Abstract
A programmable die may feature a robust frame structure housing a plurality of display screens which may be programmed to display any number of possible data. Any number of sides are possible, so long as they can be read. The die may be programmed remotely, such as through an app, or manually. The displays may be LCD screens or electronic paper, or any later discovered and suitable device. A battery may be directly or inductively charged.
Claims
1. A programmable die comprising: a roll cage defining an interior and a plurality of faces; processing unit within the interior; a memory operably connected to the processing unit; a means for programming the processing unit; a plurality of display screens equal to the plurality of faces, with one screen mounted in each face, each screen operably connected to the processing unit; and the processing unit providing user programmable output to be displayed on the display screens as a display paradigm, said paradigm not changing based on the position of the die.
2. The programmable die of claim 1, the means for programming the processing unit further comprising an antenna for communication with a computer and a resident application on said computer for selecting output displays.
3. The programmable die of claim 1, the means for programming the processing unit further comprising a data communications port and a computer with a resident application on said computer for selecting output displays.
4. The programmable die of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor.
5. The programmable die of claim 4, the position sensor being selected from the set of position sensors consisting of: at least one accelerometer and a gyroscope.
6. The programmable die of claim 1, the position sensor being at least one ambient light sensor positioned in each face of the die, wherein a sensor detecting a least amount of ambient light indicating a bottom face.
7. The programmable die of claim 1, the display screens being selected from the set of display screens consisting of electronic paper and LCD screens.
8. The programmable die of claim 1, the memory storing at least one selectable prior configured display paradigm.
9. The programmable die of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight to ensure fair rolling;
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 6-sided die in use.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a 6-sided die, detailing diverse types of usable information.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a 4-sided die.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a 12-sided die.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a 2-sided die (coin).
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a 6-sided die, being programmed.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a 6-sided die.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an electronic schematic for a 6-sided die.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a more detailed schematic of the processor and display system of a 6-sided die.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a method flowchart depicting operation for a 6-sided die.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the user programmable die is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, a die 60 may be rolled by a user 12 to generate a random determination, such as a type of restaurant at which to eat, as is illustrated. Each die 60 features a roll cage 62 with individual display windows 64 therein (FIG. 2). The display windows may display any number of characters 64a, numbers 64b, or graphics/colors 64c as a user may desire. It should be noted that different shapes of dies are possible (FIGS. 3-5), including but not limited to 4-sided (FIG. 3), 12-sided (FIG. 4) and 2-sided, or a coin, (FIG. 5). Each one features its own shape of roll cage, 42, 122, 22, and its own shape and number of display windows 44, 124, 24.
[0025] Programming the die 60 may be accomplished by any means known in the art or later developed, such as by the wireless connection illustrated in FIG. 6. The connection may also be a physical wiring of the die 60 to a device such as a phone, tablet, or computer (collectively a computer) 10. Likewise, charging the device may be accomplished through induction, hardwired charging, replacing batteries, or any other means known or later discovered. As shown in FIG. 7, the internal structure of the die 60 must be robust enough to withstand repeated rolling and dropping. To this end, roll cage 62 may be fitted over an internal cage 68, both supporting display windows 64 and a display monitor 66 behind said display windows 64. Within the internal cage should be a central processing core 30. The central processing core 30 should also provide a means of communication, such as a wireless transmitter or a physical port, so that the individual faces of die may be programmed. If a physical port is provided, a cover 63 should be provided. A battery 72, such as the one behind processing core 30, would also be included in the processing core 30, with whatever charging hardware would be needed, be it wireless induction or a physical connection. If a physical connection is provided, a single port may be used for both charging and communication. Buttons 65 may be provided for manual input. Also, a counterweight 70 or other structure may also be provided to help compensate for any uneven weight of the components and ensure fair rolling.
[0026] The overall electronic structure of the die is shown schematically in FIG. 8. Power is provided through power input 78 and passed to a charger structure 76 which then allows power to be stored in battery 72. Power input 78 may be a USB power input or other port, or an inductor or any other source now known or later discovered. A converter 74 may be provided to allow acceptable power to be used with the central processing core 30 and individual displays 66. The central processing core 30 may present a CPU 32 and memory 34 for basic functionality. An input interface 36 allows communication with another device, such as a cellular phone or personal computer. The input interface may be of any type now known or later discovered in the art, such as but not being limited to a BLUETOOTH antenna or a physical USB port. If it is a physical port, it may also serve as a charging port. A multi-function button 65 may be provided to have direct input to the CPU 32. A sleep control circuit 34 may also be provided to conserve power stored in the battery. The CPU should then be connected to the displays 66, such as though a screen breakout 67. A position sensor 69, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, or ambient light sensors may be provided to help the CPU 32 determine orientation. However, the basic functionality of the die will assign individual output displays to individual screens which will not change based on orientation. Neither does the die report roll data back to the computer. So, this addition is not necessary unless additional position related graphics, which will not change the overall display paradigm, are desired (such as having the winning screen flash or light up when all others are dark). Ambient light sensors (dashed lines, FIGS. 3 and 5) may be positioned proximate each screen, in the frame, or behind or in the screen in such a way to see through or around the screen (such as by having a small hole or cutout allowing the sensor access to the ambient environment). Essentially, when using ambient light sensors, the sensor which registers the least light for a predetermined amount of time would be the bottom face and serve as an identification of the top or winning face (which may be the bottom face on a 4-sided die).
[0027] Programming the die may be a straightforward process 90, such as illustrated in FIG. 10, beginning with waking the die up by pressing a button 91 or some other electronic signal. Since memory can be utilized to save some custom settings, the button or other input may direct to a menu which allows previously saved display paradigms to be utilized without control from another device 92. Otherwise, if not already paired, the die may be paired with another device 93 and custom inputs be made in a control program on the other device (2-6 such inputs for a 6-sided die) 94 which are then transmitted to the die 95. These inputs may then be received by the processing unit 96, split and sent to individual displays 97 as a display paradigm. The die then may display the inputs on each display 98 and then be used as determined by the user 99. It should be noted that when there are fewer inputs then displays, some inputs may be duplicated to be displayed on multiple screens or a roll again or some other result graphic may be utilized.
[0028] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
