INFANT-OPERABLE REMOTE CONTROLLED ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM

• US 20040110445A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Graf
• Original Assignee: David Graf
• Inventors: Graf, David
• Granted Patent: US 6,746,299 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/227
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/006 Infant exercisers, e.g. for attachment to a crib
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068

Abstract

An Infant-Operable Remote Controlled Entertainment and Education Device and System is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system that includes a control device that is safe to be left with unsupervised infants. The system further includes a responder device that is in communication with the control device. The control device has a plurality of buttons or other touch-sensitive portions dispersed on its face, and each of these buttons has a unique shape or design displayed thereon. Correspondingly, the remote device includes a plurality of figures or members that have shapes or display designs that correspond to the buttons on the control device. In operation, touching or pressing one of the control buttons or touch-sensitive portions of the control device will cause one of the figures or members on the responder device to animate or otherwise agitate in response. In view of the fascination that infants have with remote control devices, it is expected that the link between pressing a control device button and receiving a response from the responder device will provide an educational experience to the infant.

Claims

1. An infant-operable entertainment system, comprising:

a responder assembly comprising a housing and a first responder module;

a control assembly comprising a base and a first control module, said control assembly in communication with said responder assembly; and

whereby said control assembly to responder assembly communication causes said first responder module to agitate responsive to activation of said first control module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first control module comprises a first indicia displayed thereon and said first responder module further comprises said first indicia displayed thereon.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said agitation comprises a light being illuminated;

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said agitation comprises movement of a three-dimensional figure.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said responder assembly further comprises an audio output device, said audio output device configured to provide audible sounds responsive to activation of said first control module.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said control assembly further comprises a second control module and said responder assembly further comprises a second responder module, whereby said control assembly to responder assembly communication causes said second responder module to agitate responsive to activation of said second control module.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said control assembly further comprises a third control module and said responder assembly further comprises a third responder module, whereby said control assembly to responder assembly communication causes said third responder module to agitate responsive to activation of said third control module.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said control assembly further comprises a fourth control module and said responder assembly further comprises a fourth responder module, whereby said control assembly to responder assembly communication causes said fourth responder module to agitate responsive to activation of said fourth control module.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein:

said three-dimensional article defines a first shape; and

said first indicia substantially depicts said first shape.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein:

said three-dimensional article defines a first shape; and

said first control module defines said first shape.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said control assembly comprises a housing, said housing configured to be handheld by an infant.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said control assembly contains multiple sybolically identifiable selections, each said symbolically identifiable selection corresponding to a similar feature on said responder assembly, whereby when a said symbolically identifiable selection is activated, feedback is provided to the infant user via agitation of said responder assembly.

11. An infant-operable entertainment system, comprising:

a responder assembly comprising a housing and a plurality of responder modules;

a control assembly comprising a base and a plurality of control modules, each said control module linked to one discrete said responder module, said control assembly in communication with said responder assembly; and

whereby said control assembly to responder assembly communication causes a said responder module to agitate responsive to activation of said control module to which said responder module is linked.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein one said control module comprises a star indicia displayed thereon and said linked responder module further comprises said star indicia displayed thereon.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein one said responder module comprises a pop-up figure and said linked control module displays indicia substantially representing the appearance of said pop-up figure.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein one said responder module comprises a worm-shaped three-dimensional figure and said linked control module displays indicia substantially representing the appearance of said worm;

and

said housing is further shaped substantially similar to an apple, said housing further defined by at least one aperture formed therein through which said worm-shaped three-dimensional figure can protrude responsive to activation of said linked control module.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said housing is shaped substantially similar to the head of a member of the group of animals;

one said responder module comprises an eye attached to said head; and

said linked control module displays indicia substantially representing the appearance of said eye.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said agitation comprises said eye winking.

13. The system of Claim I1, wherein one said control module defines a star shape and said linked responder module defines said star shape.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said agitation comprises said star shape rotating.