SEQUENTIALLY OPERATED MODULES

• US 20140327312A1
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Yehuda Binder
• Inventors: BINDER, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 9,293,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/41
• 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. An activation signal is propagated in the system from one 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 an external power source such as AC power.

Claims

1. A set of at least three modules connectable to form a system for sequentially activating payloads, said set comprising:

first, second and third modules, each said module being associated with a respective payload, and being housed in a respective single enclosure, each module comprising a first type connector and a second type connector, all of said first type connectors being identical to one another, all of said second type connectors being identical to one another, and each of said first type connectors being configured to mate with any one of said second type connectors; and

each of said modules further comprises a control port for controlling an associated payload,

wherein said second connector of said first module is connectable to said first connector of said second module and said second connector of said second module is connectable to said first connector of said third module to form a system; and

further wherein each module in the system is operative to;

receive a first signal at said first type connector;

control the associated payload based on the first signal;

produce a second signal that is a time delayed version of the first signal; and

transmit the second signal to said second type connector.

2. The set according to claim 1, wherein said modules are identical to one another.

3. The set according to claim 1, wherein said first and second modules are mechanically attachable to each other and said third and second modules are mechanically attachable to each other.

4. The set according to claim 1, wherein said modules are mechanically attachable to one another only by said connectors.

5. The set according to claim 1, wherein each of the payloads is housed within said single enclosure of the associated module.

6. The set according to claim 1, wherein the payloads are external to said single enclosure of each associated module, and each module comprises a third connector for connecting to the associated payload.

7. The set according to claim 1, wherein the time delay is randomly selected within a specified range.

8. The set according to claim 1, wherein each module comprises, in said single enclosure, a power source for powering the module.

9. The set according to claim 8, wherein each said power source is a battery.

10. The set according to claim 9, wherein each said battery is a primary type or a rechargeable type.

11. The set according to claim 8, wherein each module further comprises, in said single enclosure, the payload, and wherein the payload is powered from said power source.

12. The set according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the payloads is an annunciator for announcing using visual or audible signaling.

13. The set according to claim 1, wherein each of the payloads consists of an annunciator for announcing using visual or audible signaling.

14. The set according to claim 13, wherein the annunciator comprises a smoke generator.

15. The set according to claim 13, wherein the annunciator comprises a visual signaling device.

16. The set according to claim 15, wherein the visual signaling device is a visible light emitter.

17. The set according to claim 16, wherein the visible light emitter is a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp, or fluorescent lamp.

18. The set according to claim 16, wherein the visible light emitter is adapted to produce a steady illumination and blinking.

19. The set according to claim 13, wherein the annunciator comprises an audible signaling device.

20. The set according to claim 19, wherein the audible signaling device comprises an electromechanical or piezoelectric sound generator.

21. The set according to claim 19, wherein the audible signaling device comprises a buzzer, a chime, or a ringer.

22. The set according to claim 19, wherein the audible signaling device comprises a loudspeaker and a digital to analog converter coupled to the loudspeaker.

23. The set according to claim 19, wherein the audible signaling device is operative to generate a single tone, or multiple tones.

24. The set according to claim 19, wherein the sound emitted from the audible signaling device is associated with a theme or shape of the system.

25. The set according to claim 19, wherein the sound emitted from the audible signaling device is a song or a melody.

26. The set according to claim 19, wherein the sound emitted from the audible signaling device is a human voice talking.

27. The set according to claim 26, wherein the sound is a syllable, a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story, or a long story.

28. The set according to claim 27, wherein the sound is based on speech synthesis or is pre-recorded.

29. A system comprising the set according to claim 1, wherein:

said second connector of said first module is connected to said first connector of said second module and said second connector of said second module is connected to said first connector of said third module to form said system; and

the first signals and the second signals are carried between said modules in the system as unbalanced signals.

30. A system comprising the set according to claim 1, wherein:

said second connector of said first module is connected to said first connector of said second module and said second connector of said second module is connected to said first connector of said third module to form said system; and

the first signals and the second signals are carried between the modules in the system as balanced signals.

31. A system comprising the set according to claim 1, wherein:

said second connector of said first module is connected to said first connector of said second module and said second connector of said second module is connected to said first connector of said third module to form said system;

said system is operative for two-way operation; and

each module is further operative to;

receive a third signal at said second connector;

control the associated payload based on the third signal;

produce a fourth signal that is a time delayed version of the third signal; and

transmit the fourth signal to said first connector.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein communication between two connected modules is carried out using four conductors, including two conductors for each direction of communication.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein communication between two connected modules is carried out using only two conductors.

34. The system according to claim 31, wherein communication between two connected modules is carried out using a hybrid circuit.

35. A system comprising the set according to claim 1, wherein:

said second connector of said first module is connected to said first connector of said second module and said second connector of said second module is connected to said first connector of said third module to form said system; and

said system is powered from a single external power source.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein said external power source is a domestic AC power outlet.

37. The system according to claim 35, wherein said modules are connected to supply power from one module to another module connected to said one module.

38. The system according to claim 35, wherein each module further comprises, in the respective single enclosure, the respective payload, and each payload is powered from the external power source.