U.S. patent application number 16/748153 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-06 for hand puppet with controllable audio output.
The applicant listed for this patent is WowWee Group Ltd.. Invention is credited to DAVIN SUFER.
Application Number | 20200246713 16/748153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004611521 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200246713 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUFER; DAVIN |
August 6, 2020 |
HAND PUPPET WITH CONTROLLABLE AUDIO OUTPUT
Abstract
A hand puppet in the form of a character has a mouth defined in
part by top and bottom surfaces movable by the fingers of the user
between a position in which the surfaces are in contact and a
position wherein the surfaces are remote from each other. A
microcontroller is provided with a memory which stores musical
sounds. A touch sensor is associated with one of the mouth
surfaces. Each time the mouth surfaces are in contact, the touch
sensor generates a pulse output signal to the microcontroller
input. A sound generator, connected to the microcontroller output,
is adapted to play back the stored musical sounds at a speed which
is a function of the number of pulses in a given time interval in
the output signal. The puppet may take the form of a character. The
musical sounds may be associated with the character.
Inventors: |
SUFER; DAVIN; (Hampstead,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WowWee Group Ltd. |
TST East |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004611521 |
Appl. No.: |
16/748153 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62799463 |
Jan 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 5/00 20130101; A63H
3/28 20130101; A63H 3/14 20130101; A63H 2200/00 20130101; A63H 3/48
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/14 20060101
A63H003/14; A63H 3/28 20060101 A63H003/28; A63H 3/48 20060101
A63H003/48 |
Claims
1. A hand puppet with a mouth adapted to be manipulated by the user
comprising sound generating electronics configured to play back
pre-recoded sounds at a speed controlled by the movement of the
puppet's mouth.
2. A puppet adapted to receive the hand of the user having a recess
formed of first and second surfaces movable relative to each other
by the fingers of the user, a microcontroller comprising a memory
for storing one or a series of sounds, a microcontroller input, a
microcontroller output, a sensor associated with one of said first
and second surfaces and connected to said microcontroller input to
provide said microcontroller with an output signal that is a
function of the number of times said first and second surfaces are
moved relative to each other in a given time period, and a sound
generator connected to said microcontroller output and adapted to
playback said stored sounds in accordance with said sensor output
signal.
3. The puppet of claim 2 wherein said puppet takes the form of a
character and said recess is the mouth of said character.
4. The puppet of claim 3 wherein said first and second surfaces at
least partially define said mouth of said character.
5. The puppet of claim 2 wherein said sensor is a touch sensor and
other of said first and second surfaces is rigid enough to actuate
said touch sensor to generate a signal when said touch sensor
contacts said other of said first and second surfaces.
6. The puppet of claim 2 wherein said series of sounds comprise a
musical composition.
7. A hand puppet in the form of a character adapted to receive the
hand of the user, said puppet having a mouth defined in part by top
and bottom surfaces movable by the fingers of the user between a
position in which said top and said bottom surfaces are in contact
and a position wherein said top and bottom surfaces are remote from
each other, a microcontroller comprising a memory for storing
musical sounds, a microcontroller input, a microcontroller output,
a touch sensor associated with one of said top and bottom mouth
surfaces and connected to said microcontroller input, said touch
sensor, each time said top and said bottom surfaces contact each
other, generating a pulse output signal to said microcontroller
input, and a sound generator, connected to said microcontroller
output, adapted to play back said stored musical sounds at a speed
which is a function of the number of pulse signals generated by
said touch sensor in a given time interval.
8. The puppet of claim 7 wherein said musical sounds comprises a
musical composition associated with said character.
9. The puppet of claim 8 wherein said musical composition is a
song.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a toy in the form of a hand
puppet and more particularly to a hand puppet which has an audio
output controlled by manipulation of the puppet parts.
2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under
37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0002] Hand puppets are well known in the art. Also well-known are
electronics in the form of a microcontroller including or coupled
to circuitry designed to drive a sound generator to reproduce
stored data forming one or a series of sounds in a controllable
manner.
[0003] However, it is not known to incorporate such electronics in
a hand puppet in a manner that allows the user to manipulate the
puppet to control the speed at which the sound output is generated.
It is not known to enhance the play value of a hand puppet toy by
allowing the user to control the speed at which pre-recoded music
is played back.
[0004] It is also not known to create a hand puppet in the form of
a creature with a mouth in which the movement of the mouth of the
creature by the user controls the speed at which a pre-recoded song
associated with the creature is played back.
[0005] The present invention is illustrated by example using a hand
puppet in the form of a character known as "Baby Shark" which is
designed to playback a pre-recorded song related to the Baby Shark
character (the "Baby Shark Song") at a speed which is determined by
the frequency at which the user of the puppet opens and closes the
mouth of the puppet.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a hand puppet is
provided with a mouth adapted to be manipulated by the hand of the
user. The puppet includes sound generating electronics configured
to playback pre-recoded sounds at a speed determined by the
movement of the puppet's mouth.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the hand puppet is provided having a recess formed of first and
second surfaces. The surfaces can be moved relative to each other
by the fingers of the user.
[0008] A microcontroller including a memory for is provided for
storing one or a series of sounds. The microcontroller has an input
and an output.
[0009] A sensor is associated with one of the recess surfaces and
is connected to the microcontroller input. The sensor generates an
output signal to the microcontroller which is a function of the
number of times the recess surfaces are moved relative to each
other in a given time period.
[0010] A sound generator is connected to the microcontroller
output. The sound generator is adapted to playback the stored
sounds in accordance with the sensor output signal.
[0011] The puppet takes the form of a character. The recess is the
mouth of the character. The first and second surfaces at least
partially define the mouth of the character.
[0012] The sensor is a touch sensor. The other of the recess
surfaces is rigid to provide a hard surface such that the sensor is
actuated to generate the output signal when the sensor contacts the
rigid surface.
[0013] The series of sounds forms a musical composition which could
be or include a song, preferably a song which is associated with
the character of the puppet.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a hand puppet in the form of a character is provided. The puppet
has a mouth defined in part by top and bottom surfaces. The mouth
surfaces can be moved by the fingers of the user between a position
where the top mouth surface and the bottom mouth surface are in
contact and a position where the top mouth surface and the bottom
mouth surface are remote from each other.
[0015] A microcontroller including a memory for storing a set of
musical sounds is provided. The microcontroller has an input and an
output.
[0016] A touch sensor is associated with one of the top mouth
surface and bottom mouth surface and is connected to the
microcontroller input. Each time the top mouth surface and bottom
mouth surface are in contact, the touch sensor generates a pulse
output signal to the microcontroller input. A sound generator,
connected to the microcontroller output, is adapted to play back
the stored set of musical sounds at a speed which is a function of
the number of pulse signals generated by the touch sensor in a
given time interval.
[0017] Preferably, the set of musical sounds forms a musical
composition which is associated with the puppet character. The
musical composition may be a song.
[0018] To these and to such other aspects of the invention which
may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a hand
puppet with controllable audio output as described in detail in the
following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken
together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals
refer to like parts and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the puppet of the
present invention, shown for purposes of illustration in the form
of the character Baby Shark, showing the mouth of the puppet in the
open position;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing the
mouth of the puppet in the closed position;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the puppet showing the touch sensor
in the upper surface of the mouth, and the connection of the sensor
to the case containing the electronics; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the puppet and a block
diagram of the electronic components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] As seen in the drawings, the invention is a hand puppet,
generally designated A, which is formed in the shape of a character
shown as Baby Shark for purposes of illustration. However, the
invention should not be considered as being limited to the Baby
Shark character, as the puppet can be any character or take any
form.
[0024] The puppet character has a head 10, a torso 12, a tail 14
and "fins" 16 and 18 extending oppositely from the torso and
extending from the top of the head, respectively. The puppet is
formed of plush material. The material is covered by a thin soft
fabric layer.
[0025] The user's hand, generally designated B, is received in the
head 10 of the puppet, through an entrance opening 20 in the back
of the head, as best seen in FIG. 3.
[0026] At the front of the head is a recess in the form of a mouth
22. Mouth 22 is defined between a top surface 22A and a bottom
surface 22B. Mouth 22 is adapted to be manipulated by the fingers
of the user. Moving the fingers and thumb of the user away from
each other will cause the mouth of the puppet to open (FIG. 1).
Moving the thumb and fingers toward each other will cause the mouth
of the puppet to close (FIG. 2).
[0027] Each of the mouth surfaces 22A and 22B is formed of a
generally planar rigid platform or base covered by a thin fabric
layer.
[0028] As best seen in FIG. 3, a touch sensor 24 is situated within
top surface 22A of the mouth 22 of the puppet, between the rigid
platform and the fabric layer. The bottom surface 22B of mouth 22
also includes a rigid platform covered by a fabric layer.
[0029] When the top surface of the mouth and the bottom surface of
the mouth are moved toward each other such that the surfaces come
in contact, the touch sensor will be squeezed between the rigid
platform in the top mouth surface and the rigid platform in the
bottom mouth surface causing the touch sensor to be depressed. The
fabric covering forming a part of the top and bottom mouth surfaces
is so thin that it does not interfere with the depression of the
touch sensor.
[0030] Each depression of the touch sensor causes the sensor to
generate a short pulse output signal. Repeated depressions of the
touch sensor caused by opening and closing of the mouth by the user
in rapid succession will cause the touch sensor to generate an
output signal consisting of a series of short pulses.
[0031] A wire 26 connects touch sensor 24 to the electronics
contained in a case 28 which is situated within the torso 12 of the
puppet, see FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 4, the electronics within
case 28 consist of a microcontroller 30, a power source for the
components such as a battery 32, a memory 34 for storing data
representing a musical composition, a timer circuit such as a clock
36 and a sound generator including a drive circuit 38 and a speaker
40.
[0032] Although the memory 34, timer 36 and drive circuit 38 are
shown in FIG. 4 as circuits which are external to the
microcontroller 30, those circuits may be incorporated within the
microcontroller itself.
[0033] The input of the microcontroller receives the pulse output
signal from sensor 24. The microcontroller uses the sensor output
signal to determine the speed or tempo at which the pre-recorded
music in memory 34 will be played back. Thus, the pre-recorded
music is played back at a speed or tempo which is a function of how
fast the user is opening and closing the mouth of the puppet.
[0034] The microcontroller may determine the playback speed of the
pre-recorded music in memory 34 by measuring the time interval
between adjacent pulses in the output signal or by counting the
number of pulses in the output signal which are received within a
selected time period. Clock circuit 36 provides the time signals
needed to preform the calculation.
[0035] The microcontroller uses the calculation to regulate the
speed at which the sound generator plays back the pre-recorded
musical composition stored in memory 34. Thus, the pre-recorded
musical composition will be played back at a speed determined by
how fast the user opens and closes the mouth of the puppet.
[0036] The output of the microcontroller is connected to a circuit
38 which drives a speaker 40. The microcontroller controls the
speed or tempo at which the pre-recorded music composition is
played back.
[0037] The musical composition stored in the memory 34 is
preferably associated with the character of the puppet. For
example, a puppet formed to appear like the Baby Shark character
might play back the "Baby Shark Song." A puppet in the form of a
puppy might play back "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?"
[0038] The basic invention described herein could be modified in
many ways. For example, the invention may include a microphone
which allows the user to record sounds for the puppet to play back.
The user could record words or phrases in his or her own voice or
music which could be played while the user sings along.
[0039] Alternatively, the output signal from the sensor could be
combined with output signals from accelerometers and/or gyros to
provide another dimension to the sound generation based upon the
position or movement of the puppet. The combined output signals
could be used to adjust the pitch, tone, or loudness of the
generated sound.
[0040] Further, the sounds can be coordinated with the creature
which forms the puppet. For example, the character of the puppet
could be a frog. When the user moves the frog puppet in small hops,
the sound generating electronics of the puppet can be programmed to
generate intermittent frog-like sounds. When the puppet is placed
on its side, the puppet could produce snoring sounds. If the puppet
is thrust forward while its mouth is open, a burping sound could be
generated.
[0041] In addition, it is possible to use a second touch sensor in
the puppet mouth such as in the bottom mouth surface. Other sensors
in the interior of the puppet to detect the presence of the user's
hand as it is inserted into the puppet such that the puppet could
automatically come to life by generating sounds.
[0042] The puppet may have arms and legs that can be manipulated by
the hand of the user. The exterior of the puppet body can include
different zones with touch sensors. Those touch sensors could be
actuated by the ends of the limbs for the puppet to generate
particular sounds. For example, if the end of the arm of the puppet
comes in contact with the puppet in the mouth area, the puppet
might emit an "Oh Oh" sound or a yawn. If the ends if the arms
touch each other, the puppet might generate a clapping sound.
[0043] This interaction between manipulating the puppet's mouth,
and sensing position and movement of the puppet, results in an
innovative and interesting toy with a great deal of play value.
[0044] While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration,
it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made
thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and
variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as
defined by the following claims:
* * * * *