Interactive apparatus using print media

• US 6,985,139 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Flowers, Mark, Marggraff, L. James
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US10/752,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140966A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-184, 345/169, 178 1801- 1807, 178 1901- 1906, 434169-178, 434308-318, 434/338
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems

Abstract

A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.

Claims

1. An interactive apparatus comprising:

a) a base unit comprising

i) a surface for receiving a sheet having a print element on the sheet,

ii) a first antenna under the surface,

iii) a processor operatively coupled to the first antenna,

iv) a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and

v) an audio output device operatively coupled to the processor,

b) a stylus coupled to the base unit, wherein the stylus comprises a marking instrument and a second antenna, and wherein the audio output device is adapted to provide audio output that relates to the print element when a user makes a mark in the vicinity of the print element with the marking instrument.

2. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first antenna is a transmitting antenna and the second antenna is a receiving antenna.

3. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking instrument comprises ink.

4. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking instrument is a pencil.

5. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking instrument is a crayon.

6. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking instrument comprises a pencil, and wherein the first antenna is a transmitting antenna and the second antenna is a receiving antenna.

7. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the sheet.

8. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the sheet, and wherein the sheet is a page in a book.

9. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base unit is a single, integral body.

10. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base unit includes a hinge with portions that fold about the hinge.

11. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking instrument is performed and is insertable in the stylus housing.

12. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises a speaker and a slot for receiving a data cartridge.

13. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory device comprises code for prompting the user to writing on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element.

14. The interactive apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory device comprises code for indicating whether the user'"'"'s mark on the print element is correct or incorrect.

15. A method for generating an audio output, the method comprising:

a) placing a sheet having a print element and an identifier printed on the sheet on a surface of a base unit comprising a transmitting antenna;

b) marking on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with the a marking instrument in a stylus, wherein the stylus further comprises a receiving antenna; and

c) generating an audio output that corresponds to the print element in response to b.

16. A method for generating an audio output, the method comprising:

a) placing a sheet having a print element printed on the sheet on a surface of a base unit comprising a first antenna, wherein a stylus comprising a marking instrument and a second antenna is coupled to the base unit;

b) marking on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with the marking instrument; and

c) generating an audio output that corresponds to the print element.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first antenna is a transmitting antenna and the second antenna is a receiving antenna.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the writing element comprises ink.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the writing element is a pencil.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the writing element is a crayon.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the sheet is in a book.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the base unit is a single, integral body.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the base unit includes a hinge with portions that fold about the hinge.

24. The method of claim 16 wherein the marking instrument is performed and is insertable in the stylus housing.

25. The method of claim 16 wherein the base unit comprises a speaker and a slot for receiving a data cartridge.

26. The method of claim 16 wherein c) occurs before b).