Patent Application
20060082429
The present invention relates generally to magnetic switches. More particularly, the present invention relates to children's apparatuses, such as books and toys, which include magnetic switches.
A number of book reading apparatuses are known. A recent print media apparatus is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/781,554, assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Such an apparatus may comprise a book placed on a product base. A plurality of electrical elements, such as pressure-sensitive switches that are activated by pressure, may be located in the product base. When a child depresses a print element in the book, the child also depresses a pressure switch underneath the book. A speaker in the base unit then sounds out various audio output.
Another type of electrical element may be a piezoelectric type element. The application of pressure to a piezoelectric type element causes it to change resistance. Pressure can be applied, for example, by a finger or a marking instrument such as a crayon that is above the electrical element. Examples of pressure switches of the Mylar™ type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,618, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Further electrical elements may comprise antennas such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,458; 5,686,705; 6,661,405; 6,668,156 and U.S. Patent Application No. 60/200,725 and Ser. No. 10/360,564. All of these patents and patent applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. The antennas can transmit signals that can be received by a stylus that is coupled to the product base. The stylus acts as a receiving antenna. When the stylus is positioned over a major surface, the stylus receives a signal that is particular for the electrical element underneath the stylus. Then, the position of the stylus relative to the major surface can be determined. The stylus could be used to interact with print elements on a sheet that is secured to the product base. The electrical elements may be transmitting antennas that regularly transmit signals that are received by the stylus, or may be receiving antennas that receive a signal from the stylus.
Automatic page detection systems are also known. For example, the pages may have reflectors or holes. Specific combinations of pages may form different patterns using the reflectors or holes, and the patterns may be used to activate an array of sensors in the product base to determine which page or pages are being displayed to the user. In another page detection system, each page may have a magnet embedded at a different location along the length of the spine of a book. An array of reed switches can be in the product base in the vicinity of the spine region of the book when the book is on the base unit. When a page is turned, a specific combination of switches is activated, thus informing the electronics in the product base as to which page or pages are currently being displayed to the user. A product that uses this type of reed switch is called StoryReader™ from Publications International, Ltd.
Alternative switches for use in children's apparatuses would further be advantageous.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to magnetic switches and children's apparatuses, such as print media apparatuses and plush dolls, which include magnetic switches.
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a magnetic switch comprising: (a) a first conductor; (b) a second conductor; (c) a third conductor disposed under the first and second conductors, the third conductor being formed from a magnetic material; and (d) a magnet adapted to move the third conductor towards the first and second conductors so as to form a conductive bridge.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a print media apparatus comprising: (a) a platform including a surface; (b) at least one magnetic switch under the surface, the magnetic switch including first and second spaced apart conductors and a third conductor disposed under the first and second conductors, the third conductor being from a magnetic material; (c) a processor coupled to the magnetic switch; and (d) a book on the surface, wherein a magnet is coupled to a page of the book and adapted to move the third conductor towards the first and second conductors so as to form a conductive bridge.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a plush doll comprising: (a) a plush body including a surface; (b) at least one magnetic switch under the surface, the magnetic switch including first and second spaced apart conductors and a third conductor disposed under the first and second conductors, the third conductor being from a magnetic material; (c) a processor coupled to the magnetic switch; and (d) a book on the surface, wherein a magnet is coupled to a page of the book and adapted to move the third conductor towards the first and second conductors so as to form a conductive bridge.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a plush doll comprising: (a) a plush body including a surface; (b) at least one switch under the surface; (c) a processor coupled to the switch; (d) a flip book on the surface; (e) a speaker coupled to the processor.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an interactive print media apparatus comprising: (a) a platform including a surface; (b) at least one magnetic switch under the surface; (c) a print medium on the platform; (d) a processor coupled to the magnetic switch; (e) a stylus coupled to the platform, the stylus including a magnet adapted to close the magnetic switch.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a magnetic switch comprising:(a) a first conductor; (b) a second conductor spaced apart from the first conductor; (c) a first magnet disposed under the first and second conductors; and (d) a second magnet adapted to move the first magnet so that the first and second conductors form a conductive bridge.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a print media apparatus comprising: (a) a platform including a surface; (b) at least one magnetic switch under the surface, the magnetic switch including first and second spaced apart conductors and a first magnet disposed under the first and second conductors; (c) a processor coupled to the magnetic switch; and (d) a book on the surface, wherein a second magnet is coupled to a page of the book and adapted to move the first magnet so that the first and second conductors form a conductive bridge.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a plush doll comprising: (a) a plush body including a surface; (b) at least one magnetic switch under the surface, the magnetic switch including first and second spaced apart conductors and a first magnet disposed under the first and second conductors; (c) a processor coupled to the magnetic switch; and (d) a book on the surface, wherein a second magnet is coupled to a page of the book and adapted to move the first magnet so that the first and second conductors form a conductive bridge.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an interactive print media apparatus comprising: (a) a platform including a surface; (b) at least one magnetic switch under the surface, the magnetic switch including first and second spaced apart conductors and a first magnet disposed under the first and second conductors; (c) a print medium on the platform; (d) a processor coupled to the magnetic switch; (e) a stylus coupled to the platform, the stylus including a second magnet adapted to close the magnetic switch.
These and other embodiments are described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and the detailed description.
The following drawings should be read with reference to the detailed description. Like numbers in different drawings refer to like elements. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, illustratively depict embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to magnetic switches and children's apparatuses, such as print media apparatuses and plush dolls, which include magnetic switches.
The first 12 and second 14 conductors may be formed from a variety of materials. Preferably, the first 12 and second 14 conductors are formed from non-magnetic conductive, materials, including copper, bronze, silver, gold, alloys thereof, and like materials. Alternatively, the first 12 and second 14 conductors may be formed from magnetic materials such as those described above with respect to the third conductor 16. The first 12 and second 14 conductors may be inserted or attached to a housing support 20 of a product platform 22 or base unit. The third conductor 16 is free-floating (i.e., non-stationary, unaffixed) in a cavity 24 of the platform 22. As such, when the third conductor 16 is aligned with the magnet 18 along an axis and in relatively close proximity of its magnetic field, the third conductor 16 is attracted to and fixes itself in the direction of the magnetic median so as form a conductive bridge with the first 12 and second 14 conductors.
A magnetic switch 10, such as that illustrated in
The print media apparatus 26 typically includes a plurality of magnetic switches 10 offset at different locations in the platform 22 under the surface 28. Likewise, the print media apparatus 26 typically includes a plurality of magnets 18 offset at different locations within a plurality of pages 34 so as to activate a different switch for each set of displayed pages. The magnets 18 and switches 10 are preferably located at the edges of the pages of the book or along the spine of the book. This is done so that the page detection mechanism does not interface with the child's ability to interact with the content on the pages of the book.
Operation of the magnetic page detection switch 10 simply involves turning book pages 34 (i.e., pages themselves activate switches). Specifically, when a page 34 is turned, a specific switch or specific combination of switches 10 is activated (e.g., closed and/or opened), thus informing the processor 44 in the product base 22 as to which page or pages 34 are currently being displayed to the user. The microprocessor 44 in turn retrieves code for that specific page or pages 34 that are being displayed from a memory device and provides audio output through the speaker 40. For example, as shown in
Although older children can use this embodiment of the invention, it is especially suitable for use by younger children. For example, 12 to 24 months of age is a period when word comprehension, word production, and grammar skills increase dramatically. In this period, children learn abstract ideas like shapes, numbers, and colors. This embodiment is well suited to teach such skills and concepts. Additionally, automatic page detection is well suited for pre-school age children.
Although a book 32 is shown, other print media such as activity cards, or sheets can be used. The activity cards and sheets can have various print elements like the books that are explicitly described herein. The pages 34 of the book 32 may be made of any suitable material. Preferably, the pages 34 of the book 32 comprise sheets of continuous high-density polyethylene fibers that are randomly distributed and non-directional. An exemplary material that has such characteristics is Tyvek™, which is commercially available from DuPont. Materials such as this are thin, flexible, and tear resistant. They are also thin and slippery and consequently allow more pages to be used.
The pages of the book 32 are bound with a ring type spine 46 that passes through the pages of the book 32. The opposite, longitudinal ends of the ring-type spine 18 include second coupling elements (not shown). The second coupling elements can engage first coupling elements (not shown) at coupling points at opposite edge regions of the surface 28. The second coupling elements may be male-type coupling elements, while the first coupling elements may be female-type coupling elements (or vice-versa). In either case, the first and second coupling elements may engage each other and may removably couple the book 32 to the platform 22. When the book 32 is coupled to the platform 22, it does not fall out when the platform 22 is turned upside down.
Mode selection print elements can also be present in the book 32. The left page in
Although older children can use this embodiment of the invention, it is especially suitable for use by younger children, preferably from 6 to 24 months of age. A children's flip book 32′ is shown that teaches about emotions or feelings, such as being happy, sad, or sleepy. It will be appreciated that other print media may be used such as activity cards or sheets. The book pages 34′ may comprise soft fabric material that are additionally padded with a thin layer of batting materials, such as polyester fiber. Such a soft fabric book 32′ is especially suitable for use by younger children.
In a preferred embodiment, magnetic page detection switches 10 that automatically detect turning of book pages, are utilized such as those illustrated in
The plush doll 52 typically includes a plurality of magnetic switches 10 offset at different locations in the body 22′ under the surface 28′. Likewise, the plush doll 52 typically includes a plurality of magnets 18 offset at different locations within a plurality of pages 34′ so as to activate a different switch for each set of displayed pages. Operation of the magnetic page detection switch 10 simply involves turning book pages 34′ (i.e., pages themselves activate switches). Specifically, when a page 34′ is turned, a specific switch or specific combination of switches 10 is activated (e.g., closed and/or opened), thus informing the processor 44′ as to which page or pages 34′ are currently being displayed to the user. The microprocessor 44′ in turn retrieves code for that specific page or pages 34′ that are being displayed from a memory device and provides audio output through the speaker. Exemplary audio output include letters, stories, numbers, words, phrases, jokes, music, rhymes, songs, rhythms, questions, answers, prompts, sound effects, fact, etc. For example, the audio output may preferably comprise a story about the emotion that is featured on the displayed page 34′. Audio output can supplement and reinforce such visual output. The combination of both audio output and visual output reinforces concepts that are taught by the plush doll 52.
Alternatively, the switch may comprise a plurality of electrical elements. For example, the electrical elements may comprise a plurality of pressure-sensitive switches. A pressure switch may comprise, for example, facing conductive regions that are separated by an air gap. Pressure applied to the conductive regions causes the facing conductive regions to contact each other closing the switch. In another example, the electrical elements may comprise a plurality of transmitting or receiving antennas that interact with a stylus. In another example, the switch may comprise a plurality of reed switches. A reed switch generally comprises two overlapping magnetic conductors within a glass enclosure that are offset by an air gap and closed by a magnet.
Additionally, when the music note 54 is pressed, a pressure switch under the music note 54 activates, and the microprocessor 44′ in the plush body 22′ retrieves code for a song that teaches about emotions and social interactions from the memory device and plays the song through the speaker.
In a preferred embodiment, a magnetic position detection switch 10 comprises a first conductor 12, a second conductor 14 spaced apart from the first conductor 12, and a magnetic third conductor 16 disposed under the first 12 and second 14 conductors, as shown in
Although
The first 12′ and second 14′ conductors may be formed from a variety of materials. Preferably, the first 12′ and second 14′ conductors are formed from non-magnetic conductive, materials, including copper, bronze, silver, gold, alloys thereof, and like materials. Alternatively, the first 12′ and second 14′ conductors may be formed from magnetic materials such as those described above. The first conductor 12′ may be inserted or attached within the product platform 22 or base unit. The first magnet 16′ is coupled to the second conductor 14′ preferably with metal tabs 70 or like attachment mechanisms (e.g., adhesives or fasteners). Affixing the first magnet 16′ to the second conductor 14′ advantageously simplifies manufacturing processes and helps to maintain alignment of the first magnet 16′ with the second magnet 18 along an axis. The first 16′ and second 18 magnets may be formed from a variety of magnetic materials, including iron (ferrous materials), nickel, cobalt, alloys thereof, and like metals. When the second magnet 18 is in relatively close proximity of the first magnet 16′, the magnetic field causes the first magnet 16′ and the second conductor 14′ to move towards the first conductor 12′ until the first 12′ and second 14′ conductors form a conductive bridge. In this embodiment, the first magnet 16′ is preferably non-conductive.
As shown in
Operation of the magnetic page detection switch 10′ simply involves turning book pages 34 (i.e., pages themselves activate switches). Specifically, when a page 34 is turned, a specific switch or specific combination of switches 10′ is activated (e.g., closed and/or opened), thus informing the processor in the product base 22 as to which page or pages 34 are currently being displayed to the user. The microprocessor in turn retrieves code for that specific page or pages 34 that are being displayed from a memory device and provides audio output through the speaker. For example, as shown in
Switches 10′ are located under the surface 28″ of the plush platform 22″ at various switch locations 68′ within the housing structure 74. The magnetic switch 10′ generally comprises a first conductor 12′, a second conductor 14′ spaced apart from the first conductor 12′, and a first magnet 16′ disposed under the first 12′ and second 14′ conductors. A second magnet 18 is coupled to a page 34″ of the book 32″ and adapted to move the first magnet 16′ so that the first 12′ and second 14′ conductors form a conductive bridge which closes the switch 10′, as shown in
It is understood that any of the above described functions may be programmed into a memory device in or coupled to the above described apparatuses by one of ordinary skill in the art, and that embodiments of the invention include apparatuses with memory devices that are preprogrammed to provide such functions. The memory device may further be removable and preferably comprise a data cartridge, but may also be a CD-ROM, memory stick, or other removable memory device. It is also possible to download new computer code to the apparatuses or to a memory device, and then use the new downloaded code. The downloaded code can be from a server computer that is accessible through the Internet. Various downloading methods are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,618.
The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Moreover, any one or more features of any embodiment of the invention may be combined with any one or more other features of any other embodiment of the invention, without departing from the scope of the invention.
All references, patent applications, and patents mentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. None of them are admitted to be prior art to the presently claimed inventions.
