RFID Beer Pong Scoring System with Cloud Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beer pong games lack automatic scoring systems, preventing electronic gameplay, music, and animation, and restrict remote participation, as they rely on manual scoring and lack cloud storage for game data.

Innovation Solution

An automatic scoring system using RFID technology with RFID readers, antennas, and electronic tags on game cups and balls, integrated with cloud storage and smartphone applications to enable online gameplay and remote participation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual scoring is used in beer pong games, then players can simply judge ball landing with naked eyes, but the game cannot be played electronically and lacks automatic scoring function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic scoring functionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual judgment with an electronic detection system using RFID technology. RFID readers and antennas automatically detect when a ball lands in a cup by reading the electronic tag on the ball, eliminating the need for manual scoring and enabling electronic gameplay with automatic scoring functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through automatic detection and scoring. The RFID system automatically detects ball landings, the computer automatically calculates scores, and the system automatically controls music and animations, allowing the game to operate electronically without continuous manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If beer pong games are played locally only, then players can participate in person, but remote participation is not possible like other online network games

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote participation capabilityVSAvoidnetwork system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the beer pong system universal by integrating multiple functions: local gameplay detection, online multiplayer capability, cloud data storage, and cross-platform compatibility. The system can operate both locally with RFID detection and remotely through network connections, allowing players to participate in person or online depending on needs.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediaries to enable remote play: a network server acts as an intermediary to connect remote players, cloud storage serves as an intermediary to save and retrieve game data, and the RFID system acts as an intermediary to automatically detect and report ball landings to the network platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If game data is not stored in cloud, then the system is simpler, but ranking and grading cannot be done based on game results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame data storageVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension of data management by moving from local-only storage to cloud-based storage. Game results are uploaded to cloud servers, enabling players to access their data from any device, maintain rankings across multiple sessions, and participate in online competitions with persistent data storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Extent of automation

If no electronic detection is used, then the game setup is simpler, but music and animations cannot be automatically played like other electronic game machines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic music and animation controlVSAvoidelectronic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback loops where the RFID detection system continuously monitors ball positions, the computer processes this data in real-time, and automatically triggers appropriate responses such as playing music when a ball lands in a cup or displaying animations for scoring events, creating an interactive electronic gaming experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system provides an interactive, convenient, and globally accessible beer pong experience by automatically scoring, displaying animations, and storing game data, breaking traditional spatial limitations.

Implementation Method 1

an automatic scoring function of the beer pong game using a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3485949B1Automatic scoring system for beer pong game, and online beer pong game system
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 ATALON IP LIMTED
  • EP3485949B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3485949B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3485949B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The present invention discloses an automatic scoring system for a beer pong game to implement an automatic scoring function of the beer pong game using a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, comprising: a game table equipped with a RFID reader and a plurality of RFID antennas; a plurality of game cups with electronic tags being attached at bottoms thereof; at least one game ball with an electronic tag embedded therein, and a computer that processes data read by the reader from the electronic tags and controls a scoring procedure of the beer pong game, wherein the RFID antennas are placed at a plurality of predetermined positions in a game zone of the game table, the plurality of predetermined positions corresponding to possible positions of the game cups placed according to game rules. The present invention also discloses an online beer pong game system, comprising the automatic scoring system for a beer pong game as mentioned above, which online beer pong game obtains game data in real-time from a computer of the automatic scoring system using a cloud storage technology and a mobile phone application, such that competitors of the beer pong game can online participate in the game, track game scores and statistics, compare results with other competitors on a global scale.