Programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device

• US 6,150,947 A
• Filed: 09/08/1999
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: James M. Shima
• Inventors: Shima, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/391,791
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 340/692, 340/669, 340/670, 340/671, 340/686.1, 340/689, 340/691.3, 340/539, 340/384.1, 340/384.5, 340/384.6, 340/384.7, 446/175, 84/609
• US Class Current: 340/692
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/00 Details of electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/135 Musical aspects of games or videogames; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces game background music G10H2210/026; musical game scoring or performance evaluation G10H2210/091
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/201 for movement interpretation, i.e. capturing and recognizing a gesture or a specific kind of movement, e.g. to control a musical instrument
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/395 Acceleration sensing or accelerometer use, e.g. 3D movement computation by integration of accelerometer data, angle sensing with respect to the vertical, i.e. gravity sensing. conductor baton movement sensing G10H2220/206, angle sensing without reference to gravity G10H2220/391; player body joint angle sensing G10H2220/321
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/055 Spint toy, i.e. specifically designed for children, e.g. adapted for smaller fingers or simplified in some way; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces with simplified control features

Abstract

A programmable sound effects device which utilizes a motion-sensitive mechanism for selecting unique sound effects. The device is comprised of an electronic motion-sensitive actuator, a sound effect storage media for storing a plurality of predetermined sound effects, and a playback mechanism for audibly emitting the motion-activated sound effects. This device is designed to be used with amusement and entertainment type products such as toys, games, dolls, and props, with exemplary uses in toy swords, drumsticks, magic wands, and the like. A preferred embodiment is comprised of a unit which is physically incorporated into the handle of a toy sword. As the user moves the toy sword in a predefined manner, the motion-sensitive actuator senses the motion and plays out a plurality of unique sound effects as a function of the user'"'"'s movements. The motion-detection algorithm which triggers the different sound effects is programmable. In another embodiment, the device is contained within a single housing unit that is worn on the user'"'"'s body. This embodiment is well suited for many toys, props, games, and the like that do not have any sound effects capability but would benefit from such capability.

Claims

1. A programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device comprising:

a motion-sensitive actuator for selecting a sound effect in response to a sensed motion of the device and producing a sensed motion signal indicative of the selected sound effect, the motion-sensitive actuator including;

(a) an accelerometer measuring an acceleration of the sensed motion in each of two coordinate axes and outputting a digital signals proportional to the acceleration in each of the two coordinate axes; and

(b) a signal processor receiving the accelerometer digital signals, calculating a numerical value that is a function of the acceleration in each of the two coordinate value axes and selecting a sound effect based on the calculated numerical values and;

a playback for receiving a playback signal resulting from said sensed motion signal from said motion-sensitive actuator and emitting an audible sound in response to said playback signal.

2. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motion-sensitive actuator further comprises

a sound effect storage for storing at least one predetermined sound effect and wherein the function of the acceleration used to calculate the numerical values is a derivative of the acceleration in each of the coordinate axes.

3. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal processor comprises:

a selected one of a digital signal processor and a microcontroller for analyzing said accelerometer digital signals,

a memory storage for storing program instructions, and;

a digital-to-analog converter for retrieving said stored sound effect and converting said stored sound effect into said playback signal for said playback.

4. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sound effect storage comprises a memory chip for storing a plurality of predetermined sound effects.

5. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

a power supply for providing voltage to said signal processor and said memory storage and said playback.

6. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said playback comprises an amplifier and a speaker.

7. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is used with a unit chosen from a family of units comprising toys, dolls, figurines, games and books.

8. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device of claim 1 wherein the digital signals output by the accelerometer are pulse-width modulated digital signals.

9. A programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device comprising:

a motion-sensitive actuator for selecting a sound effect in response to a sensed motion of the device and producing a sensed motion signal indicative of the selected sound effect, the motion-sensitive actuator including;

(a) an accelerometer measuring an acceleration of the sensed motion in each of two coordinate axes and outputting digital signals proportional to the acceleration in each of the two coordinate axes; and

(b) a signal processor receiving the accelerometer digital signals, calculating a numerical value that is a function of the acceleration in each of the two coordinate value axes and selecting a sound effect based on the calculated numerical values and;

a playback mechanism for receiving a playback signal resulting from said sensed motion signal from said motion-sensitive actuator and transmitting said playback signal to a receiver.

10. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said motion-sensitive actuator further comprises

a sound effect storage for storing at least one predetermined sound effect and wherein the function of the acceleration used to calculate the numerical values is a derivative of the acceleration in each of the coordinate axes.

11. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said signal processor comprises:

a selected one of a digital signal processor and a microcontroller for analyzing said accelerometer digital signals,

a memory storage for storing program instructions, and;

a digital-to-analog converter for retrieving said stored sound effect and converting said stored sound effect into said playback signal for said playback.

12. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sound effect storage comprises a memory chip for storing a plurality of predetermined sound effects.

13. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 10 further comprising:

a power supply for providing voltage to said signal processor and said memory storage and said transmitter.

14. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said playback comprises a transmitter for converting said playback signal that is indicative of said sound effect into a transmission signal that is to be transmitted in the direction of said receiver.

15. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said transmitter is selected from a family of signals comprising radio frequency signals, ultrasonic signals, and infrared signals.

16. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said device is used with a unit chosen from a family of units comprising dolls, figurines, toys, games and books.

17. The programmable motion-sensitive sound effects device of claim 9 wherein the digital signals output by the accelerometer are pulse-width modulated digital signals.

18. A toy including a programmable sound effects device which utilizes a motion-sensitive mechanism for selecting different sound effects depending on a motion of the toy, the toy comprising:

a) an electronic motion-sensitive actuator including a signal processing unit for analyzing motion of the toy and producing a sensed motion signal indicative of a selected sound effect, the motion-sensitive actuator including;

(1) an accelerometer measuring an acceleration of sensed motion in each of two coordinate axes and outputting digital signals proportional to the acceleration in each of the two coordinate axes; and

(2) a signal processor receiving the accelerometer digital signals, calculating a numerical value that is a function of the acceleration in each of the two coordinate value axes and selecting a sound effect based on the calculated numerical values;

b) a sound effect storage media connected to the actuator for storing a plurality of predetermined sound effects and providing outputs in response to the sensed motion signal from the actuator;

c) a digital-to-analog converter for producing analog signals in response to said sensed motion signal from the actuator and said outputs; and

,

d) a playback mechanism connected to the converter and comprised of an amplifier and speaker for emitting sound effects in response to said analog signals.

19. A motion responsive sound effects device for use with a toy comprising:

a) an accelerometer for sensing motion and emitting outputs reflective of sensed motion in both x &

y coordinate axes;

b) a storage component containing program instructions and prerecorded sound effects;

c) a clock-controlled digital signal processor connected to the accelerometer and the storage component for emitting digital signals in response to said accelerometer outputs and outputs from the storage component, the signal processor receiving the accelerometer outputs, calculating a numerical value that is a function of the acceleration in each of the x &

y coordinate axes and selecting one or more sound effects based on the calculated numerical values, the emitted digital signals representative of the one or more selected sound effects;

d) a digital-to-analog converter connected to the processor for converting the digital signals to analog signals;

e) an amplifier connected to the converter for amplifying the analog signals;

f) a speaker for emitting sounds in response to the amplified signals; and

,

g) a power supply connected to a selected one of the accelerometer, the component, the processor, the converter and the amplifier for powering the device.

20. The motion responsive sound effects device of claim 19 wherein the function of the acceleration used to calculate the numerical values is a derivative of the acceleration in each of the coordinate axes.