GB2336701A - Detachable function unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A detachable plug-in attachment can be fitted to an electrical device and provides an additional function. For example the device may be a piece of hi-fi or television apparatus and the attachment may be designed to permit remote control of the hi-fi or television apparatus. Alternatively the device may be a toy (eg a doll or a toy vehicle) and the attachment may provide a sound generating function. The present invention allows a simple but perfectly operational article to be provided with added value at minimal cost.

Description

2336701 1 DELACH,6BLL FUNCTION UNIT This invention relates to a detachable

unit that can be provided to give a piece of electrical or electronic apparatus added value, and in particular to such a unit that may be 5 provided as an optional extra.

It is known in a wide variety of different fields thal an itein of electricil or electronic apparatus may be given enhanced value by rroviding selected desired

1,5 additional functions on top of the basic functions that are essential to the operation of the apparatus. They are desirable but non-esscritial fealures. An exaniplc of such fCatUTCS io may he rernoLe control operation, eg of television sets and hi-fi equipment, The apparattis can function perfectly well without remote control, but the provision of a rcinote control option clearly adds to the value and desirability of the product. Exampless can also he fowid in the field cif toys. Dolls may be provided with die means to generate sounds on command so that they can "speak". Toy trains or racing cars may be provided with the means to generate appropriate sound effects.

Conventionally, however, the trend has been for such "optionaP' features to become automatically incorporated into the design of the basic apparatus. For example, it would be vciy difficult to buy a television set without rernote control. Tbis trend increases the cost of the article concerned. This may not be a problem for lligh-end articles such as good quality televiston and hAt apparatus where the additional cost of including the "optional" features in the apparatus will he negligible in cornparison with the basic cost of the apparatus itself. However, it is a much more significant problem with low-cost low-end products.

This is particularly true in the area of so-called "prerniuni" productsThese are products that are provided as gifts or incentives upon the purchase of other products or services, for example when taking out a new credit card or buying an expensive product. The prernium product may be provided at no cost to the purchaser or at a very low cost. For a promium product to have the required incentive cfl'cct, it should however be a product of reasonable quality that a purchaser would wish to possess. The challenge or the premium product industry to design and manufacture such products to a sufficiently high standard that they are perceived as desirable to prospective purchasers of the main 2 product or service, while at the same time being of low cost such that they may be provided for free or for only a small or nominal cost- According to the present invention therefore there is provided an added- funciion attachment for an electrical device, said attachment being provided with die necessary s circuitry to provide said device with an added flinclion, and said attachment being provided with a plug for engaging in a socket formed in said device to operatively connect said circuitry to sad device.

T3y nicans of this arrangement the added function can he provided at minimum cost since the additional circuitry is provided as a "pIug-in" element, This mcans dial the io basic electrical device can be manufactured as normal - with only the addition ora socket is for receiving the added-function attachment. Thus an electrical devicc can be manufactured with or without the added-function on the same production line. ---Ris allows the cost of the additional features to be kept to a mininium. Furthermore the electrical device can be supplied either with or without the added function attachment. This allows for a simple price-grading to be introduced, or for example the basic device may be given to a customer free but the additional flinction elenient could be purchased at a small price.

This concept of providing a simple plug-in attachment with the desired additional features can be employed in a wide range of different type.q of electrical products that may he supplied as premium products. For example the attachment may provide a remote control facility for hi-fi or television equipment. In such an embodiment the attachment will comprise signal receiving means, and means for transmitting said signal to control means located within said device. Preferably the receiving means is adapted to be responsive to a conventionDI remote control transmitter, for example an ilifr-d-red transmitter.

More generally the present invention extends to ail attachment for an electrical device comprising means for receiving a remote control signal and means for transmitting said signal to a control tnearts of said device, said attachment being provided with a plug for engaging a socket provided in said device whereby said atiachrnciii may he operatively connected to said device.

3 Another major application for the present invention lies in the field of toys.

Various fonns of toys am often provided with optional additional features and therefore the present invention provides a very simple and easy mwinr-r of giving toys such additional features.

ID a preferred example the device may be a toy and the attachment may comprise sound generating means for enabling the toy to generate a sound. The sound gentrating means may generate a sound effect - for example the sound of a train whisde for a toy train - or may comprise a number of prerecorded spoken meRsages that a toy doll might be caused to speak- As with the possibility of providing remote control for hi-fi/TV, by io this means the optional additional features can be added to the toy in a particularly simple manner, and of course the toy will still be able to function vAthout the attachment being in place but without the added functions.

Viewed from another broad aspect therefore the present invention provides an attachment for a toy, said attachment comprising sound generating means nrid being i s provided with engagement means for engaging said toy wIlereby said attachment may be connected to said toy.

The connection between the attachment and the toy may be a simple physical connection if the attachment is provided with its own source of power, or may be a conneckon that allows the attachment to draw on the power source of the toy, or may provide a rnore substantial connection, for example allowing the generated sound to he issued from a loudspeaker in the toy.

Some embodirnents of the invention will now he described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.] is a front view of a hi-fi apparatus incorporating an attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig,2 is a view of an attachment in the form of a remote control receiver together with a remote control transmitter, Fig.3 is a sectional view of the receiver attachment of Fig.2 being fitted to a radio, Fig.4 is a circuit diagram for the receiver attachment, Fig.5 is a circuit diagram for the transmitter, Fig.6 is a circuit diagram of a first sound generating attachment, 4 Fig.7 is a circuit diagmm of a second sound generating attachment, Fig.8 is a circuit diagram of a sound operated control circuit, Fig.9 is a circuit diagrarri of a light operated control circuit.. Fig. 10 is a view of a toy train, and Pigs. 11 (a) & (h) are views showing how the train of Fig. 10 may be fitted with a detachable function unit.

ReferTing firstly to Fig-1 there is shown a conventional form of hi-fi apparatus comprising a pair of speakers 1 and a central body 2. The speakers 1 may be formed completely separate frorn the central body 2, or may be attachable to the central body 2, io or may be permanently fixed to the central body 2. The central body 2 will comprises any of a radio receiver, cassette deck, and CD player together with an amplifier and possible other elements such as a graphic equaliser.

The central body 2 includes a number of control knobs 3 and buttons 4 by means of which the various elements of the hi-fi apparatus may be controlled and as such is is completely conventional. However, the hi-fi apparatus is also provided with an attachment 5 that may be fitted to the top of the central body 2 by ineans of a pin and socket arrangement to be described below. The attachment is provided with the circuitry of a remote control receiver such that when the attachment is plugged into the socket on the top of the central body 2, the functions of the hi-fi apparatus may be operated remotely.

Without the attachment 5 the hi-fil apparatus can function perfectly normally with the controls being operated manually, but the attachment provides a very simple way of enabling the hi-fi apparatus to he converted to one having an additional remote control feature. The shape and configuration of the attachment may of course be selected as desired to match the appearance of the basic hi-fi apparatus. The attachment may also be provided with additional features, for example in addition to functioning as a remote control unit it may abo include a simple LCD clock.

Fig.2 shows the remote control attachment 5 in a simple spherical form of course the actual shape is of no importance - and the atlachinent is designed to respond to commands from a completely conventional remote control transmitting unit 6.

Fig.3 illustrates the connection between an attachment 5 and a radio hody 7. The attachment is of course not merely physical but must also include an electrical attachment such that when the attachment 5 is fitted to the radio body 7 thcre is an operative connection. To this end the attachment houses within i( remote control receiving means 8 which connect to an electrical plug 9 which in turn is received within a socket 10 formed on the radio body 7 and connects to the main PCI3 11 of the rndio.

Fig.4 is a circuit diagram of a conventional remote control receiving means 7 that may be located within the attachment 5 and which may be provided as a remote control attachment for any form of toy or device, for example a motorized model car, toy animal lo or doll. In this example the circuit is described controlling a motor. In this circuit, in a normal quiet state when no IR signal is received, transistor Q1 is slightly forwardly biased by R2 to form a Class A amplifier with a frequency response limited by C3. Transistor Q2 is forward biased by RS and so its collector i.s at low voltage (saturation). cutting off Q3 and Q4 so that the motor is not running. When an infra- red signal is received by the IR diode D1, an electric current starts to flow in the diode.. its level being selected by VRI, and this current is fed to Q I via C2 for asnplification. The positive cycle of the input signal at the base of Q1 will fer turn on Q) driving the Q1 collector.

Capacitors Cl and C7 are provided to filter out supply line noise. While the circuit is shown and described above as operating a motor, it can equally be used for other purposes, eg operating a lamp or a sound generating device.

Fig.5 is a circuit diag= of a conventional remote contro] transmitter that may be used with the receiving means of Fig.4. When a voltage is applied to the circuit, due to an imbalance in the transistors parameters, one transistor tends to turn on first. Here, assuming that Q2 is "off', QI tims on first, and Q1 collector is now at low voltage (saturation), so one side of Cl is held to ground voltage (72ro volts). The charge in capacitor Cl reverse biases Q2, curting off Q2 and Q3 further. When Cl is charging up towards the supply voltage via the resistor RI, and an the voltage on Cl reaches the base to emitter turn on voltage (0AV) of Q2, Q2 starts to conduct. While Q2 conducts, it turns on Q3 and so is the load connected to it.

When Q2 turns on, its collector also holds one side of C2 to ground. Again, the charge on C2 reverse biases Q1 (.3V) and so cutting Q1 off. Now Q I collector goes to is 6 high voltage again, charging current flowing through Rl, Cl, Q2 base- emitter junction will drive up Q2 into heavier conduction. As C2 charges up via R3 and when its voltage reaches the turn on voltage of QI (0.6V), QI will conduct again, pulling its co[lector to low voltage and cutting ofT Q2. Q3 with reverse bi pis in Cl and so these alternatc on and off cycles repeat indefinitely. The flashing rate is determined by the values of R2, R3, Cl and C2. Since the turn an time for Q1 is controlled by R3 and C27 and Q2 by R2 and Cl, the time constant products of R1C2 and R2-Cl are not equal in this circuit. R2.Cl is about 3 times R3. C2, and therefore Q2 is turned off for three times longer than Q 1 and so Q3 and the IR diode D] transmit only one quarter of the time, ic a 25% duty cycle.

The attachment may comprise any form of added-function providing element, For example, instead of the device being hi-fi apparatus it could comprise a toy vehicle such as a toy train or racing car and the attachment may be one that provides a simple sound effect - such as the noise of a train whi5de or the sound of a car engine. police siren or the like- Fig.6 shows a simple circuit capable of achieving this end comprising a sound is generating IC circuit 20 and a loud speaker 21. The IC circuit 20 may be designed to generate sounds randomly or on command of a usen Unlike the remote control attachment described with reference to Fi gs. 1 to 5 there need not necessarily be any operative connection between the attachment and the device. That is to say whereas in the first embodiment the attachment was designed to send control signals to the main device, here the attachment can be self- contained. llus the plug and socket connection to the toy ran be simpler than for the remote control attachment and may he limited to providing power for the attachment. If the attachment is provided with a battery even this may not be necessary and the plug-socket connection can be a simple physical connection.

Fig.7 illustrates an embodiment similar to Fig.6 but wherein the IC circuit 30 has pre-stored recorded speech extracts that may he output to a loudspeaker 3 1. All attachment with such a circuit may be plugged into a toy in the form of a doll so that a talking function may he added. Again the speech extracts rnay be played at random intervals - and randomly chosen - or may be generated on command. As with the embodiment of Fig.6 the connection between the attachment and the toy may he limited 7 to a power connection, or even just a simple physical connection if the attachment is provided with an internal source of power, eg a battery.

In the above - especially with reference to Figs.4 and 5 - the invention has been described with reference to an infra-red remote control. However, it would also be possible to provide an add-on remote control unit that used sound or light as a control signal, For example, in Fig.8 there is shown a sound operated control circuit. The sound of clapping hands is picked up by a microphone and amplifled, and the output ran turn on or off a toy motor, lamp or sound generator or the like. The control may also include a timer to then shut-off the device. In this circuit, in the normal quiet state transistor Q1 is io slightly forwardly biased by R2 to form a Class A amplifier with a frequency response limited by C3. Transistor Q2 is forward biased by RS and so its collector is at low voltage (saturaton), cutting off Q3 and Q4 and so the motor (say) is not running. When a sound. for example clapping hands or a voice command, is picked up by the microphone, its level is selected by VRI and is fed to Q1 via C2 for amplification. The positive cycle of is inputsignal at Q] base will further tum on Q1 driving Q] collector to saturation. While Q] collector is at saturation, charge on C4 reverse biases Q2 base turning Q2 off. Now Q2 collector is switched to high voltage (cutoff) which turns oil Q3 and Q4 so the motor starts to run.

At the collector of Q3 a positive feedback network consists of R7 and C5.

connected between Q3 collector and Q2 base. Normally, C5 is charged close to the supply voltage. When the Q3 collector is at low voltage, the charge in C5 reverse biases the base of Q2, cutting it off further. As the incoming positive cycle signal disappears Q2 is still held off by the charge CS (reverse bias). As CS charges up by the current tivough R5 (with time constant CS.RS), when its voltage reaches the base turn on voltage (approx 0AV), Q2 is tumed on. Now when transistor Q2 collector goes low again it turns off Q3 and Q4 and so the motor stops. The circuit will return to Its normal state ready to detect flirther sounds.

If a longer or shorter rurn on time is required, RS can be changed te 68kOhm for a shorter time and 330kOhm for a longer time. Cl and C7 are used to filter out supply line noise. The tum on of the controller may also be indicated visually by light emitting diode D2, 8 Fig,9 iBuseat" a light operated control circuit, In this circuit. in the normal state when no light is detected, transistor Q I is slightly forwardly biased by R2 to form a Class A amplifier with a frequency response limited by C3. Transistor Q2 is fod biased by RS and so its collector is at low voltage (saturation) cutting off Q3 and Q4 so that the motor (say) is not ruming. When any ambient light or light from an electric torch is picked up by photo-diode D1 or a photocell an electric current is caused to flow in the diode (or cell), The level is selected by VRI and is fed to QI via C2 for amplification. The positive cycle of input signal at Q] base will further turn on QI driving QI collector to saturation, While Q] collector is at saturaflon, charge on C4 reverses biased Q2 base jo turning Q2 off. Now Q2 collector is switched to high voltage (cut-off) which turnson Q3 and Q4 so the motor starts to run.

As with the -embodiment of Fig.8 a positive feedback network of R7 and CS between Q3 collector and Q2 base wifi limit the time for which Q3 and Q4 are on and will thus cause the rnotor to turn off after a period of time.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention permits a basic but perfectly functional device to be converted into a device with an added function or feature at minimal extra cost. Apart from the addition of the socket, the basic device does not need to be significantly altered and thus can be manufacturod as normal. Since the device will function normally without the attachment, it can be sold or given away in that form, but the attachment (which will be a low cost item) can at the same time be offered either at a low price or be given away and will convert the basic device into a higher value item, This concept can be applied to a wide range of items. As shown above one possibility is to provide remote control for a piece of hi-fi equipment. Another possibility, however, is to provide a detachable function Unit f0T a toy vehicle such as a toy car or a toy train as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 Fig. 10 shows a toy train engine 30 of a type that may either be caused to run along rails or which may run along the ground freely - At the back of the toy engine 30 in the region of the driver's compartment there is provided a socket 31 (see in particular Fig. 11 (a)) which may receive a detachable function unit 32 (Fig. 11 (b)). The function unit 32 may be of any form and may provide any desired function. For example it may be a remote control unit as described above controlling the movement of the toy train 30, or it 9 may compiise a sound generating module for generatin@ a sound effect, eg the sound of a train whistle. Many other possibilitie.q will be apparent to one skilled in the an.

Claims (1)

1. An added-function attachment for an electrical device, said attachment being provided with the necessary circuitry to provide said device with an added ffinction, and said device being provided with a plug for engaging in a socket formed in said device to operatively connect said circuitry to said device.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attachment is a remote control attachment for providing said device with a remote control function.

3. An attachment as claimed in cialiffl. 2 wherein said attachment includes remote control signal receiving means, and means for transmitting said signal to control means located within said device.

4. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attachment is a soundgenerating aftachmont and said attachment includes sound generating means- 5. An attachment as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sound generating means includes means for generating sound effects andlor speech, 6. An attachment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said attachment is responsive to infta-red, light or sound signals.

7. An attachment for an electrical device comprising means for receiving a remote control signal and means for transmirting said signal to a control means of said device said attachment being provided with a plug for engaging a socket provided in said device whereby said attachment may be operatively connected to said device.

g. An attachment for a toy, said attachment comprising sound generating means and being provided with engagement rneans for engaging said toy whereby said attachment may be connected to said toy.

11 9. An attachment as claimed in claim 8 wherein said engagement means comprises a plug formed on said attachment for engaging a socket in said toy.

10. An attachment as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein said attachrncnt cornprises means for drawing power ftom said toy.

An attachment as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein said allchment comprises internal power m.

12. An added-function attachment for an electrical device subtially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, Is