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US4642710A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Animated display controlled by an audio device

Assignee: Milton Bradley International Inc
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Filing: 1985-03-15
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2005-03-15
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Abstract

Abstract An animated display in the form of a representation of a face, is controlled by an associated audio tape player and a microprocessor-controlled liquid crystal display. The facial features are variable responsively to the audio signals of the tape player as controlled by the microprocessor.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eugene A. Murtha
  • 👤 Mark B. Johnson-Williams
  • 👤 Theodore N. Madison
  • 👤 Michael C. Cartabiano

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 18:39
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B25/00; G11B25/06; G11B25/063; G11B31/00; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 252 words
An animated display device comprising: an audio tape player of cassette type having a recorded audio signal track, an animated liquid crystal display and addressing circuitry including a plurality of electrically-conductive matrices arranged in the form of segments representing portions of the eyes and eyebrows and mouth of a human face in different positions suggesting different facial expressions and a driver and driving circuitry having terminals electrically connected to the matrices, an amplitude detector for outputting signals according to the reading of the audio signals of the tape, an analog comparator connected to the amplitude detector for outputting digital signals according to the amplitude of the audio signals, a microprocessor having programmed means for reading the output of the analog comparator and delivering electronic signals to the driver, a power source for powering the tape player and microprocessor and amplitude detector, a selector button shiftable between a ready operating mode and a fast forward non-playing mode and a stop mode and an eject mode, and a housing for accommodating the tape player and liquid crystal display and microprocessor and amplitude detector and power source and selector button, all adapted and arranged for the driving of the liquid crystal display by the driver in animating the facial expressions in seeming synchronization with the tape recorded audio on the cassette tape as transcribed by the player with the facial expressions being changeable responsively to the voltage selectively applied at portions of the liquid crystal composition where the eyes and eyebrows and mouth are represented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 252 words
An animated display device comprising: an audio tape player of cassette type having a recorded audio signal track, an animated liquid crystal display and addressing circuitry including a plurality of electrically-conductive matrices arranged in the form of segments representing portions of the eyes and eyebrows and mouth of a human face in different positions suggesting different facial expressions and a driver and driving circuitry having terminals electrically connected to the matrices, an amplitude detector for outputting signals according to the reading of the audio signals of the tape, an analog comparator connected to the amplitude detector for outputting digital signals according to the amplitude of the audio signals, a microprocessor having programmed means for reading the output of the analog comparator and delivering electronic signals to the driver, a power source for powering the tape player and microprocessor and amplitude detector, a selector button shiftable between a ready operating mode and a fast forward non-playing mode and a stop mode and an eject mode, and a housing for accommodating the tape player and liquid crystal display and microprocessor and amplitude detector and power source and selector button, all adapted and arranged for the driving of the liquid crystal display by the driver in animating the facial expressions in seeming synchronization with the tape recorded audio on the cassette tape as transcribed by the player with the facial expressions being changeable responsively to the voltage selectively applied at portions of the liquid crystal composition where the eyes and eyebrows and mouth are represented.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-02-09 1990-08-11 1991-02-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-02-09 1994-08-11 1995-02-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-02-09 1998-08-11 1999-02-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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