Systems and methods for wirelessly powered interactive guest devices

Abstract

A wireless power system includes a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment and a wearable device having an energy harvesting device configured to receive the radio waves and harvest energy from the received radio waves. The wearable device also includes a processor and a sensor configured to detect a state of the wearable device and output a state signal to the processor. The processor is configured to output a device control signal based on the detected status signal. The wearable device also includes a communicator configured to receive the device control signal from the processor and provide an output to a control system based on a state of the wearable device. At least the processor, the sensor, or the communicator receives power via the energy collected by the energy harvesting device.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application of a patent application with a filing date of February 27, 2020, application number 202080019372.2, and invention name “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A WIRELESSLY POWERED INTERACTIVEGUEST DEVICE”. This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 815,190, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A WIRELESSLY POWERED INTERACTIVEGUEST DEVICE”, filed on March 7, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background Art

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of amusement parks. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for controlling interactive devices within attractions.

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology that may be related to the various aspects of the present disclosure described below. This discussion is considered to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this context rather than as an admission of the prior art.

[0004] Since the early twentieth century, amusement parks have grown significantly in popularity. In order to maintain this growth in popularity, new amusement park attractions have been designed to provide guests with unique immersive experiences. Certain amusement park attractions enable separate interactions with the amusement park attractions to enhance the immersive experience of the guests. However, these separate interactive immersive experiences may be hindered by the functionality of the devices used to interact with the amusement park attractions. For example, identifiable electronic devices (e.g., cellular phones, controllers, battery-powered devices) may include functions accessed by guest input, which may reduce the guest's sense of immersion in the theme environment of the amusement park attraction. Therefore, it is now recognized that it is desirable to improve these amusement park attractions. Summary of the invention

[0005] Some embodiments that are commensurate in scope with the original claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but these embodiments are only intended to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. In fact, the present disclosure can encompass various forms that may be similar or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a wireless power system includes a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment and a wearable device having an energy harvesting device configured to receive radio waves and collect energy from the received radio waves. The wearable device also includes a processor and a sensor, the sensor being configured to detect the state of the wearable device and output a state signal to the processor. The processor is configured to output a device control signal based on the detected state signal. The wearable device also includes a communicator, the communicator being configured to receive a device control signal from the processor and provide an output to the control system based on the state of the wearable device. At least the processor, the sensor, or the communicator receives power via energy collected by the energy harvesting device.

[0007] According to another embodiment, a wireless power system includes a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment and configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the control system to output a control system signal. The wireless power system also includes a plurality of guest devices positioned in the environment. Each of the plurality of guest devices is configured to collect energy from the radio waves. The energy collected from the radio waves is configured to power components of each respective guest device. In addition, a first guest device among the plurality of guest devices is configured to receive a control system signal, activate a first device indicator in response to receiving the control system signal, and output a secondary signal in response to receiving the control system signal. In addition, a second guest device among the plurality of guest devices is configured to receive a secondary signal, activate a second indicator of the second guest device based on the received secondary signal, and output a tertiary signal based at least in part on the received secondary signal.

[0008] According to another embodiment, a wireless power system includes a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment. The wireless power system also includes a plurality of portable devices. Each of the plurality of portable devices includes an indicator and an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device being configured to receive radio waves and convert energy from the radio waves into a DC voltage to provide power to the indicator. In addition, a first device of the plurality of portable devices is configured to output a first device signal based at least in part on a state of the first device. In addition, a second device of the plurality of portable devices includes a near field communicator, the near field communicator being configured to receive the first device signal and activate a second device indicator based at least in part on the received first device signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 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: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wireless power system; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of a control system and guest devices of a wireless power system; Figure 3 is a flow chart of an embodiment of controlling communications between a system and a guest device; Figure 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of communication between guest devices; and Figure 5 is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of communication between guest devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In order to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of the actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be understood 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 meeting system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary depending on the implementation. In addition, it should be understood that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but it will still be a routine task of design, production and manufacturing for ordinary technicians who benefit from the present disclosure.

[0011] 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 elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive, and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure is not intended to be interpreted to exclude the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0012] Theme parks or amusement park attractions have become increasingly popular, and various amusement park attractions have been created to provide passengers with unique immersive experiences. Some amusement park attractions enable guests to interact with amusement park attractions via devices (e.g., wireless devices) associated with the guests to enhance the immersive experience of the guests. For example, a guest can access a software application on a mobile device to obtain more information about a particular attraction. However, the interaction of a guest with a mobile device tends to pull the guest's attention away from the attraction. For example, some attractions may have a rural or historical attraction environment, and the mobile device is out of context. In addition, other guests may be distracted by the ability of more technologically savvy guests to access complex functions via mobile devices. In addition, not all attractions allow guests to keep their mobile devices when they are in the attraction.

[0013] Provided herein is a wirelessly powered guest device that operates wirelessly and is configured with dedicated functionality for operating in conjunction with one or more attractions in an amusement park. In some embodiments, functionality can be automatically activated in an attraction at an appropriate time or when certain guests interact with the attraction, so that the guest needs to manipulate or provide user input to activate the function of the guest device. In this way, the guest's attention will not be pulled away from the attraction. Such a device can be relatively simple to reduce cost and / or weight. For example, the device can be powered by energy collected by a wireless communicator without the weight of an additional battery. In addition, the components of the wireless power supply device can be housed in various theme devices (e.g., amulets, rings, bracelets, torches, wands, teddy bears, etc.), so that guests can use theme devices to interact with amusement park attractions. In addition, the wireless power supply device can be configured to interact with amusement park attractions and with other wireless power supply devices to enhance the immersive experience.

[0014] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wireless power system 10 for an amusement park attraction 12. The wireless power system 10 may be positioned to provide wireless power to a guest device 14 located in an environment 16 (e.g., a portion of a ride track, a room, etc.) of the amusement park attraction 12. In some embodiments, the wireless power system 10 is configured to provide wireless power to the guest devices 14 (e.g., wirelessly powered devices) throughout the amusement park attraction 12 and / or throughout the amusement park. The wireless power system 10 includes a control system 18 having a transmitter 20 configured to output radio waves 22 to the environment 16. The radio waves 22 provide wireless power to the guest devices 14. In addition, the control system 18 may include a communication circuit 24 (e.g., a transceiver 32) configured to send a communication signal 26 to the guest device 14. The communication circuit 24 may also be configured to receive the communication signal from the guest device 14 via a detector 28 of the communication circuit 24.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the environment 16 has multiple transmitters 20 and communication circuits 24, which can improve the communication between the power transmission and control system 18 and the guest device 14. As described above, the transceiver of the communication circuit 24 can be configured to output a communication signal 26 (e.g., a control system signal 30). The control system signal 30 can be an infrared signal. When using infrared signals, positioning multiple transceivers 32 around the environment 16 in various orientations can improve the communication between the control system 18 and the guest device 14 by keeping the guest device 14 within the range or line of sight of at least one of the multiple transceivers 32.

[0016] A guest device 14 may be provided to a guest at an amusement park attraction 12. The guest device 14 may be a themed device specific to the theme of the amusement park attraction 12. For example, the guest device 14 may be in the form of a torch for an underground treasure hunt themed amusement park attraction. When a guest moves a guest device 14 (e.g., a torch) to a position near a themed heat source (e.g., a campfire effect) of the environment 16, the control system 18 may output a control system signal 30, causing the guest device 14 (e.g., the torch) to light up. In some embodiments, each guest may have a different guest device 14. For example, a first guest device 34 may be a charm, and a second guest device 36 may be a bracelet.

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control system 18 and a guest device 14 of a wireless power system 10. The control system 18 is configured to provide wireless power to the guest device 14. In addition, the control system 18 is configured to communicate with the guest device 14. The control system 18 may include communication circuitry 24, such as an antenna, a radio transceiver circuit, and signal processing hardware and / or software (e.g., hardware or software filters, A / D converters, multiplexer amplifiers), or a combination thereof, and may be configured to communicate over a wireless communication path via infrared (IR) wireless communication, satellite communication, broadcast radio, microwave radio, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wifi, UHF, NFC, etc. In one embodiment, the communication circuitry 24 includes a plurality of IR transceivers disposed in the environment of an amusement park attraction.

[0018] The control system 18 may include a system processor 38 and a memory 40. The system processor 38 may include one or more processing devices, and the memory 40 may include one or more tangible non-transitory machine-readable media. As an example, such a machine-readable medium may include a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or an optical disk storage, a disk storage, or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of a machine-executable instruction or data structure and can be accessed by the system processor 38 or by other processor-based devices (e.g., mobile devices). In some embodiments, the memory 40 is configured to store instructions that can be executed by the system processor 38 to output various control system signals 30. For example, the system processor 38 may execute instructions to output a control system signal 30 to activate an indicator 42 of the first guest device 34 based on communications from the first guest device 34, other guest devices 14, and / or data from a timer, an attraction event schedule, etc.

[0019] The control system 18 may include a transmitter 44. The transmitter 44 is configured to output the radio waves 22 to provide wireless power to the environment 16. In some embodiments, the radio waves 22 are ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification waves (UHF RFID). However, any type of suitable radio waves 22 may be emitted to provide wireless power to the environment. In some embodiments, the control system 18 may have multiple transmitters 44.

[0020] The guest device 14 is configured to receive power from the control system 18 via its corresponding energy collection device 46 (e.g., a first energy collection device 66, a second energy collection device 68, etc.). The energy collection device 46 is configured to receive the radio waves 22 emitted from the transmitter 44 of the control system 18 via the antenna 124 (e.g., a first antenna 126, a second antenna 128, etc.), and collect energy from the radio waves 22. In some embodiments, the energy collected from the radio waves 22 is directly output to the components of the guest device 14 (e.g., a sensor 48, a processor 52, a communicator 56, etc.). However, in some embodiments, the guest device 14 includes a capacitor 60 (e.g., a first capacitor 62, a second capacitor 64, etc.), which is configured to receive energy from the energy collection device 46 before outputting the energy to the components of the guest device 14. However, the guest device 14 does not have a battery configured to store energy from the energy collection device 46. In addition, the guest device 14 does not have a battery, so that none of the components of the guest device 14 are battery-powered. In addition, the guest device 14 is not powered by a wired connection.

[0021] The guest device 14 has a sensor 48 (e.g., a first sensor 50, a second sensor 54, etc.) configured to detect a state of the guest device 14. The sensor 48 may be configured to output a state signal 80 based on the detected state of the guest device 14. In some embodiments, the sensor 48 is a position sensor configured to detect the position of the guest device 14. The position sensor may be configured to output the position of the guest device 14 via the state signal 80. In other embodiments, the sensor 48 may be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, an infrared sensor, or some combination thereof.

[0022] The guest device 14 may include a processor 52 (e.g., a first processor 72, a second processor 74, etc.) configured to receive a status signal 80 from the sensor 48. The processor 52 may be configured to generate and output a device control signal 82 (e.g., a first device control signal 84, a second device control signal 86, etc.) based on the status signal 80 and / or other inputs. The processor 52 may be a microprocessor. In some embodiments, the guest device 14 is configured to operate without a memory device. In other embodiments, the guest device 14 includes a memory device for storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 52 of the guest device 14 to output various device control signals 82.

[0023] The guest device 14 may include a communication circuit having a communicator 56 (e.g., a first communicator 76, a second communicator 78, etc.) configured to receive device control signals 82 from the processor 52 and provide outputs 88 to the control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14 based on the state of the guest device and / or other inputs. In some embodiments, the communicator 56 includes a long-range communicator and / or a near-field communicator. In another embodiment, the communicator 56 includes a mid-range communicator.

[0024] In some embodiments, the communicator 56 (e.g., the first communicator 76, the second communicator 78, etc.) includes an infrared light emitting diode configured to output an infrared signal to a detector of the control system 18. The infrared signal is configured to transmit information between the guest device 14 and the control system 18. In some embodiments, the infrared signal output from the guest device 18 is configured to transmit information to other guest devices 14. The communicator 56 can be configured to receive communications via infrared signals, so that the communicator 56 can receive communications from the control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14 via infrared signals.

[0025] In some embodiments, the control system 18 is configured to emit infrared light to the environment 16. The communicator 56 can be configured to transmit information to the control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14 using an electrically switchable reflector. The electrically switchable reflector can be configured to selectively reflect infrared light emitted from the control system 18 to the environment. The electrically switchable reflector can selectively reflect infrared light having a pattern or sequence configured to transmit information from the guest device 14. The control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14 can be configured to receive the selectively reflected infrared light and determine the information from the guest device 14 based on the pattern or sequence. The electrically switchable reflector can have a reflective surface that is configured to rotate to control the reflection angle of the infrared light to generate a pattern or sequence.

[0026] In some embodiments, the communicator 56 is configured to selectively filter the infrared signal to generate a filtered infrared signal and reflect the filtered infrared signal to a detector of the control system 18. The filtered infrared signal can be configured to transmit information from the guest device 14 to the control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14. In another embodiment, the communicator 56 includes a reflective surface and a shielding device, which is configured to selectively block one or more portions of the reflective surface to form a reflection pattern, which is configured to reflect infrared light to the control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14. For example, the shielding device can cover a reflective surface with four reflective portions, and the four reflective portions are arranged in a two-by-two grid. The shielding device can block the upper left reflective portion so that only the other three reflective portions reflect infrared light. Different information can be conveyed by selectively covering different portions of the reflective surface with a shielding device. The communicator 56 can be configured to transmit information from the guest device 14 to the control system 18 and / or other guest devices 14 via a shielding device that selectively covers different portions of the reflective surface.

[0027] In some embodiments, at least the first energy harvesting device 66, the first processor 72, the first sensor 50, and the first communicator 76 are all housed within the first housing 90 of the first guest device 34. Similarly, at least the second energy harvesting device 68, the second processor 74, the second sensor 54, and the second communicator 78 are all housed within the second housing 92 of the second guest device 36.

[0028] Figure 3 1 is a flow chart of an embodiment of communication between a control system 18 and a guest device 14. The control system 18 is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the control system 18 to output a control system signal 30. The control system 18 may be configured to execute instructions based on a timer or an attraction event. For example, an amusement park attraction may be configured to cause a special effect (e.g., a gust of wind) to occur at a predetermined time. The control system 18 may be configured to output a control system signal 30 that is configured to extinguish a guest device 14 (e.g., a torch) (e.g., turn off an indicator 42) in response to a special effect (e.g., a gust of wind). In another embodiment, the control system 18 is configured to receive a communication from (one or more) guest devices 14 (block 128). The control system is configured to determine a control system signal 130 (block 130) based on instructions executed based on communications received from (one or more) guest devices 14. The instructions may cause the control system to output a control system signal 30 (block 132). The control system signal 30 may be configured to cause a guest device 14 (e.g., a torch) to light up. The control system 18 may include a plurality of instructions, each of which is configured to be executed based on a different condition or trigger (eg, a timer, a ride event, a received communication, etc.).

[0029] The first guest device 34 may be configured to receive a control system signal 30 from the control system 18 (box 134). In response to receiving the control system signal 30, the first processor is configured to generate a first device control signal 84 (box 136). In some embodiments, the first processor is configured to generate the device control signal 84 based on both the control system signal 30 and the first state signal 80 from the first sensor 48. The first sensor may detect the state of the first guest device (box 138) and output a first state signal indicating the state of the first guest device to the first processor. The first processor is configured to receive the state signal from the first sensor (box 140). For example, the control system 18 may output a control system signal 30 configured to illuminate the first guest device 34. However, the first guest device 34 (e.g., a torch) may be located in a subject water source or may have recently been located in a subject water source that causes the first guest device 34 to be "wet" or have a wet state. The first processor may determine that the first guest device 34 (e.g., a torch) cannot be lit because the first guest device 34 is "wet" and send a first device control signal 84 based on both the control system signal 30 and the status signal 80 to cause the first guest device 34 to light up briefly and then turn off or remain unlit. In another example, the guest may move the first guest device 34 (e.g., a torch) quickly past the subject heat source. Although the control system signal 30 is configured to cause the first guest device 34 (e.g., a torch) to light up when the first guest device 34 is positioned near the subject heat source. The first processor may determine that the first guest device 34 (e.g., a torch) cannot be lit based on the speed of the first guest device 34 from the status signal 80.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first guest device 34 is configured to output a status signal 80 from the first sensor 50 to the control system 18 (block 142). As described above, the status signal 80 can cause the control system 18 to execute various instructions. The control system 18 can be configured to output the control system signal 30 when the first guest device 34 is positioned in a particular area of ​​the environment 16 of the amusement park attraction 12 (e.g., near a themed heat source). In addition, the control system 18 can be configured to output the control system signal 30 based on other states of the first guest device 34 (e.g., position, movement, etc.). The control system 18 can be configured to output the control system signal 30 based on the position, acceleration, velocity, pressure, temperature, acoustics, logic state, etc. of the first guest device 34.

[0031] The first processor 72 may be configured to output a first device control signal 84 to modify the first indicator 94 of the first guest device 34 (block 144). The first device control signal 84 may deactivate the first indicator 94 (block 146), activate the first indicator 94 (block 148), or adjust a setting of the first indicator 94 (block 150). For example, the first indicator 94 may be an LED light, where deactivating the first indicator 94 causes the LED light to turn off, activating the first indicator 94 causes the LED light to turn on, and adjusting the setting of the first indicator 94 may cause the LED to dim, brighten, change color, etc.

[0032] The first processor may be configured to output the first device control signal 84 to the first communicator of the first guest device 34. The first communicator may be configured to output a secondary signal 98 (block 152) in response to receiving the first device control signal 84. The secondary signal 98 may be configured to relay information from the first control system signal 84 to another guest device 14 (e.g., the second guest device 36). The second guest device 36 may be configured to receive the secondary signal 98 (block 154) and activate a second indicator 96 of the second guest device 36 based on the secondary signal 98. For example, the first guest device 34 and the second guest device 36 may be torches. As described above, when the first guest device 34 is positioned near a subject heat source (e.g., a campfire), the first guest device 34 (e.g., a torch) may light up based on the control system signal 30. The first guest device 34 can then be configured to output a secondary signal 98 so that when the second guest device 36 is moved to a position near the first guest device 34, the first guest device 34 can cause the second guest device 36 (e.g., a torch) to light up; thereby, creating a special effect of one torch lighting up another torch.

[0033] In some embodiments, similar to the first processor 72 of the first guest device 34, the second processor of the second guest device 36 can generate a second device control signal 86 (box 156) based on both the secondary signal 98 detected from the second sensor 54 (box 158) and received by the second processor (box 160) and the second state signal 102. The second device control signal 86 can modify the second indicator 96 of the first guest device 34 (box 162). The second device control signal 84 can deactivate the first indicator 94 (box 164), activate the first indicator 94 (box 166), or adjust the setting of the first indicator 94 (box 168). In addition, the second guest device 36 can be configured to output the tertiary signal 100 (box 170) via the second communicator so that the second guest device 36 (e.g., a torch) can cause the third guest device (e.g., a torch) to light up. In addition, the second guest device 36 can be configured to output the second state signal 102 from the second sensor 54 to the control system 18 (box 172).

[0034] In some embodiments, the control system 18 may be configured to output a control system signal 30 based on the status of the plurality of guest devices 14. In addition, the control system 18 may be configured to communicate with a special effect device of the amusement park attraction 12. For example, a first guest having a first guest device 34 and a second guest having a second guest device 36 may stand near a special effect device 126 (e.g., a trap door) in an environment of the amusement park attraction. At least two guests may be positioned near the trap door, which may be configured to open. The first guest device 34 and the second guest device 36 may output their respective statuses (e.g., the positions of the guest devices) to the control system 18. The control system 18 may be configured to output a first control system signal 104 to the special effect device 126 (e.g., the trap door), causing it to open. In some embodiments, opening the trap door may cause a special effect event (e.g., a gust of wind), and therefore, the control system 18 may output a second control system signal 106 to the first guest device 34 and / or the second guest device 36, causing the guest device to deactivate its respective indicator 94, 96 to "extinguish" the guest device 34, 36 (e.g., a torch). In some embodiments, the control system 18 simultaneously outputs the control system signal 30 to all guest devices 14 in the environment 16 to deactivate the corresponding indicators of all guest devices 14. However, in some embodiments, the control system 14 is configured to output the control system signal 30 to a guest device 14 (e.g., a first guest device) that is positioned closest to the special effect device 126 (e.g., a valve). The special effect (e.g., a gust of wind) can originate from the valve. Therefore, in order to simulate the effect of a real gust of wind on a torch, the first guest device 34 will deactivate the first indicator 94. Then, the first guest device 34 can output the secondary signal 98 to the guest device 14 (e.g., a second guest device 36) that is positioned closest to the first guest device 34. Each guest device 14 can be configured to receive and output instructions to deactivate the corresponding indicator 42 to cause a delayed reaction to the special effect gust of wind. The processor can be configured to delay the output 88 to other guest devices 14 to increase the length of the delayed reaction.

[0035] The present technology can be used to trigger a cascading activation effect between a group of guest devices 14, where only some devices (i.e., only a subset of all guest devices 14) respond to an initial control system signal 30 emitted at a first point in time, and the response is an activation of a specific device functionality on only a subset of the activated devices. These activated devices 14 in turn send out their own activation signals to a different subset of devices 14 at a subsequent point in time. The cascade can continue until all devices 14 in the environment are activated. In one example, a wave or light cascade in the devices 14 can be created by using a cascade-type activation. In some embodiments, the cascade is automatically activated in the environment without manipulation of the devices 14 by the user.

[0036] The selection of the activation order of the subset of devices 14 may be based on proximity to the sensor or may be based on user information associated with each individual device 14. In some embodiments, the control system 18 is configured to output the control system signal 30 to the entire environment, so that the first guest device 34 may receive the control system signal 30 anywhere in the environment 16. However, in some embodiments, the control system signal 30 is configured to cause a response only in the first guest device 34 and / or only in a subset of guest devices 14 (e.g., randomly or selected by device type). Each guest device 14 may have a separate identity so that the control system 18 can send the control system signal 30 to a specific guest device 14. Therefore, the second guest device 36 may not respond to the control system signal output 30 intended for the first guest device 34, so that the second indicator 96 is not activated in response to receiving the control system signal 30. Similarly, the first guest device 34 may not respond to the control system signal 30 output for the second guest device 36, the third guest device, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the control system 18 may determine which guest device 14 to send the control system signal to based on the individual state of each of the guest devices 14.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first guest device 36 is not responsive to the secondary signal 98 and the tertiary signal 100, such that the first indicator 94 is not activated in response to the secondary signal 98 or the tertiary signal 100. For example, the control system signal 30 may be configured to temporarily illuminate the first guest device 34. The first guest device 34 may then output the secondary signal 98 to temporarily illuminate the second guest device 36. The second guest device 36 may then output the tertiary signal 100. Although the first guest device 34 may be within range of the tertiary signal 100, the first guest device 34 may not illuminate again in response to the tertiary signal 100.

[0038] Each guest device 14 may be configured to switch between multiple communication states. The guest device 14 may be configured to receive different information based on the current communication state of the guest device 14. For example, the guest device 14 may be configured to receive only certain signals in the first communication state and receive other signals in other communication states (e.g., the second communication state, the third communication state, etc.). In addition, the guest device 14 may be configured to transmit different information based on the current communication state of the guest device 14. For example, the first guest device 34 may be configured to output a secondary signal 98 having an instruction to enable the second guest device 36 to activate the second indicator 96 in the first communication state, and output a secondary signal 98 having an instruction to enable the second guest device 36 to deactivate the second indicator 96 in the second communication state. In addition, in some embodiments, the first communication state may be configured to disable reception and / or transmission from the communicator 56, and the second communication state may enable reception and / or transmission from the communicator 56.

[0039] In some embodiments, in response to receiving the control system signal 30, the first guest device 34 can switch from the first communication state to the second communication state, and vice versa. In addition, in response to receiving the secondary signal 98, the second guest device 36 can switch from the first communication state to the second communication state, and vice versa. The control system 18 can be configured to output the control system signal 30 to each guest device 14 in the environment 16 to switch / control the communication state of the corresponding guest device 14. The control system 18 can be configured to switch / control the communication state of the corresponding guest device 14 based on the state of the corresponding guest device 14. For example, the control system 18 can be configured to output the control system signal 30 to the first guest device 34 to disable the transmission of the secondary signal 98 when the state signal 80 received by the control system 18 from the first guest device 34 indicates that the first guest device 34 is located in a specific area of ​​the environment 16.

[0040] Figure 4 1 is a flow chart of an embodiment of communication between guest devices 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a first guest device 34 and a second guest device 36 (e.g., a wearable device) communicate with each other. The guest devices 14 can communicate with each other independently of the communication from the control system. In some embodiments, the control system can be primarily configured to provide power to the guest devices 14. As described above, the control system is configured to output radio waves to the environment via a transmitter. The guest devices 14 (e.g., portable devices) each have an energy harvesting device that is configured to receive radio waves and convert energy from the radio waves into a DC voltage to provide power to the corresponding indicator 42 of the guest device 14 and to other components of the guest device 14.

[0041] As described above, the guest devices 14 can be configured to interact or communicate with each other independently of the communication from the control system. The communication between the guest devices 14 can be based on the corresponding state of the guest devices 14. As described above, the first sensor of the first guest device 34 can detect the state of the first guest device 34 (box 138) and output the state signal 80 to the first processor of the first guest device 34. The first processor can receive the state signal 80 from the first sensor (box 140). The first processor can be configured to generate a first device control signal 84 (box 136) based on the state of the first guest device 34. The first device control signal 84 can modify the first indicator 94 (box 144) (e.g., activate (box 148), deactivate (box 146), adjust the indicator setting (box 150), etc.). The first device control signal 84 can also be configured to cause the first communicator to output the first device signal 108 (box 176). The first communicator can be a near field communicator.

[0042] The second guest device 36 may be configured to receive the first device signal 108 via the second communicator (box 178). The second communicator may also be a near field communicator. The second sensor of the second guest device 36 may detect the state of the second guest device 36 (box 158) and output the second state signal 102 to the second processor 74 of the second guest device 36. The second processor may receive the second state signal 102 from the first sensor (box 160). The second processor may be configured to generate a second device control signal 86 (box 156) based on both the state of the second guest device 36 and the first device signal 108. The second device control signal 86 may modify the second indicator 96 (box 162) (e.g., activate (box 166), deactivate (box 164), adjust the indicator setting (box 168), etc.). The second device control signal 86 may also be configured to cause the second communicator to output a second device signal 110 (box 180).

[0043] In some embodiments, the first guest device 34 is configured to receive the second device signal 110. The first processor 72 of the first guest device 34 is then configured to determine the first device control signal 84 based on both the state of the first guest device 34 and the second device signal 110. However, in another embodiment, the third guest device is configured to receive the second device signal 110.

[0044] In some embodiments, a guest may initiate communication between guest devices 14. For example, a first guest 182 may move a first guest device 34 in a particular pattern. A first sensor of the first guest device 34 may detect the pattern (e.g., position over time, speed over time, etc.) via a state signal 80 and output it to the first processor. The first processor is configured to recognize the pattern and cause the first guest device 34 to output a first device signal 108 based on the pattern initiated by the user of the first guest device 34. The first device signal 108 may be configured to cause a second indicator 96 of the second guest device 36 to illuminate. In some embodiments, the first processor is configured to recognize multiple patterns.

[0045] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view of another embodiment of communication between guest devices 14. As described above, the first guest device 34 can be configured to output the first device signal 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the first device signal 108 is configured to be output to multiple guest devices 14, so that the second guest device 36, the third guest device 112, and the fourth guest device 114 are configured to receive the first device signal 108. However, each guest device 14 can have a different reaction to the first device signal 108. The second guest device can activate the second indicator 96 in response to the first device signal 108. The second indicator 96 can be an LED light that emits blue light 120. The third guest device 112 and the fourth guest device 114 can activate their respective indicators 116, 118 (e.g., LED lights) in response to the first device signal 108 to emit red light 122. The indicator 42 can be activated differently based on its corresponding device control signal. In addition, the indicator 42 can be activated differently to provide an indication of the state of the guest device 14. Indicator 42 may include a monochromatic light emitting diode, a multicolor light emitting diode, an audio output device, or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, indicator 42 includes a sound device, a tactile device, or any other type of special effect. Indicator 42 may include a combination of multiple special effects.

[0046] In another embodiment, the indicator 42 is configured to be activated based on the individual identification (ID) of the corresponding guest device 14. The guest may have an individual ID saved to their corresponding guest device 14. In some embodiments, the guests may be divided into teams based on their IDs. The ID may enable the guest device 14 to interact with the control system and / or with other devices 14 in a particular manner. For example, the first guest and the second guest may be on the first team, and the third guest and the fourth guest may be on the second team, so that the first device signal 108 emitted from the first guest device 34 corresponding to the first guest may elicit a different response from the second guest device 36 than from the third guest device 112 and the fourth guest device 114. Due to the corresponding teams of the guest devices 14, the second guest device 36 may emit a blue light 120 in response to the first device signal 108, and the second guest device 112 and the third guest device 114 may emit a red light 122 in response to the first device signal 108.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The technology presented and claimed herein is cited and applied to substantial objects and specific examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the art, and is therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. In addition, if any claim appended to 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 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 not be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. A wireless power system, comprising: a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment; as well as Wearable devices, including: an energy harvesting device configured to receive the radio waves and harvest energy from the received radio waves; processor; a sensor configured to detect a state of the wearable device and output a state signal to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to output a device control signal based on the detected state signal; and A communicator configured to receive the device control signal from the processor and provide an output to the control system based on the state of the wearable device, wherein at least the processor, the sensor, or the communicator receives power via the energy harvested by the energy harvesting device. 2 . The wireless power system of claim 1 , wherein the communicator comprises at least a long-range communicator or a near-field communicator.

3. The wireless power system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable device comprises a capacitor configured to store the energy collected from the radio waves and configured to output the energy to power the processor, the sensor, and the communicator. The wireless power system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable device does not include a battery. 5 . The wireless power system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to emit an infrared signal to the wearable device.

6. A wireless power system according to claim 5, wherein the communicator includes at least one electrically switchable reflector, the at least one electrically switchable reflector being configured to selectively reflect the infrared signal to a detector of the control system, and wherein the electrically switchable reflector is switched based on instructions received from the processor via the device control signal. 7 . The wireless power system of claim 5 , wherein the communicator is configured to selectively filter the infrared signal to generate a filtered infrared signal and reflect the filtered infrared signal to a detector of the control system.

8. The wireless power system of claim 5, wherein the communicator comprises a reflective surface and a shielding device, the shielding device being configured to selectively block one or more portions of the reflective surface to form a reflection pattern, the reflection pattern being configured to reflect the infrared signal to a detector of the control system.

9. The wireless power system of claim 5, wherein the communicator comprises an infrared light emitting diode configured to output the infrared signal to a detector of the control system.

10. The wireless power system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable device further comprises an indicator configured to be activated based on the device control signal from the processor to provide an indication of the status of the wearable device, wherein the indicator comprises a monochrome light emitting diode, a multi-color light emitting diode, an audio output device, or some combination thereof.

11. The wireless power system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a position sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, an infrared sensor, or some combination thereof.

12. The wireless power system of claim 1, wherein the energy harvesting device, the processor, the sensor, and the communicator are all housed within a housing of the wearable device.

13. A wireless power system comprising: a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment and configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the control system to output a control system signal; as well as a plurality of guest devices positioned in the environment, wherein each guest device of the plurality of devices is configured to harvest energy from the radio waves, wherein the energy harvested from the radio waves is configured to power components of each respective guest device; wherein a first guest device of the plurality of guest devices is configured to: receive the control system signal, activate a first device indicator in response to receiving the control system signal, and output a secondary signal in response to receiving the control system signal; and Wherein a second guest device among the plurality of guest devices is configured to: receive the secondary signal, activate a second indicator of the second guest device based on the received secondary signal, and output a tertiary signal based at least in part on the received secondary signal.

14. The wireless power system of claim 13, wherein the second guest device is non-responsive to the control system signal such that the second indicator is not activated in response to the control system signal. 15 . The wireless power system of claim 14 , wherein the first guest device is non-responsive to the secondary signal and the tertiary signal such that the first indicator is not activated in response to the secondary signal or the tertiary signal.

16. The wireless power system of claim 13, wherein the first guest device switches from a first state to a second state in response to receiving the control system signal, and wherein the second guest device switches from the first state to the second state in response to receiving the secondary signal.

17. A wireless power system comprising: a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment; as well as a plurality of portable devices, wherein each of the plurality of portable devices comprises an indicator and an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device being configured to receive the radio waves and convert energy from the radio waves into a DC voltage to provide power to the indicator; wherein a first device of the plurality of portable devices is configured to output a first device signal based at least in part on a state of the first device; as well as Wherein a second device of the plurality of portable devices comprises a near field communicator configured to receive the first device signal and activate a second device indicator based at least in part on the received first device signal.

18. The wireless power system of claim 17, wherein the second device of the plurality of portable devices further comprises a mid-range communicator.

19. The wireless power system of claim 17, wherein the state of the first device is a first state of a plurality of states, wherein the first device is configured to switch between the plurality of states, and wherein each of the plurality of states is configured to transmit different information in the first device signal.

20. The wireless power system of claim 19, wherein the control system is configured to output a control system signal, and wherein the control system signal is configured to cause the first device to switch from the first of the multiple states to a second of the multiple states based on the control system signal.

Images