1. 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?

2. How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
Let look inside the car.
The car is essentially in two parts.
What manufacturing method was used to make the 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?

3. How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
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?
AA battery
DIAGRAM
METAL SPRING
This toy uses just two 1.5 volt, AA or R6 type batteries.
They are connected in series so that they produce 3 volts
Screw-down lid

4. How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
Four pushbutton switches protrude through the roof of the car. These send a signal to the microprocessor
INPUT SUB-SYSTEM
PUSH SWITCHES
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
Task: Find out about different switches. Draw and name them. Give examples of where they are used

5. How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
The microprocessor is in a chip called a PIC Microcontroller which is found inside the toy car.
PROCESS SUB-SYSTEM
MICROCONTROLLER (PIC)
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

6. How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
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.

7. input/output circuitry
How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
What is a PIC microcontroller?
A microcontroller is often described
as a ‘computer-on-a-chip’.
It is a low-cost integrated circuit that
contains:
Memory
Microprocessor and
input/output circuitry
All in a single unit.
Microcontrollers are purchased
‘blank’ and then programmed with a
specific control program. This program reads inputs from switches and sensors and controls output devices such as buzzers and lamps
Once 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.

8. How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
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

9. The complete electronic system used in the toy car
How are microprocessors used in electronic toys?
The complete electronic system used in the toy car
INPUT
push switches
PROCESS
microcontroller
or PIC chip
OUTPUT
light bulbs and
loudspeaker

10. Developing a Specification
Age?
Boy or Girl or Both?
Developing a Specification
Target Group
Design an innovative electronic toy or game that reflects the wants and needs of its potential users
Wood
Metal
Plastic
Materials
Your Task:
Innovative final product
Use an electronic microcontroller
Popular with its end user
Safety
Sustainable
Environmental
Impact?
Features
What will make it popular?
Current
Trends
Existing Products
What does the competition do?
Latest games
Films
Fashion
Possible
Themes
Cost
Time
Appearance
Function TV
Music
Nature
Animals
Find out current prices
Planning
Realistic
Design
Innovation
Creativity
Shape Size
Colour
What will it do?
How will it work?

11. Developing a Specification
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 1
Choose 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?

12. Developing a Specification
Material:
Safe for the user
Durable - long lasting so giving value for money
Attractive if not painted.
Able to resist scratching
Easy to clean
Paint/Varnish should be non toxic
Appearance:
Should appeal especially to your chosen user group
It must look attractive
The colours must appeal
The shape must be safe-no sharp edges
No loose parts
The correct size for the age group
The electronics and power source must fit in the case
Here are some examples:
The 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

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