Interactive amusement device

Abstract

The invention is an interactive pinata, equipped with an electronic recording/playback system. The recording system can either play previously recorded messages, or in an alternative embodiment, the system can record and play back original messages from a person such as the owner. In either embodiment, the pinata can respond to being struck (or missed) by playing a message. The present invention may be embodied with cartoon or celebrity voices being prerecorded. Finally, the recording system could be operated via a type of remote control, ranging from simple pushbuttons to a karaoke-like arrangement.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An interactive pinata comprising: 
 a first object, wherein said first object includes a sensor for operationally receiving an action from a participant;    a control device responsive to an input from said sensor; and    an audio device, said audio device responsive to an input from said control device, wherein said audio device broadcasts a sound in response to said input from said control device.    
     
     
         2 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said first object is in the shape of a figure, said figure formed in the likeness of an animal, a person, an inanimate object, or a caricature.  
     
     
         3 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is chosen from the group consisting of: a motion sensor, a thermal sensor, an optical sensor, an audio sensor, and a visual sensor.  
     
     
         4 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said first object is a Mexican pinata.  
     
     
         5 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said first object is a Cuban pinata.  
     
     
         6 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said first object is a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey type object.  
     
     
         7 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said control device includes an integrated circuit.  
     
     
         8 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein said audio device includes a sound system for playing a voice message.  
     
     
         9 . The audio device of  claim 6 , further wherein said sound system includes a sound transmission device.  
     
     
         10 . The audio device of  claim 6 , further wherein said sound system includes a sound recording device.  
     
     
         11 . The pinata of  claim 1 , further comprising a motion device, wherein said motion device produces a motion through an action selected from the group consisting of vibrating, rolling, spinning, or air flow.  
     
     
         12 . The pinata of  claim 11 , wherein said motion produces a corresponding movement in said pinata.  
     
     
         13 . The pinata of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said sensors, said control device, and said audio device is removably attached.  
     
     
         14 . The pinata of  claim 1 , further including a remote input operatively coupled to said control device.  
     
     
         15 . The pinata of  claim 14 , wherein said remote input includes a microphone.  
     
     
         16 . A method for an interactive pinata, said method comprising: 
 providing a first object, wherein said object includes a sensor for operationally receiving an action from a second object, wherein said second object is manipulated by a person;    providing a control device responsive to an input from said sensor; and    providing an audio device, said audio device responsive to at least one input from said control device.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said first object is in the shape of a figure, said figure formed in the likeness of an animal, a person, an inanimate object, or a caricature.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a motion sensor, a thermal sensor, an optical sensor, an audio sensor, and a visual sensor.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said first object is a Mexican pinata.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said first object is a Cuban pinata.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said first object is a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey type object.  
     
     
         22 . The audio device of  claim 21 , further wherein said sound system includes a sound recording device.  
     
     
         23 . The audio device of  claim 21 , further wherein said sound system includes a sound transmission device.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said control device includes an integrated circuit.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said audio device includes a sound system for playing a voice message.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a motion device, wherein said motion device produces a motion through an action selected from the group consisting of vibrating, rolling, spinning, or air flow.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said motion produces a corresponding movement in said pinata.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said sensor, said control device, and said audio device is removably attached.  
     
     
         29 . The pinata of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a remote input operatively coupled to said control device.  
     
     
         30 . The pinata of  claim 29 , wherein said remote input includes a microphone.