WO2006013008A1

WO2006013008A1 - Portable edutainment equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2006013008A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/007923
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ferid Allani
Original assignee: Multimedia Systemes
Priority date: 2004-07-20
Filing date: 2005-07-20
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Also published as: FR2873304A1; FR2873304B1; EP1839292A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a portable edutainment equipment and (1.1) comprising, inside a housing in the form of a portable telephone, a display (3), a keyboard (4.1), a loudspeaker (2), a silicon chip, and data storage means and radio communication means, wherein: the keyboard (4.1) includes a set of keys provided each with an icon and associated each with a specific entity represented by said icon, the display (3) is configured to visualize a set of preprogrammed learning images and messages stored in the data storage means, the chip is programmed to manage a learning sequence involving pressing on a key among the set of keys of the keyboard (4.2), visualizing on the display (3) and image or a message, and transmitting a message assessing the learning sequence.

Description

"Play equipment and portable didactics"

The present invention relates to a playful and educational didactic equipment.

Learning about mental mechanisms of association is an important step in the development of young children. it is well known for a long time that the use of objects combining playful activities and didactic approach is a determining factor of success of this learning. Thus, there are already many toys for didactic purpose, including portable type or can hold in the hand. However, it is known that children using these toys get bored quickly enough didactic sequences proposed when they have incorporated the rules and can predict the consequences of different actions possible on these toys.

A main objective of the invention is to provide a playful and portable educational equipment which makes it possible to achieve didactic objectives while maintaining the interest and attention of the child user long enough. This objective is achieved with a fun and didactic portable equipment comprising, within a housing in the form of a mobile phone, a screen, a keyboard, a speaker, an electronic chip, data storage means, in which :

the keyboard comprises a set of dedicated keys each provided with an icon and each associated with a specific entity represented by this icon,

the screen is configured to display a set of images and preprogrammed learning messages and stored in the data storage means,

the chip is programmed to manage a learning sequence involving the pressing of a key among the set of keys on the keyboard, the visualization on the screen of an image or a message in response to this action, and / or the transmission of a sound message of an evaluation message of the training sequence.

With the playful and didactic equipment according to the invention, the child user is in possession of a similar object to the mobile phone used by his parents and relatives, giving him a feeling of personal appreciation contributing to facilitate learning. Moreover, the interaction between the icons associated with the keys of the keyboard and the images or messages displayed on the screen allows a quick implementation of the learning mechanisms. In addition, learning is better assured than existing play and educational devices, because of the diversity of messages or images of reward and punishment, which prevents the child from getting tired.

In a particular version of the playful and portable educational equipment according to the invention further comprising radiocommunication means, the electronic chip is programmed to manage a download of images or messages of learning and / or evaluation, since a remote site via the radiocommunication means.

In the context of the present invention, provision may be made for a first learning mode comprising a visual solicitation by a message or an image displayed on the screen, to be answered by an action on one of the dedicated keys of the keyboard, followed by viewing an evaluation message generated by the microchip.

It is also possible to provide a second learning mode comprising a first sounding request, via the loudspeaker, to act on one of the dedicated keys of the keyboard, a treatment of the actuated key, and a visualization of a message or message. an image associated with the action on said key.

In a first version of a playful and portable educational equipment according to the invention, provided for training in the recognition of colors and shapes, each key of the keyboard has a shape and a distinct color, and the chip is programmed to display shape and color icons corresponding to each of said keys.

In a second version of a playful and portable educational equipment according to the invention, provided for learning to recognize animals, each key of the keyboard has an icon representative of a separate animal, and the microchip is programmed to display a representation of each animal associated with each key.

In a third version of a portable playful and didactic equipment according to the invention, provided for counting learning, each key of the keyboard includes an icon containing a distinct number, and the chip is programmed to display a representation of each number. corresponding to a key. In a fourth version of a playful and portable educational equipment according to the invention, intended for learning the composition of a telephone number, each key of the keyboard has an icon containing a distinct number among a set of predetermined numbers, and the microchip is programmed to display on the screen an image of a person or representative of an entity, associated with one of said numbers and to emit a sound message associated with said person or said entity.

In all these versions, the playful and portable educational equipment according to the invention may furthermore advantageously comprise radiotelephone means, as well as means for configuring the keys of the keyboard.

The microchip can be configured to store a library of pre-loaded images and video and photographs or videos uploaded or downloaded by the child and / or parents of the child. It can also store a pre-loaded sound library, correlated with the pre-loaded video library, and sounds recorded by the child and / or the parents of the child, which it correlates so that each image or video corresponds to a sound , a series of sounds, a sentence or a series of sentences.

This microchip can also contribute to the loading and downloading of photos, videos and sounds, series of sounds, phrase and sentence series, and is preferably compatible with all existing connection modes (cables, infrared, Bluetooth, WAP, ....) and, by simple future update, all future connection modes.

The number and color of keys and their display of numbers and icons vary depending on the age of the child and the learning sought, and several versions can be considered. The keys, depending on the version concerned, select the on-screen display of the images or videos and the transmission by the speaker of the correlated sound or sounds. The display shows, depending on the version concerned, the image or video correlated with the selected key. The loudspeaker, depending on the version concerned, emits the sound or sounds correlated with the image or video selected by the button. In all versions, there is a dual learning possibility, from the key to the screen and from the screen to the key. The selection of the learning mode is done indifferently at the start of the device or during the session.

Other advantages and features of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment, and the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a first version of a portable play and educational equipment according to the invention, for learning colors and shapes. FIG. 2 represents a second version of a playful and portable didactic equipment according to the invention, for the learning of the knowledge of animals,

FIG. 3 represents a third version of a portable playful and didactic equipment according to the invention, for counting learning; FIG. 4 represents a fourth version of a portable play and educational equipment according to the invention, for learning at the dialing function of a telephone number,

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of an internal structure of a portable play and educational equipment according to the invention, FIG. 6 illustrates the operating process of a first learning mode implemented in a device. playful and didactic according to the invention, and

FIG. 7 illustrates the operating process of a second learning mode implemented in a didactic equipment according to the invention.

We will now describe, with reference to the above figures, several examples of embodiment of a playful and portable educational equipment according to the invention.

A first version of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, relates to a portable play and educational equipment 1.1 designed to enable a child to learn to recognize colors and shapes. This equipment is in the form of a mobile phone with a main body 5.1 having a keyboard 4.1 provided with dedicated keys, and a movable portion 6 articulated relative to the main body 5.1 and having on its inner face a screen 3 and a speaker 2. Keys 410-415, of simple differentiation, are in small numbers, all of different shape and color.

A first learning mode of the screen 3 to the 410-415 key is provided. The screen 3 of the equipment playful and didactic laptop displays an icon representing one of the shapes and colors of the keys. When the child selects the correct key, the screen 3 displays a reward, for example a smile or a specific images or videos pre-loaded or one of the photographs or videos recorded for this purpose by the parents, and the speaker 2 emits a specific pre-loaded sound or joyful sounds or a sound or phrase recorded for that purpose by the parents, for example "Bravo darling". If, on the other hand, a wrong key has been selected, the screen 3 displays a punishment, for example a grimace or a specific images or videos pre-loaded or one of the photographs or videos recorded for this purpose by the parents, and the top speaker 2 emits a specific pre-loaded sound or sad sounds or a sound or phrase recorded for that purpose by the parents, for example "No, my darling". After a while, the screen 2 displays a new image, and so on, until stop or change to a second learning mode In this second learning mode, from the key to the screen , the screen 3 of the playful and portable educational equipment 1.1 according to the invention displays an icon representing a question mark. The speaker 2 emits the sounds corresponding to one of the forms correlated to a color that appears on one of the keys, for example "round blue". The child selects a key. From there, the progress of the session continues under the same conditions as in the first learning mode mentioned above, except that the reward is, in this case, the display of the right image, that on the selected key . After a while, the screen 3 displays a new question mark, and so on, until stop or switch to the first learning mode. A second version of a playful and portable educational equipment 1.2 according to the invention is provided for learning to recognize animals, as shown in Figure 2. Keys 420-425 are in small numbers, all the same shape and color, their display consisting of simple animal icons.

In a first mode of learning the screen to the key, the screen 3 of the equipment 1.2 displays one of the animal icons that appear on the keys. From there, the operation is the same as in the first learning mode of the first aforementioned version of recognition of colors and shapes.

In a second mode of learning the key to the screen, the screen 3 of the equipment playful and didactic portable 1.2 according to the invention displays an icon representing a question mark. The speaker 2 emits the sounds corresponding to one of the forms correlated with an animal icon which appears on one of the keys, for example "meuh". The child selects a key. From there, the progress of the session continues under the same conditions as in the second learning mode of the first version of recognition of color and shapes. A third version of a playful and portable educational equipment 1.3 according to the invention aims to learn counting up to 10, with reference to Figure 3. The keys of the keyboard 4.3 are twelve in number, ten, all the same shape and color, and are numbered from 1 to 10. The other two keys 8, 9 of the keyboard 4.3 are respectively Start and Stop commands differentiated in shape, color and display, for example an M-shaped green key for the On command and a red key A-shaped for the Stop command. In a first mode of learning from the screen to the key, the screen 3 of the equipment playful and didactic portable 1.3 according to the invention displays a number of 1 to 10 among the numbers that appear on the keys. From there, the operation is the same as in the first learning mode of the first aforementioned version of learning colors and shapes. In a second mode of learning the key to the screen, the screen 3 of the equipment 1.3 displays an icon representing a question mark. The speaker 2 emits the sounds corresponding to a number from 1 to 10, for example "two". The child selects a key. From there, the progress of the session continues under the same conditions as in the second learning mode of the first version of the aforementioned learning of colors and shapes. In addition, the presence of keys Walk 8 and Stop 9 offers the child the opportunity to manage his learning.

A fourth version of a playful and portable educational equipment 1.4 according to the invention is provided for learning the composition of a telephone number by means of keyboard shortcuts, with reference to FIG. 4. In this version, the keys There are twelve of which ten, all of the same shape and color, and are numbered from 0 to 9, arranged as on a conventional mobile phone. The other two keys are the Start 8 and Off 9 commands, differentiated in shape, color, and display, for example, an M-shaped green key for the Run command and an A-shaped red key for the Stop command. In a first mode of learning the screen towards the key, the screen 3 of the equipment playful and didactic portable 1.4 according to the invention displays one of the recorded photographs representing a relative or a relative, with a number from 1 to 9, the sound message correlated to the photograph of the parent or close may be of the type: "phone to dad". From there, the course of the session continues under the same conditions as in the first learning mode of the first version of the aforementioned learning of colors and shapes. In a second mode of learning the key to the screen, the screen 3 of the equipment 1.4 displays an icon representing a question mark. The speaker 2 emits the correlated sounds to one of the keys 1 to 9, for example: "telephone to the firefighters". The child selects a key. From there, the progress of the session continues under the same conditions as in the second learning mode of the first version of the aforementioned learning of colors and shapes.

Playful and didactic equipment according to the invention may have an internal structure as illustrated by the block diagram of FIG. 6. It then includes an electronic chip 53 coupled to a memory circuit 54 (which may also be integrated within the chip), a keyboard 4 dedicated to the specific version of the equipment, a screen 3, a power supply and storage module 52, an acoustic transducer 2 making a loudspeaker, a radiocommunication module 51 provided, depending on the options, or only to download photographs, images and messages adapted to the version and choice of parents or adults in charge of the child, or to provide a mobile communication feature, then making fun and didactic equipment according to the invention a communicating object. To ensure the two learning modes that have just been described, "from the screen to the key" and "from the key to the screen", the electronic chip 53 is programmed to perform the two corresponding software modules as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 6 and 7. The first software module (FIG. 6) allows the execution of the following steps: a specific entity of the version, for example a pair of form / color, an animal, a number or the photograph of a person, chosen from a predetermined sequence or with random generation, is displayed on the screen and announced by a sound message, so as to achieve a sound and visual solicitation of the child. The key pressed by the child in response to this solicitation is entered and then compared to the displayed entity. If the comparison leads to an identity, the software module executes a step of issuing a congratulatory or reward message, in sound and / or visual form. If the comparison leads to a difference, a step of issuing an error or penalty message is performed. At the end of the transmission of one or the other of the aforementioned messages, the module can perform a random generation of a new entity from a predetermined set of entities programmed according to the set of keys of the keyboard. The second software module (FIG. 7) corresponds to the second learning mode "from the key to the screen", comprises an initial sequence of sound solicitation of the child, in the form of a message (for example, "rabbit" ? "). The child responds to this sound request by pressing on the keyboard the corresponding key that is entered and processed to be compared to the entity object of the sound solicitation. As in the case of the first software module, differentiated messages are transmitted in sound and / or visual form according to the result of the comparison between the input key and the object entity of the sound solicitation, and then the sequence is reiterated in a loop.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, one can imagine, in the context of the present invention, many other configurations of keyboard designed according to didactic objectives. In addition, the shape of the case and the internal technical structure of the equipment can evolve according to advanced technologies and stylistic trends.

Claims

1. Portable play and educational equipment (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4), comprising, in a housing in the form of a mobile phone, a screen (3), a keyboard (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 ), a loudspeaker (2), an electronic chip (53), data storage means (54), wherein:

the keyboard (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) comprises a set of dedicated keys each provided with an icon and each associated with a specific entity represented by this icon, the screen (3) is configured to display a set of preprogrammed training images and messages stored in the data storage means,

the chip (53) is programmed to manage a learning sequence involving the pressing of a key among the set of keys on the keyboard (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4), the visualization on the screen (3) of an image or message in response to this action, and / or the transmission of a sound message of an evaluation message of the training sequence.

2. playful and portable educational equipment according to claim 1, further comprising radiocommunication means (51), characterized in that the electronic chip (53) is programmed to manage a download of images or learning messages and / or evaluation, from a remote site via the radiocommunication means (51).

3. playful and educational didactic equipment according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it is arranged to provide a first learning mode comprising a visual solicitation by a message or an image displayed on the screen (3 ), to respond by an action on one of the dedicated keys of the keyboard (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4), followed by the display of an evaluation message generated by the chip (53).

4. playful and educational didactic equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to provide a second learning mode comprising a first sound, through the speaker (2), to act on the one of the keys dedicated keys (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4), a treatment of the key pressed, and a display of a message or an image associated with the action on said key.

5. playful and portable educational equipment (1.1) according to one of the preceding claims, provided for training in recognizing colors and shapes, characterized in that each key of the keyboard (4.1) has a shape and a distinct color, and in that the microchip (53) is programmed to display shape and color icons corresponding to each of said keys.

6. playful and educational didactic equipment (1.2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, provided for learning to recognize animals, characterized in that each key of the keyboard (4.2) comprises an icon representative of an animal separate, and in that the microchip (53) is programmed to display a representation of each animal associated with each key.

7. playful and portable educational equipment (1.3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, provided for counting learning, characterized in that each key of the keyboard (4.3) has an icon containing a distinct number, and in that the electronic chip (53) is programmed to display a representation of each number corresponding to a key.

8. playful and educational didactic equipment (1.4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, provided for learning the composition of a telephone number, characterized in that each key of the keyboard (4.4) has an icon containing a distinct number from a set of predetermined numbers, and in that the electronic chip (53) is programmed to display on the screen (3) an image of a person or representative of an entity, associated with one of said numbers and to emit a sound message associated with said person or entity.

9. playful and portable educational equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises radiotelephone means.

10. playful equipment and portable didactic according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means for configuring the keys of the keyboard.