Robotic toy modular system with distributed program
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsMark H. Yim, Samuel B. Homans, David G. Duff, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An assemblage of robotic modules for a toy construction system includes a plurality of robotic modules, each of which contains memory capability, an actuator, communication means, and a central processor unit. The assemblage also includes a distributed control unit, which is defined at least in part by a plurality of individual central processing units, with each individual robotic module having at least one central processing unit.
Claims9
A method for controlling an assemblage of robotic modules for a toy construction system, each one of said robotic modules including memory capability, an actuator, communication means, and a central processing unit, the method comprising:
- distributing a sequence of behaviors for the assemblage of robotic modules among the robotic modules;
- and
- storing said sequence of behaviors within the individual central processing units of each of the robotic modules.
A method for downloading a control program to an assemblage of robotic modules for a toy construction system, each one of said robotic modules including memory capability, an actuator, communication means, and a central processing unit, the method comprising:
- communicating the control program to all robotic modules simultaneously;
- and
- requiring each of the robotic module to determine which elements of the control program are relevant for its individual control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.