Game Lighting and Scorekeeping Assembly with Integrated Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor toss games like cornhole, horseshoes, and lawn darts are challenging to play at night due to insufficient ambient lighting, and existing solutions do not effectively address scorekeeping, beverage management, and audio enhancement needs during gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A game lighting and scorekeeping assembly that includes a support structure for integrating scorekeeping devices, cup holders, bottle opening devices, audio speaker systems, and illumination systems, designed to be adaptable and adjustable for various game setups, ensuring clear visibility of scores and game boards under low light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If outdoor toss games are played at night, then the gaming duration is extended, but the insufficient ambient lighting makes it difficult to see the game boards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces LED illumination devices as an intermediary light source to bridge the gap between nighttime playing conditions and sufficient visibility. These devices are mounted on the game board structure itself, providing localized illumination that enables extended nighttime gameplay without requiring ambient environmental lighting.
2Device complexity
If cancellation scoring is used to reach a score of 21, then the game rules are simplified, but it becomes difficult to remember each player's score leading to arguments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements electronic scorekeeping devices with displays that automatically track and display scores for all players. The system serves itself by automatically calculating scores based on game outcomes, eliminating the need for players to manually remember scores while maintaining the simplified cancellation scoring rules. This prevents disputes by providing an objective, visible record of scores.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are integrated into the assembly, then the functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate gaming accessories (illumination devices, scorekeeping devices, cup holders, bottle opening devices, and speaker systems) into a single integrated game board assembly. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate pieces of equipment into one unified structure, enhancing versatility while managing complexity through integration rather than accumulation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The game board assembly is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: it serves as the playing surface, mounting structure for illumination, scorekeeping device, cup holders, bottle opening device, and speaker system. This multi-functional design allows a single assembly to replace multiple separate devices, enhancing adaptability while controlling overall system complexity.
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 experience by providing clear scorekeeping, convenient beverage management, and improved audio enjoyment while illuminating game boards effectively, reducing disputes and improving player engagement during nighttime games.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination system (600) to illuminate the game boards when there is insufficient ambient lighting
Data Source
AI summary
A game lighting and scorekeeping assembly for use when playing toss games is provided. The assembly includes an upright support structure adapted to support a scorekeeping device (preferably illuminated), an illumination system for providing light onto one or more gameboards, a cup holding assembly, an audio speaker system, a bottle opener assembly, and other elements. Both the scorekeeping device and the illumination system each emit amplified light with the illumination system emitting focused light at higher lumens, and as such, the game lighting and scorekeeping assembly is designed to minimize the interference between the light emitted by the scorekeeping device and the light emitted by the illumination system. In this regard, the scorekeeping device is positioned at a higher elevation on the game lighting and scorekeeping assembly above the illumination system.