WO2005076271A1

WO2005076271A1 - Infant learning toy

Info

Publication number: WO2005076271A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dae Sung Lee
Original assignee: K & Company Co., Ltd.; Nective Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-02-10
Filing date: 2004-05-13
Publication date: 2005-08-18
Also published as: KR200350126Y1

Abstract

An infant toy includes a first toy set and a second toy set. The first toy set includes a receiver for receiving a radio audio signal transmitted wirelessly and demodulating the radio audio signal; an amplifier for amplifying the demodulated audio signal; and a speaker for outputting the audio signal. The second toy set includes an audio signal input terminal for receiving the audio signal from an external portion; and a transmitter for modulating the audio signal and transmitting the modulated audio signal wirelessly to the receiver.

Description

Description INFANT LEARNING TOY Background of the Invention

[ 1 ] 1. Field of the Invention

[2] The present invention relates to an infant toy and, more particularly, to an infant learning toy which has a remote controller function and has a function for outputting a radio audio signal transmitted from an audio signal generating device.

[3] 2. Description of the Related Art

[4] Many toys have been developed for the comfort and entertainment of infants and small children. As technology has advanced, it has become possible to merge modern technology with traditional toys. For many years, infants have been amused and soothed by toys which produce sound.

[5] In recent years, toys have been developed for educational purpose as well as the comfort and entertainment of infants and small children. Such learning toys store, for example, a limited number of music sources, however, and thus infants and toddlers easily get tired of them.

[6] Further, the infants and the toddlers cannot stay at a place for long time without anything to attract their attention, and thus it is not easy for the infants to listen to or various music or programs.

[7] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for toys which can provide various music, and educational programs, etc. in consideration of such infants' characteristics.

[8] In order to provide an audio signal without a distance limitation, a speaker device having a remote controller function is disclosed in KR application number 10-2001-34709 owned by the applicant hereof that includes a transmitting device which receives an audio signal from an audio signal generating device and transmits it over the air, and a device receives the audio signal from the transmitting device and outputs it through a speaker. Summary of the Invention

[9] It is an object of the present invention to provide an infant learning toy which infants do not get tired of while being amused and soothed by.

[10] It is another object of the present invention to provide an infant toy that provides various music, and educational programs, etc. in consideration of such infants' characteristics and has a high learning efficiency.

[11] The present invention provides an infant toy, comprising: a first toy set for receiving an audio signal from an external portion and transmitting the audio signal over the air; and a second toy set for receiving the audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

[12] The first toy set includes an audio signal input terminal for receiving the audio signal from an audio signal generating device; a transmitter for transmitting the audio signal over the air to the second toy set; and a control signal generating portion for generating a control signal for playing an audio signal, a power control signal for controlling a power of the second toy set, and a volume control signal for controlling a volume of the audio signal to be outputted through the second toy set.

[13] The second toy set includes a receiver for receiving the audio signal from the first toy set and demodulating the audio signal; and a speaker for outputting the audio signal.

[14] The second toy set has a doll shape. The first toy set includes a remote controller for remotely controlling a power, a volume, a play of the second toy set. The first toy set includes a microphone for capturing a voice signal. The first toy set includes a memory for storing predetermined audio sources.

[15] The present invention further provides an infant toy, comprising: a first toy set including a receiver for receiving a radio audio signal transmitted wirelessly and demodulating the radio audio signal; an amplifier for amplifying the demodulated audio signal; and a speaker for outputting the audio signal.

[16] The infant toy further comprises a second toy set including an audio signal input terminal for receiving the audio signal from an external portion; and a transmitter for modulating the audio signal and transmitting the modulated audio signal wirelessly to the receiver.

[17] The first toy set has a doll shape. The second toy set includes a remote controller for remotely controlling a power, a volume, a play of the second toy set. The second toy set includes a microphone for capturing a voice signal. The second toy set includes a memory for storing predetermined audio sources. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[19] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an infant learning toy set according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the infant learning toy set of the present invention; [21] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a first toy set according to the present invention; [22] FIG. 4 is a detailed view illustrating a second toy set according to the present invention; and [23] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the infant learning toy set of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[24] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[25] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an infant learning toy set according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the infant learning toy set of the present invention.

[26] As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, the infant learning toy set of FIG. 1 includes a first toy set 100 and a second toy set 200. The first toy set 100 modulates an audio signal inputted from an audio signal generating device 300 and transmits it over the air to the second toy set 200. The audio signal generating device 300 includes a computer, a cassette player, a CD player, a MP3 player, a radio, and a television, etc. The second toy set 200 amplifies the radio audio signal transmitted from the first toy set 100 and outputs it via a speaker (not shown).

[27] The first toy set 100 includes an audio signal input terminal 101, a power switch 102, a volume control portion 103, a control signal generating portion 104, and a transmitter 110. The first toy set 100 can further includes a microphone (now shown) for receiving an audio signal or a voice signal from an external portion. The first toy set 100 can further include a memory for storing various kinds of audio signals.

[28] Therefore, in addition to an audio signal transmitting mode, the infant learning toy set of the present invention further can have a voice signal transmitting mode for capturing a voice signal through a microphone and outputting the voice signal through the second toy set 200 and a stored audio signal transmitting mode for playing an audio material previously stored in a memory (not shown) of the first toy set 100.

[29] The audio signal input terminal 101 is coupled to the audio signal generating device 300 via a connection jack (not shown). The volume control portion 103 controls a volume of an audio signal to be transmitted to the second toy set 200. The control signal generating portion 104 generates a control signal for playing an audio signal, a power control signal, and a volume control signal. The transmitter 110 is coupled to the control signal generating portion 104 to transmit an audio signal, a power control signal, and a volume control signal through an antenna 109 to the second toy set 200.

[30] The second toy set 200 includes a receiver 206, a low frequency amplifier 207, a speaker 208, a volume control portion 209, a LED portion (see 114 in FIG. 4), a power portion 215.

[31] The receiver 206 receives a radio signal from an antenna 109' and determines whether it is an audio signal, a power control signal or a volume control signal. The low frequency amplifier 207 amplifies an audio signal received by the receiver 206 to be outputted through the speaker 208. The speaker 208 outputs an audio signal produced from the audio signal generating device 300. The volume control portion 209 compares a volume control signal received by the receiver 206 to determine a volume of an audio signal and control an electrical current of the low frequency amplifier 207 to thereby adjust a volume of an audio signal outputted through the speaker 208. The power portion 215 supplies a power to the second toy set 200.

[32] The speaker 208 is arranged around a mouth of a doll, so that the infants may feel as if a doll speaks. A LED portion 214 is arranged for indicating a power charge state. Preferably, the LED portion 214 is arranged on eyes, a noise, and an abdomen, etc. for the infants to get interested and curios.

[33] The infant learning toy set of the present invention further can have a remote controller (not shown) for controlling the first toy set 100. The remote controller controls a power portioning, a volume adjusting, and a selection of the above- described functions.

[34] The first and second toy sets 100 and 200 can have various shapes. For example, a character doll can be used for accommodating the first and second toy sets 100 and 200.

[35] Operation of the audio signal transmitting mode of the infant toy set of the present invention is explained. Let's us assume that a CD play is used to provide an audio signal.

[36] First, the CD player 300 is coupled to the audio signal input terminal 101 of the first toy set 100 through the connecting jack (not shown), and then the power switch 102 is turned on. When the CD player is played, a radio audio signal is transmitted from the transmitter 110 of the first toy set 100 to the receiver 206 of the second toy set 200. The audio signal is outputted through the speaker of the second toy set 200. Therefore, there is an advantage in that an audio signal is wirelessly transmitted and outputted through a doll, and thus the infants are amused and soothed by even a boring educational material. Also, various music or audio materials such as nursery rhyme and a juvenile story are provided and thus learning efficiency is high.

[37] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the first toy set 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmitter 110 includes an amplitude modulator 105, a crystal oscillator 106, a mixer 107, and a frequency multiplier 108.

[38] The amplitude modulator 105 amplitude-modulates an audio signal inputted through the audio signal input terminal 101 and transmits it to the mixer 107. Here, the amplitude modulation is a technique that an amplitude of a carrier wave is modulated according to an amplitude of a signal wave when converting a music, a voice or a video to an electrical signal and transmitting it through a wire or over the air. The crystal oscillator 106 functions to improve a stability of a frequency. An oscillating frequency having a high stability is obtained by using as a control element of the oscillating frequency a crystal oscillator which employs a piezoelectric phenomenon of a crystal. The mixer 107 mixes output signals of the amplitude modulator 105 and the crystal oscillator 106 and transmits it to the frequency multiplier 108. The frequency multiplier 108 frequency-multiplies a stable output of the crystal oscillator 106 to obtain a stable high frequency power.

[39] FIG. 4 is a detailed view illustrating the second toy set of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the receiver 206 includes a low noise amplifier 201, a voltage control oscillator 202, a mixer 203, an intermediate frequency (IF) processor 204, and a FM detector 205. The power portion 215 includes a power control portion 210 having a power standby portion 211 and a counter 212, and a power supplying portion 213.

[40] The low noise amplifier 201 amplifies an audio signal from the antenna 109' in order to improve an air sensitivity of an audio signal, thereby determining an air sensitivity of the receiver.

[41] The voltage control oscillator (VCO) 202 demodulate a frequency for communication to a baseband signal. The voltage control oscillator 202 is a major part of a wireless communication device.

[42] The mixer 203 mixes output signals of the low noise amplifier 201 and the voltage control oscillator 202 and transmits them to the IF processor 204. The IF processor 204 lowers a frequency of a wireless signal to thereby a desired selectivity and an amplification gain.

[43] The FM detector 205 determines using a filter whether a wireless signal having a lowered frequency through the IF processor 204 is an audio signal, a volume control signal, or a power control signal.

[44] The low frequency amplifier 207 amplifies a wireless signal to be outputted through the speaker 208 when a wireless signal is an audio signal.

[45] The power standby portion 211 of the power control portion 210 applies a power voltage only to the receiver 206 until a power control signal is received from the transmitter 110 to thereby maintain a power standby state, and when it is determined that a wireless signal is an audio signal a power voltage is applied to the whole part of the second toy set 200. The counter 212 monitors an output of the lower frequency amplifier 207 and converts a power state from a power supply state to a power standby state when there is no output from the lower frequency amplifier 207 during a predetermined period. The power supplying portion 213 is to supply a power voltage to the second toy set 200 and preferably includes an external power input terminal which supplies a power voltage to a charger. The charger is a conventional one but adjusts a voltage according to an output of the speaker 208. The power supplying portion 213 measures a current of a charging battery through a charging amount display circuit and determines a charging amount of the charging battery according to an intensity of a measure current to display a charging state through the LED portion 214.

[46] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the infant toy set of the present invention.

[47] First, an operation mode is selected at step S10. The operation mode includes an audio signal transmitting mode, a voice signal transmitting mode, and a stored audio signal transmitting mode. The mode selection is preferably performed by a remote controller. But, the mode selection is not limited to this and can be performed through the first toy set. In the case of an audio signal transmitting mode, an audio signal inputted through the audio signal input terminal is transmitted. In the case of a voice signal transmitting mode, a voice signal inputted through the microphone is transmitted. In the case of a stored audio signal transmitting mode, an audio signal previously stored in the memory is transmitted. Finally, the audio signal, the voice signal or the audio signal previously stored in the memory is outputted through the speaker 208 of the second toy set 200. [48] As described herein before, there is an advantage in that an audio signal is wirelessly transmitted and outputted through a doll, and thus the infants are amused and soothed by even a boring educational material. Also, various music or audio materials such as nursery rhyme and a juvenile story are provided and thus learning efficiency is high.

Claims

[1] An infant toy, comprising: a first toy set for receiving an audio signal from an external portion and transmitting the audio signal over the air; and a second toy set for receiving the audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

[2] The infant toy of claim 1, wherein the first toy set includes an audio signal input terminal for receiving the audio signal from an audio signal generating device; a transmitter for transmitting the audio signal over the air to the second toy set; and a control signal generating portion for generating a control signal for playing an audio signal, a power control signal for controlling a power of the second toy set, and a volume control signal for controlling a volume of the audio signal to be outputted through the second toy set.

[3] The infant toy set of claim 1, wherein the second toy set includes a receiver for receiving the audio signal from the first toy set and demodulating the audio signal; and a speaker for outputting the audio signal.

[4] The infant toy set of claim 1, wherein the second toy set has a doll shape.

[5] The infant toy set of claim 1, wherein the first toy set includes a remote controller for remotely controlling a power, a volume, a play of the second toy set.

[6] The infant toy set of claim 1, wherein the first toy set includes a microphone for capturing a voice signal.

[7] The infant toy set of claim 1, wherein the first toy set includes a memory for storing predetermined audio sources.

[8] An infant toy, comprising: a first toy set including a receiver for receiving a radio audio signal transmitted wirelessly and demodulating the radio audio signal; an amplifier for amplifying the demodulated audio signal; and a speaker for outputting the audio signal.

[9] The infant toy of claim 8, further comprising, a second toy set including an audio signal input terminal for receiving the audio signal from an external portion; and a transmitter for modulating the audio signal and transmitting the modulated audio signal wirelessly to the receiver.

[10] The infant toy of claim 9, wherein the first toy set has a doll shape.

[11] The infant toy of claim 9, wherein the second toy set includes a remote controller for remotely controlling a power, a volume, a play of the second toy set. [12] The infant toy of claim 9, wherein the second toy set includes a microphone for capturing a voice signal. [13] The infant toy of claim 9, wherein the second toy set includes a memory for storing predetermined audio sources.