Child safety seats with offline playback function and vehicles containing such child safety seats

Abstract

A child safety seat with offline playback function and a vehicle including the child safety seat are disclosed. The child safety seat includes a seat body, a speaker device, and a main unit. The speaker device is disposed on the seat body. The main unit is detachably disposed on the seat body and includes an input module, a storage device, and a controller. The input module includes a near-field communication reader to form an interactive platform. The storage device stores multiple audio files. The controller is electrically connected to the speaker device, the input module, and the storage device. The controller reads one of the audio files according to the input signal provided by the input module and plays it through the speaker device.

Description

Child safety seats with offline playback function and vehicles containing such child safety seats Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a child safety seat for vehicles, and more particularly to a safety seat that can provide offline playback functionality for children and a vehicle that includes the safety seat. Prior Technology

[0002] Seat belts are one of the basic equipment in a vehicle. Drivers and passengers must fasten their seat belts when they get in the car. Because children are smaller than adults, seat belts are not suitable for children. Therefore, children must sit in child safety seats. Seat belts and child safety seats can protect drivers, passengers and children from injuries that may occur due to collisions or emergency braking, in order to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in traffic accidents.

[0003] While the performance of car seats is generally focused on safety features and comfort, children may cry while in them, distracting the driver. To soothe children, some parents allow them to watch videos on their smartphones or use the car's multimedia and audio systems to play children's stories or music. However, this results in children watching videos for extended periods, potentially affecting their eyesight. Furthermore, parents may also be distracted while driving by operating their smartphones (e.g., selecting videos). Additionally, when the car's multimedia and audio systems are playing children's stories or music, parents cannot access the content they want to hear through these systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the main objective of this invention is to provide a child safety seat with offline playback function and a vehicle containing the child safety seat, so as to provide children with an auditory experience to soothe them without requiring them to look at a mobile phone or use the vehicle's multimedia device and audio system to play children's stories or music.

[0005] This new type of child safety seat with offline playback function includes: One seat body; A horn device is installed on the seat body; and A main unit, detachably mounted on the seat body, and comprising: An input module, including a near-field communication reader, to form an interactive platform; One storage device, storing multiple audio files; and A controller is electrically connected to the speaker device, the input module, and the memory. The controller reads one of the audio files based on the input signal provided by the input module and plays it through the speaker device.

[0006] The new vehicle includes a safety seat with offline playback function as described above.

[0007] According to this new type of child safety seat with offline playback function and the vehicle containing the child safety seat, the child safety seat and the vehicle's own audio system are independent of each other. That is to say, the child safety seat and the vehicle's existing audio system do not share audio sources, playback devices, or control logic, and they do not interfere with each other. Therefore, no matter what content is currently playing on the vehicle's audio system, the child sitting in the child safety seat can hear the content played by the speaker device of the child safety seat. Thus, the sound playback of the child safety seat will not affect the sound playback of the vehicle's audio system. Furthermore, the storage of the child safety seat's main unit has stored audio files, so the main unit can play various audio files offline, and it is not a mixing or synchronization control of the vehicle's audio system. When the child listens to the audio files played by this new type of child safety seat, the parents can also use the vehicle's in-vehicle multimedia device and audio system to listen to the content they want to listen to without mutual interference. When a child gets into the car and sits in the car seat, in addition to its safety structure and comfort, the sound emitted by the speaker is delivered to the child's ears, providing an immersive auditory experience. Furthermore, the interactive platform created by the near-field communication reader enhances the playability and interactive experience for children, aiming to keep them focused on listening and playing, thus preventing crying and achieving a calming effect. This eliminates the need for children to watch videos on smartphones. On the other hand, this new vehicle, combined with the aforementioned car seat featuring offline playback functionality, demonstrates innovative system integration at the vehicle level. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the appearance of an embodiment of the new type of safety seat with offline playback function. Figure 2: Circuit block diagram of an embodiment of the new type of safety seat with offline playback function. Figure 3: A schematic diagram of audio files that can provide different plot development directions in this new type of invention. Figure 4: Circuit block diagram of another embodiment of the new type of safety seat with offline playback function. Figure 5: Schematic diagram of a vehicle including a child safety seat with offline playback function according to the present invention. Implementation

[0009] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. An embodiment of the new type of child safety seat with offline playback function (i.e., car child safety seat) includes a seat body 10, a speaker device and a host 30.

[0010] The speaker device is used to play sound and includes a left speaker 21 and a right speaker 22. The left speaker 21 is located on the left side of the seat body 10, and the right speaker 22 is located on the right side of the seat body 10. In one embodiment, the seat body 10 includes a headrest 11, which has a headrest portion 110, a left wing portion 111, and a right wing portion 112. The left wing portion 111 and the right wing portion 112 are respectively located on the left and right sides of the headrest portion 110 and extend forward. The left speaker 21 is located at the left wing portion 111, and the right speaker 22 is located at the right wing portion 112.

[0011] The main unit 30 is detachably mounted on the seat body 10. The main unit 30 is portable, and its exterior design is primarily child-friendly, such as being streamlined, animal-shaped, plant-shaped, cartoon-shaped, or machine-shaped, etc. This invention does not impose any limitations on this design. In one embodiment, the seat body 10 may have a cup holder 12, and the main unit 30 is detachably mounted in the cup holder 12. During use, children can remove the main unit 30 from the cup holder 12 and play with it. It should be noted that the way the main unit 30 is mounted on the seat body 10 is not limited to the aforementioned methods, as long as it allows the main unit 30 to be securely attached to the seat body 10. For example, the seat body 10 may have an armrest, and the main unit 30 may be fixed to the armrest using hook and loop fasteners; or the seat body 10 and the main unit 30 may be fixed to each other using fasteners or magnetic attraction.

[0012] The host unit 30 includes an input module 31, a storage device 32, and a controller 33. A control circuit board may be housed within the host unit 30, and the input module 31, the storage device 32, and the controller 33 are mounted on this control circuit board. The host unit 30 is powered by the vehicle's power supply system. For example, the control circuit board can be connected to an in-vehicle power outlet via a connector. This in-vehicle power outlet may be a cigarette lighter socket or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket. The control circuit board may have a voltage regulator circuit to convert the input power into the operating power required by the electronic components or circuit modules on the control circuit board.

[0013] The input module 31 includes a near field communication reader (NFC reader) to form an interactive platform. In addition, the input module 31 may also include at least one of a physical button, a touch button and a microphone. The input module 31 is used to receive an input signal S1 to transmit to the controller 33.

[0014] The storage device 32 can be a computer-readable recording medium of non-volatile memory (such as flash memory) to store code and data for access and execution by the controller 33. In one embodiment, the storage device 32 stores multiple audio files Y, each audio file Y having a file code. Taking a story as an example, one story can correspond to one audio file Y, and an interactive story can correspond to several audio files Y to provide different story plot directions. Therefore, the multiple audio files Y stored in the storage device 32 can form a local story library. It should be noted that the content of the audio file Y is not limited to stories; the content of the audio file Y can also be songs or soothing music.

[0015] The controller 33 is electrically connected to the speaker devices (left speaker 21 and right speaker 22), the input module 31, and the storage device 32. The controller 33 can be electrically connected to the left speaker 21 and right speaker 22 via signal lines, which can be concealed within the structure or cushion of the seat body 10, with only partial exposure. The controller 33 has data processing and control functions, and can control the left speaker 21 and right speaker 22 to play audio file Y stored in the storage device 32, thereby implementing an offline playback function. In one embodiment, the controller 33 reads one of the audio files Y according to the input signal S1 provided by the input module 31 and plays it through the left speaker 21 and right speaker 22.

[0016] In this way, when a child sits in this new type of car seat, the child's head rests against the headrest 11, and the left speaker 21 and the right speaker 22 are respectively close to the child's left and right ears. The sound emitted by the left speaker 21 and the right speaker 22 is directly transmitted to the child's left and right ears, achieving a surround sound effect and providing the child with an immersive auditory experience.

[0017] As described above, the input signal S1 transmitted from the input module 31 to the controller 33 can be the on / off state (pressed / unpressed) of a physical button, which the controller 33 uses to determine the playback of audio file Y. Alternatively, the input signal S1 transmitted from the input module 31 to the controller 33 can be a signal from a touch button, which the controller 33 uses to determine the playback of audio file Y. Alternatively, the input signal S1 transmitted from the input module 31 to the controller 33 can be information read by a near-field communication (NFC) reader. For example, a child can bring an item with an NFC tag close to the NFC reader to read information. The information of the NFC tag can correspond to the file code of a specific audio file Y in the storage 32. Therefore, the controller 33 can determine the playback of a specific audio file Y, i.e., a specific story segment, a specific song, or a specific soothing music, based on the information read from the NFC tag. The aforementioned item with an NFC tag can be, for example, a doll or a token. Taking the interactive story application scenario as an example, the information read by the controller 33 from the near-field communication tag can represent story characters or story events, thereby allowing different near-field communication tags to correspond to different story content and realize the switching of story content. Alternatively, the input signal S1 transmitted by the input module 31 to the controller 33 can be the voice signal received by the microphone. The child speaks to the microphone to generate a voice signal for the controller 33, which can then perform voice recognition to determine the playback of the audio file Y based on the voice recognition result.

[0018] To illustrate the aforementioned interactive story example, please refer to Figure 3. An interactive story's audio file may include a preceding audio file Y0 and two subsequent audio files Y1 and Y2. These two subsequent audio files Y1 and Y2 can provide different plot development directions. When the controller 33 finishes playing the preceding audio file Y0, the controller 33 can determine whether it receives the input signal S1 transmitted by the input module 31. If yes, the controller 33 reads one of the two subsequent audio files Y1 and Y2 according to the instruction of the input signal S1 and controls the left speaker 21 and the right speaker 22 to play it. If no, the controller 33 can wait to receive the input signal S1 or standby.

[0019] In one embodiment, the controller 33 can automatically record the playback progress. For example, when playing any audio file Y, the controller 33 can simultaneously record a timestamp of the audio file Y at the moment of playback. For instance, the controller 33 can store the timestamp information in the storage 32. When playback is interrupted due to pause or shutdown, the timestamp information is still saved in the storage 32. Therefore, when playing audio file Y again, the controller 33 can read the timestamp from the storage 32 to continue playing audio file Y from that timestamp, instead of playing it from the beginning. For example, if the duration of an audio file Y is 5 minutes, and it is interrupted at the 2-minute mark, playback can resume from the 2-minute mark the next time it is played.

[0020] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1 and 4, the left and right sides of the seat body 10 are respectively provided with multiple light-emitting devices 23. The controller 33 is electrically connected to the multiple light-emitting devices 23 (or through a built-in signal line). Each light-emitting device 23 can be, but is not limited to, a string of colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs). When the controller 33 plays each audio file Y through the left speaker 21 and the right speaker 22, the controller 33 can synchronously control the light-emitting modes of the multiple light-emitting devices 23, such as turning the lights on, turning them off, keeping them constantly lit, flashing, cycling through gradual changes in brightness, cycling through gradual changes in color, etc. Specifically, as mentioned above, each audio file Y has a file code, and the controller 33 can be preset with the light-emitting mode corresponding to the file code of each audio file Y. In one embodiment, the seat body 10 includes a backrest 13, a left wing 14, and a right wing 15. The left wing 14 and the right wing 15 are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the backrest 13 and extend forward. A plurality of light-emitting devices 23 are respectively disposed on the left wing 14 and the right wing 15, for example, they can be disposed within or exposed to a translucent pad or fabric. Thus, when a child sits in this novel car seat, the plurality of light-emitting devices 23 are located near the left and right sides of the child's body, achieving a surround light field effect, thereby further providing an immersive visual experience.

[0021] In one embodiment, referring to FIG4, the host 30 may include a communication module 34, which is a modular circuit with network connection function. The communication module 34 may be disposed on the control circuit board. The controller 33 is electrically connected to the communication module 34, so the controller 33 can connect to an external device through the communication module 34 to transmit data. For example, the communication module 34 is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module.

[0022] In one embodiment, the external device connected to the controller 33 via the communication module 34 can be a user device 41. When the controller 33 and the user device 41 are connected, audio file synchronization is possible. The user device 41 can be a smartphone, which can run an application (APP) and connect to the communication module 34 via Bluetooth. Alternatively, the user device 41 can connect to a cloud server 42 via a mobile communication network or a Wi-Fi base station. The user device 41 can download and store at least one audio file from the cloud server 42, and the user can operate the application on the user device 41 to manage the audio files stored on the user device 41.

[0023] The cloud server 42 can store program data for a generative artificial intelligence model and a text-to-speech function. Therefore, the cloud server 42 can execute the generative artificial intelligence model and the text-to-speech function to generate audio files with a single story script or an interactive story script. The operating principle of the generative artificial intelligence model and the text-to-speech function is common knowledge in the relevant technical field, such as applications using open-source software or commercially available software services. The generative artificial intelligence model can employ a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) architecture, and it is trained based on multiple story templates as training samples.

[0024] Users can operate the application (APP) on the user device 41. Taking story creation as an example, when the user device 41 is connected to the cloud server 42, the cloud server 42 can provide story theme options (such as jungle adventure, interstellar adventure, etc.) to the user device 41 for selection in the application interface. The user device 41 transmits the selected information to the cloud server 42, and can also transmit keywords entered by the user in the application interface (such as the name of the story protagonist, interests, etc.) to the cloud server 42. In this way, the cloud server 42 can execute the generative artificial intelligence model and text-to-speech function to automatically generate an audio file of the story content based on the selected story theme and keywords, so as to provide a customized story for the user device 41 to download.

[0025] The cloud server 42 can store multiple audio files (such as the aforementioned AI-generated story content, pre-recorded story content, songs, or soothing music audio files). When the user device 41 is connected to the cloud server 42, the cloud server 42 can provide the user device 41's application with options for these multiple audio files for the user to choose from. The user device 41's application can send instructions to the cloud server 42 based on the user's selection, and the cloud server 42 will provide the corresponding audio file to the user device 41 for download and storage. On the other hand, some audio files stored by the cloud server 42 may only be available for download after payment is made through the application.

[0026] In one embodiment, the user device 41 can transmit an audio file of a user (e.g., a child's parent) to the cloud server 42. The cloud server 42 can execute a speech imitation artificial intelligence model to learn the speech features of the audio file and generate the audio file. The speech imitation artificial intelligence model can be common knowledge in the relevant technical field, such as using open source software or applications of commercially available software services.

[0027] When the controller 33 is connected to the user device 41, the application of the user device 41 works in conjunction with the controller 33 to synchronize audio files. For example, the controller 33 can send the audio file directory of the storage 32 (hereinafter defined as a first audio file directory) to the application of the user device 41, and the application of the user device 41 can send its own stored audio file directory (hereinafter defined as a second audio file directory) to the controller 33. The first audio file directory contains the file codes of all audio files currently stored in the storage 32 (for ease of explanation, for example, "001", "002", "003"), and the second audio file directory contains the file codes of all audio files currently stored in the user device 41 (for ease of explanation, for example, "002", "003", "004").

[0028] The controller 33 compares the file codes in the first audio file directory with those in the second audio file directory one by one. It deletes the audio files that do not match from the storage 32 (i.e., deletes "001"), while retaining the matching audio files in the storage 32 (i.e., retains "002" and "003"). Furthermore, the application program on the user device 41 compares the file codes in the second audio file directory with those in the first audio file directory one by one. It transmits the audio files that do not match to the controller 33 (i.e., transmits "004") for storage in the storage 32, while the matching audio files do not need to be transmitted (i.e., "002" and "003" are not transmitted). In this way, the audio files stored in the user device 41 and the storage device 32 can be made consistent (i.e., "002", "003", "004"). However, the file synchronization method is common knowledge and is not limited to the aforementioned example.

[0029] The controller 33, connected to the external device via the communication module 34, can be an in-vehicle multimedia device 43. When connected to the in-vehicle multimedia device 43, the controller 33 can perform audio control. The in-vehicle multimedia device 43 can be a smart electronic device installed on the vehicle's center console, compatible with CarPlay or Android Auto driver assistance systems, and equipped with a touchscreen display. The in-vehicle multimedia device 43 can run an application (APP) and connect to the communication module 34 via Bluetooth. In this way, the in-vehicle multimedia device 43 can transmit a control command input by the user to the controller 33 via the communication module 34. The controller 33 then performs corresponding actions based on the control command. For example, the controller 33 can adjust the volume of the left speaker 21 and right speaker 22, adjust the illumination mode of the multiple lighting devices 23, and control audio playback (e.g., pause, previous track, next track, fast forward, rewind, etc.).

[0030] As described above, the controller 33 can only connect to one of the user device 41 and the in-vehicle multimedia device 43 at a time via the communication module 34. The user can choose to pair and connect the user device 41 or the in-vehicle multimedia device 43 with the host 30 as needed. For example, when a synchronized story is needed, the user device 41 can be paired and connected to the host 30; when audio control is needed, the in-vehicle multimedia device 43 can be paired and connected to the host 30; when neither synchronized story nor audio control is needed, the host 30 can go offline from both the user device 41 and the in-vehicle multimedia device 43, and the host 30 can play various audio files offline. At this time, parents can use the in-vehicle multimedia device 43 to listen to the content they want to hear.

[0031] The controller 33 has an over-temperature protection function. In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4, the controller 33 can be electrically connected to a temperature sensor 50 to measure the operating temperature of the host 30 during operation. The temperature sensor 50 can be installed on the body of the host 30 or on the control circuit board. The temperature sensor 50 can be a thermistor, and its resistance value changes with temperature. When the controller 33 determines that the temperature value sensed by the temperature sensor 50 is greater than or equal to a preset temperature threshold, it indicates that the temperature of the host 30 is abnormal. Therefore, the controller 33 automatically shuts down to prevent the temperature of the host 30 from continuing to rise and causing damage or danger, thus achieving the over-temperature protection function.

[0032] The controller 33 has an overcurrent protection function. In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4, the controller 33 can receive a sensing signal I of an input current. The input current is the current received by the host 30 from the vehicle's power socket. Therefore, the sensing signal I can reflect the magnitude of the input current. The sensing principle of the input current is based on common knowledge. For example, the controller 33 can be electrically connected to a current sensor, which is located on the power input side of the host 30, i.e., on the power output path of the vehicle's power socket. The current sensor can be a resistive or magnetic field current sensor. When the controller 33 determines that the input current is greater than or equal to a preset current threshold value based on the sensing signal I, the controller 33 automatically shuts down to prevent abnormal input current from damaging or endangering the host 30, thus achieving the overcurrent protection function. In another embodiment, a fuse can also be connected in series on the power input side of the host 30 to achieve the overcurrent protection function.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 5. The vehicle of this invention includes a child safety seat with offline playback function as described above. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a vehicle body 60, which is a vehicle model with a rear seat 61. For example, the vehicle body 60 can be a sedan, SUV, etc., but is not limited thereto. The seat body 10 of the child safety seat is disposed on the rear seat 61 of the vehicle body 60. The seat body 10 and the rear seat 61 can be fixed to each other with an internationally standardized fastening device (ISOFIX), or the rear seat belt of the vehicle body 60 can be used to fix the seat body 10.

[0034] In summary, this novel car seat with offline playback function has the following features: 1. The sound field generated by the left speaker 21 and the right speaker 22 can achieve a surround sound effect, providing children with an immersive auditory experience; 2. The host unit 30 can play various audio files Y offline for children to listen to, while parents can use the in-vehicle multimedia device 43 to listen to their own content without interference; 3. The user device 41 can download audio files of story content generated by artificial intelligence, or other audio files (such as pre-recorded stories, songs, or soothing sounds) from the cloud server 42. 4. The audio files Y stored in the host 30 can be synchronized with the user device 41, allowing parents to control the audio files that the host 30 can play; 5. The input module 31 includes a near-field communication reader, physical buttons, touch buttons, and / or a microphone to provide interactive functions between the host 30 and children. In particular, the interactive platform formed by the near-field communication reader allows children to interact with the near-field communication reader through fun toys or character objects to trigger the playback of corresponding stories or AI content, thereby enhancing the playability and interactive experience for children. On the other hand, this new type of vehicle is combined with a car seat with offline playback function as described above, thus possessing innovative system integration at the vehicle level.

[0035] 10: Seat body 11: Headrest 110: Headrest 111: Left Wing 112: Right Wing 12: Cup holder 13: Chair back 14: Left Wing 15: Right Wing 21: Left Horn 22: Right Horn 23: Light-emitting device 30: Host 31: Input Module 32: Storage 33: Controller 34: Communication Module 41: User device 42: Cloud Server 43: In-vehicle multimedia device 50: Temperature sensor 60: Vehicle body 61: Rear Seat S1: Input signal Y: Audio file I: Sensing signal Y0: Previous audio file Y1, Y2: Post-audio files

Claims

1. A child safety seat with offline playback function, comprising: a seat body; a speaker device disposed on the seat body; and a host unit detachably disposed on the seat body, and comprising: an input module including a near-field communication reader to form an interactive platform; a storage device for storing multiple audio files; and a controller electrically connected to the speaker device, the input module, and the storage device, wherein the controller reads one of the audio files according to an input signal provided by the input module and plays it through the speaker device.

2. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 1, wherein, The horn device includes a left horn and a right horn electrically connected to the controller. The left horn is located on the left side of the seat body, and the right horn is located on the right side of the seat body.

3. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 2, wherein, The seat body has multiple light-emitting devices on its left and right sides, and the controller is electrically connected to the multiple light-emitting devices. When the controller plays the audio files through the left and right speakers, it synchronously controls the light-emitting modes of the multiple light-emitting devices.

4. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 3, wherein, The seat body includes a backrest, a left wing and a right wing, the left wing and the right wing being respectively located on the left and right sides of the backrest and extending forward; the plurality of light-emitting devices are respectively located on the left wing and the right wing.

5. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 1, wherein, The host includes a communication module, and the controller is electrically connected to the communication module; the controller connects to a user device through the communication module to synchronize audio files, or the controller connects to an in-vehicle multimedia device through the communication module to control audio.

6. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller records the timestamp of each audio file at the moment it is played.

7. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 2, wherein, The seat body includes a headrest, which has a headrest portion, a left wing portion and a right wing portion. The left wing portion and the right wing portion are respectively located on the left and right sides of the headrest portion and extend forward. The left horn portion is located on the left wing portion and the right horn portion is located on the right wing portion.

8. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller is electrically connected to a temperature sensor, which is located on the body of the host unit. When the controller determines that the temperature value sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold value, the controller automatically shuts down.

9. A child safety seat with offline playback function as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller automatically shuts down when it determines that an input current is greater than or equal to a current threshold value.

10. A vehicle comprising a child safety seat with offline playback capability as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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