Sequentially operated modules

{
  "publication_number": "US9590420B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Sequentially operated modules",
  "abstract": "Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A modular game set apparatus comprising: a master module comprising in an enclosure: a battery compartment for housing a battery for providing Direct Current (DC) power; an electromechanical connector at an end of the master enclosure and coupled to the battery compartment for passing DC power via the connector; and a payload coupled to the battery compartment for being powered by the DC power and to the electromechanical connector for receiving digital data therefrom and for being controlled or activated in response to the received digital data; and a plurality of interchangeable slave modules detachably connectable in series with the master module and with each other, each of the slave modules comprising, in an enclosure: a first electromechanical connector at a first end of the slave module enclosure; and a second electromechanical connector at a second end of the slave module enclosure, wherein the electromechanical connectors are physically structured (i) to allow the slave modules to be detachably mechanically coupled to each other in any order and to allow any of the slave modules to be detachably mechanically coupled to the master module, and (ii) to electrically connect electromechanical connectors of respective modules when mechanically coupled to one another; and wherein, when the master module and the slave modules are mechanically connected in a series, the slave modules are powered from the DC power and the payload sequentially operates in response to the order in which the modules are connected.",
    "2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the master module further comprises software or firmware and a processor for executing the software or firmware, and wherein the processor is couplable to be powered from the DC power and to control or activate the payload.",
    "3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payload comprises a motor.",
    "4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the master module further comprises a driving motor and a wheel driven by the driving motor and supporting the master module, and wherein each slave module further comprises a set of wheels supporting the slave module.",
    "5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the slave modules further comprises an annunciator adapted to perform a module-specific task.",
    "6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the annunciators of different ones of the slave modules are adapted to perform respectively different module-specific tasks.",
    "7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the master module further comprises software or firmware and a processor for executing the software or firmware, and wherein the processor is coupled to control or activate the annunciators when the slave modules are mechanically connected in a series to each other and to the master module.",
    "8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the module-specific task of the annunciator of at least one of the slave modules is to emit visible light and the annunciator of at least one of the slave modules comprises a visible light emitter.",
    "9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the visible light emitter comprises a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp, or a fluorescent lamp.",
    "10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the module-specific task of at least one of the annunciators comprises blinking by the visible light emitter.",
    "11. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the module-specific task that at least one of the annunciators is adapted to perform is to emit audible sound and the annunciator of at least one of the slave modules comprises an audible sound generator.",
    "12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sound generator is configured to produce music.",
    "13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sound generator is configured to produce spoken words.",
    "14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the audible sound generator comprises an electromechanical or piezoelectric sound generator.",
    "15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the appearance of each of the slave modules or the module-specific task that each of the annunciators are adapted to perform, or relate to, a common theme.",
    "16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the appearance of each of the slave modules and the module-specific task that each of the annunciators are adapted to perform, relate to a common theme.",
    "17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the slave modules color, type, or shape, is associated with the theme.",
    "18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the theme is a specific type of animal.",
    "19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payload is adapted to emit visible light and the annunciator of that module comprises a visible light emitter.",
    "20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the payload is adapted to emit audible sound and the annunciator comprises an audible sound generator.",
    "21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in each of the slave modules the second end is opposite to the first end, and wherein in each of the slave modules the first electromechanical connector is opposite to the second electrical connector.",
    "22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the second electromechanical connectors of each of the slave modules comprises a first common type of connector chosen from a group consisting of a male connector and a female connector, and wherein each of the first electromechanical connectors of each of the slave modules comprises a second common type of connector that is the other member of the group.",
    "23. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of the electromechanical connectors are rectangular, square, or circular shaped.",
    "24. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the electromechanical connectors comprises a USB connector.",
    "25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slave modules are detachably connectable to each other and to the master module using interlocking, friction fit, or shaped lugs and mating cut-outs.",
    "26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slave modules are detachably connectable to each other and to the master module using protrusions in one of the modules and cavities in another of the modules adapted to receive the protrusions in a frictional engagement.",
    "27. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical connectors are physically structured to electrically connect the electromechanical connectors of any pair of adjacently mechanically attached modules via two contacts capable of carrying both power and digital data between the respective modules.",
    "28. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical connectors are physically structured to electrically connect the electromechanical connectors of any pair of adjacently mechanically attached modules via at least two contacts for carrying the power and at least two contacts for carrying bi-directional digital data."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to a system including interconnected modules, and, more particularly, to a system wherein a signal, such as a payload control or activation signal, is propagated sequentially from a module to another module connected thereto for controlling a payload or payloads.\n\nExamples of a distributed control system having modules connected for distributed control of payloads are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,360 to Binder entitled: “Distributed Serial Control System”, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,510 to the same inventor entitled: “Local area network of serial intelligent cells”, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,826 to the same inventor entitled: “Local area network for distributing data communication, sensing and control signals”, which are all incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.\n\nToys are known in the art for providing amusement, education and entertainment particularly for children. Toy building sets and building blocks known as LEGO® bricks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,254 to Christiansen entitled: “Toy Building Sets and Building Blocks”. Examples of electrically conductive toys such as conductive LEGO® bricks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,605 to Reining et al. entitled: “Electrically Conductive Block Toy”, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,440 to Bolli entitled: “Electrified Toy Building Block with Zig-Zag Current Carrying Structure”, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,503 to Toft et al. entitled: “Constructional Building Set Having an Electric Conductor”, which are all incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.",
  "cpc": [
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    "A63F 13/30",
    "A63F 13/332",
    "A63F 13/35",
    "A63F 13/54",
    "A63F 2009/247",
    "A63F 2250/50",
    "A63H 3/28",
    "A63H 33/042",
    "A63H 33/08",
    "A63H 33/26",
    "A63H 5/00",
    "B25J 9/1656",
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    "G05B 15/02",
    "G09B 17/003",
    "G09B 19/00",
    "G09B 19/0023",
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    "G09B 5/06",
    "H01R 13/6691",
    "H01R 13/7175",
    "H01R 13/7177",
    "H01R 2107/00",
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  "ipc": [
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    "H01R 107/00",
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    "H02J 1/00",
    "H02J 13/00",
    "H04L 12/28",
    "H04L 5/14",
    "H04W 4/80"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Yehuda Binder"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-06-23",
  "publication_date": "2017-03-07",
  "grant_date": "2017-03-07",
  "priority_date": "2009-07-15",
  "application_number": "US-201615190606-A",
  "family_id": "43019651",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
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