IP Library Granted Patent US 11,896,915
Granted Patent B2
US 11,896,915 · App. 17/240,209 · Granted Feb 13, 2024

Puzzle with conductive path

Inventor: Yehuda Binder (Hod-Hasharon, IL)
Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
A63F9/10A63F9/1011A63F9/1044A63F9/24A63F2009/1016A63F2009/1066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,896,915
App. No.
17/240,209
Granted
Feb 13, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.

Claims (25)

1. A set for electrically connecting and mechanically attaching devices, the set comprising:

first, second and third devices, each of said devices being mechanically attachable by a mechanical attachment and electrically connectable to at least one other device, wherein: said first device comprises a power source as a component of the first device;

said second device comprises a first electrical component;

said third device comprises a second electrical component;

each of said devices comprises a magnet and said devices are mechanically attachable using said magnets; the mechanical attachment of said devices affects an electrical connection between said mechanically attached devices; and

upon mechanically attaching said first device to said second device, and said second device to said third device, an electrical circuit is formed such that the second electrical component is powered from the power source and controlled by the first electrical component.

2. The set according to claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery and said first device comprises said battery and a connector for connecting to the battery.

3. The set according to claim 2 , wherein the battery is a primary type or a rechargeable type.

4. The set according to claim 3 , wherein the battery is a coin-type battery.

5. The set according to claim 1 , wherein said first electrical component is an electrical switch, and wherein when the electrical circuit is formed, upon activating said switch, a current is passed from the power source to said first electrical component or to said second electrical component.

6. The set according to claim 5 , wherein said switch is a single pole, single throw switch.

7. The set according to claim 5 , wherein said switch is a pushbutton switch.

8. The set according to claim 1 , wherein said second electrical component is a first annunciator for announcing using visual or audible signaling.

9. The set according to claim 8 , wherein said first annunciator comprises a visual signaling device.

10. The set according to claim 9 , wherein said visual signaling device is a visible light emitter.

11. The set according to claim 10 , wherein said visible light emitter is a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp, or fluorescent lamp, and is adapted for a steady illumination and for blinking.

12. The set according to claim 8 , wherein said first annunciator comprises an audible signaling device for emitting a sound.

13. The set according to claim 12 , wherein said audible signaling device comprises an electromechanical or piezoelectric sounder.

14. The set according to claim 13 , wherein said audible signaling device comprises a buzzer, a chime, or a ringer.

15. The set according to claim 12 , wherein said audible signaling device comprises a loudspeaker and a digital to analog converter coupled to said loudspeaker.

16. The set according to claim 12 , wherein said audible signaling device is operative to generate a single tone or multiple tones.

17. The set according to claim 12 , wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a characteristic sound of one of: a household appliance; a vehicle; an emergency vehicle; an animal; and a musical instrument.

18. The set according to claim 12 , wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a song or a melody.

19. The set according to claim 12 , wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device simulates a talking human voice.

20. The set according to claim 19 , wherein the sound is a syllable, a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story, or a long story.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2023
From: BINDER, YEHUDA
To: SER CO NET LTD.
Reel/Frame 063039/0186 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2023
From: MAY PATENTS, LTD.
To: LITTLEBITS ELECTRONICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063039/0193 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2023
From: LITTLEBITS ELECTRONICS INC.
To: SPHERO, INC.
Reel/Frame 063039/0213 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 16220643 · Dec 14, 2018
Continuation 14607439 · Jan 28, 2015
Continuation 13668693 · Nov 5, 2012
Continuation 12568834 · Sep 29, 2009
Provisional Application 61236615 · Aug 25, 2009
Provisional Application 61231824 · Aug 6, 2009
Related Publication 20210316209A1 · Oct 14, 2021