Playground Device With Motion Dependent Sound Feedback

• US 20090105001A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Play It Sound APS
• Original Assignee: Play It Sound APS
• Inventors: Nielsen, Jonas Gam, Olesen, Tina Rosholm, Poulsen, Henrik Sommer, Burgaard, Peder, Stubkjaer, Mette Keller
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/118
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 11/00 See-saws
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 13/00 Cradle swings; Rocking-horses; Like devices resting on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/02 with moving substructures
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 9/00 Swings

Abstract

Playground device, for example a swing or a see saw, having a ground supported, movable part and at least one motion sensor configured for sensing the motion of the movable part. The motion sensor is functionally connected to a sound signal feedback generator that is configured for converting the signals from the motion sensor into a sound feedback in response to the motion of the movable part. The sensors are mechanically connected only to the movable part in order to provide system with a large number of variations of embodiments.

Claims

1. Playground device having a ground supported, movable part and at least one motion sensor configured for sensing the motion of the movable part, the motion sensor being functionally connected to a sound signal feedback generator that is configured for converting the signals from the motion sensor into a sound feedback in response to the motion of the movable part, characterised in that the sensors are mechanically connected only to the movable part.

2. Playground device according to claim 1, wherein the sensors are electronically connected to a data sending unit configured for wireless transmission of data to the sound signal feedback generator, wherein the sound signal feedback generator comprises a data receiver for wireless receiving of the transmitted data.

3. Playground device according to claim 1, wherein the sound signal generator and the motion sensor are located in a single unit.

4. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound feedback signal generator comprises an interface for a data storage medium.

5. Playground device according to claim 4, wherein the data storage medium is a memory card or memory stick insertable into the single unit.

6. Playground device according to claim 4, wherein the interface is configured for connection with a mobile telephone, MP3 player, or PDA.

7. Playground device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the data storage medium comprises a game and wherein the sound feedback signal generator is configured upon reading of the data from the game data storage medium to give a sound feedback in accordance with predetermined game rules, the game rules being programmed to define which consecutive steps as defined by position movements in the game in dependence of a certain motion pattern of the movable device offers level progression in the game.

8. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device has a stationary, ground supported frame and the movable part connected to the frame.

9. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one motion sensor is configured to measure independently in at least two dimensions, and wherein the sound signal feedback generator is configured to give a sound signal feedback dependent on, whether the movement is in a first dimension or in a second dimension or in a combination of the first and the second dimension.

10. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one motion sensor is configured to measure independently in three dimensions, and wherein the sound signal feedback generator is configured to give a sound signal feedback varying dependent on, whether the movement is in a first dimension, in a second dimension, in a third dimension or in a combination of the first, the second dimension and the third dimension.

11. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the motion sensor is configured to measure position of the movable part.

12. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the motion sensor is configured to measure velocity of the movable part.

13. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the motion sensor is configured to measure acceleration of the movable part.

14. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device also comprises a light sensor for measuring light conditions around the movable part, the light sensor being electronically connected to the sound feedback generator, and wherein the sound feedback generator is configured for giving sound feedback in dependence of the light conditions.

15. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device also comprises a sound sensor for measuring the background sound level around the movable part, the sound sensor being electronically connected to the sound feedback generator is, and wherein the sound feedback generator is configured for adjusting the feedback sound level in dependence of the background sound level.

16. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable part is configured for supporting a person.

17. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable part is a seat.

18. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable part is a stand support.

19. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable part is a ring for seating or standing on the ring of a person.

20. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 16-19, wherein the at least one motion sensor is integrated in the seat or stand support.

21. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 16-20, wherein the device also comprises a weight sensor for measuring the weight of a person on the movable part, the weight sensor being electronically connected to the sound feedback generator is, and wherein the sound feedback generator is configured for giving a sound feedback in dependence of the signal from the weight sensor.

22. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein device is a swing and the movable part is a seat or stand support.

23. Playground device according to claim 22, wherein the playground device is configured to give a sound feedback depending on the height of the seat or stand support during swinging.

24. Playground device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the playground device is configured to give a sound feedback depending on the position of the seat or stand support during swinging, wherein the sound feedback signal generator is programmed to give a first feedback if the seat or standing support is in a first predetermined region with well defined region boundaries and to give a second, different feedback if the seat or standing support is in is different, second, predetermined region with well defined boundaries.

25. Playground device according to claim 22, 23, or 24, wherein the playground device is configured to give a sound feedback depending on the distance of the seat or stand support from a reference position.

26. Playground device according to claim 22, 23, or 24, wherein the playground device is configured to give a sound feedback independently for each of at least two dimensions of the motion of the seat or stand.

27. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-20, wherein the device is a see saw and the moving part is a see saw beam with a seat on each side of a rotational support of the beam.

28. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-20, wherein the device is a see saw and the moving part is a see saw beam cross with a seat on four sides of a rotational support of the beam cross.

29. Playground device according to claim 28, wherein the device is configured to give a sound feedback on the tilt angle of the beam with respect to the stationary ground support.

30. Playground device according to claim 27, 28 or 29, wherein the device is configured to give a sound feedback dependent on the up and down rhythm of the seat movement.

31. Playground device according to claim 27, 28, 29, or 30, wherein the device is configured to give a sound feedback on the height of the seat movement.

32. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-20, wherein the device is a ropeway with a seat or standing support held movably by a rope or wire fastened between ground supports.

33. Playground device according to claims 32, wherein a motion sensor is integrated in the rope or wire and optionally a motion sensor is integrated in the seat or stand support.

34. Playground device according to claims 32 or 33, wherein the device is configured for giving sound feedback on the direction of movement of the seat or standing support, the sound feedback being dependent on, whether the movement is in a first dimension or in a second dimension or in a combination of the first and the second dimension.

35. Playground device according to claims 32, 33 or 34, wherein the seat or standing support is connected rotationally to the wire for rotation of the seat or standing support in a plane parallel to the rope or wire, wherein the device comprises rotation sensors in the connection between the seat or standing support and the rope or wire, the rotation sensors being electronically connected to the sound feedback signal generator configured to give sound feedback dependent on the rotational angle of the seat or standing support or dependent on the change of the rotational angle of the seat or standing support or dependent on both.

36. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15, wherein the device is a suspension bridge, wherein the movable part comprises ropes or wires holding planks for support of a person on the planks.

37. Playground device according to claim 36, wherein a motion sensor is positioned in a rope or wire.

38. Playground device according to claim 36 or 37, wherein a motion sensor is positioned in a plank

39. Playground device according to claim 36, 37, or 38, wherein the device also comprises a sensor for measuring the position of a person on the movable part, and the device is configured for giving a sound feedback dependent on the position of the person on the movable part.

40. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 36-39, wherein the device configured for giving a sound feedback dependent on the change of the position of the person on the movable part.

41. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 36-40, wherein the device having a number of connected planks, the planks having person sensors configured for activation when a person is supported by the planks, the person sensors being electronically connected to the sound signal feedback generator configured to give a sound feedback in dependence of the activated person sensors.

42. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15, wherein the device is pole tennis with a ball fastened to a pole by a rope.

43. Playground device according to claim 42, wherein the at least one motion sensor is integrated in the ball.

44. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-7, wherein the device is balance board.

45. Playground device according to claim 44, wherein the balance board comprises a sensor for measuring orientation of the board, the orientation sensor being functionally connected to the sound signal feedback generator for generating sound signals depending on the orientation of the board.

46. Playground device according to claim 45, wherein the sound signal feedback generator for generating sound signals depending on the change of orientation of the board.

47. Playground device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device also comprises a vibration feedback generator configured to impart vibrations on the movable part in dependence on received data from measurements by the at least one motion sensor.

48. Playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound signal feedback generator is functionally connected to an amplifier through a wireless connection.

49. Playground device according to claim 2 and any preceding claim dependent on claim 2, wherein the single unit is an add-on unit for installation on or in existing playground devices.

50. Add-on unit for a playground device according to any preceding claim, wherein the add on single unit comprises the sound signal generator and the motion sensor.

51. Add-on unit according to claim 50, wherein the add-on unit comprises a sound amplifier and a loudspeaker.

52. Add-on unit according to claim 50 and 51, wherein the add-on unit is a seat or standing support for a person in which the sound feedback signal generator and the motion sensor and, optionally, the sound amplifier and a loudspeaker are integrated.

53. Playground with a number of playground devices, wherein each playground device has a ground supported, movable part and at least one motion sensor configured for sensing the motion of the movable part, each of the motion sensors being functionally connected to a common sound signal feedback generator that is configured for converting the signals from the motion sensors of the different devices into a common sound feedback in response to the motion of the different movable parts.

54. Playground according to claim 53, wherein the sensors are mechanically connected only to the movable part.

55. Playground according to claim 53 or 54, wherein the sensors are electronically connected to a data sending unit configured for wireless transmission of data to the sound signal feedback generator, wherein the sound signal feedback generator comprises a data receiver for wireless receiving of the transmitted data.

56. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-55, wherein the sound feedback generator also comprises an interface for a data storage medium.

57. Playground according to claim 56, wherein the data storage medium is a memory card or memory stick insertable into the single unit.

58. Playground according to claim 56, wherein the interface is configured for connection with a mobile telephone, mp3-player, or PDA.

59. Playground according to claim 57 or 58, wherein the data storage medium comprises a game and wherein the sound feedback signal generator is configured upon reading of the data from the game data storage medium to give a sound feedback in accordance with predetermined game rules, the game rules being programmed to perform consecutive steps in the game only in dependence of a certain motion pattern of the movable device.

60. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-59, wherein at least one of the devices has a stationary, ground supported frame and the movable part is connected to the frame.

61. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-60, wherein the at least one motion sensor is configured to measure independently in at least two dimensions, and wherein the sound signal feedback generator is configured to give a sound signal feedback dependent on, whether the movement is in a first dimension or in a second dimension or in a combination of the first and the second dimension.

62. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-60, wherein at least one motion sensor is configured to measure independently in three dimensions, and wherein the sound signal feedback generator is configured to give a sound signal feedback varying dependent on, whether the movement is in a first dimension, in a second dimension, in a third dimension or in a combination of the first, the second dimension and the third dimension.

63. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-62, wherein at least one motion sensor is configured to measure position of the movable part.

64. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-63, wherein at least one motion sensor is configured to measure velocity of the movable part.

65. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-64, wherein at least one motion sensor is configured to measure acceleration of the movable part.

66. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-65, wherein at least one device also comprises a light sensor for measuring light conditions around the movable part, the light sensor being electronically connected to the sound feedback generator, and wherein the sound feedback generator is configured for giving sound feedback in dependence of the light conditions.

67. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-66, wherein at least one device also comprises a sound sensor for measuring the background sound level around the movable part, the sound sensor being electronically connected to the sound feedback generator, and wherein the sound feedback generator is configured for adjusting the feedback sound level in dependence of the background sound level.

68. Playground according to any one of the claims 53-67, wherein at least one movable part is configured for supporting a person.

69. Playground according to claim 68, wherein the movable part is a seat.

70. Playground according to claim 68, wherein the movable part is a stand support.

71. Playground according to claim 68, wherein the movable part is a ring for seating or standing on the ring of a person.

72. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 68-71, wherein at least one motion sensor is integrated in the seat or stand support.

73. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 68-72, wherein at least one device also comprises a weight sensor for measuring the weight of a person on the movable part, the weight sensor being electronically connected to the sound feedback generator, and wherein the sound feedback generator is configured for giving a sound feedback in dependence of the signal from the weight sensor.

74. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is a swing and the movable part is a seat or stand support.

75. Playground according to claim 74, wherein the swing is configured to give a sound feedback depending on the height of the seat or stand support during swinging.

76. Playground according to claim 74 or 75, wherein the swing is configured to give a sound feedback depending on the position of the seat or stand support during swinging.

77. Playground according to claim 74, 75, or 76, wherein the swing is configured to give a sound feedback depending on the distance of the seat or stand support from a reference position.

78. Playground according to claim 74, 75, 76, or 77, wherein the swing is configured to give a sound feedback independently for each of at least two dimensions of the motion of the seat or stand.

79. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is a see saw and the moving part is a see saw beam with a seat on each side of a rotational support of the beam.

80. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is a see saw and the moving part is a see saw beam cross with a seat on four sides of a rotational support of the beam cross.

81. Playground according to claim 80, wherein the see saw is configured to give a sound feedback on the tilt angle of the beam with respect to the stationary ground support.

82. Playground according to claim 79, 80, or 81, wherein the see saw is configured to give a sound feedback dependent on the up and down rhythm of the seat movement.

83. Playground according to claim 79, 80, 81, or 82, wherein the see saw is configured to give a sound feedback on the height of the seat movement.

84. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is a ropeway with a seat or standing support held movably by a rope or wire fastened between ground supports.

85. Playground according to claim 84, wherein a motion sensor is integrated in the rope or wire and optionally a motion sensor is integrated in the seat or stand support.

86. Playground according to claim 84 or 85, wherein the ropeway is configured for giving sound feedback on the direction of movement of the seat or standing support, the sound feedback being dependent on, whether the movement is in a first dimension or in a second dimension or in a combination of the first and the second dimension.

87. Playground according to claim 84, 85, or 86, wherein the seat or standing support is connected rotationally to the wire for rotation of the seat or standing support in a plane parallel to the rope or wire, wherein the ropeway comprises rotation sensors in the connection between the seat or standing support and the rope or wire, the rotation sensors being electronically connected to the sound feedback signal generator configured to give sound feedback dependent on the rotational angle of the seat or standing support or dependent on the change of the rotational angle of the seat or standing support or dependent on both.

88. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is a suspension bridge, wherein the movable part comprises ropes or wires holding planks for support of a person on the planks.

89. Playground according to claim 88, wherein a motion sensor is positioned in a rope or wire.

90. Playground according to claim 88 or 89, wherein a motion sensor is positioned in a plank

91. Playground according to claim 88, 89, or 90, wherein the bridge also comprises a sensor for measuring the position of a person on the movable part, and the bridge is configured for giving a sound feedback dependent on the position of the person on the movable part.

92. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 88-91, wherein the bridge is configured for giving a sound feedback dependent on the change of the position of the person on the movable part.

93. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 88-92, wherein the device has a number of connected planks, the planks having person sensors configured for activation when a person is supported by the planks, the person sensors being electronically connected to the sound signal feedback generator configured to give a sound feedback in dependence of the activated person sensors.

94. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is pole tennis with a ball fastened to a pole by a rope.

95. Playground according to claim 94, wherein the at least one motion sensor is integrated in the ball.

96. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-73, wherein at least one device is balance board.

97. Playground according to claim 96, wherein the balance board comprises a sensor for measuring orientation of the board, the orientation sensor being functionally connected to the sound signal feedback generator for generating sound signals depending on the orientation of the board.

98. Playground according to claim 97, wherein the sound signal feedback generator for generating sound signals depending on the change of orientation of the board.

99. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-98, wherein at least one device also comprises a vibration feedback generator configured to impart vibrations on the movable part in dependence on received data from measurements by the at least one motion sensor.

100. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-99, wherein the sound signal feedback generator is functionally connected to an amplifier through a wireless connection.

101. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims 53-99, wherein a sensor and the sound signal generator are located in a single unit which is an add-on unit for installation on or in existing Playgrounds.