Patent Publication Number: US-2023133173-A1

Title: Group-controlled smart blocks and apparatus for controlling the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-177296, filed Oct. 29, 2021 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0114406, filed Sep. 8, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to group-controlled smart blocks and an apparatus for controlling the same. 
     Description of Related Technology 
     A block-based toy or teaching tool is a member for aiding play or education by connecting or arranging a plurality of blocks formed in various three-dimensional shapes. Children can improve cognitive skill, intelligence, and creativity with provision of play and educational effect through various block-based toys or teaching tools. 
     A smart block, which is such a block equipped with communication and various functions, can provide the children with more upgraded play, educational effect, and improvement of cognitive skill, intelligence, and creativity through expansion of functionality using a board as well as the functionality of the block itself (see, for example, Korean Patent No. 10-1714642 and Korean Patent No. 10-1739029). 
     Recently, researches have focused on approach to education or medical treatment with digital therapy without using a medicine, and therefore, a digital therapy is demanded for autistic children who show disorders in sociality or personal relation, development retardation in communication skill or language, bias in action or interest, and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, group-controlled smart blocks configured to form a group of n smart blocks each having a unique ID and performing a given function include a master block assigned by an external control device among the n smart blocks and n-1 slave blocks other than the master block. The master block is configured to receive a program from the external control device and to transmit to each of the n-1 slave blocks a first command for performing a corresponding function, and each of the n-1 slave blocks is configured to receive the first command from the master block and to perform the corresponding function. 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a control device for controlling group-controlled smart blocks configured to form a group of n smart blocks each having a unique ID and performing a given function includes a transmitting and receiving unit configured to communicate with the n smart blocks, a connecting unit configured to receive a connection signal from each of the n smart blocks and to assign the n smart blocks in a group, and a control unit configured to assign one of the n smart blocks as a master block and other smart blocks as n-1 slave blocks and to transmit a program to the master block. The program is configured to cause the master block to transmit to each of the n-1 slave blocks a first command for performing a corresponding function and to cause each of the n-1 slave blocks to receive the first command from the master block and to perform the corresponding function. 
     The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation example of the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram for explaining operations of a master block and a slave block for implementing the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram for explaining another operation example of the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram for explaining operations of a master block and a slave block for implementing the group-controlled smart blocks shown in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIGS.  6  and  7    are schematic diagrams for explaining another operation example of the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a functional block diagram of a group-controlled smart block according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a functional block diagram of a control device for controlling group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  10    is a flowchart for explaining operations of the group-controlled smart blocks and the control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure form a group of n smart blocks each having a unique ID and performing a given function, including a master block  110  assigned by an external control device among the n smart blocks and n-1 slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  other than the master block  110 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the master block  110  receives a program from the external control device and transmits to each of the n-1 slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  a first command for performing a corresponding function. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the n-1 slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  receives the first command from the master block  110  and performs the corresponding function. 
     Each of the n smart blocks constituting the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a function unit for performing a corresponding function. Details on such function unit can be found in, for example, Korean Patent No. 10-1714642 and Korean Patent No. 10-1739029. 
     The function unit of each of the n smart blocks constituting the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one or more of light-emitting function, recording function, display function, sound function, rotational or translational motion function, and the like. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the master block  110  figures out the function of each of the slave blocks based on the ID of each of the n-1 slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  and transmits the first command to cause each of the slave blocks to perform the corresponding function. 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  1   , the group-controlled smart blocks include four smart blocks of which one is assigned as the master block  110  and three smart blocks are assigned as the slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3 , however, the number of smart blocks constituting the group-controlled smart blocks can be arbitrarily set and a plurality of master blocks can be assigned as necessary. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when a plurality of master blocks is assigned, the slave blocks can be divided into a plurality of sub groups and each of the master blocks can control the slave blocks in one sub group. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when a plurality of master blocks is assigned, one of the master blocks can be activated and the rest of the master blocks can stay in stand-by in reserve. 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation example of the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram for explaining operations of a master block and a slave block for implementing the group-controlled smart blocks according shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     In  FIG.  2   , an example of how the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments is explained in which, in group-controlled smart blocks including four smart blocks, when four smart blocks are combined to form a proper plane, a smile is displayed in a multi-vision format on the plane formed with side plates of the smart blocks. 
     The complete image shown in  FIG.  2    is presented to a user and then the four smart blocks are arbitrarily arranged as shown in  FIG.  3   . Thereafter, the master block  110  displays a part of the smile on its display  111  and transmits the first command to cause the slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  to respectively display corresponding parts of the smile on their displays  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  121 - 3 . 
     Upon receiving the first command from the master block  110 , the slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  respectively display the corresponding parts of the smile on their displays  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  121 - 3 . 
     When the user completes the puzzle by correctly arranging the four smart blocks arbitrarily arranged, the smile is displayed on the displays  111 ,  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  121 - 3  in a multi-vision format as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram for explaining another operation example of the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram for explaining operations of a master block and a slave block for implementing the group-controlled smart blocks shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the level of difficulty of the puzzle can be increased by displaying the same image or a different image on sides of the smart blocks different from the display  111  of the master block  110  and the displays  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  121 - 3  of the slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3 . 
       FIGS.  6  and  7    are schematic diagrams for explaining another operation example of the group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  6   , in a group of group-controlled smart blocks including 11 smart blocks, one master block  610  and 10 slave blocks  620 - 1 ,  620 - 2 ,  620 - 3 ,  620 - 4 ,  620 - 5 ,  620 - 6 ,  620 - 7 ,  620 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  620 - 10  respectively display numbers from 0 to 9 on their displays  611 ,  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 ,  621 - 3 ,  621 - 4 ,  621 - 5 ,  621 - 6 ,  621 - 7 ,  621 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  621 - 10 . 
     Firstly, numbers displayed on the displays  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 ,  621 - 3 ,  621 - 4 ,  621 - 5 ,  621 - 6 ,  621 - 7 ,  621 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  621 - 10  of the 10 slave blocks  620 - 1 ,  620 - 2 ,  620 - 3 ,  620 - 4 ,  620 - 5 ,  620 - 6 ,  620 - 7 ,  620 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  620 - 10  are presented to a user, and then the displays  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 ,  621 - 3 ,  621 - 4 ,  621 - 5 ,  621 - 6 ,  621 - 7 ,  621 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  621 - 10  of the  10  slave blocks  620 - 1 ,  620 - 2 ,  620 - 3 ,  620 - 4 ,  620 - 5 ,  620 - 6 ,  620 - 7 ,  620 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  620 - 10  are turned off or the numbers displayed are changed to “?” as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     Thereafter, the master block  610  displays a hint image on its display  611  (in the example shown in  FIG.  7   , one of the numbers from 0 to 9), and the user selects a slave block which he or she assumes to correspond to the image displayed on the display  611  of the master block  610  (in the example shown in  FIG.  7   , the number “0”). 
     When the user correctly select the slave block corresponding to the image displayed on the display  611  of the master block  610  (in this example, the slave block  620 - 10 ), the selected slave block displays the correct number on its display (in this example, the number “0” is displayed on the display  621 - 10  of the slave block  620 - 10 ). 
     Thereafter, the master block  610  deletes the correctly selected slave block (in this example, the slave block  620 - 10 ) from the group, repeats the same procedure for the rest of the slave blocks or leave the correctly selected block as it is and repeats the same procedure to increase the level of difficulty. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the master block transmits to each of the n-1 slave blocks a second command for pausing the corresponding function, and upon receiving the second command, the n-1 slave blocks pauses the corresponding function and performs again when a predetermined condition is met. 
     That is, the master block  610  transmits the first command to cause each of the slave blocks  620 - 1 ,  620 - 2 ,  620 - 3 ,  620 - 4 ,  620 - 5 ,  620 - 6 ,  620 - 7 ,  620 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  620 - 10  to display the corresponding number as shown in  FIG.  6   , and transmits the second command to cause each of the slave blocks  620 - 1  ,  620 - 2 ,  620 - 3 ,  620 - 4 ,  620 - 5 ,  620 - 6 ,  620 - 7 ,  620 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  620 - 10  to turn off the corresponding number as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     Turning off the display means to hide the original display, which includes turning off the display itself or displaying an image that has nothing to do with the original display (in the example shown in  FIG.  7   , “?”). 
     Thereafter, when a predetermined condition is met (in the example shown in  FIG.  7   , when the user selects the correct slave block), the corresponding slave block performs its function again (in the example shown in  FIG.  7   , when the user selects the slave block  620 - 10 , the slave block  620 - 10  displays the number “0” on the display  621 - 10  again). 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the master block  110  transmits the second command to the n-1 slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  in a predetermined cycle. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the master block  110  transmits the second command to the n-1 slave blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3  upon a predetermined condition being met. The predetermined condition in the example shown in  FIG.  7    includes the user’s selection of the slave block  620 - 10 , and when this condition is met, the slave block  620 - 10  displays the number “0” on the display  621 - 10  again. 
       FIG.  8    is a functional block diagram of a group-controlled smart block according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , a smart block  800  constituting a group of group-controlled smart blocks includes a transmitting and receiving unit  810  for communicating with the external control device and other smart blocks, a connecting unit  850  for forming the group, a function unit  840  for performing the corresponding function, a control unit  830  for controlling the transmitting and receiving unit  810 , the connecting unit  850 , and the function unit  840 , and a power source  860  for supplying power to the control unit  830 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting unit  850  for constituting the group can be implemented, for example, a “Connect” button for a Bluetooth connection, such that upon being pressed, the external control device receives a connection request and accepts the connection request to connect the smart block and the control device with each other. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the smart block  800  further includes a storage unit  820  for storing group information including IDs of smart blocks in the same group. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the smart block  800  further includes a position information transmitting unit  870  for transmitting position information (for example, a beacon) via the transmitting and receiving unit  810 . The control unit  830  of the master block receives the position information of each of the n-1 slave blocks and recognizes the position of each of the n-1 slave blocks based on the received position information. 
     By receiving the position information from each of the slave blocks and recognizing the position of each of the slave blocks, for example, when the slave blocks  620 - 1 ,  620 - 2 ,  620 - 3 ,  620 - 4 ,  620 - 5 ,  620 - 6 ,  620 - 7 ,  620 - 8 ,  620 - 9 ,  620 - 10  shown in  FIG.  7    are arbitrarily arranged (shuffled), the master block can correctly transmit the commands to each of the slave blocks. 
       FIG.  9    is a functional block diagram of a control device  900  for controlling group-controlled smart blocks according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The control device  900  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to control group-controlled smart blocks configured to form a group of n smart blocks each having a unique ID and performing a given function. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device  900  includes a transmitting and receiving unit (or a transceiver)  910  configured to communicate with the n smart blocks, a connecting unit (or a connector)  940  configured to receive a connection signal from each of the n smart blocks and to assign the n smart blocks in a group, and a control unit (or a controller)  930  configured to assign one of the n smart blocks as a master block and other smart blocks as n-1 slave blocks and to transmit a predetermined program to the master block. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the program is configured to cause the master block to transmit to each of the n-1 slave blocks a first command for performing a corresponding function and to cause each of the n-1 slave blocks to receive the first command from the master block and to perform the corresponding function. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device  900  further includes a storage unit (or a storage)  920  for storing the program. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device  900  further includes an input unit  950  for receiving an input of the program. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when there is a target smart block to be deleted form the n-1 slave blocks, the connecting unit  940 , the master block is configured to transmit an ID of the target block. Upon receiving the ID of the target smart block from the master block, the connecting unit  940  is configured to delete the target block from the group. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting unit  940 , upon receiving the connection signal from a third smart block other than the n smart blocks, the connecting unit  940  is configured to add the third smart block to the group or to assign the third smart block in a new group. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control unit  930  can be configured to assign subset groups for the whole blocks and to perform a multi-group control for controlling a plurality of subset groups and a union of the subset groups. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the control unit  930  can be configured to control a master block for a specific set (for example, a union of subset group) with priority in the multi-group control. 
       FIG.  10    is a flowchart for explaining operations of the group-controlled smart blocks and the control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Firstly, the control device receives a connection signal from a smart block (Step S 1010 ), and assign the smart block from which the connection signal is received in a predetermined group (Step S 1020 ). 
     When a group is ready with smart blocks of a predetermined number, the control device assigns at least one master block in the group and assigns the rest of the smart blocks as slave blocks. The control device transmits a predetermined program to the assigned master block (Step S 1030 ). 
     Upon receiving the program, the master block starts an operation according to the program (Step S 1035 ). 
     Thereafter, according to a command from the master block, each of the slave blocks performs a corresponding function (Step S 1045 ). 
     Upon receiving a connection signal from a third smart block other than the smart blocks in the assigned group (Step S 1040 ), the control device adds the third smart block to the assigned group or assigns the third smart block in a new group (Step S 1050 ). 
     When there is a target block to be deleted from the group (Step S 1055 ), the master block notifies the control device of the target block. Upon being notified of the target block, the control device deletes the target block from the group (Step S 1060 ). 
     As described above, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide group-controlled smart blocks including a plurality of smart blocks formed in a group and controlled in group units. 
     Further, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a control device for controlling group-controlled smart blocks including a plurality of smart blocks formed in a group and controlled in group units. 
     The present disclosure should not be limited to these embodiments but various changes and modifications are made by one ordinarily skilled in the art within the subject matter, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as hereinafter claimed. Specific terms used in this disclosure and drawings are used for illustrative purposes and not to be considered as limitations of the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for the sake of brevity and clarity. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill would understand the scope of the claimed invention is not to be limited by the explicitly described above embodiments but by the claims and equivalents thereof.