Patent Application
20210170265
The present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child).
Young children often accompany their parents to restaurants, on periods of travel such as car rides and airplane travel, and to family functions. These young children need to be entertained and properly stimulated, but most traditional toys are not suited for easy transportation to these on-the-go settings. Often, coloring and paper-based activity games are the only options available.
The digital age has brought the rise of the use of tablets to “babysit” young children. Despite the widespread use of the “iPad Babysitter,” research has suggested that prolonged passive media exposure at a young age is detrimental to early-stage development.
While apps claim to be educational and beneficial for child development, interactions through a tablet do not provide the same level of motor skill development as the manipulation of physical toys. The rise in screen time has also created children that do not want to put down the tablet or engage in other forms of stimulation, which creates additional problems for parents.
There remains a need for educational toys that provide feedback to young users.
The present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child).
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic toy comprising: a placement zone (100) configured to receive at least a first object (600a) and a second object (600b); a first indicator (200a) configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object; a second indicator (200b) configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and a feedback indicator (300) configured to indicate a result from associating the first object and the second object with the placement zone.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic toy comprising: a first placement zone (100a) configured to receive at least a first object (600a), the first placement zone (100a) comprising: a first object detector (110a) configured to detect the presence of the first object (600a), and a first code reader (120a) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the first object (600a); a second placement zone (100b) configured to receive at least a second object (600b), the second placement zone (100b) comprising: a second object detector (110b) configured to detect the presence of the second object (600b), and a second code reader (120b) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the second object (600b); a controller (130) operatively connected to the first object detector, the first code reader, the second object detector, and the second code reader, and configured to: identify the first object (100a) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the first object, and identify the second object (100b) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the second object; a first indicator (200a) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object; a second indicator (200b) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and a feedback indicator (300) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a result based at least on the identity of the first object and the identity of the second object.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
While specific embodiments are illustrated in the figures, with the understanding that the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention described and illustrated herein.
Generally, the present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child).
Referring generally to
The placement zone 100 includes a plurality of placement subzones 100a,100b, etc. In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, an object detector 110a,110b, etc. is associated with each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. and is in operable communication with the first indicator 200a. Each object detector 110a,110b, etc. is configured to detect the presence of an object 600a,600b, etc. placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. In some embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is configured to detect the presence of an object 600a,600b, etc. placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc., but is not configured to identify which of a plurality of objects 600a,600b, etc. is placed in each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is a photodiode configured to detect the presence of an object 600a,600b, etc. placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on a decrease in current in an associated circuit when the object 600a,600b, etc. reduces the amount of light (e.g., ambient light) reaching the optical lens of the photodiode. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. are preferably opaque, substantially opaque, or prevent transmission of light through the object 600a,600b, etc. sufficient to reduce the amount of light reaching the photodiode to decrease the current below a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of an object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is an infrared avoidance sensor comprising an infrared transceiver and configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on the object's proximity to the infrared transceiver (e.g., as a function of at least the level of reflected infrared light observed by the infrared transceiver). In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. are preferably IR-reflective, substantially IR-reflective, or reflect infrared light sufficient to redirect infrared light towards the infrared transceiver above a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of an object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is a metal touch sensor comprising a high-frequency transistor and configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on a change in electrical charge when the object contacts the object detector. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. are preferably conductive, substantially conductive, or conduct current sufficient to close a circuit between the metal touch sensor and the object 600a,600b, etc. to indicate the presence of the object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is a magnetic sensor, such as a magnetoresistive sensor, configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on a change in external magnetic field in close proximity to the magnetic sensor. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. are preferably magnetic, substantially magnetic, or modify a magnetic field surrounding the magnetoresistive sensor beyond a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of the object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is a pressure sensor configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on a change (e.g., an increase or a decrease) in mass (or weight) of the object(s) already placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc., if any. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. preferably have a mass sufficient to trigger a change in the electrical properties of the pressure sensor beyond a threshold change level associated with the presence of the object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is a phototransistor configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on a change in the level of light entering the lens portion of the phototransistor when the object is placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. are preferably opaque, substantially opaque, or prevent transmission of light through the object 600a,600b, etc. sufficient to reduce the amount of light reaching the phototransistor below a predetermined threshold level of light associated with the presence of an object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. is an RFID reader, such as a passive RFID-enabled proximity sensor, configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. based at least in part on a change in the radio field (e.g., in the UHF frequency's transmission coefficient) when the object is placed in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. need not be radio frequency tags, but are preferably radio-opaque, substantially radio-opaque, or modify a radio field near the RFID reader beyond a predetermined threshold change level associated with the presence of the object 600a,600b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100a,100b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110a,110b, etc. comprises any two or more of: a photodiode, an infrared avoidance sensor, a metal touch sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, a phototransistor, and an RFID reader. In such embodiments, the use of multiple object detector types reduces potential misidentification events by the object detector 110a,110b, etc., and improves performance of the device 10 over a wider range of environments (e.g., low and high ambient light, low and high ambient radio field, low and high magnetic field, etc.).
In some embodiments, a code reader 120a,120b, etc. is associated with each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. The code reader 120a,120b, etc. is configured to identify which of a plurality of objects is placed in each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. For example, a first code reader 120a is associated with the first placement subzone 100a and is configured to identify the first object 600a placed within the first placement subzone 100a.
In some embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. is an RFID receiver and is configured to receive an RFID signal associated with the objects 600a,600b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. preferably include an RFID tag for transmitting a unique RFID signal to the controller 130 via the RFID receiver.
In other embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. is a code scanner (e.g., an image capture device or a laser) configured to detect a visible code associated with the objects 600a,600b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. preferably include a bar code or a QR code or similar optically scannable code that encodes a unique identifier associated with each object 600a,600b, etc.
In other embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. is a Bluetooth receiver configured to receive a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal. In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. preferably include a BLE signal generator configured to transmit a BLE signal that includes information corresponding to a unique identifier associated with the object 600a,600b, etc.
In still other embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. is a near field communication (NFC) device configured to generate a radiofrequency field (e.g., at 13.56 MHz). In such embodiments, the objects 600a,600b, etc. preferably include an NFC tag (e.g., an NFC Forum Tag) configured to modulate the RF field load generated by the NFC device.
In other embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. is an infrared radiation generator and sensor. In still other embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. is a low-power sub-1 GHz transceiver (e.g., CC1101 by Texas Instruments).
In some embodiments, the code reader 120a,120b, etc. comprises any two or more of: an RFID receiver, a code scanner, a Bluetooth receiver, an NFC device, and an infrared generator and sensor. In such embodiments, the use of multiple code reader types reduces potential misidentification events by the code reader 120a,120b, etc.
In some embodiments, the function of detecting the presence of the object 600a,600b, etc. and identifying the specific object 600a,600b, etc. placed in a placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. is performed by a single sensor in each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. For example, in some embodiments, a code scanner such as an image capture device or a laser may serve as both an object detector 110a and a code reader 120a in a first placement subzone 100a. In some such embodiments, the controller 130 includes instructions configured to cause the combination object detector 110a/code reader 120a to periodically (e.g., 10 times per second, 9 times per second, 8 times per second, 7 times per second, 6 times per second, 5 times per second, 4 times per second, 3 times per second, twice per second, once per second, once every two seconds, etc.) emit a signal to read an optically scannable code. If no optically scannable code is observed by the combination object detector 110a/code reader 120a, then the controller may cause the first indicator 200a to not illuminate. If an optically scannable code is observed by the combination object detector 110a/code reader 120a, then the controller 130 may cause the first indicator 200a to illuminate indicating the presence of an object 600a placed within the first placement subzone 100a. If the scanned code corresponds to a correct object placed in the first placement subzone 100a (e.g., an object 600a that “matches” a second object 600b placed in the second placement subzone 100b), the controller 130 may cause the feedback indicator 300 to illuminate to indicate a correct match.
The first indicator 200a is configured to provide the user information when a first object 600a is placed in the first placement subzone 100a. The first indicator 200a is in electronic communication with the object detector 110a associated with the first placement subzone 100a, and/or with the code reader 120a associated with the first placement subzone 100a, for example via a controller 130, which may in turn be in electronic communication with a memory (not shown) configured to store instructions to interpret changes in input signals received from the object reader 110a associated with the first placement subzone 100a, and input signals received from the code reader 120a associated with the first placement subzone 100a. In some embodiments, the first indicator 200a is one or more LED lights (e.g., one, two, or three RGB LED lights) that display a predetermined color of light depending on which first object 600a is placed in the first placement subzone 100a (i.e., depending on the input signal received from the code reader 120a associated with the first placement subzone 100a).
The second indicator 200b is configured to provide the user information when a second object 600b is placed in the second placement subzone 100b. The second indicator 200b is in electronic communication with the object detector 110b associated with the first placement subzone 100a, and/or with the code reader 120b associated with the second placement subzone 100b, for example via a controller 130, which may in turn be in electronic communication with a memory (not shown) configured to store instructions to interpret changes in input signals received from the object detector 110a associated with the first placement subzone 100a, and input signals received from the code reader 120a associated with the first placement subzone 100a. In some embodiments, the second indicator 200b is one or more LED lights (e.g., one, two, or three RGB LED lights) that display a predetermined color of light depending on which second object 600b is placed in the second placement subzone 100b (i.e., depending on the input signal received from the code reader 120b associated with the second placement subzone 100b).
The controller 130 is in electronic communication with the code reader 120a,120b, etc. associated with each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc., with the indicator 200a,200b, etc. associated with each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc., with the feedback indicator 300, and with the memory. In some embodiments, the controller 130 is a microprocessor.
The memory (not shown) may store a color indicator value associated with each potential scannable code associated with the objects 600a,600b, etc. When the first object 600a is placed in the first placement subzone 100a, the code reader 120a associated with the first placement zone 100a detects the scannable code associated with the first object 600a. The controller 130 then causes the first indicator 200a to indicate feedback to the user by producing the color of light through the first indicator 200a correlating to the color indicator value stored in the memory associated with the scannable code of the first object 600a. When the second object 600b is placed in the second placement subzone 100b, the code reader 120b associated with the second placement zone 100b detects the scannable code associated with the second object 600b. The controller 130 then causes the second indicator 200b to indicate feedback to the user by producing the color of light in the second indicator 200b correlating to the color indicator value stored in the memory associated with the scannable code of the second object 600b.
In some embodiments, the controller 130 and the memory are contained within a single microcontroller or microprocessor. in some embodiments, the microcontroller is an Arduino type processor.
The feedback indicator 300 provides feedback to the user based on the combination of objects 600a,600b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100. The feedback indicator 300 is in electronic communication with the controller 130. The memory may store a feedback indicator value associated with any given permutation or combination of objects 600a,600b, etc. For example, in embodiments where the relative orientation of objects 600a,600b, etc. to each other within the placement zone 100 matters, the memory may store a feedback indicator of “FALSE” for all combinations of objects 600a,600b, etc. except for the specific combination of a first object 600a placed in the first placement subzone 100a, the second object 600b placed in the second placement subzone 100b, etc., that provides a correct or true combination, which may be stored in the memory with a feedback indicator value of “TRUE.” When the correct combination or permutation of objects 600a,600b, etc. is placed in the placement zone 100, the controller causes the feedback indicator 300 to provide “TRUE” feedback (e.g., a green light or an audible signal) to the user based on the “TRUE” feedback indicator value stored in the memory corresponding to the combination of permutation of objects 600a,600b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100 by the user.
In some embodiments, the feedback indicator 300 comprises one or more LED lights (e.g., one or more RGB LED lights).
The device 10 may further include a power supply (not shown), such as a battery or an AC/DC converter for providing power to the device 10 (e.g., to the controller 130).
Each object 600a,600b, etc. includes a scannable code configured to be scanned by the code reader 120a,120b, etc. associated with each placement subzone 100a,100b, etc. In some embodiments, the scannable code is an RFID signal. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a bar code. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a QR code. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a near field communication signal.
In some embodiments, the electronic toy 10 includes a housing 500 that contains the placement zone 100, the first indicator 200a, the second indicator 200b, and the feedback indicator 300. In some embodiments, the housing 500 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a tabletop, such as a dining tabletop. In other embodiments, the housing 500 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a rectangular prismatic container.
In use, the electronic toy 10 provides three kinds of feedback to the user. First, it reacts to the presence of a first object 600a, such as a puzzle piece, by displaying an indicator via first indicator 200a based on which piece was placed on the placement zone 100 and in which position (e.g., 100a or 100b) it was placed. When a combination object is properly assembled by placing all of its component objects in the correct position within the placement zone 100, the feedback indicator 300 indicates to the user that the combination object (e.g., puzzle) is properly assembled. When a piece is removed from the device, the piece indicators and feedback indicator 300 cease to provide information to the user (e.g., the LED lamps are turned off) to indicate that no object is present and that the combination object (e.g., puzzle) is not properly completed.
Referring now specifically to
In contrast, the combination object produced by the user in
A device 10 consistent with the present disclosure and including RFID readers as the only code scanners readers 120a,120b, etc. was constructed. Identification of objects 600a,600b, etc. in the placement subzones 100a,100b, etc. was observed at about a 50% accuracy level.
A device 10 consistent with the present disclosure and including phototransistors as the only object detectors 110a,110b, etc. was constructed. Detection of the presence of objects 600a,600b, etc. in the placement subzones 100a,100b, etc. was observed at a very low level. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that light emitted by the indicators 200a,200b, etc. and by ambient light transmitted through the translucent lid of the housing 500 impaired the sensitivity of the phototransistors beyond reliable levels.
A device 10 consistent with the present disclosure and including low-voltage RFID readers (ID-12LA, ID-innovations, Canning vale, W.A., Australia) as the code readers 120a,120b, etc., and 3 mm CdS photoresistors (Part No. KLS6-3537, Ningbo KLS Electronic Co., Ningbo Zhejiang, China) as the object detectors 110a,110b, etc. was constructed. RGB LED lamps were used as the indicators 200a,200b, etc. and the feedback indicator 300. The controller 130 (Arduino) was configured to (1) receive input signals from the RFID readers to identify the cards placed in the placement zones 100a,100b, etc., and (2) illuminate the RGB LED feedback indicator 300 green if the input signals from the RFID readers indicate a correct match, and if the input signals from the photoresistor object detectors 110,110b, etc. indicate that cards are present in the placement subzones 100a,100b, etc. The controller 130 was also configured to receive input signals from the photoresistor object detectors 110a,110b, etc. to turn off the RGB LED feedback indicator 300 when a specific amount of time had passed after the input signals from the RFID code readers 120a,120b, etc. and photoresistor object detectors 110a,110b, etc. indicate a correct match of the cards placed in the placement subzones 100a,100b, etc.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/946,008, filed Dec. 10, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied on.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62946008 | Dec 2019 | US |
