Conductive Dice Tray for Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that bridge the digital and physical worlds in gaming, such as those using optical recognition, struggle to accurately detect game pieces in different orientations, leading to difficulties in determining the face of objects like dice or cards, and solutions involving embedded technology in each piece are expensive.
Innovation Solution
A conductive dice tray with a detection grid that uses alternating voltage patterns and detection circuitry to identify game pieces based on electrical changes, allowing for orientation-independent detection through resistors, capacitors, or RFID technology, reducing the need for expensive embedded technology in each piece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical recognition techniques are used to detect game pieces, then the system can detect movement of game pieces, but it cannot accurately determine orientation of game pieces such as dice faces or card orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical recognition with electrical detection. Conductive elements embedded in game pieces interact with the conductive tray to generate electrical signals that directly indicate orientation, eliminating the need for complex optical image processing while achieving accurate orientation detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties (light reflection, color) to electrical properties (conductivity, resistance). By measuring electrical parameters between conductive elements on the tray and conductive game pieces, the system can accurately determine orientation without the complexity of optical analysis.
2Measurement precision
If embedded technology is placed in each game piece to detect orientation, then accurate orientation detection is achieved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection functionality from individual game pieces and places it in the tray. Instead of each piece needing its own sensor or electronic component, the detection capability is moved to the tray's conductive elements, reducing per-piece cost while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive tray serves multiple functions: it detects orientation of any conductive game piece placed upon it, regardless of the piece's specific type or design. This universal detection capability eliminates the need for piece-specific embedded technology, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If cameras with optical recognition are used, then the system can identify game piece movement, but it fails to reliably determine which face of dice or cards is facing upward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the camera-based optical recognition system with an electrical detection system using conductive elements. This substitution directly addresses the information loss problem by providing unambiguous electrical signals that clearly indicate orientation, eliminating the ambiguity inherent in optical image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive elements provide immediate electrical feedback when a game piece is placed on the tray. The electrical circuit completion or signal change directly indicates the orientation of the piece, providing real-time, unambiguous information feedback without the delays or ambiguities of optical processing.
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 accurate and cost-effective digital detection of physical game pieces in various orientations, enhancing gaming experiences without the high cost of embedding technology in each piece.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive dice tray with a detection grid that uses alternating voltage patterns and detection circuitry to identify game pieces based on electrical changes
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for determining an identity of a game piece. The system including a detection grid, a memory for storing a detection algorithm, and a processor configured to detect an electrical change on the detective grid caused by a contact face from the game piece, determine the identity of the game piece based on the electrical change using the detection algorithm, and transmit the identity of the game piece wirelessly. The game piece may include a die with a plurality of resistors, where each of the plurality of faces includes a resistor with a different resistance value. The identity of the die corresponds to the rolled face of the die. Wherein detecting the rolled face of the die includes detecting the resistance value on the contact face of the die and determining the rolled face based on the detected resistance value.