Interactive Playground Interface with Angled Light Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interactive playgrounds with electronically controlled elements may reduce physical activity as users spend more time configuring the equipment rather than engaging in physical play.

Innovation Solution

An interactive playground system featuring a user-operatable input device with light feedback, a processing unit, and sensors that detect user movement, allowing for physical activity while configuring and operating the system, with a display and support structure that enables users to select and control electronically controlled play elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronically controlled play elements are added to provide interactive scenarios, then the variety and attractiveness of play scenarios is improved, but the physical activity level of users decreases as they spend more time configuring electronic equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of interactive play scenariosVSAvoidphysical activity level
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electronic configuration functions with physical play activities by integrating sensors that detect physical movements (swinging, sliding, climbing) and translate them into user inputs for the electronic system. This merging allows children to configure and control electronic play scenarios through physical actions rather than sedentary interface interaction, thereby maintaining physical activity levels while providing diverse interactive scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual input mechanisms with sensor-based detection systems that automatically capture physical movements. Instead of requiring children to manually operate buttons or switches, the system uses sensors to detect and interpret physical activities such as swinging patterns, sliding speed, or climbing movements as configuration inputs, thus eliminating the need for separate configuration actions and maintaining continuous physical engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensors and processing units are integrated into playground appliances to detect user movement and control displays, then the interactivity and engagement of the system is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteractivity and engagementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functional playground appliances that serve both traditional play functions and electronic interaction functions through integrated sensor systems. The same physical structure performs multiple roles: it provides mechanical play (swinging, sliding) while simultaneously serving as a sensor platform for detecting movements and controlling electronic displays. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components and simplifies the overall system architecture.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the playground appliance automatically detects user movements through integrated sensors and autonomously translates these movements into appropriate electronic responses without requiring external control systems or complex processing infrastructure. The appliance self-manages the interaction between physical play and electronic feedback, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Encourages physical activity during the operation of the user interface, providing a more engaging and interactive experience that balances electronic interaction with physical engagement.

Implementation Method 1

a light source arranged inside the housing in front of the front cover and arranged behind the rear cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a sensor operationally connected to the processing unit and adapted to detect a movement of the support member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMovement detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2397202B1Playground equipment
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 KOMPAN
  • EP2397202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2397202B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2397202B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a user-interface element for playground equipment, the user-interface element comprising: - a housing including a rear surface mountable on a playground appliance; - a front cover including a convex front surface having a centre axis defining a forward direction, the front surface comprising at least one light-emitting front surface part having a surface normal at an angle relative to the forward direction; wherein said angle is larger than 30 degrees.