Magnetic Sensor Grid for Dynamic Game Board Object Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems for board games, particularly those using RFID and magnetic sensors, face challenges such as high complexity and cost, inaccurate measurements, and inability to handle dynamically configurable gaming surfaces and multiple objects effectively, leading to false positives and redundant data.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a fixed grid of low-cost magnetic sensors on a game board, combined with modular tiles of varying shapes and sizes, and an RFID identification system, allows for dynamic configuration of the gaming surface and accurate tracking of objects by aligning tiles with the sensor grid and selectively acquiring data from relevant sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID antenna arrays or magnetic sensor matrices are integrated into the game board to track objects, then object identification and tracking capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The game board is divided into discrete sensor zones arranged in a grid pattern, with each zone independently detecting objects. This segmentation allows the system to track multiple objects simultaneously while keeping each sensor unit simple and manageable, reducing overall system complexity compared to a dense continuous sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional dense sensor arrays to a three-dimensional tracking approach by utilizing the vertical dimension of magnetic field penetration. Magnetic sensors detect objects passing through specific zones, enabling tracking through depth rather than requiring planar density, thus reducing the number of sensors needed while maintaining tracking capability.
2Measurement precision
If dense magnetic sensor grids are used to increase spatial sampling, then measurement precision is improved, but false positives increase and redundant data is generated
Solution Approach 1:
Different sensor zones are assigned different functions based on their location and the game context. Some zones detect object presence, others detect movement direction, and some are used for calibration. This localized functional assignment improves measurement precision in critical areas while reducing false positives in less critical zones, optimizing the overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data and uses feedback mechanisms to distinguish between voluntary player movements and involuntary disturbances. By analyzing movement patterns, speed, and sequence across multiple zones, the system can filter out false positives caused by environmental factors while maintaining high detection accuracy for genuine player actions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RFID readers and antennas are deployed to track multiple objects, then object identification capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each magnetic sensor zone is designed to be multi-functional, capable of detecting various types of objects (pieces, pawns, tokens) and performing multiple operations (presence detection, movement tracking, position recording). This universal design allows a single sensor type to replace multiple specialized sensors, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to track multiple different game objects simultaneously.
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
This solution enables efficient and cost-effective tracking of objects on a dynamically configurable gaming surface, reducing false positives and improving accuracy by centering the reading radius of magnets with tile positioning, and allowing for the detection of voluntary movements while filtering out involuntary ones.
Implementation Method 1
positioning on the gaming area numerous magnetic sensors such as in WO2019/0351 A1... in such a way as to create a very dense grid... to track the movement of identifiable objects
Data Source
AI summary
The finding and object of the invention relates to board games and parlour games characterized by the support of electronic components, such as a PC, tablet, smartphone or game console. More precisely, the invention consists of an economical and easy to construct system, able to identify and track the movements of objects, preferably but not necessarily pawns, on an interactive game board configurable by the user. Said playable and movable objects are tracked by means of a coordinated system of low-cost sensors and a method for the progressive storage of the positions assumed by the same objects as a result of voluntary user interactions. This result is achieved by means of: •A sensorized board (flexible or foldable) equipped with a series of magnetic sensors positioned according to a regular grid arrangement; •An electronic control board, connected to said sensorized board, adapted to the acquisition of data and the communication of the acquired information to a third system (PC, tablet, is smartphone, console) via interface (wired or radio); •An identification system, preferably but not exclusively of the RFID type consisting of reader chip and single antenna, integrated in the control board; •A series of modular tiles, of different shapes, which reproduce different environments, usable to create different game scenarios; •A series of profiled elements to keep the tiles integral with the interactive game board, once positioned above it; •A series of gaming elements, equipped with magnets and identification code (for example RFID TAG).