Electromagnetic Game Board Grid for Dynamic Piece Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing game boards lack the ability to dynamically and efficiently move game pieces across a surface while avoiding collisions and adapting to changing game environments, such as tilted surfaces, without the need for physical magnets or complex mechanical systems.
Innovation Solution
A game board system featuring a grid of individually addressable electromagnets that can be energized to move game pieces, with a processor controlling the movement by identifying locations and paths using cameras, sensors, and signal processing, allowing for collision avoidance and dynamic surface adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a grid of individually addressable electromagnets is used to move game pieces, then the ability to dynamically and efficiently move game pieces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The game board is divided into a grid of individually addressable electromagnet cells, allowing independent control of each cell to move game pieces precisely to desired locations without requiring complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical moving systems are replaced with an electromagnetic field-based system where electromagnets create magnetic fields to attract and move game pieces containing magnets, eliminating the need for physical motors or mechanical actuators
2Reliability
If collision avoidance paths are calculated and executed, then game piece collision is prevented, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively calculates collision-free paths for game pieces before movements are executed, using the processor to analyze potential collisions and determine optimal paths in advance, preventing collisions before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors game piece positions and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust movement paths, ensuring that pieces move along collision-free trajectories while adapting to changing board states
3Adaptability or versatility
If the game board adapts to tilted surfaces using electromagnets, then the adaptability to different orientations is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of energizing all electromagnets continuously to counteract gravity on tilted surfaces, the system selectively energizes only the specific electromagnet cells needed to hold or move game pieces, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to various orientations
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 seamless and efficient movement of game pieces across the board, adapting to different surfaces and environments, enhancing gameplay experience by providing a dynamic and interactive game board that can be used in various orientations and with smart game pieces.
Implementation Method 1
A grid of electromagnets (EM) is juxtaposed with the substrate with at least first and second EM being individually addressable to cause at least one game piece to move on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
The processor is programmed with instructions to selectively energize the EM to move the first game piece on the game board substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic game board includes a configurable grid of electromagnets under a game board to move game pieces on the board. Alternative to electromagnets is acoustic levitation through soundwave. In an oscillating electric field (four sides), a magnet can create excite ultrasound that quickly contract and rebound its original shape to push out pulses of air.