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:
Jan. 11, 2000
Filed:
May. 14, 1997
Henry D Sharpe, III, Saunderstown, RI (US);
Ralph Beckman, Providence, RI (US);
Stephen A Schwartz, Providence, RI (US);
Design Lab, LLC, , RI (US);
Abstract
An electronic toy includes a user reprogrammable data storage device, such as recordable tape media, or digital memory, whereby a user can selectively download program information into the data storage device to change the independent operating characteristics of the toy. The program information is preferably generated by a personal computer wherein program information can be accessed from various media, including magnetic disc, CD-ROM, and/or a remote computer system via modem. In one preferred embodiment, the toy consists of an animatronic teddy bear having a reprogrammable digital memory. The program information, which may include audio data for speech and control data for movement of animatronic body parts, is transferred into the toy's reprogrammable memory by removable cables connected between the computer and a control processor in the toy. Program information can also be provided by, and/or downloaded from a remote computer system. After the download of information is complete, the cables are disconnected, and the toy can operate in a stand-alone mode wherein the stored program information is played back to operate the device. Alternatively, the toy can be operated directly from output generated in real-time by the computer while connected to the computer, or by remote computer connected to the local personal computer.