Digital arts and crafts computer peripheral toy device

A computer peripheral toy device is provided that connects to a personal computer and enables a child user to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and other projects and items. The device includes a housing having a drawing tablet and a stylus that connects to the housing for use on the drawing tablet. There a plurality of buttons on the top surface of the housing that a user depresses when engaging in a drawing activity. Computer software is provided for installation on the personal computer in order to display data associated with a drawing activity. When executed by the computer, the computer software causes the computer to respond to the messages received from the controller to engage in a drawing activity using drawing style parameters based on which of the drawing style buttons, color palette buttons and design tool buttons are selected by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a computer peripheral device that allows a child user to engage in various drawing activities with a personal computer.

There are numerous computer software programs that are designed for use by small children to permit a child to engage in drawing and coloring projects. However, these software programs require the use of a computer mouse, and in some cases, a computer keyboard as well. Consequently, many child users, depending on their age and dexterity with a computer mouse and keyboard, cannot operate these drawing software programs and/or in many instances require the assistance of a parent or older child. This is a major drawback of these software programs.

At the other end of the spectrum there are drawing toys that do not connect to a computer but nevertheless allow a child to make drawings. These toys may have limited data storage capability to allow a user to make a drawing, save the drawing and subsequently retrieve a drawing for viewing or editing. However, these devices do not provide a user with the ability to transfer data for the drawing to a printer in order to print a hard-copy of the drawing. In addition, in many cases these devices do not allow for transferring the data for a drawing to an external device, such as a personal computer. Moreover, many of these toys require the use of a physical template that fits over a drawing surface to assist a user in making a drawing and/or engaging in an activity.

It is desirable to provide a drawing toy device that connects to a standard personal computer, but that is nevertheless easy to use for a small child so that the child can operate the device without assistance from a parent or older child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, a computer peripheral toy device is provided that connects to a personal computer and enables a child user to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and other printable paper projects and items. The device comprises a housing having a drawing tablet and a stylus that connects to the housing for use on the drawing tablet. A connection cable, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable connects the housing to a personal computer. The housing includes a plurality of buttons on its top surface that a user can depress when engaging in a drawing activity. Specifically, there is a plurality of drawing style buttons, each of which is shaped to simulate an appearance of an inkwell and is configured to be depressed by a tip of the stylus. There are a plurality of design tool buttons disposed on the housing adjacent to the drawing tablet, and a plurality of color palette buttons positioned on the housing adjacent to the drawing tablet and arranged to simulate an appearance of a painter's palette.

Electronics for the computer peripheral device are mounted on one or more printed circuit boards positioned inside in the housing. The controller is electrically connected to switches associated with each of the drawing style buttons, design tool buttons, and color palette buttons, and to the stylus. The controller determines a position of the stylus on the drawing tablet and detects when a switch is actuated by detecting, e.g., when a user depresses one of the design tool buttons, the drawing style buttons and/or the color palette button and supplies messages to the computer comprising information representing the same.

Computer software is provided for installation on the personal computer to communicate with the computer peripheral device in order to display data associated with a drawing activity. When executed by the computer, the computer software causes the computer to respond to the messages received from the controller in the computer peripheral device to engage a user in a drawing activity using drawing style parameters based on which of the drawing style buttons, color palette buttons and design tool buttons are selected by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1, the computer peripheral toy device is shown generally at reference numeral10. The device10connects to a personal computer (PC)20via a standard connection cable12. For example, the cable12is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable in which case the device10implements the USB standard to interface with the PC20and be powered by the PC20. Driver software in the form of one or more computer programs are installed on the PC20to perform various functions in conjunction with the device10. For example, the driver software is stored on a compact disk (CD)40from which it is installed on the PC20. In addition, a display monitor22, loudspeakers24and a printer30are connected to the PC20. The functions of the display monitor22, loudspeakers24and printer30in conjunction with the operation of the device10are described further hereinafter. The device10enables a user to use the PC to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and various other items described in more detail hereinafter.

The device10comprises a housing100and stylus200that connects via a cable202to electronic components contained within the housing200. The housing100may be sized and shaped to fit in front of a display monitor22in operation, in much the same way that a keyboard is positioned and used with a PC. The device10comprises a drawing tablet110having a drawing surface that cooperates with the stylus200to perform user input and other functions described in more detail hereinafter. On one side of the tablet110on the housing100, there are plurality of design tool buttons120in a dedicated circular area and a plurality of “inkwell” drawing style buttons140above the design tool buttons120. There is also a toolbox switch130positioned proximate the design tool buttons120. On the other side of the tablet110on the housing100, there is a shallow cylindrical receptacle160that can receive and temporarily store the stylus200, a utilities button162, a project studio button164and a plurality of color palette buttons170.

Basically, with more detail provided hereinafter, the device10connects to the PC20, allowing a user to make drawings on the tablet110while the drawings are simultaneously displayed on the display monitor22.

With reference toFIG. 2, the design tool buttons120comprise an undo button122, an erase screen button123, a type/keyboard button124, a special effects button125, a background button126, a stamper button127and a paint bucket button128. The undo button122, when pressed, causes the software on the PC20to undo the user's last action, and when pressed again causes the software to redo that last action. The screen erase button123causes the software to clear the screen to allow the user to start over whatever activity he/she was performing. In one embodiment, the screen erase button123causes a simulated explosion graphic video effect with accompanied audio, for example a starburst explosion that gradually clears away the entire screen on the display monitor22. The type/keyboard button124causes display of a virtual keyboard to allow a user to type or otherwise enter text for titles, captions, etc., to be added to a work project. The special effects button125applies one or more special visual effects to a picture, such as a swirl, squeeze or reverse effect, described further hereinafter. The backgrounds button126allows the user to select a background image to start a picture or project. Users can upload/add photos or other images to the PC20for use with the backgrounds function, described in more detail hereinafter. The stamper button127allows the user to choose a “stamp” to decorate pictures and other projects. Like the backgrounds function, users can upload and add photos or other images to the PC for use with the stamper functions. The paint bucket button128causes a particular user-selected color to be filled into an enclosed area of an image of a picture or project on which the user is working. Each of the design tool buttons120has a graphic image visible on its top surface, where the graphic image corresponds to the function of the corresponding button. For example, the undo button122has a rounded arrow image, the erase screen button123has a explosion image, the keyboard button124has an image of multiple letters, the special effects button has a magic wand image, the background button126has a landscape scene image, the stamper button127has image of stamp device and stamp graphic, the paint bucket button128has an image of a bucket spilling paint.

In one embodiment, the design tool buttons120are arranged in a circular arrangement on a surface132, and are partitioned on the face in sectors134that are separated by raised divider members136to simulate an appearance of a dial mechanism. Moreover, the surface132may be concave downward into a cavity of the housing100.

The toolbox switch130is a slider switch that can be moved between first and second positions. The first position is, for example, a down position, in which the toolbox functions are disabled and the second position is an upward position which activates the toolbox functions. A controller in the device10, which is described in further detail hereinafter, detects the position of the toolbox switch130and sends an control signal (status message) to the software on the PC20indicating the position of the toolbox switch130. On the face of the toolbox button130is an image of a toolbox. When the toolbox functions are activated, the software on the PC20generates and presents a display screen or window on the display monitor22that allows the user to select a style and size for lines made by the stylus200for certain activities, and also to choose from among a plurality of categories for images used by the stamper function and the background function. The toolbox function is described in more detail hereinafter.

The inkwell buttons140comprise an eraser button142, a spray paint button144, a paint brush button146and a pencil button148. These buttons are used to change the drawing effect of the stylus200. The eraser button142invokes a pencil eraser function, the spray paint button144invokes a spray paint tip for creating a sprayed appearance, the paint brush button146invokes a paint brush stroke appearance and the pencil button147invokes a drawing line appearance.

Turning toFIG. 3, the inkwell buttons are described in more detail. Each of the buttons142,144,146, and148reside in a raised base150and comprise a circular donut-shaped member152having a center concave portion154that is sized to receive a sufficient length portion of the distal end of the stylus200. This configuration simulates the function and appearance of an inkwell whereby a user can insert the tip of the stylus200into the center concave portion154and depress the member152downward to invoke the corresponding stylus feature. According to one embodiment of the invention, the donut-shaped member152is made of a material that transmits light and beneath the member152is an LED (not shown) that can be illuminated when the button is depressed or for other purposes. Moreover, the LED beneath the member152may be a different color for each of the buttons142,144,146and148, or the plastic over the LED may be made of different colors.

Referring back toFIG. 2, associated with each of the buttons is a raised graphic member whose appearance corresponds to the function of the inkwell button below it. For example, there is an eraser graphic member141formed on the housing100and above the base of the eraser button142. There is a spray paint graphic member143on the housing above the base of the spray paint button144. A paint brush graphic member145is on the housing above the spray paint button146and there is a pencil graphic member147above the pencil button148. Thus, each graphic member141,143,145and147has an ornamental appearance or likeness that represents the function of its corresponding inkwell button.

The stylus storage receptacle160to the right of the tablet110may be circular in shape and have a center hole161that is sized to receive a distal length portion of the stylus200. The receptacle160may be disposed within a raised base member to simulate an inkwell similar to that for the inkwell buttons140.

The utilities button162invokes a utilities function of the driver software on the PC20. In one embodiment, the utilities button has a graphic image of a printer and a plus symbol (“+”) on its top surface. The utilities functions include printing a project, saving a project, accessing an image or picture gallery and sharing a project. These functions are described in further detail hereinafter.

The project studio button164invokes display on the display monitor of a menu of activities from which a user may select. There is a graphic image on the button164that is intended to correspond with a “home” or menu function, such as a paintbrush, house and scissors. The activities menu is described in further detail hereinafter.

The color palette170is located in a dedicated circular area to the right of the drawing tablet110. The color palette170comprises a plurality of individual color buttons172and a color spectrum button174. The color buttons172are in a circular arrangement on a surface176that may be concave downward into a cavity of the housing100to simulate the appearance of a painter's palette. Each of the color buttons172has a top surface having a color such that when pressed causes display of the corresponding color. The color spectrum button174is used to invoke a color spectrum from which a user can more precisely select a particular color for an activity.

The device10may support the use of accessory functions that are installed on the PC20after initial installation of the driver software. In this case, one or more of the buttons on the front of the device10may be used in connection with one of these accessory functions as well as with the basic set of functions that are part of the driver software initially installed on the PC20.

Referring toFIG. 4, the back of the housing100of the device10is shown. The housing100has a back surface180that is substantially vertical. An on/off button182is provided on the back surface180. The on/off button182is used to activate the device10and the computer programs on the host PC that operate with the device10after it has been plugged into a host PC. Similarly, a user may deactivate the computer programs for the device10on the host PC20by depressing the on/off button while the device10is connected to the PC and the computer programs are active. Thus, the on/off switch182does not control the power to the device. Once device10is plugged into the USB port of the PC20, the device10is essentially always powered. The on/off switch182is a button that calls to the driver software to start or end the application.

There is a storage receptacle184that extends into the back surface180of the housing100that allows for more permanent storage of the stylus200when the device10is not in use. The receptacle184is an elongated hole that is sized to receive substantially an entire length portion of the stylus when not in use. The connection cable12also connects at the back of the housing100and includes a plug member14, such as a standard USB plug connector.

As shown inFIG. 4, the tip of the stylus200comprises a push button204. The pushbutton204activates a push switch inside the stylus200. The operation of the push button204and associated switch are described hereinafter in connection withFIG. 7.

Still referring toFIG. 4, there are two support surfaces formed along the bottom horizontal surface of the housing100, with a gap188there between. The gap188provides access to a slot (not shown) that can be used to contain the CD40in which the computer software for the device10is stored. There are also two L-shape hook members189on lower vertical surfaces of the housing100. The hook members189are positioned at a distance from each other to allow the connection cable14to be wrapped around them for storage purposes when the device10is not in use.

Turning toFIG. 5, a block diagram of the control system of the device10is now described. The control system is generally shown at reference numeral300and comprises a controller310that connects to supporting electronic components. The controller310may be a programmable microcontroller having integrated USB interface capability. For example, the controller310is an 8-bit flash-programmable microcontroller, such as is available from Cypress Semiconductor. However, other microcontrollers having similar functionality may also be used, and they need not incorporate on-board USB interface capability. The USB interface capability may be provided in a separate integrated circuit if so desired. An antenna grid320is mounted beneath the drawing surface of the drawing tablet110that operates in conjunction with a stylus receiving antenna and switch shown collectively at330that are mounted within the stylus200. There are a block of color palette switches340that are associated with the color palette170, design tool switches350associated with the design tool buttons120, inkwell switches360and inkwell LEDs370associated with the inkwell buttons140, a power switch380, a utilities switch390associated with the utilities button162, and a project studio switch395associated with the project studio button164. In addition, there is an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)312that is connected to the receiving antenna output of the stylus receiving antenna in block330in order to convert the analog received signal to a digital signal for processing by the controller310. Alternatively, the ADC312may be integrated into the controller310.

Turning toFIGS. 6 and 7, the antenna grid320and stylus receiving antenna and switch330are described in more detail. As shown inFIG. 6, the antenna grid320comprises a conductor trace grid array that is positioned under the surface of the tablet110and is used to locate the tip of the stylus200. The antenna grid320comprises a plurality of antenna traces322along the x-axis and a plurality of antenna traces324along the y-axis.

As shown inFIG. 7, the receiving antenna and switch330comprises a coaxial antenna332having an outside shell333connected to ground and a center conductor334that serves as the receiving antenna conductor. The center conductor is biased to a certain voltage, and supplies a received signal to an amplifier336. The amplified signal at the output of the amplifier336is routed through a conductor337that is inside the connection cable202, and ultimately to the controller310. For example, in one embodiment of the amplifier is a two-stage JFET-based operational amplifier. The input stage and first stage of the amplifier336are surrounded by a ground plane on the backside of printed circuit board, and a formed metal shield (soldered to the ground plane) above it. There is also a push switch338inside the tip of the stylus220that is actuated (closed) when the push button204at the tip of the stylus200is depressed.

The antenna grid320and associated receiving antenna structure and function are well known in the art, and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,960. Nevertheless, their operation is described briefly as follows.

Each of the antennas in the antenna grid320transmits a repeating pulse train that is picked up by the receiving antenna332in the stylus200. For example, in one embodiment, the tablet110has an area of 1024×768 pixels over a physical area of 216 mm (8.5 inches)×157.5 mm (6.2 inches). With an antenna grid of 32 squares by 24 squares, each square covers 32 pixels in the X direction and 32 pixels in the Y direction, and the antennas would have a center-center spacing of 6.75 mm×6.56 mm. Consequently, the controller310interpolates signals strengths to 32 levels (or 6 bits). Using an analog-to-digital (A/D) input of a 1.0V maximum signal strength, the ADC312resolves 0.03125V/bit in order to distinguish32possible signal levels. The amplified received signal is coupled to the ADC312to convert the analog signal to a digital signal for processing by the controller310in order to track the location of the stylus200. Moreover, the controller310can detect where the stylus tip is located when the push button204is pressed sufficiently to close the push switch338. The push button switch204needs to be pressed when the user draws on the tablet110to display a corresponding line, brush stroke, etc., as well as when the user wants to select an icon that is displayed in a menu screen.

The signals to the conductive traces of the antenna grid320may be multiplexed to reduce the number of input/outputs needed to the antenna grid320. For example, 12 output signals from the controller310power33antenna traces along the x-axis in the antenna grid320, and12output signals from the controller310power25traces along the y-axis in the grid320. The antenna grid320may be arranged so that no 2 neighbors of multiplexed signals are directly next to each other in any more than one spot. Consequently, the controller310can monitor which “neighbor” signal is being received in addition to the main “strong” signal received to determine which multiplexed “strong” signal antenna line is being touched by the stylus200.

Turning toFIG. 8, the color palette switches340and design tool switches350are described. The color palette switches340comprise a plurality of push switches342, each for a corresponding one of the color palette buttons172and for the color spectrum button174. All of the push switches342may be mounted on a common printed circuit board that is positioned in the housing beneath the color palette170, and which is electrically connected to the controller310. Similarly, the design tool switches350comprises a plurality of switches352each for a corresponding one of the design tool buttons122-128. The switches352also may be mounted on a common printed circuit board that is positioned in the housing beneath the design tool buttons120, and which is electrically connected to the controller310.

FIG. 9illustrates the inkwell switches360and the inkwell LEDs370. The inkwell switches360comprises a plurality of push switch pairs362, one pair associated with each of the eraser button142, spray button144, brush button146and pencil button148. Each of the switches in the switch pairs362are small rubber push switches. There are two switches for each of the inkwell push button in order to ensure that the button does not get stuck when it is depressed and released. The inkwell LEDs370comprises a plurality of LEDs372, one for each of the eraser button142, spray button144, brush button146and pencil button148. The inkwell switches360and inkwell LEDs370may be mounted on the same printed circuit board beneath the inkwell buttons140and connected to the controller310.

Still referring toFIG. 9, the power switch380comprises a push switch382that connects to the controller310. Similarly, the utilities switch390and the project studio switch395each comprise push switches392that may be mounted on the same printed circuit board.

FIG. 10illustrates the toolbox switch355. The toolbox switch355comprises a slider switch357that is movable between first and second contacts at first and second positions, respectively.

Turning now toFIGS. 11A,11B and11C, a flow chart illustrating at a high level operational flow400of the device10is described. Reference is also made toFIG. 1for the following description. The device10is connected to a PC20by the connection cable12. For example, the connection cable12is a USB cable that plugs into a USB port on the PC20. The operating system on the PC20recognizes the newly connected hardware and displays user prompts to guide a user in the installation of the driver software for the device10that is stored on the CD40for example, or downloaded from a web site.

After the driver software is installed, the process400begins at402when the driver software application on the PC is activated (opened) by pressing the power on/off button182. At404, the driver software generates an animated welcome screen that displays a welcome message “Welcome to the Digital Arts and Crafts Studio,” for example, and may also produce voice audio and music that announces the welcome message.

Next at406, the driver software determines whether any accessory software features are installed. The accessory software features are functions that may not be included in the driver software with the initial purchase of the device10, but are purchased separately.

When the driver software determines that there are no accessories installed, then at410, the driver software generates a main menu for display on the display22connected to the PC20. At412, a voice audio announcement is generated and played, such as “Project Studio,” to the user through the speakers connected to the PC20or through the speakers on the PC20itself.

At414, the driver software determines whether it is the first time that the device10has been turned on during a session, or whether a period of time has elapsed since the voice audio announcement at412. If either case is true, then a voice audio announcement “Choose a Project” is activated, and the driver software displays on the display22an array of icons representing each of the different activities that a user may play on the device10. At this time, the user may place the tip of the stylus200on the surface of the drawing tablet110and the driver software will track and display on the display22the position of the stylus by a small arrow or other similar icon. Selection of an icon function from the displayed user interface menu is made when the user places stylus200on the tablet110at a location that positions the stylus arrow over the icon and the user pressed down on the push button204to actuate the push switch mounted inside the stylus200.

As shown inFIG. 11A, if at406, the driver software on the PC20determines that accessory software functions have been installed on the PC20for use with the device10, then the process proceeds to500where an accessory menu screen is displayed. At502, depending on which button for any accessory function button is depressed, an accessory animation is displayed at504and the menu screen for the selected accessory function is displayed at506. If the project studio button is depressed while in the accessory menu at508, then the process continues at410.

Turning toFIG. 11B, next, at420, the driver software will animate an icon when the tip of the stylus200is moved across the drawing tablet110. When the arrow icon displayed on the display22passes over the icon, the driver software will also announce a voice audio message that states the name of the corresponding activity. For example, when the user moves the stylus200across the tablet110, the arrow icon for the stylus will eventually pass over one of the icons, such as the “Create a Book” icon, and the driver software will animate or move that icon forward or upward and also announce the voice audio message “Create a Book.” If the user makes no selection for a predetermined period of time, the driver software may automatically scroll through the icons, animating the icon and generating the voice audio message for each activity as shown at430. When the user selects an activity icon at432, the driver software transitions to display the menu screen for the corresponding selected activity as depicted at440.

Referring toFIG. 11C, when the on/off switch182is pressed again at450, the driver software at452generates a save prompt screen that prompts a user to save his/her work. The user can opt to save his/her work at454, and then at456the driver software generates a quit prompt screen to allow the user to confirm that he/she wants to quit operation of the device10. If the user confirms he/she wants to quit, then at458an animated character may be displayed on the display22and a voice message may be announced to the user. Finally, at460, a password screen is displayed that requires entry of a password in order to disable the driver software application on the PC20.

If either the utilities button162or the project studio button164is depressed, then the corresponding function is invoked at470or480at494, only after a user is given the option to save any currently active activity or work project at490and492.

Operations of the various buttons on the device10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2are now described. A user “dips” the tethered stylus200into one of the inkwell buttons140to give the stylus a desired drawing function, e.g., an eraser, a spray can, a paint brush, or a pencil. Various ones of the design tool buttons120may be used for additional drawing effects. For example, the paint bucket button128may be used to fill open areas, shapes, and backgrounds with a color selected using one of the color palette buttons170.

As indicated above, a user may open the expanded “toolbox” feature by moving the toolbox switch130upward to the open position. This displays a pop-up window that contains a variety of expanded options for the active stylus/drawing tool. For example, the expanded choices for the paint brush drawing tool may include different brush types (oil, tempera, watercolor, and fan), line thickness variations, and fun line styles (e.g., bubbles, stars, bricks, hearts, and flowers). In addition, the toolbox switch130alters the output of the function buttons, providing choices beyond the default setting. For example, there are expanded options for the color palette buttons172(additional color choices), the stamper button127(additional images to be used as stamps), the special effects button125(providing additional animation features such as flip, insert text, and blur), the paint bucket button128(paint gradients/patterns, stripes, polka dots, etc.), the background button126(additional backgrounds images), and the screen erase button123(different effects when the screen is erased such as explosion, break apart, sparkles, etc.).

The driver software generates instructional voice audio announcements that guide and teach a child user how to create different items such as greeting cards, drawings, etc. For example, when a child engages the greeting card button, the device states: “This is the greeting card! This project has six steps. Press the green arrow to begin.” After pressing the green arrow, the device then instructs the child as follows: “Let's decorate the greeting card! First, decorate the front of the card.” The process continues, providing audio content that guides the child to use various tools (pencils, markers, etc.), as well through steps of the process (to decorate the inside of the card, the back of the card, etc.).

Activities

The following are brief descriptions of examples of activities that may be performed by a user with the device10.

The “Free Draw” activity is first described. The “Free Draw” activity allows a user to draw or write on the tablet110with the stylus200in any freestyle manner the user wishes, and the resulting image is displayed on the display22connected to the PC. The user may change the stylus effect by inserting the tip of the stylus200into and depressing one of the inkwell buttons140. In addition, the user may select any of the design tool buttons120as desired. During this activity, a user may slide the toolbox switch130open in response to which the driver software will display a small window containing additional parameters that may be selected for a particular design tool that is currently being used. For example, the size (thickness) or style of a line drawn with the pencil inkwell button function may be adjusted. Similarly, if the stamper button function is used, then the toolbox switch may invoke display of options for different types of stampers that are grouped by categories (each category comprising several different styles), as well as by size of the image. Likewise, if the background button function is being used, and the toolbox switch moved to the open position, a window is displayed in which a user may select from a variety of different images for a background. A user may save a drawing created with the “Free Drawing” activity for later retrieval or editing.

The “Coloring Pages” activity provides several different coloring pages that a user may color using the stylus200and the color palette buttons170. In addition, the design tool buttons120may be used to further decorate the colored page. Furthermore, the toolbox switch130may be opened to adjust parameters of the design tools and drawing tools used in a coloring page project.

The “Create a Book” activity displays several types of pages for a book. Then, on a selected page type, a user may decorate the book using any of the design and drawing tool functions of the device10. For example, there is a “title” page, page types with areas for images and text, etc. After a user completes a page, he/she may return to the page type menu page and select another page type to follow the previously created page. Directional arrows are displayed to allow a user to move forward and backward through pages in the book. The book may be printed out on a printer attached to the PC together with printed instructions to guide the user in created a simulated “bound” book.

The “Dot-to-Dot” activity displays several types of dot-to-dot drawings from which a user may select. The user connects the dots in the proper number or letter sequence using the stylus200. The user may also further decorate any of the dot-to-dot drawings using the design tool and drawing functions of the device10. The toolbox switch130may be used to augment the design tool features as described above.

The “Paper Projects” activity allows a user to create a variety of paper items, such as a greeting card, customized notepaper, envelope, certificate and calendar. In creating these items, the user may use any of the design tool, drawing and coloring functions of the device10. The driver software guides the user in decorating each portion of the paper item, such as the front of an envelope and the back of the envelope, the inside of the card and the outside of the card, etc. When the item is complete, the user is prompted to print the item on an attached printer and also to save the item for later retrieval and editing.

The “Crafts” activity guides the user in creating a variety of crafts items such as a picture frame, paper people/characters, paper airplanes, a pencil holder, a paper flow, a jumping paper frog figure, a paper mobile, etc. Like the “Paper Projects” activity, the user may use any of the design tools, drawing and coloring functions of the device10. The driver software guides the user in decorating each portion of the item. When the user has completed all of the steps in creating the item, the driver software prompts the user to print the item on an attached printer, and to save the item for later retrieval. In addition, for certain items that require folding or other additional assembly steps, the driver software will also print out instructions for the user to follow in completing final assembly of the item.

The “Create a Party” activity guides the user in creating a variety of paper items that are associated with a party, such as a birthday party. The paper items created in this activity may include a party invitation, a paper crown, a paper party hat, a party sign, gift tags, place cards, placemats, party menu planner, etc. This activity operates in a similar manner to the “Crafts” activity.

Parent Utilities

The driver software has a parent utilities function that can be activated through the utilities button162. When the parent utilities function is opened, it will first prompt a parent to enter a password and a password question and answer, in order to provide password protection access to the parent utilities screen. Once the password is set, the driver software will display the parent utilities screen. On the parent utilities screen, a parent may limit the amount (zero or more) of printing of projects permitted during a user's session.

Password Controlled Deactivation

The driver software application further comprises a password feature a screen or window is displayed with a dialog that requires entry of a predetermined user-defined password before allowing access to other software applications on the PC20after the device10is turned off or disconnected from the PC20. When the driver software application is active, the user may turn off the device10by depressing the on/off button182. A user session is not terminated if the device10is disconnected from the PC20. The driver software will prompt the user to reconnect the device10to the PC in order to terminate the user session as follows. The driver software will determine whether a password has been set in the parent utilities function. If a password has been set, then the driver software will display a password entry screen that requires a parent or other individual with knowledge the password to enter the appropriate password in order to close the driver software application on the PC20. This ensures that a child user cannot gain access to the normal functions of the PC20without parental approval or accompaniment. For example, parents may not want a child turning off the device10(or disconnecting it from the PC20) and thereby have access to data on the PC20or access to the Internet. Thus, if a password has not been set in the parent utilities function, a child user may turn off the device10(or disconnect it from the computer) and use the normal functions of the PC20without having a parent or other individual first enter the appropriate password.

Adding and Sharing Pictures

When the driver software is installed on the PC20, a short-cut icon is installed on the “desktop” of the PC that directs the user to two special folders labeled “Share” and “Add”. The “Share” folder is a storage location on the PC where a user may place files for photos, pictures or other images that the user may want to use in the activities, such as a stamper design or a background. In addition, when a user saves a project during use of the device10, the user may also direct the driver software to store that project such that it can be accessed from the “Share” folder on the PC. The “Share” and “Add” folders may be accessed only when the device10is powered off and the driver software is not active. Thus, the user's parent may use the short-cut icon on the PC to access the “Share” and “Add” folders. The parent may access a data file associated with a project created by a child user in the “Share” folder and the parent may email that project to another party, or may post that project to a web page. Similarly, a parent may store photos, pictures or other images into the “Add” folder to enable a child user to use those files for stamper designs or backgrounds.

The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and not meant to be limiting.