Sequentially operated modules

• US 9,583,940 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Yehuda Binder
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ortiz, Elim
• Application Number:
  US15/190,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20160303477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 250 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 at least three interchangeable slave modules detachably connectable in series with each other, each of the slave modules having first and second ends and comprising:

a first electromechanical connector at the first end of the slave module;

a second electromechanical connector at the second end of the slave module; and

an annunciator adapted to perform a module-specific task coupled to be Direct Current (DC) powered from the first electromechanical connector,

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

wherein when the slave modules are mechanically connected in series, DC power and bi-directional digital data are passed by the respective electromechanical connectors between any pair of adjacently connected slave modules, and the annunciators of the slave modules sequentially operate in response to the order in which the slave modules are connected.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a master module that comprises an electromechanical connector for detachably mechanically coupling and electrically connecting the master module to any one of the slave module, and a battery compartment for housing a battery that is electrically coupled to the electromechanical connector of the master module, so that when the slave modules are mechanically connected in series to each other and to the master module, the annunciators are powered from the battery.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the master module further comprising software or firmware and a processor for executing the software of firmware, and wherein the processor is coupled to control or activate the annunciators when the slave modules are mechanically connected in series to each other and to the master module.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the master module further comprises an electrical motor and a wheel driven by the electrical motor and supporting the master module.

5. 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 electromechanical connector is opposite to the second electrical connector.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the slave modules further comprises a wheel supporting the slave module.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

each of the slave modules comprises a delay circuit having an input and an output;

the input is coupled to the first electromechanical connector; and

the respective annunciator is coupled to the output of the delay circuit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second electromechanical connector of each of the slave modules comprise a first common type of connector chosen from a group consisting of:

a male connector; and

a female connector, and wherein the first electromechanical connector of each of the slave modules comprises a second common type of connector that is the other member of the group.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annunciators of different of the slave modules are adapted to perform respectively different module-specific tasks.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module-specific task of at least one of the annunciators is to emit visible light and the respective annunciator comprises a visible light emitter.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the visible light emitter comprises a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp, or a fluorescent lamp.

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

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module-specific task that at least one of the annunciators performs is emission of an audible sound and the at least one of annunciators comprises an audible sound generator for emitting the audible sound.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the audible sound generator is configured to produce music.

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

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the audible sound generator comprises an electromechanical or piezoelectric sound generator.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the audible sound generator comprises an electromechanical sound generator that is a buzzer, a chime, or a ringer.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the audible sound generator comprises a loudspeaker and a digital/analog converter coupled to the loudspeaker.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the audible sound generator is operative to generate a single tone or multiple tones.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the audible sound generator is operative to generate a characteristic sound of a household appliance;

a vehicle;

an emergency vehicle;

an animal;

or a musical instrument.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the audible sound generator is operative to generate a song, a melody, or a human talking voice.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appearance of each of the slave modules or the module-specific task that each of the annunciators are adapted to perform relates to a common theme.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, the slave modules have a color, type, or shape, associated with the theme.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the theme is a specific type of animal.

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

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

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

28. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slave modules are detachably connectable using protrusions and cavities in different slave modules adapted to receive the protrusions in a frictional engagement.

29. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the electromechanical connectors comprises two contacts for carrying both the DC power and the digital data between the respective modules and are physically structured to electrically connect the electromechanical connectors of any pair of adjacent, mechanically attached modules via the contacts.

30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the electromechanical connectors comprises at least two first contacts for carrying the DC power and at least two second contacts for carrying the bi-directional digital data and are physically structured to electrically connect the electromechanical connectors of any pair of adjacent, mechanically attached modules via the at least two first contacts and the at least two second contacts.