article. In the embodiment, a CRT unit 186 and the video
tape recorder 190 are constructed in substantially the same
manner as described above.
The video tape 192 replayed by the video tape
recorder 190 has the audio track means comprising two audio
tracks or an R audio track and an L audio track. On the R
audio track are recorded sound informations for the movable
article 106A, movable article 106B and an image on the CRT
unit 186 according to a predetermined program. On the L
audio track are recorded a program data in the form of a
digital signal which serves to output, from an output
interface to each of loudspeakers, a signal for changing
over sound signals in synchronism with sound according to
the program.
A control circuit 112 is constructed as shown in
Fig. 23. More particularly, the control circuit 112 is
constructed so as to desirably control sound informations
from the movable articles 106A and 106B and the image on
the CRT unit 186 including the character 194 to
complicatedly and finely perform the communication among
them. Also, the control circuit 112 may so act that when
both sound signals are not input thereto from the R and L
tracks and~the loudspeakers do not output sound, the
movable articles 106A and 106B each move the arm and leg in
response to external sound such as, for example, viewers'
or audiences' hand clapping or the like which is detected
by sound sensors 136, without generating sound. This
causes the audiences to take much interest and surprise.
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-21- 20074~
Loudspeakers for the movable articles 106A and 106B
and the image display unit or video tape recorder 190 may
be provided separately in correspondence to the respective
movable articles and tape recorder, wherein the generation
of sound is carried out through the respective
loudspeakers. In this instance, the loudspeaker for each
of the movable articles may be integrally or separately
with respect to the movable article and the loudspeaker for
the video tape recorder may be attached thereto.
AlternativeLy, the loudspeaker'arrangement may be carried
out in such a manner that a loudspeaker is provided common
to at least a part of the movable articles and another
loudspeaker is provided with respect to the video tape
recorder, wherein the common loudspeaker generates sound of
each of the movable articles and the loudspeaker for the
tape recorder generates sound reproduced by the video tape
recorder. Alternatively, a single loudspeaker is provided
common to all the movable articles and tape recorder,
wherein sound from each of the movable articles and video
tape recorder is output through the single loudspeaker. In
this instance, the loudspeaker for the video tape recorder
may be used for this purpose. Also, the loudspeaker for
the tape recorder may be eliminated.
When the movable articles are arranged in close
proximity to each other or to the tape recorder as seen in
the case that the communication producing system is
constructed on a small scale, a single loudspeaker may be
conveniently provided common thereto as described above.
Such arrangement of the single loudspeaker permits the
mechanical and electrical structure of the communication
producing system to be highly simplified. This results in
the system being significantly small-sized and readily
handied.
In the arrangement of the loudspeaker(s) described
above, the relationship between the sound information on
the audio track means and the sound output from each of the
, .
~()lJ'~'4~7
-22-
loudspeakers may be determined, for example, in such a
manner that the generation of sound for the movable
articles, the generation of sound for the image display
unit or video tape recorder, the driving of the drive units
of the movable articles, or the stopping of sound
generation is carried out according to a predetermined
order or program depending on the sound informations on the
L and R audio tracks of the video tape and a combination
thereof. Alternatively, the operation of the movable
articles such as the actuation of the drive units, the
generation of sound or the like may be carried out upon
detection of external sound of a predetermined level or
more by the sound sensors.
The communication producing system of the
illustrated embodiment may be constructed so as to carry
out further operation such as light-emission, illumination
and the like.
The determination as to whether the sound sensor
responds to an external sound may be carried out not only
when the portions of both R and L audio tracks of the video
tape which are free of any sound information are
concurrently operated by the tape recorder but when the
generation of sound is prevented by a muting circuit or the
like.
As can be seen from the foregoing, the
communication producing system of each of the embodiments
shown in Figs. 17 to 23 permits viewers or audiences to be
impressed as if there is any communication among the
movable articles and the image on the image display unit
with a simple structure, because it can use a video tape
and a video tape recorder which are readily commercially
available. Also, the illustrated embodiment permits a
program for actuating the system to be easily prepared and
facilitates the maintenance. Further, system of the
embodiment may be practiced on a small scale such as in the
home.
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-23-
In Fig. 23, reference numeral 210 designates a
filter, 212 is a wave shaping circuit, 214 is an input
interface, 216 is a memory, 218 is a CPU and 220 is an
output interface.
Fig. 24 to 26 show a still further embodiment of a
communication producing system according to the present
invention. A communication producing system of the
illustrated embodiment, as shown in Fig. 24, is constructed
into a configuration similar to the embodiment shown in
Fig. 19. The system generally includes a stage 102, a pair
of movable articles 106A and 106B each formed in imitation
of a lady or a girl and arranged on the stage 102 and a
cathode ray tube (CRT) unit 186 serving as an image display
unit ar.d having an image plane 188 acting as a background
for the stage 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the
movable articles 106A and 106B each may include its own
output loudspeaker and at least one drive unit including a
motor. The CRT unit 186 is put on a video tape recorder
(VTR) 190 for replaying a video tape 192 and electrically
connected to the VTR 190. The stage 102 is provided on the
VTR 190. In the stage 102 is arranged a control circuit
112. The CRT unit 186 is provided with a loudspeaker 114
for outputting sound for an image reproduced by the video
tape recorder 190.
The system of the illustrated embodiment also
includes an image detecting sensor 200 for detecting a
control image appearing at a predetermined position on the
image plane 188 and decoding it according to a
predet~rmined procedure to supply the decoded control image
in the form of an output signal to the control circuit 112.
In the illustrated embodiment, the image detec.ing sensor
200 is arranged opposite to a lower corner on the image
~ plane 188 and the control image is adapted to appear at the
lower corner. The control circuit 112 selects at least one
of loudspeakers of the movable articles 106A, 106B and CRT
unit 186 for outputting a sound signal depending upon the
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-24-
output signal. Concurrently, it selects a power supply and
the motor of the drive unit for outputting an actuation
signal to actuate them.
The decoding of the control image may be carried
out using any one of various elements such a difference
between white and black, a difference in color, the
recognition of a pattern of a simple configuration, a
digital signal using black and white, and the like.
Now, a circuit for producing a communication such
as a conversation between the movable articles 106A and
106B and the image on the CRT unit 186 and its function
will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 25
and 26.
The video tape 192 replayed by the video tape
lS recorder 190, as shown in Fig. 25, has a video track on
which an image data or image information for the CRT unit
186 is recorded and stereo audio track means comprising an
R track and an L trac~. On the R track are recorded sound
information for the movable article 106A and sound
information for an R side of the CRT unit 186. On the L
track are recorded sound information for the movable
article 106B and sound information for an L side of the CRT
unit 186. The sound information for the CRT unit 186 may
include sound information for a character 134 in an image
on the image picture of the CRT unit 186, a background
music, a narration or the like.
A control circuit 112 may be constructed in such a
manner as shown in Fig. 26.
The video track of the video tape 192 has an image
~recorded thereon so as to permit an image for a
predetermined image signal to be formed on a predetermined
portion of the image plane according to a predetermined
program.
An output generated from the image detecting sensor
35 200 is decoded by an image signal decoder 202 and then
supplied to an output control section 204. The output
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control section 204 supplies to switching means 206 a
control signal for selectively changing over the sound
informations on the R and L sides with respect to the
loudspeakers for the movable articles 106A and 106B and R
and L channels of the CRT unit 186. Also, the output
control section 204 supplies to a motor drive section 208 a
control signal for changing over a power supply or
selectively changing over an actuation signal with respect
to motors, resulting in communications between the movable
articles 106A and 106B and between the movable articles and
the image on the image plane 188 and the operation of the
movable articles being accomplished in a complicated
manner.
On the video tape 192, a conversation, a song, an
explanation or the like which the movable articles 106A and
106B and the character 194 on the image plane 188 perform
according to a predetermined story, or a narration, a
background music or the like may be recorded according to a
predetermined program. Accordingly, when the video tape
192 is replayed by the video tape recorder 190, the
- communication producing system of the illustrated
embodiment permits the movable articles to play as if they
talk to the character 194 or the narration relating to the
image on the image plane 188. As the video tape 192 and
video tape recorder 190 may be effectively used readily
commercially available ones. Thus, it will be noted that
the communication producing system of the illustrated
embodiment may be constructed with a simple manner and its
maintenance may be easily carried out. Also, it permits
the program to be readily prepared.
In the above-described embodiment, the double-track
video tape having the R track and L track is used.
Alternatively, the use of a multi-sound-track video tape
such as a four-tracX stereo video tape and a reproducing
unit for such-audio tape permits three or more movable
articles to join in a communication. In this instance, the
47
. .
-26-
loudspeaker may be provided with respect to each of the
movable articles. Alternatively, one such loudspeaker may
be provided common to all the movable articles.
Loudspeakers for the movable articles 106A and 106B
and the image display unit or video tape recorder 190 may
be provided separately in correspondence to the respective
movable articles and video tape recorder, wherein the
generation of sound is carried out through the respective
loudspeakers. In this instance, the loudspeaker fo~ each
of the movable articles may be integrally or separately
provided with respect to the movable article and the
loudspeaker for the video tape recorder may be attached
thereto. Alternatively, the loudspeaker arrangement may be
carried out in such a manner that a loudspeaker is provided
common to at least a part of the movable articles and
another loudspeaker is provided with respect to the video
tape recorder, wherein the common loudspeaker generates
sound of each o~ the movable articles and the loudspeaker
for the tape recorder generates sound reproduced by the
video tape recorder. Alternatively, a single loudspeaker
is provided common to all the movable articles and video
tape recorder, wherein sound from each of the movable
articles and video tape recorder is output through the
single loudspeaker. In this instance, the loudspeaker for
the video tape recorder may be used for this purpose.
Also, the loudspeaker for the tape recorder may be
eliminated.
When the movable articles are arranged in close
proximity to each other or to the video tape recorder as
seen in the case that the communication producing system is
constructed on a small scale, a single loudspeaker may be
conveniently provided common thereto as described above.
Such arrangement of the single loudspeaker permits the
mechanical and electrical structure of the communication
producing system to be highly simplified. This results in
the system being significantly small-sized and readily
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~007447
handled.
In the arrangement of the loudspeaker( 5 ) described
above, the relationship betweep the sound information on
the audio track means and the sound output from each of the
loudspeakers may be determined, for example, in such a
manner that the generation of sound for the movable
articles, the generation of sound for the image display
unit or video tape recorder, the driving of the drive units
of the movable articles, or the stopping of sound
generation is carried out according to a predetermined
order or program depending on the sound informations
recorded on the L and R audio tracks of the video tape and
a combination thereof. Alternatively, the operation of the
movable articles such as the actuation of the drive units,
the generation of sound or the like may be carried out upon
detection of external sound of a predetermined level or
more by sound sensors 136.
The communication producing system of the
illustrated embodiment may be constructed so as to carry
out further operation such as light-emission, illumination
and the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, an increase in the
number of electrical connections permits a plurality of
additional movable articles such as flowers and animals to
perform in several groups.
Also, the system of the illustrated embodiment is
so constructed that the image signal generated from the
image detecting sensor 200 causes the movable articles to
be actuated upon detection of external sound such as
audiences' hand clapping or the like by the sound sensor
when any sound is not output from any loudspeaker. Such
construction permits audiences or viewers to take much
interest and surprise because they are impressed as if
there is any communication between the audiences and the
movable a ticles.
The determination as to whether the sound sensor
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~0~447
-28-
responds to external sound may be carried out not only when
the portions of both R and L audio tracks of the video tape
which are free of any sound signal are concurrently
operated by the tape recorder but when the generation of
sound is prevented by a muting circuit or the like.
In Fig. 26, reference numeral 172A designates an
input connector. Also, in the drawings, reference numeral
172B is an output connector.
As can be seen from the foregoing, the
communication producing system of the embodiment shown in
Figs. 24 to 26 permits viewers or audiences to be impressed
as i~ there is any communication among the movable articles
and the image on the image display unit with a simple
structure, because it can use a video tape and a video tape
recorder which are readily commercially available. Also,
the illustrated embodiment permits a program for actuating
the system to be easily prepared and facilitates the
maintenance. Further, system of the embodiment may be
practiced on a small scale such as in the home.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth
above, among those made apparent from the preceding
description, are efficiently attained and, since certain
changes may be made in the above construction without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description
or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted
as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following
claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific
features of the invention herein described and all
statements`of the scope of the invention which, as a matter
of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
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