EXHIBIT B4
`
`EXHIBIT B4
`
`
`
`

`
`(12) United States Patent
`Shackelford
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,443,796 B1
`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`USOO644-3796131
`
`(54) SMART BLOCKS
`
`5,227,931 B1 ' H2001 Shackelford et al.
`
`..... .. 446I4Tr'
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Judith Ann Shackelfortl, 515 N.
`Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA (US)
`90210
`
`GB
`on
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2186731 A '*
`811987
`................ .. 446f91
`2133955 A * iongsi
`................ .. 445x91
`
`(‘) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`‘ cited by examiner
`Primary Exam£iier—Derris H. Banks
`Assistant Exami'ner—Urszula M. Cegielnik
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Ft'rm—Ronald M. Goldman
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09J'596,634
`(22)
`Flledz
`‘hm’ 19’ 2000
`(51)
`Int. Cl?
`(52) U_3_ C].
`
`A63H 17/on
`_________________________ 44591; 446,118; 445,434;
`446,485; 273,233; 2733237; 434,324
`(58) Field of Search ........................... .. 446l91, 90, 118,
`.
`.
`446,477’ 487’ 485’ 2-Baas’ 237' 434'Q24
`Referenees cued
`
`(55)
`
`U-5- PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,484,984 A " 12;'1969 Fischer ...................... .. 446.391
`3,696,543 A . 10,-19-,-2
`4,343,191 A .
`9,1932
`452,541 A -r 11)-1935
`4,556,393 A * 12t'198S
`4,743,202 A *
`5.91988
`5,013,347 A ‘
`531991
`5:1-“>515 A ' 1031992
`5*4”*428 A * 51995
`5,742,435 A *
`421998
`5,719,515 A *
`731993
`5,733,553 A ..
`3,-1993
`5,353,327 A — 12,1993
`5,905,359 A ~
`5,1999
`6,190,174 B1 *
`2,I'2[l[)1
`6,206,745 B1 "
`352nm
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A child’s construction set contains virtual intelligence, is
`interactive and_smart, characteristir-js that {net beexhibited
`to a player during player construction activity with the set
`and, thereafter, during continuuig_ play and instills a sense of
`unpredlctablmy to play‘ The Set mwrpnmes 3 pmgmmmed
`controller (17), a speaker (23), special (“smart”) play pieces
`or blocks (1,3,5,7, et cet.) and a base (15) on which to
`position the play pieces or blocks. Sensors (A1—C3),
`referred to as “hot spots”, are distributed at various positions
`about the base and are coupled to the controller, whereby the
`controller identifies special play pieces and the location of
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`those play pieces when the respective play piece is installed
`at one of_ those positions. Some of the special play pieces
`may depict characters, some contain electrically operated
`devices, and some contain a player operated input device.
`The controller issues speech messages or other audible
`effects through the speaker to effect a virtual personality to
`the character play pieces; controls operation of electrically
`operated devices in special blocks and detects and responds
`to
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`information from and supply speech messages to accessory
`blocks that are used olf the base of the construction set.
`
`36 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 6,443,796 B1
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 6,443,796 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 6,443,796 B1
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`

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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 6,443,796 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`US 6,443,796 B1
`
`1
`SMART BLOCKS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to children’s construction sets, and,
`more particularly, to an interactive construction and play set
`that exhibits a virtual intelligence and interacts with andfor
`responds to the player during construction and in continuing
`play.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Increasingly, children are computer literate at an early
`age, sortie as young as two or three years old. They are wise
`to the electronics of their environment, and, some may say,
`smarter than children of prior generations. They’ve been
`exposed to toys, playthings and other consumer goods that
`talk like a human and make sound efiects. Yet electronics has
`produced far more than simply sound elfects and human
`speech to computers, appliances, toys, cars, and other elec-
`tronic products found in the environment. Through the use
`of microprocessors andfor microcomputers, controllers of
`those electronic products are given the ability to store
`programming logic, sound clfccts and speech. Those elec-
`tronic products and devices appear to be smart, possess
`intelligence, and are able to interact and converse with the
`product users. Those products are made “artificially intelli-
`gent” and “virtually real"; and seem to “know" what the
`product users are doing or have done in the past.
`Because children are products of the era into which they
`are born,
`they easily assimilate the technology that sur-
`rounds them from birth. Today’s kids therefore expect to be
`able to interact with the objects in their environment, par-
`ticularly with their playthings and toys. They are as com-
`fortahle with the computer as the telephone, and can learn to
`press the keys of a keyboard to create cause and cfiect and
`interaction with a display screen long before they even learn
`to write. As a consequence one finds that children become
`bored more quickly with conventional playthings than the
`children of prior generations. That change in interest is seen
`in the toy marketplace. Manufacturers of conventional toys
`appear to be losing business and market share to manufac-
`turers of “smart" electronic toys, video games, computer
`CD-ROMS and other items that
`the children find more
`compelling.
`Examples of this new era is the PETE TM program from
`Mirtdscape and Creatures“" program from Mindscape that
`electronically bring “virtual life” to computer creatures. The
`Creatures toy is described by the seller as even having
`“digital DNA” and artificial intelligence to elicit a child’s
`interest. Electronics,
`including the programmed
`microprocessor, have brought the same kind of “virtual life”
`to stand-alone toys. The Tomagotchim virtual pet,
`the
`Manor“ pet, and the Gigabil Pets'"“ are handheld “virtual
`pets” that recently swept the consumer marketplace, creating
`a trend and corsumer demand for interactive “virtual” smart
`toys that persists to the present.
`A more recent example of stand-alone smart toys are the
`“Amazing Amy'‘“’’ and “Amazing Ally“‘” dolls marketed
`in the U.S. by the Playmates Toys Inc. Those dolls contain
`microprocessors that are programmed to give the dolls a
`virtual intelligence. The Amazing Amy doll is able to detect
`the type and kind of play food or appliance (cg. simulated
`items supplied with the doll) placed in the mouth of the doll,
`to voice requests for certain foods, to voice objection if fed
`a food that diifers from the food requested, plays games with
`the child and voice many other statements, allowing the doll
`in many respects to simulate a living child. The Amazing
`
`2.5
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`30
`
`40
`
`50
`
`SS
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`65
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`2
`Ally also simulates a living child and interacts with the
`child. Children find the experience with such dolls exciting
`and real; and those toys have in fact recaptured the interest
`of older girls who have become bored with conventional
`dolls (sic non-virtually smart) offered by other toy manu-
`facturers.
`
`today's
`The practical effect of the foregoing is that
`children expect to also interact with toys that also appear to
`be "smart.” Lacking "smart” toys, children quickly turn to
`computer and video games, music, and high tech electronic
`gadgets for entertainment or instead are spending their
`money on clothing and aooemories, music, movies, and fast
`food.
`
`in interest has not gone unnoticed by toy
`The shift
`manufacturers, who to avoid becoming obsolete, are seeking
`ways to rekindle a child's interest in the manufacturer’s toys.
`One such example is in construction sets, such as building
`blocks. Those construction sets typically contain plastic
`blocks that the child may attach to one another and to a base
`to build various figures and structures, elfectively creating a
`setting. The blocks (and base) frictionally attach to one
`another by means of coupling grips (as may be formed of
`sockets, bars or the like) wherein the coupling grips, located
`on the under side of a block, engage with coupling pins or
`studs arranged evenly and in parallel rows and columns on
`the top side of another block (and.-‘or on the base). Until the
`present, construction sets of the foregoing type have long
`served and continue to serve to interest
`those children
`
`inclined to enjoy building things.
`Those construction sets presently olfer only two dimen-
`sions of play: The primary play is construction, in which the
`child constructs a building, vehicle, or other structure from
`scratch by assembling together a kit of pieces and parts. The
`secondary play is to use the thing that was constructed for
`play. The child uses its itrtagination to create adventures
`inspired by the theme amociated with the construction set
`(sic the structure which can be built from the blocks or play
`pieces intended by the theme).
`Attempting to make construction sets more compelling, a
`leading manufacturer,
`the LEGO Group, which markets
`under the LEGO® brand name, has been adding attractive
`brands and copyrighted characters familiar to children to the
`product and the theme of the product. That company has also
`included some simple electronics in their stand-along prod-
`ucts such as a flashing light and a siren sound in a preschool
`construction set of a fire truck or rescue vehicle in theme.
`
`Further. that company also introduced a complex robotic
`system that requires a computer interface. Older children
`and adults must first build complex robotic products and
`then create a computer program on their personal computer
`(“PC”) to control
`the constructed robotic product. That
`computer program is then downloaded into a “brain” that
`controls the movement within the robotic device. As evident
`
`from the patent literature, the Lego Group “electrified”
`construction blocks, perhaps as part of the foregoing effort,
`to integrate electrical paths through the individual blocks in
`order to route electricity, such as by attaching a conductors
`on the studs of a block (and employing coupling sockets
`containing electrical conductors). It thus appears generally
`known to provide electrically operated elements within the
`construction block at as demonstrates the engineering fea-
`sibility of allowing the child to mimic an electrical con-
`struction project.
`What foregoing feats of engineering appears to lack is the
`“magic” of any “virtual” or “smart” interaction between the
`product being constructed and any characters that are sup-
`
`

`
`US 6,443,796 B1
`
`3
`plied in the constructed product and the player-builder.
`Although the child may learn to follow directions and
`achieve satisfaction in the building of a structure, and may
`use imagination to create settings, scenes in which to play
`with the structure that one has built, that alone does not
`pique a child’s imagination in the same way as occurs with
`the Amazing Amy doll. earlier mentioned. Instead the child
`is in full control of the play scene and the events that are to
`occur.
`
`The construction set cannot “tall: back” or take any action.
`The set possesses no seeming initiative of the kind found in
`other electronic toys and in application programs of general
`or special purpose computers (video games). The child is not
`faced with the excitement and challenge of dealing with the
`unexpected. As an advantage, the present invention otfets an
`interactive arrangement for the child, allows the construc-
`tion set to appear to be virtually alive and to be artificially
`intelligent and speak, and affords play that olfers a greater
`challenge, is more compelling and basically provides more
`fun for the child.
`
`invention is to
`Accordingly, an object of the present
`enhance interest
`in and excitement in play of children’s
`construction sets by bringing the construction set into the
`“virtual” and “smart” electronic age.
`An additional object of the invention is to imbue a child’s
`construction set with features that confront the child with a
`sense of unpredictability to events occurring in fantasy play
`and challenge the child.
`Afurther object of the invention is to remove full control
`of the events of play in a child’s construction set from the
`player and place some of that control within the construction
`set.
`
`A still additional object of the invention is to provide a
`play environment for a child’s construction set that incor-
`porates characters and other play figures with a virtual
`intelligence.
`A further object of the invention is to pennit a construc-
`tion set to provide speech messages, statements audio:
`sound efiects andlor visual cues to the player both during
`construction and during play with the constructed structures.
`And an ancillary object of the invention is to permit the
`child to simulate the remote control of another play piece or
`play pieces mounted in the construction set using another
`one of the play pieces mounted in the construction set as a
`simple remote controller.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the foregoing advantages and objects,
`the invention is realized in any standard child’s construction
`set by incorporating therewith a programmed controller, a
`speaker and special (“smart”) play pieces. The smart play
`pieces contain controller readable identification indicium.
`The controller is able to access and read that indicium to
`identify the play pieces and is able to determine the location
`of each such play piece installed on the base of the con-
`struction set. With such knowledge,
`the controller may
`retrieve from memory and issue, exhibit, speech messages or
`other audible effects through the speaker. Some play pieces
`comprise character figures, and the speech messages andlor
`audible efiects exhibited are able to create a virtual being of
`such figures.
`In accordance with a further aspect to the invention, sonte
`of such smart play pieces also incorporate peripheral
`devices, electrically actuated devices which the controller is
`able to actuate in accordance with action prescribed in the
`
`10
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`controller program, either at the initiative of the program
`andfor in response to detection of an action occurring at a
`separate play piece, such as a player input. In a more specific
`aspect, the controller operates an electrical device, such as
`lamp or a motor, contained in one play piece when the player
`supplies an input in another play piece, such as operating a
`switch.
`
`The controller provides a virtual intelligence and interac-
`tion between the child and the playset and its characters. The
`memory of the controller contains many words andfor
`phrases of speech and sound elfects related to specific play
`pieces and characters which may be communicated to the
`player; and, of those, a plurality of speech phrases and sou nd
`effects unique to specific play pieces and characters, depend-
`ing on the play situation or mode of play for the construction
`set. The controller may select from a variety of stored
`messages, and various logic branches of pre-programmed
`play patterns, adventures, stories, or games, adding a sense
`of unpredictability to the play patterns and avoiding the
`repetition that dulls interest in a toy. Games may incorporate
`invisible alien beings or forces whose presence is felt by the
`player through the sounds generated and/or animated graph-
`ics presented on a display, and involve the player in defend-
`ing against those inherently evil beings and forces.
`The controller also allows activities,
`initiated by the
`players placement of characters or smart play pieces at
`certain locations on the base of the construction set or the
`players operation of various types of switches, all of which
`cause interactive responses by the construction set and the
`characters positioned therein, or, in accordance with an
`additional aspect to the invention, by remotely positioned
`construction sets and any characters therein.
`The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of
`the invention together with the stnicture characteristic
`thereof, which was only briefly summarized in the foregoing
`passages, becomes more apparent to those skilled in the art
`upon reading the detailed description of a preferred
`embodiment, which follows in this specification,
`taken
`together with the illustration thereof presented in the accom-
`panying drawings
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention defining
`a construction set, including its associated play pieces and
`base;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller for the
`embodiment of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the base of the
`embodiment of FIG. 1 containing one of the electrical
`connectors supported in the base that defines a “hot spot”;
`FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the dragon figure play piece
`used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 in perqaective and bottom
`view, respectively;
`FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate in perspective and bottom
`views, respectively, a long connector extension block used
`in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to elevate the “hot spot”
`connection vertically andfor position that "hot spot” as many
`as three small block widths front the underlying position in
`the base of the construction set;
`FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate in perspective and bottom
`views, respectively, a small size connector extension block
`used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to elevate the “hot spot”
`connection vertically one block height from the underlying
`position on the set base (or another extension block);
`
`

`
`US 6,443,796 B1
`
`5
`FIG. 7 illustrates another small size block used in the
`embodiment of FIG. 1, identical to that of FIG. 6A, to
`illustrate forming a stack the extension blocks;
`FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a troll figure play piece in a
`perspective and prone positions;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a motor driven propeller place piece;
`FIGS. 10A—10G are wiring diagrams for the various
`smart play pieces, switches and extension blocks used in the
`embodiment of FIG. 1;
`FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a radio controlled vehicle play
`piece that may be used for play with the embodiment of FIG.
`1;
`
`FIG. 13 is a wiring diagram for the cabling between the
`controller and the array of base connectors used in the
`embodiment of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 14 is a diagram of the circuits established between
`the controller, lamp block and switch block when the latter
`blocks are installed on the base, which is used in connection
`with the description of the operation of the invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The preferred embodiment of the play construction set
`illustrated in FIG. 1 contains a number of play pieces 1, 3,
`5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 52, 53, 54 and 55, sometimes referred to
`herein as “blocks”, and a base 15, suitably formed of plastic,
`onto which the foregoing (and additional) play pieces may
`be coupled or mounted, typically using a frictional attach-
`ment. Each of the play pieces illustrated may be positioned
`at any location on the base in accordance with the wishes of
`the player. Additional play pieces, not illustrated in the
`figure, may be included for installation on the base andfor
`for use in play oil? that base.
`Play pieces 5 and 52 contain electrical switches that the
`player may operate to produce player inputs, essentially
`forming switch blocks. Play pieces 3, 53, 54 and 55 contain
`peripheral devices that are electrically actuated. The periph-
`eral device in block 3 is a lamp; that in block 54 is a motor
`driven propeller; that in block 53 an LCD display; and that
`in block 55 an infra-red (IR) transmitter. Play pieces 1 and
`7 are fantasy figures, respectively “troll” and “dragon"
`characters. Because each of the foregoing play pieces con-
`tains a computer readable identification,
`later herein
`described in greater detail,
`those blocks are sometimes
`referred to herein as “smart” bloclrs. Play pieces or play
`pieces 9, 11, and 13, however, do not contain such identi-
`fication and, hence, are not included herein in the “smart"
`category. Though appearing as ordinary blocks, they include
`electrical conductors as later herein described.
`
`Preferably base 15 also defines within the depth dimen-
`sion 3. container or housing for storage of additional com-
`ponents of the embodiment, miniature in size, so that those
`components are hidden from view. An electronic controller
`17, illustrated in FIG. 2, suitably includes a programmed
`microprocessor or cotnputer, as variously termed, memory
`and other associated elements, and the power supply and
`cabling, is housed inside that formed container. As later
`herein described in greater detail, the controller, among
`other functions, receives identification information from and
`identifies certain of the play pieces that are installed at
`certain locations on the base, called “hot spots”, and iden-
`tifies the location of the respective play piece identified;
`identifies and responds to player inputs and reacts to these
`inputs as may include actuating another of the smart blocks
`that contains an electrical device andfor delivering a speech
`memage or sound eiiect.
`
`2.5
`
`30
`
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`SS
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`6
`Reference is again made to FIG. 1. To mount the play
`pieces to base 15, an evenly distributed plurality of short
`upright cylindrical studs 2, are arranged in rows and col-
`umns on the base. Those studs serve as coupling pins to
`frictionally engage the play piece from the underside and
`mount the play piece to the base at the location selected by
`the player. The underside of the play pieces contain fric-
`tional grips, couplings, that grips the respective studs. Those
`couplings are not visible in this figure due to the obstruction
`presented by sides of the respective play pieces, which are
`illustrated, for one, in FIG. 6B.
`The grips included on the underside of a play piece are
`illustrated, for one, in FIG. 6B to which brief reference is
`made. The bottom view of play piece 11 illustrated, one of
`the stacked blocks in the rear of FIG. 1, includes inwardly
`directed spaced ribs 4 extending vertically up the side walls
`of the rectangular shaped play piece. The relative geometry
`and dimension of the thin outside edge of the ribs produces
`a friction fit to the cylindrical walls of studs 2 of the base,
`the latter of which are represented by dotted lines. Because
`both the ribs and the studs are constructed of plastic
`material, which possesses some flexibility, the bottom of the
`play piece slides into place over the studs and is held in
`place.
`By aligning a play piece, such as the troll figure play piece
`1, with a pair of rows and along a column (or with a pair of
`columns and along a row) and pressing the play piece down
`onto the base, the grips on the underside of the play piece
`slide alongside and frictionally engage the cylindrical walls
`of the studs, four of the studs (2x2) for the smallest size
`block, and the play piece is thereby frictionally held in place
`on the base. The play pieces are easily removed from that
`position on the base, by pulling the play piece upward,
`overcoming the frictional connection to the studs.
`With like mechanical couplings, other play pieces that
`contain grips on the underside may also be attached on top
`of other play pieces that contain coupling studs on the upper
`surface. As an example, smart play piece 7, decorated as a
`dragon character, is mounted atop a stack of blocks 9, 11,
`and 13; and the bottom most block 13 is mounted to the base.
`Those skilled in the art will recognize the general construc-
`tion of the play piece to base and play piece to play piece
`mounting stnrcture, which is known, is found in the plastic
`blocks in the Interlego (LEGO) and Duplo brand construc-
`tion sets. Each of the play pieces contains like grips on the
`underside enabling the play piece to mount to the base (and
`to other blocks).
`Continuing with FIG. 1, base 15 also contains a number
`of electrical connectors, A1 through A3, B1 through B3 and
`C1 through C3, that are exposed through openings in the
`upper surface of the base. Two of those electrical connectors
`are obstructed from view by play pieces 1 and 13. The
`foregoing connectors are identical in structure. Each con-
`nector is centrally located within a 2x2 array of studs 2, The
`connectors are distributed about the base, suitably evenly
`symmetrically positioned amongst
`the various rows and
`columns. For convenience, the locations of those connectors
`are sometimes referred to herein as “hot spots”. In this
`embodiment the connectors are arranged in a 3x3 size matrix
`on base 15. As later herein described, the controller 17 is
`able to identify each of play pieces 1, 3, 5 and '7 and the
`respective connector, A1—A3, B1—B3, andfor C1-C3, the hot
`spots on the base to which the respective play piece is
`connected, and thereby determines the identity and location
`of such play pieces.
`As shown in the enlarged partial view of FIG. 3, the
`electrical connectors in base 15 are female metal electrical
`
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`US 6,443,796 B1
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`7
`connectors (sockets), each of which is housed inside a
`plastic sheath that forms a male plastic housing connector.
`Therefore, each “hot spot” consists of a square cluster of
`four male sheaths housing four metal
`female sockets.
`Preferably,
`the connector 3 keyed (or contains a keyed
`surface), which requires the mating male connector or plug
`(such as that on the smart block, later herein described) to be
`correctly angularly oriented in order to mate with the female
`connector. In this embodiment
`the outer surface of the
`
`insulator portions of the respective connector contacts, the
`plastic sheath, is of a distinct shape that provides such
`keying, and permits the connectors to mate only if the
`female keyed protective insulator holes surrounding the
`male connectors are oriented at zero or 180 degrees. Con-
`tacts B3:1 and B3:2 are used in one input circuit to the
`controller, and contacts B3:3 and B324 are used in an output
`circuit from that controller, as later herein discussed in
`greater detail.
`Reference is made to the block diagram of electronic
`controller 17 and the associated components in FIG. 2.
`Electronic controller 17, typically, is a programmed digital
`microcontrollcr or, as variously termed, microcomputer,
`containing semiconductor memory and operating programs.
`Preferably, the controller is in the form of an integrated
`circuit (IC) chip, which is thought to be the least expensive
`approach for toy product, or, may comprise a group of such
`IC chips, all of which are known. The controller contains
`appropriate input and output devices and control circuits and
`is powered by batteries. The foregoing also includes a
`speech synthesizer, either defined in by software or as
`separate semiconductor chips, including a digital-to-analog
`converter, and appropriate multiplexers and other input and
`output interface circuits, including various ports for com-
`municating with other devices, such as a serial port or USB
`port and the like, and audio and display output. Operation of
`the controller is controlled by software, that is, computer
`programs, with the specific programs, both operating system
`program and application program, and data being stored in
`ROM. Some externally supplied data and program material
`as may be used by the controller, described later herein, is
`stored in non-volatile memory, EPROM,
`that may be
`“plugged” into the controller or in a Flashcard with data
`downloaded from a PC or web-site of the Internet. ‘The
`controller is programmed to perform the various tasks and
`functions arch as further described herein.
`
`As generally illustrated in block form the controller may
`include a programmed microprocessor and associated
`memory, including read-only memory (“ROM”) and random
`access memory (“RAM”). A battery 19, connected to the
`microprocessor through an “on-olf” switch 21, supplies the
`DC operating power. A speaker 23 is driven by a speaker
`(audio) output to the controller to reproduce audio, such as
`speech andfor sound eflects) in accordance with the require-
`ments of the programming in the microprocessor. The
`microprocessor includes a number of inputs for receiving
`information and a number of outputs to provide control
`currents from and to certain of the smart blocks play pieces
`that are mounted to certain locations on base 15 (FIG. 1), the
`distribution of which is illustrated and described in greater
`detail herein.
`A set of sense inputs, A1:A3 and the like that are
`connected to various hot spots on the base 15, are individu-
`ally connected via cable 25 to the inputs of controller 17. A
`like number of control outputs of the controller are con-
`nected via cable 27 to the control leads A1:A3 of the base.
`A more explicit illustration of the latter is presented in FIG.
`13, later herein discussed. The controller performs certain
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`50
`
`SS
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`65
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`8
`sense andfor control operations through the foregoing sense
`and control inputs and outputs. Separately from the sense
`inputs, wireless transceiver 55, one of the smart blocks, is
`connected to the controller through one of the communica-
`tion ports 47, preferably a serial port. The inputs for driving
`LCD display 53, another smart block, is supplied through a
`display output of the controller via cable 59.
`The program of the controller includes the routines for
`frequently checking the various sense inputs on the base, for
`specifying a particular script of activity, whether defining a
`game or construction activity, and for providing control
`outputs to the outputs on the base. The program also includes
`a database or library of speech messages and sound elfects,
`and a variety of image or image generating subroutines.
`Other portions of the program, such as a scripted activity,
`determine when a particular speech message or sound eifect
`is selected and the context or time when that speech message
`or sound efiect is to be delivered to the player andjor an
`image is to be presented. By outputting the contents of
`various locations in the voice ROM, and applying that
`digital information to the digital-to-analog converter, serv-
`ing as a speech synthesizer, and thence to speaker 23, the
`speech messages andtor sound efiects are related to the
`player. The verbal messages and sounds are preferably
`human voices that are recorded as digital information and
`stored in a portion of the ROM memory using any standard
`technique. Preferably,
`the library of speech messages is
`sufficient in extent as to enable the controller to define a
`
`“virtual personality" for the various character figures, such
`as the troll and dragon figures, andfor any other block.
`Preferably, the microprocemor of the controller should be
`powerful and fast enough to proceed through the program
`and have the voices and character conversation appear
`natural. In alternative embodiments, the controller may
`incorporate separate audio display controllers to handle
`generation of speech memages, freeing the main controller
`for other necessary activities. Display controllers. typically
`contain a separate microprocessor, are commonly found in
`personal computers where the device serves video displays.
`Other functional units as may be included in the controller
`include a clock-calendar 50, speech recognition 49 (and the
`associated microphone 51) which are illustrated in dash
`lines. To permit addition of other application programs, such
`as additional games andtor speech messages and sound
`effects, the controller preferably includes a memory port 45,
`to permit additional programs (in ROM) to be included. This
`additional memory may be a ROM chip which is embedded
`in a card and contains the additional program information or
`it may be in the form of a “flashcard” EPROM in which a
`program specifically designed for the construction set may
`be downloaded from a web-site over
`the internet, as
`example, by means of a personal computer 66, such as
`pictorially illustrated in FIG. 2 in a dash-line box as the PC,
`(or other processor controlled internet access apparatus), and
`then downloaded from the PC (or other internet access
`apparatus) into the flashcard. As example, a web-site may be
`maintained by the manufacturer to provide distribution of
`new game programs or other updates to the c