text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|20 Jun 1989
|Filing date
|2 Dec 1987
|Priority date
|6 Feb 1987
|Fee status
|Publication number
|William J. Rose
|Original Assignee
|Coleco Industries, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (15), Referenced by (315), Classifications (27), Legal Events (8)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/011,600 filed Feb. 6, 1987.
This invention relates to talking toys such as dolls, and more particularly, to one or more of such toys which may simulate intelligent conversation in response to a narration or a story being played on a recording medium.
Since the mid-1800's, talking dolls have been known. These early dolls were generally of two types: one with a string activated wood and paper bellows said "Mama" or "Papa", the other relied on a weight activated cylindrical bellows with holes along one side to emit a crying sound when moved. Some dolls are still made this way today.
In the 1890's a doll known as the "Jumeau Bebe and a Phonographe" told jokes, spoke phrases like "Hello, my dear little Mommie", using a mechanism designed by Thomas Edison, which was a wax cylinder recording activated by a key wound clockwork-like mechanism. In the early 1900's a doll known as "Dolly" sang and recited nursery rhymes. These dolls also used cylindrical records, but the recordings were probably on plastic or rubber cylinders.
In 1960, a doll known as "Chatty Kathy" was introduced which had a repertoire of eleven to twenty-two phrases. The voice mechanism was operated by a pull string which activated a miniature phonograph disc that played back pre-recorded phrases.
Over the years, there have been many efforts to make a doll more lifelike and communicative with its owner. U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,794 discloses an animated talking doll with a mouth actuating mechanism; eye and lip movements were coordinated with a phonographic means for reproducing speech. U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,406 proposed an improved mechanism for coordinating the movements of the jaw with a phonograph. U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,696 disclosed a doll in which there were multiple animations in the face.
More recently, it has been proposed to combine a cassette recording in a doll, and the recording includes signals which will synchronously control the movement of the mouth of the doll as the recorded phrases are reproduced. It has further been proposed to have two dolls with cassette recordings which will appear to simulate intelligent conversation. These last mentioned dolls have also been provided with mouth actuating means which move the mouth in synchronism with the recorded speech.
A drawback with these dolls is that they are not interactive with the child. Some toy manufacturers maintain that the talking dolls improve the play value for children between three and nine years. Some child psychologists and parents disagree, stating that these dolls do nothing to stimulate a child's imagination. The result is that children are reduced to reacting to a toy passively, much like watching television.
A professor of child development at a leading university has stated that talking toys serve to try to get children to have a more limited dialogue with themselves. A child development specialist in the Pediatrics Department of a West Coast hospital observed that children often turn off their high tech dolls. This specialist has stated that, when he goes through the rooms of a pediatric center, he rarely hears children playing with them. Initially, the children are fascinated, but, when the thrill wears off, young children use them in their own way, much as a snuggling teddy bear. Young people need toys which inspire their imagination.
The loss of interest of the child in the speaking ability of a toy is believed to be due to the repetitious nature of the speech provided by the toys. Children soon become cognizant of the repetitive nature of the vocabulary and lose interest.
The related co-pending application discloses dolls having speech synthesizers, together with vocabulary words and phrases stored in memory which may be accessed depending upon a radio frequency transmission from another doll. In a doll network, one doll randomly becomes a speaker while the other(s) merely responds during a given conversational routine. After completion of a routine, another doll may become the dominant speaker for a second routine.
A single doll is provided with a speaking system which includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) having digital data indicative of speech stored therein, and a speech synthesizer including an audio amplifier which will amplify speech phrases selected from the ROM and apply the synthesized speech to a speaker. The doll's vocabulary is selected so that it can be concatenated into phrases for establishing what is referred to as a routine, and various sessions of speech within each routine. Additionally, the synthesized speed is made responsive to various positions of the doll or the actuation of certain sensors on the doll, or even the motion of the doll.
Such a doll is capable of interacting speechwise with other dolls and thereby providing interaction of the children who own the dolls. Logic systems of the dolls are so arranged that a multiplicity of dolls may engage in a network of speech. A doll may periodically initiate a signal to determine if a similar doll is within its radio frequency (RF) broadcast range, and, if this is detected, the dolls will engage in a routine of simulated conversation which is divided into succeeding sessions. In the case where two dolls are present, determination is made of who will be the speaker and who will be the responder for a first session. After such first session, another determination is made of who will be speaker and who will be responder for the next session in this routine. A third, fourth or more dolls which are present during a sequence will be listeners and provide occasional responses; however, the third, fourth or other dolls, upon beginning of the next session, may become the speakers and/or responders, and the previous speaker and responder may then become listeners.
This selection of who is speakers and responders is done in a random fashion, so that it will appear to the owners of the dolls that all dolls are engaging in the simulated conversation.
At the beginning of a session, the first doll to send its RF signal message is referred to as the "A" doll. The "A" doll will randomly select a routine in its memory and broadcast a radio frequency signal identifying the routine and other data hereinafter described. The first of the other dolls, dependent upon a random basis, to respond to the first doll, will become the responder or "B" doll, and any remaining dolls will then be listeners or "C" dolls for that session within the routine, but in some sessions, may utter a response. In this manner, there will be no confusion or collisions between the spoken words of the dolls.
Additionally, an "A" doll, after selecting simulated speech, will then transmit a binary coded signal over a RF transceiver. This binary coded signal will be picked up by the randomly selected "B" doll and compared with that sequence of the routine selected by the "A" doll. The memory of the "B" doll will contain a plurality of possible responses, which may be selected on a random or predetermined basis and then the selected answer is transmitted on the radio frequency transceiver of the "B" doll. This may complete a session within a routine, at which time all dolls in the network may randomly generate a signal to determine who will be the next "A" doll. However, the session may include additional transmissions by both dolls together with literal communication.
Briefly stated, the invention, comprises one or more dolls as described which interact with an external signal source telling a story or narrative recorded on a medium such as magnetic tape. The tape, which has two tracks or channels, has recorded on one track a story or narrative, and has recorded on the other track binary data which is broadcast by a radio frequency transmitter. The broadcast includes data which will instruct the doll not to become an "A" doll, initiate speech, directions to synthesize speech in response to a spoken phrase in the story or narrative, and directions to make a statement which is intelligent with respect to a spoken phrase of the narrative.
An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved system to simulate interactive communication with a talking doll.
Another object of this invention is to provide a simulated story telling and vocally responsive system involving one or more dolls wherein the responses are random and not always repetitive.
A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved learning device for a child where the child's doll appears to participate in an interactive system providing a child with responses to comprise a learning experience.
The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be appreciated by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
FIGS. 1a and 1b are block diagrams of the logic systems of two dolls which may be utilized in the invention;
FIG. 2 is a timing diagram exemplifying steps of operation of the systems of FIGS. 1a and 1b;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are logic block diagrams exemplifying steps of selecting dolls for speech;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microprocessor used in the invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a portion of the invention; and
FIG. 7 is another schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the invention.
The present invention may best be described by first setting forth the disclosure of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/011,600 filed Feb. 6, 1987 relative to the logic of dolls utilized in the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1a and 1b, each doll includes a speech synthesizing system 10, which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11 in the form of a microprocessor, a read only memory (ROM) 12, shown as coupled directly to the microprocessor 11 although it could be coupled to the microprocessor through a speech synthesizer 13. The speech synthesizer will generally include an audio amplifier (not shown) which provides an output to drive a speaker 14. As will hereinafter be described, the speaker 14 may also act as a microphone, or a separate microphone may be provided, but no microphone is necessary to the operation of the present invention. A combination of the CPU, ROM and speech synthesizer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,836, assigned to Texas Instruments, Inc. However, the various components shown in FIG. 1, i.e. the CPU, ROM, speech synthesizer, and audio amplifier, may be defined in a single integrated circuit chip. In fact, such a chip is utilized in practicing the present invention and is identified by its manufacturer Texas Instruments, Inc. as a TMS5OC44 chip. The CPU of FIG. 1 communicates with a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 15, which may receive a binary coded message from another doll, or it may transmit a binary coded meassage to all other dolls in a network.
The CPU 11 also receives as other inputs four position sensing inputs, a sound level input, and a push button switch input. As will hereinafter be described, the doll will have routines, depending on the various inputs.
All direct communication between the units is by radio frequency (RF) transmission of binary coded data. However, the dolls will appear to be audibly speaking to each other.
Data is transmitted as if it were a letter within a frame envelope. A frame envelope is a series of binary bytes transmitted in serial fashion, as hereinafter explained.
There will be stored in the ROM's of every unit a vocabulary in ordered routines and sessions. The term "routine" refers to predetermined orders of conversation between the interactive units. The term "session" is a subdivision of a routine. The unit which initiates a routine randomly picks a routine, identifies each routine which is randomly selects, and includes a routine memory. This routine memory prevents the same routine from being randomly chosen again until four other routines have been experienced.
Set forth in Table I below is the content of a frame envelope which comprises nine eight bit bytes.
TABLE I______________________________________Byte No. Bytes______________________________________1 Preamble2 Preamble3 Destination4 Source5 Frame Type (FT)6 Phrase Code7 Phrase Code8 Routine and Session No.9 Positive or Negative Response______________________________________
As shown, a transmission comprises nine bytes, and each transmission comprises nine bytes in an ordered array. The first two bytes are preamble bytes and represent timing signals; the third byte identifies the responding doll, the fourth byte identifies the initiating doll; the fifth byte identifies the type of transmission, as will be hereinafter explained. The fifth and sixth bytes are "phrase codes" and identify the literal phrase which will be spoken next by the transmitting doll. The eighth byte identifies the routine and the session number within the routine. The ninth byte identifies whether the response is to be positive or negative; and the tenth and eleventh bytes are for optional information, dependent upon the routine or other circumstances.
Each byte has eight bits. Each byte is proceeded by a zero level signal and terminated by a one level signal so that the receiver may count the bits in each byte.
FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of the conversation that will go on between units. At time t1, what will be referred to as an "A" unit initiates a frame type 1 (FT1). The "A" unit will hereinafter referred to as the speaker, and a "B" unit will be referred to as a responder.
When there are more than two units in the network, the potential responders will have to determine who will be the actual responder. The speaking unit A will send a message as identified in FIG. 2 with all information therein except as to byte 3, since it does not know who, at that point, the responding unit will be. If there are more than one responding units, the responding unit as will hereinafter be described will determine who the principal responder or unit B is to be. This will occupy the time between t2 and t3. When unit B has been determined, it will transmit a signal as shown in FIG. 2, in which it identifies itself in such frame transmission (FT2) and will identify only unit A as the source. Units in a network respond only if they have been identified as a speaker or a primary responder. However, a C unit may make some response. Therefore, after unit A and unit B, all others potentially in the network, will be C units. At this point, the speaker, unit A, and the primary responder, unit B, have been identified and all others have been locked out from primary speech. Unit B will send an FT2 signal back to unit A, which is received at time t4. The format of the message will be as shown in Table I, but in byte 3, the unit B has now been identified, so in byte 5, the frame type has now been identified as FT2, so the primary network has been set up between unit A and unit B. At time t5, unit A, will now utter literal speech in audio form which is audibly apparent to the owners of the participating dolls, and shortly thereafter, between time t5 to t6, will convey a message denoted as FT3 to unit B. The message FT3 will be in the format as shown in Table I, and will identify the selected B unit in byte 3; the sending unit in byte 4; the type of transmission FT3 in byte 5; and phrase codes and instructions for response in bytes 8 and 9. In doing so, it will identify the routine and session number and whether it wants a positive or negative response. This is received by unit B at time t8. At this time, unit B will have a possibility of more than one response, which is intelligible to the words of the A doll, and the response is chosen on a random basis and broadcast vocally and literally at time t9 -t10. At time t11, the B unit will make another transmission which will identify to unit A and any other units in the network the identification of response which it has given. This will be received by unit A at time t12 as a FT4 transmission. All FT4 transmissions are closely accompanied by or shortly succeed a literal statement of synthesized speech, and the transmission FT4 will identify to unit A the response during this session of a routine.
In FIG. 2, only one transmit FT3 and one return FT4 transmission has occurred. However, depending upon the routines, there may be two or more FT3 and FT4 transmissions between units A and B during a session.
Dependent upon the programming of a session, when the session is concluded, unit A will transmit an FT5 message. This will be indicated in byte 5 of Table I. An FT5 transmission is an indication that the session has been terminated and a new session is to start. Alternatively, if the concluded session is the last session of a routine, a new routine will be selected as hereinafter explained.
The A doll is selected on a random basis. When a doll sends an initiating or a HRE (hand raising event) signal, all operative dolls within receiving range generate a random number in a random number generator 17. Refer to FIG. 3. This number is loaded into a counter 18 which randomly selects a speech routine from a routine register 19. The counter is decremented by clock pulses toward zero. If no transmissions have been received when the counter reaches zero as sensed by a gate 20, the doll will load the selected routine and initiate an FT1 transmission. While FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are shown in hardware form, their function may be performed by software instructions.
The following Table II sets forth a routine termed "Pretend". This routine will be discussed for purposes of illustration. At the top of the table, the Routine Number is displayed in parentheses followed by the name of the Routine or Interrupt.
Within each routine, all doll speech is divided into a number of Dialogue Headings. Each heading is underlined and followed by a colon : the specific phrases and sentences that a doll can speak are displayed directly below it. Headings that are indented one tab indicate dialogue spoken in single doll play or dialogue spoken by doll A in multi-doll play. Headings indented two tab spacings indicate dialogue spoken only in multi-doll play. A phrase number is associated with each heading.
If a sensor or sensors are to be checked after a phrase or sentence is spoken, the appropriate sensor(s) are indicated as part of the dialogue heading in parentheses in upper/lower case. If only one sensor is to be checked, but that sensor is dependent upon the diaglogue spoken, the potential sensor checks are each separated by a colon.
Any dialogue that is dependent upon a sensor check is indicated with the sensor result in upper case lettering in parentheses as part of the dialogue heading. Dialogue that can be spoken in multi-doll play is indicated by the doll's designated part A, B, or C in <> following the dialogue heading after the colon. For doll C parts, the type of chorus response is also indicated--unison, scattered, or staggered. The C dolls may speak dependent on the routine.
Under each dialogue heading, the following symbols and conventions are used to indicate how phrases from the Concatenation List are chosen, put together, and spoken to create doll speech: Phrases are grouped either into tables of various column lengths or as concatenated sentences. A blank line between each table or sentence within a dialogue heading indicates an alternate speech selection. The doll chooses randomly with equal probability what it will say from one of the alternatives.
Phrases which are grouped into columns are selected randomly, one phrase from each column and concatenated together to form a spoken "sentence". Each phrase within a column has an equal probability of being selected.
The use of square brackets [] is two-fold. They are used to indicate alternate phrases within a column; or, if used at the top of a column of phrases, they indicate that the column itself is optional (equivalent to a null entry within that column).
A slash / between words indicates a concatenation between doll phrases (from the Concatenation List).
Parentheses () indicate either a sound effect from the Concatenation List or a programmer's note.
A pair of asterisks * * indicate that one of the designated word lists from the vocabulary or concatenation list is being called or used.
A period . is used to indicate the end of a sentence (and a phrase).
Question marks ?, exclamation marks -, and underlining are used in some phrases to indicate work emphasis and also as guidelines to actual speech.
A set of four dots .... is used to indicate the continuation of a sentence or a table listed directly above within the dialogue heading.
A Hand Raising Event, HRE, in multi-doll play is indicated by =HRE=.
TABLE II______________________________________PRETEND ROUTINE NO.______________________________________SESSION I(1) INTRO: <A>Y'know what? It's fun / to play pretend. / Isn't it?[(sig. phrase)] [Do you like / playing pretend. / I do!] [I really like / playing pretend. / Don't you?](2) + INTRO RESPONSE: <B & C -staggered>Yeah! [It's / great!][Ok] [I just love / playing pretend].[Sure] [Let's play]. [That's / so much fun]. (giggle)](3) - INTRO RESPONSE: <B & C - unison>No way![Nope][I don't like / playing pretend.][Not me]SESSION II(4) SUGGESTION (Bounce Sensor): <A>I've got an idea! Let's pretend We're on a plane and we're[Hey] [Make believe] [We're on a boat][(sig. phrase)] [We're on a merry-go-round]. . . Going up and down. / C'mon! / Hold on to me. / Bounce me /[on your knee].(5) POSITIVE RESPONSE (Bounce): <A>Wow! That's / great![(laugh)] [This is / so much fun].[(sig. phrase)] [Yay! / Faster!][(giggle)] [Faster! / Faster!](6) POSITIVE OTHERS RESPONSE (Bounce): <B:C>Yah![Faster!][Wow!][That's / great!](7) STOP RESPONSE (Bounce): <A>Hey That's enough![Uh-oh] [All this / bouncing up and down / makes me dizzy].Wow! That was fun! You're / a good friend.[(sig. phrase)] [That was / so much fun] [I'm glad you're here].(8) NEGATIVE RESPONSE (Not Bounce): <A>C'mon! Hold on to me! / OK?[Aw c'mon!] [I just love / playing pretend / but you'llhave to help me].[Hey](9) 2ND NEGATIVE (Not Bounce): <A>Y'know what? I don't like / playing pretend.[OK]Hey Don't you wanna play with me?[(sob)] Please! / Talk to me].[Aw c/mon!] [Please! / Be my friend]. [Let's play / ok?]=HRE=SESSION III(10) THIRSTY COMMENT: <A>WOW! [All this] / bouncing up and down / makes me awfully thirsty.[Whew][Y`knowwhat?][Hey][(sig. phrase)]______________________________________
Referring to Table II, assume that a doll has made an FT1 transmission and has become an A doll. The FT1 transmission will identify the A doll. This FT1 transmission has identified the routine "Pretend" and the session to any other operative dolls within broadcast range. Now, the other dolls, if more than one, will determine who will be the B doll. This is accomplished in a random manner. Briefly refer to FIG. 4.
Random number generator 17 will again load a random number in counter 18 if an FT1 transmission has been received. Counter 18 will be decremented by clock pulses and, when the counter reaches zero and no FT2 transmissions have been received, the doll will be established as a B doll and will make an FT2 transmission. A network has now been established between A and B dolls, and other dolls are C dolls. It will be understood that all dolls have essentially the same stored vocabulary and may be A, B or C dolls. If not the same, the vocabularies will be compatible.
At time t5 (FIG. 2), doll A will make a FT3 transmission to doll B which has broadcast its identification number in its FT2 transmission.
Doll A will look at a counter and dependent on a number in its least significant bits select a phrase shown as
A signature phrase is one such as
which is randomly selected when the doll is first powered up. Then the doll will randomly select a second phrase as shown under (1). These phrases are uttered in synthesized speech between times t5 and t6 (FIG. 2) and at time t7 broadcasts an FT4 transmission. This may elicit a positive response from B and C (if present) as shown under (2) or a negative response as shown under (3). The type of response is randomly ordered by byte 9 as shown in Table I, and occurs between times t11 and t12 as shown in FIG. 2.
The A doll receives this return FT4 transmission from the B doll and then makes an FT4 transmission which will terminate this session.
In the program for this routine a HRE event now occurs. Referring again to FIG. 3, all dolls will now generate a random number in generator 17 and apply it to counter 18 to determine who will be the A doll. However, at this time the selected routine of Table II is still operative and the remaining sessions will follow as shown.
In the routine of Table II if there is no FT2 response the A doll will initiate a HRE signal. If there is still no response the A doll will proceed through steps (4), (5), (7), (8), or (9), and then initiate another HRE. If there is still no response the doll will go to step (10) and then randomly select another routine.
The phrases for the routine shown in Table III are stored in the speech data table of ROM 12 in addressable locations as shown in Table III.
TABLE III______________________________________VOCABULARY AND CONCATENATIONLIST REPRESENTATIVE OF TABLE IIADDRESS PHRASE______________________________________213 Y'know what81 It's fun187 To play pretend79 Isn't it37 Do you like134 Playing pretend62 I do78 I really like134 Playing pretend33 Don't you211 Yeah80 It's52 Great122 Ok66 I just love164 Sure92 Let's play171 That's159 So much fun45 Giggle118 No way115 Nope63 I don't like116 Not me84 I've got an idea93 Let's pretend199 We're on a plane53 Hey98 Make believe197 We're on a boat198 We're on a merry-go-round7 And we're going up and down26 C'mon56 Hold on to me17 Bounce me126 On your knee209 Wow171 That's52 Great91 Laugh181 That is211 Yeah40 Faster45 Giggle211 Yeah52 Great53 Hey172 That's enough190 Uh-oh5 All this18 Bouncing up and down100 Makes me dizzy175 That was fun214 You're2 A good friend174 That was159 So much fun72 I'm glad you're here26 C'mon56 Hold on to me12 Aw c'mon66 I just love21 But you will have to help me213 Y'know what63 I don't like53 Hey35 Don't you want to play with me156 Sob137 Please167 Talk to me16 Be my friend137 Please16 Be my friend92 Let's play5 All this18 Bouncing up and down99 Makes me thirsty206 Whew213 Y'know what______________________________________
As shown, the phrases are stored in packed encoded form in a speech data table in ROM 12 and may be addressed and concatenated to form alternate sentences as shown in Table II.
The operation of the system is under the control of CPU 11 which is a general purpose eight bit microprocessor, which is shown in functional block diagram in FIG. 5. Microprocessor 11 includes a read only memory (ROM) 12 which includes the general program, decoding tables, speech address tables and a speech data table as hereinafter described.
The address logic comprises a first speech address register (SAR) 21 which stores the next speech data address, a second speech address register 22, and the address decoder 23. The address register 22 stores the current address and provides an incrementing function for both speech data address and program address.
Also included is a program stack (PC) register 24 which stores program addresses. Table lookup is provided by an instruction decoder 32 which uses the contents of an accumulator register 25 as an address to ROM 12 through SAR 21, and then stores the contents of that address back in the accumulator register 25. When this instruction is complete, the program address is stored in PC-register 24. PC-register 24 may store several programs (routines) for recall in the event of interruptions.
The system includes a random access memory 26 which has an address counter 27, and an X-register 28 which stores the address pointer for the RAM. When not executing speech, the entire RAM may be used for algorithm storage. RAM 26 will store decoded speech data and supply such data to speech synthesizer 13.
Once the starting address of speech data has been established in a speech register (SAR) 21, the first data byte indicative of the words to be spoken is transferred to a PS-register (parallel to serial register) 29 over an internal system bus 30 where this byte is serially shifted over line 31 to accumulator register 25. This speech data is unpacked, and then stored in the appropriate location in RAM. The second through the final speech parameter accesses will be similarly unpacked and decoded. The PS-register 29 is emptied of its contents by eight serial shifts. The next data byte is then transferred from the speech table to the PS-register. Once the initial speech address register value is established and the initial byte placed in the PS-register, subsequent acquisitions of data bytes are transferred from the speech data table to the PS-register, then to the accumulator and subsequently to the random access memory (RAM) 26.
The address decoder 23, in response to register 22, will locate selected speech data bytes in the speech table. The speech address register 21 verifies each by location. The address counter 22 will then increment or decrement to the addressed location. This information is then applied to the address decoder.
The accumulator register 25 is a general purpose register which provides an accumulation function for an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), Serial/Parallel conversion for speech data unpacking, and Table Lookup Address Source.
B-register 30 is also a general purpose register. The B-register is provided to serve as a software counter register to transfer its contents to the A accumulator register. The contents of the X-register and the B-register are exchanged, and the B-register is cleared. Finally, the B-register is incremented.
The microprocessor 11 further includes a prescaler register 33 and a timer register 34. This prescaler register is cascaded with the timer register. When the prescale register counts down to zero, it is loaded with the value stored in a preset latch. This preset latch is loaded by the instructions from the accumulator. When the prescale register counts down to zero, it also sends a decrement pulse to the timer.
The CPU 11 further includes a plurality of data ports 34 and 35. The RF transceiver 15 is shown coupled to data port 34. A motion and position sensor 36 is coupled to data post 35. Each unit may also receive other inputs such as sound level, body position sensor and push button inputs.
The ROM is organized to store the following information:
1. programs for routines as exemplified in Table II.
2. a sentence table with pointers for,
3. a phrase table with pointers for
4. a concatenation table with pointers to a
5. a speech data table, and
6. algorithms for generating random numbers.
The SAR 21 points to the sentence table though address decoder 23. The sentence table then points to a table of a list of phrases of which the sentence is constructed, and the phrase table points to phrases in the concatenation table. The concatenation table then points to data in the speech data table.
As shown in Table II, a routine is identified in the program routine table, identified in the sentence table, but requires phrases to be selected to form a sentence. The sentences are formed from a vocabulary of concatenation list as exemplified in Table III.
The speech data for forming the sentences shown in Table II are stored in ROM 12 in phrases as shown in Table III. The routine Pretend is randomly selected and stored in the PC-register 24.
The SAR 21 under the control of the PC-register 24 then addresses the ROM through address register 22 and address decoder 23 to the sentence table in ROM 12. The sentence table then points to the phrase table to select the phrases to be used in constructing a sentence. The phrase table in turn points to the concatenation table which selects the word bytes in the speech data table which are read out to PS register 29. The bytes are transferred to accumulator 25 for unpacking and then stored in predetermined location in RAM 26. When all of the phrases of a sentence are stored in RAM 26, the system is ready to have the synthesizer 13 make a literal utterance and such literal utterance is then made upon address by the X-register 28. The synthesizer 13 then converts the digital speech data into an analog signal which is applied to speaker 14 and the sentence is uttered.
Assume that the literal utterance has now been made by an A doll. The data stored in RAM is supplied to the RF transmitter in the form shown in Table I and transmitted to the other doll where it is stored in RAM. The B doll has established the routine in its PC-register 24 and will now select an appropriate response from one of the possible responses as shown in Table II. The response is done on a random basis dependent on the existing least significant bits in a counter, which may be B-register 30, and whether the A doll has called for a positive or negative response in its envelope transmission as shown in Table I.
In the routine exemplified, a positive interaction is called for with the child, namely BOUNCE. The doll includes a motion and position sensing device 36 which is disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Ser. No. 07/011,836 filed Feb. 6, 1987. When motion is sensed one of statements (7), Table II will be selected for speech. If no motion is detected, then a negative statement as shown in (8) and (9) of Table II will be made.
When a doll is established as an A doll and makes an FT1 transmission, it identifies the routine to be followed. This is remembered by the B and C dolls and they will remember their designation (B or C) throughout the routine. This designation may be stored in the PC-register so that only appropriate responses will be made when SAR 21 addresses ROM 12.
During a routine, when a HRE occurs (Session II (4) shown in Table II) the desgination as A, B, or C dolls may change, but the same routine continues until the routine is completed.
Table IV sets forth a single doll routine which is an interrupt. When an on-going routine is interrupted it is stored in a stack in the PC-register 24 for recall and completion after interruption.
TABLE IV______________________________________UPSIDE DOWN INTERRUPT ROUTINE______________________________________(1) REACTION X:Hey I'm upside down.[Oh-Oh] [You're / upside down].[(sig. phrase)] [I don't like / standing on my head].(2) REQUEST X (Position Sensor):Please Turn me over[Aw C'mon!](3) POSITIVE RESPONSE X (Not down):Whew That's / much better![(sigh)] [Thanks so much / I feel a lot better](4) NEGATlVE RESPONSE X (Down):[Aw c'mon] Being upside down / makes me dizzy.[Hey] [Please! / Turn me over!][(sig. phrase)] [Y'know what? / I'm still / standingon my head].(5) REACTION Y (Position Sensor):[Hey] [That's / great!] I just love Standing on my head.[(giggle)] [Do that again!] [I really like](6) NEGATIVE RESPONSE Y (Down):[Hey That's enough![Aw C'mon!] [I'm still / standing on my head].[Ok] [I don't like / standing on my head].[(sig. phrase)][Excuse me]. . . please / turn me over. / Ok?(7) THIRSTY COMMENT:Wow! [All this] / standing on my head /makes me awfully thirsty.[whew][Y'know what?][Hey][(sig. phrase)]______________________________________
In this routine the position of the doll being head down is sensed by sensor 36, and an interrupt signal is received at data port 35. The on-going routine will be interrupted and pushed down in the PC-register stack, then the routine of Table IV will be executed.
The foregoing described the logic and operation within each individual doll and how each doll may be a speaker or a responder (B or C). A single doll may be a responder in relation to a narrative from a recording medium.
Referring now to FIG. 6, it depicts a magnetic tape player exemplified by broken line 40, which includs a stereo player with a stereo tape cassette therein (not shown). Recorded on channel of the tape cassette designated by the numeral 41, is a story or narrative, for example, "Goldilocks And The Three Bears". Recorded on channel II designated by the numeral 42 are binary signals to be transmitted. The narrative will be converted to analog output by a conventional audio section 43 and applied to a speaker 44. The speaker 44 will broadcast the audio signals which will relate the recorded narrative with suitable pauses, for purposes hereinafter described.
On channel 42 are binary signals which will tell a doll that:
1. It is a "C" doll;
2. Identify a concatenation list entry;
3. A response which is:
a. speak first speech entry in a specified routine;
b. pick a random entry from a session;
c. randomly choose from concatenation list.
The binary signals on channel 42 may be a two byte signal of eight bits each, which will tell a doll it will be a "C" doll, and not a speaker ("A" doll) or a primary responder ("B" doll). This binary signal will be repeated at intervals which will keep the doll from going into a HRE event, as previously described, or initiating a single doll sequence, as set forth in Table IV. In other words, the doll's responses are made subservient to the narration.
The binary signals from channel 42 are applied to an encoder 45, which may be a frequency shift encoder generating one frequency for binary "1" and another frequency for binary "0". Such signals are RF transmitted by transmitter 46 and an antenna 47 to a receiving doll.
The transceiver 15 of a doll will receive such signal and forward it via data port 34 to RAM 26 for interpretation.
The vocabulary and concatenation list set forth in Table III is only partial and set forth for one routine of two or more interacting dolls, for purposes of exemplifying the routine of Table II.
The vocabulary and concatenation list may also include the following, which is set forth for particular narraitve or story:
TABLE V______________________________________ADDRESS PHRASE______________________________________300 Porridge301 I prefer302 Bean soup______________________________________
Assume the narrative is one of "Goldilocks And The Three Bears, and a bear says, "Someone has eaten my porridge", channel 42 may have encoded thereon a code which includes the following instructions:
a. Do not become an "A" or "B" doll;
b. Concantenate address 78 (I really like) address and address 300 (porridge);
a. Do not become an "A" or "B" doll;
b. Concatenate address 301 (I prefer) and address 302 (bean soup).
Channel 42 of the tape may be programmed to address various terms of vocabulary in ROM 12 or randomly select appropriate responses as desired.
The vocabulary of ROM 12 is limited only by economic considerations, i.e., the amount to be invested in the storage capacity.
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, where the doll is under control of a video screen. A television set 50 receives an input from a video tape cassette on a video cassette recorder (VCR) 51 of from a broadcast on video cable or from antenna; only the VCR 51 is shown. Recorded on the tape or included in the broadcast are light signals indicative of binary bytes, which are to be transmitted to a doll. The light signals are detected by a photoelectric sensor 52 and applied to a binary encoder 53. The encoder 53 then supplies the binary bytes to a transmitter 54 which transmits a binary encoded RF signal through an antenna 55 to a doll. The transmission is the same as that described in conjunction with FIG. 6. It will be understood that the elements 52, 53, 54 and 55 of FIG. 7 may be contained in one module.
It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth, as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for purposes of disclosure, modification of the disclosed embodiments of the invention, as well as other embodiments thereof, may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the intended claims are intended to cover all of the embodiments of the invention and modifications to the disclosed embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|18 May 1962
|10 Aug 1965
|Marx & Co Louis
|Animated talking toy with built-in recorder
|15 Dec 1964
|29 Nov 1966
|Life Like Doll
|Talking doll having synchronized mouth movement
|14 Sep 1970
|22 Aug 1972
|Noll Evelyn
|Electronically and manually animated talking doll
|10 Aug 1970
|29 Aug 1972
|Claude A Bedjai
|Electronic remote control device utilizing modulated transmission of magnetically recorded signals filtered in a receiver
|7 Jun 1976
|21 Mar 1978
|Chase Arthur B
|Synchronized tape slide projector control system
|4 Oct 1976
|10 Oct 1978
|Brilakis Antony A
|Programmable question and answer device
|28 Sep 1979
|11 Aug 1981
|Ideal Toy Corporation
|Mechanical sound mechanism
|3 Feb 1982
|29 May 1984
|Mattel, Inc.
|Interactive communicating toy figure device
|25 May 1982
|3 Jul 1984
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Electronic learning aid for providing sequencing and spelling exercises
|1 Jun 1983
|30 Oct 1984
|Anderson Howard M
|Wrist watch weather radio
|27 Jan 1982
|14 May 1985
|Ergoplic Ltd., An Israel Company
|Speaking toy employing chordic input
|15 Mar 1985
|10 Feb 1987
|Milton Bradley International, Inc.
|Animated display controlled by an audio device
|29 Jul 1985
|21 Apr 1987
|Brandt Gordon C
|Animation system for walk-around costumes
|7 Feb 1986
|29 Sep 1987
|Worlds Of Wonder, Inc.
|Speaking toy doll
|24 Dec 1985
|8 Mar 1988
|Nintendo Co., Ltd.
|Robot-like game apparatus
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|5 May 1988
|8 May 1990
|Cal R & D, Inc.
|Interactive talking toy
|22 Oct 1990
|17 Dec 1991
|Steven Lebensfeld
|Toy action figures and speech and sound effects accessory therefor
|15 Nov 1990
|3 Mar 1992
|Steven Lebensfeld
|Toy audio device
|6 Jul 1990
|24 Mar 1992
|Michael Yang
|Method for remotely controlling a video game system of a video game apparatus
|7 Feb 1991
|8 Sep 1992
|Goldfarb Adolph E
|Multiple choice verbal sound toy
|11 Dec 1991
|15 Sep 1992
|Toymax Inc.
|Toy audio device
|15 Apr 1991
|27 Oct 1992
|Elliott A. Rudell
|Light activated doll
|17 Jan 1990
|2 Mar 1993
|The Drummer Group
|Interrelational audio kinetic entertainment system
|6 Jul 1988
|25 May 1993
|Robert Sherman
|System for communication using a broadcast audio signal
|8 May 1992
|25 Jan 1994
|Toy Biz, Inc.
|Learning doll
|24 Nov 1992
|31 Jan 1995
|Mr. Fun Guy, Inc.
|Modular device for playing pranks
|1 Aug 1994
|22 Aug 1995
|Jurmain; Richard N.
|Infant simulation system for pregnancy deterrence and child care training
|29 Jul 1994
|20 Feb 1996
|The Walt Disney Company
|Method and apparatus for remote synchronization of audio, lighting, animation and special effects
|22 Jun 1995
|18 Feb 1997
|Rothschild; Omri
|Doll assembly
|22 Nov 1994
|15 Jul 1997
|Martin; Frank A.
|Interchangeable sound effect device
|28 Sep 1995
|12 Aug 1997
|Microsoft Corporation
|Video and radio controlled moving and talking device
|29 Jul 1994
|31 Mar 1998
|Seiko Communications Holding N.V.
|Education and entertainment device with dynamic configuration and operation
|7 Feb 1997
|26 Jan 1999
|Braun; Ori
|Multi-speaker storytelling system
|30 Jan 1997
|16 Mar 1999
|Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
|Voice recognition and voice response apparatus using speech period start point and termination point
|30 Jun 1997
|15 Jun 1999
|Microsoft Corporation
|System and method for detecting a relative change in light intensity
|4 Feb 1997
|2 Nov 1999
|Microsoft Corporation
|System and method for substituting an animated character when a remote control physical character is unavailable
|20 Nov 1997
|8 Feb 2000
|Creator Ltd.
|Interactive doll
|8 Aug 1997
|7 Mar 2000
|Del Castillo; Leonardo
|System and method for creating movement utilizing a servo mechanism with a self-aligning clutch
|14 Dec 1998
|4 Apr 2000
|Martin; Frank A.
|Interchangeable sound effect device
|26 May 1998
|11 Apr 2000
|Bailey; William V.
|Doll simulating adaptive infant behavior
|20 Jun 1997
|18 Apr 2000
|Nasco International, Inc.
|Infant simulation device and method therefore
|26 May 1998
|2 May 2000
|Larian; Isaac
|Toy character with electronic activities-oriented game unit
|4 Feb 1997
|23 May 2000
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method for generating mouth features of an animated or physical character
|1 May 1998
|24 Oct 2000
|Klimpert; Randall Jon
|Interactive talking doll
|15 Dec 1998
|21 Nov 2000
|Tiger Electronics, Ltd.
|Interactive toy
|19 May 1998
|12 Dec 2000
|Creator Ltd
|Interactive toy
|17 Apr 1998
|27 Mar 2001
|Creator Ltd.
|Programmable assembly toy
|27 Jan 1999
|29 May 2001
|Technovation Australia Pty Ltd
|Electronic interactive puppet
|29 Mar 1999
|24 Jul 2001
|Tri-State (Far East Corporation
|Communicating toy
|17 Apr 1998
|18 Sep 2001
|Creator, Ltd.
|Interactive talking toy
|10 Oct 2000
|30 Oct 2001
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|4 Feb 1997
|13 Nov 2001
|Microsoft Corporation
|Controller and associated mechanical characters operable for continuously performing received control data while engaging in bidirectional communications over a single communications channel
|17 Apr 1998
|5 Mar 2002
|Creator, Ltd.
|Techniques and apparatus for entertainment sites, amusement parks and other information and/or entertainment dispensing sites
|12 Feb 1999
|5 Mar 2002
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method for simultaneously controlling multiple devices using a single communication channel
|10 Oct 2000
|19 Mar 2002
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|15 Feb 2000
|26 Mar 2002
|Bill Goodman Consulting, Llc
|RF identification system for use in toys
|8 Mar 2000
|2 Apr 2002
|Bill Goodman Consulting Llc
|RF identification system for use in toys
|4 Aug 2000
|16 Apr 2002
|Mattel, Inc.
|Plush animal figure having moving ears and nose
|24 Jul 2001
|23 Apr 2002
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|4 Feb 1997
|2 Jul 2002
|Microsoft Corporation
|Protocol for a wireless control system
|8 Dec 1997
|6 Aug 2002
|Btio Educational Products, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|3 Aug 2001
|10 Sep 2002
|Carlos D. B. Crump
|Memorial novelty doll device having integral sound producing means and kit and method for customizing the same
|13 Aug 2001
|24 Sep 2002
|Btio Educational Products, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|13 Jun 2001
|24 Sep 2002
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|4 May 1995
|29 Oct 2002
|Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
|Voice selection apparatus voice response apparatus, and game apparatus using word tables from which selected words are output as voice selections
|27 Oct 2000
|12 Nov 2002
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Systems and methods for generating and communicating motion data through a distributed network
|18 Jun 2001
|24 Dec 2002
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|8 Nov 2001
|24 Dec 2002
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|22 Oct 1999
|24 Dec 2002
|Hasbro, Inc.
|Interactive toy
|27 Feb 2001
|28 Jan 2003
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Distribution of motion control commands over a network
|22 Oct 1999
|4 Feb 2003
|David Mark Hampton
|Interactive toy
|10 Dec 2001
|4 Feb 2003
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control systems
|29 Sep 2000
|25 Feb 2003
|Nestec S.A.
|Interactive food packaging
|13 Aug 2001
|25 Mar 2003
|Btio Educational Products, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|22 Oct 1999
|25 Mar 2003
|Hasbro, Inc.
|Interactive toy
|21 Feb 2001
|1 Apr 2003
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Generation and distribution of motion commands over a distributed network
|2 Aug 2001
|8 Apr 2003
|Hasbro, Inc.
|Toy with skin coupled to movable part
|22 Oct 1999
|8 Apr 2003
|Hasbro, Inc.
|Interactive toy
|30 Mar 1999
|8 Apr 2003
|Moshe Fainmesser
|System and interface for controlling programmable toys
|28 Jun 2001
|22 Apr 2003
|Alexander V Smirnov
|Interacting toys
|30 Dec 1999
|29 Apr 2003
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method and system for decoding data in the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal
|4 May 2000
|27 May 2003
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Application programs for motion control devices including access limitations
|11 May 2001
|1 Jul 2003
|Alexander V Smirnov
|Talking toy
|4 Dec 1998
|12 Aug 2003
|Realityworks, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|12 May 2000
|19 Aug 2003
|Beepcard Inc.
|Physical presence digital authentication system
|30 Aug 2001
|9 Sep 2003
|Joseph W. Geopfert
|Vocal training device
|14 Sep 2000
|7 Oct 2003
|Aidentity Matrix
|Smart toys
|22 Jul 2002
|4 Nov 2003
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|22 Jun 2001
|27 Jan 2004
|Tomy Company, Ltd.
|Interactive toy, reaction behavior pattern generating device, and reaction behavior pattern generating method
|4 Feb 2000
|24 Feb 2004
|Mattel, Inc.
|Talking book
|10 Sep 2001
|2 Mar 2004
|The Aristotle Corporation
|Infant simulation device and method therefore
|13 Nov 2000
|9 Mar 2004
|All Season Toys, Inc.
|Amusement device
|30 Dec 1999
|9 Mar 2004
|Microsoft Corporation
|System and method of adaptive timing estimation for horizontal overscan data
|22 Feb 2000
|4 May 2004
|Disney Enterprises, Inc.
|Interactive character system
|5 Feb 2001
|18 May 2004
|All Season Toys, Inc.
|Amusement device
|16 Feb 2000
|18 May 2004
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|30 Jun 1997
|25 May 2004
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method and system for encoding data in the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal
|11 Feb 2000
|6 Jul 2004
|Gerald S. Karr
|Acoustic signaling system
|1 Apr 1999
|20 Jul 2004
|Custom One Design, Inc.
|Method for spread spectrum communication of supplemental information
|8 Feb 2002
|10 Aug 2004
|Hasbro, Inc.
|Toy figure for use with multiple, different game systems
|12 Feb 2002
|21 Sep 2004
|Mattel, Inc.
|Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll
|22 Nov 2000
|9 Nov 2004
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Interactive communications appliance
|27 May 2003
|22 Feb 2005
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Application programs for motion control devices including access limitations
|20 May 2002
|26 Apr 2005
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Event driven motion systems
|30 Dec 1999
|30 Aug 2005
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method and system for downloading and storing interactive device content using the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal
|7 Aug 2000
|6 Sep 2005
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control system and method
|23 Jun 2000
|25 Oct 2005
|Creator Ltd.
|Interactive toy
|9 Jun 2004
|24 Jan 2006
|Mattel, Inc.
|Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll
|30 Jan 2001
|31 Jan 2006
|Mattel Inc.
|Expression-varying device
|19 Aug 2004
|4 Apr 2006
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Event driven motion systems
|28 Jan 2003
|4 Apr 2006
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control systems and methods
|11 Feb 2002
|18 Apr 2006
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Event management systems and methods for the distribution of motion control commands
|6 Jan 2004
|25 Apr 2006
|Mattel, Inc.
|Talking book and interactive talking toy figure
|9 Sep 2003
|27 Jun 2006
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive talking dolls
|21 Apr 2000
|25 Jul 2006
|Hasbro, Inc.
|Toy figure for use with multiple, different game systems
|29 Apr 2004
|14 Nov 2006
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control systems and methods
|16 Jul 2003
|21 Nov 2006
|Carr Sandra L
|Interactive three-dimensional multimedia I/O device for a computer
|10 Dec 2001
|21 Nov 2006
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|System and methods for generating and communicating motion data through a distributed network
|30 Dec 1999
|12 Dec 2006
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method and system for downloading, storing and displaying coupon data using the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal
|16 Sep 1998
|27 Feb 2007
|Beep Card Inc.
|Control of toys and devices by sounds
|13 Jul 2002
|15 May 2007
|Snk Playmore Corporation
|Game machine and game system
|16 Nov 1999
|21 Aug 2007
|Beepcard Ltd.
|Personal communicator authentication
|10 May 2001
|9 Oct 2007
|Beepcard Ltd.
|Sonic/ultrasonic authentication device
|4 Oct 1999
|26 Feb 2008
|Beepcard Ltd.
|Card for interaction with a computer
|1 Oct 1999
|3 Jun 2008
|Beepcard Ltd.
|Method to use acoustic signals for computer communications
|26 Oct 2000
|28 Oct 2008
|Sega Toys Ltd.
|Electronic toy, control method thereof, and storage medium
|30 Nov 2001
|2 Dec 2008
|Intrasonics Limited
|System and method for shaping a data signal for embedding within an audio signal
|11 May 2005
|13 Jan 2009
|Buresift Data Ltd. Llc
|Method and system for downloading and storing interactive device content using the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal
|25 Jan 2006
|20 Jan 2009
|Beepcard Inc.
|Computer communications using acoustic signals
|31 Jul 2000
|17 Mar 2009
|Intrasonics Limited
|Acoustic communication system
|16 Sep 1999
|4 Aug 2009
|Beepcard Ltd.
|Interactive toys
|14 Jul 2003
|27 Apr 2010
|Beepcard Ltd.
|Physical presence digital authentication system
|14 Sep 2010
|Intrasonics Limited
|Signalling system
|30 Nov 2001
|14 Sep 2010
|Intrasonics S.A.R.L.
|Communication system for receiving and transmitting data using an acoustic data channel
|23 Sep 2004
|19 Oct 2010
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Interactive communications appliance
|14 Dec 2010
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Remote generation and distribution of command programs for programmable devices
|11 Jan 2011
|Mga Entertainment, Inc.
|Interactive game system using game data encoded within a video signal
|8 Feb 2011
|Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
|Multimedia method and system for interaction between a screen-based host and various distributed and free-styled information containing items, and an information containing item for use with such system
|11 Sep 2006
|8 Feb 2011
|Mattel, Inc.
|Video game systems
|8 Mar 2011
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Event management systems and methods for motion control systems
|18 Nov 2008
|10 May 2011
|Beepcard Inc.
|Computer communications using acoustic signals
|15 Sep 2010
|24 May 2011
|Furn Roberts
|Figurine with selectable audio and visual perception
|18 Sep 2007
|13 Sep 2011
|Dialware Inc.
|Sonic/ultrasonic authentication method
|27 Sep 2011
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Database event driven motion systems
|4 Oct 2011
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Generation and distribution of motion commands over a distributed network
|22 Nov 2011
|Dialware Inc.
|Interactive toys
|6 Dec 2011
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control systems
|1 Apr 2010
|13 Dec 2011
|Dialware Inc.
|Physical presence digital authentication system
|29 Jun 2009
|24 Jan 2012
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Data routing systems and methods
|22 Jun 2007
|31 Jan 2012
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|31 Jan 2012
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|8 May 2012
|Health Hero Network, Inc.
|Programmable interactive talking device
|22 May 2012
|Intrasonics S.A.R.L.
|Communication system
|23 Dec 2002
|21 Aug 2012
|Intrasonics S.A.R.L.
|Captioning system
|18 Sep 2012
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control systems
|25 Dec 2012
|Verance Corporation
|Methods and apparatus for thwarting watermark detection circumvention
|1 Jan 2013
|Verance Corporation
|Efficient and secure forensic marking in compressed domain
|24 Aug 2009
|15 Jan 2013
|Boyer Stephen W
|Light, sound, and motion receiver devices
|13 Mar 2003
|9 Apr 2013
|Realityworks, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|23 Apr 2013
|Dialware Inc.
|Interactive toys
|21 May 2013
|Dialware Inc.
|System and method for identifying and/or authenticating a source of received electronic data by digital signal processing and/or voice authentication
|30 Jan 2012
|28 May 2013
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|12 Dec 2011
|13 Aug 2013
|Dialware Inc.
|Physical presence digital authentication system
|3 Nov 2011
|10 Sep 2013
|Verance Corporation
|Extraction of embedded watermarks from a host content based on extrapolation techniques
|27 Dec 2010
|17 Sep 2013
|Jonathan Bradbury
|Video game system and methods of operating a video game
|4 Sep 2012
|17 Sep 2013
|Verance Corporation
|Asymmetric watermark embedding/extraction
|10 Jan 2008
|1 Oct 2013
|Dialware Inc.
|Card for interaction with a computer
|29 Aug 2011
|1 Oct 2013
|Verance Corporation
|Forensic marking using a common customization function
|14 Sep 2011
|15 Oct 2013
|Intrasonics S.A.R.L.
|Data embedding system
|25 Nov 2009
|29 Oct 2013
|Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|19 Dec 2008
|5 Nov 2013
|Robert Bosch Gmbh
|Method of wireless communication using authentication information
|29 Sep 2009
|10 Dec 2013
|May Patents Ltd.
|Puzzle with conductive path
|3 Nov 2011
|24 Dec 2013
|Verance Corporation
|Watermark extraction based on tentative watermarks
|8 Oct 2010
|4 Mar 2014
|Mattel, Inc.
|Toy figures having multiple cam-actuated moving parts
|17 Dec 2012
|25 Mar 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Efficient and secure forensic marking in compressed domain
|3 Nov 2011
|25 Mar 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Efficient extraction of embedded watermarks in the presence of host content distortions
|6 Aug 2009
|6 May 2014
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive device with sound-based action synchronization
|13 Sep 2012
|13 May 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Time varying evaluation of multimedia content
|23 Nov 2011
|3 Jun 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Enhanced content management based on watermark extraction records
|20 Nov 2012
|3 Jun 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Pre-processed information embedding system
|7 Jul 2006
|15 Jul 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Watermarking in an encrypted domain
|24 May 2013
|29 Jul 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|10 May 2010
|12 Aug 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Media monitoring, management and information system
|4 Sep 2012
|19 Aug 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Circumvention of watermark analysis in a host content
|30 Apr 2010
|2 Sep 2014
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive device with sound-based action synchronization
|5 Apr 2011
|16 Sep 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Watermark extraction and content screening in a networked environment
|5 Apr 2011
|16 Sep 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Content access management using extracted watermark information
|10 Feb 2014
|23 Sep 2014
|Dialware Inc.
|Physical presence digital authentication system
|13 Sep 2012
|21 Oct 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Second screen content
|26 May 2011
|16 Dec 2014
|Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|21 May 2012
|16 Dec 2014
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Synchronized multiple device audio playback and interaction
|3 Nov 2011
|30 Dec 2014
|Verance Corporation
|Extraction of embedded watermarks from a host content using a plurality of tentative watermarks
|11 Apr 2011
|13 Jan 2015
|Dialware Inc.
|Electronic device and method of configuring thereof
|5 Nov 2012
|10 Feb 2015
|May Patents Ltd.
|Puzzle with conductive path
|26 Sep 2013
|14 Apr 2015
|Verance Corporation
|Forensic marking using a common customization function
|12 Feb 2014
|30 Jun 2015
|letronix, Inc.
|Interactive talking dolls
|8 Feb 2013
|11 Aug 2015
|Verance Corporation
|Enhanced content distribution using advertisements
|2 Jun 2014
|25 Aug 2015
|Verance Corporation
|Pre-processed information embedding system
|19 Aug 2011
|29 Sep 2015
|Mattel, Inc.
|Toy with locating feature
|15 Aug 2014
|6 Oct 2015
|Verance Corporation
|Circumvention of watermark analysis in a host content
|17 May 2011
|10 Nov 2015
|Activision Publishing, Inc.
|Conditional access to areas in a video game
|28 Jul 2014
|17 Nov 2015
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|25 Oct 2013
|8 Dec 2015
|Verance Corporation
|Content management using multiple abstraction layers
|22 Sep 2003
|22 Dec 2015
|Method and system for remotely authenticating identification devices
|23 Jul 2013
|2 Feb 2016
|Verance Corporation
|Watermark extractor enhancements based on payload ranking
|14 Mar 2014
|16 Feb 2016
|Verance Corporation
|Transactional video marking system
|13 Oct 2010
|1 Mar 2016
|Dialware Inc.
|Interactive toys
|2 May 2014
|22 Mar 2016
|Yehuda Binder
|Sequentially operated modules
|13 Dec 2011
|26 Apr 2016
|Verance Corporation
|Conditional access using embedded watermarks
|23 Sep 2013
|7 Jun 2016
|Dialware Inc.
|Card for interaction with a computer
|14 Nov 2014
|28 Jun 2016
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Synchronized multiple device audio playback and interaction
|17 May 2011
|5 Jul 2016
|Activision Publishing, Inc.
|Interactive video game using game-related physical objects for conducting gameplay
|30 Sep 2015
|5 Jul 2016
|Activision Publishing, Inc.
|Interactive video game with visual lighting effects
|22 Feb 2016
|19 Jul 2016
|Activision Publishing, Inc.
|Interactive video game with visual lighting effects
|23 Feb 2016
|2 Aug 2016
|Activision Publishing, Inc.
|Interactive video game with visual lighting effects
|27 Apr 2015
|16 Aug 2016
|Littlebits Electronics Inc.
|Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same
|12 Oct 2012
|23 Aug 2016
|Hallmark Cards Incorporated
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|9 Feb 2001
|18 Oct 2001
|Brown Stephen J.
|Remote generation and distribution of command programs for programmable devices
|15 May 2001
|7 Mar 2002
|Bernd Heisele
|Interactive toy system
|13 Nov 2001
|11 Apr 2002
|U.S. Philips Corporation
|Multimedia method and system for interaction between a screen-based host and various distributed and free-styled information containing items, and an information containing item for use with such system
|16 Aug 2001
|16 May 2002
|Lg Electronics Inc.
|Apparatus and method for operating toys through computer communication
|12 Feb 2002
|15 Aug 2002
|Mattel, Inc.
|Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll
|4 Jan 2002
|24 Oct 2002
|Brown David W.
|Systems and methods for transmitting motion control data
|11 Feb 2002
|7 Nov 2002
|Brown David W.
|Event management systems and methods for the distribution of motion control commands
|10 May 2001
|14 Nov 2002
|Comsense Technologies Ltd.
|Sonic/ultrasonic authentication device
|13 Jul 2002
|27 Mar 2003
|Takashi Nishiyama
|Game machine and game system
|3 Sep 2002
|10 Apr 2003
|Brown David W.
|Motion services protocol accessible through uniform resource locator (URL)
|28 Feb 2003
|28 Aug 2003
|Pratte Warren D.
|Interactive toy and method of control thereof
|14 Jul 2003
|19 Feb 2004
|Alon Atsmon
|Physical presence digital authentication system
|13 Mar 2003
|22 Apr 2004
|Jurmain Richard N.
|Infant simulator
|9 Sep 2003
|29 Apr 2004
|Fong Peter Sui Lun
|Interactive talking dolls
|16 Jul 2003
|27 May 2004
|Carr Sandra L.
|Interactive three-dimensional multimedia i/o device for a computer
|12 Dec 2002
|17 Jun 2004
|Boudreau Paul A.
|Data enhanced multi-media system for a set-top terminal
|12 Dec 2002
|17 Jun 2004
|Boudreau Paul A.
|Data enhanced multi-media system for an external device
|30 Nov 2001
|15 Jul 2004
|Jones Aled Wynne
|Communication system
|14 May 2002
|26 Aug 2004
|Stienstra Marcelle Andrea
|Device for interacting with real-time streams of content
|5 Mar 2004
|2 Sep 2004
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|6 Jan 2004
|30 Sep 2004
|Mattel, Inc.
|Talking book and interactive talking toy figure
|10 Mar 2004
|7 Oct 2004
|Driscoll Robert W.
|Interactive character system
|12 May 2004
|28 Oct 2004
|4Kids Entertainment Licensing, Inc.
|Object recognition toys and games
|10 May 2001
|4 Nov 2004
|Comsense Technologies Ltd.
|Sonic/ultrasonic authentication device
|14 May 2003
|18 Nov 2004
|Beck Stephen C.
|Object recognition toys and games
|9 Jun 2004
|16 Dec 2004
|William Willett
|Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll
|21 Oct 2004
|10 Mar 2005
|Scientific Generics Limited
|Signalling system
|23 Sep 2004
|19 May 2005
|Knowledge Kids Enterprises, Inc.
|Interactive communications appliance
|28 Jan 2005
|26 May 2005
|Brown Stephen J.
|Remote generation and distribution of command programs for programmable devices
|17 Nov 2004
|16 Jun 2005
|Brown David W.
|Command processing systems and methods
|2 Jan 2004
|7 Jul 2005
|Stephen Lister
|Interactive command-repeater toy system
|11 May 2005
|15 Sep 2005
|Microsoft Corporation
|Method and system for downloading and storing interactive device content using the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal
|30 Nov 2001
|6 Oct 2005
|Jones Aled W
|Acoustic communication system
|23 Dec 2002
|13 Oct 2005
|Hosking Ian M
|Captioning system
|18 Aug 2005
|12 Jan 2006
|Fong Peter S L
|Interactive talking dolls
|12 May 2004
|23 Mar 2006
|Brown David W
|Data routing systems and methods
|25 Jan 2006
|22 Jun 2006
|Beepcard, Inc.
|Computer communications using acoustic signals
|3 May 2006
|26 Oct 2006
|Brown David W
|Motion control systems and methods
|4 May 2006
|2 Nov 2006
|Brown David W
|Motion control systems
|14 Jun 2006
|14 Dec 2006
|Brown David W
|Motion control systems
|28 Apr 2006
|22 Mar 2007
|Jean-Daniel Pages
|System for reproducing sound
|7 Jul 2006
|17 May 2007
|Verance Corporation
|Watermarking in an encrypted domain
|8 Jun 2007
|4 Oct 2007
|Reohr John Iii
|Virtualized network
|22 Jun 2007
|25 Oct 2007
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|18 May 2007
|13 Dec 2007
|Mga Entertainment, Inc.
|Interactive game system using game data encoded within a video signal
|23 Mar 2007
|17 Jan 2008
|Vladimir Sosnovskiy
|Doll system with resonant recognition
|10 Dec 2002
|6 Nov 2008
|Brown David W
|Motion control systems
|21 Jan 2004
|6 Nov 2008
|Brown David W
|Motion control systems
|29 Sep 2008
|29 Jan 2009
|Brown Stephen J
|Remote Generation and distribution of command programs for programmable devices
|3 Nov 2008
|5 Mar 2009
|Brown Stephen J
|System and/or method for audibly prompting a patient with a motion device
|2 Oct 2008
|18 Jun 2009
|Brown David W
|Motion Control Systems
|23 Feb 2009
|18 Jun 2009
|Brown Stephen J
|System and/or method for generating a script relating to a medical task involving motion with a device
|18 Mar 2009
|29 Oct 2009
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Motion control systems
|5 Nov 2009
|Brown Stephen J
|Programmable interactive talking device
|24 Aug 2009
|4 Mar 2010
|Boyer Stephen W
|Light, sound, & motion receiver devices
|11 Sep 2009
|11 Mar 2010
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Database event driven motion systems
|14 Nov 2008
|27 May 2010
|Brown David W
|Data Collection Systems and Methods for Motion Control
|26 Mar 2007
|27 May 2010
|Brown David W
|Event management systems and methods for motion control systems
|24 Aug 2009
|27 May 2010
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Event Driven Motion Systems
|19 Dec 2008
|24 Jun 2010
|Robert Bosch Gmbh
|Method of wireless communication using authentication information
|20 May 2010
|9 Sep 2010
|Verance Corporation
|Media monitoring, management and information system
|23 Sep 2010
|Intrasonics Limited
|Communication system
|11 Nov 2010
|Verance Corporation
|Media monitoring, management and information system
|6 Jan 2011
|Furn Roberts
|Figurine with Selectable Audio and Visual Perception
|20 Jul 2009
|3 Feb 2011
|Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
|Method and System for Providing Content for Learning Appliances Over an Electronic Communication Medium
|10 Feb 2011
|Yehuda Binder
|Puzzle with conductive path
|30 Apr 2010
|10 Feb 2011
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive Device with Sound-Based Action Synchronization
|6 Aug 2009
|10 Feb 2011
|Peter Sui Lun Fong
|Interactive device with sound-based action synchronization
|24 Mar 2011
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|26 May 2011
|Garbos Jennifer R
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|29 May 2009
|26 May 2011
|Peter Kelly
|Data embedding system
|28 Jul 2011
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|Systems and Methods for Communicating With Motion Control Systems and Devices
|15 Sep 2011
|Garbos Jennifer R
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|29 Sep 2011
|Nelson Gutierrez
|My Best Friend Doll
|8 Dec 2011
|Roy-G-Biv Corporation
|System and/or Method for Audibly Prompting a Patient with a Motion Device
|21 Mar 2013
|Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|2 Jul 2013
|31 Oct 2013
|Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|6 Jun 2013
|11 Dec 2014
|HLL Design, Inc.
|Collapsible plush pillow toy with sound trigger
|15 Dec 2014
|9 Apr 2015
|Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
|Context-based interactive plush toy
|3 Jul 2012
|Joby-Rome Otero
|Video game peripheral detection device
|17 Jun 1997
|11 Jul 2000
|Baby Think It Over, Inc.
|Infant simulation system for pregnancy deterrence and child care training
|5 Aug 2004
|21 Aug 2007
|Realityworks, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|27 Apr 1993
|11 Aug 1994
|Eyewhy Toys Ltd
|Activation of a toy device
|6 Jun 1995
|12 Dec 1996
|Siemens Ag
|Interaktives Spielsystem und hierf�r geeignetes Spielzeug
|22 Oct 1991
|29 Apr 1992
|Hung Wai Ma
|Toy action figures and speech and sound effects accessory therefor
|7 Apr 1992
|14 Oct 1992
|Info Telecom
|Method and means for materialising a virtual interaction between an objectand an information stand
|9 May 1995
|22 Nov 1995
|Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
|Voice operated game apparatus
|29 Mar 1996
|2 Oct 1996
|Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
|Voice recognition device, reaction device, reaction selection device, and reaction toy using them
|1 Apr 2000
|12 Jun 2002
|Custom One Design, Inc.
|Systems and methods for spread spectrum communication of supplemental information
|15 Jan 1991
|25 Jul 1991
|The Drummer Group
|Interrelational audio kinetic entertainment system
|18 Oct 1993
|28 Apr 1994
|Jeffrey Scott Jani
|Video and radio controlled moving and talking device
|20 Jul 1995
|8 Feb 1996
|Austel Licensing Gmbh
|Interactive system with programmable toys
|28 Jul 1995
|15 Feb 1996
|Seiko Communications Holding N.V.
|Education and entertainment device with dynamic configuration and operation
|30 May 1996
|12 Dec 1996
|Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
|Interactive play system and toy suitable therefor
|20 Nov 1996
|29 May 1997
|Creator Ltd.
|19 May 1998
|26 Nov 1998
|Creator Ltd.
|Programmable assembly toy
|7 Oct 1998
|15 Apr 1999
|Health Hero Network, Inc.
|Remotely programmable talking toy
|4 Dec 1998
|17 Jun 1999
|Baby Think It Over, Inc.
|Infant simulator
|15 Apr 1999
|28 Oct 1999
|Creator Ltd.
|Interactive toy
|20 May 1999
|25 Nov 1999
|Creator Ltd.
|16 Sep 1999
|23 Mar 2000
|Comsense Technologies, Ltd.
|Interactive toys
|10 Nov 1999
|10 Aug 2000
|Mattel, Inc.
|Cooperating doll pair having one doll providing speech for the other
|1 Feb 2001
|23 Aug 2001
|Verance Corporation
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|1 Feb 2001
|24 Jan 2002
|Verance Corp
|Remote control signaling using audio watermarks
|14 Mar 2001
|20 Sep 2001
|Creator Ltd.
|Networked interactive toy system
|14 Mar 2001
|20 Jun 2002
|Creator Ltd
|Networked interactive toy system
|28 Jun 2001
|10 Jan 2002
|Smirnov Alexander V
|Interacting toys
|25 Sep 2003
|8 Apr 2004
|Bergson Stolnicki Sergio
|Tuning system for tv signal reception and amplification and method of interacting an electronic remote device with a tuning system
|25 Sep 2003
|27 May 2004
|Stolnicki Sergio Bergson
|Tuning system for tv signal reception and amplification and method of interacting an electronic remote device with a tuning system
|1 Apr 2003
|14 Oct 2004
|Bernward Brokamp
|Function-controllable article of practical use
|13 Jul 2010
|20 Jan 2011
|Yehuda Binder
|Sequentially operated modules
|3 Aug 2010
|10 Feb 2011
|May Patents Ltd.
|Puzzle with conductive path
|24 May 2012
|28 Nov 2013
|May Patents Ltd.
|System and method for a motion sensing device
|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|2 Dec 1987
Owner name: COLECO INDUSTRIES, INC., 999 QUAKER LANE, SOUTH, W
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ROSE, WILLIAM J.;REEL/FRAME:004798/0077
Effective date: 19871123
Owner name: COLECO INDUSTRIES, INC., 999 QUAKER LANE, SOUTH, W
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ROSE, WILLIAM J.;REEL/FRAME:004798/0077
Effective date: 19871123
|10 Aug 1988
Owner name: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION, NEW YORK
Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:COLECO INDUSTRIES, INC., DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION;SELCHOW & RIGHTER COMPANY, DEBTORS AND DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION;LAKESIDE INDUSTRIES, INC., DEBTORS AND DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION;REEL/FRAME:005050/0658
Effective date: 19880805
|25 Jul 1989
Owner name: HASBRO, INC., RHODE ISLAND
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:COLECO INDUSTRIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:005122/0870
Effective date: 19890712
|20 Oct 1992
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|12 Jul 1996
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|27 Dec 2000
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12
|27 Dec 2000
|Surcharge for late payment
Year of fee payment: 11
|9 Jan 2001
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed


text:
AAA Survey Finds Retail Gasoline Prices In Texas Up 2 Cents
(AP) – Retail gasoline prices across Texas are up 2 cents this week to reach an average $1.97 per gallon. AAA Texas on Thursday reported the nationwide price at the pump held steady this week at an average $2.21 per gallon. The association survey found Corpus Christi has the cheapest gasoline in Texas this week […]
UPDATE: Fatality Occurred On Platform
(AP) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says most of the injuries in the Hoboken train crash came from people aboard the train, not standing on the platform. However, Christie noted Thursday at a news conference that the one person who died was a woman who was standing on the platform and was struck by […]
Matthew Becomes A Hurricane In Caribbean
(AP)-Forecasters in Miami say Matthew has strengthened into a hurricane as the storm continues its westward trek across the eastern Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center said Matthew, previously a tropical storm, now has top sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) as of Thursday afternoon. It is moving westward at 17 mph (28 kph) and […]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Follow HitFix Follow @hitfix
Comedy Central officially renews 'Futurama' for two more seasons
An additional 26 episodes will premiere in 2012 and 2013
Comedy Central has officially confirmed last week's reports that the resurrected animated favorite "Futurama" will be back for two new seasons starting in 2012.
The renewal is for 26 new episodes, officially categorized as Season 7-A and 7-B. We're sure there's a perfectly good contractual reason why things are being categorized in this manner.
"We're very grateful to Comedy Central and Twentieth Television for this show of support," state series creator Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. "Our entire staff will celebrate tonight by going out and getting even drunker."
What the renewal means for fans is that there will be new episodes of "Futurama" premiering each of the next three summers. The 13-episode Season 6-B will premiere this summer on Thursday, June 23 at 10 p.m. The 7-A season will premiere in the summer of 2012 and the 7-B season will premiere in the summer of 2013.
"Successfully bringing the show back last summer was gratifying enough," states Comedy Central EVP David Bernath. "Now, being able to extend the series for two more years is beyond our expectations! The dedicated fans have spoken and we are excited to bring them 'Futurama' for the foreseeable future."
The complete vocal cast, including Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio, has signed on for the next 26 episodes, avoiding the sort of protracted negotiations that had fans freaking out two years ago.
"It is my great honor to be back with all my friends and colleagues," states West. "There's nothing better."
Adds DiMaggio helpfully, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner!"
"Futurama" returned last June, premiering its sixth season on Comedy Central seven years after its last original episode aired on FOX. Last summer's "Futurama" run averaged 2.5 million viewers per week, doing a 3.0 rating among men 18-34.
Want one more quote?
"Matt and David created one of the most brilliantly subversive animated comedies ever made in 'Futurama' and we consider its continued life on Comedy Central to be a huge victory for this studio," state TCFTV Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman. "This show is a tremendous labor of love for all concerned, from its talented voice cast to the incredible writers and animators who pour so much of themselves into every episode. And its fans are among the most loyal and passionate there are, so we're especially pleased to be able to promise them many more original episodes to look forward to in the years ahead."


text:
Unbelievably spacious, custom residence offers 5 bedroom suites each with private bath, luxurious first floor master suite with posh bath, striking great rm. w/stone fp & soaring ceiling accented w/ wood beams, spectacular kitchen w/custom cabs, finished lower level w/ private entrance w/full second kitchen, 2 bdrms, fp, custom bar and ample storage. 3.5 car garage, custom built ins throughout, enormous lot, professionally staged to perfection! Convenient location near shopping, dining, METRA, and expressway access.
† Excluded Feature
8600 Adria Court, Orland Park, IL, 60462 is a Single Family Home for sale at $839,000 with 6,264 sqft and a lot size of 98 98 X 171 X 34 X 129 X . 8600 Adria Court has 7 bedrooms and 7.1 baths. The property's zip code is 60462 which is in Orland Park, IL
Based on 20.00 % down and a 4.13 % financing rate
Includes Mortage, Insurance, and Tax payments
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. Real Estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Weichert Realtors are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo or the Broker Reciprocity thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the names of the listing brokers. Some properties which appear for sale on this website may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Copyright © 2016 Midwest Real Estate Data LLC.
Data is updated as of 9/29/2016.
Financial calculator disclaimer:
Default based on a 30-year fixed rate of 4.125% with 20% down. The estimated payment is offered for convenience and is not an offer of credit. Due to market fluctuations, interest rates are subject to change at any time and without notice. Your individual rate may vary. Rates may differ for FHA, VA or jumbo loans.


text:
Aaron Rodgers Decision Due Thursday
The Green Bay Packers don't practice until Thursday, but by then they will know whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return from a broken collarbone.
Rodgers said Tuesday on his ESPN Milwaukee radio show that he underwent another scan within the last 24 hours and a decision will be made before preparation resumes for Sunday's game at the Chicago Bears. The Packers are off on Wednesday for Christmas.
For more on this story visit: Rob Demovsky, ESPN


text:
AS THE Clinton administration moves toward providing some form of adequate health care for all, one of the president's more outspoken nominees for a major post in his administration is on public platforms reminding us: "We don't have a real system of health care. We have a lot of economists and health policy people trying to decide how much money it's going to cost to pay for a system that we don't have."
The speaker is Joycelyn Elders, MD, currently state health commissioner for Arkansas and Clinton's Surgeon General—designate of the US Public Health Service. Pending congressional confirmation, Elders is expected to take up her post by July 1. She gave one talk expounding her views during the fifth annual National Managed Health Care Congress, held in Washington, DC.
Elders' observations are of particular interest because it seems apparent that they will serve as an outline of her forthcoming agenda
Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.
Download citation file:
Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.
More Listings atJAMACareerCenter.com >
Enter your username and email address. We'll send you a link to reset your password.
Enter your username and email address. We'll send instructions on how to reset your password to the email address we have on record.
Need assistance?
Athens and Shibboleth are access management services that provide single sign-on to protected resources. They replace the multiple user names and passwords necessary to access subscription-based content with a single user name and password that can be entered once per session. It operates independently of a user's location or IP address. If your institution uses Athens or Shibboleth authentication, please contact your site administrator to receive your user name and password.


text:
Chanukah Lights Everywhere
What parents need to know
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this is a warm story of one family's Hanukkah celebration.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
What's the story?
A 5-year-old boy thinks about what Hanukkah means for his family.
Is it any good?
In this warm picture book, a 5-year-old boy sees the way his family's faith is reflected in their Hanukkah celebration. Melissa Iwai's acrylic paintings perfectly complement the cozy text. Domesticity through the eyes of a child is caught in the details -- son and father making a bed while mother peels potatoes, little sister giving her stuffed cat a bottle, a patchwork of kids' artwork hung on the refrigerator door.
The religious discussion is saved for the end of the book, where the author offers a brief explanation of the meaning of Hanukkah. Other holiday celebrations are mentioned casually as the narrator reflects on his friend's house, where Christmas candles shine in the windows. The emphasis on celebration and family makes this an appropriate book both for families who observe Hanukkah and those who are interested in their children learning more about it within the context of a simple, loving portrait of a family.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about similarities to their own holiday rituals. Does your extended family come to help celebrate? Do you have special foods or customs?
Jewish families might want to compare their own Hanukkah celebrations to those of the family in the book.
Book details
|Michael J. Rosen
|Bagram Ibatoulline, Melissa Iwai
|Picture Book
|Book type:
|Publication date:
|October 1, 2006
|Number of pages:
|Publisher's recommended age(s):
|3 - 7
About Our Rating System
Great handpicked alternatives
Folksy tale shares the miracle of simple things.age 4+
Award winner is perfect for holiday gift-giving.age 4+
Chanukah tale borrows Christmas melody -- oy.age 4+
For kids who love holidays
Browse more books
What parents and kids say
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.


text:
My my. "icky" ... One Ca. Town School Board purchased 14 Colt AR#$%$ "before" the SandyHook tragedy .. they took delivery a few days prior !!
HEY 'icky" .. it's California dummy .. they want AR-15's W/30 round mags to to protect their kids - They've got the most restrictive Gun Laws in the Nation - And only the "law abiding" comply with those laws ..
OH but perhaps the criminals have purchased some of THOSE THOUSANDS of weapons that Eric Holder's "Operation Fast & Furious" had sold & delivered to the Mexicans .. and may have been smuggled back into California and sold to the villians !!
I just hope that some of those weapons fell into the hands of those citizens that are using them to take their town back from "gangs and druglords"
There was one "icky type" that was shocked that she wasn't informed about the School Board's purchase .. she stated that "those bullets can riccochet and harm innocent children"
The reply to that was .. "so can a shooter's bullets, and these AR's can also pierce an "armored plated vest" too" !!
"icky" ... you're a dummy
Sentiment: Buy
How you see the need for schools to purchase AR-15s to defend themselves as some sort of victory is beyond me. I would prefer the school not need them, and I would prefer those children not live in communities where they may get shot. This is a failure, Jon. A reversion to the state of nature, a failure of our government and our civilization. People who need AR-15s to go to school or leave the house are not free. They live in fear.
Those guns from the Fast and Furious operation were purchased legally by straw buyers, Jon (Agents did not purchase them, they tracked the purchasers). It was illegal to smuggle them into Mexico, but it was not illegal for those gangs and druglords to purchase them in the United States. They did not need to smuggle them back into California from Mexico. If gangs and druglords in the United States want AR-15s, they merely need to go to Walmart and purchase them.
According to the BATF, 70% of the guns seized in Mexico from 2007 to 2011 were purchased legally in the US. We are creating and feeding the drug gang violence that make it necessary for schools in southern California to be armed with AR-15s. A situation which you seem very proud of.
In the past I would have thought a school purchasing guns to protect its students was goofy. Not anymore.
I think this country has been seized by a criminal element, possibly from a foreign nation, that is staging these shootings and killing scores of people, many of them White children, in order to take away our right to own guns. In order to seize complete control of our country.
The highly intelligent shooter in the Colorado movie shooting for example, Why would he do such a thing? It`s being claimed he is mentally ill but did you see the guy? He looked dazed, befuddled, like he didn`t know what was going on. How could he possibly have had the where with all to plan and so efficiently kill a theater full of people? It appeared more like a professional hit job, done by more than one person.
Same with Sandy Hook. A professional appearing hit job with more than one killer.
Schools need guns to protect themselves from what appears to me to be very well thought out attacks by professional killers under the hire of a criminal element staging a violent coup, in plain sight. With a front man who is most likely an illegal alien who hates this country`s White majority and is doing everything he possibly can to assist in its elimination.
"Oh you tricky tricky white boy"; when will you stop injecting race into every post you make. I agree that we are not getting the full story on many things that are going on. Benghazi is a prime example. We have not even been told why that facility existed. The US Consulate is not even in that city. If the truth were known, I suspect Obama would have to be put in jail.
"I think this country has been seized by a criminal element, possibly from a foreign nation…" – lavender
Ah, yes, we've long lived in fear of being taken over by that powerhouse, Kenya. Or did you have someone else in mind?
"…staging these shootings and killing scores of people, many of them White children, in order to take away our right to own guns…"
Suggesting that the recent tragedies are a cover for another of your mindless conspiracies, reveals that you are, obviously, a very troubled individual, simply ranting in the middle of the night. Either that, or, more likely, just another racist demagogue pandering your prejudices to like minded, uneducated and frightened people looking for an easy scapegoat. Either way, you are a prime example of why a certain segment of society should not be permitted to own firearms. BTW, your anti-white conspiracy has no basis in fact:
"African-American children and teens are almost five times as likely as their white peers to be killed by firearms (11.30 per 100,000 African-American youth vs. 2.31 per 100,000 white youth." - National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2009
"…the Colorado movie shooting appeared more like a professional hit job, done by more than one person…Same with Sandy Hook…Schools need guns to protect themselves from what appears to me to be very well thought out attacks by professional killers under the hire of a criminal element staging a violent coup, in plain sight. With a front man who is most likely an illegal alien who hates this country`s White majority and is doing everything he possibly can to assist in its elimination." – lavender, again
Gee, lav, we can't possibly imagine to whom you might be alluding. Oh, maybe this other quote from you will clarify it:
"That`s why Massa Bongo Bongo and his sidekick clown Biden want to use it in their effort to take away guns(of Whites primarily)."
While I'm sure you will deny you mean The President, I have, nevertheless, just reported you to Yahoo and higher authorities. We'll let them figure it out. Perhaps with enough self-incrimination from you, those black helicopters you constantly are hearing will be showing up sooner than you expected.
I think war has been declared on White America and many do not have a clue it is being waged. It is a one sided war with children as one of the main targets. Schools must have guns because obviously the criminals have targeted schools as the 'enemy' for destruction, much like drone attacks target and destroy the enemy.
School boards may believe they need guns to protect themselves against lone gunmen. In reality, they need the guns to enable themselves to fight an enemy using them as a primary target, an enemy engaged in a war to destroy this country.
Just my opinion.


text:
HOME Carolina Hurricanes Gear Carolina Hurricanes T-Shirts Carolina Hurricanes T-Shirts Short Sleeved Hockey Gifts (5 items) Product ID: 1552494
Main Content
This item ships within one business day.
- High-quality graphics
- Officially licensed
- Rib-knit collar
- Tagless collar
- Short sleeve
- Made in the USA
- Brand: Majestic Threads
Hurricanes Customers also liked:
Reviewed by 2 customers
- Shows Off Team Pride
Best Uses
- Anytime
- Around Town
- At The Game
- Watching The Game on TV
Comments about Majestic Threads Vancouver Canucks 8-Bit Crest T-Shirt - Green:
Disappointed because I received this shirt for Christmas and although it is the size I take for all my shirts, this one runs small. Hate the hassle of returning it.
- Sizing:
- Feels too small
- Authentic Look
- Quality Construction
- Shows Off Team Pride
- Stylish
Best Uses
- Anytime
- Around Town
- At The Game
- Watching The Game on TV
Comments about Majestic Threads Vancouver Canucks 8-Bit Crest T-Shirt - Green:
Purchased for my adult son. He loved this shirt!
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
Following The Trends, Leading The Way
We are at the heart of today's technology revolution, developing innovations that not only help the airlines, but also improve the lives of travellers everywhere.
Our Products
We are at the heart of today's technology revolution, developing innovations that not only help the airlines, but also improve the lives of travellers everywhere.
Our Products
Established by a group of entrepreneurs, airline and IT professionals backed by the experience and a common belief that airlines and airports are in urgent need of future proofed, innovative technological solutions that are flexible to support the agility demanded by the businesses, maximizing the revenue opportunities, while addressing the operational efficiency and cost efficiency.
Our primary focus is to address the gap in the airline and airport software market, working with industry experts and collaborating with airlines, to engineer software solutions that perform under the most demanding of environments.
Our products are professionally engineered to cater for needs of the rapidly evolving airlines industry.
As an innovative software solutions company for leading airlines and airports worldwide, we build our products around our customers and build our company around our team of highly experienced and talented professionals from IT and aviation industries.
We offer a great place to work and a platform to unleash your true potential bringing about innovation while competing globally.
Get onboard with Proavos for exciting careers.
Our flagship solutions and innovations are on showcase at major industry events. We will be more than glad to meet you, so please stop by!
Grater New york Area
Miami, Florida
London, U.K.
Dubai, U.A.E.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Seoul, Korea
Singapore, Singapore
Request Demo
Your information will be held securely in accordance with any applicable law and Proavos policies. We will not share your data or information with any third party.


text:
Story Slide 1
A source of excellence in patient care, teaching and research.
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery exists to provide comprehensive, integrated orthopaedic programs for patients, students, residents, fellows, the University community and the people of Arizona. The foundation of these programs is excellent clinical services that give rise to intellectual integrity in research and education.
Home Page
Arizona High School Girls Learn about Orthopaedic Surgery at UA Health Sciences
Arizona high school girls learned hands-on from UAHS women surgeons how engineers and orthopaedic surgeons work together to develop safe and effective implants to repair broken bones, torn ligaments and worn-out joints, to inspire careers in STEM and medicine.
Banner University Medical Centers in Phoenix and Tucson named to U.S. News 'Best Hospital' ranking
Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix and Banner-University Medical Center Tucson have each been named to U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospital ranking, and nationally recognized for specialty services.
UA College of Nursing Professor Ruth Taylor-Piliae Receives AHA 2014 Stroke Article of the Year Award
This annual award recognizes the scientific and clinical contributions of cerebrovascular nurses in promoting AHA goals and excellence in cerebrovascular nursing science; Dr. Taylor-Piliae was recognized for her article about the effects of Tai Chi on older stroke survivors.


text:
Watch stocks you care about
The single, easiest way to keep track of all the stocks that matter...
Your own personalized stock watchlist!
It's a 100% FREE Motley Fool service...
After Warren Buffett shocked the world with his Heinz buyout, investors everywhere are wondering the same thing: What's next? He's made it clear that his elephant gun is still loaded and Berkshire Hathaway still has a lot of cash to sport.
In the following video, Jeremy Phillips and Austin Smith talk about one company that could fit well into his wheelhouse: Waste Management (NYSE: WM ) . The company has several typical Buffett traits, including a wide moat, a great dividend, and reliable free cash flow generation. Though Waste Management never appears cheap by traditional metrics, Buffett's leverage could mean a sweeter deal than most retail investors could muster.
Even if the company isn't a buyout target, investors could still do well owning shares of Waste Management outright.
But don't just take our word for it. If you're wondering whether this dividend dynamo is a buy today, you should read The Motley Fool's premium analyst report on the company today. Just click here now for access.


text:
Are you looking for answers to questions about Yahoo's Merchant Solutions spinoff to Aabaco? Or are you new to this e-commerce platform and need development help? Let our expert developers help!
Enhance your brand message with a custom website from All Web Promotion. Having a website is vitally important to any growing business. Let your visitors inform themselves on the products and services your company has to offer.
More and more people are using their mobile devices to access the internet these days. Let All Web Promotion provide solutions to your mobile needs. Our services will tailor a mobile-specific website to enhance your customer experience.
All Web Promotion can create a custom design for your blog, or meld your current website and your blog into one entity. Your website visitors will be able to navigate seamlessly from site to blog, and back again!


text:
I would like to thank everyone who ever purchased from Japanese Weekend. Given the length of time we were in business, some of our earliest customers may be grandparents now.
It was wonderful to serve you.
Your support was felt and appreciated.
Our remaining inventory has been sent to Mama Gracie's Pregnancy Shop in Princeton, Minnesota.
For inquiries:
call 763-389-5558 Mama Gracie's
email firstname.lastname@example.com
go to Mama Gracie's website at www.mamagraciesshop.com
Take care and have a wonderful life.
Thank you,
designer – founder June 1978 – February 2016


text:
Meet the 2016 Board
Introductions to your 2016 Board of Directors.
Check out these opportunities offered by our Civic and Judicial Appointments Committee to become involved in growing our roster of Queen's Bench members who hold public office, or endorsement of a candidate for judicial office!
Queen's Bench Honors its Tradition of Strong Women Leaders at the Annual Past Presidents' Dinner
Recap of the November 17, 2015 Past Presidents' Dinner.
Queen's Bench Mentorship Mixer
Update on our mentorship committee.
And the Winner is: BASF MBC Unity Award Goes to Clarissa Kang
Queen's Bench is happy to announce that Director, Clarissa Kang, was awarded the Bar Association of San Francisco's (BASF) 2015 Minority Bar Coalition (MBC) Unity Award.
Human Trafficking Awareness Event
For most of us in the Bay Area, slavery seems like a problem of the past. However, San Francisco is a "hub for human trafficking and a hot spot for child sex trafficking."
CCBA Conference of Delegates
April Rose Sommer provides report from 2015 California Conference of Bar Associations (CCBA) Conference of Delegates.
Welcome to Queen's Bench!
The Mission of Queen's Bench is to foster professional and social relationships among women lawyers and to promote equality and opportunity for all women through education, programs, and community outreach.
Queen's Bench Annual Judge's Dinner
October 13, 2016
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Marine's Memorial Club
609 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Venue website
Join us at our annual dinner honoring the members of the judiciary in the Bay Area, Featuring speaker Priya SangerRead More
Member Area Login
Please click below to be taken to the Member Login screen.
Not a member yet? Click here to join
Member Area Login
Please click below to be taken to the Member Login screen.
Not a member yet? Click here to join