Animated display controlled by an audio device

• US 4,642,710 A
• Filed: 03/15/1985
• Issued: 02/10/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milton Bradley International Incorporated (Hasbro Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Milton Bradley International Incorporated (Hasbro Inc.)
• Inventors: Cartabiano, Michael C., Madison, Theodore N., Murtha, Eugene A., Johnson-Williams, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardillo, Raymond F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US06/712,382
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 360/79, 360/80, 352/87, 369/19, 369/20, 369/69, 369/70, 369/64, 369/65, 369/63, 381/110, 381/104, 40/447, 40/448, 40/457, 40/421, 40/455, 40/902, 40/906, 364/410, 364/513, 340/815.1, 340/815.11, 340/706, 340/765, 340/784, 340/691, 340/725, 901/1, 901/50, 273/1 E, 273/1 GC, 434/256, 434/257, 434/308-310, 434/316, 434/321, 434/393, 367/197, 367/198, 446/301, 446/302, 446/321, 446/484, 446/175
• US Class Current: 360/79
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 25/063 using tape inside container
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/06 combined with other apparatus having a different main function

Abstract

An animated display in the form of a representation of a face, is controlled by an associated audio tape player and a microprocessor-controlled liquid crystal display. The facial features are variable responsively to the audio signals of the tape player as controlled by the microprocessor.

Claims

1. An animated display device comprising:

an audio tape player of cassette type having a recorded audio signal track,

an animated liquid crystal display and addressing circuitry including a plurality of electrically-conductive matrices arranged in the form of segments representing portions of the eyes and eyebrows and mouth of a human face in different positions suggesting different facial expressions and a driver and driving circuitry having terminals electrically connected to the matrices,

an amplitude detector for outputting signals according to the reading of the audio signals of the tape,

an analog comparator connected to the amplitude detector for outputting digital signals according to the amplitude of the audio signals,

a microprocessor having programmed means for reading the output of the analog comparator and delivering electronic signals to the driver,

a power source for powering the tape player and microprocessor and amplitude detector,

a selector button shiftable between a ready operating mode and a fast forward non-playing mode and a stop mode and an eject mode,

and a housing for accommodating the tape player and liquid crystal display and microprocessor and amplitude detector and power source and selector button,

all adapted and arranged for the driving of the liquid crystal display by the driver in animating the facial expressions in seeming synchronization with the tape recorded audio on the cassette tape as transcribed by the player with the facial expressions being changeable responsively to the voltage selectively applied at portions of the liquid crystal composition where the eyes and eyebrows and mouth are represented.