Granted Patent B2

US 12,249,842 · App. 18/646,282 · Granted Mar 11, 2025

Inventor: Yehuda Binder (Ramat Gan, IL)

Assignee: May Patents Ltd.

H02J50/10A01K15/025A63B21/0055A63B43/004A63B43/06A63B69/0053A63B71/0622A63H5/00A63H29/22A63H29/24A63H33/18A63H33/26G01P1/07G01P1/08G01P15/18G08B5/36G08B21/182G10H1/26H02J7/0068H02J7/32H02J50/20H02J50/90A63B2071/0602A63B2071/0625A63B2071/063A63B2220/17A63B2220/18A63B2220/40A63B2220/51A63B2220/53A63B2220/56A63B2220/803A63B2220/805A63B2220/833A63B2225/54A63B2225/74G10H2220/395G10H2230/055

Abstract

Claims (56)

1. A device for use with a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), the device comprising:

an accelerometer for producing an output signal responsive to an acceleration or a position of the device;

a video display for displaying video data to a person;

software and a processor for executing the software, the processor coupled to control the accelerometer, and the video display;

a modem coupled to the processor for communicating over the WLAN;

a rechargeable battery for powering the device; and

a sphere-shaped housing for enclosing the battery, the processor, the accelerometer, and the modem,

wherein the device is controlled over the WLAN, and

wherein the video display is activated or controlled in response to the output signal.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be in first and second states in response to the 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 the device state.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the controlled component comprises, or consists of, the video display.

5. 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.

6. The device according to claim 3 , 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.

7. The device according to claim 6 , 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.

8. The device according to claim 2 , for use with a threshold, wherein the device is operative to be in first and second states in response to comparing the output signal to the threshold.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the video display comprises a video projector.

10. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a battery charger connected for charging the rechargeable battery.

11. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a battery charger connected for contactless charging of the rechargeable battery.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the contactless charging is induction-based, and wherein the battery charger comprises, or consists of, an induction coil for inductively receiving AC power when in an electromagnetic field, and for charging the rechargeable battery from the received AC power.

13. 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.

14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the video display comprises a DLP based projector.

15. 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).

16. The device according to claim 14 , wherein the 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.

17. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is ball-shaped.

18. The device according to claim 17 , further configured for amusement or playing as a play ball.

19. The device according to claim 18 , 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.

20. The device according to claim 18 , 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.

21. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a compartment mechanically secured to the housing for housing at least the rechargeable battery.

22. The device according to claim 21 , 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.

23. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a visible light emitter for emitting a visible light indicating the device state to the person.

24. The device according to claim 23 , wherein the visible light emitter comprises, consists of, or is based on, a semiconductor component, an incandescent lamp, or a fluorescent lamp.

25. The device according to claim 23 , wherein the visible light emitter comprises, consists of, or is based on, a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

26. The device according to claim 25 , wherein the LED is a multi-color LED operative to illuminate in multiple colors.

27. The device according to claim 23 , wherein the state is indicated by steadiness, blinking, intensity level, duty-cycle, color, or flashing, of the illumination of the visible light emitter.

28. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a peak-detector and a storage, respectively for detecting and storing a peak value of the sensed motion, acceleration, or position.

29. The device according to claim 28 , further operative to activate or control the video display in response to the peak value.

30. The device according to claim 1 , for use with an acceleration, position, or motion threshold, wherein the video display is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to the respective sensed acceleration, position, or motion crossing or being above the respective threshold.

31. The device according to claim 30 , wherein the video display is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to the sensed peak value being above the threshold.

32. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the video display is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to the sensed position or motion in a single direction.

33. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the video display is activated or controlled to indicate to the person in response to change in time in the sensed magnitude or direction of the device acceleration, motion, or position.

34. The device according to claim 1 , further operative as a toy for an amusement of a person or a pet, wherein the housing is configured, dimensioned, formed, or structured as a toy.

35. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is dimensioned and shaped as a handheld unit.

36. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing a timer for measuring a time interval, wherein the video 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.

37. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer comprises, consists of, uses, or is based on, an electromechanical accelerometer.

38. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the WLAN is compatible with, or is according to, IEEE 802.11 standard.

39. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing an audible signaling component for emitting an audible sound.

40. The device according to claim 39 , wherein the audible signaling component comprises, or uses, an electro-mechanical transducer, an electro-acoustical transducer, or a piezoelectric sounder.

41. The device according to claim 39 , wherein the audible signaling component comprises, or uses, a loudspeaker.

42. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing an electric motor for affecting physical movement.

43. The device according to claim 1 , in combination with the portable electronic device.

44. The device according to claim 43 , 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.

45. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising in the housing an electric sensor coupled to the processor and producing an output signal responsive to a physical phenomenon.

46. The device according to claim 45 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor, force sensor, or pressure sensor.

47. The device according to claim 45 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor that comprises one or more photocells.

48. The device according to claim 45 , wherein the video display or the device state is in response to the output signal.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (10)

References Cited (400)