Abstract:
An interactive toy employs a plurality of figures which are employed by the user to tell a story. The figures are selected and placed at selected locations on a story board or a book. The selection and placement results in the device telling the story by synthesized speech and other visual communications. The device is also configured in a compact case for carrying and storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to electronic toys. More particularly, this invention relates to educational toys wherein the user&#39;s interaction with the toy is facilitated by electronic processing and communication. 
     In toys to which the invention relates, the user, through manual manipulation, voice command or other techniques, provides an input. The toy is programmed to provide an output in response to the input of the user. The usage of microcomputers and speech synthesizers has found widespread application in conjunction with numerous toys, games and educational devices of various forms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is an interactive toy which tells a story in a creative and interesting fashion. A platform supports a story board which may take the form of an illustrated sheet, a page of a book or other similar media. A CPU is mounted in fixed relationship to the platform. An output device, which “tells” the story, communicates with the CPU. A plurality of readers, each of which communicate with the CPU, comprises an RF transmitter which defines a communication field and is mounted at a fixed position to the platform. Story figures, each comprising a transponder and having a unique electronic code, are placeable at selected locations of the story board. Upon placement of at least one story figure within a field, an output is produced by the output device. The output is a function of the code and corresponding reader of each placed figure. 
     The output device may take a number of forms including a speaker, which broadcasts synthesized speech narrating the story, noise, sounds or other audibly perceptible outputs, one or more lights and an action module. The story figures comprise one or more representational figures selected from the group consisting of a person, an animal, a tree and an object. The electronic story board may be configured in a case which houses the story figures and is hinged. Outer panels of the case form the platform to which an illustrated sheet or a story book may be placed. The action module may be mounted to the platform and project generally above the story board. 
     The CPU sequentially polls each of the readers and identifies any story figure which is placed at a corresponding station on the story board. Each of the readers is polled, and a responsive output is then generated to partially narrate or illustrate the story by sound, sight or movement. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electronic story board wherein interaction between the user and the board is accomplished in a creative and entertaining manner. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electronic story board which provides an educational interaction with the user to facilitate appreciation and enjoyment of a story. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electronic toy which is capable of providing a multiplicity of sensory outputs in response to a creative method of personal inquiry by the user. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specification and the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representational view, partly in phantom, illustrating a representative electronic story board and its usage in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a representative electronic story board in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view, partly broken away and partly in schematic, of the electronic story board of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away, partly in section and partly in schematic, of a toy figure mounted to the electronic story board, partially illustrated, of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away, partly in section and partly in schematic, illustrating a second form of a toy figure for the electronic story board of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the processing performed by the electronic story board of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the electronic circuitry for the electronic story board of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the circuitry for a reader for the electronic story board of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the circuitry for a toy figure of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the circuitry for a passive toy figure for the electronic story board of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, an electronic story board in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The electronic story board  10  functions to communicate a story through sound, light, motion and sensory outputs in response to the selection and placement of one or more toy figures  20 - 24  (FIGS. 1,  4  and  5 ). An output module  26  is optionally employed to aid in the “telling” of the story. The figures and the module are intended to be representational of numerous possibilities of figures and modules that may be employed according to the specific story. 
     The electronic story board is preferably packaged in a compact case  30  (FIG. 3) which ho uses the electronic circuitry and components, as will be further described, as well as functions as a carrying case for the toy figures  20 - 24  and output module  26 . The case comprises a pair of sections  32 ,  34  which are pivotal about a hinge  36 . In an open inverted position, the sections cooperate to form a platform  38  to which is affixed an illustrated story board  40 , such as a printed sheet or panel, representative of a story or which forms the support for a story book  42 . A carrying handle  39  facilitates portability. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, the case section  32  encloses a self-contained battery pack  33  which via an on/off switch  35  provides power for the device. An on/off LED indicator  37  indicates the on/off condition. The case section  32  houses most of the circuitry and electronic components for the electronic story book. The case section  34  functions also as the storage receptacle for the figures  20 - 24  and the module  26 . 
     The story board  40  and/or pages of book  42  designate a multiplicity of story stations or contact points  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c  . . . which have a defined relationship with the case. The stations or points may be distinctive circles, squares, shapes, indicia, etc. on the board or page. The board and book also preferably include visual representations, including drawings and text, to aid in “telling” the story and are hereafter individually and/or collectively referred to as story board  50 . 
     The story is electronically communicated in segments by a creative serial questioning by the user. The story segments may be communicated in a non-chronological sequence which is a function of the interactive questioning by the user. The user selects one or more of the figures  20 - 24  and places each selected figure at a station or contact point  44  on the board  50 . The specific figure and corresponding contact point is electronically identified, and an output in the form of a synthesized voice output and/or sound and/or a light output and/or a movement or motion of a portion of the module occurs in response to the selection and placement on the board. The serial placement of the various figures at various selected locations on the board will then, in time, result in the communication of the entire story with the user essentially communicating with the “storyteller” by inquiring through the selection and placement of the various figures. The number of and configuration of figures may vary, and the number and placement of contact points may vary depending on the story. The toy figures are shaped to represent individuals, animals, objects, etc. from the story. The action module  26  may also be constructed to represent a key “prop” or “scene” of the story. The module  26  is mounted to the top of the platform and electrically connected through connectors  46  and  48  to facilitate the multi-mode “telling” of the story. 
     With reference to FIGS. 3,  4 ,  7  and  8 , an IC card reader  60  is mounted at the underside of the story board  50  directly below each of the contact points  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c  . . . and are designated by corresponding identifiers  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c  . . . . Each of the toy figures  20 - 24  has a transponder  52  and must also have an IC card  54  which has a unique identification ID code. With references to FIGS. 7 and 8, each reader  60  includes a driver  62  which drives a signal generator  64  to provide an RF signal to a push-pull driver  66 . The driver  66  connects with a coil or an inductor  65  which generates an RF field  61  and receives the ID coding signal from the toy figure. The coding signal is amplified by an amplifier  68  whose output is gated by driver  62  and becomes the data signal to the CPU  70 . The reader thus functions to provide an RF power source which is supplied to the transponder for powering the toy figure through a non-contact connection. The toy figure then sends an ID coding signal which identifies the specific toy figure to the CPU  70  for processing as described below. 
     With additional reference to FIG. 9, the transponder  52  includes a coil or an inductor  51  and a capacitor  53  connected in parallel for powering a voltage converter  56  which provides a power source to the encoder  58 . An address and data select chip  54  provides an address and data (ID code) to the encoder. The encoder  58  generates the output signal via a driver  57  which communicates the ID of the figure through to the RF field to the reader. 
     For certain embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 10, the RF power source from the reader may also be applied to an indicator or an LED  28  on the toy figure so that, upon application of the RF power source from the reader, the LED  28  is illuminated. Toy figure 23 may optionally be a passive device in which no ID is communicated back to the reader and no story telling output is initiated. 
     Each of the readers connects with a circuit board  72  which conditions the signals and communicates with the CPU  70 . The CPU  70  includes an 80C51 microprocessor and an HCS512 I.D. decoder. Input devices  73 ,  75  and  77 , each of which may be a ROM corresponding to a given toy figure, provide unique data to the CPU  70 . The power supply connects with the CPU  70  and a sound circuit  76 . The sound circuit  76  includes a W52906 voice synthesizer. The circuit  76  connects with an 0.25 watt speaker  78  which communicates through a panel or shelf  80  attached to the case section  32 . 
     The electronic story board  10  operates by means of an RF object identity system which includes one or more of the readers  60  and one or more figures  20 - 24 . When the power of the system is switched on at switch  35 , each of the readers  60  radiates RF radiation to form a field  61  which extends above the story board  50  and intersects the corresponding contact points  44 . A selected figure is placed near or on a contact point  44  near the reader so that the transponder  52  will be powered up by the RF power radiated from the reader. The transponder  52  will transmit its own ID code to the reader through the RF field  61 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the readers are each controlled by the CPU  70 . The CPU  70  generates control signals and polls each reader sequentially as described by flow chart  90 . When one of the readers has found a transponder  52  of a toy figure, the CPU  70  continues its polling until all of the readers  60  have been polled. At the termination of the polling sequence, if only one reader found a transponder of a toy figure, the CPU  70  performs an action corresponding to the ID of the transponder found as well as the specific contact point  44 , i.e., the specific reader. If more than one reader has a different toy figure, the CPU will perform a different action according to the ID of the first transponder found and the location of its contact point and the ID of the second transponder found and its corresponding contact point and so on until the relative position of all the readers and transponders has been communicated to the CPU. The chart below illustrates representative examples for purposes of explanation. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Chart 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Example 
                 Reader 
                 Figure 
                 Action 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 I 
                 60a 
                 20 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 II 
                 60a 
                 21 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 III 
                 60b 
                 20 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 IV 
                 60a and 60b 
                 20, 21 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The CPU is programmed via, for example, input devices  73 ,  75 ,  77  . . . to perform the various actions which may correspond to a chapter or part of the story. Action A would be a voice action which is generated through the speaker  78  to tell a narrative concerning toy figure 20 (girl) as suggested by the illustrated environment of contact point  44   a  within the communication field of reader  60   a . Action B would be a different voice narrative and sound effects relating to toy figure 21 (dog) and conveyed through speaker  78 . If toy figure 20 were instead placed at contact point or station  44   b , Action C would energize lights  27  on the action module  26 . If figure 20 were placed at station  44   a  and figure 21 were placed at station  44   b , Action D would result in the door  29  of the action module  26  opening through the power transmitted and a signal transmitted from the CPU and a corresponding voice action through speaker  78 . 
     It will be appreciated that the story would unfold by, for example, first putting only toy figure 20 on the location of the page or story board; then sequentially selecting a figure  21  and placing that on the book page or story board; and subsequently placing both figures  20  and  21  simultaneously on different contact locations of the story board. Each selection and placement essentially constitutes an inquiry and triggers a corresponding sensory response in terms of one or more sound, voice, light, sight or motion outputs. The story would then be communicated through the various identification and electronic processing among the different figures as well as the different locations on the board wherein the book story would essentially be “told” interactively and in a sequence determined by the user. For example, if Examples I-IV occur in a different order, the story would be told in a different chronological sequence. 
     While preferred embodiments of the foregoing invention have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.