GB2029715A - Talking dolls - Google Patents

Abstract

A system comprising first means for transmitting a signal and a toy such as a doll or the like having second means for receiving said signal and reradiating said signal as sound waves. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Toys The present invention relates to toys, and particularly to talking dolls and other toys which may be used as a sound source.

Accordingly the present invention provides a system comprising first means for transmitting a signal and a toy such as a doll or the like having second means for receiving said signal and reradiating said signal as sound waves.

Preferably said first means is external to said toy and is coupled thereto by signal transfer means.

Preferably said first means converts sound waves into electrical signals and transmits said electrical signals to said means which conveniently is an electroacoustic transducer.

The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a toy in the form of a doll 10 which has a receiver 11 including an electroacoustic transducer such as a loud speaker 12 mounted internaily. The receiver is connected via a lead or cable 14 to a transmitter 15 which includes a microphone 1 6 and an amplifier 1 8 and is powered by batteries 20 although operation by an external mains power supply may be effected.

This remote connection of the microphone 1 6 allows a child to speak into the microphone in one room while her voice is reproduced in the doll located perhaps in another room. The link between the doll and the microphone need not be a cable link. It may for example be a radio link or even an acoustic link where the child's voice is used to modulate an ultrasonic carrier, or an infra red link. Any suitable type of link may be used.

In addition a suitable connection for an external reproduction device such as a radio or tape recorder may be included in the receiver or the transmitter to allow reproduction through the doll, or the receiver itself may be in the form of a tape recorder or radio receiver, for example, with facility for transmitting signals to the doll.

The cable 1 4 may be permanently connected or detachable.

Hitherto most talking toys such as dolls have used records or the like which of necessity must be pre-recorded in the language of the purchaser.

This in itself is a disadvantage and also results in a very restricted number of recorded "messages". A system according to the present invention allows the purchaser to use his or her own pre-recorded messages which can be for example educational tapes or simple nursery rhymes.

1. A system comprising first means for transmitting a signal and a toy such as a doll or the like having second means for receiving said signal and reradiating said signal as sound waves.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means is external to said toy and is coupled thereto by signal transfer means.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transfer means comprises a cable.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transfer means comprises an ultrasonic link.

5. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transfer means comprises an infra red link.

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said first means is adapted to receive audible sound waves and transmit said sound waves in the form of said signal, said second means detecting and reradiating said sound waves.

7. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said first means comprises means adapted to transmit pre-recorded audio signals.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first means is a tape recorder.

9. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Toys The present invention relates to toys, and particularly to talking dolls and other toys which may be used as a sound source. Accordingly the present invention provides a system comprising first means for transmitting a signal and a toy such as a doll or the like having second means for receiving said signal and reradiating said signal as sound waves. Preferably said first means is external to said toy and is coupled thereto by signal transfer means. Preferably said first means converts sound waves into electrical signals and transmits said electrical signals to said means which conveniently is an electroacoustic transducer. The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of Fig. 1. The drawings show a toy in the form of a doll 10 which has a receiver 11 including an electroacoustic transducer such as a loud speaker 12 mounted internaily. The receiver is connected via a lead or cable 14 to a transmitter 15 which includes a microphone 1 6 and an amplifier 1 8 and is powered by batteries 20 although operation by an external mains power supply may be effected. This remote connection of the microphone 1 6 allows a child to speak into the microphone in one room while her voice is reproduced in the doll located perhaps in another room. The link between the doll and the microphone need not be a cable link. It may for example be a radio link or even an acoustic link where the child's voice is used to modulate an ultrasonic carrier, or an infra red link. Any suitable type of link may be used. In addition a suitable connection for an external reproduction device such as a radio or tape recorder may be included in the receiver or the transmitter to allow reproduction through the doll, or the receiver itself may be in the form of a tape recorder or radio receiver, for example, with facility for transmitting signals to the doll. The cable 1 4 may be permanently connected or detachable. Hitherto most talking toys such as dolls have used records or the like which of necessity must be pre-recorded in the language of the purchaser. This in itself is a disadvantage and also results in a very restricted number of recorded "messages". A system according to the present invention allows the purchaser to use his or her own pre-recorded messages which can be for example educational tapes or simple nursery rhymes. CLAIMS

1. A system comprising first means for transmitting a signal and a toy such as a doll or the like having second means for receiving said signal and reradiating said signal as sound waves.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means is external to said toy and is coupled thereto by signal transfer means.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transfer means comprises a cable.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transfer means comprises an ultrasonic link.

5. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transfer means comprises an infra red link.

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said first means is adapted to receive audible sound waves and transmit said sound waves in the form of said signal, said second means detecting and reradiating said sound waves.

7. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said first means comprises means adapted to transmit pre-recorded audio signals.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first means is a tape recorder.

9. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.