GB2342813A

GB2342813A - Interactive educational toys with wireless communication devices

Info

Publication number: GB2342813A
Application number: GB9817522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Shane Bray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-13
Filing date: 1998-08-13
Publication date: 2000-04-19
Also published as: GB9817522D0

Abstract

Educational toys of the proposed invention comprise a transmitting and receiving toy wherein the transmitting toy is capable of remotely controlling the receiving toy. The transmitting toy comprises a monitoring device which monitors for status changes such as detection of vibration, orientation, ultrasonic or infrared signals and in response, sends out signals containing identification and status- dependent action data. The identification data identifies the receiving toy to be affected whilst the action data tells the toy what action to perform (eg production of movement, sound or light). The transmitting toy sends out a plurality of these signals with a random delay between each transmission, thereby minimising the risk of collisions with other transmitting toys. The receiving toy compares the identification data with one or more stored id's and if it has a predefined relationship with one of the id's, performs the action corresponding to the action data. At least one of the identification data transmitted by the transmitting toy and the stored id's of the receiving toy may be programmed by the user. The receiving toy can be put into a programming mode wherein it listens for the identification data of a nearby transmitting toy and stores that data in its list of stored id's.

Description

An Educational Toy The present invention relates to an educational toy for a child comprising a transmitting toy and a receiving toy. The present invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an educational toy for young children or children having special needs.

Educational toys for young children and children having special needs are well known. Many of these toys have only a very short lifetime because children very quickly become tired of them. In order to maintain the child's interest in the toy, many of these toys are interactive and react actively to the behaviour of the child. An example of this is a soundboard, having buttons that bear images. When a button is pressed, the sound associated with the image on the button is played.

Such educational toys are limited in the responses they can produce, thus a child will loose interest when all responses are exhausted. Some educational toys can be re-programmed to maintain the child's interest for longer. However, these re-programmable toys often perform a variation of the same underlying functions (for example pressing a button and producing an associated sound) and so the child will again quickly loose interest.

A child will discard the toy, once interest in a toy has been lost, a new toy must be purchased to engage the child's interest, which can be very expensive especially if the toy is for special needs.

The present invention provides an educational toy for a child comprising a transmitting toy and a receiving toy.

Accordingly, in the first aspect the invention provides an educational toy for a child comprising a transmitting toy and a receiving toy, the transmitting toy comprising: a monitoring device provided in the toy to monitor the status of the toy and responsive to a predetermined change in the status of the toy so as to issue a status signal; and, a transmitter arranged to respond to the receipt of the status signal, the transmitter being operative thereafter to issue a transmission code comprising a first toy identification code and a data code, the data code being dependant on the status signal; the receiving toy comprising: a storage means located within the receiving toy arranged to store a second toy identification code, and to supply this code to a comparator which receives the transmission code and compares the second toy identification code with the first toy identification code, and, on determination of a predetermined relationship between the second toy identification code and the first toy identification code an actuating signal; and, an actuator arranged such that on receipt of the actuating signal the actuator is responsive to the data code to change the status of the receiving toy; at least one of the transmitter and the storage means is programmable so enabling the user to set at least one of the first and second toy identification codes.

The educational toy according to the invention has the advantage that the transmitting toy and the receiving toy can each be replaced independently of each other. The user is required to simply alter at least one of the first and second toy identification codes stored in the transmitting or receiving toy to ensure that that the data transmitted by the transmitting toy is acted upon by the receiving toy. This enables a new toy to be made by only purchasing either a transmitting or receiving toy. It is not necessary to purchase an entire new toy when the child loses interest. For example if the child becomes bored with a particular transmitting toy such as a soundboard, this can be replaced with a second transmitting toy such as a die.

The educational toy of the invention also has the advantage that it is not necessary to discard a transmitting or receiving toy once a child has lost interest in it. As more transmitting or receiving toys are purchased, old transmitting or receiving toys can be combined with the new component to produce a new educational toy of interest to the child.

The storage means is preferably adapted to be set in a program mode, when in the program mode the storage means is adapted to store a first toy identification code received by the comparator, as a second toy identification code. This has the advantage that the receiving toy can be simply reprogrammed to respond to a new transmitting toy by firstly putting the receiving toy in a program mode, and secondly inducing the new transmitting toy to transmit a signal. The receiving toy will receive the signal from the transmitting toy and store the first toy identification code carried by the signal. The receiving toy will now respond to the new transmitting toy or any transmitting toy with this first toy identification code.

Preferably, the storage means is adapted to store a plurality of second toy identification codes, thus enabling the receiving toy to respond to a variety of transmitting toys. Several children can each play with a separate transmitting toy but producing results in the single receiving toy. This produces a degree of interaction between the children so maintaining the children's interest for longer.

Preferably, the monitoring device is adapted to monitor predetermined situations in software running on a Personal Computer for example when the user selects a particular item on the display unit. This enables the child to affect the receiving toy by interacting with the software on the computer. This is useful in teaching computer skills.

Preferably, the monitoring device is adapted to monitor at least one of the positions or orientation of the transmitting toy. This enables the child to affect the receiving toy by moving or rotating the transmitting toy (for example by throwing a die) to teach co-ordination skills.

Preferably, the monitoring device comprises at least one of an infra red detector adapted to detect the body heat of a user located proximate to the transmitting toy or an ultrasonic ranging module. This enables the child to affect the receiving toy simply by moving relative to the transmitting toy.

This can be useful for children that lack motor skills.

Preferably, the monitoring device can be adapted to monitor the status of at least one button on the said transmitting toy.

Preferably, the actuator is responsive to the data code to alter at least one sound or light emitted by the receiving toy.

Preferably, the actuator is responsive to the data code to alter the flow of software on a Personal Computer in a predetermined manner.

Preferably, the educational toy comprises at least one of a plurality of transmitting or receiving toys. These enable complicated toys to be built up which can be used by many children simultaneously.

The invention is now described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to drawings in which Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a monitoring device and a transmitter of a transmitting toy according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of the operation of the transmitting toy.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a monitoring device and a transmitter of a further embodiment of a transmitting toy according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a first embodiment of a receiving toy according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of the first embodiment of the receiving toy according to the invention in use.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a soundboard, which can operate both as a transmitting and receiving toy according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a flow diagram of the soundboard in use.

Shown in figure 1 is a block diagram of a monitoring device and a transmitter of a transmitting toy according to the invention. The transmitting toy comprises a soft die if foam or similar material contained within a casing. Each face of the casing can display an object or different colour or both. The monitoring device and transmitter are located within the die.

The transmitter located with the die comprises a microcontroller and a transmission module. The microcontroller is connected to a 9 Volt DC battery by a 5 Volt regulator. A crystal oscillator provides a clock signal to regulate the microcontroller.

The transmission module data and power lines are connected to the microcontroller. The transmission module transmits data placed on the data line by the microcontroller in a predetermined format.

The monitoring device comprises three mercury switches arranged to lie along three mutually orthogonal axes. The monitoring device is connected to an input port of the microcontroller.

Connected to a further input port of the microcontroller are a number of Dipswitches. These are set during the manufacture of the transmitting toy to provide a first toy identification code.

Shown in figure 2 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the microcontroller in detail. When first initialised the microcontroller reads the values of the Dipswitches and from these calculates a first toy identification code. The microcontroller is then set in low power consumption, sleep mode.

When a child disturbs the orientation of the die the monitoring device outputs a status signal which causes the microcontroller to'wake up'. The microcontroller confirms that the interruption was caused by a change in the mercury switches, if not the microcontroller re-enters the sleep mode. If the reading from the mercury switches has changed the microcontroller enters a loop in which it takes consecutive readings from the mercury switches. The readings must be the same for a predetermined time to allow the die to settle. If the reading changes before the predetermined time, the time is reset and the loop continues. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the die has settled.

Once the die has settled, the microcontroller calculates the orientation of the die from the value of the mercury switches. It then consults a lookup table to obtain a data code corresponding to that orientation.

Once the microcontroller has obtained a data code, this is combined with the identification code to produce a transmission code. The microcontroller then enters a loop, powers up the transmission module power line and places the transmission code on the data line of the transmission module a predetermined number of times. There is a random delay and the transmission module is turned off between each time the micrcontroller places the transmission code on the data line. This reduces data collisions caused by a number of transmitting toys operating at the same time in close proximity. Finally, once the transmission cycle is complete, the microcontroller returns back to the sleep mode.

Shown in figure 3 is a block diagram of a monitoring device and a transmitter of a further embodiment of a transmitting toy according to the invention. The electronics and method of operation of the device are very similar to those of the die except an ultrasonic ranging module replaces orientation sensing mercury switches.

When a child enters a room containing the transmitting toy the status signal issued by the ranging module awakens the microcontroller from a sleep state. As a result of this the microcontroller of the transmitting toy issues a transmission code related to the position of the child relative to the transmitting toy. A transmission module as previously described then transmits this transmission code. As the child moves relative to the transmitting toy, the transmission code changes so producing a response in any receiving toy programmed to respond to the transmitting toy. Such a transmitting toy is ideal for children that do not posses adequate motor skills to use other toys.

In a further embodiment the mercury switches are replaced by a passive infra red detector.

Shown in figure 4 is a block diagram of a comparator and actuator of a first embodiment of a receiving toy according to the invention.

The receiving toy comprises a lamp and a filter containing colours or images located in front of the lamp and a rotortable relative to the lamp to alter the light transmitted by the lamp. The actuator is placed between the lamp and the filter and is adapted to rotate the filter on receipt of an appropriate signal from the comparator.

The comparator comprises a microcontroller connected to a 9-Volt power supply via a 5-Volt regulator.

The microcontroller is also connected to an 8MHz oscillator, which regulates the timing of the microcontroller.

Attached to the microcontroller by a data line is a receiver module. The receiver module is adapted to receive a transmission code from a transmitting toy and to place it on the data line where it can be read by the microcontroller. This is described in greater detail with reference to figure5.

Also connected to the microcontroller is a channel select mode button.

The channel select button is used to alter the value of a second toy identification code stored within a storage means of the receiving toy (not shown).

Shown in figure 5 is a flow diagram of the first embodiment of the receiving toy in use. On receipt of a transmission code from the receiving module, the comparator compares the first toy identification code within the transmission code with the second toy identification code stored within the storage means (not shown). If the two codes have a predetermined relationship, the comparator compares the data code within the transmission code with the contents of a lookup table to determine which colour or image it is being instructed to display. It then outputs the actuating signal to the actuator, which rotates the filter until the correct filter colour, or image is positioned before the lamp.

If the first and second toy identification codes do not have a predetermined relationship, the microcontroller of the comparator determines if the channel select button has been pressed. If so the microcontroller sets the storage means in a program mode. In this mode the storage means replaces the second toy identification code with the first toy identification code that has just been received. In this way a receiving toy can be reprogrammed to recognise a new transmitting toy in a simple manner.

In an alternative embodiment the lamp is adapted to shine the coloured light through a bubble tube to give the appearance of bubbles which change colour as the filter is rotated.

Shown in figure 6 is a soundboard, which can function either as a receiving toy or a transmitting toy according to the invention. As previously, the soundboard comprises a microcontroller connected to a 9 Volt supply via a 5-Volt regulator. An 8 MHz crystal oscillator regulates the timing of the microcontroller.

The microcontroller is connected to a transceiver module by a data reception line, a data transmission line and a transmit/receive selection line. If the microcontroller wishes to transmit data, it sets the selection line to a suitable value and places the data on the data line. The transceiver will then transmit the data on the data line.

Similarly, if the microcontroller wishes to receive data, it sets the selection line to a suitable value for reception. The transceiver will then receive data and place it on the data reception line for receipt by the microcontroller.

The microcontroller is also connected to the data line of a sound cartridge, which, on receipt of a suitable instruction from the microcontroller will play an appropriate sound.

Finally, the microcontroller is also connected to a program mode button and to a series of illuminated buttons, which bear interchangeable images of interest to the child.

Shown in figure 7 is a flow diagram of the soundboard in use.

When a button bearing an image is actuated, the microcontroller places a predetermined message related to the button pressed on the sound cartridge data line. The sound cartridge then sounds the appropriate sounds. If the user selected the transmit data option in program mode, the microcontroller selects transmit on the transmit/receive selection line of the transceiver module and places the transmission code on the data transmission line. This is repeated a predetermined number of times as previously described. The microcontroller then selects receive on the transmit/receive selection line (this is default mode of the transceiver module when transmission is not required).

On receipt of a transmission code from the transceiver module, the comparator compares the first toy identification code within the transmission code with the second toy identification code stored within the storage means on the sound card (not shown). If the two codes have a predetermined relationship, the comparator compares the data code within the transmission code with the contents of a lookup table to determine which button it is being instructed to illuminate. It then outputs the actuating signal to the actuator, which illuminates the appropriate button and places a predetermined message on the sound cartridge data line. The sound cartridge then sounds the appropriate sounds.

The microcontroller determines if the program button has been pressed. If so the microcontroller enters program mode. Whilst in program mode pressing predetermined button sequences allows the user to select certain options. These options give the user more versatility.

If the data reception button sequence is selected, the user can instruct the comparator to refuse all transmission codes whatever the relationship.

If the transmit data button sequence is selected, the user can instruct the microcontroller not to transmit any transmission codes.

If the channel select button sequence is selected, the microcontroller sets the storage means on the sound card in a program mode. In this mode the storage means replaces the second toy identification code with the next first toy identification code that is received.

It is to be understood that any transmitting toy can be used with any receiving toy provided that the first toy identification code transmitted by the transmitting toy has a predetermined relationship with the second toy identification code stored by the receiving toy.

By way of example, a transmitting toy comprising a die could be combined with a receiving toy comprising a colour-changing lamp. In order to ensure that the first and second toy identification codes have the same predetermined relationship, the channel select mode button of the lamp is pressed so placing its storage means in program mode. The orientation of the die is then changed so inducing the die to transmit a transmission code comprising its data code and first toy identification code. The storage means of the colour changing lamp stores the first toy identification code as its second toy identification code.

Once the first and second toy identification codes have been correctly set, the child can use the die. As the child throws the die and so changes its orientation, the lamp receives transmission codes from the die and makes corresponding colour changes.

Eventually, when the child becomes bored of this toy, the colourchanging lamp can simply be replaced with an alternative receiving toy such as a soundboard. After the soundboard has been programmed to be compatible with the die, the die can be used as before although throwing the die now results in the production of sound and light corresponding to the orientation of the die.

Similarly, when the child becomes bored of the die, it could be replaced with a keyboard so maintaining the child's interest. As more receiving and transmitting units are acquired, the number of ways in which the can be linked together increases, so maintaining the child's interest for longer.

Claims

Claims 1 An educational toy comprising a transmitting toy and a receiving toy; the transmitting toy comprising of : a monitoring device within the toy provided to monitor the status of the toy and respond to a predetermined change in the status of the toy and issue a status signal, a transmitter arranged to respond to the status signal, thereafter becoming operative and issuing a transmission signal comprising of a first toy identification code and a data code, the data code being dependant on the status signal; the receiving toy comprising of : a storage means located within the receiving toy and arranged to store at least one second toy identification code and to supply at least one second toy identification code to a comparator, the comparator being adapted to receive the transmission signal, and compare the first toy identification code contained within the transmission signal and at least one second toy identification code and on determination of a predetermined relationship between the first toy identification code and at least one second toy identification code, issue an actuating signal; an actuator arranged such that on receipt of the actuating signal the actuator responds to the data code contained within the transmission signal and alters the status of the receiving toy to a predetermined state; at least one of the transmitter and the storage means is able to be programmed, enabling at least one of the first and second toy identification codes to be set by a user.
2 An educational toy as claimed in claim 1, where the storage means is adapted to be set into program mode by a user, which when in program mode enables the storage means to be adapted to receive the first toy identification code received by the comparator, and store this first toy identification code as a second toy identification code.
3 An educational toy as claimed in either claims 1 or 2, where the storage means is adapted to store many second toy identification codes.
4 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 where the monitoring device is adapted to monitor at least one position or orientation of the transmitting toy.
5 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 where the monitoring device comprises at least one of an infra red detector adapted to detect the body heat of a user located proximate to the transmitting toy or an ultrasonic ranging module adapted to monitor the distance of the child relative to the transmitting toy.
6 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 where the monitoring device is adapted to monitor the status of at least one button located on that transmitting toy.
7 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 where the monitoring device is adapted to monitor the status of software running on a Personal Computer.
8 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 where the actuator is responsive to the data code contained within the transmission signal to alter at least one of sound or light emitted by the receiving toy.
9 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 where the actuator is responsive to the data code contained within the transmission signal to alter the flow of software on a Personal Computer in a predetermined manner.
10 An educational toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising of at least one of a plurality of transmitting or receiving toys.
11 A receiving toy comprising a storage means located within the receiving toy that is arranged to store at least one second toy identification code and supply at least one second toy identification code to a comparator, the comparator being adapted to receive a transmission signal comprising a first toy identification code and a data code, and compare the first toy identification code and at least one second toy identification code for a predetermined relationship and, upon determination of a predetermined relationship issue an actuating signal an actuator arranged such that on receipt of the actuating signal the actuator responds to the data code contained within the transmission signal to alter the status of the receiving toy, the transmitting toy comprising a monitoring device provided in the transmitting toy to monitor the status of the toy and responsive to a predetermined change in status of the transmitting toy so as to issue a status signal, a transmitter arranged to respond to the receipt of the status signal, the transmitter being operative thereafter to issue a transmission signal comprising a first toy identification code and a data code, the data code being dependant on the status signal.
12 An educational toy as described with reference to the drawings