IR dongle with speaker for electronic device

• US 10,105,616 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2013
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Amireh, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Simms, Jr., John E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Collins, Dolores
• Application Number:
  US13/903,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20130331002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,974 Days
• Field of Search: 446454
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular, to the input and output of data from the electronic device. An object is connected to the electronic device and configured to convert a portion of the audio signal output by the electronic device into an audible output. The object also converts a portion of the audio signal output by the electronic device into an infrared signal that is emitted to a toy vehicle. With the object connected to the electronic device, the electronic device is able to remotely control the toy vehicle while the object outputs sound effects and other audible sounds.

Claims

1. A module that connects to an electronic device, enabling the electronic device to control a toy vehicle, comprising:

an input connector capable of connecting the module to an electronic device and configured for receiving signals from the electronic device;

a control unit connected to the input connector, the control unit processes a signal received from the input connector;

an infrared emitter connected to the control unit; and

an output device connected to the control unit and configured to generate audible outputs;

wherein the control unit sends an emitter control signal to the infrared emitter.

2. The module of claim 1, further comprising a microphone input path connected to the control unit.

3. The module of claim 2, further comprising an infrared receiver for receiving infrared signals to be processed by the control unit.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein the infrared emitter is a light-emitting diode.

5. The module of claim 1, further comprising a casing, wherein the casing houses the control unit and is removably coupleable to the electronic device via a jack.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the output device is a speaker.

7. A module that connects to an electronic device, enabling the electronic device to control a toy vehicle, comprising:

a control unit;

an input connector connected to the control unit and capable of connecting to an electronic device, the input connector configured for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the electronic device;

an infrared receiver that receives infrared signals to be processed by the electronic device, the infrared receiver connected to the control unit via a microphone input path;

an infrared emitter connected to the control unit; and

an output device connected to the control unit and configured to output audible outputs;

wherein the control unit processes signals sent from the electronic device into an emitter control signal and sends the emitter control signal to the infrared emitter.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein the infrared emitter includes a light-emitting diode configured to transmit infrared signals from the module.

9. The module of claim 7, wherein the module further comprises a casing, wherein the casing houses the control unit and the microphone input path.

10. The module of claim 7, further comprising a switch configured to turn the module on and off.

11. The module of claim 7, wherein the input connector is configured to be inserted into a headphone jack of the electronic device when the module is connected to the electronic device.

12. The module of claim 7, wherein the infrared receiver is configured to receive infrared signals sent from the toy vehicle.