Game Surface Generator Topological Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional board games are limited in complexity and do not effectively encourage abstract thinking, an important skill for STEM subjects.
Innovation Solution
A game system featuring a game surface generator that creates a bijective mapping between primary and additional game surfaces, allowing game pieces to be positioned and moved on both surfaces, with the ability to display only a portion of the surface to the user, utilizing topological surfaces such as cylinders, spheres, and moebius strips to simulate infinite or complex game environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional board game is used, then the game can be played with simple rules and familiar board, but the game complexity is limited and does not encourage abstract thinking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a traditional 2D board to a topological surface that can be visualized as wrapping around in multiple dimensions. The board surface is divided into edges that connect to each other, creating a multi-dimensional topology (such as a torus or Möbius strip) that extends the game space beyond conventional flat boundaries, thereby increasing game complexity and encouraging abstract spatial reasoning.
Solution Approach 2:
The board surface is segmented into multiple edges, where each edge represents a boundary that connects to another edge. This segmentation allows the game board to be divided into distinguishable regions while maintaining continuous play across edge connections, enabling complex game mechanics while preserving the ability to track positions and pieces systematically.
2Ease of operation
If the entire game surface is displayed to the user, then the user can see all game pieces and positions, but the abstraction and cognitive challenge are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only a portion of the game surface for display to the user, rather than showing the entire topological board. This selective extraction creates a visual interface that presents a manageable subset of the game state, reducing visual clutter while maintaining the underlying complexity of the full surface. Players must mentally map the displayed portion to the complete game surface, enhancing cognitive engagement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bijective mapping between primary and additional game surfaces is implemented, then the game can simulate infinite or non-standard topologies, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating additional game surfaces that replicate the structure and properties of the primary game surface. A bijective mapping is established between the primary surface and one or more additional surfaces, allowing the game to simulate extended or wrapped topologies. This copying approach enables complex topological configurations while managing system complexity through modular replication of the base surface structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A game system comprising a game surface generator configured to generate a game surface having: a primary game surface with a first edge; an additional game surface with a second edge, wherein the primary game surface and the additional game surface are each divided into a plurality of game spaces and the first edge of the primary game surface is coupled to the second edge of the additional game surface, there being a bijective mapping between the primary game surface and the additional game surface; a game piece control module configured to position a plurality of game pieces on the primary game surface such that each game piece is positioned on one of the game spaces and a plurality of additional game pieces are positioned on corresponding game spaces of the additional game surface according to the bijective mapping.