WO2002007841A1

WO2002007841A1 - Sound conveying doll through bone conduction

Info

Publication number: WO2002007841A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000958
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang Chun
Original assignee: Chang Chun
Priority date: 2000-07-24
Filing date: 2000-08-26
Publication date: 2002-01-31
Also published as: AU2000267380A1; AU2000260255A1; WO2002007840A1

Abstract

There is provided a sound conveying doll through bone conduction, which can record sound and can convey sound through bone conduction by pressing the doll against the head. The doll includes a doll body having a predetermined shape, a contact sensing unit incorporated in the doll body, a sound processing unit incorporated in the doll body, for sequentially outputting a sound signal pre-stored in a built-in memory when the contact sensing unit is turned on, and a vibrator incorporated in the doll body, for converting the sound signal output from the sound processing unit into vibration, whereby the vibration of the vibrator is conveyed to a user through bone conduction to be perceived as sound. Sound can be recorded on a doll, and the recorded sound can be conveyed through bone conduction rather than sound wave, so that only the person who contacts the doll on the head can hear the recorded sound. Therefore, a private message can be exchanged between people in the private relationship, for example, lovers or family, without attracting people's attention. In particular, even the hearing-handicapped can hear the sound generated by the doll through bone conduction.

Description

SOUND CONVEYINGDOLLTHROUGHBONECONDUCTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sound conveying doll through bone conduction, which can record sound and can convey sound through bone conduction by pressing the doll against the head.

Background Art

In general, the human ear is divided into three primary parts: an external ear, a middle ear and an inner ear. The vibration of externally audible sound is directed into an outer ear (pinna) and is transmitted to a tympanic membrane (eardrum) along an external auditory canal. The external auditory canal is a kind of a tympanic tube whose one end is closed by the eardrum. The vibration of the eardrum is transmitted to the inner ear via three ossicula chains, that is, a malleus, an incus, and a stapes. If the vibration of the auditory ossicula is transmitted to cochlea through the footplate of the stapes, lymph inside the cochlea moves, and thousands of tiny hair cells in the scala media of the cochlea sense the vibration of the lymph, to then convert the stimulus into an electrical signal. Then, if the electrical signal is transmitted to the brain through acoustic nerve, the sound is audible.

Conventional talking dolls are mostly configured to have a speaker so that memorized sound is transmitted over the air (sound wave) through the speaker by pressing the doll to then be audible. The sound generated by a doll through the sound wave is heard not only by a doll's owner but also by other people around, and sounds like a noise to other people. Also, hearing- handicapped people cannot hear the sound. In particular, people may want to record a special message to let only a certain person, a boyfriend or a girlfriend, hear the special message through a talking doll. However, a conventional talking doll is not suitably used in such a case because the sound generated by the doll is conveyed through sound wave to be also heard by other people around.

Disclosure of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a doll that can convey sound through bone conduction rather than sound wave.

To accomplish the above object, there is provided a doll which conveys sound through bone conduction including a doll body having a predetermined shape, contact sensing means incorporated in the doll body, a sound processing unit incorporated in the doll body, for sequentially outputting a sound signal pre-stored in a built-in memory when the contact sensing means is turned on, and a vibrator incorporated in the doll body, for converting the sound signal output from the sound processing unit into vibration, whereby the vibration of the vibrator is conveyed to a user through bone conduction to be perceived as the sound.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGS. 1 A and IB are a front view and a side view, illustrating a doll that conveys sound through bone conduction according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sound conveying mechanism of a doll according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of recording sound on a sound conveying doll according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of conveying sound by a doll according to the present invention,

FIG. 5 is an assembly/disassembly diagram of a vibrator employed in the present

invention,

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an assembled vibrator and FIG. 6B is a side sectional

view of an assembled vibrator, and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the operation of a pressure switch.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. IA is a front view illustrating a doll that conveys sound through bone conduction according to the present invention, and FIG. IB is a side view thereof.

Referring to FIGS. IA and IB, the doll according to the present invention includes a battery 102 for supplying operating power, recording switches 104a and 104b, a control box 106 and a vibrator 108. The shape of a doll may vary according to a user's taste, for example, human, bear, rabbit or puppy. The recording switches 104a and 104b are installed in the hand or foot of the doll. The vibrator 108 is installed in the mouth of the doll. The control box 106 is installed in the belly or back of the doll, and includes a microphone 201, a controller 204 and a sound processor 205, as shown in FIG. 2.

When the doll is purchased to give a particular person as a gift, the recording switches 104a and 104b are turned on, and then a message intended to be delivered to the person, is stored using the microphone 201, the controller 204 and the sound processor 205, incorporated in the control box 106. In this case, in order to prevent the recorded message from being deleted by inadvertently pressing a recording switch, a plurality of recording switches are installed at different places and a recording operation is allowed to be performed when the plurality of recording switches are simultaneously turned on. Although it has been described in the embodiment of the present invention that the recording switches 104a and 104b are installed in both hands of the doll, they may be installed at another places.

When the receiver holds the doll and presses the mouth of the doll, that is, the portion where the vibrator 108 is installed, against the head, the pressure switch 203 of the control box 106 is turned on by the pressure of a vibrating element in the vibrator 108 to convert a sound signal recorded in a built-in memory of the sound processor 205 into vibration through the vibrator 108. The vibration is conveyed through the bone conduction of the receiver who holds the doll in the arms to then be perceived as sound.

As described above, since the doll according to the present invention conveys the sound through bone conduction, rather than sound wave in the air, the sound cannot be heard except the person who holds the doll in his/her arms. Thus, the conversation in confidence can be exchanged between people in a private relationship, like lovers. In particular, the sound can also be conveyed to the hearing-handicapped through bone conduction.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sound conveying mechanism of a doll according to the present invention. The mechanism includes a microphone 201, recording switches 104a and 104b, a pressure switch 203, a controller 204, a sound processor 205 and a vibrator 108.

The microphone 201 is a device for inputting sound. The recording switches 104a and

104b are switches manipulated for recording sound, and the pressure switch 203 is a tact switch for detecting whether or not the vibrator 108 is pressed against the head of the user and for reproducing the pre-recorded sound from the beginning. Here, the pressure switch 203 is preferably installed inside the vibrator 108 so that it is turned on only when a vibrating element in the vibrator 108 is pressed against the head of the user. The controller 204 controls a signal input through the microphone 201 to be stored in an internal memory by the sound processor 205 when the recording switches 104a and 104b are turned on. Also, the controller 204 controls the signals stored in the internal memory of the sound processor 205 to be sequentially reproduced and output when the pressure switch 203 is turned on. Here, the controller 204 controls the recorded data to be always reproduced from the beginning if the pressure switch 203 is turned on. Thus, even if the pressure switch 203 is turned off in the course of hearing the sound, the sound can be heard from the beginning.

The sound processor 205 stores the signal input through the microphone 201 in the internal memory under the control of the controller 204 and reproduces the signal stored in the internal memory to output the same to the vibrator 108. Here, the controller 204 and the sound processor 205 may be implemented by a single integrated circuit (IC). The memory of the sound processor 205 may be externally implemented or may be extendable.

The vibrator 108 converts the reproduction signal of the sound processor 205 into vibration of audible frequencies. The speed and strength of the vibration of the vibrator 108 are variable according to input signals to then be conveyed to a part where the doll and the user's head contact. The vibration is conveyed to the acoustic nerve through bone conduction. Thus, only the person who contacts the doll on the head can hear the sound stored in the sound processor 205 of the doll by the vibration of the vibrator 108.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of recording sound on a doll according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when one wants to give a specific person a doll with a special message, as a gift, recording switches 104a and 104b are turned on (step 301). Here, only when both the recording switches are simultaneously turned on, the recording operation is performed. Then, the sound to be conveyed is input through a microphone 201 to then be stored in the memory of a sound processor 205 (steps 302 and 303). Here, if there is data pre- stored in the sound processor 205, when the recording switches 104a and 104b are turned on, the pre-stored data is erased and newly input data is stored. When a pressure switch 203 is turned on, the stored data is reproduced to then be audible through bone conduction, rather than sound wave, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of conveying sound from a doll according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, when the gift receiver holds the doll in the arms with the mouth of the doll pressed on the head, the pressure switch 203 is turned on by the vibrator 108 installed on the mouth of the doll (step 401). If the pressure switch 203 is turned on, the sound stored in the memory of the sound processor 205 is sequentially reproduced to be conveyed to a vibrator 108. The vibrator 108 converts the electric signal into a vibration wave to output the vibration (steps 402, 403 and 404). The vibration of the vibrator 108 is transmitted to the acoustic nerve via the skull of a portion where it contacts the doll, and the acoustic nerve perceives the transmitted vibration wave as the sound (steps 405 and 406).

FIG. 5 is an assembly/disassembly diagram of the vibrator 108 employed in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a vibrating element 502 is incorporated in a case 501 and is securely supported to the upper portion of the case 501 by two springs 504a and 504b fixed on a lower plate 503. The pressure switch 203 is disposed between the springs 504a and 504b and is turned on when it is pressed by the vibrating element 502. Here, three springs may be employed as the springs fixed on the lower plate 503 for the purpose of adjusting the pressure (elasticity), and wires are connected only two of the three springs. The bottom of the lower plate 503 is made to be a printed circuit board so that the springs 504a and 504b and the pressure switch 203 which are disposed on the lower plate 503 are connected to the corresponding wires. Accordingly, an electrical signal is transmitted by means of the springs 504a and 504b from the sound processor 205 of the control box 106 to the vibrating element 502 or from the pressure switch 203 to the controller 204 of the control box 106.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an assembled vibrator 108 and FIG. 6B is a side sectional view of the assembled vibrator 108. The configuration of the assembled vibrator 108 will now be described. The vibrating element 502 is securely fixed to the upper portion of the case 501 by means of the springs 504a and 504b so that the portion contacting the case 501 becomes the minimum. In other words, if the vibrating element 502 is directly installed in the doll without a case, it may be brought into contact with a surrounding object, which may generate sound. Then, the sound may be conveyed through the air, rather than through bone conduction. Thus, in order to avoid sound transmission through vibration of the air, it is necessary to incorporate the vibrating element 502 into the case 501 and to minimize the contact between the vibrating element 502 and the case 501. Also, in the case of transmitting signals to the^' vibrating element 502 through an electric wire, the electric wire may often be cut due to physical vibration. In the present invention, signals are transmitted through the springs 504a and 504b, thereby simplifying the wiring and preventing the electric wire from being cut.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the pressure switch 203. Referring to FIG. 7A, if the vibrating element 502 is not pressed, the springs 504a and 504b are dilated so that the vibrating element 502 protrudes much toward the upper portion of the case 501. Also, since no pressure is applied to the pressure switch 203, the pressure switch 203 is turned off. In such a state, if the mouth of the doll is pressed against the head of the user, a pressure is applied to the vibrating element 502 so that the vibrating element 502 is pushed toward the lower portion of the case 501, as shown in FIG. 7B. Accordingly, a protrusion button of the pressure switch 203 is pushed down by the vibrating element 502 so that the pressure switch 203 is turned on. As described above, if the pressure switch 203 is turned on, the signal stored in the memory of the sound processor 205 is reproduced to then be conveyed to the vibrating element 502 through the springs 504a and 504b. Accordingly, the vibrating element 502 vibrates, thereby conveying the sound through bone conduction. If the doll is separated from the head of the user, the pressure of the vibrating element 502 is removed so that the vibrating element 502 is brought into close contact with the upper portion of the case 501 by the restoration force of the springs 504a and 504b, as shown in FIG. 7A, and the pressure switch 203 is turned off. Here, the pressure can be adjusted by means of rubber or sponge instead of springs. In this case, it is necessary to separately connect wires for transmitting signals to a vibrating element.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, sound can be recorded on a doll, and the recorded sound can be conveyed through bone conduction rather than sound wave, so that only the person who contacts the doll on the head can hear the recorded sound. Therefore, a private message can be exchanged between people in the private relationship, for example, lovers or family, without attracting people's attention. In particular, even the hearing- handicapped can hear the sound generated by the doll through bone conduction. Also, in the present invention, a vibrating element is incorporated in a case to then be supported by springs, thereby preventing sound from being conveyed through the air, which is due to contact between the vibrating element and a surrounding object to generate sound, rather than through bone conduction. Also, in the present invention, signals are transmitted through springs, thereby simplifying the wiring and preventing the electric wire from being cut.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A doll which conveys sound through bone conduction comprising: a doll body having a predetermined shape, contact sensing means incorporated in the doll body, a sound processing unit incorporated in the doll body, for sequentially outputting a sound signal pre-stored in a built-in memory when the contact sensing means is turned on, and a vibrator incorporated in the doll body, for converting the sound signal output from the sound processing unit into vibration, whereby the vibration of the vibrator is conveyed to a user through bone conduction to be perceived as the sound.

2. The doll according to claim 1 further comprising a microphone for inputting sound and a recording switch for turning on a recording function, wherein the sound processing unit stores the sound input through the microphone in the built-in memory when the recording switch is turned on.

3. The doll according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact sensing means is a pressure sensor.

4. The doll according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound processing unit extends a sound storage capacity through an extendable memory.

5. The doll according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibrator is configured to have a vibrating element incorporated in a case and to be supported by elastic means fixed on a lower plate.

6. The doll according to claim 5, wherein the elastic means are springs capable of transmitting electric signals to the vibrating element.

7. The doll according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact sensing means is a tact switch incorporated in the vibrator.