Patent Publication Number: US-2021170265-A1

Title: Electronic toy

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/946,008, filed Dec. 10, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied on. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child). 
     BACKGROUND 
     Young children often accompany their parents to restaurants, on periods of travel such as car rides and airplane travel, and to family functions. These young children need to be entertained and properly stimulated, but most traditional toys are not suited for easy transportation to these on-the-go settings. Often, coloring and paper-based activity games are the only options available. 
     The digital age has brought the rise of the use of tablets to “babysit” young children. Despite the widespread use of the “iPad Babysitter,” research has suggested that prolonged passive media exposure at a young age is detrimental to early-stage development. 
     While apps claim to be educational and beneficial for child development, interactions through a tablet do not provide the same level of motor skill development as the manipulation of physical toys. The rise in screen time has also created children that do not want to put down the tablet or engage in other forms of stimulation, which creates additional problems for parents. 
     There remains a need for educational toys that provide feedback to young users. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child). 
     In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic toy comprising: a placement zone ( 100 ) configured to receive at least a first object ( 600   a ) and a second object ( 600   b ); a first indicator ( 200   a ) configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object; a second indicator ( 200   b ) configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and a feedback indicator ( 300 ) configured to indicate a result from associating the first object and the second object with the placement zone. 
     In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic toy comprising: a first placement zone ( 100   a ) configured to receive at least a first object ( 600   a ), the first placement zone ( 100   a ) comprising: a first object detector ( 110   a ) configured to detect the presence of the first object ( 600   a ), and a first code reader ( 120   a ) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the first object ( 600   a ); a second placement zone ( 100   b ) configured to receive at least a second object ( 600   b ), the second placement zone ( 100   b ) comprising: a second object detector ( 110   b ) configured to detect the presence of the second object ( 600   b ), and a second code reader ( 120   b ) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the second object ( 600   b ); a controller ( 130 ) operatively connected to the first object detector, the first code reader, the second object detector, and the second code reader, and configured to: identify the first object ( 100   a ) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the first object, and identify the second object ( 100   b ) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the second object; a first indicator ( 200   a ) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object; a second indicator ( 200   b ) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and a feedback indicator ( 300 ) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a result based at least on the identity of the first object and the identity of the second object. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an electronic toy consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the electronic toy of  FIG. 1  while in use. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the electronic toy of  FIG. 1  while in use. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a placement subzone of an electronic toy consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While specific embodiments are illustrated in the figures, with the understanding that the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention described and illustrated herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, the present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child). 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-4 , an electronic toy  10  consistent with the present disclosure generally comprises a placement zone  100 , a first indicator  200   a,  a second indicator  200   b,  and a feedback indicator  300 . 
     The placement zone  100  includes a plurality of placement subzones  100   a , 100   b , etc. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , for example, the placement zone  100  is a rectangular surface, and each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b  represents a portion of the rectangular surface. In some embodiments, the placement zone  100  includes at least 2 placement subzones, for example 2 placement subzones, 3 placement subzones, 4 placement subzones, 5 placement subzones, 6 placement subzones, 7 placement subzones, 8 placement subzones, 9 placement subzones, 10 placement subzones, or more than 10 placement subzones. 
     In some embodiments, an object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is associated with each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. and is in operable communication with the first indicator  200   a.  Each object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is configured to detect the presence of an object  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. In some embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is configured to detect the presence of an object  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc., but is not configured to identify which of a plurality of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. is placed in each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In some embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is a photodiode configured to detect the presence of an object  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on a decrease in current in an associated circuit when the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. reduces the amount of light (e.g., ambient light) reaching the optical lens of the photodiode. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. are preferably opaque, substantially opaque, or prevent transmission of light through the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. sufficient to reduce the amount of light reaching the photodiode to decrease the current below a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of an object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In other embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is an infrared avoidance sensor comprising an infrared transceiver and configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on the object&#39;s proximity to the infrared transceiver (e.g., as a function of at least the level of reflected infrared light observed by the infrared transceiver). In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. are preferably IR-reflective, substantially IR-reflective, or reflect infrared light sufficient to redirect infrared light towards the infrared transceiver above a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of an object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In other embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is a metal touch sensor comprising a high-frequency transistor and configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on a change in electrical charge when the object contacts the object detector. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. are preferably conductive, substantially conductive, or conduct current sufficient to close a circuit between the metal touch sensor and the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. to indicate the presence of the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In other embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is a magnetic sensor, such as a magnetoresistive sensor, configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on a change in external magnetic field in close proximity to the magnetic sensor. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. are preferably magnetic, substantially magnetic, or modify a magnetic field surrounding the magnetoresistive sensor beyond a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In other embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is a pressure sensor configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on a change (e.g., an increase or a decrease) in mass (or weight) of the object(s) already placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc., if any. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. preferably have a mass sufficient to trigger a change in the electrical properties of the pressure sensor beyond a threshold change level associated with the presence of the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In some embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is a phototransistor configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on a change in the level of light entering the lens portion of the phototransistor when the object is placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. are preferably opaque, substantially opaque, or prevent transmission of light through the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. sufficient to reduce the amount of light reaching the phototransistor below a predetermined threshold level of light associated with the presence of an object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In some embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. is an RFID reader, such as a passive RFID-enabled proximity sensor, configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. based at least in part on a change in the radio field (e.g., in the UHF frequency&#39;s transmission coefficient) when the object is placed in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. need not be radio frequency tags, but are preferably radio-opaque, substantially radio-opaque, or modify a radio field near the RFID reader beyond a predetermined threshold change level associated with the presence of the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the associated placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. 
     In some embodiments, the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc. comprises any two or more of: a photodiode, an infrared avoidance sensor, a metal touch sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, a phototransistor, and an RFID reader. In such embodiments, the use of multiple object detector types reduces potential misidentification events by the object detector  110   a , 110   b , etc., and improves performance of the device  10  over a wider range of environments (e.g., low and high ambient light, low and high ambient radio field, low and high magnetic field, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, a code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is associated with each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b,  etc. The code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is configured to identify which of a plurality of objects is placed in each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. For example, a first code reader  120   a  is associated with the first placement subzone  100   a  and is configured to identify the first object  600   a  placed within the first placement subzone  100   a.    
     In some embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is an RFID receiver and is configured to receive an RFID signal associated with the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the placement zone  100 . In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. preferably include an RFID tag for transmitting a unique RFID signal to the controller  130  via the RFID receiver. 
     In other embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is a code scanner (e.g., an image capture device or a laser) configured to detect a visible code associated with the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the placement zone  100 . In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. preferably include a bar code or a QR code or similar optically scannable code that encodes a unique identifier associated with each object  600   a , 600   b , etc. 
     In other embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is a Bluetooth receiver configured to receive a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal. In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. preferably include a BLE signal generator configured to transmit a BLE signal that includes information corresponding to a unique identifier associated with the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. 
     In still other embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is a near field communication (NFC) device configured to generate a radiofrequency field (e.g., at 13.56 MHz). In such embodiments, the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. preferably include an NFC tag (e.g., an NFC Forum Tag) configured to modulate the RF field load generated by the NFC device. 
     In other embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is an infrared radiation generator and sensor. In still other embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. is a low-power sub-1 GHz transceiver (e.g., CC1101 by Texas Instruments). 
     In some embodiments, the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. comprises any two or more of: an RFID receiver, a code scanner, a Bluetooth receiver, an NFC device, and an infrared generator and sensor. In such embodiments, the use of multiple code reader types reduces potential misidentification events by the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. 
     In some embodiments, the function of detecting the presence of the object  600   a , 600   b , etc. and identifying the specific object  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in a placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. is performed by a single sensor in each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. For example, in some embodiments, a code scanner such as an image capture device or a laser may serve as both an object detector  110   a  and a code reader  120   a  in a first placement subzone  100   a.  In some such embodiments, the controller  130  includes instructions configured to cause the combination object detector  110   a /code reader  120   a  to periodically (e.g., 10 times per second, 9 times per second, 8 times per second, 7 times per second, 6 times per second, 5 times per second, 4 times per second, 3 times per second, twice per second, once per second, once every two seconds, etc.) emit a signal to read an optically scannable code. If no optically scannable code is observed by the combination object detector  110   a /code reader  120   a,  then the controller may cause the first indicator  200   a  to not illuminate. If an optically scannable code is observed by the combination object detector  110   a /code reader  120   a,  then the controller  130  may cause the first indicator  200   a  to illuminate indicating the presence of an object  600   a  placed within the first placement subzone  100   a.  If the scanned code corresponds to a correct object placed in the first placement subzone  100   a  (e.g., an object  600   a  that “matches” a second object  600   b  placed in the second placement subzone  100   b ), the controller  130  may cause the feedback indicator  300  to illuminate to indicate a correct match. 
     The first indicator  200   a  is configured to provide the user information when a first object  600   a  is placed in the first placement subzone  100   a.  The first indicator  200   a  is in electronic communication with the object detector  110   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a , and/or with the code reader  120   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a,  for example via a controller  130 , which may in turn be in electronic communication with a memory (not shown) configured to store instructions to interpret changes in input signals received from the object reader  110   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a,  and input signals received from the code reader  120   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a.  In some embodiments, the first indicator  200   a  is one or more LED lights (e.g., one, two, or three RGB LED lights) that display a predetermined color of light depending on which first object  600   a  is placed in the first placement subzone  100   a  (i.e., depending on the input signal received from the code reader  120   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a ). 
     The second indicator  200   b  is configured to provide the user information when a second object  600   b  is placed in the second placement subzone  100   b.  The second indicator  200   b  is in electronic communication with the object detector  110   b  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a,  and/or with the code reader  120   b  associated with the second placement subzone  100   b,  for example via a controller  130 , which may in turn be in electronic communication with a memory (not shown) configured to store instructions to interpret changes in input signals received from the object detector  110   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a,  and input signals received from the code reader  120   a  associated with the first placement subzone  100   a.  In some embodiments, the second indicator  200   b  is one or more LED lights (e.g., one, two, or three RGB LED lights) that display a predetermined color of light depending on which second object  600   b  is placed in the second placement subzone  100   b  (i.e., depending on the input signal received from the code reader  120   b  associated with the second placement subzone  100   b ). 
     The controller  130  is in electronic communication with the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. associated with each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc., with the indicator  200   a , 200   b , etc. associated with each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc., with the feedback indicator  300 , and with the memory. In some embodiments, the controller  130  is a microprocessor. 
     The memory (not shown) may store a color indicator value associated with each potential scannable code associated with the objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. When the first object  600   a  is placed in the first placement subzone  100   a,  the code reader  120   a  associated with the first placement zone  100   a  detects the scannable code associated with the first object  600   a.  The controller  130  then causes the first indicator  200   a  to indicate feedback to the user by producing the color of light through the first indicator  200   a  correlating to the color indicator value stored in the memory associated with the scannable code of the first object  600   a.  When the second object  600   b  is placed in the second placement subzone  100   b,  the code reader  120   b  associated with the second placement zone  100   b  detects the scannable code associated with the second object  600   b.  The controller  130  then causes the second indicator  200   b  to indicate feedback to the user by producing the color of light in the second indicator  200   b  correlating to the color indicator value stored in the memory associated with the scannable code of the second object  600   b.    
     In some embodiments, the controller  130  and the memory are contained within a single microcontroller or microprocessor. in some embodiments, the microcontroller is an Arduino type processor. 
     The feedback indicator  300  provides feedback to the user based on the combination of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the placement zone  100 . The feedback indicator  300  is in electronic communication with the controller  130 . The memory may store a feedback indicator value associated with any given permutation or combination of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. For example, in embodiments where the relative orientation of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. to each other within the placement zone  100  matters, the memory may store a feedback indicator of “FALSE” for all combinations of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. except for the specific combination of a first object  600   a  placed in the first placement subzone  100   a,  the second object  600   b  placed in the second placement subzone  100   b,  etc., that provides a correct or true combination, which may be stored in the memory with a feedback indicator value of “TRUE.” When the correct combination or permutation of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. is placed in the placement zone  100 , the controller causes the feedback indicator  300  to provide “TRUE” feedback (e.g., a green light or an audible signal) to the user based on the “TRUE” feedback indicator value stored in the memory corresponding to the combination of permutation of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. placed in the placement zone  100  by the user. 
     In some embodiments, the feedback indicator  300  comprises one or more LED lights (e.g., one or more RGB LED lights). 
     The device  10  may further include a power supply (not shown), such as a battery or an AC/DC converter for providing power to the device  10  (e.g., to the controller  130 ). 
     Each object  600   a , 600   b , etc. includes a scannable code configured to be scanned by the code reader  120   a , 120   b , etc. associated with each placement subzone  100   a , 100   b , etc. In some embodiments, the scannable code is an RFID signal. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a bar code. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a QR code. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a near field communication signal. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic toy  10  includes a housing  500  that contains the placement zone  100 , the first indicator  200   a,  the second indicator  200   b,  and the feedback indicator  300 . In some embodiments, the housing  500  comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a tabletop, such as a dining tabletop. In other embodiments, the housing  500  comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a rectangular prismatic container. 
     In use, the electronic toy  10  provides three kinds of feedback to the user. First, it reacts to the presence of a first object  600   a,  such as a puzzle piece, by displaying an indicator via first indicator  200   a  based on which piece was placed on the placement zone  100  and in which position (e.g.,  100   a  or  100   b ) it was placed. When a combination object is properly assembled by placing all of its component objects in the correct position within the placement zone  100 , the feedback indicator  300  indicates to the user that the combination object (e.g., puzzle) is properly assembled. When a piece is removed from the device, the piece indicators and feedback indicator  300  cease to provide information to the user (e.g., the LED lamps are turned off) to indicate that no object is present and that the combination object (e.g., puzzle) is not properly completed. 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 2 , a successfully completed combination object (a puzzle) is shown consisting of a first puzzle piece  600   a  placed in the placement zone  100 , and a second puzzle piece  600   b  placed in the placement zone  100  to the right of the first puzzle piece  600   a.  The first puzzle piece  600   a  includes a RFID chip that generates an RFID signal received by the code reader associated with the first placement subzone. Based on the received RFID signal, the controller causes the first indicator  200   a  to produce a green illumination color via RGB LED lights. The second puzzle piece  600   b  includes a RFID chip that generates an RFID signal received by the code reader associated with the second placement subzone. Based on the received RFID signal, the controller causes the second indicator  200   b  to produce a green illumination color via RGB LED lights. Because the combination object includes a correct combination of a first object  600   a  and a second object  600   b,  the controller also causes the feedback indicator  300  to provide feedback to the user that the combination object has been properly constructed, in this example by producing a green light via RGB LED lights. 
     In contrast, the combination object produced by the user in  FIG. 3  includes an incorrect combination of a first object  600   a  and a second object  600   b.  Based on the received RFID signal from the first object  600   a,  the controller causes the first indicator  200   a  to produce a green light via RGB LED lights, and the second indicator  200   b  to produce a purple light via RGB LED lights. Because the first object  600   a  and the second object  600   b  do not complete a correct combination object, the controller does not cause the feedback indicator  300  to produce a positive (“TRUE”) feedback signal. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1. RFID Readers as Code Scanners  120   a , 120   b , Etc. 
     A device  10  consistent with the present disclosure and including RFID readers as the only code scanners readers  120   a , 120   b , etc. was constructed. Identification of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the placement subzones  100   a , 100   b , etc. was observed at about a 50% accuracy level. 
     Example 2. Phototransistors as Object Detectors  110   a , 110   b , Etc. 
     A device  10  consistent with the present disclosure and including phototransistors as the only object detectors  110   a , 110   b , etc. was constructed. Detection of the presence of objects  600   a , 600   b , etc. in the placement subzones  100   a , 100   b , etc. was observed at a very low level. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that light emitted by the indicators  200   a , 200   b , etc. and by ambient light transmitted through the translucent lid of the housing  500  impaired the sensitivity of the phototransistors beyond reliable levels. 
     Example 3. Combination of Photoresistors and RFID Readers 
     A device  10  consistent with the present disclosure and including low-voltage RFID readers (ID-12LA, ID-innovations, Canning vale, W.A., Australia) as the code readers  120   a , 120   b , etc., and 3 mm CdS photoresistors (Part No. KLS6-3537, Ningbo KLS Electronic Co., Ningbo Zhejiang, China) as the object detectors  110   a , 110   b , etc. was constructed. RGB LED lamps were used as the indicators  200   a , 200   b , etc. and the feedback indicator  300 . The controller  130  (Arduino) was configured to (1) receive input signals from the RFID readers to identify the cards placed in the placement zones  100   a , 100   b , etc., and (2) illuminate the RGB LED feedback indicator  300  green if the input signals from the RFID readers indicate a correct match, and if the input signals from the photoresistor object detectors  110 , 110   b , etc. indicate that cards are present in the placement subzones  100   a , 100   b , etc. The controller  130  was also configured to receive input signals from the photoresistor object detectors  110   a , 110   b , etc. to turn off the RGB LED feedback indicator  300  when a specific amount of time had passed after the input signals from the RFID code readers  120   a , 120   b , etc. and photoresistor object detectors  110   a , 110   b , etc. indicate a correct match of the cards placed in the placement subzones  100   a , 100   b , etc.