U.S. patent application number 13/427150 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for system and method for a motion sensing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to May Patents Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yehuda BINDER.
Application Number | 20120244969 13/427150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46317467 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120244969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BINDER; Yehuda |
September 27, 2012 |
System and Method for a Motion Sensing Device
Abstract
The device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and
logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response
to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may
be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a
handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable
from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction
or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy.
The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means,
predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration
magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset
threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a
numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of
the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak
magnitude of the acceleration sensed.
Inventors: |
BINDER; Yehuda;
(Hod-Hasharon, IL) |
Assignee: |
May Patents Ltd.
Hod-Hasharon
IL
|
Family ID: |
46317467 |
Appl. No.: |
13/427150 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61467615 |
Mar 25, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/26 20130101;
H02J 7/32 20130101; A63B 2071/0602 20130101; G08B 5/36 20130101;
H02J 7/025 20130101; A63B 2071/063 20130101; G01P 1/08 20130101;
A63B 43/004 20130101; A63B 69/0053 20130101; G10H 1/26 20130101;
A63B 2220/53 20130101; A63B 2225/54 20130101; G08B 21/182 20130101;
H02J 50/10 20160201; A63H 5/00 20130101; H02J 7/0068 20130101; H05K
999/99 20130101; A63B 43/06 20130101; A63B 2071/0625 20130101; A63B
2220/56 20130101; G10H 2220/395 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101;
A63B 2220/51 20130101; G10H 2230/055 20130101; A63H 29/22 20130101;
A63B 2220/805 20130101; A01K 15/025 20130101; A63B 2220/833
20130101; H02J 50/20 20160201; A63B 2220/803 20130101; G01P 1/07
20130101; G01P 15/18 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2220/18
20130101; A63B 2220/17 20130101; A63H 33/18 20130101; A63B 2225/74
20200801; H02J 7/027 20130101; H02J 50/90 20160201; H02J 7/0063
20130101; A63H 29/24 20130101; A63B 21/0055 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/570 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20060101
A63B043/00 |
Claims
1. A device for signaling in response to a sensed motion, the
device having a single enclosure, and in said single enclosure
comprising: an accelerometer mechanically secured to said enclosure
for sensing the device acceleration; an annunciator mechanically
secured to said enclosure for signaling to a person or an animal
using visual or audible signaling; a controller coupled between
said accelerometer and said annunciator for activating or
controlling said annunciator in response to the sensed device
acceleration according to a predetermined logic; and a power source
connected to power said accelerometer, said annunciator and said
controller.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the power source
includes a battery, and wherein the battery is a primary type or a
rechargeable type, and wherein the device further comprising a
battery compartment mechanically secured to said enclosure for
housing the battery.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said single enclosure
includes a securely removable cover, so that said when the cover is
removed the battery compartment can be accessed for replacing the
battery.
4. The device according to claim 2 further comprising: a power
connector installed on said single enclosure external surface and
connectable to a power source; and a battery charger coupled
between said power connector and said battery for charging said
battery from said power source.
5. The device according to claim 4 further operative for being
powered from a domestic AC power outlet, the device further
comprising an AC/DC adapter powered from said AC power outlet, the
AC/DC adapter comprising a step-down transformer and an AC/DC
converter for DC powering said battery charger, the AC/DC adapter
coupled to said battery charger for charging said battery from said
AC power.
6. The device according to claim 2 wherein said power source
comprising a generator mounted on said single enclosure.
7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the generator is
operative to convert the device kinetic energy to an electrical
energy.
8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the generator comprises
a coil and a magnetic field, and wherein relative movement of the
coil and the magnetic field is generated in response to the device
motion.
9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the power source
includes a rechargeable battery, and wherein the device further
comprises a battery charger connected for charging said
rechargeable battery, and wherein the device is operative to
contactless charging said rechargeable battery.
10. The device according to claim 9 wherein said contactless
charging is based on induction, and wherein the device further
includes an induction coil coupled to said battery charger for
receiving AC power and charging said rechargeable battery when the
device is put in an electromagnetic field.
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the accelerometer is
at least one out of piezoelectric, piezoresistive, capacitive, MEMS
and electromechanical switch accelerometer.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the accelerometer is a
single-axis, 2-axis or 3-axis accelerometer.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the accelerometer is
operative to measure the magnitude and the direction the device
acceleration.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the annunciator
comprising a smoke generator.
15. The device according to claim 1 wherein the annunciator
comprising a visual signaling component.
16. The device according to claim 15 wherein the visual signaling
component is a visible light emitter.
17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the visible light
emitter is a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp or
fluorescent lamp.
18. The device according to claim 16 wherein the visible light
emitter is adapted for a steady illumination and for blinking.
19. The device according to claim 16 wherein the visible light
emitter is mounted for illuminating a part of an image or all of an
image.
20. The device according to claim 16 wherein the illumination of
the visible light emitter is associated with the device theme or
the device shape.
21. The device according to claim 16 wherein the visible light
emitter location, type, color or steadiness are associated with the
device theme or the device shape.
22. The device according to claim 16 wherein the visible light
emitter is a numerical or an alphanumerical display.
23. The device according to claim 22 wherein the visible light
emitter is operative for displaying numbers, letters, symbols,
words and characters, and is further operative for scrolling,
static, bold and flashing the displayed data.
24. The device according to claim 22 wherein the visible light
emitter is based on one out of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), TFT
(Thin-Film Transistor), FED (Field Emission Display) or CRT
(Cathode Ray Tube).
25. The device according to claim 1 wherein the annunciator
comprising an audible signaling component.
26. The device according to claim 25 wherein the audible signaling
component comprising electromechanical or piezoelectric
sounder.
27. The device according to claim 26 wherein the audible signaling
component comprising a buzzer, a chime or a ringer.
28. The device according to claim 25 wherein the audible signaling
component comprising a loudspeaker and the device further
comprising a digital to analog converter coupled to the
loudspeaker.
29. The device according to claim 25 wherein the audible signaling
component is operative to generate a single or multiple tones.
30. The device according to claim 25 wherein the sound emitted from
the audible signaling component is associated with the device theme
or the device shape.
31. The device according to claim 30 wherein the volume, type,
steadiness, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre or texture of the sound
emitted from the audible signaling component is associated with the
device theme or the device shape.
32. The device according to claim 30 wherein the sound emitted from
the audible signaling component is a song or a melody.
33. The device according to claim 32 wherein the song or melody
name or content relates to the device theme of the device
shape.
34. The device according to claim 25 wherein the sound emitted from
the audible signaling component is a human voice talking.
35. The device according to claim 34 wherein the sound is a
syllable, a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story or a long
story.
36. The device according to claim 35 wherein the sound is based on
speech synthesis or is pre-recorded.
37. The device according to claim 1 wherein said controller
comprising a firmware and a processor for executing instruction
embedded in said firmware, said processor being coupled to control
said annunciator in response to a motion sensed by said
accelerometer.
38. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a random
signal generator operative to output a random signal, said random
signal generator being coupled to activate or control said
annunciator.
39. The device according to claim 38, wherein said random signal
generator is hardware only based.
40. The device according to claim 38, wherein said random signal
generator is based on a physical process.
41. The device according to claim 40, wherein the physical process
is one of a thermal noise, a shot noise, decaying nuclear
radiation, a photoelectric effect, and a quantum phenomenon.
42. The device according to claim 38, wherein said random signal
generator includes software and a processor executing said
software.
43. The device according to claim 42, wherein said software
includes an algorithm for generating pseudo-random numbers.
44. The device according to claim 1 operative as a toy for the
amusement of a person or a pet.
45. The device according to claim 44 operative for playing as a
play ball, wherein the device is substantially sphere shaped.
46. The device according to claim 45 substantially shaped as one
out of cricket, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis,
rugby, golf or volleyball play ball.
47. The device according to claim 1 operative to activate or
control the annunciator as a response to the combination of the
direction and the magnitude of the sensed acceleration.
48. The device according to claim 1 operative to activate or
control the annunciator as a response to the direction of the
sensed acceleration.
49. The device according to claim 1 operative to activate or
control the annunciator as a response to the magnitude of the
sensed acceleration.
50. The device according to claim 49 operative to activate or
control the annunciator as a response to a peak value of the
magnitude of the sensed acceleration.
51. The device according to claim 49 further defining an
acceleration threshold, the device operative to activate or control
the annunciator as a response to the magnitude of the sensed
acceleration exceeding said acceleration threshold.
52. The device according to claim 51 further defining multiple
acceleration thresholds, the device operative to activate or
control the annunciator as a response to the magnitude of the
sensed acceleration exceeding one or more of said acceleration
thresholds.
53. The device according to claim 51 further comprising a counter
for counting events, the counter is coupled to count the times that
the magnitude of the sensed acceleration exceeds said acceleration
threshold.
54. The device according to claim 52 wherein the device is
operative to activate or control the annunciator as a response to
the counter value.
55. The device according to claim 54 wherein the annunciator
includes a numerical display coupled to said counter for displaying
a representation of the counter value.
56. The device according to claim 54 wherein the annunciator
includes a loudspeaker coupled to said counter for saying a
representation of the counter value.
57. The device according to claim 53 wherein the counter is one out
of an electromechanical counter, mechanical counter, hardware
counter or software-based counter.
58. The device according to claim 50 further comprising a
peak-detector and a storage for detecting and storing a peak value
of the sensed acceleration.
59. The device according to claim 58 wherein the device is
operative to activate or control the annunciator as a response to
the peak value.
60. The device according to claim 59 wherein the annunciator
includes a numerical display coupled to said storage for displaying
a representation of the peak value.
61. The device according to claim 59 wherein the annunciator
includes a loudspeaker coupled to said storage for saying a
representation the counter value.
62. The device according to claim 1 further shaped as a handheld
unit.
63. The device according to claim 62 wherein said single enclosure
includes two disks attached to both ends of a rod.
64. The device according to claim 1, wherein said annunciator is
operative to be in one out of a first and second states, and
wherein the annunciator state is in response to an event defined by
the sensed acceleration magnitude or direction exceeding a
predefined value.
65. The device according to claim 64, wherein said annunciator
first state involves the annunciator activation and wherein the
annunciator second state involves deactivation, the device further
including a switch connected between said power supply and said
annunciator, and wherein in said first state the switch connects
power from the power supply to the annunciator, and in said second
state the switch disconnects power from the power supply to the
annunciator.
66. The device according to claim 64 further operative to shift the
annunciator state from a first state to a second state in response
to an event.
67. The device according to claim 66 further operative to shift the
annunciator state from a first state to a second state for a
predefined period in response to an event or to a preset number of
events.
68. The device according to claim 64 further operative to shift the
annunciator state from a first state to a second state in response
to a preset number of events.
69. The device according to claim 64 further operative to toggle
between the annunciator states in response to an event or to a
preset number of events.
70. The device according to claim 64 further operative to
continuously toggle said annunciator between said annunciator
states, wherein the period in each state, the toggling frequency,
the toggling period or the duty-cycle is affected as a response to
an event or to the number of counted events.
71. The device according to claim 1, wherein said annunciator is
operative to be in one out of a multiple states, and wherein the
annunciator state is in response to an event defined by the sensed
acceleration magnitude or direction exceeding a predefined
value.
72. The device according to claim 71, wherein said annunciator
include multiple components, and wherein said annunciator state is
defined as activating or powering a selected one or more out of
said components.
73. The device according to claim 71 further operative to shift the
annunciator state from a first state to a second state in response
to an event.
74. The device according to claim 73 further operative to shift the
annunciator state from a first state to a second state for a
predefined period in response to an event or to a preset number of
events.
75. The device according to claim 71 further operative to shift the
annunciator state from a first state to a second state in response
to a preset number of events.
76. The device according to claim 71 further operative to toggle
between the annunciator states in response to an event or to a
preset number of events.
77. The device according to claim 76 further operative to
continuously toggle said annunciator between said annunciator
states, wherein the period in each state, the toggling frequency,
the toggling period or the duty-cycle is affected as a response to
an event or to the number of counted events.
78. The device according to claim 71 further operative to shift
from a state to state according to a predictable or random order in
response to an event or to a preset number of events.
79. The device according to claim 1 further operative to sense a
tilt angle of the device.
80. The device according to claim 79 further operative to activate
or control the annunciator as a response to the sensed tilt angle
value.
81. The device according to claim 80 further operative to activate
or control the annunciator as a response to the sensed tilt angle
value and to the sensed acceleration magnitude in the tilt
axis.
82. The device according to claim 81 further operative the
annunciator where one parameter of the annunciator is activated or
controlled in response to the sensed tilt angle value and another
parameter of the annunciator is activated or controlled in response
to the to the acceleration magnitude in the tilt axis.
83. The device according to claim 81 wherein the annunciator
comprising an audible signaling component.
84. The device according to claim 83 wherein said sensed tilt angle
value affects one or more of the volume, type, frequency,
steadiness, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre or texture of the sound
emitted from the audible signaling component.
85. The device according to claim 84 wherein said sensed
acceleration magnitude in the tilt axis affects one or more of the
volume, type, frequency, steadiness, pitch, rhythm, dynamics,
timbre or texture of the sound emitted from the audible signaling
component.
86. The device according to claim 83 wherein the sound emitted is
substantially the sound of a musical instrument.
87. The device according to claim 86 wherein the musical instrument
is one out of drums, plano, tuba, harp, violin, flute and guitar.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method including a motion sensing and an annunciator responding to
the sensed motion, and more particularly, to a toy or any other
amusing device including a motion sensor and an annunciator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A ball is a round, generally spherical shaped object, but
sometimes ovoid, with various uses. In a ball game, the play of the
game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown
by players. Ball can also be used for simpler activities, such as
catch, marbles and juggling. Simple balls are commonly formed of
flexible plastic material, while others use synthetic leather.
Various ball games are known for amusement, sport and other
recreation activities, are played with a ball or balls, and are
subject to rules, such as cricket, baseball, basketball, football,
soccer, tennis, rugby, golf, volleyball and others. Examples of
balls used in game balls are illustrated in FIG. 1, showing a
soccer (a.k.a. football outside of the U.S.) ball 1, commonly
consisting of twelve regular pentagonal and twenty regular
hexagonal panels positioned in a truncated icosahedron spherical
geometry, and made up of a latex bladder which enables the football
to be pressurized. A basketball ball 2 is shown as a sphere shaped
inflated ball used in the game of basketball. A ball 3 is used in
volleyball is a spherical, made of leather or synthetic leather
ball, having a circumference of 65-67 cm and a weight of 260-280
grams. A prolate spheroid (`egg-shaped`) ball 4 is used in U.S.
football game, and a golf ball 5 is used for the game of golf.
Tennis balls such as ball 6 are commonly covered in a fibrous
fluffy felt which modifies their aerodynamic properties.
[0003] One example of a prior-art pet toy that comprises a ball
that has an opening and an exit and used for treat dispensing,
having sound recording and playback is described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,484,671 to Herrenbruck titled: "Treat Dispensing Toy", which is
incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein. Another prior-art food dispensing treat pet toy is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,362 to DeGhionno titles:
"Lightweight, Hollow, Reusable, Food-Dispensing Treat Toy and
Combination of Food-Dispensing Treat Toy with an Enclosing
Container Designed for Intellectual Stimulation, Enrichment and
Amusement of Animals, and Reduction of Boredom or Separation
Anxiety That May Lead to Destructive or Undesirable Behavior in
Puppies and/or Other Animals", which is incorporated in its
entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. An impact
sensitive talking ball including a plunger that operates a test
switch when the ball is squeezed in described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,375,839 to Pagani titled: "Impact Sensitive Talking Ball", which
is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein. A game ball with a timer or clock is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,887 to Oister et al. titled: "Game Ball with
Clock", which is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as
if fully set forth herein.
[0004] In consideration of the foregoing, it would be an
advancement in the art to provide a method and system that is
simple, cost-effective, faithful, reliable, has a minimum part
count, minimum hardware, or uses existing and available components
for providing additional amusement, education, entertainment and a
better user experience relating to a device such as a ball game,
toy and the like, preferably without departing from the
conventional `look and feel` of a common toy or ball. Further, it
would be advantageous if such a toy or ball provides added
educational value and stimulus for playing, adding to the user
experience more curiosity and excitement, as well as added pleasure
and amusement and making the toy more versatile and attractive to
play with, while being easy to construct and manufacture, robust
and consistent in aesthetic appearance and function, and preferably
without significantly departing from the conventional `look and
feel` of such a toy or a ball.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a device for signaling in
response to a sensed motion is described. The device may be housed
in a single enclosure, and may include an accelerometer for sensing
the device acceleration, an annunciator for signaling to a person
or an animal using visual or audible signaling, and a controller
coupled between the accelerometer and the annunciator for
activating or controlling the annunciator in response to the sensed
device acceleration according to a predetermined logic. A power
source is included that may power the electrical components such as
the accelerometer, the annunciator, the controller and any other
power-consuming components. Each of the annunciator, the power
source, the accelerometer, the controller and other of the device
components may be mechanically attached to the enclosure.
[0006] The power source may include a primary or a rechargeable
battery housed in a battery compartment secured in the device
enclosure. The battery compartment may be accessed for replacing
the battery via an opening in the enclosure, by removing a securely
removable cover, which may be having a perforated front surface
covering a mating aperture being flush with the surface surrounding
the aperture. A power connector on the external surface of the
enclosure may be used for connecting to a power source or for
charging the battery using a battery charger. The charging may use
a DC power from a domestic AC power outlet providing AC powering,
using an AC/DC adapter comprising a step-down transformer and an
AC/DC converter. In one aspect of the invention, the device is
powered from a generator that converts the kinetic energy of the
device to an electrical energy, such as by using a coil and a
magnetic field, which their relative movement is generated in
response to the device motion. The device may be powered or charged
contactlessly using induction. In this case, the device further
includes an induction coil for wirelessly receiving AC power and
charging the rechargeable battery when the device is put in an
electromagnetic field.
[0007] The accelerometer may be piezoelectric, piezoresistive,
capacitive, MEMS or electromechanical switch accelerometer,
measuring the magnitude and the direction the device acceleration
in a single-axis, 2-axis or 3-axis (omnidirectional).
[0008] The device may include one or more annunciators. Each
annunciator may be a visual or an audible signaling component (or
both), operated or controlled by the controller. An annunciator may
further contain a smoke generator.
[0009] The visual signaling component may contain a visible light
emitter based on a semiconductor device (e.g. LED--Light Emitting
Diode), an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp. The
illumination may be blinking or steady, and can further be used to
illuminate part of or all of an image. The visible light emitter
positioning, appearance, type, color or steadiness may be
associated with the device theme or device shape. The visible light
emitter may be a numerical or an alphanumerical display, capable of
displaying numbers, letters, symbols, words or characters, which
may be displayed as scrolling, static, bold or flashing. The
visible light emitter may be a video or image display and may be
based on LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), TFT (Thin-Film Transistor),
FED (Field Emission Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).
[0010] The audible signaling device may be based on
electromechanical or piezoelectric means capable of generating
single or multiple tones, and can be a buzzer, a chime or a ringer.
In one aspect of the invention, the audible signaling device
comprising a loudspeaker and a digital to analog converter coupled
to the loudspeaker. The volume, type, steadiness, pitch, rhythm,
dynamics, timbre or texture of the sound emitted from the audible
signaling device may be associated with the device theme or the
device shape. Alternatively, the sound emitted from the audible
signaling device is a song or a melody, wherein the song or melody
name or content relates to the device theme or shape. In one
aspect, the sound emitted from the audible signaling device is a
human voice talking sounding of a syllable, a word, a phrase, a
sentence, a short story or a long story, using speech synthesis or
being pre-recorded.
[0011] In one aspect of the invention, the annunciator can be in
one out of two states, and wherein the annunciator state is in
response to an event defined by the sensed acceleration magnitude
or direction exceeding a predefined value. An annunciator state may
involve activating it by supplying power from the power supply via
a switch, while the other state involves deactivating it by
disconnecting the power supply. The control logic is operative to
shift the annunciator between states until the next event occurs or
for a predetermined period in response to an event or in response
to a preset number of events. Further, the annunciator may toggle
between states in response to an event or to a preset number of
events. The annunciator may also continuously toggle between
states, wherein the period in each state, the toggling frequency,
the toggling period or the duty-cycle is affected as a response to
an event or in response to the number of counted events.
Alternatively or in addition, the annunciator may be in one out of
a multiple states in response to an event. The annunciator may
include multiple components, and the annunciator states may be
defined as activating or powering a selected one (or more) of its
components. In response to an event or multiple events, the
annunciator state may shift between states according to a
predictable or random order.
[0012] In one aspect of the invention, the controller is used to
activate (or deactivate) or control the annunciator based on the
sensed motion measured by the accelerometer. The control may use
controlling the annunciator powering or via a dedicated control
port of the annunciator. The controller may be based on a discrete
logic or an integrated device, such as a processor, microprocessor
or microcomputer, and may include a general-purpose device or may
be a special purpose processing device, such as an ASIC, PAL, PLA,
PLD, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Gate Array, or other
customized or programmable device, and may includes a memory that
may include a static RAM (random Access Memory), dynamic RAM, flash
memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), or any other data storage medium.
The memory may include data, programs, and/or instructions and any
other software or firmware executable by the processor. The control
logic can be implemented in hardware or in software, such as a
firmware stored in the memory.
[0013] In one aspect, the annunciator activation or control use
randomness using a random signal generator. The random signal
generator may be based on a digital random signal generator having
a digital output. Alternatively, the random signal generator may be
based on analog random signal generator having an analog output.
Analog random signal generator may use a digital random signal
generator whose output is converted to analog using analog to
digital converter, or can use a repetitive analog signal generator
(substantially not synchronized to any other timing in the system)
whose output is randomly time sampled by a sample and hold. A
random signal generator (having either analog or digital output)
can be hardware based, using a physical process such as thermal
noise, shot noise, nuclear decaying radiation, photoelectric effect
or other quantum phenomena, or can be software based, using a
processor executing an algorithm for generating pseudo-random
numbers which approximates the properties of random numbers.
[0014] The device may be substantially sphere shaped similar to
play ball, and may be used as a toy for the amusement of a person
or a pet. The ball shape may be similar to cricket, baseball,
basketball, football, soccer, tennis, rugby, golf, or volleyball
play ball. Alternatively, the device may be shaped as a handheld
unit including two disks attached to both ends of a rod.
[0015] The activation or control of the annunciator may be as a
response to the combination of the direction or the magnitude of
the sensed acceleration, or a combination thereof. One or multiple
acceleration thresholds may be defined, and the device may be
operative to activate or control the annunciator as a response to
the magnitude of the sensed acceleration exceeding one or more of
the acceleration thresholds. The device may further comprise a
counter, such as an electromechanical counter, mechanical counter,
hardware counter or software-based counter, for counting events for
counting the times that the magnitude of the sensed acceleration
exceeds an acceleration threshold, and according to the counter
value to activate or control the annunciator. The annunciator may
be a numerical display for displaying a representation of the
counter value, or a loudspeaker for saying a representation of the
counter value. The device may further comprise a peak-detector and
a storage for detecting and storing a peak value of the sensed
acceleration, and the annunciator may be activated or controlled
according to the measured peak value. The annunciator may be a
numerical display for displaying a representation of the peak
value, or a loudspeaker for saying a representation of the peak
value.
[0016] In one aspect, the motion sensor detects or measure the tilt
angle of the device and the acceleration along the tilt angle, and
the annunciator is activated or controlled in response to the
sensed tilt angle value and the sensed acceleration magnitude in
the tilt axis. The device may further operative the annunciator
where one parameter of the annunciator is activated or controlled
in response to the sensed tilt angle value, while another parameter
of the annunciator is activated or controlled in response to the
acceleration magnitude in the tilt axis. The annunciator may
include an audible signaling component where either the sensed tilt
angle value or the sensed acceleration magnitude in the tilt axis
affects one or more of the volume, type, frequency, steadiness,
pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre or texture of the sound emitted
from the audible signaling component. Further, the emitted sound
may resemble or accurately be the sound of a musical instrument
such as drums, plano, tuba, harp, violin, flute or guitar.
[0017] The above summary is not an exhaustive list of all aspects
of the present invention. Indeed, the inventor contemplates that
his invention includes all systems and methods that can be
practiced from all suitable combinations and derivatives of the
various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the
detailed description below and particularly pointed out in the
claims filed with the application. Such combinations have
particular advantages not specifically recited in the above
summary.
[0018] It is understood that other embodiments of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein are shown and
described only embodiments of the invention by way of illustration.
As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and
different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various other respects, all without departing from
the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
[0019] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description, drawings and appended claims, or may be learned by the
practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. It is intended
that all such additional apparatus and advantages be included
within this description, be within the scope of the present
invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
[0020] The preferred embodiments of the invention presented here
are described below in the drawings and the detailed specification.
Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and
phrases in the specification and the claims be given the plain,
ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the
applicable arts. If any other special meaning is intended for any
word or phrase, the specification will clearly state and define the
special meaning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] The invention is herein described, by way of non-limiting
examples only, with reference to the accompanying figures and
drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
Understanding that these drawings only provide information
concerning typical embodiments of the invention and are not
therefore to be considered limiting in scope:
[0022] FIG. 1 depicts various shapes of game balls;
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram of
a device according to one aspect of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2a illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram of
a processor-based control block according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram of
activating an annunciator according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0026] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict schematically a ball-shaped device
including an LED in an example according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram of
an AC power charging device according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0028] FIGS. 5a and 5b depict schematically a ball-shaped device
including a LED and AC power recharging in an example according to
one aspect of the invention;
[0029] FIGS. 6a and 6b depict schematically a ball-shaped device
including a speaker in an example according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0030] FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7e depict schematically exploded views
of a ball-shaped device including a speaker and inductive battery
charging system in an example according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 7d depicts schematically a ball-shaped device including
a speaker capable of inductive battery charging in an example
according to one aspect of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram of
kinetic to electrical energy charging device according to one
aspect of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 8a illustrates an electrical schematic block diagram
inductively charging device according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 depicts schematically a ball-shaped device including
a numerical display in an example according to one aspect of the
invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 depicts schematically an exploded view of an example
of a handheld device according to one aspect of the invention;
[0036] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c depict schematically front, side and
rear views of an example of a handheld device according to one
aspect of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 10d depicts schematically the use of a handheld device
according to one aspect of the invention; and
[0038] FIGS. 11a and 11b depict schematically views of an example
of a tilted handheld device according to one aspect of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The principles and operation of an apparatus according to
the present invention may be understood with reference to the
figures and the accompanying description wherein similar components
appearing in different figures are denoted by identical reference
numerals. The drawings and descriptions are conceptual only. In
actual practice, a single component can implement one or more
functions; alternatively, each function can be implemented by a
plurality of components and devices. In the figures and
descriptions, identical reference numerals indicate those
components that are common to different embodiments or
configurations. Identical numerical references (even in the case of
using a different suffix, such as 5, 5a, 5b and 5c) refer to
functions or actual devices that are either identical,
substantially similar, or having similar functionality. It will be
readily understood that the components of the present invention, as
generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be
arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of
the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present
invention, as represented in the figures herein, is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely
representative of embodiments of the invention.
[0040] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the
following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
specification discussions, utilizing terms such as "processing",
"computing", "calculating", "determining", "generating", "creating"
or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or
computing system, or processor or similar electronic computing
device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as
physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing
system's registers and/or memories into other data, similarly
represented as physical quantities within the computing system's
memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission
or display devices.
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention may use terms such as
processor, computer, apparatus, system, sub-system, module, unit
and/or device (in single or plural form) for performing the
operations herein. This may be specially constructed for the
desired purpose, or it may comprise a general purpose computer
selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored
in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a
computer readable storage medium such as, but not limited to, any
type of disk including, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical
disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs),
electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically
erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or
optical cards, or any other type of media suitable for storing
electronic instructions, and capable of being coupled to a computer
system bus.
[0042] The processes/devices (or counterpart terms specified above)
and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any
particular computer or other apparatus, unless specifically stated
otherwise. Various general purpose systems may be used with
programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove
convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the
desired method. The desired structure for a variety of these
systems will appear in the description below. In addition,
embodiments of the present invention are not described with
reference to any particular programming language. It will be
appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to
implement the teachings of the inventions as described herein.
[0043] All directional references used herein (e.g., upper, lower,
upwards, downwards, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom,
above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and
counterclockwise, etc.) are only used for identification purposes
to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do
not create limitations, particularly as to the position,
orientation, or use of the invention.
[0044] While the devices herein are described as connected using
wires or conductors, any type of conductive transmission line can
be equally used. The terms `wire`, `conductor`, `line`,
`transmission line`, `cable`, `wiring`, `wire pair` as used herein
should be interpreted to include any type of conductive
transmission-line, and specifically a metallic transmission line
comprising two or more conductors used to carry electrical signals.
Non-limiting examples are coaxial cable, PCB (Printed Circuit
Board) connections and twisted pair, the latter including both UTP
(Unshielded Twisted-Pair) and STP (shielded twisted-pair), as well
as connections within Application Specific Integrated Circuits
(ASICs). Similarly, any PAN (Personal Area Network), LAN (Local
Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area
Network) wiring may be used as the wired medium.
[0045] A device 10 according to one aspect of the invention is
described in FIG. 2. The device 10 includes a motion sensor 11,
feeding the sensed motion information to a processing/control block
12, which operates annunciator 13 in response to the motion sensed
by the motion sensor 11. The device is power fed from a power
supply 14. The motion sensor 11 detects and measures the change in
position of the device 10 with respect to time. The motion sensor
10 may include one or more accelerometers, which measures the
absolute acceleration or the acceleration relative to freefall. For
example, one single-axis accelerometer per axis may be used,
requiring three such accelerometers for three-axis sensing. The
motion sensor 11 may be a single or multi-axis sensor, detecting
the magnitude and direction of the acceleration as a vector
quantity, and thus can be used to sense orientation, acceleration,
vibration, shock and falling. The motion sensor 11 output may be
analog or digital signals, representing the measured values.
[0046] The motion sensor 11 may be based on a piezoelectric
accelerometer that utilizes the piezoelectric effect of certain
materials to measure dynamic changes in mechanical variables (e.g.,
acceleration, vibration, and mechanical shock). Piezoelectric
accelerometers commonly rely on piezoceramics (e.g., lead zirconate
titanate) or single crystals (e.g., quartz, tourmaline).
Piezoelectric quartz accelerometer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,716,985 to Zhang et al. entitled: "Piezoelectric Quartz
Accelerometer", U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,755 to Offenberg entitled:
"Accelerometer Sensor of Crystalline Material and Method for
Manufacturing the Same" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,786 to Le Traon et
al. entitled: "Monolithic Accelerometric Transducer", which are all
incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein. Alternatively or in addition, the motion sensor 11
may be based on the Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS, a.k.a.
Micro-mechanical electrical systems) technology. A MEMS based
motion sensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,729 to Axelrod et
al. entitled: "Accelerometer" and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,876 to
Mehregany entitled: "Three-axis Accelerometers and Fabrication
Methods", which are all incorporated in their entirety for all
purposes as if fully set forth herein. An example of MEMS motion
sensor is LIS302DL manufactured by STMicroelectronics NV and
described in Data-sheet LIS302DL STMicroelectronics NV, `MEMS
motion sensor 3-axis--.+-.2 g/.+-.8 g smart digital output
"piccolo" accelerometer`, Rev. 4, October 2008, which is
incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
[0047] Alternatively or in addition, the motion sensor 11 may be
based on electrical tilt and vibration switch or any other
electromechanical switch, such as the sensor described in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,326,866 to Whitmore et al. entitled: "Omnidirectional Tilt
and vibration sensor", which is incorporated in its entirety for
all purposes as if fully set forth herein. An example of an
electromechanical switch is SQ-SEN-200 available from SignalQuest,
Inc. of Lebanon, N.H., USA, described in the data-sheet `DATASHEET
SQ-SEN-200 Omnidirectional Tilt and Vibration Sensor` Updated
2009-08-03, which is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes
as if fully set forth herein. Other types of motion sensors may be
equally used, such as devices based on piezoelectric,
piezoresistive and capacitive components to convert the mechanical
motion into an electrical signal. Using an accelerometer to control
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,155 to Sato et al. entitled:
"Accelerometer-Based Controller", which is incorporated in its
entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
[0048] The annunciator 13 may include one or more visual or audible
signaling components, or any other devices that indicates a status
to the person. In one embodiment according to the invention, the
annunciator 13 includes a visual signaling device. In one example,
the device illuminates a visible light, such as a
Light-Emitting-Diode (LED), or uses a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
which uses changes in the reflectivity in an applied electric
field. The LED may be a multi-color LED, such as LED Part No.
08L5015RGBC available from RSR Electronics, Inc. from NJ, U.S.A.,
described in Data-sheet Multi Color LED Part No. 08L5015RGBC, which
is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein. However, any type of visible electric light emitter
such as a flashlight, an incandescent lamp and compact fluorescent
lamps can be used. Multiple light emitters may be used, and the
illumination may be steady, blinking or flashing, either
independently or under the control of the control block 12.
Further, the illumination can be directed for lighting a surface,
such as a surface including an image or a picture. Further, a
single single-state visual indicator may be used to provide
multiple indications, for example by using different colors (of the
same visual indicator), different intensity levels, variable
duty-cycle and so forth. Further, the visual signaling may be
associated with the device 10 function, theme or shape. Such
conceptual relationship may include, for example, the light
emitters' brightness, appearance, location, type, color and
steadiness that are influenced by the device 10 theme, providing a
surprising and illustrative result. In one example, the annunciator
13 is based on a numerical digital display that provides readings
in the form of numbers. For example, the annunciator 13 may use the
quadruple digits, seven-segments, LED display Part No.: LTC-3610G
available from Lite-On Electronics, Inc., and described in Lite-On
Electronics, Inc., Publication BNS-OD-C131/A4 downloaded March
2011, which is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if
fully set forth herein. Similarly, the annunciator 13 is based on
an alphanumerical digital display that provides readings in the
form of characters, including numbers, letters or symbols. For
example, the annunciator 13 may use the quadruple digits,
seven-segments, LED display Part No.: LTM-8647AC available from
Lite-On Electronics, Inc., and described in Lite-On Electronics,
Inc., Publication BNS-OD-C131/A4 downloaded March 2011, which is
incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
[0049] The invention can be similarly used to display word messages
in a variety of fashions and formats, such as scrolling, static,
bold and flashing. The device 10 can further display visual display
material beyond words and characters, such as arrows, symbols,
ASCII and non-ASCII characters, still images such as pictures and
video. The annunciator 13 may use any electronic display or any
other output device used for presentation of visual information.
The display may be a digital or analog video display, and may use
technologies such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), TFT (Thin-Film
Transistor), FED (Field Emission Display), CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
or any other electronic screen technology that visually shows
information such as graphics or text. In many cases, an adaptor
(not shown) is required in order to connect an analog display to
the digital data. For example, the adaptor may convert to composite
video (PAL, NTSC) or S-Video or HDTV signal. Analog displays are
commonly using interfaces such as composite video such as NTSC, PAL
or SECAM formats. Similarly, analog RGB, VGA (Video Graphics
Array), SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array), SCART, S-video and other
standard analog interfaces can be used. Further, personal computer
monitors, plasma or flat panel displays, CRT, DLP display or a
video projector may be equally used. Standard digital interfaces
such as an IEEE1394 interface, also known as FireWire.TM., may be
used. Other digital interfaces that can be used are USB, SDI
(Serial Digital Interface), FireWire, HDMI (High-Definition
Multimedia Interface), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), UDI (Unified
Display Interface), DisplayPort, Digital Component Video and DVB
(Digital Video Broadcast).
[0050] In one example, the device is used for sound or music
generation, such as a music toy instrument. The sensed motion may
be associated with a musical tune (or a tone) or any other single
sound, which is played upon activation of the music-associated
annunciator 13. A timbre sound element may also be used to select
the timbre or other tonal characteristics of the output sounds. The
sign of the musical tune to be played by the device 10 is printed,
engraved or labeled on the device external surface. Further, the
sound produced by an annunciator can emulate the sounds of a
conventional acoustical music instruments, such as a plano, tuba,
harp, violin, flute, guitar and so forth. Further, the device 10
can be shaped as a miniature of the music instrument associated
with its sound.
[0051] In one embodiment according to the invention, the
annunciator includes an audible signaling device, emitting audible
sounds that can be heard (having frequency components in the
20-20,000 Hz band). In one example, the device is a buzzer (or
beeper), a chime, a whistler or a ringer. Buzzers are known in the
art and are either electromechanical or ceramic-based piezoelectric
sounders which make a high-pitch noise. The sounder may emit a
single or multiple tones, and can be in continuous or intermittent
operation. In another example, the sounder simulates the voice of a
human being or generates music, typically by using an electronic
circuit having a memory for storing the sounds (e.g., click, gong,
music, song, voice message, etc.), a digital to analog converter to
reconstruct the electrical representation of the sound and driver
for driving a loudspeaker, which is an electro-acoustical
transducer that converts an electrical signal to sound. An example
of a greeting card providing music and mechanical movement is
disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2007/0256337 to Segan
entitled: "User Interactive Greeting Card", which is incorporated
in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
[0052] The audible signaling may be associated with the motion
sensed by the device 10, as well as its theme or shape. For
example, the sounder appearance, as well as the sound volume, type
and steadiness may be influenced by the theme, providing a
surprising and illustrative result. For example, the shape may
include household appliance associated with a specific sound such
as the ringing of a telephone set, the buzzer of the entrance bell
or the bell sound or a microwave oven. Other examples are a horn of
an automobile, the rattling `chik-chuk` sound of a train and a
siren of an emergency vehicle such as a police car, an ambulance or
a fire-engine truck. In such a case, the sounder will preferably
generate a sound which simulates or is similar to the real sound
associated with the theme, such as a telephone ringing for a
telephone set and a siren sound for a police car. In another
example, the device shape includes an animal, and the sounder
produces the characteristic sound of the animal, such as barking
for a dog, yowling for a cat and twittering of a bird. Such a
system can be used for audio-visual learning for teaching small
children by association of an object such as a musical instruments
or an animal which produces a distinctive sound with the viewable
indicia associated therewith.
[0053] In one example the sound generated is music or song. The
elements of the music such as pitch (which governs melody and
harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and
articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and
texture, may be associated with the device 10 shape or theme. For
example, if a musical instrument shown in a picture or by the shape
of the device 10, the music generated by that instrument will be
played, such as drumming sound of drums and playing of a flute or
guitar. In one example according to the invention, a song or a
melody of a song is played by the annunciator. Preferably, the song
(or its melody) may be associated with the device 10 sensed
motions, its shape or its theme.
[0054] In one example according to the invention, a human voice
talking is played by the annunciator. The sound may be a syllable,
a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story or a long story, and
can be based on speech synthesis or pre-recorded. Male or female
voice can be used, being young or old. The text sounded is
preferably associated with the shape or theme. For example, a name
of the theme of the system can be heard, such as `dog`, `truck` and
`mountain`. Further, the story heard may be related to the theme,
or can describe the items shown in an image printed on the device
10 enclosure. In another example, general encouraging, thanking or
praising phrases can be made such as `good work`, `excellent` and
`congratulations`. Further, a greeting such as `Merry Christmas`
can be played for a Christmas related theme.
[0055] A tone, voice, melody or song sounder typically contains a
memory storing a digital representation of the pre-recorder or
synthesized voice or music, a digital to analog (D/A) converter for
creating an analog signal, a speaker and a driver for feeding the
speaker. An annunciator 13, which includes a sounder, may be based
on Holtek HT3834 CMOS VLSI Integrated Circuit (IC) named `36 Melody
Music Generator` available from Holtek Semiconductor Inc.,
headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and described with application
circuits in a data sheet Rev. 1.00 dated Nov. 2, 2006, which is
incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein. Similarly, the sounder may be based on EPSON 7910
series `Multi-Melody IC` available from Seiko-Epson Corporation,
Electronic Devices Marketing Division located in Tokyo, Japan, and
described with application circuits in a data sheet PF226-04 dated
1998, which is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if
fully set forth herein. A human voice synthesizer may be based on
Magnevation SpeakJet chip available from Magnevation LLC and
described in `Natural Speech & Complex Sound Synthesizer`
described in User's Manual Revision 1.0 Jul. 27, 2004, which is
incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein. A general audio controller may be based on OPTi 82C931
`Plug and Play Integrated Audio Controller` described in Data Book
912-3000-035 Revision: 2.1 published on Aug. 1, 1997, which is
incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein. Similarly, a music synthesizer may be based on
YMF7210PL4-ML2 FM+Wavetable Synthesizer LSI available from Yamaha
Corporation described in YMF721 Catalog No. LSI-4MF721A20, which is
incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
[0056] Some examples of prior-art toys that include generation of
an audio signal such as music are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,496,149 to Schwartzberg entitled: "Game Apparatus Utilizing
Controllable Audio Signals", in U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,260 to
Breedlove et al. entitled: "Electronic Learning Aid or Game having
Synthesized Speech", in U.S. Pat. No. 7,414,186 to Scarpa et al.
entitled: "System and Method for Teaching Musical Notes", in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,968,255 to Lee et al. entitled: "Electronic
Instructional Apparatus", in U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,123 to Bunger et
al. entitled: "Electronic Plano" and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,891 to
Milner entitled: "Musical Puzzle Using Sliding Tiles", and toys
with means for synthesizing human voice are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,527,611 to Cummings entitled: "Place and Find Toy", and in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,602 to Rose entitled: "Talking Doll Responsive
to External Signal", which are all incorporated in their entirety
for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. A music toy kit
combining music toy instrument with a set of construction toy
blocks is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,281 to Klitsner et al.
entitled: "Music Toy Kit" and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,129 to
Wisniewski et al. entitled: "Electronic Sound Generating Toy",
which are incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if
fully set forth herein.
[0057] In one example according to the invention, the annunciator
includes a smoke generation unit, mimicking the generation of a
real life smoking such as a smoke of a real train. Preferably, such
implementation may relate to a theme of a train having a smoking
locomotive or a fire. Some examples of smoke generation units are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,278 to Wells entitled: "Smoke
Generation System for Model Top Applications" and U.S. Pat. No.
7,297,045 to Pierson et al. entitled: "Smart Smoke Unit", which are
all incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein.
[0058] The device 10 is powered from a power supply 14 connected to
electrically power part or all of the power-consuming components of
the device 10. The power supply 14 may be a power source which is
integrated into the device 10 enclosure, such as a battery, either
primary or rechargeable type, which may reside in a battery
compartment. Alternatively, the power source may reside external to
the device enclosure and is feeding the local power supply 14, such
as powering from AC power outlet via common AC/DC adapter
containing a step-down transformer and an AC to DC converter
(rectifier). A DC/DC converter may be used in order to adapt the
power voltage from a source into one or more voltages used by the
various electrical circuits.
[0059] The battery may be a primary or a rechargeable (secondary)
type, may include a single or few batteries, and may use various
chemicals for the electro-chemical cells, such as lithium, alkaline
and nickel-cadmium. Common batteries are manufactured in defined
output voltages (1.5, 3, 4.5, 9 Volts, for example), as well as
defined standard mechanical enclosures (usually defined by letters
"A", "AA", "B", "C" sizes etc., and `coin` type). In one embodiment
the battery (or batteries) is held in a battery holder, and thus
can be easily replaced.
[0060] As an alternative or as addition to using battery as a power
source, the system can be power fed from the AC power supply, and
thus may include an AC/DC converter, for converting the AC power
(commonly 115VAC/60 Hz in North America and 220VAC/50 Hz in Europe)
into the required DC voltage or voltages. Such small outlet plug-in
step-down transformer shape can be used (also known as wall-wart,
"power brick", "plug pack", "plug-in adapter", "adapter block",
"domestic mains adapter", "power adapter", or AC adapter) as known
in the art and typically involves converting 120 or 240 volt AC
supplied by a power utility company to a well-regulated lower
voltage DC for electronic devices. The AC adapters commonly include
a step down transformer for reducing to non-hazardous potential
such as 12V or 9V, connected to a DC rectifier to supply a DC
voltage (such as 12VDC or 9VDC).
[0061] The control block 12 receives the signals representing the
magnitude and the direction of the motion sensed by the motion
sensor 11, and controls the operation of the annunciator 13 based
on a logic embedded in it. The annunciator 13 may be operated based
on the magnitude of the sensed motion, such as a threshold
mechanism activating the annunciator when the motion sensed exceeds
a pre-defined value. In another example, the annunciator is
activated in response to the value measured. Similarly, the logic
in the control block 12 may also activate the annunciator in
response to the direction of the motion sensed by the motion sensor
11. Further, the logic may involve any combination of magnitude and
direction of the sensed motion.
[0062] The control block 12 embedded logic may also use the timing
information relating to the motion, such as the change of the
magnitude and/or the direction of the motion over time. For
example, a timer may be used for measuring the time between
successive hits. Further, a timer may be used in order to activate
(or de-activate) an annunciator for a defined period as a response
to an event such as sensing an acceleration magnitude exceeding a
predefined threshold. Timing information may use timers that may be
implemented as a monostable circuit, producing a pulse of set
length when triggered. In one example, the timers are based on RC
based popular timers such as 555 and 556, such as ICM7555 available
from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., U.S.A.,
described in the data sheet "General Purpose Timers" publication
number 19-0481 Rev.2 11/92, which is incorporated in its entirety
for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Examples of general
timing diagrams as well as monostable circuits are described in
Application Note AN170 "NE555 and NE556 Applications" from Philips
semiconductors dated December/1988, which is incorporated in its
entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
Alternatively, a passive or active delay line may be used. Further,
a processor based delay line can be used, wherein the delay is set
by its firmware.
[0063] The control block 12 electronic circuits (e.g., integrated
circuit (IC) and related devices) may be based on a discrete logic
or an integrated device, such as a processor, microprocessor or
microcomputer, and may include a general-purpose device or may be a
special purpose processing device, such as an Application-Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC), PAL, Programmable Logic Array (PLA),
Programmable Logic Device (PLD), Field Programmable Gate Array
(FPGA), Gate Array, or other customized or programmable device. For
example, a timer can be implemented by a counted loop executed in
software. In the case of a programmable device as well as in other
implementations, a memory is required. The memory may include a
static RAM (random Access Memory), dynamic RAM, flash memory, ROM
(Read Only Memory), or any other data storage medium. The memory
may include data, algorithms, programs, and/or instructions and any
other software or firmware executable by the processor. The control
logic can be implemented in hardware or in software, such as a
firmware stored in the memory. The term "processor" herein is meant
to include any integrated circuit or other electronic device (or
collection of devices) capable of performing an operation on at
least one instruction including, without limitation, reduced
instruction set core (RISC) processors, CISC microprocessors,
microcontroller units (MCUs), CISC-based central processing units
(CPUs), and digital signal processors (DSPs). The hardware of such
devices may be integrated onto a single substrate (e.g., silicon
"die"), or distributed among two or more substrates. Furthermore,
various functional aspects of the processor may be implemented
solely as software or firmware associated with the processor. In
accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
methods described herein may be implemented by software programs
executable by a processor or a computer system. Further, in an
exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include
distributed processing, component/object distributed processing,
and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system
processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the
methods or functionality as described herein.
[0064] While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single
medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single
medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or
more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium"
shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding
or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or
that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the
methods or operations disclosed herein. In a particular
non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium
can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other
package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories.
Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory
or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the
computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical
medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture
carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a
transmission medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to
include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a
distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in
which data or instructions may be stored.
[0065] Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium,
punch-cards, paper-tape, any other physical medium with patterns of
holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory
chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any
other medium from which a computer can read.
[0066] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a processor-based
control block 20 upon which an embodiment of a control block 12 may
be implemented. The control block 20 may be integrated or used as a
portable electronic device such as notebook/laptop computer, a
media player (e.g., MP3 based or video player), a cellular phone, a
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), an image processing device (e.g.,
a digital camera or video recorder), and/or any other handheld
computing devices, or a combination of any of these devices. Note
that while FIG. 2 illustrates various components of a computer
system, it is not intended to represent any particular architecture
or manner of interconnecting the components; as such details are
not germane to the present invention. It will also be appreciated
that network computers, handheld computers, cell phones and other
data processing systems which have fewer components or perhaps more
components may also be used with the present invention. The
computer system of FIG. 2 may, for example, be an Apple Macintosh
computer or Power Book, or an IBM compatible PC.
Computer/control/logic system 20 includes a bus 24, an
interconnect, or other communication mechanism for communicating
information, and a processor 25, commonly in the form of an
integrated circuit, coupled with bus 24 for processing information
and for executing the computer executable instructions.
Computer/logic/control system 20 also includes a main memory 22,
such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage
device, coupled to bus 24 for storing information and instructions
to be executed by processor 25. Main memory 22 also may be used for
storing temporary variables or other intermediate information
during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 25.
Computer/control/logic system 20 further includes a Read Only
Memory (ROM) 21 (or other non-volatile memory) or other static
storage device coupled to bus 24 for storing static information and
instructions for processor 25. A storage device 23, such as a
magnetic disk or optical disk, a hard disk drive for reading from
and writing to a hard disk, a magnetic disk drive for reading from
and writing to a magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk drive (such
as DVD) for reading from and writing to a removable optical disk,
is coupled to bus 24 for storing information and instructions. The
hard disk drive, magnetic disk drive, and optical disk drive may be
connected to the system bus by a hard disk drive interface, a
magnetic disk drive interface, and an optical disk drive interface,
respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable
media provide non-volatile storage of computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for
the general purpose computing devices. Typically computer system 20
includes an operating system (OS) stored in a non-volatile storage
for managing the computer resources and provides the applications
and programs with an access to the computer resources and
interfaces. An operating system commonly processes system data and
user input, and responds by allocating and managing tasks and
internal system resources, such as controlling and allocating
memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and output
devices, facilitating networking and managing files. Examples of
operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
[0067] The invention is related to the use of
computer/control/logic system 20 for implementing the methods and
techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the
invention, those methods and techniques are performed by
computer/control/logic system 20 in response to processor 25
executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions
contained in main memory 22. Such instructions may be read into
main memory 22 from another computer-readable medium, such as
storage device 23. Execution of the sequences of instructions
contained in main memory 22 causes processor 25 to perform the
process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,
hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with
software instructions to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments
of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of
hardware circuitry and software.
[0068] The control system 20 may communicate with the motion sensor
11 and the annunciator 13 via a digital communication link using
Communication Interface 26 coupled to bus 24. In the case of a
motion sensor 11 having an analog output, an Analog-to-Digital
(A/D) converter 27 which converts continuous signals to discrete
digital numbers is used, coupled between the motion sensor 11 and
the bus 24. In the case the annunciator 13 is having an analog
input, a Digital-to-Analog (D/A) converter 28 which converts a
digital (usually binary) code to an analog signal (current, voltage
or electric charge, coupled between the annunciator 13 and the bus
24. Other signal conditioning may also be applied in order to
improve the handling of the motion sensor output or to adapt to
control or activate the annunciator, such as attenuation, delay,
filtering, amplifying, digitizing and any other signal
manipulation.
[0069] The term `random` in these specifications and claims is
intended to cover not only pure random, non-deterministically and
non-predicted generated signals, but also pseudo-random,
deterministic signals such as the output of a shift-register
arrangement provided with a feedback circuit as used to generate
pseudo-random binary signals or as scramblers, and chaotic signals.
In one aspect of the invention, a randomness factor is included in
the device. The stochastic operation may add amusement and
recreation to the system or device operation since the operation
will be surprising, non-repetitive and cannot be predicted.
[0070] In one aspect of the invention randomness may be used.
Randomness is commonly implemented by using random numbers, defined
as a sequence of numbers or symbols that lack any pattern and thus
appear random, are often generated by a random number generator. A
random number generator (having either analog or digital output)
can be hardware based, using a physical process such as thermal
noise, shot noise, nuclear decaying radiation, photoelectric effect
or other quantum phenomena. Alternatively, or in addition, the
generation of the random numbers can be software based, using a
processor executing an algorithm for generating pseudo-random
numbers which approximates the properties of random numbers.
[0071] A digital random signal generator (known as random number
generator) wherein numbers in binary form replaces the analog
voltage value output may be used. One approach to random number
generation is based on using linear feedback shift registers. An
example of random number generators is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,124,157 to Ikake entitled: "Random Number Generator", in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,905,176 to Schulz entitled: "Random Number Generator
Circuit", in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,884 to Brown et al. entitled:
"Random Number Generator with Digital Feedback" and in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,145,933 to Szajnowski entitled: "Method and Apparatus for
generating Random signals", which are incorporated in its entirety
for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
[0072] A digital random signal generator can be based on `True
Random Number Generation IC RPG100/RPG100B` available from FDK
Corporation and described in the data sheet `Physical Random number
generator RPG100.RPG100B` REV. 08 publication number
HM-RAE106-0812, which is incorporated in its entirety for all
purposes as if fully set forth herein. The digital random signal
generator can be hardware based, generating random numbers from a
natural physical process or phenomenon, such as the thermal noise
of semiconductor which has no periodicity. Typically, such hardware
random number generators are based on microscopic phenomena such as
thermal noise, shot noise, nuclear decaying radiation,
photoelectric effect or other quantum phenomena, and typically
contain a transducer to convert some aspect of the physical
phenomenon to an electrical signal, an amplifier and other
electronic to bring the output into a signal that can be converted
into a digital representation by an analog to digital converter. In
the case where digitized serial random number signals are
generated, the output is converted to parallel, such as 8 bits
data, with 256 values of random numbers (values from 0 to 255).
Alternatively, the digital random signal generator 582 can be
software (or firmware) based, such as pseudo-random number
generators. Such generators include a processor for executing
software that includes an algorithm for generating numbers, which
approximates the properties of random numbers.
[0073] The random signal generator (either analog or digital) may
output a signal having uniform distribution, in which there is a
substantially or purely equal probability of a signal falling
between two defined limits, having no appearance outside these
limits. However, Gaussian and other distribution may be equally
used.
[0074] The annunciator 13 may be powered from the same power supply
14 as the one powering the associated device, or may be powered
from a dedicated or separated power source. In one example, the
annunciator 13 activation may include its powering by the power
supply 14 by a switch connected between a power supply 14 and the
annunciator 13, where the switch is activated based on the
activation signal. Such a scheme is exampled in a device 30 shown
in FIG. 3, describing a logic block 12 including an electrically
activated switch 31, operated via a control port 32, connected
between the power supply 14 and the annunciator 13. The logic in
the control block 12 activates the switch 31 via the control port
32, which in turn power the annunciator 13 from the power supply
14. In one embodiment, the annunciator 13 is toggle controlled,
wherein each triggering event causes the annunciator 13 to switch
to an alternate state, for example by using a toggle switch as an
alternative or as an addition to the on/off switch 31. The switch
31 may be implemented by relay contacts, wherein control line 32 is
a control signal used to energize and de-energize the coil of the
relay, or may be implemented using solid state circuitry such as a
solid-state relay, an optocoupler or any other controlled switches
known in the art.
[0075] The control block 12 uses control port 32 for selectively
energizing and de-energizing the annunciator 13 via the switch 31.
For a non-limiting example, in the case wherein the annunciator 13
is a LED (or any other illuminating device), the control block 12
logic may turn the light on or off via the control port 32.
Similarly, a flashing light can be obtained by periodically
providing the power to the LED by the control block 12. Similarly,
in the case wherein annunciator 13 is a buzzer, the continuity,
duty-cycle and time of operation can be controlled by the control
block 12. In some cases controlling the annunciator 13 is not made
via switching its power but rather by a control port, preferably
digital, provided in the annunciator 13. Examples of control
blocks, annunciators and means and methods for controlling or
activating payloads such as an annunciator are described in U.S.
Patent Application Publication 2011/0012661 to Binder titled:
"Sequentially Operated Modules" and in U.S. Patent Application
Publication 2011/0031689 to Binder titled: "Puzzle with Conductive
Path", both are incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as
if fully set forth herein.
[0076] In one example, a `hit` of the device 10 is detected by
sensing any acceleration above a pre-defined magnitude. For
example, the threshold value is determined such as to sense
throwing, kicking or catching of the ball 10. In such a case, the
logic 12 (or the motion sensor 11) is set to detect any
acceleration in any direction which is above 2 g. The annunciator
13 is responsive to such sensed `hit`. In one case, the annunciator
has two states, activated (`ON`) and deactivated (`OFF`), such as a
lamp having `lit` and `blank` states or a buzzer having `silent`
and `buzz` states. In such a case, the annunciator 13 may be
activated for a pre-defined time (e.g. 2 seconds) any time a `hit`
is detected. Alternatively, the annunciator 13 changes states
between `ON` and `OFF` each time a hit is sensed, such that it is
activated only after odd number of hits, and stays deactivated
after even numbers of hits. In another example, the annunciator 13
is responsive to the number of hits detected, for example during a
defined period or counted as long as pre-set period between hits
has not expired. In such example, the annunciator 13 is activated
only after pre-set number of hits. For example, the annunciator 13
enters `ON` state only after 10 hits were detected in a 15 seconds
period. Alternatively, the annunciator 13 enters `ON` state after
10 hits, wherein the measured time between successive hits is less
than 4 seconds.
[0077] The annunciator 13 may annunciate by cycling between `ON`
and `OFF` states (such as lamp flashing), where the annunciator 13
is activated intermittently few times for a short duration each
time, where either the activating rate or the number of `ON`
periods are based on the sensed motion. Preferably, during such
activation the period of time of the `ON` state is equal to the
period of the `OFF` state. For example, the annunciator 13 may
flash according to the number of sensed hits in a pre-defined
period, or as long as hits are being sensed, or the number of
sensed hits is accumulated and stored, and shown as the numbers of
short activations after a pre-set rest period (when no hits are
sensed during that period). Similarly, the annunciator 13 is
activated in response to the magnitude of a sensed hit. For
example, a strong hit, such as sensed by high magnitude of
acceleration, will affect the number of the cycles, where a hit of
10 g may result in 10 activation cycles, and a hit of 5 g will
create a response of 5 cycles. In such a case, the logic block 12
may include few thresholds at different acceleration magnitude
levels, where crossing higher threshold will result in more number
of blinks. Alternatively or in addition, the hits count or the hit
magnitude may be used to change the rate of the annunciator 13
cycling, where higher hits count or stronger hit will affect higher
frequency or duty-cycle.
[0078] While the operation of the annunciator 13 has been described
above as having two states, non-activated (`OFF` state) and
activated (`ON` state), the annunciator 13 activation or control
may also be continuous level control such as changing the
illumination intensity in a lamp, where changing of the light
energy or power emitted, or the sounding volume of a buzzer or any
other sounder. In such configuration, the annunciator 13 level
control is based on the motion sensed by the motion sensor 11. For
example, the level may be increased at each hit sensed or based on
the number of hits sensed in a defined period. Similarly, the
annunciator 13 level may reflect the strength of the hit sensed by
measuring the peak of the acceleration magnitude. The changing
level may be combined with the number of cycles, the duty cycle or
any other activation scheme of the annunciator 13.
[0079] In one example, the annunciator 13 can be in one out of
multiple states as controlled by the logic block 12. For example,
the annunciator 13 may be a multi-color LED, where one of the
colors is illuminating under a control. Similarly, the annunciator
13 may be a sounder that can be controlled to emit one out of
different tones, say one word out of many, and play a selected
music out of a list of songs and the like. In such a case, one of
the states may be activated as a response for a single hit, the
number of hits sensed or as a response to the hit magnitude, one of
states of the annunciator 13 is activated. For example, the
annunciator 13 state may be changing (e.g., according to a pre-set
states changing scheme) after each hit sensed. In another example,
the number of hits is reflected in the annunciator 13 state.
Similarly, multiple annunciators may be used, where the
annunciation is based on activating one of the annunciators, or
based on the activation of a combination of the annunciators.
[0080] In one example, randomness is added to the logic that
activates or controls the annunciator 13 in response to the
acceleration sensed by the motion sensor 46. For example, the
random activation of the annunciator 13 in response to a sensed hit
may be implemented. In the case where 55% is the pre-set
probability embedded in the ball 40 logic, only 55% of the hits
results in any activation of the annunciator 13, or any other
change in its state. Similarly, any other type of the annunciator
13 activation such as duty-cycle, cycling, state changing may be
random-based, adding to the amusement of playing with it.
[0081] The logic block 12 may include a counter for calculating and
storing the number of times a particular event or process has
occurred. For example, a counter may be used to count the number of
times sensed acceleration was above a pre-determined threshold
(`hit`). The annunciator 13 may display the counter value, or
alternatively the annunciator 13 may be activated or controlled
based on the event count. Further, the annunciator 13 may be
activated or controlled based on an event when the counted number
exceeds a pre-determined value. For example, an annunciator may
activate a lamp when the number of sensed hits exceeds the number
five. The annunciator 13 may be a numerical display for visually
indicating the number of hits or any other value based on the
counter value. The counter may be implemented in software (or
firmware), where a register content is used to store consecutive
integers representing the events count. Further, a counter may be
mechanical or electromechanical, as known in the art. Alternatively
or in addition, a counter may be electronically implemented by a
digital hardware using flip-flops. Example of electronic counters
having a numerical display that may be used are electronic pulse
counter model Codix 130 and LCD module 192 available from Fritz
Kiibler GmbH and respectively described in Fritz Kiibler GmbH
catalog Pulse Counters, electronic chapter, describing LCD Module
192 in page 77 and Codix 130 in pages 56-57, which are incorporated
in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
[0082] Ball.
[0083] In one aspect of the invention, the device 10 is shaped as a
ball or any other toy-like structure. Such a ball can be used in
any ball game, such as dribbling, kicking, catching and other,
wither for a single player or where two persons are throwing the
ball from one to the other, where annunciator 13 responds to the
playing activities, based on a logic in the logic block 12.
Preferably, the components of the device are mounted centrally in
the ball structure so that the ball is not untowardly unevenly
balanced due to any significant off-center weighting. Further, the
ball may be filled with plastic foam.
[0084] Additional possible shapes include interior cavity shapes
equivalent to sphere, multi-sphere, egg, football, ovoid and
multi-ovoid shapes; unlimited exterior shapes including but not
limited to those of the interior shapes plus irregular spheres in
the approximate size and with the approximate texture of a scoop of
ice cream, animal figures, geometric shapes, spikes, vegetable and
fruit shapes, other food product shapes such as a roast chicken,
beef knuckle bone, irregular shapes, novelty shapes and the like
that would additionally allow for pleasant grabbing texture and
surface variety for a pet or a person. Preferably the shape allows
for regular or irregular rolling patterns.
[0085] In one example, the device 10 is enclosed in a soccer-shaped
ball 40 used as a toy shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The power supply 14
is implemented by the battery 45 (primary or rechargeable), housed
in a cavity inside the ball 40. A cover 41 is removably secured to
the ball housing, and the can be mounted into or removed from the
ball 40 structure using screws via the holes 43a and 43b, thus
allowing for replacement of the battery 45 upon its exhaustion. The
cover 41 conforms to the outer surface of the ball 40 and fits
flush with the outer surface that surrounds the aperture into which
the cover 41 is inserted. An LED 42 is mounted on the cover 41,
providing a visual indication to the user/player. The motion sensor
11 is implemented using a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted
3-axis accelerometer 46. A PCB 47 is used as a mechanical base and
for electrical connection of the electronic components implementing
part or all of the logic block 12 functionalities. The LED 42 is
connected to the electronic circuits on the PCB 47 via wires 44a
and 44b. Similarly, the battery 45 is connected to the PCB 47
circuits in order to power them. FIG. 4a shows the ball 40 open
having the cover 41 separated from the enclosure of the ball 40,
and FIG. 4b shows the cover 41 attached as part of the ball 40
structure, thus forming a substantially spherical body resembling a
common play ball.
[0086] The ball 40 is can be used in any ball game, such as
dribbling, kicking, catching and other, wither for a single player
or where two persons are throwing the ball from one to the other,
where visual indication by the LED 42 responds to the playing
activities. The cover 41 may alternatively be secured to ball 40
housing opening using bayonets. Further, the ball 40 housing may be
comprised of two half spheres that may mate together along a
substantially circular edge, where one half sphere includes a
plurality of sockets positioned to circumference for mating with a
plurality of corresponding pins in the second half sphere, as
described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,671. Alternatively or
in addition, the ball components may be housed in a cylindrical
plastic housing that is housed in the ball which is formed with
peripheral formations and aperture to house the cylinder, as
described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,839.
[0087] In one example, a `hit` of the play ball 40 is detected by
sensing any acceleration above a pre-defined magnitude. The
threshold value is determined such as to sense the throwing,
kicking or catching of the ball 40. For example, the logic 12 will
be set to detect any acceleration in any direction which is above 2
g. The LED 42 is responsive to such sensed bounce or `hit`. In one
example, the LED 42 lit for a pre-defined time (e.g. 2 seconds) any
time a `hit` is detected. Alternatively, the LED 42 changes states
between blanking to lighting each time a hit is sensed, such that
it will illuminate only after an odd number of hits, and stays
blank after even numbers of hits. In another example, the LED 42 is
responsive to the number of hits detected, for example during a
defined period or counted as long as pre-set period between hits
has not expired. In such example, the LED 42 lit only after pre-set
number of hits. For example, the LED 42 lit only after 10 hits were
detected in a 15 seconds period. Alternatively, the LED 42 lit
after 10 hits, wherein the measured time between successive hits is
less than 4 seconds.
[0088] The LED 42 may annunciate by flashing or blinking, where the
LED 42 is gleaming or glowing intermittently few times for a short
duration each time, where either the blinking rate or the number of
lit periods are based on the sensed motion. Preferably, during
flashing the period of time of illumination is equal to the period
of non-illumination. For example, the LED 42 may flash according to
the number of sensed hits in a pre-defined period, or as long as
hits are being sensed, or the number of sensed hits is accumulated
and stored, and shown as the numbers of blinks after a pre-set rest
period (when no hits are sensed during that period). Similarly, the
LED 42 is activated in response to the magnitude of a sensed hit.
For example, a strong hit, such as sensed by high magnitude of
acceleration, will affect the number of blinks, where a hit of 10 g
may result in 10 blinks, and a hit of 5 g will create a response of
5 blinks. In such a case, the logic block 12 may include few
thresholds at different acceleration magnitude levels, where
crossing higher threshold will result in more number of blinks.
Alternatively or in addition, the hit count or the hit magnitude
may be used to change the blinking rate of the LED 42, where higher
hits count or stronger hit will affect higher flashing rate or
duty-cycle.
[0089] While the operation of the LED 42 has been described above
as having two states, blank (`OFF` state) and lit (`ON` state), the
LED 42 activation or control may also be continuous such as
changing the illumination intensity, or any other changing of the
light energy or power emitted. In such configuration, the LED 42
illumination intensity is based on the motion sensed by the motion
sensor 46. For example, the illumination intensity may be increased
at each hit sensed or based on the number of hits sensed in a
defined period. Similarly, the LED 42 illumination intensity may
reflect the strength of the hit sensed by measuring the peak of the
acceleration magnitude. The changing intensity may be combined with
the number of flashes, the duty cycle or any other activation
scheme of the LED 42.
[0090] In one example, the LED 42 is a multi-color LED, and one of
the colors is illuminated as a response for a single hit, the
number of hits sensed or as a response to the hit magnitude. For
example, the LED 42 color is changing (e.g., according to a pre-set
color changing scheme) after each hit sensed. In another example,
the number of hits is reflected in the LED 42 emitted color.
Further, the color is darker (or lighter) or otherwise affected by
the measured magnitude of the acceleration. Similarly, multiple
single-color LEDs may be used, where the annunciation is based on
the LED that illuminates, or based on the combination of the
illuminating LEDs.
[0091] In one example, randomness is added to the logic that
activates or controls the LED 42 in response to the acceleration
sensed by the motion sensor 46. For example, the random activation
of the LED 42 in response to a sensed hit may be implemented. In
the case where 55% is the pre-set probability embedded in the ball
40 logic, only 55% of the hits results in any activation of the LED
42, or any other change in its state. Similarly, any other type of
the LED 42 activation such as duty-cycle, flashing, color changing
(in the case of multi-color LED) may be random-based, adding to the
amusement of playing with it.
[0092] While the soccer-shaped ball 40 described above included a
LED 42 as a visual indicator implementing the annunciator 13, the
invention equally applies to the case of a ball 60 including an
audible annunciator (as an alternative or addition to the LED 42)
as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, where FIG. 6a shows an exploded view
of the ball 60. The power supply 14 is implemented by the battery
45 (primary or rechargeable), housed in a cavity inside the ball
60. A cover 61 can be mounted into or removed from the ball 60
structure mating circular aperture using screws via the holes 43a
and 43b, thus allowing for replacement of the battery 45 upon its
draining. A speaker 64 is attached the cover 61, providing an
audible indication such as voice or any other sound to the
user/player via the holes screen 62. The motion sensor 11 is
implemented using a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted 3-axis
accelerometer 46. A PCB 65 is used as a mechanical base and for
electrical connection of the electronic components implementing
part or all of the logic block 12 functionalities. The speaker 64
is connected to the electronic circuits on the PCB 65 via wires 63a
and 63b. Similarly, the battery 45 is connected to the PCB 65
circuits in order to power them. FIG. 4a shows the ball 60 open
having the cover 61 separated from the housing of ball 60, and FIG.
4b shows the cover 61 attached as part of the ball 60 structure,
thus forming a substantially spherical body resembling a common
play ball. The ball 60 is can be used in any ball game, such as
dribbling, kicking, catching and other, wither for a single player
or where two persons are throwing the ball from one to the other,
where the sound emitted from the speaker 64 responds to the playing
activities.
[0093] In one example, a `hit` of the play ball 40 is detected by
sensing any acceleration above a pre-defined magnitude. The
threshold value is determined such as to sense the throwing,
kicking or catching of the ball 40. For example, the logic 12 will
be set to detect any acceleration in any direction which is above 2
g. The LED 42 is responsive to such sensed `hit`. In one example,
the LED 42 lit for a pre-defined time (e.g. 2 seconds) any time a
`hit` is detected. Alternatively, the LED 42 changes states between
blanking to lighting each time a hit is sensed, such that it will
illuminate only after an odd number of hits, and stays blank after
even numbers of hits. In another example, the LED 42 is responsive
to the number of hits detected, for example during a defined period
or counted as long as pre-set period between hits has not expired.
In such example, the LED 42 lit only after pre-set number of hits.
For example, the LED 42 lit only after 10 hits were detected in a
15 second period. Alternatively, the LED 42 lit after 10 hits,
wherein the measured time between successive hits is less than 4
seconds.
[0094] The speaker 64 may annunciate by sounding tone, ring, voice,
melody or song, as well as text-based message such as syllable,
word, phrase or sentence, under the control of the embedded logic.
The speaker 64 may provide the sound continuously or
intermittently, such as few cycles of a short duration on each
time, where either the sounding repetition rate or the number of
sounding periods are based on the sensed motion. Preferably, during
cycling the period of time of sounding is equal to the period of
silencing. For example, the speaker 64 may ring or emit sounding
periods according to the number of sensed hits in a pre-defined
period, or as long as hits are being sensed, or the number of
sensed hits is accumulated and stored, and shown as the numbers of
sounding cycles after a pre-set rest period (when no hits are
sensed during that period). Similarly, the speaker 64 may be
activated in response to the magnitude of a sensed hit. For
example, a strong hit, such as sensed by high magnitude of
acceleration, will affect the number of the sounding cycles, where
a hit of 10 g may result in 10 cycles, and a hit of 5 g will create
a response of 5 sounding cycles. In such a case, the logic block 12
may include few thresholds at different acceleration magnitude
levels, where crossing higher threshold will result in more number
of cycles. Alternatively or in addition, the hits count or the hit
magnitude may be used to change the sounding rate of the speaker
64, where higher hits count or stronger hit will affect higher
sounding rate or duty-cycle.
[0095] While the operation of the speaker 64 has been described
above as having two states, silence (`OFF` state) and sounding
(`ON` state), the speaker 64 activation or control may also be
continuous such as changing the tone frequency or the sound volume,
or any other changing of the emitted acoustic signal. In such
configuration, the volume emitted by the speaker 64 (or its
frequency or both) is based on the motion sensed by the motion
sensor 46. For example, the volume may be increased at each hit
sensed or based on the number of hits sensed in a defined period.
Similarly, the speaker 64 illumination intensity may reflect the
strength of the hit sensed by measuring the peak of the
acceleration magnitude. The changing volume may be combined with
the number or types of the emitted sounds, the duty cycle or any
other activation scheme of the speaker 64.
[0096] In one example, the ball 60 is capable of emitting multiple
sounds, such as various tones, melodies, words, phrases and the
like. Commonly one of the possible sounds is announced as a
response for a single hit, the number of hits sensed or as a
response to the hit magnitude. For example, the speaker 64 may
announce a different word such as `good work`, `excellent` and
`congratulations` (e.g., according to a pre-set announcing scheme)
after each hit sensed. In another example, the number of hits is
reflected in the ball 60 emitted voices. In one example, the ball
60 announce the counting of hits sensed, such that the word `one`
will be announced after the first hit, the number `two` will be
announced after the second hit and so forth. Similarly, the ball 60
may announce the strength of the sensed hit, such as based on the
peak level of the acceleration sensed. For example, in case of peak
acceleration in the range of 4.5-5.5 g the ball 60 will announce
`five g`, and for the range of 8.9-9.5 g the phrase `nine g` will
be announced.
[0097] In one example, randomness is added to the logic that
activates or controls the sounds emitted by the speaker 64 in
response to the acceleration sensed by the motion sensor 46. For
example, random sounding in response to a sensed hit may be
implemented, where some of the hits will be responses by a sound
and in some the ball remains silent. In the case where 55% is the
pre-set probability embedded in the ball 60 logic, only 55% of the
hits results in any activation of the speaker 64, or any other
change in its state. Similarly, any other type of the speaker 64
activation such as selecting a one, word, music, word, phrase and
others may be random-based selected, adding to the amusement of
playing with it.
[0098] In another example, a ball 90 having a numeric display 92 is
shown in FIG. 9, added to the LED 42 described as part of the ball
40 shown in FIGS. 4a-4b. The numeric display 92 is part of the
cover 91, and is used to display numbers, such as the number `55`
shown in FIG. 9. The number displayed may represent the number of
hits or the strength of the last sensed hit.
[0099] Power.
[0100] The ball 40 was described above in FIGS. 4a and 4b as being
powered from the battery 45. The battery may be a primary battery
or cell, in which an irreversible chemical reaction generates the
electricity, and thus the cell is disposable and cannot be
recharged, and need to be replaced after the battery is drained.
Such battery replacement is expensive and cumbersome.
Alternatively, a rechargeable (secondary) battery may be used, such
as a nickel-cadmium based battery. In such a case, a battery
charger is employed for charging the battery while not in use.
[0101] A block diagram 50a of a rechargeable battery 36 based
device according to one aspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 5.
A battery charger 37 is an electrical circuit connected to the
rechargeable battery 36 and provides a forced and controlled
voltage and/or current to a battery to put electrical energy into
it. Various types of such battery chargers are known in the art,
such as trickle chargers, pulse chargers and the like. The device
55 enclosure connects via connector 551 to a mating connector 552
for connecting to a power source, such as the AC/DC converter 38.
The AC/DC converter 38 is commonly power fed from a domestic AC
power through AC plug 39 and cord 553, and commonly includes a
step-down transformer. The AC/DC converter 38 is used for
converting the AC power (commonly 115VAC/60 Hz or 220VAC/50 Hz)
into the required DC voltage or voltages. Such power supplies are
known in the art and typically involves converting 120 or 240 volt
AC supplied by a power utility company to a well-regulated lower
voltage DC for electronic devices. For example, a small outlet
plug-in step-down transformer shape can be used as the AC/DC
converter 38, also known as wall-wart, "power brick", "plug pack",
"plug-in adapter", "adapter block", "domestic mains adapter",
"power adapter", or AC adapter. The charging associated components,
such as the battery charger 37, the AC/DC converter 38, the AC plug
39, and the cable 553, may be housed in a separate enclosure, and
connected via a connector to the device 55 housing, housing the
electric cell or cells 36. Similarly, the AC/DC converter 38 may be
housed within the device 55 enclosure, and having a single
connector for connecting via cord 553 and AC plug 39 to the AC
power supply. Hence, each or both of the battery charger 37 and the
AC/DC converter 38 may be integrated with the device 55 enclosure
or in a separate housing.
[0102] An example of a ball 51 comprising cover 53 and including a
rechargeable battery 45 is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b respectively
showing views 50b (showing open cover 53) and 50c (showing cover 53
installed). During charging, an AC/DC converter device 52
(corresponding to AC/DC converter 38) is used, having prongs 57a
and 57b (corresponding to AC power plug 39) for connecting to an AC
power outlet for receiving the AC power (either 120VAC (e.g., in
North America) or 220VAC (e.g., in some countries in Europe). The
DC power is fed to a load via cord 50 and connector 54
(corresponding to connector 552). The ball 51 includes a battery
charger circuit 37 on the PCB 47, connected to plug 58 which mates
with the feeding socket 54 via wires 56a and 56b. When engaging the
mating connectors 54 and 58 and connecting the AC/DC converter 52
to an AC power source, the battery 45 is being charged, obviating
the need to remove the cover 53 for physical access to replace the
battery 45.
[0103] In another example, the device is locally energized. Such a
device 80 is shown in FIG. 8 using an electrical energy generator
81 to locally generate electrical power for charging the
rechargeable battery 36 via the battery charger 37. Preferably, the
generator 81 is integrated within the device 80 enclosure.
Alternatively or in addition, the generator 81 may directly feed
the power consuming components in the device 80 without using any
electrical energy storage device such as the rechargeable battery
36. Such generator 81 may be based on converting kinetic energy
harvested from the device 80 motion, which may be caused by a human
or animal activity, to electrical energy. Such generator 81 is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,692,320 to Lemieux titled: "Electrical
Energy Generator", in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,877 to Tiemann titled:
"Apparatus for Converting Vibratory Motion to Electrical Energy",
in U.S. Pat. No. 7,847,421 to Gardner et al. titled: "System for
Generating Electrical Energy from Ambient Motion" and in U.S.
Patent Application 2007/0210580 to Robets et al. titled:
"Electromechanical Generator for, and Method of, Converting
Mechanical Vibrational Energy into Electrical Energy", as well as a
battery-shaped generator described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,688,036 to
Yarger et al. titled: "System and Method for Storing Energy", which
are all incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully
set forth herein. In the case of a device 80 shaped as a ball and
used for ball gaming such as ball 40 described in FIGS. 4a and 4b,
the game commonly involves moving the ball, such providing kinetic
energy that can be used to power feed the ball power-consuming
components. In this case, the battery 45 may be replaced by the
battery-shaped generator such as described by Yarger et al.
[0104] While the invention was exampled in FIGS. 5a-5c above with
regard to a direct and conductive charging, thus requiring
connectors 58 and 54 to be engaged, in one example a contactless
charging is used, such as by using inductive coupling where the
energy is transferred using an electromagnetic field. In inductive
coupling a charging station sends energy using a transmitter
induction coil to the device to be charged, which includes a
receiving induction coil inductively coupled to the transmitter
coil. The received power is commonly used to charge a rechargeable
battery in the device. In such a configuration there is no need for
any connectors or for connector engagement, thus making it easy to
use, impermeable to water and dirt and with improved shape and
look. A device 85 capable of inductive charging is shown in FIG.
8a. The receiving coil 87 is designed to receive energy when
properly positioned in an electromagnetic field. The received
signal is rectified by rectifier 86 and further processed or
conditioned as required. The electric power is then feeding the
battery charger 37 which charge the secondary cell 36. Contactless
battery charging systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,115
to Binder titled: "Battery Substitute Pack", in U.S. Pat. No.
7,863,859 to Soar titled: "Contactless Battery Charging Apparel",
in U.S. Pat. No. 7,872,445 to Ron Hui titled: "rechargeable Battery
Powered Portable Electronic Device", in U.S. Pat. No. 7,906,936 to
Azancot et al. titled: "rechargeable Inductive Charger", in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,863,861 to Cheng et al. titled: "Contact-Less Power
Transfer" and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,876,067 to Greenfeld et al.
titled: "High Frequency Connector-Less Charging Scheme", which are
all incorporated in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set
forth herein.
[0105] An example of a ball 79 capable of contactless inductive
charging and a charging station 72 is shown in FIGS. 7a-7e. The
ball 70 comprises a receiving coil 73 (corresponding to inductor
87), connected via wires 74a and 74b to the PCB 77, which is
carrying the required electronic circuits (such as rectifier 86 and
battery charger 37), hence when the coil 73 is in the
electromagnetic field generated by the charger 72, the rechargeable
battery 45 is charged. The charger 72 includes a coil 75 which
generates the electromagnetic field, and is fed from the AC power
by the AC/DC converter 52 having prongs 57a and 57b, feeding the
charger 72 via the cable 59. The ball 79 is exampled having an
audible annunciator and a cover 71 similar to the ball 60 shown in
FIGS. 6a-6b. Thus when the ball 79 is placed on the charger 72 such
that the coils 73 and 75 are inductively coupled to each other,
energy for charging the battery 45 is received from the charger 72.
FIG. 7a shows a view 70 of the charging system 72 and the ball 79
where the coil 73 is shown separated from the ball 79 housing, FIG.
7b shows a view 70a of a cut in the ball 79 when placed on the
charger 72 for charging, FIG. 7c shows a view 70b of the charging
system 72 and the ball 79 where the coil 73 and the cover 71 are
shown separated from the ball 79 housing, FIG. 7d shows a cut view
of the ball 79 and FIG. 7e shows a view 70c of the closed ball 79
placed on the charger 72 for charging.
[0106] Handheld Device.
[0107] In an aspect of the invention, a handheld device 100 is
used, as described in FIGS. 10-10d. FIG. 10 shows an exploded view
of the handheld device 100, FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c respectively
shows front 105a, side 105b and rear 105c views of the handheld
device 100, and FIG. 10d shows a view 105d of the device 100 held
in a hand 102. Similar to the ball 60 described in FIGS. 6a and 6b,
the handheld device 100 comprises a cover 101 (similar to the cover
61 of ball 60). The handheld device 100 includes two thin, flat,
circular plates (`disks`) mechanically attached to the ends of a
long thin cylinder rod, thus allowing easy gripping in a palm.
While shown with the loudspeaker 64, any type of annunciator 13 may
be equally used. Another example of a handheld device including an
accelerometer and used for control is described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,774,155 to Sato et al. titled: "Accelerometer-Based Controller",
which is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes as if fully
set forth herein.
[0108] In one example, the direction of device 10 such as its tilt
is used to activate or control the annunciator 13, such as the
amount of the inclination or bending from a vertical position as
sensed by the motion sensor 11, which can be a tilt detector. FIGS.
11a and 11b respectively show the views 110a and 110b of the device
100 in various tilt positions. In view 110a, the handheld device
100 axis 112a is shown tilted by angle 1 113a left from the
vertical 111, while in view 110b, the handheld device 100 axis 112b
is shown tilted by angle 2 113b right from the vertical 111. The
tilting angle (such as angle 1 113a) is sensed by the motion sensor
46, and the loudspeaker 64 (corresponding to an annunciator 13), is
activated or controlled according to the sensed tilt angle, such as
its sign (right or left) or its value. For example, the tone
sounded from the loudspeaker 64 may correspond to the tilting
angle.
[0109] Further, the acceleration magnitude sensed may also be used
in combination to the sensed tilt angle to control the annunciator
13. For example, the handheld device 100 may be used as a musical
instrument. In this case, the tilt angle may correspond to the type
of sound heard, and the acceleration sensed in that direction may
correspond to the sound volume. In an example, the tilt angle
corresponds with a musical note, where the tilt angle range +50
degrees to +40 degrees will affect the musical note `DO`, the tilt
angle range +40 degrees to +30 degrees will affect the musical note
`RE`, the tilt angle range +30 degrees to +20 degrees will affect
the musical note `MI` and so forth. A hit (such as sensed
acceleration magnitude passing a threshold) will result in the
playing of the note associated with that tilt angle, while the
sounding volume may also be controlled by acceleration magnitude.
The sound produced by such devices can emulate the sounds of any
conventional acoustical music instruments, such as a plano, tuba,
harp, violin, flute, guitar and so forth. In one example, the
device can further be shaped as a miniature of the music instrument
associated with its emitted sound.
[0110] While the invention has been exampled above with regarding
to a ball-shaped device such as ball 60 in FIG. 6a or as handheld
device such as device 100 in FIGS. 10a-10c, any enclosure may be
equally used. For example, a rectangular cross-section box with all
sides flat (or substantially flat) may be used. Similarly, the box
used may have (or be based on) a cross section (horizontal or
vertical) that is square, elongated, round or oval; sloped or domed
top surfaces, or non-vertical sides. Similarly, the shape of a cube
or right rectangular prism can be used, or can be based upon. A
horizontal or vertical circular cross section can be used (or be
based upon) such as simple geometric shapes such as a, cylinder,
sphere, cone, pyramid and torus. The device shape may be amorphous,
abstract, organic, conceptual, virtual, irregular, regular,
figurative, biomorphic, geometric, partially geometric,
conventional, unconventional, symmetric and asymmetric. Similarly,
the design can be abstract, symbolic, conceptual, virtual,
realistic, relating to fantasy or dreams, and representational.
Further, the devices and the connecting and attaching scheme can be
designed and fabricated to fit any age and ability. Furthermore,
the device can be fabricated of natural, man-made, composite and
recycled material, such as paper, fabric, metal, wood, stone,
rubber, foam, nylon, synthetic polymers, synthetic fibers, hard
vinyl, polyamides, reciprocal and plastic. The device may be hollow
or filled. Further, a device may have any suitably rigid, flexible,
bendable, multi-sided, electronic, digital, magnetic, stationary,
moving, mechanical, reciprocal, sensory-related section, including
a mechanism such as activation point, button and switch.
[0111] The manner of play using the device according to the
invention may be for diversified ages; diversified abilities;
diversified approaches; specified age; specified ability; specified
approach; creative; artistic; music-oriented; puzzle; recreational;
educational; therapeutic; stage-oriented; level-oriented;
family-oriented; age-appropriate; selective; thematic; turn
indicated; timing indicated; scoring indicated; hierarchical;
sequential; matching; choice; according to players, direction,
playing order, number of players, teams; procedure indicated;
having emission; introductory; junior; standard; intermediate;
advanced; professional; numerical; alphabetical; identifying;
positioning; pre-determined; improvisational; exchangeable;
sharing; rotating; variable; same, different, switch, story, and
customize-able.
[0112] While the invention has been exampled above with regard to a
payload including an annunciator providing visual or audible
signaling, it will be appreciated that the invention equally
applies to a payload adapted to perform other functions, such as
physical movement or other motive functions (e.g., pop-up figure).
For example, the payload may include motors, winches, fans,
reciprocating elements, extending or retracting, and energy
conversion elements. In addition, heaters or coolers may be used.
Each of the actuator or movement appearance, location, color, type,
shape and functionality may be conceptually related to the device
theme (such as image or shape). Further, the payload may include an
indicator for indicating free-form, shape, form, amorphous,
abstract, conceptual, representational, organic, biomorphic,
partially geometric, conventional, unconventional, multi-sided,
natural, figurative, recognizable concept, geometric, amorphous,
abstract, organic, virtual, irregular, regular, biomorphic,
conventional, unconventional, symmetric, asymmetric, man-made,
composite, geometric, letter, number, code, and symbol.
Furthermore, the payload may be indicating associated information
such as indicia, indicator, theme indicator, turn indicator, timing
indicator, game piece indicator, emission indicator, emission
device, playing area indicator, scoring indicator, and procedure
indicator. Further, the device may include sensors that will be
part of the formed electrical circuit, such as photocells, voltage
or current detectors, pressure detectors or motion detector and
manually or automatically operated switches. Each of the sensor
appearance, location, color, type, shape and functionality may be
conceptually related to the device theme (such as image or
shape).
[0113] The term "processor" is meant to include any integrated
circuit or other electronic device (or collection of devices)
capable of performing an operation on at least one instruction
including, without limitation, Reduced Instruction Set Core (RISC)
processors, CISC microprocessors, Microcontroller Units (MCUs),
CISC-based Central Processing Units (CPUs), and Digital Signal
Processors (DSPs). The hardware of such devices may be integrated
onto a single substrate (e.g., silicon "die"), or distributed among
two or more substrates. Furthermore, various functional aspects of
the processor may be implemented solely as software or firmware
associated with the processor.
[0114] As used herein, the terms "program", "programmable",
"software", "firmware" and "computer program" are meant to include
any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which perform a
function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programming
language or environment including, for example, C/C++, Fortran,
COBOL, PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML,
SGML, XML, VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented
environments such as the Common Object Request Broker Architecture
(CORBA), Java.TM. (including J2ME, Java Beans, etc.) and the like,
as well as in firmware or other implementations.
[0115] All publications, standards, patents, and patent
applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by
reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent
application were specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
[0116] Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
any mechanical attachment between any two or more physical
components may use means such as elastic straps, hook and loop
fastener straps or patches, screws, bolts, adhesives, clips,
clamps, carabineers, or any combination thereof.
[0117] Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the word "comprise` and variations of that word such as "comprises"
and "comprising", is not intended to exclude other additives,
components, integers or steps.
[0118] Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example,
"processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining,"
"establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to
operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing
platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device,
that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical
(e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers
and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical
quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other
information storage medium that may store instructions to perform
operations and/or processes.
[0119] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and
"said" are intended to be to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "plurality" and "a plurality" as used herein
includes, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". For example, "a
plurality of items" includes two or more items. The term "software
integration" or integration of two programs or processes herein
refers to software components (e.g. programs, modules, functions,
processes etc.) that are (directly or via another component)
combined, working or functioning together or form a whole, commonly
for sharing a common purpose or set of objectives. Such software
integration can take the form of sharing the same program code,
exchanging data, being managed by the same manager program,
executed by the same processor, stored on the same medium, sharing
the same GUI or another user interface, sharing peripheral hardware
(such as a monitor, printer, keyboard and memory), sharing data or
a database, or being part of a single package. The term "hardware
integration" or integration of hardware components herein refers to
hardware components that are (directly or via another component)
combined, working or functioning together or form a whole, commonly
for sharing a common purpose or set of objectives. Such hardware
integration can take the form of sharing the same power source (or
power supply) or sharing other resources, exchanging data or
control (e.g. by communicating), being managed by the same manager,
physically connected or attached, sharing peripheral hardware
connection (such as a monitor, printer, keyboard and memory), being
part of a single package or mounted in a single enclosure (or any
other physical collocating), sharing a communication port, or used
or controlled with the same software or hardware. The term
"integration" herein refers (as applicable) to a software
integration, a hardware integration or a combination.
[0120] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor
25 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but
not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and
transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example,
optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 23. Volatile
media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 22. Transmission
media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics,
including the wires that comprise bus 24. Transmission media can
also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those
generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.
[0121] Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium,
punch-cards, paper-tape, any other physical medium with patterns of
holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory
chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any
other medium from which a computer can read.
[0122] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to
processor 25 for execution. For example, the instructions may
initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The
remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory
and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A
modem local to computer system 20 can receive the data on the
telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data
to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector can receive the data
carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place
the data on bus 24. Bus 24 carries the data to main memory 22, from
which processor 25 retrieves and executes the instructions. The
instructions received by main memory 22 may optionally be stored on
storage device 23 either before or after execution by processor
25.
[0123] Some portions of the preceding detailed descriptions have
been presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations
of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These
algorithmic descriptions and representations are the ways used by
those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively
convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An
algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent
sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations
are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities.
Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of
electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,
transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has
proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common
usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,
symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
[0124] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the
description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or
"computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or
the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system,
or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
within the computer system's registers and memories into other data
similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer
system memories or registers or other such information storage,
transmission or display devices.
[0125] Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an
apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may
be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may
comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or
reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a
computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage
medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including
floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks,
read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), Erasable
Programmable ROMs (EPROMs), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROMs
(EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable
for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer
system bus.
[0126] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method
operations. The required structure for a variety of these systems
will appear from the description below. In addition, embodiments of
the present invention are not described with reference to any
particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a
variety of programming languages may be used to implement the
teachings of embodiments of the invention as described herein.
[0127] A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for
storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine
(e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes
read only memory ("ROM"); random access memory ("RAM"); magnetic
disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices;
electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals
(e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.).
[0128] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention
have been described with reference to specific exemplary
embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications
may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.
[0129] Those of skill in the art will understand that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented
in any number of ways including electronic hardware, computer
software, or combinations of both. The various illustrative
components, blocks, modules and circuits have been described
generally in terms of their functionality. Whether the
functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon
the particular application and design constraints imposed on the
overall system. Skilled artisans recognize the interchangeability
of hardware and software under these circumstances, and how best to
implement the described functionality for each particular
application.
[0130] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been described, this should not be construed to limit the scope of
the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that
modifications may be made to the described embodiments. Moreover,
to those skilled in the various arts, the invention itself herein
will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other
applications. It is therefore desired that the present embodiments
be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
reference being made to the appended claims rather than the
foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.
[0131] As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the
methods described above generally reside on one or more general
purpose computing devices which operate under the control of
computer executable instructions. The general purpose computing
device need not be limited to computers and servers but may include
hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable customer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe
computers, and the like. Furthermore, the computer executable
instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components,
and/or data structures that perform particular tasks. Within the
network, the computer executable instructions may reside on a
single general purpose computing device or the tasks performed by
the computer executable instructions may be distributed among a
plurality of the general purpose computing devices.
[0132] In addition, in this disclosure, certain process steps are
set forth in a particular order, and alphabetic and alphanumeric
labels are used to identify certain steps. Unless specifically
stated in the disclosure, embodiments of the invention are not
limited to any particular order of carrying out such steps. In
particular, the labels are used merely for convenient
identification of steps, and are not intended to imply, specify or
require a particular order of carrying out such steps. Furthermore,
other embodiments may use more or less steps than those discussed
herein.
[0133] As used herein, the term "integrated circuit" shall include
any type of integrated device of any function, whether single or
multiple die, or small or large scale of integration, and
irrespective of process or base materials (including, without
limitation Si, SiGe, CMOS and GAs) including without limitation
applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital processors (e.g., DSPs,
CISC microprocessors, or RISC processors), so-called
"system-on-a-chip" (SoC) devices, memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, flash
memory, ROM), mixed-signal devices, and analog ICs.
[0134] It will be appreciated that the aforementioned features and
advantages are presented solely by way of example. Accordingly, the
foregoing should not be construed or interpreted to constitute, in
any way, an exhaustive enumeration of features and advantages of
embodiments of the present invention.
[0135] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather
than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced
within their scope.
* * * * *