Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion
A device including a visual or audible signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic is disclosed. The device may be used as a toy for amusement, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. The device may be powered from a battery, which may be charged from an AC power directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to the sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.
1 . A device comprising:
an accelerometer for producing a first output signal responsive to an acceleration or position of the device;
an audible signaling component for emitting an audible sound;
software and a processor for executing the software, the processor coupled to control the audible signaling component in response to the first or second output signal;
an electric sensor coupled to the processor and producing a second output signal responsive to a physical phenomenon;
a modem coupled to the processor for communicating over a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN);
a rechargeable battery for powering the device;
an induction coil for contactless charging of the rechargeable battery when in an electromagnetic field; and
a housing for enclosing the rechargeable battery, the processor, the accelerometer, the electric sensor, the audible signaling component, the induction coil, and the modem,
wherein the device is configured as a construction toy for an amusement of a person,
wherein the housing is configured, dimensioned, formed, or structured as a construction toy,
wherein the device is controlled over the WPAN, and
wherein the electric sensor comprises a light sensor.
2 . The device according to claim 1 , further configured to be in first and second states in response to the first or second output signal.
3 . The device according to claim 2 , further comprising in the housing a controlled component that is controlled or activated in response to a device state.
4 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein the controlled component comprises, or consists of, a display.
5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the display comprises a video display.
6 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein the controlled component is activated or powered in the first state and is deactivated or not powered in the second state.
7 . The device according to claim 6 , further comprising in the housing a controlled switch connected for switching DC power from the rechargeable battery to the controlled component in the first state and for disconnecting DC power from the rechargeable battery to the controlled component in the second state.
8 . The device according to claim 7 , wherein the controlled switch is controlled by the processor, and wherein the controlled switch is based on, comprises, or using, an electro-mechanical relay, a solid-state relay, or an optocouplers.
9 . The device according to claim 2 , for use with a threshold, wherein the device is operative to be in the first and second states in response to comparing the first or second output signal to the threshold.
10 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a video display for displaying video data to a person.
11 . The device according to claim 10 , wherein the housing further houses the video display, and wherein the video display is powered by the rechargeable battery.
12 . The device according to claim 10 , wherein the video display comprises a video projector or a DLP based projector.
13 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a battery charger that comprises the induction coil connected for charging the rechargeable battery.
14 . The device according to claim 13 , wherein the contactless charging is induction-based, and wherein the induction coil is configured for inductively receiving AC power when in the electromagnetic field, and for charging the rechargeable battery from the received AC power.
15 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a connector for connecting to a cable carrying DC power for charging of the rechargeable battery from the DC power.
16 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer comprises, consists of, uses, or is based on, a piezoelectric, piezoresistive or capacitive Micro-mechanical Electrical Systems (MEMS).
17 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the first output signal is responsive to a magnitude or a direction of the device acceleration, and the accelerometer is a single-axis, two-axis, or a three-axis accelerometer.
18 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is ball-shaped or sphere-shaped.
19 . The device according to claim 18 , further configured for amusement or playing as a play ball.
20 . The device according to claim 19 , wherein the housing is configured, dimensioned, formed, or structured as a game ball that is a cricket ball, baseball, basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, rugby ball, golf ball, or volleyball ball.
21 . The device according to claim 19 , wherein the device is operative to be used for dribbling, kicking, catching, or throwing by a single player or multiple players, and wherein the device is configured for respectively sensing the dribbling, kicking, catching, or throwing action.
22 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a compartment mechanically secured to the housing for housing at least the rechargeable battery.
23 . The device according to claim 22 , wherein the housing further comprising a securely removable cover for covering the compartment, so that when the cover is removed the compartment is accessible at least for replacing the rechargeable battery.
24 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a visible light emitter for emitting a visible light indicating a device state to a person.
25 . The device according to claim 24 , wherein the visible light emitter comprises, consists of, or is based on, a semiconductor component, an incandescent lamp, or a fluorescent lamp.
26 . The device according to claim 24 , wherein the visible light emitter comprises, consists of, or is based on, a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
27 . The device according to claim 26 , wherein the LED is a multi-color LED operative to illuminate in multiple colors.
28 . The device according to claim 24 , wherein the state is indicated by steadiness, blinking, intensity level, duty-cycle, color, or flashing, of an illumination of the visible light emitter.
29 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a peak-detector and a storage, respectively for detecting and storing a peak value of a sensed motion, acceleration, or position.
30 . The device according to claim 29 , further operative to activate or control the audible signaling component in response to the peak value.
31 . The device according to claim 1 , for use with an acceleration, position, or motion threshold, wherein the audible signaling component is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to a respective sensed acceleration, position, or motion crossing or being above the respective threshold.
32 . The device according to claim 31 , wherein the audible signaling component is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to a sensed peak value being above the threshold.
33 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is dimensioned and shaped as a handheld unit.
34 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a timer for measuring a time interval and a display, wherein the display is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to a measured time interval between two sensed events, or wherein the device is operative to be in first and second states in response to the measured time interval between the two sensed events.
35 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer comprises, consists of, uses, or is based on, an electromechanical accelerometer.
36 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the WPAN uses Bluetooth protocol according to IEEE 802.15.1 standard.
37 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the audible signaling component comprises, or uses, an electro-mechanical transducer, an electro-acoustical transducer, or a piezoelectric sounder.
38 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the audible signaling component comprises, or uses, a loudspeaker.
39 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing an electric motor for affecting physical movement.
40 . The device according to claim 1 , in combination with a portable electronic device.
41 . The device according to claim 40 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a media player, a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a digital camera, a video recorder, or any combination thereof.
42 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor that comprises one or more photocells.