US20100099330A1 - Pocket Audience - Google Patents

Abstract

A novelty electronic device that audibly plays back prerecorded audience responses. Prerecorded sounds include laughter, applause, sorrow, surprise, disgust and cheers. Other sounds effects may include a tuba (wah, wah, wah) and/or cricket noises to simulate sound effects heard on various television sitcoms.

Description

• This application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/925,663 filed on Apr. 23, 2007.
SUMMARY
• This item is a novelty electronic keychain device that audiably plays the reactions of a studio audience at the touch of a button. This is a novelty item, and though the aesthetics of the casing may differ in due time, the importance of my claim is the concept and functions of the Pocket Audience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Keychain Loop (optional): Molded into casing.
  2. Speaker Holes: For clearer sound (speaker underneath)
  3. Laugh Button: Prerecorded laugh track. Makes any joke funnier.
  4. Applause Button: For a nice sense of accomplishment or introduction.
  5. Swoon Button: Push this button after a romantic kiss. Oooooooh! Crowd cheering may be used in place of swoon.
  6. Letdown Button: Push for a heartwarming Awwww.
  7. Tuba Button: Prerecorded “WAH, Wah, wah” for unfunny jokes. Cricket chirp may be used in place of tuba.
  8. Prerecorded electronic device (inside casing): The above mentioned playback sounds imprinted on a prerecorded device, complete with speaker.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This device is in the field of novelty and/or keychain item.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/EMBODIMENTS
• The amount of detail provided in the drawings and/or text is not intended to limit the combinations and variations of sounds and/or pushbutton placement associated with audience sounds/sound effects related to the claims for this item.
• FIG. 1: Front view
• FIG. 2: Side view
• FIG. 3: Bottom veiw
• FIG. 4: Top view
• FIG. 5: Back view
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention generally relates to the television show enthusiast who wishes he or she had their own sitcom. Wherever they may be in the world, the holder of this item can simulate a studio audience to laugh at their jokes, feel sorry for them, or cheer them on. Likewise, the holder of this item can also push the appropriate button on the device when they witness people and/or situations around them in need of a studio audience that cheers or heckles. The following is a list of similar patents and how they differ from my idea:
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,685: An applause communication device formed by a housing having a sound generating device . . . and wherein the central control center signals the applause communication device to generate a sound selected from the group consisting of approval sounds and disapproval sounds. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,685 because it plays back pre-recorded audience sounds as opposed to generating them. Also, my device is self-supporting and does not need the aid of a central control center.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,195: A novelty basketball goal comprising: a hoop, a net secured to the hoop, an electrical switch for generating a signal responsive to an object passing through the hoop, the electrical switch comprising a housing. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,195 because it is a keychain, which in no way resembles a basketball goal. Also, the buttons of my gadget provide the user a choice of audience responses, rather than random ones.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,250: A compact and hand-held microelectronic device capable of audio playback of highlights. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,250 because my device plays back prerecorded audience responses, not highlights.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,266: A noise making device for creating selective clapping sounds comprised of a pair of identical section halves of molded plastic construction. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,266 because my device is a hand held electronic, as opposed to simple moving parts.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,488: A sports rod equipped with sound reproducing means . . . wherein said preselected acoustical program is played on command by participants at appropriate times at sports events to assist in conducting the festivities. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,488 because it plays back audience responses and is a palm sized keychain device, having nothing to do with sports acoustical programs.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,807: A hand held clamor for simulating and amplifying the sounds associated with an animal mascot for a sports team. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,807 because it plays back prerecorded audience responses. It does not make animal mascot sounds.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,447: An electronic singing or poetry-reciting toy. Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,447 because it plays back audience responses. It does not sing or recite poetry. My device is also marketed towards adults as a novelty item, not a toy.
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,701: A method of simulating the responses of a physically-distributed audience . . . generating a response metric having a value based on the recognized audience response.
  Difference(s): My device differs from U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,701 because it plays back pre-recorded audience sounds as opposed to generating them.

Claims (2)

1. (canceled)

2. A handheld device which produces familiar audible audience responses by way of pre-recorded means.

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