U.S. patent application number 11/913698 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for computer controlled pawn.
This patent application is currently assigned to Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.. Invention is credited to Anthonie Hendrik Bergman, Hubertus Maria Rene Cortenraad.
Application Number | 20080211183 11/913698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37199019 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080211183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cortenraad; Hubertus Maria Rene ;
et al. |
September 4, 2008 |
Computer Controlled Pawn
Abstract
A pawn is provided (10) with a bottom surface (11) for
supporting the pawn (10) on a display surface (19) of a display
(18). The bottom surface (11) comprises an image detector (12) for
detecting a control image on the display surface (19), underneath
the bottom surface (11). The pawn (10) further comprises control
means (13, 14), coupled to the image detector (12) for controlling
an appearance or position of the pawn (10) in dependence of the
control image.
Inventors: |
Cortenraad; Hubertus Maria
Rene; (Maastricht, NL) ; Bergman; Anthonie
Hendrik; (Eindhoven, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS
P.O. BOX 3001
BRIARCLIFF MANOR
NY
10510
US
|
Assignee: |
Koninklijke Philips Electronics,
N.V.
Eindhoven
NL
|
Family ID: |
37199019 |
Appl. No.: |
11/913698 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
May 8, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB06/51436 |
371 Date: |
November 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00826
20130101; A63F 2003/00662 20130101; A63F 2009/2451 20130101; A63F
2003/00652 20130101; A63F 2003/00892 20130101; A63F 2009/247
20130101; A63F 3/00697 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/237 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2005 |
EP |
05103952.7 |
Claims
1. A pawn (10) comprising: a bottom surface (11) for, at least
partly, supporting the pawn (10) on a display surface (19) of a
display (18), an image detector (12) for detecting a control image
on the display surface (19), underneath the bottom surface (11),
and control means (13, 14), coupled to the image detector (12) for
controlling the pawn (10) dependent on the control image.
2. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image detector
(12) comprises a photosensitive diode or a CCD module.
3. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means
(13, 14) comprise transport means (13) for moving the pawn (10)
relative to the display surface (19).
4. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means
(13, 14) comprise a light source (14) or display means (54) for
changing an appearance of the pawn (10).
5. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means
(13, 14) comprise a speaker (53) for producing sound.
6. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power
supply (52) for supplying power to the control means (13, 14).
7. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the power supply (52)
comprises the image detector (12), being arranged for transferring
energy from the control image to the control means (13, 14).
8. A pawn (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the image detector
(12) comprises at least one photovoltaic cell.
9. A system (60) for controlling a pawn (10), the system (60)
comprising a display (18) and at least one pawn (10), the display
(18) comprising: a display surface (19) for displaying a control
image and supporting the pawn (10), and a processor (63) for
generating the control image on the display surface (19), the pawn
(10) comprising: a bottom surface (11) for, at least partly,
supporting the pawn (10) on the display surface (19), an image
detector (12) for detecting the control image, and control means
(13, 14), coupled to the image detector (12) for controlling the
pawn (10) dependent on the control image.
10. A system (60) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display (18)
further comprises pawn detection means (61) for detecting a
position of the pawn (10) on the display surface (19), and wherein
the processor (63) is arranged for generating the control image on
the display surface (19), underneath a bottom surface (11) of the
pawn (10).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a pawn, which appearance or
position is computer controllable.
[0002] The invention further relates to a system comprising such a
pawn and means for controlling the pawn.
[0003] Such a pawn is known from a United States patent application
published as US 2004/0164696. The US patent application describes a
robot which comprises a sensing device for sensing data which is
indicative of a position of the robot on an interface surface. A
radio transceiver is used for communicating the data to a computer
application. The radio transceiver is also used by the robot for
receiving movement instructions from the computer application. The
robot uses these movement instructions for moving over the
interface surface.
[0004] It is a disadvantage of the system described in the US
patent application that, when a plurality of robots is used,
interference may hinder the communication between the robot and the
computer application. Interference may occur due to the many
communication signals that are sent from each robot to the computer
application or vice versa. Interference may also occur due to other
devices, such as, cellular phones or laptop PCs.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a computer
controllable pawn, which operation is not hindered by
interference.
[0006] According to the invention this object is achieved by
providing a pawn comprising a bottom surface for, at least partly,
supporting the pawn on a display surface of a display, an image
detector for detecting a control image on the display surface,
underneath the bottom surface, and control means, coupled to the
image detector for controlling the pawn dependent on the control
image.
[0007] The control image on the display surface comprises
information for the control means, which information is used for
controlling the pawn. Because the information appears underneath
the pawn it is only received by the image detector of the pawn that
the information was meant for. Consequently no interference
problems occur when using a plurality of such pawns.
[0008] In an embodiment of the pawn according to the invention the
image detector comprises a photosensitive diode. When light from
the control image impinges on the diode the control means control
the pawn, i.e. change its position or appearance.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the pawn according to the
invention, the image detector comprises a CCD module for enabling
detecting detailed images. Detailed images can comprise much
information and are therefore very useful for controlling various
parameters of the pawn using a single control image.
[0010] The control means may comprise transport means for moving
the pawn relative to the display surface. Speed and direction of
the movement may depend on the information comprised by the control
image.
[0011] The control means may comprise a light source or display
means for changing an appearance of the pawn. The light source may
be turned on or off in dependence of the control image.
Alternatively the light may flash or the intensity of the light may
be adjusted. The display means of the pawn may provide textual or
symbolic messages to the user.
[0012] The pawn may comprise a power supply for supplying power to
the control means. In an embodiment of the pawn according to the
invention, the image detector is arranged for transferring energy
from the control image to the control means. In said embodiment no
external power supply is required for providing power to the
control means. The pawn does not require a battery which would have
to be replaced when exhausted. The image detector may comprise at
least one photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells may be used for
converting the light from the display surface to electric energy
for use by the control means.
[0013] In a further aspect of the invention a system for
controlling a pawn is provided, the system comprising a display and
at least one pawn. The display comprises a display surface for
displaying a control image and supporting the pawn and a processor
for controlling generating the control image on the display
surface. The pawn comprises a bottom surface for, at least partly,
supporting the pawn on the display surface, an image detector for
detecting a control image, and control means, coupled to the image
detector for controlling the pawn dependent on the control
image.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the
invention the display further comprises pawn detection means for
detecting a position of the pawn on the display surface and the
processor is arranged for generating the control image on the
display surface underneath a bottom surface of the pawn.
[0015] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from
and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a pawn according to the invention,
[0018] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a pawn according to the invention in
cooperation with a display,
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a pawn according to the invention comprising
three separately controllable LEDs,
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a pawn according to the invention comprising an
integrated circuit for controlling the pawn,
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a pawn according to the invention comprising a
display for providing textual and symbolic messages, and
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a system according to the invention comprising
a display and a plurality of pawns.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a pawn 10 according to the invention. The
bottom surface 11 of the pawn 10 rests on the display surface 19 of
the display 18. The bottom surface 11 comprises a photosensitive
diode 12, such that it can receive light from the display surface
19. An electrically driven wheel 13 is coupled to the photo diode
12. The coupling between the photo diode 12 and the wheel 13 is,
for example, such that the wheel 13 rotates when the display
surface 19 shows a white control image underneath the photo diode
12.
[0024] When the wheel 13 rotates the pawn moves over the display
surface 19. Preferably, control images with different grey levels
are used for controlling the speed of rotation of the wheel 13 and
thus the speed of movement of the pawn 10. Different grey levels
may also be used for coding the direction forward/backward of
movement of the pawn 10. Two or more wheels 13 may be comprised in
one pawn 10 for enabling moving in different directions.
[0025] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a pawn 10 according to the invention in
cooperation with a display 18. In both figures the surface area
around the pawn is colored. In FIG. 2b the display surface 19
underneath the bottom surface 11 of the pawn 10 displays a white
control image. Because the control image is under the bottom
surface 11 of the pawn 10, it is not visible to the user unless the
pawn 11 is transparent. The user will not see any difference
between the display surfaces 19 in the respective situations.
[0026] The photo diode 12 is coupled to an LED 14 or other light
source. It depends on the control image whether the LED 14 is on or
off. With the example shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the LED 14 is off
when the control image is dark (FIG. 2a) and the LED 14 is on when
the control image is white (FIG. 2b). Grey levels may be used, for
example, for providing a flashing LED 14 or for controlling the
intensity of the light source 14. Alternatively a flashing light
pattern may be provided by frequently changing the color of the
control image.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a pawn 10 according to the invention comprising
three separately controllable LEDs 141, 142, 143. The pawn 10
comprises three photo diodes 121, 122, 123 for separately
controlling the three LEDs 141, 142, 143. Each LED 141, 142, 143 is
coupled to a photo diode 121, 122, 123 in the same manner as in
FIGS. 2a and 2b. In this event the control images that are
displayed on the display surface 19 do not cover the whole area
underneath the bottom surface 11 of the pawn 10, but only those
parts that are directly underneath the photo diodes 12. In FIG. 3
white control images are displayed under two photo diodes 121 and
122. A dark control image is displayed under a third photo diode
123. The LEDs 141 and 142 that are coupled to the first two photo
diodes 121 and 122 are on. The LED 123 that is coupled to the third
photo diode 143 is off.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a pawn 10 with
three LEDs 141, 142, 143. This pawn comprises only one photo diode
12. The photo diode 12 is coupled to an integrated circuit IC 15.
The three LEDs 141, 142, 143 are coupled to the IC 15. In the IC 15
a grey level or color, is translated to a lighting pattern. The
lighting pattern may be static e.g. one LED on, two LEDs off, or
dynamic first one LED on, then two, then three, then one, . . . .
The use of an IC 15 enables the use of a great variety of lighting
patterns. In combination with a wheel 13, like in FIG. 1, an IC 15
may provide various moving patterns.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the pawn 10
according to the invention. The pawn 10 comprises an array 51 of
light sensors for detecting more detailed control images. An
example of such an array 51 is a CCD module as is often used in
digital photo cameras. When using such an array 51, the control
image may, for example, comprise bar codes, text, arrows or other
symbols. The IC 15 controls a display screen 54 and a speaker 53,
both provided in the pawn. The display screen 54 may, for example,
be an LCD display. All electronics in the pawn 10 of FIG. 5 are
powered by a battery 52. The CCD module and/or IC may of course
also be used in combination with a wheel 13 as shown in FIG. 1 or
with other means for controlling the pawn.
[0030] Alternatively, photovoltaic cells may be used for supplying
power to the electronics in the pawn 10. The photovoltaic cells may
directly power the electronics or may charge a battery. The
photovoltaic cells may also be used for detecting the control
images. For example, a first group of photovoltaic cells is coupled
to a first wheel for moving the pawn 10 forward or backward. When
the display surface 19 emits light with a suitable intensity under
this first group, the corresponding wheel is powered and starts
rotating. Consequently, the pawn 10 moves forward or backward. When
a second group of photovoltaic cells is lit, the pawn 10 is moved
to the right or left by a second wheel. Because the wheels are
directly powered when the corresponding group of photovoltaic cells
is lit, no power supply or signal processing is required for
controlling the movement of the pawn 10.
[0031] In an embodiment of the pawn with a photovoltaic cell
requiring less energy transfer from the display surface 19 to the
pawn, the photovoltaic cell charges a capacitor until a certain
level. When this level is reached, electronics in the pawn use this
stored energy to create a flash with an LED of the pawn.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a system 60 according to the invention. The
exemplary system 60 shown in FIG. 6 is used for playing board
games. The system comprises a display 18 and a plurality of pawns
10 as described above. The pawns 10 are placed on the display
surface 19 of the display 18. The display comprises a graphics unit
62 for displaying graphics on the display surface 19. In FIG. 6 a
game board is displayed. A pawn detection unit 61 detects the
positions of the pawns 10 on the display surface 19. Many
techniques are known in the art for detecting the position of a
pawn on a board. For example, in the patent application of the same
applicant as the present patent application, filed under patent
application number EP04104562.6 (internal reference PHNL041016), a
scanning display is described which is able to detect a pawn and
scan its bottom surface for identifying the pawn. A processor 63
uses the information about the positions of the pawns 10 and
calculates where on the display surface 19 a control image has to
be displayed. The graphics unit 62 then generates the control
image. When the control image is used for controlling movements of
the pawn 10, the pawn detection unit 61 may continuously provide
the position of the pawn 10 to the processor 63 for recalculating
the position where the control image should be displayed.
Alternatively, a complete moving pattern may be coded in one
control image, enabling the pawn 10 to travel without further
intervention.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the display 18 does not
comprise the pawn detection unit 61. The user is instructed to
place the pawn 10 on a particular position on the display surface
19, where a control image is displayed. This position on the
display surface 19 is not continuously obscured by a pawn 10.
Therefore the control image preferably emits light at non visible
wavelengths, such as infrared or ultraviolet light.
[0034] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments
illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled
in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments
without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the
claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be
construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its
conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps
other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an"
preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of
hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a
suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating
several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and
the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are
recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate
that a combination of these measures cannot be used to
advantage.
* * * * *