EP1624945A2 - Supra-voice sound-responsive toy - Google Patents

Supra-voice sound-responsive toy

Info

Publication number
EP1624945A2
EP1624945A2 EP04752796A EP04752796A EP1624945A2 EP 1624945 A2 EP1624945 A2 EP 1624945A2 EP 04752796 A EP04752796 A EP 04752796A EP 04752796 A EP04752796 A EP 04752796A EP 1624945 A2 EP1624945 A2 EP 1624945A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frequency range
sound
frequencies
toy
frequency
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04752796A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Raymond J. Martin
Darin Barri
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mattel Inc
Original Assignee
Mattel Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mattel Inc filed Critical Mattel Inc
Publication of EP1624945A2 publication Critical patent/EP1624945A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00—Dolls
    • A63H3/28—Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H13/00—Toy figures with self-moving parts, with or without movement of the toy as a whole
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H2200/00—Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to sound-activated toys, and
  • the present disclosure is directed to a toy that responds to
  • the toy sounds having a frequency range above the frequencies of normal speech.
  • the toy is responsive to two
  • reject frequencies to which the toy is not responsive which reject frequencies are between ranges of frequencies to which the toy responds.
  • a range of reject frequencies may include a range of normal human speech.
  • the toy may have advantageous use when embodied in the form of an
  • the toy may be responsive to
  • one or more frequency bands may have different reactions depending on the
  • FIG. 1 is a general block diagram of a sound-responsive toy.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of the toy of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic of a circuit usable in an embodiment of the toy of
  • FIG. 4 is a table illustrating operating characteristics of the circuit of
  • FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating graphically operating characteristics of the
  • a toy shown generally at 10 includes a
  • Sound detector 12 and output apparatus 14 may be included in body 11. In some embodiments, sound
  • detector 12 may be remote from the body, in which case body 11 ', shown in dashed
  • sound detector 12 is adapted to detect a sound in a
  • Normal human speech is generally
  • sound detector 12 detects
  • supra-voice sounds sounds that are significantly above this usual range
  • a range of frequencies can include a single frequency or a
  • Sound detector 12 can be of various forms, such as a circuit or a
  • controller that includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for storing
  • circuit or controller may be embodied as one or
  • a processor may be any device, such as a
  • Sound detector 12 may produce one or more control signals, such as a
  • control signal C to output apparatus 14.
  • Output apparatus 14 is adapted to produce a
  • a sensible action is an action that can be sensed by one of the human
  • Examples of sensible actions that a toy in the form of a snake may include
  • a movable part of the snake body such as a snake tongue, eye, tail or other body part, illuminating lights positioned in the eyes, or making a sound, such as a
  • the toy may produce one or several of such actions in response to
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a toy 10 adapted to respond to two
  • a sound detector 12 includes a sound receiver 15 and a
  • Sound receiver 15 includes a microphone 18 and a pre-amp 20.
  • Microphone 18 is adapted to transduce sound of a broad frequency range including a
  • Pre-amp 20 then amplifies the
  • the sound signal output from the pre-amp is split into a supra-voice path
  • filter 30 is a high-pass filter.
  • filtered sound signal is amplified by an op-amp 32 to raise the sound signal level.
  • Filter 30 thus essentially filters out the normal voice sounds of a person
  • the amplitude detector 34 puts out a control signal with a high
  • control signal Cs indicative of the receipt of a supra-voice sound.
  • control signal is then applied to a first action device 36, and any other associated
  • filter 38 and an op-amp 40.
  • the pass band of filter 38 filters out of the sound signal
  • filter 38 allows normal
  • Amplitude detector 42 produces a control signal C v indicative
  • action device 36 preferably different than an action produced by action device 36.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic of a circuit usable in toy 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and
  • Sound detector 12 includes a sound detector 12 and an output apparatus 14.
  • Sound detector 12 includes a microphone
  • sound receiver 15 in the form of a microphone 18 and pre-amp 20, and a sound
  • Pre-amp 20 is shown as a two-stage amplifier having first and second
  • the pre-amp is identified as TPl.
  • the amplifier is seen to have a broad bandwidth or frequency range
  • This frequency range has a 3 dB bandwidth of about 150 Hz to about 3 kHz, with a maximum gain at about 1 kHz. Signal gain is provided over
  • a sound signal S output by the sound detector, is applied to sound
  • the sound signal is split into a supra-voice path 26 and a second path 28,
  • a received sound signal is transmitted to a high-pass filter 30 having a 3 dB pass band of
  • the gain curve for the signals output from op-amp 32 is identified as
  • Filter 30 thus essentially filters out the normal voice sounds of a person
  • amplitude detector 34 including an op-amp 46 and a transistor 48, shown in FIG. 3. If
  • transistor 48 is turned on. This
  • control signal is then applied to a first action device,
  • the action device is a light-emitting diode
  • LED 50 that emits a distinctive color, such as red. This light may be used, for
  • an action figure such as a
  • the resulting filtered sound signal is identified as TP2 in
  • this filter has a pass band of about 200 Hz to 1500 Hz, and a
  • an amplitude detector 42 including an op-amp 52 and a transistor 54. If the signal
  • transistor 54 is turned on. This transistor then
  • control signal is then applied to an action device 44 that performs a designated
  • action by toy 10 that is preferably different than an action produced upon receipt of a
  • the action device is an LED 56 that emits a
  • reject band 58 This band is between the frequencies of about 1.5 kHz and about 7
  • voice-activated action device 44 it is necessary to speak with a lower voice.
  • logic circuits may be applied to the
  • This operation thus allows a user of the toy to "speak" a
  • components having shared functions may be embodied in
  • cardinal indicators such as first, second or third, for

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

A toy (10) responds to sounds having a frequency above the frequencies of normal speech. The toy (10) may also respond to other sounds, such as sounds having frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of normal speech. In such an embodiment, the toy (10) may be responsive to sounds in different frequency ranges, and may have different reactions depending on the frequencies of the sounds detected. Further, the responsive frequency ranges may be separated by a third range of rejected frequencies. Sounds in the third range may not activate any toy functions.

Description

SUPRA-VOICE SOUND-RESPONSIVE TOY
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] The present application claims priority from United States Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/472,313, filed May 20, 2003, and incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Background
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to sound-activated toys, and
particularly to toys that respond to sounds in one or more ranges of frequencies, such
as sounds in a range of frequencies above frequencies of normal human speech.
[0003] Sound responsive toys with non- voice-recognition based circuits are
found in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,119,201, 3,770,981, 4,207,696, 4,221,927, 4,775,351,
5,090,936, 5,176,560, 5,324,225, 5,407,376, 5,429,513, 6,039,626, and 6,413,141, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Recognition based circuits
are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,688,126, 4,780,906, and 4,817,155, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
Summary
[0004] As mentioned, the present disclosure is directed to a toy that responds to
sounds having a frequency range above the frequencies of normal speech. The toy
may also respond to other sounds, such as sounds having frequencies corresponding to
the frequencies of normal speech. In some embodiments, the toy is responsive to two
or more ranges of spaced-apart frequencies. In other words there may be a range of
reject frequencies to which the toy is not responsive, which reject frequencies are between ranges of frequencies to which the toy responds. In some embodiments such
a range of reject frequencies may include a range of normal human speech.
[0005] The toy may have advantageous use when embodied in the form of an
action figure, such as a snake. In such an embodiment, the toy may be responsive to
one or more frequency bands, and may have different reactions depending on the
frequency bands detected.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] FIG. 1 is a general block diagram of a sound-responsive toy.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of the toy of FIG. 1,
which toy is responsive to different frequency ranges.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a circuit usable in an embodiment of the toy of
FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating operating characteristics of the circuit of
FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating graphically operating characteristics of the
circuit of FIG. 3.
Detailed Description of an Embodiment
[0011] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a toy shown generally at 10, includes a
body 11, a sound detector 12, and an output apparatus 14. Sound detector 12 and output apparatus 14 may be included in body 11. In some embodiments, sound
detector 12 may be remote from the body, in which case body 11 ', shown in dashed
lines, contains only output apparatus 14.
[0012] In this example, sound detector 12 is adapted to detect a sound in a
range of frequencies above normal human speech. Normal human speech is generally
considered to be in the range of 300 Hz to 3000 Hz. Rather, sound detector 12 detects
sounds that are significantly above this usual range, referred to as supra-voice sounds,
are detected and amplified. A range of frequencies can include a single frequency or a
plurality of adjacent frequencies distributed between a low frequency and a high
frequency.
[0013] Sound detector 12 can be of various forms, such as a circuit or a
controller that includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for storing
data and operating instructions. Such circuit or controller may be embodied as one or
more of hardware, firmware, and software. A processor may be any device, such as a
computer, microprocessor, or other logic unit adapted to receive sounds from a sound
receiving device 15 and to control an output apparatus 14.
[0014] Sound detector 12 may produce one or more control signals, such as a
control signal C, to output apparatus 14. Output apparatus 14 is adapted to produce a
sensible action when sound is detected in the range of frequencies above normal
human speech. A sensible action is an action that can be sensed by one of the human
senses. Examples of sensible actions that a toy in the form of a snake may include
moving a movable part of the snake body, such as a snake tongue, eye, tail or other body part, illuminating lights positioned in the eyes, or making a sound, such as a
hissing sound. The toy may produce one or several of such actions in response to
control signal C.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a toy 10 adapted to respond to two
different ranges of sounds. A sound detector 12 includes a sound receiver 15 and a
sound analyzer 16. Sound receiver 15 includes a microphone 18 and a pre-amp 20.
Microphone 18 is adapted to transduce sound of a broad frequency range including a
normal voice range and a range above the normal voice range, i.e., a supra-voice
range, into an electrical current or sound signal S. Pre-amp 20 then amplifies the
sound signal to a convenient level for further processing.
[0016] The sound signal output from the pre-amp is split into a supra-voice path
26 and a second path 28. In the supra-voice path 26, the conditioned received sound
signals are transmitted to a filter 30. In an embodiment in which the frequency range
detected on path 26 is higher than that of path 28, filter 30 is a high-pass filter. The
filtered sound signal is amplified by an op-amp 32 to raise the sound signal level.
[0017] Filter 30 thus essentially filters out the normal voice sounds of a person
speaking into microphone 18. The high-frequency sounds are then applied to an
amplitude detector 34. The amplitude detector puts out a control signal with a high
value when the sound signal in the pass band of filter 30 is sufficient. The amplitude
detector produces a control signal Cs indicative of the receipt of a supra-voice sound.
The control signal is then applied to a first action device 36, and any other associated
output apparatus that performs a sensible action by toy 10. [0018] Sound signals traveling along voice path 28 pass through a low pass
filter 38 and an op-amp 40. The pass band of filter 38 filters out of the sound signal
frequencies in the pass band of filter 30 in order to provide a distinction between two
different ranges of sounds. In one embodiment of circuit 10, filter 38 allows normal
human voice frequencies to pass.
[0019] Similar to signal path 26, the filtered sound signal is then applied to an
amplitude detector 42. Amplitude detector 42 produces a control signal Cv indicative
of the receipt of a sound in the pass band of filter 38. The control signal is then
applied to a second action device 44 that performs a designated action by toy 10 that is
preferably different than an action produced by action device 36.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a circuit usable in toy 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and
includes a sound detector 12 and an output apparatus 14. Sound detector 12 includes a
sound receiver 15 in the form of a microphone 18 and pre-amp 20, and a sound
analyzer 16.
[0021] Pre-amp 20 is shown as a two-stage amplifier having first and second
transistors 22 and 24, although it also may be provided by an op-amp. The output of
the pre-amp is identified as TPl. Representative values for the gain applied to a
detected sound are shown in the table of FIG. 4, which data is represented as a graph
in FIG. 5. The amplifier is seen to have a broad bandwidth or frequency range
extending from sub-audible frequencies to frequencies well above frequencies
normally audible to humans. This frequency range has a 3 dB bandwidth of about 150 Hz to about 3 kHz, with a maximum gain at about 1 kHz. Signal gain is provided over
a total range of about 10 Hz to about 300 kHz.
[0022] A sound signal S, output by the sound detector, is applied to sound
analyzer 16. The sound signal is split into a supra-voice path 26 and a second path 28,
which in this embodiment is a voice path. In the supra-voice path 26, the conditioned
received sound signal is transmitted to a high-pass filter 30 having a 3 dB pass band of
about 7 kHz to 15 kHz and a peak at about 10 kHz. This is a frequency band that is
outside the 3 dB pass band of the sound receiver, so it is amplified by an op-amp 32 to
bring the center frequency up to a gain level similar to that applied to the pass band of
pre-amp 20. The gain curve for the signals output from op-amp 32 is identified as
TP3 in the table and chart in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0023] Filter 30 thus essentially filters out the normal voice sounds of a person
speaking into microphone 18. The high-frequency sounds are then applied to an
amplitude detector 34 including an op-amp 46 and a transistor 48, shown in FIG. 3. If
the signal output from op-amp 46 is large enough, transistor 48 is turned on. This
transistor then produces a control signal Cs at the collector indicative of the receipt of
a supra-voice sound. The control signal is then applied to a first action device,
represented generally at 36, or other output apparatus, that performs a designated
action by toy 10. In the circuit shown, the action device is a light-emitting diode
(LED) 50 that emits a distinctive color, such as red. This light may be used, for
instance, to illuminate an eye when the toy is in the form of an action figure, such as a
snake. [0024] Sound signals traveling along voice path 28 pass through a low pass
filter 38 and an op-amp 40. The resulting filtered sound signal is identified as TP2 in
the figures. It is seen that this filter has a pass band of about 200 Hz to 1500 Hz, and a
peak at about 800 Hz. This pass band thus allows lower common voice frequencies to
pass, while suppressing higher frequencies.
[0025] Similar to signal path 26, the low-frequency sounds are then applied to
an amplitude detector 42, including an op-amp 52 and a transistor 54. If the signal
output from op-amp 52 is large enough, transistor 54 is turned on. This transistor then
produces a control signal Cv at the collector indicative of the receipt of a voice sound.
The control signal is then applied to an action device 44 that performs a designated
action by toy 10 that is preferably different than an action produced upon receipt of a
supra-voice signal. In this example, the action device is an LED 56 that emits a
distinctive color, such as yellow. Any other action that is sensible, or combination of
sensible actions may be performed.
[0026] Between the pass bands of filters 30 and 34 is essentially a suppressed or
reject band 58. This band is between the frequencies of about 1.5 kHz and about 7
kHz and has comparatively steep edges. The suppression of band 58 reduces the
likelihood that the sounds having frequencies in this band will result in activation of
both supra-voice and voice triggered action devices. Further, in order to activate the
voice-activated action device 44, it is necessary to speak with a lower voice. There is
thus substantial contrast between the sounds that activate action device 44 and the sounds that activate action device 36, thereby decreasing the likelihood that they will
both be activated at the same time, although it is possible to do so.
[0027] Although not specifically shown, logic circuits may be applied to the
outputs of the amplitude detectors, to produce different actions depending on whether
only a voice signal or only a supra-voice signal is received, or both types of signals
are received. As an example, if both types of signals are received, related or
coordinated actions could be produced, such as moving the same toy part in different
ways or moving different parts connected together.
[0028] Even though the supra-voice signals are above normal speech, it has
- been found that people can generate oral sounds in the pass band of filter 30 if enough
energy is used in making the sounds. For instance, a pronounced and emphatic
hissing sound made primarily by pushing air through the oral cavity while the oral
cavity is nearly blocked by an enlarged tongue, by blowing through clenched teeth, or
a combination of both, it is possible to produce sounds in this frequency band. It is
therefore a challenge for people to make the toy activate the supra- voice-activated
actions, and it is an even greater challenge to activate such actions without activating
the voice-activated actions. This operation thus allows a user of the toy to "speak" a
"language" understood by the toy that is not understood in normal human speech.
This is analogous to the ability of the fictional character Harry Potter to speak to a
parsle-mouthed snake.
[0029] It is intended that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple
distinct inventions with independent utility. The specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations
are possible. For instance, components having shared functions may be embodied in
separate components and components having separate functions may be embodied in
components having shared functions. The subject matter of the inventions includes all
novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements,
features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the disclosure
recites "a" or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such language should be
understood to include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two
or more such elements. Further, cardinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for
identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a
required or limited number of such elements, nor does it indicate a particular position
or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.
[0030] Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of
features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation
of claims in a related application. Such claims, regardless of their scope, are regarded
as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A toy comprising:
a body;
a sound detector adapted to detect sound in at least a first frequency range
above normal human speech; and
an output apparatus mounted in the body and adapted to produce a first sensible
action when sound is detected in the first frequency range.
2. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the sound detector is further adapted to
detect sound in a second frequency range different than the first frequency range, and
the output apparatus is further configured to produce a second sensible action when
sound is detected in the second frequency range.
3. The toy of claim 2, in which the second frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech.
4. The toy of claim 3, in which the sound detector rejects frequencies in an
upper range of normal human speech.
5. The toy of claim 3, in which the sound detector rejects frequencies
between the first and second frequency ranges.
6. The toy of claim 5, in which the first frequency range includes a
frequency of about 10 kHz, and the second frequency range includes a frequency of
about 1 kHz.
7. The toy of claim 6, in which the sound detector rejects a third frequency
range that is more than twice the second frequency range.
8. The toy of claim 5, in which the sound detector rejects a frequency of
about 3 kHz.
9. The toy of claim 8, in which the sound detector rejects frequencies in the
range of about 2 kHz to 5kHz.
10. The toy of claim 5, in which the frequencies in the first frequency range
are more than four times the frequencies in the second frequency range.
11. The toy of claim 1 , in which the body includes at least one movable part,
and in which the sensible action includes one or more of illuminating a light,
producing a sound, and moving the at least one movable part.
12. A toy comprising:
a body; a sound detector adapted to detect sound in first and second frequency ranges
and to exclude frequencies in a third frequency range between the first and second
ranges; and
an output apparatus mounted in the body and configured to produce at least a
first sensible action when the detected sound is determined to be in one or both of the
first and second frequency ranges.
13. The toy of claim 12, in which the first frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech, and the second frequency range includes
frequencies above normal human speech.
14. The toy of claim 13, in which the third frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech.
15. The toy of claim 13, in which the first frequency range includes a
frequency of about 1 kHz, and the second frequency range includes a frequency of
about 10 kHz.
16. The toy of claim 13, in which the third frequency range includes a
frequency of about 3 kHz.
17. The toy of claim 16, in which the third frequency range includes
frequencies in the range of about 2 kHz to 5kHz.
18. The toy of claim 12, in which the frequencies in the second frequency
range are more than four times the frequencies in the first frequency range.
19. The toy of claim 12, further comprising at least one movable part, and in
which the sensible action includes one or more of illuminating one or more lights,
producing one or more sounds, and moving the at least one movable part.
20. A toy comprising:
a body;
a sound receiver mounted in the body and adapted to receive sounds in a first
frequency range including sounds having frequencies between at least about 1 kHz
and 10 kHz;
a first sound analyzer coupled to the sound receiver and adapted to produce a
first control signal indicative of sound received in a second frequency range below
about 2 kHz;
a second sound analyzer coupled to the sound receiver and adapted to produce
a second control signal indicative of sound received in a third frequency range above
about 5 kHz;
a first output device mounted in the body, responsive to the first control signal,
and adapted to produce a first sensible action when sound in the first frequency range
is received; and a second output device mounted in the body, responsive to the second control
signal, and adapted to produce a second sensible action when sound in the second
frequency range is received.
21. A method of operating a toy having a body, comprising:
detecting sound in at least a first frequency range above normal human speech;
and
producing a sensible action in the body when sound is detected in the first
frequency range.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising detecting sound in a second
frequency range different than the first frequency range, and producing a second
sensible action in the body when sound is detected in the second frequency range.
23. The method of claim 22, in which the second frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising rejecting frequencies in an
upper range of normal human speech.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising rejecting frequencies
between the first and second frequency ranges.
26. The method of claim 25, in which the first frequency range includes a
frequency of about 10 kHz, and the second frequency range includes a frequency of
about 1 kHz.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising rejecting a third frequency
range that is more than twice the second frequency range.
28. The method of claim 25, further comprising rejecting a frequency of
about 3 kHz.
29. The method of claim 28, in which rejecting a frequency includes
rejecting frequencies in a range of about 2 kHz to 5kHz.
30. The method of claim 25, in which the frequencies in the first frequency
range are more than four times the frequencies in the second frequency range.
31. The method of claim 21, in which the body includes at least one
movable part, and in which producing a sensible action includes one or more of
illuminating a light, producing a sound, and moving the at least one movable part.
32. A method of operating a toy having a body, comprising:
detecting sound in first and second frequency ranges; rejecting frequencies in a third frequency range between the first and second
ranges; and
producing in the body at least a first sensible action when the detected sound is
determined to be in one or both of the first and second frequency ranges.
33. The method of claim 32, in which the first frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech, and the second frequency range includes
frequencies above normal human speech.
34. The method of claim 33, in which the third frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech.
35. The method of claim 33, in which the first frequency range includes a
frequency of about 1 kHz, and the second frequency range includes a frequency of
about 10 kHz.
36. The method of claim 33, in which the third frequency range includes a
frequency of about 3 kHz.
37. The method of claim 36, in which the third frequency range includes
frequencies in the range of about 2 kHz to 5kHz.
38. The method of claim 32, in which the frequencies in the second
frequency range are more than four times the frequencies in the first frequency range.
39. The method of claim 32, further comprising at least one movable part,
and wherein the sensible action includes one or more of illuminating one or more
lights, producing one or more sounds, and moving the at least one movable part.
40. A method of operating a toy having a body, comprising:
receiving in the body sounds in a first frequency range including sounds having
frequencies between at least about 1 kHz and 10 kHz;
producing first and second sound signals representative of sound received in
the first frequency range;
filtering out of the first sound signal portions of the first sound signal
representative of sound having frequencies above about 2 kHz;
producing from the filtered first sound signal, a first control signal indicative of
sound received in a second frequency range below about 2 kHz;
filtering out of the second sound signal portions of the second sound signal
representative of sound having frequencies below about 5 kHz;
producing from the filtered second sound signal, a second control signal
indicative of sound received in a third frequency range above about 5 kHz;
producing a first sensible action in the body when the first control signal is
produced; and producing a second sensible action in the body when the second control signal
is produced.
41. A toy comprising :
a body;
means for detecting sound in at least a first frequency range above normal
human speech; and
means for producing a sensible action in the body when sound is detected in the
first frequency range.
42. The toy of claim 41 , further comprising means for detecting sound in a
second frequency range different than the first frequency range, and means for
producing a second sensible action in the body when sound is detected in the second
frequency range.
43. The toy of claim 42, in which the second frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech.
44. A toy comprising:
a body;
means for detecting sound in first and second frequency ranges;
means for rejecting frequencies in a third frequency range between the first and
second ranges; and means for producing in the body at least a first sensible action when the
detected sound is determined to be in one or both of the first and second frequency
ranges.
45. The toy of claim 44, in which the first frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech, and the second frequency range includes
frequencies above normal human speech.
46. The method of claim 45, in which the third frequency range includes
frequencies of normal human speech.
EP04752796A 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Supra-voice sound-responsive toy Withdrawn EP1624945A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US47231303P 2003-05-20 2003-05-20
US10/848,838 US20050009443A1 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-18 Supra-voice sound-responsive toy
PCT/US2004/015845 WO2004112926A2 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Supra-voice sound-responsive toy

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1624945A2 true EP1624945A2 (en) 2006-02-15

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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US (1) US20050009443A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1624945A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2525708A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004112926A2 (en)

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US20050009443A1 (en) 2005-01-13
WO2004112926A3 (en) 2005-11-10
WO2004112926A2 (en) 2004-12-29
CA2525708A1 (en) 2004-12-29
WO2004112926A9 (en) 2009-01-22

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