FR2800556A1 - PORTABLE PLUSH TELEPHONE - Google Patents

Abstract

Mobile phone for young children, with priority incoming call from parents, outgoing call restriction to a priority list, no constraint or on-call from the child user, a keyboard-less interface, and several levels of control and security .

Description

I The invention relates to the production of a working mobile telephone

  under GSM network intended for children

  of infancy, unable to read, write or count.

  The invention is implemented in the form of a plush or a pet, the telephony functions are integrated within a toy whose interface and ergonomics are adapted to the capabilities of the child and are

  restricted to use controlled by parents.

  The invention has an affective function, it ensures 1o maintaining contact of the child with the family, on the initiative

of the child or the parents.

  The invention has a safety function: the child can

  call for help at all times.

  The invention has a monitoring function, the parents can at any time and by a simple call monitor the sound environment of the child, at school, at his nanny,

and in his sleep.

  Particular attention is paid to the safety of use, to the control and limitation of communications, as well as to the Network Connection system causing the

billing for communications.

  Different functionalities today facilitate the use of the mobile phone in common use, and constitute a state of the art: - Voice recognition allows to trigger the dialing of a prerecorded number. The number and a pronunciation sample are previously saved in a digital data file

constituting a directory.

  Two types of voice recognition operate an interface - Multi-speaker lexical recognition, which allows the recognition and discrimination of a limited number of preprogrammed words. pronounced. by a wide

sample of speakers.

  - Sound recognition, which allows recognition and discrimination of an unlimited number of words spoken by a single speaker and prerecorded by a single speaker. Word recognition only works with this speaker. - Finally, the most advanced systems carry out double recognition, multi-speaker lexical recognition from a repertoire of pre-recorded words, and speaker discrimination by comparison with the pre-recorded pronunciation samples. Identification of calling numbers, digital messaging. - The call origin code and the number pass at the head of the call signal by the GSM network. An equipped telephone. processing this signal can display a calling number, compare it to the directory and indicate the identity of the calling party. Of

  filtering functions are then possible.

  Line seizure, disconnection, switching to standby are carried out by switching operations associated with closing a cover, etc. The sound reproduction is done on the hands-free phone by microphone and powerful speaker, freeing the user from the constraint of holding the handset close to the ear. Some mobile phones have such listening comfort. Functions. amplifiers are used on cell phones

  to authorize a conversation with several.

  Finally, automatic line seizure and cut-off devices are also commonly produced, which release

  the user forced to hang up after conversation.

  On the GSM network, line seizure is automatic and disconnection, on the initiative of one or other of the parties, is identified and frees the line for another incoming or outgoing call. According to the invention, the telephony functions gathered in this portable intended for young children, from 2 to 6 years old, meet the specific monitoring needs of

  parents, and the emotional and security needs of the child.

  Of course this phone is autonomous and is equipped with a rechargeable battery. Of course it has a transceiver ensuring the connection to the network, and an antenna

  integrated, for wave reception.

  Management of incoming calls a) priority calls According to the invention, parents and single parents are able to call and open (pick up remotely) the child's telephone line, and then listen to the environment

  sound of the child, then to call him.

  Thus, the telephone has a limited directory of priority calling numbers, priority directory figure 2, controlled by the persons responsible for the child. In this priority list is listed for example, the number of the main and secondary domicile, the office, the laptops, the

  family members with dependent child.

  This directory is a digital data file, the

  telephone numbers, associated with a sound file.

  Each telephone call on the GSM network is initiated by a digital message comprising the calling number, the child's telephone compares the calling number with the list of priority numbers. If a priority number is identified, the phone opens the line for direct connection. (He picks up) The parent then has the initiative to speak or listen, then

  cut communication (hang up).

b) Non-priority calls.

  These are calls whose number is not in the list of priority numbers, these calls do not open the line but trigger a ring or a message

voice of call presence.

  This type of call is treated as on a traditional GSM extension with line Quverture on the initiative of the

  receiver and cutoff on the initiative of both.

  These calls are for example_ those of the family, grand-

  parents, cousins, etc. who are not directly responsible for the child, but to whom the number has been communicated. If there is no response, the call is switched to messaging. These are also the parents' calls from an extension whose number is not registered

in priority list.

  According to the invention, the number identifying a non-priority call is systematically stored in an incoming call number directory, in the incoming directory in FIG. 2 which stores it from the oldest to the most recent. A recall function recall function figure 2 allows to successively recall the interlocutors, from the most recent to the oldest. This callback function is of limited use and secured by protection. She is possibly

accessible to the child.

  Triggering the callback function successively reads the number, digit by digit by voice announcement, then dials the stored number, and therefore calls back

correspondents.

c) Incoming calls prohibited.

  The telephone also includes a directory of prohibited numbers, Directory prohibited figure 2 filled in by

persons responsible for the child.

  An incoming call whose number is compared to one of the prohibited numbers does not initiate line opening, ringing or incoming call signal. This number is simply

  stored in the incoming call number directory.

  Management of priority, and prohibition.

  According to the invention, the adult in charge of the child has priority, his calling telephone number is stored first in the directory of priority calling numbers,

priority I figure 2.

  This priority number is stored when the telephone is switched on for the first time. The number of the first incoming call is

  stored in directory of priority calling numbers.

  The adult in charge of the child has the exclusive right to prioritize or prohibit a number registered in the

  incoming call number directory.

  For this it has a control function, secure 1o control Figure 2 function. intended to prioritize or

  barring a number from the incoming call directory.

  By successively recalling the last numbers saved in the incoming call number directory, the adult can identify each number or contact person by

  change the priority or prohibition status of his number.

  According to an example of simple implementation of the invention, on each action of the control function, the number of the called party. successively passes from no

  priority to priority to forbidden, in closed loop.

  After each change. priority (action of the function of

  phone) is deactivated.

  Theft protection, locking.

  Protection against theft or misuse is carried out by a lock, which blocks any incoming or outgoing call with the exception of the call bearing the parent number, the first number in the directory of calling numbers

priority, priority 1.

  The lock activates automatically as soon as the battery is flat or the phone is disconnected, the phone case is opened or control functions have been activated.

been performed.

  The telephone in locked mode, deactivated activated in figure 2, is simply reactivated by a call carrying the first number in the directory of priority call numbers, priority 1. Thus, parents reactivate

  automatically locked phone.

Communication.

  Communication with a priority correspondent calling

  is established without intervention of the child.

  Communication with a non-priority caller or the call of a correspondent supposes an intervention by the child, in response to a ring or a call signal or

response to a desire to call.

  Also, the act of taking the phone in hand is the act that triggers the opening of the line and the start of the

  communication with a non-priority caller.

  In order to detect the grip of the telephone, it is equipped with a motion detector, 23 figure 2, of the accelerometer, balance, liquid level, etc. type. The detection of a movement following a signaled non-priority incoming call triggers the opening of the line and the start of the conversation. Detection of a movement not consecutive to a call

  incoming signaled initiates a call.

  According to the invention, communication takes place without constraint or on-call from the child. As such, the phone has a microphone 22 and a speaker 21 whose range exceeds 50 cm in disturbed sound environment. The speaker power, the directivity and the microphone sensitivity are optimized for

  that. They are therefore associated with an amplifier 24.

  Thus, according to the invention, a priority caller can listen to the child's environment without the child's intervention, and

  direct communication can be established.

  io The child can continue his activities by speaking, resting the

  phone after accepting a non-priority call.

  In addition, an adult in the child's environment participates

freely to conversation.

  According to the invention, the call signal is a ringtone or a pre-recorded standard voice message (call signal in Figure 2) The call. The call is only authorized to a number on the

  directory of priority callers.

  After the initiation of a call made by handling the telephone, a function selecting a priority number

  triggers the dialing of said number.

  This function is described later in the description of

  the invention. After dialing, the conversation takes place if the

correspondent responds.

  End of call The line is released after the conversation, on the initiative of the caller. According to the invention, the child does not hang up. The end of the communication leads to the interruption of the audio links

Figure 2.

  Functions The telephone is governed by three functions - Callback - control

  - call selection of a priority number.

  a) According to a simplified embodiment of the invention, these

  functions can be performed by keys.

  The reminder is a key intended for parental use, as well as control. These two keys are for example protected by a flap which limits their use to parents. Although not inviolable, this device ensures exclusive control because the reactivation of the phone requires a callback from the

first priority number.

  In this mode, a keyboard with illustrated buttons can allow the selection of the numbers called. The keyboard can for example include keys in the shape of characters, dad mom, and figurative: house, office etc. The keyboard can also include blank keys, on which the parents come to bring figurines

  stickers corresponding to the different priority numbers.

  Although simple, this process is imperfect if the figurines are small, because it is difficult to read, and cumbersome if the figurines and keys are large. In addition, it limits the list of priority numbers to the number of keys initially provided. Each adult now having several call stations, home, office, mobile, the list can become important. b) According to a more sophisticated embodiment but without any apparent button on the telephone, therefore more robust and more integrated, the functions are performed by voice command. Thus the recall function, the control function are advantageously carried out by lexical recognition,

  associated with voice recognition Figure 2.

  Reminder 'then' Control 'are stored in lexical memory.

  Spoken by the adult responsible for the child, these words

  trigger the corresponding functions.

  Thus for the callback function, the numbers stored from the most recent to the oldest are successively recalled, which results in the number being spoken by a voice synthesizer

then its composition.

  By saying the words 'Control', 'Priority' or 'Prohibited' on

  parent changes and schedules priority levels.

  These functions are only activated if the telephone is taken in hand, in the call initiation mode, detected by the

motion detector 23.

  Otherwise, voice and lexical recognition remains inactive.

  The call selection of a priority number is made by

  voice recognition Figure 2, in call initiation mode.

  This selection compares the spoken word with a previously recorded pronunciation sample. Thus, during the start-up and initialization phase of the telephone and subsequently, the child is invited to pronounce the name of each correspondent becoming priority. Thus, with the number recorded in the directory of the 1o priority calling numbers, is associated samples of names pronounced by the child, which constitute the basis of recognition. If the child gives the same name to several numbers, for example 'Dad', the phone will successively dial all the numbers until communication is established. So 'daddy' will be reached at home, in the office, on his cell phone etc. Also according to this latter mode, no button or keyboard is necessary for the use of the telephone, which makes it robust,

simple and highly miniaturizable.

  Activation and initialization of calls and line seizure is carried out by hand, selection of numbers called by voice recognition, dialing is automatic after selection, call back and control are under control lexical. The call signal is vocal, recorded non-priority numbers are read and spoken again, the priority status is announced after each modification. A voice synthesizer announces a call on hold, the digits of the numbers in the directory of incoming calls. According to the invention, such a telephone is intended to become an inseparable companion of the child, also, it may be endowed with an apparent personality and an anthropomorphic appearance, Figure I with a nose 14 (the speaker 21 ) and a mouth 15 (the microphone 22) and of an artificial animal behavior making animal noise, purring, calling out, humming It can also be integrated into a plush or a doll as described in the io PATENT request of February 19, 99, FR 99 02 055 Intelligent and self-adapting electronics for toys with accessories. and be provided with eyes 13 which will open and close according to usage and circumstances, as described in:! 5 PATENT application of June 14, 99, FR 9907502, CE electromagnetic; Finally, this companion will have all the means necessary to hang on the child, to buttons, by

  buttonhole 11, with velcro strap 12, with strap 16, etc ...

Claims (14)

Claims   1) GSM mobile phone for children, characterized in that - Outgoing calls are limited to a list of priority numbers, - Calls from this list of priority numbers automatically open the line, which allows direct communication - The loudspeaker and microphone have sufficient range for nearby and face-to-face conversation - Incoming non-priority calls generate signal call.   - The line is answered in response to the call signal automatically by entering the telephone. - Calls from a list of numbers prohibited are ignored.   2) GSM mobile phone for children according to claim 1 characterized in that the number of each incoming call is decoded and saved in a directory incoming call.   3) Mobile phone according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises two additional directories, the priority directory, the forbidden directory, and in that numbers from the incoming call directory are transferred to one or the other of these two directories on the initiative of The user.   4) Mobile telephone for children according to claim 4 characterized in that an incoming call carrying a number stored in the priority directory is identified and that this   comparison triggers communication (picks up).   ) Mobile telephone for children according to claim 3 characterized in that a prohibited call does not trigger either call signal or communication initiation. 6) Telephone according to claim 3 characterized in that a call neither priority nor prohibited generates an audible call signal. 7) Telephone according to claim 6 characterized in that the 0 handling of the telephone following an audible call signal is detected by a motion detector which   initiates communication.   8) Telephone according to claim 3 characterized in that the number of the first incoming call after first switching on the telephone is stored in Priority 1 in the priority directory.   9) Telephone according to claim 8 characterized in that a callback function makes it possible to speak and recall consecutively the numbers recorded in the directory incoming calls.   ) Telephone according to claim 9, characterized in that after the number has been stated, a control function transfers it to the priority directory or to the   directory prohibited, on the initiative of the user.   11) Telephone according to claim 10 characterized in that the discharge of the battery, the change of the battery, the action of a control function, cause its deactivation. 12) Telephone according to claim 11 characterized in that disabled, it no longer calls, is no longer controlled, and receives no communication except that carrying the priority number 1.   13) Telephone according to claim 13 characterized in that the reception of a call carrying the priority number 1 reactivates it.   14) Telephone according to claim 3 characterized in that a priority number is selected by a function of selection, to dial the call.   ) Telephone according to the preceding claims   characterized in that the control recall functions and   selection keys are controlled by contact keys.   io 16) Telephone according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the keys intended for the selection of priority calls carry significant graphics or effigies.   17) Telephone according to claims 1 to 14 characterized in   that the control reminder and selection functions are controlled by a voice recognition system or lexical.   18) Telephone according to the preceding claim characterized in that the lexical or voice recognition is not   activated only when it is taken in hand.   19) Telephone according to the preceding claim characterized in that it has no apparent command or keyboard. ) Telephone according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a powerful speaker and a sensitive and directive microphone, in series with amplifiers whose gain   is adjusted to ensure close hearing.   21) Telephone according to the preceding claim characterized in that it comprises attachment accessories and   fixing of different natures, 11, 12, 16 Figure 1.   22) Telephone according to the preceding claim characterized by an anthropomorphic appearance, with eyes 13, a nose 14   and a mouth 15 which house microphone and speaker. 16 2800556   14 and a mouth 15 which house the microphone and loudspeaker.