Projectile Pattern-Building Device With Segmented Gameplay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing games that utilize large game pieces, such as sports balls, lack an efficient and engaging mechanism for players to build patterns, which limits their complexity and spectator appeal, especially in large-scale events.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a set of vertical longitudinal channels with apertures forming a two-dimensional grid, accompanied by hoops and a funnel, allows players to throw projectiles into the channels to create patterns, with a releasable blocking mechanism and optional electronic sensors for enhanced gameplay and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a device uses large game pieces like sports balls for pattern-building, then spectator appeal and engagement are improved, but the complexity and engagement of gameplay mechanics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the gameplay into two distinct phases: pattern-building phase (throwing projectiles into channels to create patterns) and clearing phase (releasable blocking mechanism releases all projectiles simultaneously). This segmentation allows large game pieces to maintain spectator appeal while the structured phases preserve gameplay complexity and engagement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a device allows easy setup and disassembly for large events, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but structural stability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is designed as a dynamic, releasable structure that can be easily activated and deactivated. This dynamic design allows the same structure to provide stable projectile retention during gameplay while enabling quick setup, disassembly, and reconfiguration for different events, maintaining both structural reliability during use and adaptability for deployment.
3Measurement precision
If a device includes electronic sensors and displays for scoring, then measurement precision and automation are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism serves multiple functions: it retains projectiles during gameplay, enables the clearing phase by releasing all projectiles simultaneously, and can be integrated with electronic sensors for automated scoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise scoring and automated game management.
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
Enables complex pattern-building gameplay, enhances spectator engagement, and provides a scalable solution for large events with customizable difficulty and electronic scoring, facilitating easy setup and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a funnel positioned between the plurality of hoops and the plurality of channels. The funnel is arranged to guide any projectiles passing through any one of the hoops directly into the corresponding channel
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for receiving projectiles and creating a pattern. The device includes a plurality of hoops arranged in parallel and configured to receive the projectiles. A two-dimensional grid could be provided—across a plurality of channels of the device, or on a display of the device—in order to display the projectiles received by the plurality of hoops. In some examples, projectiles may be received by a plurality of channels, and the pattern is created within the channels and is viewable through apertures across the channels. In other examples, sensors may be used to determine when a projectile has passed through one of the hoops, and indicators may be displayed in corresponding vertical columns of a two-dimensional grid on a display.