This invention describes a 4-dimensional periodic table of elements (4D PT) based on the 4 known quantum numbers of the atom, namely, n (principal), l (azimuthal), m (magnetic) and s (spin), which determine the 4D Cartesian co-ordinates (n,l,m,s) of a 4-dimensional cubic lattice. Since the four quantum number combinations of each element are unique by Pauli's exclusion principle, each chemical element occupies a different vertex of this lattice and has a unique location in 4D space. The 4 quantum numbers are used as independent vectors of a 4-dimensional vector space so that quantum numbers can be added in the same manner as vectors are added. The 4D PT displays complementarity and the principle of zero cyclic sum in numbers associated with elements. The 4D PT of elements and their coordinates extend to chemical molecules and compounds by adding coordinates of individual elements into composite coordinates of molecules and compounds in a larger expansive PT. The higher-dimensional table of elements and compounds can be represented in any digital media where they can be manipulated graphically and interactively by various input devices including virtual reality. The 4D PT can be displayed in print media as 2D charts, or 2D cards that can be combined in various ways. It can be physically built in different materials as 3D model kits for teaching, learning, research and practice of chemistry in academia and industry. The 3D model kits can be like space frames comprising nodes and connecting struts or 3D blocks or connected 2D panels.

A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

Disclosed are mortise and tenon joint structures for Chinese characters formed by building members having the same or different configurations, and a method for inputting Chinese characters by using the building members. The Chinese characters are de-structured such that each Chinese character consists one or more radicals which are formed by the mortise and tenon joint structures or variants thereof. The variants of the mortise and tenon joint structures are formed by shift, rotation or combination of shift and rotation of the building members of the mortise and tenon joint structures. This establishes an inputting method between the Latin letters and Chinese characters.

A pegboard of the present disclosure includes: a main device including multiple unit modules; a board plate including multiple receiving portions; and multiple pegs to be inserted into the multiple receiving portions, and the multiple unit modules include multiple sensor modules configured to sense whether the multiple pegs are inserted into the multiple receiving portions and multiple light source modules configured to output light to the multiple receiving portions.

A pegboard of the present disclosure includes: a main device including multiple unit modules; a board plate including multiple receiving portions; and multiple pegs to be inserted into the multiple receiving portions, and the multiple unit modules include multiple sensor modules configured to sense whether the multiple pegs are inserted into the multiple receiving portions and multiple light source modules configured to output light to the multiple receiving portions.

An identification carrier for a toy for replaying music or a spoken story, includes a standing surface, a magnet and an identification, wherein the identification changes a property of an external magnetic field when it enters the magnetic field, and the magnet is arranged closer than the identification to the standing surface and/or at least one surface normal to the standing surface passes only through the magnet or only through the identification.

An identification carrier for a toy for replaying music or a spoken story, includes a standing surface, a magnet and an identification, wherein the identification changes a property of an external magnetic field when it enters the magnetic field, and the magnet is arranged closer than the identification to the standing surface and/or at least one surface normal to the standing surface passes only through the magnet or only through the identification.

Pseudo magnetic monopoles made from a plurality of building blocks, each having one outer surface that is substantially a north magnetic pole and an opposing outer surface that is substantially a south magnetic pole. The building blocks are assembled to form a hollow object having an inner surface and an outer surface, with all of the north or south poles of the building blocks facing outwardly, such that entire outer surface of the object is substantially either north or south. The building blocks may be magnetized before or after they are assembled to form the hollow object. The hollow object may be a sphere. The building blocks may have tapered side surfaces to minimize gaps between the building blocks when they are assembled to form the hollow object. A plurality of the objects may be provided in kit form as a teaching tool.

Pseudo magnetic monopoles made from a plurality of building blocks, each having one outer surface that is substantially a north magnetic pole and an opposing outer surface that is substantially a south magnetic pole. The building blocks are assembled to form a hollow object having an inner surface and an outer surface, with all of the north or south poles of the building blocks facing outwardly, such that entire outer surface of the object is substantially either north or south. The building blocks may be magnetized before or after they are assembled to form the hollow object. The hollow object may be a sphere. The building blocks may have tapered side surfaces to minimize gaps between the building blocks when they are assembled to form the hollow object. A plurality of the objects may be provided in kit form as a teaching tool.

A magnetic display unit includes: a display layer; a magnetic layer located behind the display layer; and a quick-release mechanism including an activator, wherein the quick-release mechanism is adapted to increase the distance between the magnetic layer and the display layer such that, when activated by the activator, the quick-release mechanism causes any magnets located along the display layer to be released from the display layer.