Sequentially operated modules

• US 9,595,828 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• 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:
  US15/190,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20160308354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 264 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 first device for electrically connecting and detachably attaching to a second device identical to the first device, the first device having first and second ends and comprising:

a first electromechanical connector at the first end;

a second electromechanical connector at the second end of the first device, the second electromechanical connector being physically structured to be electrically connectable and detachably mechanically couplable to a first electromechanical connector of the second device; and

an annunciator adapted to perform a module-specific task coupled to be electrically Direct Current (DC) powered from the first electromechanical connector of the first device and coupled to be activated in response to a signal received from one of the electromechanical connectors of the first device,

wherein at least part of the DC power received from the first electromechanical connector of the first device is passed to the second electromechanical connector of the first device, and wherein the first device is configured to pass bi-directional digital data between the electromechanical connectors of the first device,

whereby, when the first device is mechanically connected to the second device, DC power and bi-directional digital data are passed by the respective electromechanical connectors between the connected devices.

2. A modular game set apparatus comprising the first devices according to claim 1, in combination with the identical second device.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first device is opposite to the first end of the first device, and the first electromechanical connector is opposite to the second electromechanical connector.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a wheel for supporting the device.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a delay circuit having an input coupled to one of the electromechanical connectors of the first device, the delay circuit having an output, and wherein the annunciator is coupled to the output of the delay circuit.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second electromechanical connector of the first device comprises a male connector and the first electromechanical connector of the second device comprises a female connector.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the module-specific task is to perform a physical movement.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the module-specific task is to emit visible light and the annunciator comprises a visible light emitter.

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

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the module-specific task of the annunciator comprises blinking by the visible light emitter.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the module-specific task is adapted to emit audible sound and the annunciator comprises an audible sound generator.

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

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

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

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the audible sound generator comprises an electromechanical sound generator that is a buzzer, a chime, or a ringer.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the audible sound generator comprises a loudspeaker and a digital/analog converter coupled to the loudspeaker.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the audible sound generator is operative to generate a single tone or multiple tones.

18. The device according to claim 16, 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.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein the audible sound generator is operative to generate a song, a melody, or a human talking voice.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the human talking voice speaks a syllable, a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story, or a long story.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the appearance of the first device or the module-specific task that the annunciator is adapted to perform, relates to a common theme.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the appearance of the first device and the module-specific task that the annunciator is adapted to perform, relate to a common theme.

23. The device according to claim 21, the first device has a color, type, or shape associated with the common theme.

24. The device according to claim 21, wherein the theme is a specific type of animal.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electromechanical connectors of the first device is rectangular, square, or circular shaped.

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

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first device attachment with the identical second device uses interlocking, friction fit, or shaped lugs and mating cut-outs.

28. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is detachably connectable to the identical second device using protrusions in one of the devices and cavities in the other device adapted to receive the protrusions in a frictional engagement.

29. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical connectors of the first device are physically structured to electrically connect one of the electromechanical connectors of the first device to one of the electromechanical connectors of the second device when the second device is mechanically attached and adjacent to the first device, and each of the electromechanical connectors of the first device and one of the electromechanical connectors of the second device comprises two contacts for carrying both DC power and digital data between the first device and the second device.

30. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electromechanical connectors of the first device and at least one of the electromechanical connectors of the second device are connectable together and each comprises at least two contacts for carrying the DC power and at least two contacts for carrying bi-directional digital data.