The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 09, 1995
Vincent M Tong, Emeryville, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Interactive system which includes a computer having a video output display and a pair of audio output channels. A program source such as a CD-ROM contains information which is processed by the computer to provide a visual presentation on the display and audio signals in the audio output channels, and at least one input device is connected to the computer for controlling the manner in which the program information is processed and the audio signals are delivered to the audio output channels. One speaker is connected to the computer for reproducing sounds represented by the audio signals in one of the audio output channel, and the audio signals in the other channel are applied to at least one transducer in an animated doll. In the disclosed embodiments, the transducers in the doll include a speaker for reproducing sounds to be made by the doll and actuators for moving parts of the doll such as the mouth and eyes in accordance with those sounds. In some embodiments, a second doll is provided, and the audio signals are selectively applied to the transducers in the two dolls. In some embodiments, a microphone is carried by the doll, and the signals applied to the doll are controlled at least in part by words spoken into the microphone. In some embodiments, the doll is connected to the computer by an umbilical cord, and in others a wireless communication link is provided between the computer and the doll so there is no physical connection between the computer and the doll.