The present invention relates to an interactive system, which allows children or adults to program stuffed toys, window display figures, exhibits, etc. or private TV programs and video programs, respectively.

There are widely known toys, in particular dolls or teddy bears, simulating the apperance of living creatures for providing entertainment and amusement. Most recently such toys have been given simulated capabilities for performing many human functions. One such ability is vocal speech, wherein the toy is equipped with such voice speaking systems utilizing magnetic tapes, drums or disks for the storage of pre-arranged messages typically actuated mechanically by tilting the toy in a certain manner or by pulling a special card or pushing a button to enable the message storage system to be operated for vocalizing the pre-arranged message provided therein. The disadvantage of such known devices is that it is only possible to play pre-recorded and pre-stored messages. Such known devices are also sometimes capable of moving elements thereof, as for example moving eyes, head, arms, etc..

There are further known didactic devices for providing entertainment and amusement while serving as an educational teaching aid, such as a doll having the simulated capability of sight and voice. Such a device, which is for example known from EP-A 0 040 682, comprises an image processing system and a data processor having an object recognition comparator, and is combined with a speech synthesis system. By using special flash cards the known device, such as a doll, is capable to identify pre-programmed objects and via the speech synthesizer the doll names the object depicted on the flash card. Also with this known system there exists the disadvantage that it is only possible to use a limited number of pre-programmed patterns.

It is an object of the present invention to remedy the disadvantages of the known devices regarding their limited possibilties of use and to provide an interactive system making it possible to broadcast any desired words into the mouth of toys, window display figures or exhibits or even to put words into the mouth of persons or creatures appearing on private TV programs or recorded videos.

For solving this problem the present invention relates to an interactive system comprising: at least one device with input means and sound generation means to be activated by said input means;

- a central controlling device with storing means for storing sets of sounds and with means for inputting data into said storing means, whereby said data may relate to the device and/or to said set of sounds; and

- transmission means for transmission of said set of sounds to said input means.

For making the device speak the desired words the device according to the present invention comprises input means and sound generation means. The desired words can be stored in a central controlling device comprising a recorder and by pressing a button it is easily possible to animate the device, which may be a toy, a window display figure, an exhibit, etc. or even a video cassette recorder coupled with a television set according to other embodiments of the present invention. It is therefore possible to orchestrate and create conversations between several devices with the voices supplied by the person recording the set of sounds to be stored. Especially for children it is very interesting to supply the own voice to their toys and to tape special conversations of their toys. After finishing the recording the recorded set of sounds is played through the toys, for example dolls, teddy bears, etc.. In the same way it is possible to record conversations for other devices, such as window display figures or exhibits, to realize special

effects. When the device being coupled with the central controlling device is a video cassette recorder it is possible to play new conversations for persons or creatures of a video film or a TV program.

With the interactive system according to the present inven¬ tion it is also possible to program educational programs, which may be played to children through their toys being coupled with the central controlling device. Furthermore, it would also be possible to record the voices of the parents for being played during occasions when third persons are looking after children when the parents are not at home. Such known voices being played through the toys may allow to comfort a child, if necessary.

For assisting the recording process the central controlling device of the present invention further comprises according to another embodiment indexing means for indicating at least one of the following entities: - a specific device;

- the set of sounds; and

- the beginning and the end of a set of sounds.

The indexing means according to this embodiment of the present invention allow an easy recording of the set of sounds to be stored. For further assistance for the recording process, in particular for children, which want to record conversations by their own, the interactive system according to the present invention further comprises recognition means of a device-specific signal and/or of a set of sound-specific signals. The recording process will be further simplified, if the recognition means are coupled with a voice-activated means. Such voice-activated means are known per se for providing the possibility of simple controlling of recorders etc.

For varying the recorded voices, which may be especially surprising for children hearing their toys playing the own pre-recorded conversation, the inventive interactive system further comprises allotting means for allotting specific pitches of voice and/or specific kinds of voice being available from a store. The specific pitches of voice and/or specific kinds of voice may be integrated into said storing means and said allotting means may be adapted for further mixing the specific pitches of voice and/or specific kinds of voice to said set of sounds. In this way it may be possible to add a second pitch when recording a song.

Besides being able to make the devices speak recorded conversation .s according to a further embodiment the inter- active system comprises animating means for animating said device, wherein the transmission means are adapted for further transmitting a signal to said animating means. In particular said animation means include moving means at least one part of the device. If the device being coupled with the central controlling device is a toy, a window display figure or an exhibit, the animation means animates the moving parts depending on the indicated and transmitted set of sounds according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular the moving part of the toy or the window display figure may be the mouth and/or the moving part of the toy or the window display figure further comprises moving eyes, arms, limbs, etc.. When the child is playing the recorded voice through toys, for example a teddy bear or a doll, it wags its mouth and waves its arms. Then the next teddy bear or doll makes a comment and then the tape or central controlling device activates another toy or speaker. Thereby children can play various dialogues through their toys and can be kept engaged for long times. Such it is also possible to record a private Punch and Judy Show, for example.

In the following the present invention is further described with respect to preferred, non-limiting examples of embodiments shown in the drawings enclosed. Fig. l shows a schematical diagram of a first embodiment of an interactive system according to the present invention, wherein the central controlling device is coupled with several toys, window display figures or exhibits; and Fig. 2 shows a schematical diagram of a second embodiment of an interactive system according to the present invention, wherein the central controlling device is coupled with a video cassette recorder and a television set.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the central controlling device 1 comprises an input means 2 and storage means 3 for storing sets of sounds. The storing means 3 are coupled with transmission means 4 for transmitting a recorded set of sounds to input means 11 of a device 10, for example a doll or a teddy bear, as will be described below in more detail.

The central controlling device 1 further comprises indexing means 5 for indicating a specific device 10, a set of sounds and/or the beginning and the end of a set of sounds. For easy input of data into the storage means 3 the central controlling device 1 may further comprise a recognition means 6 of a device-specific signal and/or a set of sound- specific signals. In particular for children programming sets of sounds the input means 2 for the input of sets of sounds is further coupled with voice-activated means 7, which start a recording upon special signals.

For mixing of specific pitches of voice or sounds the central controlling device 1 further comprises allotting and mixing means 8, being coupled with the storage means 3 or being part of these storage means 3. The central controlling device 1 is further provided with animating means 9 for animating moving parts of the device 10.

The device 10 being coupled with the central controlling device 1 comprises, besides the input means 11 mentioned above, a sound generation system 12 for making the toy ιo speak a pre-recorded set of sounds being stored in the storage means 3 and being transmitted by the transmission means 4 of the central controlling device 1. Further the device 10 comprises moving means 13 for movement of the mouth 14, the eyes 15 and/or the arms 16 or other limbs.

As is schematically shown in Fig. 1 the central controlling device l may be coupled via the transmission means 4 with several devices 10, 10', 10", wherein each of the devices 10' and 10" show a similar structure to the device 10.

With this combination of a central controlling device l and several devices 10, 10' and 10", such as dolls, teddy bears, etc., it will be possible for children to play pre-recorded conversations and dialogues using for example their own voice between the toys.

It is understood that the number of devices 10 being coupled with the central controlling device 1 is not limited. Furthermore, the devices 10 are not limited to toys, but may also be window display figures, exhibits, etc., which also have the ability to generate speech and are provided with moving parts for special effects.

According to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 2 the central controlling device 51 comprises input means 52, storage means 53, transmission means 54, indexing means 55, recognition means 56 and voice-activation means 57. These components of the central controlling device 51 are similar to those of the central controlling device l of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and are not further explained.

The device 60 comprises input means 61 coupled with the transmission means 54 of the central controlling device 51. The input means 61 are coupled with a video-cassette recorder 62 and a television set 63. With this combination it is possible to program TV programs or recorded video films by broadcasting words into the mouths of persons or creatures shown on the TV set 63.