CA1277494C - Sound-producing amusement devices - Google Patents
Sound-producing amusement devicesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1277494C CA1277494C CA000528064A CA528064A CA1277494C CA 1277494 C CA1277494 C CA 1277494C CA 000528064 A CA000528064 A CA 000528064A CA 528064 A CA528064 A CA 528064A CA 1277494 C CA1277494 C CA 1277494C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- book
- memory
- read
- playback unit
- page
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B5/00—Electrically-operated educational appliances
- G09B5/06—Electrically-operated educational appliances with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
- G09B5/062—Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H5/00—Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A sound-producing amusement or educational device, particularly a book, comprises a read-only memory having recorded therein digital data representing sounds characteristic of the amusement device, and a sound-producing unit for producing the sounds represented by the digital data recorded in the memory. The memory is in a separate unit attached to the book and includes connectors for connection to the sound-producing unit. The sound-producing unit is separate and distinct from the book and its memory unit, and includes mating connectors for removably attaching and electrically connecting the sound-producing unit to the memory unit, a battery for supplying power to both the sound-producing unit and the memory unit, and a speaker for producing the sounds represented by the data stored in the memory unit.
A sound-producing amusement or educational device, particularly a book, comprises a read-only memory having recorded therein digital data representing sounds characteristic of the amusement device, and a sound-producing unit for producing the sounds represented by the digital data recorded in the memory. The memory is in a separate unit attached to the book and includes connectors for connection to the sound-producing unit. The sound-producing unit is separate and distinct from the book and its memory unit, and includes mating connectors for removably attaching and electrically connecting the sound-producing unit to the memory unit, a battery for supplying power to both the sound-producing unit and the memory unit, and a speaker for producing the sounds represented by the data stored in the memory unit.
Description
12~7494 01 The invention of the present application 02 is directed to amusement or educational devices, 03 namely talking books.
04 A number of sound-producing amusement 05 devices have been developed. In the older devices, 06 the sounds were prerecorded in analogue form, for 07 example on a disc or tape; but in the newer devices 08 they are recorded in digital form, for example in a 09 read-only memory. Each such device includes not only the memory, but also a sound-producing unit, both 11 designed for each specific amusement device. Such 12 sound~producing devices are therefore relatively 13 expensive. Moreover, the sounds produced by each 14 device are limited and usually cannot be conveniently modified.
16 According to the invention of the present 17 application, there is provided an assembly of a 18 talking book and a sound playback unit comprising (a) 19 a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page 21 having a printed text thereon which is readable when 22 the book is open to that page; (b) a read-only memory 23 attached, preferably to one of the book covers, and 24 provided with a set of terminal connectors, the memory being common to all the pages of the book and having 26 stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of 27 spoken messages each related to the printed text on a 2~ respective page of the book; and (c) a sound playback 29 unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed 31 texts and each having a read-only memory storing 32 digital recordings of the respective text, the unit 33 being provided with a set of input connectors 34 engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and ~2~749~
01 electronic means connected to the read-only memory 02 through the input connectors to read out the digital 03 recordings and to convert them into sound signals 04 which are reproduced as the spoken messages. The 05 assembly, preferably the sound playback unit, includes 06 selector means to effect selection for readout from 07 the read-only memory the digitized recording related 08 to the printed text on the identifiable page of the 09 book which ~s then open to a reader.
A number of embodiments of the invention 11 are described below for purposes of example.
12 According to one described embodiment, the 13 sound playback unit is provided with a pair of jaws 14 adapted to engage the opposing faces of one of the book covers to detachably couple the book to the sound 16 playback unit and to maintain its set of input 17 connectors in engagement with the set oE terminal 18 connectors.
19 The described embodiments also include various arrangements for selecting the digitized 21 recording to be read out by the sound playback unit.
22 Thus, according to one described embodiment, the pages 23 of the book are each identified by a different symbol, 24 and the sound playback unit is provided with selector push buttons which are marked by corresponding 26 symbols, whereby when one of the buttons is pressed, 27 then selected for readout from the read-only memory is 28 the digitized recording related to the printed text on 29 the page carrying the same symbol. According to another described embodiment, the selector means of 31 the sound playback unit is constituted by an array of 32 light-light-sensitive diodes which are selectively 33 covered by page-identifying coded openings formed in 34 the pages of the book. According to a further described embodiment, the selector means comprises a 36 multiple-position digital electrical switch, each 37 position of which corresponds to a respective page of 12~74g~
01 the book.
02 Such a talking book provides a number of 03 advantages over the conventional constructions. Thus, 04 the read-only memory unit may be specifically designed 05 for the particular book to which it is to be attached, 06 whereas the sound-producing unit may be of a standard 07 design useful with many different talking books or 08 with different kinds of devices (e.g., also with 09 talking toys, talking dolls, etc.). In addition, almost any book can be conveniently, and relatively 11 inexpensively, converted to a talking book by merely 12 attaching a read-only memory unit having recorded 13 therein digital data representing sound recording 14 relating to the pages of the respective book. The sound producing unit, although relatively expensive 16 because it includes most of the components of the 17 talking part of the device, may be used for many 18 different books or other amusement or education 19 devices; therefore, once the user has purchased a sound producing unit, he can use the same unit for 21 many different devices. Further, the recorded message 22 for the respective amusement device can be easily 23 changed by merely removing the read-only memory unit 24 and attaching another one having the new message recorded therein which new message will be reproduced 26 by the original sound-producing unit.
27 The invention is herein described, by way 28 of example only, with reference to the accompanying 29 drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram helpful in 31 explaining the electrical circuit in the talking books 32 described herein;
33 Fig. 2 illustrates one form of talking 34 book constructed in accordance with the present invention;
36 Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of 37 the talking book of Fig. 2 showing one manner of ., ~
~Z7749~
01 incorporating the read-only memory unit;
02 Fig. 4 is a side elevational view 03 illustrating the sound-reproducing unit used in the 04 talking book of Fig. 2;
05 Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating another 06 manner of attaching the read-only memory unit to the 07 book;
08 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating 09 a talking book including automatic means for selecting the recorded sounds to correspond to a selected one of 11 the book pages; and 12 Fig. 7 is also a fragmentary view 13 illustrating a talking book but having other means for 14 selecting the recorded sounds.
Reference is first made to the block 16 diagram of Fig. 1 pictorially illustrating the 17 division of the electrical circuit between the 18 read-only memory unit 2 and the sound-producing unit 19 4. The read-only memory unit 2 is a separate and distinct unit which is fixedly attachable to the 21 books, and includes terminal connectors 5 for 22 connection to the sound-producing unit 4. Similarly, 23 the sound-producing unit 4 is a separate and distinct 24 unit and includes its own input connectors 6 for removably attaching to, and electrically connecting, 26 the sound-producing unit 4 to the read-only memory 27 unit 2.
28 The read-only memory unit 2 includes only 29 the digital data representing the sounds of the book to which it is attached. On the other hand, the 31 sound-producing unit 4 includes all the other 32 components necessary to reproduce the sounds recorded, 33 including a holder 7 for a battery; circuitry 8, e.g., 34 a central processor unit (CPU~, for processing the data; and a transducer 10, e.g., a speaker, for 36 reproducing the sounds recorded in the memory unit 2.
37 Figs. 2-4 illustràte the invention applied 749~1 01 to a talking book in which the read-only memory unit 02 22 is fixedly attached to one of the book covers 23, 03 and a sound-producing unit 24 is mechanically and 04 electrically connectible to the memory unit 22. For 05 this purpose, unit 22 is received within a recess 23' 06 (Fig. 3) formed in the upper edge of the book cover 07 23, with the terminal connectors 25 of unit 22 exposed 08 for connection to input connectors 26 of the 09 sound-producing unit 24 when the latter is inserted into recess 23'. As described with respect to Fig. 1, 11 the sound-producing unit 24 includes all the 12 components necessary to reproduce the sounds recorded 13 in unit 22, including: a holder 27 for the battery for 14 supplying both units 22 and 24, the processing circuitry 28 for processing the data stored in unit 16 22, and a speaker 30 for producing the sounds stored 17 in unit 22.
18 The sound-producing unit 24 further 19 includes a pair of depending stems or jaws 34, 36, (Fig. 4~ which are engageable with the opposite faces 21 of the book cover 23 when the unit is inserted into 22 recess 23' of the book cover with connector 26 of unit 23 24 in electrical contact with connector 25 of unit 24 22. This arrangement stably supports the sound-producing unit 24 on the upper edge of the book 26 cover.
27 The sound-producing unit 24 further 28 includes a plurality of pushbuttons 38 of different 29 geometrical configurations. These configurations conform to symbols marked on each page of the book, so 31 that the user may depress the pushbutton having the 32 same configuration as a symbol marked on any 33 particular page in order to select and play back the 34 sound recorded in unit 22 for the respective page.
Fig. 5 illustrates a variation, wherein 36 the read-only memory unit 42 is attached to the outer 37 face of the book cover 43, rather than being received ~2'77494 01 within a recess formed in the book cover. The 02 terminal connectors 45 oE unit 42 face upwardly, and 03 as in the previously described embodiment, are exposed 04 for engagement with the input connectors of the 05 sound-producing unit when the latter is attached to 06 the memory unit. The arrangement illustrated in Fig.
07 5 obviates the need for making any changes in the 08 construction of the book covers, since the memory unit 09 22 may be conveniently attached to the outer face of any book cover.
11 Fig. 6 illustrates a talking book of the 12 type illustrated in Figs. 2-5. It includes a 13 read-only memory unit 112 in the form of a board or 14 card mounted, as by fasteners (not shown), to the outer face at the upper end of one of the book covers 16 as illustrated in Fig. 5 so that its terminal 17 connectors 115 are exposed adjacent to its upper 18 edge. The sound-producing unit 114 is removably 19 attachable to the upper edge of the cover with the input connectors 116 of unit 114 in contact with the 21 terminal connectors 115 of unit 112 to establish an 22 electrical connection between the two units. As also 23 in the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2-5, unit 112 24 includes a read-only memory chip 112a having recorded therein the digital data representing spoken words or 26 other sounds corresponding to the contents of the 27 book, and unit 114 includes all the other required 28 components, including a battery holder 117, a CPU 118, 29 an amplifier 118', and a speaker 119, for processing the digital data and for reproducing it in the form of 31 spoken words or other sounds.
32 However, as distinguished from the 33 embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 2-5, 34 the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 includes means for automatically selecting the recorded data to be 36 reproduced according to the page to which the book is 37 turned. For this purpose, unit 114 is formed with a . , .
lZ~7494 01 linear array of light-sensitive diodes 120, and unit 02 112 is formed with a corresponding linear array of 03 holes 121 alignable with diodes 120. In the described 04 example, there are seven diodes 120 and seven holes 05 121, thereby enabling them to represent any number 06 from 1 to 7. The illustrated arrangement can 07 therefore be used with a book having up to 7 pages, 08 with a spoken word message recorded in the read-only 09 memory unit 112 for each one of these pages. Each of these different recorded messages is automatically 11 selected by the holes 119 formed in the upper part of 12 each page arranged so that when that page is turned to 13 overlie the light-sensitive diodes 120 of unit 114, 14 the diodes are selectively covered by that page, together with the underlying pages, so as to expose to 16 light that diode representing the page to be read.
17 Thus, in the arrangement illustrated in 18 Fig. 6, when the user, such as a small child, merely 19 turns to the proper page, the coded arrangement of holes 119 on that page, as well as in the underlying 21 page between it and unit 112, will identify the 22 respective page number and will thereby select the 23 recorded message for that particular page for 24 reproduction by the sound-producing unit 114.
Fig. 7 illustrates a talking book of the 26 type illustrated in Fig. 6, but for use by an older 27 child, i.e., one who can recognize the page number and 28 then manually operate the sound-producing unit, 29 therein designated 124, to select the message recorded in the read-only memory unit 112 allocated to 31 that respective page. For this purpose, the 32 sound-producing unit 124 is provided with a 33 multiple-position digital switch 125 including a 34 display 126 for displaying the position of the switch, an up-stepper button 127 for up-stepping the digital 36 switch and its display 126, and a down-stepper button 37 128 for down-stepping the digital switch and its ~":
01 display. Switch 125 further includes an actuator 02 button 129 which is to be depressed after the switch 03 has been incremented to its proper position to 04 correspond to the number 130 printed on the respective 05 page of the book.
06 Thus, in the arrangement illustrated in 07 Fig. 7, the memory unit 122 may include digital data 08 representing a message for each of the pages of the 09 book. These messages can be manually selected by the user by merely incrementing switch 125 until its 11 display 126 matches the number or symbol for the 12 respective page, and then depressing actuator button 13 129.
14 The talking books illustrated could be 15 modified so that the sounds recorded in the memory 16 unit are automatically reproduced page after page, 17 starting from the first page, unless or until the user 18 intervenes. The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7 19 could be modified to omit the actuator button 129, such that the reproduction of the sounds is 21 automatically effected after the elapse of a 22 predetermined time interval following the selection of 23 the page.
24 In all of the described embodiments, the memory unit is described as a read-only memory unit 26 (ROM), but it will be appreciated this includes the 27 variations of such units, namely PROM's, EPROM's, 28 EEPROM'S etc. Also, while the memory unit is 29 preferably attached to one of the covers, obviously it could be attached to the book spine.
31 Many other variations, modifications and 32 applications of the invention will be apparent.
~,
04 A number of sound-producing amusement 05 devices have been developed. In the older devices, 06 the sounds were prerecorded in analogue form, for 07 example on a disc or tape; but in the newer devices 08 they are recorded in digital form, for example in a 09 read-only memory. Each such device includes not only the memory, but also a sound-producing unit, both 11 designed for each specific amusement device. Such 12 sound~producing devices are therefore relatively 13 expensive. Moreover, the sounds produced by each 14 device are limited and usually cannot be conveniently modified.
16 According to the invention of the present 17 application, there is provided an assembly of a 18 talking book and a sound playback unit comprising (a) 19 a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page 21 having a printed text thereon which is readable when 22 the book is open to that page; (b) a read-only memory 23 attached, preferably to one of the book covers, and 24 provided with a set of terminal connectors, the memory being common to all the pages of the book and having 26 stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of 27 spoken messages each related to the printed text on a 2~ respective page of the book; and (c) a sound playback 29 unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed 31 texts and each having a read-only memory storing 32 digital recordings of the respective text, the unit 33 being provided with a set of input connectors 34 engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and ~2~749~
01 electronic means connected to the read-only memory 02 through the input connectors to read out the digital 03 recordings and to convert them into sound signals 04 which are reproduced as the spoken messages. The 05 assembly, preferably the sound playback unit, includes 06 selector means to effect selection for readout from 07 the read-only memory the digitized recording related 08 to the printed text on the identifiable page of the 09 book which ~s then open to a reader.
A number of embodiments of the invention 11 are described below for purposes of example.
12 According to one described embodiment, the 13 sound playback unit is provided with a pair of jaws 14 adapted to engage the opposing faces of one of the book covers to detachably couple the book to the sound 16 playback unit and to maintain its set of input 17 connectors in engagement with the set oE terminal 18 connectors.
19 The described embodiments also include various arrangements for selecting the digitized 21 recording to be read out by the sound playback unit.
22 Thus, according to one described embodiment, the pages 23 of the book are each identified by a different symbol, 24 and the sound playback unit is provided with selector push buttons which are marked by corresponding 26 symbols, whereby when one of the buttons is pressed, 27 then selected for readout from the read-only memory is 28 the digitized recording related to the printed text on 29 the page carrying the same symbol. According to another described embodiment, the selector means of 31 the sound playback unit is constituted by an array of 32 light-light-sensitive diodes which are selectively 33 covered by page-identifying coded openings formed in 34 the pages of the book. According to a further described embodiment, the selector means comprises a 36 multiple-position digital electrical switch, each 37 position of which corresponds to a respective page of 12~74g~
01 the book.
02 Such a talking book provides a number of 03 advantages over the conventional constructions. Thus, 04 the read-only memory unit may be specifically designed 05 for the particular book to which it is to be attached, 06 whereas the sound-producing unit may be of a standard 07 design useful with many different talking books or 08 with different kinds of devices (e.g., also with 09 talking toys, talking dolls, etc.). In addition, almost any book can be conveniently, and relatively 11 inexpensively, converted to a talking book by merely 12 attaching a read-only memory unit having recorded 13 therein digital data representing sound recording 14 relating to the pages of the respective book. The sound producing unit, although relatively expensive 16 because it includes most of the components of the 17 talking part of the device, may be used for many 18 different books or other amusement or education 19 devices; therefore, once the user has purchased a sound producing unit, he can use the same unit for 21 many different devices. Further, the recorded message 22 for the respective amusement device can be easily 23 changed by merely removing the read-only memory unit 24 and attaching another one having the new message recorded therein which new message will be reproduced 26 by the original sound-producing unit.
27 The invention is herein described, by way 28 of example only, with reference to the accompanying 29 drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram helpful in 31 explaining the electrical circuit in the talking books 32 described herein;
33 Fig. 2 illustrates one form of talking 34 book constructed in accordance with the present invention;
36 Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of 37 the talking book of Fig. 2 showing one manner of ., ~
~Z7749~
01 incorporating the read-only memory unit;
02 Fig. 4 is a side elevational view 03 illustrating the sound-reproducing unit used in the 04 talking book of Fig. 2;
05 Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating another 06 manner of attaching the read-only memory unit to the 07 book;
08 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating 09 a talking book including automatic means for selecting the recorded sounds to correspond to a selected one of 11 the book pages; and 12 Fig. 7 is also a fragmentary view 13 illustrating a talking book but having other means for 14 selecting the recorded sounds.
Reference is first made to the block 16 diagram of Fig. 1 pictorially illustrating the 17 division of the electrical circuit between the 18 read-only memory unit 2 and the sound-producing unit 19 4. The read-only memory unit 2 is a separate and distinct unit which is fixedly attachable to the 21 books, and includes terminal connectors 5 for 22 connection to the sound-producing unit 4. Similarly, 23 the sound-producing unit 4 is a separate and distinct 24 unit and includes its own input connectors 6 for removably attaching to, and electrically connecting, 26 the sound-producing unit 4 to the read-only memory 27 unit 2.
28 The read-only memory unit 2 includes only 29 the digital data representing the sounds of the book to which it is attached. On the other hand, the 31 sound-producing unit 4 includes all the other 32 components necessary to reproduce the sounds recorded, 33 including a holder 7 for a battery; circuitry 8, e.g., 34 a central processor unit (CPU~, for processing the data; and a transducer 10, e.g., a speaker, for 36 reproducing the sounds recorded in the memory unit 2.
37 Figs. 2-4 illustràte the invention applied 749~1 01 to a talking book in which the read-only memory unit 02 22 is fixedly attached to one of the book covers 23, 03 and a sound-producing unit 24 is mechanically and 04 electrically connectible to the memory unit 22. For 05 this purpose, unit 22 is received within a recess 23' 06 (Fig. 3) formed in the upper edge of the book cover 07 23, with the terminal connectors 25 of unit 22 exposed 08 for connection to input connectors 26 of the 09 sound-producing unit 24 when the latter is inserted into recess 23'. As described with respect to Fig. 1, 11 the sound-producing unit 24 includes all the 12 components necessary to reproduce the sounds recorded 13 in unit 22, including: a holder 27 for the battery for 14 supplying both units 22 and 24, the processing circuitry 28 for processing the data stored in unit 16 22, and a speaker 30 for producing the sounds stored 17 in unit 22.
18 The sound-producing unit 24 further 19 includes a pair of depending stems or jaws 34, 36, (Fig. 4~ which are engageable with the opposite faces 21 of the book cover 23 when the unit is inserted into 22 recess 23' of the book cover with connector 26 of unit 23 24 in electrical contact with connector 25 of unit 24 22. This arrangement stably supports the sound-producing unit 24 on the upper edge of the book 26 cover.
27 The sound-producing unit 24 further 28 includes a plurality of pushbuttons 38 of different 29 geometrical configurations. These configurations conform to symbols marked on each page of the book, so 31 that the user may depress the pushbutton having the 32 same configuration as a symbol marked on any 33 particular page in order to select and play back the 34 sound recorded in unit 22 for the respective page.
Fig. 5 illustrates a variation, wherein 36 the read-only memory unit 42 is attached to the outer 37 face of the book cover 43, rather than being received ~2'77494 01 within a recess formed in the book cover. The 02 terminal connectors 45 oE unit 42 face upwardly, and 03 as in the previously described embodiment, are exposed 04 for engagement with the input connectors of the 05 sound-producing unit when the latter is attached to 06 the memory unit. The arrangement illustrated in Fig.
07 5 obviates the need for making any changes in the 08 construction of the book covers, since the memory unit 09 22 may be conveniently attached to the outer face of any book cover.
11 Fig. 6 illustrates a talking book of the 12 type illustrated in Figs. 2-5. It includes a 13 read-only memory unit 112 in the form of a board or 14 card mounted, as by fasteners (not shown), to the outer face at the upper end of one of the book covers 16 as illustrated in Fig. 5 so that its terminal 17 connectors 115 are exposed adjacent to its upper 18 edge. The sound-producing unit 114 is removably 19 attachable to the upper edge of the cover with the input connectors 116 of unit 114 in contact with the 21 terminal connectors 115 of unit 112 to establish an 22 electrical connection between the two units. As also 23 in the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2-5, unit 112 24 includes a read-only memory chip 112a having recorded therein the digital data representing spoken words or 26 other sounds corresponding to the contents of the 27 book, and unit 114 includes all the other required 28 components, including a battery holder 117, a CPU 118, 29 an amplifier 118', and a speaker 119, for processing the digital data and for reproducing it in the form of 31 spoken words or other sounds.
32 However, as distinguished from the 33 embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 2-5, 34 the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 includes means for automatically selecting the recorded data to be 36 reproduced according to the page to which the book is 37 turned. For this purpose, unit 114 is formed with a . , .
lZ~7494 01 linear array of light-sensitive diodes 120, and unit 02 112 is formed with a corresponding linear array of 03 holes 121 alignable with diodes 120. In the described 04 example, there are seven diodes 120 and seven holes 05 121, thereby enabling them to represent any number 06 from 1 to 7. The illustrated arrangement can 07 therefore be used with a book having up to 7 pages, 08 with a spoken word message recorded in the read-only 09 memory unit 112 for each one of these pages. Each of these different recorded messages is automatically 11 selected by the holes 119 formed in the upper part of 12 each page arranged so that when that page is turned to 13 overlie the light-sensitive diodes 120 of unit 114, 14 the diodes are selectively covered by that page, together with the underlying pages, so as to expose to 16 light that diode representing the page to be read.
17 Thus, in the arrangement illustrated in 18 Fig. 6, when the user, such as a small child, merely 19 turns to the proper page, the coded arrangement of holes 119 on that page, as well as in the underlying 21 page between it and unit 112, will identify the 22 respective page number and will thereby select the 23 recorded message for that particular page for 24 reproduction by the sound-producing unit 114.
Fig. 7 illustrates a talking book of the 26 type illustrated in Fig. 6, but for use by an older 27 child, i.e., one who can recognize the page number and 28 then manually operate the sound-producing unit, 29 therein designated 124, to select the message recorded in the read-only memory unit 112 allocated to 31 that respective page. For this purpose, the 32 sound-producing unit 124 is provided with a 33 multiple-position digital switch 125 including a 34 display 126 for displaying the position of the switch, an up-stepper button 127 for up-stepping the digital 36 switch and its display 126, and a down-stepper button 37 128 for down-stepping the digital switch and its ~":
01 display. Switch 125 further includes an actuator 02 button 129 which is to be depressed after the switch 03 has been incremented to its proper position to 04 correspond to the number 130 printed on the respective 05 page of the book.
06 Thus, in the arrangement illustrated in 07 Fig. 7, the memory unit 122 may include digital data 08 representing a message for each of the pages of the 09 book. These messages can be manually selected by the user by merely incrementing switch 125 until its 11 display 126 matches the number or symbol for the 12 respective page, and then depressing actuator button 13 129.
14 The talking books illustrated could be 15 modified so that the sounds recorded in the memory 16 unit are automatically reproduced page after page, 17 starting from the first page, unless or until the user 18 intervenes. The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7 19 could be modified to omit the actuator button 129, such that the reproduction of the sounds is 21 automatically effected after the elapse of a 22 predetermined time interval following the selection of 23 the page.
24 In all of the described embodiments, the memory unit is described as a read-only memory unit 26 (ROM), but it will be appreciated this includes the 27 variations of such units, namely PROM's, EPROM's, 28 EEPROM'S etc. Also, while the memory unit is 29 preferably attached to one of the covers, obviously it could be attached to the book spine.
31 Many other variations, modifications and 32 applications of the invention will be apparent.
~,
Claims (20)
1. An assembly of a talking book and a sound playback unit comprising:
a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page having a printed text thereon which is readable when the book is open to that page;
a read-only memory attached to the book and provided with a set of terminal connectors, said memory being common to all the pages of the book and having stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of spoken messages each related to the printed text on a respective page of the book; and a sound playback unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed texts and each having a read-only memory storing digital recordings of the respective text, said sound playback unit being provided with a set of input connectors engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and electronic means connected to the read-only memory through the input connectors to read out the digital recordings and to convert them into sound signals which are reproduced as the spoken messages;
said assembly further including selector means to effect selection for readout from the read-only memory the digitized recording related to the printed text on the identifiable page of the book which is then open to a reader.
a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page having a printed text thereon which is readable when the book is open to that page;
a read-only memory attached to the book and provided with a set of terminal connectors, said memory being common to all the pages of the book and having stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of spoken messages each related to the printed text on a respective page of the book; and a sound playback unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed texts and each having a read-only memory storing digital recordings of the respective text, said sound playback unit being provided with a set of input connectors engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and electronic means connected to the read-only memory through the input connectors to read out the digital recordings and to convert them into sound signals which are reproduced as the spoken messages;
said assembly further including selector means to effect selection for readout from the read-only memory the digitized recording related to the printed text on the identifiable page of the book which is then open to a reader.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sound playback unit is provided with a pair of jaws adapted to engage the opposing faces of one of the book covers to detachably couple the sound playback unit to the book and to maintain said set of input connectors of the sound playback unit in engagement with the set of terminal connectors of the read-only memory.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pages of the book are each identified by a different symbol, and said selector means is on the sound playback unit and comprises a plurality of selector push buttons which are marked by corresponding symbols, whereby when one of said buttons is pressed, the digitized recording related to the printed text on the page carrying the same symbol is then selected for readout from the read-only memory.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said set of terminal connectors are exposed adjacent an edge of one of the covers to which the read-only memory is attached.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic means includes a central processing unit to convert the digital recordings that are read out of the memory into sound signals, an amplifier for the sound signals, and a loudspeaker coupled to the output of the amplifier to reproduce the spoken message.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises an array of light-sensitive diodes on said sound playback unit which diodes are selectively covered by page-identifying coded openings formed in the pages of the book.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a multiple-position digital electrical switch on said sound playback unit, each position of which corresponds to a respective page of the book.
8. An assembly of a talking book and a sound playback unit comprising:
a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page having a printed text thereon which is readable when the book is open to that page;
a read-only memory attached to one of the book covers and provided with a set of terminal connectors, said memory being common to all the pages of the book and having stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of spoken messages each related to the printed text on a respective page of the book; and a sound playback unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed texts and each having a read-only memory storing digital recordings of the respective text, said sound playback unit being provided with a set of input connectors engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and electronic means connected to the read-only memory through the input connects to read out the digital recordings and to convert them into sound signals which are reproduced as the spoken messages; said sound playback unit including selector means to effect selection for readout from the read-only memory of the digitized recording related to the printed text on the identifiable page of the book which is then open to a reader.
a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page having a printed text thereon which is readable when the book is open to that page;
a read-only memory attached to one of the book covers and provided with a set of terminal connectors, said memory being common to all the pages of the book and having stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of spoken messages each related to the printed text on a respective page of the book; and a sound playback unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed texts and each having a read-only memory storing digital recordings of the respective text, said sound playback unit being provided with a set of input connectors engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and electronic means connected to the read-only memory through the input connects to read out the digital recordings and to convert them into sound signals which are reproduced as the spoken messages; said sound playback unit including selector means to effect selection for readout from the read-only memory of the digitized recording related to the printed text on the identifiable page of the book which is then open to a reader.
9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said electronic means includes a central processing unit to convert the digital recordings that are read out of the memory into sound signals, an amplifier for the sound signals, and a loudspeaker coupled to the output of the amplifier to reproduce the spoken message.
10. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said set of terminal connectors are exposed adjacent an edge of the cover to which the read-only memory is attached.
11. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said sound playback unit is provided with a pair of jaws adapted to engage the opposing faces of the book covers to detachably couple the book to the sound playback unit and to maintain its set of input connectors in engagement with the set of terminal connectors.
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said pages of the book are each identified by a different symbol, and said selector means on the sound playback unit comprises a plurality of selector push buttons which are marked by corresponding symbols, whereby when one of said buttons is pressed, the digitized recording related to the printed text on the page carrying the same symbol is then selected for readout from the read-only memory.
13. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the selector means of the sound playback unit comprises an array of light-sensitive diodes which are selectively covered by page-identifying coded openings formed in the pages of the book.
14. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said selector means comprises a multiple-position digital electrical switch, each position of which corresponds to a respective page of the book.
15. An assembly of a talking book and a sound playback unit comprising:
a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page having a printed text thereon which is readable when the book is open to that page;
a read-only memory attached to one of the book covers and provided with a set of terminal connectors, said memory being common to all the pages of the book and having stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of spoken messages each related to the printed text on a respective page of the book; and a sound playback unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed texts and each having a read-only memory storing digital recordings of the respective text, said sound playback unit being provided with a set of input connectors engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and electronic means connected to the read-only memory through the input connectors to read out the digital recordings and to convert them into sound signals which are reproduced as the spoken messages; said electronic means including a central processing unit to convert the digital recordings that are read out of the memory into sound signals, an amplifier for the sound signals and a loudspeaker coupled to the output of the amplifier to reproduce the spoken message; said sound playback unit further including a power supply and selector means to effect selection for readout from the read-only memory the digitized recording related to the printed text on the identifiable page of the book which is then open to a reader.
a book having front and back covers and a plurality of identifiable pages bound between the covers, each page having a printed text thereon which is readable when the book is open to that page;
a read-only memory attached to one of the book covers and provided with a set of terminal connectors, said memory being common to all the pages of the book and having stored therein a plurality of digital recordings of spoken messages each related to the printed text on a respective page of the book; and a sound playback unit separate and distinct from the book and usable with books of the same type having different printed texts and each having a read-only memory storing digital recordings of the respective text, said sound playback unit being provided with a set of input connectors engageable with the terminal connectors of the read-only memory attached to the book to be read, and electronic means connected to the read-only memory through the input connectors to read out the digital recordings and to convert them into sound signals which are reproduced as the spoken messages; said electronic means including a central processing unit to convert the digital recordings that are read out of the memory into sound signals, an amplifier for the sound signals and a loudspeaker coupled to the output of the amplifier to reproduce the spoken message; said sound playback unit further including a power supply and selector means to effect selection for readout from the read-only memory the digitized recording related to the printed text on the identifiable page of the book which is then open to a reader.
16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said sound playback unit is provided with a pair of jaws adapted to engage the opposing faces of the book cover to detachably couple the book to the sound playback unit and to maintain its set of input connectors in engagement with the set of terminal connectors.
17. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said pages of the book are each identified by a different symbol, and said selector means on the sound playback unit comprises a plurality of selector push buttons which are marked by corresponding symbols, whereby when one of said buttons is pressed, then selected for readout from the read-only memory is the digitized recording related to the printed text on the page carrying the same symbol.
18. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said set of terminal connectors are exposed adjacent an edge of the cover to which the read-only memory is attached.
19. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein the selector means of the sound playback unit comprises an array of light-sensitive diodes which are selectively covered by page-identifying coded openings formed on the pages of the book.
20. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said selector means comprises a multiple-position digital electrical switch, each position of which corresponds to a respective page of the book.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL77705 | 1986-01-26 | ||
| IL7770586A IL77705A (en) | 1986-01-26 | 1986-01-26 | Sound-producing amusement or educational devices |
| IL81146A IL81146A (en) | 1986-01-26 | 1987-01-02 | Sound-producing amusement or educational devices |
| IL81146 | 1987-01-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1277494C true CA1277494C (en) | 1990-12-11 |
Family
ID=26321499
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000528064A Expired - Lifetime CA1277494C (en) | 1986-01-26 | 1987-01-23 | Sound-producing amusement devices |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (3) | US4820233A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0231142B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS62217987A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE58484T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU587101B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1277494C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3766259D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2019968B3 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3001201T3 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL81146A (en) |
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| US4348191A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1982-09-07 | Lipsitz Barry R | Electronic game board |
| DE8124507U1 (en) * | 1981-08-21 | 1983-02-03 | Döring, Erich, 9442 Berneck, St. Gallen | "TONILLUSTRATED Bound Book" |
| US4516950A (en) * | 1982-01-27 | 1985-05-14 | Ergoplic Ltd., An Israel Company | Speaking toy employing chordic input |
| FR2520247A1 (en) * | 1982-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | Mizoule Henri | SPARE DOLL FOR TEACHING CHILDREN |
| US4579533A (en) * | 1982-04-26 | 1986-04-01 | Anderson Weston A | Method of teaching a subject including use of a dictionary and translator |
| JPS59131968A (en) * | 1983-01-18 | 1984-07-28 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Voice enunciation text |
| JPH0631959B2 (en) * | 1983-09-28 | 1994-04-27 | 沖電気工業株式会社 | Music equipment |
| US4545775A (en) * | 1984-03-30 | 1985-10-08 | Kim Douglas S T | Dancing hula doll |
| US4521205A (en) * | 1984-05-30 | 1985-06-04 | Donald Spector | Sound tape player having an animated character |
| US4636881A (en) * | 1984-09-10 | 1987-01-13 | James T. Shaw | Talking book with an infrared detector used to detect page turning |
| FR2572300B3 (en) * | 1984-10-25 | 1987-06-12 | Schott Michel | TALKING TOY REPRESENTING AN OBJECT OR A CHARACTER |
| US4703573A (en) * | 1985-02-04 | 1987-11-03 | Montgomery John W | Visual and audible activated work and method of forming same |
| DE3504382A1 (en) * | 1985-02-08 | 1986-08-14 | Rainer Dipl.-Ing. 8000 München Gallitzendörfer | Electronic musical instrument |
| DD236458A1 (en) * | 1985-04-10 | 1986-06-11 | Thomas Giesel | PICTURE BOOK |
| US4696653A (en) * | 1986-02-07 | 1987-09-29 | Worlds Of Wonder, Inc. | Speaking toy doll |
-
1987
- 1987-01-02 IL IL81146A patent/IL81146A/en unknown
- 1987-01-13 US US07/003,040 patent/US4820233A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-01-20 ES ES87630006T patent/ES2019968B3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-01-20 DE DE8787630006T patent/DE3766259D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-01-20 EP EP87630006A patent/EP0231142B1/en not_active Expired
- 1987-01-20 AT AT87630006T patent/ATE58484T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-01-20 AU AU67885/87A patent/AU587101B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1987-01-22 JP JP62013287A patent/JPS62217987A/en active Pending
- 1987-01-23 CA CA000528064A patent/CA1277494C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-11-05 US US07/116,842 patent/US4778391A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1988
- 1988-01-19 US US07/145,160 patent/US4824375A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-12-17 GR GR90401069T patent/GR3001201T3/en unknown
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8025505B2 (en) | 2003-02-10 | 2011-09-27 | Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. | Interactive hand held apparatus with stylus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU6788587A (en) | 1987-07-30 |
| EP0231142A3 (en) | 1988-06-22 |
| EP0231142B1 (en) | 1990-11-22 |
| DE3766259D1 (en) | 1991-01-03 |
| ES2019968B3 (en) | 1991-07-16 |
| JPS62217987A (en) | 1987-09-25 |
| AU587101B2 (en) | 1989-08-03 |
| US4778391A (en) | 1988-10-18 |
| IL81146A0 (en) | 1987-08-31 |
| US4820233A (en) | 1989-04-11 |
| US4824375A (en) | 1989-04-25 |
| GR3001201T3 (en) | 1992-07-30 |
| IL81146A (en) | 1990-04-29 |
| EP0231142A2 (en) | 1987-08-05 |
| ATE58484T1 (en) | 1990-12-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |