Capacitive Figurine Authentication for Touchscreen Game Boards
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiplayer game boards lack the ability to recognize and interact with material figurines, limiting their functionality and adaptability to digital interfaces, and there is no known solution for using material figurines on electronic game boards with touch screen technology.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch screen system that uses conductive figurines with a signature zone featuring a mesh of conductive pins connected by fine conductive ink, allowing for authentication and control of figurines on a digital game board, enabling recognition and interaction with the screen, and allowing robotic figurines to receive light instructions for movement and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional physical game boards are used, then simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but functionality and adaptability to digital interfaces are limited
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitive touchscreen serves as an intermediary between physical figurines and the digital game board. The touchscreen detects capacitance changes caused by conductive figurines, enabling physical-digital interaction without requiring complex embedded sensors in each figurine. This mediator approach maintains figurine simplicity while achieving digital adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical recognition systems with capacitive sensing. Instead of using mechanical switches, buttons, or complex mechanical identification mechanisms, the system uses electrical capacitance detection through the touchscreen to recognize and identify figurines, significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic game boards with touch screens are used, then functionality and interactivity are improved, but the ability to recognize and interact with material figurines is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The figurines themselves serve the recognition function through their inherent capacitance properties. When a figurine touches the screen, its capacitive characteristics automatically trigger recognition without requiring the user to perform additional actions like pressing buttons or following complex procedures. The system self-activates upon contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recognizes figurines by detecting changes in capacitance parameters when figurines contact the touchscreen. Different figurines have different capacitance values due to variations in size, material, and shape, allowing the system to distinguish between them through parameter analysis rather than complex operational procedures.
3Extent of automation
If conductive figurines with authentication signatures are used, then automatic recognition is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive conductive materials such as conductive ink or thin conductive coatings applied to figurine bases. These simple conductive elements can be applied through low-cost processes like screen printing or spraying, making automatic recognition achievable without expensive manufacturing. The conductive layer is simple and can be produced economically at scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The figurines combine non-conductive base materials (plastic, wood, or paper) with thin conductive layers or coatings. This composite structure maintains the aesthetic and tactile properties of traditional figurines while adding capacitive recognition capability. The conductive elements are integrated into the figurine base rather than being separate components, simplifying manufacturing.
4Ease of operation
If the entire base of figurines is made electrically conductive, then recognition is simplified, but differentiation between figurines becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire figurine conductive, the patent applies conductive material only to specific local areas such as the base or specific contact points. The authentication signature is created through localized conductive patterns (grids, meshes, or specific geometric arrangements) on the figurine base. This local conductivity approach simplifies recognition while maintaining figurine differentiation through unique pattern designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive element on each figurine is segmented into specific patterns such as grids, meshes, or geometric arrangements rather than being a solid continuous conductor. These segmented patterns create unique capacitance signatures for each figurine, enabling precise identification while keeping the conductive material用量 minimal and the manufacturing simple.
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
Enables automatic recognition and control of figurines on a digital game board, adapting traditional board games to touch screen technology, providing a versatile and economical solution for multiplayer gaming and solo applications, and allowing for personalized digital representation and interface activation.
Implementation Method 1
said capacitive screen includes a reading grid which analyzes said signature
Implementation Method 2
said figurines include conductive means supplying the conductive mesh with static electricity from the body of a user holding the figurine
Data Source
Figure 1~3a
Figure 3b~5b
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to an authentication signature that is recognized by a capacitive screen, characterized in that it is achieved using a zone of points (60) that are meshed (61) with one another and printed in conducting ink, the signature zone being pressed against the capacitive screen by the user on the capacitive screen using conducting means (80).