Sequentially operated modules

• US 10,617,964 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Original Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ortiz, Elim
• Application Number:
  US15/427,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20170144060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/50 Construction set or kit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/08 provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1656 characterised by programming, planning systems for manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1694 characterised by use of sensors other than normal servo-feedback from position, speed or acceleration sensors, perception control, multi-sensor controlled systems, sensor fusion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/003 electrically operated apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0023 Colour matching, recognition, analysis, mixture or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/025 : with electrically operated apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 : with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 : with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 : Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7177 : filament or neon bulb
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 : Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 : for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/16 : Fastening of connecting parts to base or case; Insulating connecting parts from base or case
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 : Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/001 : Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 : Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 : Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 : Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 : Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/00 : Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 : Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/09 : Closed loop, sensor feedback controls arm movement

Abstract

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

Claims

1. A modular game set apparatus comprising:

a master module comprising in an enclosure;

a battery compartment for housing a battery for providing Direct Current (DC) power;

a single connector at an end of the master enclosure coupled to the battery compartment for passing DC power via the connector and for digital data communication;

a payload coupled to the battery compartment for being powered by the DC power and to the single connector for receiving digital data therefrom and for being controlled or activated; and

software or firmware and a processor for executing the software or firmware, the processor is coupled to be powered from the DC power and to control or activate the payload in response to digital data received from the single connector, and

a plurality of interchangeable slave modules detachably connectable in series with the master module and with each other, each of the slave modules comprising, in an enclosure;

a first connector at a first end of the slave module enclosure; and

a second connector at a second end of the slave module enclosure,

wherein the connectors are physically structured (i) to allow the slave modules to be detachably mechanically coupled to each other in any order and to allow any of the slave modules to be detachably mechanically coupled to the master module, and (ii) to electrically connect the connectors of respective modules when mechanically coupled to one another;

and wherein, when the master module and the slave modules are mechanically serially connected, the slave modules are powered from the DC power and communicate with the master module via the respective first and second connectors and the single connectors.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payload sequentially operates wherein the sequence of operation is in response to the order in which the modules are connected.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payload comprises a motor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the master module further comprises a driving motor and a wheel driven by the driving motor and supporting the master module, and wherein each slave module further comprises a set of wheels supporting the slave module.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the slave modules further comprises an annunciator adapted to perform a module-specific task.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the annunciators of different ones of the slave modules are adapted to perform respectively different module-specific tasks.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processor is coupled to control or activate the annunciators when the slave modules are mechanically connected in a series to each other and to the master module.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the module-specific task of the annunciator of at least one of the slave modules is to emit visible light and the annunciator of at least one of the slave modules comprises a visible light emitter.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the visible light emitter comprises a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp, or a fluorescent lamp.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the module-specific task of at least one of the annunciators comprises blinking by the visible light emitter.

11. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the module-specific task that at least one of the annunciators is adapted to perform is to emit audible sound and the annunciator of at least one of the slave modules comprises an audible sound generator.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sound generator is configured to produce music.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sound generator is configured to produce spoken words.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the audible sound generator comprises an electromechanical or piezoelectric sound generator.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the appearance of each of the slave modules or the module-specific task that each of the annunciators are adapted to perform, or relate to, a common theme.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the appearance of each of the slave modules and the module-specific task that each of the annunciators are adapted to perform, relate to a common theme.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the slave modules color, type, or shape, is associated with the theme.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the theme is a specific type of animal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payload comprises a visible light emitter.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payload is adapted to emit audible sound and the payload comprises an audible sound generator.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in each of the slave modules the second end is opposite to the first end, and wherein in each of the slave modules the first connector is opposite to the second connector.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the second connectors of each of the slave modules comprises a first common type of connector chosen from a group consisting of a male connector and a female connector, and wherein each of the first connectors of each of the slave modules comprises a second common type of connector that is the other member of the group.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of the connectors are rectangular, square, or circular shaped.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the connectors comprises a USB connector.

25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slave modules are detachably connectable to each other and to the master module using interlocking, friction fit, or shaped lugs and mating cut-outs.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slave modules are detachably connectable to each other and to the master module using protrusions in one of the modules and cavities in another of the modules adapted to receive the protrusions in a frictional engagement.

27. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connectors are physically structured to electrically connect the connectors of any pair of adjacently mechanically attached modules via two contacts capable of carrying both power and digital data between the respective modules.

28. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connectors are physically structured to electrically connect the connectors of any pair of adjacently mechanically attached modules via at least two contacts for carrying the power and at least two contacts for carrying bi-directional digital data.