Electronic Chessboard with Capacitive Touch and Lighting Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic chessboards provide limited in-match feedback, failing to enhance users' strategic understanding and skills, while also distracting players with screen time and lacking detection of user interaction with chess pieces.
Innovation Solution
An electronic chess set with a multilayer construction incorporating capacitive touch circuitry and a lighting array, which provides real-time feedback on move strength and categories through display elements and color illumination, maintaining focus on the physical board and pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AI assistance is provided through overt instructions on external devices, then users can win matches, but user's strategic understanding does not improve and screen time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feedback mechanism from external screens and integrates it directly into the chessboard itself. The chessboard displays move evaluations and feedback directly on its surface, eliminating the need for external devices and reducing screen time while maintaining strategic learning opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary feedback system that provides subtle visual cues through the chessboard's display elements rather than direct instructions. This intermediary layer guides users toward good moves without explicitly telling them what to do, preserving strategic thinking while improving outcomes.
2Reliability
If AI provides direct move instructions, then users achieve better match results, but user development is stunted by preventing mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial feedback by providing move evaluations only for certain pieces or situations rather than complete instructions for every move. This partial information guidance helps users achieve better results while still requiring them to make independent decisions and learn from their choices.
3Loss of information
If feedback is provided through external screens, then users receive match analysis, but attention is drawn away from the physical chessboard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feedback system with the physical chessboard by integrating display elements directly into the board surface. This combination allows users to receive comprehensive match analysis and move feedback while maintaining their focus on the physical pieces and board, eliminating the need to look at external screens.
4Ease of operation
If traditional chessboards are used, then focus remains on physical pieces, but no in-match feedback or skill enhancement is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional physical chess elements with modern electronic feedback systems. The chessboard maintains its physical pieces and surface for tactile engagement while incorporating embedded sensors and display elements that provide real-time move evaluations and strategic feedback during gameplay.
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 system effectively increases users' skill levels and enjoyment by providing nuanced in-match feedback, reducing screen time, and enhancing strategic understanding without distracting from the physical game experience.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive touch circuitry
Implementation Method 2
lighting array
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic chess set includes a plurality of game pieces, a chessboard having a playing surface including a plurality of individually identifiable locations visible to a user on the chessboard, an illumination system configured to illuminate each of the plurality individually identifiable locations and an electronic system coupled to the illumination system. The electronic system includes a processor configured to determine when a user is in contact with a selected one of the plurality of game pieces and control an operation of the illumination system to illuminate the playing surface to provide a visual identification of at least one move available for the selected piece in view of a handicap level provided for the user.