Interactive customizable audio-visual toy

• US 9,579,560 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2016
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jodi L. Houin, Karen D. Renner, Kristin R. Branscom
• Original Assignee: Jodi L. Houin, Karen D. Renner, Kristin R. Branscom
• Inventors: Renner, Karen D., Branscom, Kristin R., Houin, Jodi L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US15/098,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20160303471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1066 completing a circuit if solved correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1083 having plural layers on top of each other
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1088 two layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2454 with LED
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0612 Electronic puzzles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0666 matching elementary shapes to corresponding holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/34 Games using magnetically moved or magnetically held pieces, not provided for in other subgroups of group A63F9/00

Abstract

A user-customizable audio-visual puzzle includes a platform having a base layer, a middle layer, and a top layer coupled together. The middle layer includes a first cavity therein. The top layer includes at least one cutout therethrough. The puzzle further includes at least one puzzle piece having a peripheral configuration shaped to correspond to the at least one cutout in the top layer. A drawer is configured to be removably positionable within the first cavity of the middle layer. The drawer includes at least one second cavity configured to be positioned generally beneath the at least one cutout when the drawer is positioned within the first cavity. The puzzle also includes a recording system configured to record a message associated with the at least one cutout.

Claims

1. A user-customizable audio-visual puzzle comprising:

a platform comprising;

a base layer;

a middle layer coupled to said base layer, said middle layer defining a first cavity therein; and

a top layer coupled to said middle layer, said top layer comprising at least one cutout;

at least one puzzle piece having a peripheral configuration shaped to correspond to said at least one cutout;

a drawer configured to be removably positionable within said first cavity, said drawer comprising at least one second cavity configured to be positioned generally beneath said at least one cutout when said drawer is positioned within said first cavity; and

a recording system configured to record a message associated with said at least one cutout.

2. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a background image disposed on said top layer, and a puzzle piece image disposed on said at least one puzzle piece, wherein said puzzle piece image and said background image are configured to assist a user in correct placement of said at least one puzzle piece into said at least one cutout.

3. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a global recording switch operable to selectively prevent said recording system from recording the message.

4. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a button configured to enable said recording system to receive a sound signal from a microphone and store the sound signal as the message.

5. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said recording system comprises a switch positioned within said at least one cutout, wherein activation of said switch causes said recording system to play the message from a speaker.

6. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 5, wherein said switch comprises one of a photocell or a mechanical switch.

7. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said top layer comprises at least one ply of magnetic sheet material, and wherein said at least one puzzle piece comprises at least one ply of magnetic sheet material, such that said at least one puzzle piece is configured to be removably coupled to said top layer via a magnetic attraction force between said top layer and said at least one puzzle piece.

8. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said top layer comprises at least one ply of transparent material positioned beneath said at least one cutout.

9. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a handle coupled to an edge of said platform.

10. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 9, wherein said handle comprises a hinge coupled to the edge of said platform to enable rotation of said handle with respect to said platform.

11. A user-customizable audio-visual puzzle comprising:

a platform comprising;

a first layer comprising a cutout and a lip that extends inwardly from a periphery of said cutout, said lip comprising a magnetic material; and

a second layer coupled to said first layer, said second layer defining a first cavity therein;

a puzzle piece comprising a magnetic material and having a peripheral configuration shaped to correspond to said cutout, said puzzle piece configured to be removably coupled to said first layer by a magnetic attraction force between said lip of said first layer and said at least one puzzle piece;

a drawer configured to be removably positionable within said first cavity; and

a recording system configured to record a message associated with said cutout, said recording system comprising;

a microphone for receiving a sound signal corresponding to the message;

a speaker for playing the message; and

a switch positioned within said cutout, wherein activation of said switch causes said recording system to play the message from said speaker.

12. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein said drawer comprises a second cavity configured to be positioned beneath said cutout when said drawer is positioned within said first cavity.

13. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a background image disposed on said first layer, and a puzzle piece image disposed on said puzzle piece, wherein said puzzle piece image and said background image are configured to assist a user in correct placement of said puzzle piece into said cutout.

14. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein said recording system further comprises a global recording switch operable to selectively prevent said recording system from recording the message.

15. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 14, activation of said switch causes said recording system to record the message via said microphone when said global recording switch is activated to enable said recording system to record the message.

16. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein said recording system further comprises a button configured to enable said recording system to receive the sound signal from said microphone and store the sound signal as the message.

17. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein said switch comprises one of a photocell or a mechanical switch.

18. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein said recording system further comprises a processor, said processor comprising a plurality of record inputs, wherein a respective record input of said plurality of record inputs is configured to enable said processor to selectively receive one of a plurality of discrete audio messages.

19. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 18, wherein said processor further comprises a plurality of playback inputs, wherein a respective playback input of said plurality of playback inputs is configured to enable said processor to selectively play back one of the plurality of discrete audio messages.

20. The user-customizable audio-visual puzzle in accordance with claim 11, wherein said recording system further comprises a battery and a battery charging circuit coupled to said battery.