Proposed are a smart block and a control system for same, wherein while enabling learning, playing, and coding experiences by providing various functions through a function block capable of transmitting and receiving data a conventional block may be easily converted to a smart block, the manufacturing cost of smart blocks may be lowered, and the power supply is simplified by enabling a specific power block coupled to a function block on the side surface to supply power to the function block, and wherein the position of each function block may exactly be identified by additionally forming a beacon block that may wirelessly transmit reference position information through the beacon module and then by receiving information on the relative position of function blocks for the reference position while coupling a function block to the side surface of a beacon block to receive information on the reference position.

A ready to assemble kit designed to stimulate creativity, to teach some of the basic principles of electricity and to teach fine motor skills. The kit may be used to teach principles about batteries and diodes. The kit may also be used to teach about the principles of electrical polarity applicable to both batteries and diodes. The kit includes a plurality of selected components that once assembled create a lightable LED plaque that may be used as a badge or worn as an adornment or simply used as a hand held light. The kit includes front and back planar members useful in mounting and supporting the LEDs, battery and other components. The kit included a generally u-shaped clip that mates with a receptacle notch in the front and back planar members to slidably and securably connect at the notched portion of the planar members in order to secure the front and back planar members together. The kit also includes LED lights, battery and conductive tape useful in making the electrical connections necessary to complete an electrical circuit and to get the LED lights to work.

An open hardware education kit is provided. The open hardware education kit comprises an expansion board. The expansion board comprises a plurality of metal terminals joinable with a magnet, a plurality of conductive connection wires respectively connected with the metal terminals, and a plurality of pin headers respectively connected with the connection wires. The plurality of pin headers are joinable with an expansion header of open hardware.

An open hardware education kit is provided. The open hardware education kit comprises an expansion board. The expansion board comprises a plurality of metal terminals joinable with a magnet, a plurality of conductive connection wires respectively connected with the metal terminals, and a plurality of pin headers respectively connected with the connection wires. The plurality of pin headers are joinable with an expansion header of open hardware.

An electronic building block set with a metal layer on the outer surface of each building block includes a main and an auxiliary building block. The top of the main building block includes plural main hollow posts, each with a main sensing contact, and has a main metal layer on the outer surface. The main sensing contacts and the main metal layer are electrically connected to opposite-polarity main electrode circuits respectively. The bottom of the auxiliary building block includes a first sensing element and has an auxiliary metal layer on the outer surface. The first sensing element and the auxiliary metal layer are electrically connected to opposite-polarity auxiliary electrode circuits respectively. When the building blocks are engaged, the first sensing element is electrically connected to the corresponding main sensing contact, and the auxiliary metal layer, to the main metal layer to enable electricity or signal transmission between the building blocks.

A circuit training apparatus for training students to understand electrical circuits includes a body member that includes a front face having a peripheral edge and a plurality of side walls defining an interior area and a dial opening. The apparatus includes a battery for powering the circuits. A circuit board is positioned in the body member, the circuit board having a plurality of circuit areas etched thereon and having a plurality of current lead lines electrically connecting the battery and circuit areas, respectively. A rotary selection device is electrically connected to the circuit board and battery and includes a dial indicative of a circuit selection coupled to an electrical switch for directing current from the battery to a respective current lead line associated with the circuit selection. The dial of the rotary selection device extends away from the circuit board and through the dial opening for accessibility to a user.

A head-disk assembly device, mass spin-valve or gravitational rectifier and method of producing gravitomagnetic induction utilizing Nano-features fabricated on the surface of a hard disk is presented. The Nano-features may include Nano-bumps and Nano-pits. The device includes a computer hard disk, a piezoelectric glide head and/or a GMR read head, a typical hard drive's electronics, wherein defects are fabricated on the said disk using a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) by depositing requisite number of nanobumps of specified height, and etching equal number of nanopits of specified depth a few mils or mm apart on a pre-decided radius. By spinning the said nano-features disk produce (1) an associated mechanical force utilizing a piezoelectric glide head and/or (2) an associated magnetic force utilizing a GMR read head for (a) general use in surface characterization work and (b) for producing power by the presence or the absence of matter on a spinning disk.

A head-disk assembly device, mass spin-valve or gravitational rectifier and method of producing gravitomagnetic induction utilizing Nano-features fabricated on the surface of a hard disk is presented. The Nano-features may include Nano-bumps and Nano-pits. The device includes a computer hard disk, a piezoelectric glide head and/or a GMR read head, a typical hard drive's electronics, wherein defects are fabricated on the said disk using a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) by depositing requisite number of nanobumps of specified height, and etching equal number of nanopits of specified depth a few mils or mm apart on a pre-decided radius. By spinning the said nano-features disk produce (1) an associated mechanical force utilizing a piezoelectric glide head and/or (2) an associated magnetic force utilizing a GMR read head for (a) general use in surface characterization work and (b) for producing power by the presence or the absence of matter on a spinning disk.

A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic textbook data comprising at least one configurable problem to be solved for a system having a plurality of different parameters, a user input device, and a processor coupled to the display, the memory, and the user input device. The processor may be configured to display the electronic textbook data with the at least one configurable problem on the display, selectively change at least one of the parameters of the system to define a new solution for the at least one configurable problem based upon the user input device, and display the new solution on the display.

A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic textbook data comprising at least one configurable problem to be solved using a given solution technique from among a plurality of different solution techniques, a user input device, and a processor coupled to the display, the memory, and the user input device. The processor may be configured to display the electronic textbook data with the at least one configurable problem on the display, selectively change the given solution technique for the at least one configurable problem based upon the user input device, and display a solution for the at least one configurable problem on the display responsive to the change in the given solution technique.