US5334022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Auditory playing device
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1992-08-28
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Granted: 1994-08-02
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Expires: 2012-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A casing which accommodates an electric circuit for generating sounds of different tones or voice sounds has a recess 11 defined in its upper panel and a loudspeaker 12 disposed therein and mounted on the upper panel for reproducing and radiating sounds or voice sounds. A plurality of tone plates can selectively be placed, one at a time, in the recess. Each of the tone plates has dots and a bar code indicative of a sound or voice sound of its own. When one of the tone plates is inserted in the recess, the dots or bar code is detected by a sensor in the recess, and the electric circuit enables the loudspeaker to reproduce and radiate a tone or voice which is indicated by the inserted tone plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Keiko Kitagawa
- 👤 Shiro Yasuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:44
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/04; A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/18; A63F9/183; G09B15/00; G09B15/02; G09B15/04; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/2411; A63F2009/2419; A63F2009/242; A63F2009/2448; A63F2009/247; A63F2009/2476; A63F2009/2477
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An auditory playing device comprising: a plurality of tone plates each marked with a respective identification code having a pattern of spaced apart dots, each said identification code corresponding to a respective tone; an enclosure having a recess for receiving one of said tone plates; detecting means for detecting an identification code of one of said tone plates which is selected and placed in a stationary predetermined position within said recess; and generating means for generating a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An auditory playing device comprising: a plurality of tone plates each marked with a respective identification code having a pattern of spaced apart dots, each said identification code corresponding to a respective tone; an enclosure having a recess for receiving one of said tone plates; detecting means for detecting an identification code of one of said tone plates which is selected and placed in a stationary predetermined position within said recess; and generating means for generating a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
An auditory playing device according to claim 1 including first decision means for determining whether one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position based on a signal from said detecting means, and instructing said generating means to generate a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
An auditory playing device according to claim 2, further including second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, comparing an identification code detected by said detecting means with said stored identification code when another of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, and instructing said generating means to generate a single affirmative tone if the compared identification codes agree with each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
An auditory playing device according to claim 2, further including second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, comparing an identification code detected by said detecting means with said stored identification code when another of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, and instructing said generating means to generate a negative tone if the compared identification codes disagree with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An auditory playing device according to claim 1, wherein said tone plates are marked with respective identification codes corresponding to respective tones, said generating means comprising means for generating a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
209 words
An auditory playing device comprising: a plurality of tone plates each marked with a respective identification code having a pattern of spaced apart dots, each said identification code corresponding to a respective tone; an enclosure having a recess for receiving one of said tone plates; detecting means for detecting an identification code of one of said tone plates which is selected and placed in a stationary predetermined position within said recess; generating means for generating a tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means; first decision means for determining whether one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position based on a signal from said detecting means, and for instructing said generating means to generate a tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position; and second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when placed in said predetermined position, comparing an identification code detected by said detecting means with said stored identification code when another of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, and instructing said generating means to generate an affirmative tone if the compared identification codes agree with each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
209 words
An auditory playing device comprising: a plurality of tone plates each marked with a respective identification code having a pattern of spaced apart dots, each said identification code corresponding to a respective tone; an enclosure having a recess for receiving one of said tone plates; detecting means for detecting an identification code of one of said tone plates which is selected and placed in a stationary predetermined position within said recess; generating means for generating a tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means; first decision means for determining whether one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position based on a signal from said detecting means, and for instructing said generating means to generate a tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position; and second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when placed in said predetermined position, comparing an identification code detected by said detecting means with said stored identification code when another of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, and instructing said generating means to generate an affirmative tone if the compared identification codes agree with each other.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for operation of a toy having a recess for receiving a tone plate in a stationary predetermined position, comprising the steps of: determining that a tone plate has been placed in said recess of said toy; reading a pattern of spaced apart dots on said tone plate when said tone plate is placed in said stationary predetermined position within said recess; comparing a code representing said pattern of dots with a stored code; producing a first tone if said stored code matches said code; and producing a second tone if said stored code does not match said code.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for operation of a toy having a recess for receiving a tone plate in a stationary predetermined position, comprising the steps of: determining that a tone plate has been placed in said recess of said toy; reading a pattern of spaced apart dots on said tone plate when said tone plate is placed in said stationary predetermined position within said recess; comparing a code representing said pattern of dots with a stored code; producing a first tone if said stored code matches said code; and producing a second tone if said stored code does not match said code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said pattern of dots are read optically on a basis of reflectiveness of said dots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said first tone includes an affirmative tone representing agreement of said codes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said second tone includes a negative tone representing disagreement of said codes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said stored code is stored in a Random Access Memory (RAM).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 7, preceeded by the steps of: determining that a first tone plate is insterted into said recess; reading a dot pattern from said first tone plate; and storing a code representing said dot pattern as said stored code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said dot pattern includes four dots.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |