Electronic Table Tennis Scoring System with Laser and Touch Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recreational table tennis players face challenges in accurately tracking scores, leading to confusion, disagreements, and decreased enjoyment due to the lack of an affordable automated scoring system that can seamlessly integrate with the game without interrupting play.

Innovation Solution

An electronic table tennis system featuring a rectangular table with touch sensors and laser scanner/locators that identify the ball's location, integrating with a scoreboard to calculate and display scores, and an alerting system for score changes using light and sound displays, ensuring accurate and automated scoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an automated scoring system is implemented, then scoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescoring accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scoring system is divided into separate functional modules: touch sensors for detecting ball impacts, laser scanners for tracking ball location, and a scoreboard for processing and displaying scores. Each module operates independently but integrates through standardized signal interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high scoring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A microcontroller or processing unit acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the display, automatically processing sensor signals and calculating scores without manual intervention. This intermediary component simplifies the interface between complex sensor arrays and the user, enabling automated scoring while keeping the user experience simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an automated scoring system is implemented, then scoring accuracy is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescoring accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses passive sensors that detect ball impacts and locations without requiring active power consumption or manual operation. The touch sensors and laser scanners operate automatically as the ball interacts with them, eliminating the need for expensive power systems or manual scorekeeping while maintaining accurate scoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs inexpensive sensor components that can be easily replaced if needed, such as standard touch sensors and inexpensive laser diodes. These components are significantly cheaper than professional-grade scoring systems while providing sufficient accuracy for recreational play, making the overall system affordable for casual players.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If manual score tracking is used, then device complexity is reduced, but scoring accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidscoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical score tracking with electronic sensors and automated processing. Touch sensors and laser scanners automatically detect and record ball positions and impacts, eliminating human error in scorekeeping while maintaining simple interfaces that do not overwhelm players during gameplay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If players manually track the score, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtime for score tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The scoring system operates continuously throughout the game without interruption. Sensors continuously monitor ball position and impact, and the scoreboard continuously updates, eliminating the need for players to pause or divert attention from the game to track scores manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 accurate, automated, and user-friendly scoring, reducing disputes and enhancing the playing experience by allowing players to focus on the game without manual interruptions, while being affordable for recreational use.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of laser scanner/locators for creating a locator field to identify the location of the ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of touch sensors incorporate solid-state microswitches

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolid-state microswitch:

Data Source

PatentUS7520827B1Electronic table tennis

Publication Date: 2009.04.21 ESPOSITO CHARLES MICHAEL

AI summary

The present invention is an electronic table tennis apparatus including an electronic scoreboard, a plurality of touch sensors disposed on a table tennis table for sending sensor signals to the scoreboard. A plurality of laser scanner/locators create a locator field to identify the location of the ball and send location signals to the scoreboard. The apparatus also includes a table tennis ball having an identifying code imprinted upon its surface. The electronic scoreboard integrates the sensor signals from the touch sensors and the location signals from the laser scanner/locators for calculating and displaying the score. The electronic scoreboard can also have an alerting system to notify of score changes.