Earphone jack triggered interactive synchronized novelty devices and toys

Abstract

A novelty device includes an electronic module for operatively connecting to an audio jack of a base unit. The novelty device also includes a mechanism configured to react in response to an analog signal received by the electronic module from the base unit. The novelty device may further include a power supply for providing energy to the mechanism.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A novelty device comprising:
 an electronic module for operatively connecting to an audio jack of a base unit;   a mechanism configured to react in response to an analog signal received by the electronic module from the base unit; and   a power supply for providing energy to the mechanism to effectuate operation of the mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The novelty device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic module is a male ear plug jack capable of receiving a signal from the audio jack of the base unit when coupled with said audio jack of the base unit. 
     
     
         3 . The novelty device according to  claim 2 , wherein the power supply is triggered by the electronic module and sends a current to the mechanism to cause the mechanism to perform at least one function or movement. 
     
     
         4 . The novelty device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an integrated circuit that varies an output of the mechanism based upon characteristics of the signal received from the base unit.   
     
     
         5 . The novelty device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a female plug jack spaced-apart from the electronic module capable of operation as a pass-through for the signal received from the base unit.   
     
     
         6 . The novelty device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is a toy. 
     
     
         7 . The novelty device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is selected from the group consisting of one or more mechanical contraptions, electromechanical contraptions, audio producing contraptions and light producing contraptions. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 connecting an electronic module of a novelty device to an audio jack of a base unit;   receiving, at the novelty device, an analog signal sent from the base unit; and   providing a current to a mechanism of the novelty device to effectuate performance of at least one function or movement.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 varying an output of the mechanism based upon an integrated circuit of the novelty device interpreting the analog signal.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the mechanism is selected from the group consisting of one or more mechanical contraptions, electromechanical contraptions, audio producing contraptions and light producing contraptions. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the novelty device is selected from the group consisting of a toy and a game. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein base unit is selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone and a portable music player. 
     
     
         13 . A combination base unit and novelty device, the combination comprising:
 the base unit selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone and a portable music player, the base unit including an audio jack; and   the novelty device being selected from the group consisting of a toy and a game, the novelty device including:
 an electronic module for operatively connecting to the audio jack of the base unit; 
 a mechanism configured to react in response to an analog signal received by the electronic module from the base unit; and 
 a power supply for providing energy to the mechanism to effectuate operation of the mechanism, 
   wherein, when the electronic module is connected to the audio jack of the base, the base unit sends the analog signal through the audio jack and the electronic module to activate the mechanism of the device.