Flush-Mount Cornhole Light Insert with Infrared Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cornhole games lack visual enhancements and accurate scoring indicators, leading to potential interference during gameplay and false positives, especially in outdoor or wet conditions.

Innovation Solution

A score-activated cornhole light insert that sits flush with the board, features a blinking light pattern for scoring, adjustable brightness, battery power indication, water resistance, and a design to prevent false positives by using an infrared break beam and microcontroller to detect bag entries, and automatically powers off after inactivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light insert is added to the cornhole board to provide visual feedback, then gameplay enhancement is achieved, but the risk of interference during player throw increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual feedbackVSAvoidinterference during throw

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light insert is designed with a specific flush-mount configuration where the light source is positioned locally within the board thickness, creating a flat surface that eliminates protrusions. This localized quality ensures visual feedback is provided without creating interference during player throws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The light insert is nested within the cornhole board structure, with the light source, circuit board, and housing all contained within the board's thickness. This nesting approach allows the light to be embedded without adding external protrusions that could interfere with gameplay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a simple light activation system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but false positives occur when bags slide across the hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight activation systemVSAvoidscoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An infrared break beam system is introduced as an intermediary detection mechanism. The infrared transmitter and receiver are positioned on opposite sides of the hole, creating an invisible beam that must be interrupted by a bag to trigger scoring. This intermediary system reliably distinguishes between bags actually falling through the hole versus bags merely sliding across the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical detection method (such as weight sensors or physical triggers) is replaced with an optical detection system using infrared break beams. This substitution provides more reliable detection by using light interruption rather than mechanical contact, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If the light remains constantly on to provide visibility, then visual enhancement is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual enhancementVSAvoidelectrical power

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It activates in response to detected scoring events (blinking pattern) and remains off during periods of inactivity. This periodic operation provides visual enhancement when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically activates and deactivates the light based on detected scoring events without requiring manual control. The microcontroller monitors the infrared break beam and autonomously controls the light output, providing visual feedback only when scoring occurs and conserving energy during non-scoring periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances gameplay with visual feedback, prevents interference, ensures accurate scoring, and conserves energy by providing a reliable and waterproof solution for outdoor play.

Implementation Method 1

The score activated cornhole light insert is programed to turn off after a set amount of inactivity in order to save electrical power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a blinking pattern of light is activated when a player throws a bag through the score hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11904225B2Score activated cornhole light insert

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 THEOBALD SEFTON BUCKLAND

AI summary

The score activated cornhole light insert is a lighting accessory that can be built into an originally manufactured cornhole board, or retrofitted into existing cornhole boards. The scoring hole with the insert in place will maintain the regulation six-inch inner diameter. The insert has adjustable mounting brackets to position the top of the insert flush with the cornhole board to prevent interference with game play or cornhole rule and regulations. The insert detects when a media filled bag has passed through the scoring hole, triggering a distinctive light pattern. In addition, the insert will indicate the battery level with a series of different blinking speeds during the first few moments of operation. The insert is watertight and designed to prevent false positives when a media filled bag lies partly on the cornhole board and partly over the scoring hole by lowering an infrared break beam below the board top surface.