Abstract:
An interactive method for recording and playing data is implemented using an interactive system including a recording and playing unit, a processing unit, an RFID reader, and a memory. The method includes: a) configuring the processing unit to receive a record/stop request signal; b) configuring the processing unit to determine whether to activate the RFID reader; c) configuring the processing unit to activate the RFID reader for RFID tag reading when the processing unit determines to activate the RFID reader in step b); d) configuring the RFID reader to read a first RFID tag and to send a first identification code to the processing unit; e) configuring the processing unit to control the recording and playing unit to record data so as to generate recorded data; and f) configuring the processing unit to store the recorded data in the memory using the first identification code as an index.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an interactive method and an interactive system, more particularly to an interactive method and an interactive system for recording and playing data. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In recent years, parent-child book reading has become an important way to help a child become a reader. However, in today&#39;s busy society, parents have less and less time to get together with and educate their children. Due to limited time, parent-child book reading is often replaced by commercial audio books or videos. Although these materials might benefit a child, dull recordings may reduce a child&#39;s interest in learning. 
         [0005]    On-site learning is gaining attention and becoming a popular topic for discussion. On-site learning referred to herein refers to bringing a child to a particular location in a home, building, facility, etc., and educating him or her about different aspects of the location. The purpose of on-site learning is to educate a child with respect to the various aspects of the particular place, to act independently, to cooperate with others, to finish a task, etc. Hence, it is important to determine effective ways to implement on-site learning. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an interactive method and an interactive system for recording and playing data. 
         [0007]    According to the present invention, an interactive method for recording and playing data is implemented using an interactive system including a recording and playing unit, a processing unit, an RFID (radiofrequency identification) reader, and a memory. The interactive method comprises: 
         [0008]    a) configuring the processing unit to receive a record/stop request signal; 
         [0009]    b) configuring the processing unit to determine whether to activate the RFID reader in response to receipt of the record/stop request signal; 
         [0010]    c) configuring the processing unit to activate the RFID reader for RFID tag reading when the processing unit determines to activate the RFID reader in step b); 
         [0011]    d) configuring the RFID reader to read an RFID tag and to send an identification code corresponding to the RFID tag to the processing unit; 
         [0012]    e) configuring the processing unit to control the recording and playing unit to record data so as to generate recorded data corresponding to the identification code; and 
         [0013]    f) configuring the processing unit to store the recorded data in the memory using the identification code as an index when the record/stop request signal is again received by the processing unit in a state where the recording and playing unit is recording data. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect, an interactive system is used for recording and playing data. The system comprises an RFID reader, a recording and playing unit, a memory, and a processing unit. 
         [0015]    The RFID reader is used for RFID tag reading. 
         [0016]    The recording and playing unit is used for recording data so as to generate recorded data, and for playing the recorded data. 
         [0017]    The memory is used for storing the recorded data. 
         [0018]    The processing unit is coupled electrically to the RFID reader, the recording and playing unit, and the memory. The processing unit executes the steps of 
         [0019]    a) receiving a request signal that is one of a record/stop request signal and a play/stop request signal, 
         [0020]    b) determining whether to activate the RFID reader in response to receipt of the request signal, 
         [0021]    c) activating the RFID reader when it is determined to activate the RFID reader in step b), 
         [0022]    d) receiving an identification code corresponding to an RFID tag read by the RFID reader, and 
         [0023]    e) controlling the recording and playing unit to record data so as to generate the recorded data which corresponds to the identification code and storing the recorded data in the memory using the identification code as an index when the request signal is the record/stop request signal and the record/stop request signal is again received by the processing unit in a state where the recording and playing unit is recording data, and searching for the recorded data which corresponds to the identification code in the memory and controlling the recording and playing unit to play the recorded data corresponding to the identification code after finding the recorded data corresponding to the identification code when the request signal is the play/top request signal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic circuit block diagram of an interactive system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an interactive method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the steps in a recording process; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of the interactive method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the steps in a playing process. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of an interactive system  1  according to the present invention is used for recording and playing data. The interactive system  1  comprises an operation interface  11 , a recording and playing unit  13 , a processing unit  15 , an RFID (radio frequency identification) reader  12 , and a memory  14 . 
         [0029]    The operation interface  11  is used by a user to operate the interactive system  1  and generate corresponding request signals. The user may be a parent, a teacher, a child, etc. The RFID reader  12  performs RFID tag reading. The recording and playing unit  13  records data so as to generate recorded data, and plays the recorded data. In this embodiment, the recording and playing unit  13  may be realized using an audio and video encoder/decoder chip. The memory  14  stores the recorded data. The processing unit  15  receives the request signals and performs control corresponding to the request signals. 
         [0030]    The interactive system  1  can be applied to various fields. For instance, the interactive system  1  can be used in the area of parent-child book reading or in on-site learning. With parent-child book reading, when parents or teachers obtain a new book, an RFID tag can be disposed on the new book. Hence, different books are provided respectively with different RFID tags. As for on-site learning, different places or equipment, etc. in a particular location are provided with RFID tags, which can be placed by parents or teachers. Next, for example, parents or teachers press a record/stop button (not shown) on the operation interface  11  so that the operation interface  11  subsequently generates a record/stop request signal, requesting the interactive system  1  to implement the recording process of the interactive method. A play/stop button (not shown) on the operation interface  11  may then be pressed by a child, parent, or teacher to play previously recorded data. 
         [0031]    Hence, an interactive method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a recording process and a playing process, which are described below. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the recording process of the interactive method comprises the steps as outlined below. 
         [0033]    The processing unit  15  receives a record/stop request signal in step  201 . The record/stop request signal is transmitted to the processing unit  15  from the operation interface  11  in response to the user pressing the record/stop button thereon. 
         [0034]    Next, the processing unit  15  determines whether the recording and playing unit  13  is performing recording in step  202 . In this case, it is assumed that the recording and playing unit  13  was not in the process of performing recording when the user pressed the record/stop button of the operation interface  11 . Hence, the processing unit  15  determines that the recording and playing unit  13  is not presently performing recording in step  202 , and as a result, the process proceeds to step  204 . 
         [0035]    In step  204 , the processing unit  15  determines to activate the RFID reader  12  for RFID tag reading. 
         [0036]    In step  205 , the RFID reader  12  is standing by in a state ready for RFID tag reading. 
         [0037]    The processing unit  15  checks whether the RFID reader  12  has already read a first RFID tag in step  206 . 
         [0038]    If the RFID reader  12  has read the first RFID tag, then the RFID reader  12  sends a first identification code corresponding to the first RFID tag to the processing unit  15  in step  207 . Otherwise, the process returns to step  205 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, when the RFID reader  12  is in the state standing by ready for RFID tag reading, the processing unit  15  disables the RFID reader  12  if the RFID reader  12  does not read any RFID tag during a predetermined time interval (e.g., 10 seconds). In such embodiments, the process is ended and does not start again until the processing unit  15  receives a new record/stop request signal in step  201 . 
         [0040]    In step  208 , the processing unit  15  checks whether data corresponding to the first identification code is already stored in the memory  14 . 
         [0041]    If data corresponding to the first identification code is not already stored in the memory  14 , then the recording and playing unit  13  plays a pre-recorded message to indicate that recording of data is about to start in step  209 . However, if data corresponding to the first identification code is already stored in the memory  14 , the process proceeds to step  210 . 
         [0042]    In step  210 , when data corresponding to the first identification code is already stored in the memory  14 , the recording and playing unit  13  plays another pre-recorded message to ask whether data corresponding to the first identification code requires overwriting. At this time, the user can operate the operation interface  11  to determine whether to overwrite data, and the operation interface  11  subsequently sends out a corresponding user signal. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, rather than pre-recorded voice messages, text messages may be displayed on a screen (not shown) of the interactive system  1  to indicate that the recording of data is about to start in step  209  and to ask whether data corresponding to the first identification code requires overwriting in step  210 . In still other embodiments, warning lights (not shown) of the interactive system  1  may be illuminated to provide such indication to or require such confirmation from the user. 
         [0044]    In step  211 , if the processing unit  15  receives the user signal indicating that the data corresponding to the first identification code already stored in the memory  14  does not require overwriting, the process is returned to step  205 . Otherwise, the process proceeds to step  212 . In some embodiments, if the processing unit  15  receives the user signal indicating that the data corresponding to the first identification code already stored in the memory does not require overwriting, the process may be returned to step  201 . 
         [0045]    In step  212 , the processing unit  15  controls the recording and playing unit  13  to record data so as to generate recorded data corresponding to the first identification code. As is evident from the above description, step  212  is performed when data corresponding to the first identification code is not already stored in the memory  14  or is already stored in the memory  14  and the processing unit  15  receives a user signal indicating that the data corresponding to the first identification code already stored in the memory  14  requires overwriting. The recorded data includes voice data and/or video data of parent-child book reading or on-site learning. 
         [0046]    Next, the process proceeds to step  214 . In step  214 , the processing unit  15  checks whether the record/stop request signal is again received. The purpose of step  214  is to determine whether the user desires to stop recording after having completed the same. 
         [0047]    If the record/stop request signal is not received again, recording data in step  212  is performed continually. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step  201  of the processing unit  15  receiving the record/stop request signal, after which step  202  is performed. In step  202 , in this case, since the recording and playing unit  13  was in the process of performing recording when the user pressed the record/stop button of the operation interface  11 , the process proceeds to step  203 . In step  203 , the processing unit  15  stops operation of the recording and playing unit  13 . 
         [0048]    In step  213 , the processing unit  15  stores the recorded data in the memory  14  using the first identification code as an index. Hence, step  213  is performed when the record/stop request signal is again received by the processing unit  15  in a state where the recording and playing unit  13  is recording data. During this process, the processing unit  15  is configured to first stop operation of the recording and playing unit in step  203  prior to storing the recorded data in the memory  14  in step  213 , as described above. 
         [0049]    When the user presses the play/stop button on the operation interface  11 , the operation interface  11  subsequently generates a play/stop request signal such that the interactive system  1  can carry out the playing process. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the playing process of the interactive method comprises the steps as outlined below. 
         [0051]    The processing unit  15  receives the play/stop request signal in step  301 . 
         [0052]    Next, the processing unit  15  checks whether the recording and playing unit  13  is performing playing in step  302 . In this case, it is assumed that the recording and playing unit  13  was not in the process of performing playing when the user pressed the play/stop button of the operation interface  11 . Hence, the processing unit  15  determines that the recording and playing unit  13  is not presently performing playing in step  302 , and as a result, the process proceeds to step  304 . 
         [0053]    In step  304 , the processing unit  15  determines to activate the RFID reader  12  for RFID tag reading. 
         [0054]    In step  305 , the RFID reader  12  is standing by in a state ready for RFID tag reading. 
         [0055]    The processing unit  15  checks whether the RFID reader  12  has already read a second RFID tag in step  306 . It is to be noted that “first” and “second” are used with respect to the RFID tags of the recording process and the playing process, respectively, to avoid confusion. Of course, it is possible that these RFID tags are the same. For example, recording may be performed with respect to a book on which has been attached a certain RFID tag in the recording process, after which playing may be performed with respect to the same book having the same RFID tag in the playing process. 
         [0056]    If the RFID reader  12  has read the second RFID tag, then the RFID reader  12  sends a second identification code corresponding to the second RFID tag to the processing unit  15  in step  307 . Otherwise, the process returns to step  305 . 
         [0057]    Similar to the aforesaid recording process, in some embodiments, when the RFID reader  12  is in the state standing by ready for RFID tag reading, the processing unit  15  disables the RFID reader  12  if the RFID reader  12  does not read any RFID tag during a predetermined time interval. In such embodiments, the process is ended and does not start again until the processing unit  15  receives a new play/stop request signal in step  301 . 
         [0058]    In step  308 , the processing unit  15  searches for recorded data corresponding to the second identification code in the memory  14 . 
         [0059]    In step  309 , the processing unit  15  checks whether recorded data corresponding to the second identification code is already stored in the memory  14 . 
         [0060]    If data corresponding to the second identification code is not already stored in the memory  14 , then the recording and playing unit  13  plays a pre-recorded message indicating that recording data is not found in the memory  14  in step  310 . Otherwise, the process proceeds to step  311 . 
         [0061]    As in the case of the recording process, rather than a pre-recorded voice message, such an indication may be provided to the user by way of a display on a screen of the interactive system  1 , by way of warning lights of the interactive system, etc. 
         [0062]    In step  311 , the processing unit  15  controls the recording and playing unit  13  to play the recorded data corresponding to the second identification code after the processing unit  15  finds the recorded data corresponding to the second identification code in the memory  14 . 
         [0063]    Next, the process proceeds to step  313 . In step  313 , the processing unit  15  checks whether the play/stop request signal is again received. The purpose of step  213  is to determine whether the user desires to stop the playing process. 
         [0064]    If the play/stop request signal is not received again, playing data in step  311  is performed continually. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step  301  of the processing unit  15  receiving the play/stop request signal, after which step  302  is performed. In step  302 , in this case, since the recording and playing unit  13  was in the process of performing playing when the user pressed the record/stop button of the operation interface  11 , the process proceeds to step  303 . In step  303 , the processing unit  15  stops operation of the recording and playing unit  13 . 
         [0065]    In summary, the present invention has many advantages. Firstly, an RFID tag can be disposed on a particular book, article, or location, which increases the overall flexibility for learning. Secondly, recorded data is recorded by parents, teachers, and/or children, rather than by an unknown third party, which increases the interest in learning. Thirdly, because children&#39;s hand-to-eye coordination and finger dexterity are not well developed, the use of RFID tag reading enhances convenience for young users. 
         [0066]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.