System and method for adjusting image display via food and / or beverage containers
Food and beverage containers in amusement parks use location-sensing and interactive technology to adjust images, providing an immersive experience without continuous power, addressing the lack of interactive content in existing containers.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380037799.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-29
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-01
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing food and beverage containers in amusement parks lack the ability to enhance the patron's experience by providing interactive and immersive content that corresponds to different locations and attractions, and they often require continuous power to maintain image presentation.
The containers are equipped with a control system and display technology that allows them to determine their location and adjust images based on sensors and interactive elements, using minimal power or no power to maintain the image presentation, such as electronic paper or magnetic particle displays.
The containers provide an immersive and interactive experience by adjusting images based on location and interaction, enhancing the amusement park experience without the need for continuous power, thus promoting engagement and immersion.
Smart Images

Figure CN119137640A_ABST
Abstract
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 337,373, filed on May 2, 2022, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING AN IMAGE DISPLAYED VIAA FOOD AND / OR DRINK CONTAINER,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background Art
[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology that may be related to various aspects of the present technology, which are described and / or claimed below. It is believed that this discussion helps to provide background information for the reader in order to promote a better understanding of various aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements are to be read from this perspective, and not as an admission of prior art.
[0003] An amusement park or other entertainment venue may include a variety of features to entertain patrons or frequent visitors. As an example, an amusement park may have a variety of attractions that may include rides, shows, decorations or props, etc. Patrons may also be entertained by purchasing or otherwise acquiring various items or objects (e.g., tokens) from the amusement park as gifts, souvenirs, rewards, etc. With the increasing sophistication and complexity of amusement park features and the corresponding increase in expectations among amusement park patrons, improved and more creative ways to entertain patrons are desirable. Summary of the invention
[0004] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are merely presented to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments, and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure may include a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.
[0005] In one embodiment, a food and / or beverage container includes: a housing that forms a space configured to hold food and / or beverage; a display that is coupled to the housing; and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the display. The processor is configured to receive an indication of a current position of the food and / or beverage container and cause the display to output an image based on the current position.
[0006] In one embodiment, a snack container includes: an enclosure defining an interior configured to contain snacks; a display coupled to the enclosure; and a control system communicatively coupled to the display. The control system is configured to cause the display to present an image based on a first position of the snack container, and to cause the display to adjust the presented image based on a second position of the snack container. The device is configured to maintain presentation of the image without utilizing power.
[0007] In one embodiment, a system includes a food and / or beverage container having a capsule defining a space for holding food or beverage and a display coupled to the capsule and configured to present an image. The system also includes a device separate from the food and / or beverage container. The device is configured to engage with the food and / or beverage container, and the display is configured to adjust the presented image in response to the engagement between the device and the food and / or beverage container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters refer to like parts throughout the drawings, and in which:
[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an amusement park system having food and / or beverage containers configured to present different images according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0010] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container configured to adjust a presented image according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to adjust an image presented via a food and / or beverage container according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0012] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container configured to adjust a presented image according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container configured to adjust a presented image according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to adjust an image presented via a food and / or beverage container according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0015] Figure 7is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to adjust an image presented via a food and / or beverage container according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0016] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method or process for adjusting an image presented via a food and / or beverage container according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0017] Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container configured to adjust a presented image according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and
[0018] Fig.10 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container configured to adjust a presented image according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In order to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, many implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. In addition, it should be appreciated that such development work may be complex and time consuming, but for ordinary technicians who benefit from this disclosure, it will be nothing more than a routine task of design, fabrication, and manufacturing.
[0020] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements described. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements besides the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted to exclude the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
[0021] The present disclosure generally relates to amusement parks or theme parks. An amusement park may include a variety of features, such as rides (e.g., roller coasters), theatrical performances, performers, and / or show scenery props. Such features may provide entertainment to customers of the amusement park. For example, different effects (e.g., show effects) may be presented to provide customers with an immersive experience. Customers may also obtain certain items or objects while at the amusement park. As an example, customers may purchase items, win items, or otherwise receive items during their amusement park experience. Customers may carry items to different locations in the amusement park. For example, an item may include a food and / or beverage container that can be held by a customer, such as to store and contain snacks, liquids, victuals, refreshments, or any other suitable sustenance or nutrition. Thus, customers may use the item to enjoy different food and / or beverages at different areas of the amusement park.
[0022] It may be desirable to enable food and / or beverage containers to provide effects that further enhance the patron's amusement park experience. For example, the food and / or beverage containers may be configured to present content, such as images. The food and / or beverage containers may also be configured to adjust the presented content in order to provide a desirable effect or experience for the patron. The content may correspond to other effects provided to the patron at a location within the amusement park, thereby providing an immersive and / or interactive experience that supplements the experience provided by other features of the amusement park, such as attractions.
[0023] In one embodiment, the food and / or beverage container may provide an image at different locations of the food and / or beverage container. For example, the food and / or beverage container may include a control system configured to determine the location of the food and / or beverage container, select an image based on the location, and cause the display of the food and / or beverage container to present the image. The display may be configured to maintain the presentation of the image without consuming power or by consuming a small amount of power. As an example, the display may be configured to present the image using electronic paper or electronic ink technology. As another example, the display may contain magnetic particles, and the positioning of the magnetic particles may be adjusted to present the image. In addition, in one embodiment, the food and / or beverage container may provide an image in response to the interaction between the food and / or beverage container and an interactive element of the amusement park (such as a prop that can be detected or otherwise interacted). For example, the control system may receive data indicating the interaction and cause the display of the food and / or beverage container to adjust the presented image based on the data. Additionally or alternatively, the interactive element may be engaged with the food and / or beverage container (e.g., physically or electronically), and the engagement between the food and / or beverage container may cause the display to adjust the presented image. In any case, the imagery presented by the display can be adjusted based on the location of the food and / or beverage container, and therefore based on the location of the patron possessing the food and / or beverage container, to provide a desirable effect, such as any visual, audio, tactile, or other effect for the patron's enjoyment. Although the present disclosure is primarily directed to food and / or beverage containers, the techniques described herein can be incorporated into any suitable item (such as a hat, bag, shirt, etc.) that a patron can carry to various locations in an amusement park, and the item can be configured to adjust the imagery presented at different locations.
[0024] Considering the above, Figure 1is a schematic diagram of an amusement park system 50. The amusement park system 50 may include different locations or areas, such as a first location 52 (e.g., a first regional location, a first geographic location) and a second location 54 (e.g., a second regional location, a second geographic location). Each of the first and second locations 54 may include a geographic space defined by an area or volume. The first location 52 may include a first attraction system 56 and a first effect 58 (e.g., a first entertainment effect, a first show effect, a first visual effect, a first audio effect, a first tactile effect), and the second location 54 may include a second attraction system 60 and a second effect 62 (e.g., a second entertainment effect, a second show effect, a second visual effect, a second audio effect, a second tactile effect). The first and second attraction systems 56, 60 may include rides (e.g., roller coasters) and / or performances, and the first and second effects 58, 62 may include props (e.g., animated characters), audio effects, visual effects, etc. The first and second attraction systems 56, 60 and the first and second effects 58, 62 may cooperate to entertain customers at different first and second locations 52, 54 of the amusement park system 50.
[0025] The customer 64 may navigate through the amusement park system 50, such as between the first location 52 and the second location 54. The customer 64 may carry food and / or beverage containers 66 (e.g., food and / or beverage containers, snack containers, nutrition containers, supply containers, food containers, consumable containers) while navigating the amusement park system 50. The food and / or beverage containers 66 may include cups, bottles, mugs, pots, cans, goblets, bowls, plates, dishes, basins, buckets, etc. configured to store, hold, hold, or otherwise contain various supplies, nutrition or snacks. For example, the food and / or beverage containers 66 may be configured to contain snacks (e.g., popcorn), meals (e.g., sandwiches), or any other suitable food (e.g., solid food). The food and / or beverage containers 66 may be additionally or alternatively configured to contain beverages or any suitable liquid nutrients. In fact, the food and / or beverage containers 66 may store any suitable consumables that can be used by the customer 64. The food and / or beverage container 66 may also be portable (e.g., have a limited size and / or weight) to facilitate use by the patron 64. As an example, the patron 64 may bring the food and / or beverage container 66 to different first and second locations 52, 54 and utilize the food and / or beverage container 66 to store respective food and / or beverages that may be specific to the first and second locations 52, 54, and thereby enjoy different offerings throughout the amusement park system 50.
[0026] The food and / or beverage container 66 may be configured to present an image 68 or other content (e.g., an audio effect) that is observable to the patron 64. The food and / or beverage container 66 may also be configured to adjust the image 68 that is presented. For example, the food and / or beverage container 66 may be configured to present a first image 68A at the first location 52 and a second image 68B that is different from the first image 68A at the second location 54. Adjustment of the presented image 68 may enhance the experience provided by the amusement park system 50 to the patron 64, such as by further immersing the patron 64 in the environment emulated by the amusement park system 50 and / or by enabling the patron 64 to perceive the interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the surrounding environment.
[0027] For example, in one embodiment, different first and second locations 52, 54 may have different themes, such as different environments or atmospheres presented via corresponding first and second attraction systems 56, 60 and / or first and second effects 58, 62. The images 68 presented by the food and / or beverage container 66 may correspond to the theme of the particular location 52, 54 of the food and / or beverage container 66 as well as the patron 64. For example, the theme of the first location 52 may be associated with a daytime or daytime theme, and the first image 68A (e.g., the sun) presented by the food and / or beverage container 66 at the first location 52 may therefore be daytime-related. The theme of the second location 54 may be associated with an evening or nighttime theme, and the second image 68B (e.g., the moon) presented by the food and / or beverage container 66 at the second location 54 may therefore be nighttime-related. In this way, the images 68 presented by the food and / or beverage container 66 may be more closely associated with the location 52, 54 of the food and / or beverage container 66 to provide a more immersive or interactive experience to the patron 64.
[0028] Figure 2 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., a food and / or beverage container system) configured to adjust a presented image. The food and / or beverage container 66 may include a housing 100 configured to hold a provision 102 (e.g., a solid food, a liquid beverage). For example, the housing 100 may define an interior or space in which the provision 102 may be held and contained. The food and / or beverage container 66 may also include a display 104 configured to present an image 68 that may be visible on the exterior of the housing 100. As an example, the display 104 may be coupled to an exterior surface of the housing 100 such that the image 68 is presented on the exterior of the housing 100. As another example, the display 104 may be coupled to an interior surface of the housing 100 (such as against an interior wall), and the image 68 presented by the display 104 may be visible through the housing 100 (e.g., the housing may be at least partially transparent).
[0029] The food and / or beverage container 66 may also include a control system or control circuitry 106 (e.g., an automation controller, a programmable controller, an electronic controller) configured to adjust the image 68 presented by the display 104. The control system 106 may include a memory 108 and a processing circuitry 110. The memory 108 may include a volatile memory (such as a random access memory (RAM)) and / or a non-volatile memory (such as a read-only memory (ROM)), an optical drive, a hard drive, a solid-state drive, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The processing circuitry 110 may be configured to execute such instructions. For example, the processing circuitry 110 may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general purpose processors, or any combination thereof. The control system 106 may be communicatively coupled to the display 104 and configured to operate the display 104. For example, the control system 106 may be configured to instruct the display 104 to present the image 68 and / or to adjust the presented image 68. To this end, the control system 106 may be electrically coupled to a power source 112 (eg, a battery or a solar unit), which may be configured to provide power to the control system 106 .
[0030] In one embodiment, each of the power source 112 and the control system 106 may be integrated with the rest of the food and / or beverage container 66. For example, the control system 106 and / or the power source 112 may be contained within the enclosure 100 (e.g., a compartment of the enclosure 100 that is separate from the space in which the supplies 102 are housed), which may shield the control system 106 and / or the power source 112 from other environmental factors (e.g., dust, debris, supplies 102) that may affect the operation of the control system 106 and / or the power source 112. In such embodiments, the power source 112 may include a power storage device (e.g., a battery, a capacitor) configured to provide stored power to the control system 106 and / or a power harvesting device (e.g., a solar cell, a light collection unit, a hand-cranked generator, a thermoelectric generator) configured to harvest energy (e.g., solar energy, light energy, kinetic energy, thermal differential energy) from the surrounding environment to generate power and provide the generated power to the control system 106. Thus, the power supply 112 may be configured to provide power to the control system 106 without having to connect the control system 106 to an additional power source (e.g., an external power source) that may not be integrated with the food and / or beverage container 66 or as part of the food and / or beverage container 66. In this way, the food and / or beverage container 66 may be self-powered and facilitate portability. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, the control system 106 and / or the power supply 112 may be outside the enclosure 100. For example, the power supply 112 may include an external power source (e.g., grid power, power storage device, or generator) that is not integrated with the food and / or beverage container 66, and the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., display 104, control system 106) may be configured to be coupled to the power supply 112 to receive power for operating the display 104. In such embodiments, the food and / or beverage container 66 may also be configured to be decoupled from the power supply 112 to enable customers to carry the food and / or beverage container 66 to different locations. In any case, control system 106 may utilize power received from power source 112 to control display 104 and control the presentation of image 68 .
[0031] In one embodiment, the display 104 may include an electronic paper or electrophoretic display, which may utilize the reflection of light rather than the emission of light to display the image 68. For example, the display 104 may not utilize power and / or may utilize a small amount of power to maintain the presentation of the image 68. Thus, the presentation of the image 68 may be maintained in the absence of power (e.g., from the power source 112). In one embodiment, the display 104 may utilize electrophoretic features including a first layer 114, a second layer 116, and a third layer 118. The first layer 114 and the third layer 118 may include corresponding electrodes 120 aligned with each other on opposite sides of the second layer 116. The second layer 116 may include a vessel or chamber configured to encapsulate charged particles 122 (such as titanium dioxide). The particles 122 may be immersed in a dark fluid (e.g., oil with a dark dye) in the second layer. The control system 106 may control the charge of the electrodes 120 to achieve positive and / or negative charges, and the achieved charge may drive the movement of the particles 122 within the vessel of the second layer 116.
[0032] For example, a subset of particles 122 (e.g., positively charged particles 122) may move toward an electrode 120 having a first charge (e.g., a negative charge) and away from an electrode 120 having a second charge (e.g., a positive charge) opposite to the first charge. The positioning of the particles 122 may control the visibility or appearance of pixels visible to a customer. For example, the first layer 114 may be transparent, and, when positioned closer to the first layer 114 than the third layer 118, the particles 122 may reflect light emitted through the first layer 114. As such, in a section where the particles 122 are positioned closer to the first layer 114 than the third layer 118, the particles 122 may reflect light so that the customer sees a white or otherwise colorless appearance. However, in a section where the particles 122 are positioned closer to the third layer 118 than the first layer 114, the dark fluid may be positioned closer to the first layer 114 instead, and may absorb light emitted through the first layer 114, thereby causing the customer to see a dark appearance. In this manner, the positioning of the particles 122 at various sections within the second layer 116 will provide the appearance of pixels (eg, black and white pixels) arranged to present the image 68 to the customer.
[0033] In this depicted embodiment, the control system 106 may be configured to interface with the power source 112 to adjust the charge of the electrodes 120 via power received from the power source 112, thereby adjusting the positioning of the particles 122 within the second layer 116 (e.g., relative to the first layer 114 and the third layer 118) and adjusting the image 68 presented by the display 104. However, the control system 106 may not necessarily interface with the power source 112 to maintain the charge of the electrodes 120 or otherwise maintain the positioning of the particles 122 within the second layer 116. As such, the image 68 presented via the positioning of the particles 122 within the second layer 116 may be maintained in the absence of power received from the power source 112 and / or in the absence of operation of the control system 106. In other words, power may be primarily used to adjust the image 68, and limited or no power may be used to maintain the presentation of the image 68. In practice, the display 104 may maintain the presentation of the image 68 for an indefinite period of time (such as when the food and / or beverage container 66 is carried outside of the amusement park system). It should also be noted that display 104 may use any other suitable electronic display features (such as microencapsulated electrophoretic features with particles of different colors, color filters for presenting color image data, electrowetting techniques for controlling the shape of the water / oil interface via an applied voltage, or any combination thereof) to maintain presentation of image 68 while utilizing little or no power. In further embodiments, display 104 may include any other suitable display, such as a light emitting diode display and / or a liquid crystal display.
[0034] In one embodiment, the control system 106 may be configured to adjust the presented image 68 based on the determined parameter. For example, the control system 106 may include or be communicatively coupled to a sensor 124 configured to determine the parameter. The sensor 124 may output data indicative of the parameter, and the control system 106 may operate the display 104 (e.g., the electrodes 120) based on the data. For example, the control system 106 may determine the parameter, reference stored data (e.g., a database table) that associates the corresponding image with the corresponding parameter or parameter value, select an image associated with the determined parameter based on the stored data, and cause the display 104 to present the selected image. As an example, the parameter may indicate the location of the amusement park system (e.g., Figure 1 To this end, the sensor 124 (e.g., a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial measurement unit) can be configured to determine the location of the food and / or beverage container 66, such as based on the detected movement of the food and / or beverage container 66. The control system 106 can be configured to control the display 104 based on the location indicated by the parameter.
[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 124 may include a receiver configured to receive various signals (e.g., UHF waves, VHF waves, HF waves, Wi-Fi signals) transmitted throughout the amusement park system. The parameters determined by the sensor 124 may include signals having properties (e.g., frequency, intensity, wavelength). For example, signals transmitted at different locations of the amusement park system may have different properties, and each signal may therefore correspond to a specific location based on the associated properties of the signal. The control system 106 may determine the properties of the signal received by the sensor 124 and control the display 104 based on the properties. As such, the control system 106 may cause the display 104 to present a specific image based on the location of the amusement park system and the corresponding properties of the signal broadcast at that location. The control system 106 may be further configured to cause the display 104 to adjust the presented image 68 based on any other suitable parameters that may be determined by the sensor 124, such as the time of day (e.g., different images may be presented during the morning compared to during the afternoon), the day of the year, the temperature (e.g., the temperature of the surrounding environment, the temperature of the food and / or beverage within the enclosure 100), the amount of ambient lighting, weather conditions, the amount of food and / or beverage within the enclosure 100 (e.g., weight, level, volume), the number of times the food and / or beverage container 66 has been filled or refilled, or any combination thereof).
[0036] By utilizing the information received from the sensor 124, the control system 106 can automatically cause the display 104 to adjust the presented imagery 68 (e.g., without user input). Thus, the adjustment of the imagery 68 via the food and / or beverage container 66 can appear more immersive, mysterious, or engaging to the customer. For example, the customer can perceive that the food and / or beverage container 66 is actively operating based on the surrounding environment and / or based on the properties of the contents of the food and / or beverage container 66.
[0037] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system 150 configured to adjust an image 68 presented by a food and / or beverage container 66. The system 150 may include interactive elements 152 of an amusement park system, such as animated characters, statues, decorations, or any other suitable props. The control system 106 may be configured to operate the display 104 to adjust the image 68 based on the determined interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the interactive element 152. For example, the amusement park system may include different interactive elements 152 at different locations. The interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and any of the interactive elements 152 may cause the control system 106 to operate the display 104 to adjust the image 68, such as to present an image 68 corresponding to a particular interactive element 152 with which the food and / or beverage container 66 interacts.
[0038] In an embodiment, the interactive element 152 may include a unique identifier 154, and the control system 106 may be configured to determine the identifier 154 of the interactive element 152 and cause the display 104 to present the imagery 68 based on the identifier 154. For example, the identifier 154 may include a bar code, a quick response code, a serial number, or any other suitable physical identification characteristic, and the sensor 124 (e.g., a scanner, a reader) may include an optical sensor configured to scan, visually detect, or capture the identifier 154 as image data. The control system 106 may cause the display 104 to adjust the imagery 68 based on the image data. In additional or alternative embodiments, the identifier 154 may include a signal transmitted by the interactive element 152. For example, the interactive element 152 may include a transmitter configured to output a signal indicating the identifier 154 using radio frequency identification, near field communication, or any other suitable technology, and the sensor 124 may include a reader configured to capture the signal output by the interactive element 152. The control system 106 may then cause the display 104 to adjust the imagery 68 based on the captured signal. In such embodiments, interaction between the interactive element 152 and the food and / or beverage container 66 may include placement of the food and / or beverage container 66 within a threshold distance of the interactive element 152 (e.g., of the identifier 154) to enable the control system 106 to determine the identifier 154 and cause the display 104 to adjust the image 68 based on the identifier 154.
[0039] In additional or alternative embodiments, the interactive element 152 may include a power source 112 (e.g., the food and / or beverage container 66 may not include an integrated power source 112). The power source 112 of the interactive element 152 may be configured to be electrically coupled to the control system 106. When electrically coupled to the power source 112, the control system 106 may interface with the power source 112 so that the display 104 adjusts the image 68 via power provided by the power source 112. As an example, the interactive element 152 may include a conductor (e.g., a wire) configured to be physically coupled to the food and / or beverage container 66, and the conductor may deliver power from the power source 112 to the control system 106 when physically coupled to the food and / or beverage container 66. As another example, the power source 112 may be configured to provide power to the control system 106 using wireless charging technology. The control system 106 may also be configured to be detached from the power source 112, and the presentation of the image 68 may be maintained when the control system 106 is detached from the power source 112. However, since the control system 106 may not receive power when disconnected from the power source 112, the control system 106 may not adjust or change the presented imagery 68 when the control system 106 is not electrically coupled to any power source 112. When electrically coupled to the power source 112 of another interactive element 152 (e.g., at a different location in the amusement park system), the control system 106 may again receive power by interfacing with the power source 112 and cause the display 104 to adjust the imagery 68. In this manner, each time the control system 106 is re-electrically coupled to the power source 112 of the interactive element 152 (e.g., each time the food and / or beverage container 66 is re-placed to engage with the power source 112), the control system 106 may cause the display 104 to update the presented imagery 68. As such, the control system 106 may be configured to cause the display 104 to adjust the imagery 68 in response to an interaction including engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the power source 112.
[0040] In one embodiment, the control system 106 may be configured to cause the display 104 to present a specific image 68 based on an interactive element 152 having a power source 112 receiving power therefrom. For example, the electrical coupling between the control system 106 and the power source 112 of the interactive element 152 may cause the interactive element 152 (e.g., the power source 112) to transmit data to the control system 106. The control system 106 may cause the display to adjust the image 68 based on the data. For example, the data (e.g., an identifier of the interactive element 152, a geographic region in which the interactive element 152 is located) may indicate a location, and the control system 106 may determine the location based on the data and cause the display 104 to present the image 68 based on the location. Different interactive elements 152, each having a corresponding power source 112, may transmit different data. Therefore, electrically coupling the control system 106 to different interactive elements 152 may cause the control system 106 to receive different data and adjust the image 68 accordingly. In this manner, customers may be motivated to bring food and / or beverage containers 66 to different locations to electrically couple to different interactive elements 152 and adjust the imagery 68 presented via the display 104 .
[0041] In further embodiments, the control system 106 may determine any other suitable interactions associated with the interactive element 152 to cause the display 104 to adjust the image 68. For example, the interactive element 152 may be configured to output a particular signal based on an interaction between the customer and the interactive element 152, such as a gesture provided by the customer, a user input (e.g., via a user interface associated with the interactive element 152), etc. The sensor 124 may be configured to determine the outputted signal indicating an interaction between the customer and the interactive element 152. The control system 106 may then cause the display 104 to adjust the image 68 based on the signal indicating the interaction between the customer and the interactive element 152. In these examples, the food and / or beverage container 66 may provide the customer with a more interactive experience, such as the appearance that the food and / or beverage container 66 is interacting with the amusement park system.
[0042] Figure 4 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container 66. The illustrated food and / or beverage container 66 may be configured to present multiple images 68 via the display 104. For example, in response to newly determined parameters (e.g., based on data from the sensor 124), the control system 106 may cause the display 104 to present new images 68 in addition to previous images 68 presented based on previously determined parameters. As an example, during a first time period, the control system 106 may determine that the food and / or beverage container 66 is at a first location in the amusement park system (e.g., Figure 1The control system 106 may determine that the food and / or beverage container 66 is at a second location of the amusement park system (e.g., Figure 1 The control system 106 may further maintain the presentation of the first image 68A and the second image 68B based on the food and / or beverage container 66 being at the second position. The control system 106 may also maintain the presentation of the first image 68A so that the display 104 presents both the first image 68A and the second image 68B. In a third time period, the control system 106 may determine that the food and / or beverage container 66 is at a third position of the amusement park system, and based on the food and / or beverage container 66 being at the third position, the display 104 presents the third image 68C. The control system 106 may further maintain the presentation of the first image 68A and the second image 68B. In this way, different images 68 may be accumulated on the display 104 based on the locations through which the food and / or beverage container 66 may be carried.
[0043] The control system 106 may additionally or alternatively operate the display 104 to present multiple images 68 based on other parameters. For example, the control system 106 may maintain the presentation of the images 68 based on the previous interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the interactive element. That is, in response to the determined first interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the first interactive element, the control system 106 may cause the display 104 to present the first image 68A. In response to the determined second interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the second interactive element after the determined first interaction between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the first interactive element, the control system 106 may cause the display 104 to present the second image 68B while maintaining the presentation of the first image 68A. In fact, in addition to maintaining the presentation of the previous image 68 associated with the previously determined parameters, the control system 106 may also cause the display 104 to present the new image 68. Thus, the image 68 presented via the display 104 may indicate the historical activity associated with the food and / or beverage container 66. Additionally, the food and / or beverage container 66 may be used as a display for a collection of mementos (eg, reminders of a visit or accomplishment).
[0044] Figure 51 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container 66 configured to adjust a presented image. The illustrated food and / or beverage container 66 may utilize magnetic characteristics to adjust a presented image. For example, a display 104 of a food and / or beverage container 66 may include a vessel or chamber 180 configured to enclose magnetic particles 182 (such as metal powder). The particles 182 may be configured to move within the food and / or beverage container 66, such as between a first side 184 (e.g., outside, outer surface, transparent surface) of the vessel 180 and a second side 186 (e.g., inside, inner surface) opposite the first side 184. In one embodiment, the particles 182 may be immersed in a light-colored fluid (e.g., white fluid), and magnetic forces may cause the particles 182 to move relative to the sides 184, 186. The first side 184 of the vessel 180 may be at least partially transparent to enable a customer to visually view the particles 182 adjacent to the first side 184. Thus, in the section where the particles 182 are positioned at the first side 184, the particles 182 can absorb light emitted through the first side 184 so that the customer sees a dark appearance. In the section where the particles 182 are positioned closer to the second side 186, the light-colored fluid can be positioned closer to the first side 184 and can reflect light so that the customer sees a colorless (e.g., white) appearance. Thus, the positioning of the particles 182 within the vessel 180 can provide an image visible to the customer through the first side 184. In addition, the liquid within the vessel 180 can promote the distribution of the particles 182 within the vessel 180, such as to prevent the movement of the particles 182 via gravity. For this reason, the desired positioning of the particles 182 (e.g., adjacent to the first side 184, adjacent to the second side 186) can be maintained in order to maintain the image presented via the display 104.
[0045] In one embodiment, the food and / or beverage container 66 may include a first magnet 188 and a second magnet 190 (e.g., a magnet inside the enclosure 100, a magnet outside the vessel 180, a magnet integrated with the food and / or beverage container 66) positioned adjacent to the second side 186 of the vessel 180. The first magnet 188 may have the same magnetic charge as the particles 182, and thus may be configured to repel the particles 182, thereby driving the movement of the particles 182 away from the second side 186 and toward the first side 184. The second magnet 190 may have an opposite magnetic charge to the particles 182, and thus may be configured to attract the particles 182, thereby driving the movement of the particles 182 toward the second side 186 and away from the first side 184. The positioning and movement of the first and second magnets 188, 190 may enable the particles 182 to move at different sections within the vessel 180 and be positioned in a desired manner to present an image via the display 104. For example, each of the first and second magnets 188, 190 can be movable via a respective actuator 192 communicatively coupled to the control system 106, and the control system 106 can be configured to instruct the actuator 192 to move the first and second magnets 188, 190 and position the particles 182 adjacent to the first side 184 at certain sections within the vessel 180 and adjacent to the second side 186 at other sections within the vessel 180 to form an image visible to a customer. In practice, the control system 106 can be configured to coordinate movement of the first and second magnets 188, 190 in any suitable direction along the second side 186, such as in a first direction 194 (e.g., a vertical direction) along the second side 186, a second direction 196 (e.g., a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction) along the second side 186, or any other suitable direction (e.g., along a plane formed by the first direction 194 and the second direction 196) to move the particles 182 toward and / or away from the first side 184 to form an image.
[0046] In additional or alternative embodiments, the third magnet 198 can drive the movement of the particles 182 in the vessel 180. For example, the third magnet 198 can have a magnetic charge opposite to the particles 182, and thus can attract the particles 182 and move the particles 182 toward the first side 184. The third magnet 198 can be separated from the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., outside the capsule 100) and can be moved along the capsule 100 (e.g., along the first side 184) to cause the movement of the particles 182 at different sections in the vessel 180 to form an image presented by the display 104. In one embodiment, the third magnet 198 can be manually movable by a user. In additional or alternative embodiments, the third magnet 198 can be moved automatically, such as via a control system. In further embodiments, another magnet integrated with the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., inside the enclosure 100) may be configured to move along the enclosure 100 and drive movement of the particles 182 toward the first side 184 to form an image presented by the display 104. For example, the control system 106 may be configured to control the movement of such a magnet.
[0047] Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system 230 configured to adjust an image 68 presented by a food and / or beverage container 66. The food and / or beverage container 66 may include first and second magnets 188, 190 and a control system 106 configured to cause movement of the first and second magnets 188, 190 to drive corresponding movement of particles 182 (e.g., magnetic particles) and enable the display 104 to present the image 68. For example, the control system 106 may interface with a power source 112 (e.g., a power source integrated with the enclosure 100, a power source separate from the food and / or beverage container 66) to cause movement of the first and second magnets 188, 190 via the actuator 192. However, in the absence of power supplied by the power source 112, the positioning of the particles 182 and, therefore, the image 68 presented by the display 104 may be maintained. Thus, the magnetic configuration may activate the display 104 to provide a specific image 68 that will be retained after interaction (e.g., until another display activation by a separate magnet or interactive element).
[0048] Additionally, the system 230 may include an interactive element 152 that may have a third magnet 198 configured to cause the display 104 to present an image 68. As an example, the food and / or beverage container 66 may be positioned such that the third magnet 198 engages the display 104 to cause movement of the particles 182 (e.g., toward the outside of the display 104) to form the image 68. In an embodiment, the third magnet 198 may be positioned, oriented, or otherwise arranged such that the third magnet 198 is pre-set to form the image 68 upon engagement with the display 104. That is, the third magnet 198 may be configured to form the image 68 upon engagement with the display 104 (e.g., placement of the display 104 against the third magnet 198) without moving the third magnet 198 along the surface of the display 104. Thus, the third magnet 198 may facilitate the formation of the image 68, such as without requiring the customer to manually draw or frame the image 68 via the third magnet 198.
[0049] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system 250 configured to adjust an image 68 presented by a display 104 of a food and / or beverage container 66. The system 250 may include a food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 (e.g., a beverage / soda fountain, a beverage sprayer, a snack dispenser, a sauce dispenser) configured to output a product 254 (e.g., a liquid beverage, a solid food) into the food and / or beverage container 66. For example, the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 may include a base or holder 256 on which the food and / or beverage container 66 may be positioned, and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 may include a nozzle 258 configured to output the product 254 into the enclosure 100 of the food and / or beverage container 66 positioned on the base 256.
[0050] The food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 may include a control system 260 having a memory 262 and a processing circuit system 264 to control the operation of the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252. For example, the control system 260 may be configured to control the operation of the nozzle 258 to output the product 254. For example, the control system 260 may include or be communicatively coupled to a sensor 266, which may be configured to determine the positioning of the food and / or beverage container 66 on the base 256, and, in response to determining that the food and / or beverage container 66 is positioned on the base 256 (e.g., under the nozzle 258), the control system 260 may cause the nozzle 258 to output the product 254 into the enclosure 100. The control system 260 may be configured to operate the nozzle 258 to output the product 254 until the product 254 is at a threshold level within the enclosure 100. In addition, the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 may include an image forming device 268 configured to form an image 68 on the food and / or beverage container 66. As one example, the image forming device 268 may include an etching device configured to physically form the image 68 onto the display 104 (e.g., the display surface of the enclosure 100), such as via a blade, laser etching techniques, a chemical etching process, a high-speed fluid, etc. As another example, the image forming device 268 may include a magnet (e.g., a magnet) configured to drive the movement of magnetic particles within the display 104 to form an image. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As another example, the control system 260 may be coupled to a corresponding control system of the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., Figure 2-6 104) to cause the control system of the food and / or beverage container 66 to form an image on the display 104. In any case, upon determining engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 (e.g., contact between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the base 256), the control system 260 may operate the image forming device 268 to form the image 68 on the food and / or beverage container 66. For example, the control system 260 may be configured to instruct the actuator 270 to move the image forming device 268 relative to the food and / or beverage container 66 to form the image 68 on the display 104.
[0051] The control system 260 may also include an image removal device 272 that may be configured to remove the image 68 on the display 104, such as to enable the formation of a subsequent image on the display 104. For example, the image removal device 272 may be configured to remove the image 68 using a chemical process, a blade (e.g., to blur, scrape, and / or scrape off the image 68), a magnet, etc. The control system 260 may be configured to control the operation of the image removal device 272, such as by instructing the actuator 274 to move the image removal device 272 relative to the food and / or beverage container 66 to remove the image 68. For example, in response to determining that the food and / or beverage container 66 is positioned on the base 256, the control system 260 may determine whether an image is currently being presented via the display 104. In response to a determination that an image is currently being presented, the control system 260 may instruct the actuator 274 to move the image removal device 272 to remove such an image. During or after removal of the image via image removal device 272, control system 260 may instruct actuator 270 to move image forming device 268 to form a new image on food and / or beverage container 66. In this way, the operation of image forming device 268 and image removal device 272 may be coordinated to update the image formed on food and / or beverage container 66.
[0052] In one embodiment, the control system 260 may be configured to operate the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 to refill the food and / or beverage container 66 at a certain frequency. For example, the control system 260 may determine whether a threshold duration has passed since the food and / or beverage container 66 was previously filled to determine whether the food and / or beverage container 66 is to be refilled. The image 68 formed in the previous interaction or the image 68 in the default form can facilitate monitoring the elapsed duration by including a timestamp, which can be directly indicated (e.g., printed out), disguised, encoded, or otherwise incorporated into the image 68. For example, during a first engagement between a food and / or beverage container 66 and a food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 (e.g., indicating an operation of the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 to fill the food and / or beverage container 66), the control system 260 may identify a first time stamp associated with the first engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 (e.g., via the sensor 266) and form an image 68 on the display 104 (e.g., via the image forming device 268) to indicate the first time stamp. During a second engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 (e.g., indicating an operation of the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 to refill the food and / or beverage container 66), the control system 260 may identify an image 68 indicating the first time stamp and determine a second time stamp associated with the second engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 (e.g., via the sensor 266).
[0053] The control system 260 may determine a duration of time that has elapsed since the first engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 based on a difference between a first timestamp indicated by the image 68 and a second timestamp determined via the sensor 266. In response to determining that a threshold duration of time has elapsed (e.g., based on the determined duration being greater than the threshold duration of time), the control system 260 may cause the nozzle 258 to output the product 254 into the enclosure 100. The control system 260 may also operate the image forming device 268 and / or the image removing device 272 to update the indicated timestamp (e.g., to remove the image 68 indicating the first timestamp to form an additional image indicating the second timestamp). Thus, during a subsequent engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252, the control system 260 may determine whether a threshold duration of time has elapsed since the second timestamp to determine whether the product 254 is to be output into the food and / or beverage container 66.
[0054] Furthermore, in response to determining that the threshold duration has not elapsed (e.g., based on the difference between the first timestamp indicated by the image 68 and the second timestamp determined via the sensor 266 being below the threshold duration), the control system 260 may prevent the nozzle 258 from outputting the product 254 into the enclosure 100. Additionally, the control system 260 may prevent the operation of the image forming device 268 and / or the image removing device 272 in order to maintain the image 68 presented by the food and / or beverage container 66. As such, during subsequent engagements between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252, the image 68 may continue to be referenced to determine whether the threshold duration has elapsed since the first engagement between the food and / or beverage container 66 and the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 until the food and / or beverage container 66 is refilled via the food and / or beverage dispensing system 252 and the image 68 is updated accordingly.
[0055] Figure 8 is used to adjust the food and / or beverage containers (e.g. Figure 1-7 A flowchart of a method or process 300 for capturing an image of a food and / or beverage container 66. Any suitable device (e.g., Figure 2-6 The processing circuit system 110 of the control system 106, Figure 7 The method 300 may be executed by the processing circuit system 264 of the control system 260 of the embodiment. In one embodiment, the method 300 may be executed by executing a computer program stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., Figure 2-6 The memory 108 of the control system 106, Figure 7 The method 300 may be implemented by instructions in the memory 262 of the control system 260 of the embodiment of the present invention. For example, the method 300 may be performed at least in part by one or more software components, one or more hardware components, one or more software applications, etc. Although the method 300 is described using steps in a particular order, additional steps may be performed, the steps described may be performed in an order different from that illustrated, and / or some of the steps described may be skipped or not performed in their entirety.
[0056] At block 302, an instruction to adjust the image presented by the food and / or beverage container may be received. In one embodiment, the instruction may be received based on a determined parameter, such as a determined position of the food and / or beverage container. In additional or alternative embodiments, the instruction may be received based on a determined interaction between the food and / or beverage container and the interactive element, such as via a determined identifier of the interactive element. In further embodiments, the instruction may be received in response to a determination that the food and / or beverage container is to be refilled, such as based on engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the food and / or beverage dispensing system, a determination that a threshold duration has elapsed since the food and / or beverage container 66 was previously filled, or both.
[0057] In frame 304, the image presented by the food and / or beverage container can be adjusted. As an example, the charge of the electrode can be adjusted to drive the movement of the charged particles of the display of the food and / or beverage container, the magnet can be moved to drive the movement of the magnetic particles of the display, and / or any other suitable image forming device can be used to adjust the image presented by the food and / or beverage container. In one embodiment, in addition to the image previously presented by the food and / or beverage container, a new image can also be presented. As such, the presented image can accumulate over time. In additional or alternative embodiments, the previous image presented by the food and / or beverage container can be removed and / or blurred. Thus, the newly presented image can replace the previously presented image.
[0058] Fig. 9 320. The food and / or beverage container 66 may include a housing 320 having nested components. For example, the housing 320 may include an outer cover 322 and a base 324 nested within the outer cover 322. The outer cover 322 may define a space 326 in which food and / or beverages may be accommodated, and the outer cover 322 may include an interior volume 328 in which the base 324 may be positioned. The outer cover 322 and the base 324 may be configured to rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis 329, which may extend through the center of the housing 320. To this end, each of the outer cover 322 and the base 324 may have a curved profile, such as a cylindrical or spherical geometry, to facilitate relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324. In addition, some spaces between the outer cover 322 and the base 324 can be covered or sealed to prevent various particles (e.g., dust, debris, food, drinks) from entering between the outer cover 322 and the base 324, while enabling relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324. Different rotational positions of the outer cover 322 and the base 324 can result in the depiction of different images. For example, some parts of the base 324 can be exposed to the external field of view via the slots and / or windows of the outer cover 322, while other parts of the base 324 are hidden. In this way, depending on which parts of the base 324 are visible through the outer cover 322 and hidden by the outer cover 322, different images are presented to the viewer of the food and / or drink container 66. In one embodiment, the outer cover 322 may include lens features (e.g., integrated lens features or coupling layers of lens materials) that facilitate this process (e.g., by magnifying aspects of the image on the surface of the base 324 adjacent to the outer cover 322).
[0059] In one embodiment, relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324 can be achieved via the interactive element 152. For example, the enclosure 320 can include an opening 330 (e.g., a slot, a hole). The interactive element 152 can include an activator 332 (e.g., an insert, an extension) configured to be inserted into the opening 330. The activator 332 can engage with the base 324 when inserted into the opening 330. For example, the base 324 can include a socket 334 (e.g., a keyed slot) and the activator 332 can engage with the socket 334 via the opening 330. When the activator 332 is engaged with the base 324, the relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the activator 332 (e.g., via a physically applied force) can drive the relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324. For example, the base 324 can remain rotationally fixed relative to the activator 332 when engaged with the activator 332. Therefore, the relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the activator 332 can also cause the relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324. In fact, the activator 332 can actuate a linkage system (e.g., gears) to cause the base 324 to mechanically rotate relative to the outer cover 322.
[0060] The base 324 may additionally or alternatively include a first magnet 336, and the interactive element 152 may include a second magnet 338. The second magnet 338 may exert a magnetic force that may drive movement of the first magnet 336 and, therefore, movement of the base 324 relative to the outer cover 322. For example, the first magnet 336 may be disposed at various locations (e.g., along a circumference or perimeter) of the food and / or beverage container 66, and the second magnet 338 may be disposed at various corresponding locations (e.g., along a circumference or perimeter) of the interactive element 152. Positioning of the food and / or beverage container 66 relative to the interactive element 152 (e.g., positioning the first magnet 336 within a threshold distance of the second magnet 338) may generate a magnetic force that drives movement of the first magnet 336. As an example, the second magnet 338 may generate a magnetic force that attracts the first magnet 336 toward alignment (e.g., vertical alignment) with the second magnet 338. Such movement of the first magnet 336 toward alignment with the second magnet 338 can cause the base 324 to rotate about the rotation axis 329. In such embodiments, the second magnet 338 can also be configured to rotate about the rotation axis 329 to cause the rotation of the base 324. For example, when the food and / or beverage container 66 is positioned so that the first magnet 336 is aligned and engaged with the second magnet 338, the second magnet 338 can rotate about the rotation axis 329 and relative to the outer cover 322 (e.g., via a physically applied force, via a controller input) to drive a corresponding rotation of the first magnet 336 about the rotation axis 329 and relative to the outer cover 322. As another example, the second magnet 338 can generate a magnetic force that repels the first magnet 336 away from the second magnet 338 and is offset (e.g., vertically offset) from the second magnet 338. The movement of the first magnet 336 away from the second magnet 338 can cause the base 324 to rotate about the rotation axis 329.
[0061] The base 324 may also be rotated relative to the outer cover 322 using other techniques. As an example, a portion of the base 324 may be exposed to the surrounding environment, and a customer may apply human force to the portion of the base 324 to rotate the base 324 relative to the outer cover 322. Thus, the outer cover 322 may be configured to rotate relative to the base 324 without engagement with the interactive element 152. However, it may be desirable to limit the use of rotation by requiring a keyed engagement, etc. This may add interest by requiring interaction with a special device (e.g., a device in a special position) to achieve the desired rotational position and associated imagery. Fig. 9In the embodiment of the food and / or beverage container 66 illustrated in FIG, undesired relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324 can be prevented without proper engagement. For example, in the absence of engagement between the interactive element 152 and the food and / or beverage container 66 and / or in the absence of another force imparted to the food and / or beverage container 66, the relative positioning between the outer cover 322 and the base 324 can be maintained (e.g., via a stop, via a spring, via a pin).
[0062] Fig.10 364 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food and / or beverage container 66, wherein an outer cover 322 is separated from a base 324. The base 324 may include various image segments, such as a first set 360 of image segments and a second set 362 of image segments formed on an outer surface 364 of the base 324. The sets 360, 362 of image segments may be staggered along the outer surface 364 of the base 324. For example, the respective image segments of the sets 360, 362 of image segments may be offset from one another and may be positioned in an alternating arrangement along the outer surface 364. The outer cover 322 may include an outer surface 366, which may be opaque and, therefore, may obscure visibility of the sets 360, 362 of image segments when the sets 360, 362 of image segments are aligned with the outer surface 366. In addition, the outer cover 322 may include a windowed slot or opening 368 formed through the outer surface 366, and the windowed slot 368 may enable visualization of the set of image segments 360, 362 when the set of image segments 360, 362 is aligned with the windowed slot 368. For example, relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324 may cause one of the sets of image segments 360, 362 to align with the windowed slot 368 to enable visibility of the associated image segment, while another of the sets of image segments 360, 362 may be aligned with the outer surface 366 and may therefore be covered and not visible. As such, the outer surface 366 may provide a display in which the set of image segments 360, 362 may be presented via the windowed slot 368. The windowed slot 368 may include a lens that magnifies aspects of the image segments 360, 362 to more efficiently or effectively provide a desired display. Although the illustrated base 324 includes two sets 360, 362 of image segments (each having three image segments configured to align with three windowed slots 368 of the outer cover 322), in additional or alternative embodiments, the base 324 may include any suitable number of sets 360, 362 of image segments, including any suitable number of image segments configured to align with a corresponding number of windowed slots 368 of the outer cover 322.
[0063] For example, in a first configuration 370 of the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., a first relative positioning between the outer lid 322 and the base 324), the first set 360 of image segments may be aligned with the windowed slot 368 and may therefore be visible. For example, the visible first set 360 of image segments may form a first coherent image 372 or an image collectively formed by the visible individual image segments, such as a happy face. In a second configuration 374 of the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., a second relative positioning between the outer lid 322 and the base 324), the second set 362 of image segments may be aligned with the windowed slot 368 and may be visible to form a second coherent image 376, such as a sad face. In the first configuration 370, the second set 362 of image segments may not be visible, and in the second configuration 374, the first set 360 of image segments may not be visible. Thus, the food and / or beverage container 66 may be adjusted to selectively present one of the images 372 , 376 via the windowed slot 368 .
[0064] The food and / or beverage container 66 can be easily transformed between the first configuration 370 and the second configuration 374 via relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324. For example, using the techniques described above (such as the engagement between the interactive element and the food and / or beverage container 66), the food and / or beverage container 66 can be adjusted to display different images 372, 376. In an embodiment, the interactive element can cause a limited or certain amount of relative rotation between the outer cover 322 and the base 324 to establish a specific positioning between the outer cover 322 and the base 324. For example, the insert of the interactive element can be keyed or molded to enable a certain amount of rotation of the base 324 relative to the outer cover 322. As such, the interactive element can enable a certain alignment between the collection 360, 362 of image segments and the windowed slot 368 to cause the food and / or beverage container 66 to present a specific image 372, 376. For example, the image 372, 376 enabled for display via the interactive element can correspond to the position of the interactive element. Other interactive elements (e.g., positioned at different locations) may enable different alignments between the sets of image segments 360, 362 and the windowed slots 368 to present different images to the food and / or beverage containers 66. Thus, patrons may be encouraged to traverse the amusement park system and engage the food and / or beverage containers 66 with different interactive elements to present different images.
[0065] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the images 372, 376 presented via the respective sets 360, 362 of image segments may appear to change based on the customer's viewing angle relative to the food and / or beverage container 66. As an example, each set 360, 362 of image segments may employ a lens array (e.g., a lenticular lens). Different sets of lens arrays may be visible to the customer based on the angle between the customer's line of sight and the visible image segments 360, 362. Each set of lens arrays may present a different image. Thus, adjusting the customer's line of sight relative to the food and / or beverage container 66 (e.g., by moving the food and / or beverage container 66 relative to the customer) may change the set of lens arrays viewed by the customer, and thus change the presented image perceived by the customer (e.g., collectively forming a coherent image). In this way, a single set of the sets 360, 362 of image segments may present a plurality of different images to the customer based on the customer's viewing angle of the food and / or beverage container 66.
[0066] Although only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.
[0067] The techniques presented and claimed herein are cited and applied to specific examples and substantial objects that demonstrably improve the practical nature of the art, and as such are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. In addition, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for (performing) ... (function)" or "steps for (performing) ... (function)", it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
Claims
1. A food and / or beverage container, comprising: an enclosure forming a space configured to contain food and / or beverage; a display coupled to the enclosure; as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the display, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving an indication of a current location of the food and / or beverage container; and The display is caused to output an image based on the current position.
2. The food and / or beverage container according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured to perform operations including: reference to data associating respective images with corresponding locations; selecting the image associated with the current location based on the data; and The image output by the display is adjusted in response to selecting the image.
3. The food and / or beverage container according to claim 1, wherein: The current location comprises a first location, and the processor is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving an indication of movement of the food and / or beverage container from the first position to a second position; causing the display to output an additional image in response to the indication of movement to the second position; as well as When the display is caused to output the additional image, the display is caused to maintain image output based on the first position.
4. The food and / or beverage container of claim 1, comprising a sensor configured to determine a parameter associated with the current position, wherein: The sensor is configured to transmit data indicative of the parameter to the processor, and the processor is configured to cause the display to output the image based on the data received from the sensor.
5. The food and / or beverage container according to claim 4, wherein: The parameter comprises a signal received by the sensor, and the processor is configured to perform operations comprising: determining a property of the signal; and The display is caused to output the image based on the property.
6. The food and / or beverage container according to claim 4, wherein: The parameters include image data captured by the sensor, and the processor is configured to perform operations including: identifying the image data; and The display is caused to output the image based on the image data.
7. The food and / or beverage container according to claim 1, wherein: The display is configured to maintain presentation of the imagery in the absence of power supplied to the display or the processor.
8. A snack container, comprising: an enclosure defining an interior configured to contain a snack; a display coupled to the enclosure; as well as A control system communicatively coupled to the display, wherein the control system is configured to perform operations comprising: causing the display to present an image based on the first position of the snack container; and The display is caused to adjust the presented image based on the second position of the snack container, wherein the display is configured to maintain presentation of the image without utilizing electrical power.
9. The snack container according to claim 8, wherein: The control system is configured to receive power from a power source and utilize the power from the power source to cause the display to adjust the presented image based on the second position of the snack container, and the display is configured to maintain the presentation of the presented image in the absence of the power from the power source.
10. The snack container according to claim 8, wherein: The display includes magnetic particles configured to move within a vessel to adjust the image being presented via visualization of the magnetic particles through the vessel, and the positioning of the magnetic particles in the vessel is maintained without the use of electrical power to maintain the presentation of the image.
11. The snack container of claim 10, comprising a magnet, wherein: The control system is configured to drive movement of the magnet based on the second position of the snack container to cause movement of the magnetic particles within the vessel.
12. The snack container according to claim 8, wherein: The control system is configured to perform operations including: determining engagement between the refreshment container and an apparatus of the amusement park, the apparatus being separated from the refreshment container; determining the second position of the snack container based on the device; as well as The display is caused to adjust the image presented in response to determining the second position.
13. The snack container according to claim 8, wherein: The display includes a plurality of electrodes positioned on opposite sides of a vessel enclosing charged particles immersed in a fluid, the control system being configured to adjust the collection of charges of the plurality of electrodes to move the charged particles within the vessel to adjust the image presented via visualization of the charged particles through the vessel, and the positioning of the charged particles in the vessel being maintained without the use of electrical power to maintain the presentation of the image.
14. A food and / or beverage system comprising: A food and / or beverage container, wherein the food and / or beverage container comprises: an enclosure defining a space for holding food or beverage; and a display coupled to the enclosure and configured to present an image; and A device separate from the food and / or beverage container, wherein the device is configured to engage with the food and / or beverage container, and the display is configured to adjust the presented image in response to engagement between the device and the food and / or beverage container.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The display includes a plurality of interlaced image segments on a cylindrical base nested within a slotted cylindrical cover, the cylindrical base and the cylindrical cover being configured to rotate relative to each other via the device, and a first subset of the plurality of interlaced image segments being exposed by the slots of the slotted cylindrical cover to form a coherent image, while a second subset of the plurality of interlaced image segments being covered by a surface of the slotted cylindrical cover.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein: At least a portion of the device is configured to be inserted into the opening of the enclosure to engage with the cylindrical base, and the device is configured to drive relative rotation between the cylindrical base and the cylindrical cover via engagement with the cylindrical base.
17. The system of claim 14, comprising a dispensing system configured to output the food or beverage into the enclosure of the food and / or beverage container, wherein: The dispensing system comprises the device.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein: The dispensing system includes a control system configured to perform operations including: determining a first engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the dispensing system; outputting a product into the enclosure of the food and / or beverage container in response to determining the first engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the dispensing system; determining a first timestamp associated with the first engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the dispensing system; and The display is caused to adjust the presented image to indicate the first timestamp.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein: The control system is configured to perform operations including: determining a second engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the dispensing system; determining a second timestamp associated with the second engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the dispensing system; determining a duration of time that has elapsed since the first engagement between the food and / or beverage container and the dispensing system based on a difference between the first time stamp and the second time stamp indicated by the image formed on the display; determining that the duration elapsed is greater than a threshold duration; responsive to determining that the elapsed duration is greater than the threshold duration, outputting the product into the enclosure of the food and / or beverage container; as well as The display is caused to adjust the image formed on the display to form an updated image to indicate the second timestamp.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein: The food and / or beverage container includes a control system configured to perform operations including: determining said engagement between said device and said food and / or beverage container; as well as In response to determining the engagement between the device and the food and / or beverage container, the display is caused to adjust the image being presented.
