US20230050509A1

US20230050509A1 - Inspiration Quotes Delivering Toy

Info

Publication number: US20230050509A1
Application number: US17/853,627
Authority: US
Inventors: Sophie Amayaka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-10
Filing date: 2022-06-29
Publication date: 2023-02-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel toy for improving self-confidence and self-esteem in children. An internal memory stores audible inspirational quotes and a microphone can be selectively activated using a separate activation button for recording customized audible inspirational quotes. The toy provides audio output of the inspirational quotes using at least one built-in speaker. At least one light activates when the toy provides audio output, and a battery provides electrical power. The toy can be controlled remotely using a remote-control device. The toy comes in a variety of designs, sizes, and configurations. In one embodiment, the toy detects facial expressions of a user and selects an appropriate inspirational quote based on the facial expressions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/231,302, which was filed on Aug. 10, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of toys. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved children's toy that can deliver audible inspirational quotes. The inspirational quotes quoting toy improves a child's self-esteem and self-confidence. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, there is a broad spectrum of toys available to children. Stuffed toys, representing animate characters are very popular. These stuffed toys are also known as soft/cuddly toys, plush toys, plushies and stuffies. They are often associated with child security, for infants, toddler, and even older children; thus, the term security blanket. Children who feel insecure may become very attached to their stuffed toys.
In addition to insecurities, some children may lack self-confidence and have low self-esteem. For these children, the traditional security toy, often a non-interactive stuffed toy, is insufficient to meet their needs. These children require a toy that can interact with them in a way that will increase their confidence and self-esteem.
Interactive stuffed toys are available. In most of such toys, a sound is recorded and outputted audibly by pressing a switch or pulling a cord. However, these toys do not specifically address issues of confidence and self-esteem, they often have only a few recorded messages, and children may quickly lose interest in such toys. Therefore, current interactive toys do not address the specific needs associated with childhood confidence and self-esteem.
Currently, parents and caretakers provide the inspiration and encouragement needed to increase confidence and self-esteem in their children by reading inspirational quotes and stories to them. However, parents cannot always be home and some children may need additional encouragement beyond what a parent can provide. As a result, children who do not receive sufficient inspiration and encouragement may develop low self-esteem or lack of confidence, negatively impacting their growth and development.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed toy. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed toy that motivates and encourages children while entertaining them for extended periods of time. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an inspiration quotes delivering toy that supplements the efforts of parents or caretakers and fill in for parents or caretakers who may be absent while providing inspirational quotes and stories that meet a child's emotional needs. The improved stuffed toy enhances self-confidence and self-esteem in children enabling their growth and maturity into emotionally healthy adults.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a portable toy for delivering inspirational quotes. The toy can come in various forms, designs and sizes. The toy is comprised of a body formed of a front torso, a back torso, a face with a plurality of facial features, a pair of ears, a pair of eyes, a pair of hands, a pair of limbs, an internal memory for storing audible inspirational quotes connected to a controller, at least one speaker provides audio output whereby the controller outputs the stored audible inspirational quotes, a camera wherein the camera is configured to capture the image of a child's face and the controller is configured to select a stored audible inspirational quote based on the captured image, at least one light disposed on the body wherein the at least one light is activated and the stored audible inspirational quotes are outputted through the at least one speaker by pressing a quote play button.
In this manner, the inspirational quotes delivering toy of the present invention meets the long-felt needs in the art for an improved stuffed toy that entertains children for long periods while also motivating, encouraging, and building self-confidence and self-esteem in children so they can become emotionally healthy adults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a toy for delivering inspirational quotes. As children play with the toy, the toy delivers audible inspirational quotes designed to improve self-esteem and self-confidence in the children. The toy comprises a body formed of a front torso, a back torso, a face with a plurality of facial features, a pair of ears, a pair of eyes, a pair of hands, and a pair of limbs; an internal memory and a USB slot for receiving a USB memory source for storing inspirational quotes connected to a controller; a microphone for receiving and storing customized inspirational messages on the internal memory, a microphone activation button for activating the microphone, at least one speaker for audibly outputting the stored inspirational quotes, at least one light disposed on the body, and a quotes activation button configured to cause the controller to audibly output an inspirational quote through the at least one speaker and activate the at least one light.
In differing embodiments, the microphone activation button and the quotes activation button may be push buttons or touch buttons. The recording media may store messages having a duration of up to approximately fifty seconds. Further, the toy may be in the shape of a doll, a cartoon character, an animation character, or any other persona, shape, or likeness, that appeals to children.
In another embodiment, an emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes and improving self-confidence and self-esteem in a child is disclosed. The toy for outputting inspirational quotes comprises a body formed of a front torso, a back torso, a face with a plurality of facial features, a pair of ears, a pair of eyes, a pair of hands, and a pair of limbs; an internal memory and a USB port to receive a USB memory source for storing inspirational quotes, both connected to a controller, a microphone for receiving and recording customized inspirational messages on the recording media, a microphone activation button for activating the microphone, at least one speaker for audio output of the stored inspirational quotes, a quotes activation button for causing the controller to audibly output a quote on the at least one speaker and activate the at least one light, a high-definition camera for capturing facial images connected to the controller wherein the controller is configured to select one or more stored audible inspirational quotes for output through the at least one speaker based on the captured facial image.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the toy for delivering inspirational quotes 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram view showing exemplary internal components necessary for effective working of the toy 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of connection of the toy 100 with a remote-control device 304 in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a planar view of an exemplary remote-control device 304 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the improved toy of the present invention providing audio output of an inspirational message on being used by a young child user in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view showing another embodiment of the emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using the emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments and their modifications are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the modifications or features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed toy. The improved stuffed toy motivates and encourages children while entertaining them for extended periods of time. There also exists a long-felt need for a toy that supplements the efforts of parents or caretakers and fill in for parents or caretakers who may be absent, by providing inspirational stories and quotes. The improved stuffed toy must enhance self-confidence and self-esteem in children enabling their overall emotional growth.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the toy for delivering inspirational quotes 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes 100 is designed to increase self-confidence and improving self-esteem in young children by providing audio output in the form of inspirational quotes. More specifically, the toy 100 is in the form of a toy made from a soft material such as fur, cloth, or moldable plastic. The toy 100 can be designed in the form of any cartoon character, animation character, doll, or other persona, shape, or likeness that may be attractive to children. The toy 100 may come in a variety of colors and may be painted, or otherwise decorated, to increase the toy's appeal to children.
The toy 100 includes a front torso portion 102 and a back torso portion 104. The toy 100 also has facial features 106, at least one pair of ears 108, and at least one pair of eyes 110. These features, and those like them, may be formed by molding the material of the toy 100, by painting on the toy 100, or may otherwise be constructed by methods known in the art. Preferably, the toy 100 has a one-piece construction without sharp edges. The toy 100 has at least one limb 130,132, at least one hand 126,128 and may have other body features common in the art. The toy 100 is designed to be placed on a surface, such as a floor or a table; whereby, the toy 100 remains in an upright position on the surface.
The toy 100 has at least one physical or touch button 112 positioned at any appropriate place on the toy 100, but preferably on one of the limbs 126. The button 112 is configured to be pressed by a child as a means for providing audio output of inspirational quotes stored in an internal memory) of the toy 100 (as shown in FIG. 2 ). At least one speaker 124, but preferably a pair of speakers, are positioned in each ear 108 of the toy 100 for providing the audio output of the stored inspirational quotes. At least one light 114, preferably a plurality of multicolored LEDs, is disposed on the surface of the toy 100 and are turned on when the physical or touch button 112 is pushed by a user. The mechanism of illumination of the at least one light 114 and outputting audible quotes are described in detail in FIG. 2 .
The toy 100 has a USB slot 118 positioned on the back torso 104 allowing a user to use a conventional USB as a memory source with the toy 100 providing additional media content as desired. A battery socket 116 is disposed on one the limbs 132 for receiving and securing batteries that provide electric power to the at least one light 114 and the at least one speaker 124 of the toy 100. The battery socket 116 may receive rechargeable batteries that can be recharged through the battery charging port 117. At least one microphone 120 disposed on the face 106 of the toy 100 is used for recording a user's voice. The microphone 120 is selectively activated by pushing a microphone button 122 disposed on the toy 100.
In addition to the functional components of the toy described above, the toy 100 has the following dimensions and capacities. The size of the toy 100 is at least 4″ from ears 108 to the end of the hands 126,128. The preferred embodiment measures between 8″ to 20″ from ears 108 to the end of the hands 126,128. The toy 100 can record any message up to approximately 50 seconds in length. The toy 100 is designed to provide audio output of inspirational quotes in any language. The toy 100 is bis-phenyl A free, phthalates free, hypoallergenic, and stain resistant. Further, the toy 100 is machine washable and is break resistant.
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram view showing exemplary internal components of the toy 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the toy 100 has a controller 202, that can be a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor application specific digital circuit, field programmable gate arrays, or similar functioning device. The controller 202 is used for controlling operations of the toy 100. An internal memory/recording media 204 is used for storing inspirational quotes and songs that are output through the at least one speaker 124 when the quotes push button 112 is pushed by a child. The controller 202 causes the at least one speaker 124 to provide audio output of the stored quotes on receiving an instruction signal when the quotes push button 112 is pushed by a user. The internal memory 204 may be any read-write capable memory including, but not limited to, flash memory, optical, or magnetic memory. Preferably, the internal memory 204 is designed to retain a recording of up to approximately 50 seconds.
When the quotes push button 112 is pushed, the controller 202 also illuminates LEDs 114 disposed on the surface of the toy 100. The at least one light 114, preferably a plurality of LEDs, is fixed and not accessible to a child. However, some modifications allow the at least one light 114 to be removable and replaced. An internal battery 208 in the form of AA, AAA, or equivalent energy storage device, or rechargeable energy storage device, is positioned inside the battery socket 116 and used for providing electric power to the at least one light 114 and at least one speaker 124. It should be noted that the internal battery 208 is rechargeable through port 117 (shown in FIG. 1 ) and can also be used for providing power required to any other components shown in FIG. 2 .
The audio recordings created with the microphone 120 of the toy 100 are stored in the internal memory 204 and can be audibly outputted through at least one speaker 124 by the controller 202 when the quotes push button 112 is pushed. When a USB memory storage device received by the USB slot 118, the controller 202 disconnects the connection 210 with the internal memory 204, thereby allowing the recordings stored in the USB connected to the USB slot 118 to be outputted by the controller 202 through the at least one speaker 124.
An advantage of the toy 100 of the present invention is a built-in RF module 206. The RF module 206 is used for pairing the toy 100 with any handheld RF device such as a RF remote control or a smartphone for operating the toy 100. A recording can be wirelessly transmitted to the toy 100 allowing the speakers 124 of the toy 100 to audibly output the recording as illustrated in FIG. 3 .
It should be noted that alternative buttons or switches may be utilized as is known in the art for the operation of toy 100. Further, the wires/connections connecting the components of the toy 100, being positioned inside the toy 100, cannot be touched by a child and are hidden from a child's view.
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of connection of the toy 100 with a remote-control device 304 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The RF module 206 of the toy 100 allows the toy 100 to establish a wireless RF channel 302 with a remote-control device 304. The remote-control device 304 may come in a kit with the toy 100 or a conventional smartphone can also be used as the remote-control device 304.
FIG. 4 illustrates a planar view of an exemplary remote-control device 304 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the remote-control device 304 has a quote playing button control 402 for wirelessly actuating the quotes push button disposed on the toy for audibly outputting the stored audio inspirational messages from the speakers of the toy 100, as shown in FIG. 1 . A microphone button control 404 remotely activates the microphone of the toy 100 for recording inspirational quotes. In one variation of the embodiment the at least one light may be a plurality of multicolored LEDs disposed on the toy 100 wherein the color of the LEDs can be changed as per preference of a user. The LED color change control 406 allows a user to remotely change color of the LEDs allowing a child to be more attracted towards the toy 100.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the toy 100 of the present invention outputting an inspirational message upon being used by a child in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, when the child 502 presses the quotes playing button 112, the at least one speaker 124 of the toy 100 audibly outputs an inspirational message 504 to inspire and encourage the child 502. A different quote is outputted by the toy 100 when the button 112 is pressed again by the child 502.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view showing another embodiment of the interactive toy 600 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes 600 comprises all the features of the toy for delivering inspirational quotes 100, a body formed of a front torso portion 102, a back torso portion 104, a face 106, with a plurality of facial features, at least one pair of ears 108, at least one pair of eyes 110, at least one pair of hands 126 128, and at least one pair of limbs 130 132; an internal memory 204 for storing audible inspirational quotes; a microphone 120 for receiving and recording customized audible inspirational messages on the recording media, a microphone activation button 122 for activating the microphone, at least one speaker, 124, preferably a pair of speakers, for outputting the stored inspirational quotes; a quotes activation button 112 connected to a controller 202, the controller configured to activate the at least one speaker 124, and at least one light 114, preferably a plurality of LEDs, disposed on the body, an internal battery 208 in the form of AA, AAA, or equivalent energy storage device, or rechargeable energy storage device, is positioned inside the battery socket 116 and used for providing electric power to the at least one light 114 and at least one speaker 124 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 . In addition to the elements found on the toy for delivering inspirational quotes 100, the emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes 600 further comprises a high-definition camera 602 for capturing facial expressions of a user of the toy 600, and the controller 202 is further configured for receiving the captured facial expression and selecting one or more stored audible inspirational quotes to be audibly output through the at least one speaker 124 based on the facial expression. A user of the toy 600 is required to be in the field of view of the camera 602, enabling the camera 602 to capture facial expressions of the user.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “toy”, “improved toy”, “interactive toy”, “portable toy for delivering inspirational quotes”, “toy for delivering inspirational quotes”, and “emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes” are interchangeable and refer to the inspirational quotes quoting toy 100,600 of the present invention.
As seen in FIG. 7 , the toy 100 also includes a method of audibly outputting inspirational quotes 700. The method includes the steps of receiving a push on a quote playing button [Block 702]; sending an instruction to a controller of the toy in response to the push of the quote playing button [Block 704]; thereby, causing the controller to audibly output one or more selected inspirational quotes on at least one speaker disposed on the toy and activating at least one light disposed on the body of the toy [Block 706].
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the inspirational quotes quoting toy 100,600 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the inspirational quotes quoting toy 100,600 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the inspirational quotes quoting toy 100,600 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the inspirational quotes quoting toy 100,600 are important design parameters for user convenience, the inspirational quotes quoting toy 100,600 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A toy for delivering inspirational quotes, the toy comprising:

a front torso;

a back torse;

a face;

a plurality of facial features;

an ear;

an eye;

a pair of hands;

a pair of limbs;

an internal memory configured to store inspirational quotes;

a USB slot for receiving a USB memory source;

a speaker;

a light;

a battery;

a microphone wherein the microphone is connected to the internal memory and is configured to allow a user to store an audible inspirational quote in the internal memory or on the USB memory source;

a microphone activation button configured to activate the microphone;

a controller wherein the controller is connected to the internal memory, the USB slot, the at least one speaker, and the at least one light; and

a quote play button wherein the quote play button is configured to cause the controller to audibly output a quote stored in the internal memory or in the USB memory source on the at least one speaker and to cause the at least one light to turn on when the quote play button is pressed.

2. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the at least one speaker is located in the ear.

3. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the light is an LED.

4. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the quote play button is located in one of the pair of limbs.

5. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the toy for delivering inspirational quotes measures at least 4 inches from the pair of ears to the end of the pair of hands.

6. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the toy for delivering inspirational quotes measures in the range of approximately 8 inches and 20 inches from the pair of ears to the end of the pair of hands.

7. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the toy for delivering inspirational quotes is hypoallergenic, stain resistant, break resistant, and machine washable.

8. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1, wherein the toy for delivering inspirational quotes is manufactured from a fur material, a cloth material, or a moldable plastic material.

9. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 1 further comprising a remote-control device and a RF module configured to receive a signal from the remote-control device, wherein the RF module is further configured to cause the controller to play a quote stored in the internal memory or the USB memory source on the at least one speaker and to cause the at least one light to turn on.

10. The toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 9 wherein the remote-control device is further configured to activate the microphone.

11. An emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes comprising:

a front torso;

a back torse;

a face;

a plurality of facial features;

a pair of ears;

a pair of eyes

a pair of hands;

a pair of limbs;

an internal memory configured to store audible inspirational quotes;

a USB slot for receiving a USB memory source;

a speaker;

a light;

a battery;

a microphone activation button configured to activate the microphone;

a controller wherein the controller is connected to the internal memory, the USB slot, the at least one speaker, and the at least one light;

a quote play button wherein the quote play button is configured to cause the controller to audibly output a quote stored in the internal memory or in the USB memory source on the at least one speaker and to cause the at least one light to turn on when the quote play button is pressed; and

a camera, wherein the camera the camera is configured to capture facial expressions and the controller is configured to receive the captured facial expression and select one or more stored inspirational quote based on the captured facial expression and audibly output the inspirational quote through the at least one speaker.

12. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 11, wherein the speaker is located in one of the pair of ears.

13. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 11, wherein the quote play button is located in one of the pair of limbs.

14. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 11, wherein the light is an LED.

15. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 11, wherein the emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes measures at least 4 inches from the pair of ears to the end of the pair of hands.

16. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 11, wherein the emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes preferably measures in the range of approximately 8 inches and 20 inches from the pair of ears to the end of the pair of hands.

17. The emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes of claim 11, wherein the emotion sensing toy for delivering inspirational quotes is hypoallergenic, stain resistant, break resistant, and machine washable.

18. A method of playing inspirational quotes comprising:

a user pushing a quote playing button;

the quote playing button sending an instruction to a controller; and

the controller accessing a memory source containing inspirational quotes and causing the audible output of at least one inspirational quote on at least one speaker.

19. The method of playing inspirational quotes of claim 18 wherein the quote play button, the memory source containing inspirational quotes, and the at least one speaker are incorporated into an inspirational quote playing toy.

20. The method of playing inspirational quotes of claim 19 wherein the inspirational quote playing toy is further comprised of:

a front torso;

a back torse;

a face;

a plurality of facial features;

a pair of ears;

a pair of eyes

a pair of hands;

a pair of limbs;

an internal memory configured to store audible inspirational quotes;

a USB slot for receiving a USB memory source;

a speaker;

a light;

a battery;

a microphone activation button configured to activate the microphone;

a controller wherein the controller is connected to the internal memory, the USB slot, the at least one speaker, and the at least one light; and,