Patent Grant
6905391
Children enjoy emulating common adult activities. Role-play toys allow children to pretend to engage in adult activities. One common adult activity often emulated by children is shopping. Many role-play toys resemble items that adults encounter when shopping. For example, non-interactive toy shopping carts and fake food items are popular toys for young children. These toys offer children open-ended, imaginative play experiences. However, the non-interactive nature of shopping role-play toys allows few opportunities for educational enrichment. Additionally, children quickly become bored with non-interactive toys.
It is desirable to improve traditional shopping toys with interactive audio and/or visual output to provide educational enrichment and a superior play experience.
Embodiments of the invention include toys including a scanner, as well as kits that include scannable toy items.
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a toy, comprising: (a) a scannable toy item; (b) an electronic scanner configured to identify the scannable toy item when the electronic scanner is brought within physical proximity to the scannable toy item; and (c) an audio playback device electronically coupled to the electronic scanner, wherein the audio playback device is configured to play an audio output that is uniquely associated with the scannable toy item.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a toy, comprising: (a) a container; (b) a plurality of toy items, each toy item of the first plurality replicating a shopping item; (c) an input device adapted to uniquely identify each of the toy items; and (d) an audio playback device adapted to play an audio output associated with the identified toy item.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a kit comprising: (a) a plurality of scannable toy items; and (b) a plurality of RF (radio frequency) identification tags respectively associated with the plurality of scannable toy items, wherein the RF identification tags are capable of being read by a scanner comprising an RF identification tag reader.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a kit comprising: (a) a plurality of scannable toy-items; (b) a plurality of identification tags respectively associated with the plurality of scannable toy items; and (c) a transferable information storage medium comprising code for audio corresponding to the plurality of scannable toy items.
These and other embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures, in which:
As noted above, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a toy comprising a scannable toy item and an electronic scanner configured to identify the scannable toy item when the electronic scanner is brought within physical proximity to the scannable toy item. An audio playback device is electronically coupled to the electronic scanner, and is configured to play an audio output that is uniquely associated with the scannable toy item.
In some embodiments, the toy comprises a toy shopping cart equipped with an electronic scanner. The electronic scanner can resemble a handheld bar code scanner commonly used by cashiers in stores. The electronic scanner can be configured to identify a toy shopping item, much as a real hand-held bar code scanner identifies real shopping items. The interactive shopping role-play toy generates one or more audio outputs in response to the identification of the toy shopping item.
In embodiments of the invention where a scanner is used, a “scannable toy item” can refer to an item that can be electronically scanned by a scanner (i.e., the toy item can be electronically identified without physically contacting the scanner). A “non-scannable toy item” can be an item that cannot be scanned (i.e., the scanner cannot electronically identify the scanned item). In preferred embodiments, the scannable and non-scannable toy items are role-play toy items. Role-play toy items are toy representations of other real life items such as food items. In other embodiments, the scannable and non-scannable toy items could be non-role play toy items such as blocks with numbers, letters, and/shapes on them.
To scan a scannable toy item, the scanner can be brought into close physical proximity to the scannable toy item (e.g., less than 1 inch). The scanner can electronically identify the scannable toy item even though the scanner does not come into contact with the scannable toy item. As with an ordinary scanner, the scanner could come into contact with the scannable toy item, and can still electronically identify the scannable toy item.
Once the scannable toy item has been scanned, an audio playback device plays back audio outputs that correspond to the scannable toy item. For example, if the scannable toy item is a molded plastic representation of two chicken legs, then upon scanning the two chicken legs, the audio playback device may produce the output “two chicken legs”.
A scanner is one example of a suitable input device that can be used with the toy to produce unique audio outputs. In other embodiments, a suitable input device may be a keyboard that is on, for example, a shopping cart. In this example, a toy food item may have a number on the toy item and the child may input the number of the toy into the keyboard and subsequently receive a unique audio output corresponding to the toy food item.
As shown by the examples below, the audio playback device can also prompt the user before the user scans a scannable toy item. For example, the audio playback device can prompt the user in a game mode by providing the output “Can you find two chicken legs?” Specific examples of audio playback devices are provided below. In some embodiments, an audio playback device may include (i) a memory comprising code for pre-recorded audio segments and/or pre-recorded audio outputs, and code for any operating instructions for playing back audio after receiving the identity of a scanned toy item, (ii) a processor, (iii) an amplifier, and (iv) a speaker.
Thus, embodiments of the invention can provide audio outputs that are “uniquely” associated with the scannable toy items. For example, the unique audio output “You found one carton of milk!” may be unique to a scannable toy item in the form of one carton of milk. A unique audio output may be comprised of a specific combination of pre-recorded audio segments (as shown below), where the segments would be recombined in other ways to produce other unique audio outputs. Alternatively, the unique audio output could be a pre-recorded audio output without combinable audio segments.
Unique audio outputs are contrasted with non-unique audio outputs such as “beeping” that might occur when scanning food items in a regular grocery store. Of course, as shown in the examples below, non-unique audio outputs such as beeping sounds or generic audio outputs (e.g., “super!”) could be used in conjunction with unique audio outputs. A generic audio output can be an audio output that would be appropriate for any scannable toy item, and not for just one particular scannable toy item.
The unique audio outputs can describe various attributes of the scannable toy items. For example, the attribute may include the scannable toy item's color, shape, name, texture, size, etc. The attribute could also relate to the number of objects that are represented by the scannable toy item. For example, a single scannable toy item may include a molded plastic representation of seven molded cherries. In this example, a unique audio output may be “You found seven cherries!”
The shopping cart 100 has a size, weight, and construction so that it can be used by children. For example, the shopping cart 100 can have dimensions that are less than 3 ft3. While the children may be of any suitable age, the children can be less than about 10 years of age in some embodiments (e.g., 3-8 years of age). Shopping cart 100 includes a handle 105 to allow children to push the cart. Wheels 108 allow children to easily move the shopping cart 100. A container 110 in the form of a basket is adapted to hold scannable or non-scannable shopping items, or other toys selected by the child. Scannable toy items 95 are in the container 110. A control console 120 is near the handle 105 and provides access to the interactive features of shopping cart 100.
While the illustrated shopping toy 99 embodiment is illustrated as having a shopping cart, it is understood that other embodiments are also possible. The shopping toy 99 according to embodiments of the invention may include any suitable container. For example, in other embodiments, instead of a shopping cart, the shopping toy can include a shopping basket without wheels that a person could carry with the person's hands.
Character switch 210 is configured to receive input from a child during interactive play. To facilitate interaction with children, character switch 210 can be a durable figurine designed to attract a child's attention, such as an anthropomorphic tadpole (“Tad”) or other cartoon-like character. To activate the character switch 210, a child can toggle the character switch 210.
Mode switch 215 allows a child or parent to select one of a plurality of operating modes for the shopping cart 100. The shopping cart 100 provides different educational activities depending upon the interactive operating mode selected by mode switch 215. Exemplary modes include a game mode, a learn mode, and an explore mode. Operating code for any of these modes and for any other function described herein can be created by those of skill in the art and can be stored in a memory associated with the toy.
In an example game mode, a child can shop for food items on a predetermined food list. The toy may ask a child to find food items. For example, the toy may say, “Let's make a fruit shake! My list says we need strawberries and bananas.” If a correct item is scanned, the toy congratulates the child and encourages him/her to find a second item. If an incorrect item is scanned, the toy helps the child find the correct item by offering a clue about the color of the food. For example, the toy may say “the bananas are yellow”. A button or other device may be pressed to receive a clue.
In an exemplary learn mode, a child can scan any food item to hear the quantity of food objects in the food item (e.g., 3 bananas in a molded representation of 3 bananas). If the food item is scanned a second time, the toy can compare its quantity to the previous food item scanned. For example, if the child scans the bananas first, and then scans eggs (e.g., a plastic representation of five eggs in a single body) a second time, the toy will say “we have more eggs than bananas.”
In an exemplary explore mode, a child can scan any food item to hear the name of the food item and its quantity. If the food item is scanned again, the color, food group, and nutritional benefit and a fun fact about the food item can be played.
Scanner 220 resembles a handheld bar code scanner. Scanner 220 includes a hand grip 220(a) and a scanning head 220(b), and is configured to operate in conjunction with shopping items, as discussed below. In some embodiments, scanner 220 can be stored in receptacle 225. An electrical cord 230 electrically and mechanically couples the scanner 220 to the shopping cart 100. Alternate embodiments may use wireless communications in place of the electrical cord 230.
Shopping item 400 includes an RF identification tag (not shown) or other identification device embedded just below its surface at location 410. When shopping item 400 is brought within close physical proximity of scanner 220, RF identification unit 305 or other equivalent identification device identifies the shopping item 400. The shopping cart 100 then outputs an audio response to the identification of the shopping item 400. To help the user scan the shopping item 400, location 410 is marked with distinctive logo. The logo serves as a target for the scanner 220. The child may be prompted to scan the logo on the shopping item 400.
The appearance of shopping item 400 and location 410 facilitates educational enrichment. In one embodiment, shopping item 400 resembles a food item. Each food item may have one or more food objects. When a shopping item is scanned, the shopping cart 100 outputs audio that identifies the food item or attributes of the food item, such as nutritional information, or the shape or color of the food item. This embodiment introduces children to food names, nutritional information, shapes, and colors.
Alternatively or additionally, shopping item 400 resembles a specific quantity of objects. For example, shopping item 400 is in the form of a single, unitary body, but includes a set of five objects 415. Set 415 may resemble five food objects, for example five cupcakes. When a shopping item is scanned, the shopping cart 100 outputs audio identifying the quantity of objects. In further embodiment, each shopping item is associated with a number. This number may be written on the shopping item. The number is incorporated into the scanning logo at location 410. These embodiments help children teach children to count and to associate the quantities of objects with the corresponding numbers.
In some embodiments, a group of scannable toy items may form a “play pack” that may or may not correspond to a particular theme. If the play pack does correspond to a particular theme, then various non-scannable toy items can be included in the play pack along with scannable toy items.
The play packs can have any suitable theme. For example, a barbeque play pack may include scannable toy items such as ketchup, mustard, hot dog, bun, and chips. In a health and safety play pack, scannable toy items may include a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, etc. In a tea party play pack, scannable toy items may include a tea pot, cups, cookies, finger sandwiches, etc. Other examples of play packs with examples of scannable and non-scannable toy items are included in Tables 1-3. Table 1 lists items in a basic grocery “packout” play pack that can come with a base shopping cart. Table 2 lists scannable and non-scannable toy items in a picnic play pack. Table 3 lists scannable and non-scannable toy items in a birthday play pack.
Expansion packs of scannable toy items can be sold separately. In one embodiment, the audio outputs for the expansion sets are preprogrammed into a memory in the toy. If a parent purchases an expansion set, the phrases associated with the expansion set are automatically activated upon scanning an expansion set shopping item. In other embodiments, the audio outputs that correspond to the scannable toy items in each of these play packs may be included in a separate transferable information storage medium, instead of being in a memory in the shopping cart. Such play packs can be sold with the transferable information storage medium to form a kit. Examples of transferable information storage media include data cartridges.
Each shopping item of set 430 is associated with a different food. In a further embodiment, each shopping item of set 430 represents a specific quantity of a food. In this embodiment, set 430 contains shopping items representing quantities of food objects between one and ten. Further, each shopping item of set 430 is marked with a corresponding number as discussed above.
Table 4 lists various audio responses that can be used with the shopping items listed in Table 1 and shown in FIG. 4(b), and with the shopping cart shown in
As mentioned above, various play packs can be used with the shopping cart. After scanning something from an accessory pack, the toy will expand its data to include items from that pack. In Table 4, audio scripts for grocery food item play pack (i.e., a packout play pack) are described in detail. Audio scripts for other items including picnic and birthday theme packs are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/346,456, filed on Jan. 5, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
At step 610, the shopping cart 100 waits for an object to be scanned by scanner 220. Once an item has been scanned, at step 620 the shopping cart 100 determines whether the scanned item is shopping item containing an electronic identification, or a non-scannable toy item. A non-scannable toy item is any object not containing an RF identification tag configured for scanner 220. In step 620, a non-scannable toy item is detected when the pressure switch 310 on scanner 220 is activated without simultaneous reception of a response signal by RF identification unit 305. Shopping items are detected when RF identification unit 305 receives a response signal from an RF identification tag.
After scanning a scannable toy item, step 650 identifies the scanned shopping item. In one embodiment, the shopping item is identified by the unique response signal emitted by the identification tag embedded in a shopping item. Step 660 selects one of a plurality of phrases to be played for the shopping item. Lines 97 to 138 of the script in Table 4 list example audio responses for each shopping item. In this embodiment, there are four unique audio phrases associated with each shopping item. In a further embodiment, step 660 selects each of the audio phrases associated with a shopping item sequentially. Following the selection of the final audio phrase associated with a shopping item, a subsequent scan of the same item will result in the selection of the first audio phrase. Step 670 outputs the selected audio response. Following completion of step 670, step 610 waits for the next scan.
In response to a non-scannable toy item, step 630 selects a phrase to be played for non-scannable toy items. A plurality of example phrases associated with non-scannable toy items is listed at lines 149 to 154 of the script in Table 4. In this example, the audio response for non-scannable toy items is designed to be appropriate for an unknown object and encourage further play with the shopping cart 100. Phrases are selected randomly at step 630. Step 640 outputs the selected audio response. After completing step 640, step 610 waits for the next scan.
The interactive responses for non-scannable toy items allow a child to incorporate other objects, such as a favorite toy or a pet dog, into their use of shopping cart 100. Additionally functionality in exploration mode includes the playing of a shopping song when the character switch 210 is activated.
At step 710, the shopping cart 100 waits for an object to be scanned by scanner 220. Once an item has been scanned, at step 720 the shopping cart 100 determines whether the scanned item is a shopping item containing an electronic identification, or a non-scannable toy item. A non-scannable toy item is any object not containing an RF identification tag configured for scanner 220. In step 720, a non-scannable toy item is detected when the pressure switch 310 on scanner 220 is activated without simultaneous reception of a response signal by RF identification unit 305. Shopping items are detected when RF identification unit 305 receives a response signal from an RF identification tag.
In response to a scannable toy item, step 750 identifies the scanned shopping item. In some embodiments, the shopping item is identified by the unique response signal emitted by the identification tag embedded in a shopping item. Step 760 selects one of a plurality of phrases to be played for the shopping item. Lines 158 to 197 of the script in Table 4 list example audio responses for each shopping item. In this embodiment, there are four unique audio phrases associated with each shopping item. The first phrase associated with each shopping item identifies the scanned item and the numeric quantity associated with the item. The phrase also counts up to the number associated with the shopping item to reinforce the numerical relationships and to teach counting skills. The second phrase associated with a scanned item relates the quantity of the shopping item to the quantity of the previous shopping item. One of a set of alternate phrases is selected based on whether the scanned shopping item is greater than or less than the previously scanned shopping item.
Step 760 selects each of the audio phrases associated with a shopping item sequentially. Following the selection of the final audio phrase associated with a shopping item, a subsequent scan of the same item will result in the selection of the first audio phrase. Step 770 outputs the selected audio response. Following completion of step 770, step 710 waits for the next scan.
In response to a non-scannable toy item, step 730 selects a phrase to be played for non-scannable toy items. A plurality of example phrases associated with non-scannable toy items is listed at lines 149 to 154 of the script in Table 4. In this example, the audio response for non-scannable toy items is designed to be appropriate for an unknown object and encourage further play with the shopping cart 100. Phrases are selected randomly at step 730. Step 740 outputs the selected audio response. Following completion of step 740, step 710 waits for the next scan.
In
Once an item has been scanned, step 845 identifies the scanned shopping item and determines if it matches the selected mystery item. If the correct item has been scanned, a completion phrase is played at step 850 and the game returns to start mode 805. If the incorrect item is scanned, step 855 determines whether this is the third incorrect scan of the game. If three incorrect scans are made, step 860 returns to start mode 805. If this is the first or second incorrect scan, step 865 selects and plays a hint as indicated in Table 4, and returns to step 840 to wait for the next scanned item.
Once an item has been scanned, step 890 identifies the scanned shopping item and determines if it matches one of the items on the items on the shopping list. If a correct item has been scanned, step 900 determines whether all of the items on the shopping list have been scanned. If the shopping list is not complete, step 885 removes the scanned item from the shopping list and returns to step 880 to await a subsequent scan. If all of the items on the shopping list have been scanned, a completion phrase is played at step 905 and step 915 returns the game to start mode 805.
If the incorrect item is scanned, step 910 determines whether this is the third incorrect scan of the game. If three incorrect scans are made, step 915 returns to start mode 805. If this is the first or second incorrect scan, step 90 plays the remaining shopping items on the list as a hint, and returns to step 880 to wait for the next scanned item.
As noted above, The interactive shopping role-play toy can optionally be expanded through the use of separately purchased expansion sets of additional shopping items. Each expansion set of shopping items has a unique set of RF identification tags that distinguish the expansion set from the shopping items included with the interactive shopping role-play toy. A set of unique phrases can be associated with the expansion set. The phrases can be preprogrammed into the interactive shopping role-play toy. Alternatively, additional phrases may be added through the use of a slot (which may be associated with a data input device) for an information storage medium, as discussed below.
The interactive toy can optionally include a slot (not shown) for a transferable information storage medium (not shown) that is operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit. The slot can be cooperatively structured to receive the transferable storage medium in a removable manner. Any suitable transferable storage medium can be employed in the toy including, but not limited to, a data cartridge (e.g., a flash memory cartridge), a disk, a tape or a memory stick. The transferable information storage medium can be used to provide code for new operating modes or new audio data (e.g., new phrases or songs) to the toy. The transferable information storage medium may be purchased at a store, or may be created at the user's site by downloading new content from a personal computer or from the Internet.
The toy can also form part of a system that provides the toy with new content if desired. For example, in some embodiments, a linker device can be used to transfer data (e.g., new audio data or code for new operating modes) between the toy and a computer (e.g., an Internet-enabled personal computer or server computer). The linker device can be any suitable linker device known to one skilled in the art, such as a wireless transceiver (e.g., a radio frequency [RF] transceiver or an infra-red [IR] transceiver) or a data port (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus [USB] data port). Such a data port enables a user to transfer data to, and from, the toy through a physical connection (e.g., a data cable) between the toy and a client PC or the Internet. The inclusion of a linker device in the system results in an Internet-enabled toy. Additional details regarding such Internet-enabled embodiments can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/632,424, filed on Aug. 4, 2000. This U.S. patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. First, embodiments of the invention are more interactive than, for example, ordinary non-electronic play shopping cart toys. Second, embodiments of the invention can teach a child in various ways and about multiple subjects. For example, the audio script above indicates that the shopping toys according to embodiments of the invention can be used to teach about numbers, food (e.g., food facts, food recognition), and colors substantially simultaneously. These and other subjects can be taught to a child while the child uses the child's kinesthetic ability, and auditory and visual senses. Using these three modes of interaction enhances and reinforces learning. Third, using embodiments of the invention, children can be introduced to or develop: language development (children are introduced to food names, food groups, number names, and the connection between numbers and quantities); reasoning skills (basic number skills are important building blocks for more complex mathematical concepts); exploration and creativity (children are encouraged to explore numbers, quantities, and counting as they engage in shopping role-play, and shopping role-play and character interaction encourages imaginative and creating play); cognitive development (following simple directions helps children develop cognitive skills and games help develop memory and reasoning skills and encourage learning play); and motor skills (scanning food items helps develop gross motor skills).
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 invention the claimed. For example, although audio playback devices are described in detail herein, it is understood that embodiments of the invention could use display devices (e.g., an LCD screen) as well. Moreover, one or more features of embodiments of the invention may be combined any one of more features of other embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/346,456, filed on Jan. 5, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
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