WO2010057249A1

WO2010057249A1 - Device and method to convert a plaything to a sound-emitting plaything

Info

Publication number: WO2010057249A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001498
Authority: WO
Inventors: John D'arcy Evans; Luke Gracias
Original assignee: Dalealan Pty Ltd; Xtrac Tech Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-18
Filing date: 2009-11-18
Publication date: 2010-05-27

Abstract

A sound producing device for use with a non-sound producing item to convert the item into a sound producing item or a simulated sound producing item comprising a housing for containing a sound producing device or components and a retainer on the surface of the housing arranged so that when an item such as a plaything, typically in the form of a doll, is located in the retainer, the sound producing device is activated to produce a suitable sound which can be selected from a range of stored or pre-programmed sounds, including simulated conversation. In one form, the plaything is a doll and the retainer is a pair of magnetic boots such that when the feet of the doll are inserted into the magnetic boots, the sound producing device is activated to interact with a child or with surrounding electronic equipment to produce an appearance of the doll talking or taking part in a conversation. The advantage of the sound producing device is that non-talking dolls can be readily and inexpensively converted into talking dolls which are usually much more expensive to purchase thereby making talking dolls more available to a wider cross-section of the public.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD TO CONVERT A PLAYTHING TO A SOUND-EMITTING PLAYTHING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sound producing devices operable in response to some event or activity.

In one form, the sound producing device of the present invention is contained within a housing and is activated in response to an item being associated with the housing, particularly a plaything, including a toy being located on or in the housing so as to activate or operate the sound producing device.

In one form, the present invention relates to an accessory for a plaything, toy or similar, in the form of a housing containing a sound producing and/or emitting device for producing the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the plaything, toy or similar so as to simulate the sound made by the toy, plaything, or the like, particularly speech or speech like sound that simulates the sound or speech made by a talking doll.

In one form, the sound producing device of the present invention is used for converting a non-talking item, toy, plaything or the like, into a simulated talking item, toy, plaything or the like, or uses a non-talking item to trigger and/or activate the device to produce sound that simulates the sound or speech of a talking item or the sound made by a talking item, particularly a talking doll.

The present invention finds particular application as a housing in the form of a pedestal, base, plinth or similar for containing a sound producing device which is activated by placing a non-talking doll in a preselected position or orientation with respect to the housing to activate the sound producing device, located within the housing to produce a sound corresponding to the sound made by a talking doll so that the non talking doll can appear to be a talking doll.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one embodiment or form of the sound producing device of the present invention for simulating a talking doll, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiment but rather the scope of the present invention is broader so as to include other forms , variations and arrangements of the sound producing device, the use of the various forms of the devices for simulating a range of sounds, and to other methods of using the device .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Talking playthings and amusements come in a variety of different forms , such as playthings , including toys generally, and dolls in particular. Talking dolls have been available in the past. There are various forms of talking dolls which use a variety of different mechanisms and devices to produce the sound emanating from the doll , including mechanical mechanisms and electrical devices for producing the sound. Talking toys, particularly talking dolls, are generally more expensive than non-talking toys or dolls and are generally sold at a higher price in the mid to upper end of the toy market taking the ownership of such toys beyond the means of many. Non-talking dolls, including non-talking dolls that are identical in appearance to talking dolls, are usually sold at a lower price, sometimes at a much lower price as compared to the equivalent talking dolls , making their ownership more accessible for a greater range of people. Accordingly, there are many more non-talking dolls sold and in use than there are talking dolls .

In the past it was not possible to upgrade a non-talking doll to a talking doll or to convert a non-talking toy into a talking toy, but rather it was necessary to discard the non-talking toy or exchange it for a talking toy. Often a child was reluctant to discard a treasured doll because of the attachment for the doll felt by the child. Thus, it is desirable, if at all possible, to retain a much loved doll by converting the non-talking doll into a talking doll.

Another problem of merely buying a talking doll for a child to replace a non-talking doll is the cost of doing so. There is significant monetary cost in discarding the non-talking doll and purchasing a substitute talking doll which cost is generally beyond the financial resources of many families or the child, and in some instances, the cost would be prohibitively expensive for replacement to be undertaken. Therefore, there is a need to provide a talking doll at a cost lower than the cost of purchasing a new talking doll .

Accordingly, it is one aim of the present invention to provide a sound producing device, particularly a sound producing device that can emit speech or speech patterns similar to those of a talking doll, which sound producing device, can be used to convert a non-talking doll to a talking doll or to convert a non-talking doll into a doll which simulates a talking doll or produces a sound corresponding to or equivalent to the sound made by a talking doll

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a device for use with a plaything or toy to enable the toy or plaything to produce a sound in response to some event or activity occurring associated with the plaything or toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for converting a non-sound emitting plaything into a sound emitting plaything comprising a housing having a sound producing device located within or incorporated within the housing, the housing being provided with a retainer at one part or on one surface thereof, for retaining the plaything in a selected orientation when one or more parts of the plaything is received in the retainer, said retainer associated with a component for activating the sound producing device wherein when the part or parts of the plaything is or are received in the retainer and the plaything is positioned in the selected orientation the component operates to activate or operate to the sound producing device to produce the sound, thereby converting the non sound emitting plaything into a sound emitting plaything.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for use with a non talking doll to produce or simulate the sound produced by a talking doll or a sound corresponding to the sound produced by a talking doll, said device comprising a housing having a sound producing device located therein for producing the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the talking doll that it is desired to emulate, said housing having a retainer located on a part or a surface of the housing for retaining the doll in a selected position in which at least a part of the doll is retainingly received in the retainer, said retainer being associated with a component for electrically activating the sound producing device to produce sound when activated, wherein when the part of the doll is securely received in the retainer for supporting the doll in the selected position, the component associated with the retainer is operated to activate the sound producing device to produce the sound for simulating the sound made by a talking doll in response to a stimulus received by the sound producing device thereby converting the non-talking doll into a talking doll.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of simulating in a non-talking doll, the sound made by a talking doll comprising the steps of providing a housing having a sound producing device located therein for producing the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the talking doll, inserting a part of the non-talking doll into a retainer provided on or at the housing for supporting the non-talking doll in a selected position when securely retained in the retainer, wherein the sound producing device is activated when the part of the doll is received in the retainer, to produce sound simulating the sound made by the talking doll . According to the present invention, there is provided a retainer for retaining a plaything in a pre-arranged position or orientation with respect to a housing containing at least one electrical component or electrical circuit for producing a sound, said retainer having a receiving portion for receiving at least a part of the plaything for supporting the plaything in the position or orientation and an attaching portion for at least temporarily attaching the retainer to the housing, wherein when the plaything is received in the receiving portion of the retainer, and the retainer is attached to the housing, the plaything is supported in the pre-arranged position with respect to the housing and the at least one electrical component or electrical circuit is activated by the attaching portion to produce sound in response to attaching the retainer to the housing.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sound producing device for producing a sound corresponding to a sound produced by a sound emitting plaything when a non-sound emitting plaything has one or more parts thereof received in a retainer for retaining the non-sound emitting plaything in a selected orientation and consequently operating a switch or connector associated therewith to energise the sound producing device from an associated power source, the sound producing device comprising: a memory for storing data indicative of said sound corresponding to said sound produced by the sound emitting plaything; and a processor comprising a memory access module for accessing said data stored in said memory, and a digital to analogue converter for converting said data received from the memory access module to said sound for output to a loudspeaker.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer program code which when executed implements the above method.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising the above program code .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data file comprising the above program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Typically, the plaything is a toy, amusement, novelty, or the like. Preferably, the toy is a figure, personality, figurine, doll, motor vehicle, truck, car, character, animal, such as a farm animal, cartoon character, stuffed toy sporting personality, celebrity or the like.

Typically, the item is supported on one, two, three, four or more supporting elements. More typically, the supporting elements are feet, legs, tyres, paws, arms, hands or other parts of the body or item or the like.

Typically, the housing is a base, plinth, pedestal, or the like. More typically, the housing is self supporting. The housing can be any suitable type, form or material, including simple shapes and complex shapes . More typically, the housing is a cover for concealing electrical components therein .

In one form the housing may be an alternate part of the toy or plaything, including being part of another accessory. Typically, the housing may be part of the clothing or decoration worn by the doll or applied to the toy, such as for example incorporated into clothing worn by the doll, a back pack, handbag, inserted into a cavity provided within the toy, such as the boot or trunk of a motor-car, installed within army clothes, such as fatigues or the jacket worn by GI Joe® or incorporated into the toy itself, such as a space toy, rocket ship or the like.

Typically, the housing is a sealed housing or is disassembled for maintenance, repair, upgrading or replacing an internal power source in the form of a battery or the like. Typically, the housing is a two part housing which is joined together, such as for example by being snap locked together or assembled together with a releasable fastener. More typically, the housing has an openable or removable lid, hatch, door, partition, panel, window or the like which, when in an opened configuration allows access internally within the housing for maintenance, services, repair or similar.

Typically, the housing is round, circular, disc-like, square, rectangular, or other suitable shape. More typically, the housing has an appearance or decoration associated with the plaything, such as for example, a clothes shop if the plaything is a doll, a garage if the plaything is a truck, or the like. In one form the sound providing device may be part of another accessory supplied to enhance the play value of the doll or toy, such as an article of clothing, article of luggage, an accessory, or the like.

Typically, the part or parts of the plaything received in the retainer includes a foot, feet, arms, fingers, toes, ankles, hands, head, wheels, or any part or parts of the plaything. One, two, three, four or more parts of the plaything can be received in the retainer to activate the sound producing device located within the housing.

Typically, the sound producing device is the housing itself or is contained wholly or partially within the housing. In one form, the sound producing device includes an electronic sound producing device, a mechanical sound producing device or a combination of such devices or of other devices capable of making sound.

In one form, the sound producing device is a sound module, sound sub-assembly, sound producing circuit board, printed circuit, integrated circuit, or other assembly of components . In one form the sound producing device is an electronic circuit component, such as a chip, card or the like. In one example, the chip or card is made by Veil Interactive Technologies of St. Louis, U.S.A., such as an Interactive Television (ITV) Secure Digital Input Output (DSIO) card which causes the sound producing device to interact with circuited television content. In this case, the sound producing device, using the ITV enabled SDIO card, has internal architecture designed to decode optical signals encoded with data for the sound producing device received from a television broadcast so that the sound producing device can interact with the television broadcast to produce specified sounds. The encoded data may be a video stream invisible to the human eye and may be compatible with all broadcast standards; NTSC, PAL and SECAM. Examples of chips produced by Veil Interactive Technologies of the type that can be used in the sound producing device of the present invention are described in US Patent No. 6,094,228.

In one form the sound producing device includes a printed circuit board and other electronic components , such as a microphone, amplifier, speakers, and other similar components or the like . One preferred form of the sound producing device uses different forms of radiation, such as for example, video encoded invisible light to trigger or stimulate responses from the sound producing device such as activating the sound producing device when powered or selecting a particular item from an electronic menu corresponding to a particular noise, sound, saying, speech or similar. Video encoded invisible light is essentially the process of encoding and decoding the invisible embedded signals that are hidden in the active portion of any viewing screen.

In one form, the sound producing device includes a memory for storing data indicative of the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the sound emitting plaything, i.e. the memory stores digital audio data indicative of desired sounds to be outputted by the device . For example , the device may include a number of pre-recorded sounds stored as data in the memory which may be randomly selected by the sound producing device to be outputted to a loudspeaker when the non-sound emitting plaything engages with the device. Alternatively, the sound producing device may include an analogue storage medium such as magnetic tape or a rotating drum with pre-arranged ridges and grooves to store the sounds .

Furthermore, the sound producing device includes a processor to access data indicative of a sound and to convert the data into the sound for output to a loudspeaker when the non-sound emitting plaything engages with the device. In this form, the processor includes a number of modules to implement these functions including a memory access module and a digital to analogue converter. In addition, with reference to the above example, the processor may also include a random number generator in communication with the memory access module to randomly access data corresponding to a stored sound.

In one form, the plaything is an interactive plaything, preferably a doll that talks or appears to talk. More preferably, the talking doll appears to be capable of conversation with another similar doll or sound producing device. In one form the sound device is a toy fully capable of intelligent asynchronous speech with other toys or simulates intelligent asynchronous speech.

In one form the toys or sound device feature an architecture including a physical layer, a messenger layer, and an application layer.

One form of the architecture includes the following: The physical layer communicates with the application layer through the messenger layer. The physical layer receives and transmits messages from and to compatible toys through a physical medium. The physical layer may be an infrared transceiver, radio transceiver or any other type of wireless communications. The messenger layer receives and verifies messages from the physical layer and passes verified messages to the application layer. The messenger layer also receives messages from the application layer and passes the messages from the application layer to the physical layer for transmission. The application and messenger layers may be implemented on micro-controllers or an application-specific integrated chip.

In one form the application layer features a forest of decision graphs, where each of the decision graphs corresponds to a conversation. Each of the decision graphs includes a number of nodes with at least some of the nodes corresponding to a passage of the conversation of the decision graph. Each of the nodes includes one or more contexts with each of the contexts corresponding to an edge leading to one or more child nodes. As a result, the selection of the application layer also includes a participants list that lists the toys participating in the conversation and conversation manager. The participants list is utilized in selecting the conversation/decision graph and may be utilized in selecting the conversation/decision graph and may be utilized in selecting the context. The conversation manager broadcasts updates regarding the participants list and the identification number of the node of the current conversation/decision graph.

In one form the messenger layer includes a receiver component and a transmitter component. When a message is received by the receiver component, the transmitter component passes a message acknowledgement containing a copy of at least a portion of the message to the physical layer for transmission to an originating toy that sent the message. The messenger layer passes the message to the application layer upon receipt of an acknowledgement from the originating toy in response to the transmission of the message acknowledgement from the originating toy in response to the transmission of the message acknowledgement indicating that the originating toy has verified proper receipt of the message by the receiving toy .

Typically, the retainer is located on one or other of the surfaces of the housing, such as for example, on the top surface of the base or pedestal. The retainer can take any form and be of any suitable type.

Typically, in one form, the retainer is a retainer assembly, more typically the retainer assembly includes one or more apertures or receivers for receiving a part or parts of the plaything therein or therethrough.

Preferably, the apertures are in the form of slots. Even more typically, the size and/or shape of the slots are adjustable in order to accommodate different sized parts of the toy or plaything, such as for example different sized shoes, boots, feet or the like of a doll or similar. In one form, the slots are in the form of shoes, boots or footwear into which the feet of the doll are received. However, if the plaything is in the form of a motor vehicle, the receiver is adapted to receive the wheels/tyres of the motor vehicle.

Typically, the retainer assembly includes a clamping arrangement, preferably a movable clamping arrangement, such as for example, an arrangement having two or more clamping elements movable with respect to each other between an open or release position allowing the part or parts of the plaything to be inserted into and withdrawn from the retainer, and a closed or clamping position preventing withdrawal of the plaything from the retainer. In one form the clamping elements are a pair of clamping plates or similar.

In one form when the toy is received in the housing, such as by being slotted into the base, the clamp moves from the open position to the closed position to secure the part of the toy. More typically the retainer assembly includes an operating or connecting mechanism, typically including an actuator plate located inside the housing which is activated when the plaything is connected to the housing and/or by movement of the clamping arrangement. More typically, activation caused by insertion of the plaything into the retainer includes a number of activities, movements, performances, or the like, such as for example, to make the doll talk, sing, laugh, laugh controlled by a timer, to react to a signal from a television receiver, computer, transmitter, or other electronic device, to engage in conversation or to produce other sounds or noises .

In one form the sound device includes a housing containing one or more subassemblies for a variety of different purposes or having different functions of subassemblies include a switch on mechanism, an activation mechanism, a processor provided with a suitable memory or a storage device or storage means, such as for example, a memory which stores recordings of sayings, phrases, sentences, exclamations, greetings, speeches or speech patterns or the like , a media device which contain the recordings , either a built in recording or an insertable recording, a speaker mechanism or a rechargeable battery as the power source. Other forms of subassemblies are possible. Typically, the source of the sound is provided on a suitable component such as a memory stick, flash card, memory card, memory device or the like. The source can be a permanent source, a replaceable source, and exchangeable source , a programmable source or the like . The memory can be a set memory, a programmable memory, a custom made memory, or the like .

In one form the housing contains a switch, a support base, suitable rechargeable batteries , a holder for retaining another switch and a chip or printed circuit board, a microphone for detecting or sensing verbal signals , one or more speakers, an input device, socket, sensor or the like for connecting to a computer, television, or other source of information, signal, either physically connected, such as by wire, cable or other conductor, or wirelessly connected such as by infrared link, microwave link or the like, and a retainer assembly.

In one form, the housing is in the form of a cover having a downwardly depending side skirt.

In one form, the retainer both retains the plaything in position on the housing and activates the sound producing device to produce a prearranged or preselected sound. Alternatively, a random sound, noise, or speech may be produced. In one embodiment, the retainer is in the form of an item of footwear, typically in the form of one or more boots or shoes in which the receiving portion is the upper portion of the boots, typically, ankle boots, calf-length boots or knee length boots, for receiving the foot portion, ankle portion, lower leg portion of the plaything when in the form of a doll, and the attaching portion is the lower portion of the boots , such as the upper of the boot , sole , heel or foot receiving portion of the boot. However, it is to be noted that any suitable form of footwear can be used or any suitable form of a retainer or retaining assembly.

In one form, the attaching portion is or includes a magnet, magnetic material or similar material for attaching the plaything to the surface of the base or pedestal. Typically, a magnet is embedded within the sole of the boot. In one form, the boot may be made of magnetic material , such as for example , a magnetic material incorporated into the plastic or polymeric material from which the boots or other footwear or retainer is made. In other forms, the boot is provided with a magnetic layer which can be an external magnetic layer, an intermediate layer or an internal magnetic layer. The magnet can take any suitable form, shape, size, strength or similar.

In one form, the footwear, particularly the boots, are located over the feet of the plaything, typically in the form of a doll, and the footwear is then located on the surface of the housing and retained in place, typically, magnetically attached to the top surface of the base, to maintain the doll in a desired position on the housing. It is to be noted that the magnetic retainer can adopt any suitable form or arrangement by having a receiving portion for receiving any part of a plaything, such as the wheels of a motor vehicle, or part of any form of a plaything.

In one form, the retainer may be a magnet that is located between the sole of one or other feet of the plaything and the housing such as a magnetic strip, plate, block, tile, disc, square or similar.

In one form, the retainer is a bonding agent, including a temporary bonding agent. In one form, the undersurface of one or other part of the plaything is attached to the top surface of the housing using a release coating, removable coating, temporary coating, or other reusable coating, similar to the coating used on a Post It® Note.

Further, it is to be noted that the housing is provided with a metal component to cooperatively interact with the magnet. In one form, the upper surface of the housing is metallic or includes a metallic portion or a metallic ingredient in the composition from which it is formed. In one form, the metallic component is a plate, tile, square or disc or other essentially planar device or shape located immediately underneath the upper surface of the housing. The magnetic forces produced by the interaction of the magnet and metal disc not only holds or retains the plaything in place, but also activates an electrical component, such as a switch, connector, or the like to produce sound.

In one form, there is provided a magnetically operated electrical switch or similar, such as for example, a reed switch or the like which is moved in response to the magnetised attaching portion of the receiver being located on or in close proximity to the upper surface of the housing. Operation of the electrical switch activates one or more electrical components or circuits within the housing to produce a suitable, desired or predetermined sound such as by providing electrical power to the sound producing device.

In one form, the purpose of the retainer in whatever form the retainer takes, particularly the magnetic boot form, is typically to hold the doll or other plaything upright on the base or pedestal, or in the selected orientation or configuration, and to activate a switch on the sound producing components housed within the base. Thus, the retainer or retainer assembly has a dual function.

In one form, the base is provided with a trigger arrangement. In one form, the trigger arrangement is incorporated into the base or is programmed into the electronic components, namely the chip. In one form, there are four trigger arrangements or mechanisms , which include the following:

i A trigger arrangement to make the doll speak each time the base is activated or switched on. This trigger occurs by placing the doll in the magnetic boots and the magnetic boots activating a switch to power the sound producing device.

ii A trigger arrangement to allow the doll to appear to speak each time the manual button located on the upper surface of the base is depressed, pushed, or otherwise moved to power the sound producing device.

iii A trigger arrangement incorporating a timer switch located on or within the base or pedestal. The timer can take the form of a digital alarm clock or similar which may be programmed to provide messages at preselected times of the day, such as to provide a wake-up call, a reminder to take medication, such as for example, a periodic insulin injection for a person suffering from type I diabetes or similar, or other regularly recurring event.

iv A trigger arrangement which is activated from an embedded signal from a transmitter, such as for example, a television receiver/transmitter, DVD received/transmitter, a computer, a blackberry, a mobile phone, or other similar electronic device .

In one form, the base or pedestal will be provided with a memory card and a sound chip. One form of the memory chip is a 2GB storage device which will have up to and in excess of about 500 hours of talk time provided by the memory and talk chip.

In one form, the base or pedestal is provided with a USB port or connector allowing for downloads of information and data, such as new games, upgrades, new sayings, and the like. One example illustrating the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of one form of a doll and a housing in accordance with the present invention in which the doll is shown separated from the housing in preparation for being located on the housing.

Figure 2 is a schematic front perspective view of the doll and housing of Figure 1 showing both feet of the doll securely retained in a retainer provided on the top of the housing to secure the doll to the housing.

Figure 3 is a close up schematic front perspective view of the top of the housing of Figure 1 showing the retainer in more detail together with components located within the housing, and showing the feet of the doll, shown separate from the housing prior to insertion into the retainer.

Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic view of one form of the clamping arrangement of the retainer showing the retainer in an open release position.

Figure 5 is a close up schematic front perspective view of the top of the housing of Figure 1 showing the feet of the doll securely received in the retainer which is in the closed or clamped position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the clamping arrangement of the retainer in a closed clamping position for retaining the feet of the doll . Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of one form of the arrangement of electronic and other components for producing sound of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of another form of the arrangement of the electronic and other components within the base.

Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of one form of the arrangement of components for producing sound of the present invention .

Figure 10 is a schematic top perspective view of one form of the doll showing removal of existing footwear from the doll and replacing the existing footwear with magnetic boots .

Figure 11 is a schematic top perspective view showing one or other switches located on the top surface of the base or pedestal prior to location of the doll on the pedestal.

Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the doll retained on the base for activating the sound producing device to produce sound.

Figure 13 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one form of the magnetically operable switch in the open circuit position.

Figure 14 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one form of the magnetically operable switch in the closed circuit position for activating the sound producing device . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings there is shown one form of the device of the present invention, generally denoted as 2, comprising a plaything in the form of a toy, such as for example, a doll 4 having a pair of legs 6, each leg ending in a foot 8, and a housing 10 containing the components for producing sound or a sound producing device. Housing 10 is in the form of a base, plinth, pedestal, platform or similar having upper or top surface 12 for supporting doll 4 in use. Housing 10 can have any suitable form or shape from a plain unadorned cylindrical base to an elaborate highly stylised base having a complex shape, particularly representing another item.

In one form doll 4 is a Barbie doll®, Bratz doll® or similar. However, it is to be noted that the plaything can take any suitable form, such as for example, any other form of toy, including a character, such as a cartoon character, sporting figure, such as a football player, cricket player or the like, a celebrity, such as a pop singer, or a model motor vehicle, such as a truck, bus, car, including model vehicles associated with characters such as a "Bob the Builder"® truck, a Postman Pat® van, Thomas the Tank Engine®, or the like.

In one form the plaything, such as for example when the plaything is a doll, has two parts, such as two feet 8, which cooperate with housing 10 to produce sound from housing 10 as illustrated. However in other forms, the plaything may have any number of parts such as for example, from one, two, three, four, or more which cooperate with the housing to produce sound as will be described in more detail later in the specification. Each part of the plaything can have its own dedicated retainer or there can be one retainer for some or all parts of the plaything, or any arrangement in between.

One example of an alternative plaything to doll 4 , is a truck having four wheels (not shown) in which the four wheels of the truck each cooperate with the housing to produce sound when the truck is located in a preselected orientation on the housing, such as all four wheel of the track being received in a single retainer or two or more separate retainers .

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, housing 10 which is of a simple cylindrical shape, is provided with a suitable retainer or retainer assembly 20. In one form, retainer assembly 20 includes a pair of apertures in the form of a pair of generally oval shaped slots 14 located in spaced apart relationship to one another for receiving therethrough feet 8 of doll 4 to activate the sound producing device.

It is to be noted that any suitable apertures may be provided to receive the parts of the plaything. In one form, the aperture may be in the form of shoes, boots or other footwear into which feet 8 of doll 4 may be inserted as shown in Figure 10.

A further part of retainer assembly 20 acting as a retainer for retaining doll 4 in a selected orientation or position upon housing 10 is provided underneath slots 14. In one form retainer assembly 20 includes two pairs of movable clamps in which each has a pair of movable retainer plates 22a, 22b, which are movable relative to each other between a relatively further spaced apart position corresponding to an open or release position for allowing insertion of and removal of feet 8 of doll 4 as shown in Figures 1 , 3 and 4 and a relatively closer together position corresponding to a closed position or clamping position in which feet 6 of doll 4 are securely retained against movement as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6. Each retainer plate 22 is provided with a cut-out typically a curved or semi-circular cut-out 24a, 24b for receiving therein or therethrough feet 8 or legs 6 of doll 4 , typically in the area of the ankles of the doll as shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 6 to retain doll 4 on housing 10.

Retainer assembly 20 also includes an actuating plate 26 located beneath both slots 14 and both retainer plates 22a, 22b. Actuating plate 26 is connected to retainer plates 22a, 22b so that insertion of feet 8 into or through slots 14 contacts actuating plate 26 to cause retainer plates 22a, 22b to move from the open position to the closed position to retain doll 4 securely in place within housing 10 in a preselected orientation or position. The connection between plates 22a, 22b and actuating plate 26 can take any suitable form including being an electronic connection or a mechanical connection. A support platform 27 is provided to assist in supporting doll 4 under in the retainer assembly 20.

Additionally, retainer assembly 20 comprises a switch 28 or similar, such as a switch for completing an electronic circuit to energise the sound producing device to emit a suitable sound. In one form the switch is an on/off switch or similar or equivalent. Other forms of the retainer assembly can be used, such as for example, a pair of magnetic boots 72 for magnetically cooperating with doll 4 when feet 8 are received therein. Additionally, placement of magnetic boots 72 on upper surface 12 of housing 10 activates the housing to produce a sound as will be described later with reference to Figures 11 to 14.

Alternatively, feet 8 of doll 4 are provided with magnetic strips, tiles, squares 74 or other suitable forms of magnetic material. Magnetic strip 74 can be located at any convenient location, such as inside boots or the like.

Housing 10 is provided with an override manual on/off switch 29, typically located on top surface 12 of housing 10 to manually activate housing 10, to produce sound, such as for example, to test operation of sound producing device 10 or the sound producing components located in housing 10, to determine the strength of batteries 30 contained within housing 10 or to emit a pre-programmed saying or phrase as a test that all is working. Switch 29, if provided, can be located anywhere within or on housing 10.

An infra red sensor 32 is provided at a suitable location within or on the surface of housing 10, such as for example in downwardly depending side skirt 13 of housing 10 to allow the device 2 to interact with a television receiver or similar, such as for example to allow the device 2 to produce sound in accordance with a preprogrammed signal, such as for example, a signal associated with an event occurring during a television program or event being televised or the like.

Alternatively, or additionally, a suitable connection socket, such as for example, a USB port or similar (not shown) , is provided on housing 10 for use in receiving information from a computer or connected to a computer, such as an interactive connection to produce additional sounds or to download additional information, menus, or the like.

In one form, housing 10 is provided with a timer (not shown) connected to other components of the sound producing device located within housing 10. The timer is provided to allow pre-programmed sayings or phrases of speech to be emitted from the sound producing devices, at a pre-arranged time, such as for example, at 8pm each evening to indicate that "it is time for bed" and the like.

On one form housing 10 contains the circuitry and/or electronic components for producing the required sound.

One form of the arrangement of the components is illustrated schematically in block form in Figure 7 which components include a random generator 42 for generating desired sounds, such as for example, one of a selection of sentences , phrases , lines , sayings or the like . A controlling chip 44 is provided for controlling operation of the sound producing device to provide the selected saying or phrase. A processor 46 is provided to coordinate the different functions of the sound producing device. An amplifier 48 is provided to amplify the signal corresponding to the selected saying or phrase to a sufficient strength to power one or more loudspeakers 50 from which the actual sound is emitted.

Another form of the arrangement of the components is illustrated schematically in block form in Figure 9 which illustrates a sound producing device 11, which is generally disposed within the housing 10 (not shown) , including a processor 46 and a memory 52, where the processor 46 is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in the memory 52 to generate sound. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that several of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit, or on a server remote from the sound producing device 11 of Figure 9.

The memory 52 stores data indicative of sound corresponding to a sound produced by a sound emitting plaything, which is shown in Figure 9 as ten distinct sounds ^Λsound 1 to 10' (52A to 52J) associated with the one plaything. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of sounds may be stored in the memory 52 which may be associated with a plurality of playthings. However, in the form shown, the device 11 may produce or generate these ten distinct sounds corresponding to those produced by a corresponding sound emitting plaything. As described with reference to the Figures, the device 11 generates these sounds when the corresponding plaything 4 has one or more parts thereof, e.g. feet 8, received in the above described retainer assembly 20 for retaining the plaything in a selected orientation, e.g. upright, and consequently operating a switch or connector 28 associated therewith to energise the sound producing device 11 from an associated power source 30. In addition, the device 11 generates sound upon activation of an input means 54, i.e. when the plaything 4 is inserted into the retaining assembly 20 and activates the switch 28, or when a user activates the ON/OFF switch 29 whilst the plaything 4 is retained, or upon request by a third party transmitting to the device 11 using the infra-red sensor 32, or upon receipt of instructions detected by a microphone 56 (e.g. voice instructions) .

As described, processor 46 implements a number of modules including an input controller 58 arranged to receive information from the input means 54, e.g. voice instructions from microphone 56, and forward these instructions to a memory access module 60 to subsequently access and retrieve data indicative of the desired sound from the memory 52. For example, a user may issue a voice instruction corresponding to ^Λsound 1' which is detected by microphone 56 and passed to input controller 58 for interpretation and subsequent generation of an instruction to memory access module 60 to access memory 52 and retrieve ^Λsound 1' 52A therefrom. Furthermore, memory access module 60 then forwards ^Λsound 1' , which is in digital form, to a digital to analogue converter 62 for conversion of the data to an analogue audio signal to be forwarded to the amplifier 48 and loudspeaker 50 (not shown) for output from sound producing device 10.

In an alternative example, the plaything 4 may retained and the user may subsequently activate the ON/OFF switch 29. This activation is then received by input controller 58 which generates an instruction for memory access module 60 to access random number generator 64 so memory access module 60 can randomly access one of stored sounds ^Λsounds 1 to 10' (52A to 52K) from the memory 52 for subsequent output .

In operation of the present invention, non talking doll 4 is selected and located feet first into slots 14 of housing 10 where upon plate 26 is depressed allowing clamps 22a, 22b to clamp feet 8 of doll 4 securely in place or into the receiving portion of a retainer, or feet 8 are placed in magnetic boots 72 or similar footwear, which boots 72 are located on upper surface of housing 10. Simultaneously with operation of the clamp plate 22a, 22b, actuation plate 26 is depressed to activate switch 28 connect on the sound producing part of the device to a suitable power supply so as to activate the sound producing component. Alternatively, magnetic part 74 of boots 72 interacts with a suitable magnetically operable switch 76 either directly or indirectly to activate the housing into producing a sound. In one form, magnetic operable switch 76 is a reed switch or similar. One form of the magnetic switch 76 is shown in Figures 13 and 14. Switch 76 includes a fixed contact or plate 78 forming part of an activation circuit and a movable plate or contact 80 forming another part of the activation circuit, when magnetic material is located above plate 78, the magnetic force causes movable plate 80 to move into contact with fixed plate 78 as shown in Figure 14 to close the activation circuit thereby powering the sound producing device. In the normal at-rest position when there is no magnetic field, switch 76 adopts the open position as shown in Figure 13 in which gravity separates movable plate 80 from fixed plate 78. In the position as shown in Figure 14, the components of the sound producing part of the device are activated in readiness for producing a selection of speech patterns in the form of phrases or the like. The device in this position is ready to respond to whatever event triggers the desired response. Examples of the desired response include a pre-programmed speech pattern at a pre-arranged time, say 7:30, as an alarm function to inform the child that it is time to get out of bed for school . Another example, is during a televised event, such as for example a preselected television program in response to a signal from the television or a pre-programmed set of words spoken during the television program, the speech pattern may be to inform the child to pay particular attention to the televised program as something exciting is about to occur. A further example could be to have an infrared signal generated by a suitable electronic device, as the television or the like which is detected by the sensor provided on or within the housing to produce another different pre-programmed speech pattern or the like . Alternatively, the housing is arranged to interact with a computer to download sounds or programs for producing sounds or the like .

When the child no longer wishes to play with the toy, or when no further interaction with the toy is required, the doll can be removed from housing 10 by releasing clamps 22a, 22b from around the feet or ankles of doll 4, or removing magnetic boots 72 or removing doll 4 from magnetic boots 72 or the like, allowing doll 4 to be removed from slots 14 thereby allowing plate 26 to raise, thus switching off the power to the sound producing components by moving switch 28 to an off or disconnected position or switch 74 to an open position thereby disconnecting the circuitry that is responsible for making a sound, including the pre-programmed speech patterns.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of the present invention include that a non- talking or non-sound emitting toy, plaything, especially a non-talking doll can be readily converted into a talking toy or doll , by merely providing a sound producing device as an accessory into which the toy or doll may be inserted, thereby being able to use the non-talking doll and obviating the need to discard a much loved non talking doll.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1 A device for converting a non-sound emitting plaything into a sound emitting plaything comprising a housing having a sound producing device located within or incorporated within the housing, the housing being provided with a retainer at one part or on one surface thereof, for retaining the plaything in a selected orientation when one or more parts of the plaything is received in the retainer, said retainer associated with a component for activating the sound producing device wherein when the part or parts of the plaything is or are received in the retainer and the plaything is positioned in the selected orientation the component operates to activate or operate to the sound producing device to produce the sound, thereby converting the non sound emitting plaything into a sound emitting plaything.

2 A device for use with a non talking doll to produce or simulate the sound produced by a talking doll or a sound corresponding to the sound produced by a talking doll, said device comprising a housing having a sound producing device located therein for producing the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the talking doll that it is desired to emulate, said housing having a retainer located on a part or a surface of the housing for retaining the doll in a selected position in which at least a part of the doll is retainingly received in the retainer, said retainer being associated with a component for electrically activating the sound producing device to produce sound when activated, wherein when the part of the doll is securely received in the retainer for supporting the doll in the selected position, the component associated with the retainer is operated to activate the sound producing device to produce the sound for simulating the sound made by a talking doll in response to a stimulus received by the sound producing device thereby converting the non-talking doll into a talking doll .

A method of simulating in a non-talking doll, the sound made by a talking doll comprising the steps of providing a housing having a sound producing device located therein for producing the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the talking doll, inserting a part of the non-talking doll into a retainer provided on or at the housing for supporting the non- talking doll in a selected position when securely retained in the retainer, wherein the sound producing device is activated when the part of the doll is received in the retainer, to produce sound simulating the sound made by the talking doll .

A retainer for retaining a plaything in a prearranged position or orientation with respect to a housing containing at least one electrical component or electrical circuit for producing a sound, said retainer having a receiving portion for receiving at least a part of the plaything for supporting the plaything in the position or orientation and an attaching portion for at least temporarily attaching the retainer to the housing, wherein when the plaything is received in the receiving portion of the retainer, and the retainer is attached to the housing, the plaything is supported in the prearranged position with respect to the housing and the at least one electrical component or electrical circuit is activated by the attaching portion to produce sound in response to attaching the retainer to the housing.

A sound producing device for producing a sound corresponding to a sound produced by a sound emitting plaything when a non-sound emitting plaything has one or more parts thereof received in a retainer for retaining the non-sound emitting plaything in a selected orientation and consequently operating a switch or connector associated therewith to energise the sound producing device from an associated power source, the sound producing device comprising:

a memory for storing data indicative of said sound corresponding to said sound produced by the sound emitting plaything; and

a processor comprising a memory access module for accessing said data stored in said memory, and a digital to analogue converter for converting said data received from the memory access module to said sound for output to a loudspeaker.

A computer program code which when executed implements the method of any one of the preceding claims .

A computer readable medium according to claim 6 comprising the program code. A data file according to claim 6 comprising the program code.

A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the item is a plaything including a toy, amusement, novelty, figure, figurine, representation of a personality, character, celebrity, famous person, doll, motor vehicle, animal, or the like.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the item is supported on one, two, three, four or more supporting in which the supporting elements include feet, legs, ties, paws, arms, hands or other parts of the body or item.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the housing is a base, plinth, pedestal, container including a housing of any suitable shape or concept or configuration having any form of decoration.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the housing is a two part housing allowing one part to be separated from the other part or the housing is provided with an openable portion including an openable or removable lid, hatch, door, partition, panel, window or the like allowing access internally within the housing.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that a sound producing device is located within the housing in which the sound producing device is an electronic sound producing device, or mechanical sound producing device, or a combination of such devices .

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device is a sound module, sound subassembly, sound producing circuit board, sound producing integrated circuit or other assembly of components, particularly a chip or similar of the type made by Vale Interactive Technologies .

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device includes printed circuit board and other electronic components including microphone, amplifier, speakers or similar for producing a signal for conversion into sound by a loud speaker or other similar conversion device or speaker device .

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device uses different forms of radiation including video encoded invisible light to trigger or stimulate responses from the sound producing device including activating the sound producing device when powered or selecting a particular item from an electronic menu corresponding to a particular noise, sound, saying, speech or similar.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device includes a memory for storing data indicative of the sound corresponding to the sound produced by the sound emitting plaything including the memory stores digital audio data indicative of desired sounds to be outputted by the sound producing device .

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device includes a number of pre-recorded sounds stored as data in the memory which may be randomly selected by the sound producing device to be outputted to a loud speaker when a non-sound emitting item engages with the device.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device includes an analogue storage medium including magnetic tape or a rotating drum with prearranged ridges and grooves to store sounds.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sound producing device includes a processor for accessing data indicative of a sound and to convert the data into the sound for output to a sound emitting device when the non-sound emitting plaything engages with the device.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the processor of the sound producing device includes a number of modules to implement functions including a memory access module and a digital to analogue converter.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the item is an interactive item, including an item being in the form of a doll that appears to talk or is a talking doll.

23 A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the device includes a retainer located on a surface of the housing including being located on the top surface of the base or pedestal.

24 A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer assembly includes one or more apertures for receiving a part or parts of the item in which the apertures are in the form of slots, shoes, boots, or the like for receiving part of the item including the feet, ankle, legs, of the plaything.

25 A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer assembly includes a clamping arrangement for retaining the plaything in a prearranged orientation or condition or position with respect to the housing when the clamping arrangement is a closed, locked or secured condition.

26 A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer includes an actuator for activating the sound producing device when an item is received in the retainer.

27 A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the housing contains one or more subassemblies for a variety of different purposes or having different functions including a switch for operating the sound producing device, an activation mechanism, a processor provided with a suitable memory or storage device, a media device containing recordings , a speaker mechanism or rechargeable battery as the power source.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer both retains the item in position on the housing and activates the sound producing device to produce a prearranged or predetermined sound.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer is in the form of an item of footwear including boots , shoes , or other retainers having a receiving portion being the upper portion of the boot and an attaching portion being the lower portion of the boot so that when the plaything is located in the retainer, the plaything is retained in a preselected position and activates the sound producing device to produce sound, noise, saying, speech, or similar.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer is a magnetic retainer for magnetically retaining the plaything in position with respect to the housing.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the attaching portion of the retainer is or includes a magnetic material.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the housing is provided with a magnetically operated device in the form of an electrical switch or similar including a reed switch or similar which is moved in response to the magnetised portion of the doll or boot being located on or in close proximity to the upper surface of the housing.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the device includes a trigger arrangement incorporated or house in the housing, particularly in the base or pedestal, or is programmed into the memory or sound chip or other electronic component.

A device or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the trigger arrangement is one or more of the following:

(i) a trigger arrangement in which the item produces a sound on insertion into the retainer which activates the sound producing device;

(ii) a trigger arrangement in which the sound is produced upon operation of a manual switch;

(iii) a trigger arrangement including a timer to provide the sound at a preselected times interval or period;

(iv) a trigger arrangement which is activated from an embedded signal received from a transmitter device. A device for converting a non-sound emitting plaything into a sound emitting plaything substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A device for use with a non talking doll to produce or simulate the sound produced by a talking doll or a sound corresponding to the sound produced by a talking doll substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A method of simulating in a non-talking doll, the sound made by a talking doll substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A retainer for retaining a plaything in a prearranged position or orientation substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A sound producing device for producing a sound corresponding to a sound produced by a sound emitting plaything when a non-sound emitting plaything has one or more parts thereof received in a retainer substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A computer program code substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings . A computer readable medium substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A data file substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .