NFC Game Board Antenna Array for Wireless Piece Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Board games often lack dynamic interaction due to the need for additional power supplies and complex wiring for animated game pieces, which can be aesthetically unappealing and impractical.
Innovation Solution
The integration of NFC technology into game boards and pieces, allowing for function activation through NFC channels, eliminating the need for internal power sources and wiring by using NFC devices and antennas to control motors, speakers, and light sources within game pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional power supplies and complex wiring are used for animated game pieces, then dynamic interaction and movement effects are improved, but device complexity and aesthetic appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and control electronics from the game pieces themselves and places them in the game board. The game board contains wireless communication antennas and power transmission components, while game pieces only contain simple NFC tags or passive RFID tags. This extraction eliminates the need for wiring in game pieces while maintaining dynamic interaction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication technology (NFC, RFID, or electromagnetic induction) as an intermediary between the game board and game pieces. This intermediary enables dynamic interaction and power transmission without physical wiring, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If internal power sources are installed in game pieces, then dynamic effects and movements are improved, but ease of manufacture and design elegance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the game pieces and relocates it to the game board. Game pieces become passive or lightly active components that draw power wirelessly when needed, dramatically simplifying their manufacturing while preserving interactive effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The game board provides wireless power transmission to game pieces on-demand. Game pieces receive power only when activated by the game board through wireless energy transfer, eliminating the need for built-in batteries or power sources and simplifying manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex wiring is used for game pieces, then functional control is improved, but ease of operation and aesthetic appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication protocols (NFC, RFID, electromagnetic induction) as intermediaries to transmit control signals from the game board to game pieces. This eliminates physical wiring while maintaining precise functional control, improving ease of operation and aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with wireless electromagnetic field-based communication and power transmission. This substitution maintains functional control capabilities while eliminating the complexity and aesthetic drawbacks of visible wiring.
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
This approach enhances the game experience by enabling interactive and dynamic movements and effects without the need for internal power sources or complex wiring, providing a more engaging and elegant design.
Implementation Method 1
said NFC device is arranged to activate a function of said game piece by establishing NFC with the game piece through one of said antennas
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a game board being arranged to accommodate at least one game piece, said game board comprising at least one NFC device and a plurality of NFC antennas which are operatively coupled to said NFC device, wherein said NFC device is arranged to activate a function of said game piece by establishing NFC with the game piece through one of said antennas. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure a corresponding method for activating at least one game piece on a game board is provided. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there a corresponding computer program product is provided.