Game Tower Retro-Reflective Detection Auto-Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing board game enhancement technologies using cameras require complex optical recognition of playing markers or cards, leading to tedious calibration and limited adaptability to different games, and are prone to errors due to environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A game tower with a light source, convex mirror, and optical sensor, utilizing retro-reflective materials on the game board to detect changes in light intensity, allowing for auto-calibration and simplified setup, reducing the need for specific marker recognition and enhancing game play with guided instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical recognition systems are used to identify playing markers or cards, then game information can be detected, but the system requires complex calibration and has limited adaptability to different games
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces retro-reflective markers as intermediary elements placed on the game board. These markers serve as mediators between the light source and sensor, simplifying the detection process. The markers reflect light back to the sensor along the same path, creating a reliable signal without requiring complex optical recognition or calibration of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The retro-reflective markers inherently provide their own optical signal by reflecting light back to the sensor. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external calibration procedures and complex recognition algorithms, as the markers automatically generate detectable signals through their physical property of retro-reflection.
2Reliability
If camera-based systems are used to track game pieces, then game state can be monitored, but the system is prone to errors due to environmental factors and requires tedious calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The retro-reflective markers act as intermediaries that create reliable optical signals independent of environmental lighting conditions. By placing these markers on the game board, the system gains consistent detection points that are not affected by ambient light variations, thereby improving reliability without requiring time-consuming calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the game board by incorporating retro-reflective markers with specific reflectivity properties. This parameter change creates a detectable signal that is independent of environmental lighting conditions, improving detection reliability while eliminating the need for calibration procedures that would otherwise be necessary to compensate for environmental variations.
3Measurement precision
If complex optical recognition systems are implemented, then specific marker identification is possible, but the system lacks flexibility for various board games
Solution Approach 1:
The retro-reflective markers provide a universal detection mechanism that works across different board games. Instead of requiring game-specific recognition algorithms, the system uses the universal physical property of retro-reflection to detect marker positions, enabling the same hardware setup to be adapted to various games without modifying the optical recognition system.
Solution Approach 2:
The retro-reflective markers serve as universal intermediaries that translate different game configurations into a common detection language. By placing these markers on different positions and configurations for different games, the system maintains a single versatile detection mechanism rather than requiring multiple game-specific recognition systems.
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 solution provides a robust, efficient, and flexible system for various board games, surviving user abuses and environmental factors, with auto-calibration ensuring accurate detection and guiding game play without the need for complex optical recognition, enhancing user experience and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more retro-reflective elements placed on the game board that receive light emanated from the light source and reflected off of the convex mirror and that reflect the light received along substantially the same path from which the light was received
Implementation Method 2
A convex mirror is disposed inside the housing so that light is reflected from the light source, off the convex mirror, through the housing and onto the game board
Implementation Method 3
The sensor receives light reflected from the convex mirror off of the one or more retro-reflective elements. The sensor detects increases and decreases in the intensity of the reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source, a convex mirror and an optical sensor are disposed within a housing which is transparent to the range of wavelengths from the light source and of a low distortion scratch-resistant material. A game board is used with retro-reflective elements, such as moveable playing markers or game tokens, cards or regions affixed to and integrated into the game board. A data store stores the locations of the reflective elements and other game-related data, such as data needed to measure a player's score or position in a game or data to provide guided play. The convex mirror is disposed inside the housing such that light reflects from the light source, off the convex mirror, through the housing, and onto the game board.