Light Matrix Building Block for Modular Toy Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular toy or educational construction sets with electronic parts face challenges in size, durability, and efficient digital communication between modules, particularly in facilitating quick information exchange and varied connections.

Innovation Solution

A light matrix building block with a plurality of separate light emitting elements that can control color and intensity individually, and a method of communication between this building block and a building block device, where digital information is encoded in a single byte for rapid regulation of light elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication protocol is used for digital communication between modules, then ease of operation is improved, but communication speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcommunication speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The digital information is segmented into individual bytes, with each byte controlling a single light emitting element. This segmentation allows for efficient transmission where each byte can be independently processed and applied to specific LEDs, maintaining high communication speed while using wireless protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by encoding color and intensity information into compact byte formats. Each byte contains optimized parameters for controlling specific LED characteristics, enabling fast wireless transmission of control data without loss of precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple digital information parameters are transmitted for each light emitting element, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple control parameters (color and intensity) for each light emitting element are merged into a single byte of information. This consolidation maintains precise control over each LED while reducing the total data volume transmitted, thereby preventing information loss during wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms multiple precision parameters into a compact byte representation by changing how color and intensity are encoded. This parameter transformation preserves the necessary control precision while optimizing data density for efficient transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick and efficient digital communication between modules, allowing for varied connections and smooth play or learning experiences by rapidly regulating the color and intensity of light emitting elements using encoded digital information.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of separate light emitters arranged in a two-dimensional array on a front side of the housing, each of the light emitters being operable in response to instructions from the processor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4315301B1Light matrix building block for a modular toy or educational construction set
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 LEGO AS
  • EP4315301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4315301B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4315301B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A light matrix building block for a modular toy or educational construction set, which comprises a plurality of separate light emitting elements and is configured to control the colour and intensity of each of the light emitting elements individually, and receive and decode digital information to regulate the colour and intensity of each of the light emitting elements, wherein the digital information to regulate the colour and intensity of a light emitting element in the plurality of light emitting elements is encoded in a single byte of information. Also, a modular toy or educational construction set comprising the light matrix building block and a building block device, and a method of communication between a light matrix building block and a building block device.