Appeal No. 2001-0908
Application No. 08/833,342
costs are kept low, yet the toy’s activities are enhanced with programmability. The figure toy of
this invention is provided with a relatively simple, two phase actuator for each of its moving body
parts. The actuator does not require a gear system and can be controlled with a simple, binary
digital code from a personal computer. The actuator is relatively simple and inexpensive, allowing
the toy to be manufactured at a cost substantially less than many other prior art animated talking
figure toys. The two-phase drive device, controlled with a digital signal, thus enables a home
computer to control animation of figure toys and dolls with a relatively low manufacturing costs.
A further illustration of the invention can be obtained from the following claim.
35. In combination with a multimedia computer, an animated talking toy including a body portion
having at least one movable portion and a loudspeaker situated within said body for reproducing
selected audio sound in response to receiving an external sound signal transmitted from the
multimedia computer, the improvement therein including actuation means situated within said body
and operable by an external digital animation-control signal transmitted from the multimedia
computer, said actuation means including:
an actuator for moving said movable portion; and
actuation-control means for controlling the actuator;
said actuator having only two phases for moving said movable portion in response to said
actuation-control means receiving said external digital animation-control signal.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Gasper et al. (Gasper) 5,111,409 May 5, 1992
Tong 5,636,994 Jun. 10, 1997
(filed Nov. 9, 1995)
Claims 35, 37 and 43 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as being anticipated by Tong.
Claims 36 and 38-42 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Tong.
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