Method to detect installed module and select corresponding behavior
First Claim
1. A method for determining a functional behavior of a base of an electronic device as a function of at least one of a plurality of different modules that is coupled to the base, comprising the steps of:
- (a) enabling a user to couple a selected module from among the plurality of different modules to the base, wherein the selected module comprises only mechanical elements including a housing and a plurality of separately actuatable elements that are each movable relative to the housing;
(b) detecting which module from among the plurality of different modules has been coupled to the base, as a function of a state of at least one switch disposed in the base, the state of said at least one switch being determined by a configuration of the selected module; and
(c) enabling a set of functions to be performed by the base, each function being performed in response to movement of one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements of the selected module, a different set of functions being enabled for each of the plurality of different modules in response to the module that was detected, so that the functional behavior of the base is dependent upon the module that is coupled to the base by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for identifying a module installed in a base from a plurality of different modules and selecting a set of functions corresponding to the installed module. A preferred embodiment is the Intelli-Table™ toy that includes three modules, each of which can be installed into an annular channel in the base. When a module is installed, a unique pattern of recesses or flat surfaces on the bottom of the module is detected by a first set of switches in the channel. Based on the unique state of these switches, the base selects a set of functions corresponding to the installed module. Each module includes a plurality of different movable elements that activate a second set of switches in the base. Moving an element activates a switch, causing the base to perform a function unique to that element and to the module installed.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for determining a functional behavior of a base of an electronic device as a function of at least one of a plurality of different modules that is coupled to the base, comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling a user to couple a selected module from among the plurality of different modules to the base, wherein the selected module comprises only mechanical elements including a housing and a plurality of separately actuatable elements that are each movable relative to the housing;
(b) detecting which module from among the plurality of different modules has been coupled to the base, as a function of a state of at least one switch disposed in the base, the state of said at least one switch being determined by a configuration of the selected module; and
(c) enabling a set of functions to be performed by the base, each function being performed in response to movement of one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements of the selected module, a different set of functions being enabled for each of the plurality of different modules in response to the module that was detected, so that the functional behavior of the base is dependent upon the module that is coupled to the base by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
(a) detecting the state of said at least one function switch in response to movement of the one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements of the selected module; and
(b) implementing a function associated with said at least one function switch, when the movement of the one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements actuates said at least one function switch.
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5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a pattern based on the selected module that was detected.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of producing an audible sound based on the selected module that was detected.
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7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of terminating power as a result of the selected module being removed from the base.
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8. The method of claim 4, wherein the base includes a plurality of function switches, said plurality of function switches include a pair of function switches connected in parallel and disposed in different locations on the base, further comprising the step of enabling only one of the pair of function switches to be activated by moving one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements of one of the plurality of different modules, and only the other function switch of the pair of function switches to be activated by moving a different one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements of a different module.
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9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements can be moved in a specific manner, said specific manner being one of pushing, sliding, toggling, and spinning.
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10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of implementing successive functions in response to a repeated movement of the one of the plurality of separately actuatable elements.
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11. A method to determine a function to be implemented by a base of an electronic device, wherein a selected one of a plurality of modules can be coupled to the base, each module of the plurality of modules being associated with a different set of functions and comprising only mechanical elements, including a plurality of individually movable elements, comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting a state of each of a first set of switches in the base, the state of each of the first set of switches being controlled by a configuration of the module that is installed in the base;
(b) enabling a user to change the state of a switch from among a plurality of switches in a second set of switches in the base by moving one of the plurality of individually movable elements comprising the module that is installed in the base;
(c) detecting the state of the first set of switches and the second set of switches; and
(d) implementing a function with the base, said function being determined by;
(i) the state of the first set of switches, which determine the set of functions that are used; and
(ii) the state of the switch from among the second set of switches that was changed by the user moving said one of the plurality of individually movable elements. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. Apparatus that implements a selected function from among a plurality of different sets of functions, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of modules, each module of the plurality of modules being associated with a different set of functions and comprising only mechanical elements, including at least one individually movable element that is adapted to be individually moved by a user to selectively implement a function from the set of functions associated with the module; and
(b) a base that includes an electronic circuit used to implement the plurality of different sets of functions, said base being configured to couple with a selected module from the plurality of modules and including;
(i) at least one module switch, the state of said at least one module switch being determined by a configuration of the selected module when the selected module is coupled to the base, the state of said at least one module switch determining the set of functions that is to be used with the selected module; and
(ii) at least one function switch, the state of said at least one function switch being changed by movement of the at least one individually movable element included on the selected module, the state of said at least one function switch and the state of said at least one module switch determining which of the plurality of functions that the base implements. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A system that associates a functional behavior of a base with each of a plurality of different modules, each module comprising only mechanical elements, comprising:
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(a) a logic device;
(b) a plurality of module switches coupled to the logic device, the state of said plurality of module switches being determined by a configuration of a selected module when the selected module is coupled to the base, the state of said plurality of module switches determining one of a plurality of functional behaviors associated with the selected module, a different functional behavior being associated with each module of the plurality of different modules;
(c) a plurality of function switches coupled to the logic device, the state of said plurality of function switches being determined by movement of individually movable elements included on the selected module, the state of said plurality of function switches and the state of said plurality of module switches determining which of a plurality of functions the base is to perform; and
(d) said logic device implementing functions associated with the selected module by;
(i) detecting the state of the plurality of module switches; and
(ii) selecting one of the plurality of functional behaviors associated with the selected module based on the detected state of the plurality of module switches and the detected state of the plurality of function switches. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification