Interactive Figurine Touch Tracking via Conductive Pad Angle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for tracking movement of interactive figurines on touch screen interfaces are expensive due to increased hardware components, limited user experience, and accuracy issues caused by noise interference and time delays in communication methods.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising conductive and non-conductive pads on the figurine, a centre pad elevated for touch interaction, and processors to determine the pre-defined angle between conductive pads for identification and tracking of linear, rotational, or combined movements, eliminating the need for additional communication media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired or wireless communication means are used to create interaction between computing device and game controller, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional hardware elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidhardware elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the game controller functionality directly with the touch screen interface by integrating conductive pads into the touch screen itself. The figurine interacts with the touch screen through direct contact, merging the communication medium (touch screen) with the controller interface, thereby eliminating separate communication hardware while maintaining reliable interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch screen interface serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the communication medium for detecting figurine movements. The conductive pads integrated into the touch screen enable the same surface to detect both touch inputs and figurine positions, reducing the need for dedicated communication hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional communication means are used for tracking game controller, then communication is established, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise interference and time delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication establishmentVSAvoidtracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wireless or wired communication systems with a direct electrical contact system. The conductive pads on the touch screen detect figurine position through direct electrical contact rather than through communication signals, eliminating noise interference and time delays associated with traditional communication methods while improving tracking precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple communication elements are added to enable interaction, then communication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive pads are integrated directly into the touch screen manufacturing process, combining the communication functionality with the existing touch screen structure. This approach avoids the need for separate communication hardware components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 user experience with accurate and cost-effective tracking of interactive figurine movements on touch screen interfaces, reducing hardware complexity and ensuring precise interaction without noise interference, allowing for simultaneous tracking of multiple figurines and enhanced gameplay.

Implementation Method 1

When the user operates the interactive figurine, electrostatic charge from hand of the user is transferred to the interactive figurine which enables connectivity between the first set of conductive pads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

a switch housed on the interactive figurine, wherein the switch configured to actuate the centre pad to enable a touch interaction of the centre pad with the touch screen interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical actuation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10928960B1System and method to track movement of an interactive figurine on a touch screen interface

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 MOBILIZAR TECH PVT LTD

AI summary

A system and method to track movement of an interactive figurine on a touch screen interface are disclosed. The system includes a first set of conductive pads and a second set of non-conductive pads, a centre pad located at the bottom surface of the interactive figurine which is elevated relative to the first set of conductive pads and the second set of non-conductive pads at a pre-defined height, a switch housed on the interactive figurine to actuate the centre pad to enable a touch interaction of the centre pad with the touch screen interface, processors operatively coupled to the interactive figurine. Furthermore, the processors include an interactive figurine detection module to determine the pre-defined angle between the first set of conductive pads to identify the interactive figurine, an interactive figurine tracking module to track at least one movement of the interactive figurine on the touch screen interface.