Device with an electronic device, and set comprising such a device

Abstract

A device (1) as an aid for moderation and training in project or group work, comprising a housing (2) with an interior (3), wherein the housing (2) has at least three corners (4) and at least three edges (5) which connect the corners (4) to one another and border a surface segment (6), wherein in the interior (3) at least in each corner (4) and / or at least in the edges (5) and / or in grids (19) adjacent to the surface segment (6) cages (7) are formed, in each of which a permanent magnet (8) is arranged captively and movably, so that all magnets (8) can align themselves depending on their polarization, so that by bringing together several devices (1), they can hold them together at their magnets (8), whereby a three-dimensional structure can be created, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises an electronic device (9) with a data memory (10) on which at least one ID number (11) is electronically stored,a switch (12) that can be triggered by a user's actuation, and a transmitter (13) with an antenna (14) connected to the switch (12) and the data memory (10), which transmitter, when the switch (12) is actuated, can wirelessly transmit at least the ID number (11) to a controller (15) and trigger a further process that assigns a meaning to the device within the framework of project or group work, wherein the switch (12) is arranged in a surface segment (6) and is flat in design so that it does not protrude from it, and the switch (12) can be actuated by pressing by the user, and the switch (12) enables the user to trigger a query or start a program at the time they wish in order to establish an assignment in the form of a meaning to this device (1).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a device for moderation and training in project or group work, comprising a housing with an interior space, wherein the housing has at least three corners and at least three edges that connect the corners and border a surface segment. Cages are formed in the interior space at least in each corner and / or at least in the edges and / or in grids adjacent to the surface segment, in each of which a permanent magnet is captively and movably arranged, so that all magnets can be aligned depending on their polarity. The invention also relates to a set comprising such devices. State of the art

[0002] Such devices, albeit for purposes other than those described above, are well known and are used primarily in the toy industry. For example, they create plates that stick together thanks to magnets, allowing children to create assemblies that represent houses or other three-dimensional structures.

[0003] The present invention, however, is not concerned with toys, but with didactic aids for moderation, training, project work, and group work. For example, for the idea generation process, inputs from various participants are recorded, noted, and presented in a certain way. Keywords can be written on self-adhesive note paper and attached and repositioned at will on a board to visually represent affiliations. Other publications have described wall-sized electronic touchscreen displays on which users can enlarge or reduce the displayed information, move it, add to it, or delete it with just a few simple steps. New information can be uploaded to the wall using tablets, smartphones, or computers.

[0004] All of these tools are very limited and hardly allow for the physical separation of the displayed information. Nor do they offer any assistance.

[0005] US 2012 / 0258436 A1 describes the cube-shaped components described above, which are intended to be used to examine and monitor the motor and cognitive abilities of test subjects for therapeutic purposes. For example, the test subjects must recreate given shapes using cubes printed on all sides or solve other tasks. The difficulty level of the next task is determined based on the time taken to complete the task. Description of the invention

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to provide aids of the type described above for moderation and training in project or group work, to which individual meanings can be assigned in connection with the respective project or group work and which can be physically combined and separated into partial or overall results in a work process. They should also be capable of having the respective results electronically recorded by a controller at desired times and of sending further information to the controller at desired times. It should be possible to assign meanings to the individual devices, whereby an assembly comprising several such devices can in turn represent a meaning within the context of the desired work. The results should then be able to be electronically evaluated by the controller and presented in a suitable form.A further object of the present invention is to display stored information at desired times using additional modules or instruments. The object also includes a description of the procedure for a corresponding method. In particular, a system comprising such aids and the control system should be capable of providing support at a desired time. This should take place, in particular, in the form of instructions or a selection process.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims of each claim category, which describe a set and a supplementary device for the set. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. The supplementary device is a device, as described in the first claim, with which any existing set can be expanded as desired.

[0008] According to the invention, the housing of such a device as mentioned above comprises an electronic device with a data storage device on which at least one ID number is electronically stored. Furthermore, this device is equipped with a switch that can be triggered by a user's actuation, as well as with a transmitter with an antenna connected to the switch and the data storage device. When the switch is actuated, the transmitter can wirelessly transmit at least the ID number to a controller and trigger a further process that, for example, assigns the device a significance within the context of project or group work.

[0009] The switch allows the user to trigger a request or start a program at a desired time to establish an association in the form of a meaning with this device. For example, the next photo taken with a camera connected to the controller can be assigned to the corresponding device. This allows specific people, such as decision-makers in specific areas of activity, to be assigned to individual devices. Alternatively, an input device in the form of a keyboard can record meanings such as "web shop," "market stall," or "shop in shop" to assign different sales channels to individual devices.

[0010] The inventive set comprises several such devices as well as a controller that has wireless access to all data storage devices of all devices assigned to it, as well as, if applicable, to the measurement data acquired by these devices. Furthermore, the controller has access to a database containing the ID numbers of all devices assigned to it, as well as other data related to these ID numbers.

[0011] The inventive set is suitable for use in moderation and training in connection with project and group work, as information can be assigned to individual devices and combined into groups or structures. The resulting information regarding coherence and causality can be processed by the controller into links with an internal logic. Depending on how the controller is programmed, the result can be a display that shows certain information on a projection screen or a plan such as a sequence plan, for example, a project plan, which takes into account the instructions and sequence guidelines specified in the structure.

[0012] The method executable by the device according to the invention describes a method for digitizing manually compiled specifications using such a set. In a work process, two or more devices are arranged in a room with a controller and attached to each other using their magnets. Subsequently, at least one switch of a device is actuated, whereby at least the ID number of the device in question is transmitted to the controller. The controller accesses the database and retrieves data stored for the ID number of this device. Based on this data, the controller issues instructions to another electronic module to which it is connected. This can be the presentation of certain information on a display, for example, containing further instructions or initial findings.

[0013] In a simple example, the participants are asked to organize the preparation of a meal, an omelet. A participant takes a first device and presses the switch. The controller identifies the device using the ID number 01, for example, and realizes that no data has been stored for it yet. It therefore asks the user to assign a meaning to this device. This request can be made acoustically or via a display. The user takes a pen and writes "make dough" to the device, then sends this information to the controller. This can also be done acoustically, which then uses speech recognition to create the corresponding text. Alternatively, an associated camera or video camera could be used, which automatically assigns the next image taken to this ID number.Of course, the text can also be entered on a tablet, using a keyboard or handwritten, for example, and then processed using character recognition.

[0014] The device with ID number 01 has now been assigned the meaning "making dough," and the corresponding information is stored in the database under ID number 01. The process is then repeated, so that, for example, "baking dough," "preparing filling," "setting the table," and "shopping" are assigned to additional devices. The individual work packages can now be further refined by assigning each step in "making dough" to another device, for example, "measuring dough ingredients," "mixing dough ingredients," "stirring dough," and "letting dough rest." These individual devices can now be attached to the first "making dough" device using their permanent magnets, creating structures in three dimensions.To electronically record their affiliation, for example, the "Make Dough" button can be activated, followed by all the buttons of the associated devices, and finally, the first device can be activated again. The control system now knows which devices are grouped together. This step can be further refined by dividing "Measure Ingredients" into smaller individual packages, each containing each individual ingredient.

[0015] After each group of participants has equipped their base plate with the individual tasks, several groups of devices are located in the room, which can then be arranged in turn. Additional information can now be given to the control system, for example, by speaking the command "Make dough before baking dough" or "Let dough rest while preparing filling" after the corresponding switches have been activated.

[0016] At the same time, the control system can display the received information, for example, graphically or in a table. Additional information can also be transmitted to the control system, such as the duration of individual tasks, information on how many workers are required for a task, and / or associated costs.

[0017] Depending on the process to be developed, the control system must be programmed accordingly, or the most suitable program must be selected from existing ones. The control system can evaluate the data and perform calculations such as total costs, total time required, number of workers required, etc. It can create project plans or graphic representations in the form of mind maps, or even architectural models (for example, if each appliance represents a kitchen element with specific dimensions, whose sequence, spacing, and orientation are entered accordingly). It can also generate linearized result reports, screen presentations, or websites.

[0018] What is inventive about the present invention is the two-way interaction between the user and the controller, which is made possible by the switch. As soon as the controller detects the signal from the switch, whose device it identifies through the transmission of the ID number, it can give and / or receive instructions based on the specifications known to it. Since the transmission of the ID number requires very little energy, the device generally does not require an energy storage device. The energy required to send the ID number and any other data can, for example, be drawn from the environment or generated by a piezoelectric crystal when the switch itself is pressed. This ensures a simple and cost-effective design of the device according to the invention. The switch itself is preferably flat and does not protrude from the surface in which it is mounted.This allows a second device according to the invention to be attached to the surface with the switch without triggering a signal. If the devices are equipped with Hall sensors that can detect the proximity of another device, actuating the switch of the second device according to the invention can also transmit the information that the first device is connected to it, allowing these two devices to be detected as a group. Depending on the program selected on the controller for the respective project, actuating a switch can trigger a different function. Short description of the drawings

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention and a control; Fig. 2 perspective interior view of the device after Fig. 1 on average AA; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a switch with a piezoelectric element; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a three-dimensional structure made of devices according to the invention; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a set according to the invention comprising several devices and a controller to which further electronic modules are connected, as well as a charging station; Fig. 6 Example of a model or model plan; Fig. 7 Device for sending and receiving energy and information. Ways to implement the invention

[0020] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows various devices 1 according to the invention, some of which are combined to form three-dimensional structures. Fig. Figure 2 shows the interior of such a device 1 in section. Each of these devices 1 comprises a housing 2 with an interior space 3, wherein the housing 2 has at least three corners 4 and at least three edges 5 which connect the corners 4 to one another and border a surface segment 6. In the interior space 3, cages 7 are formed at least in each corner 4 and / or at least in the edges 5 and / or in grids 19 adjacent to the surface segment 6, in each of which a permanent magnet 8 is arranged captively and movably so that all magnets 8 can be aligned depending on their polarization. Although round magnets 8 are shown here throughout, magnets 8 in other shapes can also be used, for example cylindrical ones. The cages 7 must be large enough to allow the mobility of the magnets 8 required for alignment. In addition, they can be made larger to allow a limited local displacement of the magnets 8.This may be necessary if devices 1 are to be attached to their magnets 8 that have different magnet positions, for example, if a triangular-shaped device 1 is to be connected to a spherical segment-shaped device 1. The cages 7 are preferably lined with a damping material, such as felt, to prevent or reduce unwanted noise when moving the devices 1.

[0021] According to the invention, the housing 2 comprises an electronic device 9 with a data memory 10 on which at least one ID number 11 is electronically stored, a switch 12 that can be triggered by a user's actuation, and a transmitter 13 connected to the switch 12 and the data memory 10 and having an antenna 14, which, upon actuation of the switch 12, can wirelessly transmit at least the ID number 11 to a controller 15. Furthermore, this can trigger a further process that assigns a meaning to the device 1 within the context of project or group work.

[0022] Such an electronic device 9 can operate without an energy storage device and is thus very cost-effective and user-friendly. The ID number 11 is transmitted in the form of data 16 to the controller 15, which, upon receipt, reacts accordingly depending on the program it is running. According to the example mentioned, it can request the user to transmit information about this device 1. The controller 15 then stores the corresponding information in a dedicated database 31. Additional electronic modules 33 are used for communication with the user, for example, microphones and loudspeakers if the communication is carried out acoustically and with speech recognition. Other options for electronic modules 33 are a screen and keyboard, a character recognition module, for example, a touchscreen with a pen or image processing, or a photo or video camera.

[0023] The transmitter 13 of the electronic unit 9 can, with the antenna 14, preferably also receive data 16 transmitted wirelessly from a controller 15 and forward it to the data storage device 10 for storage. The switch 12 can be actuated by the user in various ways. Actuation by touch, capacitively, inductively, by pressing, or by bringing it into a near-field signal area has proven particularly suitable. This actuation is particularly advantageous if it can supply energy to the transmitter 13 sufficient to transmit the required data 16 to the controller 15. In particular, the switch 12 can be equipped with a piezoelectric element 17 to generate the transmission energy required for transmitting the ID number 11. Fig. Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment in which the housing 2 is designed as a membrane 2a with a reduced wall thickness around the support around the piezoelectric element 17. The energy applied to the element 17 by the user is converted into a voltage, which can then be used to transmit the data 16. Alternatively, the switch 12, as shown in Fig. 1, an RFID transponder 18 can be activated by a near-field transmitter, triggering the switch 12. The energy supplied by the near-field transmitter is also sufficient to transmit the ID number 11 to the controller 15. For all of the examples mentioned, it is not necessary to provide an energy storage device. Additionally or alternatively, energy from radio waves in the environment can be used to transmit data.

[0024] Because the device 1 includes an electronic device 9, it has proven expedient to design the housing 2 to be waterproof. This allows the device 1 to be immersed in a bath when cleaning its surfaces without being damaged.

[0025] The device 1 has a further advantage if its corners 4 and edges 5 have phases or curves. Such devices 1 can be positioned at different angles to corners 4, edges 5, or surface segments 6 of a similar device 1.

[0026] Another advantage is achieved when magnets 8 are arranged in cages 7 of the device 1 in the interior 3 adjacent to the surface segment 6 in grids 19, preferably at uniform grid spacings a of 0.5-10 cm, in particular 5 cm. This cannot always be maintained for devices 1 that are not rectangular or cuboidal in shape. Therefore, larger cages 7, in which the magnets 8 can move within limited masses, are advantageous. In addition, a cage 7 with a magnet 8 is preferably arranged in the interior 3 behind the center point 20 of the surface segment 6.

[0027] The devices 1 preferably have the shape of a rectangle, square, triangle, circle, trapezoid, rhombus, rhomboid, cuboid, cylinder, pyramid, tetrahedron, octahedron, spherical segment, a combination thereof, or a part thereof. Platonic solids of all kinds are more suitable than solids with free forms. In particular, devices 1 are suitable which are designed as a flat plate 21, so that a rear surface segment 22 of the same size and mirrored shape lies parallel to the surface segment 6. All magnets 8, which are arranged in cages 7 in the interior 3 adjacent to the surface segment 6 in grids 19 and / or in the surface center 20, border the rear surface segment 22, so to speak, so that they act simultaneously in the directions of both surface segments 6, 22. Such plates 21, as in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, can be assembled in a variety of ways, even three-dimensionally. Fig. 4, four triangular plates 2 are held together to form a pyramid. The electronic devices 9 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

[0028] According to the invention, the electronic device 9 of a device 1 can comprise a position sensor 23 that can detect the position of the device 1 with respect to the spatial coordinates x, y, and z. This can be used, for example, to detect whether the plate 21 is upright or lying down. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device 9 can comprise one or more Hall effect magnetic sensors 24 or transmitter-receiver systems 25 for detecting and identifying other nearby devices 1 that are magnetically attached to this device 1. For this purpose, a Hall effect magnetic sensor 24 is preferably mounted as close as possible to each of the magnets 8, while the transmitter-receiver systems 25 are preferably arranged centrally between the grids. NFC transponders / receivers are particularly suitable as transmitter-receiver systems 25. These bidirectionally communicating near-field transmitters / receivers can transmit not only information but also energy to the receiver.They also have an extended ID number, which includes, for example, the ID number 11 of their device 1 and also an indication of the position on this device 1 where the respective transmitter-receiver system 25 is arranged. In use, the transmitter-receiver system 25 can at most detect several other transmitter-receiver systems 25 of neighboring devices 1, albeit with different signal strengths. The signal strength can be taken into account during evaluation so that the exact position of the neighboring device 1 relative to the own device 1 can be clearly determined. In the figures, the electrical connections to the sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and to the transmitter-receiver systems 25 are only shown individually to ensure clarity.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device 9 can comprise an acceleration sensor 26 and / or a noise sensor 26. The noise sensor 26 can, for example, detect a knock on the surface segment 6. If all devices 1 that are attached to one another are picked up together and moved to another location, the controller can then detect the group membership of all these devices 1 by the synchronous response of their acceleration sensors. The same applies if a knock is detected simultaneously by all devices 1 connected to a group, provided the knocking noises are easily transmitted.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 9 of a device 1 can comprise a radio transmitter 28, which can transmit the measurement data 16 acquired by one or more sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and / or the identities 11 of nearby transmitter-receiver systems 25 acquired by one or more transmitter-receiver systems 25 to the controller 15. This radio transmitter 28 can be the radio transmitter 13 with the antenna 14, with which the ID number 11 is transmitted to the controller 25, or another radio transmitter 28 can be arranged for this purpose.

[0031] In particular, in a device 1 comprising one or more Hall effect magnetic sensors 24 or transmitter-receiver systems 25, the switch 12, when actuated, is capable of causing data 16 stored on data storage devices 10 of other detected devices 1 to be transmitted to the controller 15. Preferably, the electronic device 9 of such a device 1 also has an energy storage device 29 for powering sensors 23, 24, 26, 27, transmitter-receiver systems 25, RFID transponders 18, and / or radio transmitters 13, 28. However, it should be noted that it is sufficient for one device 1 per group to have such an energy storage device 29, since the other devices 1 that are directly or indirectly connected to it can be powered via it. The energy storage device 29 can preferably be charged contactlessly. This facilitates the waterproof construction of the housing 2.In addition, when charging, not every device needs to be connected to a cable; it is sufficient to bring it close to the respective charging station.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a set 30 according to the invention, which comprises several such devices 1 and a controller 15 assigned to these devices 1. The controller 15 has wireless access to all data memories 10 of all devices 1 assigned to it, as well as to the measurement data 16 acquired by these devices 1, if these include sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and / or transmitter-receiver systems 25. Furthermore, the controller 15 has access to a database 31, which includes the ID numbers 11 of all devices 1 assigned to it, as well as further data 16 relating to these ID numbers 11.

[0033] This additional data 16 can be information that was recorded by a user during the work process, or information about the device 1, for example details about its shape, the number and arrangement of its magnets 8 and / or details about its sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and / or transmitter-receiver systems 25. At the beginning of the work process, the information that no data 16 about this device 1 has yet been stored can be seen from the database 31.

[0034] If individual or multiple electronic devices 9 of the devices 1 of the set 30 comprise one or more sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and / or transmitter-receiver systems 25, the data 16 thus acquired can preferably also be transmitted wirelessly to the controller 15, so that the controller 15 can create lists and / or perform calculations based on the obtained measurement data 16. Alternatively, the controller 15 can create three-dimensional models based on the received data and measurement data 16, with bodies that represent the spatial arrangement of the devices 1 relative to one another. In particular, the controller 15 can use this to create a model plan 34 with internal logical relationships, such as a Scrum / Kanban board representation, a process plan, a project plan, a schedule, a development plan, a production plan, an organizational chart, a SWOT matrix, a value chain analysis, or a sales plan.This depends on the software and its settings used for Set 30. For example, the same Set 30 can be used both to visualize building components and to create a business plan.

[0035] The set 30 can be supplemented with a charging station 32, in which the energy storage units 29 of the devices 1 can be charged. This charging station 32 can be in the form of a case in which the devices 1 can be transported and which, during storage, can be connected to a power supply for charging the devices 1. This allows the devices 1 to be conveniently charged overnight so that they are ready for use the next day. The advantage of rechargeable energy storage units 29 is that batteries do not need to be changed during a work process. Furthermore, the housing 2 of the device 1 does not need to be opened, which could reduce the watertightness of the housing.

[0036] Together with software specifically selected or adapted for the intended use, as well as electronic modules 33 suitable for the respective purpose, which are intended for communication with the user and for the input of information, as well as for the display of intermediate and final results, the set 30 forms a system that is operational according to the project. The electronic modules 33, for example, loudspeakers, projectors, screens, tablets, graphics tablets, touchscreens, keyboards, smartphones, and / or microphones for the interactive input of data, may already be present in a seminar room and / or be provided by the participants or moderators. The software, which can be purchased separately, thus belongs, together with the electronic modules 33, to the finished system, but not to the set 30, which can also be purchased separately.In addition, individual devices 1 are offered separately as additional components to expand a set. For this reason, protection is claimed for a single device 1 only.

[0037] According to the invention, Set 30 is intended to be used for moderation, training, project work or group work.

[0038] The set 30 according to the invention can be used together with at least one electronic module 33 connected to the controller 15 of the set 30 to carry out a method for digitizing manually compiled specifications.This method comprises the following steps: (a) In a work process, two or more devices 1 are arranged in a room with a controller 15 and fastened to one another by means of their magnets 8; (b) at least one switch 12 of a device 1 is actuated; (c) at least the ID number 11 of the device 1 in question is transmitted to the controller 15; (d) the controller 15 accesses the database 31 and retrieves data 16 stored for the ID number 11 of this device 1; (e) (optional) the controller 15 issues instructions to the electronic module 33 based on this data 16; (f) the same or another electronic module 33 transmits information entered by the user to the controller 15; (g) the controller 15 stores the received information digitally in the database 31.

[0039] The instruction in step (e) to the electronic module 33 can, for example, simply consist of informing a camera that the next photo should be sent immediately to the controller 15, or of informing another module 33, such as a tablet, that it is now its turn and should send the next received information to the controller. If the process is kept very simple and only a single device is available, this step (e) can also be skipped.

[0040] Preferably, several devices 1 are combined, held together by their magnets 8, creating a three-dimensional structure before a switch 12 is activated. For example, smaller cubes can be constructed from smaller devices 1, which in turn are enclosed by larger cubes made of larger devices 1. In this way, the connection can be visualized in the form of integration. In particular, the different sizes of the devices 1 can be used symbolically if meaning is to be conveyed.

[0041] In a preferred method, the controller 15 successively and regularly queries all devices 1 connected to it for data 16 acquired by all sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and transmitter-receiver systems 25 integrated therein. It then assigns this data to the corresponding devices 1 and stores it in the database 31. In this way, a change in association is automatically recorded; actuating the switches on each device 1 may then only be needed to assign a designation or meaning to the device and / or to request assistance from the device. This assistance can be stored in software and, for example, include basic information on the next steps.

[0042] If the electronic units 9 of the devices 1 comprise transmitter-receiver systems 25 for detecting and identifying other nearby devices 1 that are magnetically attached to them, then both energy and information can be transported via nearby transmitter-receiver systems 25 across multiple devices 1 and returned again. Finally, this collected amount of information, originating from multiple devices 1 attached to one another at different stages, is transmitted collectively to the controller 15. For this purpose, only a first of the devices 1 needs to be powered by an energy storage device 29. The other devices 1, up to a maximum of 8 devices in total, are sufficiently powered by the transmitter-receiver systems 25 so that the information can be collected.

[0043] Preferably, when one of the switches 12 of the devices 1 is actuated, the data 16 of the sensors 23, 24, 26, 27 and / or the transmitter-receiver systems 25 integrated in the electronic device 9 are also transmitted to the controller 15.

[0044] Preferably, after receiving data 16 from one or more of the devices 1, the controller 15 evaluates this data 16 and issues instructions, according to a specification, to another electronic module 33 to which it is connected. Such an evaluation depends on the specification or the selected software. Accordingly, the results of the evaluations can be very divergent.

[0045] For example, the controller 15 records the spatial arrangements of the assembled devices 1, stores them, and displays them graphically on a suitable module 33. Or, based on the data 16 it receives and the information from the database 31, it creates further lists, carries out a calculation, and / or creates an offer or a plan, such as a business plan, a project plan, a process plan, a construction plan, or a Scrum / Kanban board representation.

[0046] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows an example of such an evaluation. Using the example of the arrangement of devices 1 of Fig. 5, the device with the number 1, according to the example of cooking an omelet mentioned at the beginning, can represent "shopping", device 1 with the number 2 then represents "making the dough" and "baking the dough", device 1 with the number 4 represents "making the filling", and device 1 with the number 3 represents "eating", which represents the end of the project. Not visible behind device 1 with the number 4, parallel to device 1 with the number 2, could be another device 1, which represents "setting the table". In this example, the time axis runs from left to right, diagonally positioned devices 1 symbolize intermediate results or final results, all processes that are at the same place on the timeline also take place simultaneously. In the Fig. This example is visualized in Figure 6. It is obvious that such an example can be as complex as desired, for example, when organizing a wedding, a development project, or the Olympic Games.

[0047] The advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the devices 1 have a haptic feel, in contrast to virtual entities depicted on a display. The individual tasks can thus be touched, connected and separated from one another, picked up, and moved to another table or an adjoining room, allowing individual groups to work undisturbed, simultaneously, and without hierarchy. Furthermore, the front and back of a device 1 can be labeled independently of one another, thus allowing for additional work options. The visualization of the entities is particularly appealing because they can be connected three-dimensionally, displaying different heights and volumes, thus demonstrating their thickness. Participants or users can walk around the entities.Not all information is available to the user at the same time, so a certain filter is used, but on the other hand a focus is placed on the devices 1 that appear in front of you as you walk around, while others disappear.

[0048] In Fig. Figure 7 describes a further advantage of the invention. It shows a device 1 that is suitable for transmitting and receiving energy and information both horizontally and vertically. It therefore comprises electronics with two connected NFC transponders / receivers 25, one each arranged horizontally and vertically. Depending on their orientation, they can transmit energy and information into both spaces orthogonal to their surface orientations and also receive energy and information from them. If other devices 1 are located in the vicinity of this device 1, in particular because they are attached to it directly or indirectly by their magnets, energy and information can be transported via multiple NFC transponders / receivers 25. The first of these devices 1 is preferably powered inductively, again by an NFC transponder / receiver that is connected to a power source such as a battery or the mains.

[0049] Information can thus be queried and collected from various devices 1 over several stages, so that ultimately, at the push of a button, the overall information about an entire group can be transmitted to the controller 15. Each queried NFC transponder / receiver 25 can not only provide information about which other NFC transponders / receivers 25 are nearby, i.e., within its reception range, but can also provide an estimate of the distance to them based on the strength of the signal response. Based on all this information, the controller 15 can determine and evaluate the spatial arrangement of the individual devices relative to one another. In this way, groups as a whole can be recorded and evaluated at the push of a button, as in connection with Fig. 6 was described.

[0050] It turns out that this method can collect information from at least 2 or 3 to 8 devices 1 , and with sufficient power and / or clever arrangement, even from up to 12 or 15 devices 1 in a cascade. The number of devices collected is correspondingly higher if lateral branches are included.

[0051] Another example, not shown, is devices 1 in the form of cuboids or cubes, each equipped with at least one NFC transponder / receiver 25 on all sides. When stacking, for example, eight such cuboids to form a tower, all the information from these cuboids can be collected and sent together to the controller 15 at the push of a button. The side length of such devices 1 is irrelevant as long as a sufficient number of NFC transponders / receivers 25, which are internally connected to one another, are arranged on each surface segment 6. Since the range of the NFC transponders / receivers 25 is only a few centimeters, for example 7 cm, the devices 1 can be dimensioned accordingly small or equipped with the required number of NFC transponders / receivers 25.

[0052] Furthermore, it is very easy to specify a chronological sequence. Two objects connected by a simple connection, for example, a cord, each comprising an NFC transponder / receiver 25 and preferably a permanent magnet or a ferromagnet, can be labeled "first" and "after" and stored accordingly in the database 31 with their ID numbers 11. If these objects are ultimately attached to two different groups, the controller can clearly recognize that the work of one group must be performed "first" and that of the other group "afterward." Such connected objects, not shown in the figures, can also be used accordingly with the other devices to establish sequences, hierarchies, or internal structures. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 housings 2a Membrane on the housing 3 Interior 4 corner 5 edge 6 surface segment 7 cage 8 permanent magnet, magnet 9 Electronic device 10 data storage 11 ID number 12 switches 13 channels 14 Antenna 15 Control 16 Data, measurement data 17 Piezoelectric element 18 RFID transponders 19 grids 20 Center of area 21 plate 22 posterior surface segment 23 Position sensor 24 Hall magnetic sensor 25 transmitter-receiver system, NFC transponder / receiver 26 Accelerometer 27 Noise sensor 28 radio transmitters 29 energy storage 30 sets 31 Database 32 charging stations 33 Electronic module 34 Model, model plan a Grid spacing QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2012 / 0258436 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Device (1) as an aid for moderation and training in project or group work, comprising a housing (2) with an interior (3), wherein the housing (2) has at least three corners (4) and at least three edges (5) which connect the corners (4) to one another and border a surface segment (6), wherein in the interior (3) at least in each corner (4) and / or at least in the edges (5) and / or in grids (19) adjacent to the surface segment (6) cages (7) are formed, in each of which a permanent magnet (8) is arranged captive and movable, so that all magnets (8) can align themselves depending on the polarization, so that by bringing together several devices (1) they can hold them together at their magnets (8), whereby a three-dimensional structure can be created, characterized bythat the housing (2) comprises an electronic device (9) with a data memory (10) on which at least one ID number (11) is electronically stored, a switch (12) that can be triggered by a user's actuation, and a transmitter (13) with an antenna (14) connected to the switch (12) and the data memory (10), which transmitter, when the switch (12) is actuated, can wirelessly transmit at least the ID number (11) to a controller (15) and trigger a further process that assigns the device a meaning within the framework of project or group work, wherein the switch (12) is arranged in a surface segment (6) and is flat in design so that it does not protrude therefrom, and the switch (12) can be actuated by pressing by the user, and the switch (12) enables the user to initiate a query or start a program at the time he or she wishes,to establish an assignment in the form of a meaning to this device (1). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the switch (12) is equipped with a piezoelectric element (17) for generating the transmission energy required for sending the ID number (11). [3] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the switch (12) comprises an RFID transponder (18) which can be activated by a near-field transmitter, or that alternatively energy from radio waves from the environment can be used to trigger the switch (12). [4] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it is designed as a flat plate (21) so that a rear surface segment (22) of the same size and mirrored shape lies parallel to the surface segment (6), and that all magnets (8) which are arranged in cages (7) in the interior (3) adjacent to the surface segment (6) in grids (19) and / or in the surface center (20) are, as it were, adjacent to the rear surface segment (22), so that they can act simultaneously in the directions of both surface segments (6, 22). [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat its electronic device (9) comprises a position sensor (23) which can detect the position of the device (1) with respect to the spatial coordinates x, y and z, one or more Hall magnetic sensors (24) or a transmitter-receiver system (25) for detecting and identifying other nearby devices (1) which are magnetically attached to this device (1), an acceleration sensor (26) and / or a noise sensor (27) which can detect, for example, a knock on the surface segment (6). [6] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it comprises electronics with two connected NFC transponders / receivers (25) which are aligned orthogonally to each other. [7] Set (30) for use for moderation and training in project or group work comprising several devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a control (15) associated with these devices (1), characterized bythat the controller (15) has, on the one hand, wireless access to all data memories (10) of all devices (1) assigned to it and, if applicable, to the measurement data (16) recorded by these devices (1), and, on the other hand, has access to a database (31) which includes the ID numbers (11) of all devices (1) assigned to it and further data (16) relating to these ID numbers (11). [8] Set (30) according to claim 7 comprising several devices (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that the data (16) recorded at the sensors (23, 24, 26, 27) and transmitter-receiver systems (25) of all devices (1) can be transmitted to the controller (15) by radio and the controller (15) can create lists and / or carry out calculations on the basis of the measurement data (16) received. [9] Set (30) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the control (15) can create three-dimensional models on the basis of the received data and measurement data (16) with bodies which represent the spatial arrangement of the devices (1) relative to one another. [10] Set (30) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the controller (15) can create a model plan (34) with internal logical relationships on the basis of the received data and measurement data (16), such as a Scrun board or a Kanban board representation, a process plan, a project plan, a schedule, a development plan, a production plan, an organizational chart or a sales plan. [11] Set (30) according to one of claims 7 to 10 for digitizing manually compiled specifications using at least one electronic module (33) connected to the controller 15, wherein the digitizing is characterized by the steps of a) that in a work process in a room with a control system (15) two or more devices (1) are arranged and fastened to each other by means of their magnets (8), b) that at least one switch (12) of a device (1) is actuated, c) that at least the ID number (11) of the device (1) in question is transmitted to the controller (15), d) that the controller (15) accesses the database (31) and retrieves data (16) stored for the ID number (11) of this device (1), e) that optionally the control (15) issues instructions to the electronic module (33) on the basis of these data (16), f) that the same or another electronic module (33) transmits information to the controller (15) entered by the user, g) and that the controller (15) stores the received information digitally in the database.

Images