Dynamic Characteristic Tracking in Board Game Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional board and tabletop games face challenges in tracking dynamic characteristics of game pieces and terrain, limiting gameplay complexity and realism due to manual record-keeping and lack of computer awareness, which hinders player engagement and enjoyment, especially with increasing numbers of game pieces and players.
Innovation Solution
A system that incorporates globally unique identifiers and dynamic characteristic values stored in memory devices, allowing game objects to be tracked and updated dynamically during gameplay, both in-game and outside of it, using RFID and visual marker technologies to enable computer-enhanced graphics and sound integration, facilitating interactive and immersive gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual record-keeping and scoring methods are used, then the game can be played with any number of pieces, but the complexity of tracking and updating game piece information increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical record-keeping systems with electronic tracking systems. RFID tags embedded in game pieces communicate wirelessly with base stations or handheld devices, automatically tracking positions, status, and game state without requiring manual notation or calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of game piece information stored in RFID tags and databases. These digital representations allow the system to track and manipulate game state data computationally, eliminating the need for physical tracking of each piece's characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If computer-enhanced graphics and sound are integrated, then player engagement and immersion are improved, but hardware requirements and processing demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements computer-enhanced features selectively rather than comprehensively. Basic RFID tracking provides core functionality, while graphics and sound effects are added only for specific game events or player choices, allowing engagement enhancement without requiring high-end hardware from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the base station and processing system to handle multiple functions: RFID communication, game logic processing, graphics rendering, and audio output. This multi-functional approach consolidates hardware requirements into a single platform rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic characteristic tracking is implemented, then gameplay realism and complexity are enhanced, but the difficulty of updating player status information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-updating RFID tags that automatically modify their stored characteristic values in response to game events. When a game piece is damaged, moved, or interacts with other pieces, the RFID tag autonomously updates its status data without requiring manual intervention, and the system automatically retrieves these updates during regular polling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous feedback loops where the system periodically queries RFID tags for status updates, and the tags respond with current characteristic values. This automated feedback mechanism ensures accurate tracking of dynamic game state without requiring players to manually report changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A board game comprises one or more game objects such as a game board and game pieces, at least one memory device and at least one controller. Each of the game objects comprise a globally unique identifier and dynamic characteristic values associated with the unique identifier, stored in the memory device, that define the characteristics/attributes of the corresponding game object when used in the game. A user is able to play the game by utilizing the game objects according to their characteristic values. During the course of game play, the events of the game are able to dynamically change the characteristic values of each game object affected by the event. Similarly, outside of game play, external events are also able to dynamically change the characteristic values of a game object. These characteristic values are able to be kept and updated during and in between games.