Csem Centre Suisse D'electronique Et De Microtechnique Sa

Other

Pierre Marchal

Christian Piguet

Pascal Nussbaum

Eduardo Sanchez

Tobias Delbr&uuml;ck

Rodney James Douglas

Adrian Maurice Whatley

Paul Verschure

Daniel Mange

A device for controlling a physical system, such as a flow of pedestrians, in an extended area is suggested. In comprises a plurality of identical cell units with preferably hexagonal shape. The cell units are assembled in tile-like manner to form a floor. Each cell unit is equipped with a weight sensor, lamps of different colors, and optical communication ports as well as power connectors for connecting it to its neighboring cells. The cell units can be programmed to generate signals that control the physical system, such as signs understood by the pedestrians. Due to its modularity and simple design, the device is easy to install and maintain.

Device for controlling a physical system

In this network (R) all the cells have identical construction. Each cell is assigned a code word which defines its function which it is to provide for within the network. With a view to the configuring of the cells (Cx,y), means (1) iteratively cause the translation into each of the cells of a genome formed of a train of the successive code words. The network comprises at least one individualized functional organ (O1, O2, O3, . . . ) composed of a plurality of cells which are all characterized by a first predetermined code (&lt;MHC&gt;) forming part of said code word and formed by a number identifying the organ (O1, O2, O3, . . . ) so that these cells can collectively provide for the functionality of this organ. The cells of the latter are distributed as internal cells defined by a first predetermined value of a status code also forming part of the code word, and as membrane cells defined by a second predetermined value of the second code. The internal cells provide for the functionality of the organ and the membrane cells (MO1, MO2, MO3, . . . ) are capable of functionally isolating the internal cells from the remainder of the network and of providing for the communication of these internal cells with the remainder of the network.

Electronic system organized as a matrix network of functional cells

The invention concerns a programmable integrated electronic system including an array of identical cells (53). Each cell includes functional components (530) capable, when they are correctly connected, of executing a given function, and programmable connecting means (a to h) for on the one hand connecting the functional components to each other and on the other hand connecting the cell to its neighbours. The present invention is characterised in that the system includes means of storing a first data item which defines the function of each of the cells in the array and in that each cell has means for extracting, from this first data item and its location the network, the programming word for its own function. In addition, means are provided for effecting the test of correct functioning of each cell and for reconfiguring the array where there are defective cells.

Electronic system organised as an array of cells

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Valangin, Switzerland

Pierre Marchal