Interactive toy

Abstract

Disclosed is an interactive toy for providing an audible response to an initial audio signal. The toy is comprised of a housing, a microphone, a controller having speech circuitry and Mask ROM memory, and a speaker. The housing can be in the form of a human figurine and the toy can include an on/off switch which allows for the energizing or de-energizing of the toy. The controller is preferably a microprocessor. In addition, the controller is operable to run in different modes, for example a demo mode and a play mode. The microphone can receive an audio signal from a user and relay the audio signal to the controller. The audio signal can be in the form of a verbal question provided by the user. The controller receives the audio signal from the microphone and selects a message stored in the Mask ROM memory and provides the message to the speaker. The speaker transmits the message to the user in an audible form.

1 . An interactive toy comprising:
 a housing;   a microphone;   a controller having speech circuitry and Mask ROM memory;   and a speaker;   said toy operable to provide an audible response to an initial audio signal.   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is in the form of a human figurine. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising an on/off switch, said switch operable to energize or de-energize said interactive toy. 
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is a microprocessor. 
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said digital controller is operable to operate in different modes, said modes selected from the group consisting of a demo mode and a play mode. 
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said microphone is operable to receive an audio signal from a user and relay said audio signal to said digital controller. 
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein said audio signal is in the form of a verbal question provided by a user. 
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein said digital controller is operable to receive said audio signal from said microphone, select a message stored in said Mask ROM memory and provide said message to said speaker. 
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 8 , wherein said message comprises two statements, one statement being an opening statement and one statement being a closing statement. 
   
   
       10 . The invention of  claim 8 , wherein said speaker is operable to receive said message from said controller and transmit said message in audible form. 
   
   
       11 . An interactive toy comprising:
 a housing, said housing in the form of a human figurine;   a microphone, said microphone operable to receive an audio signal from a user and relay said audio signal to a controller;   said controller having speech circuitry, Mask ROM memory and operable to receive said audio signal from said microphone, select a message stored in said Mask ROM memory and provide said message to a speaker; and   said speaker operable to receive said message from said controller and transmit said message in audible form to said user.   
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 11 , further comprising an on/off switch, said switch operable to energize or de-energize said interactive toy. 
   
   
       13 . The invention of  claim 11 , wherein said controller is a microprocessor. 
   
   
       14 . The invention of  claim 11 , wherein said audio signal is in the form of a verbal question provided by a user. 
   
   
       15 . The invention of  claim 11 , wherein said message comprises two statements, one statement being an opening statement and one statement being a closing statement. 
   
   
       16 . A miniaturized pod comprising:
 a housing;   a speaker, said speaker at least partially within said housing;   a microphone connector operable to connect to a microphone;   an on/off switch connector operable to connect to an on/off switch;   a battery receptacle operable to accept at least one battery; and   a controller;   said pod operable to provide an audible response to an initial audio signal.   
   
   
       17 . The invention of  claim 16 , wherein said initial audio signal is received by said pod through a microphone connected to said microphone connector. 
   
   
       18 . The invention of  claim 17 , wherein said controller selects a message stored within said controller in response to receiving said audio signal. 
   
   
       19 . The invention of  claim 18 , wherein said speaker transmits said message selected by said controller in inaudible form.