Patent · US Expired

Annunciating predictor entertainment device

US6273421A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
16References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 1999
Grant dateAug 14, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63H3/28
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A self-contained fortune telling entertainment device includes an electronic library of human speech and sound effects, to be selected and enunciated in apparent response to a user's question. User intent to use the device is detected, whereupon a pre-answer initiation mode is entered during which sound effects and/or speech is selected from the library and enunciated. After this period ends, a circuit then selects at least one sound, e.g., sound effect and/or vocalized speech, from the library for enunciation as the answer to a user's question, propounded before or during the pre-answer period. Selection of an answer or response may be random, quasi-random, or other, and may be influenced by detected ambient or environment conditions, and may be influenced by at least one user control. LEDs may be activated while the device is in use to provide visual as well as audible entertainment. The device may be handholdable in size, and can function without reliance upon ambient light.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.