Interactive talking dolls

• US 6,358,111 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chi Fai Mak, Peter Sui Lun Fong
• Original Assignee: Chi Fai Mak, Peter Sui Lun Fong
• Inventors: Fong, Peter Sui Lun, Mak, Chi Fai
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US09/685,526
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 369/31, 369/63-67, 434/308, 434/319-322, 434/397, 446/175, 446/268, 446/297-303, 446/397
• US Class Current: 446/297
• 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

Abstract

A set of interactive toys that perform a sequence of actions in response to one another without external activation other than an initial actuation to begin the sequence of actions. Preferably, each toy has an activation switch and/or a receiver for a wireless signal such as an infrared signal which activates the toy. Upon activation, the toy performs a desired action, such as the enunciation of a speech pattern, and signals another toy to perform a responsive action. Preferably, the toy are capable of performing several different action sequences, such as the enunciation of different conversations, the performance of different movements, etc. Additionally, the toys are programmable by a remote control device. The remote control device either functions as an activation switch, initiating a random or predetermined (yet not user determined) sequence of interactions, or as an interaction selector, such that a desired sequence of actions may be selected.

Claims

1. An interactive set of toys, comprising:

an activation keyboard having a first action performing device which emits a sound signal;

a sound producing element having a second action performing device which emits a musical piece;

a first signal generator associated with the first action performing device, the first signal generator generating a first signal after the sound signal is emitted by the first action performing device;

a first signal transmitter associated with the first signal generator, the first signal transmitter transmitting the first signal;

a first signal receiver associated with the second action performing device, the first signal receiver receiving the first signal from the first signal transmitter to activate the second action performing device;

a second signal generator associated with the second action performing device, the second signal generator generating a second signal after the musical piece is emitted by the second action performing device;

a second signal transmitter associated with the second signal generator, the second signal transmitter transmitting the second signal; and

a second signal receiver associated with the first action performing device, the second signal receiver receiving the second signal from the second signal transmitter to activate the first action performing device.

2. The interactive toys of claim 1 wherein the sound producing element is a musical instrument.

3. A method of causing a set of toys to perform an interactive sequence of actions, the method comprising the steps of:

activating an activation keyboard to perform a first desired action;

generating a first signal identifying the first desired action performed;

transmitting the first signal to a sound producing element;

causing the first signal to activate the sound producing element to perform a second desired action responsive to the first desired action;

generating a second signal identifying the second desired action performed;

transmitting the second signal to the activation keyboard;

causing the second signal to activate the activation keyboard to perform a third desired action responsive to the second desired action;

generating a third signal identifying the third desired action performed;

transmitting the third signal to the sound producing element; and

causing the third signal to activate the sound producing element to perform a fourth desired action responsive to the third desired action.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second and fourth desired actions comprise the performance of a musical piece.