Patent ID: 8998652
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: A63F,G06F,G09B

Abstract:
1. An interactive pin array device comprising a plurality of elongated pins held in a frame and forming a set; said frame adapted to hold said plurality of pins in a parallel position to one another in a series of columns and rows, such that the distal ends of said plurality of pins together form a flat virtual plane; each pin of said plurality of pins includes an elongated housing member defining a linear axis therethrough, and a pin member adapted to slide linearly in either direction along said axis; each said housing member includes an upper electromagnet and a lower electromagnet separated from said upper electromagnet, each said electromagnet being adapted to move its respective pin member linearly in either direction; each said pin member includes at least one linear potentiometer, and an electronic transmitter attached to an opposite end to said distal end, such that when each of said pin members are moved linearly each respective linear potentiometer sends a signal to its respective transmitter which in turn sends an electronic signal describing its movement within its respective housing member; a plurality of electronic wires respectively connected to each transmitter, such that electronic signals can be relayed to and from each respective pin; an analog-digital converter connected to said plurality of electronic wires and adapted to convert the analog electronic signals relayed by said transmitters into digital format to be transmitted, processed, stored, and then converted back into analog form for return transmittal to said set of pins; and a microprocessor device connected to said converter and adapted to retrieve said electronic signals from said converter, store them, and re-transmit them back to said converter when desired, such that a user can displace said pin members from said virtual plane in any pattern, have electronic signals sent, processed, stored, and returned to the same set of pins, or another separate set of pins, at a later time to thereby displace said pins to the same positions as said original pattern chosen by said user.