US20060228984A1

US20060228984A1 - Toy for oral narration

Info

Publication number: US20060228984A1
Application number: US11/367,531
Authority: US
Inventors: Jong Chung
Original assignee: Woorian Corp KR
Current assignee: Woorian Corp KR
Priority date: 2005-04-06
Filing date: 2006-03-03
Publication date: 2006-10-12
Also published as: KR100541423B1

Abstract

A toy for oral narration. An information signal outputted from an audio device is relayed by a transceiver and remotely output as sound information. Functionality is enhanced by providing various real-time output information. An intensity inducing function is enhanced by generating a wavelength tuned to a child's brain wave. Practicality is enhanced due to a vermin extermination function. The present invention includes a toy body forming a unit module, the toy body including a receiving means for demodulating a received audio signal into an original signal to amplify, an audio output unit outputting the audio signal received by the receiving means into a sound signal, and a frequency generator generating a prescribed frequency and a transmitter modularized to configure a set with the toy body, the transmitter modulating an audio signal received from an audio output device into a prescribed frequency band to transmit to the receiving means.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0028579, filed: 6 Apr. 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a children's toy, and more particularly, to a toy for oral narration. The present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, and specifically suitable for controlling via a remote control method sound information outputted from an audio device such as an orally narrated fairy tale and a children's song.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, an oral narration toy has a typical body shape resembling a doll and a mascot with a built-in memory and speaker in a toy body. Information data of an orally narrated fairy tale and a children's song is inputted to the memory. An audio signal of the information data outputted from the memory is converted to sound information of an orally narrated fairy tale and a children's song and is then outputted via the speaker. Hence, children feel intimate with the toy that orally narrates a fairy tale or sings a children's song.
However, since an orally narrating toy according to a related art lacks a memory capacity due to limited information data stored therein, there is a disadvantage in that diversity of outputted information is limited. In other words, a simple repetition of static output of sound information has a little influence on improvement in inducement of concentration, emotional cultivation and learning effect of the children.
Meanwhile, there is known another type of orally narrating toy capable of storing in a memory newly updated information data, which is updated by downloading Internet contents via computer network access. It is essential that these kinds of toys be equipped with peripheral units such as a computer and communication means for the update.
Yet, it is difficult or next to impossible for a child to handle the peripheral units. So, an adult's assistance thereto is required to result in a decreased convenience in use.
Still further inconvenience is that contents download for the information update entails an additional expense.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a toy for oral narration that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a toy for oral narration, in which an information signal outputted from an audio device is relayed by a transceiver to be remotely outputted as sound information.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy for oral narration, by which facility and functionality are enhanced by unlimitedly providing various kind of real-time output information.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy for oral narration, by which an intensity inducing function is enhanced by generating a wavelength tuned to a child's brain wave and by which practicality is enhanced by a vermin extermination function.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a toy for oral narration according to the present invention comprises: a unit-modularized toy body formed by receiving means for demodulating an audio signal received from outside into an original signal and for amplifying it, and an audio output device for outputting in sound signal the audio signal received by the receiving means; and a transmitter unit-modularized to configure a set with the toy body, the transmitter modulating an audio signal received from an audio output device into a prescribed frequency band to transmit to the receiving means.
The toy for oral narration according to the present invention further comprises a frequency generator generating a predetermined frequency to the toy body, wherein the frequency generator comprises: a microcomputer having a program installed therein to selectively generate one wavelength selected from the group consisting of alpha, delta and theta waves; a brain wave amplifying unit amplifying the wavelength generated from the microcomputer; and a brain wave output unit outputting a frequency of the brain wave amplifying unit.
Preferably, the frequency generator includes a time setup unit controlling a frequency generating program executing time of the microcomputer.
Preferably, the frequency generator includes a mode selecting switch selecting a frequency generating program executing mode.
Preferably, a program for generating a low wave of a specific wavelength band is installed in the microcomputer.
Preferably, radio transactions are enabled between the toy body and the transmitter.
Preferably, the transmitter performs transmission/reception to/from the audio output device by wire.
Preferably, the delta wave generated from the microcomputer of the frequency generator has a frequency band of 0.5 Hz˜3 Hz (100 ˜200 μV).
Preferably, the theta wave generated from the microcomputer of the frequency generator has a frequency band of 4 Hz˜7 Hz (50˜100 μV).
Preferably, a frequency of a specific wavelength band generated from the microcomputer of the frequency generator is controlled to be generated within a range of 10 to 15 minutes.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a toy for oral narration according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of a transmitting means of the toy for oral narration shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the transmitting means of the toy for oral narration shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram of a receiving means of the toy for oral narration shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the receiving means of the toy for oral narration shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a frequency generator of the toy for oral narrations shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of the frequency generator of the toy for oral narrations shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a toy for oral narration according to the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a toy for oral narration according to the present invention includes a toy body T and a transmitter 10. The toy body T and the transmitter 10 configure separate unit modules, respectively to form a set.
The toy body T is so manufactured as to have a typical toy shape such as a doll, a specific mascot and the like, and includes therein receiving means 20 and an audio output unit 30, forming a modularized unit.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the toy body T may further comprise a frequency generator 40.
The transmitter 10 modulates an audio signal received from an audio output device A into a prescribed frequency band to transmit to the receiving means 20. And, the transmitter forms the set together with the toy body T.
The audio output device A is a device that can output an audio signal and includes a general audio or compact disc (CD) player, a tape recorder, a personal computer (PC) or the like. And, the transmitter 10 is connected to an audio output terminal Aout via a connecting code C such as an earphone jack.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the transmitter 10 is modularized to include an access terminal 11, an amplifying unit 12, a modulating unit 13 and a transmitting unit 14.
The access terminal 11 is connected to the audio output terminal Aout of the audio output device via the connecting code C such as an earphone jack. The amplifying unit 12 amplifies an audio signal transferred via the access terminal 11 into a predetermined level. The modulating unit 13 modulates the audio signal amplified by the amplifying unit 14 to enable a radio transmission. And, the transmitting unit 14 transmits the audio signal modulated by the modulating unit 13 via an antenna.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the receiving means 20 built in the toy body T is modularized to include a receiving unit 21, a demodulating unit 22 and an amplifying unit 23. In this case, an unexplained reference number ‘51’ indicates a reception signal detecting unit.
The receiving unit 21 receives the audio signal transmitted via the antenna from the transmitter 10. The demodulating unit 22 demodulates the audio signal received by the receiving unit 21 into an original signal. And, the amplifying unit 23 amplifies the audio signal demodulated by the demodulating unit 22.
Hence, the receiving means 20 plays back an orally narrated fairy tale or children's song outputted from the audio output device A so that the tale or song can be outputted via the speaker of the audio output unit 30.
Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the frequency generator 40 includes a microcomputer 41, a brain wave amplifying unit 42 and a brain wave output unit 43. In this case, unexplained reference numbers ‘S’ and ‘44’ indicate a power unit and a time setup unit, respectively. And, an unexplained reference number ‘45’ indicates an output state display lamp turned on/off to recognize whether the microcomputer 41 is driven.
A program is installed in the microcomputer 41 to selectively generate one of an alpha wave, a beta wave and a theta wave. The brain wave amplifying unit 42 amplifies a wavelength generated from the microcomputer 41. The brain wave output unit 43 outputs a frequency amplified by the brain wave amplifying unit 42. The power unit S drives the program by turning on/off a frequency generated from a quartz oscillator (not shown in the drawing) to selectively generate one of the alpha, beta and theta waves. And, the time setup unit 44 plays a role in controlling a driven time of the microcomputer 41.
In the oral narration toy 100 according to the present invention, the alpha, beta and theta waves selectively generated from the microcomputer 41 are tuned to a human brain wave. As known in general, the alpha wave has a frequency band of 8 Hz˜13 Hz, the beta wave has a frequency band of 4 Hz˜8 Hz, and the theta wave has a frequency band below 4 Hz.
Preferably, a delta wave generated from the microcomputer 41 has a frequency band of 0.5 Hz˜3 Hz (100˜200 μV). The generated delta wave of this frequency band is to be tuned to a frequency generated from a child's sound sleep.
Preferably, the theta wave generated from the microcomputer 41 has a frequency band of 4 Hz˜7 Hz (50˜100 μV) The theta wave of this frequency band is generated to effectively induce children's psychological stability.
In the oral narration toy 100 according to the present invention, a user operates a separate operational switch to selectively drive an alpha wave generating mode, a delta wave generating mode or a theta wave generating mode by an execution of the program installed in the microcomputer 41.
A specific frequency generated by the execution of the program installed in the microcomputer 41 is amplified by the brain wave amplifying unit 41 and is then transmitted externally via the brain wave output unit 43.
The time setup unit 44 plays a role as a timer. The time setup unit 44, as shown in FIG. 7, includes a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches 44 a connected to the resistors, respectively. And, the time setup unit 44 plays a role in inputting different operational times to the microcomputer 41. If a user turns on a random one of the switches 44 a, an operational time for generating a frequency can be set to the resistor connected to the turned-on switch. Preferably, the operational time according to each frequency band is set to have a range of 10 to 15 minutes.
Optionally, a program for generating a low frequency of a specific band different from the above-explained frequency band can be installed in the microcomputer 41 to prevent an access of vermin such as mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and the like.
For instance, like a commercialized ‘mosquito controller’ that generates a ultrasonic wave against mosquitoes to prevent the access of mosquitoes, a program for generating a low frequency of a band is installed to prevent the access of vermin. IF a user operates a separate operational switch (not shown in the drawing), the program installed in the microcomputer 41 is executed to drive the low wave of the band capable of preventing the access of a specific vermin in a selective mode.
Alternatively, a whole part or a portion of the toy body T can be configured movable by a drive mechanism. For instance, an arm, leg or mouth of a mascot or doll is connected to a power source via the drive mechanism so that an interconnected motion is enabled in audio information output of an orally narrated fairy tale or children's song. It is a matter of course that the power source and the drive mechanism known to the public are applicable to the present invention.
An operational state of the above-configured oral narration toy according to the present invention is explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings as follows.
First of all, to actuate the oral narration toy 100 according to the present invention, the access terminal 11 of the transmitter 10 is electrically connected to the audio output terminal Aout of the audio output device A via the connecting code C such as an earphone jack. Main switches provided to the audio output device A, the transmitter 10 and the toy body T, respectively are turned on to reset. In this case, an output information channel of the audio output device A can be selectively adjusted to enable an orally narrated fairy tale or children's song to be outputted.
After completion of the reset, the transmitter 10 modulates an audio signal received from the audio output device A into a prescribed frequency band and then transmits the modulated signal to the receiving means 20 provided within the toy body T.
In particular, the audio signal outputted from the audio output terminal Aout of the audio output device A is received via the connecting code C and the access terminal 11 of the transmitter 10 and is then amplified to a predetermined level by the amplifying unit 12. The amplified audio signal is modulated by the modulating unit 13 to enable a radio transmission and is then transmitted via the antenna of the transmitting unit 14.
Through the above-explained process, the audio signal transmitted from the transmitter 10 is received by the receiving unit 21 of the receiving means 20 provided within the toy body T.
The audio signal received by the receiving unit 21 is demodulated into an original signal by the demodulating unit 22, is amplified by the amplifying unit 23, and is then outputted as an orally narrated fairy tale or children's song via the speaker of the audio output unit 30. In this case, a whole part or a portion of the toy body T can be controlled to enable a motion interconnecting to the audio information output of the orally narrated fairy tale or the children's song.
Meanwhile, in the oral narration toy 100 according to the present invention, the frequency generator 40 can be actuated to be associated with or to have nothing to do with the audio information output activity.
In particular, if a user operates a separate operational switch (not shown in the drawings), the execution of the program installed in the microcomputer 41 selectively drives the alpha, delta or theta wave generating mode. This frequency generating mode can be effectively selected in case that child's sound sleep, psychological stability or intensity is requested. In selecting each of the frequency generating modes, an operational time can be limitedly set by the timer function of the time setup unit 44. Preferably, the operational time according to each frequency band can be set to 10 to 15 minutes.
According to the oral narration toy 100, if a user operates a separate operational switch (not shown in the drawing), the execution of the program installed in the microcomputer 41 can select to operate the low wave generating mode for preventing the access of specific vermin.
Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.
First of all, in the toy for oral narration according to the present invention, the information signal outputted from the general audio device is relayed by the transceiver to be remotely outputted as audio information. Hence, facility and functionality are enhanced by unlimitedly providing various kind of real-time output information.
Secondly, an intensity inducing function is enhanced by generating a wavelength tuned to a child's brain wave.
Thirdly, practicality is enhanced by a vermin extermination function.
Meanwhile, the toy for oral narration according to the present invention, a sound personally recorded by parents can be repeatedly and at all times provided to the children wirelessly to enable to promote an emotional cultivation and to maximize an intellectual improvement.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. a toy for oral narration according to the present invention comprises: a unit-modularized toy body formed by receiving means for demodulating an audio signal received from outside into an original signal and for amplifying it, and an audio output device for outputting in sound signal the audio signal received by the receiving means; and a transmitter unit-modularized to configure a set with the toy body, the transmitter modulating an audio signal received from an audio output device into a prescribed frequency band to transmit to the receiving means.

2. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a frequency generator generating a predetermined frequency to the toy body, wherein the frequency generator comprises: a microcomputer having a program installed therein to selectively generate one wavelength selected from the group consisting of alpha, delta and theta waves; a brain wave amplifying unit amplifying the wavelength generated from the microcomputer; and a brain wave output unit outputting a frequency of the brain wave amplifying unit.

3. The toy of claim 2, wherein the frequency generator comprises a time setup unit controlling a frequency generating program executing time of the microcomputer.

4. The toy of claim 2, wherein the frequency generator comprises a mode selecting switch selecting a frequency generating program executing mode.

5. The toy of claim 2, wherein the microcomputer is installed therein with a program for generating a low frequency of a specific wavelength band.

6. The toy of claim 1, wherein radio transactions are enabled between the toy body and the transmitter.

7. The toy of claim 1, wherein the transmitter performs transmission/reception to/from the audio output device by wire.

8. The toy of claim 2, wherein the delta wave generated from the microcomputer of the frequency generator has a frequency band of 0.5 Hz˜3 Hz (100˜200 μV).

9. The toy of claim 2, wherein the theta wave generated from the microcomputer of the frequency generator has a frequency band of 4 Hz˜7 Hz (50˜100 μV).

10. The toy of claim 2, wherein a frequency of a specific wavelength band generated from the microcomputer of the frequency generator is controlled to be generated within a range of 10 to 15 minutes.