200521850 九、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明相關於通訊，尤其係關於經由符號物件配置的通 訊。 【先前技術】 全球資訊網及其網際網路基礎已改變人們通訊的方式。 忽略此事實，世界仍根據一特定範例··瀏覽器/電子郵件 範式，其限制如2至4歲孩童的存取及使用。雖然此年紀的 孩童渴望與其他孩童或所愛的人通訊，但目前互動的範式 令此年紀的孩童不可能利用此令人驚奇的通訊工具。 【發明内容】 ~ 本發明係為克服先前技藝的上述缺點。 在本發明一概念中’提供-符號介面通訊裝置，其包括 -表面用u支撑越過該表面以多個橫向配置中之任一者橫 向配置的不同符號物件。該裝置尚包括—符號解譯器，: 配置成編等配置中的一目前配置，及根據㈣測配置 而產生、編碼k息，其代表所偵測的配置之語義。 2發明的使用者（通常為幼小到缺乏有效傳送電子郵件 η力Γ童)反而可將如積木等符號物件手動地插入 :=，以形成一表達預期信息語義之配置。 該樁板讀取。-旦完成該信息：:=識別器其可由 操作-啟動器，用以傳送該作自=可稭由按钮等方式 、"虎，將收件人的電子郵件地址實體地編竭成該記 95388.doc 200521850 號，及孩童將該記號放入與樁板連接至合併的一記號讀取 機中。各記號獨特地識別一個別的電子郵件目的地。該樁 板較佳包括-螢幕，用以顯示接收的信息。因&，孩童或 其他對電腦不熟練的個人可輕易地經由電子郵件與他人通 訊。 【實施方式】 圖:藉由非限定範例的方式說明一系統i 〇 〇，其根據本發 ㈣藉由—符號介面通訊裝㈣4與另—電子郵件通信裝 置108間的電子郵件而通訊。經由位於整個網際網路124的 :別區域性電子郵件飼服器116, 12〇或經由另一網路，孩 里或使用者112與一成人或較大孩童等通信裝置⑽的收件 使用者間進行通訊。 ^號介面通訊裝置1()4包括—樁板或墊子128、—符號解 譯器132及一發送器136。 可設計成組合-樂高（LEG0严積纟墊的墊子128具有含 一格陣列的上表面14G ’諸如積木等符號物件144可插在 (一否則或支撐在)該表面上。該等積木設計成代表一般用 子人物及感情，諸如男孩、女孩、媽媽、爸爸H 奶奶、狗、踅、房屋等等。此代表意義係藉由積木形狀及 /或如附加或雕刻在積木中的影像而表達。例如，形狀像 心的積木可代表動詞"愛（love)，，。在一較佳實施例中，各 積木144在内部配備有—射頻識別器（RF,標籤⑷，用 於^識別H的騎通訊，該朗料該積木或該類型積木 (右複數個積木相同1所&主女 、 门）所特有的。一標籤讀取機152可設置在 95388.doc 200521850 接近墊子128的底部或墊子表面14〇的下方，在一實施例 中’標籤讀取機15 2並包括格柵狀的標籤讀取元件，其在 格板表面140上方對應该等捲而一對一地對齊放置。 RF-ID標籤148係一被動元件，其具有一天線電路及一積 體電路（1C)。該天線調成該等標籤讀取元件的傳輸頻率， 例如通常為125 kHz或13.56 MHz。收到的信號與個別積木 144的獨特識別器調變，以產生一調變信號，該調變信號 再傳回到该標籤凟取元件，如Gna(jinger等人（"Gna(jinger”) 在美國專利號6,268,796中所揭示，該文件的全部揭示内容 以引用方式併入本文。 各標籤讀取元件包括一天線電路及一 IC，其合併一頻率 產生器以產生傳輸頻率。該IC亦具有在接收信號中偵測該 獨特識別器的電路結構，用以識別積木144及用以測量其 天線電路中的RF電壓位準。後者的數量係用以判定積木 144定位在墊子表面14〇何處。在其天線電路中測量1^電壓 位準的標籤讀取元件係Watkins揭示於美國專利號 6,317,027，該文件的全部揭示内容以引用方式併入本文。 墊子128尚包括一記號讀取機156及一顯示160(諸如液晶 顯示器（LCD)等），用以顯示文數字中的傳送信息及符號形 式中的接收信號。％ 了記號讀取機156不需用到標籤讀取 機152的電壓測量電路結構之外，記號讀取機156及該等記 ^ T i成分^貞似於標籤讀取機15 2及積木14 4的方式 用於無於通訊。較佳該記號可標示於外部，以便孩童易於 識別如具有接收該電子郵件的個人的照片或其他描繪。 95388.doc 200521850 雖然顯示樁板128在水平位置，但並未將它侷限於該位 置’例如可垂直地設置以支撐插在表面140的積木144。未 具插樁的墊子128亦本發明預期範圍内。此外，標籤讀取 機152與積木144之間或記號讀取機156與記號之間的通訊 未侷限於RF構件或無線實作，但反而可藉由纜線連接或其 他習知及適當構件來操作。 在非揮發性電子儲存媒體（諸如可程式唯讀記憶體 (PROM)、快閃記憶體等）中的信息定位器164包含在符號 解譯器132内。在prom中例如電腦可執行指令可代表該信 息定位器。符號解譯器132的一額外資料記憶體168(如隨 機存取記憶體（RAM)等）儲存如預先儲存信息等資料。符號 解譯器132從標籤讀取機152及記號讀取機156接收輸入信 號，並將信號傳送至led 160。 發送器136包含電子郵件用戶軟體172(亦在一非揮發性 電子儲存媒體中）及一個別RAM 176，其作用為該軟體的 工作資料儲存體。在發送器136與信息定位器164之間，及 該發送器與電子郵件伺服器116之間，存在雙向通訊連 接。 雖然圖1所示發送器136係作為分開的模組，但亦可將其 併入符號解譯器132中，例如作為微處理器及個人電腦 (PC)等微電腦中的ram。該等模組或者可配置在連接至電 話線的機上盒内。此等處理元件可以任何已知及合適方式 實施於軟體、硬體及韌體的組合中亦在本發明的預期範圍 内。 95388.doc -10- 200521850 ⑽該電子郵件通信裳置包括一顯示器180、—收件人處理 益184，及一輸入元件188(諸如鍵盤或小鍵盤等）。收件人 處理器184包括-電子郵件用戶端192，其與區域電子郵件 伺服器12G雙向地通訊。該收件人處理器亦與輸人及輸出 元件188, 180有個別鏈結。在一較佳實施例中，該收件人 處理器不僅具有將透過網際網路124接收的信息以文數字 顯示的制定能力，亦具有將該信息的語言元素（諸如字或 片語等）譯回成其符號對應者196而連同該信息198用字顯 不在螢幕18G的能力。由—轉譯程式194執行轉譯功能。藉 由收件人處理盜記憶模組（未顯示）的表格可完成轉譯。 在該較佳實施例的一額外概念中，藉由輸入元件188輸入 的任何回覆仏息即時地以語言及符號兩形式同樣地回應在 螢幕180上。 圖2根據本發明說明符號介面通訊裝置1〇4的一示範實施 亦.、、、員示可利用描纟會狗的積木204來代表（雖然其他 活物卡通人物等亦可）。如樁板128的表面14〇上所顯 不，機裔人小雕像216在其胸上繪有孩童112可辨識的個人 亚代表該個人。圖中繪出機器人小雕像210，218及愛心 22〇的目前橫向配置2〇8。LED 16〇顯示"j 1〇ye Mu grandpa(爺爺我愛您)”的信息。此信息先前已藉由電子郵 件向外傳至收件人處理器184，並對應至藉由在小孩的積 木與爺爺積木（未顯示）之間放置愛心積木220所定義的先前 西己 蓄 * 口此，忒先如配置按語義代表”爺爺我愛您”的信 ^個別積木的接近標準及有關一積木何時認定在其他兩 95388.doc 200521850 積木”之間”的標準，由信息定位器164利用以判定所伯測 的配置是否匹配RAM 168中已儲存的預設配置，該預設配 置係由一指標鍵結至由該預設配置所代表的信息。雖然在 此範例中，一物件在其他兩物件間的品質係定義一配置及 個別信息依賴的特徵，但本發明在定義一特殊配置中並不 需將此特徵列入考量。例如，若一積木144描繪一”快樂臉 孔"圖像，則可將其連同一狗形積木在樁板128上的位置偵 測為一預設配置，或者其在該狗形積木預設附近的位置可 匹配一預設配置。 如圖2所示該裝置的實施例200，其特徵為碟形的記號讀 取機160，及該裝置的上表面140包括一傳送鈕216，其在 所偵測配置中偵測到一匹配及記號讀取機16〇由一符號讀 取有效電子郵件地址時皆會閃光。該裝置尚包括一喇… (未顯示），其在壓下閃光鈕時會作出確認的聲音。適應非 圖2所示的其他圖像符號亦在本發明所定範圍内，諸如顯 示數字”2”的積木可用以代表”t〇〇(也）”的用字，例如在，，工 love you too(我也愛你）”的句子中。 圖3根據本發明一實施例，說明由信息定位器164擷取自 RAM 168的彳§息與一匹配配置的位置如何為不變的關係。 在樁板128的上表面14〇的數個樁上，在兩正交方向中轉譯 積木配置304(如箭頭3〇8所示），以產生一替代配置3 12。 但由該兩配置所代表的個別信息316，320仍完全相同。 淮本毛明並未侷限於此類轉譯不變性。例如，可在該樁 板上界疋個別的顏色區域，俾便一配置藉由位於特殊區域 95388.doc -12- 200521850 而產生意義。 在操作中，孩童112將積木144插在樁板128上以形成一 配置’並在記號讀取機156中放入一記號。符號解譯器132200521850 IX. Description of the invention: [Technical field to which the invention belongs] The present invention relates to communication, and more particularly to communication configured via symbolic objects. [Previous Technology] The World Wide Web and its Internet infrastructure have changed the way people communicate. Ignoring this fact, the world is still based on a particular paradigm. Browser / email paradigm, which restricts access and use by children such as 2 to 4 years old. Although children of this age are eager to communicate with other children or loved ones, the current paradigm of interaction makes it impossible for children of this age to take advantage of this amazing communication tool. [Summary of the Invention] The present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art. In a concept of the present invention, a ' symbol interface communication device is provided, which includes different symbol objects arranged horizontally in any one of a plurality of lateral configurations across the surface supported by u. The device also includes a symbol interpreter, which is configured as a current configuration among configurations such as editing, and generates and encodes k information based on speculative configuration, which represents the semantics of the detected configuration. 2 The users of the invention (usually too young to effectively send e-mails) can instead insert symbol objects such as building blocks manually: = to form a configuration that expresses the semantics of the expected information. The pile board reads. -Once the information is completed :: = identifier which can be operated by-starter to transmit the action = can be operated by button, etc., " Tiger, physically compile the recipient's email address into the record 95388.doc 200521850, and the child puts the token into a token reader that is connected to the pile and board. Each token uniquely identifies another email destination. The pile board preferably includes a screen for displaying the received information. Because of &, children or other individuals unskilled with computers can easily communicate with others via email. [Embodiment] Figure: A non-limiting example is used to illustrate a system i00, which according to the present invention communicates via an email between a symbolic interface communication device 4 and another email communication device 108. Via the entire Internet 124: other regional email feeders 116, 120 or via another network, children or users 112 and communication devices such as an adult or older child Communication. The interface communication device 1 () 4 includes a pile board or mat 128, a symbol interpreter 132, and a transmitter 136. Can be designed as a combination-Lego (LEG0 Yanji pad cushion 128 has an upper surface with a grid array 14G 'Symbol objects such as blocks 144 can be inserted (or otherwise or supported on) the surface. These blocks are designed as The representative generally uses sub-characters and emotions, such as boys, girls, moms, dads, grandma, dogs, mules, houses, etc. This representative meaning is expressed by the shape of the building blocks and / or images such as being attached or carved in the building blocks. For example, a building block shaped like a heart may represent the verb "love". In a preferred embodiment, each building block 144 is internally equipped with a radio frequency identifier (RF, tag ⑷, used to identify H's Riding the communication, the material is unique to the building block or the type of building block (the same number of building blocks on the right & the main daughter, door). A tag reader 152 can be set at 95388.doc 200521850 near the bottom of the mat 128 or Below the mat surface 140, in one embodiment, the 'tag reader 15 2' includes a grid-like tag reading element, which is placed one-to-one aligned on the grid surface 140 corresponding to the rolls. RF -ID tag 148 is a passive element It has an antenna circuit and an integrated circuit (1C). The antenna is tuned to the transmission frequency of the tag reading elements, such as usually 125 kHz or 13.56 MHz. The received signal is uniquely identified by the individual building blocks 144 Modulator to generate a modulation signal, which is then passed back to the tag-capturing element, as disclosed by Gna (jinger et al. (&Quot; Gna (jinger)) in US Patent No. 6,268,796, the document The entire disclosure of this document is incorporated herein by reference. Each tag reading element includes an antenna circuit and an IC that incorporates a frequency generator to generate a transmission frequency. The IC also has the ability to detect the unique identifier in the received signal. The circuit structure is used to identify the building block 144 and to measure the RF voltage level in its antenna circuit. The number of the latter is used to determine where the building block 144 is positioned on the surface of the mat. The voltage level is measured in its antenna circuit. A quasi tag reading element is disclosed by Watkins in U.S. Patent No. 6,317,027, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The mat 128 also includes a token reader 156 and a display 160 (various) (Such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc.), used to display the transmission information in the alphanumeric and received signals in the form of symbols.% In addition to the structure of the voltage measurement circuit of the tag reader 156 without using the tag reader 152, The token reader 156 and the tokens ^ T i components ^ are similar to the tag reader 15 2 and the building block 14 4 for communication. It is preferable that the token can be marked on the outside so that children can easily identify if there is A photo or other depiction of the person who received the email. 95388.doc 200521850 Although the slab 128 is shown in a horizontal position, it is not limited to this position ', for example, it can be set vertically to support the building block 144 inserted on the surface 140. Mats 128 without cuttings are also within the scope of this invention. In addition, the communication between the tag reader 152 and the building block 144 or the token reader 156 and the token is not limited to RF components or wireless implementations, but can be achieved by cable connections or other conventional and appropriate components. operating. An information locator 164 in a non-volatile electronic storage medium (such as a programmable read-only memory (PROM), flash memory, etc.) is included in the symbol interpreter 132. In the prom, for example, computer executable instructions can represent the information locator. An additional data memory 168 (e.g., random access memory (RAM), etc.) of the symbol interpreter 132 stores data such as pre-stored information. The symbol interpreter 132 receives input signals from the tag reader 152 and the token reader 156, and transmits the signals to the led 160. The sender 136 contains e-mail user software 172 (also in a non-volatile electronic storage medium) and a separate RAM 176 which functions as the software's working data storage. There is a two-way communication connection between the sender 136 and the information locator 164, and between the sender and the email server 116. Although the transmitter 136 shown in FIG. 1 is provided as a separate module, it may be incorporated into the symbol interpreter 132, such as a ram in a microprocessor and a microcomputer such as a personal computer (PC). These modules may be configured in a set-top box connected to a telephone line. Such processing elements may be implemented in any combination of software, hardware, and firmware in any known and suitable manner is also within the intended scope of the present invention. 95388.doc -10- 200521850 The e-mail communication device includes a display 180, a recipient processing device 184, and an input element 188 (such as a keyboard or keypad). The recipient processor 184 includes an email client 192 that communicates bi-directionally with the regional email server 12G. The recipient processor is also individually linked to the input and output elements 188, 180. In a preferred embodiment, the recipient processor not only has the ability to formulate the information received through the Internet 124 in text, but also has the linguistic elements (such as words or phrases) of the information translated. The ability to display its symbol counterpart 196 and display this information 198 in words on the screen 18G. The translation function is performed by the -translation program 194. The translation can be done by the recipient processing the form of the stolen memory module (not shown). In an additional concept of the preferred embodiment, any reply message entered through the input element 188 instantly responds to the screen 180 in both language and symbol form. Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the symbolic interface communication device 104 according to the present invention. It can also be represented by using the building block 204 describing the dog (although other living creature cartoon characters, etc.) are also possible. As shown on the surface 140 of the pile plate 128, the figurine 216 of the descent is painted with a child 112 recognizable individual on his chest, representing the individual. The figure depicts the current horizontal configuration of the robot figurines 210 and 218 and the love heart 208. LED 16〇 displays the message "j 1〇ye Mu grandpa (Grandpa I love you)". This information has previously been transmitted to the recipient processor 184 via email, and corresponds to the Grandpa's building blocks (not shown) are placed between the previous West self-definition defined by the love building block 220. So, first, if you configure a letter that represents "Grandpa I love you" semantically ^ the approximate standard of individual building blocks and when will a building block be identified Among the other two 95388.doc 200521850 building blocks, the standard is used by the information locator 164 to determine whether the measured configuration matches the preset configuration stored in the RAM 168, which is linked by an indicator. To the information represented by the preset configuration. Although in this example, the quality of an object between the other two objects defines a configuration and individual information-dependent characteristics, the present invention does not require This feature is taken into consideration. For example, if a building block 144 depicts a “happy face” image, the position of the same dog-shaped building block on the pile board 128 can be detected as a preset configuration, or The Shaped blocks may match the preset position close to a preset configuration. An embodiment 200 of the device shown in FIG. 2 is characterized by a dish-shaped mark reader 160, and the upper surface 140 of the device includes a transmission button 216, which detects a match and The token reader 16 flashes when reading a valid e-mail address from a symbol. The device also includes a ... (not shown), which will make a confirmation sound when the flash button is pressed. Adapting to other image symbols not shown in FIG. 2 is also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the building block displaying the number “2” can be used to represent the word “t〇〇 (也)”, for example, in love you too (I also love you) ". Fig. 3 illustrates how the information retrieved by the information locator 164 from the RAM 168 and the position of a matching configuration are constant according to an embodiment of the present invention. On several piles on the upper surface 14 of the plate 128, the block configuration 304 (shown by arrow 308) is translated in two orthogonal directions to produce an alternative configuration 3 12. However, the individual represented by the two configurations Information 316, 320 is still exactly the same. Huaiben Maoming is not limited to this type of translation invariance. For example, you can define individual color areas on the pile board, which can be configured by being located in a special area 95388.doc- 12- 200521850 to make sense. In operation, the child 112 inserts the building blocks 144 on the pile plate 128 to form a configuration, and places a token in the token reader 156. The symbol interpreter 132
識別該配置為匹配一預先儲存配置，並令按紐216閃光。 孩童112壓下按鈕216以傳送該電子郵件信息。符號解譯器 132將匹配的信息連同記號讀取機丨56所讀取的電子郵件地 址，從其RAM 168前送至該發送器。符號解譯器132亦將 該信息前送至該孩童的樁板128的LCD 16〇。電子郵件用戶 权體1 72(不管係分開地屬於發送器工3 6或併入符號解譯器 132内）將该信息加以編碼以用於傳輸，並將該信息及電子 郵件地址前送至其區域電子郵件伺服器116。郵件伺服器 116透過網際網路丨2 4將該信息傳送至服務該電子郵件地址 的區域電子郵件舰器12G。當收件人處理器184由其使用 者操作以存取電子郵件時，尤其是來自孩童ιΐ2的電子郵 件’該信息被解碼並顯示在螢幕⑽上。該收件人可藉由The configuration is identified as matching a pre-stored configuration and the button 216 is flashed. The child 112 depresses the button 216 to transmit the email message. The symbol interpreter 132 forwards the matched information, along with the e-mail address read by the token reader 56, from its RAM 168 to the transmitter. The symbol interpreter 132 also forwards this information to the LCD 160 of the child's slab 128. E-mail user rights body 1 72 (regardless of whether it belongs to sender 36 or incorporated in symbol interpreter 132) encodes this information for transmission, and forwards this information and e-mail address to it Regional email server 116. The mail server 116 transmits this information to the regional email server 12G serving the email address via the Internet. When the recipient processor 184 is operated by its user to access the e-mail, especially the e-mail from the child 2 ' the information is decoded and displayed on the screen. The recipient can
輸入元件188輪入一回覆信息，其回應至該螢幕。在收< 人處理器184中的轉譯程式194將該信息譯回成其符號心 者196，其同樣再回應在螢幕180上。當收件人滿意所顯方 :回覆：息時，遷下輸入元件188上的一按鍵，將該回邊 "ί5息的付號對庫去彳Q &眉 丁應者196傳达至孩童112。對應者196採用一 相反路徑回到縣缺站 σ 〜解h 132 ’其信息定位器164將該等對 應者196則送以顯示在LCD 160上。 95388.doc -13- 200521850 作出夕種不同的修改及變動。因此希望本發明未侷限於所 說明及描述的精確形式，但應解釋成涵蓋所有落在後附請 求項範圍内的修改。 【圖式簡單說明】 X月揭示於本文中的細節將藉助以下所列附圖加以說 明，其中相似特徵在數個圖中從頭至尾以相同數字表示：The input element 188 enters a reply message in turn, and it responds to the screen. The translator 194 in the receiver processor 184 translates this information back into its symbolic heart 196, which also responds on the screen 180 again. When the recipient is satisfied with the displayed party: Reply: Interest, remove a button on the input element 188, and pass the "" ί5 interest payment number" to the library to Q & eyebrow responder 196 to Child 112. The counterpart 196 uses an opposite path to return to the county's missing station σ ~ solution h 132 ′, and its information locator 164 sends the counterparts 196 for display on the LCD 160. 95388.doc -13- 200521850 Various modifications and changes were made. It is therefore expected that the invention is not limited to the precise forms illustrated and described, but should be construed to cover all modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings] The details disclosed in this article in X month will be explained with the help of the drawings listed below, in which similar features are represented by the same numbers from beginning to end in several figures:
圖1根據本發明以方塊圖說明藉由一符號介面通訊裝置 與另-電子郵件通信$置間之電子郵件通訊的系統； 圖2根據本發明以立體圖說明可由圖1的系統中的電子郵 件用以通訊的一符號介面通訊裝置與數個符號物件丨及 圖3根據本發明以概念圖說明信息選擇的不變性，其利 用該符號物件配置的位置轉譯。 〃 【主要元件符號說明】 100 104 108 系統 符號介面通訊裝置 電子郵件通信裝置 116, 120 區域電子郵件伺服器 124 網際網路 128 樁板（墊子） 132 符號解譯器 136 發送器FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an email communication system between a communication device and another email communication device according to the present invention in a block diagram. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an email communication system that can be used in the system of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. A symbol interface communication device and several symbol objects communicated with each other and FIG. 3 illustrates the invariance of information selection according to the present invention in a conceptual diagram, which uses the position translation of the symbol object configuration. 〃 [Description of main component symbols] 100 104 108 System Symbol interface communication device E-mail communication device 116, 120 Regional e-mail server 124 Internet 128 Pile board (mat) 132 Symbol interpreter 136 Transmitter
140 捲板表面 144, 204, 216, 218, 220 符號物件（積木） 148 射頻識別標籤 95388.doc -14- 200521850 152 標籤讀取機 156 記號讀取機 160, 180 顯示器 164 信息定位器 168, 176 RAM(隨機存取記憶體） 172 電子郵件用戶軟體 184 收件人處理器 188 輸入元件 192 電子郵件用戶端 194 轉譯程式 196 符號對應者 198 信息 208, 304, 312 符號物件配置 216 傳迭紐 95388.doc - 15-140 Roll surface 144, 204, 216, 218, 220 Symbol object (building block) 148 RFID tag 95388.doc -14- 200521850 152 Tag reader 156 Mark reader 160, 180 Display 164 Information locator 168, 176 RAM (Random Access Memory) 172 E-mail user software 184 Recipient processor 188 Input element 192 E-mail client 194 Translator 196 Symbol counterpart 198 Message 208, 304, 312 Symbol object configuration 216 Relay 95388. doc-15-