Interactive Turret Robot with Variable Speed Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home entertainment systems, such as video games, primarily limit user interactions to virtual worlds and do not effectively incorporate physical environment interactions, lacking the ability to seamlessly integrate user alterations across different perspectives of a physical scene.
Innovation Solution
An interactive turret robot equipped with wheels, a variable speed motor, and an infrared blaster, capable of rotating independently of its wheels, allowing it to interact with the physical environment and other devices, and configured with tentacle attachments for physical interaction, microphones for direction determination, and ultrasound/infrared for distance calculation, enabling dynamic movement and interaction within a play environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video game systems use traditional controllers to interact with the virtual world, then user control and interaction precision are improved, but the ability to influence the physical environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures images of the physical environment and integrates them into the virtual game world. This mediator bridges the gap between physical actions and virtual responses, allowing users to interact with both realms simultaneously. The camera captures real-world scenes and allows virtual objects to be placed and manipulated within those captured images, creating a link between physical controller inputs and physical environment feedback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video game systems integrate camera devices to capture physical scenes, then the integration of virtual and real-world interactions is improved, but the consistency across different perspectives deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the physical environment by capturing images with a camera and displaying them within the virtual game world. Virtual objects are placed within these captured images, creating a stable composite view that maintains perspective consistency. The system processes the captured image and integrates virtual elements into it, ensuring that the combined view remains stable and consistent across different game actions and perspectives.
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
Enhances the immersive play experience by allowing the robot to physically interact with the environment and users, providing a more engaging and dynamic playtime experience through its ability to move, aim, and respond to user interactions within a multi-device ecosystem.
Implementation Method 1
An interactive turret robot equipped with wheels, a variable speed motor, and an infrared blaster
Implementation Method 2
determining user direction and distance using microphones and sensors
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides an apparatus that includes a plurality of wheels configured to rotate in either of two rotational directions about an axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes a turret portion disposed between the two wheels and rotatable about the axis of rotation in either of the two rotational directions and independently of the plurality of wheels. Additionally, the apparatus includes a motor configured to provide torque to the plurality of wheels and the turret portion. The motor can cause each of the plurality of wheels to rotate independently in either of the two rotational directions when operating in a first rotational speed mode. The motor can also cause the turret portion to rotate in either of the two rotational directions independently of the plurality of wheels when operating in a second rotational speed mode which is faster relative to the first rotational speed mode.