WO2009136391A1

WO2009136391A1 - Method and system providing a functional assembly of elements

Info

Publication number: WO2009136391A1
Application number: PCT/IL2009/000458
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moshe Herbst; David Miller
Original assignee: TECHITRIX
Current assignee: TECHITRIX
Priority date: 2008-05-05
Filing date: 2009-05-03
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-05
Also published as: IL191251A0

Abstract

Abstract Described is a method for providing a functional assembly of elements (100), and an assembly of elements configured for coupling in mutual interconnection and operative when arranged into an array (8) of elements, each element comprising a base object (BO) configured to support at least one electronic device. One element is implemented by selecting at least one electronic device, which is coupled in firm retention to the base object, the one element being configured for operative intercommunication with at least one other element. At least one power supply (113) is provided for supply of electrical power. The one element is disposed nto arraying means (131) to form an array and to become one out of a plurality of elements configured for mutual operative interconnection. Thereby, when the array includes appropriately selected elements, an operative functional assembly of elements is created.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM PROVIDING A FUNCTIONAL ASSEMBLY OF

ELEMENTS Technical Field The embodiments of the present invention relate to elements to be used as entertainment, functional and promotional devices, and more particularly, to modified objects, such as disposable items, which support electronic devices. Background Art

Multifunctional container lids and covers are known in the art. These include a lid capable of indicating an off-container state, and lids able to perform an individual function. Such functions may be visual or auditory, and may serve an alarm or entertainment function. For example, U.S. Patent 4,756,222 discloses a knob for attachment to the removable lid of a container, wherein an audio message is played when a consumer activates a knob. However, the disclosure in U.S. Patent 4,756,222 is rather limited.

Disclosure of Invention

There is disclosed a method for implementing an assembly, and an assembly using disposable items, such as lids or bottle caps for example, or dedicated objects, to implement an operative functional assembly. Such an assembly may be an entertainment, recreational, or promotional device, or a functional apparatus.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, an incremental number of objects, such as disposable items like containers lids of commercial products, e.g. beverage bottle caps, or dedicated objects may be utilized as bearers of electronic devices, referred to as elements. When the elements are assembled into an array they form an operative functional assembly to be presented to a user or operable by a user as an entertainment device for example.

An assembly of elements may be interconnected by help of arraying means, or be inserted into an arraying device that forms a support, which interconnects these elements into a functional assembly. For example, some of the elements may support electronic devices able to sound messages and play tunes, while an array of elements may display images.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments, in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, identical structures, elements, or parts that appear in more than one figure are preferably labeled with a same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, in which: Fig. 1 is a top isometric view of an embodiment of an element, Fig. 2 is a bottom isometric view of an element with a battery, Fig. 3 is a topside isometric view of an embodiment of a flexible printed circuit, 5 Fig. 4 is a top schematic view of an embodiment of a connector,

Fig. 5 is a topside view of an interconnection between two connectors, Fig. 6 is a top isometric view of an alternative embodiment of an element, Fig. 7 is a top isometric illustration of an array, Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an array, i o Fig. 9 is a top schematic view of an embodiment of an arraying device,

Fig. 10 is a top schematic view of another embodiment of an arraying device, Fig. 11 is a side schematic view of yet another embodiment of an arraying device,

Fig. 12 is a topside isometric view of an element with a USB connector, 15 Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing data and power transfer in an element, and

Fig. 14 is a topside isometric view of another embodiment of a connector. Modes for carrying out the Invention

The embodiments described hereinbelow provide means for constructing elements enabling the formation of arrays of variable sizes, which arrays may 0 operate as functional assemblies. In general, these elements make use of a base object, such as for example a modified commercial container lid, or MCL, supplemented with an electronic device. The term electronic device ELD is meant to include electric and electronic circuits and components. However, other base objects, either readily available or manufactured especially for the purpose, may 5 also be practical as a base object for the implementation of elements. The elements may be arranged together and ordered into an array to form a functional assembly. The term base object applies to any provided or selected object practical for the implementation of the embodiments described hereinbelow. Likewise, the term lid in the context hereinbelow relates to any kind of attachment, known also as lid, 0 cap, or cover, typically disposed at the top of a container, and used to cover, seal or shut off the container containing goods. Examples of such lids are beverage bottle lids, container caps, medicine bottle lids, and candy box covers. A lid or container cap is selected only as an example of a base object for the ease of description, and for the ease illustration in the various Figs. Such a lid may have5 any desired geometrical shape, substantially circular, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or polygonal for example.

Electronic circuitry or electronic devices are referred to as any type of component operative in association with an element configured as a power supply, or as a power communication device, or as a processing device, and/or as a data communication device.

When elements are assembled into an array forming a functional assembly, each element may become interconnected with other elements, where interconnected means, "disposed and coupled in electrical communication and/or in data communication", with one or more adjacent elements, for example, through electricity conducting contact pieces or by other wired linking means or wireless communication means. Such an interconnection of elements permits to communicate and distribute electrical power, if necessary, from one element to another element, such that all the elements of the array forming the functional assembly are supplied with power, when at least one such element is provided with or is interconnected with a supply of electric power. Likewise, "interconnected" also means "able to emit and/or receive data from other elements in the array". The term data is referred to herewith as meaning information as well as instructions or commands. Typically, an array may include at least two adjacent elements, which may be mutually interconnected as a pair of mutually communicating elements. The term "arraying" is meant hereinbelow as "disposing and arranging into a group forming an operative interconnected array of at least two elements". A functional assembly is configured to provide signals recognizable and intelligible to a user and/or for operation in interaction with a user.

Each element may have the ability to detect the presence and the relative disposition of at least one or more contiguously adjacent or neighboring elements, which are interconnected therewith. Furthermore, an array of elements may have the ability to detect and record the geometrical configuration of the array into which it is arrayed. Geometrical configurations may include, for example, a linear array, a two dimensional array such as a rectangular array, and a three-dimensional array, such as an array of stacked bidimensional arrays or a tridimensional structure. Arrays having a different arrangement of elements, as well as arrays having a different geometrical shape may actuate a functional assembly in different operational modes.

The neighbor-detection property of an element allows operation of an array of elements such as for example, for the creation of displays including graphic or alphanumeric displays, for the emission of ordered sound such as for playing tunes, and for the emulation of input devices, such as a keyboard, for the reception of user inputs. For example, an array of elements may display alphanumeric characters, and/or images, may sound tunes and may play music. These visual and audible effects may be achieved by the use of energy transducers, such as optical transducers including light emitting diodes, or LEDs, liquid crystal displays, audio transducers such as piezoelectric and electromagnetic transducers, sounders, and buzzers for example.

Fig. 1 is a schematic top isometric view of an element 100, where a base object BO is selected for example as a lid having a substantially planar top surface 2 and a peripheral surface 3 or circumferential skirt 3, substantially perpendicular to the top surface. An electronic device, such as a flexible printed circuit 102, or FPC 102, may be disposed on at least a portion of the peripheral surface 3, and is shown in Fig. 1 to be configured for example, in the shape of a cross having four arms 4. The FPC 102 may be disposed conformingly on at least a portion of a surface of a base object BO, such as on at least a portion of the peripheral surface 3 from which the extremity of the arms 4 may extend to end on the skirt, or on at least a portion of the top surface 2, or on at least a portion of both surfaces. Since the FPC 102 is flexible, the extremity of each arm 4 may be folded from the top surface 2 and over the skirt 3 where the arms 4 may extend as far as desired, or as far as the lower edge of the element 100 shown as a container cap 110 in Fig. 1. If practical, a rigid or a semi-rigid printed circuit board FPC may also be used.

Another electronic device, such as an integrated circuit 104 may be disposed on the FPC 102 or on a portion thereof, which FPC 102 is supported by either the top surface 2 or the skirt 3 of the base object BO. Furthermore, at least one mechanical connector 106, or connector 106 may be disposed on the FPC 102, for example at the extremity of an arm 4, or four connectors when there are four arms. In Fig. 1 the connectors 106a and 106b are shown, while the two other connectors, 106c and 106d, are not seen. In this case, the connectors 106 are all mechanical connector 107, also referred to as wired connectors 107, which are not indicated in the Figs..

An integrated circuit 104 is typically an off-the-shelf, programmable microcontroller, such as Microchip PIC12F508, supplied by Microchip Technology Inc., of 2355 West Chandler Blvd., Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199, USA. Such a Microchip is a self-contained processor, which includes a CPU, a non-volatile digital memory, and optionally, ROM and RAM memories, and an I/O module, all not being shown in the Figs. The integrated circuit 104 may typically include an internal clock source, and may be used for serial communication, for sending and for receiving messages, from adjacent, neighboring and companion elements 100 coupled together in an array forming a functional assembly. If desired, the integrated circuit 104 may also include a transceiver module, which is not shown in the Figs.

The I/O module may also be used to interact with the integrated circuit 104 and if available, with optional transducers 108, which are described hereinbelow. Optionally, one or more energy transducers 108 may be disposed on the FPC 102, for purposes described hereinbelow. In Fig. 1, the FPC 102 is shown affixed to a base object BO, such as for example a commercial container cap 110, selected for the ease of description. A container cap 110 is for example the cap of a bottle of carbonated beverage, typically made of plastic or synthetic resin. The FPC 102 may be affixed to the base object BO, here the container cap 110, by means of an adhesive substance, such as dual sided adhesive tape 111, seen in Fig. 5. Other fastening means are also practical but are not shown in the Figs., such as mechanical retaining means, e.g. rivets, hooks, clips, and Velcro ™. A further electronic device, such as an energy transducer 108, or transducer

108, may also be disposed on the FPC 102. The transducer 108 may include one or more electronic, electrical, electromechanical, optical, or micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) components, or subassemblies, not shown in the Figs. The components or subassemblies of the transducer 108 may be configured to interact with the exterior environment into which the elements 100 of an array 8 of elements 100, or container caps 110, are disposed. An array is shown in Fig. 7. Such interaction may include, but is not limited to, the generation and detection of signals such as, acoustic, vibration, temperature, optical, radiation, gravity, position, electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic signals and fields. Furthermore, the energy transducers 108 may provide feedback to a user when interconnecting elements 100, such as for example, any signal to indicate that an array 8 of adjacent elements has been successfully interconnected.

The elements 100 may be implemented as elements of various kinds or types, where each type is a different embodiment. Elements 100 may be solely suppliers of electricity, or only communicators of electricity and data, or consumers of electricity and data, either carrying an independent power supply PS, such as a battery 114, or when not, then receiving electricity from a source or supply of electric power. An element 100 is autonomous when equipped with an independent power supply, and an element is dependent when being supplied with electric power from a power supply external to the element 100.

An autonomous element 100 may thus carry a power supply PS, which may be a power source implemented as a battery 114, or as a photovoltaic cell, or as any type of receiver or collector of energy configured for receiving electrical energy provided by an external source capable of releasing wireless energy, such as beamed or radiated energy. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, a built-in battery holder, or battery housing 116 and a battery 114 may be installed in the element 100 to supply electric energy for self-consumption, or for the supply of electrical power to adjacent or other elements arrayed into a functional array, or for both. An element 100 containing a battery 114 is referred to hereinbelow as a powering lid 112. The same is true for an element 100 carrying a photovoltaic cell, for the generation of electricity in response to appropriate light or rays. Electric energy may also be transmitted to an element 100 by wireless means, for example by radiation, capacitance, induction, or via any field of energy. Therefore, any type of energy receiver, or collector of energy, for example a receiver of beamed energy, that is appropriately coupled to an element 100 is also regarded as being a power supply PS. Hereinbelow, the terms power supply PS or battery 114 may be used interchangeably for the ease of description only, where power supply PS is the general all inclusive term. A dependent element 100 is thus an array element 100 that receives power, and may be used for the transfer of power and/or of data from one or more elements 100 to other one or more elements.

There are thus various possible types of elements 100. One such a type of element 100 may carry an autonomous power supply PS, and only a FPC 102 with at least one connector 106, for example, as a power supply for the elements in an array 8. A different type of element 100 for supplying power may be an element fitted with a plug for receiving power from an external source of electrical power, and with only a FPC 102 with at least one connector 106. Another type of element 100 may have only a FPC 102 with a plurality of connectors 106, to serve for example as a communication or coupling unit between other elements, for the transfer of power and/or of data to those other elements in an array 8. More examples of possible types of elements 100 are provided hereinbelow in Table 1.

Fig. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of an autonomous element 100 configured for the supply of electrical energy. A battery 114 is shown held by a battery holder 116, which mechanically secures the battery 114 to the container cap 110. Beside the battery 114 and/or other power supply components, the element 100 depicted in Fig. 2 may typically include the same electronic components, or circuits, or electronic devices or any other element. Typically, a lithium "button" type battery, such as a CR2032 battery made by "Energizer", of 533 Maryville University Drive St. Louis, MO 63141, USA, may be appropriately interconnected with the integrated circuit 104 and possibly also with one or more energy transducers 108. The positive and negative contacts of the battery 114 may be interconnected with peripherally disposed contact pieces. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, to a planar contact piece 122, and to non-planar contact pieces, such as a protruding electrical contact piece 118, and to a recessed electrical contact piece 120, pertaining to the connectors 106a and 106b. Optionally, the battery 114 may employ a current limiter to avoid rapid discharge of the battery and/or damage to a connector 106. Fig. 3 is a top isometric view of an embodiment of a planar cross-shaped pliable FPC 102 having four arms 4, the extremities of which are shown folded down as if over and onto the skirt 3 of a container cap 110, which is not shown in

Fig. 3. The FPC 102 in Fig. 3 may be appropriately supported by the top surface 2 of a base element BO. Each arm extremity 5 may support a respective electrical connector 106 such as the four exemplary connectors 106a, 106b, 106c and 106d.

The plurality of longitudinal electrical contact pieces 6 of each connector 106 are shown to be disposed in co-alignment with the arms 4, but this is not necessarily so. Furthermore, the contact pieces 6 may have different sizes and geometrical forms, such as rectangular, circular, and diamond-shaped forms for example.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a connector 106 may have three contact pieces 6 for example, but more contact pieces may also be practical. For example, a connector 106a may include a protruding power contact piece 118, a flat or planar data contact piece 122 and a recessed electrical contact piece 120. However, if desired, all the contact pieces 6 may be flat, recessed, or protruding, and may have the same or a different length, and be implemented in various geometrical shapes. The connector 106a may be engaged with a matching connector disposed on an adjacent element 100, which includes respectively matching recess and protrusion portions, thereby there is provided interconnection between a pair of adjacent elements 100, in such a manner that when pressed or mated in abutment against each other, the respective protruding and recessed contacts of the connectors 106 become operatively interconnected. Thus, a plurality of connectors 106 may provide electrical and data communication between elements 100 that are assembled to form an array 8. Other arrangements and configurations of the contact piece 6 forming a connector 106 are well known in the art and are applicable when practical. For example, instead of one recess and one protrusion for each connector 106, the connector may contain a pair of recesses, which may be engaged with a matching pair of protrusions appropriately disposed in a connector 106 of an adjacent element 100. Any other rearrangement of the contacts 6 regarding their form, shape, number, and/or configuration is applicable, provided adjacent elements 100 remain stably and operatively interconnected.

Typically, the substrate of the pliable FPC 102 is selected from materials such as polyamide, while the printed electrical conductive traces 7, which are disposed on the FPC 102 but are not shown in the Figs, for the sake of clarity, are electrically conductive. These printed electrical conductive traces 7 may be implemented out of copper or out of conductive polymer thick film, or PFT, as is well known in the art. Furthermore, the printed electrical conductive traces 7 of the FPC 102 are used for interconnection with electrical devices, such as a connector, a battery, a plug, an integrated circuit, and an energy transducer for example. The flexible substrate on which the electrical conductive traces 7 are printed may have any practical size and shape, with or without arms 4, and may be transparent so that graphic impressions previously printed on the base object BO, such as a container cap 110, may remain visible.

The FPC 102 may also be preformed into a desired shape, such as a curved shape, to conform with or match a curved surface of the base object BO, to improve adhesion and retention thereto. All the electronic contacts pieces 6 of the connectors 106a, 106b, 106c and 106d may be protected by a non-corroding coating, such as, but not limited to gold. An insulating coating may be applied over the remainder of the FPC 102 and over the devices and components disposed thereon, for protection from oxidation, mechanical abrasion, and electrical short circuits, with the exception of the exposed areas of the contact pieces 6. In other possible embodiments, the electronic contact pieces 6 of the connectors 106, which are directional connectors 107, or direction sensitive mechanical connectors 107, not shown, may be planar and disposed at varying heights on the peripheral surface 3 of the base object BO. The purpose of this is, for example, of allowing appropriate mating and interconnection of the mechanical connectors 107, despite slight angular inaccuracies in the positioning of adjacent elements 100.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to FPCs 102, but may also be implemented as rigid, or semi-rigid printed circuit boards PCB.

Fig. 4 is a schematic topside view of the connector 106a showing details. As described hereinabove, a connector 106, such as connector 106a for example, may typically include a protruding power contact piece 118, a flat data contact piece 122, and a recessed electrical contact piece 120.

Fig. 5 illustrates a partial top view of an exemplary interconnection between two different elements 100, each element having one connector 106, here connectors 106a and 106b respectively, which are shown when mutually interconnected. Typically, a dual sided adhesive tape 111 may firmly support and adhesively couple between each one of the connectors 106, and the respective peripheral surface 3 of the base object BO, or MCL, onto which they are disposed. The dual sided adhesive tape 111 serves as a backing support for the connectors 106, firmly securing the mating between adjacent connectors, to provide efficient mutual interconnection. The adhesive tape 111 is flexible and resilient enough to enhance electrical contact. The dual sided adhesive tape 111 may be made from flexible compressible substrate material disposed between two thin layers of adhesive material. The core of the dual sided tape may be made from acrylic foam or from any other material that is viscoelastic in nature. An exemplary flexible and resilient compressible dual sided tape 111 is tape produced by 3M of the USA, and known under the name of VHB Tape 4956. However, the standard commercial dual sided tape may be modified to provide better adhesion to the peripheral surface 3, to better fit the desired embodiments. For example, the cross-section of a dual sided adhesive tape 111 may be appropriately selected, such as a trapezoidal cross-section, to accommodate for example a cylindrical FPC 102 for disposition onto a conical peripheral surface 3 of a Hd or base object BO.

Fig. 6 schematically depicts a topside isometric view of an alternative embodiment of an element 100 having a substantially cylindrical base object BO, or container cap 110. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 6, the FPC 102 is shown to surround and envelope the peripheral surface 3 of the container cap 110. Some as large as desired portion of the FPC 102 may be disposed on the substantially flat top surface 2 of the base object BO, and support electronic devices, such as for example, one or more integrated circuits 104 and/or one or more energy transducers 108, and/or other electronic devices, not shown. Although not shown as such in the Figs., the FPC 102 may be disposed only on the peripheral surface 3, whereon all the selected electronic devices may also be disposed if desired. Preferably, resilient dual sided adhesive tape 111, not shown in Fig. 6, may be used to support the connectors 106, which may cause the portions of the FPC 102 disposed on the peripheral surface 3 to locally bulge away from the skirt 3, while the remaining portions of the FPC 102 may cling tightly to the skirt 3.

In Fig. 7, a schematic topside isometric view illustrates one optional linear array 8 showing an arrangement of elements 100, which are interconnected with a power supply element 112, or powering lid 112. As described hereinabove, one or more power supply elements PS may supply electrical energy to adjacent elements 100 of the array 8, such as by use of a battery included therein, but not shown in Fig. 7. It is noted that a powering lid 112 may include only a base object BO, a FPC 102, and not seen in Fig. 7, a battery 114 and a single connector 106, thus without other electronic devices such as an integrated circuit 104 and/or an energy transducer 108.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the interconnections between various types of elements 100 assembled in the array 8, similar to the one shown in Fig. 7. A power bus 126 may conduct electrical power from a power supply or power source PS, such as an element of type 112, or powering lid 112, having a battery 114 therein, or via a power supplying cable plugged into an element 100 without a battery, to the various other such elements 100 of the array 8. In parallel, a data bus 128 may communicate data to the array 8 via the same bidirectional connectors 106 of electricity and data. Figs. 9 to 11 present examples of different embodiments of arraying means 129, which permit the arraying in interconnection of a plurality of elements 100.

Arraying means 129 may include arraying devices, arraying implements and arraying actions, as described hereinbelow. For example, arraying devices may be special purpose dedicated physical objects for the interconnection of elements, such as trays for packing a plurality of elements 100 into arrays forming functional assemblies. Similarly, arraying implements are possibly every day objects by means of which elements 100 are possibly interconnected into an array, such as adhesive tape or a rubber band for example. Sand, putty, or any other media, are also arraying implements when the elements 100 are appropriately inserted therein to remain in interconnection. Arraying actions may be physical actions performed by a user, such as coupling together two elements 100 by help, for example, of two fingers of the hand.

When elements 100 are configured for wireless interconnection, the arraying means may be considered as being virtual or logical arraying means. Transceivers are thus also a type of arraying means. Therefore, arraying means 129 are referred to hereinbelow as any physical, or virtual, or logical means for interconnecting elements 100 into one or more arrays to form a functional assembly.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic topside view of arraying means 129 selected as an arraying device implemented as a flat tray 130. The flat tray 130 may be configured for example as a rigid or semi-rigid rectangular sheet of plastic or other material having a plurality of evenly distributed annular receptacles 132, such as recesses or bores. Each receptacle 132 has a shape and a size configured to receive therein a matching portion of an element 100, not shown, such as for example the lower edge of a container cap 110, or a portion of any base object BO configured as a matching element 100. For example, the depth of such a recessed receptacle 132 may range from 1 to 25 millimeters, and even more if desired.

Typically, consumers who purchase packaged products having lids configured as elements 100 according to the embodiments described herein, may remove those lids for -insertion and retention into a flat tray 130. An element 100 may have an inherent power supply PS, or be interconnected to receive electrical power via a connector or a plug, which are not shown, or become interconnected with a power supply, not shown, disposed in the flat tray 130. The spacing separating adjacent annular receptacles 132 is configured such that the insertion of elements 100 into adjacent receptacles causes adjacently disposed electrical connectors 106 to mate in operative interconnection and thus to form a stable galvanic connection.

In Fig. 10, a top isometric view shows another embodiment of arraying means

129, which is an arraying device implemented as a protruding tray 134 having evenly spaeed-apart protrusions 136, onto which elements 100, not shown, may be coupled in retention fit. The height of each protrusion 136 may be low enough to provide clearance for a battery holder 116, as seen in Fig. 2 but not shown in Fig. 10. When an element 100 includes an inherent battery 114, thus is of the powering lid type 112, the protrusions 136 may be high enough to securely hold and fixedly, 5 yet releasably retain the element 100, or 112, securely inserted onto a protrusion 136. Optionally, the protrusions 136 may have threads 138 disposed thereon, resembling the threads that normally retain container caps 110 onto their original respective containers.

If desired, an arraying device 129, such as the flat tray 130 and the protrudingo tray 134 may include a power supply such as a battery 114 or connection means to a power supply PS, such as electric power mains, none of which is shown in Fig. 10. Thereby, the flat tray 130 and the protruding tray 134 may provide electric power to all the elements 100 disposed and coupled to an arraying device 129. Evidently, the arraying devices 129, such as the flat tray 130 and the protruding5 tray 134, may have electrical conductive traces 7, which are not shown in the Figs., but may be appropriately disposed thereon.

The tray 130 and the protruding tray 134 may further include an electric coupling to a personal computer. The same is true for an element 100. For example, a wireless interconnection link, or a USB cable may be plugged into a o USB port pertaining to a personal computer, to supply electrical power and/or data communication links directly to the arraying device 129, or to one or more elements 100 retained in the arraying device 129. Furthermore, if desired, any kind of power supply PS or a battery 114, or an electrical mains power link, may be coupled to an arraying device 129 and power the array 8 of elements 100 coupled5 thereto. In such a case, an element 100 including a power supply PS and coupled to the arraying device 129 may become superfluous, unless for the purpose of redundancy.

In Fig.l 1, yet another embodiment of an arraying device 129 implemented as a clamp 140 is shown schematically as an isometric side view. The clamp 140 is0 configured substantially in the shape of a capital letter C, to form a resilient fastener for releasably clamping together two elements 100, not shown. One clamp 140 may clamp one pair of elements 100 in secure operational interconnection. A clamp 140 may thus ascertain a reliable interconnection between two electrical connectors 106 paired together but pertaining to two different elements 100 to5 form a linear array 8. A plurality of clamps 140 may be used to form a linear or a bidimensional array 8 with as many elements 100 as desired.

Arraying means 129 are not necessarily limited to a clamp 140, or to two- dimensional arraying devices such as a flat tray 130 and a protruding tray 134. Although not shown in the Figs., a three-dimensional array 141 may be created by operatively linking together a stack of two-dimensional arraying devices, or by operatively coupling together two-dimensional arraying devices into any desired three-dimensional spatial shape, for example as a star, as a helix, as a crystal-grid structure, or as any other functional shape. Arraying means 129 may also be integrated into hardware operated by a user.

Arraying implements, not shown in the Figs., may possibly be daily use objects of which advantage is taken to interconnect a plurality of elements 100. In addition to a rubber band and to a piece of adhesive tape encircling a collection of elements 100 in tight retention and interconnection, a string and possibly more objects may serve the same purpose.

Arraying actions may be taken, for example, by manual act of a user, who may tightly hold together a plurality of elements 100 in interconnection in his hands to firmly couple connectors together. Optionally, the elements 100 may be driven into sand or into putty to be held in interconnection. When interconnection between elements 100 is achieved by wireless means, such as by transceivers for example, the elements 100 may be mutually separated apart by a distance shorter than or at most equal to the maximal range of communication of the transceivers.

In Fig. 12, to which reference is now made, a top isometric side view of an element 100, equipped with a plug 142, shown for example as a USB connector, is described schematically. Any plug able to be coupled by wired or wireless means for the appropriate communication of power, or of data, or for both, may also be practical. Elements 100 of any type may be equipped with a USB electric connector 142. Optionally, an element 100 including a USB electric connector 142 may also include a current limiter, which is not shown in Fig. 12, for providing stable electric power to all the arrayed elements 100.

In Fig. 13, an exemplary block diagram of an element 100 is described in detail. The element 100 may include only an integrated circuit 104 and optional energy transducers 108, or more electronic devices. Commands or inputs may be carried by a bidirectional I/O bus 148, but data may also be communicated by data channels 147. One or more optional energy transducers 108 may be disposed onto, or coupled to the integrated circuit 104 by means of electrical conductive traces 7, which are not shown in the Figs. In a further type of embodiment, each element 100 may have an integrated circuit equipped with an inherent power supply source PS and/or with a wireless transceiver. Electric power may be carried by a power bus 149. Assembling the elements 100 as members of an array 8 may form a functional network.

Fig.14 is a top isometric view of yet another embodiment of the FPC 102, having mechanical connectors 107 implemented as connectors 152, which connectors are different from the connectors 106 shown in Fig. 3. The FPC 102 shown in Fig. 14 may have contact pieces 153 disposed perpendicular to the direction of the contact pieces 6 shown in Fig. 3. The connectors 152a, 152b, 152c and 152d, may typically include three planar contact pieces: power contact piece 154, data contact piece 156 and electrical contact piece 158. The configuration of the described contact pieces 153 allows for secure operational interconnections despite slight angular inaccuracies in positioning. Each connector 152 may interconnect with a matching connector 152 having mutually matching contact pieces 153, planar, protruding, or recessed, alone and in combination. Like the contact pieces 6, the contact pieces 153 may also have various geometrical shapes and sizes. Furthermore, wired connectors 107, or the mechanical connectors 107 such as connectors 152 and 106 are bidirectional, for the communication of electric power and of data.

According to the description hereinabove, the elements 100 may thus be implemented as various types of elements, the various embodiments of which are listed hereinbelow in Table 1, as kinds or types I to XVI.

Table 1

All the exemplary elements 100 listed in Table 1 are basic elements considered to include a base object BO, an FPC 102 disposed on the base object BO, and at least one wired or wireless connector 151. In addition, the elements 100 may include additional electronic devices. Some of the electronic devices are listed in Table 1, such as a power supply PS, a plug 142, an integrated circuit 104, and an energy transducer 108 for example. The presence of at least one electronic device is indicated by a "+" sign, and the absence thereof is designated by a "—" sign.

Type I element 100, having say two connectors 106 or 152 is a spacing element, used for entering a space disposed to separate between two elements by a distance in the array 8. A type I element 100 is a passive element, since totally void of active electronic devices. Type II element 100, with a battery 114 and with at least one connector 106 or

152, is a power supply, or powering lid 112, which may be operationally interconnected into the array 8 for providing electrical power to other elements 100 arranged therein.

Type III element 100, provided with a plug 142 such as a USB plug for example, and with at least one mechanical connector 107, such as a connector 106 or 152, is similar in function to a type II element but receives electrical energy from the exterior of the array 8.

Type IV element 100 is shown to have one integrated circuit 104 and at least one connector 106 or 152 to receive electric power and to receive and deliver data. Type V element 100 has only one energy transducer 108, and must therefore obtain power and data from or via an adjacent other element 100 or via a plug 142 to operate the energy transducer 108.

Type VI element 100 is another type of power supplying element which has both an inherent battery 104 and a plug 142 for receiving electrical energy, or for receiving and delivering data, or for both.

Type VII element 100 is self-powered by having a battery 114 mounted therein and an integrated circuit 108, thereby being able to deliver power to other elements in the array 8, and to receive and emit data.

Type VIII element 100 includes a battery 114 and an energy transducer 108, and although being self powered, has to receive data, and/or instructions via another element 100 of the array 8, but may transmit electricity to other elements of the array, and operate the energy transducer 108.

Type IX element 100 features an integrated circuit 108 receiving power and receiving and transmitting data via a plug 142, and is thereby similar to a type VII element.

Type X element 100 has a plug 142 for receiving power and data, and at least one energy transducer 108 operative in response to received data or to conditions external to the element type X element. Type XI element 100 may be provided with power via a connector 106 or 152, to operate the integrated circuit 108 and the at least one energy transducer 108 included therein, and may emit data via the same connector.

Type XII element 100 is self-powered by having a battery 114 and a plug 142 via which data may be received and delivered, and at least one operative energy transducer 108.

Type XIII element 100 is self-powered by including a battery 114, a plug 142 for receiving data, and at least one energy transducer 108 operative in response to the received data or to conditions external to the element 100. Type XIV element 100 is also self-powered by having a battery 114, and operates an integrated circuit 102 for receiving and delivering data, as well as at least one energy transducer 108.

Type XV element 100 may receives electrical power, and receive and deliver data via a plug 142, and has an integrated circuit 102 and at least one energy transducer 108.

Finally, type XVI element 100 has a battery 114, a plug 142, an integrated circuit 102, and at least one energy transducer 108. The type XVI element 100 may provide electric power and receive and emit data from and to, respectively, adjacent elements 100 in an array 8. A type XVI element may be referred to as a smart element 100 when compared to an element of type I or of type II.

The various types of embodiments of elements 100 listed in Table 1 provide examples of the many possible embodiments, offering a user with a wide range of flexibility for providing different entertainment and advertising functions, possibly user interactive functions, to an array 8 arranged as a functional assembly. The arraying means 129, including the two-dimensional flat tray 130 and protruding tray 134, the linear clamp 140, and the three dimensional array 141, may be enhanced to provide an additional dimension in flexibility. For example, the arraying means 129 may also be configured as an equipped arraying device 159, not shown in the Figs., onto which it may be possible to dispose for example, alone or in combination, any type of connectors, printed circuits flexible or not, power supplies, plugs, integrated circuits, wireless transceivers, and transducers.

Thereby, an equipped arraying device 159 may be implemented in 16 types of embodiments, ranking from type i to type xvi as listed in Table 2, that are similar to the possible combinations of the elements 100 listed in Table 1. Similar to the notation adopted in Table I₅ the presence of at least one electronic device is indicated by a "+" sign, and the absence thereof is designated by a "— " sign.

Table 2

Coupling an element 100 of type I with an equipped arraying device 159 of type i is not practical, but an equipped arraying device 159 of type ii allows to support elements 100 void of any power supply PS, such as for example elements 100 of type III, IV, V, IX₅ X, XI, XV, and XVI. Without further description, it is evident that the elements 100 and the equipped arraying device 159 are complementary and enhance the many possible embodiments and the flexibility of offering different entertainment and advertising functions to an array 8 arranged and interconnected as a functional assembly.

An element 100 of type XVI was referred to hereinabove as a smart element 100. Likewise, it is possible to refer to an equipped arraying device 159 of type xvi as a smart arraying device.

According to the type of embodiment selected for the elements 100 and for the equipped arraying device 159 when associated in mutual interconnection, it is possible to accept the combination of various types of elements 100 as managing the equipped arraying device 159, or to consider the equipped arraying device 159 as managing the elements 100.

One may now consider elements 100 with a wireless intercommunication transceiver 150. Such an element 100 may carry a separate wireless transceiver 162, not shown, in contrast with elements having an integrated circuit 104 including a wireless transceiver 160, even though a separate wireless transceiver module 162 does not provide a functional difference and operates in the same manner. A wireless transceiver 150 may thus permit interconnected operation without physical, or without wired mechanical connectors 107.

Elements 100 with a separate wireless transceiver module 162 may be added as a further column in Table 1 and in Table 2, allowing up to 25 possible types of embodiment combinations. Evidently, an element 100 having a wireless transceiver module included or not in an integrated circuit 104, may not need any connector 107 for interconnection with other such elements, unless adjacent or other elements in an array 8 so require for operation. This means that electricity and data may be received by wireless communication but that connectors may still be available, such as for interconnection with other elements 100 not having a wireless transceiver module 150.

Likewise, an equipped arraying device 159 having one wireless transceiver module 150 may interconnect elements 100 via one or more wired connectors 107 and exchange data via the transceiver module, or even be void of connectors at all, unless so required for operation.

A wireless transceiver 150 may typically have a limited range of up to 10 m for example. Any mode of non-contact wireless communication may be used such as RF, MW, capacitive, inductive, radiation, optical, IR, or other means. Some wireless communication modes, such as for IR or optical communication for example, emitting narrow communication beams may require appropriate relative mutual angular orientation for the interconnection of the elements 100 of an array 8.

The elements 100 may be configured to include one, or a plurality of the same, as well as a plurality of various electronic devices ELD, all disposed on a base object BO. Electronic components may include, for example, connectors, printed circuits, power supplies, plugs, integrated circuits, transceivers, transducers, keys, buttons, LEDs of various types and colors, and displays.

Therefore, an element may be designated as 10Oj, where j = [0,1, 2, 3, ..., m], with j and m being positive integers, and with zero being considered as a positive integer. The integer j refers to the presence of j different electronic devices, each electronic device being of a certain kind or of a specific type, where each kind is taken alone as one single exemplary of that certain kind of electronic device, or in plurality. The integer m is not limited to four, as by the example given in Table 1. This means that the element 10Oj supports j different kinds of electronic devices, and that the element 100j[3] supports three different kinds of electronic devices, where each kind is taken alone or in plurality. Therefore, an element 100j[4] includes four different kinds of electronic devices, for example, two printed circuits as a first kind, one power supply PS as a second kind, six connectors 107 as a third kind, and five transducers 108 as a fourth kind.

The same denomination may also apply to arraying means 129, configured to include a plurality of the same and a multitude of various electronic components, all disposed in physical or in a virtual arraying means. An arraying means 129 may be referred to as 129k, where k = [0, 1, 2, 3. ..., n], with k and n being positive integers, and with zero being considered as a positive integer. The integer k refers to the presence of k different electronic devices, each electronic device being of a certain kind, where each kind is taken alone as one single exemplary of that certain kind of electronic device, or in plurality. The integer n is not limited to four, as by the example given in Table 2.

The amount of possible practical embodiments of the elements 10Oj and of the arraying means 129k, and of the possible combinations for operation in mutual association of a plurality of elements and of one or a plurality of arraying means to form a functional assembly is thus numerous.

A user, not shown in the Figs., may thus assemble elements 10O₅ and apply a method for providing a functional assembly of elements 10Oj that are configured for mutual interconnection and become operative when arranged into an array 8 of elements. A functional assembly is regarded as being configured to provide signals recognizable and intelligible to the user and/or for operation in interaction with the user. To this end, there is need for at least one energy transducer 108 able to deliver a signal perceptible by the user. Interconnection means here "disposed and coupled in unidirectional or bidirectional electrical and/or data communication, with one or more adjacent elements, for example, through wired or wireless connectors 151 , or by other wire or wireless communication means".

First, there may be provided a base object BO configured or able to support electronic devices or circuits, which base object may be a lid or any other disposable item, or a dedicated object. The base object BO may be implemented out of any desired material or combination of materials. For example, a material may be selected to be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible, and the base object BO may even be implemented out of a combination of materials.

Second, one element 10Oj may be implemented by selecting at least one electronic device for coupling in firm retention to the base object. The one element 10Oj may be configured for operative interconnection with at least one other element. There is also provided at least one power supply PS of electrical power, and then the one element 100 may be disposed into an array 8 as one out of a plurality of elements configured for mutual interconnection. When the array 8 holds appropriate elements 10Oj, then an operative functional assembly of elements is created. The at least one electronic device may be selected alone or in combination from a desired group consisting of connectors, printed circuits, power supplies, plugs, integrated circuits, transceivers, transducers, keys, buttons, LEDs of various types and colors, and displays. The group of electronic devices is not limited. An array 8 may be formed by help of physical arraying means 129, that include arraying devices, arraying implements and arraying actions, allowing the assembly of linear arrays, two dimensional arrays, and three-dimensional arrays. A linear array 8 may also be formed by interconnection of at least one couple of elements 100, by help of physical connectors, or with virtual arraying means, or wireless connectors 150 including wireless communication transceivers.

When arraying wired or wireless connectors 151, care has to be taken since connectors may be directional, which requires appropriate orientation. However, wired or wireless connectors 151 may also be multidirectional and operate in any spatial direction. Mechanical connectors 107 with contact pieces 6, optical, and wireless connectors may be directional devices, while wireless connectors, thus wireless transceivers 150, may also be configured as multidirectional connectors for which angular disposition is unimportant.

An element may comprise at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s,) where j = [l, 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality.

Likewise, an arraying means 129 may be designated as 129k, where k is a positive integer number referring to an element of one type, taken alone or in plurality, and in combination, and where n is a finite positive integer. Arraying means 129 may thus have at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination out of a group of k different electronic devices, where k = [1, 2, 3, ..., n], with j and m being positive integers. The arraying means 129 may support the same j electronic devices as an element 10Oj, but n may be greater than m. This means that one or various arraying means 129 may support electronic devices that are not necessary for an element 10Oj, such as for example connectors to interconnect arraying devices in bidimensional or tridimensional arrays, and a keyboard, or other I/O device.

When arrayed, elements 10Oj and arraying means 129k may operate in mutual association, meaning that the j electronic devices of an elementlOOj and the k electronic devices of arraying means 129k may be selected to become complementary for mutual interconnection into a functional assembly. For example, when arraying means 129k supports a power supply PS₅ then the elements 10Oj need not to include a power source since electrical energy may be received from the or one of the arraying means. The supply of electrical power may be provided by or via power supply means PS selected alone or in combination from the group consisting of batteries, photovoltaic cells, plugs, and energy receivers configured for receiving electrical energy provided by an external source capable of releasing wireless energy. This means that the supply of electrical power PS may be provided from a source either external or internal to the element 10Oj or to the arraying means 129.

An at least one element 10Oj out of an array 8 may be configured to detect relative disposition with respect to another one, more, or all of the elements included in the array. Furthermore, an at least one element 10Oj out of an array 8 may be configured to detect the geometric configuration of the array. Moreover, the at least one element 10Oj out of the array 8 may be configured for the detection of another such similar or identical element in the array. Hence, at least one element 10Oj of an array 8 may be configured for the detection of a) another such element in the array, b) the relative disposition of each element 10Oj in the array 8, and c) the geometrical disposition of the at least one element relative to an adjacent interconnected element.

Arrayed elements 10Oj may be operatively interconnected to form a functional network and likewise, elements 10Oj may be arrayed in a plurality of interconnected arraying means 129 to form a n operative and functional network. The interconnection of arraying means 129 may be implemented by wired and/or by wireless communication.

A user may now obtain elements 10Oj to form an array 8 having a desired pattern and form an operative functional assembly. Once arrayed, the functional assembly may provide the user with at least one discernible signal, or interact with the user. The at least one discernible signal may be related to the mutual disposition of the elements 10Oj in the array 8, or to the geometric configuration of the array, or be relative to other parameters such as the time of the day, or be related to environmental conditions surrounding the array, or to the configuration of the network. Evidently, interaction with the user may provide desired signals, such as visual or/and audible signals, image displays, and vocal renderings.

In general, energy transducers 108 may be dedicated to emit visual signals that may be best seen when the transducer disposed on the top surface 2 of an element 100. To achieve an enhanced visible display, it is possible that the more elements 10Oj are available in the array 8, the better the displayed image. Since the option is available, a user may couple a keyboard either to an element 10Oj of the array 8, or to an arraying device 129, and operate the array as a functional assembly. When coupled by a USB connector via a cable connected to an appropriate USB port, or by wireless communication, it becomes possible to 0458

download programs from a personal computer for the operation of the array 8, which may become an intelligent network.

There is thus provided a method for implementing a functional assembly of elements (100), and an assembly configured for coupling the elements in mutual interconnection to become operative in mutual association when arranged into an array (8) of elements. Each element comprises a base object (BO) configured to support at least one electronic device. The method and the assembly comprise implementing one element by selecting at least one electronic device, which is coupled in firm retention to the base object, the one element being configured for operative intercommunication with at least one other element. There is also provided at least one power supply (113) for supply of electrical power. The one element is disposed into arraying means (131) to form an array and to become one out of a plurality of elements configured for mutual operative interconnection, whereby, when the array includes appropriately selected elements, an operative functional assembly of elements is created.

The method and the assembly provide coupling in mutual interconnection that includes coupling in unidirectional or bidirectional electrical communication and/or coupling in data communication.

Furthermore, providing at least one electronic device includes selecting at least one electronic device alone or in combination from the group consisting of connectors, printed circuits, power supplies, plugs, integrated circuits, transceivers, transducers, keys, buttons, LEDs of various types and colors, and displays.

In addition, forming an array includes providing an array, selected alone and in combination, from the group consisting of arraying devices, arraying implements and arraying actions.

Moreover, forming an array includes providing an arraying device, selected alone and in combination from the group consisting of linear arrays, two dimensional arrays and three-dimensional arrays. Forming an array also includes operatively interconnecting at least one couple of elements.

Additionally, forming an array comprises providing virtual arraying means including wireless communication transceiver means.

It was described hereinabove that implementing an element comprises providing at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s,) where j = [1, 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality. Likewise, implementing an element comprises providing at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s,) where j = [1, 2, 3, ..., m] withj and m being positive integers, where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality. As described hereinabove, implementing arraying means comprises providing an array supporting at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of k different kinds of electronic device(s,) where k = [0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n] with k and n being positive integers, where each kind of electronic device k is taken alone or in plurality. Hence, implementing an element comprises providing a base object supporting at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s₅) where j = [1, 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality. Implementing arraying means comprises providing an array with at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of k different kinds of electronic device(s,) where k = [0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n] with k and n being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device k is taken alone or in plurality, and configuring the j electronic device(s) of an element and the k electronic device(s) of arraying means for complementary mutual interconnection into a functional assembly.

Supplying electrical power includes providing electricity by or via power supply means selected alone or in combination from the group consisting of batteries, photovoltaic cells, plugs, and energy receivers configured for receiving electrical energy provided by an external source capable of delivering energy, including wireless energy.

Supplying electrical power includes as well providing electricity from a source of electricity that is either external or internal to an element.

Providing the base object includes selecting the base object out of the group consisting of lids, disposable objects, and dedicated objects. Providing a base object includes selecting the base object alone or in combination out of the group consisting of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials.

Arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element out of the array that is configured for detection of another such element in the array. Arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element of the array that is configured to detect relative disposition with respect to at least one other element in the array.

Arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element of the array that includes configuring the at least one element for detection of: a. another such element in the array, b. relative disposition of each element in the array, and c. geometrical disposition of the at least one element relative to an adjacent interconnected element. It is understood that disposing a plurality of operatively interconnected elements into an array forms a functional network.

Likewise, providing arrayed elements disposed in a plurality of interconnected arraying means forms a functional network.

It should be understood that various alternatives and modifications of the present invention may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the FPC 102 may be selected to have different geometrical shapes, without or with a plurality of arms 4. Nevertheless, the embodiments described hereinabove are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

List of Items

BO base object

ELD electronic device

MCL modified commercial container lid

PS power supply

2 top surface 159 equipped arraying device

3 peripheral surface, or skirt 160 integrated transceiver

4 arm 162 separate wireless transceiver

5 arm extremity

6 contact piece

7 conductive traces

8 array

100 element

102 flexible printed circuit, FPC

104 integrated circuit

106 connector

107 mechanical or wired connector

108 energy transducer

110 container cap

111 adhesive tape

112 powering lid

114 battery

116 battery holder

118 protruding electrical contact piece

120 recessed electrical contact piece

122 planar contact piece 122

126 power bus

128 data bus

129 arraying device

130 fiat tray

131 arraying means

132 receptacle

134 protruding tray

136 protrusion

138 thread

140 clamp

141 three dimensional array

142 plug

148 I/O bus

149 power bus

150 wireless transceiver

151 wired or wireless connector

152 connector

153 contact piece

154 power contact piece

156 data contact piece

158 electrical contact piece

Claims

1. A method for providing a functional assembly of elements (100) configured for coupling the elements in mutual interconnection to become operative when arranged into an array (8) of elements, each element comprising a base object (BO) configured to support at least one electronic device, the method being characterized by comprising the steps of: implementing one element by selecting at least one electronic device which is coupled in firm retention to the base object, the one element being configured for operative intercommunication with at least one other element, providing at least one power supply (113) for supply of electrical power, and disposing the one element into arraying means (131) to form an array and to become one out of a plurality of elements configured for mutual operative interconnection, whereby when the array includes appropriately selected elements, an operative functional assembly of elements is created.

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: coupling in mutual interconnection includes coupling in unidirectional or bidirectional electrical communication and/or coupling in data communication.

3. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: providing at least one electronic device includes selecting at least one electronic device alone or in combination from the group consisting of connectors, printed circuits, power supplies, plugs, integrated circuits, transceivers, transducers, keys, buttons, LEDs of various types and colors, and displays.

4. The method according to Claim I₅ wherein: forming an array includes providing an array, selected alone and in combination, from the group consisting of arraying devices, arraying implements and arraying actions.

5. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: forming an array includes providing an arraying device, selected alone and in combination from the group consisting of linear arrays, two dimensional arrays and three-dimensional arrays.

6. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: forming an array includes operatively interconnecting at least one couple of elements.

7. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: forming an array comprises providing virtual arraying means including wireless communication transceiver means.

8. The method according to Claim 1, wherein implementing an element comprises: providing at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s,) where j = [1, 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality.

9. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: implementing arraying means comprises providing an array supporting at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of k different kinds of electronic device(s,) where k = [0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n] with k and n being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device k is taken alone or in plurality.

10. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: implementing an element comprises providing a base object supporting at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s₃) where j = [I₅ 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality, implementing arraying means comprises providing an array with at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of k different kinds of electronic device(s,) where k = [0, I₅ 2, 3, ..., n] with k and n being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device k is taken alone or in plurality, and configuring the j electronic device(s) of an element and the k electronic device(s) of arraying means for complementary mutual interconnection into a functional assembly.

11. The method according to Claim 1 , wherein: supplying electrical power includes providing electricity by or via power supply means selected alone or in combination from the group consisting of batteries, photovoltaic cells, plugs, and energy receivers configured for receiving electrical energy provided by an external source capable of delivering energy, including wireless energy.

12. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: supplying electrical power includes providing electricity from a source of electricity that is either external or internal to an element.

13. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: providing the base object includes selecting the base object out of the group consisting of lids, disposable objects and dedicated objects.

14. The method according to Claim 1, wherein: providing a base object includes selecting the base object alone or in combination out of the group consisting of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials.

15. The method according to Claims 1 , wherein: arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element out of the array that is configured for detection of another such element in the array.

16. The method according to Claim 15 , wherein: arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element of the array that is configured to detect relative disposition with respect to at least one other element in the array.

17. The method according to Claim 1 , wherein: arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element of the array that is configured to detect relative geometric configuration of elements in the array.

18. The method according to Claims 1 , wherein: arranging into an array of elements includes providing at least one element of the array that includes configuring the at least one element for detection of: a. another such element in the array, b. relative disposition of each element in the array, and c. geometrical disposition of the at least one element relative to an adjacent interconnected element.

19. The method according to Claims 1, wherein: disposing a plurality of operatively interconnected elements into an array forms a functional network.

20. The method according to Claims 1, wherein: providing arrayed elements disposed in a plurality of interconnected arraying means forms a functional network.

21. An assembly of functional elements (100) configured for coupling in th elements in mutual interconnection to become operative in mutual association when arranged into an array, each element comprising a base object (BO) configured to support electronic devices,

the assembly being characterized in that: one element is implemented by selecting at least one electronic device which is coupled in firm retention to the base object, the one element being configured for operative intercommunication with at least one other element, at least one power supply provides electrical power, and the one element is disposed into an array as one out of a plurality of elements configured for mutual interconnection, whereby when the array includes appropriately selected elements, an operative functional assembly of elements is created.

22. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: interconnection includes unidirectional or bidirectional electrical communication and/or data communication.

23. The assembly, according to Claim 21 , wherein: the at least one electronic device is selected alone or in combination from the group consisting of connectors, printed circuits, power supplies, plugs, integrated circuits, transceivers, transducers, keys, buttons, LEDs of various types and colors, and displays.

24. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: arraying means for forming an array include arraying devices, arraying implements and arraying actions.

25. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: an array is formed by use of an arraying device selected alone and in combination from the group consisting of linear arrays, two dimensional arrays and three-dimensional arrays.

26. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: an array is formed by operatively interconnecting at least one couple of elements.

27. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: an array is formed by use of virtual arraying means including wireless communication transceivers.

28. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: an element comprises at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of j different kinds of electronic device(s,) where j = [1, 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality.

29. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: arraying means comprise at least one kind of electronic device selected alone and in combination from a group of k different kinds of electronic device(s,) where k = [0, 1, 2, 3, ..., n] with k and n being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device k is taken alone or in plurality.

30. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: an element of one type comprises at least one electronic device selected alone and in combination out of a group of j devices, where j = [1, 2, 3, ..., m] with j and m being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device j is taken alone or in plurality, an array is arranged by use of an arraying means of one type comprising at least one electronic device selected alone and in combination out of a group of k devices, where Ic = [O₅ 1, 2, 3, ..., n] with k and n being positive integers, and where each kind of electronic device k is taken alone or in plurality, and the at least one electronic device of an element and of the arraying means are complementary for mutual interconnection into a functional assembly.

31. The assembly, according to Claim 21 , wherein: supply of electrical power is provided by or via power supply means selected alone or in combination from the group consisting of batteries, photovoltaic cells, plugs, and energy receivers configured for receiving electrical energy provided by an external source capable of delivering energy, including wireless energy.

32. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: supply of electrical power is provided from a source of electricity that is either external or internal to the element.

33. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: the base object is selected alone or in combination out of the group consisting of a lid, a disposable object, and a dedicated object.

34. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: the base object is implemented out of a material selected alone or in combination out of the group consisting of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials.

35. The assembly, according to Claim 21 , wherein: at least one element out of the array is configured for detection of another such element in the array.

36. The assembly, according to Claim 21 , wherein: at least one element of the array is configured to detect relative disposition with respect to at least one other element in the array.

37. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: at least one element of the array is configured to detect relative geometric configuration of elements in of the array.

38. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: at least one element of the array is configured for detection of: a. another such element in the array, b. relative disposition of each element in the array, and c. geometrical disposition of the at least one element relative to an adjacent interconnected element.

39. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: interconnected arrayed elements form a functional network.

40. The assembly, according to Claim 21, wherein: elements arrayed in a plurality of interconnected arraying means form a functional network.