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Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagneticsSound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080009221, Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]In general, the present invention relates to animation mechanisms used to animate the eyes and mouth of a toy figure, such as a doll. More particularly, the present invention relates to animation mechanisms that synchronize animation movements to sound signals. [0003]2. Prior Art Description [0004]Toy figures, such as dolls, are one of the earliest toys and have been in existence throughout recorded history. In this very long period of time, toy characters have been created in countless shapes and styles. Toy figures have also been fitted with many secondary features that are intended to increase the play value of the toy. [0005]One way to increase the play value of a toy figure is to add animation to the toy figure. Animation can be added to a toy figure in many different ways. In early times, toy figures have been turned into marionettes by tying strings to the toy figure. Toy figures have also been turned into puppets by hollowing the body of the toy figure, thereby making room for a child's hand. [0006]In a modern toy figure, animation is typically added to the toy figure using a gearbox and actuator arms that are coupled to the gearbox. The gearbox may be powered by an electric motor. However, gearboxes are also often powered by wind-up springs or pull strings. [0007]In many toy figures, animation mechanisms are often used to move the eyes, mouth, body and/or limbs of the figure. When animation mechanisms are used to move the mouth of a toy figure, it is typically done so to make the toy doll look as though it is talking or singing. Such toy dolls often contain voice synthesizers that broadcast words as the animation mechanism moves the mouth. In this manner, the toy figure both looks and sounds as if it were talking or singing. [0008]When a child plays with an animated toy, it is likely that the child will touch the animated parts and try to stop the animated part from moving. This applies resistance to the designed movement of the animation mechanism. It is for this reason that traditional gearbox animation mechanisms require gearboxes that are bulky and strong. The gearboxes have to use substantial gear combinations and strong actuator arms to prevent the animation mechanism from quickly breaking when its movement is resisted. Accordingly, gearbox animation mechanisms tend to be large, expensive and heavy. When such an animation mechanism is used to animate the mouth of a toy doll, the bulky gearbox is typically located in the head of the toy figure. This makes the head of the toy figure bulky and heavy, which is a detriment for many different figure designs. [0009]As toy figures began to be made with synthesized voices and mouth animation, toy designers began to synchronize the mouth animation with the words/sounds that were being broadcast. Such prior art animation systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,704 to Akiyama, entitled Movable Sound Producing Model, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,328 to Mirahem, entitled Talking Doll. In both prior art patents, a large bulky gearbox mechanism is present within the head of the toy figure. The gearbox is coupled to a controller that synchronizes the activation of the gearbox to audible sounds. [0010]Not all toy figures have a head space large enough or strong enough to hold and support a bulky gearbox. In the prior art, animation has also been created using smaller electric solenoids. The activation of the solenoids required complex logic controls. Accordingly, the toy figure has to be coupled to an external computer. In this manner, all the logic circuitry and control software is kept external to the toy figure. Such prior art animated toy figures are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,431 to Maa, entitled Computer Controlled Talking Figure Toy With Animated Features, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0148279 to Maa, entitled Digitally Synchronized Animated Talking Doll. [0011]The disadvantages of having a toy that must be coupled to an external computer are obvious. In both cited prior art examples, the toy figure can only be animated when coupled to a computer that is currently running the appropriate animation software. The toy figures, therefore, must remain in the vicinity of the computer in order to operate. [0012]A need therefore exists for an animation mechanism that is self-contained, lightweight, small and creates animation that is synchronized to audible sounds. In this manner, sound synchronized animation can be added to small toys and lightweight toys, such as balloon toys, without adverse effects. Such a need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013]The present invention is an animation system for animating parts of a toy figure or other novelty item. The system starts with a toy figure or novelty item having movable parts, such as a mouth with opposing jaw elements. A magnetic mass is attached to one part. The magnetic mass is preferably a magnet, but also may be a segment of ferromagnetic material. [0014]An electromagnet is attached to an opposing part of the toy figure opposite the magnetic mass. The electromagnet creates an electromagnetic field when activated that interacts with the magnetic mass and causes movement between the parts that support the electromagnet and the magnetic mass. The movement of the parts animate the toy figure. [0015]The animation is dependent upon the activation of the electromagnet. The electromagnet is preferably automatically activated by sound energy. The toy figure may have a speaker that broadcasts audio signals or a microphone that receives audio signals. In either scenario the audio signals are directed to a control circuit. The control circuit controls the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet. When the control circuit receives an audio signal above a certain threshold, the control circuit activates the electromagnet for the duration of that signal. Accordingly, the control circuit will activate and deactivate the electromagnet in synchronization with the peaks and lulls in the audio signal. The result is animation motion that is synchronized to the audio signals being transmitted or received. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016]For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention animation system; [0018]FIG. 2 shows a toy figure's head containing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention animation system; [0019]FIG. 3 shows a balloon character containing an alternate embodiment of the present invention animation system; [0020]FIG. 4 shows the tail section of a toy dog figure being animated by the present invention animation system; and [0021]FIG. 5 shows a greeting card having moving parts that are moved by the present invention animation system. Continue reading about Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics... Full patent description for Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Toy ramp devices Next Patent Application: Test tube alien toy Industry Class: Amusement devices: toys ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sound synchronized animation mechanism that utilizes electromagnetics patent info. 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