Doll Companion Integrating Child Self-Directed Execution of Applications with Cell Phone Communication, Education, Entertainment, Alert and Monitoring Systems

• US 20120295510A1
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Learning Squared Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Square Panda Inc.
• Inventors: Boeckle, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,126,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/003 specially adapted for a particular function not connected with dolls as electric lighting devices A63H3/006
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/70 specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

The presented cell phone-enabled doll companion allows a child novel ways to self-select and self-execute applications while requiring no intervention or supervision from the parent. Further, it provides learning, entertainment and safety by integrating cell phone communication, education, entertainment, alert and monitoring systems. While providing a convenient means of communication between the child and parent, the system allows surveillance of a child'"'"'s real-time environment, GPS monitoring and SIDS/health monitoring. The functionality and the physical elements of the system are programmable through installation of applications downloadable from an application store. Various options for parental access to a configuration interface to modify settings and download applications are provided, including via a cell phone, a website, customer service call center and/or the doll companion touch screen.

Claims

1. A doll companion system, comprising:

a doll/toy housing;

a cellular communication system operable to send and receive cell phone calls to at least one designated phone number, wherein at least a portion of said cellular communication system is housed within said doll/toy housing;

a computer system operable to execute applications, wherein at least a portion of said computer system is housed within said doll/toy housing;

at least one child-activated input device adapted to allow the child user to initiate execution of one of said applications by said computer system.

2. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a configuration interface accessible to an adult user, wherein said configuration interface is adapted to allow the adult user to configure at least some aspects of said cellular communication system and at least some aspects of a child'"'"'s daily schedule.

3. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said child activation system comprises at least one tactile button.

4. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said child activation system comprises a touch screen.

5. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said child activation system comprises:

a smart card system comprising at least one smart card including application-associated data corresponding to one of said applications; and

a card reader configured to receive said application-associated data and to transmit said application-associated data to said computer system;

wherein, upon receipt of said application-associated data, said computer system is configured to execute the corresponding said one of said applications.

6. The doll companion system as recited in claim 5, wherein said card reader utilizes near field communication for communication between said smart card and said card reader.

7. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said configuration interface is accessed via a website; and

said computer system is updated using over-the-air technology with changes made through said configuration interface.

8. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuration interface is accessed via an administrative interface.

9. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuration interface is accessed by calling a provided customer service agent.

10. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a camera operable to record video images and operably connected to said computer system;

at least one speaker operable to provide auditory output and operably connected to said computer system; and

a microphone operable to record auditory input and operably connected to said computer system.

11. The doll companion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said configuration interface is provided by software installed on a computer connectable to said computer system.

12. A doll companion system, comprising:

a doll/toy housing;

a cellular communication system operable to send and receive cell phone calls and to transmit data to at least one designated phone number, wherein at least a portion of said cellular communication system is housed within said doll/toy housing;

a monitoring system operable to monitor an aspect of a child'"'"'s environment, wherein at least a portion of said monitoring system is housed within said doll/toy housing;

a computer system operable for receiving monitoring data from said monitoring device and for transmitting data based on said monitoring data via said cellular communication system to said at least one designated phone number, wherein at least a portion of said computer system is housed within said doll/toy housing;

a camera operable to record video images and operably connected to said computer system;

at least one speaker operable to provide auditory output and operably connected to said computer system;

a microphone operable to record auditory input and operably connected to said computer system; and

a configuration interface accessible to a user, wherein said configuration interface is adapted to allow the user to configure at least some aspects of said cellular communication system and at least some aspects of a child'"'"'s daily schedule.

13. The doll companion system as recited in claim 12, wherein:

said monitoring system comprises a sensor to measure parameters associated with the child'"'"'s health; and

said data based on said monitoring data is a notification alert.

14. The doll companion system as recited in claim 12, wherein said monitoring system comprises:

a GPS receiver configured to receive GPS satellite signals;

a safety band adapted to be worn by the child;

wherein said safety band is configured with a first portion of a wireless band disconnect system;

wherein said doll companion system is configured with a complementary second portion of said wireless band disconnect system; and

wherein said doll companion system is configured to send an alert based on separation of the first portion of said wireless band disconnect system from said complementary second portion of said wireless band disconnect system.

15. The doll companion system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a display screen operably connected to said computer system and adapted to display output from said computer system.

16. The doll companion system, as recited in claim 15, wherein said display screen comprises a touch screen.

17. A toy system, comprising:

a doll/toy housing;

a computer system operable to execute applications, wherein at least a portion of said computer system is housed within said doll/toy housing;

a smart card system comprising at least one smart card;

wherein said smart card comprises application-associated data corresponding to one of said applications;

wherein said smart card system is adapted to allow the child user to initiate execution of one of said applications by said computer system; and

a card reader configured to receive said application-associated data and to transmit said application-associated data to said computer system;

wherein, upon receipt of said application-associated data, said computer system is configured to execute the corresponding said one of said applications.

18. The toy system as recited in claim 17, further comprising at least one tactile button.

19. The toy system as recited in claim 17, further comprising a touch screen.

20. The toy system as recited in claim 17, wherein said card reader utilizes near field communication for communication between said smart card and said card reader.