Abstract:
The present invention provides a system and method for construction of a spatial structure through the use of short-distance wireless communication means such as the infrared diode or pulse modulation. The system includes a plurality of objects, each object comprising multiple emitters and multiple receivers, each embedded near a surface of an object. Once a signal comprising information stored in multiple objects is received by the receiver of a particular object, a microprocessor is configured to derive the spatial relationship of these multiple objects relative to the particular object, and direct the information to be stored in its data storage means. A central processor receives information regarding the plurality of objects and derives a spatial structure formed by the plurality of objects. The present invention is useful in a variety of fields that require construction of a spatial structure. Example areas of applications are education, entertainment and productivity enhancement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/091084, entitled “An Object for the Construction of a Spatial Structure”, filed on Nov. 14, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/086745, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Small Scale Object to Generate a Sensory Output to a User Powered by RF Energy Harvesting”, filed on Sep. 17, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/085668, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Targeted Object on an Interactive Surface to Produce a Response”, filed on Sep. 1, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/084498, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Moving Object on an Interactive Surface”, filed on Aug. 15, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/079891, entitled “System and Method for Operating a Computer Program with Physical Objects”, filed on Jun. 13, 2014. 
         [0002]    International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/091084 is also a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/080495, entitled “System and Method to Recognize an Object&#39;s ID, Orientation and Location Relative to an Interactive Surface”, filed on Jun. 23, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/079892, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object&#39;s ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Surface”, filed on Jun. 13, 2014, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/072961, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object&#39;s ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Board”, filed on Mar. 6, 2014, which is a continuation in part to International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/071850, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object&#39;s ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Board”, filed on Jan. 30, 2014. 
         [0003]    The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0004]    The present invention relates a system and method for construction of a spatial structure through the use of short-distance wireless communication means such as the infrared diode, pulse modulation and RFID technology. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    The use of toy or building blocks as an educational game has long been acclaimed as greatly beneficial to the development of children. In the late 17th century the renowned English philosopher John Locke himself mentioned that “dice and playthings, with letters in them to teach children the alphabet by playing” would make learning to read a more enjoyable experience. 
         [0006]    The developmental merits of toy blocks have been extensively researched throughout the past centuries with studies going as far back as Maria and R. L. Edgeworth&#39;s Practical Education (1798) where they state that these consisted of “rational toys” which would aid a child to learn about gravity and physics as well as spatial relationships that would teach how many different parts become a whole. 
         [0007]    Perhaps the most prominent educational benefits that come from playing with toy block are intellectual and creative. Intellectual benefits stem from the fact that children can develop their vocabularies as they learn to describe sizes, shapes and positions. Math skills are developed through the process of grouping, adding and subtracting, particularly with standardized blocks, such as unit blocks. Experiences with gravity, balance and geometry learned from toy blocks also provide intellectual stimulation. Creativity is also developed as children learn to make their designs and structures. 
         [0008]    Despite the universal recognition and widespread use of toy blocks, little has been done to improve on the original design. Indeed, it appears that toy manufacturers and educators have yet to take advantage of advancements in technology that has come with the advent of the computer age. 
         [0009]    Typically, computerized games provide players with a visual display of the game activity through an electronic display system such as a pixilated flat panel display or touch screens. Unfortunately, such displays lack a three-dimensional nature that prevents the physical interaction inherent in toys. For example, the traditional toy blocks may use one or more movable game piece that players (especially young ones) find more “natural” and easier to interact with during their play or learning experience. On the other hand, traditional toys often lack audio, visual or other forms of sophisticated feedback that computerized game play can offer to players. Therefore, a method that can combine both computerized technology and physical play can effectively enhance a player&#39;s experience by allowing their physical actions to be interpreted by a computer system so as to provide real-time feedback to the player in the form of a multitude of sensory accessories such as video and/or audio outputs. 
         [0010]    The present invention envisages construction of a spatial structure by multiple physical objects, in association various feedback mediums such as LED lighting, speakers or vibrators embedded within the object or a central device in order to communicate with the user. The invention allows for a spatial structure to be physically created by a user with these objects and this structure and the individual components of this structure being recognized and located in real-time by a computer system and, in some cases, directed to perform certain actions individually or collectively according to a user-defined program. 
         [0011]    The present invention proposes the creation of one or more objects that can effectively enhance traditional playing objects such as toy blocks by adding an interactive dimension to them. This also allows playing objects to be wirelessly connected to computer systems which, in turn, could be connected to the internet/servers, and thus adds another level of interactivity between the objects and the user. 
         [0012]    Apart from the educational and entrainment benefits of having smart and interactive 3D-type of structures, there are a myriad of other potential appliances, applications and situations where efficiency and productivity can be enhanced through the use of such a novel technology. For example, in the construction industry, a 3D physical model of a building or a bridge that employs the technique of this invention provides a highly interactive exchange between the constructor and a potential client. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention provides a system and method for construction of a spatial structure through the use of short-distance wireless communication means such as the infrared diode or pulse modulation. The system includes multiple objects, each object comprising an emitter and a receiver that are embedded near a surface of the object. The object further comprises a data storage means and a microprocessor that is operatively linked to the emitter, the receiver and the data storage means. Multiple emitters and receivers can be embedded near one or more surfaces of an object and the arrangement of the emitters and receivers can assume different shapes and forms to suite a particular purpose. 
         [0014]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor of a first object among a plurality of objects is configured to instruct the emitter to send a signal comprising information stored in that first object, with such signal encoded via infrared diode or pulse modulation. Once the information is received by the receiver of a second object, the microprocessor of the second object is configured to derive information pertaining to the location and orientation of the first object relative to the second object, and direct this information to be stored in the data storage means of the second object. Similarly, once a signal comprising information stored in multiple objects is received by the receiver of a particular object, the microprocessor of this particular object is configured to derive the spatial relationship of these multiple objects relative to it, and direct the information to be stored in its data storage means. 
         [0015]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a central processor and a central receiver that is operatively linked to the central processor. Once the information regarding objects is received by the central receiver, the central processor is configured to create spatial map information comprising the specific location of each object relative to each other. 
         [0016]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an object can be further embedded with an RF antenna and an RF energy harvesting module, both of which are operatively linked to the microprocessor of the object, in order to provide electric power to the object. The RF antenna of the object is further configured to wirelessly communicate with a central RF antenna that is itself operatively linked to the central processor. Once the information regarding the object is received from the RF antenna of the object and by the central RF antenna, the central processor is configured to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of the objects. 
         [0017]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a sensory accessory is further embedded in an object and is operatively linked to the microprocessor. The sensory accessory can be a visual, an audio, a vibrational, or a display device. Sensory accessories can also be operatively linked to the central processor and instructed by the central processor to provide feedback to users. 
         [0018]    The present invention is useful in a variety of fields that require construction of a spatial structure. Example areas of applications are education, entertainment and productivity enhancement. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the system process flow in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are exemplary schematic diagrams illustrating the construction of a spatial structure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are exemplary schematic diagrams illustrating the system for a simplified 3-D Sudoku game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the system for a building block game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    While the present invention will be described using specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. People skilled in the art will recognize that the system and method of the present invention may be used in many other applications. The present invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of invention, which is defined by the apprehended claims. 
         [0024]    Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, “pulse modulation” or “infrared diode” technology is discussed in this present invention as examples technology and for the purpose of simplicity; however, other short-distance wireless communication technologies can also be adapted for the purpose of this present invention and are within the scope of the present invention. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits are not described in details to avoid unnecessarily obscuring a clear understanding of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, the object is represented as a block. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that an object can be a card, a figurine, a token, a chip, a button, or a three-dimensional object of any shape or form as per user preference. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific details are given regarding a sensory accessory. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that a sensory accessory can be one selected from a group comprising a visual, an audio, a vibration and a display device. 
         [0027]    The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the system process flow in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system includes an object  101  for the construction of a spatial structure, comprising an emitter  108  and a receiver  109 , each embedded near a surface of the object, a data storage means  110 , and a microprocessor  111  that is operatively linked to the emitter  108 , the receiver  109  and the data storage means  110 . The information stored by the data storage means  110  includes specifications of the object  101  that further comprises a unique identification code (UID) of the object  101  and spatial layout of each of the emitters and receivers embedded in the object  101 , and spatial relationships among objects that further comprises location and orientation of an object relative to another object. 
         [0029]    At first, the microprocessor of the first object  101  is configured to instruct the emitter to send the signal comprising information stored in the first object  101 . Once the signal is received by the receiver of a second object  102 , the microprocessor of the second object  102  is configured to derive the spatial relationship of the first object  101  such as location and orientation relative to the second object  102 , and direct the information to be stored in the data storage means of the second object  102 . The microprocessor of an object is configured to work in sleep mode, until the microprocessor is activated by a signal received by the receiver of the object. And the microprocessor of an object can not only direct an emitter of the object to serve as a receiver of the object, but also direct a receiver of the object to serve as an emitter of the object. 
         [0030]    Similarly, once a signal comprising information stored in the second object  102  and the first object  101  is then sent from the emitter of the second object  103 , and received by the receiver of a third object  103 , the microprocessor of the third object  103  is configured to derive the spatial relationship of the second and the first objects relative to the third object, and direct the information to be stored in the data storage means of the third object  103 . 
         [0031]    The system can further include a central processor  104  and a central receiver  105  that is operatively linked to the central processor  104 . Once the signal containing the information regarding an object is received by the central receiver  105 , the central processor  104  is configured to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of the objects. 
         [0032]    An object can be further embedded with an RF antenna  112  and an RF energy harvesting module  113 , as the electric power source for the object, both of which are operatively linked to the microprocessor  111  of the object. The RF antenna  112  is further operatively linked to a central RF antenna  106  that is operatively linked to the central processor  104 . Once the information regarding an object is received from the RF antenna  112  of the object and by the central RF antenna  106 , the central processor  104  is configured to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of the objects. 
         [0033]    The system in  FIG. 1  can be designed to further include sensory accessories embedded in the objects and operatively linked to the microprocessor  111 . Sensory accessories  107  can also be operatively linked to the central processor  104  and instructed by the central processor  104  to provide feedback to users. The central processor  104  that is operatively linked to a computer program is configured to process the information received by the central receiver  105  or the central RF antenna  106  and instruct sensory accessories to provide users with feedback. The computer program can be run either locally or remotely, e.g., from a cloud server. The sensory accessory  105  can be a visual, an audio, a vibrational, or a display device. 
         [0034]    Multiple emitters and receivers can be embedded near one or more surfaces of an object. And the arrangement of emitters and receivers can be symmetrical semi-circular shapes arranged side-by-side, symmetrical rectangular shapes arranged side-by-side, or a round tab and a concentric and circular tab surrounding the round tab. 
         [0035]    An emitter can be instructed by the microprocessor and/or the central processor to become a receiver. Similarly, a receiver can be instructed by the microprocessor and/or the central processor to become an emitter. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are exemplary schematic diagrams illustrating the construction of a spatial structure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the system includes a plurality of cubes  201 , each being of identical size and shape and each having an emitter  208  and a receiver  209  that are embedded near a surface of the cube. In this case, the emitter  208  is a round tab and receiver  209  is a concentric and circular tab surrounding the emitter  208 . Each cube  201  further includes a data storage means  210  and a microprocessor  211  that is operatively linked to the emitter  208 , the receiver  209  and the data storage means  210 . The information stored by the data storage means  210  includes specifications of a cube  201  such as its unique identification code (UID) and the spatial layout of each of the emitters and receivers embedded in the cube, as well as the spatial relationships among cubes that further comprise the locations and orientations of a cube relative to another cube. 
         [0038]    Once the signal containing information stored in any cube among the multiple cubes (i.e., the first cube  206 ) is received by the receiver of a second cube  207 , the microprocessor of the second cube  207  is configured to derive the spatial relationship of the first cube  206  such as location and orientation relative to the second cube  207 , and direct the information to be stored in the data storage means of the second cube  207 . 
         [0039]    Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the same system as described in  FIG. 2A  is presented but with a number of cubes  201  placed together. The system further includes a central processor  202  and a central receiver (not shown in  FIG. 2B ) that operatively linked to the central processor  202 . Once the information regarding any cubes is received by the central receiver, the central processor  202  is configured to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of all cubes. 
         [0040]    The central processor  202  that is operatively linked to a computer program is then configured to process that information and instruct sensory accessories to provide the player with feedback. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , once different geometries are built with the cubes  201  according to a specific cube placement sequence, audio feedback can be provided to the user by broadcasting the volume and the surface area of the created geometry via an audio device  204 . The spatial map of the geometries formed by cubes can be further presented on a display device for the player to see, and in particular, the two or three dimensional sections of the created shapes. By playing this simple geometric game, players can learn easily basic geometric concepts such as volume and surface area. For example, they may try to build up geometries in different shapes with a certain amount of cubes, and thus understand that, even with the same volume, the surface area can vary according to the shape created. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are exemplary schematic diagrams illustrating the system for a simplified 3-D Sudoku game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of illustration, both the system and method described in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  make use of the 3-D mathematics game Sudoku as the design of the game that is particular well suited for this embodiment of the invention. In this game, a total of 27 cubic blocks are used to form a 3×3×3 cube containing totally nine 3×3 planar sub-grids, three in each directions. When the puzzle is in the solved condition, each 3×3 planar sub-grid bears nine single-digit natural numbers (1-9) without duplicates. 
         [0042]    The system of the embodiment described in  FIG. 3A  includes a total of 27 cubic blocks  301 , each being of exactly the same size and shape and printed with one Arabic numeral on all of its six sides, and each having an emitter  308  and a receiver  309  that are embedded near a surface of the cubic block. Each cubic block  301  further includes a data storage means  310 , a microprocessor  311  that is operatively linked to the emitter  308 , the receiver  309  and the data storage means  310 , and an RF antenna  312  also operatively linked to the microprocessor  311 . An RF energy harvesting module  313  is further embedded in each cubic block to provide electric power for the cubic block. The information stored by the data storage means  310  includes specifications of a cubic block  301  such as a unique identification code (UID) of it and spatial layout of each of the emitters and receivers embedded in the cubic block, and spatial relationships among cubic blocks that further comprises location and orientation of a cubic block relative to another one. 
         [0043]    Once the signal containing information stored in a first cubic block is relayed to a second cubic block, the microprocessor of the second cubic block is configured to derive the spatial relationship of the first cubic block such as location and orientation relative to the second cubic block, and direct the information to be stored in the data storage means of the second cubic block. Similarly, whenever a signal comprising information stored in multiple cubic blocks is received by another cubic block, the information is stored in the data storage means of this cubic block. 
         [0044]    As seen in  FIG. 3A , the system further includes a central processor  302  and a central receiver (not shown in  FIG. 3A ) that is operatively linked to the central processor  302 . Once all of the 27 cubic blocks  302  are put into play forming a 3×3×3 cube, the information regarding all cubic blocks is received by the central receiver, and the central processor  302  that is operatively linked to a program is configured to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of the cubic blocks. 
         [0045]    Once the spatial map of the building blocks is derived and the computer program operatively linked to the central processor  302  has determined whether the game has been lost or won, the central processor  302  is configured to instruct sensory accessories to provide feedback to the user. The computer program stores relevant information and is defined based on the rules of the Sudoku game. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the sensory devices include an audio device  304  and LED lights  305 . If all cubic blocks  302  are correctly placed (i.e., each 3×3 planar sub-grid of the cube bears nine single-digit natural numbers 1-9 without duplicates, as seen in  FIG. 3B ), positive feedback will be provided to the player. For example, an audio clip can be played via the audio device  304 , such as “Well done! Mission completed!” or “You are a genius!”, to express congratulations to the player. And the feedback effect can be further enhanced with the LED lights  305  lighting up. If the solution is not correct, the players will be instructed to try again, preferably via the audio device  304 , until the puzzle is successfully solved. 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the RF antenna  312  of each cubic block is further operatively linked to a central RF antenna  306  that is operatively linked to the central processor  302 . The information regarding the objects can also be received from the RF antennas  312  of the objects and by the central RF antenna  306 . In this case, the central processor  302  is also able to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of the objects via the RF communication. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the system for a building block game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the system includes a plurality of building blocks  401 , each having an emitter  408  and a receiver  409  that are embedded near a surface of the cubic block. Each building blocks  401  further includes a data storage means  410 , a microprocessor  411  that is operatively linked to the emitter  408 , the receiver  409  and the data storage means  410 , and an RF antenna  412  also operatively linked to the microprocessor  411 . An RF energy harvesting module  413  is further embedded in each building block to provide electric power for the building block. The information stored by the data storage means  410  includes specifications of a building block  401  such as a unique identification code (UID) of it and spatial layout of each of the emitters and receivers embedded in the building block, and spatial relationships among building blocks that further comprises location and orientation of a building block relative to another one. 
         [0049]    Similar to the previous embodiments, the information regarding building blocks is transmitted and received among building blocks via the emitters and receivers. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the system further includes a central processor  402  and a central receiver (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) that is operatively linked to the central processor  402 . Once all building blocks  401  have been correctly placed in such a manner as to form the classical arch structure with the keystone placed in the middle, the information regarding all building blocks is received by the central receiver, and the central processor  402  that is operatively linked to a program is configured to create a spatial map comprising specification and spatial relationship information of the building blocks. 
         [0050]    Once the spatial map of the architecture illustrated in  FIG. 4  is derived, the computer program operatively linked to the central processor  402  is configured to instruct an audio device  404  to provide feedback to the user. A potential feedback design would consist of having an audio clip can be played via the audio device  404  to confirm the successful creation of the arch structure and could potentially be followed by an audio recording detailing the significance of this structure in architecture and history. 
         [0051]    Sensory accessories can also be embedded in building blocks, and are operatively linked to the microprocessor  411  of the object. In this embodiment, the sensory accessories include LED lights  414  and audio devices  415 . According to the computer program, the central processor  402  will further instruct all building blocks  401  embedded with LED lights  414  to light up for the user. So for example, if the user is instructed to form an arch structure with the keystone on top and if all building blocks  401  are then correctly placed to form the required structure, the LED light  412  embedded within the building blocks will light up in order to provide positive feedback to the user. Each building block can be further assigned with a musical symbol or note that corresponds to their UID. Once all building blocks are placed correctly to form the required spatial structure, the string of music symbols and notes assigned to the building blocks is also correctly determined to create a music melody that can be played real-time, in a correct sequence, via the audio devices  415  embedded in all building blocks. As per the computer program, and with a certain type of input, e.g., any building block being pressed, the processor can give the instruction to play the melody, and thus a musical architecture is created.