Patent Publication Number: US-6659835-B1

Title: Interactive toy phone

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to toy phones and, more particularly, to an interactive toy phone that interfaces with a conventional telephone or telephone line such that telephonic signals from the conventional telephone or telephone line may be heard through the toy phone handset or even recorded in memory. 
     Children desire to play with toys that replicate actual machinery or appliances used by adults. Various toy telephones have been proposed in the art that include lights and predetermined sounds or audible messages. Other toy telephones include tape-recorder type technology for recording an audible message for playback at a later time. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a direct interface between a toy telephone handset and a conventional telephone base unit or telephone line that enables telephonic signals to be received and emitted by the handset and selectively recorded for future playback. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a toy telephone having a handset that interfaces with a conventional telephone base unit or telephone line for receiving conventional telephonic signals. Further, it would be desirable to have a toy telephone that can selectively record conventional telephonic signals. In addition, it would be desirable to have a toy telephone that includes educational games utilizing messages and other data previously recorded in its memory module. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An interactive toy telephone according to the present invention includes a handset having a microphone, speaker, and CPU positioned therein. A memory module is connected to the CPU and defines message storage locations. The handset includes a keypad with a plurality of keys associated with message storage locations. Upon actuation, a recording module in the handset enables an audio message to be recorded in a memory location selected by a user using the keypad. A plurality of illustrations or pictures may be removably positioned on the keypad, such that the identity of a person associated with particular recorded messages may be readily recalled. Upon another actuation of a key associated with a memory location, a previously recorded message may be played back through the handset speaker. In addition, the handset may be interfaced with a conventional telephone base or telephone line for receiving telephonic signals, such signals being emitted through the handset speaker and being recorded in a keypad selected memory location upon actuation of the recording module. 
     The CPU may be programmed to operate educational games using recorded messages, such as emitting a message randomly selected from the memory module and then congratulating a user if he appropriately identifies the corresponding memory location using the keypad. The CPU may also be programmed to offer a congratulatory message if a user correctly enters a telephone number of the person associated with a selected key. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an interactive toy telephone that interfaces with a conventional telephone base or telephone line, whereby telephonic signals may be received and emitted by the handset. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an interactive toy telephone, as aforesaid, which can record an audible message of a person holding a toy phone handset upon actuation of a recording module and selection of a memory location in which the message is to be stored. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide an interactive toy telephone, as aforesaid, which can record an audible message of a person remote from the handset when the handset is interfaced with a conventional telephone base or line. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide an interactive toy telephone, as aforesaid, in which pictures or illustrations may be removably positioned on a handset keypad for identifying the person associated with a recorded message. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide an interactive toy telephone, as aforesaid, in which the handset includes a tactile construction that is easily gripped by a user. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide an interactive toy telephone, as aforesaid, that selectively emits a message randomly selected from its memory and provides a congratulatory message upon an appropriate response by a user. 
    
    
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interactive toy telephone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy telephone as in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the keypad assembly as in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the major electronic components housed in the toy telephone shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration of a menu control screen displayable on a digital display as in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a “listen” mode operation; 
     FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a “record” mode operation; 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the logic of an “identify person” educational game operation of the toy telephone; 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the logic of an “identify phone number” educational game operation of the toy telephone. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An interactive toy telephone  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9 of the accompanying drawings. The toy telephone  10  includes a handset  12  having a generally rectangular configuration with aesthetically pleasing beveled corners and other curvatures (FIG.  1 ), although any configuration that resembles the handset of a conventional telephone would also be suitable. The handset  12  is preferably constructed of a durable plastic material and includes an external or “over-molding” layer  17  having a thermoplastic construction that is soft, tactile, and easy to grip. Therefore, while the handset  12  is durable, it can be easily manipulated by a child and dampens sound if dropped. 
     The handset  12  includes first  14  and second  16  ends and defines an interior space in which electronic components are situated. More particularly, a central processing unit (“CPU”)  18  is positioned in the interior space of the handset  12  and is electrically connected to a memory module  20  (FIG.  4 ). The memory module  20  defines a plurality of memory locations for the storage of digital messages, whether audio, alphanumeric, graphical, or other forms of digital data. It is understood that each memory location may be capable of storing audible messages greater than 10 seconds in audible length. A speaker  22  is positioned in the interior space of the handset  12  adjacent the first end  14  and is electrically connected to the CPU  18  (FIG.  4 ). It is understood that the CPU  18  may be programmed to include a variety of ring tones for emission through the speaker  22 . Similarly, a microphone  24  is positioned in the interior space of the handset  12  adjacent the second end  16  and is electrically connected to the CPU  18 . In addition, a battery  46  may be positioned in the interior space and connected to the CPU  18  so as to power the electronic components (FIG.  4 ). 
     A keypad  26  having a plurality of manually manipulable keys  28  is positioned on the handset  12  intermediate the first  14  and second  16  ends thereof (FIG.  1 ). The keypad  26  is an assembly including a base layer  30  having a plurality of membrane buttons, each button being connected to the CPU  18  and being associated with a predetermined memory location of the memory module  20 . The keypad  26  further includes a top layer  34  constructed of a semi-flexible transparent material. An intermediate layer  32  may be situated between the top  34  and base  30  layers. The intermediate layer  32  is selectively removable by first removing the top layer  34 . The intermediate layer  32  may include a plurality of user-selected images, illustrations, or drawings. These illustrations aid a user in remembering whose voice is recorded and associated with a particular number on the keypad  26 , as will be described in greater detail later. The keyboard assembly and, more particularly, the intermediate layer  32  may snap securely in place such that it is not easily removable by young children. Additional control buttons  36  are also included on the handset  12  in communication with the CPU  18  for activating various predetermined functions, as described below. A representation of modes is shown in FIG.  5 . 
     The toy telephone  10  includes a telephone jack  38  along with associated conventional telephone circuitry such that the handset  12  may be interfaced with a conventional telephone base unit or a conventional telephone line. In either case, normal telephone communications may occur using the toy telephone  10 . Alternatively, the handset  12  may be connected to a computer network for downloading audio or graphical data into a selected memory location. It is understood that the phone jack  38  may be covered with a door or cover (not shown) when not in use for safety purposes. 
     A recording module  40  is also positioned in the handset  12  and is electrically connected to the keypad  26  and CPU  18 . A user may actuate a key  28  of the keypad  26  associated with a desired memory location so as to activate the recording module  40 , as indicated at block  50  (FIG.  7 ). It is understood that a control key  36  or other predetermined keystroke may be necessary to activate this mode. Then, the recording module  40 , via its communication with the CPU  18 , allows a voice message of a person holding the handset  12  to be written to the selected memory location, as indicated by reference numeral  52  (FIG.  7 ). In this instance, the microphone  24  would provide the user input interface. Or, the recording module  40  causes the message of a remote speaker to be recorded into the selected memory location, the speaker  22  serving as the input interface. 
     Further, a playback module  42  is positioned in the handset  12  for emitting an audio message stored in the memory module  20  through the speaker  22 . More particularly, a predetermined control key  36  or other keystroke may be pressed  58  by a user to activate the playback mode (FIG.  6 ). Then a user may press a key  28  of the keypad  26  that is associated with a person&#39;s voice that has been previously recorded in an associated memory location, as indicated at block  60 . The pictures on the keypad enable a user to select the correct number to hear the voice of a desired person, as indicated at block  62 . As the playback module  42  is electrically connected to the CPU  18  and keypad  26 , the appropriate message is retrieved from the associated memory location and emitted through the speaker  22 , as referenced at block  64 . A phone number associated with the selected message and memory location may also be displayed  66 , the phone number having been previously entered and stored by the recording module  40 . 
     A digital display  44  is mounted to the handset  12  and is electrically connected to the CPU  18  for displaying alphanumeric or graphical digital data. Data for display includes mode selection options, status messages, alerts, or game prompts, as to be described later. The modes represented in FIG. 5 may be displayed by the digital display  44 . For example, graphical data may be displayed upon actuation of the playback module. Such data may be predetermined or recorded by a user through a telephone or computer network interface with the handset  12 . 
     In addition to the functions described above, the CPU  18  is programmed to provide predetermined game modes. The “identify person” game mode may be selected using the control keys  36  and the logic performed in this mode is illustrated in FIG.  8 . In this mode, a stored message is randomly selected  70  by the CPU  18  and played  72  by the playback module  42  through the speaker  22 . While the message is still playing, the CPU  18  checks  74  whether a user depresses a key  28  corresponding to the memory location of the randomly selected message, as shown at block  72 . If so, the CPU  18  will direct an encouraging message to be emitted  76 . Otherwise, a “try again” message is emitted  78 . The CPU also checks a user&#39;s response after the message has completely played  80 . If the user presses the correct key when the message has finished, a commendatory response is emitted  82 . Otherwise, the CPU  18  will cause a message to be emitted which identifies the correct message number  84 . 
     The “identify phone number” game is illustrated in FIG.  9  and may also be activated using the control keys  36 . In this game, the telephone number of each person who has recorded an audible message is also stored in memory. Presumably, the telephone number was entered at the time of recording the audible message. In this mode, the user selects a person shown on the keypad  26  by pressing a corresponding numeric key  28 , as indicated at blocks  90  and  92  (FIG.  9 ). In a simple version of the game, the CPU  18  prompts the user with a next digit  94  in the phone number, either audibly or visually on the digital display. The user may press the indicated number  96  and, if the correct digit is pressed  98 , the next digit is displayed, and so on. When all digits of the phone number have been correctly pressed, a congratulatory message is emitted  100 . In a more advanced version of the same game, the user must enter the entire telephone number without prompting  102 . If correct  104 , a congratulatory message is emitted  106 . 
     The CPU  18  may also be programmed to perform other modes. Specifically, a “special record mode” (not shown) would allow a user (child) to record his own message to share with an adult at a later time. For example, a child may record “Grandma, I just won the game. I wish you were here!” Of course, this user-recorded message may be in response to a previously stored message. This mode would be activated using the control keys  36  and would involve actuation of the recording module  40  as described previously. Further, the CPU  18  may include an “automatic mode” (FIG. 5) in which a time may be associated with a stored message such that the playback module  42  will be automatically activated at that time to ring the handset  12  and playback the stored message. This mode is desirable, for instance, for a traveling parent to deliver a “goodnight” message to a child. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.