초록 ▼

Programmable material is a collection of substantially cubic shaped bricks called monomers that move relative to each other under computer control to sculpt engineering structures (5) and mechanisms (6) (walking machine) illustrated in the figure. The monomers have features to lock to other monomers

Programmable material is a collection of substantially cubic shaped bricks called monomers that move relative to each other under computer control to sculpt engineering structures (5) and mechanisms (6) (walking machine) illustrated in the figure. The monomers have features to lock to other monomers and slide relative to other monomers without separating. The monomers are fault tolerant against damage; functional monomers move faulty monomers and replace them with functioning clones. Movement of monomers is broken down systematically into streamers, gateways, highways and reservoir methods to obtain individual monomer movement paths required to synthesise a structure. Specialised monomers can carry tools which together with synthesis of custom structures create custom machines.

대표청구항 ▼

Programmable material is a collection of substantially cubic shaped bricks called monomers that move relative to each other under computer control to sculpt engineering structures (5) and mechanisms (6) (walking machine) illustrated in the figure. The monomers have features to lock to other monomers

Programmable material is a collection of substantially cubic shaped bricks called monomers that move relative to each other under computer control to sculpt engineering structures (5) and mechanisms (6) (walking machine) illustrated in the figure. The monomers have features to lock to other monomers and slide relative to other monomers without separating. The monomers are fault tolerant against damage; functional monomers move faulty monomers and replace them with functioning clones. Movement of monomers is broken down systematically into streamers, gateways, highways and reservoir methods to obtain individual monomer movement paths required to synthesise a structure. Specialised monomers can carry tools which together with synthesis of custom structures create custom machines. tic read-and write circuit for storing response data. 6. An information collection system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring means includes an electronic communication translator means, connected to said data wire, for converting the data stream into a computer logic data stream having corresponding data fields including information on fuel dispensed. 7. An information collection system as recited in claim 6, wherein said monitoring means includes a microprocessor means, connected to said electronic translator means, for receiving said computer logic data stream. 8. An information collection system as recited in claim 7, wherein said monitoring means includes a programmable data field selector means, connected to said microprocessor means, for causing said microprocessor to select certain data fields and to discard all others. 9. An information collection system as recited in claim 7, wherein said monitoring system includes a memory means, coupled to said microprocessor means, for receiving and storing information on fuel dispensed. 10. An information collection system as recited in claim 6, wherein said communication translator means includes an opto-coupler means with a light emitting diode and transistor for converting said data stream into said computer logic data stream. 11. An information collection system as recited in claim 6, wherein said communication translator means includes a comparator means for converting said data stream into said computer logic data stream. 12. An information collection system for gathering product level profile information from a plurality of different, spaced apart fueling locations networked together to a server through the Internet, comprising: (a) dispenser means for delivering a variable volumetric flow of product into a vehicle tank, functionally connected to tank means for providing product to be dispensed; (b) measuring means, located in said tank means, for measuring product in said tank means; (c) POS means, functionally connected to said dispenser means, for initiating commands to said dispenser means and for receiving responses from said dispenser means; (d) fuel pump control means, operatively connected between said dispenser means and said POS means, for interfacing the two; (e) monitoring means, functionally connected to a data line between said dispenser means and said POS means, for monitoring, collecting, and sorting information on the amount of fuel dispensed from said dispenser means, and further functionally connected to said measuring means for collecting and storing product level information for said tank means; (f) server means, functionally connected to said monitoring means, for maintaining a first database containing routing numbers for said spaced apart fueling locations and a second database containing product level profile information for said spaced apart fueling locations; and (g) network means, operatively connecting said monitoring means and said server means, for transmitting information between the two. 13. An information collection system as defined in claim 12, wherein said network means is the Internet. 14. An information collection system as defined in claim 12, wherein said monitoring means includes an electronic communication translator means, connected to said data line, for converting the data stream into a computer logic data stream having corresponding data fields including information on the amount of fuel dispensed. 15. An information collection system as defined in claim 14, wherein said communication translator means includes an opto-coupler with light emitting diode and transistor for converting said data stream into said computer logic data signals. 16. An information collection system as defined in claim 14, wherein said communication translator means includes a comparator for converting said data stream into said computer logic data signals. 17. A method for gathering product level profile information from different,