Smart Cube Controller for Intuitive Puzzle Solving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cube puzzle devices are difficult for ordinary users to solve due to complex solutions in existing textbooks and video tutorials, leading to a lack of interest and engagement.
Innovation Solution
A smart cube with a controller that recognizes block positions and rotation, providing intuitive step-by-step solutions through light emissions and communication with external terminals, allowing users to easily solve the puzzle and operate as an input device or controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cube puzzles are used with traditional solutions, then the puzzle-solving challenge is maintained, but ordinary users find it difficult to solve and lose interest
Solution Approach 1:
The smart cube incorporates sensors to detect the current state of blocks and provides real-time feedback through light-emitting devices that guide users through solution steps. The controller compares the detected block positions with the target state and generates step-by-step visual instructions, creating a closed-loop system that continuously guides the user until the puzzle is solved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual solution methods with an automated electronic system. Instead of relying on users to follow complex textual or visual tutorials, the system uses electronic sensors to detect block positions and light-emitting devices to provide solution guidance, substituting mechanical instruction delivery with an automated electronic feedback mechanism.
2Loss of information
If smart cube adds visual guidance systems, then user understanding of solution steps is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smart cube uses light-emitting devices that can change color or illumination patterns to convey different types of information. Different colors or blinking patterns indicate different solution steps, block positions, or action requirements, providing rich information communication through a simple visual interface that doesn't require complex displays or interfaces.
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 users to intuitively solve the cube by visually outputting next steps and operating as a control input device, enhancing user engagement and puzzle-solving skills.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emitting device installed in the core housing and configured to make the block emit light
Implementation Method 2
an inductive sensor installed on a substrate in the core housing, and a conductor plate installed inside the intermediate stationary unit of the shaft block to face the inductive sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3(c)
AI summary
Disclosed are a smart cube including a core housing having an accommodation space therein, a plurality of blocks having a surface formed therein to correspond to an outer circumference of the core housing and coupled to each other to be rotatable in a group around the core housing, and a controller configured to recognize a position of at least one of the blocks and to calculate a solution to place blocks having the same outer surface on at least one surface of the cube, wherein the block includes types of shaft blocks coupled to a center of each of top, bottom, front, rear, left, and right surfaces of the core housing, edge blocks in contact with each side surface of the shaft block, and corner blocks interposed between the adjacent edge blocks, the controller recognizes a position of at least one of the blocks based on a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the shaft block, and the plurality of blocks visually outputs a next step of a current step of the solution including a plurality of steps.