U.S. patent application number 11/227023 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for animated interactive sound generating toy and speaker.
This patent application is currently assigned to Zizzle, LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey D. Breslow, Robert J. Civettini, Dino C. Crisanti, Todd J. Kurtzer, Donald A. Rosenwinkel, Roger A. Shiffman.
Application Number | 20070060020 11/227023 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37855797 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Civettini; Robert J. ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Animated interactive sound generating toy and speaker
Abstract
An animated interactive sound generating toy and speaker is
provided and includes a plurality of stored musical beats, rhythms,
and melodies, as well as other sound effects that can be
interactively played back by activation of various switches that
are located on the body of the creature-like toy. In addition, the
toy's speaker can be utilized as a standard speaker for connecting
to an external audio source so that a radio, CD player, or MP3
player, etc. can be played through the toy's speaker. The toy has a
multi-color LED that is pre-programmed to flash synchronously with
the stored sound data as well as moving eyes that can move
synchronously with the stored sound data.
Inventors: |
Civettini; Robert J.;
(Chicago, IL) ; Crisanti; Dino C.; (Lyons, IL)
; Kurtzer; Todd J.; (Evanston, IL) ; Breslow;
Jeffrey D.; (Chicago, IL) ; Rosenwinkel; Donald
A.; (Oak Park, IL) ; Shiffman; Roger A.;
(Highland Park, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
Zizzle, LLC
1500 South Lakeside Drive
Bannockburn
IL
60015
|
Family ID: |
37855797 |
Appl. No.: |
11/227023 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 5/00 20130101; A63H
33/22 20130101; A63H 29/22 20130101; A63H 2200/00 20130101; A63H
13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/484 |
International
Class: |
A63H 29/22 20060101
A63H029/22 |
Claims
1. An animated interactive toy, comprising: a body portion; a head
portion connected to said body portion, said head portion including
two eyes thereon; a speaker disposed in said body portion; a
control system connected to said speaker for providing signals
thereto, said control system including stored data representing
different sounds; a first control switch disposed on one of said
head portion and said body portion for interactively providing a
first input to said control system; and a second control switch
disposed on one of said head portion and said body portion for
interactively providing a second input to said control system.
2. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
support legs connected to said body portion.
3. The toy according to claim 2, wherein each of said legs is
pivotally mounted to said body portion.
4. The toy according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of legs
includes three legs, wherein each of said legs is pivotable to a
position for each independently supporting said body portion on a
flat horizontal surface.
5. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising a third control
switch disposed on one of said head portion and said body portion
for interactively providing a third input to said control
system.
6. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising a volume
control switch.
7. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising a tempo switch
in communication with said control system for adjusting a tempo of
said sounds.
8. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said second control switch
is disposed on a belly portion of said body.
9. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said pair of eyes are
connected to a drive system for moving said eyes, said drive system
being controlled by said control system.
10. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said first control switch
is connected to an ear portion extending from said head
portion.
11. The toy according to claim 1, wherein one of said head portion
and said body portion includes an LED light thereon that is
controlled by said control system.
12. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal
connected to said control system and adapted for providing an input
signal from an external audio source.
13. An animated speaker, comprising: a body portion; a head portion
connected to said body portion, said head portion including two
eyes thereon; a speaker disposed in said body portion; and a
plurality of legs pivotally mounted to said body portion.
14. The speaker according to claim 13, further comprising an LED
light disposed on one of said head portion and said body
portion.
15. The speaker according to claim 13, wherein each of said legs is
pivotable to a position for each independently supporting said body
portion on a flat horizontal surface.
16. The speaker according to claim 13, wherein said pair of eyes
are connected to a drive system for moving said eyes.
17. The speaker according to claim 13, further comprising a
terminal connected to said speaker and adapted for providing an
input signal from an external audio source.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an animated interactive
sound generating toy and speaker.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Interactive musical instruments such as keyboards and
musical synthesizers are well known for amusement devices that
allow users to mix musical beats, rhythms, and melodies.
[0003] Furthermore, animated interactive toys, such as the
Furby.TM., which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,490 have also
been know in the art. By way of example, the Furby.TM. is provided
with controlled and coordinated movements so as to provide the toy
with life-like mannerisms. The toy utilizes sensors for detecting
sensory inputs which dictate the movements of the body parts in
response to the sensed input.
[0004] Despite the existence of the known interactive toys and
interactive musical devices, it is desirable to provide an animated
interactive sound generating toy and speaker system. In particular,
the present invention provides an animated interactive toy
including an animated character having a body portion and a head
portion connected to the body portion. A speaker is disposed in the
body portion and a control system is connected to the speaker for
providing signals thereto. The control system stores data
representing different musical beats, rhythms, and melodies, as
well as other preselected sound effects. The head portion and body
portion are provided with multiple interactive switches preferably
resembling different parts of the animated character's head and
body that can be adjusted so as to provide the user with
interactive input to the control system.
[0005] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the animated
interactive sound generating toy and speaker, according to the
principles of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the toy illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the toy shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the toy taken along line
6-6 of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the component of
the toy shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the toy control system
according to the principles of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of the toy standing on a side leg;
and
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of the toy standing on a rear
leg.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, the animated interactive sound
generating toy and speaker 10 (hereinafter "toy 10") will now be
described. The toy 10 resembles a fictional creature including a
body portion 12, a head portion 14 connected to the body portion
12, and three legs 16L, 16R, 16M that provide support for the body
portion 12. The head portion 14 includes a pair of eyes 18L, 18R
and a pair of ears 20L, 20R. A cone-shaped mouth 22 is mounted on
the head portion 14 below the eyes 18L, 18R. A dangling switch 24
is disposed on the head portion 14. A belly switch or button 26 is
centrally located on the body portion 12. The belly switch 26 is
surrounded by a four-way ring switch 28.
[0019] The legs include a left leg 16L, a right leg 16R, and a
middle rear leg 16M, which are each connected to the body portion
12 in a manner that will be described in greater detail herein. The
legs 16L, 16R, 16M each include a round foot portion 30 adapted to
engage a support surface 106 to limit the deformation in the seal
portion 108. Each of the legs 16L, 16R, 16M are capable of
independently supporting the toy 10 in an upright position when the
body portion 12 is pivoted relative to the respective leg so as to
be balanced thereabout, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 7, the construction of the toy 10
will now be described. The body portion 12 and head portion 14 are
formed by front body panel 40 and back body panel 42 which are
secured to one another by threaded fasteners (not shown). The back
body panel 42 includes an opening 44 for receiving the dangling
switch 24 therein. The dangling switch 24 is mounted to the back
body panel 42 so as to extend from the head portion 14 as best
illustrated in FIG. 6. A stopper plate 46 is disposed inside the
opening 44 for supporting the dangling switch 24. The stopper plate
supports a printed circuit board 48 for the dangle switch 24. The
dangle switch 24 includes a switch lever 50 that is movable by
activation of the dangle switch. The dangle switch lever 50 engages
a cover 52 which, in turn, engages a spring 54. The printed circuit
board cover 48 includes a copper plate 56 that is engaged by the
dangle switch lever when the dangle switch 24 is activated. The
dangle switch 24 and printed circuit board 48 will be described in
greater detail herein in connection with the circuit diagram
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0021] The back body panel 42 also includes a battery housing
portion 60 integrally formed therewith for defining a battery
chamber 62 for receiving batteries 64 therein. A battery retainer
plate 66, and pair of contact plates 68 are provided for providing
electrical connection with a first end of the batteries 64.
Electrical contacts 70 and front plate housing 72 provide
electrical connection to the other end of batteries 64. A battery
door 74 is engaged with the back body panel 42 for closing the
battery housing 60.
[0022] Each of the legs 16M, 16L, 16R is provided with an upper leg
joint 80 that is engaged by first and second leg clutch members 82,
84 on opposite sides thereof. The leg clutch members 82, 84 are
supported within the body by leg retainers 85. A rubber clutch
member 86 is frictionally disposed between an inner surface of an
aperture 88 (shown with respect to rear middle leg 16M) provided in
the upper leg joint 80 and between an outer surface of pin section
90 extending from leg clutch member 84 and engaging boss 91 of leg
clutch member 82. The rubber clutch ring 86 provides frictional
engagement between the upper leg joint 80 and clutch members 82, 84
so as to allow each of the legs 16L, 16R, 16M to be firmly fixed in
selected positions by the user. The middle rear leg 16M is received
in an opening provided in the back body panel 42, as best
illustrated in FIG. 3. The left and right legs 16L, 16R are each
received in corresponding leg holes 94L, 94R disposed in the front
body panel 40.
[0023] The front body panel 40 and rear body panel 42 are each
provided with a corresponding semi-circular opening portion 96, 98
at the bottom thereof that combine to provide an opening for
receipt of a speaker box 100 which is provided with a plurality of
apertures 102 therein. A speaker 104 is mounted above the speaker
box 100 so that sound emanating from speaker 104 passes through the
apertures 102 in the speaker box 100. A speaker cover 106 is
disposed above the speaker 104.
[0024] The belly switch 26 and outer ring switch 28 are disposed in
a front opening 110 provided in the front body portion 40. A belly
switch holder 112 is provided for supporting the belly switch 26
and ring switch 28 within the opening 110. A belly switch printed
circuit board 114 is mounted to the belly switch holder 112 and in
communication with the belly switch 26 and outer ring switch 28. A
main printed circuit board 116 is supported between the front and
back body panels 40, 42 and will be described in greater detail
herein with reference to the circuit diagram illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0025] A mouth retainer 120 is disposed within the head portion of
front body panel 40 adjacent to opening 122 which is disposed
within a projecting portion 124 extending from the head portion of
the front body panel 40. The mouth retainer 120 engages the
cone-shaped mouth 22 within the opening 122 of front body panel 40.
A multi-color LED light 126 is supported by the mouth retainer 120
adjacent to the cone-shaped mouth 22.
[0026] The head portion of the front body panel 40 includes a pair
of eye opening slots 130L, 130R through which each of the eyes 18L,
18R are movably supported. Each of the eyes 18L, 18R include a
front portion 132 and a rear portion 134 which are snap fit
together. The rear portions 134 of eyes 18L, 18R include rearwardly
extending pin members 136 (shown with respect to right eye 18R
only) which are received in slots 130L, 130R, respectively. A front
gear box 140 is disposed inside the head portion 14 and includes a
pair of slots 142 for receiving the pins 136 of left and right eyes
18L, 18R. A pair of eye sliding plates 144 are provided adjacent to
the slots 142 and receive the pins 136 of left and right eyes 18L,
18R.
[0027] The sliding plates 144 are supported by sliding plate
support member 146 and each engage respective gear drive mechanisms
150L, 150R. Each of the gear drive mechanisms 150L, 150R include a
drive gear 152 which engages a driven gear 154. The drive gear 152
of each drive gear assembly 150L, 150R is driven by a respective
motor 156L, 156R. A motor housing 157 supports the left and right
motors 156L, 156R and provides a support for the left and right
drive gear assemblies 150L, 150R.
[0028] The driven gear 154 is connected to a rubble plate 158 which
in turn is connected to a gear shaft 160 and eccentric wheel 162. A
gearbox spring 164 and shaft washer 166 are provided for connection
to the front gear box 38. The eye sliding plates 144 are each
connected to the eccentric wheel 162 for causing the eyes 18L, 18R
to move in an up and down direction upon rotation of motors 156L,
156R. The motors 156L, 156R are controlled by a circuit board 170
and switch 172.
[0029] Each of the ears 20L, 20R is provided with a cap portion 180
received in the end portions thereof. The ears 20L, 20R are
supported through side openings disposed in the head portion 14
which are defined by semi-circular recesses 182, 184 provided in
the front and back panels 40, 42. The ears 20L, 20R are pivotally
supported within the openings 182, 184 by an ear joint 188 which
are provided in snap-fit engagement with the ears 20L, 20R and
include a cam portion 190 on an interior end thereof. The cam
portion 190 engages an ear switch lever 192 which in turn engages
an ear switch 194 so that upon rotation of the cam portion 190 of
ear joint 188, lever 192 is caused to activate ear switch 194 upon
each raised cam portion passing over ear switch lever 192.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 8, the control system of the toy 10
will now be described. The control system includes a main
controller 200 disposed on the main printed circuit board 16. The
main controller 200 provides signals to the speaker 104, tri-color
LED 126 and left and right motors 156L, 156R, all in response to
input signals received from the belly switch 26, dangling switch
24, right ear switch 194R, left ear switch 194L, tempo-down switch
28C, tempo-up switch 28B, volume switch 28A, and mode switch 28D. A
ROM module 202 includes a plurality of stored data representing
musical beats, rhythms, melodies, and other sound effects that can
be accessed by activation of the belly switch 26, dangling switch
24, right ear switch 194R, and left ear switch 194L. The tempo of
any sound effect can be modified by the activation of the tempo up
or tempo down switches 28B, 28C. Furthermore, the volume of the
generated sounds can be adjusted by volume/save switch 28A.
Additionally, a "favorite" song, consisting of a specific user
selected beat, rhythm, and tempo, can be saved with the volume/save
switch 28A.
[0031] The ROM module 202 is provided with a plurality of stored
address locations labeled XROMA0-XROMA21. Each of these labels
indicate an address of the ROM 202 which contains the program's
sounds, data, etc. that can be accessed by the main controller 200.
The stored ROM data can also include data representing activation
of the tri-color LED lights 126 and left and right eye motors 156L,
156R synchronously with the stored sound data.
[0032] The main processor 200 also includes data signal connectors
labeled XD0-XD7 which represent the data signals feeding the bites
of data from the currently selected ROM address into the
microprocessor 200. The microprocessor 200 provides an audio out
signal 204 as well as a sleep signal 206 to speaker 104 via
appropriate connectors 204A, 206A. Speaker 104 can also receive
external audio signals from a headphone jack 208. When an audio
source is connected to the headphone jack 208, a signal is provided
to the micro-processor 200 via the external connected terminal 210.
An external audio signal 212 is connected to the speaker 104 via
external audio connector 212A.
[0033] The micro-processor 200 is connected to the left and right
motors 156L, 156R via left and right motor terminals 214, 216,
respectively. The micro-processor 200 is connected to the blue LED
126 by blue LED terminal 218, is connected to the green LED by
green LED terminal 220, and is connected to the red LED by red LED
terminal 222. Each of the motors 156L, 156R, LEDs 126 and speaker
104 is connected to the battery power source (V bat) which are
connected to an associated diode for completing the circuit thereto
as is generally known in the art.
[0034] With the system of the present invention, the toy 10 can be
utilized as an amusement device in which the belly switch 26,
dangle switch 24, left and right ear switches 20L, 20R, volume
switch 28A, tempo-up switch 28B, tempo-down switch 28C, and mode
switch 28D can all be activated for providing a plurality of
musical beats, rhythms, melodies, and other sound effects while the
tempo thereof can be adjusted as well as the volume.
[0035] By plugging the toy 10 into an external audio source, such
as a radio, CD player, MP3 player, etc., the toy can be utilized as
a speaker through which the audio output from the external audio
source can be played. The LED lights 26 and left and right eye
motor 156L, 156R can be programmed to blink and move synchronously
to the stored sound data. In addition, the LEDs can be caused to
blink when certain beats or rhythms are detected from the external
audio source. According to still another option, the eyes and LEDs
can be made to be activated randomly.
[0036] Although other configurations can be utilized in at least
one embodiment, when the belly switch 26 is pressed, one of a
plurality of musical beats can be heard. By turning the right ear,
one of multiple rhythms can be added, and by turning the left ear,
one of a plurality of melodies can also be provided. By activating
the dangle switch 24, other stored sound effects can be activated.
According to at least one embodiment, the ROM module stores at
least seven musical beats, seven rhythms, and seven melodies that
can be accessed. Furthermore, any select number of other sound
effects can also be utilized.
[0037] It should be understood that in the animated character
described, it is the ears 20L, 20R, dangle switch 24, and belly
switch 26, 28 that are utilized to activate the various sound
effects, blinking LEDs, and moving eyes. However, it should be
understood that the toy 10 can take on many configurations that
would implement switches into the body and head portion without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In
particular, it is anticipated that other animated characters having
switches incorporated into moving body parts (arms, legs, tail,
horns, whiskers, etc.) can also be utilized.
[0038] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the toy 10 is capable of
being supported on all three legs, or each leg independently. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, the left and right legs can be utilized for
supporting the toy 10, while in FIG. 10, the middle rear leg 16M is
shown supporting the toy 10 independent of the other legs.
[0039] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *