Modular Toy Storage Element Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive software experiences, such as games, lack innovative methods for user engagement that combine physical interaction with modular components, limiting the depth and variety of gameplay experiences.
Innovation Solution
A modular assembly system where each module stores an identifier and data, with connectors to form a coherent physical object, allowing users to interact with the object to unlock features and progress through the software experience, using communication modules to exchange data with the software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical modular toys are used to interact with computer games, then user engagement and interaction depth are improved, but device complexity and data management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the physical toy into separate modular components, each with its own storage element containing an identifier and associated data. This segmentation allows the complex system to be broken down into manageable modules that can be independently manufactured, tracked, and updated, resolving the contradiction between enhanced user engagement through physical interaction and the complexity of managing such a system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital representation (copy) of each physical module's data and state within the computer game software. This digital copy mirrors the physical module's identifier and variable data, allowing the game to recognize and respond to the physical toy without requiring direct complex communication hardware in each module, thus reducing physical device complexity while maintaining engagement.
2Speed
If modular components store variable data locally, then data access speed and module independence are improved, but data synchronization and storage reliability become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the computer game software continuously monitors and updates the variable data stored in each module's local storage element. The communication module detects changes in the physical configuration of modules and synchronizes the digital representation with the physical state, ensuring data reliability while maintaining fast local access through the storage element.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users can freely assemble and reassemble modules, then gameplay variety and user creativity are improved, but tracking module configuration and maintaining system integrity become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module creates and maintains a digital copy of the physical module configuration within the game software. Each module's identifier stored in its storage element is detected and replicated in the digital environment, allowing the system to track any arrangement of modules without requiring complex physical tracking mechanisms. This enables unlimited gameplay variety while simplifying configuration tracking through digital representation.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular assembly system is described in which each module comprises a storage element which stores an identifier for the module and data relating to the module. At least some of the module data is variable and is updated based on user interaction with an interactive software experience (e.g. state data). Each module also comprises one or more connectors for connecting to other modules to form a coherent physical whole object. In an embodiment, the system further comprises the interactive software experience which provides user objectives which can only be satisfied by the user interacting with the object or with modules that form the object. At least one of the modules in the object comprises a communication module which passes identifiers and module data to the interactive software experience and receives updated module data from the interactive software experience for storing in one of the modules in the object.