Audible message/information delivery system

• US 5,330,380 A
• Filed: 03/15/1993
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Link Group International, LLP
• Original Assignee: Link Group International, LLP
• Inventors: McDarren, Robert, Truchsess, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US08/031,312
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 446/397, 446/297, 446/303, 446/409, 434/308, 434/223, 434/159, 434/169, 434/335
• US Class Current: 446/397
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys

Abstract

A unique audible message or information delivery system particularly suited for toys is realized by providing each model or type of toy in a particular group or class with a unique identification code and also providing a message delivery and handling assembly which incorporates a plurality of independent messages, each of which are specifically related to one particular toy model and are constructed for being delivered by the message delivery assembly upon receipt of the particular identification code. In this way, whenever a toy model interfaces with the information/message delivery assembly, the unique, identifying code associated with the model is received by the information/message delivery assembly and is processed for activating the audible presentation of the specifically designated message associated with that particular model. By employing this invention, every different model or type of toy in a group or class of toys is able to interface with the same information/message delivery assembly and cause a different, unique, specifically designated message to be audibly delivered. By providing an audio producing information delivery assembly uniquely constructed for a particular group or class of toys, any toy group or class is capable of being constructed with identification codes associated therewith for having specially designated messages audibly delivered in response to receipt of a particular code.

Claims

1. A message or information delivery system for providing a pre-recorded, specially designated message selected from a plurality of pre-recorded messages in response to the receipt of a message identifying code, said system comprising

A. at least one group of toys having a plurality of separate and distinct models within the group, with each model having a plurality of identical members and selected from the group consisting of toy vehicles, dolls, stuffed animals, airplanes and action figures;

B. separate and distinct code means associated with each member of each model for specifically designating the particular model of the group to which said member belongs; and

C. a message delivering/handling member comprising

a. at least one input zone for

1. independently receiving and cooperatingly interacting with any member of any model of the group, and

2. determining the identifying code associated with each member,

b. electronic circuitry means incorporating a plurality of separate, distinct, individualized pre-recorded messages, each of which are specifically associated with at least one particular model,

c. processing means for receiving the identifying code and selecting the particular message associated with said code, and

d. output means connected to said processing means for receiving the message and audibly delivering the message to the user,

whereby a specially created, specific message relating to one particular model in a group of models is uniquely identified and audibly delivered to the user upon demand.

2. The information delivery system defined in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises

D. activation switch means constructed for transmitting a message delivery signal to said processing means for enabling said message delivering/handling member to transmit the preselected message to the output means, whereby activation and delivery of the actual message is delayed until receipt of said message delivery signal, thereby assuring that said identifying code has been properly read and transmitted prior to message delivery.

3. The information delivery system defined in claim 2, wherein said electronic circuit means is further defined as being removably interconnected to said message handling member to enable updated messages and system expansions to be effectuated with ease and simplicity.

4. An information delivery system for use with a particular group or class of toys having a plurality of models or types within the group or class, said system constructed for providing a separate, individualized, specific, relevant message for each different model or type within the group, said system comprising

A. a group or class of toys

a. having a plurality of separate and distinct models or types associated therewith and forming a part of the group or class, with each model having a plurality of identical members, and

b. comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of toy vehicles, dolls, stuffed animals, airplanes and action figures;

B. code identifying means

a. formed on each member of said models or types of the group or class of toys, and

b. comprising a plurality of unique code designations for the group or class, with each model within said group/class having the same code;

C. a code reading and message delivering member comprising

a. a single code reading zone

1. constructed for cooperative, code-reading interrelationship with each of the models or types of each group or class of toys,

6. The information delivery system defined in claim 4, wherein said system further comprises

E. activation triggering means constructed for delivering a trigger signal when activated and transmitting said trigger signal to the processing means for initiating the output of the selected message.

10. The information delivery system defined in claim 4, wherein said storage means and said processing means are further defined as comprising a combined integrated circuit and central processing unit constructed for retaining all of the independent messages for each of the models in the group, associating each of said messages with one specific model identifying code, receiving the code from the code reading zone and determining the precise message associated therewith for transmission.

12. The information delivery system defined in claim 4, wherein said code identifying means is further defined as comprising recesses formed in the model and the code reading zone comprises a plurality of switches positioned for cooperative contacting interengagement with said recesses for providing either an on or an off output.

13. The information delivery system defined in claim 4, wherein said code is further defined as comprising a plurality of pin means extending from a surface of the model and said code reading zone is further defined as comprising a plurality of movable spring members positioned for cooperative interengagement with said pin means for movement between a first "off" position and a second signal transmitting "on" position, whereby each of said models comprising a unique code designated by a combination of pins formed thereon.

14. The information delivery system defined in claim 12, wherein said spring members are further defined as being normally biased into their "off" position and movable into the "on" position by contacting interengagement with a pin having a sufficient length for controllably moving the spring member.

15. The message information system defined in claim 4, wherein said code reading zone is further defined as comprising a plurality of separate and independent switch means, each beingmovable between an "off" position and an "on" position, andconstructed for transmitting either an "off" or "on" signal to the processing means.

16. The message information system defined in claim 14, wherein said processing means is further defined as receiving the plurality of separate and independent signals from said switch means and integrating said signals into a single message defining code.

17. The information delivery system defined in claim 4, wherein said code reading zone is further defined as comprising an interfacing zone for receiving each model in cooperative association therewith and determining therefrom the particular code associated thereon.

20. The information delivery system defined in claim 17, wherein said prerecorded message is further defined as comprising facts and figures relating to one particular car or truck model selected from the group consisting of speed, acceleration capabilities, fastest speed attainable, body style, and racing statistics.

5. comprising means for separately and individually reading the code means of each member of each model or type of each group or class of toys, and producing and transmitting a code signal corresponding to the identifying code of the model positioned therewith, and

b. circuit means comprisingstorage means incorporating a plurality of individualized, pre-recorded messages, each of said messages being specifically associated with one particular identifying code, and

processing means constructed for receiving the code signal and determining the particular pre-recorded message associated therewith;

and

D. output means constructed for receiving the message to be transmitted and audibly delivering the message.

7. The information delivery system defined in claim 5, wherein said trigger means is further defined as comprising a separate and independent switch constructed for being activated by the user when desired.

8. The information delivery system defined in claim 5, wherein said triggering means is further defined as being automatically activated simultaneously with the reading of the code.

9. The information delivery system defined in claim 5, wherein said activation triggering means is further defined as comprising electronic components formed in the circuitry for generating an electronic delay activation signal whenever the code has been read.

11. The information delivery system defined in claim 9, wherein said integrated circuit/CPU is further defined as comprising a separate, independent unit constructed for removable connected interengagement with the message delivering member.

18. An information delivery system constructed for providing a separate, individualized, specific relevant message for each model or type within a group of toys which incorporates a plurality of models or types, said system comprising

A. a group of toys consisting of toy vehicles and having a plurality of separate and distinct car and truck models, with each car and truck model having a plurality of identical members, the entirety of which defines the group of vehicles;

B. code identifying means

a. formed on each car and truck model contained within the group of toy vehicles, and

b. comprising a plurality of unique code designations for the group of toy vehicles, with each member of each separate and distinct car and truck model within said group having the same code;

C. a code reading and message delivering member comprising

a. a single code reading zone

19. constructed for independent, cooperative, code-reading interrelationship with every member of every car and truck model contained within the group of toy vehicles, andcomprising means for separately and individually identifying the code means of each member of the group and transmitting a code signal corresponding to the identifying code of the member positioned therewith, and

b. circuit means comprisingstorage means incorporating a plurality of individualized, pre-recorded messages, each of said messages containing specific, information relevant to one particular car or truck model, and

processing means constructed for receiving the code signal and determining the particular pre-recorded message associated with the car or truck model mounted therewith;

and

D. output means constructed for receiving the message to be transmitted and audibly delivering the message;

whereby a specially created, specific message relating to each car and truck model contained within the group of toy vehicles is identified and audibly delivered to the user upon demand.