FR3043244A1 - HOUSING WITH ATTACHING DEVICE HAS A CONNECTED DOUDOU - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing (10) comprising wireless communication means, said housing (10) being characterized in that it comprises a device (20) for attachment to be attached to a toy (1), the device (20) comprising a strip (30) extending in a longitudinal direction (X-X ') and having elastic properties in said longitudinal direction (X-X'), a protruding member (40) extending from said strip (30) and having a minimum diameter (L40), a plurality of slots (50, 52, 54) disposed in the strip (30) and distributed in the longitudinal direction (X-X '), and comprising a dimension of aperture (Lf) defined when the web is at rest, the slots (50, 52, 54) being configured to receive the protruding member (40), wherein the minimum diameter (L40) of the protruding member is greater than the opening dimension (Lf), so that the insertion of the protruding element (40) in at least one of said slots (50, 52, 54) requires stretching the strip in the longitudinal direction (X-X ').

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of connected doudous and their attachment.

More specifically, it relates to a housing comprising a fastening device to be mounted on a blanket.

STATE OF THE ART

The toys of young children are called "comforters". The latter, often taking the form of a stuffed animal but may be other miscellaneous items of cloth such as a diaper or a sock, are transitional objects whose primary function is to reassure young children.

When a child has chosen a blanket, a special relationship is formed: the child records the sensations associated with the blanket such as its softness, its shape, its color, texture, smell, etc., which makes it unique.

A recurrent fear of the parents is thus to lose the blanket, because the only solution is then to replace it in the identical, it is in fact impossible, since the child is "appropriate".

To avoid this problem, it has been proposed to turn comforters into "communicating objects", that is to say, computer devices that include network connection means (a SIM card, a Wi-Fi antenna, etc.). and are able to interact autonomously with other objects such as a smartphone, especially via the Internet.

This makes it possible to locate the blanket with a smartphone. It is also possible to use the wireless network to exchange data with the blanket, including playing songs such as lullabies if it is equipped with sound transmission means, such as a speaker. Nevertheless, in order to prevent parents from buying a specially designed "connected" cuddly toy (which would deprive the child of his favorite cuddly toy), solutions are turning to computer devices to add. Machine cleaning constraints also argue in favor of such a design.

It is then necessary to solve several constraints simultaneously concerning these devices to add: - it must be able to be fixed on most types of blanket and / or at different places of the blanket, whatever their matter, their size, or their shape, - For reasons of safety and use, the child must not be able to detach, voluntarily or involuntarily, - To be put on another blanket or removed temporarily, it must be able to be detached by an adult.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus relates to a housing comprising wireless communication means, said housing being characterized in that it comprises an attachment device to be attached to a toy, the device comprising: - A band extending in a longitudinal direction and having elastic properties in said longitudinal direction, - a protuberant member extending from said band and having a minimum diameter, - a plurality of slots disposed in the band and distributed along the longitudinal direction, and comprising a dimension defined when the web is at rest, the slots being configured to receive the protruding element, wherein the minimum diameter of the protruding element is greater than the opening dimension, so that the insertion of the protruding element in at least one of said slots requires stretching the strip according to the direct longitudinal ion.

Advantageously, the invention may comprise the following features, taken alone or in combination: the protruding element is disposed on one face of the strip, the protruding element is located at a first end of the strip, the element protuberant is formed at one end of the strip and has a rectangle-shaped outline extending beyond the width of the strip, - the outline of the protruding member comprises a shape defining a curve of constant width, - the strip is made of plastic material, - the strip comprises polyester, - the strip comprises a stop located at a second end of the strip and / or a stop located at one end of the strip, - the stop is made by a hem or a retracted, - the housing comprises a handle and the band is threaded into the handle and is limited in displacement through the handle by the stop on the one hand and the protruding element of the other re. the housing comprises data processing means, data storage means, sound transmission means and the wireless connection means are adapted to communicate with a mobile terminal,

Finally, the invention provides an assembly comprising a housing as described above, and a toy, the toy being a toy-companion toy type.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows of a preferred embodiment. This description will be given with reference to the appended figures: FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of the invention, the strip being unfolded and presented flat, FIG. 2 represents the embodiment of FIG. 1, seen from the side FIGS. 3 and 4 correspond to FIGS. 1 and 2 with another embodiment; FIG. 5 corresponds to another embodiment of the protruding element in particular; FIG. embodiment of the invention, seen from the side, without the band. FIG. 7 represents the casing of FIG. 3, seen from the back, with the band, FIG. 8 represents the blanket, with its case, FIG. 9 represents a diagram of an architecture for the implementation of the method of rendering audio content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, the invention provides a device 20 for attaching a housing 10 to a toy 1. The toy is intended for an infant, that is to say less than three years old.

Three main elements are therefore involved, in this case: a toy 1, which is preferably a toy-companion for a child, in particular fabric, like any type of clothing, preferably a stuffed toy for example in the shape of an animal. In the remainder of the present description, reference will be made to a toy type toy. The toy 1 is adapted to be in contact with a child without endangering his physical integrity or health (short and long term). - A housing 10, enclosing securely (inviolable by a child) components that will be detailed later. The housing is attached to the toy 1, it means that it is secured to the latter by a link. - Fastening is done removably with the attachment device 20. In addition, this fastener is said to be secure, since it allows an adult to separate them by doing a particular manipulation that is not within the reach of a kid. An infant can not separate the toy and the case 10.

The fastener 20 comprises a strip 30 extending in a longitudinal direction X-X 'and having elastic properties in said longitudinal direction X-X'.

A protruding element 40 further extends from the elastic band 30 and includes a minimum diameter L40. Preferably, for reasons of optimization of space and materials, this element 40 is located at a first end 32 of the elastic band 30.

Finally, at least two slots 50, 52, 54 (three to five slots shown in the figures) configured to receive the protruding element 40 are arranged in the band 30. The slots 50, 52, 54 are distributed in the longitudinal direction X -X '. The slots comprise an opening dimension Lf defined when the strip is at rest. By "at rest" is meant that the strip 30 is laid flat on a support and that no particular constraint is exerted on the latter.

In addition, the minimum diameter L40 of the protruding element 40 is greater than the opening dimension Lf of the slots 50, 52, 54. By minimum diameter L40 is meant that whatever the orientation in the plane defined by the band, the diameter of the protruding element 40 extending parallel to the slot 50 in which the insertion is provided is greater than the opening dimension Lf. It is recalled that the opening dimension Lf is defined when the band 30 is at rest.

Since the slots 50, 52, 54 are configured to accommodate the protruding member 40, it is of course expected that once stretched, the slot will have a size sufficient to allow insertion of the protruding member 40, that is, that is to say that the protruding element has at least one diametrical dimension smaller than the dimension of the stretched slot.

The fastening device 20 is attached to the housing 10. This attachment will be described later. The attachment of the fastening device 20 around the blanket 1 is done by inserting the protruding element 40 in at least one of the slots 50, 52, 54, after having folded the first end 32 towards the target slot, by making example a loop around a part of the blanket.

To allow this insertion, due on the one hand to the slotted form and its dimension with respect to the protruding element 40, it is necessary to stretch the strip 30 in its longitudinal direction X-X 'to then allow effective insertion into the slot 50.

The minimum diameter L40 and the opening dimension Lf are configured so that from a certain degree of extension, the dimension of the slot along the longitudinal axis X-X 'is greater than the minimum diameter L40.

An infant has no motor skills, let alone manual dexterity, to perform the combination of the extension gesture of the band 30 and insertion into the slot while maintaining the extension gesture .

In addition, the use of several slots 50, 52, 54 allows the fastener 20 to be adaptable in length and to attach to parts of the blanket of different circumference.

To obtain the largest possible fastening, the protruding element 40 must be inserted in the slot 50 farthest from the latter, that is to say generally that at a second end 34 of the strip 30. (In the case of a protruding element located at the first end 32). There is in this case no residual free band after fixing.

To obtain the shortest possible fastening, the protruding element 40 must be inserted into the slot 50 as close as possible. A residual free band corresponding to the portion of the strip 30 located between the slot receiving the protruding element 40 and the second end 34 is then observed.

In order to remedy this, it suffices to insert the protruding element 40 into another slot 52, 54: it is possible to perform either an additional loop, which comes again to seize the blanket 1, or simply to fold the free band and its slot 52, 54 towards the protruding element 40.

The elastic band

"Band" means a part extending in a longitudinal direction X-X 'along a length L, and whose width I, which extends in a transverse direction Y-Y' to the longitudinal direction X-X ', is less than the length. Finally, the thickness of said piece is small compared to the other two dimensions (see Figure 2). By way of example, the ratio l / e is between 5 and 15, and the ratio L / l is between 5 and 10.

Given the destination of the attachment device 20, a length L between 5 and 15 cm is suitable for a width of between 1 and 3 cm. The standards in force in Europe require an extension dimension of less than 22 cm: therefore, the maximum length L is chosen so that in extension, the strip 30 is less than 22 cm.

In one embodiment, the band 30 is made of elastic fabric derived from natural material.

In another embodiment, the band 30 comprises polyester providing elasticity. This polyester can be joined with other material, such as fabrics (cotton, etc.).

In another embodiment, the strip 30 is made of plastic material.

In another embodiment, the strip 30 is in a material selected from the following list: silicone, latex, neoprene.

The materials are selected from a class of compatible children's materials.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the protruding element 40 into the slot 50, the elastic band 30 may be elastic in the transverse direction YY ', that is to say along its width. In this way, the width of the slots 50, 52, 54 can be increased more conveniently. It will be noted that by widening the slot, its length decreases, which again imposes stretching along its length to have an opening size sufficient for the insertion of the protruding element 40.

Insofar as the materials used for the strip 30 are common, they have homogeneous physical properties in space and will be deformable in the three directions of space. The elasticity of the band 30 is chosen so that the casing 10 can be held relatively firmly to the blanket (and prevent the child from slipping his hand between the blanket and the casing for example), without it a lot of trouble to stretch the band. The protruding element

As indicated above, the protruding element 40 has the function of coming to form a loop with the band 30, coming to constitute a blocking system in one of the slots 50, 52, 54. The protruding element 40 thus crosses the opening of the slot to block the other side of the band 30.

The protuberance may include an extension depending on the thickness of the strip 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and / or the width of the strip 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). When the protuberance extends only in the plane of the strip 30 (plane mode), it can easily be made of material, which limits the tearing.

The protuberance is advantageously according to the thickness of the strip. For this, the protruding element 40 is disposed on one of the two faces of the strip 30, at the first end 32.

In one embodiment, the minimum diameter L40 extends in the longitudinal direction X-X '.

In one embodiment, the contour of the protruding element 40 has the shape of a constant width curve. A curve of constant width is a closed plane curve whose width, measured by the distance between two opposite parallel lines which are tangent to it, is the same whatever the orientation of these lines.

A circular outline shape, such as a button, checks for constant width curve conditions.

In one embodiment, a protruding element 40 of square outline may be suitable.

In an embodiment corresponding to the plane mode, the protruding element 40 is a rectangle contour formed at the end of the strip 30, whose length (of the rectangle), which is the minimum diameter L40, is greater than the width I of the band 30. The rectangle is disposed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis X-X ', that is to say that the length is orthogonal to it. Once inserted in the slot, the band 30 will fold along the longitudinal axis X-X 'around the protruding element 40.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, to limit this fold, the band 30 may comprise a restriction 36 in which band 30 comprises a portion of reduced width. The protruding element 40 is in the extension of this restriction 36 and is formed by widening the width of the band 30.

By contour means the perimeter of the surface defined by the projection of the protruding element 40 in the plane defined by the strip 30 when it is arranged flat (the plane X-X ', Y-Y').

In one embodiment, the protruding member 40 is integral with the web 30. This is advantageous when the web material is plastic.

In one embodiment, the protruding member 40 is formed by an insert. The protruding element 40 has the other function of forming a stop, which will be described later.

Slots

A plurality of slots 50, 52, 54 makes it possible to ensure the adaptability of the attachment device 20. They then form a buttonhole oriented in the longitudinal direction X-X '.

In the case of a fabric device, the slots are typically made by stitching in said fabric.

In the case of a plastic device, the slots are made during molding. Alternatively, they are machined after molding.

As indicated above, each slot has an opening dimension Lf, defined according to the extension of the slot.

In a preferred embodiment, each slot is oriented in the longitudinal direction X-X '. Nevertheless, other orientations are possible and functional, insofar as the device is freely orientable in space (unlike a shirt for example, where a 90 ° buttonhole orientation modified complicate dressing ).

The slots are typically positioned at regular intervals and are preferably centered in the width of the strip for reasons of manufacture and strength. As an illustration, the spacing between the slots 50, 52, 52 is between 1 and 3 cm. For a band of 10 cm, one can thus count about four functional slots.

The method of manufacturing the strip 30 of the device 20 may use a roller whose slots are already provided. Therefore, it is possible that the attachment device comprises slots too close to the protruding element 40, or partially cut by the stop 60. These slots are not functional but do not interfere with proper use of the device .

The stops At a second end 34 of the strip 30, located opposite the first end 32, is advantageously a stop 60, whose role will be described later. The stop 60 preferably has the same material as the elastic band 30.

The stop is preferably positioned on the edge of the band 30.

In one embodiment, the stop 60 is made by a hem or a tuck.

In one embodiment, the stop 60 is made integrally during the injection.

In one embodiment, a second stop 62 is located at the first end 32 of the band 30. Its function will be explained later. The second stop 62 is then preferably located on the edge of the strip. Along the longitudinal axis X-X ', there is then: the stop 60, the slots 50, 52, 54, the protruding element 40, the second stop 62.

In an alternative not shown, the second stop 62 is located on the other side of the protruding element, to prevent the latter can come tearing by the handle 7. This embodiment is only relevant if the protruding element 40 has a larger dimension than the opening of the handle 7.

The box

The housing 10 may be rigid or flexible.

For example, the housing 10 may be plastic or padded textile in which the electronics is housed in an absorbent material such as wadding (which avoids the use of plastic). Indeed, the wadding is relatively flammable.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the housing 10 comprises a handle 7, which accommodates the attachment device 20. Preferably, the handle 7 is integral with the housing 10, for example by molding, and can not be opened. The handle 7 forms a closed loop secured to the housing 10 and comprising an opening.

In order to maintain the band 30 in the bail 7 when the fastening device 20 is not used, the protruding element 40, like the stop 60, acts as a stop and prevents the band 30 escapes from the handle 7.

Alternatively, as to prevent tearing of the protruding element 40, it is preferably as close as possible to the band, and it is possible that the protruding element 40 can pass freely in the handle 7. For this purpose, the second stop 62 allows the maintenance of the band 30 in position in the handle 7. For this purpose, the size of the opening defined by the handle 7 is smaller than the size of the abutment 60 or the protruding element 40 (In particular in terms of thickness), so that the band 30 can be inserted into the loop 7 in force, in particular thanks to the fact that the stop 60 or the protruding element 40 is deformable.

In the case of an abutment 60 made by a hem or made of material with the band 30, the deformability will be ensured by the elasticity of the material of the band 30.

Once in place, the strip 30 is held locked at its two ends 32, 34 on the one hand by the protruding element 40 and on the other by the stop 60. For reasons of convenience, it is preferable that the housing 10, when not mounted on the blanket, and the band 30 is movable in translation relative to each other in the longitudinal direction X-X '. Indeed, this freedom in translation ensures a better adaptability of the attachment to the blanket since the place where one seizes the band to form the loop is adjustable.

Alternatively, the housing 10 is glued or punched with the strip 30.

Alternatively, the casing 10 is sewn to the band 30.

Alternatively, the housing 10 and the strip 30 are molded in the mass.

In one embodiment, the housing 10 comprises communication means and processing means, which are configured to allow the location of the housing 10 and therefore the blanket 1. The communication means are preferably wireless, and transmitters little waves, like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the housing comprises sound transmission means 9, such as a loudspeaker from which a buzzer), data processing means 11 (in particular a processor or a processor). microcontroller), data storage means 12 (in particular a memory, in particular of the flash type), wireless connection means 13 (in particular of the Bluetooth type, advantageously Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to limit the waves sent to the computer). 'child, but also Wi-Fi, or 3G / 4G and GPS), and a wired connection 14. The housing 10 also includes a battery, and if necessary a minimal interface, for example a small button squeezable by an adult or a big push button by a child.

The housing can communicate with a mobile terminal 2 according to a particular method.

The mobile terminal 2 is typically smartphone or tablet type. It includes its own means of data processing and storage 21, 22, an interface such as a touch screen and wireless communication means 23 able to communicate with those 13 of the housing 10, for example via the establishment of a short-range Bluetooth network. The mobile terminal stores (or broadly accesses) one or more audio contents, for example in the form of an mp3 file. It is noted that the audio content may be an on-the-fly recording of a microphone of the terminal 2.

The housing 10 comprises data processing means 11, data storage means 12, wireless connection means 13 to a mobile terminal 2, and a wired sonic connection 14 (typically a 3.5 mm jack).

This connection is connectable by wire to an audio output 24 of the mobile terminal 2.

The data processing means 11 implement: a recording module on the data storage means 12, when the connector 14 is connected to the audio output 24, of a sound signal representative of an audio content and played by the mobile terminal 2; - A receiving module via the wireless connection means 13 of a read request of said audio content transmitted from the mobile terminal 2; - A rendering module by the sound emission means (loudspeaker or buzzer) 9 of said recorded sound signal.

The receiving module can also receive metadata.

This architecture is distinguished in that it cleverly combines two modes of communication between the housing 10 and the terminal 2, wireless and wired. Wired communication is used to carry the bulk of the data, which as we will see significantly reduced the data to be transmitted over the wireless network (and therefore the waves), and also saves battery.

These solutions make it possible to transform any blanket into a connected blanket, either using a loudspeaker to easily play all kinds of audio content chosen by the parents, or a device for example communicating which facilitates the location (sound or using the phone's GPS, such as the last borrows the case before the loss of BLE connection), while limiting highly electromagnetic waves emitted near the baby. The case is attached to the blanket, without risk that the baby can remove it, while remaining removable for the change of blanket or for cleaning.

Claims (11)

A housing (10) comprising wireless communication means, said housing (10) being characterized in that it comprises a device (20) for attachment to be attached to a toy (1), the device (20) ) comprising: - a strip (30) extending in a longitudinal direction (X-X ') and having elastic properties in said longitudinal direction (X-X'), - a protruding member (40) extending from said strip (30) and having a minimum diameter (L40), - a plurality of slots (50, 52, 54) arranged in the strip (30) and distributed in the longitudinal direction (X-X '), and comprising a dimension of aperture (Lf) defined when the web is at rest, the slots (50, 52, 54) being configured to receive the protruding member (40), - wherein the minimum diameter (L40) of the protruding member is greater than to the opening dimension (Lf), so that the insertion of the protruding element (40) in at least one of said slots (50, 52, 54) requires stretching the strip in the longitudinal direction (X-X '). 2. Housing according to the preceding claim, wherein the protruding element (40) is disposed on one side of the strip (30). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protruding element (40) is located at a first end (32) of the strip (30). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contour of the protruding element (40) comprises a shape defining a curve of constant width. 5. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (30) is of plastic material. The housing of any preceding claim, wherein the web (30) comprises polyester. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an abutment (60) located at a second end (34) of the strip (30) and / or a stop (62) located at a first end (32) of the band (30). 8. Housing according to the preceding claim, wherein the stop (60) is formed by a hem or a tuck. 9. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a handle (7), and wherein the band (30) is threaded into the handle (7) and is limited in displacement through the handle (7) by the abutment (60) on the one hand and the protruding element (40) on the other. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing comprises data processing means (11), data storage means (12), sound transmission means (9) and connection means. wireless (13) are adapted to communicate with a mobile terminal (2). 11. An assembly comprising a housing according to any one of the preceding claims, and a toy (1), the toy being a comforter-type toy comforter.