Electronic signaling system

• US 5,973,591 A
• Filed: 11/19/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dartz Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dartz Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Schwartz, David, Davis, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/974,528
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 340/384.7, 340/384.1, 340/384.4, 446/302, 446/404, 446/484, 379/67.1, 379/88.27, 379/88.28
• US Class Current: 340/384.7
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

The electronic signaling system comprises a base unit including an audio media player for reproducing a recorded audio signal from an inserted recorded medium, and an audio output stage for producing an audio output responsive to the occurrence of a trigger signal. A remote triggering device, such as a doorbell, includes a signal generator for communicating energy from the triggering device to the base unit. A receiving device in the base unit is provided for intercepting the energy communicated from the triggering device for reproducing the recorded audio signal. The medium may be a replaceable medium, permitting the user to select, from a variety of sound recordings, which recording is to be played back when a visitor or a guest pushes the doorbell. The replaceable medium may be recordable by a user. The audio player is preferably a player capable of reproducing sound patterns from integrated circuits containing encoded or non-encoded sound program information. A simplified electronic signaling system may be placed in a child'"'"'s room. When a pushbutton outside the child'"'"'s room is pressed, a preselected sound/audio/song/message/program is played by the base unit in the child'"'"'s room. The base unit may have a slot for receiving thematic cards having artwork thereon and carrying an IC containing sounds or sound patterns consistent with the theme depicted on the thematic card.

Claims

1. An electronic signaling system comprising:

a base unit including an audio media player for reproducing a recorded audio signal from an inserted circuit medium having data recorded thereon representing a series or set of unique sound patterns, and an audio output stage for producing an audio output responsive to the occurrence of a trigger signal;

a remote triggering device including a signal generator for communicating energy from said triggering device to said base unit;

a receiving device in said base unit for intercepting said energy communicated from said triggering device and generating said trigger signal to reproduce said recorded audio signal and produce said audio output; and

a theme card circuit medium carrier displaying artwork depicting a theme consistent with said unique sound patterns, said circuit medium disposed on or in said theme card.

2. The electronic signaling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base unit has a slot therein for receiving replaceable ones of said theme cards each carrying a coordinated circuit medium.

3. The electronic signaling system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base unit comprises a housing having a viewing window therein, said slot penetrating said housing to allow one of said theme cards to at least partially enter said housing and position said artwork to be viewable through said window.