WO2015125668A1

WO2015125668A1 - Block, block system, and inter-block power supply method

Info

Publication number: WO2015125668A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/053648
Authority: WO
Inventors: 平田　真一; 山岸　建; 洋大澤; 圭司外川; 直紀沼口
Original assignee: 株式会社ソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメント
Priority date: 2014-02-18
Filing date: 2015-02-10
Publication date: 2015-08-27
Also published as: JP6196915B2; JP2015150343A

Abstract

In the present invention, power is supplied to a connected block, and the block is made to emit light, output images or audio, or the like. If a power source (162a) of a block (102a) is active and a power source (162b) of a block (102b) is not active, power is supplied from the block (102a) to the block (102b) (arrow A). If the power source (162a) of the block (102a) is not active and the power source (162b) of the block (102b) is active, power is supplied from the block (102b) to the block (102a) (arrow B). If neither power source is active, power is supplied from a block connected to the block (102a) to the block (102a) and the block (102b) in that order (arrows A' and A), or power is supplied from a block connected to the block (102b) to the block (102b) and the block (102a) in that order (arrows B' and B).

Description

Block, block system, and inter-block power supply method

The present invention relates to a block that can be assembled to form a three-dimensional object, a block system that includes a plurality of such blocks, and a power supply method that is performed between the blocks.

Conventionally, toys that can assemble a three-dimensional object by connecting a plurality of blocks and parts are known. For example, there are blocks with basic shapes such as cubes and rectangular parallelepipeds that can be freely assembled according to the user's idea, and dedicated blocks and parts formed to assemble a presumed solid object according to the design drawing. Widely used.

∙ Blocks and parts as described above basically have a simple structure made of a lump of plastic or the like. Therefore, although it is an advantage that it can be provided at low cost, the information that can be embodied is limited to the shape, size, color set from the original, etc., so there is a problem that the world that can be expressed in a narrow range of application is difficult to spread .

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide blocks and parts that can represent various information and expressions while suppressing the complexity of the structure.

In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention relates to a block. This block is a block that can be assembled to form a three-dimensional object, a connection part that connects the blocks, a power consumption part that operates by consuming power, and a power supply part that supplies power to the power consumption part And when the power supply unit detects that power is not supplied to another connected block, and a power supply contact for supplying power to the other block, The power supply unit includes a power receiving contact for acquiring power supplied from another connected block.

Here, the shape of the “block” is not limited to basic shapes such as cubes, rectangular parallelepipeds, and spheres, but the shapes of objects that exist in the real world, such as people, animals, plants, and industrial products. It may be a complicated shape as imitated. Further, the size of the “block” is not limited.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an inter-block power supply method. This inter-block power supply method is a power supply method that is performed by a block that can be assembled to form a three-dimensional object, and that a power is not supplied to another connected block. A step of detecting by a change in potential of the power supply, a step of starting supply of power through a power supply contact provided at a connection location to the other block when it is detected that power is not supplied, and power A step of detecting that the connection of the supply destination block is released by a change in potential of the state detection contact; and a step of stopping the supply of power when detecting that the connection is released. And

It should be noted that an arbitrary combination of the above-described components and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide blocks and parts that can represent various information and expressions while suppressing the complexity of the structure.

It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance of the block in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the block of this Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates a mode that the block in this Embodiment is light-emitting. It is a figure which shows the structure of the circuit of an electric power supply part and a control part among the blocks shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the circuit by two blocks connected in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the equivalent circuit of the part from the resistance upstream of a state detection contact to ground potential among the circuits which the two blocks shown in FIG. 5 comprise. It is a figure which shows the structural example of each contact in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the change of the connection state of each contact when the stroke of the spring of a power supply contact is made shorter than a state detection contact and a grounding terminal in this Embodiment. In this Embodiment, it is a time chart which shows the relationship of the change of the electric potential of a state detection contact, and the switching operation of the gate switch by a control circuit.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of a block in the present embodiment. The blocks can have various shapes such as a quadrangular prism block 102a, a cubic block 102b, a cylindrical block 102c, and a spherical block 102d. In addition, the shape of a block is not restricted to what is illustrated, The size may be various. For example, it may have a more complicated shape that imitates a mechanical part such as a column, a screw, or a spring, or a human head, hand, or foot. In the following description, these are also referred to as “blocks”.

However, a plurality of shapes may not necessarily be included. Further, in the figure, one block is shown for one shape, but the number is naturally not limited. Each block is provided with male-shaped and female-

shaped connectors

104 and 106, and is configured so that the blocks can be connected to each other at a desired position by being inserted, and both can be electrically connected. Note that the

connectors

104 and 106 are microscopically provided with a plurality of contacts having respective roles as described later, and electrical connection is realized by contact of corresponding contacts. For this reason, the

connectors

104 and 106 are actually formed in an asymmetric shape in which the corresponding contacts come into contact with each other, or the correct connection direction is indicated by a mark.

Fig. 2 shows the functional structure of the block. The block 102 includes a power supply unit 110, a storage unit 112, a communication unit 114, a control unit 116, and an effect unit 118. The power supply unit 110 is realized by a general power receiving mechanism that acquires power by wire or wirelessly from a battery box and a battery, or a power source provided separately, and supplies power to other functional blocks in the block 102. In addition, power is supplied to the other connected blocks via the

connectors

104 and 106. Alternatively, depending on the block, the power supply unit 110 does not include the battery box and the power receiving mechanism as described above, and acquires power from the other connected blocks via the

connectors

104 and 106.

The communication unit 114 establishes communication with other connected blocks via the

connectors

104 and 106, and transmits and receives necessary signals. Further, the communication unit 114 may establish communication with an external information processing apparatus wirelessly or by wire and send and receive signals. The storage unit 112 is a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores block-specific information such as identification information of the block 102.

The effect unit 118 is realized by an element having a light emitting function of a plurality of colors, such as a light emitting diode, a light emitting element, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper, or an aggregate thereof, and emits light or displays an image. The effect unit 118 may be a speaker that outputs sound, or a combination thereof. The control unit 116 is realized by a microcomputer or the like, and executes programmed processing to appropriately control the power supply unit 110, the communication unit 114, the storage unit 112, and the effect unit 118.

Here, the block 102 does not necessarily include the storage unit 112, the communication unit 114, and the effect unit 118. For example, a single color light emitting diode may be provided as the effect unit 118. In this case, by supplying power from the power supply unit 110 to the effect unit 118 under the control of the control unit 116, the block 102 can be caused to emit light or blink at a predetermined timing. In this embodiment, at least a part of the housing of the block 102 is made of a transparent or translucent resin or glass that transmits light from the light emitting diode.

Alternatively, the effect unit 118 may be a multicolor light emitting diode, and light may be emitted in the color assigned to the block. The color assignment may be performed by the user using a switch (not shown) that accepts a color selection input, for example. If the effect unit 118 is realized by a display, various colors, patterns, characters, still images, and moving images can be displayed on the block. Furthermore, if a speaker is included, sound effects, environmental sounds, moving image sounds, and the like can be generated. In either case, image data and audio data may be stored in the storage unit 112.

Alternatively, light emission or display may be performed in accordance with a request from an external information processing apparatus. In this case, the communication unit 114 of the block 102 receives a request signal including information on the emission color and the image and sound to be output from the information processing apparatus. For example, in the information processing apparatus, block identification information and block owner identification information are stored in association with each other. And based on the identification information of the said block transmitted from the communication part 114 of the block 102, the owner of a block is discriminate | determined by the information processing apparatus side. Then, a request signal is transmitted to the block 102 so as to emit light in the color assigned to each owner.

If you do this, the block will emit light in a different color for each owner. Thus, for example, when the user owns a block owned by a plurality of users and assembles and plays a single object, his / her block can be identified by color. There may be only one block that communicates with the information processing apparatus, and the block may transmit information related to the emission color and the output content to another block connected thereto.

In this case, the information that associates the block identification information with the emission color is transmitted to all the connected blocks in order. The control unit 116 of each block can identify the color to be emitted and the output content by collating the identification information of the own block stored in the storage unit 112 with the transmitted information. Thus, when communicating between blocks, the connector 104,106 is provided with the contact point for transmitting a signal.

FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the block emits light. This figure shows a three-dimensional object 150 formed by assembling blocks, and is composed of eight blocks. Blocks with different fill patterns indicate different emission colors. With such a light emission, one owner's block may be

blocks

152a, 152b, and 152c, another owner's block may be

blocks

154a, 154b, 154c, and another owner's block may be

blocks

156a, 156b. Easy to understand.

In order to realize such a mode, naturally, it is necessary to supply power to each block by some means. In the simplest case, it may be possible to install a dry battery or a button battery. However, as the number of blocks increases, the cost and effort of inserting batteries into all the blocks to be used and checking the remaining battery capacity are reduced. Increase. Further, the size and shape of the block are limited with the size of the battery. As a result, problems arise in terms of ease of use and freedom of assembly. When each block is connected by a power cable, the cable becomes more complicated as the number of blocks increases, and it becomes difficult to assemble a three-dimensional object having a complicated structure.

On the other hand, it is also conceivable to use a wireless power feeding system that can supply power wirelessly. In wireless power transfer technology, an international standard called Qi (Chi) has been established in recent years by Wireless Power Consorsium (WPC). Such a wireless power supply system has a greater degree of freedom with respect to the size, number, assembly order, orientation, and the like of the blocks than the above-described means. However, since the range in which power can be supplied wirelessly is limited, it is necessary to pay attention to the movement of the three-dimensional object being assembled or the completed three-dimensional object. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, if each block receives power from the power supply mat 158, the power supply source for the block that is out of the power supply range, for example, the block 152 c is lost, and light emission is interrupted.

Therefore, in this embodiment, by making the power supply interchangeable between the blocks, the variety of expression means of the block itself such as light emission, image display, audio output, and the shape, size, assembly order, direction, A block system that achieves both freedom of position and the like is realized. Specifically, a block in which a battery is inserted, a block to which a power cable is connected, a block to which power is supplied from a wireless power supply system, such as a block in which power supply is effective (hereinafter referred to as a block in which a power supply is operating). ) To supply a power to a block that does not have such power supply or is interrupted (hereinafter referred to as a block in which the power supply is not operating) via a connector.

At this time, a low-cost power supply mechanism is realized without providing functions such as voltage switching and verification of power capacity. Of the plurality of connected blocks, the number of blocks in which the power supply is operating may be one or more. In addition, as a block where the power supply is not operating, it does not have a power receiving mechanism such as a block that is out of the power supply range of wireless power supply, originally wireless power supply, power cable, battery box, etc. May be included, a block with no remaining battery power, a block with the power cable removed, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of the power supply unit 110 and the control unit 116 in the block 102 shown in FIG. The block 102 includes a control circuit 160, a power supply 162,

resistors

164a, 164b, 164c, 164d,

gate switches

166a, 166b,

diodes

168a, 168b, power supply contacts (power supply) 170a, 170b, power supply contacts (power reception) 172a, 172b, It includes

state detection contacts

174a and 174b and

ground terminals

190a and 190b.

In the figure, four contacts represented on one side of a rectangle representing the block 102 are provided in one connector. For example, the power supply contact (power supply) 170a, the power supply contact (power reception) 172a, the state detection contact 174a, and the ground terminal 190a shown on the right side are provided in one connector, and the power supply contact (power reception) of the other block. The power supply contact (power supply), the state detection contact, and the ground terminal are respectively connected. However, it is not necessary to provide four contacts for all connectors.

For example, a block that is determined not to require power supply from another block may form a connector with only the power supply contact (power supply) 170a, the state detection contact 174a, and the ground terminal 190a. In FIG. 4, the contact points of the two connectors are shown so that other blocks can be connected from both the left and right directions. As shown in FIG. 1, the number and arrangement of connectors are appropriately determined according to the shape and size of the blocks. You may decide.

Furthermore, the same power supply contact (power supply) 170a, power supply contact (power reception) 172a, state detection contact 174a, and grounding terminal 190a are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the block 102 (the front surface and the back surface in the figure), respectively. It may be provided. In this case, for example, by arranging the contacts on each surface to be point-symmetric, even if the blocks are turned over and connected, the corresponding contacts can be connected appropriately. Similarly, the same terminal may be provided on three or more surfaces.

Power supply 162,

resistors

164a, 164b, 164c, 164d,

gate switches

166a, 166b,

diodes

168a, 168b, power supply contacts (power supply) 170a, 170b, power supply contacts (power reception) 172a, 172b,

state detection contacts

174a, 174b, The

ground terminals

190a and 190b constitute the power supply unit 110 of FIG. The control circuit 160 constitutes a part of the control unit 116 in FIG. The power supply 162 is a power receiving mechanism such as a battery box and a battery or a wireless power feeding system. However, depending on the block, the power supply 162 may not be provided.

When the power supply 162 is operating, power is supplied to the control circuit 160. Furthermore, when a block whose power supply is not operating is connected, power is supplied via the power supply contacts (power supply) 170a, 170b of the connector connected to the block. When the power supply 162 is not operating, power is supplied from another block connected to the contact through the power supply contacts (power receiving) 172a and 172b. The sent electric power is sent to the control circuit 160 via the

diodes

168a and 168b and is supplied to the other functional blocks shown in FIG.

When the control circuit 160 supplies power from the power supply contact (power supply) 170a to another block connected to the contact, the control circuit 160 turns on the gate switch 166a so that the current from the power supply 162 flows. The control circuit 160 also turns on the gate switch 166b so that the current from the power supply 162 flows when power is supplied from the power supply contact (power supply) 170b to another block connected to the contact.

The gate switches 166a and 166b are typically composed of MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Semiconductor Field Field Effect Transistor), and are turned on by voltage application from the control circuit 160 to the gate. The control circuit 160 detects that another block whose power supply is not operating has been connected or disconnected by the potential at the

state detection contacts

174a and 174b, and determines the start and end of power supply to the block. . The

resistors

164a, 164b, 164c, and 164d are used to determine whether or not electricity supply is required according to the potentials of the

state detection contacts

174a and 174b.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration of two

connected blocks

102a and 102b. When the power source 162a of the block 102a is operating and the power source 162b of the block 102b is not operating, power is supplied from the block 102a to the block 102b (arrow A). When the power supply 162a of the block 102a does not operate and the power supply 162b of the block 102b operates, power is supplied from the block 102b to the block 102a (arrow B). When both the power source 162a of the block 102a and the power source 162b of the block 102b are operating, power is not supplied.

If neither power source is operating, power is supplied in the order of the block 102a and the block 102b from the block (not shown) connected to the block 102a (arrows A 'and A). Alternatively, power is supplied in the order of a block 102b and a block 102a from a block (not shown) connected to the block 102b (arrows B 'and B). Even if three or more blocks where the power supply is not operating are connected, power is supplied in order from the block where the power supply is operating. As a result, if any one power source of the assembled block set is operating, power can be supplied to all the blocks in the same manner by the circuit control described below.

Next, the principle of determining the start and end of power supply based on the potential at the state detection contact will be described. FIG. 6 shows an equivalent circuit of a portion 180 from the resistance upstream of the state detection contact to the ground potential among the circuits formed by the two blocks shown in FIG. The left side (a) of the figure is a case where the power supplies of both the

blocks

102a and 102b are operating. The power supply voltage of each block is Vb and the resistance value is R, respectively. In this case, since the two resistors R are connected in series to the power supply voltage Vb of each block, the potential Vd of the state detection contact 174a of the block 102a is Vd = Vb / 2.

The right side (b) of the figure shows a case where the power source of the block 102a operates at the voltage Vd and the power source of the block 102b does not operate. In this case, since only one resistor R and two resistors R connected in parallel are connected in series to only the power supply voltage Vb of the block 102a, the potential Vd of the state detection contact 174a is Vd = Vb / 3 At this time, when the control circuit 160 of the block 102a turns on the gate switch 166a for supplying power to the block 102b, the power supply voltage of the block 102b becomes substantially Vb, and as a result, the state shown in the left side (a) of FIG. .

However, in this case, the gate switch 166a remains ON even if the potential Vd of the state detection contact 174a becomes Vd = Vb / 2. That is, once it is detected that the potential of the state detection contact 174a is Vb / 3, the gate switch 166a is kept on to continue supplying power to the block 102b where the power supply is not operating. When power is supplied to the block 102b, the control circuit of the block 102b starts operating, and the potential of the other state detection contact of the block 102b becomes Vb / 2.

In this state, if a block where the power supply is not operating is further connected to the state detection contact side of the block 102b, the potential of the state detection contact becomes Vd / 3. Is turned on and power is supplied. By performing such an operation in order for each block, power is supplied in order, directly or indirectly, from the block in which the power supply is operating, regardless of the number of connected blocks. In addition, not only when a block that is not operating from the beginning is connected, but also if any of the previously connected blocks deviates from the power supply range of the wireless power supply system or the remaining battery power is exhausted. Even when the power supply is lost, the start of power supply can be determined based on the same determination criteria.

In addition, even if the entire block, including the block that is receiving power from the wireless power supply system, deviates from the power supply range, such as when the user moves the block, a capacitor (not shown) in the power line in each block The state can be maintained for a predetermined time by using the electricity storage. In addition, even if the block within the power supply range changes among the connected blocks due to the movement of the block, the entity that receives power from the wireless power supply system and supplies power to other blocks Can be switched dynamically.

That is, when power is supplied from the first block to the second block, if the first block is out of the power supply range for a predetermined time or more, the power from the first block to the second block is Supply temporarily stops. At this time, if the second block is within the power feedable range, the second block can receive power from the wireless power feeding system, and as a result, power can be supplied from the second block to the first block. You can start.

In any case, once the potential of the state detection contact 174a becomes Vd = Vb / 3, the switch is kept ON even if Vd = Vb / 2 by starting the power supply. However, even when the user removes such a power supply destination block, the potential of the state detection contact 174a remains at Vd = Vb / 2, so that the gate switch is turned on even though there is no power supply destination. This causes a problem of being continued. In order to solve this problem, a mechanical device is applied to the contact so that the state shown in FIG. 6B is artificially created when the block is removed.

Specifically, when the user removes the block, the potential of the state detection contact is returned from Vb / 2 to Vb / 3 by allowing the power supply contact to be removed earlier than the state detection contact for a short time. When this change in potential is detected, the control circuit 160 turns off the gate switch 166a and terminates the power supply. FIG. 7 shows a structural example of each contact in the present embodiment. This figure shows an enlarged cross section of a power supply contact (power supply) 170, a power supply contact (power reception) 172, a state detection contact 174, and a ground terminal 190 provided in the block 102. However, this is not intended to limit the arrangement and interval of each contact.

As shown in the figure, a power supply contact (power supply) 170, a power supply contact (power reception) 172, a state detection contact 174, and a ground terminal 190 are

springs

192a and 192b embedded in cylindrical recesses provided on the connector surface of the block 102, respectively. , 192c, 192d and

conductive plungers

194a, 194b, 194c, 194d provided at the tip of each spring. When each plunger comes into contact with a corresponding plunger of another block, a current flows by a spring or a separately provided wiring, and the two blocks form a circuit as shown in FIG. Instead of the spring, an elastic body such as rubber that can be expanded and contracted in the same direction may be used.

In this way, by introducing a spring to each contact, contact between the contacts is ensured. In this configuration, the strokes of the

springs

192a and 192b of the power supply contact (power supply) 170 and the power supply contact (power reception) 172 are made shorter than the strokes of the state detection contact 174 and the

springs

192c and 192d of the ground terminal 190. In the state where the springs are released, the state detection contact 174 and the

plungers

194 c and 194 d of the ground terminal 190 protrude from the

plungers

194 a and 194 b of the power supply contact (power supply) 170 and the power supply contact (power reception) 172. State.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a change in the connection state of each contact when the spring stroke of the power supply contact is made shorter than the state detection contact and the ground terminal. First, the state (a) at the top of the figure is a state where the two

blocks

102a and 102b are not connected. That is, all the

contacts

170, 172, 174, 190 of the block 102a are not in contact with the corresponding contacts of the block 102b. Here, assuming that the power supply of the block 102a is operating at the voltage Vb, the potential Vd of the state detection contact 174 of the block 102a is Vd = Vb / 2.

Next, when the user connects the block 102b in which the power source is not operating to the block 102a, as shown in the state (b) in the middle of FIG. The terminal 190 comes into contact first (dotted line circle portion 200). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, since one resistor R and two resistors R connected in parallel are connected in series to one power supply voltage Vb, the state of the block 102a is detected. The potential Vd of the contact 174 is Vd = Vb / 3. In response to this, the control circuit 160 of the block 102a turns on the gate switch 166a.

When the two blocks are completely connected, the spring of each contact contracts, and all the contacts come into contact as in the lower state (c) of the figure. In this state, it is assumed that the blocks are kept connected by a lock mechanism (not shown). At substantially the same time, the gate switch 166a is turned on, so that power is supplied from the blocks 102a to 102b via the power supply contact (power supply) 170 of the block 102a and the power supply contact (power reception) of the block 102b. As a result, the power supply voltage Vb is substantially applied to the block 102b, and the potential Vd of the state detection contact 174 of the block 102a is Vd = Vb / 2 as shown in FIG. As described above, the block 102a continues to supply power to the block 102b even in this state.

Next, when the user removes the block 102b from the block 102a, the process first returns to the state (b) in the middle of the figure. That is, the contact of the power supply contact (power supply) 170 and the power supply contact (power reception) 172, which has a short stroke, is first eliminated (dotted line circle 202). At this time, since the power supply of the block 102b is lost, the state shown in FIG. 6B is obtained, and the potential Vd of the state detection contact 174 of the block 102a becomes Vd = Vb / 3. The control circuit 160 recognizes that the block has been removed by this change in potential, and turns off the gate switch 166a.

When the two blocks are completely separated from each other, all the contacts are brought into a non-contact state as in the state (a) in the upper part of the figure, and the potential of the state detection contact 174 of the block 102a returns to Vd = Vb / 2. In this way, by changing the stroke of the spring provided for each of the power supply contact and the state detection contact, a time lag is provided for contact cancellation when the block is removed, and the contact cancellation of the power supply contact made earlier is performed. It can be detected by the potential of the state detection contact. As a result, the timing at which the block is removed can be recognized, and the gate switch for supplying power can be suitably turned off.

7 and 8, the state detection contact is protruded from the power supply contact, but the structure is not limited to that shown in the figure as long as the contact of the state detection contact can be resolved later than the power supply contact. The stroke of only one of the power supply contact (power supply) 170 and the power supply contact (power reception) 172 may be shorter than the state detection contact 174, or a magnet is used or the contact engagement shape is devised. Also good. In such a modification, when the blocks are connected to each other, there is no problem in the power supply operation even if the state detection contact is not necessarily in contact with the power supply contact. In addition to such a structural improvement, a state capacitor shown in FIG. 6B may be electrically created by connecting a capacitor having a predetermined capacity to the state detection contact.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the relationship between the change in the potential Vd of the state detection contact and the switching operation of the gate switch by the control circuit 160. First, at time t0, when the power source is operated such as the power switch of the block 102 is turned on or power supply is started from another block, the potential Vd of the state detection contact becomes Vb / 2 with respect to the power source voltage Vb. . In this state, when a block whose power supply is not operating is connected at time t1, the potential Vd becomes Vb / 3.

The control circuit 160 that has detected this change starts power supply to the connected block by switching the gate switch from OFF to ON at time t2 after a minute time. Thereby, at time t3 after a minute time, the potential Vd returns to Vb / 2. Thereafter, power supply is continued during the period when the potential Vd is Vb / 2. Next, when the power supply destination block is removed at time t4, the potential Vd becomes Vb / 3 again because the power supply contact is removed first.

The control circuit 160 that has detected this change ends the power supply by switching the gate switch from ON to OFF at time t5 after a minute time. On the other hand, when the block is completely removed, the potential Vd returns to Vb / 2. By such toggle control, power can be appropriately supplied to the block only when the block whose power is not operating is connected.

According to the present embodiment described above, at least one of a plurality of blocks connectable to each other is provided with a power supply and a power receiving mechanism, and a power supply contact and a state detection contact are provided at a connection portion between the blocks. The block in which the power source is operating detects that the block in which the power source is not operating is connected by the potential of the state detection contact, and supplies electricity to the block via the power supply contact. In this way, in a mode of creating a three-dimensional object by connecting blocks, it is possible to emit a three-dimensional object or output an image or sound without providing power to all the blocks. Various expressions and functions using solid objects can be realized by means other than the above.

Also, since there is no need to provide a power box or connect a power cable to all blocks, the block size and shape can be diversified. Further, even when a complicated three-dimensional object is created using a large number of blocks, there is no inconvenience that batteries are inserted in all the blocks and the power cable becomes an obstacle. Further, when using the wireless power supply system, it is not necessary to prevent all blocks from protruding from the power supply range. As a result, assembly work of blocks and play using a solid object after assembly can be performed with a high degree of freedom.

In addition, by providing a spring at each contact, the contact between the contacts is ensured, and the stroke of the state detection contact is made longer than the power supply contact, thereby confirming that the power supply destination block has been removed. To be detected based on Thereby, toggle control of ON / OFF switching of the gate switch for power supply becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to provide a block set capable of flexibly and efficiently realizing power interchange between blocks with a simple configuration, and capable of assembling a three-dimensional object having a visual and auditory impact at a low manufacturing cost.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

For example, in this embodiment, power is supplied to each block mainly for light emission, image display, and audio output by the effect unit 118, but the use of the supplied power is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 114 may use power for the final purpose of establishing communication with other blocks and information processing apparatuses and transmitting and receiving necessary information. In this case, the information processing device acquires the information related to the connection state between the blocks by inter-block communication, aggregates the information, and transmits the information to the information processing device, so that the information processing device indicates the position, shape, posture, and the like of the assembled block set. It is possible to realize a mode of recognizing and performing some information processing accordingly.

Alternatively, the block may be configured to have a variable shape by a built-in actuator, or a wheel that is a part of the block may be configured to be rotatable, and the actuator may be moved by the supplied power. At this time, similarly to the light emission by the effect unit 118, an actuator movement pattern may be assigned to each block, or the movement may be performed in accordance with a control signal from the information processing apparatus.

Also, there may be a block having only a function of supplying power to other blocks. The effect unit 118, the communication unit 114, and the actuator described above may be included in one block in various combinations. In this way, by giving diversity to the structure of the blocks, various creativity and possibilities are created in the three-dimensional object created by combining them, and at the low cost by selecting only the blocks that have the necessary functions. A desired three-dimensional object can be created.

102 blocks, 110 power supply unit, 112 storage unit, 114 communication unit, 116 control unit, 118 effect unit, 160 control circuit, 162 power supply, 166a gate switch, 170a power supply contact (power supply), 172a power supply contact (power reception) 174a State detection contact.

As described above, the present invention can be used for toys such as blocks and robots, and ornaments.

Claims

A block that can be assembled to form a three-dimensional object,
A connection for connecting the blocks together;
A power consuming unit that operates by consuming power;
A power supply unit for supplying power to the power consumption unit;
With
The connecting portion is
When the power supply unit detects that power is not supplied to another connected block, a power supply contact for supplying power to the other block;
The power supply unit is a power receiving contact for acquiring power supplied from another connected block;
A block characterized by containing.
A plurality of the connecting portions;
The power supply unit supplies power supplied from another block connected to one connection unit to another block connected to another connection unit. Item 2. The block according to item 1.
The connecting portion includes a state detection contact that changes its potential when power is not supplied to another connected block;
The block according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit detects that power is not supplied to another connected block based on a change in potential of the state detection contact.
The connection portion has a structure in which when the connection between the blocks is released, the contact of the power supply contact with the connected block is canceled earlier than the contact of the state detection contact,
The power supply unit detects that the connection of another block of the power supply destination has been released based on a change in the potential of the state detection contact due to the cancellation of the contact of the power supply contact, and The block according to claim 3, wherein the supply of electric power is stopped.
The connection portion includes a mechanism in which the state detection contact protrudes from at least one of the power supply contact and the power reception contact when the connection between the blocks is released. The block according to claim 4, wherein the block is canceled earlier than the contact of the state detection contact.
2. The block according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the block is made of a light-transmitting material, and the power consuming unit is an element having a light emitting function or an aggregate thereof that emits light from the block. The block according to any one of 5 to 5.
The power supply unit receives power from the power supply device when the block is in a range where an external power supply device can supply power wirelessly. Listed block.
A block system comprising two or more blocks according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A power supply method performed by a block that can be assembled to form a three-dimensional object,
Detecting that electric power is not supplied to another connected block by a change in potential of a state detection contact provided at a connection location;
When it is detected that the power is not supplied, the step of starting the supply of power through the power supply contact provided at the connection location for the other block;
Detecting that the connection of the block to which power is supplied has been released by a change in the potential of the state detection contact;
When detecting that the connection has been released, stopping the supply of power;
An inter-block power supply method comprising: