JP6793137B2 - A device that associates content with blocks - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device that associates content with a block.

A toy is known in which blocks associated with content data, which is a part of content representing an operation such as a computer program, are arranged, and the content is executed or displayed according to the connection order. Such toys are known as educational toys, educational toys, and the like. In conventional such toys, the user cannot change the content associated with the block.

A toy that provides a more flexible way of playing by allocating content data to each block is desired.

The block toy according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a block control device and one or more toy blocks connected to the block control device, and the block control device includes content data associated with the block. At least a part of the correspondence between the block and the block can be replaced.

In the block toy according to the embodiment of the present invention, the toy block is associated with each of the content data obtained by dividing the predetermined content.

In the block toy according to the embodiment of the present invention, the toy blocks are connected to each other by connecting beads.

In the block toy according to the embodiment of the present invention, the toy block has an identifier.

In the block toy according to the embodiment of the present invention, the block control device collects the identifier from the block, specifies the connection order of the blocks, and the block control device further, according to the connection order, said. Controls the execution or playback of content data associated with a block.

In the block toy according to the embodiment of the present invention, the block control device identifies the indent information of the block based on the signal information.

The block control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to one or more toy blocks, and can replace at least a part of the correspondence between the content data associated with the block and the block.

The block control device according to the embodiment of the present invention can communicate with the toy block.

An example of the block according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. Indicates a system with blocks. An overview of the inside of the start block is given. The content table, the identifier correspondence information table, and the block connection information table are shown. An overview of the inside of the execution block is given. A modified example of the content identifier table is shown. A modified example of the identifier correspondence information table is shown. (A): An outline of the inside of the start block is shown. (B): Shows the second surface of the start block. (A): Indicates the first surface of the execution block. (B): An outline of the inside of the execution block is shown. (C): Shows the second surface of the execution block. (A): Shows the first surface of the control block. (B): An outline of the inside of the control block is shown. (C): Shows the second surface of the control block. Indicates a state in which one start block and three execution blocks are connected. It shows a state in which the fourth execution block is shifted to the right with respect to the third execution block. An example using a control block consisting of a function definition block and a function call (function call) block is shown. An example of using a conditional branch block as a control block is shown. An example in which a repeating (loop) block is used as the control block is shown. An overview of the inside of the configuration block is given. An example of connecting the start block and the function definition block is shown. An example in which a repeating (loop) block and a conditional branch (branch) block are used as control blocks is shown.

In the following description, similar reference numbers in the figures shall indicate similar elements.

Overview Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a block according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block has a start block 102 and execution blocks 105, 110 and 115. Execution blocks 105, 110 and 115 have, for example, an instruction representing the contents of a program or information identifying an instruction. Execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 include storage media that store at least information about the content associated with each block. The information about the content can be information about the content itself, an identifier for identifying the content, or the like. The storage medium of each block may store information such as the position of the block when the blocks are connected and the connection order. The start block 102 has a storage medium, and stores information indicating the relationship between each block and each content, information such as the block positions when the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 are connected, and the connection order. You may be doing it. The storage medium may be non-volatile, volatile or both.

Blocks 102, 105, 110 and 115 can be, for example, in the shape of a cube. The shape of the cube is an example, and the shape of the block may be a geometric shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a sphere, a triangular prism, or a rod. Further, the shape of the block may be a shape that imitates a stuffed animal such as an animal that is not a geometric shape, or a shape such as a car or a robot. In other words, a block can also be defined as an object. The start block 102 and the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115 can be connected to each other via a wire. Wired is realized by a wired connection means such as serial connection, parallel connection, and USB. In addition, the connection may be realized wirelessly. In other words, each execution block only needs to be able to communicate with the start block 102.

In FIG. 1, each of the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 has an instruction (content) representing the content of the program or information for identifying the instruction. The instructions in the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 are "↑" (go up (forward)), "→" (turn right), and "↑" (go up (forward)), respectively. Execution blocks 105, 110 and 115 are physically connected in a string in this order. As a result, the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115 can be electrically connected to each other and communicate with each other, or can communicate with at least the start block 102 via another execution block. In the present embodiment, in the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115, the marks “↑”, “→” and “↑” that can be recognized from outside the block are associated with the instructions of the respective blocks. Cognition also includes visual recognition. In other embodiments, cognition may include at least one such as tactile cognition, auditory cognition, olfactory cognition and taste cognition. Furthermore, in other embodiments, it does not have to be recognized. As a result, by not recognizing the instruction of the block, it becomes difficult to arrange the blocks correctly and the game can be improved.

The start block 102 is physically connected to the block 105, which is one of the execution blocks. As a result, the start block 102 can be electrically connected to the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115. Therefore, the start block 102, the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 can communicate with each other, or the start block 102 can communicate with each block. Thereby, the start block 102 specifies that the execution block 105 is connected first, the execution block 110 is connected second, and the execution block 115 is connected third, that is, the connection order of the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 is specified. be able to.

FIG. 2 shows a system with blocks. It includes a plurality of blocks 102, 105, 110, 115, and a computer device 150.

The start block 102 can specify the execution order of the instructions (contents) of the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 based on the connection order of the specified execution blocks. The start block 102 or other block can transmit the execution sequence and content to the computer device 150 via a wired line and / or a wireless line 125.

The computer device 150 has a display device 152 and executes processing based on the received execution order and contents. In this embodiment, for example, the display device 152 displays the map 153 and the character 154 having squares. The computer device 150 moves the character 154 of the display device 152 based on the instruction. For example, the character 154 moves from the start cell 155 to 160 based on the instruction "↑" of the execution block 105, moves from the cell 160 to 165 based on the instruction "→" of the execution block 110, and further. Based on the instruction "↑" of the execution block 115, the cell moves from the mass 165 to 170. Depending on the order of the blocks, even children and those who create programs for the first time can enjoy the same experience as creating and executing computer programming.

In this embodiment, the content is a computer program indicating the operation of an object or the like, and the operation is executed by the computer device 150, but the operation may be performed in the start block 102. Similarly, in another embodiment, when the content is audio, music, or video, the content may be executed or played on the computer device 150 or the start block 102.

Example 1
(Example using only the execution block)
FIG. 3 shows an outline of the inside of the start block. The start block 102 includes a processor 305, a ROM 310, a RAM 315, and a connector 320. Further, the start block 102 may be provided with a power supply, or may be provided with a power supply connector to which power is supplied from the outside (the configuration relating to the power supply is not shown). The connector 320 can be connected to the upper connector 510 of the execution block described later. The processor 305 can execute an instruction based on a computer program stored in the ROM 310 to control the start block 102 itself, and can also control the connected execution block. For example, the processor 305 can specify the connection order of the connected execution blocks by controlling the execution blocks.

The RAM 315 can be a non-volatile storage medium. The RAM 315 has a content table 410, an identifier correspondence information table 420, and a block connection information table 430 shown in FIG. The content table 410 has a content identifier and content data. The content identifier is unique for each content data. When the content is a computer program, the content data is data of instructions related to actions and steps corresponding to the computer program, and when the content is music, it is music data obtained by appropriately dividing one song, and the content is a moving image. In the case of, one moving image can be appropriately divided into moving image data. In other embodiments, the content may be other than computer programs, music and video, and may be other content. Content data can be at least part of the content.

The identifier correspondence information table 420 has at least a block identifier and a content identifier. The block identifier is an identifier uniquely assigned to each block. For example, the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 store "0101", "0102", and "0103" shown in the block identifiers of the identifier correspondence information table 420, respectively. In addition, the block identifier is associated with the associated content identifier. For example, the content identifiers "001", "002", and "003" are associated with the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115. As a result, the content data "AAA", "BBB", and "CCC" are associated with the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the content is related to a computer program, the content data "AAA", "BBB" and "CCC" are "↑" (advance to the top (previous)) and "→" (to the right), respectively. It becomes a command of (turn) and "↑" (go up (forward)).

The block connection information table 430 is used to specify the connection order of the connected execution blocks. When the start block 102 is connected to the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115, the processor 305 acquires the block identifier of each execution block from the ROM 520 or RAM 530 of the execution block by the method described later, and specifies the order of connection. .. Processor 305 creates or updates the block identifier and connection order in the block connection information table. The block connection information table 430 of FIG. 4 shows that the execution block 105 (block identifier: 0101), the execution block 110 (block identifier: 0102), and the execution block 115 (block identifier: 0103) are connected in this order. .. Specifically, in the block connection information table 430, the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 correspond to the block identifiers "0101", "0102", and "0103", respectively, and the blocks closest to the start block 102 are displayed. It is shown that the position information is connected to the "1st", "2nd", and "3" th positions.

Therefore, the start block 102 can specify the order of execution and reproduction of the content data by using the tables 410, 420, and 430 based on the position information of the execution block.

FIG. 5 shows an overview of the inside of the execution block. The execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 each include an upper connector 510, a processor 515, a ROM 520, a RAM 530, and a lower connector 535. The upper connector 510 of the execution block can be connected to the connector 320 of the start block and the lower connector 535 of another execution block. For example, the upper connector 510 of the execution block 105 is connected to the connector 320 of the start block 102, and the lower connector 535 of the execution block 105 is connected to the upper connector 510 of the other execution block 110. The ROM 520 or RAM 530 of the execution block stores at least the block identifier of the execution block. In this case, the RAM 530 can be a non-volatile storage medium. As a result, the block identifier of the RAM 530 can be rewritten.

When the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115 are connected to the start block 102, the start block 102 transmits an instruction for specifying the connection order of the execution blocks 105, 110 and 115 to each execution block. For example, when the execution block 105 receives an instruction for specifying the connection order, it transmits its own block identifier "0101" to the lower block execution block 110. When the execution block 110 receives the block identifier information "0101", it adds its own block identifier "0102" and transmits the block identifier information "0101: 0102" to the lower block execution block 115. .. When the execution block 115 detects that there is no other execution block connected to the lower connector 535, it can determine that there is no connection below the execution block 115. When the execution block 115 receives the block identifier information "0101: 0102", the execution block 115 adds its own block identifier "0103" according to the fact that there is no connection below the execution block 115, and the block identifier information "0101: 0102" is added. 0101: 0102: 0103 ”is transmitted to the start block 102 via the execution blocks 105 and 110. As a result, in the start block 102, the block identifier "0101" is the first and the block identifier "0102" is the second in the connection order based on the received block identifier information "0101: 0102: 0103". , And it can be specified that the block identifier "0103" is the third.

In the above example, it is an example that the content is a computer program, and other information can be the content. The content can be, for example, music, moving images, or the like.

When the content is music, a moving image, or the like, the content can be classified as one unit such as one song, one TV program, one movie, or one moving image work. In such an example, the content identifier table may add one unit as a table item. For example, FIG. 6 shows a modified example of the content identifier table. In FIG. 6, the content group "A" is three data "AAA", "BBB", and "CCC" corresponding to the content identifiers "001", "002", and "003", and is one song or one moving image. It becomes. The data "AAA", "BBB" and "CCC" corresponding to the content identifiers "001", "002" and "003" correspond to one section (one phrase) of the song and one chapter in the video, respectively. .. The content groups "B" and "C" indicate that the works are different from the songs or videos of the content group "A". In another embodiment, the content data may be data based on a unit constituting the content, such as a musical note or a sound related to a musical note, a still image, or the like.

When the content data "AAA", "BBB" and "CCC" are played back in this order, the content group "A" is played back as a song or a moving image in the correct order. In this case, the execution blocks are connected in the order of execution block 105, execution block 110, and execution block 115. If the execution blocks are connected in the order of the execution block 110, the execution block 105, and the execution block 115, the content data "BBB", "AAA", and "CCC" are reproduced in this order. In this case, the songs or videos are played in the wrong order. In other embodiments, the user may be notified that the connection order is incorrect. Therefore, the toy user can play by connecting blocks so that the content data plays songs or videos in the correct order. On the other hand, when the blocks of the content group "A" are played a plurality of times, it becomes clear which block is associated with which content data. Then, the user gets tired of playing with blocks. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the content data assigned to the block by changing the correspondence relationship of the identifier correspondence information table when playing with the block, playing a predetermined number of times, or receiving a user's instruction. To change. By making it possible to change the content data assigned to the block, it is possible to arouse the user's interest and not get bored. In FIG. 4, the block identifiers “0101”, “0102” and “0103” correspond to the content identifiers “001”, “002” and “003”, respectively. For example, the association between the block identifier and the content identifier may be dynamically changed when the power is turned on to the start block 102, such as when playing with a block next time. For example, the block identifiers "0101", "0102" and "0103" correspond to the content identifiers "001", "003" and "002", respectively. As a result, the user can enjoy the block toy for a long time without getting bored by changing the content data associated with the execution block. Further, data of another content group "B" or "C" may be associated with each execution block.

Further, the content may be a computer program. By dynamically changing the correspondence between the block identifier and the content identifier related to the computer program, it is possible to further enhance the gameplay and arouse the user's interest in the creation of the computer program.

Example 2
(Example using a control block)
By using the control block in addition to the execution block, the user can acquire an idea close to the concept of computer program creation. Examples of control blocks include repetition (loop), conditional branching (branch), function definition, and function call (function call) functions. In this embodiment, it is necessary to be able to at least identify whether each block is an execution block or a control block. In one embodiment, the control block, like the execution block, has at least a connector, a processor, RAM and ROM.

FIG. 7 shows a modified example of the identifier correspondence information table. The identifier correspondence information table 710 has a block type in addition to the block identifier and the content identifier. The block type indicates whether the block is an execution block or a control block. For example, when the block is an execution block, the block type can be "7". When the block type is "0", "2" to "6", the block can be a control block. Each block can be, for example, as follows.
Block type "0": No operation Block type "1": Start block type "2": Function definition block type "3": Repeat (loop)
Block type "4": Conditional branch (branch)
Block type "5": Function call (function call)
Block type "6": Setting Block type "7": Execution

(Function definition)
For example, when a "function definition" block is used as the control block, the connections can be made in the following order. A "function definition" block is a block that defines the start of execution or reproduction of independent content data.
1. 1. Main block group (1-1) "Start" block (1-2) Second "execution" block (1-3) "Function call" block 2. Function definition block group (2-1) "Function definition" block (2-2) First "execution" block This placed (2-1) under the "function definition" block (2-2). The first "execution" block is defined as a function. The (1-3) "function call" block and the (2-1) "function definition" block are associated in advance. For example, the start block 102 may store the identifier of the function call (function call) block and the identifier of the function definition block in association with each other. A function definition block and a function call (function call) block consisting of a first function definition block, a first function call (function call) block, a second function definition block, and a second function call (function call) block. By preparing two sets, multiple function definition blocks can be defined. There may be three or more pairs. The association between the function call block and the function definition block may be changed.

The (1-1) "start" block and the (2-1) "function definition" block can be connected by wire or wirelessly. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the start block 102 and the function definition block may have the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 or 10, respectively, plus the connectors 1720 and 1730. The start block 102 has a function definition connector 1720, and the function definition block has a first function definition connector 1730 and a second function definition connector 1740. The start block 102 recognizes the block connected to the function definition connector 1720 as the function definition block. The function definition block can be connected to the first function definition connector 1730 of another function definition block via the second function definition connector 1740. This makes it possible to connect two or more function definition block groups.

(1-1) The "start" block executes or reproduces the contents of the (1-2) second "execution" block. Then, the "start" block executes the function defined in the function definition block group in the (6) "function call (function call)" block. The content of the function in the function definition block group is the execution or reproduction of the contents of the (2-2) first "execution" block defined above. In another embodiment, the “no action” block may be placed after the (1-3) “function call” block. As a result, the "start" block may be configured to recognize the return destination after executing the function.

(Repeat (loop))
For example, when "repetition (loop)" is used as the control block, the connections can be made in the following order.
(1) "Start" block (2) "Repeat (loop)" block (3) "Setting" block (4) First "Execution" block (5) "No operation" block Thereby, (2) "Repeat" The contents of the (4) first "execute" block placed between the "(loop)" block and the (3) "setting" block and the (5) "no action" block are used as arguments in the "setting" block. It is repeatedly executed or played for several minutes of the set value. In this embodiment, each "setting" block may have information such as a corresponding numerical value in advance. For example, the first "setting" block has a value "1", the second "setting" block has a value "2", and the third "setting" block has a value "3". You may have.

In another embodiment, the user may be able to input information such as a value to be set with respect to the "setting" block. For example, a button is provided in the "setting" block, and the user can input any one of 1, 2, 3, ... Using this button. In this embodiment, a "setting" column may be added to the block connection information table 430 shown in FIG. For example, when the start block 102 collects the information of each block, it also collects the information input in the "setting" block, and the column "setting data" corresponding to the block identifier of the "setting" in the block connection information table 430. Update with the collected information. In other embodiments, the buttons in the "settings" block are an example, and the "settings" block may have other forms of input devices in place of or in addition to the buttons. In other embodiments, the "setting" block may have a receiving device in place of or in addition to the input device to receive information to be set from another device.

In the above example, the configuration block is connected under the repeating (loop) block. In another embodiment, the side surface of the repeating (loop) block and the side surface of the setting block may be connected by a connector. Since the setting block only needs to be able to send the number of loops, the amount of information transmitted is relatively small. Therefore, the connector may be an optical transmitter / receiver. In this case, the repeating (loop) block has an optical receiver and the setting block has an optical transmitter. As a result, the setting block can optically transmit the information to be set to the repeating (loop) block. An example of an optical receiver is an infrared transmitter / receiver.

(Conditional branch)
For example, when a "conditional branch" block is used as the control block, the connections can be made in the following order.
(1) "Start" block (2) "Conditional branch (branch)" block (3) First "execution" block (4) "No operation" block Thereby, (2) "Conditional branch (branch)" block The content of the (3) first "execution" block arranged between (4) and the "no operation" block is executed or played when the condition of the "conditional branch" is satisfied. As an example of the condition of "conditional branch", the condition can be satisfied at a predetermined time (for example, if the condition is between 12:00 and 15:00, the first "conditional branch" is used. The content of the "execute" block is executed or played).

(Repeat (loop) and conditional branch (branch))
For example, when a "repetition (loop)" block and a "conditional branch" block are used as control blocks, the connections can be made in the following order.
(1) "Start" block (2) "Repeat (loop)" block (Repeat 3 times)
(3) 1st "execution" block (4) "conditional branch" block (5) 2nd "execution" block (6) 2nd "no operation" block (7) 1st "operation" None "None" block This places (2) a "repeated (loop)" block (repeated three times) and (7) a first "no action" block (3) a first "execution" block. The content of is executed or reproduced three times repeatedly. Further, (4) the "conditional branch" block is repeated three times to determine the condition. The contents of the (5) second "execution" block placed between the (4) "conditional branch" block and the (6) second "no action" block are "conditional branch (branch)". Is executed or regenerated when the condition of "" is satisfied. As an example of the condition of "conditional branch (branch)", when the number of loops is the first time, the process in the conditional branch (branch) is executed or regenerated. In this embodiment, after the content data of the first "execution" block and the second "execution" block is executed or reproduced, the content data of the first "execution" block is repeatedly executed or reproduced twice. To. In another embodiment, the numerical value "3" in the "repetition (loop)" block "three times repetition" and the numerical value "1" in the condition "the number of loops is the first" of the "conditional branch" are respectively. , May be set by a setting block.

Example 3
(Example of applying indentation to a block)
In the above-mentioned second embodiment, in order to specify the "execution" block to be controlled by the "function definition" block, the "repetition (loop)" block, and the "conditional branch" block, the "execution" to be controlled is specified. The "function definition" block, the "repetition (loop)" block, the "conditional branch" block, and the "no action" block were identified. In this embodiment, by applying an indent to the "execution" block to be controlled, it is possible to easily understand which block is to be controlled visually. In addition, the placement of blocks using indentation can help the user more easily learn a grammar that is close to that of an actual computer program. Furthermore, in computer programs, indentation is visually recommended by indenting the steps to be processed and the like. Also, in modern computer languages, indentation is required to define the steps to be processed. Therefore, learning how to use indentation can also be useful for learning actual computer programs. An example of indentation in a block can be realized by arranging two or more blocks arranged side by side without aligning the blocks with respect to the previous block, for example, by arranging the blocks by a certain length.

FIG. 8A shows an outline of the inside of the start block. As shown in FIG. 3, the start block 102 has a processor 305, a ROM 310, a RAM 315, and a connector 320. The position of the connector 320 in FIG. 8A is different from the position of the connector 320 in FIG. 3, and is not located at the center of the second surface of the start block 102 in the longitudinal direction but is closer to the left side.

FIG. 8B shows the start block 102 in FIG. 8A as viewed from the direction of arrow 805, and shows the second surface of the start block 102. On the second surface, the connector 320 is closer to the left side in the longitudinal direction and is centrally located in the lateral direction. The dotted line connecting FIGS. 8A and 8B indicates that the position of the connector 320 in FIG. 8A corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the second surface of the start block 102.

FIG. 9B shows an overview of the inside of the execution block. Execution blocks 105, 110, 115 have a processor 515, a ROM 520, a RAM 530, and a lower connector 535, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the execution blocks 105, 110, 115 have a first upper connector 905 and a second upper connector 910 instead of the upper connector 510 in FIG. The first upper connector 905 is closer to the left side in the longitudinal direction of the first surface of the execution block. The second upper connector 910 is closer to the right side in the longitudinal direction of the first surface of the execution block.

FIG. 9A shows the execution blocks 105, 110, 115 in FIG. 9B as viewed from the direction of the arrow 950, and shows the first surface of the execution blocks 105, 110, 115. On the first surface, the first upper connector 905 is located closer to the left side in the longitudinal direction, and the second upper connector 910 is located closer to the right side in the longitudinal direction. On the first surface, both the first upper connector 905 and the second upper connector 910 are centrally located in the lateral direction. The dotted line connecting FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) indicates that the positions of the first upper connector 905 and the second upper connector 910 in FIG. 9 (b) are the first surfaces of the execution blocks 105, 110, and 115. It is shown that they correspond in the longitudinal direction of.

9 (c) shows the execution blocks 105, 110, 115 in FIG. 9 (b) viewed from the direction of arrow 955, and shows the second surface of the execution blocks 105, 110, 115. On the second surface, the lower connector 535 is located closer to the left side in the longitudinal direction, unlike the position of the lower connector 535 in FIG. In the second aspect, the lower connector 535 is centered in the lateral direction. The dotted line connecting FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c) indicates that the position of the lower connector 535 in FIG. 9 (b) corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the second surface of the execution blocks 105, 110, 115. Shown.

FIG. 10B shows an outline of the inside of the control block. The control block includes at least a "function definition" block, a "function call" block, a "conditional branch" block, a "repetition (loop)" block, and the like. The control block 1005 has at least a first upper connector 1010, a second upper connector 1015, a processor 1020, a ROM 1030, a RAM 1040, and a lower connector 1045.

FIG. 10A shows the control block 1005 in FIG. 10B as viewed from the direction of the arrow 1060, and shows the first surface of the control block 1005. In the first surface, the first upper connector 1010 is located closer to the left side in the longitudinal direction, and the second upper connector 1015 is located closer to the right side in the longitudinal direction. On the first surface, both the first upper connector 1010 and the second upper connector 1015 are centrally located in the lateral direction. The dotted line connecting FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) indicates that the positions of the first upper connector 1010 and the second upper connector 1015 in FIG. 10 (b) are in the longitudinal direction of the first surface of the control block 1005. Indicates that it is supported.

FIG. 10C shows the control block 1005 in FIG. 10B as viewed from the direction of arrow 1065, and shows the second surface of the control block 1005. On the second surface, the lower connector 1045 is located closer to the right side in the longitudinal direction. In the second aspect, the lower connector 1045 is centrally located in the lateral direction. The dotted line connecting FIGS. 10 (b) and 10 (c) indicates that the position of the lower connector 1045 in FIG. 10 (b) corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the second surface of the control block 1005.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which one start block and three execution blocks are connected. The connector 320 of the start block 102 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the first execution block 105. The lower connector 535 of the first execution block 105 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the second execution block 110. The second execution block 110 and the third execution block 115 are similarly connected to each other using a connector.

The start block 102 can communicate with each block by connecting the first execution block 105, the second execution block 110, and the third execution block 115, and can acquire at least the block identifier and position information of each block. .. As a result, the start block 102 can update and / or create the block connection information table 430 as shown in FIG. The start block 102 specifies the content identifier corresponding to each block identifier based on the block connection information table 430 and the identifier correspondence information table 420. Further, the start block 102 specifies the content data corresponding to each content identifier based on the identifier correspondence information table 420 and the content table 410. As a result, the start block 102 identifies the connection order of the execution blocks based on the position information in association with the content data related to each execution block, and reproduces or executes the content data in the connection order (for example, the content data ". Play or execute these data in the order of "AAA", "BBB", "CCC").

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the fourth execution block 1105 is shifted to the right with respect to the third execution block 115 in addition to the block shown in FIG. In this case, neither the first connector 905 nor the second connector 910 of the fourth execution block 1105 is connected to the lower connector of the third execution block 115. Therefore, in this embodiment, the start block 102 cannot be connected to the fourth execution block 1105. It can control the connection by the physical position of the connector on the execution block. More specifically, the fourth execution block 1105 is arranged so as to add an indent to the third execution block 115, but the connection of the fourth execution block 1105 is not recognized, so that the user can use the user. It can be recognized that the arrangement of the fourth execution block 1105 is incorrect. In other words, the user can know that indentation cannot be added to the arrangement of execution blocks. The user describes the grammar of the computer program (for example, how to use indentation as used in Python etc.) in the appearance of blocks and / or whether blocks can be connected to each other (including physical and / or electrical connection). ) And the feel of the connection between blocks. Therefore, programming can be learned intuitively in block toys for children such as infants.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a function definition block and a function call (function call) block are used as control blocks. The connector 320 of the start block 102 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the second execution block 110. The lower connector 535 of the second execution block 110 is connected to the first upper block 1010 of the second control block (function call (function call)) 1005.

The start block and the function definition block have connectors 1720 and connectors 1730 and 1740, respectively, as shown in FIG. The function definition connector 1720 of the start block 102 is connected to the first function definition connector 1730 of the first control block (function definition) 1305. In another embodiment, the connector 1740 of the first control block (function definition) 1305 may be connected to the first function connector 1730 of the other control block (function definition). This makes it possible to define two or more functions. The lower connector 1045 of the first control block 1305 is connected to the second upper connector 910 of the first execution block 105. As a result, the content of the first execution block 105 is defined as a function.

As a modification of FIG. 17, the connectors of the start block and the function definition block may have the same configuration. For example, the start block may have one or more upper connectors. In another embodiment, the lower connector of the function definition block may be placed at the connector position of the start block. That is, the lower connector of the function definition block may be configured to be closer to the left side in the longitudinal direction on the second surface, similarly to the start block. In another embodiment, the start block and the function definition block can have the same connector and internal configuration.

The start block 102 can communicate with each block by connecting the first and second control blocks, the first and second execution blocks, and obtain at least the block identifier and position information of each block from each block. it can. As a result, the block identifiers of the first control block (function definition), the second control block (function call (function call)), the first execution block, and the second execution block are "0003" and "0006", respectively. , "0101" and "0102", the following block connection information table 430 can be updated and / or created. "2-" in the position information "2-1" and "2-2" indicates that they are the same group of function definition blocks, and "-1" and "-2" indicate the connection order.

By referring to the identifier correspondence information table 710 shown in FIG. 7, the start block 102 includes a first control block (block identifier: 0003), a second control block (block identifier: 0006), and a first execution block. The block types of (block identifier: 0101) and the second execution block (block identifier: 0102) are specified as "2", "5", "7", and "7", respectively. That is, the first control block, the second control block, the first execution block, and the second execution block are specified as a function definition block, a block for making a function call (function call), an execution block, and an execution block, respectively. Will be done. Further, the content identifiers corresponding to the first execution block (block identifier: 0101) and the second execution block (block identifier: 0102) are "001" and "002", respectively, based on the identifier correspondence information table 710. Specified as. The start block 102 identifies the content data (“AAA” and “BBB”, respectively) corresponding to the content identifiers “001” and “002” from the content table 410 shown in FIG.

The lower connector 535 of the first execution block 105 and the lower connector 1045 of the second control block 1005 function as sensors to detect the end of processing (that is, the block has no blocks connected after itself). May be good. When the execution block and the control block detect that no other connector is connected to the lower connector of their own block, they can notify the start block 102 that the processing has been completed. As a result, the start block 102 identifies the end of the process.

Regarding the execution block to be controlled, for example, (1) when the control block is a function definition block, the content data of the execution block to be controlled is defined as a function, and (2) the control block is a conditional branch block. In this case, the content data of the execution block to be controlled is played or executed when the condition of the conditional branch is satisfied, and (3) when the control block is a loop block, the content data of the execution block to be controlled is predetermined. It is played or executed repeatedly for several minutes.

The start block 102 specifies whether the block type of the second control block 1005 is "5" (function call (function call)). When the block type is "5", the content data defined as the function is reproduced or executed as the processing of the function call (function call).

As described above, from the arrangement of the blocks shown in FIG. 13, the start block 102 reproduces or executes the content data in the following processing order.
(1) The content data "AAA" of the first execution block 105 connected to the first control block (function definition) 1005 is defined as a function (first control block and first execution block).
(2) The content data "BBB" of the second execution block 110 is executed or reproduced.
(3) When the second control block 1305 is specified as a block for function call (function call), the content data "AAA" defined as a function is executed or regenerated.

In this embodiment, the start block and the function definition block may be connected and arranged separately by wire or wirelessly. As a result, even when there are two or more function definition block groups, indentation described later can be added in the function definition block group. In another embodiment, other function call (function call) blocks for calling other functions may be connected within the function definition block group. In other embodiments, the start block may be connected side by side with the function definition block. In this case, the longitudinal length of the start block and the function definition block on the first and second surfaces can be longer than the longitudinal length of the control block and the execution block other than the function definition block on the first and second surfaces. ..

In other embodiments, one or more function definition blocks connected to the start block may be controlled to be executed or regenerated in parallel. As a result, one or more content data defined in the group of start blocks and one or more content data defined in the group of one or more function definition blocks are executed or played in an overlapping manner. , If the content is music, it is possible to sing in a circle, perform with multiple musical instruments, compose, and so on. In another embodiment, the block control device may create new content by synthesizing the content data acquired based on the connection order of the execution blocks.

In another embodiment, the function definition block called by the block of function call (function call) may be defined by the setting block. When two or more functions are defined using two or more function definition blocks, the function definition block called by the function call (function call) can be changed by using the setting block. In other embodiments, the function definition block may be called more than once by one or more function call blocks.

With respect to FIG. 13, the lower connector 320 of the start block 102 is arranged on the left side in the longitudinal direction on the second surface of the block, but the lower connector 320 may be arranged on the right side in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, the start block 102 is controlled by adding an indent to the block connected to the lower connector 320 or later with respect to the start block 102, placing a non-operating block as the last block, and returning the indent. The range can be clarified.

Similarly, in the function definition block, the lower connector 1045 of the function definition block 1005 and the first execution block 105 are connected by using the second upper connector 910 on the right side in the longitudinal direction of the execution block 105, but on the left side in the longitudinal direction. It can be connected using the first upper connector 905. As a result, the range controlled by the function definition block 1005 is clarified by indenting the first execution block 105 with respect to the function definition block 1005 and placing a non-operation block as the last block and returning the indent. can do. If the function definition block of FIG. 13 does not indent subsequent blocks, the lower connector 1045 may be located on the left side in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which a conditional branch block is used as the control block. The connector 320 of the start block 102 is connected to the first upper connector 1010 of the first control block 1005. The lower connector 1045 of the first control block 1005 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the first execution block 105. The lower block 535 of the first execution block 105 is connected to the second upper connector 910 of the second execution block 110. That is, in the execution block connected after the control block, when the second upper connector 910 is used for connection, the start block 102 (and / or the second execution block 110) has the second execution block 110 as the second execution block. It is detected that the indent is returned for the execution block 105 of 1. As a result, the first execution block 105 is indented with respect to the first control block 1005, and the second execution block 110 is indented back with respect to the first execution block 105. Therefore, the user can understand the method of defining a conditional branch using indentation.

The start block 102 can communicate with each block by connecting the first control block, the first and the second execution blocks, and can acquire at least the block identifier and the position information of each block from each block. As a result, assuming that the block identifiers of the first control block (conditional branch), the first execution block, and the second execution block are "0005", "0101", and "0102", respectively, as follows. Block connection information table 430 can be updated and / or created.

The start block 102 specifies the block type of each block based on the identifier correspondence information table 710, and further, from the identifier correspondence information table 710 and the content table 410, the content identifier "001" of the first and second execution blocks. And the content data corresponding to "002" ("AAA" and "BBB", respectively) are specified.

As described above, from the arrangement of the blocks shown in FIG. 14, the start block 102 reproduces or executes the content data in the following processing order.
(1) When the condition of the conditional branch (branch) is satisfied (first control block), the content data of the first execution block 105 one above (previous) of the second execution block 105 that has detected the end of indentation. Execute or regenerate "AAA" (first execution block). As an example of the condition of the conditional branch, the current time can be a predetermined time (12:00 to 15:00).
(2) The content data "BBB" of the second execution block 110 is executed or reproduced. As a result, the content data "BBB" is always executed or reproduced, but the content data "AAA" is executed or reproduced only when the conditions are satisfied.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which a repeating (loop) block is used as the control block. The connector 320 of the start block 102 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the first execution block 105. The lower connector 535 of the first execution block 105 is connected to the first upper connector 1010 of the control block 1005. The lower connector 1045 of the control block 1005 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the second execution block 110. Further, as described above, in the control block 1005, the side surface of the control block 1005 and the side surface of the setting block 1605 may be connected by a connector. The setting block 1605 will be described later, but the setting block 1605 can supply the information used in the control block 1005 to the start block via the execution block and / or the control block 1005. Here, the information of the setting block 1605 may be defined as the number of loops when the control block 1005 is repeated (loop). When the loop is executed three times, the information of the setting block 1605 is "3". In one embodiment, if the loop is executed twice, the setting block may be omitted. In this case, if omitted, the number of loops is treated as "2". The lower connector 535 of the second execution block 110 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the third execution block 115.

The start block 102 communicates with each block by connecting the control block 1005, the setting block 1605, and the first, second, and third execution blocks 105, 110, and 115, and from each block, the block identifier and position of each block. At least the information can be obtained. As a result, the block identifiers of the control block (repetition (loop)) 1005, the control block (setting) 1605, the first execution block, the second execution block, and the third execution block are "0004" and "0007", respectively. , "0101", "0102", and "0103", the following block connection information table 430 can be updated and / or created. The start block 102 does not have to detect that the control block (setting) 1605 is connected. In this case, the start block 102 can acquire at least the setting information of the control block (setting) 1605 via the control block (repetition (loop)) 1005.

The start block 102 identifies the content data "AAA", "BBB", and "CCC" of the first, second, and third execution blocks 105, 110, and 115 from the block identifier, respectively, and the second and third execution blocks 102, respectively. It is specified that the execution blocks 110 and 115 of the above are the control targets of the control block (repetition (loop)) 1005. Further, the start block 102 receives the setting information from the setting block 1605, or receives the setting information acquired by the control block (repetition (loop)) 1005. Here, the setting information is assumed to be "3".

As described above, from the arrangement of the blocks shown in FIG. 15, the start block 102 reproduces or executes the content data in the following processing order.
(1) Execution or reproduction of the content data "AAA" of the first execution block 105 (2) Content data "BBB" of the second execution block 110 and content data "CCC" of the third execution block 115 Repeat execution or playback 3 times. As a result, after the content data "AAA" is executed or reproduced once, the execution or reproduction of the content data "BBB" and "CCC" is repeated three times. When the content data is music, the specific phrases "BBB" and "CCC" are repeatedly played.

FIG. 16 shows an overview of the inside of the setting block. The setting block 1605 includes a processor 1610, a ROM 1615, a RAM 1620, and a connector 1650. The RAM 1620 can be a storage medium. The RAM 1620 or ROM 1615 can store information that the setting block itself has in advance, in addition to its own block identifier. As a result, the setting block can supply the information to be set to the start block 102 when connected to another block. In other embodiments, the configuration block may have an input device that receives input of variable values from the user. The input device may be, for example, a dial-type input device capable of input by a user, one or more buttons, a touch panel type input device, or the like. This allows the user to change the information in the configuration block. The connector 1650 can be connected to the control block 1005 by at least one of an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, and a physical connection such as a switch. In another embodiment, the information set by the setting block may be defined by the direction in which the setting block is placed.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which a repeating (loop) block and a conditional branching (branch) block are used as control blocks. The connector 320 of the start block 102 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the first execution block 105. The lower connector 535 of the first execution block 105 is connected to the first upper connector 1010 of the first control block (repetition (loop)) 1805.

The lower connector 1045 of the first control block 1805 is connected to the first upper connector 905 of the second execution block 110. As a result, the second execution block 110 is indented with respect to the first control block 1805. Further, as described above, in the first control block 1805, the side surface of the first control block 1805 and the side surface of the first setting block 1805 may be connected by a connector. In this embodiment, the first setting block 1605 specifies that the number of loops is "3". The lower connector 535 of the second execution block 110 is connected to the first upper connector 1010 of the second control block (first conditional branch) 1810.

The lower connector 1045 of the second control block (first conditional branch) 1810 is connected to the upper connector 905 of the third execution block 115. As a result, the third execution block 115 is indented with respect to the second control block 1810. In this embodiment, the condition of the first conditional branch of the second control block 1810 is that the number of loops is one. The condition that the number of loops is one may be set by the second setting block 1860. The lower connector 535 of the third execution block 115 is connected to the second upper connector 1015 of the third control block (second conditional branch) 1820. The third control block 1820 (and / or the start block 102) detects that the first upper connector 1010 is not connected to the upper block and the second upper connector 1015 is connected to the upper block. .. That is, the third control block 1820 (block identifier "0008") detects that the signal information is "1". The start block 102 (and / or the third control block 1820) determines in response to this detection that the third control block 1820 has returned indentation to the third execution block 115, which is the upper block. can do.

The lower connector 1045 of the third control block (second conditional branch) 1820 is connected to the upper connector 905 of the fourth execution block 1830. As a result, the fourth execution block 1830 is indented with respect to the third control block 1820. In this embodiment, the condition of the second conditional branch of the third control block 1820 is that the number of loops is two. The condition that the number of loops is two may be set by the third setting block 1865.

The lower connector 535 of the fourth execution block 1830 is connected to the second upper connector 910 of the fifth execution block 1840. The fifth execution block 1840 (and / or start block 102) detects that the first upper connector 905 is not connected to the upper block and the second upper connector 910 is connected to the upper block. .. That is, the fifth execution block 1840 (block identifier "0105") detects that the signal information is "1". The start block 102 (and / or the fifth execution block 1840) determines in response to this detection that the fifth execution block 1840 has returned an indent to the fourth execution block 1830, which is the upper block. can do.

The lower connector 535 of the fifth execution block 1840 is connected to the second upper connector 910 of the sixth execution block 1850. The sixth execution block 1850 (and / or start block 102) detects that the first upper connector 905 is not connected to the upper block and the second upper connector 910 is connected to the upper block. .. That is, the sixth execution block 1850 (block identifier "0106") detects that the signal information is "1". The start block 102 (and / or the sixth execution block 1850) determines in response to this detection that the sixth execution block 1850 has returned an indent to the fifth execution block 1840, which is a higher block. can do. As in each of the above embodiments, the connection information to the upper block of the first upper connector on the left side in the longitudinal direction is used as the signal information for both the execution block and the control block, and the signal information is the case where there is a connection in the first upper connector. It is set to "0" and "1" when there is no connection. With this "signal information", each block other than the start block and / or the start block can recognize the indent of the control range when the "signal information" is "0", and the "signal information" is "1". Sometimes you can recognize the return from indentation.

The start block 102 communicates with each block by connecting each execution block, each control block 1805, 1810, 1820 and setting blocks 1605, 1860, 1865, and at least obtains the block identifier and position information of each block from each block. can do. As a result, the first control block (repetition (loop)) 1805, the first setting block 1605, the second setting block 1860, the third setting block 1865, and the second control block (first conditional branch (branch)). )) 1810, 3rd control block (second conditional branch) 1820, 1st execution block 105, 2nd execution block 110, 3rd execution block 115, 4th execution block 1830, 1st The block identifiers of the 5th execution block 1840 and the 6th execution block 1850 are "0004", "0007", "0009", "0010", "0005", "0008", "0101", and "0102", respectively. , "0103", "0104", "0105", "0106", the following block connection information table 430 can be updated and / or created. The start block 102 does not have to detect that the first setting block 1605 is connected. In this case, the start block 102 can acquire at least the information (the number of loops is “3”) of the first setting block 1605 via the first control block (repetition (loop)) 1805. Further, when the second and third setting blocks 1860 and 1865 are used, the start block 102 may acquire the information of the setting block via the control block corresponding to each setting block.

The start block 102 refers to the identifier correspondence information table 710 and specifies the type of each connected block. Further, the start block 102 refers to the content table 410 with respect to the execution block, and specifies the content data corresponding to each execution block. In this embodiment, the contents of the control block such as the number of loops in the control block and the condition of the conditional branch (branch) may be stored in the identifier correspondence information table 710 or the content table 410. In another embodiment, the contents of the control blocks may be stored in the storage medium of each control block.

As described above, from the arrangement of the blocks shown in FIG. 18, the start block 102 reproduces or executes the content data in the following processing order.
(1) The content data "AAA" of the first execution block 105 is executed or reproduced.
(2) Execution or reproduction is repeated three times with respect to the second execution block 110 to the fifth execution block 1840.
In the following, "X" in (2-XY) indicates the number of loops.
(2-1-1) The (first) execution or reproduction of the content data "BBB" of the second execution block 110 is performed.
(2-1-2) In the second control block 1810, the content data "CCC" of the third execution block 115 is executed or regenerated according to the number of loops being the first time.
(2-1-3) In the third control block 1820, the content data of the fourth execution block 1830 is not executed, depending on the number of loops being the first.
(2-1-4) The (first) execution or reproduction of the content data (for example, "EEE") of the fifth execution block 1840 is performed.
(2-2-1) The (second) execution or reproduction of the content data "BBB" of the second execution block 110 is performed.
(2-2-2) In the second control block 1810, the content data of the third execution block 115 is not targeted for execution according to the number of loops being the second time.
(2-2-3) In the third control block 1820, the content data (for example, “DDD”) of the fourth execution block 1830 is executed or reproduced according to the number of loops being the second time.
(2-2-4) The (second) execution or reproduction of the content data "EEE" of the fifth execution block 1840 is performed.
(2-3-1) The content data "BBB" of the second execution block 110 is executed or reproduced (third time).
(2-3-2) In the second control block 1810, the content data of the third execution block 115 is not executed because the number of loops is the third.
(2-3-3) In the third control block 1820, the content data of the fourth execution block 1830 is not targeted for execution according to the number of loops being the third time.
(2-3-4) The (third) execution or reproduction of the content data "EEE" of the fifth execution block 1840 is performed.
(3) The control of the loop related to the first control block 1805 ends.
(4) The content data (for example, "FFF") of the sixth execution block 1850 is executed or reproduced.

Although the detection of indentation has been described using signal information in this embodiment, signal information can also be used in other examples, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Example 4
(Dynamic change of content data assigned to blocks)
According to this embodiment, the content data assigned to the execution block (or the identifier of the execution block) can be dynamically changed. As a result, this embodiment is a more flexible way of playing by dynamically changing the content data associated with blocks such as music, moving images, and control signals for controlling robots and drones. It is possible to provide toys that users will not get tired of.

(1) Reassignment of content data For example, first, the phrases "AAA", "BBB, and" CCC "that divide the song" A "are assigned to the first block, the second block, and the third block, respectively. Suppose you were there. The user arranges the blocks multiple times to play the content data. In this case, if the user knows the correct phrase arrangement order (that is, the block arrangement order), the game becomes unplayable and tired. In such a case, by reassigning the phrase that is a part of the song "A" assigned to each block to a different execution block, it is possible to enhance the game and provide a more attractive toy. ..

In this embodiment, the execution of reassignment is realized by providing a reassignment button in the start block 102 that can be instructed by the user, or providing a circuit in the start block 102 that receives instructions for reassignment from another device. To. It can be connected to other devices by wire or wirelessly. When the reassignment button is pressed in the start block 102, or when the start block 102 receives an instruction for reassignment from another device, the reassignment is executed.

When the reassignment is executed, the correspondence between the content identifier of the content table 410 and the content data in the start block 102 shown in FIG. 4 is replaced. As a result, the content data can be reassigned to each execution block. In another embodiment, even if the content table 610 shown in FIG. 6 is referred to and the content identifiers corresponding to the same content group are reassigned by exchanging the correspondence between the content identifiers and the content data. Good. In another embodiment, the block identifier and the content of the identifier correspondence information table 420 shown in FIG. 4 or the identifier correspondence information table 710 shown in FIG. 7 whose block type (block type: 7) is an execution block. Reassignment may be performed by exchanging the correspondence with the identifier.

(2) Allocation of New Content The start block 102 specifies a block identifier to which a content identifier is not assigned in the identifier correspondence information table 420 or 710. The start block 102 assigns a content identifier of new content to the specified block identifier. Further, the start block 102 adds the content identifier and the content data of the newly added content to the content table. In one embodiment, it is possible to determine how to divide the content based on the number of block identifiers identified. If there is no block identifier to which no content identifier has been assigned, the start block 102 assigns a new content content identifier to a predetermined block identifier to which the content identifier has already been assigned.

(3) Timing of content allocation-Contents are allocated when the power of the start block 102 is turned on.
-Assign content when the placement of each block is completed. For example, when the content is music, the content is assigned when the song is completed by arranging the blocks. In another embodiment, the content may be allocated according to the fact that the erroneous arrangement is performed a predetermined number of times while the arrangement of each block is completed.
-Contents are allocated when a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned on (or after the previous content allocation is completed). This makes it possible to increase the difficulty of arranging the blocks.
-When a block other than the start block is connected to the start block 102, content data is assigned to the connected block. In this embodiment, the content data may be executed or reproduced each time the connection is made. As a result, the user can recognize the content data assigned to the block. If the number of blocks is large, there may be blocks to which content data is not allocated. In this case, in the block to which the content data is not assigned or the start block 102, a voice device or a display device may be used to notify the user that the content is not assigned to the block (for example, a beep sound). ..

In each of the above embodiments, the block to which the content is assigned is only the execution block, but it may be all blocks including the control block. As a result, the content data associated with the control block and the execution block can be changed. In this case, the content data associated with the block is stored in association with the block identifier in the content table 410 (or another table such as the identifier correspondence table 710).

Example 5
(Modification example of start block)
In each of the above embodiments, the start block 102 holds each information table, controls each block, and the like, but this is an example, and a part of the start block 102 described above is one or more. It may be realized in collaboration with two or more other devices. The other device may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or the like. Other devices can be connected to the start block 102 by wire or wirelessly. The start block 102 itself, or a combination of the start block 102 and other devices, can be referred to as a block control device. The block control device is an external server that provides a computer program for controlling the block control device itself, a program for controlling an execution block, a control block, and a setting block, content data to be assigned to the execution block, etc., by wire or wirelessly via the Internet. It may be possible to obtain from. A part or all of the table described above may be possessed by one of the start block 102 and the other device. In another embodiment, instead of the start block 102, a block control device which is a computer device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or a desktop personal computer may realize the function performed by the start block 102. In another embodiment, the block control device may include an external server that supplies content data, various tables, and the like to the start block 102 and / or the computer device. In another embodiment, the block control device can communicate with another block control device via a wired line or a wireless line. As a result, each user of the block control device can compete, for example, who was able to arrange the blocks correctly quickly.

In each of the above embodiments, the block control device consisting of one or both of the start block and the other device can play or execute the content using an output device suitable for the content. As an example, if the content is music, the output device is a speaker, if the content is a moving image, the output device is a display and / or a speaker, and if the content is a program, a suitable device can be used. Execution or reproduction of content data collected (prepared) from each block by the block control device may be realized in, for example, a block control device, a start block and other blocks, or an external device such as a robot.

In each of the above embodiments, the connections of the blocks are wired or wireless. In the case of wire, the lower connector of the first block and the second upper connector have convex and concave shapes (or vice versa), respectively, so that one connector receives the other connector. be able to. Further, in the case of wireless, a wireless communication transmitter / receiver can be used instead of the connector of each block. Each block performs wireless communication using a wireless communication transmitter / receiver. The wireless communication transmitter / receiver is realized by using, for example, an RFID tag / reader, a WIFI communication circuit, a Bluetooth communication circuit, a ZigBee communication circuit, or the like.

In other embodiments, the connection of each block may be a physical connection due to the shape of the block. Physical connections are achieved, for example, by combining the convex or concave shape of one block with the concave or convex shape of the other block. As another example, physical connections are achieved by magnetic force. For example, the physical connection by magnetic force is realized by combining the south pole of the magnet of one block and the north pole of the magnet of the other block. When a physical connection is used, the block control device may identify each block using optical recognition by an image sensor such as an infrared sensor or a camera.

For example, the block control device includes an optically readable device such as an image sensor, and the optically readable device detects a symbol of each block and specifies a block identifier and an arrangement of each block. In another embodiment, the block control device may identify each block using wireless communication technology. In this case, the block control device and each block are wireless communication receiver / reader (or reader / writer) and wireless communication transmitter (or wireless communication transmitter and wireless communication receiver / reader (or reader / writer)), respectively. Has. For example, when the wireless communication technology is communication using RFID technology, each block has an RFID tag, and the RFID reader (or reader / writer) of the block control device reads these RFID tags to block each block. Identify the identifier and placement.

In other embodiments, the board receiving each block may provide physical connectivity. For example, the board is configured to accept more than one block. Each block comprises at least one of an electrically readable tag, a magnetically readable tag, and an optically readable tag that stores at least the block identifier, and the board is an electrically readable device. It comprises at least one of a magnetically readable device and an optically readable device. The board is configured to identify the block identifier and placement of the received block using at least one of an electrical reader, a magnetic reader, and an optical reader.

Example 6
( Modification example of each block)
Each block may include a display device such as an electronic paper, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display. The display device can display the content associated with each block or a mark representing the content. For example, when the content is music, the display device may display the song title, the number of seconds of music that the block has, and the like.

In other embodiments, each block may include an output device that includes a display device. The output device can generate one or more of the irregularities, vibrations, sounds, still images, moving images, odors, etc. associated with each block. This allows the user to identify each block by touch, hearing, sight, and smell. The block control device may allocate and / or supply the information output by the output device.

The block control device may be able to rewrite the block identifier of each block, or may create an identifier that extends the block identifier and store it in each block. This makes it easier to extend how to play blocks and the rules of the game.

Example 7
(Modification example of setting block)
As described in each embodiment, the information that can be set in the setting block can be information that can be set by using the number of loops, the condition of the IF statement, and the like as arguments. Further, the setting block may be able to set variables that can be used in the connected block group. Furthermore, information about an instruction that performs a predetermined process may be set as a variable. For example, the configuration block provides each block with information about the variable. Further, the setting block may be able to set in each block an instruction for executing a predetermined process such as a function when the value of the variable becomes a predetermined value as a variable. In addition to the execution of the function, the predetermined processing can be, for example, execution of the content or stop of playback, control of the output device of each block, and the like.

Content data The target of the operation of the computer program of the content data may be a vehicle such as an automobile, an airplane, or a ship, a radio-controlled toy of the vehicle, a robot, a drone, or the like.

When the content data is music (voice), the content data may be data in units smaller than the phrase. For example, the unit of data can be time, measure, musical note, or the like.

The content data can be one or more characters in addition to computer programs, audio, music, moving images, and the like. For example, when the execution blocks are correctly arranged, the block control device identifies a word or sentence based on the characters associated with each execution block. For example, when the execution blocks are arranged in the correct order, the block control device outputs the correct word or sentence based on the video or audio.

Regarding the content group 610 of the content table shown in FIG. 6, the content data assigned to the execution block may be the content data of a different content group. For example, five content data belonging to the content groups "A" and "B" may be assigned to each of the five execution blocks. As a result, the combination of execution blocks becomes complicated, and the game quality is further improved.

Two or more content data may be assigned to each execution block. For example, even if the content data is the same musical phrase, two content data, a male voice and a female voice, may be assigned to each execution block. For example, the execution block is configured to accept the setting block, and the setting block includes a switch for switching between male and female voices or both. As a result, it is possible to switch between the two content data of the male voice and the female voice assigned to the execution block, and the music is played using one or both of the male voice and the female voice. In another embodiment, each execution block may have a switching means for selecting one of two or more content data.

In each of the above embodiments, the number of upper or lower connectors of each block has been described as one or more, but may be two or three or more, respectively.

In each of the above embodiments, the connector of each block is centered in the lateral direction on a predetermined surface, but this is an example and may be in either direction.

In each of the above embodiments, the "no action" block may be omitted.

In other embodiments, such as in Example 3 (an example of applying indentation to a block), the "no action" block may be used to unindent (unindent). For example, when two or more indents are attached to a plurality of blocks, one "no action" block may be configured to return two or more indents. In this embodiment, the longitudinal length of the "no motion" block on the first and second surfaces may be long enough to return two or more indents.

In the above embodiment, some or all of some of the elements described to be achieved in hardware can be implemented in software, and some elements described to be achieved in software. It will be understood that some or all of the above can be achieved in hardware.

The toys described above have been described as toys for children and toddlers, but the toys may be for students in their 10s to 20s, for adults, and for the elderly.

In the processing or processing order described above, as long as there is no contradiction in the processing or processing order such as using data that should not be available in the processing in a certain processing, the processing or processing order Can be changed freely.

With respect to each of the embodiments described above, a part or all of each embodiment may be combined and realized as one embodiment.

Each of the examples described above is an example for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. The present invention can be carried out in various forms as long as it does not deviate from the gist thereof.

102 Start block 105, 110, 115 Execution block 125 Wired line and / or wireless line 150 Computer device

Start block 305 Processor 310 ROM
315 RAM
320 connector 1720 Function definition connector

Table 410, 610 content table 420, 710 identifier correspondence information table 430 block connection information table that the start block has

Execution block 510 Upper connector 515 Processor 520 ROM
530 RAM
535 Lower connector 905 First upper connector 910 Second upper connector

Function definition block 510 Upper connector 515 Processor 520 ROM
530 RAM
535 Lower connector 1730 First function definition connector 1740 Second function definition connector

Control block 1005 Control block 1010 First upper connector 1015 Second upper connector 1020 Processor 1030 ROM
1040 RAM
1045 lower connector

Setting block 1605 Setting block 1610 Processor 1615 ROM
1620 RAM
1650 connector

Claims (5)

It ’s a block toy,
Block control device and
Two or more toy blocks having an identifier connected to the block control device, the two or more toy blocks connected to each other in a string and recognized to be distinguished by the user .
With
The block control device has a correspondence relationship in which each of the two or more toy blocks is associated with one of the two or more content data, and the two or more toy blocks and the two or more content data. And further, the content data in which the association is associated with one toy block in the two or more toy blocks is the content data of the other toy block in the two or more toy blocks. and associated with one, by changing, it is configured so that swapping at least a portion of the correspondence,
The block control device further determines the connection order of the two or more toy blocks based on the identifiers of the two or more toy blocks, and is associated with the connection order and the two or more toy blocks. it has the configured so that correspondence between two or more content data, the content is formed by performing or reproducing the two or more content data in the connection order, the block toy. The block toy according to claim 1, wherein the two or more toy blocks are associated with each content data obtained by dividing a predetermined content. The block control device collects the identifiers from the two or more toy blocks, identifies the connection order of the two or more toy blocks, and the block control device further, according to the connection order, controlling the execution or playback of the associated content data to the block, the block toy according to claim 1. It is a block control device
Two or more toy blocks that are connected to each other in a string and have an identifier, and are connected to two or more toy blocks that are recognized by the user to distinguish each other .
The block control device is
It is a correspondence relationship in which each of the two or more toy blocks is associated with one of the two or more content data, and the correspondence relationship between the two or more toy blocks and the two or more content data is stored. Further, the content data in which the association is associated with one toy block in the two or more toy blocks is associated with one of the other toy blocks in the two or more toy blocks. by changing, it is configured so that swapping at least a portion of the correspondence,
Further, based on the identifier of the two or more toy blocks, the connection order of the two or more toy blocks is determined, and the connection order and the two or more toy blocks associated with the two or more toy blocks are determined. is configured so that associates the content data,
Content is a block control device formed by executing or reproducing the two or more content data in the connection order. A toy block that communicates with the block control device according to claim 4 .

Images