Bilingual educational dolls

A series of bilingual educational dolls that aid in teaching children additional languages. Each doll has characteristics and costume depicting a specific recognizable Nation and each Nation is represented by both male and female figures. Provided with each doll is an accessory containing an interactive sound transmitting and recording device. Pre-recorded music with educational song lyrics are synchronized with the recording mechanism and are sung in the American English language then immediately repeated in a second language corresponding to the Nation being depicted by the characteristics and costume of doll.

BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION 
This specification relates to a series of bilingual educational dolls 
employing an interactive sound transmitting and recording device along 
with pre-recorded music and bilingual educational lyrics synchronized to 
enable child participation and facilitate teaching additional languages to 
children. 
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
Original second language teaching techniques were limited to 
teacher/student verbal communication with written supplemental materials, 
thereafter evolving to various methods including audio magnetic tapes for 
home use. Schools, libraries and book stores currently provide such 
materials to assist adults in learning additional languages common to 
their National heritage, for social value or possible career advancement. 
While it is appreciated that these are effective methods for adult 
learning, word association and sentence content levels cannot easily be 
deciphered or retained by children. Current statistics as reported by the 
United States Bureau of the Census reveals that millions of immigrants 
have been legally admitted into the United States, thus creating a need 
for educational change. The bilingual educational division of the 
Education Department has responded to this growing need with grants to 
Dual Language Enrichment Programs. These programs provide a two language 
curriculum for grades pre-kindergarten through elementary school with the 
primary goal of teaching both immigrant and native American children to 
become fluent in a second language. Unfortunately, with Federal and State 
agencies just beginning to extend grants, thousands of children across the 
United states cannot currently enjoy the cultural exchange or benefits 
gained by such programs. 
Commercially available are dolls that utter cries, sounds and short 
phrases. Incorporated by reference, U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,351 granted to 
Kosicki, discloses a Dual Action phonetic Doll with the ability to cry. 
U.S. Pat. No. #5,096,451 issued to Smith, Davidson and Hart describes a Toy 
Mermaid with Voice Unit capable of singing while in water. Although 
innovative, these specific dolls, as is the case with other dolls and toys 
rely on interior voice unit devices producing often inaudible or metallic 
sound. When such devices containing a single recording is permanently 
secured within a doll, sound generation is minimal and over a short period 
of time the same production of response words or phrases are repeated 
resulting in limited educational information. 
Dolls and figurines dressed in National costume are generally manufactured 
in limited edition and distributed through mail order or specialty shops. 
It is known that dolls in National costume representing various cultures 
are of special interest to avid collectors. Said dolls and figurines are 
frequently made of expensive porcelain materials with hard painted details 
making them recognized as collector's items suitable or display and 
therefore prohibitive in price for most families. 
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
The principal object of the present specification is to provide a means to 
facilitate teaching additional languages to children. Other objects and 
advantages are: 
* To provide a comprehensible means of interaction that is rewarding and 
stimulating. 
* To provide a method of teaching that retains the interest of children. 
* To Provide dolls that emit audible and educational information. 
* To introduce native American children to music and lyrics representative 
of various Nations, as well as introduce immigrant children to music and 
lyrics of the American English language. 
* To provide structured teaching progression that adapts to the learning 
ability of the child. 
* To enable children to identify costumes specific to various Nations. 
* To provide unique dolls that are educational, entertaining and 
inexpensive to manufacture. 
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing 
description and drawings.

DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1 TO 3 
FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate three in a series of dolls, each depicting sample 
characteristics and costume of a specific recognizable Nation. Each doll 
is equipped with an Accessory (50) containing an interactive sound 
transmitting and recording device (60), pre-recorded music with bilingual 
lyrics (70) and Written Material (80). Each Nation depicted is preferably 
represented by both male and female figures. The Torso (10) uniform 
throughout the series, has a hollow interior, is approximately fourteen 
inches in height and is shaped like a young child. The skin tone is 
preferably tinted to conform with that of the specific Nation being 
depicted and may be constructed of vinyl, plastic or semi-rigid material 
having molded sockets to join Limbs (20) and Head (30). The Limbs (20), 
proportioned and molded to fit the Torso (10), may be jointed to enable 
alternate positions. The Head (30), proportioned and molded to fit the 
Torso (10), may be fitted to pivot thereon. Simulated hair (30) is 
preferably colored and textured to conform with each specific Nation being 
depicted and may be bonded or rooted onto the scalp portion of the Head 
(30). The facial portion of the Head (30), is of basic human structure 
with uniform non-descript features throughout the series however, to 
economically achieve facial characteristics that vary with each Nation 
being depicted, various methods such as P.V.D. Rotational Molding or Tampo 
Printing may be utilized. The Costumes (40), complete with headdress, 
footwear and accessories, are made of cotton, simulated silk, fabrics or 
materials selected in color and design to closely resemble costumes of 
specific Nation or Region being depicted as worn by children during 
festive or traditional events. 
FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate variations of the Accessory exterior (50) which 
serves as housing for the Audio Components (60, 70, Sections I, II and 
III) and Written Material (80); constructed from durable lightweight 
plastic, the Accessory exterior (50) may be fitted with metal corner links 
or molded edges to fasten flexible straps for attachment to upper back 
portion of doll and the front panel grille is made to accommodate two 
audio cartridge compartments (110, Sections I and II). Decorative cutouts 
of musical notes and symbols maintain a musical theme and provide 
necessary ventilation that also ensures clear sound projection from the 
Audio Components (60, 70, 120) within. The Accessory exterior (50) is 
overall consistent in color and design with the costume worn by each doll 
and to further depict a specific Nation may vary as illustrated; the 
Accessory for the Spanish female doll (FIG. 1A) may be formed in the shape 
of a large fan (FIG. 2A). The obi (waistband) worn as part of the Japanese 
female Costume (FIG. 1B) may serve as the Accessory (FIG. 2B) while the 
German male doll (FIG. 1C) may simply wear a backpack (FIG. 2C) that 
blends well in design with the suspenders of his specific costume. 
Economical considerations however would allow modification to the 
Accessory exterior where construction throughout the series may uniformly 
be rectangular in shape, approximately 51/2"W.times.5"H.times.31/2"D (FIG. 
2D). The Accessory exterior rear lower portion is fitted with power unit 
compartment (100) made to accommodate a plurality of batteries arranged in 
series to produce a maximum energizing intensity of approximately nine 
volts. For easy access, audio component activating and control buttons 
(90) protrude across the top section exterior and are connected by means 
of wire to the rear power unit to control the current flow that activates 
the interior Audio Components (60, 70, Sections I, II and III). FIG. 3 
(Section , II and III) illustrates the Accessory interior which is 
structured with multiple sized platforms to secure the Audio Components 
(60, 70) fitted therein. The primary component in Section III is a linear 
556 integrated timer circuit comprised of a silicon chip installed in a 
fourteen pin mini dual-in-line package (220) or its equivalent having two 
distinct output states; high voltage close to positive supplying voltage 
(on) and low, near ground potential (off). The dual mechanisms in Sections 
I and II are controlled in pre-determined time intervals by the integrated 
timer circuit in Section III (220) and are synchronized by means of 
alternating activation. Pre-determined time intervals are determined by 
resistor (130) and capacitor (170) values to determine timing alternations 
of, in this example, five second intervals. The integrated timer circuit 
(220) is assembled onto a circuit board with a switching device that is 
used for effecting the completion and rapid interruption of contacts 
(210), resistors (130), electrolic capacitors (170), transistor (160), 
diodes (140), leds (190), a potentiometer (180), jumper pins (200) and 
relays (150). Wire connection from the power supply unit (100) through the 
switching device (210) activates both relays (150) to control the flow of 
energy to alternately activate the Audio Components in Sections I and II. 
The integrated timer circuit (220) discharge pin initially keeps the 
capacitor discharged, this causes the integrated timer circuit output pin 
to stay at zero volts, which keeps the relays off. When the power supply 
is on, the timer switching device activates the relay connected to the 
Audio Components in Section I to the on position. Simultaneously, the 
short across the capacitor is removed and the capacitor begins to charge 
through the resistor. The integrated timer circuit threshold pin monitors 
the voltage across the capacitor as it rises, when the voltage across the 
capacitor exceeds the voltage at the control voltage pin, the discharge 
pin shorts the capacitor to ground discharging the voltage in the 
capacitor the integrated timer circuit output pin reduces to zero volts, 
simultaneously shutting off the relay and allowing the pre-determined time 
interval pause. The second relay is simultaneously activating alternating 
on/off intervals to the Audio Components in Section II. 
Sections I and II contain dual recording/reproduction components (110) 
consisting of two distinct motors, electromagnetic recording/reproduction 
heads, self inducting coil, a microphone, loud speaker and amplifier 
equipment (120) all of which when activated operate in unison. When 
current is supplied to the timer components in Section III, the switching 
device (210) activates both relays to control the components in Sections I 
and II to alternately record and/or emit sound signals from magnetic 
medium (70). The magnetic medium (70) is comprised of a plastic tape 
coated with a mixture of powdered iron oxide and binder substance. Sound 
converted into electrical signals by means of a microphone in conjunction 
with amplifier equipment is recorded onto the magnetic medium which is 
magnetized along its length in accordance with the signals impressed on 
it. The magnetized medium (70) is wound onto a plastic cartridge sized to 
fit the Accessory exterior cartridge compartment (110) and is structured 
with clamps, hubs, pressure pad and guide roller mechanically capable of 
feeding magnetized medium across the reproduction/recording heads in 
Sections I and/or II to the amplifier equipment (120) to emit sound 
signals from magnetized medium (70); "Tape A". Tape A is proved with 
pre-recorded information on side one and/or side two and its cartridge 
exterior is tabbed to prevent alteration Information pre-recorded onto 
Tape A is instructional and consists of music with bilingual educational 
lyrics sung with an emphasis on precise diction. Song segments are 
pre-recorded in synchronized five second segments continuously throughout 
Tape A for approximately fifteen minutes having each song sung first in 
the American English language then immediately repeated in a second 
language corresponding to the Nation being depicted by the characteristics 
and costume of doll. The integrated timer switching device (210) in 
Section III activates the components in Section I controls Tape A to be 
mechanically driven across the reproduction head of the audio components 
in Section I in five second intervals, pre-recorded music with complete 
bilingual songs in five second segments are emitted through the amplifier 
equipment (120). The components in Section II duplicate those described in 
Section I and are controlled by the integrated timer switching device 
(210) in Section III to alternately record onto then emit sound recordings 
of child's voice from side one and/or side two of magnetic recording 
medium (70) in alternating five second segments; "Tape B". Tape B is 
synchronized by means of connection to the integrated timer switching 
device (210) in Section II to record a child's voice in five second 
segments. As the child listens to the first five second song segment 
emitted from Section I (Tape A) Section II (Tape B) is simultaneously in 
the timer off position. During the next five second alternating timer 
off/pause of Section I (Tape A), Section II (Tape B) is simultaneously in 
the timer on/record position allowing the child five seconds of time to 
repeat the five second song segment just heard from the instructor on Tape 
A. As the child continues to listen to the five second song segments 
emitted from Tape A, he or she alternately continues to record his or her 
own voice in five second song segments onto Tape B, thus recording full 
bilingual songs in successive five second segments. Once the recording is 
complete, single rewind button (90) is pressed to re-set both Tape A and 
Tape B so that when the play button (90) is pressed the child is delighted 
to hear in concert, full uninterrupted music with bilingual songs sung by 
the instructor from Tape A, along with his or her own version as recorded 
onto Tape B. 
Because this type of analog recording medium retains its magnetic 
properties almost indefinitely and by means of automatic erasure just as 
the magnetic tape approaches the recording head of the audio components in 
Section II, the child has direct control over progress and can continually 
re-record onto Tape B. By repeating the process described above, the child 
can listen to numerous playback versions of his or her own voice for 
diction and pronunciation comparisons. As the child begins to absorb 
pattern recognition, he or she gradually develops a base for life long 
bilingual communication. 
The Written Material (80), in the form of a small booklet, provides visual 
reinforcement. All printing is bilingual, written first in the American 
English language then immediately followed in the Component (60, 70) 
operational procedures, the material primarily contains written song 
lyrics in the Sequence recorded onto the Audio Magnetic Tape (Tape A, 70). 
By following each song word by word, the child becomes familiar with the 
written counterpart of the phoenetic sounds emitted from Tape A thus 
increasing his or her bilingual knowledge. To further encourage interest, 
also written are brief notes on the depicted Nation in relation to the 
field of music describing musical instruments, the achievements of 
composers and relevant information pertaining to music such as: Poetry and 
music have always been popular in Spain, many of the songs and poems of 
Spanish tradition are composed with themes of love . . . ; In Japan, dance 
and music are all prevailing, bringing color and joy to numerous festivals 
and ceremonies . . . ; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the child genius from 
Salzburg performed his first concert at the age of six and spent his 
childhood on musical tours throughout Europe . . . . 
Dolls of this character possess more realism in that the desire of children 
to imitate is a natural instinct. As children repeat and record the songs 
heard from Tape A (70), music with bilingual lyrics are unwittingly 
absorbed and the learning progress can continue with considerable 
variances. The audio magnetic medium (70) provided with each doll may 
contain two pre-recorded beginner level songs each sung in the American 
English language then immediately repeated in a language corresponding to 
the characteristics and costume of doll and may include music with 
educational lyrics such as: A, B, C, D, E, F, G . . . ; A, Be, Ce, De, E, 
Efe, Ge . . . (Spanish); one, two three, four, five, six, seven . . . ; 
ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi . . . (Japanese); or Mary had a 
little lamb . . . ; Maria hat ein kleines lamm . . . (German). Song 
selections vary and may also be those originated in the Nation being 
depicted then immediately repeated in the American English language to 
provide familiar sounds and encouragement to immigrant children. 
Separately marketed Audio Magnetic Tapes (70) containing pe-recorded 
intermediate and/or advanced material enable children to easily approach 
what would be increasingly difficult material through other means. The 
method of teaching additional languages through song camouflages a serious 
subject requiring that multi-lingual educators be consulted to insure that 
without compromise, all aspects of teaching are considered including 
accurate translation and structuring of lyrics for easy learning 
progression. By utilizing the Audio Components (60, 70) described above, 
children can easily manipulate the device to repeatedly record onto or 
emit audible sound from numerous tapes at will, greatly reducing the time 
that a parent or instructor is required to spend teaching a second 
language to a child. This enables the child to explore language and music 
through participation and teaches that fun can include learning. 
SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
Accordingly, the reader will see that the Bilingual Educational Dolls of 
the present specification can be influential in teaching additional 
languages to children. Packaged for realism and play value, this series of 
dolls goes beyond child entertainment and facilitates teaching additional 
languages that maintains considerable educational value by providing: 
* A means of intellectual interaction that is rewarding and stimulating. 
* A method of teaching that retains the interest of children. 
* Educational lyrics monitored by multi-lingual educators to ensure 
accurate translations and levels of comprehension by children. 
* Song selections originated in various Nations to introduce music and 
bilingual lyrics to children of all nationalities. 
* Beginner, intermediate and advance song structures built on known 
foundations to ensure continued learning progression. 
* External positioning of Audio Components to allow the emission of clear, 
audible and educational sound. 
* Challenge in its long term implication. 
* Clothing creatively designed to resemble authentic National or Regional 
costumes as worn by children during festive and traditional events, 
enabling children to easily identify and become familiar with costumes 
specific to various Nations. 
* Inexpensive dolls that entertain as well as convey the essence of 
bilingual communication. 
Although the preceding descriptions contain many specifications, they 
should net be construed as limiting the scope of the specification but as 
providing some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, 
economical considerations are made for the result achieved in describing 
the Audio Components with analog format however as advanced audio 
technology such as laser with digital format becomes cost effective, they 
may also be employed. And while pre-recorded information has been 
described to enable children to learn additional languages, pre-recorded 
information may be altered to provide speech therapy of fundamental 
reading skills to children of all ages. Thus, the scope of this 
specification should be determined by the attached claims and their legal 
equivalents rather than by the examples given.