Interactive Playground System with Adaptive Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing playground technologies are static and non-adaptive, failing to dynamically engage children and adapt to their natural play patterns, thus lacking the ability to enhance play experiences and encourage vigorous and prolonged play.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a computing device, such as a Raspberry Pi, with sensors and feedback mechanisms in playground environments, enabling dynamic game creation and adaptation through local and remote data processing, allowing children to program interactive experiences and facilitating data aggregation for system updates and modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If playground technologies are made static and non-adaptive, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to children's play patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to children's play patternsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static to dynamic by incorporating sensors that detect children's play patterns and automatically adapt the playground equipment's response in real-time. The equipment modifies its behavior based on detected actions, creating an adaptive loop that responds to children's interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor children's play patterns and feed this information back to the control system, which then adjusts the equipment's behavior accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables the playground to learn from and adapt to children's natural play patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If playground technologies are made static, then ease of operation is improved, but engagement and prolonged play deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of playVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The playground equipment performs self-adjustment based on sensor input, automatically modifying its behavior without requiring external intervention. The system serves itself by detecting play patterns and autonomously adapting its response, reducing the need for manual operation while extending play duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic behavior that responds to children's interactions in real-time, creating an engaging and unpredictable play experience that naturally extends the duration of play while remaining intuitively operable for children.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If programming rights are restricted to system administrators only, then system security is improved, but adaptability and innovation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming flexibilityVSAvoidsystem security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The programming system is segmented into different access levels: system administrators maintain full control for security-critical functions, while children are granted limited programming capabilities through age-appropriate interfaces. This segmentation allows safe programming flexibility within defined boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different users are granted different programming rights based on their role and age. Children receive localized programming capabilities suited to their developmental level, while administrators retain system-wide control. This differentiated access model balances security with creative flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4058165B1Interactive play system
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES INC
  • EP4058165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4058165B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4058165B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of an interactive play system (102) are provided. In one such embodiment, an interactive play system (102) includes a satellite (106) having a sensor (140). The satellite (106) is integrated within a component (101) included within a playground environment (100). A feedback mechanism is also provided within the playground environment (100). A computing device supports a selective change between a first programming state in which the feedback mechanism will respond to an actuation of the sensor (140) based on a computer instruction provided by a system administrator and a second programming state in which the feedback mechanism will respond to an actuation of the sensor (140) based on a computer instruction provided by someone other than a system administrator.