Mobile Device Object Tagging for Interactive Game Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive adventure games require dedicated, expensive hardware and central servers, making them costly and complex to maintain and deploy, especially for family entertainment centers.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing multi-functional hand-held mobile devices like smartphones and tablets to activate game effects and items through object tagging, augmented reality, and wireless communication, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware and central servers by leveraging existing mobile device resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated hardware and central servers are used, then game functionality and interactivity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling standard mobile devices to perform multiple functions: they serve as both the game client and the interactive controller, eliminating the need for dedicated game hardware. The mobile device's camera, processor, and display are reused for both general communication purposes and specific game interactions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full game functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the central server component from the system architecture, replacing it with peer-to-peer communication between mobile devices. This extraction eliminates the single point of failure and reduces infrastructure complexity, as players can interact directly with each other's devices without requiring centralized coordination
2Ease of operation
If dedicated hardware is required, then game interactivity is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables universal mobile devices to provide specialized game interaction capabilities through software applications. The same device can be used for both everyday communication and complex game interactions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware manufacturing and simplifying deployment to any mobile device user
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital replication of game logic and interaction protocols across multiple mobile devices rather than physical replication of dedicated hardware. Each device receives a copy of the game application and interacts through standardized protocols, making deployment as simple as software distribution rather than hardware installation
3Reliability
If custom devices are used, then game-specific functionality is improved, but adaptability and versatility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves game-specific functionality through specialized software on universal devices rather than custom hardware. The mobile device maintains its full versatility for communication and other uses while the game application provides specialized interaction protocols, ensuring both game functionality and device adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation where the mobile device adjusts its behavior based on game context. The same device can switch between standard communication modes and game-specific interaction modes, maintaining versatility while providing game-specific functionality when needed
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
Significantly reduces game construction costs by up to 90% and provides a flexible, adaptable platform for creating unique interactive experiences, revitalizing family entertainment centers and enabling new activities without the need for extensive infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags
Implementation Method 2
GPS or other global navigation satellite systems
Implementation Method 3
cellular tower triangulation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for an interactive game using a multi-functional hand-held personal mobile device, such as a smart phone or entertainment device use the smart phone or other mobile device to find and/or activate various effects and items in the real world, then connect those items and effects together to provide a purpose to finding the effects/items consistent with the game theme. Embodiments include themes related to a treasure hunt with items that may or may not respond to the player detecting or finding them. In other embodiments, the mobile device may trigger and activate multiple layers of videos, phone calls, internet access, texts, voiceovers, puzzles and numerous other actions and results tied into a complex gaming adventure.