| abstract |
A self-propelled musical toy rolling ball which plays musical tunes and sound effects. The ball may also include decorative images on its surface which may generally correspond to the musical tune or sound effects played by the ball. The electronics of the ball, once energized, operate to propel the ball and simultaneously activate an integrated circuit sound effects chip which plays first sound sequence, typically a musical tune. When the ball bumps into a wall or other object, the propulsion mechanism, typically a drive motor which may be transmissivly connected to a central axis shaft, is disengaged and the circuit then plays a second sound sequence, typically a randomly selected pre-programmed sound effect from one of a plurality of different sounds. Thereafter, the propelling mechanism is again activated and the ball resumes playing the musical tune. |