An amusement and entertainment system where participants try to continuously speak and/or sing while simultaneously listening to their own voices on a 1/2 second sound delay. The confusing feedback does not act as a sound enhancement echo but instead causes confusion, disorientation and amusement to the participants and others watching the participants. The system can be used by one or more participants and a third person can switch signals so that one or more participants or others watching can hear the resultant effects of another participant. The system can be table mounted so that participants can be seated about a table. Alternatively, the system can be mounted in a mobile vehicle. Video cameras and monitors can be used to further add to the amusement of participants and others watching the participants. Each headphone can include microphones built into the headbands.

This invention relates to an entertainment and amusement system, and in
 particular to a two dimensional audio synchronization interactive system
 where participants try to continuously speak and sing while listening to
 their own voice after an approximate 1/2 second delay time, the effects of
 which confuse, distort and prevent the participant(s) from continuing to
 speak and/or sing articulately.
 BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
 Karaoke machines have become very popular for sing-alongs where the purpose
 is to have the participants follow the lyrics of songs. Technology has
 been developed to create echo effects for Karaoke machines as well as in
 public auditoriums. See for example: U.S. Pat. No. 3,681,531 to Burkhard
 et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,711 to Toyama; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,785 to
 Izawa et al. However, these devices are used to enhance and magnify the
 voices of performers such as singers and the like. No confusing feedback
 of the voices is anticipated nor desired by these devices.
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,301 to Hohl et al. describes a voice activated echo
 generator that can be used as a toy and as a speech learning aid for the
 deaf. However, the application is strictly described for creating echo
 effects. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,870 to Lin describes a microphone
 used for generating echoes. None of these patents are intended to have any
 confusing feedback distortion for entertainment.
 Helmets and masks have been proposed for modifying a wearer's voice. See
 for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,588 to Goldberg and U.S. Pat. No.
 4,949,378 to Mammone. However, each of these patents alters the voices by
 scrambling, camouflaging and disguising the actual voices. U.S. Pat. No.
 5,149,104 describes a video game and audio player interaction with real
 time video synchronization, where player can have their voices modified to
 reflect video images of objects and animals and the like. For example, the
 patent mentions an instance where a speaking player has their voice
 modified to sound like a sheep so that the image of the sheep is emitting
 animal sounds. None of these patents are intended to have any confusing
 feedback distortion for entertainment.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an amusement
 and entertainment system where participants try to speak and/or sing while
 hearing a constant delayed back feedback of themselves which confuses and
 prevents the participant from continuing to speak and/or sing.
 A preferred embodiment of the entertaining and amusement invention includes
 at least one microphone receiver for receiving voice signals from at least
 one participant, a delay means for delaying the voice signals up to
 approximately 1/2 second to a transmitter adjacent to the participant for
 playing the delayed voice signals while the participant in real-time
 continues to generate the voice signals, wherein the delayed signal does
 not echo the voice signals, but instead causes confusion and
 disorientation and eventually stops the participant from continuing to
 generate the voice signals, all while amusing and entertaining the
 participant. The transmitter can include an amplified public address
 speaker, an amplified headphone, or a combination thereof. Multiple
 microphones for plural participants can include a single mixer connected
 between the microphones and the delay means. A master of ceremonies can
 use a three-way switch for switching each of the microphones to the
 headphones and the loudspeakers. The invention can be built into a table
 base so that participants can be seated around the table. Another
 embodiment has the invention built into a mobile vehicle. A camera can be
 incorporated for taking video images of the participants, and a video
 monitor can be used for showing the video images to the participant and/or
 to others. Both the microphone and headphone can be built into one headset
 with the microphone mounted in the headband of the headset.
 Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the
 following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which
 is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in
 detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
 application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the
 invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used
 herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
 FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dearticulator invention 1 with a single
 input. Single input 1 includes uni- or omni-directional microphone 10,
 such as model no. SM-58 by Shure, Radio Shack Omni 33-1070, wire connected
 12 to a delay box 20, having an approximate 1/2 second delay, such as
 model no. SPX-900 manufactured by Yamaha. From delay 20, the signal 21
 splits to output along line 23 to a Public Address PA AMP 30, such as
 model no. CS 800, manufactured by Peavey, which outputs at 31, 33 to two
 house speakers 32, 34 such as model no. SP-2manufactured by Peavey. The
 other split from line 21 goes to line 25 and to the stereo headphone AMP
 30, such as model no. MH-40 manufactured by Tascam, and to a headphone 40
 such as model no. MDR-V600, manufactured by SONY. In operation, a
 participant 45 wearing headphones 40 tries to continuously speak and/or
 sing into microphone 10. The constant approximate 1/2 second delay in the
 sound transmission causes confusion when being heard by the
 user 45, so that user 45 starts to stumble, slur, hesitate and cannot keep
 concentrating on speaking and/or singing while hearing their own voice on
 a delay.
 FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another dearticulator 100 with a multiple
 input. Multiple input device 100 includes omni-directional microphones
 110, 112, 114 such as model no. SM-58 by Shure, Radio Shack Omni 33-1070,
 wire connected 111, 113, 115 to a microphone mixer 120, such as model no.
 32-1214 manufactured by Radio Shack. Stereo line 121 connects to delay box
 130, having an approximate 1/2 second delay, such as model no. SPX-900
 manufactured by Yamaha. From delay 130, the signal 131 splits to output
 along line 133 to a Public Address PA AMP 140, such as model no. CS 800,
 manufactured by Peavey, which outputs at 141, 143 to two house speakers
 142, 144 such as model no. SP-2 manufactured by Peavey. The other split
 from line 131 goes to line 135 and to the stereo headphone AMP 140, such
 as model no. MH-40manufactured by Tascam, and to headphones 152, 154, 156
 such as model no. MDR-V600, manufactured by SONY. In operation,
 participants 162, 164, 166 wearing respective headphones 152, 154, 156
 each try to continuously speak and/or sing into microphones 110, 112, and
 114, respectively. The constant approximate 1/2 second delay while
 speaking/singing causes confusion when being heard so that each of the
 participants eventually stumble, slur, hesitate and cannot keep
 concentrating on speaking/singing while hearing their own voice on a
 delay.
 FIG. 3 is a schematic view 200 of the multiple input dearticulator of FIG.
 2 using a Master of Ceremonies(MC). An MC 201 using a separate microphone
 270 connected to an external box 272 that can plug into the dearticulator
 unit, has a three-way control switch 273. First switch 281 connects by
 line 282 to node 291 allowing participant A to speak/sing and/or listen
 252 by stereo or mono line 212 which connects by line 292 to dearticulator
 105. The latter housing mixer 120, delay 130 and headphone AMP 130 shown
 and described in reference to FIG. 2. Moving switch 273 to second switch
 283 connects to line 284 to node 293 allowing participant B to speak/sing
 and/or listen 254 by line 214 which connects by line 294 to dearticulator
 105. Third switch position 285 connects line 286 to both nodes 287 and 289
 allowing both participants A and B to speak/sing and/or listen. Three-way
 switch 272 connects by line 274 and 276 to unit outputs 277, 275, which in
 turn output to amplifiers 240 and loudspeakers 242, 244, similar to those
 described in reference to FIG. 2. The MC application 200 can allow an MC
 201 to direct and ask questions between two or more people A, B, such as
 in a politicians debate, board meeting, radio/television interviews,
 parties, bars, social gatherings such as weddings, and the like.
 FIG. 4 is a perspective view 300 of using the multiple input dearticulator
 100 of FIG. 2 using a table 330 with a single omni-directional microphone
 320, where individual participants siting about the table 330 can each
 plug their respective headphones 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313 into
 respective plug input consoles 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314. Table 330 can
 include components 120, 130, and 140 shown in FIG. 2. While table 330 is
 shown as being rectangular, the tables used can be of other shapes such as
 but not limited to square, circular, semi-circular and the like, and be
 made from different materials such as but not limited to plastic, wood,
 and the like. The table dearticulator embodiment 300 can be used in both
 commercial and residential settings. An MC 201 shown in FIG. 3 can also be
 incorporated to direct the participants with questions, songs and the
 like.
 FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the multiple input dearticulator of FIG. 2
 in a mobile vehicle embodiment 400. FIG. 5B is a side (rear) view of the
 mobile dearticulator embodiment 400 of FIG. 5A along arrow X. Referring to
 FIGS. 5A-5B, mobile vehicle embodiment 400 includes a mobile vehicle 410
 such as a van, truck with entry way doors 412, 414, so that participants
 403 can enter inside of the vehicle 410. Inside vehicle 410, seats P1, P2,
 headphones H1, H2, and microphones m1, m2 can be used for the participants
 403, using the schematic circuitry described in reference to the previous
 figures. Furthermore, camcorder type cameras C1, C2, connected to video
 monitors V1, V2 so that participant P1, can view through monitor V1, the
 video image of participant P2. And participant P2, can likewise view
 through monitor V2, the video image of participant P1. Mobile vehicle
 embodiment 400 can be used at various sites such as but not limited to
 fairs, carnivals, festivals. The outside of the van can have one way
 mirrors so that vehicle occupants cannot look out but a passerby can look
 in to see the participants laughing but not knowing why they are laughing.
 FIG. 6 is a perspective view 500 of a dearticulator headphone embodiment
 for use with the preceding figures. Headphone 500 includes ear cup
 portions 510, 520, with respective speakers 512, 522 with curved headband
 530 there between. Two built-in microphones 545, 565, such as those
 previously described, can be mounted within the curved band 530 on
 opposite sides of the band 530 adjacent to ear cups 510, 520. A plug-in
 line 570 can be connected to the speakers 512, 522 and microphones 545,
 565, to the components depicted in the preceding figures.
 Although not depicted, the embodiments can be used in a coin operated
 system.
 While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in
 various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has
 presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,
 nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other
 modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein
 are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and
 scope of the claims here appended.