US4936780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch sensor alpha-numeric blocks
Assignee: Vtech Ind LLC
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Filing: 1989-01-31
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2009-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A series of educational blocks for teaching children the correct sounds of each letter of the English language as well as rudimentry words. Touching or depressing a surface of the block provided with particular indicia thereon would produce a sound corresponding to this indicia. This sound is produced utilizing a solid state memory and an associated speech synthesizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary A. Cogliano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:06
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/062; G09B17/00; G09B17/003; G09B17/006; A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2448; A63F2009/247; A63F2009/2476; A63F9/0098; A63F9/06; A63F9/12; A63F9/1204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A talking block comprising: a cube provided with dissimilar indicia on at least two outside surfaces of said cube; a plurality of switches connected to each of said outside surfaces provided with indicia, each switch connected to a separate outside surface; a solid state printed circuit provided with a non-erasable memory, said printed circuit included in the interior of said cube and connected to each of said switches; a speech synthesizer provided in the interior of said cube and connected to said solid state memory; and a speaker connected to said speech synthesizer for producing a sound associated with said indicia.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A talking block comprising: a cube provided with dissimilar indicia on at least two outside surfaces of said cube; a plurality of switches connected to each of said outside surfaces provided with indicia, each switch connected to a separate outside surface; a solid state printed circuit provided with a non-erasable memory, said printed circuit included in the interior of said cube and connected to each of said switches; a speech synthesizer provided in the interior of said cube and connected to said solid state memory; and a speaker connected to said speech synthesizer for producing a sound associated with said indicia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The talking block in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said switches is capacitive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The talking block in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said switches is pressure sensitive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A series of talking blocks, each talking block comprising: a cube provided with dissimilar indicia on at least two outside surfaces of said cube; a plurality of switches connected to each of said outside surfaces provided with indicia, each switch connected to a separate outside surface; a solid state printed circuit provided with a non-erasable memory, said printed circuit included in the interior of said tube and connected to each of said switches; a speech synthesizer provided in the interior of said cube and connected to said solid state memory; and a speaker connected to said speech synthesizer for producing a sound associated with said indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A series of talking blocks, each talking block comprising: a cube provided with dissimilar indicia on at least two outside surfaces of said cube; a plurality of switches connected to each of said outside surfaces provided with indicia, each switch connected to a separate outside surface; a solid state printed circuit provided with a non-erasable memory, said printed circuit included in the interior of said tube and connected to each of said switches; a speech synthesizer provided in the interior of said cube and connected to said solid state memory; and a speaker connected to said speech synthesizer for producing a sound associated with said indicia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The talking block in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of said switches is capacitive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The talking block in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of said switches is pressure sensitive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |