Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

Mobile agents automatically manipulate components such as blocks on a working surface, to perform operations such as construction of generalized structures. The working surface and/or the components can have machine-readable codes to assist the agents in maintaining current knowledge of their respective locations. Agents identify components by type and location, and can move components according to directions; such directions can be provided by a user, or can be based on a pre-programmed directive, or can be determined dynamically based on current conditions or in response to actions of other agents. Agents may cooperate with one another. Agents can also respond to changes in the environment, alterations in works in progress, and/or other conditions, and may be configured to exhibit responses simulating emotional reactions. Different mobile agents can be associated with different character traits, which may be configured to change based on environmental conditions and/or the behavior of other mobile agents.

A connection assembly comprises a first and second components having respective first and second engagement portions, and a third component. The first and second components are adapted to be engaged together via the first and second engagement portions such as to define a space therebetween. The third component is adapted to be longitudinally introduced in the space and to forcibly displace the first and second engagement portions outwardly, thereby connecting the first and second components together. Furthermore, a method comprises assembling the components and longitudinally introducing the third component in the space to forcibly displace the first and second engagement portions outwardly, thereby connecting the first and second components together.

An information processing device to enable a user to create a program with visual operations, and to enable the stable implementation of many functions with a small number of devices. In a basic core, a pairing unit executes pairing with a user terminal that executes control for causing functional modules, to exhibit prescribed functions. A transmission information generation unit generates transmission information including: prescribed information to be used by the functional modules, to exhibit the prescribed functions or while exhibiting the prescribed functions on the basis of the control by the user terminal; and information indicating a transmission destination, which is one of the functional modules. A connection unit executes control to superimpose the transmissio information on a signal for supplying power to the functional modules in the form of electric current and to transmit the signal to the functional modules.

A bracket for modular luminaire includes a polyhedral module and a connector connected to the polyhedral module. The polyhedral module is a polyhedron provided with a cavity therein, and each surface of the polyhedron is provided with a stepped through-hole connected to the cavity, thereby forming a first annular protrusion at a junction of the stepped through-hole and the cavity. The connector includes a connector body having a cylindrical shape. On an outer periphery of the connector body, a second annular protrusion, a third annular protrusion, a fourth annular protrusion, and a fifth annular protrusion protrude outwards in a radial direction and are spaced apart from each other, and formed successively from a left end portion to a right end portion of the connector body. A left end of the connector is inserted into the stepped through-hole of the polyhedral module.

Connector element includes an enclosure made of a generally non-magnetic material having an open face; an insulating plate with a plate aperture; a permanent magnet placed inside the enclosure, the magnet dimensions preventing egress from the enclosure through the plate aperture; a washer made of a conductive soft ferromagnetic material with a washer aperture being larger than dimensions of said permanent magnet, placed inside the enclosure. Also disclosed are transformable electronic devices, optionally including displays, toys and educational kits built using the self-actuating connector elements.

A system, method, and device for identifying building blocks and suggesting ways to assemble the identified blocks are described. The method comprises of capturing, by an electronic device, one or more images of one or more building blocks. An identification information is determined related to each of the one or more building blocks based on the captured one or more images. Each of the one or more building blocks is identified based on the corresponding identification information. Then, instructions for combining the one or more building blocks are determined. Finally, the one or more instructions for utilizing the one or more building blocks are provided on the electronic device.

An interactive modular construction element (100) for a modular construction system (200), the interactive modular construction element (100) comprising a sensor (601) being responsive to a predetermined sensor input and adapted to output a sensor signal (610) corresponding to or representing the predetermined sensor input, a function element (602) adapted to perform at least one controllable function in response to a control signal (611), and a control circuit (603) connected to the sensor (601) to receive the sensor signal (610) and connected to the function element (602) to provide the control signal (611), wherein the control circuit (603) is adapted to provide the control signal (611) in response to the sensor signal (610) thereby controlling the function element (602) in response to the sensor signal (610), wherein the interactive modular construction element (100) comprises an input part (101) and an output part (102), where the input part (101) and the output part (102) are different from each other.

The present disclosure relates to a prefabricated joint toy. An intermediate ring portion of a second toy block is inserted into a fitting gap of a first toy block, so that the intermediate ring portion of the second toy block is arranged between a first coupling ring and a second coupling ring of the first toy block. Ring protrusions respectively formed on upper and lower sides of the intermediate ring portion are respectively inserted into the first coupling ring and the second coupling ring of the first toy block.