AR Interactive Environment Blending Physical and Virtual Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Theme and amusement park operators face challenges in creating engaging entertainment experiences that maintain visitor interest, as traditional robotic or mechanized attractions quickly lose their appeal due to the lack of immersive interaction with virtual elements.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes reflective or green screens, client devices for rendering augmented or mixed reality environments, and a server to create interactive experiences by blending physical and digital elements, allowing users to interact with virtual objects and narratives, and enabling individualized experiences through user input and sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional robotic or mechanized attractions are used, then the structure and equipment are tangible and visible, but user engagement and belief suspension are quickly lost due to lack of immersive interaction with virtual elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidattraction design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges physical theatrical structures with virtual augmented reality elements to create a hybrid entertainment experience. The system combines traditional ride infrastructure with AR overlays, allowing users to interact with both physical and virtual objects simultaneously, thereby maintaining engagement without requiring complete redesign of existing attractions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely mechanical or robotic attraction elements with augmented reality virtual objects that users can interact with through digital interfaces. This substitution allows for more versatile and adaptable interactions while reducing the complexity of physical mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual objects are added to enhance immersion, then user engagement improves, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive experienceVSAvoidsystem infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal AR platform that can be applied across multiple different attraction types and theatrical structures. The system uses standardized hardware components and software architectures that can serve various entertainment purposes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high interactive versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces AR devices and software intermediaries that bridge users and virtual objects without requiring direct complex infrastructure changes. These intermediaries handle the complexity of virtual object rendering and interaction, allowing the core attraction infrastructure to remain relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If mechanized figures and show equipment are used, then realistic character representation is achieved, but user belief and suspension of disbelief are quickly lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter realismVSAvoiduser belief

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by placing virtual objects in front of physical structures rather than using physical objects to represent virtual characters. This reversal allows for more believable and adaptable character representations that can dynamically respond to user actions, maintaining suspension of disbelief through interactive authenticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11270510B2System and method for creating an augmented reality interactive environment in theatrical structure

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 WARHOL DAVID PETER

AI summary

A system comprising a screen, client devices comprising processing devices that render an augmented or mixed reality interactive environment that is shared among the client devices, the augmented or mixed reality interactive environment including one or more virtual objects and narratives, wherein one or more of the client devices are configured to generate an individualized experience in the augmented or mixed reality interactive environment, a given one of the client devices including an output device configured to project images on the screen, the projected images associated with the augmented or mixed reality interactive environment, and an input device configured to receive user interactions with the augmented or mixed reality interactive environment. The system further comprises a server communicatively coupled to the client devices via a network, the server monitors the user interactions and modifies the one or more virtual objects and narratives.