WO2000074020A1

WO2000074020A1 - Toy telephone educational or amusement apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2000074020A1
Application number: PCT/IL2000/000292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Itai Kohavi; Osnat Emanuel; Dotan Emanuel; Shai Sharir; Adam Dunsky; Sigal Ben-Porat
Original assignee: Comfynet Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 2000-05-23
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: AU4608700A

Abstract

An educational or amusement apparatus for children includes: a telephone unit (20) and separate computer unit (30). The telephone unit includes a toy telephone handset (25), a microphone, a speaker, a processor and a housing. The computer unit is separated from the telephone unit but connected by a two-way communication link. The processor of the telephone unit is programmable such that certain actions applied by a child with respect to the telephone unit initiate predetermined programs in which recordings are verbally or visually reproduced.

Description

TOY TELEPHONE EDUCATIONAL OR AMUSEMENT APPARATUS

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to educational or amusement devices, and particularly to a toy telephone for use by children with a computer for educational and / or amusement purposes.

A number of toy telephones are described in the patent literature for use by children containing pre-recorded or real-time recorded messages, both verbal and visual, which may be selected for reproduction upon the depression of a selected key by the child user. Examples of such toy telephones are described in U.S. Patents, 5,184,971 , 5,382,188, 5,609,508 and 5, 679,049. Such known toy telephones, however, generally include a dedicated processor built into the toy telephone. They are therefore limited in the number of different programs they are capable of executing, and / or require complicated and expensive processors to enable them to execute a wide variety of programs.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a toy telephone apparatus which can be manufactured at relatively low cost and which is capable of executing a wide variety of different programs. According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an educational or amusement apparatus for use by children, comprising: a telephone unit including a toy telephone handset containing a microphone, a speaker; a housing containing a cradle for supporting the telephone handset, a keypad having a plurality of depressable keys, and a processor for controlling the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a computer unit, physically separate from the telephone unit, and including a memory for storing a plurality of programs and a plurality of verbal and visual recordings for reproduction according to the program, and a display for reproducing a visual recording. The apparatus further includes a two-way communication link between the telephone unit and the computer unit. The processor of the telephone unit is programmable such that predetermined actions applied by a user with respect to the telephone unit initiate predetermined programs of the computer unit involving the reproduction by the computer unit of predetermined recordings in the display of the computer unit and in the speaker of the telephone unit according to the specific actions applied by the user with respect to the telephone unit.

In the described preferred embodiment, the computer unit also includes a speaker for also reproducing verbal recordings stored in the computer unit. A predetermined program of the computer unit may be initiated by a wide variety of different actions by the users. For purposes of example, the actions described below include depressing a key of they keypad of the telephone unit, or lifting the telephone handset from the cradle, or talking into the microphone of the telephone handset. In the latter case, the processor is programmable such that a visual recording reproduced in the visual display of the computer unit continuously changes during the time the user is talking into the telephone microphone.

The interaction between the child user and the computer may be such that every action the child chooses to make, or fails to make, with respect to the telephone unit initiates a predetermined program of the computer unit involving (a) the reproduction by the computer unit of a predetermined recording requiring a predetermined response by the child user, and (b) the determination by the computer unit whether the required predetermined response was actually made by the child.

For example, when the child lifts the telephone handset from its cradle, or depresses one of the keys on the keypad, a program may be initiated which displays a scene on the computer display requiring the child to depress another predetermined key, or talk into the telephone microphone, etc. So long as the child makes a proper response, the display proceeds to new scenes requiring further responses by the child; but if the child fails to respond, or makes an improper response, the scene may be repeated until a proper response is made, before the display proceeds to another scene. Where the required response is to speak into the telephone microphone, the scene may continuously change during the time the child is talking into the microphone. For example, the change in the scene which continues while the child is talking into the telephone microphone may be blowing up a balloon, making a train run, making a dog do tricks, talking to an animated cow, being imitated by a parrot, helping a character fall asleep by singing a lullaby, etc. The child can also color pictures using the telephone keypad, play music with it, etc.

It will thus be seen that the apparatus enables the toy telephone to be used in a wide variety of interactive educational and entertaining activities for children.

The communication link in such an apparatus may be a cable link, or it may be a wireless link, such as an infrared, RF, or acoustical link. According to one described embodiment, the communication link includes a first transceiver in communication with the telephone unit, and a second transceiver in communication with the computer unit and in communication with the first transceiver via a wireless link.

As will be described more particularly below, apparatus constructed in accordance with the foregoing features may use any general-purpose computer capable of storing and selectively executing a large number of different programs. As the child advances in age, different programs of the computer can be selected, or the computer can be re-programmed, for increasing the difficulty and types of responses to be made by the child user. It is also contemplated that the two-way communication link with the telephone unit could be via the internet.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating one form of toy-telephone type of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 more particularly illustrates the telephone handset in the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the circuitry in the telephone and handset of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIGS. 4a - 4e illustrate different manners of connecting the telephone to a general purpose computer;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 1 but including a wireless communication link with the computer unit;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a program requiring a hand action by the child, that may be implemented by the apparatus of FIGS. 1 - 5 for younger children (e.g. 1 - 3 years old); and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating another program requiring a voice action by the child, that may be implemented by the apparatus of FIGS. 1 - 5 particularly for slightly older children, (e.g., in the 2.5 - 5 year range).

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a telephone unit, generally designated 2, and a computer unit, generally designated 3, connected to the telephone unit 2 by a cable 4 providing a two-way communication link between the two units.

The telephone unit 2 includes a toy telephone handset 20 supported on a housing 21 containing the electronic circuitry within the telephone unit. Housing 21 includes a cradle for supporting the telephone handset 20, and a keypad 22 having a plurality (e.g. 12, or any desired number) of depressable keys 23. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the telephone handset 20, and each of the depressable keys 23, are marked with a figure or picture for attracting the attention of the child user. The telephone handset 20 further includes a microphone 24 at one end for converting sound to electrical signals, and a speaker 25 at the opposite end for converting electrical signals to sound. The electrical circuitry within the telephone unit 2 is illustrated in FIG.

3. It includes a microprocessor 26 controlled by the switches 23 of keypad 22, and a power supply adapter 27, enabling this unit to be powered by power from the computer unit 3, thereby eliminating the need for a separate battery or other power supply within the telephone unit. The cable 4 connecting the telephone unit to the computer unit 3 includes a conductor 24a to the microphone 24, a conductor 25a to the speaker 25, a conductor 26a to the microprocessor 26, and a conductor 27a to the power supply adapter 27, all connected to a plug 28 for connection to the computer unit 3. The computer unit 3, as shown in FIG. 1 , is a general purpose computer 30, such as a personal computer, containing a memory for storing a plurality of programs and a plurality of verbal and visual recordings for use in such programs. It also includes a display screen 31 , a keyboard 32, and a pair of speakers 33, 34. The various visual and verbal messages to be stored within the memory of the computer unit 3, as well as the various programs controlling the operation of the computer, are contained in any suitable data storage device, such as a CD-ROM disc 35 adapted to be loaded into the processor 30 in a conventional manner. FIGS. 4a - 4e illustrate several ways in which the telephone unit 2 may be connected to the computer unit 3. Thus, the telephone unit 2 may be connected to the computer unit 3 via cable 4 and the parallel port 41 of the printer (FIG. 4a); via cable 4 and one of the serial ports 42 of the processor (FIGS. 4b); via cable 4 and the Game / Midi port 43 of the processor (FIG. 4c); directly via cable 4 to the computer keyboard port 44 (FIG 4d); or to the computer keyboard port 44 via a cable 4, and a keyboard input adapter 45 (FIG. 4e), which allows simultaneous and uninterrupted operation of the telephone unit and the standard keyboard.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further arrangement, wherein the two-way communication link between the telephone unit 2, and the computer unit 3 is a wireless link. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the telephone unit 2 is connected via a cable 4a to a transceiver 46; the computer unit 3 is connected via a cable 4b to another transceiver 47; and the two transceivers communicate with each other via a wireless link 48, e.g., an IR, RF, or acoustical link. Operation

The illustrated computer is operated by selectively depressing a key 23 of the keypad 22 in the telephone unit 2, or by lifting the telephone handset 20 off the cradle of housing 21 , or by talking into the telephone microphone 24. For example, when a key is depressed, the specific key is identified by the microprocessor 26 of the telephone unit and is transmitted via conductor 26a of the connecting cable 4 to the processor 30 of the computer unit 3. Processor 30 of the computer unit is programmed by the CD-ROM disc 35 (or other storage device used) such that depression by a user of a selected key 23 on the keypad 22 of the telephone unit 2 causes the computer unit to initiate a predetermined program involving (a) the reproduction by the computer unit of a predetermined recording requiring a predetermined response by the user, and (b) the determination by the computer unit whether the requested predetermined response was actually made by the user. Thus, every action the child makes produces a response from the computer, which response communicates to the child whether the action by the child was a correct one, or not; and if the action was a correct one, the program proceeds requiring other interactions with the child.

If the child acts incorrectly, or does not act at all, this is also communicated to the child, and the child is given a reasonable number of additional opportunities to provide the correct action before the program proceeds to reproduce other visual or verbal recordings requiring another action by the child. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a simple program that may be used with a very young child (1 - 3 years old) containing hand interactions, namely, lifting the telephone off its cradle and depressing certain keys on the telephone keypad. In this program, the first three steps 51 , 52, 53, are performed by the parent, and the remaining ones are performed by the child.

Thus, the parent inserts the software disc 35 into the CD-ROM device of the processor 28 (block 51). The program then provides the parent with instructions on how to connect the telephone unit to the computer unit 3 (block 52). The parent selects the appropriate game level for the child, e.g., via the computer keyboard 32 or the telephone keypad 22 (block 53). In the example described by the flow chart of FIG. 6, the level selected is level "3", which is the most complex for that age group (1 - 3 year olds).

The following operations are then performed by the child. As shown by block 54, the child lifts the telephone handset off the cradle; i.e., goes off-hook. Three objects then appear on the screen 31 (block 55). Two of these objects are blue, and the third is colorless. The child is required to color the colorless object blue by pressing the blue key.

If the child presses the required key (block 56), the colorless object on the screen turns blue (block 57), and the child receives a positive response from the processor 28, by producing a display which requires another action by the child (block 58). On the other hand, if the child does not press the correct key, the figures in the game repeat the request twice more, and eventually the object is colored blue by itself, whereupon the display ends (blocks 58 - 61). The program then waits for the child to pick the next scene by pressing another key 23 (block 58). If the child does not press one of the keys 23 to initiate another scene within 10 seconds, the software will activate a scene randomly (blocks 62 - 64) until there are no more displays in the selected program (block 65).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating another program containing voice interaction, which program is suitable for slightly older children, in the 2.5 - 5 year range. However, programs for children under 2.5 years could also contain voice interaction. The program of FIG. 7 also begins with a parent inserting the software into the computer CD-ROM drive (block 71), and selecting a program in the game software (block 72). The child is then to press one of the keys 23 of the telephone unit 2 (block 73) whereupon the computer speaker requests the child to pick-up the telephone handset (block 74), or rings a bell for conveying the same request. When the child goes off-hook (block 75) and starts to talk on the telephone microphone (block 76), a balloon inflation scene appears randomly on the screen 31 of the computer unit 3 (block 77). The balloon appearing on the screen steadily inflates in size all the while the child is talking into the microphone 24 (block 78), to a maximum size, (block 79 and 80).

On the other hand, if the child does not talk into the microphone, the figures repeat the request twice (block 81), e.g., via speaker 25 of the handset 20 and / or speakers 33, 34 of the computer unit 3; and then the balloon inflate itself (block 77). The child then goes on to inflate the next balloon, until all have been inflated, whereupon the scene ends (blocks 82, 83). The child must then press another key to go onto the next scene or program.

Blowing up a balloon is but one of many actions that may be caused by the child's response; examples of other actions are briefly described above. In this example of voice interactivity, it is only necessary for the apparatus to detect the condition of talking into the telephone microphone, and it is not necessary to actually recognize the actual words spoken into the microphone, although speech recognition could also be included in some programs particularly with respect to a few simple words. Other interaction can be the depression of selected keys, e.g., to color pictures, to play music, etc.

As also indicated above, the invention may be used with any suitable computers including general purpose computers programmed for the particular operations, as well as dedicated computers. The computers can be located at the site of the telephone unit, or remote from that site and communicate with the telephone unit via a two-way wire or wireless communication link. The invention could also be used with respect to remotely-located computers, communicating with the telephone unit via the internet.

Accordingly, while the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

1. Educational or amusement apparatus for use by children, comprising: a telephone unit including a toy telephone handset containing a microphone and a speaker; said telephone unit further including a housing containing a cradle for supporting the telephone handset, a keypad having a plurality of depressable keys, and a processor for controlling the operation of said apparatus; a computer unit, physically separate from said telephone unit, and including a memory for storing a plurality of programs and a plurality of verbal and visual recordings for reproduction according to the program; said computer unit further including a display for reproducing a visual recording; and a two-way communication link between said telephone unit and said computer unit; said processor of the telephone unit being programmable such that predetermined actions applied by a user with respect to the telephone unit initiate predetermined programs of the computer unit involving the reproduction by the computer unit of predetermined recordings in the display of the computer unit and in the speaker of the telephone unit according to the specific actions applied by the user with respect to the telephone unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said computer unit also includes a speaker for also reproducing verbal recordings stored in the computer unit according to the specific action applied by the user with respect to the telephone unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined actions include depressing a key of said keypad.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined actions include lifting the telephone handset from said cradle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined actions include talking into the microphone of the telephone handset

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said processor is

programmable such that a visual recording reproduced in said visual

display continuously changes during the time the user is talking into

the microphone.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined

recordings reproducible by the computer include recordings requiring

predetermined valid responses by the user, said processor being

programmable to receive the response by the user and to

communicate to the user whether or not a response was a valid one.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said two-way

communication link is a cable link.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said telephone unit further includes a power adapter for receiving electrical power via said cable link from the computer unit to power the telephone unit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said two-way communication link is a wireless link.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said two-way communication link includes a first transceiver in communication with said telephone unit, and a second transceiver in communication with said computer unit, said two transceivers being in wireless communication with each other.

12. Educational or amusement apparatus for use by children, comprising: a telephone unit including a toy telephone handset containing a microphone and a speaker; said telephone unit further including a housing containing a cradle for supporting the telephone handset, a keypad having a plurality of depressable keys, and a processor for controlling the operation of said apparatus; a computer unit, physically separate from said telephone unit, and including a memory for storing a plurality of programs and a plurality of verbal and visual recordings for reproduction according to the program; said computer unit further including a display for reproducing a visual recording; and a two-way communication link between said telephone unit and said computer unit; said processor of the telephone unit being programmable such that a predetermined action applied by a user with respect to the telephone unit initiates a predetermined program of the computer unit involving: (a) the reproduction by the computer unit of a predetermined recording requiring a predetermined response by the user, and (b) the determination by the computer unit whether said required predetermined response was actually made by the user.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said computer unit also includes a speaker for also reproducing verbal recordings stored in the computer unit according to the specific action applied by the user with respect to the telephone unit.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined actions include depressing a key of said keypad, and lifting the telephone handset from said cradle.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined actions further include talking into the microphone of the telephone handset, said processor being programmable such that a visual recording reproduced in said visual display continuously changes during the time the user is talking into the microphone.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined action includes talking into the microphone of the telephone handset.

17. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said two-way communication link is a cable link, and said telephone unit further includes a power adapter for receiving electrical power via said cable link from the computer unit to power the telephone unit.

18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said two-way communication link is a wireless link and includes a first transceiver in communication with said telephone unit, and a second transceiver in communication with said computer unit and in wireless communication with said first transceiver.