---
key: mechanic/puzzle--family-signals
type: mechanic
id: puzzle--family-signals
lang: en
title: 'Switches, states and signals'
summary: >-
  The player controls discrete states and command propagation among system
  elements.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/puzzle--family-signals/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/puzzle--family-signals.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/puzzle--family-signals.md
aliases:
  - Switches and signals
tags:
  - Puzzles
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-8a3a7e105b6c798e
sources:
  - id: source-8a3a7e105b6c798e
    title: Portal
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: puzzle
    id: family-signals
    title: Puzzles
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/puzzle/#family-signals'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Switches and signals
    description: >-
      The player controls discrete states and command propagation among system
      elements.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/adventure-portal-04.webp
      width: 640
      height: 360
      game: Portal
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/400/0000002586.1920x1080.jpg?t=1745368554
      credit: Valve
      rights: >-
        Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed
        Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: Buttons and indicators control a passage state
      alt: Buttons and indicators control a passage state
      markers:
        - x: 84
          'y': 59
          label: Button in the active state
        - x: 42
          'y': 25
          label: Indicator shows the condition result
    tips:
      - 'Show the signal source, connection and receiver state.'
    examples:
      - title: Portal
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/puzzle
---
# Switches, states and signals

id: puzzle--family-signals
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/puzzle--family-signals
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/puzzle--family-signals/

The player controls discrete states and command propagation among system elements.

## At a glance

![Buttons and indicators control a passage state](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/adventure-portal-04.webp)

[Portal](https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. Button in the active state
2. Indicator shows the condition result

- Show the signal source, connection and receiver state.

- [Portal](https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/)

## How it works

Manage discrete states and command propagation.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-signals-variants"></a>

- Switching a group of states. Definition: With one action, change the selected element and certain neighbors. Conditional example: Extinguish all lamps with related switches. Terms: Lights Out. <a id="variant-toggle-neighbors"></a>
- Multi-step switch. Definition: Place elements that cycle through several states. Conditional example: Combine symbols on three connected reels. <a id="variant-multi-state-switch"></a>
- Pressing and holding organs. Definition: To support a condition by weight or constant presence. Conditional example: To leave a weight on the plate for an open door. <a id="variant-pressure-controls"></a>
- State machine transitions. Definition: Select a sequence of inputs that leads the system to the desired state. Conditional example: Open an automatic lock with a sequence of signals. <a id="variant-state-machine"></a>
- Boolean operations. Definition: Assemble or configure a circuit from operations on logical values. Conditional example: Open a door with exactly two active sensors. <a id="variant-logic-gates"></a>
- Delay and order of pulses. Definition: Set up the propagation of signals with different travel times. Conventional example: Deliver two pulses to the receiver simultaneously. <a id="variant-signal-delay"></a>
- State memory. Definition: Use elements that preserve the previous input or result. Conditional example: Capture a short pulse with a latch. <a id="variant-signal-memory"></a>
- Signal frequency and duration. Definition: Create a sequence of pulses with the required parameters. Conditional example: Transmit three short signals after one long one. <a id="variant-signal-frequency"></a>
- Associated controls. Definition: Set up a system where one knob simultaneously changes several parameters. Conditional example: Align three scales with two knobs. <a id="variant-coupled-controls"></a>
- Feedback. Definition: Set up a circuit whose output affects the subsequent state of the inputs. Conditional example: Achieve a stable cycle without self-blocking. <a id="variant-feedback-loop"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide catalog of mechanics for digital puzzles, paper logic problems and physical puzzles. Each position contains an action or rule and a conditional example of application.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Portal](https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/) (id: source-8a3a7e105b6c798e)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors