Light-Actuated Animatronic Figurine for Interactive Gaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic video games lack the tangible, 'real world' gameplay experience provided by traditional board games, particularly in terms of interactive and kinetic engagement with figurines or gameplay pieces.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize light receiving elements and actuators to enable independent movement of object portions without motors or gears, using light from a computing device screen to actuate passive mechanical components, allowing for low-cost, interactive, and animatronic toys that respond to user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional board games with figurines are used, then tangible real world gameplay experience is provided, but device complexity and cost increase due to need for physical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control systems (motors, gears, switches) with an optical control system using light-sensitive materials. The figurine contains a light-sensitive layer that directly responds to light patterns displayed on a mobile device screen, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuation systems while maintaining interactive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying by displaying digital representations of control patterns on a mobile device screen that are then optically transferred to the light-sensitive materials within the figurine. This allows the figurine to receive control signals through light patterns rather than requiring direct electrical or mechanical connections, simplifying the system architecture.
2Device complexity
If electronic video games are used, then device complexity is reduced, but tangible real world gameplay experience is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gaming system into two distinct components: a mobile computing device that generates and displays control patterns, and a figurine containing light-sensitive materials that responds to these patterns. This segmentation allows the complex control logic to reside in the mobile device while the figurine remains a simple, tangible object that users can physically interact with, combining digital convenience with physical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light-sensitive materials as an intermediary between the mobile device display and the figurine's internal components. These materials convert optical signals from the screen into mechanical or visual responses within the figurine, creating a bridge between the digital control interface and the physical toy, thereby enhancing user engagement while maintaining system simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are provided for independent movement of object portions, then animation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to motors and gears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motorized actuators with light-sensitive materials that directly respond to optical signals. Each region of the light-sensitive layer can be independently controlled by specific light patterns from the mobile device screen, enabling multiple independent movements or changes in the figurine without requiring separate motors or mechanical actuation systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls different portions of the figurine by varying parameters of the light patterns (such as position, intensity, duration, or color) displayed on the mobile device screen. Different regions of the light-sensitive materials have different response characteristics, allowing independent control of multiple figurine components through optical parameter modulation rather than mechanical actuation.
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 the creation of low-cost, interactive animatronic toys that appear to come to life through movement and illumination, providing a new level of engagement similar to traditional games without the need for expensive active components, allowing for independent and simultaneous animation of multiple toys.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light receiving elements are configured with the base portion that are operable to detect light emanating from pixels that illuminate on a computing device display screen
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for providing isolated actuations in a plurality of animated points of an object. A base portion and an object portion are provided with an apparatus, and a plurality of light receiving elements are configured with the base portion that are operable to detect light emanating from pixels that flash on a computing device display screen. A plurality of actuators are provided with the base portion and each is configured to independently actuate in response to the light detected by the light receiving elements. A plurality of passive mechanical components is provided with the object portion. The mechanical portions are operatively coupled to respective ones of the plurality of actuators, wherein independent movement of respective parts of the object portion is provided by the respective actuators in response to the light detected from the computing device.