US5885129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directable sound and light toy
Assignee: Turtle Beach Corp
•
Filing: 1997-03-25
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Granted: 1999-03-23
•
Expires: 2017-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A toy device for simulating a weapon which comprises a toy body having a configuration which supplies a directional orientation for aiming the toy body at a target and a parametric speaker. The parametric speaker generates at least one new sonic frequency from at least two ultrasonic frequencies of different value, and projects them directionally toward the targeted area. The speaker comprises i) an ultrasonic frequency generator; ii) a sonic frequency generator; iii) modulating means coupled to the ultrasonic frequency generator and the sonic frequency generator for producing the at least two ultrasonic frequencies of different value; and iv) at least one ultrasonic frequency emitter coupled to the modulating means and aligned for transmission with the directional orientation of the toy body for propagating the at least two ultrasonic frequencies and concurrently generating the new sonic frequency with directional sound transmission orientation toward the target. A firing mechanism is coupled to the toy body for activating the parametric speaker to generate the new sonic frequency. A light source may also be attached to the toy weapon for providing visual targeting where the parametric speaker and light source are in common target alignment.
Inventors
- 👤 Elwood G. Norris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:28
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H5/00; A63H5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A toy device for simulating a weapon or communicator, said device comprising: a handheld toy body having a configuration which supplies a directional orientation for aiming the toy body at a target; parametric speaker means coupled to the toy body for indirectly generating at least one new sonic frequency from at least two ultrasonic frequencies of different value, said speaker means comprising: i) an ultrasonic frequency generator; ii) a sonic frequency generator; iii) modulating means coupled to the ultrasonic frequency generator and the sonic frequency generator for producing the at least two ultrasonic frequencies of different value; iv) at least one ultrasonic frequency emitter coupled to the modulating means and aligned for transmission with the directional orientation of the toy body for propagating the at least two ultrasonic frequencies and concurrently generating the new sonic frequency based on interaction between the at least two ultrasonic frequencies within a nonlinear medium of air with a directional sound transmission orientation toward the target; firing means coupled to the toy body for activating the parametric speaker means to generate the new sonic frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A toy device for simulating a weapon or communicator, said device comprising: a handheld toy body having a configuration which supplies a directional orientation for aiming the toy body at a target; parametric speaker means coupled to the toy body for indirectly generating at least one new sonic frequency from at least two ultrasonic frequencies of different value, said speaker means comprising: i) an ultrasonic frequency generator; ii) a sonic frequency generator; iii) modulating means coupled to the ultrasonic frequency generator and the sonic frequency generator for producing the at least two ultrasonic frequencies of different value; iv) at least one ultrasonic frequency emitter coupled to the modulating means and aligned for transmission with the directional orientation of the toy body for propagating the at least two ultrasonic frequencies and concurrently generating the new sonic frequency based on interaction between the at least two ultrasonic frequencies within a nonlinear medium of air with a directional sound transmission orientation toward the target; firing means coupled to the toy body for activating the parametric speaker means to generate the new sonic frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the modulating means comprises an amplitude modulating device which modulates an ultrasonic frequency signal with a sonic signal to thereby generate the at least two ultrasonic frequencies, said modulating means including means for generating the at least one new sonic frequency in a form which simulates a sound of the weapon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the modulating means includes means for generating a single sideband signal embodying the at least two ultrasonic frequencies for optimizing amplitude and transmission of a sonic frequency of predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as defined in claim 2, wherein the sonic frequency generator includes an integrated computer chip having prerecorded sonic signals which simulate the sound of the weapon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as defined in claim 4, further comprising means for supplying a plurality of different prerecorded sonic signals, and including selector means for preselecting one of the prerecorded signals for transmission from the parametric speaker.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device as defined in claim 4, wherein the prerecorded signal is selected from the group consisting of a human voice, a voice of an animal, an explosive discharge, a buzzing sound, a whistling sound, a humming sound and a periodic sound repeated in rapid sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for recording additional sounds to a signal storage means coupled to the sonic frequency generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a directional light source positioned to emit light along the directional orientation of the device to enable visual target identification.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as defined in claim 8, wherein the directional light source comprises a laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as defined in claim 8, wherein the directional light source comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as defined in claim 8, wherein the directional light source comprises a flash tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as defined in claim 8, further comprising light modulating means for modulating transmission of the light source with sonic input from the parametric speaker.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as defined in claim 12, wherein the light modulating means responds to differing frequency values of the sonic input to emit correlated light and sound concurrently from the toy weapon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as defined in claim 12, wherein the light modulating means includes means for correlating sonic input comprising speech with output of the light source, thereby creating an impression of a talking light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as defined in claim 14, further comprising microphone means coupled to the sonic frequency generator for enabling direct transmission of a sonic frequency comprising a human voice to the target.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as defined in claim 8, further comprising focusing means operable with respect to the light source for increasing light intensity at a desired distance and location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the toy body comprises a simulated weapon selected from the group consisting of pistols, rifles, laser weapons, and guns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one ultrasonic frequency emitter is comprised of an ultrasonic acoustical transducer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a microphone and associated audio amplification circuitry coupled to the toy body for detecting sound, said audio amplification circuitry being coupled to the modulating means for providing the detected sound as a new sonic frequency to enable transmission of speech as the new sonic frequency.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the device further comprises an ultrasonic frequency signal generator which transmits the first ultrasonic frequency to the modulating means and wherein the modulating means includes input means for mixing at least one new sonic frequency with the first ultrasonic frequency as upper and lower sidebands for transmitting low frequencies within an audio range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a speaker means for transmitting sonic signals at the device wherein the sonic signals that propagate toward the target are also emitted in the vicinity of the device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as defined in claim 21 wherein the speaker means comprises an ear phone for a user to place in his ears for hearing the sonic signals which propagate toward the target.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A toy as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one ultrasonic frequency emitter comprises an ultrasonic emitter ring for emitting the at least two ultrasonic signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A toy as defined in claim 23, wherein the emitter ring comprises a ring of transducers capable of emitting within an ultrasonic frequency range.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A toy as defined in claim 23, wherein the emitter ring is positioned around a barrel opening of the toy weapon 10 to form a parametric speaker array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A toy as defined in claim 23, wherein the emitter ring generates a highly directional, high amplitude, narrow beam of sonic output.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A toy as defined in claim 24, wherein the emitter ring forms a circumferential configuration around the barrel opening.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A toy as defined in claim 24, further comprising a light source within the barrel opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toy as defined in claim 24, further comprising a smoke simulation source within the barrel opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A toy as defined in claim 24, further comprising a soft projectile within the barrel opening to further enhance realism of firing of the toy weapon.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
192 words
A pointing device having a directional orientation for identifying a distant object by audio detection by indirectly propagating from the distant object at least one new sonic frequency as a by-product of emitting at least two ultrasonic frequencies from an ultrasonic frequency emitter, said device comprised of: an ultrasonic frequency signal source for providing a first ultrasonic frequency signal; supply means for supplying an electrical signal corresponding to the at least one new sonic frequency wave train; modulating means coupled to the ultrasonic frequency signal generator and supply means for combining the first ultrasonic frequency signal with the electrical signal corresponding to the at least one new sonic frequency to thereby generate a second ultrasonic frequency signal; an ultrasonic frequency emitter which is coupled to an output of the modulating means for (i) propagating both the first and second ultrasonic frequency signals, and (ii) generating the at least one new sonic frequency wave train as a by-product of interference between the first and second ultrasonic frequency signals; and a light source having a directional means for focusing light toward an object, said light source and ultrasonic frequency emitter having common directional alignment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
192 words
A pointing device having a directional orientation for identifying a distant object by audio detection by indirectly propagating from the distant object at least one new sonic frequency as a by-product of emitting at least two ultrasonic frequencies from an ultrasonic frequency emitter, said device comprised of: an ultrasonic frequency signal source for providing a first ultrasonic frequency signal; supply means for supplying an electrical signal corresponding to the at least one new sonic frequency wave train; modulating means coupled to the ultrasonic frequency signal generator and supply means for combining the first ultrasonic frequency signal with the electrical signal corresponding to the at least one new sonic frequency to thereby generate a second ultrasonic frequency signal; an ultrasonic frequency emitter which is coupled to an output of the modulating means for (i) propagating both the first and second ultrasonic frequency signals, and (ii) generating the at least one new sonic frequency wave train as a by-product of interference between the first and second ultrasonic frequency signals; and a light source having a directional means for focusing light toward an object, said light source and ultrasonic frequency emitter having common directional alignment.
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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) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-09-21 | 2003-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-22 | 2006-09-21 | 2007-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-22 | 2010-09-21 | 2011-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |