Multi-Plate Skill Game Control With Differential Tilt Response

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skill game devices lack sufficient challenge due to uniform plate orientation control, leading to a low difficulty level.

Innovation Solution

A skill game device with a control system that simultaneously controls multiple plates to have different orientation changes via manually operable actuating members, ensuring each plate reacts uniquely to user input, incorporating mechanical and optional electrical actuators like stepper motors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all plates are controlled in the same way with uniform orientation changes, then the device is simple to operate, but the difficulty level of the game is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddifficulty level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each plate have different control characteristics. The first plate responds to the actuating member with a first change of orientation, while the second plate responds with a second change of orientation that is different from the first. This creates localized differences in plate behavior, making the game more challenging while maintaining uniform actuating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements asymmetry by configuring the plates to have non-uniform responses to the same actuating input. The control system is designed such that the same actuating member produces different orientation changes for different plates, creating an asymmetric control landscape that increases game difficulty without requiring asymmetric physical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple plates have different orientation responses to the same actuating member, then the difficulty level increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifficulty levelVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a single actuating member that serves multiple functions - it controls the orientation of multiple different plates simultaneously. This multi-functional actuating mechanism allows the system to achieve complex differential plate control without proportionally increasing the number of actuating components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control functions for multiple plates into a single integrated control system. Instead of providing separate actuators for each plate, the invention combines the control mechanisms so that one actuating member can produce different orientation changes in multiple plates through a unified control architecture, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single actuating member controls multiple plates with different orientation changes, then the number of actuators is reduced, but the control precision required for each plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of actuatorsVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the orientation response parameters for each plate while using the same actuating member. The control system is configured to produce different orientation changes (different rotational angles, directions, or speeds) for different plates based on their specific requirements, allowing precise control of each plate's orientation despite using a single actuator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4706793A1Skill game device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 VAN RIJN THEODORUS MARTINUS MARIA
  • EP4706793A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706793A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706793A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a skill game device that comprises a plurality of plates. Each plate has an adjustable orientation for causing a ball to move over the plate in question from a start area to a target area. The plurality of plates comprises a first plate and a second plate. The skill game device further comprises a control system for simultaneously controlling the respective orientations of the plurality of plates. The control system comprises a first manually operable actuating member that is configured to simultaneously cause the first plate to perform a first change of orientation and the second plate to perform a second change of orientation, wherein the second change of orientation is different from the first change of orientation.