Research into popular toys or games: How are microprocessors used in electronic toys? Disassembly of a toy car Product background On the roof of the car

Research into popular toys or games:

How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?

Disassembly of a toy car

Product background On the roof of the car there are four pushbuttons. When pressed each one makes a different sound and the headlights and blue lights flash. You may have seen similar toys yourselves.

What do you think controls the light and sound?


The car is essentially in two parts.

The top has been sprayed with silver paint.What are health and safety issues for the workers and users of using spray paint?

The two parts are joined by four self tapping screws.Why not glue the parts together?

Can you see the electronic circuit inside?

Let look inside the car.

What manufacturing method was used to make the two parts?


This toy uses just two 1.5 volt, AA or R6 type batteries.They are connected in series so that they produce 3 volts

AA battery

METAL SPRING

DIAGRAM

Screw-down lid

This toy needs batteries to make it work so there are many things the toy

designer needs to think about.

How can an adult but not a child access the batteries to replace them easily?

How do the batteries stay in place if the toy is knocked about?

What is the lowest safe voltage the toy can use?

How does the user know which batteries to use?

How does the user know which way they fit in?


INPUT SUB-SYSTEM

PUSH SWITCHES

Four pushbutton switches protrude through the roof of the car. These send a signal to the microprocessor

Task: Find out about different switches. Draw and name them. Give examples of where they are used

There are two different types of INPUT that send electrical signals. The first group are the SWITCHES. They are called digital devices because they only have two possible conditions - ON/OFF, 1/0 or HIGH/LOW. The second group are called SENSORS. They are usually analogue devices

because the signal they send varies according to the value of what they are sensing.

For example a temperature sensor is an input sub-system. The signal sent out varies according to the temperature


PROCESS SUB-SYSTEM

MICROCONTROLLER (PIC)

The microprocessor is in a chip called a PIC Microcontroller which is found inside the toy car.

The PIC chip is covered by a blob of hard black plastic resin.This protects the delicate chip from moisture and scratch damage.PIC chips also come in a different package called a DIL package.DIL stands for Dual IN LINE because the connections are in two rows.

The PIC chip is mounted on a PCB which is a flat board printed with copper tracks. The electric signals travel along these tracks.The tracks are coated in green varnish to protect them

PCB

Tracks


Electric signals travel from the INPUT sub-system to the PIC microcontroller along wires. These are made from of strands of copper, coated in tin and finally covered in a PVC tube.

The wires are joined to the PCBs by technique called SOLDERING.


What is a PIC microcontroller?A microcontroller is often describedas a ‘computer-on-a-chip’.

It is a low-cost integrated circuit thatcontains:

MemoryMicroprocessor and

input/output circuitry All in a single unit.

Microcontrollers are purchased‘blank’ and then programmed with aspecific control program. This program reads inputs from switches and sensors and controls output devices such as buzzers and lampsOnce programmed the microcontroller is build into a product to make the product more intelligent and easier to use.

The PICAXE 08M is a very popular microcontroller because it is very small and can play tunes.


OUTPUT SUB-SYSTEM

The parts of the toy that make it interesting for the child are the output subsystems. In the toy

car there are two outputs. Light and sound.Light is provided by four small, bright light bulbs and sound

is provided by a single loudspeaker. The bulbs are glass and have been fixed with a hot glue gun.The speaker is held by two self tapping screws on either side. There are slots in the base to allow the sound out.

Task:What is your view on using glass light bulbs glued in place. Is there better solution?Produce a fact sheet about LEDs. List why they are better than light bulbs


The complete electronic system used in the toy car

INPUT

push switches

PROCESS

microcontrolleror PIC chip

OUTPUT

light bulbs andloudspeaker

Developing a Specification

Design an innovative electronic toy or game that reflects the wants and needs of its potential users

Your Task:

• Innovative final product

• Use an electronic microcontroller

• Popular with its end user

Target Group

Materials

Safety

CurrentTrends

AppearanceFunction

Features

PossibleThemesCostTime

Existing Products

Age?

Boy or Girl or Both?

WoodMetalPlastic

Sustainable

EnvironmentalImpact?

Latest gamesFilmsFashion

InnovationCreativityShape SizeColour

TVMusicNatureAnimals

Find out current prices

PlanningRealisticDesign

What will it do?How will it work?

What does the competition do?

What will make it popular?


Brief:

Design an innovative electronic toy or game that reflects the wants and needs of its potential users

Your Task:

• Innovative final product

• Use an electronic microcontroller

• Popular with its end user

STEP 1Choose the target group for your electronic toy

CHILDREN – What age?

TEENAGERS – Male or Female?

ADULTS – Person profile? Sport?

TASK:

• Write a few lines describing the type of person that will enjoy playing with the electronic toy or game you produce.• Write down what other things they are into. • Are they into team games or solo?• Is it fun or competition they like?

Developing a SpecificationThe mind map raised several questions.The answers we decide on forms the basis for our specification.If our specification is correct then our design is more likely to be successful.

TASK:Develop further the key issues identified in the mindmap by listing the most important factors.

Materials and Appearance have already been completed

Material:Safe for the userDurable - long lasting so giving value for money Attractive if not painted.Able to resist scratchingEasy to cleanPaint/Varnish should be non toxic

Appearance:Should appeal especially to your chosen user groupIt must look attractiveThe colours must appealThe shape must be safe-no sharp edgesNo loose partsThe correct size for the age groupThe electronics and power source must fit in the case

Here are some examples:

Target Group

Safety

Cost

Durability

Sustainability

Size

Function

Appearance


Task: Write out your specification. You may find the list of key points on the left helpful. Some specification points may be a single sentence, others may be 50 words or more.

Key Points My target group will be teenage boys aged about 15. They are interested in football, rugby, music, cars and bikes.

Documents

Research into popular toys or games: How are microprocessors used in electronic toys? Disassembly of a toy car Product background On the roof of the car