GB2459490A

GB2459490A - Educational puzzle with bar code and speech enabled barcode scanner.

Info

Publication number: GB2459490A
Application number: GB0807479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kent Lin
Original assignee: BEST LEARNING MATERIALS CORP
Current assignee: BEST LEARNING MATERIALS CORP
Priority date: 2008-04-24
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2009-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-24
Also published as: GB2459490B; GB0807479D0

Abstract

An educational puzzle comprises a puzzle set 10 having multiple puzzles 11 and a scanner 20. Each puzzle 11 has indicia or pictures 11 and a unique bar code 112. The barcode scanner 20 stores different barcode identifications corresponding to all barcodes on the puzzles 11 and speech data relating to the indicia 111 or picture. When a child holds the barcode scanner 20 to scan the barcodes 112 of the puzzles in sequence, the barcode scanner 20 adjusts a correct speech data according to the barcode identifications, the speech data and greeting is played. If the puzzle sequence is incorrect the device notifies that and has the speech data showing its incorrect and prompts to try again. The barcode scanner comprises a barcode reader 22, a CPU based voice synthesizer, an input device 24, a speaker 25 and LEDs 26.

Description

SCAN PUZZLE PLAYING DEVICE

l.Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a teaching aids, and more particularly to a scan puzzle playing device providing child an audio puzzle game with an barcode scanner.

2. Description of Related Art

The conventional teaching aids are stiff and hardly increase children interest in learning. For example, a puzzle game provides multiple puzzles to train children's combination ability. Since patterns are printed on the puzzles, one picture will be completed, the children do not easily developed an interest in the same puzzle game. Although child computer provides various teaching software to display teaching content in audio and video form, it's not easily for the child to operate the computer and buying child computer is not cheap.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a scan puzzle playing device to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems and enhance a child to hand-on play and learn with fun.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a scan puzzle playing device that provides an audio puzzle game with a barcode scanner.

The scan puzzle playing device in accordance with the present invention has: a puzzle set having multiple puzzles, each of which has a sheet, a pattern and a barcode, wherein the pattern and the barcode are formed on the sheet and each puzzle has a unique barcode that differs from others; and a barcode scanner comprising: a casing; a photo scanning sensor mounted inside the casing and exposing to the casing to scan the barcodes of the puzzles and output the barcode signals including the barcode identifications; a CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit mounted inside the casing and electronically connected to the photo scanning sensor to obtain the barcode signals; and an input device mounted inside the casing, exposing to the casing and electronically connected to CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit; a speaker mounted inside the casing and electronically connected to CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit, so the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit drives the speaker to play speech data; a light indicator mounted inside the casing, exposing to the casing and electronically connected to CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit, so the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit drives the light indicator to turn on or turn off; and a battery supplying power to the photo scanning sensor, the input device, the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit, the speaker and the light indicator.

Therefore, the child not oniy practices how to puzzle a meaningful picture, but also learns the description and pronunciation of the meaningful picture with fun.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a scan puzzle playing device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is top view of a barcode scanner of the scan puzzle playing device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top view of a puzzle set of the scan puzzle playing device in

accordance with the prior art;

Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the barcode scanner of the scan puzzle playing device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a functional flow chart of the barcode scanner of the scan playing device.

With reference to Fig. 1, a scan puzzle playing device in accordance with the present invention has a puzzle set (10) and a barcode scanner (20).

With further reference to Figs. 2A to 2C, there are three puzzle sets (10)(lOa)(lOb) and each puzzle set shows some puzzles (11). The puzzle set (10) has multiple puzzles (11) to puzzle a complete picture. Each puzzle (11) has a sheet (110), a pattern (111) and a barcode (112) consisted of black and white lines with interval. The pattern (111) and the barcode (112) may be printed on the sheet (110). Each puzzle (11) of the puzzle set (10) has a unique barcode (112) that differs from others. For teaching use, the pattern (111) on the sheet (110) may be Arabic numeral, letter of the alphabet, words, animal picture, daily activity image etc. In Fig. 2A, the patterns (111) of the puzzles (11) has Arabic numeral and symbols of four fundamental operations of arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Therefore, the child puzzles (11) different arithmetic equations. In Fig. 2B, the patterns (111) of the puzzles (11) has Arabic numeral and pictures of articles for daily use, so child practices to know and remember Arabic numerals by counting numbers of the articles for daily use. In Fig. 2C, the patterns (Ill) of the puzzles (11) have letters of English alphabet. Therefore, the child puzzles different words.

With further reference to Fig. 3, the barcode scanner (20) has a casing (21), a photo scanning sensor (22), a CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23), an input device (24), a speaker (25), a light indicator (26) and at least one battery (27). The CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) is mounted inside the casing (21) and electronically connected to the photo scanning sensor (22), the input device (24), the speaker, the light indicator and the battery. In preferred embodiment, the photo scanning sensor (22) is mounted inside the casing (21) and exposed to a front end of the casing (21).

The input device (24) may have multiple buttons or may be a switch. In the preferred embodiment, the input device has a power on button or switch, some mode selecting buttons or optional function modes switch. The functional buttons may have a set of buttons for math, a set of buttons for Animal, a set of buttons for Words andlor a set of buttons for Daily activity. The set of button for Math includes addition button, subtraction button, multiplication button, compare button, read button and question mode button. The set of button for Animal includes read button, animal button, habits button, sentence mode button, and question mode button. The set of buttons for Words includes alphabet button, letter button, word button and question mode button. The set of buttons for Daily activity includes read button, sentence button or question mode button.

The speaker (25) is mounted inside the casing (21). The light indicator (26) is mounted inside the casing (21) and exposed to a top surface of the casing (21). The batteries (27) are mounted in a battery compartment of the casing (21) and supplies power to above electronic elements or units.

With further reference to Fig. 4, a preferred embodiment of the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) of the barcode scanner (20) has a microprocessor (23 1), a memory unit (232), a barcode decoder (233), a transmitter driving unit (235) an audio driver (236) and a light indicator driver * (237). The photo scanning sensor (22) may be a barcode scanning sensor has a photo receiver (221) and a photo transmitter (222), so the barcode scanner (20) may be a handheld barcode scanner. The light indicator (26) may have at least one LED. In preferred embodiment, the light indicator (23) has a first LED (D3) for correct match, a second LED (Dl) for incorrect match, and a third LED (D4) for power indicator.

The microprocessor (231) is electronically connected to the buttons of the input device (24) and the photo transmitter (222) of the barcode scanning sensor (22) through the transmitter driving unit (235). The microprocessor (231) stores barcode identifications corresponding to the barcodes (112) of the puzzles (11) of the puzzle set (1 0), meanings of patterns and meanings of correct pictures such as Arabic numerals, words etc., and stores an adjusting * 6 procedure. The adjusting procedure may have a single language learning mode, a single Math function mode, a single raising question mode, any two of them.

* or all of them.

The memory unit (232) is integrated with the microprocessor (231) and has ROM for program and speech data and working RAM. Since the memory unit (232) integrated with the microprocessor (231), the memory unit (232) stores the adjusting procedure and speech data corresponding to pronunciations of the meanings of the pictures andlor the correct puzzled pictures. The speech data may have pronunciations of Arabic numeral, the letter of the alphabet and the animal name, or encourage sounds being like "Great", "Good job", "Wonderful", "Try again" etc. The barcode decoder (233) may be integrated with the microprocessor to an integrated circuit (IC) and electronically connected to the photo receiver (221) of the barcode scanning sensor (20). The barcode decoder (233) decodes a barcode signal from the photo receiver (221) of the barcode scanning sensor (22) to extract a barcode identification. Then the barcode identification is further output to the microprocessor (231).

The audio driver (236) is electronically connected to the microprocessor (231) and a speaker (25). The microprocessor (231) reads an appropriate speech data from the memory unit (232) and then outputs it to the speaker (25) through the audio driver (236). That is, the audio driver (236) converts and amplifies the speech data to the speaker (25). Therefore, the barcode scanner (10) plays the speech data to a child when the child is playing the present invention.

The light indicator driver (237) is electronically connected to the microprocessor (231) and the LEDs (Dl/D2) of the light indicator (26), so the microprocessor (231) respectively drives the LEDs (D1/D2) to turn on or off through the light indicator driver (237).

With reference to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, after the child puzzles some puzzles (11) together to constitute a picture (ex: an arithmetic equation for Math), the child selects a function mode to play, example a Math function mode button of the input device (24). After then, the child holds the barcode scanner (20) and aligns the barcode scanning sensor (22) to a barcode (lii) of the first puzzle (11) of the puzzled picture.

The adjusting procedure (30) of the microprocessor has following steps.

The microprocessor (231) determines a specific mode by selecting a function mode (31) and then checks whether the barcode decoder (233) outputs the barcode identification, Since the child scans the two or three puzzles in sequence, the microprocessor (231) receives the barcode signals (32). The microprocessor (231) further obtains and recognizes the barcode identifications from the barcode decoder (233) (33). The microprocessor (231) reads the memory unit (232) (34) and checks whether any speech data matches to a pronunciation of the puzzled picture according to the barcode identifications (35). If so, the microprocessor (231) reads the matched speech data "5 plus 3 equals to 8" or "Good job" from the memory unit (232) and outputs the matched speech data to the audio driver (236). The speaker (25) plays the matched speech data to the child. Therefore, the child knows the puzzled picture is correct.

In detailed step, since the adjusting procedure is executing at the Math function mode, after the child scans the puzzles, an speech data of pronunciation of a pattern "5" of the first puzzle (11) is read and played. Then, the child scans the barcode of the second puzzle. Therefore, the microprocessor re-checks the present barcode identification corresponding to the barcode of the second puzzle with the memory unit. The speaker also plays the matched speech data corresponding to the present barcode identification. Thus, the child also learn the pronunciation of the pattern "3"of the second puzzle. According to the arithmetic equation, the child scans the barcode of the third puzzle (11).

The microprocessor (231) judges a matched speech data corresponding to the present barcode identification. The speaker plays the pronunciation of the pattern "8"of the third puzzle or "Good job! 5 plus 3 equals to 8". At the same time, since the microprocessor obtains the arithmetic equation by three scanning steps, the microprocessor further calculates the arithmetic equation and compares whether the calculating result is equal to the number "8" corresponding to the third barcode identification. If the comparing result is positive, the microprocessor (231) reads an speech data "Good job" from the memory unit (232) and then from the barcode decoder (233) (33). The microprocessor (231) reads the memory unit (232) (34) and checks whether any speech data matches to a pronunciation of the puzzled picture according to the barcode identifications (35). If so, the microprocessor (231) reads the matched speech data "5 plus 3 equals to 8" or "Good job" from the memory unit (232) and outputs the matched speech data to the audio driver (236). The speaker (25) plays the matched speech data to the child. Therefore, the child knows the puzzled picture is correct.

The microprocessor (231) judges a matched speech data corresponding to the present barcode identification. The speaker plays the pronunciation of the pattern "8"of the third puzzle or "Good job! 5 plus 3 equals to 8". At the same time, since the microprocessor obtains the arithmetic equation by three scanning steps, the microprocessor further calculates the arithmetic equation and compares whether the calculating result is equal to the number "8" corresponding to the third barcode identification. If the comparing result is positive, the microprocessor (231) reads an speech data "Good job" from the memory unit (232) and then invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A scan puzzle playing device comprising: a puzzle set (10) having multiple puzzles (11), each of which has a sheet (110) , a pattern (111) and a barcode (112), wherein the pattern (111) and the barcode (112) are formed on the sheet (110) and each puzzle (10) has a unique barcode (112) that differs from others; and a barcode scanner (20) comprising: a casing (21); a photo scanning sensor (22) mounted inside the casing (21) and exposing to the casing (21) to scan the barcodes (112) of the puzzles (11) and output the barcode signals including the barcode identifications; a CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) mounted inside the casing (21) and electronically connected to the photo scanning sensor (22) to obtain the barcode signals; and an input device (24) mounted inside the casing (21), exposing to the casing (21) and electronically connected to CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23); a speaker (25) mounted inside the casing and electronically connected to CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23), so the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) drives the speaker to play speech data; a light indicator (26) mounted inside the casing (21), exposing to the casing (21) and electronically connected to CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23), so the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) drives the light indicator (26) to turn on or turn off; and a battery (27) supplying power to the photo scanning sensor (22), the input device (24), the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23), the speaker (25) and the light indicator (26).
2. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photo scanning sensor (22) comprises a photo receiver (221) and a photo transmitter (222).
3. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light indicator (26) comprises two different color LEDs or an LED emitting different color lights.
4. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) comprises: a microprocessor (231) electronically connected to the input device (24) and the photo transmitter (222) of the barcode scanning sensor (22) through a transmitter driving unit (235), storing barcode identifications corresponding to the barcodes of the puzzles (11) of the puzzle set (10), meanings of the patterns (111) of the puzzles (11), meanings of correct pictures (111) each of which is puzzled by the corresponding puzzles (11), a adjusting procedure and speech data corresponding to pronunciations of the meanings of the pictures (111) andlor the correct puzzled pictures (111); a barcode decoder (233) electronically connected between the microprocessor (231) and the photo receiver (221) of the photo scanning sensor (22), decoding the barcode signals from the photo receiver (221) of the photo scanning sensor (22) to extract the barcode identifications and outputting the barcode identifications to the microprocessor (231); an audio driver (236) electronically connected to the microprocessor.(231) and a light indicator driver (237), so the microprocessor (231) drives speaker (25) through the audio driver (236); and a light indicator driver (237) electronically connected to the microprocessor (231) and the light indicator (26), so the microprocessor (231) drives the light indicator (26) to turn on or off through the light indicator driver (237).
5. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the barcode decoder (233) is integrated with the microprocessor (231) to an integrated circuit.
6. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises steps of: obtaining barcode signals corresponding to the barcodes of the puzzles of the puzzled picture by scanning the barcodes of the puzzles (32); decoding the barcode signals to obtain the barcode identifications and recognizing the barcode identification of each barcode signal (33); reading the speech data stored in the memory unit (34); judging whether corresponding speech data is matched the pronunciation of the puzzled picture according to the barcode identifications of the puzzles (35); driving the speaker to play the matched speech data andlor turning on the light indicator, if a judging result is positive (36); and reading an speech data related to wrong picture andlor turning on the light indicator, if a judging result is negative (37).
7. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the photo scanning sensor (22) is mounted inside the casing (21) and exposed to a front end of the casing (21); and the input device (24) has a power button or switch, and a function switch or function buttons.
8. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises a language leaning mode and the meanings of patterns are letters of an alphabet and the meanings of the correct puzzled pictures are words; and the function buttons of the input device comprises an alphabet button, a letter button, a word button and a question mode button.
9. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises a Math function mode and the meanings of patterns are Arabic numerals and the meanings of the correct puzzled pictures are Arabic numerals; and the function buttons of the input device comprises an addition button, a subtraction button, a multiplication button, a compare button, a read button and a question mode button.
10. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises an Animal mode; and the function buttons of the input device comprises a read button, an animal button, a habits button, a sentence mode button, and a question mode button; 11. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the function buttons of the input device comprises a Daily activity mode; and the function buttons of the input device comprises read button, sentence button or question mode button.Amendments to the claims have been fi'ed as follows: CLAIMS: 1. A scan puzzle playing device comprising: a puzzle set (10) having multiple puzzles (11), each of which has a sheet (110), a pattern (111) and a barcode (112), wherein the pattern (111) and the barcode (112) are formed on the sheet (110) and each puzzle (10) has a unique barcode (112) that differs from others; and a barcode scanner (20) comprising: a casing (21); a photo scanning sensor (22) mounted inside the casing (21) and exposing to the casing (21) to scan the barcodes (112) of the puzzles (11) and output the barcode signals including the barcode identifications; an input device (24) mounted inside the casing (21), exposing from the casing (21); a speaker (25); a light indicator (26) mounted inside the casing (21), and exposing from the casing (21); a battery (27) supplying power to the photo scanning sensor (22), the *:::* input device (24), the speaker (25) and the light indicator (26); and s... a CPU based voce synthesizer controlling unit (23) mounted inside the casing 5*** (21), electronically connected to the photo scanning sensor to obtain the barcode signals (22), electronically connected to input device (24), electronically connected to the speaker (25) to play speech data, electronically connected to the light indicator (26) to turn on or turn off the light indicator (26), and electronically connected to the battery (27) to obtain power, wherein the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) further comprises a microprocessor (231) electronically connected to the input device (24) and the barcode scanning sensor (22), storing: barcode identifications corresponding to the barcodes of the puzzles (II) of the puzzle set (10), meanings of the patterns (111) of the puzzles (11), meanings of correct pictures (111) each of which is randomized by the corresponding puzzles (11), the speech data corresponding to pronunciations of the meanings of the pictures (111) and the correct puzzled pictures (111) and an adjusting procedure, wherein the adjusting procedure having steps of: obtaining barcode signals corresponding to the barcodes of the puzzles of the puzzled picture by scanning the barcodes of the puzzles (32); decoding the barcode signals to obtain the barcode identifications and recognizing the barcode identification of each barcode signal (33); reading the speech data stored in the memory unit (34); judging whether corresponding speech data matches the pronunciation of the puzzled picture according to the barcode identifications of the puzzles (35); driving the speaker to play the matched speech data and/or turning on the light indicator, if a judging result is positive (36); and reading a speech data related to wrong picture and/or turning on the light a...indicator if a judging result is negative (37).2. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photo scanning sensor (22) comprises: a. * : aphotoreceiver(221): and a photo transmitter (222) electronically connected to the microprocessor (231) through a transmitter driving unit (235), so the photo transmitter is driven by the microprocessor (231).3. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light indicator (26) comprises two different color LEDs or an LED emitting different color lights.4. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the CPU based voice synthesizer controlling unit (23) comprises: a bar decoder (233) electronically connected between the microprocessor (231) and the photo receiver (221) of the photo scanning sensor (22), decoding the barcode signals from the photo receiver (221) of the photo scanning sensor (22) to extract the barcode identifications and outputting the barcode identifications to the microprocessor (231); an audio driver (236) electronically connected to the microprocessor (231) and a light indicator driver (237), so the microprocessor (231) drives speaker (25) through the audio driver (236); and a light indicator driver (237) electronically connected to the microprocessor *:1..20 (231) and the light indicator (26), so the microprocessor (231) drives the light indicator (26)to turn on or off through the light indicator driver (237). S. *S * S S * S S* *S S S * S*5. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the barcode decoder (233) is integrated with the microprocessor (231) to an integrated circuit.6. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the photo scanning sensor (22) is mounted inside the casing (21) and exposed to a front end of the casing (21); and the input device (24) has a power button or switch, and a function switch or function buttons.7. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises a language leaning mode and the meanings of patterns are letters of an alphabet and meanings of the correct puzzled pictures are words; and the function buttons of the input device comprises an alphabet button, a letter button, a word button and a question mode button.8. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises a Math function mode and the meanings of patterns are Arabic numerals and the meanings of the correct puzzled pictures are Arabic numerals; and the function buttons of the input device comprises an addition button, a subtraction button, a multiplication button, a compare button, a read button and a question mode button. S. SS S *S9. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjusting procedure comprises an Animal mode; and the function buttons of the input device comprise a read button, an animal button, a habits button, a sentence mode button, and a question mode button.10. The scan puzzle playing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the functions buttons of the input device comprises a Daily activity mode; and the function buttons of the input device comprises read button, sentence button or question mode button.
11. A scan puzzle playing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * * * * * * ** **** * . * S.. * . * S I * ..S SS.S* * . S. *. * . S * SSS SS SS *.