Toy Positioning via Surface Codes and Optical Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy systems lack effective position-sensing methods, leading to inaccuracies in path reproduction, inability to interact with the environment, and high costs, making them unsuitable for children's interactive play and education.

Innovation Solution

A toy system with position-encoded surfaces and sensing points that allow relative or absolute coordinate determination, enabling autonomous movement and interaction by decoding surface codes using low-cost electronics, allowing children to teach toys new actions through physical manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If optical encoders are used to monitor wheel rotation for position tracking, then the toy can record and replay movement paths, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to slippage between wheels and surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous movement and path reproductionVSAvoidposition tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary positioning system consisting of markers placed on the play surface and a camera to detect them. This intermediary system mediates between the toy's movement and the positioning measurement, eliminating direct dependence on wheel rotation and thus resolving the slippage accuracy problem while maintaining autonomous operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wheel-encoder positioning system with an optical vision-based positioning system. The camera detects marker positions optically, substituting the mechanical measurement approach with an optical one that is not affected by wheel-surface friction and slippage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If large motors and heavy batteries are used to counteract slippage, then positioning accuracy improves, but the toy's portability and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidportability and effort required to move toy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical solution of using large motors and heavy batteries with an optical vision-based positioning system. This substitution eliminates the need for excessive mechanical force to counteract slippage, maintaining positioning accuracy while preserving the toy's light weight and ease of operation for young children

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If imaging or triangulation systems are used for external reference positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but the system cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning system into simple, inexpensive components: markers placed on the play surface and a basic camera for detection. This segmentation avoids the need for complex, expensive imaging or triangulation systems while achieving sufficient positioning accuracy through the detection of marker positions and orientations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive markers as disposable or replaceable objects on the play surface. These simple markers can be easily manufactured and replaced, providing accurate positioning reference points without the high cost of complex positioning systems, making the overall system economically viable for toy applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11559751B2Toy systems and position systems

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 LIBERATION CONSULTING

AI summary

A toy system comprises a surface (1) provided with position encoding information; and a toy (2, 20) arranged to be movable across the surface (1), said toy (2, 20) comprising at least one sensor (4) for reading said position encoding information, and processing means (3) arranged to process the position encoding information read by the sensor (4) and to determine the position of the toy (2, 20) on said surface (1) on the basis of said position encoding information.