DRAWING TOY WITH STYLUS DETECTION
A drawing toy and associated methods and computer-readable storage devices are disclosed. The drawing toy may comprise a stylus having a tip, a drawing surface configured to produce a visual path that follows a path of the tip along the drawing surface, and a plurality of stencils, each stencil comprising a plurality of designated areas and a plurality of trace paths. A controller of the drawing toy may identify a stencil placed upon the drawing surface, determine that a particular designated area of the placed stencil is proximate the stylus tip, and generate an output signal configured to cause a user perceivable output associated with the particular designated area determined to be proximate the stylus tip.
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The present invention relates to a toy and, more particularly, to a drawing toy having a drawing surface and a stylus.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONMagnetic doodle, drawing toys are popular drawing toys because such drawing toys are clean, easily erasable, and inexpensive. With a magnetic stylus, a child may draw or write on the drawing surface leaving no mess of crayons, markers, paints, etc. A child may also easily erase the drawing surface by sliding the magnetic eraser and begin another drawing or writing over and over. An example of such a magnetic doodle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,472, entitled “Displaying Magnetic Panel And Its Displaying Device.”
Another example of a magnetic doodle, drawing toy includes one or more stencils. The stencils serve as guides to assist a child, particularly a young child whose drawing or handwriting skills are yet to be developed. The stencils may contain a rich variety of objects, from simple dots, lines and curves, to shapes such as circles and hearts, to figures such as cartoon characters, animals or flowers, to language or mathematics symbols such as letters and numbers, etc. A child may produce their drawings and handwriting on the drawing surface by tracing along trace paths, such as indentations or cutouts, of a stencil that is laid upon the drawing surface.
However, such a magnetic doodle, drawing toy provides limited educational value and may have limited success in retaining a child's interest since such a toy is unable to provide the child with feedback about the objects on the stencils. In particular, a child may lose interest in drawing with such stencils if they do not understand what is depicted on such stencils.
Another magnetic doodle, drawing toy addresses some aspects of the above problem. In particular, such a drawing toy includes a stencil set, wherein each stencil in the set has identification tabs. Control electronics of the drawing toy may identify the stencil laid upon the drawing board based upon the identification tab of the stencil. The control electronics may then tell the child about the objects on the stencil based on data stored in its memory. For example, when a stencil of a monkey's face is used, the control electronics reads the identification tab and realizes that the stencil depicts a monkey's face. The control electronics may then provide the child with audible feedback about the depicted object. For example, the control electronics may generate an audible signal that states, “This is a monkey.”
Although such a drawing toy may provide more educational value and achieve more success in retaining the child's interest, such a drawing toy is still limited due to the toys lack of ability to interact with the child while the child is tracing along the trace paths of a stencil.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONAspects of the present invention are directed to methods, systems, and apparatus, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures and as set forth more completely in the claims.
These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
Various embodiments of a magnetic doodle, drawing toy are described herein by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For clarity of illustration, exemplary elements illustrated in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale. In this regard, for example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
Moreover, certain embodiments may be implemented as a plurality of instructions on a tangible, computer readable storage device such as, for example, flash memory devices, hard disk devices, compact disc media, DVD media, EEPROMs, etc. Such instruction when executed by a magnetic doodle, drawing toy or another computing device, may result in appropriate feedback in response to a child placing a stylus proximate to various areas of a drawing surface and/or stencil upon such drawing surface.
One advantageous aspect of some embodiments of the disclosed drawing toy over magnetic doodle, drawing toys mentioned above is that some embodiment may detect a location of a stylus on a drawing surface of the toy. Based on this detected location, a variety of interactive drawing games and activities may be created to hold a child's interest in playing with the drawing toy and thereby improve a child's eye-hand coordination, drawing skills, handwriting skills, and/or language skills.
Another advantageous aspect of some embodiments of the disclosed interactive drawing toy is that detection of a stylus location may be achieved inexpensively. In particular, some embodiments may achieve such detection without using a transparent touch-sensitive panel or a pressure-sensitive panel, which are typically more expensive to implement than the disclosed conductive layer sensor described below. As a result, some embodiments provide an interactive drawing toy which is simple and economical to manufacture.
Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to
To this end, the drawing panel 2 may be implemented in a manner similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,472. In particular, the drawing panel 2 may be formed using a viscous dispersing fluid contained between two transparent or translucent sheets and compartmentalized in a hexagonal grid. Such a formed hexagonal grid may be loaded with color-contrasting magnetic particles. A child may then apply a magnetic tip of the stylus 3 to an upper surface of the drawing panel 2 to pull the magnetic particles toward the upper surface and create a visual indication. The eraser 19 may include a handle 19a and track 19b as shown in
As shown in
Each conductive pad 6a-6i may be electrically connected to an individual input/output pin of a controller 8. In operation, the controller 8 may energize the conductive pads 6a-6i one at a time as part of a sensing procedure. In particular, the controller 8 may energize or activate the conductive pads 6a-6i one at a time in a sequential, random, or some other suitable pattern. As a result of energizing the conductive pads 6a-6i one at a time, each conductive pad 6a-6i emits an electromagnetic signal during an its activation period that is associated with a predefined region of the magnetic drawing panel 2. Due to such electromagnetic signals, the stylus 3 generates a control signal based upon its proximity to an energized conductive pad 6a-6i and its associated predefined area of the drawing panel 2.
For example, if the stylus 3 is tracing a picture of an airplane as shown in
Similarly, if the stylus 3 is tracing the upper case “A” of the stencil 4 depicted in
Referring now to
The controller 8 may detect drawing activity by checking the status of switch 7b. The circuit 7 may amplify the electromagnetic signal induced by the conductive pad 6a-6i under the drawing panel 2. When the stylus 3 is very close to the drawing panel 2, a sensor signal generated by the circuit 7 may exceed a predefined threshold. When the predefined threshold is exceeded, the circuit 7 may generate a triggering input signal that is provided to the controller 8 via the cable 7c.
As depicted in
In one embodiment, the identification tab 10 of each stencil card 4 is punched with a unique combination of openings 11 as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
In particular, the controller 8 may generate signals that cause the speaker 20 to generate audio signals that tell the child that the inserted stencil is for the letter “S” and provides the child with phonics information about the letter “S” when the child places the “S” stencil 4 on the drawing panel 2. The controller 8 may further encourage the child to trace the upper case “S”, the lower case “s”, and the SUN figure on the stencil 4.
In response to the child tracing the upper case “S” with the stylus 3, the controller 8 may detect that the stylus is positioned proximate conductive pad 6a which is aligned with designated area 12 of the “S” stencil 4. Based on information in the memory 8b, the processor 8a may obtain and generate an appropriate response for the detected tracing area 12 of the “S” stencil 4. For example, the controller 8 may generate signals that cause the speaker 20 to generate audio signals that tell the child that he is writing an upper case “S”.
Similarly, in response to the child tracing the lower case “s” with the stylus 3, the controller 8 may detect that the stylus is positioned proximate conductive pad 6b which is aligned with designated area 13 of the “S” stencil 4. Based on information in the memory 8b, the controller 8 may obtain and generate an appropriate response for the detected designated area 13 of the “S” stencil 4. For example, the controller 8 may generate signals that cause the speaker 20 to generate audio signals that tell the child that he is writing a lower case “s”.
Similarly, the controller 8 and speaker 20 may generate audio signals that tell the child that he is drawing the Sun when the stylus 3 is proximate designated area 16 and conductive pad 6d. The controller 8 and speaker 20 may generate audio signals that appreciate the job done by the child in response to detecting the child has completed writing or drawing in a designated area 12, 13, 15, 16. For example, the controller 8 may determine the child has completed a designated area of the stencil 4 in response to detecting the stylus 3 is proximate a different conductive pad 6a-6i. Furthermore, the controller 8 may generate signals that cause the speaker 20 to provide the pronunciation and/or spelling of the word “SUN” in response to detecting the stylus 3 proximate conductive pad 6c and designated region 15 of the “S” stencil 4.
Referring now to
At 770, the controller 8 determines which designated area 12, 13, 15, 16 is being traced based on the activated conductive pad 6 and the input signal received from the stylus 3. The controller 8 at 780 obtains an appropriate response for the identified area being traced from the memory 8b. At 790, the controller 8 generates output signals via I/O interface 8b that cause the speaker 20 to generate audio signals appropriate for the designated area being traced.
One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that many modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be practiced in a manner other than as described above.
Claims
1. A method, comprising:
- identifying a stencil placed upon a drawing surface of a drawing toy, wherein the stencil comprises a plurality of designated areas and a plurality of trace paths configured to be traced by a stylus of the drawing toy;
- determining whether a location of the stylus corresponds to a particular designated area of the plurality of designated areas as the stylus moves along a tracing path of the plurality of tracing paths; and
- generating an output signal that produces user perceivable output associated with the particular designated area in response to determining that the location of the stylus corresponds to the particular designated area of the stencil.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- receiving an identification tab of the stencil via a stencil detector of the drawing toy;
- wherein said identifying comprises identifying the stencil based upon information provided on the identification tab of the stencil.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising aligning the plurality of designated areas of the stencil with a plurality of conductive pads positioned under the drawing surface of the drawing toy as a result of said receiving.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
- energizing a conductive pad of the plurality of conductive pads to produce an input signal via the stylus when the stylus is proximate an energized conductive pad; and
- determining that the location of the stylus corresponds to the energized conductive pad and the particular designated are aligned with the energized conductive pad in response to the input signal.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- energizing a conductive pad of a plurality of conductive pads positioned under the drawing surface of the drawing toy to produce an input signal via the stylus when the stylus is proximate an energized conductive pad; and
- determining that the location of the stylus corresponds to the energized conductive pad and a particular designated area associated with the energized conductive pad in response to the input signal.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
- generating a sensor signal via the stylus as the stylus traces a trace path of the stencil, wherein a magnitude of the sensor signal is dependent upon distance between an energized conductive pad and the stylus; and
- producing the input signal with the stylus in response to determining that the magnitude of the sensor signal has a predetermined relationship to a threshold level.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
- actuating a switch in the stylus in response to pressure applied to a tip of the stylus as the stylus traces a trace path of the stencil; and
- wherein said producing is dependent upon said actuating the switch.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising driving a speaker based upon the output signal to produce audible feedback associated with the particular designated area.
9. A drawing toy, comprising:
- a stylus having a tip;
- a drawing surface configured to produce a visual path that follows a path of the tip along the drawing surface;
- a plurality of stencils, each stencil comprising a plurality of designated areas and a plurality of trace paths;
- a controller configured to identify a stencil placed upon the drawing surface, determine that a particular designated area of the placed stencil is proximate the stylus tip, and generate an output signal configured to cause a user perceivable output associated with the particular designated area determined to be proximate the stylus tip.
10. The drawing toy of claim 9, further comprising a stencil detector configured to receive an identification tab of the stencil and generate an identification signal based on information provided on the identification tab of the stencil.
11. The drawing toy of claim 10, further comprising:
- a plurality of conductive pads positioned under the drawing surface of the drawing toy;
- wherein the stencil detector is further configured to align the plurality of designated areas of the stencil with the plurality of conductive pads in response to receiving the identification tab of the stencil.
12. The drawing toy of claim 11, further comprising:
- a controller configured to energize a conductive pad of the plurality of conductive pads associated with the particular designated area of the stencil;
- wherein the stylus is configured to produce an input signal in response to being proximate the energized conductive pad; and
- wherein the controller is configured to determine that the particular designated area of the stencil is proximate the stylus tip based on the input signal.
13. The drawing toy of claim 9, further comprising:
- a plurality of conductive pads positioned under the drawing surface of the drawing toy;
- wherein the controller is configured to energize a conductive pad of the plurality of conductive pads that is proximate the particular designated area of the stencil; and
- wherein the controller is configured to determine that the particular designated area of the stencil is proximate the stylus tip based on the input signal.
14. The drawing toy of claim 13, wherein the stylus is further configured to:
- generate a sensor signal having a magnitude dependent upon distance between the energized conductive pad and the stylus; and
- produce the input signal in response to the magnitude of the sensor signal having a predetermined relationship to a threshold level.
15. The drawing toy of claim 14, wherein:
- the stylus comprises a switch configured to be actuated in response to pressure applied to a tip of the stylus as the stylus traces a trace path of the stencil; and
- wherein the stylus is further configured to produce the input signal in response to actuation of the switch.
16. The drawing toy of claim 14, further comprising a speaker configured to produce, based on the output signal, audible feedback associated with the particular designated area.
17. A computer-readable storage device having stored thereon a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed by a controller, configure the controller to:
- identify a stencil placed upon a drawing surface of a drawing toy, wherein the stencil comprises a plurality of designated areas and a plurality of trace paths configured to be traced by a stylus of the drawing toy; and
- generate an output signal that produces user perceivable output associated with a particular designated area of the stencil in response to the stylus being proximate the particular designated area of the stencil.
18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of instructions further configured the controller to:
- energize a conductive pad positioned under the drawing surface and proximate the particular designated area of the stencil; and
- determine that the stylus is proximate the particular designate are of the stencil based on an input signal received from the stylus.
19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of instructions further configured the controller to:
- energize a conductive pad of a plurality of conductive pads positioned under the drawing surface; and
- determine which conductive pad of the plurality of conductive pads the stylus is proximate based on an input signal received from the stylus and a currently energized conductive pad of the plurality of conductive pads.
20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17, further comprising:
- a digital audio data for each designated area of the plurality of designated areas of the stencil,
- wherein the plurality of instructions further configure the controller to:
- retrieve the digital audio data for the particular designated area of the stencil; and
- generate an output signal configured to drive a speaker and produce audible feedback provided by the retrieved digital audio data.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 9, 2012
Publication Date: Jan 9, 2014
Applicant: VTECH ELECTRONICS, LTD. (Hong Kong)
Inventor: Anthony M.F. Tsui (Hong Kong)
Application Number: 13/544,399