A Self-Reconfigurable Modular Utility System

1. A Self-Reconfigurable Modular Utility System Capable of Both Rotation and Translation Based Methods of Self-Reconfiguration, and Self-Replacing Power Cells for Each Module Presented by Desmond Innovation, LLC (2nd Version - 7/13/06)

2. Desmond Innovation, LLC • Business Operation Services • Patent Lessor Agency • Non-exclusive Licenses Only for Currently Existing Patents • Agency for Presenting this Technology • www.selfreconfigurable.com • Formed in the State of Delaware • Neil Desmond, Owner and Innovator • Pending Patents • A Modular Self Structuring and Computing System • Self Structuring and Computing System (continuation-in-part) • PCT Application • A Modular Self Structuring and Computing System (covers both pending patents)

3. What is it? • A Universal Utility System • Shape Shifting • Self-reconfigurable • Modular Reconfigurable • Polymorphic • Self-assembling • Self-structuring • Programmable “Fluid” Matter • A Uniform Component Matrix System • Manufactured Components • Main Module Assembly • Power Cell (a Cube-shaped Battery) • Macro-module (Basic Matrix Building Block) Components • 6 Main Module Assemblies • 1 Power Cell • It Has Actuating Operations • to reshape its structure • to move itself or other objects around

4. What can it do? • Shapes Into Countless Different Objects • Large Objects: buildings, towers, walls, enclosures • Small Objects: tables, chairs, containers, shelves • Traverse Through Any Environment • Various Types of Surfaces • Flat or Level Terrain: self-spinning cylinder for speed • Rough or Uneven Terrain: vehicle with walking legs • Space Restrictions • Tight Spaces: it can flatten itself • Small Openings: it can pass a module at a time through it • Obstacles • Walls: it can stretch itself up from the ground to climb over it • Pits: it can stretch itself across while clamping onto something else for support or balance itself using counter-weights

5. Some Benefits • Minimized Need for Any Human Intervention • Shaping or Reconfiguring Itself • A matrix is capable of repairing itself • Can build our homes & grow our crops for us • Safety Applications • Can be deployed to any hostile or threatening environments • Any Search and Rescue Situations • It can shield people or property from harm or damage • Economics • Expediency of Many Services and Applications • Simple design of elements which can accomplish complex tasks • Only two types of objects would need to be mass produced • Wear & tear and flaws can be studied for future improvements • Teaching users how to operate this technology can be standardized

6. Reconfiguration • 2 Basic Versions* • Chain • Lattice: Both Translation and Rotation of Module • Modes of Structures and Objects • Fixed Shapes • Tables • Chairs • Containers • Enclosures • Moveable Objects • Cranes • Forklifts • Conveyor Systems • Vehicles *Source: http://www2.parc.com/spl/projects/modrobots/

7. Unique Qualities of My Version • It is capable of both translation and rotation based lattice reconfiguration • It is the only design (that I know of) that is capable of both translation and rotation based lattice reconfiguration • It can replace its own power cells in each module

8. Main Module Assembly • Connects to Other Main Module Assemblies • to form into a macro-module • to join other macro-modules in a matrix • Structure and Components: • 2 Ends, Joined Together by a Leg • Macro-module Core Fragment • Connecting Plate • Contains Actuators and Sensors • Houses Electronics

9. Main Module Leg • Capable of Telescoping (i.e., Extending and Retracting) • Pivots About 2 Axes on the Face of a Macro-module Core Fragment

10. Macro-module Core Fragment • Fragment (1/6) for a Macro-module Core • It can connect to up to four other main modules and communicate directly with them • It connects to one power cell • Surface on which the leg pivots is the face of a cube that forms the core of a macro-module

11. Connecting Plate • Rotates about the axis of the leg • Connects to and communicates with connecting plates on other Macro-modules • Houses electromagnets for temporary bonding connections between connecting plates (between Macro-modules) • Can transfer power between Macro-modules

12. Main Module Components • Actuation • 2 motors for pivoting leg (1 for each axis) • 1 motor for extending/retracting leg • 1 motor for rotating plate • 4 solenoids for mechanically connecting to the adjacent main modules and the power cell • 4 solenoids for switching into neutral • Electronics Needs • Some Processing Power (8 or 16 bit) • Small Amount of Memory (10-20 Mb)

13. Power Cell • Cube-shaped • Rechargeable • Can connect to all six main module assemblies (one on each face of the cube) in a macro-module • Resides in the “nucleus” of the core of a macro-module • Fully enclosed in a completely formed macro-module

14. Size of a Module • 1st generation: large enough to be individually handled for testing and repairing using replacement components and conventional tools (screwdrivers, pliers, soldering iron, multi-meter, etc.) • Future generations (miniaturized) • Micromachine-sized • Nanotechnology-sized

15. Robotics and Wheels • Basically, this technology can be utilized as robotics or formed into wheels if users want or need to use it that way • Some robots resemble humans (i.e., androids), animals, or devices similar to human arms, but this technology doesn’t • Making androids or robots that look like animals is almost essentially nothing more than a gimmick (close to exception example: crash test dummies) • Walking on only two legs is a complicated and unnecessary task to try to accomplish with machines • Other than (science fiction) movies, where are things like androids found? • A practical or beneficial application would be to use this technology as an extension of our body (i.e., cyborg technology) • Arms and legs that can stretch as long as needed • Can replace missing limbs (helps handicapped people) • Can have as many (elbow or knee) joints that bend any direction as needed • With this technology the wheel is obsolete; it is capable of accomplishing any tasks, that would normally require the use of wheels, without them • It can form into a hybrid of a cyborg and a vehicle • Being handicapped in terms of mobility becomes an obsolete concept

16. Deployment into the Market • As a Consumer or Industrial Product • As a Toy, Hobby, or Research Product

17. As a Consumer or Industrial Product • Will have to be of an “industrial strength” quality design • Production, manufacturing materials, and supplies will be expensive • Requires implementation of software needs (applications, operating system & utilities, programming and development tools, etc.) • Requires training users (trainers and application users) • Unknown red tape complexity (delays, insurance, resistance, etc.) • Right now this technology is too exotic and mysterious; how easily can it be understood by prospective customers, users, or investors? • In general, this would be a very costly and time-consuming approach

18. As a Toy, Hobby, or Research Product • Can be of a moderate quality design • Inexpensive manufacturing materials and supplies can be used • No need to provide any software; users can program it themselves • Training users is not necessary • Won’t have to deal with hardly any “red tape” • Provides opportunity for exploration and creativity • In general, this is not a very costly or time-consuming approach

19. Initial Marketing Preference • It seems to be better to introduce this technology concept to the market as a Toy, Hobby, or Research Product • Allows these users and the public to learn about and become familiarized with this technology concept • Users (e.g., hobbyists, researchers, children, artists, etc.) will be able to explore and be creative with this technology concept without any bias or preconceived notions about what it can or cannot do, or should or shouldn’t do • Allows for the time and resources for developing a consumer or industrial version • As this version is being marketed and sold, the money it brings in can be invested in developing a consumer or industrial version • Investors, companies, and manufacturers can also get involved in the funding and development of a consumer or industrial version as they become more familiar with the potential of this kind of technology concept • Over time, resources might become less expensive for manufacturing a regular and standardized consumer or industrial version