US20070197129A1

US20070197129A1 - Interactive toy

Info

Publication number: US20070197129A1
Application number: US11/676,035
Authority: US
Inventors: John M. Robinson
Original assignee: SPECTRUM RESEARCH GROUP Inc
Current assignee: SPECTRUM RESEARCH GROUP Inc
Priority date: 2006-02-17
Filing date: 2007-02-16
Publication date: 2007-08-23

Abstract

Disclosed is an interactive toy for providing an audible response to an initial audio signal. The toy is comprised of a housing, a microphone, a controller having speech circuitry and Mask ROM memory, and a speaker. The housing can be in the form of a human figurine and the toy can include an on/off switch which allows for the energizing or de-energizing of the toy. The controller is preferably a microprocessor. In addition, the controller is operable to run in different modes, for example a demo mode and a play mode. The microphone can receive an audio signal from a user and relay the audio signal to the controller. The audio signal can be in the form of a verbal question provided by the user. The controller receives the audio signal from the microphone and selects a message stored in the Mask ROM memory and provides the message to the speaker. The speaker transmits the message to the user in an audible form.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/774,388 filed Feb. 17, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an interactive toy. More specifically, the invention relates to an interactive toy that responds to questions by randomly selecting one of a set of pre-programmed answers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toy that simulates interaction with an individual by appearing to respond to input from the individual can be desirable to children and adults. In addition, toys that provide an answer to a question proposed to the toy have been found to be entertaining to users. For example, the well known “Crystal 8 Ball” that allows a user to shake the toy and wait for an answer on the side of a cube to become visible through a transparent window is commonly known. However, a relatively inexpensive toy that responds to a verbal question by a user with an audible answer is not currently available. Such a toy, being entertaining for an individual and/or a group of individuals, would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear understanding of the present invention can be obtained by referring to the included drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view and a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the circuitry for the toy of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a miniaturized pod of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective internal view of a miniaturized pod; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective internal view of a miniaturized pod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an interactive toy operable to provide an audible response to an initial audio signal. As such, the present invention has utility as an entertainment device for an individual and/or a group of individuals.
The interactive toy of the present invention includes a housing, with the housing containing a microphone, a controller having speech circuitry and Mask ROM memory, and a speaker. The housing can be in the form of a human figurine and take several forms.
Turning to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a fortune teller with the name Madame Seemore is illustrated. The embodiment 50 shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 40, an on/off switch 52, a name tag 54 and a base 56. Other embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2-4 wherein the housing takes the form of a personal therapist, teen advisors and a business advisor, respectively. As shown in these figures, various external forms limited only by the imagination of the inventor, fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, additional features to the housing 40 can be included, such as the booth 42 shown in FIG. 1, the couch 44 shown in FIG. 2, the additional human figurine 46 shown in FIG. 3 and the water cooler 48 shown in FIG. 4
Each of the examples shown in FIGS. 1-4 are operable to provide a number of randomly selected answers to an audio signal afforded by a microphone, controller and speaker as illustrated in the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 5. The microphone 16 is connected to the speech circuitry 12 and the microprocessor 14. The Mask ROM memory is included within and/or is onboard the microprocessor 14. Upon receiving an audio signal, for example in the form of a verbal statement and/or question, the microphone 16 receives said signal and transmits said signal to the microprocessor 14. In operation, a microcontroller unit monitors the output of the microphone 16 and upon receiving an audio signal of sufficient strength, affords for the microprocessor 14 to read a data file stored therein. The data file that is read by the microprocessor 14 is selected randomly. The selected data file is then sent to a digital/analog converter within the speech circuitry 12 and converted into sound using the speaker 18. In this manner, an interactive toy provides a randomly selected answer to a question posed by a user. It is appreciated that the microphone 16 and speaker 18 can be either physically connected or wirelessly connected to the speech circuitry and microprocessor 14.
The Mask ROM memory of the present invention can contain a number of different answers selected by, for example a toy manufacturer. For illustrative purposes only and in no way limiting the scope of the invention, the inventive toy shown in FIG. 3, that is the teen advisors called “The Lemons”, can be programmed to be voice activated and audibly respond to a question with a randomly selected answer from the following group of answers:

That's a no brainer!

Rules are rules!

You've got to be kidding!

Don't ask that again!

What do you think?

Trust our own judgment!

You know the drill!

You live in this house!

You know the answer!

Case closed!

Similarly, the set of answers for the fortune teller (Madam Seemore), the personal therapist (Dr. Fulbright) and the business adviser (Buddy Kool) are of a nature to provide a suitable answer to questions which might be asked of such persons. For example, the personal therapist can respond with such phrases as “Uh huh . . . please continue” and “I see . . . how does this make you feel?”, etc., thereby continuously encouraging the speaker to talk. The business advisor, as shown in FIG. 4, can respond to potential business questions with answers like “I know all about that, I heard it from legal” and “That's easy of course, I heard it from legal”. The list of randomly selected answers can include any number of answers and responses limited only by the imagination of the manufacturer,
In one embodiment of the present invention, the interactive toy includes an on/off switch 52 which energizes or de-energizes the toy 50. Preferably, the on/off switch is in the form of a push button that when depressed energizes the toy 50 from a “sleep” mode into an “awake” mode. In addition, the toy is operable to run in different awake modes, for example a demo mode when the toy is on sale in a retail store and a play mode when the toy has been purchased. In demo mode, the audio sensitivity of the toy can be reduced to prevent triggering by outside sounds in the retail store. Furthermore, the interactive operation of the toy can be limited to, for example, one minute before returning automatically to a sleep mode. Instructions can be provided to the user to change the switch to a play mode position once the toy is purchased.
When the toy is displayed on a shelf in a retail store or when purchased and being used by the owner, the toy senses a user's speech as an audio signal above a predetermined level for more than a pre-set time period, for example, 1.5 seconds. After the audio input is completed and followed by a pre-defined wait period, for example 2 seconds of silence, the toy senses that the user has finished the question. After the wait period, the toy assembles a message/answer and responds to the user. It is appreciated that one mode of operation by the toy 50 can include: (1) the microphone 16 detecting the speech as audio and transmiting the audio signal to the speech circuitry 12; (2) the speech circuitry receiving the audio signal in analog form and transmiting the signal to the microprocessor 14 after converting said signal into digital form using an analog to digital converter; (3) the microprocessor 14 receiving the digital signal and upon detecting the pre-defined wait period selecting a data file containing an answer that is stored in the Mask ROM memory and transmitting the data file in digital form to the speech circuitry 12; (4) the speech circuitry receiving the data file and transmitting said file to the speaker 18 after converting the data into an audio signal using a digital to analog converter; and (5) the speaker 18 receiving the data file in analog form and transmitting the message in audible form, thereby producing sound that is recognized as an answer by the user.
Another embodiment of the present invention affords for the interactive toy to provide a response by choosing a message which includes a random selection of two statements. A first statement can include an opening statement and a second statement can include a closing statement. For example, Table 1 illustrates a number of messages that can be transmitted in audible form by the speaker of the interactive toy. The statements or messages under “DEMO Mode—Start ups” provide possible choices for the interactive toy, in the form of “Madam Seemore,” to transmit when the on/off switch 52 is activated by a user examining the toy in a retail store. The messages shown under “PLAY Mode—Start ups” shows an alternative set of messages that can be played by the toy once purchased.

TABLE 1

DEMO Mode - Start ups

1.	The clouds are clearing. All the answers will be revealed.
	Go ahead, ask me about your heart's desire.
2.	I can see into your future and will guide you. Go ahead . . . Try Me.
	Ask me what's on your mind.

PLAY Mode - Start ups

3.	The wisdom of ages knows all. Ask me what's on your mind.
4.	You've come to one who knows. What do you need?
5.	The crystal ball has the answer. Ask me anything.

Part A Openers

6.	The spirits say . . .
7.	It's becoming clear . . .
8.	I'm thinking it over . . .
9.	Psychic energy suggests . . .
10.	Excellent question!
11.	My crystal ball says . . .
12.	The wisdom of the ages tells me . . .
13.	Can you keep a secret?

Part B Closers

14.	Absolutely! Positively! Definitely!
15.	It's not in the stars
16.	It's a possibility!
17.	Ask me again later!
18.	Highly doubtful! !
19.	No!
20.	It will be as you wish
21.	Don't count on it
22.	Soon you will find satisfaction
23.	Maybe in the Future
24.	Yes! (laugh)
25.	It's not clear. Ask another question.

The messages shown under Part A Openers represent eight introductory statements that can be transmitted in audible form by the interactive toy shown in FIG. 1, followed by twelve statements shown under Part B Closers. Turing to Table 2, a variety of randomly

TABLE 2

Group 1: Numbers 1–10
13 + 14
7 + 24
6 + 21
9 + 14
10 + 17
11 + 16
8 + 20
13 + 25
6 + 23
12 + 15
Group 2: Numbers 11–20
13 + 24
8 + 16
9 + 23
6 + 18
7 + 22
11 + 19
12 + 24
8 + 15
12 + 16
10 + 23
Group 3: Numbers 21–30
9 + 20
7 + 17
12 + 21
6 + 19
11 + 18
9 + 15
8 + 14
12 + 17
11 + 20
9 + 25
Group 4: Numbers 31–40
6 + 16
10 + 18
13 + 21
9 + 17
7 + 20
8 + 18
10 + 24
12 + 20
11 + 15
6 + 22
Group 5: Numbers 41–50
9 + 21
8 + 23
11 + 14
7 + 15
12 + 25
8 + 21
7 + 14
9 + 24
13 + 16
6 + 25
Group 6: Numbers 51–60
12 + 19
10 + 14
7 + 16
13 + 22
9 + 16
12 + 23
6 + 17
7 + 19
10 + 15
8 + 22
Group 7: Numbers 61–70
11 + 25
9 + 18
7 + 25
12 + 14
13 + 17
10 + 22
11 + 24
13 + 19
10 + 16
6 + 24
Group 8: Numbers 71–80
8 + 25
11 + 23
10 + 21
7 + 21
8 + 17
6 + 14
13 + 18
11 + 22
10 + 20
13 + 23
Group 9: Numbers 81–90
6 + 20
11 + 21
9 + 19
11 + 17
10 + 25
8 + 19
12 + 18
13 + 20
12 + 22
7 + 23
Group 10: Numbers 91–96
9 + 22
10 + 19
6 + 15
8 + 24
7 + 18
13 + 15

selected Part A opening statements and Part B closing statements are illustrated by the numbers under each group. For example, looking at Group 4 within Table 2 , a response to a question would consist of the number 6 Part A opening statement plus the number 16 Part B closing statement. That is, the interactive toy illustrated in FIG. 1 can respond to a question with the statement “The spirits say . . . It's a possibility!” In response to a follow-up question, the interactive toy can again randomly select another selection from Table 2 , or in the alternative select the next choice in that particular group, for example Group 4, number 10 Part A opening statement followed by number 18 Part B closing statement. In this manner, ninety-six random selections can be provided by the interactive toy in response to an audio signal in the form of a question by a user. It is appreciated that the number and content of the Part A opening statements and Part B closing statements can be adjusted and still fall within the present invention.

A different embodiment of the present invention affords for the recording of a user's own responses to be played back in response to an audio signal. This embodiment can record a user's response to a nonvolatile flash digital memory. In addition, this embodiment can include pre-recorded voice prompts to aid the user in the recording process and include a multitude of different voice categories. For example, one voice category could be pre-recorded answers provided by the manufacturer. A second voice category could be responses and/or answers recorded by the user. A third voice category could include a combination of the pre-recorded messages provided by the manufacturer and the recorded messages of the user. In this manner, an interactive toy that provides entertainment for an individual and/or a group of individuals is provided.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as a miniature pod 100 shown in FIGS. 6-8. The miniature pod 100 includes a top cover 102 and a bottom cover 104. The top cover 102 includes a battery cover 110, said cover operable to be removed in order to allow replacement of at least one battery 130. Within the interior of the pod 100 a speaker 112, the least one battery 130 and an integrated circuit board 140 can be included. The integrated circuit board 140 includes speech circuitry and a microprocessor with Mask ROM memory. A connector for a microphone 120 and a connector for an on/off switch (not shown) can be included. In the alternative, a microphone and an on/off switch can be included as part of the pod 100. The pod 100 affords for any toy or housing to be used as a toy that verbally responds to an audible signal. For example, the pod 100 can be inserted in a toy doll, a box, attached to a pet collar and the like. The pod 100 can included pre-stored messages to be transmitted in audible form to a user and/or afford for the user to record their own messages as disclosed above.
It is appreciated that the embodiments disclosed in the present invention preferably operate on battery power. It is also appreciated that the toy 50 and pod 100 disclosed above afford for said toy and said pod to enter into the sleep mode when there are no questions asked for a pre-determined amount of time and subsequently awaits for the next button press.
The foregoing drawings, discussion and description are illustrative of specific embodiments of the present invention, but they are not meant to be limitations upon the practice thereof. Numerous modifications and variations of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the teaching presented herein. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An interactive toy comprising:

a housing;

a microphone;

a controller having speech circuitry and Mask ROM memory;

and a speaker;

said toy operable to provide an audible response to an initial audio signal.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said housing is in the form of a human figurine.

3. The invention of claim 1, further comprising an on/off switch, said switch operable to energize or de-energize said interactive toy.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said controller is a microprocessor.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said digital controller is operable to operate in different modes, said modes selected from the group consisting of a demo mode and a play mode.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein said microphone is operable to receive an audio signal from a user and relay said audio signal to said digital controller.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said audio signal is in the form of a verbal question provided by a user.

8. The invention of claim 6, wherein said digital controller is operable to receive said audio signal from said microphone, select a message stored in said Mask ROM memory and provide said message to said speaker.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said message comprises two statements, one statement being an opening statement and one statement being a closing statement.

10. The invention of claim 8, wherein said speaker is operable to receive said message from said controller and transmit said message in audible form.

11. An interactive toy comprising:

a housing, said housing in the form of a human figurine;

a microphone, said microphone operable to receive an audio signal from a user and relay said audio signal to a controller;

said controller having speech circuitry, Mask ROM memory and operable to receive said audio signal from said microphone, select a message stored in said Mask ROM memory and provide said message to a speaker; and

said speaker operable to receive said message from said controller and transmit said message in audible form to said user.

12. The invention of claim 11, further comprising an on/off switch, said switch operable to energize or de-energize said interactive toy.

13. The invention of claim 11, wherein said controller is a microprocessor.

14. The invention of claim 11, wherein said audio signal is in the form of a verbal question provided by a user.

15. The invention of claim 11, wherein said message comprises two statements, one statement being an opening statement and one statement being a closing statement.

16. A miniaturized pod comprising:

a housing;

a speaker, said speaker at least partially within said housing;

a microphone connector operable to connect to a microphone;

an on/off switch connector operable to connect to an on/off switch;

a battery receptacle operable to accept at least one battery; and

a controller;

said pod operable to provide an audible response to an initial audio signal.

17. The invention of claim 16, wherein said initial audio signal is received by said pod through a microphone connected to said microphone connector.

18. The invention of claim 17, wherein said controller selects a message stored within said controller in response to receiving said audio signal.

19. The invention of claim 18, wherein said speaker transmits said message selected by said controller in inaudible form.