System of Bodies Which, by Mutual Communication, Detect and Then Jointly Signalize a Predetermined Concatenation, Storage Box for Such a System and Memory Suitable for Use in Such a Storage Box

Abstract

A system of bodies each having their own electronic identity representation visualized on respective corresponding outer faces of these bodies. The bodies comprise communication means for having the identity representations queried externally. The system comprises means for selectively detecting respective predetermined physical concatenations of such identities as representations of corresponding visualizations and subsequently emitting an external signal, but refraining from producing such a signal in the absence of any such predetermined concatenation. The bodies are particularly suitable for mutual and wireless communication with their physical neighbors in said concatenation, to which end each body is provided with active electronic logic means and an associated electric battery power supply. Communication between the bodies takes place democratically and without the interposition of a master module.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a product which can be used as an educational toy. The products provide visualizations that enable a child to learn and spell words, count numbers, do sums, find logical combinations, etc.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]US patent Publication No. 2003 / 0148700 A1, to Arlinsky et al., describes a system of cubes marked on several faces with indicia of a letter or character, a figure or number, an arithmetic symbol, an object, an animal, etc. A special game controller playing block detects whether the physical concatenation of blocks corresponds to a word, a sum, etc. To this end, adjacent blocks establish electrical contact with each other and the controller playing block emits a signal in the case of a positive result.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]The inventor has realized several improvements in the state of the art. Notably the necessity of such a specialized controller playing block is a drawback. It would be advantageous if, in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]The inventor has realized several improvements in the state of the art. Notably the necessity of such a specialized controller playing block is a drawback. It would be advantageous if, in principle, the system continued to operate in a substantially undisturbed manner, even when an arbitrary body is absent or is out of order. Furthermore, a wireless connection between consecutive bodies is advantageous, because this precludes contamination of the connection and prevents short circuits which may damage the electronic components. Moreover, detection of long concatenations of bodies will be better possible, because the signals can be brought to a standard level for each body. Besides, it would not be necessary for neighboring blocks to be tangential to each other.

[0007]In a preferred embodiment, said visualization is realized by means of a changeable electronic imaging structure energized by an electric battery power supply. Changeable images provide the possibility of creating a very large number of “lessons”, so that counting, spelling, logical aspects and other things can be learned. Such changeable images can be technically realized quite easily. A specific example in this respect is the use of “electronic ink”.

Problems solved by technology

Notably the necessity of such a specialized controller playing block is a drawback.

Images