Modular Toy Gaming System Wireless Module Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive computer games lack innovative methods for user engagement that combine physical and virtual interactions, often relying on traditional input devices like keyboards and controllers, without effectively utilizing physical modules to enhance gameplay experience.
Innovation Solution
An interactive computer game system that uses physical modules which can be connected in various ways to form coherent objects, communicating with the game via wireless links, allowing users to interact with these objects to achieve in-game objectives by rearranging, swapping, or using sensors, thereby influencing game play dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional input devices like keyboards and controllers are used for gameplay, then the gaming system is simple to operate, but user engagement and interaction innovation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical modular object within the game environment. The physical object's structure, composition, and spatial arrangement are replicated digitally, allowing users to interact with the virtual representation through traditional input devices while maintaining the tactile satisfaction of physical manipulation. This copying approach enables enhanced user engagement without requiring complex direct physical-game coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary recognition system (using computer vision, RFID, or other detection technologies) that bridges the physical modular objects and the virtual game world. This intermediary automatically detects the physical object's configuration and translates it into corresponding virtual game states, eliminating the need for complex manual input while enhancing user engagement through intuitive physical interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical modules are used to form coherent objects with wireless communication, then user engagement and interaction are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal communication protocols and standardized data structures that allow the same wireless communication infrastructure to serve multiple functions: identifying module types, tracking spatial relationships, detecting assembly configurations, and triggering game events. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system complexity while enabling rich gameplay interactions, as a single communication channel handles diverse interaction requirements without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
3Productivity
If physical modules are connected to form coherent objects, then new gameplay objectives and interactions are enabled, but the complexity of tracking and identifying modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each physical module is pre-equipped with unique identifiers and type information before gameplay begins. The system performs preliminary recognition and validation of module identities and compatibility when modules are first connected, establishing the foundational data structure for tracking. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time identification during gameplay, as the system already has cached information about module identities, types, and valid connection relationships, enabling smooth gameplay progression without intensive tracking complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An interactive computer game is described which works in conjunction with a number of physical modules that a user can connect together in different ways to form a coherent physical whole object. The game receives data from the object via a wireless link, the data identifying at least which modules form part of the object and updates game play based on the data received. At some point within the game play, the game presents an objective or goal to the user which the user can only achieve by interacting with the physical object formed from the modules. In an embodiment, this interaction comprises re-arranging the modules or swapping modules to form an object with a different visual appearance, moving all or part of the object and/or interacting with a sensor on a module in the object. The game may receive further data from the object during the user interaction.