Motion-Sensing Ball Display for Interactive Play Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toys and ball games lack additional amusement, education, and entertainment features while maintaining a conventional 'look and feel', and there is a need for a cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture device that enhances user experience with added educational value and stimulus.
Innovation Solution
A motion-sensing device housed in a single enclosure, equipped with an accelerometer, annunciator, and controller, which activates visual or audible signaling components based on sensed acceleration, using power sources like batteries or kinetic energy conversion, and includes features like LED lighting, sound generation, and smoke simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If motion-sensing components (accelerometer, controller, annunciator) are added to a ball or toy, then amusement, education, and entertainment value are enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (accelerometer, controller, annunciator, power source) into a single integrated device housed within a ball or toy enclosure. This merging approach allows the addition of sophisticated motion-sensing and response capabilities while maintaining a simple external form factor that resembles conventional toys, thereby enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions including motion detection, visual signaling, audible signaling, and smoke simulation, all within a single ball or toy structure. This multi-functionality approach maximizes amusement, education, and entertainment value while consolidating components to manage complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional components (accelerometer, annunciator, controller, power source) are integrated into a single enclosure, then the device becomes more versatile and attractive, but manufacturing and construction difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a modular architecture where the enclosure is divided into distinct sections for housing different components (accelerometer, controller, annunciator, power source). This segmentation allows each component to be independently selected, tested, and manufactured, then assembled into the final product, thereby reducing overall manufacturing difficulty while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as an intermediary component that bridges the accelerometer (motion sensor) and the annunciator (output device). This intermediary role simplifies the integration of multiple functional components by providing a centralized control point that manages signals between sensors and actuators, making the system easier to manufacture and assemble.
3Shape
If the device maintains a conventional ball or toy appearance, then it is more appealing to users, but integrating electronic components within the enclosure becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests electronic components (accelerometer, controller, annunciator, power source) within the ball or toy enclosure, similar to nested dolls. This nesting approach allows the device to maintain its conventional external appearance as a simple ball or toy while containing sophisticated electronic functionality internally, effectively hiding complexity within a simple form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is designed as a flexible or thin-walled structure that can accommodate electronic components while maintaining the conventional ball or toy shape. This flexible shell approach allows for integration of sensors and actuators without significantly altering the external appearance, thereby preserving user appeal while managing integration complexity.
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
The device provides enhanced amusement, education, and entertainment by responding to motion with visual and auditory cues, maintaining a conventional appearance and function, and is easy to construct and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer for sensing the device acceleration
Implementation Method 2
using power sources like batteries or kinetic energy conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.