Educational toys and programs

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of increasing interest and stimulating children's desire to learn. [Solution] The educational toy 1 presents a predetermined sentence (steps S302, S303), the user inputs characters by hand corresponding to the predetermined sentence (steps S304, S305), stores performance data including at least one of a sentence, an image, and an audio as a performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence, and outputs a performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence (steps S307, S308, S309).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of educational toys. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding educational toys for children, there is technology that has been devised to make learning and practicing writing fun for children. An example of prior art is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-194986 (Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes an educational toy that not only allows children to write letters but also teaches them how to read them, and allows them to practice writing letters in a game-like manner, making it an educational toy that children will never get bored of. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-194986 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an educational toy that outputs a voice message in response to character recognition of characters input into a handwritten character input unit. In prior art examples such as Patent Document 1, handwritten character input is limited to one character, and only the voice message of that character is output. Therefore, prior art examples are not interesting enough for children to practice and learn how to write characters, and it is difficult to sufficiently motivate children to learn.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a technology for an educational toy that enables children to practice and learn to write letters, which can enhance the interest of children and motivate them to learn. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A representative embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. The educational toy of the embodiment includes a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence, an input unit into which a user inputs characters by hand in correspondence with the predetermined sentence, a memory unit that stores performance data including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound as a performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence, an output unit that outputs the performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence, and a control unit, and the control unit presents the predetermined sentence using the presentation unit, detects input to the input unit, reads the performance data corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the memory unit, and causes the output unit to output the performance. Other embodiments of the present invention Educational toys The device includes a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence, an input unit into which a user inputs characters by hand in correspondence with the predetermined sentence, a memory unit that stores performance data including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound as a performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence, an output unit that outputs the performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence, and a control unit, wherein the input unit displays a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence, detects character image information of the input characters, and displays the character image information superimposed on the tracing sentence, and the control unit presents the predetermined sentence using the presentation unit, detects input to the input unit, reads out the performance data corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the memory unit, and causes the output unit to output the performance. Another embodiment of the educational toy of the present invention includes a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence, an input unit into which a user inputs characters by hand in correspondence with the predetermined sentence, a memory unit that stores data on effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence, the data including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound, as effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence, an output unit that outputs the effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence, and a control unit, wherein the input unit displays a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence, detects character image information of the input characters, and displays the character image information superimposed on the tracing sentence, and the control unit presents the predetermined sentence using the presentation unit, detects input to the input unit, reads out the effect data corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the memory unit, and causes the output unit to output the effect, the predetermined sentence being a letter or a sentence of conversation from the user to a character, and the effects including at least one of a letter or a sentence of conversation, a character image, and a character voice in a response from the character to the user. Another embodiment of the educational toy of the present invention comprises a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence, an input unit into which a user inputs characters by hand in correspondence with the predetermined sentence, a memory unit that stores data on effects including at least one of a sentence, an image, and an audio as effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence, an output unit that outputs the effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence, and a control unit, wherein the input unit displays a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence, detects character image information of the input characters, and displays the character image information superimposed on the tracing sentence, and the control unit presents the predetermined sentence using the presentation unit, detects input to the input unit, reads out the effect data corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the memory unit, and causes the output unit to output the effect, wherein the predetermined sentence is a letter sentence, and the effects include an image of the letter paper, an effect image, and a sound effect, and the character image information detected by the input unit is displayed on the image of the letter paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to a representative embodiment of the present invention, the technology of an educational toy that allows children to practice and learn to write letters can be enhanced and can stimulate children's motivation to learn. Problems, configurations, effects, etc. other than those described above will be explained in the description of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of an educational toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 shows an example of a functional block configuration of the educational toy according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3]3 shows a processing flow of the educational toy according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] In the first embodiment, an example of the structure of sentence and performance data is shown. [Figure 5] In the first embodiment, screen examples 1 and 2 are shown. [Figure 6] In the first embodiment, screen examples 3 and 4 are shown. [Figure 7] In the first embodiment, screen examples 5 and 6 are shown. [Figure 8] In the first embodiment, screen examples 7 and 8 are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical parts are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted. In the drawings, the actual position, size, shape, and scope of each component may not be depicted to facilitate understanding of the invention. For the purpose of explanation, when describing program-based processing, the program, functions, processing units, etc. may be described as the main focus. However, the main focus of these hardware components is a processor, or a controller, device, computer, system, etc., configured with the processor. A computer executes processing in accordance with a program loaded into memory using resources such as memory and communication interfaces as appropriate. This realizes predetermined functions, processing units, etc. The processor may be configured with semiconductor devices such as a CPU or GPU. The processor may be configured with devices or circuits capable of performing predetermined calculations. Processing is not limited to software program processing, but can also be implemented using dedicated circuits. Dedicated circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs, and CPLDs can be used. The program may be pre-installed on the target computer as data, or it may be distributed as data from a program source to the target computer and installed. The program source may be a program distribution server on a communication network, or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a memory card). A program may be composed of multiple modules. Various data and information may be expressed in structures such as tables and lists, but are not limited to these. Expressions such as identification information, identifiers, IDs, names, and numbers are interchangeable.

[0010] <First Embodiment> An educational toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The educational toy according to the first embodiment has a function that allows a child user to enjoyably practice and learn how to write simple sentences (consisting of multiple characters), and outputs a performance according to a sentence that the user selects and inputs by hand on the screen. In the first embodiment, the input of a sentence and the output of a performance are realized in the form of a performance including a letter (including a sentence) sent from the user to a fictional character and a reply from the character in response to the letter.

[0011] [Educational toys] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an educational toy 1 according to a first embodiment. This educational toy 1 is a pad-type (in other words, roughly flat) electronic device. The educational toy 1 has a pad-type housing 2 and an attached touch pen 3. The touch pen 3 can be attached to and detached from the housing 2. A computer is built into the housing 2. A screen of a display panel 4 is disposed on the main surface of the housing 2. In this example, the display panel 4 is a liquid crystal touch panel module, and serves as both a display means and an input means. The screen of the display panel 4 accepts input operations using the touch pen 3 (or a finger) by a user. The screen of the display panel 4 accepts input using the touch pen 3, particularly when inputting handwritten characters, as described below. Note that input using the touch pen 3 is also referred to as handwritten input.

[0012] The display panel 4 is equipped with a mechanism such as a touch sensor that detects touch input, and is capable of detecting the position coordinates of the position on the screen where the tip of the touch pen 3 approaches or touches the screen. In the first embodiment, it is recommended that input to the screen of the display panel 4 is basically made by using a dedicated touch pen 3, but this is not limiting, and direct input by finger is also possible.

[0013] The housing 2 is provided with various buttons 5. The buttons 5 include a power button, a volume button, a home button, etc. The housing 2 is also provided with a speaker 6 that can output audio.

[0014] A menu screen is displayed on the screen of the display panel 4 in FIG. 1 . Multiple icons 7 are displayed within the menu screen. The icons 7 represent selectable function items (corresponding apps), such as "Programming Study," "Math," and "English." One of the multiple icons 7 is an icon for selecting an application for practicing and learning to write in letter format, a feature of the first embodiment. For the sake of explanation, this app will also be referred to as a "letter app." This letter app may be named, for example, "Let's send a letter to XX" or "Let's write a letter to XX" (where "XX" is the name of a character). The menu may have a hierarchical structure; for example, when the "Japanese" icon is selected, a "letter app" icon may be located below it.

[0015] All user operations during operation of the "letter application" described below are basically realized by touch input operations on the screen of the display panel 4. For user operations during this operation, the housing 2 does not need to be equipped with dedicated hardware buttons. As a variant, dedicated hardware buttons for operating the application may be provided on the housing 2. For example, the completion button described below may be provided as a hardware button off the screen, rather than as a software button (in other words, an image) on the screen.

[0016] [Computer System] 2 shows an example of a functional block configuration of the computer system in the educational toy 1. The educational toy 1 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a display device 103 (including a display panel 4), a speaker 104, an operation input unit 105 (buttons, etc.), an interface device 106, a battery 107, etc., which are interconnected via a bus or the like.

[0017] The processor 101 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and constitutes a controller that controls the entire educational toy 1 and each part. The processor 101 realizes each part by processing based on a program 51. The educational toy 1 has, as its parts, a control unit 11, a presentation unit 12, an input unit 13, a memory unit 14, an output unit 15, a determination unit 16, and an operation input unit 17.

[0018] The memory 102 is configured with a non-volatile storage device or the like, and stores various data and information handled by the processor 101, etc. The memory 102 stores, for example, a program 51, setting information 52, performance data 53, display data 54, etc. The program 51 is a group of programs corresponding to the program of the first embodiment (i.e., the program that realizes the letter application), as well as an OS, middleware, and various other application programs. The setting information 52 is setting information set by the program 51 and user setting information. The user setting information is setting information that allows the user to change the settings of the letter application.

[0019] The performance data 53 is predefined and set data on text and performance used in the function of the letter application based on the program of the first embodiment. The performance data also includes image and audio data. An example of the configuration of the performance data 53 will be described later (FIG. 4). The display data 54 is data to be displayed on the screen in the function of the letter application, and includes character image information detected by handwritten input.

[0020] The display device 103 is a device including the display panel 4 and a display drive circuit of FIG. 1, and is a liquid crystal touch panel display device with a built-in touch sensor. The speaker 104 is an audio output device corresponding to the speaker 6 of FIG. 1. The operation input unit 105 is a part including the buttons 5 of FIG. 1, and is a device for inputting basic operations by the user. The interface device 106 is a device such as an input / output interface or a communication interface to which a mouse, keyboard, microphone, memory card, and other sensors and devices can be connected, although these are not essential. The battery 107 supplies power to each unit.

[0021] The control unit 11 controls the components from the presentation unit 12 to the output unit 15. The control unit 11 presents a predetermined sentence using the presentation unit 12, detects input to the input unit 13, reads out performance data corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the storage unit 14, and causes the output unit 15 to output the performance. When outputting at least a part of the performance, the control unit 11 displays character image information (a letter including the sentence described below) detected by the input unit 13.

[0022] Presentation unit 12 presents a predetermined sentence or the like on the screen of display panel 4. Input unit 13 is a unit into which the user inputs characters by handwriting by touching with touch pen 3 in correspondence with the predetermined sentence. Input unit 13 displays handwritten text for tracing that corresponds to the predetermined sentence. Input unit 13 detects character image information of the characters input by the user and displays the character image information superimposed on the handwritten text for tracing.

[0023] The storage unit 14 stores performance data including at least one of a sentence, an image, and sound as performance data 53 as a performance corresponding to a predetermined sentence. The storage unit 14 saves the performance data 53 in the memory 102. The output unit 15 outputs a performance corresponding to the predetermined sentence. The output of the performance includes displaying an image on the screen of the display panel 4 and outputting sound from the speaker 6.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the presentation unit 12 presents a plurality of sentences as options for the predetermined sentence. The input unit 13 inputs characters corresponding to a sentence selected by the user from the plurality of sentences. The memory unit 14 stores data on effects corresponding to each of the plurality of sentences. The control unit 11 reads out data on effects corresponding to the sentence selected by the user from the memory unit 14 and causes the output unit 15 to output the effects. The memory unit 14 also stores data on a plurality of effects as effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence. The control unit 11 reads out data on effects selected from the plurality of effects according to the predetermined sentence from the memory unit 14 and causes the output unit 15 to output the effects.

[0025] When outputting at least a part of the performance, the control unit 11 displays or gradually erases the handwritten text for tracing in the input unit 13, and displays or gradually displays the character image information (a letter including a sentence described below) detected by the input unit 13.

[0026] The determination unit 16 is a part that determines whether the user has completed input (input of handwritten sentence) to the input unit 13. The determination unit 16 includes, for example, an operation input unit 17 (a completion button described later) through which the user inputs an operation indicating that input to the input unit 13 has been completed. In the first embodiment, the determination unit 16 determines that input has been completed when an operation input to the operation input unit 17 (completion button) is triggered. The control unit 11 performs control so as to output a performance when the determination by the determination unit 16 (in other words, completion of input) is triggered. The operation input unit 17 (completion button) enters a state in which it accepts input of an operation as valid, on the condition that input to the input unit 13 has been detected.

[0027] The determination by the determination unit 16 is possible without being limited to using the operation input unit 17 (completion button). In a modified example, the determination by the determination unit 16 may use a time condition such as the passage of a predetermined time. The control unit 11 outputs a performance when a predetermined time has elapsed regarding input to the input unit 13. As for details regarding the measurement and determination of time, it may be a certain time from the start of the screen, a certain time from the detection of input, or a certain time of no input continuing.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the operation input unit 17 (completion button) is configured as a software button (in other words, an image) on the screen of the display panel 4, but is not limited to this. In a modified example, a dedicated hardware button having the same function as the completion button may be provided outside the screen of the display panel 4 on the housing 2 of the educational toy 1.

[0029] In the educational toy 1 of embodiment 1, the control unit 11 does not perform character recognition processing on the character image information of the characters input to the input unit 13, and regardless of the content of the character image information of the characters input to the input unit 13, if there is at least some character image information, an effect is output.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the predetermined sentence is a letter or a conversational sentence from the user to the character. The effect includes at least one of the letter or conversational sentence, a character image, and a character voice in the response from the character to the user. In the first embodiment, in particular, the predetermined sentence is a letter sentence, and the effect includes an image of letter paper, an effect image, and a sound effect. Character image information (i.e., the handwritten input sentence) detected by the input unit 13 is displayed on the image of the letter paper.

[0031] [Processing flow] 3 shows a main processing flow of the educational toy 1 of the embodiment 1. FIG. 3 includes steps S301 to S309. The processor 101 (particularly the control unit 11) of the educational toy 1 in FIG. 2 performs such processing while reading and writing data from and to the memory 102.

[0032] In step S300, in response to the start-up of the educational toy 1 (for example, by turning on the power button), the processor 101 displays a menu screen as shown in FIG. 1 on the screen of the display panel 4. The processor 101 accepts the selection of an icon 7 (corresponding application) on the menu screen by a touch operation by the user using the stylus 3. If the letter application is selected, the processor 101 performs the following processing.

[0033] In step S301, the processor 101 displays an opening screen (screen G1 in FIG. 5, which will be described later) on the screen of the display panel 4. This opening screen is a guide screen that explains the contents of the letter application to the user.

[0034] In step S302, processor 101, upon a predetermined trigger, transitions the display from the opening screen to a question selection screen (screen G2 in FIG. 5, which will be described later) on the screen of display panel 4. This question selection screen is a screen that presents the user with a plurality of predetermined sentences that are candidates for writing in the letter.

[0035] In step S303, processor 101 accepts the selection of one sentence from among a plurality of sentences by the user through a touch operation of touch pen 3 on the question selection screen.

[0036] In step S304, in response to the selection of one sentence, processor 101 displays a handwriting input screen (screen G3 in FIG. 6, described later) on the screen of display panel 4. Processor 101 displays the handwritten text corresponding to the selected sentence in a light color in a predetermined area of ​​the handwriting input screen. Before this handwriting input, processor 101 disables a completion button, described later.

[0037] In step S305, processor 101 accepts handwritten input by a user's touch operation with pen 3 in a predetermined area of ​​the handwriting input screen. Display device 103 detects touch position coordinates and the like corresponding to the handwritten input in the area, and processor 101 acquires data of an image of a sentence corresponding to the handwritten input (character image information) based on the detected coordinates. Processor 101 draws an image of a sentence (dots, lines, etc.) corresponding to the handwritten input on top of the handwritten text in the area based on the acquired data. If there is handwritten input, processor 101 enables the completion button. In other words, processor 101 enables the determination unit to determine that the input is complete in response to the presence of handwritten input.

[0038] In step S306, processor 101 detects and recognizes, in other words, determines whether the user has completed inputting the sentence in the area of ​​the handwriting input screen. In the first embodiment, processor 101 determines that the sentence is complete when a completion button in the handwriting input screen is pressed by a touch operation (screen G5 in FIG. 7 described later).

[0039] In step S307, in response to the completion of the sentence, processor 101 displays a letter including the completed sentence on a sentence completion presentation screen (screen G6 in FIG. 7, which will be described later).

[0040] In step S308, processor 101, upon a predetermined trigger, transitions the display on display panel 4 from the sentence completion presentation screen to a letter sending screen (screen G7 in FIG. 8 described below). This letter sending screen is a screen that shows the user sending a letter to a character.

[0041] In step S309, processor 101 transitions the display on display panel 4 from the letter sending screen to a character reply screen (screen G8 in FIG. 8 described below) at a predetermined opportunity. This reply screen shows the character receiving a letter from the user and replying to the letter's text. On this screen, processor 101 outputs a presentation determined in accordance with the text of the letter. The presentation includes the reply text and an image and sound of the character.

[0042] In step S310, processor 101, at a predetermined opportunity, transitions the display on display panel 4 from the reply screen to a common success screen (not shown), thereby ending the flow.

[0043] [Text and direction data] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of predefined and set sentence and effect data. Such data is stored in advance in memory 102 of FIG. 2 as effect data 53. The data example of FIG. 4 is an example of data corresponding to the "Write a letter (text) to character A" portion of a letter application. As shown in the figure, this data has, in the left column as predetermined sentence 401, a plurality of candidate sentences to be selected for the letter. For example, there are five sentences, such as sentences A1 to A5. In this example, sentence A1 is "Good morning," sentence A2 is "Good night," sentence A3 is "How are you?", sentence A4 is "Good luck," and sentence A5 is "Thank you for your hard work." In the first embodiment, the predetermined sentences are relatively short sentences consisting of a few characters, as described above. However, they can also be longer and more complex sentences depending on the target age of children, etc.

[0044] The center column of this data contains data on character A's reply sentence 402 associated with a given sentence 401. In this example, two reply sentences are associated with each sentence 401. For example, for sentence A1, sentence B11, "Good morning! I hope you'll have a good time today!" and sentence B12, "Good morning! It feels good to wake up early!" are prepared. For sentence A2, sentence B21, "Yes, good night! Let's do our best tomorrow!" and sentence B22, "Good night! I hope you have a good dream!" are prepared. For sentence A3, sentence B31, "Yes, I'm fine! How about you?" and sentence B32, "I'm feeling great!" are prepared. Similarly, for sentence A4, sentences B41 and B42 are prepared. For statement A5, statements B51 and B52 are provided.

[0045] The correspondence between the predetermined sentence 401 and the reply sentence 402 is not limited to the above example, and one or more reply sentences 402 may be associated with each sentence 401. A different number of reply sentences 402 may be prepared for each predetermined sentence 401.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in the right column of this data, image and audio data of character A are associated with reply sentences 402 of character A and set. For example, image g11 and audio s11 are prepared for sentence B11. Image g12 and audio s12 are prepared for sentence B12. Image g11 is an image showing a greeting like sentence B11, and audio s11 is audio uttering sentence B11. Similarly, an image and audio of character A are prepared for each reply sentence 402 such as sentences B21, B22, B31, B32, B41, B42, B51, and B52.

[0047] For example, if the user selects sentence A3 "How are you?" as the predetermined sentence 401, an example of a performance corresponding to this selected sentence is as follows. As will be described later, this performance includes a performance of the completion of a letter containing a handwritten sentence corresponding to the selected sentence, a performance of the letter being sent, and the output of a reply sentence, image, and sound from character A who has received the letter. As reply sentence 402 from character A, the control unit 11 selects one from multiple reply sentence candidates in the performance data of FIG. 4. For example, in response to sentence A3 "How are you?", sentence B31 "Yeah, I'm fine! How about you?" is selected as one sentence selected randomly from sentences B31 and B32. Along with the selected reply sentence, an image and sound 403 associated with it are also selected.

[0048] [Screen display] 5 to 8 show examples of various display screens and transitions in the letter application. The following explains the order of screen transitions.

[0049] [Screen (1)] In FIG. 5, screen G1 shows an example of an opening screen (i.e., a guide screen) for a letter application. First, on screen G1, for example, character X, who guides the user through the letter application, appears as an image in the background and guides the user through the content of the letter application (i.e., writing practice) using text, images, and audio. On screen G1, for example, character X's lines 501 are displayed, such as "Let's write a letter to character A (Mr. X)!" (page 1) and "Character Y will deliver the letter to you" (page 2), and corresponding audio is output. Additionally, screen G1 also displays examples of predetermined sentences (e.g., "Good morning") in the background, as described below. If the lines 501 span multiple pages, users can transition between pages by touching the screen. The background of each screen may be a predetermined wallpaper or an image of a fictional scene.

[0050] After the guide's lines 501 have finished, screen G1 transitions to the next screen G2 at a predetermined trigger. This trigger may be a touch operation on screen G1, or the passage of a predetermined time. The transition between various screens is accompanied by a predetermined screen effect (in other words, a visual effect) or performance. For example, when transitioning from the first screen to the second screen, a screen effect (screen fade-out / fade-in) may be used in which the first screen moves out of the display panel 4 while the second screen moves into the display panel 4. Alternatively, a screen effect may be used in which the first screen gradually fades and disappears while the second screen gradually darkens and appears.

[0051] [Screen (2)] Screen G2 at the bottom of Fig. 5 shows an example of a question selection screen (in other words, a sentence presentation screen). Screen G2 presents (in other words, displays) a number of predetermined sentences 502 as candidates for the user to write in the letter as options. Screen G2 also displays a guide sentence such as "Choose the words (phrases) you want to write," and outputs a corresponding voice. Screen G2 may also display images of guide character X, other characters, scenes, etc.

[0052] On this screen G2, the user selects one sentence from multiple sentences 502 by touching the touch pen 3. When a sentence is selected, the screen G1 transitions to the next screen (Fig. 6). The selected sentence is also referred to as the selected sentence. An example of a selected sentence is "How are you?"

[0053] [Screen (3)] In FIG. 6, screen G3 shows a model display state as an example of a handwriting input screen. On this screen G3, handwritten text 602 for tracing is displayed in area 601 (i.e., a writing area) according to the selected sentence on screen G2. In this example, a plurality of characters, "Are you well?", are displayed in a light gray color along with a character box in area 601 as handwritten text 602 for tracing. Also, on this screen G3, a guide such as "Please trace as shown in the example" is displayed, and a corresponding voice is output.

[0054] Screen G3 also has buttons 603 for pen tools and the like. In this example, the buttons 603 include a pen tool button, an eraser button, and an "erase all" button. Initially, the pen tool button is automatically selected as an enabled state. In the pen tool enabled state, the user can draw dots and lines by touching the touch pen 3 (i.e., by handwriting input) within a predetermined area 601. When the eraser tool is selected and enabled, the user can erase dots and lines drawn within a predetermined area 611 by touching the touch pen 3. When the "erase all" button is selected and operated, all dots and lines within the predetermined area 611 can be erased, returning the area to a blank page.

[0055] On this screen G3, the user can handwrite a simple selected sentence, "How are you?", along with the handwritten text 602 using the touch pen 3. In the area 601 of this screen G3, the user writes each character by tracing the handwritten text 602 for tracing with a touch operation using the touch pen 3. Since no detection is performed as to whether the handwritten input characters are misaligned with the characters in the handwritten text 602, it is acceptable for the handwritten input characters to be misaligned with the characters in the handwritten text 602. In the example of screen G3, the state has not yet been entered by handwriting, and no dots or lines have been drawn in the area 601.

[0056] Also, within this screen G3, for example, at the bottom, a Completed button 604 is displayed. In a state before handwriting input such as this screen G3, the processor of the educational toy 1 disables the Completed button 604 (a state in which it cannot be pressed by touch), and displays the Completed button 613, for example, in a semi-transparent state or a light color, as a mode different from the enabled state.

[0057] [Screen (4)] Screen G4 at the bottom of FIG. 6 shows an example of a state in the middle of handwriting input when a user starts to handwrite a sentence in area 601 of screen G3. The processor of the educational toy 1 detects a touch input to area 601 based on the function of the display device 103 including the display panel 4, and draws dots and lines (corresponding character 605) in area 601 according to the touch input position coordinates based on the detection information. Character 605 is an example of a dot or line drawn by handwriting input. In this example, the lines and dots of character 605 are a thick black color. In this example, the characters up to "Genki" of the sentence "Are you well?" are drawn. Note that the color and thickness of the drawn character 605 may be variably set.

[0058] When dots or lines begin to be drawn in the area 601, that is, when dots or lines are drawn at least partially, the processor puts the completed button 604 into an enabled state (a state in which it can be pressed by touch), and displays the completed button 604, for example, in a normal state that is not translucent or in a dark color.

[0059] [Screen (5)] 7, screen G5 shows an example of a screen when a sentence is completed by handwriting input in area 601 of screen G4. In the example state of screen G5, sentence 606 "Are you well?" is drawn by handwriting input in area 601. The example shows a case where the user presses complete button 604 with touch pen 3. The processor detects the pressing of complete button 604 using the function of display device 103 including display panel 4.

[0060] When the processor detects and recognizes the pressing of the Complete button 604, it considers this to be the completion of the sentence and acquires the data (corresponding character image information) of the sentence 606 drawn in the area 601 at that time. Here, when the Complete button 604 is pressed, it is not necessary that all characters of the selected sentence are actually drawn by handwriting input; the sentence may be incomplete. The processor determines the sentence to be complete even if it is incomplete, i.e., if at least some lines or dots are drawn in the area 601 and the Complete button 604 is pressed. Since it is expected that children will only be able to input handwritten characters that are considered incomplete, allowing the user (child) to press the Complete button 604 at a time when they are satisfied to complete the handwritten input and proceed to the next performance can prevent a decline in the child's motivation to learn and stimulate the child's motivation to repeatedly practice and learn to write characters. As a variation, the condition for completion may be that a predetermined amount or more of characters are written in the area 601. When the completion button 604 is pressed, the processor transitions to the next screen G6.

[0061] As a variation of the above, when a time condition is used to determine whether a sentence is complete (in other words, input has ended) instead of the completion button 604, this can be realized, for example, as follows. For example, the processor 101 determines that the sentence is complete when a certain time has elapsed since the start of handwriting input screen G3. Alternatively, the processor 101 determines that the sentence is complete when a certain time has elapsed since input detection (in other words, touch detection) in the area 601. Alternatively, the processor 101 determines that the sentence is complete when a state in which no input by touching the area 601 continues for a certain time.

[0062] [Screen (6)] Screen G6 at the bottom of FIG. 7 is a sentence completion effect screen, or in other words, a letter completion effect screen. In this screen G6, the processor displays an image of letter paper (i.e., paper) in an area 701 that occupies most of the screen G6, and displays a sentence image 702 corresponding to the sentence 606 acquired upon completion on the previous screen G5, superimposed on the letter paper image. At this time, the processor prevents elements such as the handwritten text 602 (frame lines and characters) of the previous screen G5 from being displayed. As a screen effect or effect when displaying this screen G6, the processor performs predetermined display control, for example, so that the display of the sentence 606 on the previous screen G5 remains unchanged while other displayed objects such as the handwritten text 602 gradually disappear. Furthermore, at this time, as part of the sentence completion effect, the processor gradually displays the letter paper image in area 701, displays a predetermined effect image (e.g., a twinkle-twinkle star effect), and controls to output a corresponding sound effect or other audio. From the user's perspective, it appears as if the background has changed to a letter (letter paper). The type of letter paper image and the type of effect may be determined randomly from a plurality of candidates, or may be variably settable.

[0063] The processor continues to display screen G2, which displays the completed sentence, for a predetermined time or more. On this screen G6, the user can enjoy looking at the completed letter. The processor ends screen G6 at a predetermined trigger and transitions to the next screen (FIG. 8). This trigger may be, for example, a touch operation within screen G6 after a predetermined minimum display time has elapsed, or the passage of a further predetermined time.

[0064] [Screen (7)] In FIG. 8, screen G7 shows an example of a screen for sending a letter. Screen G7 is a screen that, as part of the presentation, depicts the process of sending a letter 801 containing a message 702 created on the previous screen G6 from the user to a predetermined character (assumed to be A). On screen G7, the letter 801 (i.e., a letter image containing letter paper and a message) created up to the previous screen is displayed in a certain area. At this time, the processor may, for example, control the display so that the letter 801 gradually emerges on the background. In addition, in another area of ​​screen G7, an image 802 and lines 803 of, for example, a predetermined character Y are displayed, and corresponding audio is output. Character Y is, for example, a character that delivers or primarily receives a letter. These display images depicting that the letter 801 from the user has arrived at character A. For example, a line such as "Hey XX (= character A), your letter has arrived" is displayed as character Y's line.

[0065] The processor ends screen G7 at a predetermined trigger and transitions to the next screen G8. This trigger is a touch operation on screen G7 after a predetermined minimum display time has elapsed, or the elapse of a further predetermined time. When transitioning from screen G7 to screen G8, the processor also controls the display of, for example, elements exiting the screen and elements newly appearing on the screen. For example, the display of the image 802 and dialogue 803 of character Y on screen G7 is controlled so that they move from their fixed positions on the screen to outside the screen. At the same time, the display of the image and dialogue of character A on the next screen G8 is controlled so that they move from outside the screen to their fixed positions on the screen.

[0066] [Screen (8)] Screen G8 at the bottom of Fig. 8 is a screen for a reply presentation by character A (in other words, receiving a letter). This screen G8 depicts a scene in which character A receives letter 801 from the user and replies to the text of the user's letter 801. Screen G8 displays the previous letter 801 in the same way, and in a predetermined area, an image 804 of character A and the text of reply 805 (dialogue) are displayed, and audio corresponding to reply 805 is output. By displaying letter 801 handwritten by the user on the same screen as image 804 and the text of reply 805 (dialogue), it is possible to give the user the feeling that character A has replied to letter 801 that the user wrote, which can stimulate motivation to learn.

[0067] The reply 805 is a reply selected and determined in response to the sentence in the letter 801. In detail, the reply 805 is determined by randomly selecting one from a plurality of candidate reply sentences based on, for example, predefined data (performance data 53 in FIG. 4). A plurality of patterns of reply sentences are prepared in advance in response to the sentence selected by the user. In this example, the reply 805 selected in response to the sentence in the letter 801, "How are you?" is displayed as "Yes, I'm fine! How are you?"

[0068] The processor ends screen G8 at a predetermined opportunity and transitions to the next screen, the common success screen. This opportunity is triggered by a touch operation on the screen after it has been displayed for a predetermined minimum time. Although not shown, the common success screen is a screen whose content indicates the end of the letter application and is common to all applications. After the common success screen, the screen returns to the menu screen.

[0069] [Effects, etc.] As described above, according to the educational toy 1 of the first embodiment, in the format of sending a letter from a child user to a character, the child inputs a sentence by handwriting a selected sentence by tracing it, and then, upon detection and recognition of the completion of the sentence (e.g., pressing the completion button), a performance such as a reply from the character is output as a performance corresponding to the selected sentence. This increases the interest of the child when practicing and learning to write letters, and can further stimulate the child's motivation to learn. In particular, in the example of the performance and screen described above, as shown in screens G7 and G8 of FIG. 8, a reply or image from character A is output along with the letter 801 containing the sentence written by the user. This increases the interest of the child user because the child user can receive a response, including a reply, from character A depending on the sentence he or she selects and writes. Furthermore, the child user can receive a performance including a different reply depending on the sentence he or she selects and writes, which increases the interest of the child user.

[0070] [Variations] The following variations on the first embodiment are also possible. In the first embodiment, the format is a letter, but this is not limiting. The present invention is similarly applicable to exchanges including text between a user and a character in the form of a conversation or the like. For example, in the form of a conversation, the user may input a first selected sentence, and the character may return a first response sentence, and in response, the user may input a second selected sentence, and the character may return a second response sentence.

[0071] As a variation, it is also possible to have a format in which letters, conversations, and other text are exchanged between fictional characters. For example, when character A writes and sends a letter to character B, the user writes and inputs the text of the letter for character A.

[0072] In the first embodiment, with respect to the presentation unit 12 and the input unit 13, handwritten text 602 is displayed in the handwritten input area 601 on the screen G3 in Fig. 6, and handwritten input sentence 605 is superimposed on the handwritten text 602. However, without being limited to this, the display of the handwritten text corresponding to the selected sentence and the display of the handwritten input may be provided in parallel in separate areas on the screen.

[0073] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...educational toy, 2...casing, 3...pen (touch pen), 4...display panel, 5...button, 6...speaker, 7...icon, 11...control unit, 12...presentation unit, 13...input unit, 14...memory unit, 15...output unit, 16...determination unit, 17...operation input unit, 101...processor, 102...memory.

Claims

1. a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence; an input unit for allowing a user to input characters by handwriting in correspondence with the predetermined sentence; a storage unit that stores data of effects including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound as an effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence; an output unit that outputs the performance according to the predetermined sentence; A control unit; Equipped with The input unit displaying a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence; While detecting character image information of the input characters, the character image information is displayed superimposed on the tracing sentence; The control unit presenting the predetermined sentence by the presenting unit; Detecting an input to the input unit; reading out data of the effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the storage unit and outputting the effect on the output unit; the predetermined sentence is a letter or a conversation sentence from the user to the character, The performance includes at least one of a letter or conversational text, a character image, and a character voice in a response from the character to the user. Educational toys.

2. a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence; an input unit for allowing a user to input characters by handwriting in correspondence with the predetermined sentence; a storage unit that stores data of effects including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound as an effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence; an output unit that outputs the performance according to the predetermined sentence; A control unit; Equipped with The input unit displaying a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence; While detecting character image information of the input characters, the character image information is displayed superimposed on the tracing sentence; The control unit presenting the predetermined sentence by the presenting unit; Detecting an input to the input unit; reading out data of the effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the storage unit and outputting the effect on the output unit; the predetermined sentence is a sentence of a letter, the effect includes an image of the letter paper, an effect image, and a sound effect; character image information detected by the input unit is displayed on the image of the letter paper. Educational toys.

3. The educational toy according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit displays character image information detected by the input unit when outputting at least a part of the effect.

4. The educational toy according to claim 1 or 2, a determination unit that determines whether the user has completed input to the input unit, The control unit outputs the effect in response to a determination made by the determination unit.

5. The educational toy according to claim 4, the determination unit includes an operation input unit through which the user inputs an operation indicating that input to the input unit has been completed, The educational toy, wherein the determination unit determines that input is complete when the operation input unit receives the operation.

6. The educational toy according to claim 5, The operation input unit enters a state in which it accepts the operation input as valid on condition that an input to the input unit is detected.

7. The educational toy according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit does not perform character recognition processing on the character image information of the characters input to the input unit, and outputs the performance if there is at least some character image information, regardless of the content of the character image information of the characters input to the input unit.

8. The educational toy according to claim 1 or 2, the presentation unit presents a plurality of sentences as options as the predetermined sentence; the input unit inputs characters corresponding to a sentence selected by the user from the plurality of sentences, the storage unit stores data of effects corresponding to each of the plurality of sentences; The control unit reads out data of a performance corresponding to the sentence selected by the user from the storage unit and causes the output unit to output the performance.

9. The educational toy according to claim 1 or 2, the storage unit stores data of a plurality of effects as the effects corresponding to the predetermined sentence; The control unit reads data of a performance selected from the plurality of performances in accordance with the predetermined sentence from the memory unit and causes the output unit to output the performance.

10. The educational toy according to claim 1 or 2, In this educational toy, when outputting at least a part of the performance, the control unit displays or gradually displays the character image information detected by the input unit while hiding or gradually erasing the tracing sentence.

11. Electronic devices, a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence; an input unit for allowing a user to input characters by handwriting in correspondence with the predetermined sentence; a storage unit that stores data of effects including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound as an effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence; an output unit that outputs the performance according to the predetermined sentence; A control unit; It functions as The input unit displaying a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence; While detecting character image information of the input characters, the character image information is displayed superimposed on the tracing sentence; The control unit presenting the predetermined sentence by the presenting unit; Detecting an input to the input unit; reading out data of the effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the storage unit and outputting the effect on the output unit; the predetermined sentence is a letter or a conversation sentence from the user to the character, The performance includes at least one of a letter or conversational text, a character image, and a character voice in a response from the character to the user. program.

12. Electronic devices, a presentation unit that presents a predetermined sentence; an input unit for allowing a user to input characters by handwriting in correspondence with the predetermined sentence; a storage unit that stores data of effects including at least one of a sentence, an image, and a sound as an effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence; an output unit that outputs the performance according to the predetermined sentence; A control unit; It functions as The input unit displaying a tracing sentence corresponding to the predetermined sentence; While detecting character image information of the input characters, the character image information is displayed superimposed on the tracing sentence; The control unit presenting the predetermined sentence by the presenting unit; Detecting an input to the input unit; reading out data of the effect corresponding to the predetermined sentence from the storage unit and outputting the effect on the output unit; the predetermined sentence is a sentence of a letter, the effect includes an image of the letter paper, an effect image, and a sound effect; character image information detected by the input unit is displayed on the image of the letter paper. program.

Images