Electronic Jump Rope with LED Light Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive electronic games lack a physical activity component that effectively simulates the natural rotation and path of a jump rope, providing an engaging and challenging experience for users.
Innovation Solution
An electronic jump rope device with a housing shaped to simulate the natural rotation and path of a jump rope, featuring strings of light emitting diodes around its perimeter, a platform with sensors to detect user jumps, and a control circuit to manage game levels and user interaction, allowing users to score points by jumping over a virtual rope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a virtual jump rope game is created using light strings and sensors, then user engagement and exercise simulation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of a physical jump rope using light-emitting diodes arranged in an oval pattern. This optical copy simulates the appearance and motion of a real jump rope without requiring actual rope mechanics, thereby improving exercise simulation capability while managing device complexity through digital rather than mechanical implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical jump rope components (actual rope, handles, rotation mechanism) with an electronic system consisting of light-emitting diodes, sensors, and control circuitry. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical parts while maintaining the core jumping exercise function, resolving the contradiction between simulation capability and device complexity
2Measurement precision
If sensors are added to detect user jumps accurately, then game precision and user interaction are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light beams as an intermediary between the virtual rope and the detection system. Invisible light beams are projected across the jumping area, and sensors detect when users interrupt these beams to register jumps. This intermediary approach enables accurate jump detection without requiring complex direct measurement systems, as the light beam interruption provides a simple yet precise trigger mechanism
3Productivity
If the light rope rotates faster to increase game challenge, then user engagement and exercise intensity are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic rotation of the light rope at variable speeds. The system can alternate between faster rotation periods (increasing game challenge and exercise intensity) and slower or stationary periods (reducing energy consumption). This periodic action allows the game to dynamically adjust energy usage based on gameplay requirements, resolving the contradiction between game pace and energy consumption
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 device provides an immersive and challenging interactive experience that combines exercise with gaming, allowing users to simulate jumping rope while tracking performance and rewarding successful jumps with points and rewards.
Implementation Method 1
The rope is comprised of a series of strings of lights that are placed around the perimeter of an oval shaped housing. Each of the strings of lights is comprised of a series of light emitting diodes connected together.
Implementation Method 2
Sensors in the platform are connected to their respective light string so that the controller determines if the user is off the platform at the precise time that the light string is illuminated.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise gaming device in which the user stands in front of a housing having a plurality of rows of lights extending from the front of the housing to the rear of the housing. The rows of lights are sequentially illuminated to give the illusion that the lights are an illuminated light rope over which the user must jump. There is a sensor in the jump area that is electrically connected to the illuminated lights to determine if the user jumps at the correct time when the lights at the bottom of the housing are illuminated. The device continues to rotate the light rope as long as the user continues jumping at the appropriate time, or until the game ends.