EP2744580B1 - Bodenplattenanordnung zur verwendung mit spielzeugteilen - Google Patents

Bodenplattenanordnung zur verwendung mit spielzeugteilen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2744580B1
EP2744580B1 EP13748639.5A EP13748639A EP2744580B1 EP 2744580 B1 EP2744580 B1 EP 2744580B1 EP 13748639 A EP13748639 A EP 13748639A EP 2744580 B1 EP2744580 B1 EP 2744580B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image
signal
playing piece
message
baseplate
Prior art date
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Not-in-force
Application number
EP13748639.5A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2744580A1 (de
EP2744580A4 (de
Inventor
Arjuna Ragunath KARUNARATNE
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Tech One Inc
Technology One Inc
Original Assignee
Tech One Inc
Technology One Inc
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Priority claimed from PCT/US2013/024969 external-priority patent/WO2013122798A1/en
Publication of EP2744580A1 publication Critical patent/EP2744580A1/de
Publication of EP2744580A4 publication Critical patent/EP2744580A4/de
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/22—Optical, colour, or shadow toys
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
    • A63H33/086—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls

Definitions

  • Toy pieces in the form of toy bricks such as LEGO® brand toy bricks have been available for many decades.
  • Toy bricks typically have releasable couplings between bricks, which allow them to be connected to form a larger structure. In their simplest form they build unanimated objects such as castles or houses.
  • the toy created using toy bricks can be supported on a baseplate having coupling elements to provide stability or proper positioning, or both, for the toy.
  • toy bricks An advancement of toy bricks was the addition of bricks with a rotating joint or axel coupled to a wheel. Such a toy brick can be attached to an inanimate structure in order to make that structure roll along a surface when pushed.
  • toy bricks A further advancement of toy bricks was the addition of "pull back motors.” These motors are mechanical energy storage elements, which store energy in a watch spring or flywheel. Typically these are toy bricks which have the "pull back motor” mechanism contained within the brick. There is a shaft from the mechanism, which when turned in one direction winds up the motor and then when released will turn in the opposite direction. A toy brick car, for example, equipped with such a motor will wind up when pulled back and then go forwards when released. An example of this is the LEGO Pullback Motor.
  • the next stage of advancement of a toy brick is an electric motor contained within one brick, having a protruding shaft and another toy brick with a battery compartment.
  • These battery and motor bricks can be coupled to each other directly or through wires in order to create a simple mechanism that is electrically actuated.
  • a switch is present on the brick containing the batteries that can turn the motor on or off or revere its direction.
  • Variations on the actuator can be lights, instead of a motor.
  • An example of this is the LEGO eLab.
  • Toy bricks containing motors and toy bricks containing batteries can be further enhanced by the insertion of a remote control receiver in between them, such that the passage of power can be modified remotely.
  • a hand held remote control transmitter transmits a signal to a receiver brick, which can change the speed or direction of the motor.
  • a toy brick vehicle constructed in such a manner can be steered remotely and also have its speed controlled remotely.
  • An example of this is the LEGO Power Functions.
  • the most complex state of prior art is the programmable robotics kit sold by the LEGO Group under the trademark Mindstorms®.
  • the kit typically includes a handheld programmable computer, to which sensors and actuators can be plugged in, along with toy bricks and specialized components for making a variety of projects.
  • Actuators can be motors, or solenoids, speakers, or lights.
  • Sensors can be switches, microphones, light sensors or ultrasonic rangefinders.
  • a program can be downloaded into the handheld computer, so as to control a motor in a manner so as to avoid collisions with objects in the direction of motion. Another example would be to make a noise when motion is detected.
  • Another programmable Mindstorms programmable robot is the Micro Scout. It is a motorized wheeled robot in which several preprogrammed sequences can be executed when a light is shined on the robot.
  • US patent publication US2011/0217898 A1 describes a toy brick with a tilt sensor and lights of the same color turning on and off or flashing alternately in response to a shaking motion.
  • US patent number 7,708,615 discloses a toy brick system having separate sensor bricks, logic bricks and function bricks. The following toy bricks also emit sound when a switch is closed. LEGO doorbell Brick #5771, LEGO Space Sound Brick #55206C05.
  • image generating device is a computer, such as pad computer, which can be designed to permit interaction with the computer through the display screen. This is commonly through touchscreen technology which permits actions to be initiated by, for example, selecting appropriate icons on the display screen, as well as lines to be drawn on the display screen.
  • interaction with the computer through the display screen can also be through the use of devices commonly referred to as light pens. See, for example, US patent number 4,677,428 .
  • CTR Cathode Ray Tube
  • the light at any one point on the screen fades with time, as the beam progresses to a different part of the screen.
  • the intensity at any one point on the screen will flicker at the rate of refresh of the screen, and is typically a sawtooth type waveform with a fast rise and a slower decay if plotted in time.
  • the light from any given point on the screen will increase sharply as the electron beam passes by any location as long as the image is not completely black at that point on the screen.
  • the display knows the position of the electron beam at any given time, and this position can be captured at the instant when a sharp jump in a light level is seen by the light pen.
  • the light pen can be used as a pointing device, typically with additional buttons similar to mouse buttons, which are sometimes arranged so as to be mechanically activated when the pen is pressed against a surface.
  • WO 2010/150232 describes a game system which comprises a number of building elements arranged for being assembled into at least one predefined three-dimensional structure, wherein the game system comprises position means for determining and/or detecting the position and/or the three-dimensional orientation of at least one of the building elements in the three-dimensional structure, and verification means for establishing if the position and/or three-dimensional orientation is correct in relation to the predefined three-dimensional structure.
  • a first example of a baseplate assembly for use with playing pieces configured to allow the playing pieces to be releasably coupled to one another, includes a baseplate and an image generating device operably coupled to the baseplate.
  • the baseplate includes a display region, having coupling elements, by which playing pieces can be releasably mounted to the display region. Display region also includes areas adjacent to the coupling elements.
  • the baseplate assembly also includes means for transmitting images generated by the image generating device at least to the display region of the baseplate.
  • the image generating device can include a display screen on which images are generated.
  • the images transmitting means can include a generally transparent portion of the baseplate whereby images generated on the display screen can pass through the baseplate to be viewed at the display region of the baseplate.
  • the baseplate can be removably mounted to the image generating device.
  • the image generating device can include a computer.
  • the baseplate assembly can include a playing piece releasably mounted to a first location on the display region using a coupling element; with the image generating device being a computer, the playing piece and the baseplate can include computer program instructions stored on a non-transit storage medium that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform actions comprising flow or branching dependent upon the messages received from the playing pieces.
  • the baseplate can be constructed so that the images generated by image generating device pass through the baseplate and are visible through the coupling elements and through the areas adjacent to the coupling elements.
  • the assembly can further include a playing piece releasably mounted to a first location on the display region using a coupling element, and a coil for generating a magnetic field for at least one of the following: (1) transferring energy from the baseplate to the playing piece, and (2) transferring a signal to and receiving a signal from the playing piece.
  • the assembly can further include a playing piece releasably mounted to a first location on the display region using a coupling element, the playing piece comprising at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and a near field communication (NFC) transponder activatable upon receipt of an optical signal by the playing piece.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • NFC near field communication
  • the playing piece can further include a touch sensitive membrane operably coupled to the image generating device, and the baseplate can include a plurality of access regions overlying the touch sensitive membrane to permit a user to provide a touch input to the membrane at at least a selected one of the access regions.
  • the baseplate can include a grid of first and second sets of spaced apart electrodes, the first set of electrodes extending in a direction transverse to the second set of electrodes, with the first and second sets of electrodes operably coupled to the image generating device.
  • a second example of a baseplate assembly includes a baseplate body, the playing piece and the triangulating means.
  • the baseplate body includes a playing pieces support surface with the playing piece at a position on the playing pieces support surface.
  • the triangulating means being associated with the playing piece and the baseplate body for generating signals indicating the presence of the playing piece at the position on the playing pieces support surface.
  • the baseplate body can include coupling elements by which the playing piece can be releasably mounted to the playing pieces support surface.
  • An example of a baseplate is for use with (1) an image generator having a display screen on which images can be generated, and (2) playing pieces configured to allow the playing pieces to be releasably coupled to one another.
  • the baseplate includes a body and mounting structure.
  • the body includes a display region with comprising coupling elements, by which playing pieces can be releasably mounted to the display region, and regions adjacent to the coupling elements.
  • the body also includes an inner region, the inner and display regions being on opposite sides of the baseplate.
  • the mounting structure by can be used to removably mount the body to an image generator so that the inner region of the body is positioned adjacent to the display screen of the image generator. At least a portion of the body between the inner region and the display region can be generally transparent so that images generated at the display screen of the image generator can pass through the body to the display region and be visible at the coupling elements and at the regions adjacent to the coupling elements.
  • An example of an image generating and playing-piece-interacting assembly for use with playing pieces, includes an image generating device, a receptor operably coupled to the image generating device, and a first playing piece.
  • the image generating device has a display screen on which generated images can be displayed.
  • the generated images include integrated visual and optically encoded message images.
  • the first playing piece can be at a first location relative to the display screen.
  • the first playing piece includes an optical display message sensor and a messaging transponder.
  • the optical display message sensor is configured to receive the integrated visual and optically encoded message image and to generate a first signal at least partially based upon the optically encoded message image.
  • the messaging transponder is coupled to the optical display message sensor for receipt of at least the first signal from the optical display message sensor.
  • the messaging transponder is also coupled to the receptor for generating and sending to the receptor a second signal at least partially based upon the first signal.
  • an image generating and playing-piece-interacting assembly can include one or more the following.
  • the receptor can be at least one of a sound receptor, an electromagnetic radiation receptor, and a magnetic field receptor
  • the second signal can include a corresponding one of a sound second signal, an electromagnetic radiation field second signal, and a magnetic field second signal.
  • the assembly can include a baseplate mountable on the display screen, the baseplate including a display region, the display region including coupling elements by which playing pieces can be releasably mounted to the display region.
  • the optically encoded message image can be visually imperceptible to a user.
  • the optically encoded message image can contain information encoded as being addressed to a specific playing piece.
  • the second signal can include one or more of the following (1) graphic representation for the first playing piece, (2) other information for the first playing piece, and (3) an address into at least one of a local database, a remote database, a look-up table; which contains information for the first playing piece.
  • the optically encoded message image can change according to the physical position of the optically encoded message image on the display screen.
  • the optically encoded message image can contain information regarding at least one of (1) coordinates for the physical position, and (2) information regarding the visual image portion of the generated image at the physical position, (3) gaming data for the playing piece, (4) data for an actuator on the playing piece.
  • the optically encoded message image can be generated at a number of physical positions on the display screen, and a second playing piece can be at a second location relative to the display screen.
  • the assembly can also include first and second operably coupled image generating devices, a second playing piece at a second location relative to the display screen of the second image generating device, and an optically encoded message image to the second playing piece can be at least partially based upon the second signal from the playing piece.
  • a second playing piece can be at a second location relative to the display screen, the optically encoded message image to the second playing piece can be at least partially based upon the second signal from the first playing piece.
  • the each of first playing piece and the second playing piece each can include a playing-piece-to-playing-piece communication device to permit transfer of messages therebetween.
  • the first playing piece can include a sensor coupled to the messaging transponder to provide sensor data to the messaging transponder, so that the second signal can be generated at least in part based on the sensor data.
  • the first playing piece can include at least one of (1) an actuator operably coupled to receive a message from the optical display message sensor, and (2) an actuator operably coupled to receive a message from the messaging transponder, the message comprising data for actuation of the actuator.
  • a first example of a toy brick includes a housing, a first coupling element, an operating assembly, and a power source.
  • the first coupling element releasably couples the housing to the housing of at least one other toy brick.
  • the operating assembly is carried by the housing.
  • the operating assembly includes user reprogrammable computing control element, and at least one sensing element capable of sensing an input value, the at least one sensing element operably coupled to the computing control element.
  • the user reprogrammable computing and control element is configured generate an actuator output based at least in part on the sensed input value.
  • the operating assembly also includes at least one actuator operably coupled to the computing control element to receive the actuator output.
  • a power source is coupled to the operating assembly to supply electrical power thereto.
  • the first example may also include one or more the following.
  • the computing control element may include a chosen one of a microprocessor or a microcontroller with embedded firmware.
  • the computing control element may include at least one of digital logic chips, FPGA's, lookup tables in ROM or RAM, fuzzy logic, and analog circuits.
  • the computing control element may be configured for storage of sensing and actuation data for later retrieval.
  • the power source may include rechargeable electrical energy storage element and: an inductive charging device operably connected thereto, a solar collector charging device operably connected thereto, an electrical connector carried by the housing and connected to the rechargeable electrical energy storage element so that the rechargeable electrical energy storage element can be connected to an external electrical energy charging source.
  • the first example may also include one or more the following.
  • the sensing element may include at least one of a radio frequency receiver and a radio frequency transceiver.
  • the sensing element may include at least one of the following: an axis tilt sensor, a gyroscopic motion sensor, a gravity sensor, and an acceleration sensor.
  • the sensing element may include at least one of the following: a digital camera capable of capturing at least one of still images and moving images, a position-triangulating-capable receiver which allows triangulation of position of the toy brick relative to its surroundings, a gripping force sensor, a switch, a magnetic field sensor, and an electrical field sensor, a temperature sensor, a plurality of sensing elements.
  • the sensing element may also include a data sensing element configured to generate data signals for receipt by the computing control element, the sensing element being configured to generate analog signals based upon input to the sensing element, and the computing control element including a microcontroller comprising an analog to digital conversion capability for converting the analog signals from the sensing element into digital signals for receipt by the actuation element, the actuation element being the form of a transmitter.
  • the transmitter may be configured to transmit data to an external computing device.
  • the data gathering sensing element may be configured to transmit gathered data in a wireless manner, and the data gathering sensing element may be configured to transmit the gathered data to the computing control element according to at least one of the following: (1) in real time, or (2) after a delay.
  • the first example may also include one or more the following.
  • the actuator may include a shaft rotatable relative to the housing about a shaft axis.
  • the sensing element may include a shaft angle sensor operably coupled to the shaft.
  • the actuator may include a shaft movable in a linear manner relative to the housing along a shaft axis, and the sensing element may include a shaft linear position sensor operably coupled to the shaft.
  • the actuator may include one or more the following: at least one motor, at least one sound emission device, at least one light source of variable or fixed intensity and color, a color or monochrome graphical or text display, at least one electrical solenoid, and at least one radio frequency transmitter or transceiver.
  • a plurality of the actuators may be simultaneously present in a single toy brick.
  • At least one of the surfaces of the brick can define a non-rectangular shape.
  • the toy brick may have a unique electronic identifier address; the toy brick may also have a group electronic identifier address so that a plurality of the toy bricks can be simultaneously addressed using the group electronic identifier address.
  • a second example of a toy brick includes a housing, a first coupling element, an operating assembly, and a power source.
  • the first coupling element releasably couples the housing to the housing of at least one other toy brick.
  • the operating assembly is carried by the housing and includes a computing control element, and at least one sensing element capable of sensing input values, the sensing element operably coupled to the computing control element.
  • the computing and control element is configured generate an actuator output based at least in part on a currently sensed input value and a previously sensed input value.
  • the operating assembly also includes at least one actuator operably coupled to the computing control element to receive the actuator output.
  • a power source is coupled to the operating assembly to supply electrical power thereto.
  • the computing control element may be a reprogrammable computing control element and the actuator output may include a time course of actuator outputs.
  • a third example of a toy brick includes a housing, a first coupling element, an operating assembly, and a power source.
  • the first coupling element releasably couples the housing to the housing of at least one other toy brick.
  • the operating assembly is carried by the housing and includes a computing control element and least one sensing element capable of sensing a continuum of input values and operably coupled to the computing control element.
  • the computing and control element is configured generate an actuator output based at least in part on the sensed continuum of input values.
  • the operating element also includes least one actuator operably coupled to the computing control element to receive the actuator output.
  • a power source is coupled to the operating assembly to supply electrical power thereto.
  • the computing control element may be a reprogrammable computing control element and the actuator output may include a time course of actuator outputs.
  • the prior art discussed above consists of inanimate toy bricks suitable for small children, or more complex powered and wired or coupled toy brick elements, which must be assembled intelligently, in order to perform a function.
  • the toy bricks which require intelligent coupling in order to perform a function are suitable for much older children. Examples of the toy brick described herein allow some animation functions to be experienced by younger children, without requiring them to understand electrical concepts.
  • the toy bricks, as well as other playing pieces, are also well-suited for use with baseplate assemblies discussed below starting with Fig. 36 .
  • An intent of the various examples of the toy brick is to provide the end user with a rich experience from a toy brick, without burdening the user with needing to gain knowledge of how that experience is delivered.
  • a user would perform an action in order to initiate the experience, sensors and a controller within the toy brick would detect the interaction of the user with the brick, the toy brick will then automatically perform an action, in response to the stimulus.
  • a first example of a toy brick is a single toy brick 10 including a housing 12 typically of size 3 inches or less on each side, the housing carrying coupling elements 14 used to releasably couple housing 12 of one toy brick 10 to the housing of another toy brick.
  • the coupling element typically include pegs or other extending elements acting as first coupling elements which mate with corresponding openings, not shown, formed on housing 12 of other toy bricks 10.
  • Coupling elements 14 are typically conventional and may be compatible with coupling elements used with LEGO® brand toy bricks.
  • a toy brick 10 will also include sensing and control functions integrated within the toy brick.
  • Such a toy brick 10 would perform a function in response to a stimulus.
  • the function to be performed is dependent on the sensors present, the programming of the controller, and the actuators present on toy brick 10, which are discussed in detail below.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram 20 of the main functional components of an example of toy brick 10.
  • the charging device 22 which typically is in the form of solar cell 16 or an inductive charging device 24 shown in Fig. 3 , is mounted to or is an integral part of housing 12. Solar cell 16 can be used to create electricity from light.
  • Inductive charging device 24 uses electromagnetic induction to create electrical current to charge energy storage element 26.
  • An external charging station not shown, creates an alternate magnetic field and is positioned near the coils of inductive charging device 24 to send electromagnetic energy to inductive charging device 24 thereby inducing an electrical current within the coils of inductive charging device 24.
  • Charging device 22 is connected to a rechargeable electrical energy storage element 26 by a line 28. Energy storage element 26 is typically in the form of a battery.
  • energy storage element 26 can also be of other types, such as a capacitive energy storage element.
  • Charging device 22 and energy storage element 26 constitute a power source 29.
  • Energy storage element 26 is connected by power lines 36 to at least one sensing element 30, a computing control element 32, and usually to at least one actuator 34.
  • Sensing element 30 communicates with computing control element 32 through a line 38 while computing control element 32 is coupled to actuator 34 by a line 39.
  • any power required by actuator 34 may be provided through, for example, computing control element 32.
  • a rechargeable power source 29 within the toy brick 10 will allow the toy brick 10 to be incorporated into structures without the need for wires. Further, recharging capability will allow any model or other structure built with the toy brick 10 to exist without requiring disassembly for replacing or recharging the batteries. The ability to transfer electrical power without electrical contact will also allow the brick to be hermetically sealed, so as to be child friendly.
  • a function of some examples of the toy brick is to detect an input via the sensing element 30, then determine via computation or other logic as described below if the input conditions satisfy the predetermined requirements to actuate one or more actuators 34, and if so actuate one or more actuators 34, typically in sequence or simultaneously as per a predetermined pattern.
  • Sensing elements 30 can be one or more of the following: (1) a microphone 40 for reception of a sound encoded trigger, such as, but not limited to a clapping sound or voice recognition as shown in Fig. 4 ; (2) an infrared or visible light detector 42 for receiving a light encoded trigger as shown in Fig. 4 , such as but not limited to a signal from an infrared remote, or the passage of a flashlight beam across a light sensor; (3) an RF transceiver 44 for detecting a radio frequency encoded trigger as shown in Fig. 5 , such as but not limited to a Bluetooth signal from an iPad; (4) a 3 dimensional tilt sensor, or gyroscopic sensor, or gravity sensor 46, as shown in Fig.
  • a motion triggered event such as but not limited to, a shaking of the toy brick 10 or orientation of the toy brick, or a time course of certain motions of the toy brick
  • a camera 48 for capturing still or moving images, as shown in Fig. 7
  • a position triangulation sensor 50 such as but not limited to a global positioning sensor as shown in Fig. 5
  • a shaft angle sensor 52 as shown in Fig. 8
  • a shaft extension sensor 54 also shown in Fig. 8 .
  • a gripping force sensor 56 typically in the form of a strain gauge rosette as shown in Fig. 9 , can be used to sense forces exerted on toy brick 10.
  • Fig. 10 illustrates, in a simplified manner, components within a toy brick 10, sometimes referred to as a gripper force brick 10, including an amplifier 58 coupled to computing control element 32.
  • an amplifier 58 coupled to computing control element 32.
  • switches 60 are shown both on one side of toy brick 10, a greater or lesser number can be used and can be on more than one side.
  • Fig. 12 illustrates, in a simplified form, switches 60 coupled to computing control element 32 within toy brick 10
  • toy brick 10 may be constructed so that it takes more force to decouple a component, such as power source 29, actuator 34 or sensing element 30, from housing 12 than it does to decouple the housing 12 of one toy brick 10 from the housing 12 of another toy brick 10.
  • a component such as power source 29, actuator 34 or sensing element 30, from housing 12 than it does to decouple the housing 12 of one toy brick 10 from the housing 12 of another toy brick 10.
  • Fig. 13 shows a temperature transducer type of toy brick 10 which includes a temperature transducer 62 typically secured along the inside surface of one of the walls of the toy brick. Temperature transducer 62 may be of different types including resistive, thermocouple, and semiconductor temperature transducers.
  • Fig. 14 shows temperature transducer 62 coupled to computing control element 32 through an amplifier 64.
  • Computing control element 32 can be implemented by, but is not limited to, a microprocessor, or analog or digital circuit, or fuzzy logic controller.
  • Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of a computing control element 32 in the form of a microprocessor. The programming of computing control element 32 can be preset at the factory, or may be programmable or reprogrammable in the field.
  • Computing control element 32 in the example of Fig. 15 , is a single chip microcontroller.
  • a microcontroller is a microprocessor with several different peripherals such as memory, communication devices, input and output devices built into a one-piece silicon die.
  • Peripherals can include but are not limited to: USB (Universal Serial Bus), USART (universal synchronous/asynchronous receiver transmitter), I2C (I-squared-C) computer bus, ADC (Analog to Digital Converter), DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), Timers, Pulse Width Modulators, Flash Memory, RAM Memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), Bluetooth interface, Ethernet interface, liquid crystal driver interface.
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • USART universal synchronous/asynchronous receiver transmitter
  • I2C I-squared-C
  • ADC Analog to Digital Converter
  • DAC Digital to Analog Converter
  • Timers Pulse Width Modulators
  • Flash Memory Flash Memory
  • RAM Memory Random Access Memory
  • EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
  • Bluetooth interface Ethernet interface
  • Ethernet interface liquid crystal driver interface
  • a microcontroller is designed to perform a specific task, and only requires a subset of all possible peripherals to be present in order to perform that task.
  • peripheral devices are externally accessible via metal pins.
  • the internal data and memory access bus structure is not typically connected to the externally accessible pins of the chip.
  • the microcontroller receives signals as electrical voltages or currents, presented to one or more of its externally accessible pins. These signals are typically sampled on a one time basis, continuously, or at a regular time intervals by circuitry within the microcontroller, such as an analog to digital converter. The time course and amplitude of such a signal may be kept in the internal memory and analyzed by algorithms.
  • a speech recognition algorithm may analyze digitized speech from a microphone, or a motion detection algorithm may analyze signals from accelerometers or tilt switches.
  • the algorithms which analyze the digitized electrical signals can be written in a language such as Basic, C or Assembly.
  • the Algorithms may implement logical functions such as: "IF INPUT signal is GREATER THAN a VALUE THEN turn ON an OUTPUT".
  • the signals may in addition be transformed by transforms such as but not limited to the Fourier transform, or form feedback based algorithms in the S or Z domain such as Kalman Filters.
  • Other algorithms such as neural network based fuzzy logic are also implementable. Indeed almost any algorithm that can be run on a personal computer can be implemented on a microcontroller based design.
  • Signals received may also be from a communication device, such as a Bluetooth link to an external device such as an iPad® or other tablet computer.
  • a communication device such as a Bluetooth link to an external device such as an iPad® or other tablet computer.
  • Such signals may contain a full message of actions to perform, requiring the microcontroller to perform those actions rather than attempt to make a decision as to if actuation is warranted.
  • Computing control element 32 receives electrical signals, performs analysis of said signals and then performs an action. Signals for actuation are sent as electrical signals from the pins of microcontroller 32.
  • actuation such as making a noise may require microcontroller 32 to create a time course of electrical signal amplitudes, which may be accomplished by means of a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) which varies the amplitude of the voltage on a pin of microcontroller 32.
  • actuation of a display may require microcontroller 32 to send out RGB (Red/Green/Blue) intensities to various display pixels in order to create an image.
  • Microcontroller 32 may in addition manage battery charging and also conservation of power by powering down peripherals, and even entering a low power mode (sleep mode) and only exit from the low power mode (wake up) at either certain intervals to check if signals are present, or may wake up due to a signal being presented to one or more peripherals which are capable of waking the microcontroller from a sleep state.
  • Computing control element 32 analyzes the signals from the one or more sensing elements 30, as described below by way of example in Fig. 16 , and makes a determination as to if actuation is warranted, and then sends signals to one or more actuators 34 as prescribed by the logic or programming of the computing control element 32.
  • the computing control element 32 will also typically have memory that is readable and writeable, and may be nonvolatile.
  • the programming of computing control element 32 may, in some examples, be altered in the field by erasing and rewriting the program memory via wireless download, for example. Data form signals monitored may also be stored in the memory for later retrieval.
  • a toy brick 10 that is involved in a crash test may have its motion during the crash stored inside the memory of the computing control element 32 of the toy brick for later retrieval and display, or a video or picture may be stored on the toy brick for later retrieval and display.
  • Fig. 16 An example of a process for power management, signal detection and actuation is shown in Fig. 16 .
  • computing control element 32 is in a powered down mode as indicated at step 66.
  • step 68 if there is no signal from a sensing element 30, the program returns to step 66. If there is a signal from a sensing element 30, the program resets power on the timer at step 70 to a fixed predetermined number, such as 60 seconds.
  • step 70 there is an inquiry at step 72 whether or not there is a signal. If there is a signal, such as from an accelerometer, an appropriate actuation, such as emission of a sound, is conducted if conditions for the actuation are satisfied at step 74, followed by return to step 70.
  • Actuators which generate the output of a toy brick 10 can be, but are not limited to, one or more light sources 80, as shown in Fig. 17 and sound emission devices, such as speaker 82 as shown in Fig. 18 .
  • output can be generated by graphical displays including flat displays 84 as shown in Fig. 19 , organic LED or organic LCD wraparound displays 86 as shown in Fig. 20 , projected image displays 88 and the associated projected image 90 as shown in Fig. 21 , and fiber-optic displays 92 and the associate projected image 94.
  • output can be generated by a variety of other devices such as motors, radio transmitters, radio transceivers and solenoids.
  • Actuators 34 can also include various types of transmitters. Actuation can be simple on/off or more complex actions such as but not limited to transmission of a radio signal, or even a time course of actions.
  • a single brick 10 may, when left undisturbed simply go to a "sleep" state, such as when power on the timer has expired at step 78 in Fig. 16 , while charging its battery or other energy storage element via ambient light, from a solar cell 16 on one of its surfaces. Then when brick 10 is lifted, it may, for example, emit the sound of an airplane taking off, when dived make the sound of an airplane diving, and when shaken emit the sound of guns.
  • Such a brick 10 would be suited to the building of a toy brick fighter aircraft as shown in Fig. 23 .
  • FIG. 23 is constructed with a single toy brick 10 including the components illustrated in Fig. 2 .
  • the other toy bricks used in the construction of the toy brick fighter aircraft are conventional toy bricks without the components of Fig. 2 .
  • additional toy bricks 10 could be used in the construction of the toy airplane.
  • a single brick with integral solar power battery and Bluetooth receiver may spin a small motor with a shaft protruding from one side, when a Bluetooth radio signal is received from, for example, a tablet computer, such as an iPad®, or a smart phone, such as an iPhone®.
  • a brick may be used in a windmill, for example.
  • Another use of such a brick may be to build several small toy brick airplanes 96, as shown in Fig. 23 , which can be remotely made to turn their propellers 98 when a Bluetooth signal is sent from a mobile or fixed computing or communication device.
  • a brick 10 may incorporate several features, such as speaker 82 of the brick 10 of Fig. 18 , and 3-D movement sensor 46 of the brick 10 of Fig. 6 , and make a engine revving sound when moved back and forth and the sound of a car "peeling tires" when pushed fast in one direction.
  • a clear brick 10 similar to that of Fig. 17 , with a self contained power source may have red, green, and blue light sources 80 within it and have its color set by remote from an iPad per the computer algorithm described below with reference to Fig. 34 , or in another embodiment change color when held at different orientations by means of actuation being controlled by a tilt or gravity sensor.
  • a toy brick 10 with a camera 48 similar to that shown in Fig. 7 may transmit a video signal via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to a mobile or fixed device including a display screen.
  • a brick when incorporated into a model such as, but not limited to, a toy brick train 102, will enable a view 104 as seen from the toy to be experienced by the user on, for example, a tablet computer screen.
  • a toy brick 10 with a camera 48 and integral face or object recognition algorithm may greet a child with a sound such as "Hello John" when approached.
  • the face to be recognized and the sound to be emitted by the brick may be user downloadable into the toy brick 10 via radio link.
  • the face may even be self-learned by the video captured by the camera itself.
  • the toy brick may transmit a signal to a fixed or mobile computing device.
  • a sequence of sensing and a sequence of actuation may be programmed, typically by an adult, into the toy brick 10, with perhaps the aid of a user interface running on a fixed or mobile computing device, with radio link or other connection to the toy brick. Once programmed, a child may interact with the brick in a much simpler manner.
  • several different shaped bricks may be manipulated by a child or other user.
  • the bricks will transmit their shape and position to a fixed or mobile computing device which will show the manipulation of the bricks, with correct shape and size in a virtual building environment on a display screen.
  • Transmission of position may be done by GPS signal, or by a more localized triangulation method, such as through the use of a baseplate, on which the toy bricks 10 are supported, with triangulation capability.
  • the following are three examples of methods of position triangulation.
  • Measurement of time delay of signals from a signal source of known position One or more signal sources of known position may send a pulse ("ping") or encoded message via sound, light or radio wave, at a certain time.
  • the message may contain the time that this signal was sent.
  • the message will be received at a later time by the object that is to be triangulated, in this case typically a toy brick 10.
  • a simplified embodiment of a toy brick baseplate can be constructed to be capable of triangulating an object, such as toy brick 10, placed upon it.
  • a triangulating baseplate may contain four or more signal emitters at the corners, in the plane of the baseplate and also above the plane of the baseplate. These emitters will emit encoded signals, preferably simultaneously. Then by measurement of the time delay between reception of the signals, it would be possible to locate the three-dimensional position of a toy brick in the vicinity of the baseplate.
  • the object to be triangulated may contain a camera and may compute its position by measurement of angles to various landmarks present in the image.
  • a toy brick 10 may contain a camera 48 and analyze the position of, for example, specific colored or marked bricks or flashing lights, placed in and above the plane of a base plate.
  • Measurement of the position of an object by analysis of its position relative to a known landscape An object may be photographed in two or more, preferably orthogonal, views against a known landscape and its position computed.
  • a toy brick baseplate assembly may be constructed to contain two or more cameras capable of photographing the object in plan and elevation, against the baseplate and/or an orthogonal vertical wall with features present upon the baseplate/wall, such as uniquely marked bricks or flashing lights, whose positions are known.
  • the bricks may be cemented into position in the virtual environment by a gesture of the brick (such as but not limited to a clicking motion) or by pushing a button on the brick as described in the computer algorithm described below with reference to Fig. 35 .
  • a clicking motion may be carried out by hovering over a correct position followed by a sharp downward thrust reminiscent of a mouse click.
  • Such manipulation will allow the same brick to be used repeatedly to create a structure in the virtual environment, while no physical structure is created.
  • the manipulated brick may have its avatar on the virtual screen changed so as to be a different shape than the physically manipulated brick; in this case the physically manipulated brick may be of arbitrary shape.
  • a toy brick with an accelerometer may be placed in a brick constructed car, such as that shown in Fig. 24 , and the acceleration, velocity and position of the car, transmitted and plotted on a mobile or fixed computing device.
  • This will allow standard physics experiments such as acceleration down an inclined plane to be generated with ease.
  • g forces during a crash test can be plotted and examined. It should be noted that the data may be stored on the brick itself for later retrieval, rather than transmitted in real time.
  • bricks may be grouped by electronic addressing scheme, as described below with reference to in Fig. 33 , such that they may respond individually or as a group to a stimulus.
  • four identical toy bricks capable of changing color when shaken two may be programmed to become red and two may be programmed to turn green.
  • bricks with the actuator being a motor may be grouped by electronic addressing scheme.
  • Such bricks may be incorporated in two grouped squadrons of toy brick airplanes, and one or the other squadron selectively commanded to spin their propellers upon command from a fixed or mobile computing device via wireless command. It can be seen by a person skilled in the art that electronic addressing will allow an entire landscape of toy bricks 10 to be commanded via radio or other signal individually, grouped or in a time sequenced manner.
  • one or more LCD or other type of color or monochrome displays may be embedded within the brick and multiple images from multiple displays, or multiple images from a single display may be transmitted to one or more surfaces of the toy brick via optical elements such as but not limited to prisms, lenses, as shown in Fig. 21 , or by means of light guides such as optical fibers 101 as shown in Fig. 22 .
  • a toy brick 10 shaped as a flying insect as shown in Figs. 26-28 may be set to display, for example, the image of a bee 105 as in Fig. 26 , or display the image of a locust 106 as in Fig.
  • the toy brick 10 may be opaque with only some areas having a display, or fiber optic. Brick 10 may have its image updated via integral wireless connection to a fixed or mobile computing device 109 as shown in Fig. 29 .
  • the display device can also be of a thin film wrap around type, such as an organic LCD or organic LED displays 86 as shown in Fig. 20 . Such a display device can form the "skin" of the toy brick rather than a traditional flat screen device.
  • Fig. 30 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a toy brick solar panel recharging system 108.
  • System 108 includes a solar cell 16, or other photovoltaic source of electricity, which provide energy to energy storage element 26, typically in the form of a battery or capacitor plus associated charging circuitry.
  • Energy storage element 26 is then used to provide power to various systems 110, such as sensing element 30, computing control element 32 and actuators 34 of Fig. 2 .
  • Fig. 31 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example of a toy brick inductively coupled recharging system 112 including an inductive charging device 24, typically in the form of an electrical coil, which supplies electrical energy to energy storage element 26, typically in the form of a battery or capacitor plus associated charging circuitry. As with the example of Fig. 28 , energy storage element is then used to provide power to various systems 110.
  • Fig. 32 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a crash test recording algorithm 114.
  • acceleration in all three axes is checked at step 118. If acceleration is not greater than a threshold along any of the X, Y or Z axes as determined at step 120, control is returned to step 118; otherwise control is transferred to step 122.
  • step 122 one or more of acceleration, velocity and position data is recorded and/or transmitted until acceleration is below a threshold value or until a threshold time period has elapsed.
  • control is passed to step 124 at which one or more of acceleration, velocity and position data is transmitted to computing control element 32. After that the algorithm terminates at step 126.
  • Fig. 33 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an addressable device communication algorithm 128.
  • broadcast data is received from a fixed or mobile computing device at step 132.
  • an inquiry is made whether or not the broadcast address matches a device address or an address in an address bank. If no, control returns to step 132. If yes, control passes to step 136.
  • the broadcast data is acted upon to, in this example, actuate a device or display an image as prescribed.
  • Fig. 17 assume use of binary 8 Bit addressing with a possibility of 256 uniquely addressable light emitting toy bricks 10, such as that shown in Fig. 17 .
  • the toy bricks 10 may be assigned arbitrarily to banks, such that bricks 1, 56 and 233 will be in bank “A” and bricks 2, 45 and 123 are in bank “B".
  • a signal may be sent to all bricks in bank “A” to turn on and display red, and all bricks in bank “B” to turn on and emit green light. Thereafter control passes to stop step 138.
  • Fig. 34 is a flow diagram illustrating a color change brick algorithm 140.
  • start step 142 either three-dimensional brick tilt data is obtained from a 3 dimensional tilt sensor 46 or information on the color to be displayed is received from a mobile or fixed computing device via an RF transceiver 44 at step 144.
  • step 146 the color to be displayed based on the data received from the sensor is computed.
  • step 148 the color is displayed on the toy brick 10 by adjusting red, green and blue intensities as needed. Thereafter control is passed to the stop step 150.
  • the final algorithm to be discussed is the algorithm for avatar manipulation 152 shown in the flow diagram of Fig. 35 .
  • This algorithm is run on the fixed or mobile computing device, not illustrated, receiving data from the brick being manipulated.
  • data is received from a manipulated toy brick at step 156, by way of example, from sensors such as orientation sensor 46 and position sensor 50, and communicated via transceiver 44.
  • step 158 the position and orientation of toy brick 10 is computed.
  • the avatar of the toy brick 10 is displayed on a display screen, such as found on a smart phone, a fixed computer or a tablet computer, at step 160.
  • step 162 the program checks to see if toy brick 10 has moved in a clicking motion, signifying the toy brick is to be cemented in that position, or some other signal signifying that the toy brick is to be cemented in position is received. If no, control is returned to step 156. If yes, control passes to step 164 at which the brick avatar is cemented in position on the screen, followed by return of control to step 156.
  • computing control element 32 is a user reprogrammable computer control element in contrast with a computer control element that cannot be reprogrammed during normal use, but typically only in a manufacturing-type environment. Such reprogramming can take place in the manners discussed above with regard to the communication algorithm of Fig. 33 , the color change algorithm of Fig. 34 , and the avatar manipulation algorithm of Fig. 35 . That is, the reprogramming of computer control element 32 can be accomplished by either specifically reprogramming the software or as a function of how the toy brick 10 is used.
  • toy brick 10 can generate an output based upon a currently sensed input value and a previously sensed input value. This is opposed to a decision based on a current input only, such as single push of a button. This aspect is based in part on things that happened prior to an event, e.g., two buttons pushed one second apart.
  • a computer's ability to define NOW and BEFORE is defined by its clock speed, since it can only sense things once per clock cycle.
  • toy brick 10 may be provided an input in the form of a signal received by RF transceiver 44 telling toy brick to await further instruction in the form of an oral command received by microphone 40.
  • toy brick 10 can generate an output(s) or time course of output(s) based on a time course an input(s), wherein the current output(s) or time course of output(s), is determined by mathematical computations based on previous input(s) as well as the current input(s).
  • An example of this is a force or acceleration sensor(s) the signals from which can be integrated to find velocity and integrated again to compute position. Integration is the area under the curve, which is a function of the past history of the signal amplitude over time.
  • the mathematical function described can be altered in the field via wired or wireless download of new algorithms.
  • each input has more than two possible states (with on and off being two states). Instead, each input may have a continuum of gradually changing values, such as would exist with the input from an accelerometer, the brick may be programmed to continuously change through all the colors of the rainbow as it is tilted in various orientations.
  • toy brick 10 can perform one way or two way communication with an external device wirelessly.
  • the messaging between the devices being more complicated than the detection and/or generation of an instantaneous presence or absence of signal, and is a decoding of the time course of such a signal, said time course carrying an embedded message.
  • An example of this type of toy brick is one which responds to the complex on /off time course of pulsations of light carrying a message from, for example, an infrared remote control.
  • Fig. 36 is an overall view of a baseplate assembly 200 including broadly a baseplate 202 removably mounted to an image generating device 204.
  • Device 204 is typically a pad computer, such as an iPad® computer made by Apple Computer, having a large display screen 206.
  • Image generating device 204 is often referred to as computer 204.
  • baseplate 202 and image generating device 204 can be an integral, one-piece device.
  • a portion of baseplate 202 in Fig. 36 is removed to disclose display screen 206 of image generating device 204.
  • the portion of baseplate 202 covering display screen 206 is preferably made of an essentially colorless, transparent material so that images generated by computer 204 at the display screen 206 are transmitted through baseplate 202 for viewing by a user, as well as other uses discussed below, at the display region.
  • Display region 208 is surrounded by an outer region 210 which overlies the outer edge 212 of computer 204.
  • Baseplate 202 has coupling elements 14 extending from its upper surface 214 to permit toy blocks 10 to be removably mounted to the baseplate. In addition to being viewable by a user, images transmitted through display region 208 of baseplate 202 can also be used for interaction with toy blocks 10, also discussed in more detail below.
  • Baseplate 202 includes mounting structure 215 by which the baseplate can be removably mounted to the image generating device 204 so that display region 208 is positioned adjacent to and opposite display screen 206.
  • mounting structure 215 in the form of a lip.
  • Other types of mounting structures 215, including clips and releasable adhesives, may also be used.
  • Display screen 206 may be a flat panel display where the light generating pixels are directly visible, such as with the screens of tablet computers. Other examples may be a different implementation where the image is generated remotely and transmitted to baseplate 202; one example of this is shown in Fig. 37 .
  • a DLP projection system 260 such as available from Texas Instruments, may be used.
  • System 260 typically includes a light source 65, which in some examples of the laser light source, which generates a light beam 262 which passes through a first optical element 264 and then onto the surface of a DLP mirror 266.
  • DLP mirror 266 can include over 1 million hinge mounted microscopic mirrors which project the light beam 262 containing the image through a second optical element 268 to baseplate 202.
  • a display screen 206 is positioned at an angle to a mirror 270 to direct the image from display screen 206 onto baseplate 202.
  • the technology for generating the image is can be such as but not limited to LCD, plasma, organic LED, lamp with color wheel and DLP chip.
  • the image can also be transferred to the upper surface 214 of the baseplate 202 in other manners. Two such examples are shown in in Figs. 39 and 40 .
  • baseplate 202 is made up of numerous optical fibers 274 extending from the lower surface 272 to the upper surface 214 with lower surface 272 being positioned opposite display screen 206 or other image generating surface such as DLP mirror 266.
  • the image created at upper surface 214 can be the same size or different size as the image created at the display screen 206.
  • the image created at upper surface 214 is larger than shown at display screen 206 while in Fig. 40 the images are the same size.
  • Figs. 41 and 42 are top plan views of a baseplate assembly in which the baseplate includes a first portion 216, generally consisting of outer region 210, which generally overlies outer edge 212 of computer 204, and a second portion 218 sized to fit within the interior of first portion 216 and overlie a portion of a display screen 206.
  • Second portion 218 defines an open region 220 which provides direct visual access to a part of display screen 206.
  • Fig. 43 shows the structure of Fig. 41 with an alternative second portion 218 of baseplate 202 occupying the entire interior of first portion 216 of baseplate 202 thereby completely covering display screen 206.
  • First portion 216 may be transparent, translucent or opaque while it is preferred that second portion 218 be made of an essentially colorless, transparent material to permit visual images to be transmitted therethrough.
  • Fig. 43 also illustrates an image 222 projected from display screen 206 onto display region 208 of baseplate 202. While image 222 is typically a two-dimensional image, computer 204 can be of the type which generates an image viewable as a three-dimensional image, typically with the use of specialized glasses. Examples of technologies that can generate an image suitable for 3 dimensional viewing include the following. Stimulation of 3D can be achieved by generating two slightly different stereoscopic images on a flat screen, as would be seen by the left and the right eye. These images can be selectively directed to the left or the right eye by a variety of means. One method of selectively directing the image to one eye only, is to make one image of one color and the other image of a different color.
  • the user then wears eye glasses with filters that only transmit one or the other color on the left and right eye, such that each eye receives a different image, as would be seen when viewing a physical 3 dimensional object.
  • Another method of selectively directing the image to one eye only is by way of polarization.
  • the two images can be projected by 2 separate sources of light of orthogonal polarization onto a single screen, and the screen viewed with eye glasses with orthogonal polarization filters for each eye.
  • the images can also be projected or created by a single source that changes the image and the polarization of a filter in front of the single source at a speed adequately fast that the eye will see the presence of two images simultaneously.
  • Holographic projection can be created by projecting a laser through a film that contains a prerecorded interference pattern of light from a solid object.
  • a moving hologram can be created by replacing the film with a "Spatial Light Modulator" which can be an array of small movable mirrors as in a DLP chip. The mirrors can generate a varying interference pattern as would be created by a moving object, thus creating a moving hologram.
  • computer 204 includes a touch sensitive membrane 224 as a part of display screen 206 as shown in Fig. 44 .
  • Pad computers typically include touch sensitive membranes as part of their display screens.
  • Touch sensitive technologies can be broadly grouped into two technologies, single-touch and multi-touch.
  • the single touch systems typically have four or fewer conductors and the multi-touch have a grid of X and Y conductors which are scanned.
  • the conductors are typically in the form of two transparent sheets with transparent electrodes which are spaced apart by a resistive or dielectric medium, depending on if the touch is sensed by resistance change or capacitance change. When the sheets are pushed together or touched the magnitude of the resistance or capacitance change can be used together with the knowledge of the electrodes most affected by the change to compute the position of the touch.
  • Fig. 44 is a simplified partial cross-sectional view of an example of baseplate assembly 200 of Fig. 36 in which the image generating device 204 includes touch sensitive membrane 224 situated directly above the display screen 206. Touch sensitive membrane 224 and display screen 206 are shown spaced apart from one another for purposes of illustration. Access regions 225 are provided at positions on baseplate 202 to permit access to membrane 224. In one example shown in Fig. 44 access regions 225 are provided at coupling elements 14 at which portions of baseplate 202 surrounding coupling elements 14 are thinned, flexible elements 226. This permits coupling elements 14 to be deflected by a user from the spaced apart position shown in Fig. 44 to a position, not shown, contacting touch sensitive membrane 224 to allow input to computer 204.
  • Figs. 45 and 46 show alternative examples of the structure of Fig. 44 in which the flexible elements 226 are thin, zigzag flexible elements 226 in the example of Fig. 45 , and are spaced apart flexible elements 226 created by cutouts 228 in baseplate 202 in the example of Fig. 46 .
  • Fig. 47 is a further alternative example of the structure of Fig. 44 in which access regions 225 are created by holes 230 formed in baseplate 202 at positions offset from the coupling elements.
  • the user touches the touch sensitive membrane 224 directly with, for example, a stylus or the tip of the user's finger.
  • Fig. 48 is a simplified partial top view of a baseplate 202 including a grid 232 of a set of parallel, spaced apart first electrodes 233 and a set of parallel, spaced apart second electrodes 234.
  • First and second electrodes 233, 234 are oriented perpendicular to one another. Electrodes 233, 234 are electrically coupled to computer 204 to provide an indication of where on baseplate 202 the user is touching the baseplate. This technique is conventional and can be based upon resistance change or capacitance change depending on whether the material separating the electrodes is a resistive medium or a dielectric medium. Capacitive touch electrodes as shown in Figs.
  • Electrodes 233, 234 are preferably essentially transparent so not to interfere with transmission of the image from computer 204.
  • a dielectric medium such as the material 276 of baseplate 202.
  • the electric field lines 278 between the conductors 233, 234 can be changed by the presence of another dielectric or conductive medium such as a finger F or a stylus.
  • the change in the electric field lines 278 causes a change in the capacitance between the conductors 233, 234, which can be measured by electronic circuits to ascertain the position of touch.
  • a good explanation of such technology is given in the Microchip TB3064 Document, and in application note AN3863 from Freescale semiconductor.
  • Figs. 50-70 relate to the interaction between various playing pieces, including toys, tokens, game playing pieces and the toy bricks 10 discussed above, and a baseplate assembly 200.
  • various playing pieces including toys, tokens, game playing pieces and the toy bricks 10 discussed above, and a baseplate assembly 200.
  • toy bricks 10 the specific playing pieces will typically be referred to as toy bricks 10.
  • playing pieces other than toy bricks 10 may typically also be used.
  • Fig. 50 is a simplified top view of baseplate assembly 200 of Fig. 36 showing an image 222 projected onto display region 208 of baseplate 202. Based upon the location of a toy brick 10, or other playing piece, on the baseplate, information, such as a message or signal, can be provided the toy brick by the image.
  • Fig. 51 is a view similar to that of Fig. 50 but in which a portion of the image 222 generated by display screen 206 is dimmed to convey information to toy brick 10 by way of a first signal 235.
  • a portion of the image 222 generated by display screen 206 is dimmed to convey information to toy brick 10 by way of a first signal 235.
  • using intensity variations of all or part of image 222 creates an integrated visual image 222 including visual images 223 and optically encoded message images 235, sometimes referred to as first signals 235, to permit information to be transmitted to toy bricks 10.
  • computer 204 will send an optically coded message as a series of intensity variations in time. These intensity variations will be received by toy bricks 10, capable of receiving and responding to the optically coded message, that have been placed onto baseplate 202.
  • An example of what is sometimes referred to as an intelligent toy brick 10 including a light detector 42 is shown in Figs. 2 , 4 , 59 and 64 .
  • the intensity variations can be localized to a patch of pixels in display region 208 under/adjacent to each coupling element 14 as shown in Figs. 50 and 51 . After a message is sent in the form of intensity variations at one coupling element 14, a similar action would performed at the next coupling element 14, so as to scan the entire baseplate 202.
  • the intelligent toy bricks 10 placed upon the baseplate 202 will respond via, for example, optical/RF/sound encoded second signal 238, as shown in Figs. 59 , discussed below with reference to Figs. 64-67 , to one or more receptors 236 on the baseplate 202 as shown in Fig. 52 .
  • Preferably only one coupling element 14 and one toy brick 10 will be stimulated with a message at any one time, and only one toy brick 10 will send a second signal 238 to the receptor 236 of the computer 204.
  • the message sent from the toy brick 10 may contain information as to the type of toy brick placed upon the baseplate 202.
  • the computer 204 will then know the position of the toy brick 10 that is communicating its properties, since the computer knows the position of the patch of pixels that is sending the encoded message. In this manner the computer 204 may command the intelligent toy bricks 10 placed upon it to perform functions, or even change the image 222 displayed on display region 208 interactively to perform a gaming function wherein the baseplate assembly 200 responds to the toy brick 10 placed upon it. A single layer of toy bricks 10 placed upon the baseplate 202 can be interrogated in this manner.
  • each patch of pixels, at each coupling element 14, may simultaneously have different encoded intensity variations, the message encoding the position being stimulated.
  • one or more toy bricks 10 may simultaneously communicate with one or more receptors 236, as is done by way of example in CDMA (code division multiple access) cell phones or as done in Anti Collision NFC Tags.
  • CDMA code division multiple access
  • Each toy brick 10 mounted to baseplate 202 will send the message it receives from the display screen 206 in addition to information about the properties of the toy brick, thereby enabling the image generating device 204 to compute the position and type of toy bricks placed upon it.
  • the intensity variations encoding the message sent by the image generating device 204 can be at a level imperceptible to a user viewing the entire display region 208, but is detectible by sensitive electronics on the toy brick 10 as placed upon the display region 208.
  • the encoding can be of adequate complexity so as to even be detectable over the intensity variations of a moving image.
  • the encoded message may be encoded on a carrier of a known frequency, as for example IR remote controls encode the message on a carrier at 40KHz or so.
  • An example of a miniature optical receiver is the SFH506 IR receiver/demodulator device made by Siemens, which is a fully integrated device capable of delivering a digital data stream from a modulated light signal.
  • Siemens is a fully integrated device capable of delivering a digital data stream from a modulated light signal.
  • the communication from the image generating device 204 to the toy brick 10 includes one or more of information requests and information sent, such as but not limited to send brick type information, send avatar image, send gaming powers of/weapons possessed, receives new avatar image, receive new gaming powers/weapons, and enable RFID/RF transponder for X seconds.
  • the communication from the toy brick 10 back to the display computer 204 through receptor 236 can be by way of example but not limited to:
  • the communications from the toy brick 10 to the baseplate assembly 200 contain information such as but not limited to:
  • Fig. 52 is a top plan view of a baseplate assembly 200 including a receptor 236 which can receive a second signal 238 from a toy brick 10 mounted to the display region 208 of the baseplate 202.
  • the second signal 238 is generated in response to the information provided by the first signal 235 of image 222 projected onto the display region 208 of the baseplate 202.
  • the signal generated by the toy brick 10 can include information such as the type of toy brick and additional information such as a part of the message that was received from the baseplate which contains data encoding position information.
  • the message from the display can be encoded in space rather than time, such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.
  • Fig. 53 illustrate an example in which a portion of the image acting as first signal 235 is in the form of a two dimensional barcode 253 which can be scanned or imaged by a toy brick 10 placed on the display region 208 of the baseplate 202.
  • Toy brick 10 would then send a message to computer 204 with its characteristics and the barcode seen, enabling computer 204 to compute the position and type of the toy bricks 10 placed upon baseplate 202.
  • FIG. 54 An example of a formal software implementation of a scanning routine, is as shown in Fig. 54 , sends messages to bricks 10 via the image generating device 204.
  • the exemplary method implemented is best understood by realizing that the image 222 on the display screen 206 is stored in a memory (display RAM) as shown in Fig. 55 .
  • a memory display RAM
  • FIG. 55 By way of example but not limited to a 1024 x 768 Display which has a memory array that is 1024 x 768 and each location of that memory array is capable of storing three RGB (red, green, blue) values, each value typically being 8bits or 16bits wide, allowing a number from 0-255 or 0-65535 respectively to express the color intensity.
  • the intensity at each of these locations can be defined as D(n) as shown in Fig.
  • (n) is the spatial location.
  • the "intensity" can be a simple sum of the RGB values, and the intensity can be changed without changing the color by multiplying all three RGB values by the same number. Other variations such as a slight color change can also be utilized in order to encode a message.
  • other memory arrays of 1024 x 768 can be defined for other data with a correspondence between the data at a point (n) in those arrays and the corresponding point (n) of the image:
  • I(n) can be the Image that is desired to be displayed, which is typically created independently by the gaming software running concurrently to the scanning software.
  • C(n)(t) need not vary for each display pixel (n), and may be the same message for a patch of pixels.
  • the modulation function U(n)(t) can be simple amplitude modulation of a carrier such as ASin(wt), or a more complex scheme like CDMA which allows many devices to talk at once.
  • the contents of the data received from a stimulated brick can then be stored in another 1024 x 768 RAM.
  • information such as the positions, gaming powers/weapons or Avatar images, of all toy bricks placed on the display baseplate is made available to any concurrently running gaming software, as a "map".
  • a block diagram of the data path for such a scheme is as shown in Fig. 55 .
  • Fig. 58 is a possible implementation of a baseplate 202 with triangulation capability.
  • toy bricks 10 with passive or active RFID tags 284 embedded in them as shown in Fig. 59 are interrogated by an NFC (near field communication) reader 285 with an interrogation antenna coil 286 which is wound around the perimeter of the display region 208 of baseplate 202.
  • the reader 285 sends any data obtained from interrogation of NFC transponders within its vicinity to the computing device attached to the display region 208 by means of device 287 , which may be a wired connection such as but not limited to USB, flash lightning port or a wireless transponder such as but not limited to Bluetooth, Wi Fi or ZigBee.
  • the coil 286 would power the tags from via near field magnetic coupling with the RFID receive coil 288 as well as read the data from the tag. Since RFID Tags 284 normally transmit when interrogated by the coil 286, triangulation is achieved by having a further circuit, as shown in Fig. 59 , in the toy brick, which only enables the tag to transmit data 290 (second locating signal) when an optical "transmit" message 292 (first locating signal) is also received simultaneously or previously from the display baseplate.
  • the baseplate 202 will typically scan patches of pixels in sequence on a square grid, with the "transmit" message 292, each patch of pixels typically being, but not limited to, a square of dimensions equal to the spacing between two adjacent releasable couplings of the toy brick. In this manner the positions and types of bricks on the baseplate can be ascertained by the baseplate assembly 200, that is baseplate 202 and associated image generating device 204.
  • Most inexpensive passive RFID tags are "read only" and contain a unique 128 bit address.
  • a further database or look-up table containing the brick characteristics can be kept on the baseplate assembly 200 or even at a remote location accessible via the internet; such a database would be read and written to, allowing update and modification of the toy bricks virtual characteristics even though the tag is read only.
  • Tags such as the TRPGR30TGC, which is a fully encapsulated tag currently used for pet identification, and the TRF7970A integrated circuit, both from Texas Instruments, and the MCRF355/360 from Microchip Technology, are examples of existing devices which may be slightly modified to achieve this function.
  • the circuits required for the reader are given by way of example in the MCRF45X reference design and application notes AN759 and AN760 from Microchip Technology.
  • Other more complex protocols such as but not limited to the use of "Anti Collision Tags", which can have several tags being enabled to transmit at once, can also be used.
  • a playing piece 10 which can interact with a baseplate assembly 200 capable of triangulating its position in a manner as shown in Fig. 59 is also possible.
  • a Hot-Wheels® Toy car equipped in a similar manner as shown in Fig. 59 may be rolled over a triangulating baseplate 202, such as shown in Figs. 58 or 60 , and an image of a racetrack may appear on display region 208 of baseplate 202 with the car in the middle of the racetrack.
  • a Small Barbie Doll® with such a transponder as in Fig.
  • 59 may when placed on a display region 208, cause the display screen 206 of computer 204, and thus display region 208 of baseplate 202, to show a Tea Party and emit relevant sounds.
  • a Barbie doll equipped with a speaker may be recognized at a certain position on display region 208 of baseplate 202 and sent speech (via the display messaging system as described in Fig. 55 ) to recite and to interact with a "Ken" Doll placed at a different position on the display region, who may be sent different speech (via the display messaging system) to recite.
  • a gaming token type of playing piece equipped with flashing lights may be sent a message to flash lights if it was recognized as being placed at the correct position on the display to win.
  • a tablet computer and smart phones with embedded NFC readers such as the Google Nexus 10, typically have smaller interrogation coils which do not encircle the entire display screen 206 as shown in Fig. 58 , are currently available for the purpose of NFC Credit card transactions and for sending photos and data between such devices when they are held together and "tapped".
  • Such a device would need to be modified to implement a scheme as described in Fig. 55 in order to triangulate the position of an object placed upon it.
  • a toy brick or other playing piece 10 as shown in Figs. 59 and 60 with two optical receptors 237 placed at different points on it.
  • Each optical receptor enabling the NFC transponder 248 only when the optical "turn on" message is received by that particular receptor when the display below it stimulates it with a message.
  • This information allows the orientation of the toy with respect to the display to be determined.
  • a toy piece shaped as a flashlight may, when placed on the display assembly, be recognized as a flashlight and create a virtual beam on the display.
  • the orientation and origin of the beam may be computed by knowledge of the position and orientation of the playing piece.
  • the beam may even cast virtual shadows for other playing pieces placed on the surface of the display, or even illuminate and cast shadows for virtual objects that are displayed on the display.
  • Coupling elements 14 may be loose fitting bumps or pockets on the baseplate so as to constrain the bricks in the plane of the display but allow them to be easily removed when lifted up from the plane of the display. As suggested in Fig. 60 , in some examples display region 208 can be made without any coupling elements 14, particularly when the playing piece 10 is not a toy brick 10 or other playing piece having structure which allows it to be secured to upper surface 214 by coupling elements 14.
  • Fig. 61 is a schematic representation of a baseplate 202 including column scan lines 240 extending in one direction and row scan lines 242 extending in a transverse direction, the scan lines bounding the coupling elements 14.
  • Electrical coils 244 are connected to the row and column scan lines 240, 242 at their intersections for communication with toy bricks 10, typically positioned directly above the coils.
  • Column and row scan lines 240, 242 and coils 244 can communicate with or provide inductively coupled power to the bricks, or both, placed directly above them by RF, electrical field or magnetic field.
  • the number of connections required to communicate with the coils can be reduced by means of the XY scanned grid of column and row scan lines 240, 242.
  • Such a baseplate 202 would preferably have some electronics such as a microcontroller or keyboard scanner circuit to scan the XY lines and communicate with a computing device via protocols such as but not limited to USB, Lightning Port or Bluetooth.
  • Fig. 62 show structure similar to that of Fig. 61 but having a light emitting device 246, such as an LED, at each intersecting column and row scan lines 240, 242 and adjacent to coupling elements 14.
  • LEDS 246 can send messages or provide power in the form of light, or both, to appropriately configured toy bricks 10 placed directly above them by blinking visibly or invisibly.
  • the toy bricks can then communicate back to baseplate assembly 200 through one or more receptors 236 using, for example, RF, visible or invisible light, or sound as shown in Figs. 64-67 .
  • first signal 235 is received by an appropriate sensing element 30, such as microphone 40, light detector 42, RF transceiver 44 or camera 48, of toy brick 10.
  • a signal 238 is then provided to computing control element 32 which communicates with actuator 34 through lines 39 to create second signal 238 for receipt by one or more receptors 236 of computer 204.
  • Types of actuators 34 are given by way of example but not limited to in Figs. 65-67 . Where an electrical message 294 from the computing and control element 32 is received by amplifier 58 which sends the signal to either a sound emitter 82, or a light emitter 80 or an RF or NFC Transceiver 44 in order to communicate the second signal to the Baseplate.
  • the actuators as shown in but not limited to Figs. 65-67 may also be used by the baseplate.
  • a higher density of LEDs, or other light emitters 246, per releasable coupling element 14 in structure such as shown in Fig. 62 can be the basis of a toy brick baseplate 202 which is capable of graphical display, but with less detail than would be possible with a conventional LCD.
  • a baseplate would preferably have some electronics to scan the XY lines and communicate with a computing device via protocols such as but not limited to USB, Lightning Port or Bluetooth.
  • Fig. 63 and Fig. 68 show a baseplate assembly 200 including triangulating transmitters/receptors 250 at the four corners of baseplate 202 to permit the position of the toy brick 10 on the baseplate to be determined.
  • Baseplate assembly 200 can use 3 or more RF / NFC / sound /light transmitters/receptors 250 at different positions on baseplate assembly 200.
  • Each of these transmitters/receptors 250 can emit a specific signal, preferably simultaneously, and each toy brick 10 would measure the time delay between the pulses received from each of the devices 250.
  • Each toy brick 10 can then compute its position by trigonometric methods and transmit the type of brick and its position back to baseplate assembly 200 through transmitters/receptors 250 by means of, for example, RF, light or sound transmissions.
  • transmitters/receptors 250 by means of, for example, RF, light or sound transmissions.
  • the reverse is also possible and equivalent, where the toy brick 10 emits a signal and the time difference of the signals being received by the transmitters/receptors 250 on the baseplate assembly 200 indicates the position of the toy brick.
  • Examples of baseplate assembly 200 have the ability to ascertain the position, orientation and characteristics of a toy brick 10 placed upon it, by passive means such as a camera and optical recognition, or by active means such but not limited to RFID or radio frequency triangulation.
  • the toy bricks 10 placed upon baseplate 202 may in addition have sensors on them to transmit their orientation and motion.
  • a toy brick figure when manipulated in a waddling or walking manner may cause the scenery displayed on the baseplate to advance as if the toy brick figure were walking through the environment.
  • the manipulation of smaller toy bricks 10 across upper surface 214 of baseplate 202 may also cause avatars in 2D or 3D to appear on display screen 206 and interact with other features of the displayed image.
  • the virtual characteristics of a toy brick or toy brick figure may be stored in nonvolatile memory on the baseplate assembly 200 or even nonvolatile memory on the toy brick 10 being manipulated. Further, the virtual characteristics of the toy brick being manipulated may change due to interaction with the environment on upper surface 214 of baseplate 202.
  • the changed characteristics may be retained in the physical toy brick 10, or elsewhere, such as at a remote location on the internet, such that the toy brick when taken to a different baseplate assembly 200, the current baseplate assembly 200 may recall the exact environment on the display screen 206 of the prior baseplate assembly 200 and also the characteristics of the avatar from the previous interactive experience with the prior baseplate assembly.
  • the interaction between the baseplate assembly 200 and the toy brick 10 placed upon it may be two-way.
  • a toy brick 10 that is equipped with a similar but smaller display device may receive images to be displayed on its surface, dependent on its position on the baseplate.
  • a figural toy brick 10 may change its displayed image to a beach garment when moved onto a beach scene on the baseplate 202.
  • a toy brick could make a splashing noise when placed on a part of a display region 208 which has a water feature; the display screen 206 may in addition show the resulting water splash.
  • a baseplate assembly 200 with triangulation capability may also be used as a virtual building environment.
  • a toy brick 10 that is moved over upper surface 214 can cause an avatar of the same toy brick 10 to appear on display screen 206, and then by a clicking/cementing motion/gesture, the avatar associated with that toy brick may be cemented to a virtual structure, and the procedure repeated.
  • the avatar need not be of the same shape as the physical toy brick, and selection of the shape of the avatar may be by menu structure displayed on display screen 206 or even by some physical manipulation of the toy brick or other triangulatable object.
  • the display screen 206 may show schematic instructions for example for the building a toy brick structure or even an electrical circuit with circuit elements made of releasable couplings such as in Snap-Circuits ® sold by Elenco Electronics, Inc. of Wheeling Illinois.
  • the exact life size image of the building block or circuit element may be displayed on the display screen 206 under the releasable coupling elements 14 where it is to be snapped in, so that a child may create the assembly with ease.
  • an image generating device 204 may have all the features that by way of example an iPad, or similar computing device, can have. By way of example, one or more the following may be possible: reaction of the image to touch, rechargeable power supply, programmable response to motion or time course of motion, or orientation, integral camera, Bluetooth connection, WiFi connection, NFC reader, ability to play movies, ability to display a touch sensitive interactive game, ability to send and receive audible signals or optically encoded transmission and the like.
  • baseplate assembly 200 may form a board game such a Monopoly board game.
  • the Monopoly figures, houses, and hotels, may all be toy brick pieces, and their motion and position may be automatically sensed as discussed above.
  • a game of Scrabble ® may be played with toy bricks with letters on them being placed on upper surface 214 displaying a Scrabble game board, the score even may be automatically computed and displayed by automatic identification of the position and type of toy bricks 10, acting as letter tiles, placed on baseplate 202.
  • players of a game may interact with a baseplate assembly 200 by means of smaller computing devices such as smart phones.
  • Each player may affect the main displayed image on display screen 206 by means of software on the baseplate assembly 200 and which communicates with software on smaller computing devices.
  • the smaller computing devices may in addition have clear baseplates attached, and placement of toy bricks on the baseplate on the smaller devices may affect a displayed image or game in the larger baseplate assembly 200, or even on a display screen 206 with no baseplate 202.
  • Several smaller devices may simultaneously or sequentially communicate with, and affect the environment of the larger baseplate assembly 200.
  • the environment may be fully interactive, such that by way of example, Monopoly money may be taken from one player and given to another player, and the amounts displayed on the main baseplate assembly 200, or even transferred between the smaller computing devices, depending by way of example on movement of toy brick figures on the main baseplate assembly 200.
  • a toy brick Christmas tree with twinkling lights or an Ice Castle complete with twinkling lights on the turrets can be made.
  • a toy brick shaped as a Christmas tree with light guides may be recognized by the baseplate assembly 200 and automatically illuminated by the display with a twinkling light pattern.
  • this embodiment differs from other embodiments in which toy brick 10 is clear or transparent because the image is not visible through the brick instead appears on the surface of the brick.
  • a combination of straight, parallel optical fibers 274 and curved optical fibers 274 are used to direct the image to more than one surface of the toy brick.
  • the optical fibers 274 could all be of one type.
  • FIG. 55 and 70 An example of an image generating and playing-piece-interacting assembly 296 is shown in Figs. 55 and 70 .
  • image 222 includes visual image 223 and optically encoded message image 235, sometimes referred to as first signal 235, to permit information to be transmitted to toy bricks 10 or other play pieces 10.
  • Assembly 296 is shown in Fig. 70 as a simplified schematic representation of components and devices constituting assembly 296 and suggesting their interaction. It should be noted that in some examples associated with Fig. 70 , a baseplate 202 is not used but rather receptor 236 is operably coupled to an image generating device 204, typically a tablet computer. In such examples toy bricks 10, or other playing pieces 10, can be positioned directly on display screen 206 of image generating device 204.
  • a baseplate 202 can be used with receptor 236 typically mounted to baseplate 202.
  • receptor 236 is operably coupled to the image generating device 204, typically through a wired connection.
  • the optically encoded message image 235 is a one way signal from the display screen 206 of image generating device 204, and sometimes through display region 208, to the optical display message sensor 237 of playing piece 10.
  • Optical display message sensor 237 generates a first signal 241 based at least in part on the optically encoded message image 235 and is a distinct component from any other sensor on the playing piece 10.
  • the second signal 238 is a one-way, or a two-way, transaction between the messaging transponder 248 of the playing piece 10 and the receptor 236.
  • This messaging transponder 248 on the playing piece 10 is distinct from any other actuator on the playing piece.
  • the messaging transponder 248 can be by way of example but not limited to, NFC, WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, or infrared signal.
  • Sensors 30 may include components such as but not limited to temperature sensors, touch sensors, force sensors. In some examples toy piece 10 does not include any sensors 30.
  • Actuators 34 are distinct from the messaging transponder 248 on the playing piece 10 which creates and transmits the second signal 238. Actuators 34 may be, but are not limited to, light emitters or sound emitters or another transponder on the playing piece 10. As with sensory 30, in some examples toy piece 10 does not include any actuators 34.
  • Receptor 236 communicates with the messaging transponder 248 on the playing piece 10.
  • the receptor 236 may be a one way or two way transponder.
  • the following are examples of methods of triangulation of toy pieces 10 using optically encoded message images 235 thereby determining the physical location of a playing piece 10, typically relative to the display screen 206.
  • the same optically encoded image message 235 being scanned across the display screen 206 is scanned sequentially across patches of pixels.
  • the message is essentially "turn on messaging transponder 248".
  • the receipt of the first optically encoded message image by the optical display message sensor 237 turns on the messaging transponder 248, described as a transmitter/transceiver in Fig. 55 , on the playing piece 10 above the currently stimulated patch of pixels, for a certain period of time.
  • This starts a one or two way, second message interaction with the image generating device 204 through the receptor 236, described as a receiver/transceiver in Fig. 55 .
  • Receptor 236 may be by way of example an RF transponder.
  • the position of the playing piece 10 is revealed to the image generating device 204 because the position of the optically encoded message image 235 is known at the time when the second message is received.
  • a different first optically encoded message image 235 is sent at different physical locations of the display screen 206. These different message images 235 can be sent simultaneously at all locations or scanned one patch of pixels at a time. The differences between the message images can be, by way of example but not limited to, determined by encoding the X,Y coordinates of the location which is being stimulated.
  • the playing piece 10 receives this message via the optical display message sensor 237 and can, when communicating with the receptor 236 at a subsequent time, by way of the messaging transponder 248, not necessarily coincident with the time of receipt of the first optically encoded message image 235, send the contents of first optically encoded message image 235 received in addition to data about the playing piece 10 itself.
  • the image generating device 204 then knows the position of the playing piece 10 and the type of playing piece 10.
  • optically encoded message image 235 can contain data for actuators 34 on the playing piece 10.
  • the data for an actuator 34 can be to turn the playing piece 10 to a blue color.
  • This optically encoded message image 235 may be sent coincident with a visual image 223 showing water, such that any playing piece 10 placed on the visual image of water will turn blue. It should be noted that this does not require generation of a second signal 238 to receptor 236, nor does it require triangulation of the position of the playing piece 10.
  • second signal 238 sent by the messaging transponder 248 on the playing piece 10 to the receptor 236 may contain additional data from sensors 30 on the playing piece 10 in addition to other data.
  • the temperature of the playing piece 10 may be sent to receptor 236, or the push of a button on the playing piece 10 can send a "shoot" signal to the receptor.
  • the message interaction involving second signal 238 between the messaging transponder 248 on the playing piece 10 and the receptor 236, may be a two way communication, which can send data for actuators 34 on the playing piece 10. For example speech can be sent to a speaker type of actuator on the playing piece 10 by way of the second message interaction.
  • Two or more playing pieces 10 on the display screen 206, or on the display region 208 of a baseplate 202 when used, may interact with each other through the display screen based first signal 235 and subsequent second signal 238 to the receptor 236. Examples include but are not limited to the following. Two playing pieces 10 may be placed and oriented to face each other and a shoot button type of sensor 30 on each toy piece pushed, the progress of the bullet or other projectile is shown on the display screen 206, either directly on the display screen or as viewed on the display region 208 when a baseplate 202 is used. This could be followed by the playing piece 10 turning red if hit.
  • Two or more playing pieces 10 on the display screen 206, or baseplate 202 when used, may interact with each other directly without using the display transponder 248 through piece-to-piece signal 254.
  • the playing pieces 10 may compute their positions with the information in the first display message image 235. Then the playing pieces 10 may communicate directly with other playing pieces 10 using the messaging transponder 248 or another separate transponder; receptor 236 is not involved in the transaction.
  • images may be transmitted to display region 208 using a fiber optic array extending between image generating device 204 and the display region of the baseplate 202 as shown in Figs. 39 and 40 .
  • a fiber optic array may or may not extend from a display screen 206 on image generating device 204.

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Claims (19)

  1. Bilderzeugungs- und Spielzeugteil-Interaktionsanordnung, die Folgendes umfasst:
    eine Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung (204), die einen Anzeigebildschirm (206) aufweist, auf dem erzeugte Bilder (222) angezeigt werden können;
    wobei die erzeugten Bilder integrierte visuelle (223) und optisch kodierte Mitteilungs- (235) Bilder umfassen;
    eine berührungsempfindliche Membran (224), die mit der Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung operativ gekoppelt ist, um einem Benutzer eine Berührungseingabe zu ermöglichen;
    einen Empfänger (236), der mit der Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung operativ gekoppelt ist;
    ein erstes Spielzeugteil (10) an einer ersten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm, wobei das erste Spielzeugteil Folgendes umfasst:
    einen optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor (237), der so ausgeführt ist, dass er das integrierte visuelle und optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild empfängt und ein erstes Signal (241) zumindest teilweise auf der Basis des optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds erzeugt;
    einen Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder (248), der mit dem optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor für den Empfang mindestens des ersten Signals aus dem optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor gekoppelt ist; und
    wobei der Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder zum Erzeugen eines zweiten Signals (238) zumindest teilweise auf der Basis des ersten Signals und zum Senden desselben zu dem Empfänger mit dem Empfänger gekoppelt ist.
  2. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, die ferner eine Bodenplatte (202) umfasst, welche auf den Anzeigebildschirm (206) montierbar ist, wobei die Bodenplatte eine Anzeigeregion (208) umfasst, wobei die Anzeigeregion Koppelelemente (14) umfasst, mit denen Spielzeugteile lösbar an der Anzeigeregion montiert werden können.
  3. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild Informationen enthält, die als an ein spezifisches Spielzeugteil adressiert kodiert sind.
  4. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, wobei das zweite Signal (238) eines oder mehrere der Folgenden umfasst: (1) eine grafische Darstellung für das erste Spielzeugteil (10), (2) weitere Informationen für das erste Spielzeugteil und (3) eine Adresse in mindestens einer einer lokalen Datenbank, einer entfernten Datenbank, einer Lookup-Tabelle, die Informationen für dieses Spielzeugteil enthält.
  5. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, wobei sich das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild gemäß der physischen Position des optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds auf dem Anzeigebildschirm (206) verändert.
  6. Anordnung nach Anspruch 5, wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild Informationen bezüglich mindestens eines von (1) Koordinaten für die physische Position und (2) Informationen bezüglich des visuellen Bildabschnitts des erzeugten Bilds an der physischen Position, (3) Spieldaten für das Spielzeugteil, (4) Daten für einen Aktuator auf dem Spielzeugteil enthält.
  7. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-6, wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild an einer Vielzahl von physischen Positionen auf dem Anzeigebildschirm (206) erzeugt wird und wobei sich ein zweites Spielzeugteil an einer zweiten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm befindet.
  8. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, die ferner Folgendes umfasst:
    eine zweite Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung;
    ein zweites Spielzeugteil an einer zweiten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm der zweiten Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung;
    wobei die erste und die zweite Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung operativ miteinander gekoppelt sind; und
    wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild (235) zu dem zweiten Spielzeugteil zumindest teilweise auf dem zweiten Signal (238) aus dem ersten Spielzeugteil (10) basiert.
  9. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, die ferner ein zweites Spielzeugteil an einer zweiten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm (206) umfasst, wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild (235) zu dem zweiten Spielzeugteil zumindest teilweise auf dem zweiten Signal (238) aus dem ersten Spielzeugteil (10) basiert.
  10. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-9, wobei das erste Spielzeugteil (10) einen zweiten optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor umfasst, der mit dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder operativ gekoppelt ist.
  11. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10, wobei das erste Spielzeugteil (10) einen Sensor (30) umfasst, der mit dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder (248) gekoppelt ist, um Sensordaten zu dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder zu liefern, so dass das zweite Signal (238) zumindest teilweise auf der Basis der Sensordaten erzeugt werden kann.
  12. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-11, wobei:
    das erste Spielzeugteil (10) mindestens eines umfasst von (1) einem Aktuator (34), der zum Empfangen einer Nachricht aus dem optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor (237) operativ gekoppelt ist, und (2) einem Aktuator (34), der zum Empfangen einer Nachricht aus dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder (248) operativ gekoppelt ist;
    wobei die Mitteilung Daten für eine Betätigung des Aktuators umfasst.
  13. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-12, wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild (235), das an der ersten Stelle angezeigt wird, mit der Zeit veränderbar ist.
  14. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-13, die ferner eine energieübertragende Nahfeldkommunikations(NFC)-Antenne (286) umfasst und wobei das Spielzeugteil eine energieempfangende Antenne umfasst, wodurch die NFC-Antenne eine Leistung zu dem ersten Spielzeugteil liefern kann.
  15. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, wobei
    das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild (235) für einen Benutzer visuell nicht wahrnehmbar ist und an einer Vielzahl von physischen Positionen auf dem Anzeigebildschirm (206) erzeugt wird, wobei die Anordnung ferner Folgendes umfasst:
    ein zweites Spielzeugteil an einer zweiten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm, wobei jedes des ersten und des zweiten Spielzeugteils Folgendes umfasst:
    einen optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor (237), der so ausgeführt ist, dass er das integrierte visuelle und optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild empfängt und ein erstes Signal (241) zumindest teilweise auf der Basis des optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds erzeugt;
    einen Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder (248), der zum Empfang zumindest des ersten Signals aus dem optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor mit dem optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor gekoppelt ist; und
    wobei der Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder zum Erzeugen eines zweiten Signals (238) zumindest teilweise auf der Basis des ersten Signals und zum Senden desselben zu dem Empfänger mit dem Empfänger gekoppelt ist;
    wobei das zweite Signal, das von dem ersten Spielzeugteil erzeugt wird, automatisch ohne weitere Benutzerinteraktion im Anschluss an den Empfang des optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds durch den optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor des ersten Spielzeugteils erzeugt wird;
    wobei mindestens eines des ersten und des zweiten Spielzeugteils einen Sensor (30) umfasst, der mit dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder gekoppelt ist, um Sensordaten zu dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder zu liefern, so dass das zweite Signal zumindest teilweise auf der Basis der Sensordaten erzeugt werden kann;
    wobei mindestens eines des ersten und des zweiten Spielzeugteils mindestens eines umfasst von (1) einem Aktuator (34), der zum Empfangen einer Nachricht aus seinem optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor operativ gekoppelt ist, und (2) einem Aktuator (34), der zum Empfangen einer Nachricht aus seinem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder operativ gekoppelt ist.
  16. Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Bildern und Interagieren mit Spielzeugteilen, das Folgendes umfasst:
    Anzeigen von Bildern (222), die integrierte visuelle (223) und optisch kodierte Mitteilungs- (235) Bilder auf einem Anzeigebildschirm (206) einer Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung (204) umfassen;
    Bereitstellen einer berührungsempfindlichen Membran (224), die mit der Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung operativ gekoppelt ist, um einem Benutzer eine Berührungseingabe zu ermöglichen;
    Anordnen eines ersten Spielzeugteils (10) an einer ersten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm, wobei das erste Spielzeugteil einen optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor (237) und einen Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder (248) umfasst;
    Empfangen des integrierten visuellen und optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds durch den optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor;
    Erzeugen eines ersten Signals (241) durch den optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor zumindest teilweise auf der Basis des optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds;
    Übertragen des ersten Signals zu dem Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder;
    Erzeugen eines zweiten Signals (238) durch den Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder, wobei das zweite Signal zumindest teilweise auf dem ersten Signal basiert; und
    Senden des zweiten Signals zu einem Empfänger (236), der mit der Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung operativ gekoppelt ist.
  17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, wobei der Bildanzeigeschritt das Anzeigen von optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbildern umfasst, die sich gemäß der physischen Position der optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilder auf dem Anzeigebildschirm verändern.
  18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16 oder 17, das ferner Folgendes umfasst:
    Anzeigen von zweiten Bildern, die zweite integrierte visuelle und optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbilder auf einem zweiten Anzeigebildschirm einer zweiten Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung umfassen, wobei das zweite Spielzeugteil einen zweiten optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor (237) und einen zweiten Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder (248) umfasst;
    Anordnen eines zweiten Spielzeugteils an einer zweiten Stelle relativ zu dem zweiten Anzeigebildschirm;
    Empfangen des zweiten integrierten visuellen und optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds durch den zweiten optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor, wobei das optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild zu dem zweiten Spielzeugteil zumindest teilweise auf dem zweiten Signal aus dem ersten Spielzeugteil basiert;
    Erzeugen eines ersten Signals (241) durch den zweiten optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor zumindest teilweise auf der Basis des zweiten optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds;
    Übertragen des ersten Signals aus dem zweiten optischen Anzeigemitteilungssensor zu dem zweiten Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder;
    Erzeugen eines zweiten Signals (238) durch den zweiten Mitteilungsübermittlungstransponder, wobei das zweite Signal zumindest teilweise auf dem ersten Signal basiert; und
    Senden des zweiten Signals aus dem zweiten Mitteilungstransponder zu einem zweiten Empfänger, der mit der zweiten Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung operativ gekoppelt ist.
  19. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 16-18, das ferner das Anordnen eines zweiten Spielzeugteils an einer zweiten Stelle relativ zu dem Anzeigebildschirm (206) für den Empfang eines zweiten optisch kodierten Mitteilungsbilds umfasst, wobei das zweite optisch kodierte Mitteilungsbild zumindest teilweise auf dem zweiten Signal aus dem ersten Spielzeugteil basiert.
EP13748639.5A 2012-02-17 2013-02-06 Bodenplattenanordnung zur verwendung mit spielzeugteilen Not-in-force EP2744580B1 (de)

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US201261633824P 2012-02-17 2012-02-17
US13/681,143 US20130217294A1 (en) 2012-02-17 2012-11-19 Toy brick with sensing, actuation and control
PCT/US2013/024969 WO2013122798A1 (en) 2012-02-17 2013-02-06 Baseplate assembly for use with toy pieces

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