Themed ornament with streaming video display

An apparatus for playing signals received from the Internet or other information highway on one or more speakers and video displays has a receiver for receiving information from a preselected address; a processor for interpreting the signals; a user interface for choosing between a connection to a personal computer and the preselected address; and at least one sound emitting device and a display for playing the processed signal. The apparatus has an ornamental design on the outside which is related to the topic of the signals received from the address.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the field of internet receivers that are capable of receiving Internet radio and video signals. More specifically, this application relates to themed ornamental objects that relate to a specific station that is received through these devices by Wi-Fi, Wi-Max or other wireless data transmission. The device can also be wirelessly connected to a computer with a digital library stored thereon, and selections from the library can be played by the device as well.

Streaming video broadcasts are a popular way for individuals to view movies, television shows, music videos, informational segments and educational programs. The programs can be ordered and instantly streamed to the playing device, which can be a home computer, tablet, mobile telephone or television. The videos are streamed via a Wi-Fi or other connection to the Internet and displayed on a display screen for the viewer to view.

It would be desirable to create a teaching device utilizing streaming video in conjunction with an ornamental device that is related to the subject being streamed, to enhance the learning experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an Internet Radio and Video receiver having an ornamental design that is related to a topic. The ornamental design may be of any number of topics, and could be related to educational services. By way of example, the ornamental design may be an anatomical mannequin. In accordance with one or more embodiment, these receivers are capable of picking up multiple Internet Radio stations and video feeds. In a preferred embodiment, the Internet Station can be programmed based on the user's preferences, so that only selections that coincide with the user's preferences are played. This can be accomplished according to the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,515, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

When the device is turned on, it may be programmed to automatically broadcast events related to the product it represents. For example, the ornament can be a mannequin having a screen connected to a video player in place of its internal organs, and the video feed can be related to an anatomy class.

The device is preferably a microprocessor connected to a modem for receiving Internet service, as well as a display screen for displaying the streaming video. Preferably, the device is a tablet computer attached to the ornament and programmed to play only videos that are related to the subject of the ornament. Additional speakers could also be connected to the device for playing the sounds from the streaming video in an enhanced manner.

In addition, the apparatus is also configured to connect to a personal computer. The computer can store additional content that is also related to the theme of the ornament. The device can have a means for overriding the streaming radio and switching to selected content from the computer as well. The computer has software that allows the user to create a play list of the selected content, which can then be played by the device.

The receiver can be wirelessly connected on its own to the internet or other information highway. Other aspects have suitable apparatus such as a router to connect the receiver to the Internet or other information highway using Wi-Fi or Wi-Max technology. Any connection to the internet, however, can be used. Alternatively, the receiver can be connected to a smartphone with video streaming capability, either through Wi-Fi or cellular service such as 4G. The video stream from the smartphone is sent directly to the receiver and broadcast through the video screen on the receiver.

The device has a processor that connects to one of a plurality of preselected addresses on the internet or other information highway. The apparatus also has an interface for selecting the one of the plurality of preselected addresses, as well as an interface for selecting whether the playlist from the computer should be used instead. The interface could be a push button or a dial with a video display of the programs offered, or a touch screen on the display itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in this specification and the appended claims, “internet” refers not only to the internet, but also to any wide area network or local area network. Use of the term “internet” is not intended to limit the present invention to communications received via the world wide web.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, “pre-selected” means that the internet address, or URL, has been programmed into the device. The pre-selected address may be a default address, or a selection of addresses to which the user can set the device to default.

The invention relates to apparatuses for playing signals received from the internet or other information highway on one or more speakers and video displays. The apparatus comprises a receiver that connects to the internet or other information highway. A processor is included in the receiver that connects to a preselected address on the internet or other information highway. A connection to which the one or more speakers can be connected to play signals received from the preselected address on the internet or other information highway. The outside of the receiver has an ornamental design related to the topic of the signals received from the preselected address on the internet or other information highway.

The invention can be wirelessly connected to the internet or other information highway or can use a cable connecting the receiver directly to a modem.

Detailed embodiments of the invention have a processor that connects to one of a plurality of preselected addresses on the internet or other information highway. The apparatus also has an interface for selecting the one of the plurality of preselected addresses. Another aspect has a plurality of ornamental designs on the apparatus. Each of the ornamental designs may be related to a topic on each of the plurality of preselected addresses.

The ornamental design may be related to an educational subject such an a mannequin for anatomical research. Any suitable shape and design could be used. For example, the ornament could be related to engineering, biology, astronomy, or any subject of interest. The microprocessor has preselected internet content, either streaming or pre-recorded, for playback on the device.

FIGS. 1-3show one embodiment of the invention. Here, the device takes the form of a mannequin100. There is a receiver140built into the body cavity of mannequin100. Controls151,152and153are located on mannequin100to control the power and selection of programming of receiver140.

FIG. 2shows the mannequin100connected to a personal computer147. Signals from personal computer147are conveyed wirelessly to receiver140for playback on receiver140.

Device140is shown schematically inFIG. 3. Receiver140comprises a processor142contained within the housing141coupled to a network interface143. The network interface143can be a wireless connection or a wired connection. Receiver140may include a user interface144which interacts with the processor142to provide accessible controls for a user. The user interface144has a series of controls151,152,153to control the content being played. Control151allows the user to control the power to the device, and control152allows the user to select the content being broadcast through mannequin100via the internet.

User interface144could incorporate a connection146which would allow the receiver140to be attached to a personal computer147. By way of example, the housing141may be connected to the personal computer147by a USB or wireless connection. Software running on the personal computer147allows the user to create a playlist157, as shown inFIG. 2, which organizes the video content stored on computer147, and have playlist157be played on radio140. Selecting control153on mannequin100allows the user to switch from the internet streaming video signals being played to the selected playlist157from the content stored on the computer147. Selecting button152again then switches the broadcast back to the internet radio. Receiver140is preprogrammed to default to an internet address or radio station that coincides with the theme of the ornament, which in this case is an anatomical mannequin. For example the internet content could be an anatomy lesson for medical students.

The housing141has an audio/video connector148attached to the processor142. This audio/video connector148can be any type of interface which would enable an audio and video signal to be transmitted from the processor142to a speaker149and display screen150. For example, standard cable wire could be employed. Additionally, the audio interface148may be a wireless interface (i.e., infrared transmission) which can be received by a suitable apparatus in the speaker149and display screen150. The speaker149and display screen150are located within housing141, but could also be located remotely. Where the speaker149is located remotely from the housing141, the speaker may also have an ornamental design. The speaker may also have controls to provide power and volume control (not shown).