Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Electronic Talking Toy and Doll Combination
Background to the Invention
It is a challenge to produce new and better toys which appear to
work in mysterious ways and create magic for children. For some
5 years, toys have been provided with simulated artificial speech
capabilities. Initially, audio tapes or wires were used to produce a
limited amount of simulated speech. With the advent of compact
integrated circuit technology, it is now possible to program
multiple sounds, including human speech, on. integrated circuit
chips small enough to be placed inside a toy. It is always possible
to provide each doll or action figure with control buttons and
switches in order to initiate simulated human speech or other
sounds from that particular doll or action figure. It would be an
advantage, however, to be able to place any one of multiple dolls
or action figures in the same toy, create simulated human speech or
other sounds, and avoid the cost of having to place expensive
electronic components into each doll or action figure. It would be
a further advantage if the initiation of simulated speech from the
doll or action figure could be somewhat mysterious to the user.
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Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, an electronic toy
adapted to receive a toy figure comprises a source of electrical
power, an integrated circuit chip programmed with pre-recorded
sounds, sound reproduction means under the control of the
integrated circuit chip, switch means adapted to open or close an
electrical circuit to control the flow of electrical power from the
source to the integrated circuit and sound production means, and
trigger means adapted to activate the switch means, such that when
10 the toy figure is placed into contact with the trigger means, the
switch means is closed, electrical power flows, and sounds are
created by the sound reproduction means under the control of the
integrated circuit.
In further aspects of the invention:
(a) The electronic toy comprises a toy vehicle;
(b) The electronic toy comprises a toy vanity and seat;
(c) The electronic toy comprises a desk and chair;
(d) The toy figure comprises a doll;
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(e) The toy figure comprises an action figure;
(f) The sound generation means comprises first and
second sources of sound;
(g) The first source of sound is adapted to reproduce
sounds appropriate to the toy figure;
(h) The simulated sounds comprise human speech;
(i) The second source of sound is adapted to reproduce
sounds corresponding to the nature and operation of
the electronic toy;
10 (j) The second source of sound is adapted to reproduce
sounds corresponding to background noises for play
activities;
(k) The second source of sound is adapted to reproduce
musical sounds;
15 (1) The first source of sound is located proximate the
toy figure when the toy figure is in contact with the
trigger means;
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(m) The second source of sound is located remotely
from the toy figure when the toy figure is in contact
with the trigger means;
(n) The electronic toy further comprises an electrical
motor adapted to generate motion;
(o) A motion generating motor is controlled by an
integrated circuit chip comprising pre-programmed
motion instructions appropriate to the electronic
toy;
10 (p) The motion is timed to correspond with generation
of appropriate sounds;
(q) The toy is adapted to receive an accessory to trigger
generation of sound segments from a source of
sound appropriate to the accessory;
15 (r) The toy is provided with a pushbutton switch to
trigger generation of sound segments;
(s) The toy is provided with a plurality of pushbutton
switches, each dedicated to generation of specific
sound segments.
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In a particular embodiment of the invention, an electronic toy
vehicle adapted to receive a doll comprises an electrical storage
battery comprising a source of electrical power; an integrated
circuit chip programmed with pre-recorded sounds, first and
second audio speakers adapted to reproduce sounds based on
signals from the integrated circuit chip, the first audio speaker
being located proximate a vehicle seat adapted tv receive the doll,
and being dedicated to reproducing sounds corresponding to
simulated speech of the doll, the second audio speaker being
located remotely from the vehicle seat and being dedicated to
reproducing sounds other than simulated speech of the doll, switch
means adapted to open or close an electrical circuit to control the
flow of electrical power from the source to the integrated circuit
and the audio speakers, and trigger means adapted to activate the
switch means, such that when the toy vehicle receives the doll, a
portion of the doll contacts the trigger means to close the switch
means and initiate production of sounds.
In a further particular embodiment of the invention, an electronic
toy vehicle adapted to receive a doll comprises an electrical storage
battery comprising a source of electrical power, an integrated
circuit chip programmed with pre-recorded sounds, first and
second audio speakers adapted to reproduce sounds based on
signals from the integrated circuit chip, the first audio speaker
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being located remote from a vehicle seat adapted to receive the
doll, and being dedicated to reproducing sounds corresponding to
simulated speech of the doll, the second audio ' speaker being
located proximate the vehicle seat and being dedicated to
5 reproducing sounds other than simulated speech of the doll, switch
means adapted to open or close an electrical circuit to control the
flow of electrical power from the source to the integrated circuit
and the audio speakers, and trigger means adapted to activate the
switch means, such that when the toy vehicle receives the doll, a
portion of the doll contacts the trigger means to close the switch
means and initiate production of sounds.
Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the
following description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Illustrative embodiments of the invention axe shown in the
following drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan view of a toy vehicle;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle;
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Figure 3 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle and toy figure
combination;
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the trigger mechanism
to initiate activity of a vehicle and toy figure combination;
Figure S is a schematic cutaway view of a portion of a vehicle
illustrating pushbutton controls, switches and accessories;
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of certain electronic and electrical
components of an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a chair, desk and toy
figure combination embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a pet house and toy pet
combination embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The electronic toy adapted to receive a toy figure of the invention
may be manifested in a variety of forms. For example, the toy may
be a vehicle such as a car adapted to receive a doll or other action
figure. In this embodiment, the doll appears to speak about
activities relevant to riding in a car or destinations to be reached by
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car. Simulated cell phone conversations from the car, radio
selection and music, background noises appropriate to the car
driving through certain areas or to certain locations, and other
sounds may all be reproduced. In addition, if motion is desired, by
S using electrical motors controlled by signals from integrated
circuits and connected to appropriate mechanical' parts, the toy
vehicle can be made to vibrate, turn, or move backwards or
forwards, for example. These motions can be programmed to
correspond with sounds emanating from the speakers
10 corresponding to either simulated speech of the doll or action
figure; or to other sounds as described above. In addition, various
lights can be made to go on and off under control of the integrate
circuits.
Many other embodiments of the invention are also possible. For
15 example, a desk and chair set could receive a doll, and the sounds
and motions generated by the toy would be appropriate to some
desk activity. Similarly, a makeup table or vanity could receive a
variety of dolls and generate sounds and motions, or control lights,
in an appropriate manner.
20 Other options are also possible. For example, the electronic toy
could be a pet house and the toy figure could be a pet. In the case
where the pet is a dog, a speaker located close to where the dog is
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placed can generate barking sounds or even simulated human
speech if the dog is to have human-like characteristics. Similar
principles could be applied to create simulated "speech" for other
creatures.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6, and the embodiments disclosed therein,
a toy vehicle (1) comprises at least one seat (2) adapted to receive
a doll or other toy figure (3) such as an action figure. In proximity
to the seat (2) is located an audio speaker (9A) adapted to
reproduce sounds which appear to emanate from the doll or action
figure (3) when the device is in operation. A second speaker (9B)
is mounted somewhere on or in the vehicle remote from the first
speaker (9A) so that sounds emanating from the second
speaker (9B) do not appear to emanate from the toy figure. In
certain cases the location of these figures may be varied: For
example, it may be that a speaker located near the front of the
vehicle will be more appropriate for sounds supposedly generated
by the toy figure; while a speaker located in the vicinity of the
vehicle seat and controls to generate sounds perhaps including
those of simulated radio, telephone and other accessories, or even
engine sounds, will be more appropriate. In all cases, the principle
is the same; speakers locate at a distance from each other can
generate sounds to give the impression that the sounds are
emanating from different places.
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Hidden beneath the dashboard of the vehicle is a triggering
mechanism (13). In the embodiment disclosed, the triggering
mechanism (13) is spring-loaded and adapted to react under
compression when the toy figure (3) is placed into the toy
vehicle (1). The doll's knees or feet, or some other parts of the
doll, can be used to press against a trigger plate in the trigger
means (13) in order to place the spring into compression. If the
trigger means are hidden from the user°s view, and the toy appears
to begin its activity merely because the doll or action figure has
been placed into the toy, this will add to the mystery and "magic"
of the toy. Refernng to Figure 4, when the spring (14) is
compressed by movement of the trigger plate (16), the trigger
means forces a first contact (17) of a switch (12) into engagement
with a second contact (18) of the switch. This completes an
electrical circuit allowing power to flow from one or more
electrical storage batteries (5) located within the toy vehicle (1) in
order to initiate activities of the toy.
Also located within the toy are one or more integrated circuit
chips (8) and other ancillary electronic components. Pre-recorded
on the integrated circuit chip or chips are a variety of "clips" of
human speech which may be appropriate to various segments of
conversation which the doll or action figure might utter when
placed in the context of the toy vehicle. Signals from the
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integrated circuit chip (8) corresponding to such speech are routed
to the first speaker (9A) located in vicinity of the seat of the
vehicle, or otherwise located proximate the doll or action figure
when it is placed in the vehicle, or in any suitable location on or in
the vehicle. Thus, the sound can be made to appear to emanate
from the doll or action figure rather than from somewhere else in
the vehicle.
Other pre-recorded sounds, such as a running motor; traffic sounds,
radio programming, cell-phone conversations, more distant
overheard conversations or speech, or the sounds of a pet in the
vehicle, are routed to one or more second speakers (9B) located on
or in the vehicle at a distance remote enough from the first speaker
so that these second sets of sounds do not appear to emanate from
the doll or action figure. In such circumstances, the second
speaker (9B) may be mounted in or near the dashboard of the
vehicle to create the appropriate impression. It can also be
mounted under or in the hood or near the wheels, or elsewhere as
appropriate. Any suitable location is acceptable. Speaker
openings (10A, IOB, 10C) are appropriately located in the vicinity
of the speakers (9A, 9B) to produce the volume, location and
quality of sound desired.
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When the doll or action figure is removed from the car seat, a
portion of the trigger means (13), such as the illustrated trigger
plate (16), moves under the action of the spring (14), thus breaking
the electrical contact at the switch (12) and ending, or initiating the
5 ending, of the sound generation from the vehicle and other
electrically driven activities. Although certain - sounds may
continue to emanate from the vehicle after the doll or action figure
is removed, it would be inappropriate for further sounds to come
from the first speaker (9A) dedicated to toy figure sounds. This
feature further contributes to maintaining the mystery and "magic"
of the toy.
If desired, an electrical motor (15), shown schematically in Figure
6, under the control of an integrated circuit chip (8) can be
connected to one or more moveable components (not shown) of the
vehicle (1) in order to generate motion. Given the presence of one
or more integrated circuit chips (8), such motion may be timed to
correspond with the generation of sounds to enhance the effect.
For example, vibration of the vehicle could be initiated when the
engine sound is generated.
The enjoyment of a toy vehicle can be further enhanced by use of
various additional components and accessories. For example, a
seat-belt (6) can be provided. When the toy figure (3) is placed in
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the seat (2), the integrated circuit chip will be enabled to perform a
number of features appropriate to having the toy figare present in
the vehicle. Placing the toy figure in the vehicle may, for example,
generate a sound segment apparently emanating from the toy
figure requesting that the seat-belt be fastened. When the end
portion of seat-belt (6) is placed in socket (7A), a further electrical
switch (not shown) is tripped. The integrated circuit chip will then
permit all of the accessories of the vehicle to operate. Initiation
switch (33) generates a series of sound segments appearing to
emanate from the toy figure or from other components of the car,
such as the engine. As previously discussed, these sounds will be
produced at the speakers (9A, 9B) located at a distance from each
other to simulate sounds coming from different areas of the toy
figure or the vehicle. Prior to placement of the toy figure in the
vehicle, and the triggering of the switch (12), pressure on the
initiation switch (33) may generate only a vehicle sound indicating
that the seat-belt (6) must be fastened.
A second seat-belt (6B) for a passenger may be provided, however,
the placing of the end of seat-belt (6B) into corresponding
socket (7B) does not generate any activity in the embodiment of
the invention described herein. Normally, no passenger will be
present in the passenger seat. Instead, various accessories may be
placed in or near the passenger seat. For example, as illustrated in
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Figures 1 and 5, a shopping bag (29) may be provided with a
protrusion (29A) adapted to fit into socket (28). When
protrusion (29A) is inserted into socket (28), a switch (not shown)
is triggered to initiate the generation of sound segments from the
action figure appropriate to the placement of the shopping bag (29)
in the vehicle. Similarly, an appropriately shaped portion of pet
cage (27) can be placed in pet cage socket (30) to trigger a switch
(not shown) to generate appropriate sound segments. Indeed,
under the control of the integrated circuit, comments appropriate to
the placement of both of the accessories (29, 27) can be generated.
In other words, the toy figure could comment on the presence of
the shopping bag (29) in the vicinity of the pet cage (27).
Other accessories can operate with or without simulated
commentary from the toy figure. For example, pressure on horn
switch (35) can generate the sound of a horn from either of
speaker (9A) or (9B), as appropriate, along with the flashing of
headlights (37). Alternatively, pressure on horn pushbutton (35)
could also initiate a comment from the other speaker, ostensibly
from the toy figure, relating to operation of the horn and lights.
Pushbutton (39) may initiate generation of pre-recorded radio
programming sounds in a similar fashion. Pushbutton (31) may
initiate the placing or receiving of a cell-phone call, along with an
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appropriate simulated conversation between the toy figure and
another person over that cell-phone. In the illustrated embodiment,
the toy cell-phone comprises the entire pushbutton (31).
Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention
with a table or vanity (19) comprising trigger means (13) and
speaker openings (10A, 10B). When a chair (21) and a toy
figure (3) are pushed under the table (19), trigger means (13) are
activated to initiate a series of activities similar to those described
in relation to the toy vehicle.
10 Similarly, Figure 8 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of
the invention in which a pet house (23) comprises trigger
means (13) and speaker openings (10A, 10B). When a pet toy (25)
is placed into contact with trigger means (13), a similar series of
activities can be generated.
15 Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, it will be understood that ocher variations can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
