Electronic learning aid having a removable game module

• US 20040157204A1
• Filed: 02/10/2003
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VTech Electronics Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VTech Electronics Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Griffin, Nick
• Application Number:
  US10/361,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20040157204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/365
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

An electronic learning aid device which includes a removable module including display and input controls, capable of operating, independent of the electronic learning aid apparatus towards extending the functionality of the device and encouraging it'"'"'s continued use. A first set of activities is accessible to the operator when the removable module is in its installed configuration and a second set of activities is accessible to the operator when the removable module is in its uninstalled configuration.

Claims

1. A dual purpose electronic educational entertainment apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a base unit having at least one user input device;

a removable unit having at least one user input device and a visual display;

the base unit further including a receptacle for the removable receipt of the removable unit towards the base unit and removable unit operating together as a unit when the removable unit is in its installed configuration and wherein the removable unit may operate separate and independent of the base unit when the removable unit is either in its installed or uninstalled configuration.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first set of activities is accessible to the operator when the removable unit is in its installed configuration and wherein a second set of activities is accessible to the operator when the removable unit is in its uninstalled configuration.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first set of activities are primarily educational in nature.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second set of activities are primarily entertainment in nature.

5. An electronic educational entertainment apparatus for presenting to a child both educational activities and entertainment activities, the apparatus comprising:

a base unit having at least one user input device;

a removable unit having at least one user input device, a visual display, memory for storing both a first and a second set of activities, a detector for indicating that it is either in the installed or uninstalled configuration, and control circuitry for enabling only one of the first or second sets of activities when the removable unit is in the installed configuration;

the base unit further including a receptacle for accepting receipt of the removable unit towards the base unit and removable unit operating together as a unit when the removable unit is in its installed configuration.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first set of activities are primarily educational in nature.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second set of activities are primarily entertainment in nature.

8. A dual purpose electronic educational entertainment apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a base unit having at least one user input device;

a removable unit having at least one user input device and a visual display;

the base unit further including a receptacle for the removable receipt of the removable unit towards the base unit and removable unit operating together as a unit, the removable unit visual display being viewable and usable when the removable unit is in its installed configuration, and wherein the removable unit may operate separate and independent of the base unit when the removable unit is in its uninstalled configuration.