Digital communication, programmable functioning and data transfer using modular, hinged processor elements
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsMatthew Gorbet, Margaret Orth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tiling processor elements facilitate manipulation of digital information and processing through user-defined relationship between the elements. Each element represents an independent computational entity with predefined properties and functionality, but the behavior of an arrangement of these elements depends on the arrangement itself-not just the characteristics of the individual devices. In this way, unique computational entities may be constructed based on, but not limited to, the capabilities of the individual devices. Rearrangement of the elements defines and alters the functionality of the resulting element network.
Claims29
An electronic element configured for detachable connection to a plurality of other elements in an edge-to-edge relationship, the element comprising:
- a. a polygonal body having a plurality of contact edges;
- and
- b. on each contact edge, at least one connector comprising at least one electrical contact and mating means for detachably joining the connector to a connector on another polygonal element having a complementary mating means and at least one electrical contact, alignment and joinder of the edges creating electrical connection between the electrical contacts, the joined edges being pivotable without disruption of the alignment and the electrical connection therebetween so as to facilitate non-planar connection to another polygonal element.
A user-definable data-transfer and processing structure constructed from separate processor elements joined together, the structure comprising an arrangement of user-connectable electronic elements each configured for detachable connection to a plurality of other such elements in an edge-to-edge relationship, each element comprising:
- a. a polygonal body having a plurality of contact edges;
- b. on each contact edge, at least one connector comprising at least one electrical contact and mating means for detachably joining the connector to another such connector on another of the electronic elements, alignment and joinder of the edges creating electrical connection between the contacts, the joined edges being pivotable without disruption of the alignment and the electrical connection therebetween;
- and
- c. processor means, coupled to an electrical contact of each connector, configured to perform any of a plurality of processing tasks and having an identifier associated therewith;
- wherein
- d. connection of a first element to a neighboring element in edge-to-edge relationship causes the first-element processor means to exchange information with the second-element processor means over the electrical connection, the information comprising the identifier of each processor means, the exchanged information triggering an action.
A user-definable data-transfer and processing structure constructed from separate processor elements joined together, the structure comprising an arrangement of user-connectable electronic elements each configured for detachable connection to a plurality of other such elements in an edge-to-edge relationship, each element comprising:
- a. a polygonal body having a plurality of contact edges;
- b. on each contact edge, at least one connector comprising at least one electrical contact and mating means for detachably joining the connector to another such connector on another of the electronic elements, joinder of the edges creating alignment and electrical connection between the contacts, the joined edges being pivotable without disruption of the alignment and the electrical connection therebetween;
- and
- c. processor means, coupled to an electrical contact of each connector, configured to perform any of a plurality of processing tasks and having an identifier associated therewith,
- each connector of each element comprising a data-transfer contact, coupled to the processor means, for exchanging data with any neighboring elements joined thereto and forming a common communication line connecting all of the elements of the arrangement, data placed on the communication line by one element reaching all of the other elements, the structure performing a set of processing tasks dependent on the selected arrangement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.