GB2470409A

GB2470409A - Combined electronic book and toy

Info

Publication number: GB2470409A
Application number: GB0908848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Peter Couchman; Barrie John Henderson
Original assignee: Top that Publishing PLC
Current assignee: Top that Publishing PLC
Priority date: 2009-05-21
Filing date: 2009-05-21
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: GB0908848D0

Abstract

A toy 10 comprises a body 12, data connection means 15 and data storage means wherein the data storage means includes a pre-stored book and wherein the data connection means 15 enables the toy to connect to a display in order to display the book. The toy may comprise a shaped body 12 having a rigid plastic shell which houses a memory chip. The memory chip includes a pre-recorded book in an electronic format. The memory chip also includes the software required to display the e-book in the correct format and enables the e-book to be interactive. The toy may include a first limb 14 having a USB connector which can be engaged in the USB port of a computer in order to display the e-book. The toy 10 may include a second limb 16 including a USB dust cover 17 such that the two limbs 14, 16 are connected together when not in use in order to protect the USB connector 15.

Description

TOY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy including a pre-recorded electronic book and to a method of providing an electronic book. In particular, the present invention relates to a toy including a pre-recorded electronic children's book and to a method of providing an electronic children's book.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Children are increasingly using computers for educational and/or entertainment purposes. Traditional educational/entertainment activities, for example reading, are still essential for the development of children. In particular, parents/carers/teachers generally encourage children to participate in reading activities and story activities in order to develop their reading, writing skills and also to stimulate their imagination and develop their communication skills.

Many computer orientated activities comprise games which may have little educational content. However, many activities are now specially developed and designed to have an educational element. However, many parents/teachers/carers try to encourage more traditional forms of learning, for example book reading.

Books are now available in electronic format in the form of e-books. These e-books can be easily downloaded by a parent/teacher/carer for the children to read.

The format of e-books may be quite uninspiring and do not necessarily encourage children to read books and stories in general and engage in the social element of : *. sharing and discussing stories. Accordingly, children are not automatically inspired to collect and swap books which would then enable the children to discuss the books with their friends to further develop and educate them. ** * S S * *

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the' prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect on the present invention there is provided a toy comprising a body, data connection means, and data storage means wherein the data storage means includes a pie-stored book and wherein the data connection means enables the toy to connect to a display means in order to display the book.

Preferably the toy comprises an extending member which may provide the data connection means. Preferably the extending member comprises a flexible extending member.

The extending member may comprise an appendage and preferably comprises a flexible appendage. The extending member may comprise a limb and preferably comprises a flexible limb.

Preferably the book comprises a children's book.

Preferably the book comprises a story book.

Preferably the display means comprises a computer.

Preferably the data storage means comprises a read-only memory chip. S..

Preferably the data storage means cannot be recorded on or written to.

::. The data storage means may provide data input and/or recording. Preferably the data storage means provides a program to which a user can save and recorded data. Preferably the data storage means restricts the data which a user can input * and save on the data storage means and preferably the data storage means prevents the recordal of general data and only records data which the pie-recorded content requests. The data storage means may provide means for recording data relating to the development of the user, for example data relating to the development of the reading of the user. The data storage means may provide means for recording data relating to the user, for example, name, age. The data storage means may record parameters relating to the use of the toy, for example the number of times the book has been read.

Preferably the data connection means comprises a USB connector.

Preferably the toy comprises a protective cover for the data connection means.

The protective cover may comprise a dust cap. The protective cover may comprise a USB dust cap.

Preferably the toy comprises a rigid body which may comprise a plastics material.

The rigid body may be covered by a covering material which may comprise a textile material.

The toy may comprise a head section. The head section may comprise a flexible and/or resilient material. The head section may comprise a textile material.

The toy may comprise a first upper limb and a second upper limb. The first upper limb may provide the data connection means. The second upper limb may provide a protective cover for the data connection means. Accordingly, in a non-operative configuration, the first upper limb may be arranged to engage with the second upper limb in order for a protective cover to protect the data connection means. * * * S. S S... * .

The toy may comprise a first lower limb and a second lower limb. * * S S 5*5

The toy may be arranged to resemble a character and preferably resembles a cartoon character. The character may comprise a body, a head, two upper limbs *1 *I * * and two lower limbs. The character may comprise a tail. The tail may provide the data connection means.

The toy may resemble a vehicle or a building.

The toy may comprise retaining means in order to retain a hard copy of a book therein. The retaining means may comprise a pocket or pouch provided in the toy and preferably in a head section. The retaining means may be opened and closed by a zip in order to retain a book therein. The hard copy of the book may be identical to the book provided on the data storage means. In addition, or alternatively, the hard copy of the book may supplement and/or be related to the book provided on the data storage means.

The toy may comprise fastening means in order to fasten the toy to a further article. For example, the fastening means may be arranged to fasten the toy to a backpack and/or belt or other similar articles.

The fastening means may comprise a fastening loop which may comprise two sections of Velcro which may engage to provide a fastening loop.

The fastening means may comprise a clip and may comprise a lanyard clip.

The toy may comprise indication means in order to indicate when the toy is in communication with a display means. The indicator means may comprise a light and preferably comprises an LED. The indicator means may comprise a shaped indicator. * * *

The indicator means may be arranged to be located on a front of the surface of the body. The indicator means may be arranged to be located on the head. * ** * * * *S**

The indicator means may be arranged to represent a heart. The indicator means may be arranged to represent blushing cheeks, an emergency light of a vehicle, a ** S. * . window of a building.

Each limb may comprise a section of a resilient material extending outwardly from the body.

The data storage means may also provide a game and/or puzzle relating to the book.

The data storage means may provide interactive content. The data storage means may save data relating to the interactive content.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a book comprising locating data storage means including a pie-recorded book within a toy and providing data communication means in the form of an extending member extending from the toy in order for the book to be stored on the data storage means and to be communicated to a display means when the data connection means is in communication with the display means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration.

Figure 2 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a second configuration.

* * .* : .. Figure 3 is a front view of a further embodiment of the present invention. SI..

Figure 4 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the S. I. * * fastening means in a closed position.

Figure 5 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the fastening means in an open position.

Figure 6 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a second configuration.

Figure 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a front view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a front view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a rear view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a front view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.

As shown in Figure 1, the toy 10 comprises a shaped body 12 and an extending member in the form of an appendage or a first limb 14. The shaped body 12 comprises a rigid plastic shell which houses a memory chip. The memory chip is a primarily a read-only device and includes a pre-recorded book in an electronic format. The memory chip also includes the software required to display the e- : ,, book in the correct format and enables the e-book to be interactive. For example, *.** the e-book may require the input of the child and may include interactive elements for the child to click on or type into. In addition, the memory chip may also include *. ..

puzzles and games which are all interrelated to the theme of the main e-book. -7.-

Since the memory chip is a read-only device, this protects the contents of the chip and prevents the inadvertent or otherwise removal of the data on the chip. This may be especially important for devices related to children. In addition, the parents or guardians of the children are also ensured as to the contents of the data in the toy 10 and will be aware that the contents are solely pre-stored.

The memory chip preferably enables selected data to be recorded and is not necessarily strictly a read only device. In particular, the data storage means enables selected data to be input and saved into a pre-stored program but would not enable a user to record programs and content in general. For example, the interactive programs may request data personal to the user, for example name, age, etc. The pre-recorded programs carefully select the amount and type of data that can be entered and may use predefined "fields" or the like to control the data that is recordable. Accordingly, whilst the device allows predefined data to be requested and recorded, the user is prevented from using the toy as a memory device and the content will remain safe.

The first limb 14 comprises a lead and a USB connector 15. In use, the USB connector 15 is engaged with a USB port provided on a computer in order to communicate with the computer. The electronic book on the memory chip can then be displayed on the computer in the pre-selected format.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 the toy is arranged to resemble a cartoon character. In particular, the toy comprises a character having a body 12, a head 22, a first upper limb 14, a second upper limb 16, a first lower limb 18 and a second lower limb 20. * * S S. S * .

As explained above, the first upper limb 14 provides a USB connector 15. This : .. USB connector is connected to the pre-recorded memory chip located in the body pSS through a wire which runs through the arm of the first upper limb 14. S. S*

: The second upper limb provides a protective cover for the USB connector 15 and, in particular, the second upper limb 16 provides a dust cap 17 for the USB connector 15. Accordingly, when not in use, the two upper limbs 14, 16 can be connected together in order to protect the USB connector 15, as shown in Figure 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the toy 10 has an enlarged head 22 which provides a housing for a hard copy of a book to be located and stored therein. In particular, the head 22 provides a concealed pouch which has a zip 25 extending around a part of the circumference of the head 22. Accordingly, the zip 25 can be undone in order to locate or remove a circular book from within the head portion 22.

Each of the limbs 14, 16, 18, 20 comprises a resilient section having enlarged ends.

In use, the toy 10 can be compacted and can easily be located within a pocket of a user or within a bag and would not be easily damaged. Accordingly, the toy 10 and the e-book are safe for children.

The body 12 comprises a rigid shell to protect the memory chip and any other internal connections required. The head portion 22 may comprise a textile material. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic shell for the body 12 is also covered with the textile material.

The toy 10 is provided with fastening means in order to fasten the toy 10 to a backpack, belt or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening means *:::: comprises a Velcro fastener such that a strip 24 extends from an upper location of *. the head 22 and has a first Velcro section 26 provided thereon which can be engaged with a second Velcro section 28 which is located on rear of the head :.:::. section 22. The inter engagement of the Velcro sections 26, 28 provides a loop which can then be used to secure the toy 10 to a suitable article. This enables children to easily and safely carry the toys 10 in a prominent position rather than being concealed away in a bag. This may then further encourage children to discuss the toys, stories etc. with other children. In further embodiments, alternative fastening means may be provided, for example a lanyard clip.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3, an indicator 30 may be provided to indicate to a user when the toy 10 is in communication with a computer. In the further embodiment, the indicator means comprises an LED which is located behind a heart shaped cover or lens such that the LED is arranged to flash and to resemble the pulsing heart of the character.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described as displaying the book on a computer although it should be appreciated that other forms of display means could be used, for example, dedicated e-book readers, mobile phones etc. Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9 show third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention respectively. In these embodiments the toy resembles a cartoon character having an extending member in the form of a tail 40. In addition, these toys include key ring loops 42 to enable the user to secure the toy to a suitable article.

As previously explained, the toy 10 may have an indicator to indicate when the toy is successfully in communication with a computer (for example, a PC) and/or when the toy is communicating with the computer. This indicator may be in the form of a heart but may also represent other parts, for example, indicators could be provided on the cheeks of the character's face to represent blushing. S * *S5*

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the toy 10 in the form of a spider. In this :.:,:* embodiment, one of the legs 44 provides the USB connector 15 whilst another one of the legs provides the USB dust cap 17. S* **

* The toy 10 may be used to represent any suitable object or animal and Figure 11 show an embodiment of the toy 10 in the form of a haunted house. In this embodiment, the extending member 48 is arranged to extend from the chimney of the house and the extending member may represent smoke emerging from the chimney. In this embodiment, the indicator 50 is provided as a representation of a window 50 and provides the effect of lightning flashing through the window.

Figure 12 and Figure 13 show an embodiment of the toy 10 in the form of fire engine in which the extending member is in the form of a hose 52 extending from the fire engine. In addition, the indicator 54 is arranged to represent the (blue) flashing emergency light of the fire engine.

As it will be appreciated, whilst the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described primarily relating to children's toys and children's stories, it is also applicable to stories and stored content for adults and the term toy is defined to encompass such storage devices and gadgets for adult content. For example, the toy may be in the form of a kitchen implement (for example, a salt cellar or shaker or a character used to market food stuffs) and the pre-stored book may comprise recipes.

The preferred embodiments have been described with the memory chip located in the body but in some embodiments the memory chip may locate in the head or in the end of an extending member and may locate directly adjacent to the USB connector. * ** ** * S... * S * * SS * . S *SS. S. ** * . S -11 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A toy comprising a body, data connection means, and data storage means wherein the data storage means includes a pre-stored book and wherein the data connection means enables the toy to connect to a display means in order to display the book.
2. A toy according to Claim 1 in which the toy comprises an extending member which may provide the data connection means.
3. A toy according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the book comprises a children's book.
4. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the data storage means comprises a read-only memory chip.
5. A toy according to any one of Claim I to Claim 3 in which the data storage means may provide data input and/or recording.
6. A toy according to any one of Claim 1 to Claim 3 or Claim 5 in which the data storage means provides a program to which a user can save and recorded data
7. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the data connection means comprises a USB connector. *..* * * * *. *

*.***
8. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the toy comprises a S...

: protective cover for the data connection means. *.*
9. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the toy comprises retaining :* means in order to retain a hard copy of a book therein.
10. A toy according to Claim 9 in which the retaining means may comprise a pocket provided in the toy.
11. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the toy comprises fastening means in order to fasten the toy to a further article.
12. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the toy comprise indication means in order to indicate when the toy is in communication with a display means.
13. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the data storage means also provides a game and/or puzzle relating to the book.
14. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the data storage means provide interactive content.
15. A toy according to any preceding claim in which the data storage means saves data relating to the interactive content.
16. A method of providing a book comprising locating data storage means including a pre-recorded book within a toy and providing data communication means in the form of an extending member extending from the toy in order for the book to be stored on the data storage means and to be communicated to a display means when the data connection means is in communication with the display means.
17. A toy substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, *. any of the accompanying drawings.:.:::*
18. A method of providing a children's book substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings. S. *S * . . * S