User programmable building kit

• US 10,387,170 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: People Innovate For Economy Foundation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: People Innovate For Economy Foundation Incorporated
• Inventors: Lam, Peter Ar-Fu
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman, Sean
• Application Number:
  US10/988,822
• Time in Patent Office: 5,391 Days
• Field of Search: 700 78, 367108
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4498 Finite state machines
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0053 Computers, e.g. programming

Abstract

A programmable retail building kit comprising a controller unit to control a set of accessory article members is provided to enable a user to design, build and program a article. This retail building kit is also provided with a remote controller having a visual display unit and a sound transducer for the user to interface with the controller unit.

Claims

1. A building kit and a programming display configured for a user to build and program an article comprises:

a programming system;

a controller unit comprising a controller housing, a connector or an extension socket, and a microprocessor;

at least one accessory article member separated from said controller unit and configured to be compatible for making connection with the connector or extension socket of said controller unit,

wherein each accessory article member further comprises at least one of the following elements;

(a) motion transducer;

(b) position sensor;

(c) analog signal provider;

(d) digital signal provider;

(e) light transducer;

(f) optical sensor or camera image sensor;

(g) sound transducer;

(h) sound sensor;

(i) memory; and

(j) external communication circuit;

wherein said building kit is further configured to be supported by said programming system;

wherein said programming system is configured to work with said programming display for displaying and providing a program comprising a configuration state region and a path region;

said programming system is further defined by the following programming features;

(1) a feature to define m input channels of said microprocessor or controller unit, and for said connector or extension socket to interface with external data or signals, wherein m is an integer equal or greater than one;

(2) a feature to define n output channels for said microprocessor or controller unit to transmit data or signals, wherein n is an integer equal or greater than one;

(3) a feature to specify and display a first program group of two or more configuration states in a configuration state region of said programming display, wherein each configuration state defines the configuration of at least one input channel of feature (1) and p output channel of feature (2) wherein p is zero or an integer greater than zero; and

wherein each of said two or more configuration states is further configured to access the at least one accessory article member connected to said connector, or extension socket;

said two or more configuration states are further configured to comply with the following feature (5);

(4) a feature to specify and display a second program group of two or more paths in a path region of said programming display;

for said paths to be executed by said microprocessor or controller unit;

(5) within a configuration state of feature (3), provide a feature to define a qualifying condition for the at least one input channel; and

to specify a path of feature (4) to be executed when the signal or data received by said at least one input channel satisfied said qualifying condition, and

(6) a feature to enable a path of feature (4) to switch from a current configuration state to another configuration state of feature (3);

wherein said programming system is further configured for said user to compose a user program according to the interaction between said first program group of feature (3) and second program group of feature (4);

wherein said programming system is further configured to work with said programming display for displaying and providing at least one of the following features;

(7) a feature to structure said user program into at least two regions, wherein a first configuration state region specifies the characteristics of the two or more configuration states, and a second path region specifies the two or more paths or events/sub-events;

(8) a feature to organize at least a part of said configuration states and/or paths into a table format;

(9) a feature to configure said states and paths for working in both of the following conditions;

(i) said configuration states or paths to be listed in sequential relationship to each other;

(ii) said configuration states and/or paths not to be listed in sequential relationship to each other;

(10) a feature to provide a symbol or label for representing said accessory article member;

or for said program to specify the power up default condition of said user programmed article;

wherein said programming system further comprises one or more instructions tailored for representing the at least one accessory article member connected to said connector or extension socket, enabling said user to program the interaction of said controller unit with said accessory article member.

2. The building kit of claim 1 wherein said programming system comprises presentation of configuration states or paths in the form of a table, and one or more elements of said table comprises a programming instruction provided with a graphic presentation.

3. The building kit of claim 1 wherein a configuration state or a path of said programming system is further structured to provide a programming instruction explicitly specified to operate a motor, or a programming instruction specified to operate a light transducer, and said programming instruction further comprises a table format graphic sign of said motor or light transducer.

4. The building kit of claim 1 wherein said programming system comprises a programming instruction for said user to define a path enabling a graphic pattern or a message to be displayed.

5. The building kit of claim 1 wherein said programming system is structured to provide configuration state and path displayed on said programming display and for a user to key in or configure user defined configuration state and path labels.

6. The building kit of claim 5 wherein said programming display provides visual error signal of a configuration state or a path to prompt a user to correct missing or error entry according to the programming criteria of said programming system.

7. The building kit of claim 1 further comprising a remote control member connected to said controller unit by wired or wireless method and wherein said programming system further comprises a programming instruction structured for an operation of said remote control member.

8. The building kit of claim 7 wherein said programming system enables said controller unit to execute a path when a signal received from said remote control member satisfied a predefined qualification.

9. The building kit of claim 7 wherein said remote control member comprises at least a first input key and a second input key, and a labeling area provided for an user to define and label the function of said first and second input keys.

10. The building kit of claim 7 wherein said remote control member comprises a display and/or a sound transducer for providing visual and/or voice communication with said controller unit.

11. The building kit of claim 1 wherein said controller unit is configured to communicate with a remote electronics device.

12. The building kit of claim 1 further comprising wirings enable an accessory article member to receive signals from said controller unit or to be powered by said controller unit.

13. The building kit of claim 1 wherein an accessory article member of said building kit further comprises a microcontroller to interface with one of said elements.

14. The building kit of claim 1 wherein one of said accessory article members is not part of said controller unit;

said building kit or a product line of building kit components is further configured for said user to select one or more of said accessory members for assembling or building said article.

15. The building kit of claim 1 wherein said programming system further comprises at least two of the features or characteristics (7) to (10).

16. A building kit and a programming display configured for a user to build and program an article, said building kit comprises:

a programming system;

a controller unit comprising a first microprocessor, a controller housing, and a connector or an extension socket accessed through said controller housing;

at least a first and a second accessory article members separated from said controller unit, wherein each accessory article member is configured for connecting with said controller unit through said connector or extension socket for building said article,

wherein each of said accessory members comprises at least one of the following elements;

(a) motion transducer;

(b) position sensor;

(c) analog signal provider;

(d) digital signal provider;

(e) light transducer;

(f) optical sensor or camera image sensor;

(g) sound transducer;

(h) sound sensor;

(i) memory; and

(j) external communication circuit;

wherein said programming system is configured to provide the following programming features;

(1) a feature to define m input channels of said microprocessor or controller unit, and for said connector or extension socket to interface with external data or signals, wherein m is an integer equal or greater than one;

(2) a feature to define n output channels for said microprocessor or controller unit to transmit data or signals, wherein n is an integer equal or greater than one;

(3) a feature to specify and display a first program group of x configuration states in a configuration state region of said programming display, wherein each configuration state defines the configuration of at least one input channel of feature (1) and p output channel of feature (2);

wherein x is an integer equal or greater than two and p is zero or an integer greater than zero; and

wherein said configuration states are further configured to comply with the following feature (5);

(4) a feature to specify and display a second program group of y paths in a path region of said programming display;

for said paths to be executed by said microprocessor or controller unit, wherein y is an integer equal or greater than two;

(5) within a configuration of feature (3), provide a feature to define a qualifying condition for the at least one input channel; and

to specify a path of feature (4) to be executed when the signal or data received by said at least one input channel satisfied said qualifying condition, and

(6) a feature to enable a path of feature (4) to switch from a current configuration state to another configuration state of feature (3);

wherein said programming system is further configured for said user to compose a user program according to the interaction between said first program group of feature (3) and said second program group of feature (4);

said programming system is further configured to work with said programming display for displaying and providing at least one of the following features or characteristics;

(7) a feature to structure the said user program into at least two regions, wherein a first configuration state region specifies the characteristics of the two or more configuration states, and a second path region specifies the two or more paths or events/sub-events;

(8) a feature to organize at least a part of the data specified by said features into a table format;

(9) wherein said configuration states and paths are not necessary to be listed in sequential relationship to each other;

(10) a feature to provide a symbol or a label for representing said first and/or second accessory article member;

or for specifying the power up default condition of said user programmed article;

wherein said building kit further comprising a remote hand control member configured for connecting to said controller unit by wired or wireless method; and

wherein said programming system is configured with programming instructions specific to said remote hand control member and compatible with said programming features (1) to (6) of said programming system.

17. The building kit of claim 16 wherein said programming system further comprises a programming instruction specifically assigned for representing said first accessory article member in a configuration state or a path, enabling said user to program the interaction of said controller unit with said first accessory article member.

18. The building kit of claim 16 wherein one of said accessory article members comprises a second microprocessor;

and wherein said programming system is structured to provide a code as an output signal; and

said second microprocessor controls at least one of said elements according to the nature of said code.

19. The building kit of claim 16 further comprising a remote control member connected to said controller unit by wired or wireless method, and said programming system is structured to enable said first microprocessor to execute a path when the signal received from said remote control member satisfies a predefined qualification.

20. The building kit of claim 16 wherein said second microprocessor provides a code to said controller unit according to a signal provided by at least one of said elements.

21. The building kit of claim 16 further comprising a building kit display and/or a sound transducer for a user to communicate with said controller unit.

22. The building kit of claim 16 further comprising one or more pieces of mounting blocks configured for mounting said controller unit and an accessory article member together.

23. A building kit and a programming display configured for a user to build and program an article comprises:

a programming system;

a controller unit comprising a controller housing, a connector or an extension socket, and a microprocessor;

one or more accessory article members separated from said controller unit and configured to be compatible for making connection with the connector or extension socket of said controller unit,

wherein each accessory article member further comprises at least one of the following elements;

(a) motion transducer;

(b) position sensor;

(c) analog signal provider;

(d) digital signal provider;

(e) light transducer;

(f) optical sensor or camera image sensor;

(g) sound transducer;

(h) sound sensor;

(i) memory; and

(j) external communication circuit;

wherein said building kit is further configured to be supported by said programming system with the following features;

(1) a feature to define m input channels of said microprocessor or controller unit, and for said connector or extension socket to interface with external data or signals, wherein m is an integer equal or greater than one;

(2) a feature to define n output channels for said microprocessor or controller unit to transmit data or signals, wherein n is an integer equal or greater than one;

(3) a feature to specify and display x configuration state in a configuration state region of said programming display, wherein each configuration state defines the configuration of at least one input channel of feature (1) and p output channel of feature (2) and wherein x is an integer equal or greater than one, and p is zero or an integer greater than zero; and

wherein said configuration states are further configured to comply with the following feature (5);

(4) a feature to specify and display y paths in a path region of said programming display;

for said paths to be executed by said microprocessor or controller unit, wherein y is an integer equal or greater than one;

(5) within a configuration of feature (3), provide a feature to define a qualifying condition for the at least one input channel; and

to specify a path to be executed when the signal or data received by said at least one input channel satisfied said qualifying condition and

(6) a feature to enable a path to switch from a current configuration state to another configuration state;

wherein said programming system is further configured to work with said programming display for displaying and providing at least one of the following features;

(7) a feature to structure the said user program into at least two regions, wherein a first configuration state region specifies the characteristics of one or more of the configuration states, and a second path region specifies one or more of the paths or events/sub-events;

(8) a feature to organize at least a part of said configuration states and/or paths into a table format;

(9) a feature to configure said states and paths for working in both of the following conditions;

(i) said configuration states or paths to be listed in sequential relationship to each other;

(ii) said configuration states and/or paths not to be listed in sequential relationship to each other;

(10) a feature to label part of a table format program for specifying the power up default condition of said user programmed article;

wherein said building kit further comprises a remote control member connected to said controller unit by wired or wireless method; and

wherein said programming system further comprises a programming instruction structured for the operation of said remote control member with said features (1) to (6).

24. The building kit of claim 23 wherein said programming system enables said controller unit to execute a path when a signal received from said remote control member satisfies a predefined qualification.

25. The building kit of claim 23 further comprises a camera, and wherein said programming system enables said camera to be controlled by said remote control member.

26. The building kit of claim 23 wherein said remote control member is a hand held device.