Patent Application
20060207409
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of electronic devices, and, more particularly, to the control of electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices are a ubiquitous feature of modern life, various such devices performing an ever-increasing number of different functions. Electronic toys, for example, can be remotely controlled to perform a variety of different play-related functions. A gas-powered, propeller-driven toy airplane, for example, can be made to fly according to a remotely controlled pattern using wirelessly transmitted electronic instructions. Similarly, a propeller-driven toy ship can be steered using a remotely controlled rudder. In many instances, however, the apparatus for control can be a bulky device that may utilize a bewildering array of knobs, dials, or other mechanisms for effecting control. Moreover, the various control apparatus may vary widely in operation and appearance among different types of toys.
Electronics similarly can be employed to enable toys to make various sounds. These sounds encompass, for example, the sound of crying for a toy doll, the sound of an igniting rocket for a toy spacecraft, the sound of horn for a toy automobile, and the sounds of various musical notes for a toy musical instrument. With respect to both the performance of functions and evocation of sounds, however, many toy devices do not enable a child's controlling which functions are performed or which sounds are played. Nor, in many instances, is the child able to control remotely the order in which different various functions are performed or sounds are played by the toy. That is, the toy is limited to performing pre-selected functions and playing pre-selected sounds in a pre-designated order. Moreover, conventional toys typically constrain a child's play activity and imagination by requiring the child to instigate actions with or evoke sounds from a toy by manually activating a switch, button, or similar such device. Such toys preclude a child's controlling which actions are performed and when, as well as which sounds are heard and when, while playing in a natural, realistic, and coordinated fashion.
The present invention provides different apparatus and systems for remotely controlling functions performed and sounds rendered by electronic devices such as toys using simple hand motions and finger flexing.
An apparatus for remotely controlling a selectively operable device according to one embodiment of the present invention can include a glove assembly comprising a material configured to be worn on a hand. The apparatus also can include a plurality of sensors mounted to the glove assembly, each of the plurality of sensors generating at least one response signal in response to movement of the hand and/or flexing of a finger of the hand. The apparatus further can include a control circuit mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors for generating at least one control instruction in response to the response signals. Additionally, the apparatus can include a signal transmitter mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the control circuit. The signal transmitter can transmit a wireless signal containing the at least one control instruction, whereby the at least one control signal causes the selectively operable device to perform a predefined electromechanical function in response thereto.
A system according to another embodiment of the present invention can include at least one selectively operable device having both a signal receiving circuit for receiving a wireless signal and at least one electromechanical assembly for performing a predefined electromechanical function in response to a control instruction. The system further can include a glove assembly that includes a material configured to be worn on a hand. The glove assembly further can include a plurality of sensors mounted to the glove assembly, each of the plurality of sensors generating at least one response signal in response to a movement of the hand and/or a flexing of a finger of the hand. The glove assembly also can include a control circuit mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors for generating at least one control instruction in response to the response signals. In addition, the glove assembly can include a signal transmitter mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the control circuit for transmitting a wireless signal containing the at least one control instruction.
Still another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for playing sounds. The apparatus can include a glove assembly comprising a material configured to be worn on a hand. The apparatus also can include a plurality of sensors mounted to the glove assembly, each of the plurality of sensors generating at least one response signal in response a movement of the hand and/or a flexing of a finger of the hand. The apparatus also can include a processor mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors for processing the at least one response signal. The apparatus further can include a memory communicatively connected to the processor for storing a data representation of the sounds, and a sound rendering circuit for receiving the data from the memory and rendering the sounds in response to an instruction generated by the processor.
A system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a system for providing sound renderings associated with a device. The system can include at least one device for which at least one sound associated with the device is rendered. The system also can include an apparatus for rendering the at least one sound. The apparatus can include a glove assembly comprising a material configured to be worn on a hand, and a plurality of sensors mounted to the glove assembly such that each can generate at least one response signal in response to a movement of the hand and/or a flexing of a finger. The apparatus also can include a processor mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors for processing the at least one response signal. The apparatus further can include a memory communicatively connected to the processor for storing a data representation of the sounds. The apparatus additionally can include a sound rendering circuit for rendering the sounds based upon the data representations and in response to an instruction generated by the processor.
There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities illustrated in the drawings.
a-c. are schematic diagrams of a dual-slide switch for effecting signals, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring additionally now to
More particularly, the signal transmitter 108 transmits one or more wireless signals to each selectively operable device, each wireless signal being conveyed over a wireless channel 111, 113, 115 and containing one or more of the control instructions generated by the control circuit 106. As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the control circuit 106 and the plurality of sensors 116a-d can be powered by a portable power device (not shown), such as a battery, enmeshed in or otherwise connected to the material 104 of the glove assembly 102.
One or more of the movement sensors 116a-d, according to an embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
As additionally illustrated in
Each movement sensor 106a-d implemented with a dual-slide signal actuator 300 yields potentially 22 distinct signal readings, given that each of the pair of signal actuators 302a, 302b has two distinct states depending on whether the particular signal actuator is or is not in contact with a corresponding one of the two electrical contacts 110a, 110b. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that a greater range of signal readings can be attained by increasing the number of signal actuators beyond the first and second ones illustrated. Accordingly, to effect a greater range of signal readings a multi-slide signal actuator can be used in lieu of the dual-slide signal actuator 300 illustrated, the operative technique of the former being the same as that of the latter. Both types are referred to herein, generically, as slide signal actuators.
Referring additionally now to
The flexion transducer 402 of the flex sensor circuit can be, for example, a conductive elastomer sensor or a sliding resistor sensor, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In yet another embodiment, the flexion transducer 402 can comprise a helical coil formed of two interposed electrical conductors that are electrically isolated from one another by an elastic dielectric medium (e.g., an insulated coating over the coils). As the flexion transducer is flexed or bent as a result of the flexing of a finger in the finger extension of the glove 102, the separation between adjacent turns of the helical coil increase, thereby causing a change in capacitance that produces one or more response signals that are supplied to the control circuit 106.
Alternatively, as will also be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the flexion transducer 402 can comprise a flexible monocrystalline structure defining an acceleration-activated switch that moves in response to an accelerating movement of a glove wearer's hand. More particularly, one or more extensions (e.g., pole tips) can be mounted on the monocrystalline structure as the latter is suspended over one or more planar coils so that a change in inductance or voltage is effected as the moncrystalline structure moves in response to the acceleration and so that the one or more extensions move in the coils. The result is a plurality of distinct response signals that can be supplied to the control circuit 106 as described above.
Thus, regardless of how the plurality of movement sensors 106a-d is implemented, each such movement sensor operationally performs a similar function: it provides at least one response signal in response to a movement of the glove wearer's hand and/or the flexing of a finger of the hand as already described. As also already described, each response signal is the basis for one or more corresponding control instructions generated by the control circuit 106 and conveyed in a wireless signal transmitted by the signal transmitter 108 to one or more selectively operable devices. Therefore, each of various movements and/or positions of the hand and fingers of a wearer of the glove assembly uniquely corresponds to a particular control instruction that is conveyed to a selectively operable device as already described.
The selectively operable devices of the system 100, according to one embodiment, each include an electromechanical mechanism 117, 119, 121 for controlling one or more electromechanical functions that the toy airplane 110, the toy ship 112, and toy automobile 114, respectively, performs in response to a control instruction. For example, the electromechanical mechanism 117 of the toy airplane 110 can be configured to control wing and tail flaps (not shown) on the toy so as to control aerial movements of the toy when it is flown, for example, using a propeller mechanism (also not shown) powered by a gas engine (also not shown). The electromechanical mechanism 119 of the toy ship 112, likewise, can control a rudder (not shown) on the toy as it floats in water and is propelled by a gas engine-driven propeller (also not shown). Similarly, the toy automobile 114 can include a gas-powered motor and drive shaft to propel the toy in a direction dictated by alignment of the toy's wheels under the control of the electromechanical mechanism 121. Again, each of the electromechanical mechanisms is controlled by the control instructions conveyed by the glove assembly 102, which, in turn, controlled by a wearer of the glove assembly.
In each instance, the electromechanical mechanisms 117, 119, 121 further include signal receivers (not shown) for receiving the control instructions generated by the control circuit 106 and contained in the wireless signals conveyed over the wireless channels 111, 113, 115 by the signal transmitter 108 of the glove assembly 102. Since each hand different movement and/or finger flexion movement of a wearer of the glove assembly 102 can correspond to a unique control instruction, the wearer is able to control the movements of the various selectively operable devices of the system 100. As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, by expanding the functions of the electromechanical mechanisms 117, 119, 121, the various operable devices can be made to perform a wide array of functions, each of which can be controlled by a wearer of the glove assembly 102 in the manner described.
Additionally, the glove assembly 502 illustratively includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 520 that is communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors 516a-d and to the control circuit 506. As further illustrated, the control circuit 506 includes a processor 522, such as a microprocessor, and a memory 524, such as a flash memory, connected with the processor. A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 526 is illustratively connected to the control circuit 506.
Operationally, each of the plurality of movement sensors 516a-d generates one or more response signals in response to a glove wearer's moving his or her hand and/or flexing one or more of his or her fingers inside a finger extension of the glove assembly 502. The one or more response signals are each converted to a digital signal by the A/D converter 520, each digital signal being supplied to the processor 522 for processing. On the basis of the processing performed by the processor 522, one or more control signals is generated. Each control signal so generated is converted by the D/A converter 526 to a corresponding analog signal. The resulting one or more analog signals can be transmitted over wireless channels 111, 113, 115 to the plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting operative control of each such device.
In accordance with one embodiment, the processor 522 is a programmable processor that can be programmed by a wearer or other user of the glove assembly 502. More particularly, the processor 522 can be programmed on the basis of a set of software-based commands that can be written in a machine-readable form and stored in the memory 524 connected to the processor. For example, according to one scenario, the glove assembly 502 might be worn by a young child for operating one or more toy devices, and the programmable processor could be programmed by the child's parent or other adult.
According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of the electromechanical mechanisms 117, 119, 121 of the plurality of selectively operable devices include a processor and memory for pre-programming a set of responses to the control instructions generated by the control circuit 506 and contained in analog signals transmitted over wireless channels 111, 113, 115 to the plurality of selectively operable devices for effecting remote control of the devices.
As illustrated, the glove assembly 602 includes a material 604 configured to be worn on the hand of an adult or child. A plurality of sensors (not shown) for sensing an accelerating movement of the hand and/or flexion movements of a finger of the hand are enmeshed in or otherwise supported by the material 604. Each sensor generates at least one response signal in response to the accelerating movement and/or flexion movement.
The glove assembly 602 as further illustrated also includes processing circuitry that includes at least one processor 606, such as a microprocessor, enmeshed in or otherwise mounted to the glove assembly 604. The processor 606 is communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors and processes response signals generated by each of the plurality of sensors. A sensor can comprise a signal actuator, a flex sensor circuit including one or more flexion transducers, and/or an acceleration-activated switch, each as described above.
As also illustrated, the glove assembly 602 additionally includes a memory 630, such as a flash memory, communicatively connected to the processor 606. The memory 630 stores data representations of various sounds. Connected to the memory 630 is a sound rendering circuit 632 that receives the data representations from the memory and, based upon the data representation, renders sounds in response to an instruction generated by the processor 606.
As will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the data representation of the sounds can comprise machine-readable code that when processed by the processor 606 and supplied to the sound rendering circuit 632 results in the actual acoustic sounds that can be heard by a human listener.
According to one embodiment, the glove assembly 602 further includes a signal transmitter 608 mounted to the glove assembly and communicatively connected to the sound rendering circuit 632 for transmitting a wireless signal containing the sounds to a device, such as the toy piano 610 and the toy doll 612. Illustratively, each device, respectively, include a sound unit 617, 619 comprising a signal receiver and speaker for producing an acoustic signal based upon the wireless signals received. Moreover, according to another embodiment, each such sound unit 617, 619 comprises a detachable unit so that it can be selectively attached to different devices, such as different toys. Thus, even a toy that has no inherently manufactured capacity to produce sounds can be converted into a sound-rendering device by attachment of the sound unit.
In still another embodiment, the sound rendering circuit 632 itself includes a speaker such that the glove assembly 602. Accordingly, the glove assembly 602 itself can be relied upon for rendering sounds associated with a device in lieu of relying on an installed or attached sound unit.
The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
The present invention also can be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
