Interactive components for amusement parks

Abstract

An entertainment system has an interactive component for an amusement park. The interactive component includes a detection device disposed within a housing and configured to read an identification tag via long-range and short-range radio communication, an interaction sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect a physical interaction with a portion of the interactive component, a control device communicatively coupled to the detection device and the interaction sensor, wherein the control device is configured to receive feedback from the detection device and the interaction sensor, an effect device configured to receive a signal from the control device and configured to generate an effect based on the detected physical interaction, and a transmitter configured to transmit data to the identification tag based on the detected physical interaction with the portion of the interactive component when the identification tag is detected within a threshold distance of the interactive component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of this disclosure relate to interactive components for amusement parks. Background Technology

[0002] This section aims to introduce the reader to various technical aspects that may relate to the various aspects of this disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is intended to help provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this regard, and not as an admission of prior art.

[0003] Amusement parks comprise a wide variety of rides that offer a unique experience to each park customer. Adding large attractions (such as rides and shows) generally provides amusement parks with the additional capacity to handle larger crowds. However, such attractions tend to attract more visitors and become hubs for customer traffic. Moreover, adding traditional rides without adding a layer of entertainment may not be sufficient to generate enough customer interest in addressing traffic issues or offering an advantage over competitors. In some cases, amusement parks may include a variety of interactive features used to entertain park customers while waiting for and / or traveling between large attractions. As modern attractions become more sophisticated and complex, and as the expectations of amusement park and / or theme park customers increase, there is a need for improved and more creative attractions, including those offering more interactive and personalized experiences. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following outlines certain embodiments corresponding in scope to the originally claimed subject matter. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, but rather are intended only to provide a brief summary of some of the disclosed embodiments. In fact, this disclosure may include a wide variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] In one embodiment, an entertainment system has an interactive component for an amusement park, wherein the interactive component includes: a detection device disposed within a housing and configured to read identification tags via long-range and short-range radio communications; an interactive sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect physical interaction with a portion of the interactive component; a control device communicatively coupled to the detection device and the interactive sensor, wherein the control device is configured to receive feedback from the detection device and the interactive sensor; an effects device configured to receive signals from the control device and generate effects based on the detected physical interaction with a portion of the interactive component; and a transmitter configured to transmit data to the identification tag based on the detected physical interaction with a portion of the interactive component when the identification tag is detected within a threshold distance of the interactive component.

[0006] In another embodiment, a system includes an interactive component disposed in an amusement park environment. The interactive component includes: a detection device configured to communicate with a customer identification tag; an interaction sensor configured to detect physical proximity to a portion of the interactive component and / or interaction with a portion of the interactive component; a control device communicatively coupled to the detection device and the interaction sensor, wherein the control device is configured to receive feedback from the detection device and the interaction sensor, and wherein the control device is configured to award a customer profile score associated with the customer identification tag upon detection of interaction with a portion of the interactive component when the customer identification tag is within a threshold proximity; an effect device configured to receive signals from the control device to generate an effect upon detection of interaction with a portion of the interactive component; a display disposed in the amusement park environment; and a control system of the amusement park communicatively coupled to the control device of the interactive component, wherein the control system is configured to send one or more signals to the display to display information based on the score awarded to the customer profile.

[0007] In another embodiment, a method includes: using a detection device to identify a customer device near an interactive component located in an amusement park environment; using an interaction sensor to detect interaction with the interactive component associated with the identified customer device when the detection device detects the presence of the customer device within a threshold distance relative to a point of the interactive component; and using an effect device to generate an effect based on the interaction with the interactive component associated with the customer device when the presence of the identified customer device within the threshold distance relative to a point of the interactive component is detected. Attached Figure Description

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become more readily understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same symbols throughout the drawings denote the same parts, wherein:

[0009] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system including interactive components for an amusement park, according to aspects of this disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 This describes the aspects of the disclosure. Figure 1 An example of an interactive component in an amusement park environment;

[0011] Figure 3 This describes the aspects of the disclosure. Figure 1 Examples of interactive components in an amusement park environment and customers interacting with these components;

[0012] Figure 4 This describes the aspects of the disclosure. Figure 1 An example of an interactive component in an amusement park environment;

[0013] Figure 5 This describes the aspects of the disclosure. Figure 1 An example of an interactive component in an amusement park environment;

[0014] Figure 6 Based on the aspects of this disclosure Figure 1-5 A perspective view of an embodiment of the interactive component; and

[0015] Figure 7 It is for use according to aspects of this disclosure. Figure 1-6 A flowchart of an embodiment of the process of interactive components. Detailed Implementation

[0016] One or more specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation may be described in the detailed description. It should be appreciated that, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, which may vary depending on the implementation, such as compliance with system-related constraints and business-related constraints. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but will be nothing more than routine tasks of design, fabrication, and manufacturing for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0017] Amusement parks are characterized by a wide variety of entertainment, such as rides, shows, and games. Different types of entertainment can include features that enhance the customer experience at the amusement park. For example, interactive components can detect customer interactions and generate effects based on those interactions.

[0018] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to improved interactive components that can be utilized in amusement parks. Interactive components allow amusement park patrons to physically interact with a portion of the component (e.g., a surface, button, sensor, or other suitable feature) to generate effects. In some embodiments, the interactive component may include a cylinder, sphere, drum, block, cube, or other suitable shape that can be activated by physical contact with a patron. For example, the interactive component may include a surface with a relatively soft, flexible, or plush material that a patron can physically contact (or interact with) the surface. Upon physical contact with the surface, sensors of the interactive component can detect the interaction and send feedback to a control device, which can activate an effect. This effect may include generating a sound, generating a display, rewarding the patron with a score related to competition within the park, rewarding the patron with a score related to personalized competition for the patron, another suitable effect, and / or a combination of the above.

[0019] In some embodiments, the interactive component is configured to detect a customer when the customer approaches it. Therefore, the interactive component can generate effects (or otherwise prepare for interaction) when the customer is very close to it and / or before the customer physically interacts with it. Furthermore, the interactive component can be configured to detect the customer's identity via an identification tag (e.g., an RFID tag or device carried by the customer) associated with the customer. Accordingly, the interactive component can generate personalized effects for the customer and / or reward points for specific customers who interact with the component. In any case, multiple interactive components can be located throughout the park so that customers can find a specific interactive component and, once found, physically interact with it. Thus, customers not otherwise engaged (e.g., riding a roller coaster or watching a show) can interact with the interactive components to enhance their experience while located in the amusement park (e.g., in public areas, in queues, or in dedicated interactive spaces).

[0020] Switch to the attached image. Figure 1 An embodiment illustrating a schematic diagram of system 10 (e.g., an entertainment system) includes an interactive component 12 for an amusement park. (As shown in...) Figure 1 As illustrated in the described embodiments, system 10 includes a network 14 that can be utilized throughout the amusement park. In some embodiments, network 14 can enable communication between interactive component 12 and other components and / or devices within the amusement park. For example, in some embodiments, network 14 is a wireless communication system that transmits and receives wireless signals from multiple devices within the amusement park via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, another suitable wireless communication technology, or a combination of the above. In any case, interactive component 12 can communicate with one or more components or devices within the amusement park via network 14.

[0021] For example, the interactive component 12 can be communicatively coupled to the server 16 via a network 14, such that the server 16 can send, receive, and / or store data and information from the interactive component 12. For instance, the data and information sent and / or received from the interactive component 12 can be personalized for a specific customer of the amusement park because the interactive component 12 can identify a specific customer (e.g., via an RFID tag assigned to and transferred by the specific customer) and associate interactions with the interactive component 12 with that specific customer. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the server 16 sends data and information from the interactive component 12 to the control system 18, which may ultimately result in the data or information from the interactive component 12 being displayed at specific locations within the amusement park (e.g., a scoreboard, one or more monitors).

[0022] Alternatively or concurrently, the control system 18 may send signals back to the interactive component 12 to generate personalized effects (e.g., displaying images or videos, turning on lights, generating sounds) for specific customers. For example, amusement park customers may fill out questionnaires and / or otherwise select various things of interest, which may be stored in a customer profile (e.g., on server 16). The customer profile may be associated with a customer's identification tag (e.g., an RFID tag) so that when the identification tag is detected during interaction with the interactive component 12, the interactive component 12 selects from a number of available effects based on the customer profile and generates an effect suitable for the customer. As a non-limiting example, a customer may indicate a particular interest in dinosaurs. Accordingly, when the customer physically touches the interactive component 12, the interactive component may detect the customer (e.g., via an RFID tag) and generate audio of a dinosaur roar.

[0023] As in Figure 1As illustrated in the described embodiments, the interaction component 12 may include various hardware disposed within the housing 19, enabling the interaction component 12 to detect customers, detect customer-initiated interactions, and / or generate such effects. For example, the interaction component 12 includes a control device 20. The control device 20 may be communicatively coupled to a control system 18 (e.g., an amusement park control system 18) via a network 14. Moreover, the control device 20 may be coupled to a first antenna 22 (e.g., an ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna) and / or a second antenna 24 (e.g., a near-field communication (NFC) antenna), which may be configured to be combined with a transceiver 25 (e.g., an RFID transceiver) to detect and / or identify customers. In some embodiments, the transceiver 25 (e.g., a UHF transceiver or an NFC transceiver) and the control device 20 are integral units. Accordingly, the first antenna 22, the second antenna 24, and / or the transceiver 25 may be referred to as a detection device for detecting and / or identifying customers. For example, the first antenna 22, the second antenna 24, and / or transceiver 25 can transmit electromagnetic waves (e.g., long-range and / or short-range radio communications) that are received by an identification tag (e.g., an RFID tag or customer device) associated with a specific customer. Accordingly, when a specific customer is located at a threshold distance from the interaction component 12, the first antenna 22, the second antenna 24, and / or transceiver 25 can identify the specific customer (and associated customer profile) by communicating with the identification tag (e.g., an RFID tag or other suitable identification device located on a wristband, wearable badge, handheld or mobile device, identification card, another suitable identification component (e.g., a themed prop), or a combination of the above). In some embodiments, the threshold distance for the first antenna 22 is different from the threshold distance for the second antenna 24, such that the first antenna 22 and the second antenna 24 communicate with the identification tag when the identification tag is located at different distances from the interaction component 12.

[0024] In some embodiments, the identification tag may include a UHF RFID tag component and a near-field communication RFID tag component, such that the first antenna 22 (e.g., a UHF antenna) and the second antenna 24 (e.g., an NFC antenna) can communicate with the identification tag individually or simultaneously at different ranges. Furthermore, the transceiver 25 (e.g., a transmitter) can transmit data and / or information to the identification tag based on interactions between the customer and the interaction component 12 associated with the identification tag. For example, when a customer is detected within a threshold distance of the interaction component 12, the transceiver 25 may send data to the customer signaling that the customer is approaching the interaction component 12 and / or informing the customer that reaching the interaction component 12 has earned a certain score.

[0025] In some embodiments, each customer may wear a wristband including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. As used herein, the RFID tag may include electronic circuitry and an antenna disposed on the electronic circuitry to transmit signals to and / or receive signals from a first antenna 22, a second antenna 24, and / or a transceiver 25. Accordingly, when the customer is within range of the first antenna 22 and the first transceiver 25, the first antenna 22 (which may be a UHF antenna) and the first transceiver 25 (e.g., a first RFID transceiver) detect the customer's RFID tag. Therefore, the control device 20 can identify the customer so that personalized effects and / or scores for rewarding the customer can be generated. Furthermore, when the customer is relatively very close to the interaction component 12 (e.g., within 50 cm), the second antenna 24 (which may be an NFC antenna) and the second transceiver 25 (e.g., a second RFID transceiver) detect the customer's RFID tag. In some embodiments, the second antenna 24 and the second RFID transceiver 25 detect that a customer is very close to the interactive component 12, and generate the effect without the customer physically touching the interactive component 12 or based on the signal and without contact. Alternatively, the first antenna 22, the second antenna 24 and / or the transceiver 25 may reprogram or update the customer's RFID tag to reflect the customer's interaction with a specific interactive component 12 in the amusement park.

[0026] In some embodiments, the interactive component 12 may include a proximity sensor 26 (e.g., in addition to, or in place of, an NFC antenna and transceiver), which may be configured to detect the proximity of a customer to the interactive component 12 (e.g., the distance from the interactive component 12). For example, the proximity sensor 26 may send feedback indicating the customer's position relative to the interactive component 12 to the control device 20. In some embodiments, the control device 20 may actuate an effect when the customer is within a predetermined distance relative to the interactive component 12. As a non-limiting example, the control device 20 may send a signal to illuminate a light (e.g., one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the shape of an arrow pointing towards the interactive surface), which may provide the customer with instructions on how to interact with the interactive component 12. Additionally, the control device 20 is coupled to an interactive sensor 28, which is used to detect customer interaction with the interactive component. For example, the interactive sensor 28 may include an impact sensor, such as an accelerometer or a piezoelectric sensor. Thus, the interactive sensor 28 may detect contact between the customer and the interactive component 12 and send a signal to the control device 20 to initiate an effect.

[0027] In some embodiments, the interactive component 12 may include visual effects devices 30 (e.g., lights, monitors) and / or audio effects devices 32 (e.g., speakers). Accordingly, the control device 20 of the interactive component 12 may activate the visual effects devices 30 and / or audio effects devices 32 based on detected interaction and / or the specific customer initiating the interaction. In some embodiments, the control device 20 uses the visual effects devices 30 and / or audio effects devices 32 to actuate specific effects regardless of the specific customer initiating the interaction (e.g., via interaction sensor 28). In other embodiments, the control device 20 may actuate the visual effects devices 30 and / or audio effects devices 32 based on a specific customer identified by the interactive component 12 (e.g., via an RFID tag), thereby creating personalized effects. Additionally or alternatively, the control device 20 may detect interaction with the interactive component 12 and send signals to the control system 18 (e.g., via network 14) to award points to specific customers. Accordingly, the control system 18 may send one or more signals to display the scores of specific customers at predetermined locations around the amusement park.

[0028] Furthermore, the control system 18 can be configured to control the timing of actuation of the visual effects device 30 and / or the audio effects device 32. For example, in some cases, the interactive component 12 includes: an active state, which enables the interactive component 12 to generate the effect (e.g., activating the visual effects device 28, activating the audio effects device 30, and / or awarding points to the customer); and an inactive state, wherein the interactive component 12 may not generate the effect despite interaction by the customer. Accordingly, the control system 18 can be configured to activate the visual effects device 30, the audio effects device 32, and / or another suitable device within the interactive component 12 to inform customers of the amusement park when the interactive component is in an active and / or inactive state. After the interactive component 12 detects interaction with itself, the interactive component can enter an inactive state for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or more than 1 hour). After the predetermined period of time, the control system 18 can send a signal to the interactive component 12 to provide an indication that the interactive component 12 is in an active state (e.g., a green light). In other embodiments, the interactive component 12 may include a semi-active state in which, upon interaction with the interactive component 12, the interactive component 12 activates the visual effects device 30 and / or the audio effects device 32, but does not award points to the customer.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the interactive device 12 positioned within an environment 50 of an amusement park. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the interactive device 12 is mounted to a structural support 52 of the amusement park (e.g., a wall, beam, or structure) via a mounting device 54. Figure 2 As illustrated in the described embodiments, structural support 52 is a wall within the amusement park. In some embodiments, mounting device 54 is a truss mount that secures the interactive component 12 to a substantially fixed position within the amusement park. Figure 2 As illustrated in the described embodiments, the interactive component 12 may be positioned at a height 56 ​​from the amusement park floor 58 (e.g., the ground). Height 56 ​​may be predetermined based at least on the average height of customers visiting the amusement park (or close to the average height of people in the area of ​​the amusement park). For example, in some embodiments, height 56 ​​may be between 0.1 meters and 1 meter higher than the average height of customers visiting the amusement park, between 0.2 meters and 0.75 meters higher than the average height of customers visiting the amusement park, or between 0.25 meters and 0.5 meters higher than the average height of customers visiting the amusement park. Raising height 56 ​​above the average height of customers visiting the amusement park allows customers to jump to interact with the interactive component 12 (e.g., thereby physically contacting the bottom surface of the interactive component). However, in other embodiments, height 56 ​​may be at the average height of customers visiting the amusement park, may be less than the average height of customers visiting the amusement park, or may be any other suitable height (see, for example...). Figure 4 ).

[0030] In some embodiments, height 56 ​​can be adjusted based on the height of customer 59 included in the customer profile associated with the identification tag via a height adjustment feature. For example, mounting device 54 can be coupled to telescopic beam 61, which can adjust the height 56 ​​of interactive component 12 based on the height of customer 59. Telescopic beam 61 can be coupled to control device 20 such that, immediately upon detection of identification tag and receipt of height information of customer 59, telescopic beam 61 can be actuated by control device. Figure 2 As illustrated in the described embodiments, the telescopic beam 61 may be coupled to a power source 63, which supplies power to a motor or other device configured to raise and lower the telescopic beam 61. The mounting device 54 extends through the wall 52 via a slot 100. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the slot 100 may be covered by an adjustable portion 65, which substantially blocks the view of a customer 59 through the slot 100 and / or substantially prevents the customer 59 from accessing components within the slot 100. The adjustable portion 65 may be coupled to the mounting device 54 at a first end 67 and disposed on one or more rollers 69 at a second end 71. The rollers 69 may allow the adjustable portion 65 to be adjusted in length as the mounting device 54 (and thus the interaction component 12) moves due to the telescopic beam 61. In some embodiments, the rollers 69 include a motor or actuator configured to remove or retract the adjustable portion 65 as the mounting device 54 moves to adjust the height 56.

[0031] As discussed above, customer interaction with interactive component 12 can award points to customer 59's account. Figure 2 As illustrated in the described embodiment, environment 50 includes a display 60 that includes scores of customers interacting with interactive components 12. For example, display 60 could be a leaderboard displaying customers with the highest scores over a predetermined period of time (e.g., a day, a week, a month, a year, or all time). Although Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment shows a display 60 with three customer scores, but in other embodiments, the display 60 may display one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more than ten customers and their corresponding scores. In yet another embodiment, the display 60 may be configured to scroll through a score page that lists customers and their corresponding scores. In such an embodiment, the scores of all customers who participated and interacted with the interaction component 12 may be displayed.

[0032] In some embodiments, for example, the interactive component 12 is configured to generate an effect upon detecting a customer via a proximity sensor 26. The interactive component 12 may use a first antenna 22, a second antenna 24, a transceiver 25, and / or the proximity sensor 26 to detect that a customer is within a predetermined distance 62 from the interactive component 12 and generate an effect (e.g., thereby drawing the customer's attention to the interactive component 12). In some cases, this effect may guide the customer to contact the interactive component 12 at a specific location. For example, the surface 64 of the interactive component 12 (e.g., a contact surface or impact surface) may include a relatively plush or flexible surface that the customer contacts with their hand or an object (e.g., a toy hammer or sword). Although Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment shows surface 64 as the lowest surface of the interactive component 12 relative to the floor 58, but according to this embodiment, surface 64 can be positioned on any suitable surface of the interactive component 12. In some embodiments, proximity sensor 26 sends a signal to control device 20 indicating the customer's position relative to the interactive component 12. Therefore, control device 20 sends a signal to visual effects device 30 (e.g., one or more LEDs) to provide visual cues to the customer, guiding them on how to properly interact with the interactive component 12. As a non-limiting example, visual effects device 30 may include a plurality of LEDs in the shape of arrows pointing towards surface 64 to guide the customer to physically contact surface 64.

[0033] Furthermore, as discussed above, the interactive component 12 can detect a specific customer via an identification tag 66 associated with the customer (e.g., an RFID tag). As in Figure 2As illustrated in the described embodiments, the identification tag 66 may be included on a wearable component worn by the customer around their wrist. In other embodiments, the identification tag 66 may be included on a handheld device carried by the customer (e.g., a cellular phone or other electronic device), an identification badge, identification card, identification object, or any other suitable component that can communicate with the first antenna 22, the second antenna 24, and the transceiver 25. Therefore, the interaction component 12 can identify the customer and thus generate personalized effects for the customer (e.g., based on preferences included in a customer account or profile), and / or award points (e.g., scores) to specific customers associated with the identification tag 66.

[0034] In some embodiments, the customer 59 physically contacts a portion of the interaction component 12 (e.g., surface 64) to actuate the effect. For example, Figure 3 This describes an embodiment of environment 50 and customer 59 interacting with interactive component 12. (As in...) Figure 3 As illustrated in the described embodiments, a customer can physically contact surface 64 (or another suitable portion of the interactive component 12) to generate an effect. As discussed above, Figure 1 The interactive component 12 includes an interactive sensor 28, which may include an accelerometer or a piezoelectric sensor. The interactive sensor 28 can detect contact made by the customer 59 via vibration and / or other movement of the surface 64 caused when the customer 59 contacts the surface 64. The interactive sensor 28 can send feedback to the control device 20, indicating the contact made by the customer 59. The control device 20 can then send signals to the visual effects device 30 and / or the audio effects device 32 to generate an effect. In other embodiments, the visual effects device 30 and / or the audio effects device 32 can generate the effect upon receiving feedback from the second antenna 24 (e.g., an NFC antenna) and the second transceiver 25 that the customer is very close to the interactive sensor 28. In such embodiments, the customer may not physically contact the interactive component 12 to generate the effect.

[0035] As in Figure 3As illustrated in the described embodiments, when a customer touches surface 64, the interaction component 12 generates sound 80 (e.g., via audio effects device 32). Alternatively or additionally, the interaction component 12 may create visual effects 82 via monitor 84 and / or visual effects device 30. As discussed above, the sound 80 and / or visual effects 82 can be personalized for the specific customer 59 who touches the interaction component 12. In some cases, the generated sound 80 and / or visual effects 82 may be based on a profile of customer 59 linked to an identification tag 66 for customer 59. Customer 59 can select various preferences or identifying topics that interest the customer. Therefore, the sound 80 and / or visual effects 82 can relate to preferences and / or topics identified by the customer. Furthermore, the interaction component 12 can add a score to display 60 to indicate that the customer has touched the interaction component 12.

[0036] As in Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the height 56 ​​of the interactive component 12 allows a customer to jump from the floor 58 to reach the surface 64 of the interactive component 12. However, in other embodiments, the height 56 ​​may be lowered to facilitate customer interaction with the interactive component 12. For example, Figure 4 An embodiment of environment 50 is described, in which height 56 ​​is lowered to facilitate customer interaction. In some embodiments, the interaction component 12 may be movable relative to wall 52. Accordingly, the height 56 ​​of the interaction component 12 can be modified to suit a specific height of the customer. In some embodiments, the customer may be identified via the interaction component 12 using an identification tag 66, a first antenna 22, a second antenna 24, and / or a transceiver 25. Personalized information related to the customer (such as the customer's height) may be included in a customer profile associated with the identification tag 66. Thus, the interaction component 12 can determine the height of the customer 59 and, based on the height of the customer 59, adjust the height 56 ​​of the interaction component to a suitable distance from floor 58.

[0037] To allow for height 56 ​​adjustment, the mounting device 54 may be disposed along the wall 52 in a slot or recess 100. The mounting device 54 may also be coupled to an actuator 102 (e.g., a telescopic beam 61) configured to guide the mounting device 54 along axis 104 and thus the interaction member 12 to adjust the height 56. In some embodiments, the actuator 102 may include a telescopic beam 61 and / or a circuit or belt that rotates to adjust the position of the interaction member 12 along the wall 52. Thus, the height 56 ​​can be modified to accommodate customers of various heights. Furthermore, as discussed above, the adjustable portion 65 may be configured to cover the slot 100 as the mounting device 54 (and thus the interaction member 12) moves along axis 104.

[0038] In other embodiments, environment 50 may include positioning components 120 (e.g., steps, stairs, inclined surfaces, or other suitable components) that allow a customer to step or climb upwards toward interaction component 12. For example, Figure 5 An embodiment of an environment 50 with positioning component 120 is described. Therefore, regardless of the height of the customer 59, the customer can use positioning component 120 to reach the interaction component 12. Positioning component 120 can also be adjustable to further enable the customer to reach the interaction component 12. For example, positioning component 120 may include an automatically stackable component 121 that can raise or lower the height 123 of positioning component 12. In some embodiments, interaction component 12 may be coupled to another structure of the amusement park instead of wall 52. For example, as in... Figure 5 As illustrated in the described embodiment, the interactive component 12 is mounted to a beam 122, which can be secured within the ground 58. The beam 122 may also be adjustable to adjust the height 56 ​​of the interactive component 12 (e.g., in addition to, or instead of, the positioning component 120). For example, the beam 122 may include a telescopic configuration that allows the beam 122 to adjust the height 56 ​​of the interactive component 12. The telescopic configuration of the beam 122 may allow the height 56 ​​to be adjusted manually (e.g., by an operator physically moving the beam 122 to adjust the height 56) or mechanically using an actuator (e.g., a motor). In other embodiments, the interactive component 12 may be mounted to any suitable structural or fixed component within the amusement park.

[0039] As discussed above, customers can physically interact with the interactive component 12 to generate the effect and / or receive a score. The surface 64 of the interactive component 12 may include features that provide comfort to the customer upon physical contact. For example, Figure 6 This illustration shows a perspective view of the interactive component 12 and its housing 19. (See also...) Figure 6 As illustrated in the described embodiments, surface 64 includes a liner 140 along its edge 142 to provide a resilient padding immediately after being bumped by a customer. In other embodiments, the edge 142 of surface 64 may be formed as a rounded or smooth edge to facilitate interaction with the interaction component 12 by the customer. Surface 64 may also include a resilient material 144 (e.g., silicone, rubber, another polymeric material) that may vibrate and / or otherwise move when touched by a customer. Thus, the interaction sensor 128 can detect such vibrations and / or movements to determine that a customer has interacted with the interaction component 12. In some embodiments, surface 64 may also include a structural layer that reinforces surface 64 to improve its robustness. Although Figure 6The illustrated embodiment shows the interaction component 12 as having a substantially cylindrical shape, but it should be appreciated that the interaction component 12 may include any suitable shape, such as a substantially spherical shape, a substantially cubic shape, or another prismatic shape.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of an embodiment of process 160, which can be used by the control device 20 of the interaction component 12 to receive input and generate effects. At block 162, the interaction component 12 can use an identification tag 66, a first antenna 22, a second antenna 24, and / or a transceiver 25 to identify a customer approaching the interaction component 12. For example, the first antenna 22, the second antenna 24, and / or the transceiver 25 can identify a customer by detecting an identification tag 66 that the customer can wear and / or grasp. The identification tag 66 can be associated with a customer profile or account that the control device 20 can identify. Accordingly, the interaction component 12 can generate personalized effects and / or reward scores for the customer based on the customer profile or account. Furthermore, the second antenna 24 (e.g., an NFC antenna) and the second transceiver 25 and / or proximity sensor 26 can be used to detect a customer approaching the interaction component 12 to trigger one or more devices or effects (e.g., LEDs in the shape of arrows pointing towards surface 64) that guide the customer on how to interact with the interaction component.

[0041] In box 164, the interactive component 12 can detect that a customer has interacted with surface 64. As discussed above, the interactive sensor 28 can detect vibrations and / or movement of surface 64 and send feedback indicating the interaction to control device 20. Alternatively or additionally, the second antenna 24 and the second transceiver 25 detect that the customer is very close to the interactive component 12 and send feedback to control device 20. Thus, as shown in box 166, control device 20 can send one or more signals to the means of the interactive component 12 to generate an effect. For example, control device 20 can send signals to visual effects device 30 and / or to audio effects device 32 to generate the effect. Alternatively or additionally, the effect may include awarding points to the customer for interacting with the interactive component 12. Thus, control device 20 can communicate with control system 18 (e.g., via a network) to award points to the customer. The points can then be displayed on display 60 and / or displayed at another location in the amusement park.

[0042] While only certain features of this disclosure have been described and illustrated herein, many modifications and alterations will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alterations as fall within the true spirit of this disclosure. The techniques set forth and claimed herein are referenced and applied to physical and concrete examples that can arguably improve the practical nature of the art, and are not therefore abstract, abstract, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended to this detailed description contains one or more elements designated as “component for [performing]…[function]” or “step for [performing]…[function]”, such elements are intended to be interpreted pursuant to 35.112(f) of the U.S. Patent Act. However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, such elements are intended not to be interpreted pursuant to 35.112(f) of the U.S. Patent Act.

Claims

1. An entertainment system comprising interactive components for an amusement park, wherein, The interactive component includes: The detection device is housed within the housing and configured to read identification tags via long-range and short-range radio communication; An interactive sensor is disposed within the housing and configured to detect physical interaction with a surface of the interactive component, wherein the surface comprises a flexible material, and wherein the interactive sensor is configured to detect movement of the surface. A control device communicatively coupled to the detection device and the interactive sensor, wherein the control device is configured to receive feedback from the detection device and the interactive sensor; and An effects device configured to receive signals from the control device and generate an effect based on the detected physical interaction with the surface of the interactive component; and A transmitter configured to transmit data to the identification tag based on the physical interaction with the surface of the interactive component detected by the interactive sensor when the identification tag is detected by the detection device within a threshold distance of the interactive component.

2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein, The interactive sensor includes an accelerometer or a piezoelectric sensor or both, and wherein the interactive sensor is positioned close to the surface of the interactive component.

3. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein, The detection device includes: an ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna configured to detect a UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of the identification tag; and a near-field communication antenna configured to detect a near-field communication RFID tag of the identification tag.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The detection device includes an ultra-high frequency transceiver, and the ultra-high frequency transceiver and the control device are an integrated unit.

5. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein, The effects device includes a visual effects device or an audio effects device or both.

6. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein, The visual effects device includes a monitor.

7. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein, The audio effects device includes a speaker.

8. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein, The control device is configured to communicatively couple to the control system of the amusement park, wherein the control device is configured to award points to the account associated with the identification tag upon detecting the interaction with the surface of the interactive component when the identification tag is detected within a threshold distance of the interactive component.

9. The entertainment system according to claim 8, comprising the control system of the amusement park, wherein, The amusement park's control system is configured to display the awarded score on a monitor located within the amusement park.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein, The interactive component is configured to be mounted to the structural support structure of the amusement park using mounting components.

11. The entertainment system according to claim 10, wherein, The structural support includes a height adjustment feature configured to move the interactive component based on user characteristics stored in a database and associated with the identification label.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein, The control device is configured to, in response to the detection device detecting the identification tag, set the adjustment height of the height adjustment feature based on the user characteristics.

13. An entertainment system, comprising: An interactive component, installed in the environment of an amusement park, includes: A detection device configured to communicate with customer identification tags; An interactive sensor configured to detect physical proximity to and / or interaction with the surface of the interactive component; A control device communicatively coupled to the detection device and the interaction sensor, the control device being configured to receive feedback from the detection device and the interaction sensor, and configured to award a customer profile score associated with the customer identification tag upon the interaction sensor detecting the interaction with the surface of the interaction component and the detection device detecting that the customer identification tag is within a threshold proximity, wherein the surface of the interaction component comprises a flexible material, and wherein the interaction sensor is configured to detect movement of the surface; and An effect device configured to receive a signal from the control device, thereby generating an effect upon detection of the interaction with the surface of the interactive component by the interaction sensor; A display screen, which is installed in the environment of the amusement park; and The amusement park's control system, communicatively coupled to the control device of the interactive component, is configured to send one or more signals to the display to show information based on the score awarded to the customer profile.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The display is configured to show the highest score of a predetermined number of customers at the amusement park.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The interactive sensor includes an accelerometer or a piezoelectric sensor or both, and wherein the interactive sensor is positioned close to the surface of the interactive component.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The effects generated by the effects device are personalized for the customer profile based on the preferences identified in the customer profile.

17. A method of entertainment, comprising: Use detection devices to identify customer devices that are near interactive components set up in the amusement park environment; When using the detection device to detect the presence of the customer device within a threshold distance relative to a point of the interactive component, an interaction sensor is used to detect interaction with the surface of the interactive component associated with the identified customer device, wherein the surface comprises a flexible material, and wherein the interaction sensor is configured to detect movement of the surface. as well as When the presence of the identified customer device is detected within the threshold distance relative to the point of the interactive component, an effect device is used to generate an effect based on the detected interaction with the surface of the interactive component associated with the identified customer device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising using a height adjustment feature to set the adjustment height of the interactive component based on user characteristics determined from a customer profile associated with the customer device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, Setting the adjustment height of the interactive component includes adjusting the height of the telescopic beam of the mounting device coupled to the interactive component.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising: The detection device or proximity sensor is used to detect the proximity of the customer device to the point of the interactive component; as well as When the customer device is within a predetermined distance from the point of the interactive component, the effect device is used to actuate additional effects, which indicate how to interact with the surface of the interactive component, wherein the predetermined distance is greater than the threshold distance.

21. An entertainment system comprising interactive components for an amusement park, wherein, The interactive component is configured to be mounted to the structural support by a mounting device, wherein the interactive component includes: A detection device, disposed within a housing, is configured to read an identification tag on a wearable device, wherein the identification tag is associated with a customer profile including one or more user characteristics; A control device communicatively coupled to the detection device, wherein the control device is configured to: Determine one or more user characteristics based on the customer profile associated with the identification tag; and The height of the interactive component is adjusted by controlling the height adjustment feature of the structural support based on one or more user characteristics, wherein the one or more user characteristics are determined according to the customer profile associated with the identification label.

22. The entertainment system according to claim 21, wherein, The one or more user characteristics include customer height associated with the identification tag.

23. The entertainment system according to claim 22, wherein, The control device is configured to adjust the height of the interactive component to be greater than the height of the customer.

24. The entertainment system according to claim 23, wherein, The control device is configured to set the height of the interactive component to a predetermined height above the customer's height.

25. The entertainment system according to claim 21, wherein, The detection device includes: an ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna configured to detect a UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of the identification tag; and a near-field communication antenna configured to detect a near-field communication RFID tag of the identification tag.

26. The entertainment system of claim 21, further comprising the height adjustment feature, the height adjustment feature including a telescopic beam configured to extend and retract along an axis, and wherein, The entertainment system includes the mounting device attached to the telescopic beam.

27. The entertainment system according to claim 26, wherein, The telescopic beam is communicatively coupled to the control device.

28. The entertainment system of claim 21, including the mounting device extending through the structural support via a slot.

29. The entertainment system according to claim 28, wherein, The slot is covered by an adjustable portion configured to block access to the structural support via the slot.

30. The entertainment system according to claim 29, wherein, The first end of the adjustable portion is coupled to the mounting device.

31. The entertainment system according to claim 30, wherein, The second end of the adjustable portion is disposed on one or more rollers, wherein the one or more rollers enable the length of the adjustable portion to be adjusted based on the height of the interactive component.

32. The entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the wearable component includes a wristband.

33. An entertainment system for an amusement park, the entertainment system comprising: Interactive components; Actuator; Mounting components that couple the interactive components to the actuator; as well as A control device communicatively coupled to the actuator, wherein the control device is configured to: Wirelessly read radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with customer profiles including one or more user characteristics; and The actuator is controlled to adjust the height of the interactive component based on one or more user characteristics determined according to the customer profile associated with the RFID tag.

34. The entertainment system according to claim 33, wherein, The actuator includes a belt, and the control device is configured to rotate the belt to adjust the height of the interactive component.

35. The entertainment system according to claim 33, wherein, The actuator includes a motor, and the control device is configured to operate the motor to adjust the height of the interactive component.

36. The entertainment system according to claim 33, wherein, One or more user characteristics include user height.

37. A method of entertainment, comprising: The identification tag associated with the customer profile, including customer height, is read via a detection device in the interactive component; The control device via the interactive component determines the customer height based on the customer profile associated with the identification label; and The control device via the interactive component adjusts the height of the interactive component based on the customer's height.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, Adjusting the height of the interactive component includes actuating a telescopic beam coupled to the interactive component via the control device of the interactive component.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein, Actuating the telescopic beam includes extending or retracting the telescopic beam along the axis via the control device of the interactive component.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting, via the detection device, that the identification tag is within proximity to the interactive component, wherein, The identification tag is read in response to the detection that the identification tag is within the proximity of the interactive component.

Images