Motion-Sensing Toy Ball With Responsive Visual and Audio Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toys and ball games lack innovative features that provide additional amusement, education, and user experience while maintaining a conventional 'look and feel'.
Innovation Solution
A device housed in a single enclosure, equipped with an accelerometer for motion sensing, an annunciator for visual or audible signaling, and a controller to activate the annunciator based on sensed motion, powered by a primary or rechargeable battery with options for kinetic energy conversion and contactless induction charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional toys and ball games are used, then the device maintains a simple structure and conventional appearance, but it lacks innovative features that provide additional amusement and educational value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (accelerometer, controller, annunciator, power source) into a single integrated device housed within a conventional ball enclosure. This merging approach enables advanced motion sensing and responsive signaling capabilities while maintaining the simple external appearance of a traditional toy ball, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced versatility and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions: motion detection via accelerometer, logical processing via controller, visual/audible signaling via annunciator, and power management. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide both conventional play value and enhanced educational/amusement features through responsive signaling, addressing the need for increased adaptability without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If motion sensing and signaling components are added to the ball, then the device provides responsive feedback and enhanced user experience, but it increases the device complexity and hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates an accelerometer that automatically detects motion and triggers the controller to activate the annunciator based on predetermined logic. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation or complex user input, providing intuitive responsive feedback that enhances user experience while keeping the control system relatively simple and automatic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device incorporates electronic components and power sources, then it provides advanced functionality and responsive signaling, but it increases the part count and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: accelerometer module for motion sensing, controller module for logical processing, annunciator module for signaling, and power source module. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the increased functionality provided by multiple electronic components.
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 enhances user experience by providing additional amusement and educational value through responsive visual and audible signals, maintaining a conventional appearance while incorporating advanced technology for ease of use and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer for sensing the device acceleration
Implementation Method 2
options for kinetic energy conversion
Implementation Method 3
contactless induction charging
Data Source
AI summary
A device including a visual or audible 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 is disclosed. The device may be used as a toy for amusement, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. The device may be powered from a battery, which may be charged from an AC power 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 the sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing 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.