Animated annunciator apparatus

Claim 2

An animated annunciator apparatus comprising: telephonic means for transmitting and receiving telephone signals including a speech signal; announcing means for receiving at least a first one of said telephone signals and for generating a voice control signal varying in accordance with said at least a first one of said telephone signals, and including means for converting the speech signal into said voice control signal and for generating sound in accordance with said voice control signal; animation means, having movable elements, for receiving said voice control signal and for moving said movable elements in synchronism with said voice control signal and synchronized with reception of said speech signal by said telephonic means, and including amplifier means for generating a motion control signal varying in accordance with said voice control signal; motor means for providing a motion force in a first direction and in a second direction in response to said motion control signal so that said movable elements move in synchronism with and track said speech signal; a gear train mechanism operatively connected to said motor means and being rotated by said motion force; linkage elements connected to said gear train mechanism and said movable elements so that said movable elements are selectively moved in the first direction and in the second direction by said gear train mechanism.

Claim 3

An animated annunciator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus has an active state and an inactive state, and wherein said telephonic means includes: activation means for selectively placing said apparatus in said active state and said inactive state in response to at least a second one of said telephone signals; and means for receiving the speech signal and for transmitting dial signal signals.

Claim 4

An animated annunciator apparatus having an active state and an inactive state, comprising: activate means for receiving telephone signals including a speech signal and for selectively placing said apparatus in said active state and in said inactive state in response to at least one of said telephone signals; means for receiving said speech signal corresponding to one of said telephone signals and for transmitting dial signals; means for converting said speech signal into a voice control signal and for generating sound in accordance with said voice control signal; means for enabling said activate means to place said apparatus in said active state; amplifier means for generating a motion control signal varying in accordance with said voice control signal; movable element means, having movable elements, for providing animated movement in response to the motion control signal in synchronism with reception of said speech signal by said activate means; motor means for providing a motion force, in response to said motion control signal so that said movable elements move in synchronism with and track said speech signal; a gear train mechanism operatively connected to said motor means and rotated in response to said motion force; and linkage elements connected to said gear train mechanism and said movable elements so that said movable elements selectively move in a first direction and in a second direction in response to said motion control signal.

Claim 5

An animated annunciator apparatus having an active state and an inactive state, comprising: activate means for receiving telephone signals including a speech signal and for selectively placing said apparatus in said active state and in said inactive state in response to at least one of said telephone signals; means for receiving said speech signal corresponding to one of said telephone signals and for transmitting dial signals; means for converting said speech signal into a voice control signal and for generating sound in accordance with said voice control signal; means for enabling said activate means to place said apparatus in said active state; amplifier means for generating a motion control signal varying in accordance with said voice control signal; movable element means, having movable elements, for providing animated movement in response to the motion control signal in synchronism with reception of said speech signal by said activate means; motor means for providing a motion force, in response to said motion control signal so that said movable elements move in synchronism with and track said speech signal; a gear train mechanism operatively connected to said motor means and rotated in response to said motion force; and linkage elements connected to said gear train mechanism and said movable elements so that said movable elements selectively move in a first direction and in a second direction in response to said motion control signal.

Claim 6

An animated annunciator apparatus comprising: telephonic means for transmitting and receiving telephone signals including a speech signal; announcing means for receiving said speech signal and for generating a voice control signal varying in accordance with said speech signal; and animation means, having movable elements, for receiving said voice control signal and for moving said movable elements in synchronism with said voice control signal and in synchronism with reception of said speech signal by said telephonic means, and including motor means for providing, in response to said voice control signal, a first rotative force in a first direction and a second rotative force in a second direction; a gear train mechanism operatively connected to said motor means and being rotated in response to by said first rotative force and by said second rotative force; linkage elements connected to said gear train mechanism so that said movable elements selectively move in the first direction and in the second direction in response to said motion control signal and so that said movable elements move in synchronism with and track said speech signal.

Claim 7

An animated annunciator apparatus comprising: telephonic means for transmitting and receiving telephone signals including a speech signal; announcing means for receiving said speech signal and for generating a voice control signal varying in accordance with said speech signal; and animation means, having movable elements, for receiving said voice control signal and for moving said movable elements in synchronism with said voice control signal and in synchronism with reception of said speech signal by said telephonic means, and including motor means for providing, in response to said voice control signal, a first rotative force in a first direction and a second rotative force in a second direction; a gear train mechanism operatively connected to said motor means and being rotated in response to by said first rotative force and by said second rotative force; linkage elements connected to said gear train mechanism so that said movable elements selectively move in the first direction and in the second direction in response to said motion control signal and so that said movable elements move in synchronism with and track said speech signal.