Contactless Communication Unit for Capacitive Game Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional board games lack interactivity and the ability to interface with digital devices, failing to provide the same level of engagement as console or PC games, and there is a need for a system that can power play items capacitively and transmit game-play-data to external devices while maintaining a physical experience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming system that includes a contactless communication unit, an electronic game board, and play items, which use alternating electric fields to transmit game-play-data to an external device, featuring a generator, converters, electrodes, memory units, and wireless transceivers to process and display game status, and includes a player communication unit for wearable articles to transmit user identification and gesture information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional board games are used, then physical experience is maintained, but interactivity and digital interface capability are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
A contactless communication unit serves as an intermediary between the physical board game components and digital devices. This unit includes a generator that creates alternating electric fields, converters that shift voltage levels, and wireless transceivers that enable communication without physical contact or complex wiring, thus maintaining the simplicity of the physical game while adding digital interactivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical connection systems (wires, physical contacts) with electromagnetic field-based communication. The contactless communication unit uses alternating electric fields to transmit data between play items and the external device, eliminating the need for complex mechanical interfaces while enhancing interactivity
2Power
If AC power or battery is used to power play items, then sufficient power is available, but electricity consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The play items harvest energy from the alternating electric field generated by the contactless communication unit. The rectifier circuit converts the alternating voltage to direct voltage, and the capacitor stores this energy to power the play item's electronic components, allowing the system to be self-powered without external AC or battery connections
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage level parameter by using a converter to shift from low level alternating voltage to high level alternating voltage, which is then rectified and stored. This parameter transformation enables sufficient power availability from the electric field while minimizing external electricity consumption
3Ease of operation
If visual indicia of play items are displayed on communication device, then user engagement is enhanced, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless communication unit acts as an intermediary that automatically handles data transmission between the play items and the external communication device. It includes a controller unit that processes game-play data and a wireless transceiver that transmits this data, enabling automatic display of visual indicia without increasing user-side complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by transmitting processed game-play data back to the external device for display. The controller unit receives raw data from play items, processes it by comparing with reference data, and sends back processed data that defines the status of play items, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enhances user engagement
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 interactive board games to be played on digital devices, allowing for the display and storage of game-play-data while maintaining a physical experience, and reduces electricity consumption by using capacitive power, enhancing user engagement and compatibility with digital platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The contactless communication unit communicates with the external device, and further provides alternating electric field
Implementation Method 2
The play items capacitively transmits the game-play-data to the contactless communication unit
Implementation Method 3
The generator receives power from a DC source for generating a low level alternating voltage
Implementation Method 4
The first converter shifts the low level alternating voltage received from the generator to high level alternating voltage
Implementation Method 5
The first electrode is connected to the first converter for emitting high level alternating electric field of fixed frequency
Implementation Method 6
The second electrode receives the alternating electric field emitted from the first electrode, and further receiving gesture signal of the user
Implementation Method 7
The floating electrode floats the alternating electric field to the ground for forming a closed electric circuit with at least one of: the CCU, and the user
Implementation Method 8
The second converter converts the alternating voltage received from the second electrode to the direct voltage
Implementation Method 9
The wireless transceiver bi-directionally communicates the processed-game-play-data received from the controller unit to the external device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic game board system communicating at least one game-play-data to an external device. The system includes a contactless communication unit (CCU), an electronic game board and one or more play items. The contactless communication unit communicates with the external device, and further provides alternating electric field. The electronic game board includes plurality of the play fields to receive the alternating electric field, wherein the playfields serially interconnected with each other. The play item capacitively transmits the game play data to the contactless communication unit. The contactless communication unit generates a processed-game-play-data defining a status of the play item placed on the play field, and the contactless communication unit further transmits the processed-game-play-data to the external device.