Interactive Shared Playground Using Force Sensors and Haptics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to provide immersive and direct solutions for connecting remote locations to create shared experiences, especially for children, lacking in spatial and aural proximity, and are limited in interactive and collaborative play options.
Innovation Solution
The development of shared playground elements using digital screens, force sensors, accelerometers, and haptics technology to create immersive environments that allow children to interact and collaborate in real-time across networks, including shared tunnels, digital canvases, seesaws, arm wrestling, tug-of-war, intercoms, music-making, and lookout systems, providing a sense of proximity and shared space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital screens and sensors are used to create remote shared playground experiences, then children can interact across remote locations, but the sense of spatial and aural proximity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of physical playground elements (seesaws, tunnels, arm wrestling tables) using digital screens and sensors. These copies replicate the visual appearance and basic interaction mechanics of physical objects, allowing children to engage in familiar play activities remotely. The digital reproduction maintains the essence of the physical object while enabling distance-based interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
Force sensors, accelerometers, and digital screens act as intermediaries between distant children. These devices capture physical movements at one location and transmit them through the network to recreate equivalent movements at another location. The intermediary devices bridge the physical gap while preserving the interactive experience.
2Ease of operation
If traditional screens are used for remote play, then children can communicate digitally, but the immersive experience and sense of shared space are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional flat screens to three-dimensional immersive environments using projection mapping, augmented reality, and spatial audio. By adding depth and spatial dimensions, children experience a more realistic sense of shared physical space rather than flat digital interfaces. The playground elements appear to exist in three-dimensional space around the children.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic lighting, projection mapping, and visual effects to enhance the immersive experience. Colors and visual elements change in response to child interactions, creating a lively and responsive environment. The visual feedback enhances the sense of presence and shared space.
3Reliability
If simple video calls are used for remote connection, then children can see each other, but interactive play and collaboration opportunities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal platform that supports multiple types of interactive play activities through a single infrastructure. The same network-connected playground structures enable seesaw play, arm wrestling, tunnel crawling, and collaborative drawing. This multi-functional approach provides diverse play options while maintaining a reliable unified connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms static video call interfaces into dynamic interactive playground experiences. Physical movements, forces, and actions are captured in real-time and translated into corresponding digital interactions. The system adapts to various play scenarios and provides responsive feedback, creating versatile interactive opportunities.
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 children to engage in immersive and interactive experiences across remote locations, fostering a sense of shared space and collaboration, enhancing entertainment and educational value through real-time interaction and collaboration.
Implementation Method 1
a shared seesaw propelled by real-time force sensors and accelerometers
Implementation Method 2
a shared seesaw propelled by real-time force sensors and accelerometers
Implementation Method 3
a shared intercom with identical pads created with haptics technology for children to feel motion by each other
Implementation Method 4
These inventions use digital screens in each of the shared playground elements, which create the effect of extending seamlessly
Implementation Method 5
The digital screens may be either projection-based, LCD-based, or LED-based
Data Source
AI summary
These inventions are directed to creating interactive experiences in remote locations across networks that involve actions by users at either end that solicit reactions at remote ends creating an immersive shared environment and experience that allows users to feel they are within the same space. These experiences manifest in various scenarios of play by different playground structures that are illustrated and described in this application. In particular, these inventions create shared interactive playgrounds for children to participate in and enjoy.