WO2005099359A2

WO2005099359A2 - Affective digital children’s companion

Info

Publication number: WO2005099359A2
Application number: PCT/PH2005/000009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frédéric GHESTEM
Original assignee: Ublys Limited; Ublys Corporation
Priority date: 2004-04-02
Filing date: 2005-04-01
Publication date: 2005-10-27
Also published as: WO2005099359A3

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a digital controlled figure toy, with audio and Video controlled system in which novel system and apparatus are provided to control the audio/video data using the toy figure. Said toy figure has a digital screen to show audio/video display with the actuation thereof provided by a digital processing means disposed therein which is feasible for digital control by a multimedia computer connected thereto. An audio and video input/output device is disposed within the body of said toy figure and is connected to and controlled by the audio system of said toy figure.

Description

AFFECTIVE DIGITAL CHILDREN'S COMPANION

The invention is a children's digital companion which resolves children-related technical matters and assures the following functions:

This invention has two purposes: affectivitty and security. It provides an avenue for pareπ-εs and children to maintain their close relationship even while the parents are away, whether for long periods of time o not. This works as follows:

For child to parent: the child may register an audio/video message for his parents. He can make/receive call to/from his parents.

For parent to child: absentee parents may record a message for their child. They can make/receive call to/from their children.

Absentee parents may be divorced couples, relatives (brothers, sisters, grand parents) , overseas workers, hospitalized parents, 'stand out militaries, prisoners', diplomats, commercial travellers and so on.

The invention has a child personal development function because it enables child to record digital files, including stories or audiovisual testimonies, which he may transfer and share with other children through a network or directly to another toy with the same functionalities and technical features. Children can also listen to recorded stories from a digital library.

The invention offers to parents and children an adapted device, which comes in the form of a plush doll or toy and fulfills the following functionalities :

Able to play audio/video stories or messages. Audio/video stories and messages can be downloaded through a cable or wireless transfer link connected between a computer and the plush, doll or toy's control processor. The computer is itself connected to a network such as internet, where stories or messages are exchanged and stored. Make or receive a phone call using the internet network. Make or receive a phone call using the analog phone service.

The invention integrates the entire appropriated digital and electric devices to allow the plush doll or toy to be independent of the PC, assuming the functionalities of audio/video recording and play.

The plush doll or toy may be connected with all numerical equipment types having a universal connecting port. It allows exchange of audio/video files between children, and between parents and children.

The invention, moreover, permits the development of a web site with an interface and design adapted to children's abilities and skills, in order to allow them to communicate and exchange with designated persons the audio/video files they have created themselves .

Background and Summary of the invention

The invention relates children's digital companion having internal digital devices, such as nonvolatile memory, for audio, video and text data storage; audio, video and phone controllers; audio video coder and decoder; input and output devices; speaker; screen; microphone; a specific remote control adapted to the children's ability; and all the needed devices to give/receive analog phone calls.

At present, talking toys function through the addition of a controller device connected to a speaker reading the data, and a memory device, such as a tape or disk or memory flash that stores the audio data. To read data other than the ones stored in the memory device, the user has to change the memory device. Memory device and audio data can not be separated. This change is not easy and requires physical intervention. Moreover, it is not adapted to the abilities of children. There is a perceived need for an improved toy which offers more ease in its daily use. Our invention, with its digital devices, allows for a more easy and uncomplicated usage. There is no more need to change devices because the data are digital, i.e. non- material. In general, talking toys only have one function - deliver data to the child. The present invention allows a two-way function: the user can download new audio data easily into his toy and listen to them when he wants to. The user can also record his own data directly into the toy. Later on the user can, if the toy is connected to a PC which is connected to a network such .as internet, exchange the recorded data with his parents or friends. The recorded and exchanged data may be audio or video.

This new feature gives to the toy an additional affective value. Communication with the toy is no longer one-way but it actually allows an exchange between individuals, especially with absentee parents.

The toy operates in two modes. In the first mode, the toy is connected to a PC which is connected to a network such as internet or digital phone service. In this mode, the user can utilize all the audio, video and phone functions of the invention. He can communicate with other users either through the exchange of digital data or by the telephony functions. In the second or stand alone mode, the toy is disconnected from any PC or other digital devices but all of its audio/video playing/recording abilities can be operated.

The invention described above gives to the toy a new value and extends its life's duration. For this, the present invention is believed to represent an actual advancement in the art and has sensible commercial merit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.l is a schematic general presentation of the toy.

Fig. 2 is a presentation of the children-adapted remote control. Fig.3 is a general presentation of the inside devices

Fig.4 is a presentation of the details of audio features

Fig.5 is a presentation of the details of video features Fig.6 is a presentation of the details of phone features

The toy can assume any form and the presentation of a teddy form is only for purposes of illustration in the drawings .

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Audio features (Refer to Figures 4 & 2)

a. The child wants to transfer audio data from a PC to his toy

First, he connects the toy to the PC using the 'Digital connecting device' (6). The transfer is done directly in the PC, using the PC's browser. The files go to the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) where they are stored.

b. The child wants to listen to audio files

Using the 'Screen' (3) and the 'Adapted remote control' (1), he selects an audio file and plays it. The audio data, managed by the 'Audio data controller' (9) go from the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) to the 'Audio codec' (13), where they are decoded; then to the 'Digital to analog converter' (15) where digital data are transformed to analog data; and finally, the audio data is transmitted to the 'Speaker' (2) or the 'Earphones' (17) through the 'Audio output device¹ (16). Using the 'Adapted remote control' (1) the child has the ability to control the volume (buttons (30) and (31)) and the played tracks (buttons (28) and (29) ) , to play, pause or stop the audio data (buttons (24), (26) and (27)).

c. The child wants to record audio data

Using the 'Audio button' (32) and the 'Record button' (25) of the 'Adapted remote control' (1), he can place the 'Audio data controller' (9) in record mode. He speaks (or sings) to the 'Microphone' (5). Audio data are input in the system and converted from analog to digital format by the 'Analog to digital converter' (19) . Then, the digital audio data are coded by the 'Audio codec' (13) and the 'Audio data controller' (9) creates a file in an adapted format. This file is finally stored in the 'Nonvolatile memory' (10) with a particular name.

d. The child wants to exchange recorded audio data First, he connects the toy to the PC using the 'Digital connecting device' (6). The transfer is done directly in the PC, using the PC's browser. The file with its particular name goes from the 'Nonvolatile memory' (12) to the PC through the 'Digital connecting device' (6) .

Video features (Refer to Figures 5 & 2)

e. The child wants to transfer video data from a PC to his toy

First, he connect the toy to the PC using the 'Digital connecting device' (6). The transfer is done directly on the PC, using the PC's browser. The file goes to the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) where it is stored.

f. The child wants to view a video file

Using the 'Screen' (3) and the 'Track selection buttons' ((30) and (31)) from the 'Adapted remote control' (1), he selects a video file and plays it. The video data, managed by the 'Video data controller' (11) , go from the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) to the 'Video codec' (21), where they are decoded, and finally the video data is transmitted to the 'Screen' (3) where the child can watch them. By the use of the 'Adapted remote control' (1) the child has the ability to control the played track - to play, pause or stop the video data.

g. The child wants to record video data

Using the 'Video button' (33) and the 'Record button¹ (25) of the 'Adapted remote control' (1), he can switch the 'Video data controller' (11) to record mode. He can then-record a video with the 'Video digital camcorder' (4) . Video data are input and coded by the 'Video digital camcorder' (4) itself, and the 'Video data controller' (11) creates a file in an adapted format. This file is finally stored in the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) with a particular name.

h. The child wants to exchange recorded video data First, he connects the toy to the PC using the 'Digital connecting device' (6). The transfer is done directly in the PC, using the PC's browser. The file with its particular name goes from the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) to the PC through the 'Digital connecting device' (6) .

Phone features (Refer to Figures 6 & 2)

P2P mode

A software that enables everyone to make calls using peer-to-peer technology is installed and running on the Pc. The PC is connected to the internet. a. The child wants to make a call.

- He uses the 'Phone button' (34) located on the 'adapted remote control' (1). On the 'Screen' (3), an appropriate icon indicates if the phone mode is 'P2P' or 'Analog'. By pressing the 'Phone button' (34), the user can change and select the phone mode. If the P2P phone mode is selected this indicates to the 'Audio data controller' (9) that the next audio data input by the 'Microphone' (5) must be directed to the 'Digital connecting device' (6), i.e. not to be recorded in the appropriate device and that the audio data input by the 'Digital connecting device' (6) must be directed to the 'Speaker' (2), i.e. not to be stored in the appropriate device. ??? - He uses the peer to peer phone software installed in the 'PC' (14) to select and call the user he wants to reach.

- When the connection is established by the above- described peer to peer software, the discussion between the two users can begin. The child speaks to the 'Microphone' (5) and listens to his interlocutor through the 'speaker' (2). All the audio data exchanged go through the 'Digital connecting device' (6) and are treated as non-musical data by the 'Audio data controller'. (9)

The users with which the child can communicate are under the parental control included in the peer to peer software.

b. The child receives a call. - He uses 'Phone button' (34) to indicate to the 'Audio data controller' (9) that next audio data input by the 'Microphone' (5) must be directed to the 'Digital connecting device' (6), i.e. not to be recorded in the appropriate device and that the audio data input by the 'Digital connecting device' (6) must be directed to the 'speaker' (2), i.e. not to be stored in the appropriate device.

- He uses the above-described Peer to Peer software to accept the incoming call.

- When the connection is established by the above- described peer to peer software, the discussion between the two users can begin. The child speaks to the 'Microphone' (5) and listens to his interlocutor through the 'Speaker' (2). All the audio data exchanged go through the 'Digital connecting device' (6) and are treated as non musical data by the 'Audio data controller' (9) .

Analog mode

a. The child wants to make a call

- He uses the 'Phone button' (34) located on the 'adapted remote control' (1). On the 'Screen' (3), an appropriate icon indicates if the phone mode is 'P2P' or 'Analog'. By pressing the 'Phone button' (34), the user can change and select the phone mode. The 'Analog' mode must be selected. The child uses the 'Track buttons' ((28) and (29)) to select a correspondent. The list of the authorized correspondents is first established in appropriate software installed on a Pc. Afterwards, this list is transferred to the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) . The child uses the 'Track buttons' ((28) and (29)) to choose the right name then presses the 'Play button' (24) to start the phone call. The 'Phone controller' (35) reads the phone number associated with the selected correspondent in the 'Non-volatile memory' (10) and then dials this number. The dial data go through the 'Input/Output phone device' (38) and then to the analog phone service.

b. The child receives a call

The toy is connected to the analog phone service by a cable plugged in the 'Input/Output phone device' (38). When the analog phone data arrives in the 'Phone controller' (35), this device compares the number of the incoming call. If this number is on the list then a sound rings and the name of the correspondent appears on the 'Screen' (3). If the number is not on the list, nothing happens. The child can pick up and start the conversation upon hearing the ringing sound and the reading the correspondent's name. This conversation stops when the correspondent rings off.

Claims

ClaimsWhat the claims are

1. A children's digital companion comprising of: A remote control adapted to the ability of children. This remote control is comprised of thirtee'n bu-ttøn-β . The size of the buttons is adapted to child.--.en ' s ability. Each button allows the user to ask for a specific command.

The 'On' button puts the system on.

The 'Off button puts the system off.

The 'Play' button commands the beginning of the play of the audio or video files when the 'Audio' or

'Video' buttons are pressed and the 'Audio' or 'Video' mode are activated. If the 'Record' button is activated in the mode 'Audio' or 'Video', when the child presses the 'Play' button, the system begins the recording of an 'Audio' or 'Video' file in a digital format with a specific name.

The 'record' button is used to indicate to the 'audio/video controller' that an 'audio/video record' will begin. This 'audio/video record' is stored in the 'Non-volatile memory'.

The 'Stop' button stops the system i.e. the playing of the audio/video track or the recording of an audio/video file. If using the 'Play' button after the 'Stop' button, the system recommences the reading at the beginning of the stopped file.

The 'Pause' button allows the user to make a break in the reading or recording of an audio/video file. To continue the reading/recording the user has to press the 'Pause' button one more time. Reading/recording recommences to read/record the audio/video file where the 'Pause' has been pressed.

The 'Tracks selection' button permits the selection of the file to be read. The '-1' button to go backward from one file in the general list, the '+1' button to go one file to the next. This buttons are also used to select the desired correspondent when the toy is used to give an analog phone call.

The 'Volume' buttons allow changing the level of the sound for the played audio/video files.

The 'Audio' button is used to indicate to the system that it will function in the audio mode for reading or recording files.

The 'Video' button is used to indicate to the system that it will function in the video mode for reading or recording files.

The 'Phone' button is used to indicate to the system that it will function in the phone mode. On the 'Screen' above-described the child selects by pressing this 'Phone button' the phone mode which is peer to peer or analog.

The remote control is linked to the digital devices contained in a base unit described below.

The remote control is fixed on the external face of the toy.

A Microphone preferably fixed on the external face of the toy (the mouth for a teddy bear) is linked to the audio "analog to digital converter' by a cable. The microphone is used to record audio files that can be later exchanged and also to input audio data when the system is in the 'Phone' mode.

A 'digital camcorder' which is linked to the digital base unit by a cable. This 'digital camcorder' is used to record video files when the system is in the 'Video' mode and the 'Record' button press.

A video codec that transforms the inputted video data in the correct digital format.

A 'screen' where the video files can be seen by the user. This screen is compatible with the video format accepted by the system. In the preferred embodiment, the file formats are common digital formats such as AVI or MPEG. On this screen the user can also see the phone correspondents stored in the non-volatile memory.

A 'Digital connecting device'. This device uses the common standard such as USB, Firewire or Wireless to connect the digital devices contained in the unit base below described and the 'PC. This connector allows sending or receiving digital data from the 'PC.

An analog phone output device to connect the toy to the analog phone service.

A protective box or said base unit that contains all the below-described devices. This box is made of plastic.

A battery box to contain the batteries, which are the source of power for the functioning of the system.

A speaker and a digital to analog converter.

A non-volatile memory to store the audio/video file downloaded from the PC or created' when using' the record mode of the toy. In this memory are stored digital data according to the common standard digital audio/video file formats such as MP3, WAY, WMA, MPEG4 or AVI. In this non-volatile memory is also stocked the list of the phone correspondents.

An audio controller to play the audio files stocked in the audio non-volatile memory or record the audio data coming from the microphone/analog to digital converter system.

An audio codec to code the audio data coming from the analog to digital converter in the convenient file format above named and to decode the audio data coming from the audio nonvolatile memory.

A digital to analog converter that transforms the audio data coming from the audio decoder. After the conversion the audio data can be used by the speaker or the connected earphones.

An analog to digital converter that transforms the audio data coming from the Microphone. After the conversion the audio data can be coded by the codec to be stored in the audio non-volatile memory or go to the PC through the universal wire or wireless connector in case of use of the toy in the 'Phone' mode .

A video controller to play the video files stored in the video non-volatile memory or record the video data coming from the camcorder.

A video codec to code the video data coming from the video non-volatile memory that will be transferred to the screen. A phone data controller that dials the analog number of the selected correspondent.

A Phone output device to connect the toy to the analog phone service.

Two software are associated with the toy. One software is for the peer to peer phone ability and the other is for the creation of the list of the phone correspondents.

2. The toy of claim 1 which can be used in three modes :

The digital connected mode when the toy is connected to a PC, a PDA, an other digital equipment or another toy using the present invention. The connection is made by the linkage of the toy to another device using the 'universal wire or wireless connector'. In this mode the toy can play/record audio/video files, download/upload audio/video files from/to a PC, a PDA, another digital equipment or a toy using the present invention. In addition to these possibilities, the toy in the connected mode can be used to give/receive internet phone calls managed by a Peer to Peer software installed in the PC.

The analog connected mode when the toy is connected to the analog phone service. This connecxion mode allows the user to give/receive analog phone calls. The stand alone mode when the toy is not connected to a PC, a PDA, an other digital equipment or another toy using the present invention. In this mode the toy can play /record audio/video files.

3. The toy of claim 1 which has the following functionalities :

Download audio files

When the toy is connected to a PC, a PDA, another digital equipment or another toy using the present invention, the user can download audio files that will be stocked in the audio non-volatile memory.

Upload audio files

When the toy is connected to a PC, a PDA, another digital equipment or another toy using the present invention, the user can upload audio files that are stocked in the audio non-volatile memory.

Play audio files

Whether the toy is connected or not, the user can play audio files stored in the audio non-volatile memory. For this the system uses the audio controller, the audio codec, the digital to analog converter and the speaker or the earphones.

Record audio files Whether the toy is connected or not, the user can record audio files into the audio non-volatile memory. For this the system uses the audio controller, the audio codec, the analog to digital converter and the microphone.

Download video files

When the toy is, connected to a PC, a PDA, another digital equipment or another toy using the present invention, the user can download video files that will be stored in the video non-volatile memory.

Upload video files

When the toy is connected to a PC, a PDA, another digital equipment or another toy using the present invention, the user can upload video files that are stored in the video non-volatile memory.

Play video files

When the toy is connected or not, the user can play video files stored in the video non-volatile memory. For this the system uses the video controller, the video codec, and the screen.

Record video files When the toy is connected or not, the user can record video files into the video non-volatile memory. For this the system uses the camcorder and the video controller.

Make/Receive internet peer to peer phone call When the toy is connected to the ^• PC and this PC is connected to a network such as internet and the peer to peer phone software is running, the user can make a phone call by using the microphone, the analog to digital converter, the audio codec and the universal wire or wireless connector.

Make/Receive analog phone call

When the toy is connected to the analog phone service, the user can make a phone call by using the microphone, the analog to digital converter, the phone controller, the non-volatile memory and the analog phone output device.