Patent Abstract:
An educational toy ( 10 ) having a dodecahedron shape is formed with a different visual display on each planar face ( 17-28 ). A position sensing mechanism ( 50 ) is oriented inside the toy ( 10 ) to inform a microprocessor ( 62 ) which one of the planar faces ( 17-28 ) is in the “up” position. As the toy ( 10 ) is turned or moved a signal is generated to “power on” and a musical tune is played. When one of the planar faces ( 17-28 ) is stopped in the “up” position, the position sensing mechanism ( 50 ) informs the microprocessor ( 62 ) and an aural response corresponding to the visual display is transmitted through a speaker ( 44 ). If the toy ( 10 ) is left alone for a specified period of time, a warning tune is transmitted. If the toy ( 10 ) is still not moved thereafter, the toy ( 10 ) will automatically “power off”.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 309,451, filed Feb. 10, 1989, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Voice and sound synthesizing devices have been long used in toys. Such toys are capable of providing sounds responsive to positions in, for example, a doll or a ball. These toys, however, are of little or no educational value to the user. 
     One such toy, for example, comprises a doll as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,245, issued Mar. 9, 1982, to Stowell et al. The doll as disclosed by Stowell et al. produces a variety of sounds responsive to positioning of the doll by a child. The doll is able to make a specific number of sounds, such as laughter and crying, but is not capable of providing educational assistance to an infant or child. 
     Another sound-producing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,260 issued, May 5, 1987, to Rumsey. The Rumsey patent discloses a ball that is capable of producing different notes responsive to positioning of the ball. A person using the ball is capable of producing a musical tune by positioning the ball in various locations to sequence the appropriate notes. The Rumsey device provides no direct instruction to the user and does not serve as a learning aid. 
     Thus, there is a need for a combined toy and learning aid which is capable of educating infants through adults in various visual displays matched with their sound and/or an oral identification in a position-sensitive educational format. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention disclosed herein comprises a didactic device in the form of a position-sensitive educational product. The present invention helps the user to associate visual images with specific sounds and/or their identification. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a multisided container forms the exterior shape of a toy. Within the container is a power source such as a battery and a microprocessor capable of synthesizing sounds and/or voice. The position sensor indicates to the microprocessor which side of the toy is in the “up” position, and the microprocessor provides sound responsive to a visual display on the “up” position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises a dodecahedron, and the position sensor comprises five reed switches. The five reed switches combine to provide a code to the microprocessor to indicate the correct sound to be reproduced corresponding to the “up” position. 
     It is a technical advantage of the present invention that a toy is provided which can educate infants through adults. The toy can be positioned so that variety of visual displays can be identified by an aural response. The toy is adaptable to a-variety of visual displays that can be keyed to the level of development of a child or young adult. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Detailed Description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic view illustrating a circuit and a microprocessor used to produce an audible response to a position indication; 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are views of a position sensing mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4-9,  10   a ,  10   b ,  11  and  12  are illustrations of alternative embodiments of position sensing mechanisms constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toy of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In FIGURES the drawings, like items are identified by like and corresponding numerals for ease of reference. Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of a toy constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral  10 . The toy  10  comprises a container  12 , having first and second halves  14  and  16 . The container  12  preferably comprises a twelve sided polygon or a dodecahedron having twelve planar faces  17 - 28  (only  19 ,  21 ,  22 ,  25  and  26  are shown in FIG.  1 ). The planar faces  17 - 28  are provided with a visual display which corresponds with a sound and/or a voice produced by a microprocessor, as will subsequently be described in greater detail. 
     For example, the toy  10  is provided with a first and second insert  29  and  30 , which may have, for example, animal displays (not shown) on each of the planar faces  17 - 28 . The inserts  29  and  30  make it relatively simple to replace the visual displays and still use the same container  12 . Alternatively, it is possible to provide visual displays that are connected directly to a surface of the planar faces  17 - 28 . 
     The container  12  is constructed with a plastic material that is nontoxic and is safe for the use of infants. The first and second halves  14  and  16  are molded to have smooth or rounded rather than sharp edges to facilitate rolling of the toy  10  onto its various planar faces  17 - 28 . The first and second halves  14  and  16  may be secured together by any appropriate method such as sonic welding, gluing or fastening with screws. The first and second halves  14  and  16  are provided with a plurality of apertures  13  to facilitate the transmission of sound therethrough. 
     Access to the interior of the container  12  is through a removable cap  32  which is coincident with face  22  and is preferably constructed to deny access except by prying with a screwdriver or a coin. Within the container  12  is a battery pack  34 , which may contain, for example, four AA batteries, to provide power for the toy  10 . A cover  36  may be provided for the battery pack  34  to allow for an on-off switch. The battery pack  34  is secured to an inner support  38  by any appropriate method, such as screws  40 . 
     Secured to the inner support  38  adjacent the battery pack  34  is a printed circuit (PC) board  42 , which contains circuitry and a microprocessor necessary to enable the toy  10  to function, as will be subsequently described in greater detail. Opposite the removable cap  32  and within the container  12  is a speaker  44 . The speaker  44  is interconnected to the PC board  42  via electrical connections  46  and  48 , which enable the speaker  44  to respond to the microprocessor. A position sensing mechanism  50  (FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b ) is interconnected to the PC board  42  to allow the microprocessor to know which of the planar faces  17 - 28  of the toy  10  is in a predetermined orientation or the “up” position (face  22  in FIG. 1) in which one of the faces  17 - 28  is uppermost. 
     In operation, when the toy  10  is moved, it immediately turns on and begins playing musical notes while being rolled or turned. If a child stops-turning or rolling the ball, a pleasant voice will announce the identification of and a sound corresponding to the visual display on the planar face  17 - 28  which is in the “up” position. For example, using the following visual display arrangement: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 face 17 = a dog; 
                 face 23 = a horse: 
               
               
                   
                 face 18 = a cat; 
                 face 24 = an owl; 
               
               
                   
                 face 19 = a duck; 
                 face 25 = a sheep; 
               
               
                   
                 face 20 = a cow; 
                 face 26 = a frog; 
               
               
                   
                 face 21 = a goose; 
                 face 27 = a chicken; and 
               
               
                   
                 face 22 = a pig; 
                 face 28 = a bird; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     If face  19  having a duck picture is in the “up” position, the toy  10  will state that a duck is shown followed by a representative sound of a duck. Continuing the example, if face  22  having a pig picture is turned to the “up” position, the toy  10  will state that a pig is shown followed by a representative sound of a pig, and so on. 
     When the toy  10  is moved again, musical notes play until another visual display is recognized in. the “up” position by a pause in motion. As long as the toy  10  is rolled or turned, it will continue to respond with an identification and representative sound of the visual display in the “up” position. When the toy is not turned or rolled for a brief period, a short musical signal will play to reattract the child&#39;s attention. If there is no further activity, the toy  10  will announce that it is being turned off, which will then automatically occur. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, an electrical schematic illustrating the circuit and microprocessor used to convert the output of the position sensing mechanism  50  into an aural response through the speaker  44  is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the position sensing mechanism  50  corresponds to five switches  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 . The switches  52 - 60  correspond to five planes of a dodecahedron, as will be subsequently described in greater detail. 
     A microprocessor  62  is connected to switches  52 - 60  by pins PA 0 , PA 1 , PA 2 , PA 3  and PA 4 , respectively. The other contacts of each switch are connected to node  97 . The microprocessor  62  is capable of decoding at least twelve lines of encoded data, storing multiple sounds, selecting one of the stored sounds corresponding to a decoded signal and generating an audible sound in response to the decoded signal. The audible sound is preferably of an educational nature corresponding to a visual display on the planar faces  17 - 28  (FIG.  1 ). 
     Pull-up resistors  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  are connected to pins PA 0 -PA 4  and switches  52 - 60 , respectively. Resistors  64 - 72  may be on the order of 200 K ohms and are also connected to the cathode of a diode  74 . The anode of diode  74  is connected to a fuse  76 , which is connected to the battery pack  34 , which provides, for example, six volts. The fuse  76  protects the circuit from shorts and the diode  74  prevents reverse battery damage. 
     Between node  78  and node  80  is a resistor  82  which may be on the order of 200 K ohms. Between node  80  and node  84  is a capacitor  86 , which may be on the order of 12,000 picofarads. The node  80  is connected to the anode of a diode  88  with the cathode of diode  88  connected to the node  78 . The collector of a transistor  90  which may be of the pnp type is also connected to the anode of the diode  88 . The emitter of the transistor  90  is connected to the microprocessor  62  at inverse INIT. The base of the transistor  90  is connected through a resistor  92 , which may be on the order of 82 K ohms, to the microprocessor  62  at PB 0 . A capacitor  93  which may be on the order of 2200 picofarads is connected between a node  95  and a node  97 . 
     The microprocessor  62  is powered by the battery pack  34  through VDD and VSS. A capacitor  94  which may be on the order of forty-seven picofarads is installed between node  78  and the node  97 . A ceramic resonator  100  provides a clock to run the microprocessor  62  through OSC 1  and OSC 2 . Pins PA 5 -PA 7  of the microprocessor  62  are all coupled together and connected to the cathode of diode  74 . 
     Speech output is transmitted to the speaker  44  through pins DA 1  and DA 2 . Pin DA 1  is connected through a resistor  104  which may be on the order of 560 ohms to the base of transistor  106  which may be of the pnp type. The emitter of the transistor  106  is connected to node  78 , while the collector of the transistor  106  is connected to a node  108 . The collector of a transistor  110  which may be of the npn type is connected to node  108 . The emitter of the transistor  110  is connected to the emitter of a transistor  112  also of the npn type and to node  97 . The base of transistor  110  is connected to a node  116  through a resistor  118 , which may be on the order of 100 ohms. The collector of transistor  112  is connected to the node  116  while the base of transistor  112  is connected to node  108  through a resistor  120 , which may be on the order of 100 ohms. 
     Connected between nodes  108  and  116  is a capacitor  122 , which may be on the order of 10 microfarads. Also connected between nodes  108  and  116  is the speaker  44  which is preferably on the order of 8 ohms. The emitter of a transistor  123  which may be of the pnp type is connected to node  78 , while the collector of transistor  123  is connected to the node  116 . The base of transistor  123  is connected to the output DA 2  of microprocessor  62  through a resistor  124 , which may be on the order of 560 ohms. The four transistors  106 ,  110 ,  112  and  123  form an amplifier for the speaker  44  and the capacitor  122  provides a filter. 
     In operation, when switch  60  is activated, the initialization circuit comprising the resistor  82 , the capacitor  86 , the diode  88 , the transistor  90 , the resistor  92  and the capacitor  93  activates the microprocessor  62  to play a musical tune. When the switch  60  goes from open to closed position, a negative voltage spike occurs through the capacitor  86 . If the toy  10  is powered down, the negative spike will go through the transistor  90  and trigger the inverse INIT causing the microprocessor  62  to turn on. If the microprocessor  62  is already on, the transistor  90  will be off and the negative trigger will not reach the microprocessor  62 . The capacitor  93  is present to prevent noise from causing an interrupt to the microprocessor  62 . As various switches  52 - 60  are activated, the microprocessor  62  interprets the code provided thereto and transmits the appropriate aural response to the speaker  44 . After a set period of time, when no switches  52 - 60  are activated, the circuit will automatically shut down after a warning. 
     It would also be possible to place a software option in the microprocessor to automate a quiet mode rather than a mechanical on/off switch. Such an option could provide a specific sequence of repositioning the toy (such as turning back-and-forth from a picture of an owl to a picture of a cow three times) to turn the toy off until the sequence is reversed (or another sequence is initiated). This would allow an adult to shut the toy off and leave it with a sleeping infant without fear of accidentally turning the toy on. 
     Referring to FIG. 3 a , a top plan view of a position sensing mechanism constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally identified by the numeral  50 . As used herein, a position sensing mechanism means a device capable of being oriented by gravity with respect to the center of the earth. The sensing mechanism  50  comprises five slide tubes  126  mounted on the PC board  42 . Proximate each slide tube  126  is a reed switch  136  (FIG. 3 b ) mounted on the PC board  42  which is mounted within the second half  16  of the container  12 . Each slide tube  126  is arranged to be perpendicular to one of the planar faces  17 - 28  of the container  12 , with adjacent slide tubes  126  being oriented 72 degrees apart, as indicated by angle X. In the example shown in FIG. 3 a , the planar faces  23 - 27  each have a tube  126  perpendicular thereto. 
     Referring to FIG. 3 b , a slide tube  126  is shown in cross-section. The slide tube  126  comprises a hollow tube  128  containing a magnet  130 . The slide tube  126  is maintained at an approximate angle Y from the PC board  42 . If the container  12  is a dodecahedron, the angle Y is preferably between twenty-three and twenty-seven degrees. The slide tube  126  is secured to the PC board  42  by any appropriate method, such as supports  132  and  134 . Mounted below the hollow tube  128  is a reed switch  136  which is connected by any appropriate method, such as wire  138  to an electrical circuit as previously described above with reference to FIG.  2 . 
     As the toy  10  is positioned on its various planar faces  17 - 28 , the magnet  130  within the hollow tube  128  slides toward or away from the reed switch  136 . When the magnet  130  is proximate the reed switch  136 , a signal is sent through the wire  138  to the microprocessor  62  indicating a closed circuit. When the magnet  130  slides away from the reed switch  136 , an open circuit response is provided to the microprocessor  62 . 
     Since there are five switches, there is a possibility of  32  combinations of signals to be sent to the microprocessor  62  of which only twelve are active. If the toy  10  were designed to present visual displays of animals, a possible sequence of coded signals would be as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Switch No. 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1 = Open 
               
               
                 60 
                 58 
                 56 
                 54 
                 52 
                 0 = Closed 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 Face 17 Dog 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 Face 21 Goose 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 Face 22 Pig 
               
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 Face 24 Owl 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 Face 18 Cat 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 Face 23 Horse 
               
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 Face 20 Cow 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 Face 25 Sheep 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 Face 19 Duck 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 Face 26 Frog 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 Face 27 Chicken 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 Face 28 Bird 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Using the above decoding table, the microprocessor  62  will be able to determine which planar surface  17 - 28  is in the “up” position, and the correct aural response will be produced. 
     Alternatives to the reed switches may be used in the same configuration as shown in FIG. 3 a . One such alternative is shown in FIG. 4, in which a conductive ball  140  rolls within a hollow tube  142 . The hollow tube  142  may be either a metal conductor with a second contact on the PC board  42  or plastic with two contacts on the PC board  42 . The contact  146  is interconnected to an electrical circuit and the microprocessor  62  as previously described above. Alternatively, the conductive ball  140  could comprise a conductive liquid such as mercury or sodium pottassium. 
     Another alternative to the reed switches is illustrated in FIG. 5. A hollow tube  148  has an opaque weight  150 , which is free to move therein by gravity. The opaque weight  150  may comprise, for example, a ball bearing or an opaque liquid. A light transmitter  152  which may comprise on infrared light is positioned on the PC board  42  directly opposite a light detector  156  with the hollow tube  148  is between the transmitter  152  and the detector  156 . The hollow tube  148  may either be formed from a clear material which will allow light from the transmitter  152  to pass therethrough, or provided with appropriate windows to allow passage of light therethrough. When the toy  10  is positioned so that the opaque weight  150  blocks the detector  156  from the transmitter  152 , an open signal will be given to the microprocessor  62 . When the tube  148  is oriented so that opaque weight  150  does not block the detector  156  from the transmitter  152 , a closed signal will be transmitted to the microprocessor  62 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, another alternative to the reed switches of FIG. 3 b  is illustrated in cross-section. A hollow tube  158  is mounted on the PC board  42 . Within the hollow tube  158  is a reflective weight  162 , such as a chrome ball. Positioned within the tube  158  is a reflective optical switch  164 . The switch  164  transmits a light beam into the tube  158 , and if the reflective weight  162  is positioned proximate switch  164 , the light will be reflected therefrom into the receiving portion of switch  164 , providing a closed signal to the microprocessor  62 . If the reflective weight  162  is positioned distally with respect to the switch  164 , the light will not be reflected therefrom, and an open signal will be sent to the microprocessor  62 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, another alternative to the reed switch of FIG. 3 b  is shown in perspective view. A magnet  166  is positioned within a track  168 . The magnet  166  is positioned so that a north pole  170  and a south pole  172  are positioned on opposite sides of the track  168 . Fixed to the track  168  is a magnetic sensor  174 , such as a Hall-Effect sensor. The track  168  is fixed to the PC board  42  by a support  178 . When the magnet  166  is proximate the sensor  174 , the south pole  172  activates the sensor  174 , indicating a closed position to the microprocessor  62 . When the magnet  166  is distally positioned with respect to the sensor  174 , the sensor  174  is turned off, sending an open signal to the microprocessor  62 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, it would be possible to replace the five switches as shown above with reference to FIGS. 2-7 with one switch for each planar surface  17 - 28  of the toy  10 . One embodiment for such an alternative is shown in cross-section in FIG.  8 . The container  12  is fitted with an inner sphere  180  containing a conductive liquid  182 . The sphere  180  is not completely filled with the liquid  182  and thus, an air bubble  184  is formed. Position-sensing contacts  186 ,  188 ,  190 ,  192 ,  194  and  196  are formed within the sphere  180  perpendicular to each of the planar faces of the container  12  (only six contacts are shown in FIG.  8 ). When the container  12  is placed on one of its planar faces  17 - 28 , one specific position-sensing contact, for example, contact  186  is within the air bubble  184 . Since all of the position-sensing contacts except contact  186  are indicated as closed, the microprocessor (not shown) knows that contact  186  is in the “up” position, and the appropriate aural response is emitted. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative to the sphere and liquid of FIG. 8 is shown in cross-section. An inner container  198  having a shape that matches the container  12  is formed therein. The inner container  198  is positioned to place a planar junction perpendicular to each of the planar surfaces  17 - 28  of container  12 , forming receptacles  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  (the inner container  198  would have a total of twelve receptacles). A conductive ball  212  is free to move within the inner container  198 . When the container  12  is positioned to place the conductive ball  212  in one of the receptacles  200 - 210 , a signal is sent to the microprocessor (not shown) indicating a closed position. The microprocessor then knows that the planar surface directly opposite is in the “up” position, and the appropriate aural response is emitted. Alternatively, the inner container  198  could be a sphere with contacts perpendicular to the planar surfaces of container  12 . When the conductive ball  212  is positioned in one of the appropriate receptacles, a closed position is indicated to the microprocessor; otherwise, an open position is indicated. 
     Referring to FIG. 10 a , another alternative embodiment for the position-sensing mechanism  50  is illustrated in cross-sectional view. A conductive housing  214  is filled with a conductive liquid  216 , such as, for example, sodium, potassium or mercury. A base  218  comprises an insulator such as glass. Metallic leads  219 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226  (FIG. 10 b ) extend through the base  218  and into the conductive liquid  216  on one side and onto an appropriate circuit on the PC board (not shown) on another side. As the toy  10  is turned onto various planar faces, various combinations of conductive leads  219 - 226  will be connected to the conductive housing  214  by the conductive liquid  216 . In accordance with a code, the microprocessor will be able to determine which of the planar surfaces is in the “up” position, and the proper aural response will be emitted. Referring to FIG. 10 b , the conductive housing  214  is shown to be circular in shape when viewed from a top plan view. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, another alternative embodiment of the position sensing mechanism of the present invention is illustrated in cross-sectional view. An inner container  228  has a shape that matches the container  12 . The planar surfaces of the inner container  228  match with the planar surfaces  17 - 28  of the container  12 . The container  228  is hollow and contains a light source  230 , such as strobe lights. An opaque substance  232 , such as sand or small metallic particles is free to move within the inner container  228 . Directly opposite each planar surface of the inner container  228  and the container  12  are light receivers  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242  and  244  (if container  12  is a dodecahedron, there will be twelve light receivers). As the container  12  is placed on one of the planar surfaces  17 - 28 , the opaque substance  232  settles by gravity to the lowest point. The opaque substance will not permit light from the light source  230  to pass therethrough to the appropriate light receiver, such as, for example, light receiver  236 . The microprocessor (not shown) interconnected via appropriate circuitry to the light receivers  234 - 244  is thus signalled that the planar surface opposite receiver  236  is in the “up” position, and the appropriate aural response is emitted. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, a still further alternative embodiment of a position-sensing mechanism in accordance with the present invention is shown in cross-section. A conductive metallic ball  246  is positioned within the container  12 . Rigidly suspended from the planar surfaces of the container  12  and perpendicular to each planar surface are sensors  250 ,  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258  and  260  (if the container  12  is a dodecahedron, there will be a total of twelve sensors). As the container  12  is placed on one of the planar surfaces  17 - 28 , the conductive ball  246  is pulled by gravity towards one of the sensors, for example, sensor  254 . A microprocessor (not shown) which is interconnected to the sensors  250 - 260  is then signaled via an appropriate code that the sensor  260  directly opposite sensor  254  is in the “up” position, and the appropriate aural response is emitted. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in perspective view. A six-sided regular prism  262  is fixed by a bracket  264 , and an appropriate connection device  266  to the bars  268  of a cradle or crib. A child may turn the six-sided regular prism  262  into various positions, which would be detected by a position sensing mechanism and would result in an appropriate aural response being emitted therefrom. The six-sided regular prism  262  would be adaptable to be removed from the bars  268  and placed on the floor or placed into an appropriate pull-toy configuration, if desired. 
     The educational toy of the present invention is capable of adaptation to use by infants, as well as older children and adults. It is possible to provide the planar surfaces of the container with appropriate visual images for various age levels and to provide a microprocessor capable of emitting sound and/or voice responses thereto. With the addition of appropriate software, it would be possible to use the educational toy as a game piece, such as a talking die or a talking globe. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment thereof, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0