Abstract:
An educational toy telephone is provided and includes a telephone base and a removable handset. A numerical keypad is provided by which an input telephone number may be entered into said telephone. The telephone further includes a microprocessor and memory associated therewith for controlling the various functions of the toy telephone and storing a user-defined programmed telephone number. A message controller is provided, responsive to an output signal from the microprocessor. The message controller stores at least one pre-recorded message consisting of at least one of individual tones, patterns of tones, and a voice message. The microprocessor compares telephone numbers entered into the keypad against the pre-defined telephone numbers. The message controller, responsive to the microprocessor, audibly reproduces the at least one pre-recorded message when the comparison performed by the microprocessor determines that the input telephone number matches the pre-defined telephone number.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to toy telephones for use by children. Such toys are well known in the art and many examples may be found in toy stores. Most models include a base and a removable handset connected to the base by a cord or segment of rope. A number of buttons are generally located on the face of the telephone and a child playing with the telephone may press the various buttons while pretending to use the telephone. The base may also include a cradle for receiving the handset when the phone is not in use, mimicking an actual telephone when the receiver is “on the hook”. The cradle may further include a switch which is actuated when the handset is placed in or removed from the cradle. 
     In some cases, a toy telephone will produce sounds such as individual musical notes, simple melodies, or even animal sounds, in response to a child pressing the various buttons on the telephone. Furthermore, the switch in the cradle may disable the buttons and sounds when the handset is placed in the cradle, or the cradle switch may cause alternate noises to be sounded when the child presses the buttons with the handset in the cradle. Brief phrases such as “Hello Let&#39;s Play!” may be repeated when the toy is turned on, or when the handset is removed from the cradle. 
     In general, prior art toy phones are just that, toys. They serve no other purpose than to occupy and entertain a child. There is no close correlation between the manner of playing with the toy telephone and the manner of using a real telephone. Thus, the typical toy telephone according the present state of the art does little to educate a child in how to use a telephone. 
     It is prudent to teach children the rudimentary aspects of using a telephone at an early age not only for educational purposes, but also for safety reasons. News stories abound wherein a child calls 911 in response to a domestic emergency and a family tragedy is averted thanks to the child&#39;s knowledge of how to call for emergency assistance. It is also important for children to learn their own telephone number, or that of a relative, at as early an age as possible so that parents or relatives can be contacted in case a problem occurs while the child is away from the home. Unfortunately, toy telephones according to the present state of the toy telephone art do not address these concerns. 
     Because play serves an important role in child development and learning, a toy telephone represents the ideal platform for educating children how to use a telephone. It would be desirable to introduce through a toy telephone fundamental telephone skills such as dialing 911 or a child&#39;s home telephone number, as well as to familiarize a child with other telephone concepts such as dial tone, the busy signal, and a ringing telephone. To achieve these early educational goals, a toy telephone that mimics the operation of a real telephone is required. Such an educational telephone should include a standard numbered keypad similar to that found on most phones and should operate on similar principles. For example, the keypad should be functional only when the handset is removed from the cradle and the phone should be responsive when proper emergency numbers and/or a child&#39;s home telephone number is entered. An appropriate positive response from the telephone when these various important numbers are correctly entered into the keypad will help to ingrain these numbers in the child&#39;s memory and will enhance the child&#39;s enjoyment of the toy. Further, if the numbers entered into the keypad are displayed as they are entered, a child will learn to associate the pressing of a particular button with a certain positive result. As the child&#39;s skill in using a telephone increases, the child will soon associate entire strings of numbers entered into the keypad as complete telephone numbers viewed on the display. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the background given above, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a toy telephone adapted to teach children the rudimentary aspects of using a telephone. 
     Another other object of the invention is to provide an educational toy telephone, which teaches a child to dial 911 in the event of an emergency. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an educational toy telephone which teaches a child how to reach an operator. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide an educational toy telephone which facilitates teaching a child his or her own home telephone number. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toy telephone which teaches basic aspects of telephone usage in an engaging and entertaining manner so as to hold the attention of an easily distracted child. 
     All of these objects, as well as others which will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, are met by the teaching telephone disclosed herein. 
     The teaching telephone of the present invention includes a base unit and a removable handset. The base unit includes a cradle for receiving the handset. A switch located within the cradle provides indication whether the handset has or has not been removed from the base. The base further includes a numeric keypad similar to that found on most standard telephones. The keypad includes a plurality of pushbutton switches including buttons designated 0 through 9 as well as symbols “#” and “*”. Additional buttons located on the face of the toy telephone base include two “Speed Dial” buttons, a program button, a record button, and a power on/off button. A liquid crystal display is also located on the base of the toy telephone along with a speaker and a microphone. 
     The pushbuttons on the face of the toy telephone and the cradle switch are all connected as inputs to a microprocessor located on a printed circuit board mounted within the base. In addition to receiving the pushbutton inputs, the microprocessor drives the liquid crystal display and interfaces with other components, which record, store, and play back audio messages. In the preferred embodiment of the invention these additional components comprise a message recorder and a separate message controller. 
     The microprocessor receives input data in the form of both sequential and contemporaneous pushbutton entries manually entered on the keypad and other buttons located on the faceplate. In response to this input data, the microprocessor generates output signals which control the display and the meaasge controller. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor controls the message recorder indirectly through the message controller, however, alternate embodiments are possible wherein the microprocessor controls the message recorder directly, or indirectly through a circuit component other than the message controller. 
     The control signals generated by the microprocessor in response to various input sequences initiate various operating functions of the toy telephone. Among the functions performed by the teaching telephone of the preferred embodiment are the recording of a personalized message, and the programming of a user&#39;s telephone number. These functions allow a parent or supervisory adult to program a child&#39;s home telephone number into the toy telephone and record a greeting or congratulatory message to be played back when the child correctly enters the programmed number. Thus, the toy telephone will help a child learn the programmed telephone number by providing positive reinforcement whenever the correct number is entered into the keypad. Thus, when a child dials her home telephone number to talk to her mother or father, the teaching telephone can be configured to answer in the voice of the child&#39;s mother or father voice, thereby providing strong positive reinforcement that the child is using the telephone correctly. Later the telephone can be re-configured to teach other telephone numbers such as the child&#39;s grandmother&#39;s telephone number. Again, if the child correctly enters Grandmother&#39;s telephone number, and the telephone responds in Grandmother&#39;s voice, a strong association will be formed in the child&#39;s mind between Grandmother&#39;s telephone number and speaking with Grandmother over the telephone. 
     As an additional reinforcing tool, the numbers entered into the keypad are displayed on the liquid crystal display as they are entered. Thus, the child can visualize the proper sequence of digits as they are entered into the toy telephone. A compartment is also provided wherein important numbers may be written and stored. Thus, a child may compare the numbers displayed on the telephone against those written and stored in the compartment to ensure that numbers are entered correctly. 
     Additional functions, messages, and meaningful input pushbutton sequences may be pre-programmed permanently into the teaching telephone. For example, a teaching toy telephone may be provided wherein pressing the “0” button will cause a pre-recorded operator message to be played, or wherein entering “911” may elicit an appropriate emergency response in order to teach a child how to call for emergency assistance. Any number of alternate input combinations or messages may also be provided, such as emergency assistance number employed in foreign countries. 
     Other, more entertaining functions, may also be provided to help maintain a child&#39;s interest in the toy telephone. For example, various messages or tones or combinations thereof may be played in response the pressing the “*” and “#” buttons. Also, the telephone can be configured such that the “Speed Dial” buttons will cause random pre-recorded fun messages to be played indicating to a child that the telephone may be used to contact many different locations, such as friends, the library and so forth. Thus, the toy telephone of the present invention facilitates a child&#39;s memorization of important telephone numbers while helping to teach the child important skills as to the operation and use of a telephone in a fun and engaging manner. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a teaching toy telephone according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the teaching toy telephone of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a simplified electrical schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the teaching toy telephone of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1 a teaching toy telephone according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown at  100 . The toy telephone includes a removable handset  102  and a base  20   104 . The base includes a cradle  106  formed of an upper recessed area  108  and a lower recessed area  110 . Upper and lower recessed areas  108 ,  110  are positioned to receive mating portions of the handset  102  when it is placed in the cradle  106  and when toy telephone  100  is not in use. A cradle switch  112  (see FIG. 3) includes an actuator  113 , which protrudes into upper recessed area  108 . Handset  102  engages actuator  113  when the handset is placed in cradle  106  such that switch  112  provides indication whether handset  102  has been placed in cradle  106 . 
     Base  104  further includes a speaker  114 , a microphone  116 , an LED  117 , a liquid crystal display (LCD)  118 , a paper compartment  115  to store important telephone numbers in writing, and a plurality of input buttons. Input buttons include Speed Dial buttons  120 ,  122 , On/Off button  124 , Program button  126 , Record button  128 , and a standard twelve button telephone keypad  130 . Keypad  130  comprises discrete input buttons representing digits 1-9, “0”, “*”, and “#” identified by reference numbers  132 - 154  respectively. 
     In operation telephone  100  is turned on and off by alternately pressing the On/Off button  124 . When telephone  100  is turned on LED  117  is illuminated. If the telephone is left idle for more than ten seconds, meaning that none of the input pushbuttons change state during such ten second period, the telephone will automatically turn itself off, removing power to the telephone&#39;s electronic circuitry, and extinguishing LED  117 . 
     When telephone  100  is turned on and handset  102  is removed from cradle  106 , a dial tone is played over speaker  114 . Again, if the telephone is left idle for more than ten seconds, the telephone will automatically shut itself off. 
     The remaining functions of toy telephone  100  all must occur with handset  102  removed from cradle  106 , just as the handset of an actual telephone must be removed from its cradle prior to placing a call. 
     When Speed Dial A button  120  is pressed while the dial tone is sounding, a seven tone pattern mimicking the touch-tone pattern of a real telephone is played over speaker  114 . The seven tone pattern is followed by two ringing tones, followed by a message randomly selected from a first group of three pre-recorded speed dial messages. 
     When Speed Dial B button  122  is pressed while the dial tone is sounding, a seven tone pattern is sounded, followed by two ringing tones, followed by a message randomly selected from a second group of three pre-recorded speed dial messages. 
     When the “0” button  150  is pressed while the dial tone is sounding, the number “0” will be displayed on display  118 . If no other button is pressed within three seconds following the pressing of the “0” button  150 , two ringing tones will sound, followed by a pre-recorded operator message. 
     When the “*” button  152  is pressed while the dial tone is sounding, two ringing tones will sound over speaker  114 . 
     When the “#”  154  button is pressed while the dial tone is sounding, a telephone number programmed into the telephone by a parent or other supervising adult will be displayed on display  118 . (The procedure for programming a telephone number is described below). Simultaneously, a busy signal will be sounded over the speaker  114 . 
     Finally, telephone numbers may be entered by sequentially pressing the buttons  132 - 150  corresponding to each digit of the telephone number being entered. As each button is pressed a key tone sounds over speaker  114  and the depressed digits comprising the telephone number are displayed on display  118 . If an incorrect number is entered, the handset  102  may be replaced in cradle  106  or the cradle switch actuator  113  may be manipulated manually to clear display  118  and reset the telephone. When handset  102  is again removed from cradle  106  or the cradle switch actuator released, the dial tone sounds again, and another number may be entered. When the number “911” is entered, an emergency message is played. When a programmed telephone number is entered, a pre-recorded personalized greeting or congratulatory message recorded by a parent or supervising adult is played over speaker  114 . (The procedure for recording the personalized message is described below.) 
     As noted above, an adult may program a child&#39;s home telephone number, or some other telephone number having significance to the child, into the telephone. The program mode is entered by pressing and holding down the program button  126  concurrently with pressing and releasing the “#” button  154 . Once in program mode, the adult user may enter a series of digits by pressing the appropriate numbered buttons  132 - 150  corresponding to the telephone number to be programmed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the programmed number may not exceed eleven digits. Upon entering the entire number, the program button may be released, whereupon the telephone exits the program mode. Once entered, the programmed number may be verified by pressing the “#” button  154 , causing the programmed number to be displayed on display  118 . If an error entering the number has occurred, the error may be corrected by re-programming the number. 
     For recording a personalized message to be played when the programmed number is correctly entered into keypad  130 , both the Program button  126  and the Record button  128  must be pressed and held down simultaneously. After a three second pause, a tone is sounded over speaker  114  and recording begins. Upon hearing the tone, the user recording the message may begin speaking into microphone  116 . The recorded message may be up to twelve seconds long. However, recording will stop as soon as either the record button  128  or the program button  126  is released so that the recorded message may be less than twelve seconds long. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the teaching toy telephone of the present invention is shown at 160. Functionally, the telephone comprises a plurality of inputs  162 , a central processing unit (CPU)  164 , display  118 , a message controller  168 , a message recorder  170 , speaker  114 , and microphone  116 . 
     Inputs  162  comprise the pushbutton switches  120 - 154  located on the face of telephone  104  and described in reference to FIG. 1, as well as switch  112  actuated by cradle switch actuator  113 . Inputs  162  are operatively connected to CPU  164  as indicated by connection  176 . 
     The CPU  164  drives display  118  and message controller  168  in response to input data received from inputs  162 . The operative connections between CPU  164 , display  118  and message controller  168  are shown as connections  178  and  180  respectively. CPU  164  also acts to record and store the user programmed telephone number. In the preferred embodiment, CPU  164  does not control message recorder  170  directly, but rather CPU  164  controls message recorder  170  indirectly through message controller  168  as evidenced by connections  180  and  182 . However, those skilled in the art will recognize that CPU  164  may be readily configured to control message recorder  170  directly as shown by alternate dashed connection  187 . Further, it is also possible that the functions performed by the message controller and message recorder may be combined into a single component with which CPU  164  interfaces directly, or these functions may be included within CPU  164  itself. 
     The interaction between CPU  164  and display  118  is such that as numbers are entered on the push button keypad  130  located on the face of the toy telephone (see FIG.  1 ), the corresponding numbers are displayed on display  118 . 
     Message controller  168  stores pre-recorded messages, and on command from CPU  164 , plays select messages back over speaker  114 . The messages stored by message controller  168  may comprise any combination of tones, patterns of tones, or voice messages. For example a message may comprise a single tone such as a busy signal, a series of tones such as a number of telephone rings, or a combination such as a random pattern of tones representing different keys being pressed on keypad  130  (see FIG. 1) followed by a series of rings, followed by a voice message. In operation, CPU  164  determines which message, if any, is to be played back by message controller  168  and sends the appropriate signal to the message controller commanding message controller  168  to reproduce the selected message. Upon receiving the signal from CPU  164 , message controller  168  sends an audio signal over connection  184 , which is broadcast by speaker  114 . 
     In addition to storing and playing back pre-recorded messages, message controller  168  also controls message recorder  170 . Again, in response to a control signal from CPU  164 , message controller  168  commands message recorder to either record a new message, play back a saved message, or erase the message presently stored in the message recorder. The commands to message recorder  170  are shown as connection  182 . When recording a new message, message recorder  170  receives a signal from microphone  116  via connection  186 , and stores the signal in its own internal memory. When playing back the message, message recorder  170  retrieves the signal and outputs the signal to speaker  114  over connection  184 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a toy telephone implementing the functional block diagram of FIG. 2 is shown at  200 . Like components previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 have been given identical reference numbers in FIG.  3 . Therefore, inputs  162  include on/off button  124 , cradle switch  112 , record button  128 , program button  126 , Speed Dial buttons A and B  120 ,  122 , and keypad buttons  132 - 154 . In the preferred embodiment CPU  164  comprises a microprocessor manufactured by Sonix Corp. part no. SN69040M. As shown, inputs  162  are multiplexed onto four discrete inputs P20, P21, P22, and P23 of CPU  164 . CPU outputs (insert S1-S32 and C1-C4) drive LCD display  118 , and outputs P 4/0, P 4/1, P 4/2, and P 4/3 comprise the CPU  164  output signal  188  driving message controller  168 . Output signal  188  comprises a parallel four bit signal input to message controller  168 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, message controller  168  comprises a sound synthesis chip manufactured by Sonix Corp. part no. SN67060. Message controller  168  includes an integral memory in which a plurality of digitally coded messages may be stored. In the toy telephone of the present invention, the messages stored in message controller  168  include a dial tone, an alarm tone, a ringing telephone tone, a busy signal, a touch tone button sound, six pre-recorded speed dial messages, an operator message and an emergency message. These messages may be recorded and permanently stored in message controller  168  at the manufacturing facility prior to shipping the final product. Message controller  168  further includes an internal digital/analog (“DIA”) converter coupled to analog output VO, which in turn is coupled to speaker  114 . 
     The individual messages stored in message controller  168  are selected for playback by CPU output signal  188 . Signal  188  comprises a four-bit word input to message controller  168 . Thus, CPU  164  can send up to sixteen commands to voice controller  168 . Message controller  168  is configured such that each of the sixteen commands, received via signal  188 , will initiate a different function within the message controller. For example, message controller  168  may be configured such that signal  188  transmitting the binary combination 0001 may trigger the message controller to play back a dial tone. Similarly, the message controller may be configured such that the combination 0101 will trigger message controller  168  to playback one of the pre-recorded speed dial messages, and so forth. The preceding examples should be viewed as examples only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. The message controller may be configured such that any input combination from signal  188  may trigger any desired response. However, each pre-recorded message stored in message controller  168  will have a unique CPU output command associated therewith such that each message will be played back over analog output VO to speaker  114  in response to the proper command from CPU  164 . 
     In addition to playing back pre-recorded messages, message controller  168  also controls message recorder  170 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, voice recorder  170  comprises a single integrated speech recorder manufactured by Utron Technology, Inc., part no. UT53108. Message recorder  170  includes an internal microphone amplifier, D/A converter and static SRAM. Message recorder  170  is provided to record and play back the personalized message which is to be sounded when a child playing with toy telephone  100  correctly enters the programmed telephone number. Inputs and outputs to message recorder  170  include an analog microphone input, an analog audio output, and binary inputs Record, Play, and Erase. 
     Message controller  168  controls message recorder  170  via the three binary inputs Record, Play, and Erase. As would be expected, when the message controller sets the Record input high, voice recorder  170  records the analog signal supplied by microphone  116 . As the user enunciates the personalized message, an AID converter converts the analog microphone voice signal to a digital signal which is stored in the message recorder&#39;s SRAM memory. Similarly, when message controller  168  sets the Play signal high, the digital message stored in the message recorder&#39;s SRAM memory is converted back to an analog signal and output via the voice recorder&#39;s analog output AUD for broadcast over speaker  114 . 
     Both message controller  168  and voice recorder  170  output audio signals are connected to speaker  114 . Therefore, diodes  190 ,  192  are placed in the analog output circuits of both message controller  168  and voice recorder  170  in order to prevent each output circuit from reverse feeding the other. A 5K volume control potentiometer  194  is provided in the speaker output circuit, as is output amplifier  196 . 
     Other miscellaneous circuit features shown in FIG. 3 include a 4.5v battery power source  198  and various biasing resistors and filtering capacitors associated with voice recorder  170  and microphone  114 . Power-on indicating LED  117  is connected between the positive supply voltage Vcc and pin P3.3 of message controller  168 . Thus, LED  117  draws current and is illuminated when Vcc is present and message controller  168  is powered up. The electronic components and circuitry shown in FIG. 3 are mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) housed within the base  104  of toy telephone  100 . 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the present invention may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set out in more particular detail in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be limiting of the invention as described in such appended claims.