GB2320360A

GB2320360A - A sound producing system

Info

Publication number: GB2320360A
Application number: GB9626078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wang Wai Alan Kwan
Original assignee: POWER BASE GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: POWER BASE GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1996-12-16
Filing date: 1996-12-16
Publication date: 1998-06-17
Also published as: GB9626078D0

Abstract

A sound reproducing system comprises at least one card 12 including an integrated circuit for storing data, and a playing unit 14 releasably attachable to the card 12 and adapted to access the data stored in the integrated circuit to produce an audio signal through a loudspeaker 18.

Description

A SOUND REPRODUCING SYSTEM This invention relates to a sound reproducing system and, in particular, such a system for entertainment or education purposes.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sound reproducing system comprising at least one carrier member including an integrated circuit member storing data, and a sound reproducing means releasably couplable with the integrated circuit member and adapted to access the data stored in the integrated circuit member to produce an aduio signal.

Advantageously, the carrier member may be a card member.

Conveniently, the sound reproducing means may comprise connecting means adapted to electrically connect the sound reproducing means with the integrated circuit member.

Suitably, a plurality of sets of data may be stored in the integrated circuit member, such that a plurality of audio signals are producible by the sound reproducing means.

The plurality of sets of audio signals may advantageously be reproducible sequentially.

The sound reproducing means may conveniently comprise a speaker member.

A plurality of different card members may suitably be couplable to the same sound reproducing means.

Advantageously, the plurality of card members may relate to a same theme.

Conveniently, each card member may relate to a specific aspect of the same theme.

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. I shows a sound reproducing system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows the playing unit in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the card in Fig. I; Fig. 4 shows a front view of the card in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the present invention; and Fig 6 is a block diagram of the integrated circuit used in this invention As shown in Fig. 1, a sound reproducing system according to the present invention is generally designated as 10. The system 10 includes a plastic card 12 and an electrically operable playing unit 14 releasably couplable to each other.

The playing unit 14 includes a trigger 16, a speaker 18, and a knob 20 for adjusting the speed of the reproduced sound.

As shown in Fig. 2, the playing unit 14 includes a recess 22 for receiving the card 12. The playing unit 14 also includes an interface 24 for electrically connecting an integrated circuit carried by the card 12 in a manner to be discussed below.

Figs. 3 and 4 show in more detail the card 12. As shown in these two figures, front side 26 and back side 28 of the card 12 are imprinted with graphics designs. Alternatively, they may be imprinted with photographs. The graphics designs/photographs may relate to a single common theme, while each specific card 12 may relate to a specific aspect of such a theme.

The card 12 is of a thickness of between 0.67mm to 1.2mm, and with a dimension of 54mm x 85mm to 64mm x 89mm. A voice synthesis integrated circuit 30 (to be further discussed below) containing prerecorded sound, e.g. voice messages, is bonded onto a metal flip, which is then embedded onto the card 12.

The integrated circuits 30 which may be used in the present invention include: Manufacturer Model Nos.

Mosel-Vitelic Inc. MSS2101/MSS3201 /MSS6603 Integrated Silicon Solution Inc. VIV010/VIV020 Holtek Micro Electronics Inc. HT83XXX family The invention will hereinafter be described by taking the "MSS" family of integrated circuits of Mosel-Vitelic Inc. as the integrated circuit 30 used in this invention, although it should be understood that the other integrated circuits mentioned above may also be used.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the sound reproducing system 10. The part within the dotted line represents the playing unit 14, while the part outside the dotted line represents the card 12/integrated circuit 30.

Depending on the exact model used, the integrated circuit 30 can store data which when accessed and reproduced through the playing unit 14, represents audio signals in the form of sound of up to 21/32/43/66 seconds. The sound content can be stored separately into 128 sections. In this connection, Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of the integrated circuit 30.

When the card 12 is properly coupled with the playing unit 14 and upon pressing of the trigger 16, a first section of the data stored in the integrated circuit 30 will be accessed by the playing unit 14 to produce an audio signal. Upon pressing the trigger 16 after the first section of sound has been played, the subsequent section of sound will be played, and so on.

Such a system 10 is suitable for use in education or entertainment purposes. In particular a number of different cards 12, each carrying different graphics design/photographs and a integrated circuit 30 with different voice contents may be issued for collection purposes.

It should be understood that the above only describes an embodiment whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAMS :

1. A sound reproducing system comprising at least one carrier member including an integrated circuit member storing data, and a sound reproducing means releasably couplable with the integrated circuit member and adapted to access the data stored in the integrated circuit member to produce an aduio signal.

2. A sound reproducing system according to Claim 1 wherein the carrier member is a card member.

3. A sound reproducing system according to Claim I or 2 wherein the sound reproducing means comprises connecting means adapted to electrically connect the sound reproducing means with the integrated circuit member.

4. A sound reproducing system according to any of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of sets of data are stored in the integrated circuit member, such that a plurality of audio signals are producible by the sound reproducing means.

5. A sound reproducing system according to Claim 4 wherein the plurality of sets of audio signals are reproducible sequentially.

6. A sound reproducing system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sound reproducing means comprises a speaker member.

7. A sound reproducing system according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein a plurality of different card members are couplable to the same sound reproducing means.

8. A sound reproducing system according to Claim 7 wherein the plurality of card members relate to a same theme.

9. A sound reproducing system according to Claim 8 wherein each card member relates to a specific aspect of the same theme.

10. A sound reproducing system substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.