Interactive Game System Using RFID Tags for Physical Activity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Children's excessive video game usage leads to a lack of physical exercise and social interaction, contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic and negative impacts on development, as traditional video games do not provide comprehensive physical and social benefits compared to outdoor play.
Innovation Solution
An interactive game system utilizing RFID tags and satellite devices that allow users to engage in physically and socially challenging outdoor activities, where users' states change based on RF signals, promoting dynamic and unpredictable interactions with the environment and other players, incorporating GPS and other technologies for location monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If children play traditional video games, then they can escape and be entertained, but they lack physical exercise and social interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces satellite devices and RFID tags as intermediaries between traditional video games and outdoor play. These devices mediate the gaming experience by providing digital game states and social coordination capabilities while requiring physical movement and outdoor activity, thus bridging the gap between screen-based entertainment and physical exercise
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions users between different game states (e.g., safe zone, danger zone, pursuit) based on their physical location and movements. This dynamic state changes require continuous physical activity while maintaining engaging game narrative, preventing sedentary behavior associated with traditional video games
2Object-affected harmful factors
If children play outdoor playground games, then they can exercise and socialize, but the games lack the power and credit components available in video games
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite devices serve multiple functions: they track physical location, manage game state transitions, provide social coordination, and deliver entertainment content. This multi-functionality integrates the engaging mechanics of video games with the physical and social benefits of outdoor play into a single unified system
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to players through the satellite devices, notifying them of state changes, nearby players, and game events. This feedback loop maintains engagement and provides the power/credit components from video games while requiring physical outdoor activity
3Use of energy by moving object
If simulated sports systems are used, then physical movement is required, but physical strength and endurance are not limiting factors and controllers may cause ailments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the controller from the system entirely, using RFID tags and satellite device communication instead. This eliminates the risk of controller-related ailments while maintaining physical movement requirements through location-based game mechanics that naturally engage full-body activity
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
Encourages physical activity and social engagement, providing a comprehensive alternative to traditional video games by creating a flexible and high-paced outdoor gaming experience that mimics elements of video games while promoting exercise and social interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The example embodiment includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to produce a radio-frequency (RF) signal. The satellite devices contain RFID tag readers that are able to receive and decode radio-frequency (RF) signals produced by RFID tags.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system that includes wearable computing components may be provided that creates an interactive game for at least two players. Finite state machines may be provided with a range of states that correspond to an array of possible states of a player of the game. Each player is assigned a client device, which preferably may be embedded in wearable computing components. The client device uses software to execute a first instance of a finite state machine. The client deceives are connected in a network with server devices. The state machines transition states based upon player interaction with other players and objects. When the state machines transition states, the players are notified and their respective states within the game also change.