Polyhedral controller

Abstract

A polyhedral controller 100 for an external device. The controller comprises a polyhedral housing 101, a plurality of panels 102 each of which is configured to be releasably attached to a side of the

Description

The present invention relates to a polyhedral controller, particularly to cube controller for an external device. Background Traditionally shopping for unique pieces of art and craft would include viewing a physical display of the item and perhaps a write-up of the item. However, it has become more important to consumers to understand the journey of the origin of the piece, its importance to the local community where it emanated from, the process of manufacturing the item, and the uniqueness of the item. There is a gap between the supplier and the consumers, and information surrounding the items cannot be conveyed en masse the way the artisan may have intended. It is an aim of the invention to provide a way of displaying or presenting items for sale that addresses or mitigates one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Statements of invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a polyhedral controller for an external device comprising: a polyhedral housing, a plurality of panels each of which is configured to be releasably attached to a side of the polyhedral housing, a touch-sensitive sensor, a transmitter, a data carrier, wherein the touch-sensitive sensor is configured to activate the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to the external device when a user interacts with the panel when electrically connected to the housing. The touch-sensitive sensor may comprise a force sensitive resistor. Preferably, at least one face of the polyhedral housing comprises a rebate, and any one panel is configured to be mounted within any one rebate. The rebate may comprise a socket and the panel may comprise a plug, such that the panel is configured to be electrically connected to the housing via the rebate. The panel and the rebate may be substantially the same size. There may be a plurality of panels, the panels configured to be interchangeable within any rebate. The panel may comprise a material representing an art work. The material may be releasably attached to the panel. The data carrier may comprise data relating to the material and the data transmitted relates to the material on the panel the user interacts with. The polyhedral housing may comprise a rebate on each face. The polyhedral controller may further comprise one or more orientation sensors, wherein the orientation of the polyhedral determines the data transmitted. The orientation sensor may comprise a physical sensor. The physical sensor may be any one of a metallic-electrical contact, a coda push-pin, a spring contact or a blade contact. The orientation sensor may comprise a non-physical sensor. The non-physical sensor may comprise a magnet and reed switch coupling. The controller may further comprise a battery such that it does not need to be connected to mains power in use. The battery may be charged through the socket of any rebate. Each panel may comprise at least 70% of a face of the housing, such that the user easily triggers the transmission of data. Each panel may comprise no more than 95% of a face of the housing, such that the user does not accidentally trigger multiple transmissions. The polyhedral may comprise rounded vertices, such that it can be used by children safely. The polyhedral controller may comprise a cube. Detailed description Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a polyhedral controller in accordance with an example of the invention. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a panel 102 in accordance with an example of the invention. Figure 3 shows a disassembled view of the polyhedral controller 100 in accordance with an example of the invention. Figure 4 shows a second view of the polyhedral controller 100 with a corresponding dock 401 in accordance with an example of the invention. Figure 5 shows a second view of the polyhedral controller 100 with a corresponding dock 401 in accordance with an example of the invention. Polyhedral controller Figure 1 shows a polyhedral controller 100 in accordance with an example of the invention. The polyhedral controller 100 is for transmitting information to an external device. The external device comprises an information display device. The information transmitted related to an art work, a representation of which is found on the controller 100. The polyhedral controller 100 in this example comprises a cube. Alternatively, the controller may comprise any suitable polyhedron. The controller comprises a housing 101. The housing 101 may comprise rounded vertices for safety. The housing may comprise wood. The controller comprises a battery, at least one charging / data port, and a transmitter, held within the housing 101. Each face of the housing 101 comprises a rebate. Alternatively, the housing may comprise any number of rebates up to a maximum of one per face. All rebates are the same size and shape. The rebate on the face of the cubic housing comprises a square, but alternatively may comprise any suitable shape. Each rebate is configured to house a swatch panel 102. The swatch panel 102 is mounted within a rebate of the housing. The swatch panel 102 comprises a representation of an art work. Each rebate comprises a contact interface for corresponding to a swatch panel 102. Each rebate comprises a socket and each panel 102 comprises a plug, such that the panels 102 are electrically connected to the housing 101. The socket of any rebate may be used to charge the battery of the controller. Each rebate of the housing 101 is substantially the same size as each panel 102. The panels 102 are interchangeable within the rebates. Any one panel may be mounted in any one rebate. The controller 100 comprises a force sensitive resistor for each panel 102. The force sensitive resister may be within the housing 101 or within each panel 102. The controller 100 comprises a data carrier. There may be provided a data carrier for each panel 102 comprising data relating to the art work represented on that panel and the data carrier may be housed within the panel. Alternatively, there may be one data carrier housed within the housing 101 comprising data on all art works intended to be represented on the controller. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a panel 102 in accordance with an example of the invention. In this example, the panel comprises a backing 201 and a material swatch 202. The material swatch comprises the representation of the art work. The backing 201 houses the electronics (not shown) of the panel. The backing comprises the plug configured to electrically connect the panel 102 to the housing 101. The electronics housed within the panel 102 are connected to the electronics housed within the housing 101 when the panel 102 is plugged into a socked of a rebate of the housing 101. The material swatch 202 may be attached to the peripheries of the backing 201. It may be permanently attached to the backing. The material swatch may be glued to the backing 201. Alternatively, the swatch 202 may be releasably attached to the backing 201 such that it can be removed and replaced, the material swatch and backing may comprise Velcro or magnetic fasteners. The swatches may be removable and interchangeable on the panel backing. The data carrier of each panel comprises data relating to the art work represented by the material swatch on the panel. The swatch may comprise fabric or incorporate other materials, for instance, non-manufactured natural substrates or semi rigid substrates. The panel and / or rebate comprises the majority of the face of the cube. The rebate may comprise at least 60%, 70%, or 80% the area of the face, such that the controller is easy for the user to interact with. The panel and / or rebate may comprise no more than 95%, 90% or 85%, such that the user can handle the controller without accidentally triggering the transmission of data relating to a different panel than intended. The panel may comprise orientation sensors. In this example, the transmission is not triggered by touch, but triggered by orientation. Each panel can be placed / registered in 1 of 4 possible planar rotational orientations per face. In use, the cube can have swatch panels placed in one of 24 possible positional orientations (6-sided cube x 4 orientations per swatch = 24). By allowing for this rotational interface, more transmissions can be triggered, allowing more comprehensive information to be stored and triggered depending on panel orientation. The orientation sensor may comprise a physical sensor. The physical sensor may be any one of a metallic-electrical contact, a coda push-pin, a spring contact or a blade contact. Alternatively, the orientation sensor may comprise a non-physical sensor. The non-physical sensor may comprise a magnet and reed switch coupling. The orientation sensor may comprise a gyroscope. Figure 3 shows a disassembled view of the polyhedral controller 100 in accordance with an example of the invention. In this example of the invention, all electronics of the controller are within the housing 101 and the releasably attached panels 102 solely comprise a material swatch 201 and a composite 202. The controller housing 101 is separable into two parts. The two parts are substantially the same size, being halves of the housing 101. The rebates 301 are shown one the sides of the housing 101. Each rebate 301 is slit over the two parts of the housing 101. The controller 100 further comprises a battery pack 302, a resistor 303, and a PCB 304. Alternatively, the controller 100 may comprise a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, within a housing 101. Each of the panels 102 are shown in position within part of one of the rebates 301. The rebates 301 each comprise two sides 305 and two ends 306. The sides 305 comprise a raised edge such that the panel 102 abuts against the raised edge when in situ on the housing. The ends 306 comprise a pocket 307 which extends the length of the end 306 of the rebate 301, each pocket 307 receives part of the panel 102 when in situ on the housing. The housing 101 is split into two parts, as shown in figure 3, and the material swatch 201 is slid into the rebate 301 on one of the two parts, such that one end of the material swatch 201 is held within the pocket 307 at the end 305 of the rebate 301. The two parts of the housing 101 are then connected and the material swatch 201 slides into the other end of the same rebate. When the two parts of the housing are connected the material swatch 201 is held in place by the pockets at each end of the rebate, and the raised edge of the sides of the rebate. The two parts of the housing 101 are connectable by an overlap joint located around the perimeter of the connecting edges of the two parts. Alternatively, they may be connectable by a snap fit. When disconnected the two parts may be rotated in relation to one another and reconnected in any one of four configurations. The rebates 301 may comprise markings or other indicators showing which configuration the controller is in. The two parts of the housing can be twisted in relation to one another when apart to create four different configurations of the housing 101. The PCB 304 comprises information for transmission relating to each a swatch 102 corresponding to each rebate 301 in each configuration of the housing 101. Figure 4 shows a first view of the polyhedral controller 100 with a corresponding dock 401 in accordance with an example of the invention. The dock 401 or docking station corresponds to the housing 101 of polyhedral controller 100 in shape and size. The controller 100 can be placed within the dock 401 when not being handled by a user. In this example the dock 401 comprises a substantially cuboid shape with a depression wherein the housing 101 of the controller 10 sits when in situ. The depression comprises curved edges to assist with placement. The curved edges provide guided placement of the housing 101 in the dock 401. The dock 401 comprises a flat base. The dock may be attached to a surface, alternatively, it may be placed on a surface and movable on said surface. The dock may comprise a base shape which corresponds to an uneven surface on which it is intended to sit. The dock 401 comprises rounded edges. The dock 401 may comprise a charging port for the controller 100. Figure 5 shows a second view of the polyhedral controller 100 with a corresponding case 401 in accordance with an example of the invention. The dock 401 partially encases the housing 101 of the controller 100 when in situ as shown in figure 5. The dock 401 may be in electrical connection with the controller 100. The dock 401 may be in electrical connection with the PCB 304. The dock 401 may comprise one or a plurality of sensors. The sensors within the dock may be configured to activate the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to the external device when a user places the controller within the dock 401. In this configuration, the information that is transmitted related to the material swatch on the top face 501. Method of operation The controller 100 in use will be situated nearby arts and crafts for sale. Alternatively, the controller can be utilised as an educative piece and used by schools or other educational classes. The controller 100 is handles by a user. When a user interacts with the art work on a panel 102 housed within a rebate and electrically connected to the housing, the force sensitive resistor activates the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to an external device. The external device comprises an information display device. The external device may be a point of sale device. The device may be an audio-visual device. The external device may be a screen in store, the user’s personal device, a tablet or a laptop. In the embodiment with the controller 100 and the docking station 401, when the user is holding the controller the trigger programming is touch is dominant, such that when a user interacts with the art work on a panel 102 housed within a rebate, the touch sensitive resistor activates the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to an external device. When the controller is placed within the docking station, the controller is no longer touch dominant and information relating to the material swatch 201 facing upwards is transmitted to the external device. The material swatch 201 facing upwards is directly opposite the face of the controller which has been placed within the dock. The data transmitted comprises salient information in regard to the specific swatch of the panel interacted with. This information may include interactive videos, real time images of the manufacturing process from raw material to the finished product, exposure of the curators / artisans. The information can be projected for all to view or watched individually through their tablets and laptops. The impact via visuals, audio, practical stories and / or a mix of all, leaves a lasting impression and aids comprehension and retention of knowledge. The intent is to drive physical interaction and engagement with the swatch panels, driving the consumer to touch, as well as look. This is important as each swatch will have a unique texture, driven by its composition (Wool, Alpaca, Cashmere, Mohair, Angora, Llama, Cotton, Silk) et. al and by the manufacturing techniques employed (woven, knitted, warp knitted, pressed, bonded, tufted, felted) et. al. The finish employed by the manufacturer of the material also has a notable tactile effect, for instance, (sanded, tumbled, washed, mercerised, coated, glazed, burned, calendared, plasma treated et.al. The controller interacts with either shoppers or interested individuals through wireless technology. This may be via Bluetooth of mobile phones and tablets. For example, as shoppers walk past different arts and crafts situated in specific locations throughout a shop, the mobile phone will pickup wirelessly a ping from the controller, which once accepted allows the cube to transmit data to the mobile phone when the user interacts with the panels of the controller. A barcoded certificate may also be provided with on each panel. The barcodes 5 can provide information relating to the art work represented on the panel. The shopper can scan the cube barcode directly and browse through the contents to items of interest while staying at same spot to read about the items and learn about the key information related to the item.

Claims

1. A polyhedral controller for an external information display device comprising:a polyhedral housing;a plurality of panels, each panel being releasably attached to a side of the polyhedral housing;a touch-sensitive sensor;a transmitter;a data carrier;wherein the touch sensitive sensor is configured to activate the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to the external device when a user interacts with one of the panels when electrically connected to the housing.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one face of the polyhedral housing comprises a rebate, and any one panel is configured to be releasably mounted within any one rebate.

3. The controller of claim 2, wherein the rebate may comprise a socket and the panel may comprise a plug, such that the panel is configured to be electrically connected to the housing via the rebate.

4. The controller of claims 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the panels and the at least one rebate may be substantially the same size.

5. The controller of claims 2 to 4, wherein the panels are configured to be interchangeable within any rebate.

6. The controller of any of the preceding claims, wherein the panels comprise a material representing an art work.

7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the material may be releasably attached to the panel.

8. The controller of claims 5 or 6, wherein the data carrier comprises data relating to the material and the data transmitted relates to the material on the panel the user interacts with.

9. The controller of any preceding claim, wherein the polyhedral housing comprises a rebate on each face.10.The controller of any preceding claim, further comprising an orientation sensor, wherein the orientation of the polyhedral housing determines the data transmitted.

11. The controller of claim 10, wherein the orientation sensor comprises a physical sensor.

12. The controller of claim 11, wherein the physical sensor may be any one of the following;a metallic-electrical contact;a coda push-pin;a spring contact or a blade contact.13.The controller of claim 10, wherein the orientation sensor comprises a nonphysical sensor.

14. The controller of claim 13, wherein the non-physical sensor comprises a magnet and reed switch coupling.15.The controller of any preceding claim, further comprising a battery.16.The controller of any preceding claim, wherein each panel comprises at least 70% of a face of the housing.17.The controller of claims 1 to 15, wherein each panel comprises no more than 95% of a face of the housing.18.The controller of any preceding claim, wherein the polyhedral housing comprises rounded vertices.19.The controller of any preceding claim, wherein the polyhedral housing comprises a cube.

20. A kit of parts comprising a polyhedral controller for an external device comprising:a polyhedral housing;a plurality of panels, each panel being releasably attached to the housing; a touch-sensitive sensor;a transmitter;a data carrier;and a dock for housing the polyhedral controller comprising one or a plurality of sensors;wherein either the touch sensitive sensor is configured to activate the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to the external device when a user interacts with the panel when electrically connected to the housing or the one or plurality of sensors is configured to activate the transmitter to transmit data from the data carrier to the external device when a user places the controller within the dock.21 .An information display system comprising the polyhedral controller of any one of claims 1-19 and an external information display device arranged to receive a signal transmitted by the transmitter of the polyhedral controller and thereby display selected information.

22. An information display system according to claim 21, further comprising a dock for the polyhedral controller, the polyhedral controller being releasable from the dock.

Images