Synchronizing the behavior of discrete digital devices

摘要

Methods, devices and systems for synchronizing actions taken by digital devices in a group wherein the digital devices to use a flocking protocol to establish time or behavior synchronization between individual digital devices within the group. The flocking protocol includes the transmission of synchronization information from one device to neighboring devices within the group and the processing/use of such synchronization information by the devices to synchronize the timing and/or other characteristics of their actions.

主权项

1. A method for causing a group of digital devices to act in a desired order, said method comprising:
causing the digital devices to use a flocking protocol to synchronize the individual digital devices within the group such that they act in the desired order; wherein the flocking protocol comprises i) causing each device to transmit synchronization information which is received by neighboring devices in the group and ii) causing devices in the group to use received synchronization information to synchronize timing of their actions to that of neighboring devices in the group so that their actions occur in the desired order; wherein the synchronization information includes an association matrix which is useable by an additional device that becomes added to or inserted in the group to enable that additional device to synchronize the timing of its actions so that the desired order is maintained.