Interactive command-repeater toy system

Abstract

A toy system includes a data source operative in combination with a communication device such as a television receiver or the like. The data source applies data to a watermarking system which in turn embeds the data within the audio information processed by the television receiver. A repeater positioned in communication with the television receiver senses the watermarked audio information and recovers the embedded data therefrom. The repeater then modulates the recovered data upon a radio frequency carrier which is then broadcast throughout a play environment. A plurality of toys positioned about the play environment include apparatus for receiving, decoding and responding to the data within the broadcast radio frequency signal.

1 . A source of communicated data providing data in a first communication link; 
 a plurality of toys each having means for receiving and recovering data via a second communication link;    action means within each of said toys responsive to recovered data to create toy activity such as sound, movement or light; and    a repeater having means for communicating with said source via said first communication link, means for recovering data, means for applying said data to said second communication link and means for transmitting said data to said toys via said second communication link.    
   
   
       2 . The toy system set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first communication link is audio.  
   
   
       3 . The toy system set forth in  claim 2  wherein said second communication link is a radio frequency signal.  
   
   
       4 . The toy system set forth in  claim 3  wherein said source of communicated data includes a television receiver having an audio output.  
   
   
       5 . The toy system set forth in  claim 4  wherein said first communication link audio includes audio information having said data embedded therein.  
   
   
       6 . The toy system set forth in  claim 5  wherein said data is embedded in said audio information utilizes a watermarking process.  
   
   
       7 . A toy system comprising: 
 a television receiver having an output for audio information;    a source of television program information applied to said television and having data embedded in said audio information;    a repeater having means for receiving said audio information and recovering sad data therefrom, means for encoding said data upon a radio frequency signal, and means for transmitting said radio frequency signal; and    a plurality of toys each having action means responsive to said data and means for receiving said radio frequency signal and recovering said data.