CN114746156A

CN114746156A - Educational toy suit

Info

Publication number: CN114746156A
Application number: CN201980101304.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: H·布尔曼
Original assignee: Coobus Corp
Current assignee: Coobus Corp
Priority date: 2019-11-14
Filing date: 2019-11-14
Publication date: 2022-07-12
Also published as: JP2023512379A; CA3155918A1; WO2021093957A1; EP4058158A1; IL292735A; US20220387881A1; KR20220092869A; AU2019474411A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an educational toy set and method for generating an auditory signal. The educational toy set according to the present invention comprises a shape (2, 2', 3, 4) having at least one shape recognizer (2, 1, 2) corresponding to one or more shape features. The toy playset further includes: an identification element having at least one reader to detect and/or activate at least one shape identifier within a valid range of the at least one reader; and a processing unit adapted to process the detection and/or activation of at least one shape identifier by the reader. The toy kit further comprises an output unit adapted to give an auditory input reflecting the processing in combination with the detection and/or activation of the one or more shape features.

Description

Educational toy suit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an educational toy set and in particular to a method for producing an auditory output through an educational toy set, all according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Background

Recently, with the rise of touch screen tablet computers, the development of educational and educational toys has made computing one of the major tools for combined learning stimuli. While this may be a good choice for teaching children and exposing them to the workings of computers and even symbolic thoughts, in the theory of education, the best learning method is one that stimulates all available senses, which has long been a recognized rationale. Tablet computers and ordinary computers are mostly used only for stimulating vision and hearing. Likewise, the building blocks and manipulators used as educational toys for children since ancient times are highly appreciated, as they stimulate tactile sensation in addition to visual stimulation, but they lack stimulation in the auditory field and the ability to provide an interactive learning experience.

Therefore, there is a need for educational and educational toys capable of tactile and perceptual learning that are off-the-shelf materials and that can be used to learn a wide variety of subjects, such as to support mathematical understanding and to teach logic.

WO 2015/073530 a1 discloses a toy that composes a story playable for a user according to a set of blocks arranged in a certain order. The order determines which of the topics (e.g., subjects, characters, plots, characters, or other story attributes or elements) are played in which order. The device still relies primarily on virtual stimulation by providing a screen on which a story expands according to a series of blocks arranged by the user and then plays as a story consisting of certain story blocks on the screen. While this may provide a larger story combination from a certain set of blocks, and of course also requires experimentation, and may even stimulate narrative thinking and story building, the educational toy itself has little effect in obtaining "hold" in the form of tactile stimuli in understanding and participating in complex abstract subjects (e.g., mathematics and language).

Disclosure of Invention

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an educational toy that overcomes at least one of the problems of the background art. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an educational toy that is easy to use and safe for children aged 1 to 16 years, and provides learning stimuli in the visual, auditory and tactile areas. It is another specific object of the present invention to provide an educational toy set that provides an interactive experience while reducing the screen time of a child.

A particular object of the invention relates to providing an educational toy and a method for giving an audible output in an educational toy set, which audible output reflects the intended learning experience and/or disposition of at least part of the toy set.

At least one of these objects is solved by the features in the characterizing part of the independent claims.

One aspect of the present invention is an educational toy set. The toy playset includes a shape having at least one shape identifier corresponding to one or more shape features.

The educational toy set further comprises a shape recognition element having at least one reader to detect and/or activate at least one shape recognizer within a valid range of the at least one reader.

The educational toy set further comprises a processing unit adapted to process the detection and/or activation of at least one shape recognizer by the reader.

It further comprises an output unit adapted to give an audible output. The output reflects the processing that detects and/or activates the one or more shape features and is combined with the one or more shape features.

In the context of the present invention, a "kit" can be understood as, for example, a plurality of items that belong together functionally. In this context, a suit is understood to be a plurality of items that fit into one another.

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, a "shape" can be understood as an item defined by its outer boundaries, such that it represents a particular geometric form.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape is a building block, particularly preferably the building block is a substantially symmetrical three-dimensional shape comprised of six equal squares, i.e. the shape is a cube.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the shape characteristics comprise information about a particular characteristic of the shape. This may be information about the particular geometric form of the shape, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, the shape feature may include information about any one or combination of: the color of the shape, the surface properties of the shape, the image and/or letters represented on any one surface of the shape, words, sentences, numbers.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shape features correspond to operators represented on at least one surface of the shape.

In the context of the present invention, an operator is understood to be an operator in the mathematical sense, as it represents a mathematical operation. The most commonly used mathematical operation notations are: +, -, ═ x. These operations symbolize addition, subtraction, equality, division, multiplication, respectively.

The educational toy set of the present invention provides a toy set that can be used to stimulate the learning of a variety of subjects. The subject may be implemented by providing respective shape features on the shapes that may interact with each other by the processing unit recognizing the shapes, placing a series of the shapes in a logical order, and providing a perceptible output for an output unit reflecting the same. The educational toy set may enhance learning stimuli by using the shape features, which themselves may be designed to attract children to interact with and stimulate the user's auditory, visual, and tactile senses. Stimulation of the somatosensory system by tactile manipulation of the shape is particularly advantageous for the learning experience associated with the educational toy set.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the toy playset comprises a plurality of shapes, each of which has at least one shape identifier corresponding to one or more shape features.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of shapes is several shapes between one shape and twenty-five shapes, in particular between one shape and fifteen shapes, even more in particular between three shapes and ten shapes.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the toy playset comprises a plurality of shape recognition elements. Each shape recognition element has at least one reader and each shape recognition element has at least one valid range of the at least one reader.

In the context of the present invention, the effective range can be understood as the area where contactless detection can take place between the reader and the shape identifier of a specific shape. The effective range may extend at an angle from the shape recognition element such that a plurality of effective ranges arranged close to each other do not overlap. With this configuration, the educational toy set can recognize at which position among the plurality of shape recognition element positions a specific shape having a specific shape recognizer is placed. This provides the educational toy set with the possibility to perform operators on several shapes, e.g. with shape features corresponding to numbers. In effective use, this means that if a sequence of three shapes is placed, where a first shape has shape features corresponding to one number (e.g. one), a second shape has shape features corresponding to one operator (e.g. plus sign, i.e. addition), and a third shape has shape features of one number (e.g. two), the effective ranges of three shape recognition elements on the educational toy set will be arranged to not overlap, so that each of the shape recognition elements is able to unambiguously recognize a particular shape feature of the shape with which it interacts in some way, so that the educational toy set can provide an audible output corresponding to the result of the respective mathematical operation, i.e. in a particular instance, the audible output will state "three" aloud.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the detection and/or activation is performed when one shape identifier is within the valid range of at least one reader.

Alternatively, or in addition, certain shape recognizers may be arranged to be activated and/or detected, for example, only when two valid ranges overlap. This particular embodiment may, for example, detect the stack shape.

In a particular embodiment, the shape identifier is adapted to be activated and/or detected by an electromagnetic field.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shape identifier is a passive radio frequency tag. Alternatively, the shape identifier is an active transmission tag.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shape identifier and the reader use near field communication as communication protocol. In this embodiment, the effective range substantially corresponds to a radio frequency field, and the detecting and/or activating comprises powering a passive tag in the form of the shape identifier.

In a particular embodiment, the shape identifier comprises a unique identification code enabling the shape identification element to unambiguously identify the shape with which a particular shape identifier is associated. In a particular example, the unique identification code is a serial number.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the educational toy set is provided with one or more masks which shape the effective range of the at least one reader, for example to enable a clear and unambiguous detection of the shape identifier. Suitable shielding for shaping the effective range may be made of typical radio frequency blocking materials, such as aluminum layers and/or other metal layers that block radio frequency electromagnetic waves from extending at a particular angle from the reader. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more shutters are arranged within a game tray having a plurality of shape recognition elements such that readers each associated with one shape recognition element have only shaped effective ranges that do not overlap each other or do overlap each other that are controlled areas.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shape recognition element with at least one reader is arranged in a game tray. Preferably, the game tray has a plurality of recesses, each recess being capable of receiving a shape and mating with a corresponding shape. The recess may be integrated in the tray such that a shutter material for the reader may be arranged to shape the effective range, for example.

In a further alternative or additional embodiment, the processing unit is adapted to perform readings by the reader during certain time intervals and to react to subsequent readings in dependence of the first detection. For example, the reader may be a first antenna adapted to detect the shape identifier in a first effective range of between 0.1 and 5cm, and upon detection, engage a second antenna adapted to detect the shape identifier in a range of between 0.1 and 10 cm. With this arrangement, the stack shape can be detected, for example, on one shape recognition element.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the output reflects a characteristic of a particular one of a plurality of shape recognition elements that has performed detecting and/or activating the at least one shape recognizer. For this embodiment, each shape recognition element may be attributable to a particular feature. This feature may correspond to, for example, the position of the shape recognition element in the arrangement of the educational toy set, such as on a tray. In the specific example where the educational toy set includes a tray on which the shape recognition element is arranged, such a feature may be, for example, the positioning of the shape recognition element on the tray. The sample locations may be, for example: the first shape recognition element from one end of the tray and a corresponding number reflecting a position count of the shape recognition element.

In alternative and/or additional embodiments, the features may also reflect specific characteristics of the shape recognition element. This property may for example be the geometry of the shape recognition element, when the shape recognition element is adapted to be manufactured in a specific shape. In this example, the shape of the shape recognition element may be substantially quadratic, for example matching a shape in the form of a cube. Of course, it is fully understood by those skilled in the art that any combination of shape recognition element geometries and shapes may be implemented in the context of the present invention. The feature may also be a color code, a numerical code, an alphabetic code, and/or an operator code, which is an attribute of a particular shape recognition element and which is taken into account by the processing unit when providing an output based on the activation and/or detection of a shape recognizer within the valid range of this shape recognition element.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the output reflects a feature of the plurality of shape recognition elements that has performed detection and/or activation of at least one shape recognizer, whereby the feature may be: the number of readers activated and/or the number of previous activation steps.

In a particular embodiment, the educational toy set comprises a memory unit for storing a sequence of detecting and/or activating at least one shape recognizer by any number of readers. The memory unit may, for example, comprise a random access memory, wherein all detection and/or activation events are at least temporarily stored for processing by the processing unit.

In a further particular embodiment, the educational toy set comprises a further memory unit storing a set of aural output files accessible to the processing unit when appropriate outputs reflecting shape features and/or shape recognition element features are determined as described above. For example, these aural output files may include voice recordings of particular features and instructions from which the processing unit may select.

In certain embodiments, the educational toy set of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit. Such a wireless communication unit may be used, for example, to connect the educational toy set with the internet and provide access to a memory or database over the internet, where the processing unit may access the aural output file and/or store the activation and/or detection sequence as described above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the educational toy set is further adapted to incorporate a process of machine learning protocol. The machine learning protocol is used to process user data when using the educational toy set. The particular sequence of events activated and/or detected may be used to identify recurring patterns or clusters of usage and thereby provide directed instructional feedback regarding certain types of regions that are recurring. By analyzing the user data, a customized challenge level can be provided for the user. For example, if the machine learning protocol recognizes that a task is being solved in a very short time interval and can therefore be considered too easy for the user, a more difficult task can be set by giving corresponding instructions through an audible signal output.

In certain embodiments, the educational toy set does not incorporate any type of electronic display. By not incorporating a display, the educational toy set is a desirable addition to the educational and learning stimuli that are widely used today with tablet computers by providing an interactive experience with strong tactile and auditory components that are balanced in visual stimuli, perform by shape, and favor one sense without sacrificing other senses. Thus, the educational toy set is a screenless toy that remains interactive in its use.

In a particular embodiment, the machine learning protocol is adapted to process data of a plurality of educational toys when used. For example, this may result in the establishment of a database of important users that can be used to target specific areas where educational needs have been identified based on parameters such as area, hours of day, time of use, and any other variables that the user agrees to share anonymously with the provider of the educational toy set.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless connection unit of the educational toy set is further adapted to provide an updating means for updating the computer program product controlling the operation of the processing unit.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless connection is an interface. In a further particular embodiment, the educational toy set of the present invention comprises an interface for connecting the processing unit with at least one further information processing device. This may take the form of, for example, a USB protocol for the interface and corresponding connections, which is preferably any of the latest generation of standard and/or mini and/or micro USB connections as deemed practical by those skilled in the art.

In a particular embodiment, the educational toy set includes a plurality of valid ranges, each valid range for a particular reader, and the valid ranges are adapted such that they do not substantially overlap. Alternatively, it may be arranged to overlap in a selected overlap region, which is then exploited by providing an overlap region capable of more specifically activating and/or detecting a shape identifier in said region. The particular shape may include, for example, a shape identifier that interacts with multiple readers and thereby bridges one or more shape recognition components. This may trigger a specific auditory output of the output unit processed by the processing unit.

In a particular embodiment, the shape comprises at least one shape mask, which may for example take the form of a radio frequency electromagnetic wave blocking material arranged inside the shape, such that only the shape identifier (e.g. a tag) may be accessed and thus may only be activated and/or detected from a particular angle. This may attribute the shape to a number of features. For example, a shape in the form of a cube may be attributed to six different features, each reflecting a particular cube surface and being associated with a shape identifier that is only readable when properly placed in a shape recognition element having shape identifiers from the other five reflecting its surface, each of which is blocked from being read by an obstruction within the cube.

In a particular embodiment, the output in combination with the one or more shape features reflects features such as shape form values, numerical values, alphabetic values, picture values, and the like for the shape.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the shape recognition element comprises at least one shape receptacle adapted to receive a shape, for example to bring the shape into an effective range associated with the shape receptacle.

In a particular embodiment, the shape recognition element comprises a plurality of shape receptors.

In a particular embodiment, the shape receptacle matches the shape, for example, in a manner that is manufactured closely to the shape. Particularly preferably, the shape receptor is designed as a recess on the game tray.

Alternatively, or in addition, the shape receptacle may be designed to comprise a marking and/or a suitable icon, which respectively graphically matches the shape, for example to make the placement of the latter intuitive. This allows the shape to be reliably brought into the effective range of the shape recognition element.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the educational toy set has a shape with a shaped surface made substantially of wood. One advantage of having a shape with a surface made substantially of wood is due to the tactile properties of wood. The wood is warm to the touch and is similar in appearance and feel to conventional toy bricks so that the educational toy set of the present invention is expected to be more acceptable from use. Alternatively or additionally, the educational toy set has a shape with a shaped surface made substantially of plastic and/or cardboard. In a particular embodiment, the shape has an interior volume that can be filled by interior units that include all electronic units (e.g., shape recognizers, etc.). In this embodiment, the surface of the shape may be made of cardboard that can be folded into a particular shape and the internal unit placed inside it.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the processing unit is further adapted to prompt the user by means of an audible output of the output unit. Such prompts may take the form of verbal invitations to perform some action. This can be done in a blank state, i.e. when no shapes have been brought into the effective range of the shape recognition element in the form of an invitation, the already existing sequence on the educational toy set may suggest all shapes. For example, if a mathematical operation has been placed by a sequence of shapes fitting into the respective receptacles of the shape recognition element, the processor may prompt the user to place the correct answer (i.e., the result of the mathematical operation) into the remaining free receptacles. This may be followed by a further output stating whether the shape has the correct numerical value representing the result of the mathematical operation.

In a further particular embodiment, the processing unit is adapted to generate a particular output signal reflecting the correct answer output by the output unit. This can be used to provide immediate satisfaction with the correct answer and thereby increase learning motivation.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the shape recognition element, the processing unit and the output unit and preferably also the shape receptacle are part of a game tray. The shape is then individual and adapted to be brought within range of at least one reader within the game tray. This may preferably be done by fitting the shape into a shape receptacle. In this particular embodiment, a game tray according to the invention may also be made with a substantially wooden outer surface.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the game tray provides a wood tactile experience with only a small interface, such as a mini USB connection for connecting the tray with another computing device interrupting the surface. The trays may be painted or coated to reduce wear and extend service life.

In certain embodiments, the educational toy set is further adapted to provide haptic feedback. This may be in the form of a vibration unit, such as an eccentric rotating mass, a piezoelectric actuator and/or a linear resonant actuator (such as typically incorporated in a smartphone).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the game tray is made of at least two half-shaped parts that can be fitted together and fastened, preferably without screws that extend to the surface of the game tray and hold the electronics (i.e. the shape recognition element, the processing unit, the output unit and preferably also the interface and power supply on the inside).

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the electronic device is part of a further detachable element, such as a side rail that is removable from a game tray having only a reader in the form of an antenna, which is then connected to a processing device that can be inserted onto the game tray.

In a particular embodiment, the educational toy set further comprises input means for providing input to the processing unit. In a further particular embodiment, the input means is a microphone adapted to convert sound into electrical information that can be processed by the processing unit. Particularly preferably, the processing unit is adapted to be controlled by speech. This enables the educational toy set to be controlled without the need for physical control tools such as switches, levers, etc. It further improves the value of the screenless toy, as the educational toy set may be adapted to be accessed through voice control, for example, for setting difficulty levels, defining access times, and/or accessing tracking records and score keeping. In a particular embodiment, the educational toy set includes a voice user interface for voice recognition based control of the processing unit. The educational toy set may also be connected with another device provided with a voice user interface, such as a smartphone, for example, through a short wavelength UHF radio wave based communication protocol (i.e., through bluetooth).

In a particular embodiment, at least two of the plurality of shapes are designed to be stackable. This can be achieved, for example, by making the shape in the form of a cube.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that implementations of the invention may take the form of a combination of any of the specific embodiments described, as long as they are not mutually exclusive in themselves. In addition, embodiments of the invention may include other structural or functional features in the following methods.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing an aural output. In particular, the aural output is generated by an educational toy set as previously described. The method comprises the step of triggering the detection and/or activation of at least one shape identifier by bringing this at least one shape holding the at least one shape identifier within the valid range of at least one reader. The method further comprises processing the trigger in dependence on at least one parameter, the parameter being dependent on one or a combination of the shape features. The parameters may also depend on the number of shape identifiers, the location of the readers, and/or the reading time.

The method further includes outputting, by the output unit, an auditory output as a result of the processing.

In a particular embodiment, the shape feature reflects any one or combination of a shape form value, a numerical value, an alphabetic value, a picture value, of the shape, and the processing includes setting the values in context with a sequence of shape features, thereby producing a meaningful output reflecting the sequence. This output takes the form of an audible output.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the processing unit matches the sequence of shape features to a set of predetermined operations stored in a memory. This may further include outputting the predetermined operation by playing an audible output file through a speaker.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the processing unit matches the sequence of shape features to a set of predetermined operations in a memory.

In a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit prompts an error notification if the sequence of one or more shape features does not match a predetermined operation stored in the memory.

In the following paragraphs, the present invention is further illustrated by the accompanying drawings and specific examples, but is not limited thereto.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize advantages, implementations, and embodiments by starting with these examples. The figures are shown for illustrative reasons only and are schematic and not intended to be drawn to scale.

Drawings

FIG. 1 schematically shows an illustration of an educational toy set according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a game tray prompting a user;

FIG. 3a schematically illustrates a step of use of the educational toy set of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3b illustrates a subsequent use step of the educational toy set of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3c shows an end use step of the educational toy set according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows details of the game tray and portions;

FIG. 5 shows a series of alternative embodiments of the game tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6a shows an interior view of a game tray, an

Figure 6b shows a schematic internal view of a shape for use with an educational toy set according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows the most basic embodiment of an educational toy set according to the present invention. The educational toy set here comprises a game tray 1, which is an elongated tray with a substantially wooden surface and two end pieces at the front end. In this particular example, the end piece at the front end is made of a material other than wood. These may facilitate the incorporation of the speaker into the educational toy set, which may be easier to implement in a metal front end piece than having a corresponding bore hole for the speaker in a wood piece. The front piece may further be designed to be removable, for example to enable the educational toy set to be opened and the electronics inside to be accessed. Preferably, the front piece also houses a battery and/or power source for powering the electronic functions of the educational toy set.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the nose piece is made of or coated with a material suitable for handling and/or providing a good grip, such as a silicon and/or rubber material. Alternatively, the nose piece may also be enclosed in the wood surface.

The educational toy set of fig. 1 has several five

shapes

2, 3, 2', 4 placed on a game tray 1. As can be seen in this example, each of

shapes

2, 3, 2', 4 has a respective numerical value or operator value as a shape feature. Three first shapes 2, 2' have numerical values and two

second shapes

3, 4 have operator values. Currently, the shape having the digital value has a first shape having a digital value of 3 and a second shape 2' having a digital value of 2. The first shape with operator value has a [ + ] symbol representing an addition, and the second shape with operator value 4 has an [ - ] operator. Finally, the correct answer is placed on the game tray 1 of fig. 1 in the form of the shape of the numerical value "5".

The use of the game tray and educational toy set of the present invention may be initiated by the educational toy set in a form that prompts the user to perform a certain task. This is illustrated in fig. 2, where the educational toy set invites the user to perform certain actions. In this example, no shape has been placed on the game tray, and the game tray issues an audible invitation a: please place any one of the toy blocks on the tray! In the section of large-bore animals. Alternatively or in addition, the educational toy set may issue an invitation to place a particular shape on tray B: please put the toy block with the number three on the tray! In the section of large-bore animals.

According to the invention, the game tray is provided with a shape-recognition element which can detect and/or activate the presentation of nearby shapes and can carry out a verification step by a processing unit (not shown in this figure) according to a specific timer, verifying whether the respective invitation which has been prompted has been fulfilled. The processing unit may then decide whether to repeat the invitation or continue issuing another prompt, which may be a different prompt than the first prompt.

For the purpose of this example, in fig. 3a, the user places a shape 2 in the form of a toy block with a numerical value 3 on a game tray 1. The educational toy set may then provide output C: three numbers! In the section of large-bore animals. Then, in the following, as depicted in fig. 3b, the educational toy set may issue a further invitation D: please Place the toy block of operator on the tray! In the section of large-bore animals. This is done interactively until the complete mathematical operation is placed on the game tray, on which the following sequence of aural outputs can be output: a: three! E: accumulate! F: two! G: equal to! H: fifth! In the section of large-bore animals. This corresponds to the sequence of shapes that have been placed on the game tray. The first shape 2 has a numerical value 3, the second shape 3 has an operator value +, the third shape 2' has a numerical value 2, and the fourth shape 4 has an operator value of 2.

A more detailed example is shown in fig. 4, which shows the end of a game tray 1 according to the invention having a shape 2, the shape 2 having been placed in a first shape receptacle. The end of the game tray has a front piece 1.1 made of metal and has a speaker on the side (not explicitly shown) where the audio output is played. The first shape 2 has been placed into a first shape receptacle made so that the shape 2 fits tightly therein. The second shape receptacle 1.2 is not filled with a shape. Visible in the second shape receptor 1.2 is a shape receptor feature 1.3, which in this example takes the form of a printed surface 1.3. This printing surface 1.3 may be used to provide certain tasks and features, such as placing shapes of the same color as the shape receptacle feature 1.3 into the second shape receptacle from the left.

In this particular example, the shape has three visible shape surfaces. The first shape surface 2.1 shows the digital values associated with the respective shape. The second shape features 2.3 may be printed with a particular color or design, for example, for use in combination with corresponding correspondingly shaped receptacle features 1.3 in a task that may be formed by an educational toy. The third shape surface 2.2 may also be implemented with specific features, such as further colors, or for example with picture values, letter values or operator values. In the context of the present invention, the processing unit may process and provide output depending on the context in which the particular shape is placed in conjunction with other shapes on the game tray. This means that the shape recognizer associated with the addition may also be associated with a particular number (e.g., "two"). Depending on the context in which the shape is placed on the game tray, the processor, either by itself or depending on the database, determines which functions will be relevant to a particular context. And then provide an output to accommodate the corresponding context. In a particular example, this can mean that placing two shapes having a value of "two" in a subsequent manner can be interpreted to mean "twenty-two," not just "two" and "two. In fig. 5 is shown how the shape surface can be used for different variants of shape features, where

shapes

2, 3, 2' are used to describe numbers as line counts, die points or letters. Thus, in the example of a bar in FIG. 5, the result would suggest that this answer is incorrect, tried again! Output in the sense of. In the example of FIG. 5, a pallet is shown with complex tasks in the context of a user. For example, the task of FIG. 5 may begin by placing the first shape 5 with an apple image onto a game tray. The following tasks may cover the placement of subsequent shapes 6, 6', whose alphabetical values write the word apple, or they may cover the task of placing missing letters on the game tray in a particular order. It may also cover the task of stating how many letters are missing in a word placed on a game tray, where the correct answer is placed on the first shape 5 in the form of shape 2 with a numerical value of 1. Another different task may be to count apples by placing e.g. the correct suffix of an apple, two apples requiring one shape at the end and two other shapes at the end, respectively. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the possibilities for implementing the invention are almost endless. Since the illustrated shape of the present example, which has been outlined in fig. 4, is a simple cube with six different surfaces, an almost unlimited number of operations can already be implemented in an educational toy set consisting of a game tray and a set of six to ten shapes in the form of a cube.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that in the example of fig. 5, the shapes are stackable. This stackability requires the game tray to have corresponding features for recognizing two shapes above each other, i.e. means to distinguish the two shape identifiers within the effective range of the reader.

Fig. 6a shows a game tray 1 for use with an educational toy set according to the present invention, with a portion of the lid removed, for example to allow a schematic view of the interior. From left to right, the front piece is followed by a first shape receptor 1.2, the printed surface of which acts as a first shape receptor feature 1.3. An nth shape receiver is shown with its cover removed and with an RFID antenna 10 within the shape recognition element 12. The shape recognition element 12 is separated from the subsequent nth plus 1 shape receptacle by a shutter unit 18, said shutter unit 18 being a metal block inserted between the first antenna 10 and the second antenna 10'. In operation, each of the two antennas 10, 10' provides a unique and specific effective range of the antenna 10, 10', in this embodiment the antenna 10, 10' replaces the reader. After any number of such shape recognition elements, the processing unit 11 processes the detection and/or activation performed by the antenna and generates an output in the form of an acoustic signal emitted from the output unit 17 based on a sequence of activation and/or shape features recognized by individual shape feature tags placed inside the shape and inductively activated by the antenna 10, 10'. This audible signal, which has been described in detail above, refracts the shape features and/or the order and timing of placement in the respective shape recognition elements. To update the entire software to load the power supply 14, a connection 13 is provided. In this example, the connection 13 is a USB protocol connection. The battery 16 may be any kind of rechargeable battery commonly used in peripheral devices.

In this example, the processing unit 11 may also access the memory unit 16 which stores a database of specific voice files or sequences providing logic, and the processing unit may again check the database of sequences to determine whether a particular operation is meaningful and what the correct output will be.

In the current embodiment of fig. 6a, the game tray is also provided with a TCP/IP microcontroller capable of WiFi communication with additional devices.

In the present example, the antennas 10, 10' are RFID/NFC antennas adapted to provide an effective range in the vicinity of the shape recognition element, so that only correctly placed shapes can be activated/detected, e.g. to prevent interference between different shapes placed close to each other.

A shape that can be used for this device is shown in fig. 6 b. The shape 2 in this example has two shape characteristics that depend on two shape identifiers 2.1, 2.2. In the present example, the shape identifiers 2.1, 2.2 are two passive tags, which can be activated and/or detected by the RFID/NFC antenna in the game tray as described above.

With the educational toy of the present invention, a toy is provided that stimulates the tactile, visual and auditory senses of children, which can address a variety of learning issues and play methods for different subjects, while being highly customizable and interactive in its use in a manner that does not fall behind common tablet-implemented educational applications.

Claims

1. An educational toy set, comprising:

a. a shape (2, 2', 3, 4) having at least one shape identifier (2.1, 2.2) corresponding to one or more shape features;

b. a shape recognition element having at least one reader (10, 10') to detect and/or activate at least one shape recognizer within the effective range of the at least one reader;

c. a processing unit (11) adapted to process the detection and/or activation of at least one shape identifier (2.1, 2.2) by the reader (10, 10'), and

d. an output unit (17) adapted to give an audible output reflecting the processing of the detection and/or activation in combination with the one or more shape features.

2. The educational toy set of claim 1, comprising a plurality of shapes (2, 2', 3, 4), each of said shapes having at least one shape recognizer (2.1, 2.2) corresponding to one or more shape features.

3. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of shape recognition elements, each of the shape recognition elements having at least one reader, and each of the shape recognition elements having a valid range of the at least one reader.

4. The educational toy set of claim 3, wherein the output reflects a characteristic of the plurality of shape recognition elements that the detection and/or activation of at least one shape recognizer has been performed.

5. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 4, comprising a memory unit for storing a sequence of detecting and/or activating at least one shape recognizer by any number of readers.

6. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 5, comprising an interface for connecting the processing unit with at least one further information processing device.

7. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a plurality of effective ranges, each particular reader having the effective range, and the effective ranges are adjusted such that they do not substantially overlap.

8. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output in combination with the one or more shape features reflects a feature such as a shape form value, a numerical value, a letter value, a picture value of the shape.

9. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein shape recognition element comprises at least one shape receptor adapted to receive a shape, for example to bring the shape into an effective range associated with the shape receptor.

10. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shape has a shape surface made substantially of wood.

11. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the processing unit is further adapted to prompt the user through an audible output of the output unit.

12. The educational toy set according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shape recognition element, the processing unit and the output unit, and preferably also the shape acceptor, are part of a game tray (1), and the shapes are separate and adapted to be brought into the active range of at least one reader within the game tray, in particular by fitting shapes into shape acceptors.

13. The educational toy set of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least two of the plurality of shapes are designed to be stackable.

14. A method of generating an aural output, in particular by an educational toy set according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of:

a. triggering the detection and/or activation of at least one shape identifier by bringing at least one shape within the effective range of the at least one reader;

b. processing the trigger in dependence on at least one parameter, the at least one parameter being dependent on a shape feature, a number of shape identifiers, a location of the reader; one or a combination of read times;

c. an auditory output is output as a result of the processing by an output unit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the shape feature reflects any one or combination of a shape form value, a numerical value, an alphabetic value, a picture value, of the shape, and the processing comprises setting the values in context with a sequence of shape features to produce a meaningful output reflecting this sequence in the form of an audible output.

16. The method of any of claims 14 or 15, wherein the processing unit matches the sequence of shape features to a set of predetermined operations stored in memory.

17. The method of any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein the processing unit prompts for an error notification if a sequence of one or more shape features does not match a predetermined operation stored in memory.