Interchangeable Target Surfaces for Compact Projectile Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational games face challenges in providing variety, structural complexity, and adaptability to smaller spaces and fewer players, limiting their appeal and playability in indoor or smaller-scale settings.
Innovation Solution
A projectile passing game system featuring interchangeable target surfaces and sensors that detect projectile impacts or passes, integrated with a base game structure and electronic display for tracking game status, allowing for multiple game variations to be played in a compact space with minimal players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sports games are played, then game variety and player engagement are improved, but space requirements and player count requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The game system employs a single base structure that can support multiple different target surfaces, each representing a different game. This allows one physical apparatus to serve multiple game functions, providing variety without requiring multiple separate game installations or large spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The game system is divided into modular components: a permanent base structure and interchangeable target surfaces. This segmentation allows the target surfaces to be swapped out to create different games, enabling versatility while keeping the space-consuming base structure fixed and compact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sports games are played, then game variety and player engagement are improved, but the number of players required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller and sensor system provides automated game management that can handle different game types and player configurations. This automation reduces the need for referees, scorekeepers, and other support roles, allowing games to be played with fewer players while maintaining variety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple game variations are provided, then game variety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The game system separates the complex electronic control components into a centralized controller that manages all games, while the target surfaces themselves remain relatively simple visual displays. This segmentation concentrates complexity in one manageable unit rather than distributing it across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
A single electronic controller is designed to manage multiple different games through software programming rather than requiring separate hardware for each game. This universal controller reduces overall device complexity compared to having dedicated hardware for each game variation.
4Measurement precision
If automated sensing and electronic display are added, then game tracking accuracy and player feedback are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual scoring and game management with automated sensors and electronic controllers. This substitution improves measurement precision for detecting projectile impacts while the centralized electronic system manages the complexity rather than requiring multiple separate mechanical components.
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
Enables diverse and engaging gameplay experiences in limited spaces with minimal players, enhancing accessibility and versatility by using sensors to track projectile interactions and display game status, thus overcoming space and player count limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is configured to detect the presence of a projectile at the target zone when the corresponding target surface is engaged with the base game-playing structure
Data Source
AI summary
A game system comprises a base game-playing structure and at least two target surfaces each defining at least one target zone and depicting different projectile-passing games. The target surfaces are engageable with the base game-playing structure in one or more substantially vertical orientations and configured to receive passed projectiles. The system also includes at least one sensor engaged with the base game-playing structure. The target zone is positioned at a location on the target surface which is aligned with the sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the presence of a projectile at the target zone. The system may also include an electronic display configured to display the status of the game being played with the game system, and an electronic controller configured to receive signals from the sensor and coupled to the electronic display to reflect the status of the game.