Interactive attraction system and method for associating objects with users - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide, generally, an interactive amusement park attraction and, specifically, techniques for associating a handheld or wearable object with a user.SOLUTION: A system of an amusement park attraction includes an optical sensor configured to detect light and provide optical data based on the detected light, and a controller having circuitry communicatively coupled to the optical sensor. The controller is configured to receive the optical data, process the optical data to detect a first movement of a user and a second movement of a handheld or wearable object, detect a correlation between the first movement and the second movement, and associate the handheld or wearable object with the user based on the correlation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 889,957, filed August 21, 2019, entitled "Interactive Attraction System and Method for Associating a User with an Object," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] (Technical field) The present disclosure relates generally to interactive amusement park attractions, and more particularly to techniques for associating portable or wearable objects with users. [Background technology]

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, as described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that this description is to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0004] Amusement parks and other entertainment venues use a variety of features to entertain guests. Amusement parks may include a variety of rides, such as roller coasters, drop towers, log flumes, and the like, which can provide guests with a unique experience. In addition, amusement parks may include a variety of other features, such as performance shows, special effects, and decorations to immerse guests in the environment. As amusement parks become more popular, guests have growing expectations for improved and more original features. For example, guests may desire features that interact with or respond to various guests. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, implementing interactive features can be complex and difficult. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The specific embodiments described herein are summarized below. Please note that these embodiments are provided merely to provide the reader with a summary of these specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure may encompass various embodiments that may not be described below.

[0007] In one embodiment, an amusement park attraction system includes an optical sensor configured to detect light and provide optical data based on the detected light, and a controller having circuitry communicatively coupled to the optical sensor, The controller is configured to receive the optical data, process the optical data to detect a first movement of a user and a second movement of a portable or wearable object, detect a correlation between the first movement and the second movement, and associate the portable or wearable object with the user based on the correlation.

[0008] In one embodiment, a control device of an attraction system including a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions, when executed by a processor of the control device, is configured to cause the processor to receive optical data from an optical sensor of the attraction system, detect a first movement of a user based on the optical data, detect a second movement of a portable or wearable object based on the optical data, determine a correlation between the first movement and the second movement, and associate the portable or wearable object with the user based on the correlation between the first movement and the second movement.

[0009] In one embodiment, an attraction system for an amusement park includes an optical sensor configured to detect light and provide optical data based on the detected light. The attraction system also includes a database configured to store data related to the attraction system, and a controller communicatively connected to the optical sensor and the database. The controller is configured to receive the optical data, process the optical data to detect a first movement of a user and a second movement of an object, detect a correlation between the first movement and the second movement, associate the object with the user based on the correlation, determine an interaction associated with the object based on the first movement and the second movement, and update the database in response to determining the interaction.

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an interactive attraction system configured to detect user and object movements, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an attraction system having optical sensors configured to track user and object movements based on the objects' respective reference elements, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an attraction system showing a user and an image associated with the user detected by an optical sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method or process for updating features of an attraction system in response to an object-related interaction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described herein. It will be appreciated that, as with any industrial design or engineering project, the development of any such actual implementation will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the developers' particular goals, including compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. It will further be appreciated that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but will nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0013] When describing 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 element. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. One or more specific embodiments of the invention described herein are described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the specification. It will be recognized that, as with any industrial design or engineering project, development of any such actual implementation will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made in order to achieve the developers' particular goals, including compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. It will further be recognized that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0014] The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that utilize user and object motion to determine whether a user and an object are associated with one another. In one implementation, the disclosed technology is provided within an entertainment venue, such as an amusement park or theme park. In this manner, the described technology can be used to entertain guests with a more personalized experience based on associated objects, providing a more interactive environment for guests. In additional or alternative implementations, the technology described herein can be used in other environments.

[0015] Amusement parks and other entertainment venues include various features to entertain guests. For example, amusement parks may use various attraction systems, such as rides and shows, as well as immersive environments, such as special effects and stage props. Amusement parks may also include features with which guests can interact. For example, each guest at an amusement park may interact with various features of the amusement park, such as animated figures. Such interaction may activate certain special effects, such as the movement of the animated figures, thereby providing the guest with an interactive experience.

[0016] However, it may be desirable to provide guests with a more personalized interactive experience. In other words, interactions between amusement park features and guests can be unique to each guest. For example, an interaction between a first guest and a feature can result in a first update of the feature (e.g., activation of a first set of special effects). An interaction between a second guest and the same feature can result in a second update of the feature (e.g., activation of a second set of special effects). As a result, each guest experiences a unique, personalized interaction. It may also be desirable (or necessary to provide personalization) to distinguish between a first object of a first guest and a second object of a second guest that is located in an overlapping visual space. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments facilitate identifying such distinctions by correlating the guest's movements with the movement of a portable or wearable object based on the coordination of the guest's movements with the movement of the portable or wearable object. The portability or wearability of the object can facilitate the user's physical characteristics and movements to cause the object's movement.

[0017] To this end, the present disclosure is directed to techniques for associating guests with corresponding objects possessed by the guests and linking the guests with actions performed through the objects. In one embodiment, guests can use the objects they possess to interact with various features of an amusement park, such as props or other guests. Based on the guests' identified interactions with the objects possessed and the guests' interactions, unique events may occur, thereby providing a personalized experience for the guests. The systems and methods described in this disclosure include precise ways of associating guests with objects based on the respective movements of the guests and objects. As an example, it can be determined whether the guest's movements cause the object's movement, thereby indicating that the guest possesses and is associated with the object. In this manner, guests can be precisely linked to objects, providing a unique experience based on the guest, the object, and / or the actions the guest takes with the object.

[0018] With this in mind, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an interactive attraction system 50 for an amusement park. As used herein, the attraction system 50 may include a space in which users 52 (e.g., guests at an amusement park) can participate and interact with various features of the attraction system 50. In one implementation, the attraction system 50 may include an enclosure or boundary (physical or virtual) in which the users 52 are housed. Additionally or alternatively, the attraction system 50 may have an open space in which the users 52 can roam freely. Each user 52 may possess a respective object 54, which may be a portable object or device (e.g., a sponge sword) held in the user's 52's hand. Each user 52 may use the respective object 54 to perform actions within the environment of the attraction system 50. Based on the actions performed and the detection of the actions, features of the attraction system 50 may be updated. Illustratively, A first user 52A may carry a first object 54A and point the first object 54A toward a prop 55 of the attraction system 50. In response, certain special effects (e.g., lighting, sound) may be triggered to reflect the action taken. Additionally, a second user 52B may carry a second object 54B and point the second object 54B toward the first user 52A. In response, other features of the attraction system 50 may be updated (e.g., additional special effects may be triggered). In some embodiments, the features may be updated based on the particular user 52 and / or the particular object 54 performing the action. That is, for example, a first feature may be updated when the first user 52A points the first object 54A toward the prop 55.However, if a second user 52B aims a second object 54B at the prop 55 in a similar manner as a first user 52A aims a first object 54A at the prop 55, a second, different feature may be updated as the second user 52B aims the second object 54B at the prop 55. In this manner, the experience provided by the attraction system 50 is more personalized for each particular user 52. Note that aiming is just one example of a gesture that may be identified in accordance with the present embodiment. Additionally or alternatively, a gesture may include contacting the object 54 with a particular feature (e.g., the prop 55), moving the object 54 in a particular motion (e.g., forming a geometric shape), etc.

[0019] In a confined space, it may be difficult to identify using a sensor (e.g., a camera) which user 52A, 52B is controlling a particular one of the objects 54A, 54B due to overlapping visual data. Accordingly, the attraction system 50 is configured to associate each object 54 with the corresponding user 52 possessing that object 54, thereby enabling the attraction system 50 to determine the action performed by each user 52 associated with each object 54. In one embodiment, the attraction system 50 may utilize machine vision or imaging techniques to associate each object 54 with its respective user 52. For example, the attraction system 50 may include an optical sensor 56 configured to detect light. The optical sensor 56 may include an infrared camera, a three-primary color (RGB) camera, a depth sensor, another suitable type of optical sensor 56, or some combination thereof. Furthermore, the optical sensor 56 may include multiple sensors or components. For example, the optical sensor 56 may include a filtered sensor configured to capture a specific range of infrared light and a sensor for detecting visible light. The optical sensors 56 may acquire an image or model of the user 52 using, for example, skeleton tracking. Additionally, the optical sensors 56 may acquire an image of at least a portion of the object 54. In one embodiment, each object 54 may include a respective reference element 58 that is trackable by the optical sensors 56, allowing the optical sensors 56 to detect the object 54 more clearly and accurately. The reference elements 58 may be or include optical reflectors that allow the optical sensors 56 to more reliably capture reflected light for determining the position of the reference elements 58 (e.g., using filters). However, the reference elements 58 may include any other suitable components that enable the optical sensors 56 to detect the object 54, such as light emitters configured to output signals that are received by the optical sensors 56.In this manner, the optical sensor 56 can more clearly distinguish the object 54 from other features within the attraction system 50, such as other components that may reflect or direct light toward the optical sensor 56, thereby enabling the optical sensor 56 to more accurately track the reference element 58 and the object 54. In one embodiment, the reference element 58 may be coupled to the object 54, for example, by fasteners and / or adhesives. In additional or alternative embodiments, the reference element 58 may be integrally formed with the object 54, for example, by welding and / or molding.

[0020] The attraction system 50 may also include a controller 60 having a memory 62 and a processor 64. The memory 62 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for operating the attraction system 50. The processor 64 may be configured to execute such instructions. For example, the processor 64 may include one or more application-specific processors (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general-purpose processors, or any combination thereof. The controller 60 may also include circuitry communicatively coupled to the optical sensor 56 to receive optical data transmitted from the optical sensor 56. The optical data is based on detected light and may include image data captured by the optical sensor 56. The image data is indicative of the positioning of the user 52 and the object 54 (e.g., a reference element 58 of the object 54). The controller 60 can process the optical data, for example, using the image data to determine the positioning (e.g., movement, location, orientation) of the user 52 and the object 54. Thus, the optical sensor 56 and the controller 60 can cooperate to track the positioning of the user 52 and the object 54.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 60 may also be communicatively connected to a database 66, such as a cloud database and / or a local database configured to store data. The database 66 may store information regarding each user 52. Illustratively, the database 66 may include a user profile associated with each user 52, and the controller 60 may update each user profile based on detected actions performed by the corresponding user 52 (e.g., with the corresponding object 54 and / or on the prop 55). For example, in response to determining that a first user 52A has aimed a first object 54 at the prop 55, the controller 60 may assign a first point value to a first user profile associated with the first user 52A. Similarly, in response to determining that a second user 52B has aimed a second object 54B at the prop 55, the controller 60 may assign a second point value to a second user profile associated with the second user 52B. Additionally, the controller 60 may assign a third point value (e.g., a negative point value) to the first user profile upon determining that the first user 52A has contacted the second object 54B of the second user 52B. As each user 52 performs their respective action, the controller 60 may dynamically update the corresponding user profile based on the action performed, the associated object 54, etc. In further embodiments, the controller 60 may be communicatively connected to other components of the attraction system 50, such as a prop 55, and may be configured to output a signal that causes a special effect associated with the prop 55 upon determining that one of the objects 54 has appropriately gestured toward or contacted the prop 55.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an attraction system 50 having an optical sensor 56 configured to track the movement of a user 52 and an object 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical sensor 56 can detect a reference element 58, but the optical sensor 56 may not clearly detect the remainder of the object 54 ( FIG. 1 ). As an example, the remainder of the object 54 may not reflect light detectable by the filtered components of the optical sensor 56. As a result, the optical data (or a portion thereof) sent from the optical sensor 56 may not include image data for the remainder of the object, and the controller 60 can associate each object with a corresponding user 52 by associating each reference element 58 with a corresponding user 52 upon comparing the image of the user 52 with the image of the reference element 58. Note that the image data of the users 52 may be obtained by a different optical sensor 56 or configuration than the one that detects the reference element 58. In some circumstances, associating the reference element 58 with a user 52 based on the instantaneous positions of one of the users 52 and one of the reference elements 58 may not be accurate. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first reference element 58A may be closer to the second user 52B than to the first user 52A, and the second reference element 58B may be closer to the first user 52A than to the second user 52B. Thus, by associating each object 54 with the closest user 52, the controller 60 may inaccurately associate the first reference element 58A with the second user 52B and similarly the second reference element 58B with the first user 52A.

[0023] Thus, instead of using instantaneous image data (e.g., representing a single point in time), the controller 60 can use multiple image data to associate each reference element 58 with a corresponding user 52. In this manner, the controller 60 can determine the movement of each user 52 and the movement of each reference element 58 to associate the users 52 and the reference elements 58 with each other. Illustratively, the controller 60 can determine the movement of one of the users 52 and the movement of one of the reference elements 58, and determine whether there is a correlation between the movement of the user 52 and the movement of the reference element 58.

[0024] In one example, the controller 60 can determine that the first user 52A is moving in a first direction 90 (e.g., toward the prop 55). The controller 60 can also determine that the first reference element 58A is moving in a second direction 92 substantially similar to the first direction 90 and that the second reference element 58B is moving in a vibrating or rocking manner. Thus, the controller 60 can determine that the first reference element 58A is moving in a relative manner with respect to the first user 52A and that the second reference element 58B is not moving in a relative manner with respect to the first user 52A. Thus, the controller 60 can determine that the first reference element 58A is associated with the first user 52A even though the second reference element 58B is located closer to the first user 52A than the first reference element 58A is located relative to the first user 52A. Furthermore, the control device 60 can determine that the second user 52B is making a similar vibration or swinging motion as the second reference element 58B (e.g., the arm of the first user 52B is swinging), and thus the control device 60 can accurately associate the second reference element 58B with the second user 52B.

[0025] 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the attraction system 50 showing a user 52 and an image 110 (e.g., single or multiple images) of the user 52 that can be detected by an optical sensor 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the image 110 represents the skeletal structure of the user 52 at a point in time, as can be determined from visual data and an algorithm or model (e.g., a physical feature recognition algorithm) for identifying the skeletal structure or morphology of a body (e.g., a human body) in motion. The optical sensor 56 can send optical data representing the image 110 to the controller 60. As the user 52 moves, the image 110 changes positioning accordingly, and the optical data sent from the optical sensor 56 shows the changing image 110 and the repositioning of the skeletal structure.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , the image 110 includes a plurality of points and line segments to represent the skeletal structure of the user 52. Using techniques for identifying skeletal structure from image data, these points and line segments can be identified and correlated to human features. In practice, the points may generally represent various joints or other features of the user 52, and the line segments may connect the points to one another. For example, the image 110 includes a first point 112 that may represent the head 114 of the user 52. The image 110 may further include a second point 116 that represents a first shoulder or arm joint 118 of the user 52 and a third point 120 that represents a second shoulder or arm joint 122. A first line segment 124 and a second line segment 126 extend from the second point 116 and represent a first arm 128 of the user 52, and the first and second line segments 124, 126 are connected to each other at a fourth point 130 that represents a third arm joint (e.g., a first elbow) 132 of the user 52. The second line segment 126 is also connected to a fifth point 134 that may represent a first hand 136 of the user 52. Similarly, a third line segment 138 and a fourth line segment 140 extend from the third point 120 and represent a second arm 142 of the user 52, and the third and fourth line segments 138, 140 are connected to each other at a sixth point 144 that represents a fourth arm joint (e.g., a second elbow) 146 of the user 52. The fourth line segment 140 is connected to a seventh point 148 that represents a second hand 150 of the user 52. Furthermore, each of the first point 112, the second point 116, and the third point 120 can be connected to an eighth point 152 (e.g., the chest of the user 52) via a fifth line segment 154, a sixth line segment 156, and a seventh line segment 158, respectively.

[0027] The eighth point 152 may further be connected to a ninth point 160 (e.g., the hip of the user 52) via an eighth line segment 162. A ninth line segment 164 and a tenth line segment 166 may extend from the ninth point 160 to represent a first leg 168 of the user 52, and the ninth line segment 164 and the tenth line segment 166 may connect to each other at a tenth point 170, which may represent a first leg joint (e.g., a first knee) 172 of the user 52. An eleventh line segment 174, which may represent a first foot 176 of the user 52, may be connected to the tenth line segment 166 at an eleventh point 178. Additionally, a twelfth line segment 180 and a thirteenth line segment 182 may extend from the ninth point 160 and represent a second leg 184 of the user 52, and the twelfth line segment 180 and the thirteenth line segment 182 may connect to each other at a twelfth point 186, which may represent a second leg joint (e.g., a second knee) 188 of the user 52. A fourteenth line segment 190 may connect to the thirteenth line segment 182 at a thirteenth point 192, and the fourteenth line segment 190 may represent a second foot 194 of the user 52.

[0028] In one embodiment, the controller 60 can be configured to associate each portion of the image 110 with a corresponding feature of the user 52. For example, the controller 60 can apply a physical feature algorithm to the optical data received from the optical sensor 56 to determine that the first point 112 is associated with a portion of the head of the user 52, that the third point 120, the third line segment 138, the fourth line segment 140, the sixth point 144, and the seventh point 148 are associated with the second arm 142 of the user, that the sixth point 144 is associated with the fourth arm joint 146 of the second arm 142, etc. In this way, the controller 60 can better recognize how the user 52 is moving (e.g., which physical feature of the user 52 is moving) in order to determine whether movement of the reference element 58 is caused by movement of the user 52. For example, in a particular posture of the user 52, certain portions of the image 110 (e.g., the ninth line segment 164 of the first leg 168 and the first line segment 124 of the first arm 128) may cross each other or be closely aligned with each other (e.g., when the user 52 is leaning forward to tie their shoelaces). As a result, in such a posture of the user 52, it may be difficult to distinguish which part of the user 52 is represented by such a portion of the image 110. However, the control device 60 can use a physical feature recognition algorithm to assign portions of the image 110 to physical features of the user 52 and distinguish portions of the image 110 regardless of or with respect to a particular posture or orientation of the user 52. Thus, if user 52 crosses first arm 128 and second arm 142 such that first line segment 124 and third line segment 138 cross and overlap one another and seventh point 148 is located adjacent to fourth point 130, controller 60 can continue to determine that first line segment 124 is associated with first arm 128, third line segment 138 is associated with second arm 142, fourth point 130 is associated with third arm joint 132, and seventh point 148 is associated with second hand 150. As a result, controller 60 can continue to determine the positioning of user 52.

[0029] Although image 110 is described herein as having a particular number of dots and line segments connecting the dots, additional or alternative embodiments may include image 110 having any other suitable number of dots and line segments to represent the skeletal structure of user 52. By way of example, an alternative image may have fewer dots and line segments than image 110 shown with reference to FIG. 3, or an alternative image may have additional dots and line segments (e.g., to represent individual fingers of user 52).

[0030] Further, it should be noted that the optical sensor 56 may include separate sensors configured to track the user 52 and the reference element 58 independently of one another to avoid interference between image data of the user 52 and image data of the reference element 58. For example, the optical sensor 56 does not associate the reference element 58 with the image 110 and does not associate portions of the image 110 with the object 54. Thus, the optical sensor 56 may include a first sensor 196, such as an RGB camera, a depth camera, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, another suitable position sensor, or some combination thereof, specifically configured to track the image 110 of the user 52. Additionally, the optical sensor 56 may include a second sensor 198, such as an infrared sensor, specifically configured to track the reference element 58. Thus, the reference element 58 may emit (e.g., cause or reflect) a signal or other indication detectable by the second sensor 198 rather than the first sensor 196 to more effectively distinguish the reference element 58 from other features (e.g., the user 52, other light sources). Illustratively, the reference element 58 can include a retroreflective material filtered to reflect light having wavelengths within a finite bandwidth (e.g., infrared light), and the second sensor 198 can be filtered to detect light having wavelengths within the finite bandwidth and not detect light having wavelengths within other bandwidths. In this manner, the optical sensor 56 can distinguish the reference element 58 from other features that may reflect light having wavelengths outside the finite bandwidth. In some embodiments, the respective reference elements 58 of each object 54 can be different from one another. Illustratively, each reference element 58 can have a particular characteristic, such as a particular shape or reflecting light of a particular wavelength, that allows the control device 60 to distinguish the reference element 58 from other reference elements 58. In this manner, the control device 60 can distinguish different objects 54 from one another and provide a unique experience based on the individually determined object 54.

[0031] Additionally, the controller 60 can be configured to distinguish different users 52 from one another based on their respective images 110. In one embodiment, the controller 60 can distinguish different images 110 from one another based on the positioning of each point in each image 110, the length of each line segment, etc. In this manner, the controller 60 can associate a particular image 110 (e.g., having particular characteristics) with each user 52 in the attraction system 50 and accurately determine which user 52 is performing an action. This can include analyzing a series of images 110 to recognize possible human movements and correlated movements of the reference element 58. For example, if the reference element 58 is determined to be rocking back and forth and the user 52's wrist is determined to be flicking in a correlated manner, an association can be made between the reference element 58 and the user 52's wrist. Data stored in the database 66 and / or data established using machine learning or artificial intelligence can be used to recognize such associations. In additional or alternative embodiments, the controller 60 can also be configured to recognize the facial features of the user 52. To this end, the optical sensor 56 may include a third sensor 199 (or simply use the same sensor) configured to send optical data indicative of facial characteristics such as eye color, nose position, eye spacing, complexion, etc. of each user 52 to the controller 60. The controller 60 may then apply a facial recognition algorithm to identify unique facial features and assign a particular user 52 to the corresponding unique facial features, e.g., to assign a particular facial image to each image 110, allowing the controller 60 to further distinguish users 52 from one another.

[0032] The controller 60 can identify the positioning of points and line segments in the image 110 to determine whether a particular reference element 58 is associated with the user 52. In one embodiment, the controller 60 can apply a body kinematics algorithm to the optical data received from the optical sensor 56 to determine whether the movement of the user 52 correlates with the movement of the reference element 58. In the illustrated example, the object 54 is a sword having an elongated or elongated shape, and the reference element 58 is located at the tip 200 of the object 54. In additional or alternative examples, the object 54 can be any suitable shape, such as a sphere, and / or the reference element 58 can be located at any suitable location on the object 54 such that the optical sensor 56 and the controller 60 can cooperate to track the positioning of the reference element 58.

[0033] It should be noted that, in the illustrated implementation, the object 54 is held by the first hand 136 of the user 52, but the object 54 can be worn or carried by the user 52 in any suitable manner. Referring to FIG. 3 , when any portion of the first arm 128 (e.g., the first arm joint 118 and / or the third arm joint 132) moves, the reference element 58 can move as well. A body kinematics algorithm can be used to determine whether movement of the image 110 representing the first arm 128 (e.g., of the first point 112, the first line segment 124, the second line segment 126, the fourth point 130, and the fifth point 134) corresponds to movement of the reference element 58. As an example, the control device 60 can use a physical feature recognition algorithm to determine that the fifth point 134 is associated with the first hand 136 of the user 52. The control device 60 can also determine that the user 52 is holding the object 54 in the first hand 136 based on the positioning of the reference element 58 and the fifth point 134, such as the distance between the reference element 58 and the fifth point 134, and the movement of the fifth point 134 and the reference element 58.

[0034] As another example, the controller 60 may determine that the fifth point 134 is rotating in the rotational direction 202 about the fourth point 130 (e.g., the user 52 is swinging the first hand 136 about the third arm joint 132) and that the reference element 58 is also moving in the rotational direction 202. The controller 60 may then apply a body kinematics algorithm to determine whether the rotational movement of the fifth point 134 is correlated with the rotational movement of the reference element 58 based on, for example, the radius of each arc associated with the rotation of the fifth point 134 and the reference element 58, the angles of rotation of the fifth point 134 and the reference element 58, the distance between the fifth point 134 and the reference element 58, etc. Thus, if a first user 52A is primarily moving the first and second legs 168, 184 (e.g., walking) and not moving the first and second arms 128, 142, and a second user 52B is moving the first arm 128 to cause movement of the fifth point 134, the control device 60 can determine that the reference element 58 is associated with the second user 52B.

[0035] Additionally, the controller 60 may determine whether the user 52 is no longer holding the object 54 with the first hand 136. As a further example, the controller 60 may determine that the movement of the first arm 128 of the user 52 no longer affects the movement of the reference element 58. However, the controller 60 may determine that the movement of the second arm 142 of the user 52 is correlated with the movement of the reference element 58. Consequently, the controller 60 then determines that the user 52 is holding the object 54 with the second hand 150.

[0036] The controller 60 can also use a body kinematics algorithm to determine whether movement of other portions of the image 110 correlates with movement of the reference element 58. The body kinematics algorithm can correlate movement to body characteristics and movement sequences. The correlation can be based on a prescribed arm movement relative to the body and associated geometry, for example, treating the arm length as the radius of a sphere centered at the shoulder (e.g., the first or second arm joint 118, 122). As an example, the user 52 may bend over, resulting in bending of the first and second legs 168, 184. The controller 60 can determine such movement of the user 52 based on the overall movement of the image 110 in the vertical direction 206, a rotation about the tenth point 170 of the ninth line segment 164, a rotation about the twelfth point 186 of the twelfth line segment 180, etc. The control device 60 can then compare the movement of the image 110 with the movement of the reference element 58, such as the distance the reference element 58 moved in the vertical direction 206, to determine whether the movement of the user 52 correlates with the movement of the reference element 58 and the object 54.

[0037] Note that the controller 60 may continue to associate the reference element 58 and the object 54 with the user 52 until it determines that the object 54 is being held by a different user 52. For example, the user 52 may drop the object 54. Thus, movement of the user 52 and the image 110 associated with the user 52 may not result in movement of the reference element 58. However, the controller 60 may continue to associate the reference element 58 with the user 52 even though there is no correlation between the movement of the image 110 of the user 52 and the movement of the reference element 58. Thus, even when the user 52 is not physically holding the object 54, the controller 60 may continue to update the features associated with the user 52 based on the object 54, and, for example, points may be awarded to the user 52 in response to interactions caused by the object 54 (e.g., the object 54 rolling and making a prescribed gesture toward the prop). However, the controller 60 may be configured to associate the object 54 with a different user if it determines that the movement of the different user correlates with the movement of the reference element 58. In one example, a first user 52A ( FIG. 3 ) may transfer an object 54 to a second user 52B ( FIG. 3 ), causing the first user 52A to lose possession of the object 54 and the second user 52B to acquire possession of the object 54. As a result, the controller 60 may determine that movement of the reference element 58 corresponds to movement of the second user 52B (e.g., movement of the image of the second user 52B) and not to the first user 52A. Thus, the controller 60 may change the association of the object 54 from the first user 52A to the second user 52B. In other words, the controller 60 may update the features associated with the second user 52B, rather than the first user 52A, based on interactions occurring with the object 54. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 60 may continue to associate the object 54 with the first user 52A regardless of which user is possessing the object 54.In this way, even if the second user 52B owns the object 54, the control device 60 can continue to update the features associated with the first user 52A as a result of interactions related to the object 54, such that the movement of the reference element 58 is correlated with the movement of the second user 52B and interactions with the object 54 are caused by the second user 52B.

[0038] 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a method or process 230 for updating features of an attraction system in response to an interaction related to an object. Method 230 may be performed by a controller, such as controller 60 of FIGS. 1-3. However, method 230 may be performed by any other suitable component, such as a computing device. Also, it should be noted that the steps of method 230 may be performed differently than shown in FIG. 4, such as in different embodiments of the attraction system. Illustratively, additional steps may be performed, and / or certain steps of method 230 may be eliminated, modified, performed in a different order, and / or performed concurrently with one another.

[0039] In block 232, user movements are determined. As an example, an image of a user can be identified in real time (e.g., essentially instantaneously) by an optical sensor that transmits optical data indicative of the image. The user's movements can be tracked using the image based on the positioning of points, lines, and other relevant features of the image. Furthermore, a particular user can be identified. For example, the detected image can be evaluated and analyzed using a physical feature recognition algorithm to determine unique characteristics associated with the image. Additionally or alternatively, the user's facial features can be evaluated and analyzed to determine unique characteristics of the facial features, for example, using a facial recognition algorithm. Thus, the optical data can include characteristic information about the user that allows the user to be distinguished from other users, thereby allowing the specific user to be tracked.

[0040] At block 234, which may occur simultaneously with the step at block 232, the movement of the object is determined. In one embodiment, the object may include a reference element disposed thereon. Thus, determining the movement of the reference element also determines the movement of the object. Additionally, the reference element may include characteristics (e.g., retroreflective characteristics) that allow the reference element to be distinguished from other features of the attraction system. In this manner, the movement of the reference element and the object may be more accurately tracked. In certain embodiments, the reference element may include unique characteristics that allow the reference element to be distinguished from other objects, thereby enabling the specific object to be tracked.

[0041] In block 236, it may be determined whether the user's movements correspond to the object's movements. For example, a body kinematics algorithm may be applied to determine whether positioning in the image, such as the displacement of points and / or line segments, correlates with the positioning of a reference element of the object. In some embodiments, it may be determined that a particular object is associated with a particular user. For example, a user may have a unique user identifier, such as a user profile (e.g., based on image features or facial features associated with the user), and an object may have a unique object identifier, such as an object tag (e.g., based on unique features). Thus, the unique user identifier may be associated with the unique object identifier, thereby creating a more distinctive association between the user and the object.

[0042] In block 238, an action associated with the object is determined, for example, based on the positioning of the object. In one implementation, the positioning may include a particular orientation or position (e.g., coordinate position) of the object. The orientation or position of the object may indicate an action in which the object is in contact with another feature or component of the attraction system (e.g., a prop or another user). In another implementation, the positioning may include a particular movement or motion of the object. Such movement of the object may indicate an action in which a user is making a particular gesture with the object (e.g., pointing at a prop).

[0043] In block 240, features of the attraction system are updated in response to determining that an action related to the object has occurred. Illustratively, special effects can be activated to provide the user with an interactive and immersive experience. In additional or alternative implementations, information or data about a particular user, such as information or data stored in a database, is updated. The information can include a point value assigned to a user profile or user record associated with a particular user and / or a point value assigned to an object record associated with a particular object, such as an interactive game in the attraction system. Furthermore, the information can be based on a prop capable of performing the action. For example, the attraction system can include multiple props, each associated with a particular update in the database, such as a particular amount of assigned point value. Thus, an action performed on a first selected prop of the multiple props can result in a different update of the information than another action performed on a second selected prop of the multiple props. In this manner, features can be updated based on the user, the object, the action, the selected prop, or some combination thereof, thereby creating a personalized and unique experience for the user.

[0044] While only certain features of the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and 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.

[0045] The technology shown and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that will materially improve the art, and thus are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, where any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," such elements are to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Conversely, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, such elements are not to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 50 Attraction System 52A First User 52B Second User 54A First Object 54B Second Object 55 Props 56 Optical Sensor 58A First Reference Element 58B Second Reference Element 60 Control device 62 memory 64 processors 66 databases

Claims

1. 1. An attraction control system, comprising: receiving optical data indicative of the movements of a plurality of users and a plurality of objects worn or carried by the plurality of users within the attraction; identifying a first movement of a user of the plurality of users based on the optical data; identifying a second movement of an object of the plurality of objects based on the optical data; performing a comparison between the first movement of the user and the second movement of the object; determining that the object is associated with the user based on the comparison of the first movement and the second movement identifying a correlation between the first movement of the user and the second movement of the object; A control system comprising a control device configured to:

2. 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determine that the object is not associated with the user based on a comparison of the first movement and the second movement identifying no correlation between the first movement of the user and the second movement of the object.

3. 3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the user is a first user, and the control device is configured to determine that the object is not associated with the first user based on an identified correlation between the second movement of the object and a third movement of a second user of the plurality of users.

4. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to apply a facial recognition algorithm to the optical data to determine an identifier for the user.

5. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to identify a skeletal structure in the optical data and identify the first movement of the user based on movement of the skeletal structure.

6. 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to identify a third movement of the object upon determining that the object is associated with the user, the third movement including an interaction between the object and a prop of the attraction.

7. 7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to identify a user profile associated with the user in a database and update the user profile based on the interaction between the object and the prop.

8. The control system of claim 6 , wherein the third movement comprises contact between the object and the prop.

9. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to identify the second movement of the object based on movement of a trackable reference element of the object indicated by the optical data.

10. 1. A controller for an attraction system comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions, the executable instructions, when executed by a processor of the controller, causing the processor to: receiving optical data from one or more sensors of the attraction system; analyzing the optical data to detect a first movement of a user among a plurality of users in the attraction system and a second movement of an object among a plurality of objects in the attraction system; determining that the object is owned by the user based on determining that there is a correlation between the first movement and the second movement; determining that the object is not owned by the user based on a determination that there is not sufficient correlation between the first motion and the second motion; A control device configured to cause the

11. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: and having the processor identify the second movement of the object based on a positioning of an object tag of the object indicated by optical data from the one or more sensors of the attraction system. The control device of claim 10 configured to:

12. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: analyzing the optical data to detect a third movement of an additional user of the plurality of users; determining that the object is owned by the additional user based on a determination that there is a correlation between the second movement and the third movement; determining that the object is not owned by the additional user based on a determination that there is not sufficient correlation between the second movement and the third movement; The control device of claim 10 configured to:

13. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: analyzing the optical data to detect a third movement of an additional object of the plurality of objects; determining that the additional object is owned by the user based on a determination that there is a correlation between the first movement and the third movement; determining that the additional object is not owned by the user based on a determination that there is not a sufficient correlation between the first movement and the third movement; The control device of claim 10 configured to:

14. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: analyzing the optical data to detect a third movement of an additional user of the plurality of users and a fourth movement of an additional object of the plurality of objects; determining that the additional object is owned by the additional user based on a determination that there is a correlation between the third movement and the fourth movement; determining that the additional object is not owned by the additional user based on a determination that there is not sufficient correlation between the third movement and the fourth movement; The control device of claim 10 configured to:

15. An attraction system for an amusement park, comprising: a database configured to store optical data detected by one or more sensors and a plurality of profiles associated with respective users; a control device communicatively connected to the database; Equipped with The control device receiving the optical data via the database; processing the optical data to detect movements of a plurality of users within the attraction system and movements of a plurality of objects worn or carried by the plurality of users; identifying a first movement of a user of the plurality of users based on the optical data; identifying a second movement of an object of the plurality of objects based on the optical data; performing a comparison between the first movement of the user and the second movement of the object; determining that the object is associated with the user based on a correlation between the first movement of the user and a second movement of the object identified by comparing the first movement and the second movement; determining an identifier for the user; selecting a profile from the plurality of profiles stored in the database based on the identifier of the user; updating the profile based on the second movement and the association between the object and the user; The attraction system is structured as follows.

16. The control device identifying a third movement of an additional user of the plurality of users based on the optical data; identifying a fourth movement of an additional object of the plurality of objects based on the optical data; performing a comparison between the third movement of the additional user and a fourth movement of the additional object; determining that the additional object is associated with the additional user based on a correlation between the third movement of the additional user and the fourth movement of the additional object identified by comparing the third movement with the fourth movement; The attraction system according to claim 15, wherein the attraction system is configured as follows:

17. The control device determining an additional identifier for the additional user; selecting an additional profile from the plurality of profiles stored in the database based on an additional identifier of the additional user; identifying a fifth movement of the object indicative of an interaction between the user and the additional user through the object; updating the profile, the additional profile, or both based on the identification of the fifth movement. The attraction system according to claim 16, wherein the attraction system is configured as follows:

18. The control device identifying a third movement of the user based on the optical data after identifying the first movement of the user; identifying a fourth movement of the object based on the optical data after identifying the second movement of the object; performing a comparison between the third movement of the user and the fourth movement of the object; determining that the object is no longer associated with the user based on a determination that there is no correlation between the third movement of the user and the fourth movement of the object identified by comparing the third movement and the fourth movement; The attraction system according to claim 15, wherein the attraction system is configured as follows:

19. 16. The attraction system of claim 15, comprising an object, the object comprising a trackable reference element comprising a retroreflective material configured to reflect light having wavelengths within a finite bandwidth, and the control device configured to identify the second movement of the object based on positioning of the trackable reference element as indicated by the optical data.

20. 16. The attraction system of claim 15, comprising one or more sensors, the one or more sensors comprising one or more cameras.

Images