Interrelational audio kinetic entertainment system

• US 5,191,615 A
• Filed: 01/17/1990
• Issued: 03/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Drummer Group
• Original Assignee: The Drummer Group
• Inventors: Aldava, Michael B., MacIntyre, Hazen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US07/466,507
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 434/308, 446/301, 446/298, 446/300, 358/142, 358/143, 358/144, 381/2, 381/3, 381/4, 381/118, 381/124
• US Class Current: 381/2
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

Movable and audible toys and other animated devices spaced apart from a television screen are provided with program synchronized audio and control data to interact with the program viewer in relationship to the television program. A sampling keyboard-based encoder for kinetic device actuating signals is coupled via an audio mixer to an audiovisual programming source and television transmitter carrying an audio based kinetic and audio signal complex. At a remote location, coded audio and kinetic device signals along with audiovisual programming is received and the audiovisual programming content is displayed for viewing and listening. Stereo soundband based program audio signals are decoded and separated from the stereo sound band based device audio and kinetic signals. The device audio and kinetic signals are retransmitted to a spaced apart toy causing the device to be audible and move in synchronization with the spaced apart audiovisual programming. A single band low powered FM transmitter carries the audio kinetic signal complex in proximity yet spaced apart from a receiver coupled to an audio cassette configured magnetic head transducer disposed in the kinetic device to communicate audio and kinetic information to a device speaker and motors to cause the device to move and be audible.

Claims

1. An interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment system for providing real time simultaneous program synchronized audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located audible kinetic device, the audible kinetic device of the type moveable in response to kinetic signals and audible in response to an audible signal, comprising:

means for generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex in real time simultaneous synchronization with, yet distinguishable from an audiovisual program signal;

means for transmitting the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to a location whereby the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex as utilized by an audible kinetic device maintains real time simultaneous synchronization with the audiovisual program signal;

means at said location for performing an audiovisual program in response to the audiovisual program signal; and

means independent of the performance of the audiovisual program for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex and applying a decoded device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex responsive to the received device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to an audible kinetic device for causing real time simultaneous program synchronized sound and motion of an audible kinetic device.

2. An interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment system for providing real time simultaneous program synchronized audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located audible kinetic device, the audible kinetic device of the type moveable in response to kinetic signals and audible in response to an audible signal, comprising:

generation means for generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex in real time simultaneous synchronization with, yet distinguishable from an audiovisual program signal;

means for transmitting the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to a location whereby the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex as utilized by the audible kinetic device maintains real time simultaneous synchronization with the audiovisual program signal;

means for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex and applying a decoded device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex responsive to the received device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex, to the audible kinetic device for causing real time simultaneous program synchronized sound and motion of the audible kinetic device; and

wherein the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generation means comprises sampling keyboard means for generating a program-synchronized kinetic signal for an audible kinetic device, the sampling keyboard means being responsive to an audible kinetic device compatible coding signal.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 and in which the entertainment system is adapted for use with a stereo television signal having first and second audio channels, and the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generation means comprises means for carrying an audio signal for the audible kinetic device on the second audio channel of a stereo television signal.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 and in which the entertainment system is adapted for use with a stereo television signal having first and second audio channels, and the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generation means comprises means for carrying a kinetic signal for the audible kinetic device on the second audio channel of a stereo television signal.

5. An interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment system for providing real time simultaneous program synchronized audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located audible kinetic device, the audible kinetic device of the type movable in response to kinetic signals and audible in response to a device audible signal, comprising:

means for generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex in real time simultaneous synchronization with, yet distinguishable from an audiovisual program signal;

transmitting means for transmitting the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to a location whereby the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex as utilized by the audible kinetic device maintains real time simultaneous synchronization with the audiovisual program signal; and

receiving and decoding means for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex and applying a decoded device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex responsive to the received device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to the audible kinetic device for causing real time simultaneous program synchronized sound and motion of the audible kinetic device;

wherein the receiving and decoding means comprises stereo television demodulator means for supplying first and second channel television stereo audio signals and means for decoding the first and second channel television stereo audio signals to obtain a device audio signal and kinetic signal for the audible kinetic device.

6. An interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment system for providing real time simultaneous program synchronized audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located audible kinetic device, the audible kinetic device of the type movable in response to kinetic signals and audible in response to a device audible signal, comprising:

means for generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex in real time simultaneous synchronization with, yet distinguishable from an audiovisual program signal;

transmitter means for transmitting the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to a location whereby the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex as utilized by the audible kinetic device maintains real time simultaneous synchronization with the audiovisual program signal; and

receiver means for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex and applying a decoded device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex responsive to the received device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to the audible kinetic device for causing real time simultaneous program synchronized sound and motion of the audible kinetic device;

stereo television demodulator means having stereo audio output means for providing first and second stereo audio signals;

audio demodulator and separator means responsive to the stereo audio output means of the stereo television demodulation means for developing separate device audio signals and kinetic signals; and

means for applying the separate device audio signals and kinetic signals to the transmitter means.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 and in which the transmitter means comprises:

means for transmitting the device audio signal on a 49 Mhz carrier; and

means for transmitting the kinetic signal on a 27 MHz carrier signal;

and in which the receiver means comprises means for receiving and demodulating the device audio signal at the audible kinetic device; and

means for receiving and demodulating and applying the kinetic code to the kinetic device, whereby the kinetic device is articulatable and emits audio sounds simultaneously in real time simultaneous synchronization with the audiovisual device programming.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 6 and in which:

the transmitter means comprises a low power FM broadcast band stereo transmitter having first and second stereo inputs and means for applying the separate device audio signals to one stereo input and the kinetic signal to the second stereo input;

and in which the stereo television receiver means comprises FM broadcast band receiver means for receiving and demodulating the separate device audio signals and the kinetic signals at an audible kinetic device.

9. An interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment signal generating system for use in connection with a television broadcast system for providing real time audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located kinetic device, which are synchronized to a simultaneously broadcast program, comprising:

means for generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex in real time simultaneous synchronization with an audiovisual program signal;

means for applying the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex to the audio channel of the television broadcast system in synchronization with the program signal;

means for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex with the audiovisual program signal at a remote location from the broadcast system and in proximate spaced apart relation from an audible kinetic device;

means for separating the device audio and kinetic signals from audiovisual programming signals;

local transmission means for communicating device audio and kinetic signals to the audible kinetic device located in proximate spaced apart relationship to the local transmission means; and

local receiving means for receiving audio and kinetic signals from the local transmission means for coupling to the audible kinetic device;

whereby the audible kinetic device may be made articulatable and audible in real time simultaneous synchronization with audiovisual programming.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 and in which the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generation means comprises a sampling keyboard for generating kinetic sequencing codes synchronized with an audiovisual programing signal.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 9 and comprising:

an audible kinetic device of the type having multiple motors for exhibiting plural movements in response to plural coded signals and a speaker for emitting audible sounds from the audible kinetic device;

means for decoding the kinetic signal from the local transmission means and providing means for causing motion to the kinetic device in response to the kinetic signal; and

means for communicating the separate audio signal to the kinetic device.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein the television broadcast system has first and second stereo audio channels and in which the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generating means has an audio output coupled to the second stereo audio channel of the television broadcast system.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein the television broadcast system has first and second stereo audio channels and in which the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generating means has a kinetic data output coupled to the second stereo audio channel of the television broadcast system.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 and in which:

the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex generating means comprises a kinetic code generator encoder;

a modulator having a frequency of between about 12 and 20 Khz coupled to the kinetic code generator encoder;

means coupled to the modulator for providing a kinetic signal phase shifted by 180°

; and

means for applying a composite stereo signal responsive to the first channel stereo audio signal and the second channel stereo audio signal to be transmitted by the television broadcast system.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 and in which:

means for developing a first channel audio composite stereo signal comprising an original program audio signal, the kinetic device audio signal and the kinetic signal; and

means for developing a second channel stereo signal comprising the device audio signal phase shifted 180° and

a kinetic signal phase shifted 180°

; and

means for applying a composite stereo signal responsive to the first channel stereo signal and the second channel stereo signal to be transmitted by the television broadcast system.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 and comprising decoder means for separating audio and kinetic device signals from audio program signals, comprising:

difference means for developing a signal responsive to the difference between the first and second audio channels;

low pass filter means responsive to the difference means for passing an audio signal to a transmitter;

phase locked loop decoder means for separating the kinetic signal from a 12 KHz to 20 KHz carrier.

17. An interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment system for providing audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located device, in response to a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex synchronized with an audiovisual program signal comprising:

demodulating means for obtaining television audio signals representing first and second stereo audio channels containing embedded device audio and kinetic signals;

means for transmitting a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex representing device audio and kinetic signals to proximate spaced apart location whereby the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex as ultimately utilized by a kinetic device maintains synchronization with the audiovisual program signal; and

means for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex at the proximate spaced apart location, whereby a decoded device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex responsive to the received device-driven audio and kinetic signal complex is provided for causing program synchronized sound and motion of a device located remote from the transmitter means.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 and comprising an audio-kinetic device responsive to kinetic signals for causing movement to the device in real time simultaneous synchronization to audio visual programming, and responsive to an audio signal, the audio-kinetic device being coupled to the receiving means.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 and in which the audio-kinetic device comprises a cassette player having tape playback head means for communicating audio sounds to a loudspeaker and for communicating control data signals for causing various movements to the audio-kinetic device;

modular cassette adapter means for communicating kinetic signals and device audio signals to the device through the cassette player of the audio-kinetic device, the modular cassette adapter means configured to coat in operable engagement with the cassette player of the audio-kinetic device; and

the modular adapter means including the receiver means and means for decoding the transmitted signal complex to audio and kinetic signals and communicating the audio and kinetic signals to the device, the modular cassette adapter communicating means having tape head means for coupling the audio and kinetic signals to the playback head means of the cassette player of the audio-kinetic device.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 17 and comprising:

audio demodulator and separator means responsive to the stereo channels for developing a separate device audio signal and a kinetic signal;

means for applying the device audio signal to the transmitting means; and

means for demodulating the kinetic signal and applying the demodulated kinetic signal to the transmitting means.

21. The invention as set forth in claim 20 and in which the transmitting means comprises:

49 MHz carrier transmitting means for carrying the device audio signal to a proximate spaced apart location; and

27 MHz transmitting means for carrying the kinetic signal to the proximate spaced apart location;

whereby remote control radio frequency transmitters are used to carry the kinetic and device audio signals to the audio-kinetic device.

22. The invention as set forth in claim 20 and in which the receiving means comprises a 49 MHz receiving means for receiving the device audio signal at the proximate spaced apart location and 27 MHz receiving means for receiving the kinetic signal at the proximate spaced apart location.

23. The invention as set forth in claim 20 and in which

the transmitter means comprises a low power broadcast band FM stereo transmitter having a carrier frequency range of between 88 and 108 MHz., the FM stereo transmitter having separate first and second audio input channels;

the device audio signal is applied to the first channel of the FM stereo transmitter;

the kinetic signal is applied to the second channel of the FM stereo transmitter.

24. The invention as set forth in claim 23 and comprising FM stereo receiving means for receiving the device audio and kinetic signals, the FM stereo receiving means including means for separating the first stereo channel and coupling the signal from the first stereo channel to a loudspeaker in the audio-kinetic device, and means for separating the second stereo channel, decoding the signal from the second stereo channel and applying the decoded kinetic signal to motor drivers in the audio-kinetic device.

25. The invention as set forth in claim 24, and comprising:

difference signal means for obtaining a signal representing the difference of the first and second stereo audio channel signals;

filter means for separating out the device audio signal, the filter means coupled to the difference signal means;

bandpass means for separating out a kinetic signal from a kinetic signal carrier;

phase lock loop pulse decoder means for stripping away the carrier from the kinetic signal, the phase lock loop pulse decoder means coupled to the bandpass means; and

integrator means for developing a signal stream responsive to the kinetic signal for causing specific motion of the audio-kinetic device.

26. An encoding system for generating a separate device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex in synchronization with yet distinguishable from an audiovisual program signal for an interrelational audio-kinetic entertainment system for providing audio-kinetic movements in a remotely located articulatable device which are synchronized with a program, comprising:

sampling keyboard means for generating real time simultaneous program-synchronized kinetic movement signals signal for a kinetic device, the sampling keyboard means responsive to an articulatable device compatible source code input, the sampling keyboard means comprising an electronic musical keyboard having an input for receiving a sampling source signal and the electronic musical keyboard being responsive to a source code input to output kinetic information codes;

a device audio source for a device audio signal for the audio-kinetic device;

an audiovisual program source having plural audio outputs for outputting an audiovisual programming audio output signal; and

mixer means for receiving the audiovisual programing audio output signal from an audio output of the audiovisual program source, the device audio signal for the audio-kinetic device and the kinetic information codes responsive to the sampling keyboard means, the mixer means being coupled to the audiovisual program source, the sampling keyboard means, and the device audio source, the mixture means for generating a complex first and second audio channel codes, the first audio channel codes having kinetic and device audio codes embedded therein.

27. The invention as set forth in claim 26 and comprising:

an audible kinetic device of the type having multiple motors for exhibiting plural movements in response to plural coded signals and a speaker for emitting audible sounds from the audible kinetic device, the audible kinetic device coupled to the mixer means whereby the audible kinetic device is movable in response to keyboarding of the sampling keyboard, so that a programmer using the keyboard means is provided with visual and audible feedback during a programming process.

28. The invention as set forth in claim 26 and comprising:

a musical instrument interface coupling the mixer means to the sampling keyboard; and

computer means for causing the keyboard means to assign particular keys to define particular movement related signals to a kinetic device and to the duration of the movement, the computer means coupled to the sampling keyboard by a MIDI based interface.

29. The invention as set forth in claim 26 and comprising encoder means coupled to the mixer means, the encoder means comprising:

means for providing a first composite audio signal bearing signal components equivalent to the combination of normal program audio, device audio and modulated kinetic data signals; and

means for providing a second composite audio signal bearing components equivalent to the combination of the device audio signal phase shifted by 180° and

the modulated kinetic data signals phase shifted by 180°

.

30. The invention as set forth in claim 29 and comprising:

first operational amplifier means for obtaining a signal at its output equivalent to the audiovisual programing audio output signal;

first load means applied to the output for receiving the audiovisual programing audio output signal;

second operational amplifier means for developing a signal at the output equivalent to the device audio signal;

second load means applied to the second operational amplifier means output for receiving the device audio signal;

means for modulating the kinetic information signal with a carrier frequency;

third load means applied to the output of the kinetic information signal modulating means for receiving the modulated kinetic information signal;

third operational amplifier means for developing a composite signal representing the audio device signal and the modulated kinetic information signal, and

means for applying a signal representing the audio device signal and the modulated kinetic information signal to an inverting input of the third operational amplifier means.

31. The invention as set forth in claim 26 in which the mixer means comprises:

means for applying the plural audio outputs of the audiovisual program source, transferring the plural audio outputs through a musical instrument interface mans for coupling to the sampling keyboard means, and for receiving the output of the sampling keyboard through a musical instrument interfaced means and supplying separate outputs for the audiovisual program audio signal, the device audio and the kinetic movement signals.

32. The invention as set forth in claim 31 and comprising computer interactive control means coupled via a musical instrument interface to the sampling keyboard means.

33. The invention as set forth in claim 30 and in which the modulating means comprises:

pulse code modulation means for providing a carrier signal;

means for coupling the carrier signal with a location signal, whereby the device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex as ultimately utilized by a kinetic device maintains synchronization with the audiovisual program signal; and

means for receiving the transmitted device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex at a remote location, whereby a decoded device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex responsive to the received device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex is provided for causing program synchronized sound and motion of a device located remote from the transmitter means.

34. A method for remotely controlling audible kinetic devices in synchronization with audiovisual programing displayed in spaced apart proximity to the devices, comprising the steps of:

generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex containing a device audio signal and device kinetic signal synchronized with audiovisual programing signals, the audiovisual programming signals containing both a video and an audio component;

transmitting a television signal containing both the video and audio programing components of the audiovisual signals, the audio programing component comprising two channel stereo, the stereo signal comprising an audio based signal carrying kinetic signal information for the remote kinetic devices;

receiving the broadcast television signal at a remote location;

displaying and making audible the audiovisual programing at the remote location;

transmitting the device audio signal and the device kinetic signal locally to a proximately spaced apart location;

receiving the device audio signal and the kinetic signal at a proximate spaced apart location to the remote location where the audiovisual programming is displayed;

applying the device kinetic signal and device audio signal to the kinetic device;

causing the device to move in response to the kinetic signal and to be audible in response to the audio signal, whereby the kinetic device moves and makes audible sounds in real time simultaneous synchronization with the audiovisual programming being displayed.

35. The invention as set forth in claim 34 and in which the step of local transmitting comprises the step of transmitting the device kinetic signal at a first radio control frequency, and the device audio device signal at a second radio control frequency.

36. The invention as set forth in claim 35 and in which the first radio control frequency is 49 Mhz and the second radio control frequency is 27 Mhz.

37. The invention as set forth in claim 34 and in which the step of local transmitting comprises transmitting the device kinetic signal and the device audio signal on separate audio channels of an FM stereo broadcast signal at a frequency range of 88 Mhz to 108 MHz.

38. The method as set forth in claim 34 and in which the step of generating a device-driving audio and kinetic signal complex comprise the steps of:

modulating a kinetic code to obtain a modulated kinetic signal;

generating a signal representing the modulated signal shifted in phase by 180°

;

generating a signal representing the audio signal shifted in phase by 180°

;

generating a first stereo television broadcast signal representing a composite of the normal television audio signal, the device audio signal and the modulated kinetic signal;

generating a separate second broadcast signal representing the device audio signal and the kinetic data signal both phase shifted by 180°

; and

applying the first and second broadcast signals to a television broadcast transmission system.

39. The method of regenerating control data for driving remotely located devices in real time simultaneous synchronization with interrelated audiovisual programing comprising the steps of:

sampling a kinetic device code source;

applying source programing via a musical instrument interface to a sampling keyboard;

assigning identifiable kinetic device movement to keys of the sampling keyboard; and

generating a sequenced code representative of signals to drive a remotely located device in synchronization with interrelated audiovisual programing.

40. The method as set forth in claim 39 and comprising the steps of:

modulating a sequence code to obtain a modulated kinetic signal;

generating a signal representing the modulated kinetic signal shifted in phase by 180°

;

generating a signal representing a device audio signal shifted in phase by 180°

;

generating a first channel audio signal complex representing a composite of a normal television audio signal, the device audio signal and the modulated kinetic signal; and

generating a second channel audio signal complex representing the device audio signal and the modulated kinetic data signal both phase shifted by 180°

.

41. The invention as set forth in claim 40 and comprising the steps of:

applying the first and second channel audio signal complexes to first and second audio channel inputs of a recorder means along with existing programming, thereby creating enhanced programming with device audio and kinetic codes.

42. The invention as set forth in claim 40 and comprising the steps of:

broadcasting the first and second channel signals on the first and second stereo signal components of a television broadcast transmission.