Automated Game Board Piece Movement Around Occupied Squares
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing board game technologies using magnets for piece movement are limited in precision and accuracy, often requiring cumbersome maneuvers and potentially confusing movements, especially in complex games like chess, where pieces may inadvertently move or fail to land exactly where intended, detracting from the game's authenticity.
Innovation Solution
An automated game board apparatus with a server, game board segments, and game pieces that use electromagnets or correlated electromagnetic array technology to accurately move pieces along valid paths, even in the presence of obstacles, and swap pieces by using a mover plate to maintain orientation and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If magnets are used to move game pieces, then piece movement can be automated, but the movement precision and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple magnetic attraction mechanisms with a sophisticated electromagnetic array system that uses multiple individually controllable electromagnets. This substitution enables precise control over piece movement through coordinated magnetic field manipulation, achieving both automation and high precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts magnetic field parameters (strength, direction, distribution) through the electromagnetic array to precisely control piece movement. By varying these parameters in real-time, the system can achieve accurate positioning and controlled movement trajectories, resolving the precision issue while maintaining automation.
2Extent of automation
If magnets are used to move pieces, then automation is achieved, but the complexity of maneuvers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic array is segmented into multiple independently controllable electromagnets positioned at different locations. Each electromagnet can be controlled separately to manipulate the magnetic field in specific regions, enabling complex piece maneuvers through coordinated control of individual segments rather than requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the electromagnetic array and the game piece movement logic. This controller processes game state information and translates it into coordinated electromagnetic field commands, simplifying the overall system architecture by separating the control logic from the physical actuation mechanism.
3Extent of automation
If magnets are used for piece movement, then automation is achieved, but the reliability of piece positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller receives information about piece positions and game state, and adjusts the electromagnetic array commands accordingly. This feedback loop ensures reliable piece positioning by continuously monitoring and correcting for deviations, maintaining high reliability despite the automated nature of the system.
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 apparatus elegantly replicates complex game piece movements, ensuring precise and authentic gameplay by automatically navigating around obstacles and swapping pieces, maintaining game integrity and realism.
Implementation Method 1
the apparatus comprises a plurality of electromagnets distributed across a surface of the game board... the selected game piece comprises a single electromagnet... the server causes the electromagnet on the game piece to selectively cooperate with electromagnets on the game board
Implementation Method 2
the apparatus is configured to move the selected game piece along at least a portion of the boundary of the occupied segment(s)
Data Source
AI summary
An automated game board apparatus configured to, upon receiving a command from a player, determine a path from an origin segment to a destination segment and automatically move a selected game piece from the origin segment to the destination segment; wherein, if one or more intermediate segments along the path are occupied by other game pieces, the selected piece is moved along the boundaries of the occupied segment; and wherein, if the destination segment is occupied, the apparatus is further configured to automatically replace the existing game piece with the selected game piece by moving the existing game piece to substantially the boundary of the destination segment and moving the selected game piece to substantially the centre of the destination segment. In preferred embodiments, the invention utilizes electromagnets, correlated electromagnet array technology (CEAT), and/or correlated magnets.