Abstract:
A toy includes a building element apparatus having coupling mechanisms on at least two exterior surfaces of a housing containing a vibration speaker that includes a permanent magnet that is moveable relative to a base; a coil positioned near the permanent magnet, moveable relative to the permanent magnet, and configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from a control system such that both the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate at the same time in manners that are based on the electromagnetic signal frequencies; and a sound producer including a diaphragm that is mechanically linked to the coil to move with the coil. The simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the permanent magnet causes the simultaneous vibration of the at least two exterior surfaces of the building element apparatus, movement of a toy component mechanically linked to the permanent magnet, and the production of audible sound.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosed subject matter relates to toy building elements having sonic actuation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Children enjoy playing and interacting with toys that move. Typically, movement or animation in toys can be produced using a motor and a set of gears, shafts, and linkages mechanically coupled to the motor and to other parts of the toy. 
         [0003]    Toy construction sets are made up of a plurality of building elements, which include coupling mechanisms such as studs or recesses of specific heights and placement to enable interconnection with other building elements. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In some general aspects, a toy construction system includes a plurality of interconnectible building elements; a control system that generates an electromagnetic signal; a vibration speaker; and a building element apparatus that houses the vibration speaker. The vibration speaker includes a permanent magnet that is moveable; a coil positioned near the permanent magnet and moveable relative to the permanent magnet, the coil configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from the control system such that the coil, the permanent magnet, or both vibrate in a manner that is based on the electromagnetic signal; and a sound producer including a diaphragm that is mechanically linked to the coil to vibrate with the coil as the coil vibrates. The building element apparatus is mechanically linked to the permanent magnet of the vibration speaker. 
         [0005]    The coil vibrates relative to the permanent magnet when the electromagnetic signal includes frequencies within a first frequency range, the vibration of the coil causing the diaphragm to vibrate and produce an audible sound. And, the permanent magnet vibrates when the electromagnetic signal includes frequencies within a second frequency range, the vibration of the permanent magnet causing the building element apparatus to vibrate. 
         [0006]    Implementations can include one or more of the following features. For example, the building element apparatus can include a top surface including coupling mechanisms and a bottom surface including coupling mechanisms; and both the top surface and the bottom surface can be caused to vibrate due to the vibration of the permanent magnet. 
         [0007]    The system can include one or more vibration isolator devices each having a coupling mechanism that mates with the coupling mechanisms of the building element apparatus. 
         [0008]    The building element apparatus and the vibration speaker can be mechanically and fixedly linked together. The vibration speaker can include a base on which the permanent magnet is moveably mounted, the building element apparatus and the vibration speaker base being fixed together. 
         [0009]    The system can include a bristle module including a bristle pad positioned between a first building element and a second building element, the first building element connectible to the building element apparatus, where the vibration of the building element apparatus causes the first building element to vibrate, the vibration of the first building element is converted into a unidirectional movement of the second building element by way of the bristle pad. The bristle pad can include a plurality of slantable bristles extending below a plate, the plate sized to fit within an opening of the second building element and the bristles resting on a top surface of the first building element. The control system can be within the building element apparatus. 
         [0010]    The building element apparatus can include a platform building element. The building element apparatus can completely enclose the vibration speaker. 
         [0011]    In other general aspect, a toy includes a control system that generates an electromagnetic signal; a building element apparatus having coupling mechanisms on at least two exterior surfaces of a housing, the coupling mechanisms for connecting to building elements of a toy construction system, the building element apparatus housing containing a vibration speaker; and a toy component that is mechanically linked to the permanent magnet. The vibration speaker includes a permanent magnet that is moveable relative to a base; a coil positioned near the permanent magnet, the coil moveable relative to the permanent magnet, the coil configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from the control system such that both the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate at the same time in manners that are based on the frequencies of the electromagnetic signal; and a sound producer including a diaphragm that is mechanically linked to the coil to move with the coil as the coil moves. The simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the permanent magnet causes the simultaneous vibration of the at least two exterior surfaces of the building element apparatus, movement of the toy component, and the production of audible sound that complements the toy component movement. 
         [0012]    Implementations can include one or more of the following features. For example, the at least two exterior surfaces of the building element apparatus can include at least two opposite sides of the building element apparatus. 
         [0013]    The at least two opposite sides of the building element can include a top side of the building element and a bottom side of the building element. 
         [0014]    The simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the permanent magnet can cause the housing of the building element apparatus to vibrate in a plurality of directions. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
         [0015]    The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows, in reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary implementations, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a toy construction system that uses a vibration speaker to produce both sound and tactile vibrations; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are block diagrams of exemplary toy construction systems; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an exemplary vibration speaker that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of the vibration speaker of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3C  is a side cross-sectional view of the vibration speaker of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a self-contained apparatus that includes the vibration speaker and other components of the toy construction system of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a side cross-sectional view of the self-contained apparatus of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded perspective view of a self-contained motion converter apparatus that can be used in the toy construction system of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a side cross-sectional view of the motion converter apparatus of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary toy construction system based on the concepts of the system of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary toy construction system of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6C  is a top plan view of an arrangement of building elements and a motion converter apparatus of the exemplary toy construction system of  FIGS. 6A and 6B ; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side views of an exemplary toy construction system based on the concepts of the system of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7C  is a top plan view of an arrangement of building elements and a motion converter apparatus of the exemplary toy construction system of  FIGS. 7A and 7B ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an exemplary toy construction system based on the concepts of the system of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are side cross-sectional views of an exemplary reversible bristle device that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an exemplary rotary reversible bristle device based on the designs of  FIGS. 9A-9C ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10B  is an exploded perspective view of the reversible bristle device of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10C  is an exploded side view of the reversible bristle device of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10D  is a side cross-sectional view of the reversible bristle device of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an exemplary linear reversible bristle device based on the designs of  FIGS. 9A-9C ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11B  is a side cross-sectional view of the reversible bristle device of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11C  is a perspective view of a cross-section of the reversible bristle device of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective top view of a male building element that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12B  is a perspective bottom view of the male building element of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12C  is a side view of the male building element of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12D  is a top view of the male building element of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13A  is a perspective top view of a female building element that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8  and that can mate with the male building element of  FIGS. 12A-12D ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 13B  is a perspective bottom view of the female building element of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 13C  is a side view of the female building element of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 13D  is a top view of the female building element of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 14A-14F  are close-up side views of a bristle in a natural environment that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 15A  is a bottom plan view of an exemplary circular bristle arrangement of a motion converter apparatus that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8 ; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 15B and 15C  are side views of the exemplary bristle arrangement of  FIG. 15A ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of an exemplary circular bristle arrangement of a motion converter apparatus that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of an exemplary rectangular bristle arrangement of a motion converter apparatus that can be used in the toy construction systems of  FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8 , and showing an exemplary motion imparted to the second element; 
           [0052]      FIG. 18A  is a side cross-sectional view of a self-contained apparatus that includes the vibration speaker and other components of the toy construction system of  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 18B  is a side plan view of the self-contained apparatus of  FIG. 18A ; and 
           [0054]      FIG. 18C  is a perspective view of the self-contained apparatus of  FIG. 18A . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0055]    The following description provides exemplary implementations only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the following description of the exemplary implementations provides those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary implementations. Various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a toy construction system  100  is designed to harness the tactile vibrations  105  produced from a vibration speaker  110  to animate one or more interconnectible building elements  115  of a construction set  117  while also being able to provide sound  120  from the vibration speaker  110 . The sound  120  produced by the vibration speaker  110  can be synchronized with the animation of the building elements  115  to provide for more realistic play. The vibration speaker  110  can provide a cost-effective solution to provide both motion and sound in a compact design for controlling building elements and other components of construction sets. The construction sets therefore can be built with different configurations to provide different animations in combination with sound without requiring an additional vibrating mechanism or motor. Moreover, the vibration speaker  110  can be configured within a building element; and therefore can be repositioned within the construction set depending on the animation desired. 
         [0057]    In particular, the vibration speaker  110  produces the tactile vibrations  105 , the sound  120 , or both the tactile vibrations  105  and the sound  120  depending on the frequency characteristics of an electromagnetic signal  125  that is input to a coil  127  within the speaker  110 , the signal  125  being generated from a control system  130 . 
         [0058]    The control system  130  includes internal memory that can store information about components of the system  100 , and a processing unit that accesses the internal memory. The control system  130  can also include an input/output device for communicating with other components, such as the arrangement of building elements  115  or other building elements of the construction set  117 , or for communicating with users to enable users to input information to the control system  130 . For example, an electrical connection can be connected to the control system  130  and implemented in any of the building elements of the construction set  117  or the arrangement of building elements  115  or to another component such as a base that houses the control system  130 . The electrical connection can be a female socket that receives a signal from a male plug to enable users to create their own sound effects and mix animation frequencies that can be input through the male plug, through the female socket, and to the control system  130 . The control system  130  can be configured to access information within internal memory housed in these other building elements and can output the signal  125  based on this accessed information. 
         [0059]    The control system  130  receives energy from an energy source  135  (such as a battery) when one or more switches  140  are activated. The coil  127  generates a magnetic field that depends on the frequency characteristics of the signal  125 ; and it is the interaction of this generated magnetic field with a nearby permanent magnet  145  within the vibration speaker  110  that is adjusted to thereby produce the tactile vibrations  105 , the sound  120 , or both the tactile vibrations  105  and the sound  120 . 
         [0060]    The tactile vibrations  105  are produced by the motion of the permanent magnet  145 , which is suspended by a suspension system  150  relative to a base  155  of the vibration speaker  110 . The permanent magnet  145  gains kinetic energy most effectively (and therefore produces the greatest tactile vibrations) if a driving frequency of the signal  125  is below a predetermined tactile frequency value, the predetermined tactile frequency value depending on the design and types of materials used within the speaker  110  and also on the material and weight of the permanent magnet  145 , which is the heaviest component of the vibration speaker  110 . Thus, for a permanent magnet  145  made of ferrite and having a suspension system  150  made of metal, the predetermined tactile frequency value can be about 120 Hz; and the frequency range at which the tactile vibrations  105  are most efficiently produced can be about 70 Hz-120 Hz. 
         [0061]    On the other hand, for driving frequencies within the signal  125  that are greater than an predetermined audible frequency value, the permanent magnet  145  is not able to gain kinetic energy as effectively, and there is very little relative motion between the permanent magnet  145  and the coil  127 ; in this situation, most of the kinetic energy is transferred to the coil  127 , which moves and vibrates relative to the permanent magnet  145  due to the interaction of the generated magnetic field with the permanent magnet  145 . A diaphragm  160  attached to the coil  127  moves and vibrates with the coil  127 ; and it is the vibration of the diaphragm  160  that causes the oscillation of pressure transmitted through the air adjacent the vibration speaker  110  to produce the sound  120 . In one particular example in which the diaphragm  160  is made of Mylar™, the predetermined audible frequency value can be about 20 Hz, and the audible frequency range at which the diaphragm  160  efficiently vibrates can be about 20 Hz-20 kHz. 
         [0062]    Thus, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic signal  125  that has frequency characteristics within both ranges to produce both tactile vibrations  105  and sound  120  from the vibration speaker  110 . It is also possible to adjust the frequency characteristics to select one or the other of the tactile vibrations  105  and the sound  120  to output depending on the design of the building elements  115  and the animation desired. The electromagnetic signal  125  can include two sets of signals, one that is within a range of frequencies below the predetermined tactile frequency value and one that is within a range of frequencies above the predetermined audible frequency value; and these signals can be adjusted by the control system  130 , as needed, to produce different sounds and animations in the building elements  115 . 
         [0063]    Importantly, the tactile vibrations  105  are not harnessed from the sound  120  or from the motion or vibration of the diaphragm  160  (and the coil  127 ), which produces the sound  120 ; rather, the tactile vibrations  105  are harnessed from the motion and vibration of the permanent magnet  145 , and also the base  155 , which moves because the permanent magnet  145  moves. Additionally, the tactile vibrations  105  are mechanically linked to the vibrations of objects (in this case, the magnet  145  or the base  155 ) while the sound  120  is produced from the oscillation of pressure in the compressible medium such as air due to the vibration of the diaphragm  160 . 
         [0064]    The tactile vibrations  105  produced by the vibration speaker  110  are mechanically transmitted to a support building element  165 , which includes one or more coupling mechanisms  167  for enabling the support building element  165  to be interconnected with other building elements of the construction set  117 . The support building element  165  can be designed as a platform building element  165  with a flat shape or can be an elongated or rounded building element with any suitable shape that can depend on the toy building built or the application of the vibrations. The toy construction system  100  also includes a motion converter apparatus  170  that converts the tactile vibrations  105  into a unidirectional motion  180 , which is thereby transferred to the building elements  115  mechanically linked to the apparatus  170  to cause the building elements  115  to move along a unidirectional path defined by the motion  180 . The unidirectional motion  180  can be a rotational motion in which objects travel along a path of a circle or a translatable motion in which objects travel along a linear path. The unidirectional motion  180  can be reversed to reverse the path of the building elements  115  by reversing a setting of the motion converter apparatus  170 , as discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         [0065]    As also discussed below, and as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the motion converter apparatus  170  can be a self-contained apparatus in which all of the components of the apparatus  170  are within a single building element unit. Alternatively, the motion converter apparatus  170  can be made up of distinct components, which are described below. 
         [0066]    The vibration speaker  110 , the support building element  165 , the control system  130 , the one or more switches  140 , and the energy source  135  can be separable components of the toy construction system  100 . In some implementations, which are described below, the vibration speaker  110 , the support building element  165 , the control system  130 , the one or more switches  140 , and the energy source  135  are part of a self-contained apparatus, within a single building element unit. 
         [0067]    Referring also to  FIG. 2A , an exemplary toy construction system  100  is shown in which the tactile vibrations  105  from the vibration speaker  110  can be mechanically transferred to an optional arrangement  266  of building elements that could include the support building element  165  described above. The tactile vibrations  105  can be mechanically transmitted through each of the building elements of the arrangement  266  to the motion converter apparatus  170 , which converts the tactile vibrations  105  into a first unidirectional motion  280 . The first unidirectional motion  280  is mechanically transferred to an arrangement  215  of building elements, which, in this example, are shown in a first arrangement to produce a first animation. 
         [0068]    The motion converter apparatus  170  includes a first element  271  that is mechanically constrained by the motion of the tactile vibrations  105  (for example, through the arrangement  266 ) so that the first element  271  vibrates with the tactile vibrations  105 . In some examples provided below, the first element  271  can be a building element that has coupling mechanisms that enable the first element  271  to be interconnected with other building elements of the toy construction set  117 . The first element  271  includes a first receiving surface  272 . The motion converter apparatus  170  also includes a second element  273  that includes a second receiving surface  274 . The first element  271  and the second element  273  are moveable relative to each other. The second element  273  can be a building element that has coupling mechanisms that enable the second element  273  to be interconnected with other building elements of the toy construction set  117 . 
         [0069]    The motion converter apparatus  170  includes a set of slantable bristles  275  positioned between the second receiving surface  274  and the first receiving surface  272 ; the bristles  275  being slanted at a first angle relative to a neutral position  201 . Each of the bristles  275  makes contact at its first end with the first receiving surface  272  such that the tactile vibrations  105  transmitted to the first element  215  are transmitted to the first ends of the bristles  275 . The first ends of the bristles  275  are unconstrained and able to freely move and because of this, the bristles  275  can be considered to be slantable by an angle relative to the neutral position  201 . The bristles  275  are set or fixed at a particular angle relative to the neutral position  201  while in a natural environment, which can be considered as the environment in which the bristles  275  are not in contact with, and therefore are not receiving any force from, the first element  271 . Moreover, the second ends of the bristles  275  are constrained by the second receiving surface  274  so that as the second ends of the bristles  275  move, the second receiving surface  274  moves. Additional details about the geometry of the bristles and the arrangement of the bristles  275  are discussed below and with reference to  FIGS. 14A-17 . 
         [0070]    The arrangement of the bristles  275  impacts the path of the unidirectional motion  280 ; thus, if the bristles  275  were arranged in a rectangular pattern, then the unidirectional motion  280  would be linear and if the bristles  275  were arranged in a circular pattern, then the unidirectional motion  280  would be circular. To enable the bending of the bristles  275 , the bristles  275  are made of a soft, bendable, and non-magnetic material such as urethane or silicon. In some implementations, the bristles  275  are made using an injection molding process. Other processes for making the bristles  275  are possible. For example, the bristles  275  can be made with casting molds. 
         [0071]    When the first element  271  vibrates, the slanted bristles  275  are forced to vibrate between bent shapes and the natural shapes of the bristles  275  when in the natural environment, and the amplitude of the vibration periodically bends the bristles  275  at the frequency of the vibration. As the bristles  275  snap back to their natural shapes from being bent, the bristles  275  are forced into the unidirectional motion  280 ; thus, the vibration is converted into the first unidirectional motion  280 , and this motion depends on the angle at which the bristles  275  are slanted. The slanted bristles  275  move with the unidirectional motion  280  and cause the second element  273 , which is constrained by the motion of the second ends of the bristles  275 , to also move with the unidirectional motion  280 . The unidirectional motion  280  of the second element  273  is mechanically transferred to the arrangement  215  to produce an animation. The animation of the arrangement  215  depends on the configuration, geometry, and types of building elements used in the arrangement  215 . 
         [0072]    Referring also to  FIG. 2B , as mentioned above, the unidirectional motion can be reversed to reverse the path of the building elements  215  by reversing or changing a setting of the motion converter apparatus  170 . In this example, the setting that can be reversed or changed is the angle at which the bristles  275  are slanted relative to a neutral position (which, in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is indicated at line  201 ). Thus, in  FIG. 2B , the bristles  275  are slanted at another angle (which is opposite to the angle at which the bristles  275  are slanted in  FIG. 2A ) relative to the neutral position  201 . In this way, when the first element  271  vibrates, the slanted bristles  275  in  FIG. 2B  are forced to vibrate, and this vibration is converted into a second unidirectional motion  281  that depends on the angle at which the bristles  275  are slanted in  FIG. 2B . The slanted bristles  275  that move with the second unidirectional motion  281  cause the second element  273  (which is constrained by the motion of the second ends of the bristles  275 ) to also move with the second unidirectional motion  281  along the second unidirectional path (which is opposite to the first unidirectional path). Thus, the arrangement  215  produces a second animation. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-C , an exemplary vibration speaker  310  is shown. The vibration speaker  310  includes the permanent magnet  345  that floats or is suspended from the base  355  by way of a suspension system  350  (which, in this example, is a spider structure). The vibration speaker  310  also includes the diaphragm  360  that is mechanically linked to the coil  327 . Vibrations of the permanent magnet  345  occur at particular frequencies of the signal  125 , and these vibrations are transferred to the suspension system  350  and to the base  355 . 
         [0074]    The permanent magnet  345  can be made of any material that can be permanently magnetized. Thus, for example, the magnet  345  can be made of a rare earth material such as neodymium or it can be made of a nonmetallic, ceramic-like ferromagnetic compound such as ferric oxide or ferrite. The suspension system  350  can be made of a material that is elastic; examples of the material used in the suspension system  350  include plastic and metal. The suspension system  350  can be adjusted to have a particular elasticity that depends on the materials used and on the weight and material of the magnet  345  that it suspends. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , and as mentioned above, in some implementations, the vibration speaker  110 , the support building element  165 , the control system  130 , the one or more switches  140 , and the energy source  135  can be configured within an exemplary self-contained apparatus  485 . In this example, the support building element  465  and the vibration speaker  410  are suspended by a suspension  486  or  487  over a base  488 , which houses the control system  430  and the energy source  435 . The suspension  487  is a porous structure such as foam and the suspension  486  is a solid/pliable structure such as a spring. Either or both of these types of suspensions can be used to suspend the support building element  465  and the vibration speaker  410  above the base  488  to enable the free movement of these components. Other types of suspension structures are possible. In any case, the suspension  486  or  487  enables the vibrations  105  from the vibration speaker  410  to be freely transmitted to the support building element  465 . The base  488  can also include one or more coupling mechanisms  489  such as recesses for interconnecting with other building elements of the construction set  117 . 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , an exemplary self-contained motion converter apparatus  570  is designed as a building element that can be connected with other building elements of the construction set  117 . In this example, the motion converter apparatus  570  includes a first building element  571 , a second building element  573 , and a plurality of bristles  575  between the first building element  571  and the second building element  573 . The first and second building elements are moveable relative to each other along a unidirectional path, yet they are also constrained such that they cannot move along paths other than the unidirectional path (for example, along a direction perpendicular to the unidirectional motion that defines the unidirectional path). In this particular example, the second building element  573  is rotatable relative to the first building element  571  about the axis  501  but the second building element  573  is not translatable relative to the first building element  571  along the direction of the axis  501  by more than enough distance to enable this free rotation between the elements  571 ,  573 . 
         [0077]    The first building element  571  includes coupling mechanisms such as recesses  576  that enable the element  571  to be interconnected with other building elements of the construction set  117 . The first building element  571  also includes a first receiving surface  572  that faces the bristles  575 . The first building element  571  includes a first connector  577  positioned such that the axis  501  intersects the center of the first connector  577 . The first connector  577  enables attachment between the first building element  571  and the second building element  573 , as discussed below. The first building element  571  is the element that is in contact with and constrained by the tactile vibrations  105  so that the first building element  571  vibrates with the tactile vibrations  105 . 
         [0078]    The second building element  573  includes coupling mechanisms such as studs  578  that enable the element  573  to be interconnected with other building elements of the construction set  117 . The second building element  573  also includes a second receiving surface  574  that faces the first building element  571 , and a second connector  579  that mates with the first connector  577  to enable the relative motion of the elements  573 ,  571  along the unidirectional path but to constrain the elements  573 ,  571  along directions perpendicular to the unidirectional path. 
         [0079]    The bristles  575  are slanted at a first angle relative to a neutral position or axis, which, in this particular example, extends along the axis  501 . Each of the bristles  575  makes contact at its first free end with the first receiving surface  572  such that the tactile vibrations  105  transmitted to the first building element  571  are transmitted to the first ends of the bristles  575 . Moreover, the second ends of the bristles  575  are constrained by the second receiving surface  574  so that as the second ends of the bristles  575  move, the second receiving surface  574  moves. In this particular example, the second ends of the bristles  575  are fixed to a top plate  537 , which is fixed to the second receiving surface  574 . In other implementations, the second ends of the bristles  575  are fixed directly to the second receiving surface  574 . 
         [0080]    Thus, when the first building element  571  vibrates, the slanted bristles  575  are forced to vibrate, and the amplitude of the vibration periodically bends the bristles  575  at the frequency of the vibration. As the bristles  575  snap back from being bent, the bristles  575  are forced into a unidirectional motion that depends on the angle at which the bristles  575  are slanted relative to the neutral axis, which is the axis  501 . In this example, the unidirectional motion is a circular motion; the slanted bristles  575  rotate about the axis  501  and cause the second building element  573  (which is constrained by the motion of the second ends of the bristles  575 ) to also rotate about the second axis  501 . The direction of rotation depends on the angle at which the bristles  575  are slanted relative to the neutral axis which is the axis  501 . 
         [0081]    Referring also to  FIGS. 6A-6C , an exemplary toy construction system is shown that includes the self-contained apparatus  485  that houses the control system  430 , the one or more switches  440 , and the energy source  435  and suspends the vibration speaker  410  and the support building element  465 . In this example, an arrangement  666  includes four 2×2 building elements mechanically connected to the support building element  465 . The motion converter apparatus  570  is mechanically connected to the top building element of the arrangement  666  to convert the vibrations  105  produced by the vibration speaker  410  within the apparatus  485  into a circular unidirectional motion  680  that causes an arrangement  615  of building elements to rotate about the central axis  501  of the apparatus  570 . In this example, the arrangement  615  is designed to resemble a rotor system of a helicopter. The building elements of the arrangement  615  include coupling mechanisms such as studs for connection to other elements of the toy construction set  117 . 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 7A , in one implementation, the vibrations  105  from the vibration speaker  110 , which are transmitted through the support building element  165 , are transmitted to a remote location by way of an elongated building element  771 , which can be considered as the first element  271  of the motion converter apparatus  170 . In this case, the bristles  775  are positioned next to and contacting the elongated building element  771  to thereby convert the vibrations  105  into a first unidirectional motion  780  of a second element  773 , which is then transmitted to the arrangement of building elements  115 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , if the angle of the bristles  775  is reversed, then the vibrations  105  are converted into a second unidirectional motion  781  of the second element  773 . In this way, the vibrations  105  that can be produced by the vibration speaker  110  at one location of the construction system  100  can be transmitted across various elements of the system  100  to a remote position at another distinct location of the construction system  100 . 
         [0083]    In this particular example, as more clearly shown in  FIG. 7C , the elongated building element  771  may have a smooth surface over which the bristles  775  are placed; and the bristles  775  can be in a rectangular arrangement such that the vibrations  105  cause the bristles  775  and also the second element  773  to move along a linear unidirectional path  780 . 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , in another implementation, the vibrations from the vibration speaker  110 , which are transmitted through the support building element  165 , are transmitted to a remote location by way of an arrangement  866  that includes an elongated building element  868  that is interconnected with the support building element  165 , and a box-like building element  869  that is interconnected or joined with the elongated building element  868 . Moreover, a motion converter apparatus  870  is mechanically linked with the box-like building element  869  and the arrangement of building elements  115  is interconnected with the motion converter apparatus  870 . In this particular implementation, the vibrations  105  produced by the vibration speaker  110  are transmitted through the arrangement  866 , namely, through the elongated building element  868  and the box-like building element  869 , which is remote from the support building element  165 . The motion converter apparatus  870  converts the vibrations  105  into the unidirectional motion  880 , which is transmitted to the building elements  115 . 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C , the bristles of the motion converter apparatus  170  can be incorporated into a reversible bristle device  990  that includes a set of slantable bristles  975  unconstrained at a first end while fixed at a second end to a cap  973 , which serves the same purpose as the second element  273  detailed above. The cap  973  is moveable relative to a base  991  along a first path  998  away from or toward a neutral position A (shown in  FIG. 9A ) and that is constrained relative to the base  991  along a second path  999  that is perpendicular to the first path. The neutral position A is a position in which the bristles  975  are unslanted relative to the first receiving surface  272  (which is shown in  FIG. 9A ), which is the vibrating surface that the bristles  975  contact to enable motion conversion. In other words, in the neutral position A, the bristles  975  are normal to the plane of the first receiving surface  272 . 
         [0086]    The base  991  has a plurality of through holes  992  through which the first end of the bristles  975  extend. As mentioned above, the cap  973  is constrained relative to the base along the second path  999  so that the cap  973  and the base  991  can be held together as a self-contained unit. To enable this, the cap  973  and the base  991  include mating connection mechanisms. For example, the cap  973  can include a flange  993  and the base  991  can include clips  994  that extend above the flange  993  so that the cap  973  is unable to move a significant amount along the second path  999 . Some motion along the second path  999  may be needed to enable the cap  973  to move freely relative to the base  991  along the first path  998 . 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIG. 9B , the cap  973  can be moved relative to the base  991  along a first direction  996  of the first path  998  to a position B and fixed in position B relative to the neutral position A. In position B, the bristles  975  are slanted in a first manner relative to the neutral direction (which extends along the second path  999 ). Thus, while in position B, the bristles  975  of the bristle device  900  act to convert vibrations  105  applied to the first receiving surface  272  into a first unidirectional motion (which would actually be in the first direction  996 ). As shown in  FIG. 9C , the bristle device  900  can be reversed so that the bristles  975  convert the vibrations  105  applied to the first receiving surface  272  into a second unidirectional motion that is opposite to the first direction  996 . In  FIG. 9C , the cap  973  is moved relative to the base  991  along a second direction  997  of the first path  998  to a position C and then fixed in position C. In position C, the bristles  975  are slanted in a second manner relative to the neutral direction. In this way, the motion conversion direction of the bristle device  900  is easily reversed by moving the cap  973  relative to the base  991 . 
         [0088]    The cap  973  may or may not include coupling mechanisms (such as studs) for connecting to building elements of the construction set  117 . While such coupling mechanisms are not shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C , they are included in the design of  FIGS. 10A-10D . 
         [0089]    The bristles  975 , the cap  973 , and the base  991  can be designed to convert the vibrations  105  into a linear unidirectional motion; in this particular case, the bristles  975 , the cap  973 , and the base  991  would have a rectangular geometry. 
         [0090]    The reversible bristle device  990  can also include a fixation apparatus for fixing the base  991  at a particular position or angle relative to the cap  973  and thus ensure that the bristles  975  are held at a certain angle. The fixation apparatus can be a frictional engagement between the base  991  and the cap  973 . For example, one of the base  991  and the cap  973  can include detents and the other of the base  991  and the cap  973  can include a pressure activated latch. As another example, one of the base  991  and the cap  973  can include a keyed-out area and the other of the base  991  and the cap  973  can include an extrusion that allows the base  991  to stay at a given angle relative to the cap  973 . 
         [0091]    In other implementations, and with reference to  FIGS. 10A-10D , the reversible bristle device  1090  is designed to convert the vibrations  105  into a rotational or circular motion. In the bristle device  1090 , the bristles  1075 , the cap  1073 , and the base  1091  have circular geometries. The reversible bristle device  1090  also includes a plate  1095  that is mechanically linked to the cap  1073  so that the plate  1095  moves as the cap  1073  moves relative to the base  1091  along the first path  1098  away from or toward the neutral position (which is the position shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D ). The bristles  1075  are connected to the plate  1095  at their second ends to enable the fixation between the second ends of the bristles  1075  and the cap  1073 . 
         [0092]    The plate  1095  can be mechanically linked to the cap  1073  using one or more of adhesive or bonding agents, connection devices, and a frictional engagement. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10B-10D , the plate  1095  includes an opening  1077  through which a peg  1079  of the cap  1073  is inserted, and the size of the cross-sectional shape of the peg  1079  is complementary to the size of the plate opening  1077  to enable a frictional engagement between the plate  1095  and the peg  1079  to thereby constrain the movement of the plate  1095  to the movement of the peg  1079  and the cap  1073  to which the peg  1079  is attached. In the bristle device  1090 , the cap  1073  includes coupling mechanisms such as studs  1078  for connecting to building elements of the construction set  117 . 
         [0093]    The bristle device  1090  is shown in the neutral position in  FIGS. 10A-10D . To active the bristle device  1090  to convert vibrations  105  applied to the first receiving surface  272  into a circular or rotational motion, the cap  1073  is rotated relative to the base  1091  along the first path  1098  away from the neutral position (for example, using counterclockwise motion). The circular motion can be reversed by rotating the cap  1073  relative to the base  1091  along the first path  1098  using a clockwise motion. In this way, the bristle device  1090  can be easily manipulated to reverse the unidirectional motion produced by the motion converter apparatus  170 . 
         [0094]    In other implementations, and with reference to  FIGS. 11A-11C , the reversible bristle device  1190  is designed to convert the vibrations  105  into a linear motion. In the bristle device  1190 , the bristles  1175 , the cap  1173 , and the base  1191  have rectangular geometries. The reversible bristle device  1190  also includes a plate  1195  that is mechanically linked to the cap  1173  so that the plate  1195  moves as the cap  1173  moves relative to the base  1191  along the first path  1198  away from or toward the neutral position (which is the position shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C ). The bristles  1175  are connected to the plate  1195  at their second ends to enable the fixation between the second ends of the bristles  1175  and the cap  1173 . 
         [0095]    The plate  1195  can be mechanically linked to the cap  1173  using one or more of adhesive or bonding agents, connection devices, and a frictional engagement. While not show, the cap  1173  can include coupling mechanisms such as studs for connecting to building elements of the construction set  117 . 
         [0096]    The bristle device  1190  is shown in the neutral position in  FIGS. 11A-11C . To active the bristle device  1190  to convert vibrations  105  applied to the first receiving surface  272  into a linear motion, the cap  1173  is translated relative to the base  1191  along the first path  1198  away from the neutral position (for example, to the right of the page of the drawing) by moving a knob  1184 , which is mechanically linked to the base  1191 , relative to the cap  1173 . As the knob  1184  is moved along the first path  1198  (to the right of the page), the base  1191  moves because the base  1191  is constrained by the knob  1184 , for example, by a direct connection between the base  1191  and the knob  1184 . The linear motion can be reversed by moving the knob  1184  along the first path  1198  in the opposite direction, for example, to the left of the page, relative to the cap  1173 . In this way, the bristle device  1190  can be easily manipulated to reverse the unidirectional motion produced by the motion converter apparatus  170 . 
         [0097]    As discussed above, vibrations  105  produced by the vibration speaker  110  are transmitted through the support building element  165 , and to the motion converter apparatus  170 . The vibrations  105  can be mechanically transmitted through each of the building elements of the arrangement  266  to the motion converter apparatus  170 . The mechanical transmission can be performed through the coupling mechanisms of the building elements. Thus, it is the connection between the coupling mechanisms of adjacent building elements that transfers the vibrations  105  between the adjacent building elements. In some implementations, a special mechanical joint can be incorporated into one or more building elements in the toy construction system  100  to enable the mechanical transmission of the vibrations  105  from any one of the building elements to another building element. 
         [0098]    For example, with reference to  FIGS. 12A-12D and 13A-13D , one particular joint is a male and female dovetail; in which the male dovetail  1218  is formed on the building element  1221  and the female dovetail  1319 , which interfits with the male dovetail  1218 , is formed in the building element  1322 . The joint can be formed into the building elements by injection molding. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 14A , a close-up of one of the bristles  275  is shown fixed or constrained to the second element  273  and in the neutral position  201 . As discussed above, the bristles  275  can be set at an acute angle relative to the neutral position  201 ; the angle selected determines how the second element  273  will move in response to the vibrations  105  imparted to the first element  271 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 14B , the bristle  275  is at an angle Θ 1  from the neutral position  201  and as shown in  FIG. 14C , the bristle  275  is at an angle Θ 2  from the neutral position  201 . The angle selected can be any value from 0° (at the neutral position  201 ) just below 90° (which is close to being flat against the surface of the second element  273 ). Additionally, as discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 15A-15C, 16, and 17 , the motion converter apparatus  170  can include bristles  275  having variable angles to achieve different results in the motion produced at the second element  273 . 
         [0100]    The length L B  of the bristles  275  can be selected based on the geometry of the motion converter apparatus  170 , and also can be selected based on the desired motion to impart to the second element  273 . Thus, for example, as shown in  FIG. 14D , a shorter length L B  for the bristles  275  could impart a slower (low speed) motion or a shorter distance of motion to the second element  273  while, as shown in  FIG. 14E , a longer length L B  for the bristles  275  could impart a faster (high speed) motion or a longer distance of motion to the second element  273 . Moreover, the bristles  275  of the motion converter apparatus  170  can be designed to have variable lengths, to achieve different results in motion produced at the second element  273 . 
         [0101]    Moreover, while the bristles  275  can have a linear or straight geometry (as shown in  FIG. 14A ) when in the neutral position  201  (and when not receiving any force from the first element  271 ), other geometries for the bristles  275  can be used either alone or in combination with linear geometries. For example, the bristles  275  can have a non-linear geometry, such as the curved geometry shown in  FIG. 14F , when in the neutral position  201  and when not receiving any force from the first element  271 . 
         [0102]    In some implementations, the angles, geometries, and the lengths of each of the bristles  275  of the motion converter apparatus  170  can be identical to each other. However, it is possible to use different or variable angles, different or variable lengths, and different or variable geometries for the bristles  275  in a single motion converter apparatus  170 . 
         [0103]    Additionally, while we have described bristle  275  arrangements that have simple geometric shapes such as circles and rectangles, which are easily described using mathematics, the arrangement of bristles  275  could be non-geometric or complex geometries (which would not be easily described using mathematics). Additionally, the arrangement of bristles  275  could be selected or designed to produce a sequence of unidirectional motions or a random, non-vibratory motion. 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIGS. 15A-15C , an exemplary circular arrangement of bristles  1575  is shown in its natural environment (thus, the first element  271  is not applying any force to the bristles  1575 ). The arrangement includes three sets of bristles,  1575 A,  1575 B, and  1575 C, with each set being on a concentric circle having a distinct radius and all of the bristles of every set being constrained by the motion of the monolithic second element  1573  (or the monolithic plate  1595  if a plate is used). The bristles in set  1575 A are naturally slanted at an angle Θ A , the bristles in set  1575 B are naturally slanted at angle Θ B , and the bristles in set  1575 C are naturally slanted at angle Θ C , these angles given relative to the neutral position  1501 , which is shown going into the page in  FIG. 15A . Thus, for example, the angle Θ A  is greater than the angle Θ A , which is greater than the angle Θ C . By adjusting the angle at which the bristles  1575  of the arrangement are naturally set, the motion imparted to the second element  273  can be adjusted, for example, to impart the motion more efficiently to the second element  273 . 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , another exemplary circular arrangement of bristles  1675  is shown in its natural environment (thus, the first element  271  is not applying any force to the bristles  1575 ). The arrangement includes three sets of bristles,  1675 A,  1675 B, and  1675 C, with each set being on a concentric circle having a distinct radius and the bristles of each set being constrained by the motion of a respective partition or segment  1673 A,  1673 B,  1673 C of the second element  1673  (or the segments of a plate  1695  if a plate is used). Each segment  1673 A,  1673 B,  1673 C of the second element  1673  can move independently about the center of the circular arrangement while being constrained along the axial direction. In some implementations, the bristles in each of the sets  1675 A,  1675 B,  1675 C can be naturally slanted at distinct angles, or can have distinct lengths or geometries. In other implementations, the bristles in all of the sets  1675 A,  1675 B,  1675 C can be naturally slanted at the same angles. By segmenting the second element  1673  (and the bristle sets  1675 A,  1675 B,  1675 C constrained by each segment of the second element  1673 ), it is possible to create distinct unidirectional motions in the second element  1673 . For example, the segment  1673 A could move more slowly than the segments  1673 B and  1673 C. Or, if the angles of the bristles in distinct sets are in different directions, then it could be configured to move the segment  1673 B along a unidirectional path  1681 B that is the opposite to the paths  1680 A,  1680 C, taken by respective segments  1673 A and  1673 C (as shown in  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , this concept of a segmented bristle arrangement and a corresponding segmented second element can be applied to a rectangular geometry. In this case, the bristles  1775  are segmented into sets  1775 A and  1775 B, which are respectively constrained by second element segments  1773 A and  1773 B. In this way, it might be possible to impart a non-linear (for example, circular) unidirectional motion  1780  to the rectangular bristle/second element geometry. 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIGS. 18A-C , in another implementation, the vibration speaker  110 , the support building element  165 , the control system  130 , the one or more switches  140 , and the energy source  135  can be configured within an exemplary self-contained apparatus  1885  (or building element apparatus), in which omni-directional vibrations can be transmitted to permit the vibrations to be transferred from more than one surface of the apparatus  1885 , for example, from two distinct and opposite surfaces, as described next. The vibrations are produced in all three dimensions because the apparatus  1885  is rigidly fixed to the base  1855  of the vibration speaker  1810 . 
         [0108]    In this example, the support building element  1865  and the vibration speaker  1810  are fixedly secured to the building element base  1888 , which houses the control system  130  and the energy source  135  (not shown in  FIG. 18A ). For example, the base  1855  of the vibration speaker  1810  can be firmly mounted to the support building element  1865 , and the support building element  1865  can be firmly mounted or fixed to the building element base  1888  of the apparatus  1885 . The building element base  1888  includes one or more coupling mechanisms  1889  such as recesses for interconnecting with other building elements of the construction set  117 . 
         [0109]    Thus, in this particular implementation and to contrast with the implementation described in  FIG. 4B , the vibration speaker  1810  and the support building element  1865  are not suspended to freely move relative to the building element base  1888 . In this way, the vibrations  105  from the vibration speaker  1810  are freely transmitted along all directions outward to the outer surfaces of the apparatus  1885 . Thus, the vibrations can be transmitted in an upward direction to the support building element  1865  and to any building element attached to the support building element  1865 , as discussed previously. Moreover, the vibrations  105  from the vibration speaker  1810  are also freely transmitted along a downward direction to the building element base  1888  and to any building element to which the building element base  1888  is attached. 
         [0110]    In this example, the building element base  1888  is connected to a plate  1883 , and the plate  1883  can be attached to isolator devices  1811 ,  1812 . The isolator devices  1811 ,  1812  can be vibration-dampening devices such as rubber pads that prevent the vibrations imparted to the plate  1883  from being imparted to any item on which the plate  1883  is placed. Moreover, the vibrations imparted to the plate  1883  can be transferred to other building elements (such as element  1871 ) attached to a top side of the plate  1883  that are remote from the apparatus  1885 . 
         [0111]    Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.