# US 5,334,022 A · Auditory playing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,334,022 A - Document ID: US5334022A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/937,792 - Filed: 1992-08-28 - Granted: 1994-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 1991-08-30 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Keiko Kitagawa; Shiro Yasuda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5334022A ## CPC - G09B 5/04: with audible presentation of the material to be studied (sound recording or reproducing G11B) - A63F 9/183: {electric} - G09B 15/04: with sound emitters - A63F 2009/2419: {Optical} - A63F 2009/242: {Bar codes} - A63F 2009/2476: {Speech or voice synthesisers, e.g. using a speech chip} - A63F 2009/2477: {Tone generators, oscillators} - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A casing which accommodates an electric circuit for generating sounds of different tones or voice sounds has a recess 11 defined in its upper panel and a loudspeaker 12 disposed therein and mounted on the upper panel for reproducing and radiating sounds or voice sounds. A plurality of tone plates can selectively be placed, one at a time, in the recess. Each of the tone plates has dots and a bar code indicative of a sound or voice sound of its own. When one of the tone plates is inserted in the recess, the dots or bar code is detected by a sensor in the recess, and the electric circuit enables the loudspeaker to reproduce and radiate a tone or voice which is indicated by the inserted tone plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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; and generating means for generating a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An auditory playing device according to claim 1 including 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 instructing said generating means to generate a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is placed in said predetermined position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An auditory playing device according to claim 2, further including second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is 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 a single affirmative tone if the compared identification codes agree with each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An auditory playing device according to claim 2, further including second decision means for storing an identification code detected by said detecting means when one of said tone plates is 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 a negative tone if the compared identification codes disagree with each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An auditory playing device according to claim 1, wherein said tone plates are marked with respective identification codes corresponding to respective tones, said generating means comprising means for generating a single tone corresponding to the identification code detected by said detecting means. ### Claim 6 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. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said pattern of dots are read optically on a basis of reflectiveness of said dots. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said first tone includes an affirmative tone representing agreement of said codes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said second tone includes a negative tone representing disagreement of said codes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said stored code is stored in a Random Access Memory (RAM). ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, preceeded by the steps of: determining that a first tone plate is insterted into said recess; reading a dot pattern from said first tone plate; and storing a code representing said dot pattern as said stored code. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said dot pattern includes four dots.