Hello!

I am interested in knowing about the technology used by LeapFrog
(http://www.leapfrog.com/) in their LeapPad and Quantum Pad Learning
systems.

More particularly, how do the components interact, what component
(sensor etc.) do you think is used in the pen that kids use to touch
(thereby activate) and hear a particular sound. How does the pen
differentiate between one page to another. What do you think is built
into the base of these systems - into which the books are placed?

The answer need not be the actual one as I doubt if LeapFrog explains
their technology anywhere (hmm.. how about their patents??), but a
technology analysis and potential components that could be used to
create such a system - is what I am looking for.

Thanks, in advance.

Pat79

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 16 Sep 2005 15:06 PDT

Hello pat79-ga,

I misread your question and did the research for the pentop computer
FLY pen. I was about to post my answer when rereading your question I
realized that you're asking about the earlier platforms for the
LeapPad and other book/game learning tools from LeapFrog.   Please
clarify which pen you're referring to. You said "what component
(sensor etc.) do you think is used in the pen that kids use to touch
(thereby activate) and hear a particular sound." It seems you're only
interested in the older platforms, not the new FlyPen. Thanks.

~ czh ~

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Clarification of Question by pat79-ga on 16 Sep 2005 22:21 PDT

Hello CZH-ga:

Yes, I am interested only in the old versions - typically the ones
that have a pad (LeapPad, Quantum Pad etc.) with a pen connected to
the base with a wire.

The comment by zachninme-ga seems to partly answer the question. Can
you confirm the same? Also what technology is used in the pad/base to
enable the working of the system?

Thanks, in advance.

Pat79

There isnt anything in the pen, just on the pad you put the book on.
It's a touch sensitive pad that can tell exactly where it is touched.
To tell the page, there is a bar on the side of the page with a circle,
the circle is in a different place on the bar on each page,
the child touches the circle and the Leapad knows the page.