Shape-shifting a configuration of reusable elements

Abstract

An apparatus, an element for a game assembly, and a game assembly apparatus. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional body having a geometric shape and which is displaceable between an initial state and a goal state that is different from said initial state. A motion-restriction function is to limit the displacement of a centre point of the body with respect to a centre point of another body along a trajectory. At least one sensor is to provide input regarding the presence of another body in contact with the body and which is to allow the displacement of the body based on the input. A computer program is to allow displacement of the body based at least part of on a factor of randomness.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a three-dimensional body having a geometric shape and which is displaceable between an initial state and a goal state that is different from said initial state;   a centre point in said three-dimensional body;   at least one face coupled to said centre point;   a motion-restriction function to limit the displacement of said centre point with respect to the second centre point to at least one trajectory selected from a first trajectory of said element and a second trajectory of another element;   at least one sensor to provide input regarding the presence of another three-dimensional body in contact with the at least one face; and   a computer program operationally coupled to said motion guiding function, said motion-restriction function, and said at least one sensor, said element computer program, when executed, is to allow displacement of the three-dimensional body, wherein said computer program is to base at least part of its decision-making regarding displacement of the three-dimensional body between said initial state and said goal state on a factor of randomness.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication module for exchanging data with at least another three-dimensional body, said data including at least one position status. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a data processing module, functionally coupled to said communication module for processing data from said communication module. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising an energy module functionally coupled to said motion module, said communication module, and said data processing module, for providing energy to at least said motion module, said communication module, and said data processing module. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said data processing module comprises software which, when executed on said data processing module, is to perform:
 retrieving a set position, selected from place and orientation and a combination thereof, for said three-dimensional body via said data communication module;   retrieving current position information of said three-dimensional body;   producing at least one motion instruction for said motion module for moving said three-dimensional body from said current position to said set position by moving said at least one face over or along a face of another three-dimensional body; and   providing said motion module with said at least one motion instruction.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an element for a game assembly. 
     
     
         7 . An element for a game assembly, comprising:
 a body having at least one exterior surface allowing displacement between an initial state and a goal state that is different from said initial state;   at least one motion guiding module for displacing said body with respect to said at least one second body over or along said at least one exterior surface;   a motion-restriction function to limit the displacement of said centre point with respect to the second centre point to at least one trajectory selected from a first trajectory of said element and a second trajectory of another element   a communication module for exchanging data with said at least one second body;   a data processing module, functionally connected to said at least one motion-restriction module, said at least one motion module, and said communication module;   an energy module, for providing energy to said motion module, said motion-restriction module, said communication module, and said data processing module; and   a computer program operationally coupling said motion guiding function and said motion-restriction function, said element computer program, when executed, is to allow displacement of the body, wherein said computer program is to base at least part of its decision-making regarding displacement of the three-dimensional body between said initial state and said goal state on a factor of randomness.   
     
     
         8 . A game assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of elements, each element in the plurality of elements including a three-dimensional body having a geometric shape which is displaceable between an initial state and a goal state that is different from said initial state, a centre point in said three-dimensional body, at least one face coupled to said centre point, and
 a motion-restriction function to limit the displacement of said centre point with respect to the second centre point to at least one trajectory selected from a first trajectory of said element and a second trajectory of another element, and 
 at least one sensor to provide input regarding the presence of another element in contact with said at least one face; and 
 an element computer program operationally coupled to said motion guiding function, said motion-restriction function and said at least one sensor, and which element computer program, when executed, is to allow displacement of one or more of the elements, said element computer program basing at least part of its decision-making regarding said displacement between the initial state and the goal state on a factor of randomness, 
   a motion function providing one or more of the elements with independent movement ability defining a displacement of the centre point with respect to said second centre point of another element using the motion-guiding module of that other element; and   a game assembly computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, is to define, in the memory, the motion function and a set of the elements.