PROGRAMMABLE INTERACTIVE TALKING DEVICE

• US 20090275408A1
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,172,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/35
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/047 Architecture of speech synthesisers

Abstract

A programmable interactive device in which a microprocessor is coupled to memory and two speech synthesis processor. The device is connected through a wireless communication system to a remote server to receive scripts and corresponding digital data provided by third party content providers and other users. Software is executed to select digital data and the script based on received identification data and status data from an adjacent device. A code of instructions is executed on the microprocessor to activate a speech synthesizer to convert digital data into audio data, which is output through a speaker. Also, an interactive environment for a pair of talking devices is provided.

Claims

1. An interactive programmable device comprising:

a wireless communication system adapted to receive digital data modules and computer programmable scripts;

a memory unit adapted to store said digital data modules and computer programmable scripts;

a computerized speech module adapted to execute said computer programmable scripts and to synthesize said digital data modules into speech;

a sensor adapted to identify and detect a status of an adjacent interactive programmable device;

a transceiver operatively connected to said sensor and said computerized speech module and adapted to receive and transmit identification and status information of the adjacent device from said sensor to said computerized speech module; and

a software module stored on said memory unit and adapted to select and input said digital data modules into said computerized speech module for synthesis into speech based on said identification and status information of said adjacent device and said computer programmable scripts.

2. The interactive programmable device of claim 1, wherein said computer programmable scripts are adapted to be modified by a user.

3. The interactive programmable device of claim 1, further comprising a button adapted to allow said interactive programmable device to be activated by a user to create a simulated conversation between a plurality of interactive programmable devices in response to the speech of said adjacent device.

4. The interactive programmable device of claim 1, wherein said interactive programmable device is a toy.

5. An interactive talking system comprising a first interactive programmable device adjacent to a second interactive programmable device, wherein each interactive programmable device comprises:

a wireless communication system adapted to receive digital data modules and computer programmable scripts;

a memory unit adapted to store said digital data modules and computer programmable scripts;

a computerized speech module adapted to execute said computer programmable scripts and to synthesize said digital data modules into speech;

a sensor adapted to identify and detect a status of the adjacent interactive programmable device;

a transceiver operatively connected to said sensor and said computerized speech module and adapted to receive and transmit identification and status information of the adjacent device from said sensor to said computerized speech module; and

a software module stored on said memory unit and adapted to select and input said digital data modules into said computerized speech module for synthesis into speech based on said identification and status information of said adjacent device and said computer programmable scripts.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a communications network adapted to facilitate data transfer and interaction between the first and second interactive programmable devices.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said first interactive programmable device is responsive to the speech of said second interactive programmable device once said first interactive programmable device is activated by a user to create a simulated conversation between the first and second devices.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said first interactive programmable device is adapted to generate a response computer programmable script based on a computer programmable script category of said second interactive programmable device.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein said device senses proximity to other devices and responds with appropriate speech to have a simulated conversation with other devices.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second devices each comprise computer-executable programs comprising scripted conversations generated by any of a user and a third party content provider.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said computerized speech module is adapted to select an appropriate scripted response based on a proximity the devices.

12. The system of claim 5, further comprising a remote server operatively connected to each of the devices, wherein said remote server is adapted to provide said digital data modules and said computer programmable scripts to each of said devices.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a communications device connecting each of said devices to said remote server.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said communications device comprises any of a computer, a telephone, and a television.

15. The system of claim 5, wherein the devices are toys.

16. A method for operating a programmable interactive device, said method comprising:

activating a sensor provided in an interactive device to detect speech and a status of an adjacent device;

converting the detected speech and status into data;

transmitting said data to a remote application server in order to receive a response script; and

processing said received response script with a speech processor in order to output an audio response.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said sensor comprises a RFID interrogator adapted to receive and detect an identity of said adjacent device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising operating a software program stored in said remote application server to select a response script stored in a scripted table based on the detected speech and status of said adjacent device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said response script is generated by a third party content provider and uploaded to said remote application server.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein a voice message corresponding to a selected response script is output through a speaker on said interactive device as a response.