Motion-Sensing Ball Signaling for Threshold and Tilt Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toys and ball games lack innovative features to enhance amusement, education, and user experience while maintaining a conventional look and feel, and there is a need for a cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture solution that adds educational value and stimulus.
Innovation Solution
A motion-sensing device housed in a spherical enclosure with an accelerometer and an annunciator, powered by a rechargeable battery or kinetic energy conversion, which uses visual or audible signaling to respond to motion, incorporating a controller to activate or control the annunciator based on predetermined logic, allowing for customizable responses to acceleration thresholds and tilt angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If motion-sensing components and annunciators are added to a ball toy, then amusement and educational value are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (accelerometer, controller, annunciator, power source) into a single integrated ball device. The accelerometer senses motion, the controller processes the motion data according to predetermined logic, and the annunciator provides visual or audible feedback, all merged within one spherical enclosure to create an enhanced toy experience without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The ball device is designed to perform multiple functions: it senses motion through the accelerometer, processes various motion patterns through the controller, and provides multiple types of feedback through the annunciator (visual or audible). This multi-functionality enhances both amusement and educational value while maintaining a single conventional ball form factor
2Ease of operation
If electronic components are integrated into the ball, then user engagement increases, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is divided into functional segments: the accelerometer module for motion sensing, the controller module for processing, the annunciator module for feedback, and the power source module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and tested independently before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high user engagement through coordinated operation of all segments
3Adaptability or versatility
If motion sensing and signaling components are added, then educational value is enhanced, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is programmed with predetermined logic that can detect and respond to various motion parameters such as acceleration thresholds, tilt angles, and motion patterns. By changing the software parameters and logic conditions, the same hardware configuration can provide different educational experiences and responses, enhancing educational value without requiring additional physical components or increased cost
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides enhanced amusement and educational value by responding to motion with visual or audible cues, increasing user engagement and curiosity without altering the conventional appearance of the toy, while being robust, easy to construct, and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer for sensing the device acceleration
Implementation Method 2
A rechargeable battery or kinetic energy conversion
Implementation Method 3
A rechargeable battery or kinetic energy conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.