Microprocessor controlled toy building element with visual programming

• US 6,902,461 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2000
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interlego, AG (Kirkbi A/S)
• Original Assignee: Interlego, AG (Kirkbi A/S)
• Inventors: Munch, Gaute, Rasmussen, Jesper
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/890,733
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 446/95, 446/454, 446/456, 446/436, 446/465, 446/85, 446/91, 446/93, 446/175, 545/122, 545/157, 545/474, 463/36, 463/57, 463/39
• US Class Current: 446/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors

Abstract

A programmable toy comprising a microprocessor which can execute instructions in the form of program stored in a memory; a display integrated in the toy. The microprocessor is adapted to control electrical and/or electro-mechanical units in response to the instructions, said microprocessor being adapted to receive signals from electrical and/or electro-mechanical units. The display comprises a plurality of icons which each represent instructions for the microprocessor, and which can be activated by a user for programming of the microprocessor. The toy can hereby be programmed by means of a visual user interface.

Claims

1. A microprocessor controlled toy building element (101, 501) comprising

a microprocessor (102, 507) which can execute instructions in the form of a program stored in a memory (117, 509);

a display (104, 508) integral within the toy building element (101, 501) to thereby form a single unit and adapted to display icons representing instructions to the microprocessor (102;

507);

coupling means for coupling with building elements that can be moved by maneuvering means, said maneuvering means being controllable in response to the instructions,

the display (104, 508) comprises a plurality of icons (204, 205, 206, 207, 208) that are configured to illustrate patterns of movement, and which icons can be activated by a user for programming the microprocessor, and

signalling with icons from the plurality of icons, said icons that are signalled with representing a pattern of movement followed by the toy building element.

2. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that a type of icons (207, 208) is configured to illustrate modifications of patterns of movement.

3. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the toy comprises means for generating a first set of instructions comprising parameters upon activation of a first type of icons (204, 205, 206), which instructions and/or parameters may be modified by activation of a second type of icons (207, 208).

4. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that a first group of rules is conditioned by a first group of signals, and that a second group of rules (R1-R6) is conditioned by a second group of signals.

5. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that instructions corresponding to one icon implement one rule by controlling the maneuvering means in response to signals from electrical and/or electronic units.

6. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the microprocessor executes rules (R1-R6) in the form of instructions which control units,

said rules being conditioned by a plurality of signals,

said rules being arranged in an at least partly prioritized order,

said prioritized order indicating which one of several rules is to be allowed to control a unit,

said order being arranged according to the signals by which they are conditioned.

7. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the toy comprises keys (113, 114, 115) integrated in the toy, said keys being capable of activating the icons.

8. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means (505, 504) for receiving, commands which can be converted into a program that can be executed by the microprocessor.

9. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to of claim 1, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means for transmission (505, 504) of commands.

10. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means (54) for transferring information via a light guide (503).

11. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the toy comprises an elongated light guide (503), through which visible light may be transmitted in its longitudinal direction, said light guide being adapted to allow part of the light transmitted to escape through its sides.

12. A toy building set according to claim 1, characterized by comprising toy building elements with coupling means for mutual coupling.

13. A microprocessor controlled toy building element (101, 501) comprising

a microprocessor (102, 507) which can execute instructions in the form of a program stored in a memory (117, 509);

a display (104, 508) integral within the toy building element (101, 501) to thereby form a single unit and adapted to display icons representing instructions to the microprocessor (102;

507);

coupling means for coupling with building elements that can be moved by maneuvering means, said maneuvering means being controllable in response to the instructions,

the display (104, 508) comprises a plurality of icons (204, 205, 206, 207, 208) that are configured to illustrate patterns of movement, and which icons can be activated by a user for programming the microprocessor, and

signalling with icons from the plurality of icons, said icons that are signalled with representing a pattern of movement followed by the toy building element.

14. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that a type of icons (207, 208) is configured to illustrate modifications of patterns of movement.

15. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the toy comprises means for generating a first set of instructions comprising parameters upon activation of a first type of icons (204, 205, 206), which instructions and/or parameters may be modified by activation of a second type of icons (207, 208).

16. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that a first group of rules is conditioned by a first group of signals, and that a second group of rules (R1-R6) is conditioned by a second group of signals.

17. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that instructions corresponding to one icon implement one rule by controlling the maneuvering means in response to signals from electrical and/or electronic units.

18. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the microprocessor executes rules (R1-R6) in the form of instructions which control units,

said rules being conditioned by a plurality of signals,

said rules being arranged in an at least partly prioritized order,

said prioritized order indicating which one of several rules is to be allowed to control a unit,

said order being arranged according to the signals by which they are conditioned.

19. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the toy comprises keys (113, 114, 115) integrated in the toy, said keys being capable of activating the icons.

20. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means (505, 504) for receiving commands which can be converted into a program that can be executed by the microprocessor.

21. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means for transmission (505, 504) of commands.

22. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means (54) for transferring information via a light guide (503).

23. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 13, characterized in that the toy comprises an elongated light guide (503), through which visible light may be transmitted in its longitudinal direction, said light guide being adapted to allow part of the light transmitted to escape through its sides.

24. A toy building set according to claim 13, characterized by comprising toy building elements with coupling means for mutual coupling.

25. A microprocessor controlled toy building element (101, 501) comprising

a microprocessor (102, 507) integrated in the toy building element (101, 501) which can execute instructions in the form of a program stored in a memory (117, 509);

a display (104, 508) integrated in integral within the toy building element (101, 501) to thereby form a single unit and adapted to display icons representing instructions to the microprocessor (102;

507);

coupling means for coupling with building elements that can be moved by maneuvering means, said maneuvering means being controllable in response to the instructions,

the display (104, 508) comprises a plurality of icons (204, 205, 206, 207, 208) that are configured to illustrate patterns of movement, and which icons can be activated by a user for programming the microprocessor, and

signalling with icons from the plurality of icons, said icons that are signalled with representing a pattern of movement followed by the toy building element.

26. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 25, characterized in that the toy comprises means for generating a first set of instructions comprising parameters upon activation of a first type of icons (204, 205, 206), which instructions and/or parameters may be modified by activation of a second type of icons (207, 208).

27. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 25, characterized in that the microprocessor (102, 507) is adapted to receive signals from electrical and/or electronic units.

28. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 25, characterized in that instructions corresponding to one icon implement one rule by controlling the maneuvering means in response to signals from electrical and/or electronic units.

29. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 25, characterized in that the microprocessor executes rules (R1-R6) in the form of instructions which control units,

said rules being conditioned by a plurality of signals,

said rules being arranged in an at least partly prioritized order,

said prioritized order indicating which one of several rules is to be allowed to control a unit,

said order being arranged according to the signals by which they are conditioned.

30. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 25, characterized in that the toy comprises keys (113, 114, 115) integrated in the toy, said keys being capable of activating the icons.

31. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to claim 25, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means (505, 504) for receiving, commands which can be converted into a program that can be executed by the microprocessor.

32. A microprocessor controlled toy building element according to of claim 25, characterized in that the toy comprises communications means for transmission (505, 504) of commands.