Auditory playing device

An auditory playing device comprising:

• a plurality of tone plates each marked with a respective identification code having a pattern of spaced apart dots, each said identification code corresponding to a respective tone;
• an enclosure having a recess for receiving one of said tone plates;
• detecting means for detecting an identification code of one of said tone plates which is selected and placed in a stationary predetermined position within said recess;
• generating means for generating a tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means;
• first decision means for determining whether one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position based on a signal from said detecting means, and for instructing said generating means to generate a tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position;
• and
• second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when placed in said predetermined position, comparing an identification code detected by said detecting means with said stored identification code when another of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position, and instructing said generating means to generate an affirmative tone if the compared identification codes agree with each other.

A method for operation of a toy having a recess for receiving a tone plate in a stationary predetermined position, comprising the steps of:

• determining that a tone plate has been placed in said recess of said toy;
• reading a pattern of spaced apart dots on said tone plate when said tone plate is placed in said stationary predetermined position within said recess;
• comparing a code representing said pattern of dots with a stored code;
• producing a first tone if said stored code matches said code;
• and
• producing a second tone if said stored code does not match said code.