Beacon Transmitters for Dynamic Navigation in Theme Parks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visitors at sites like theme parks, historical sites, and zoos face challenges in locating moving attractions and obtaining information or mementos due to the difficulty in navigating unfamiliar areas and accessing moving costumed characters or items, which are often scattered and require long waits or physical contact.
Innovation Solution
Implementing beacon transmitters on costumed characters, vending carts, and fixed items that emit unique wireless signals, allowing visitors with mobile devices to detect and receive information, navigate, and collect digital mementos without physical interaction, using an app to track locations and provide content based on proximity and ticket purchases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If small paper maps are provided to visitors, then navigation assistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because visitors have difficulty determining their location on the map
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper map system with an electronic mobile device-based navigation system. The mobile device uses wireless signal detection (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to automatically determine visitor location and provide turn-by-turn directions, eliminating the need for manual map interpretation and location determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary navigation system that uses wireless signal transmitters placed throughout the site as reference points. The mobile device detects these signals to determine position, acting as a mediator between the visitor and the physical location, making navigation more intuitive and accurate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If costumed characters and vending carts are allowed to move throughout the site, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because visitors cannot locate these moving items on fixed maps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic navigation system where the mobile device continuously updates the locations of costumed characters and vending carts based on real-time wireless signal detection. The system adapts to moving objects by tracking their positions through detected beacon signals and automatically updating navigation instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment in the mobile device's display, showing the relative positions of the visitor, costumed characters, and vending carts. This virtual representation updates in real-time as objects move, allowing visitors to understand spatial relationships without physical contact.
3Ease of operation
If physical mementos such as signed photos are provided, then visitor satisfaction is improved, but loss of time worsens because visitors must wait in long lines to obtain them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides digital copies of mementos (photos, videos, signed character images) through the mobile device application. Visitors can immediately capture and save these digital mementos without waiting in physical lines, as the system automatically generates and delivers them through the app after detecting proximity to costumed characters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing photos and generating mementos in the background as the visitor approaches costumed characters. The mobile device prepares and stores these digital mementos before the visitor even requests them, eliminating waiting time.
4Loss of information
If beacon transmitters are placed on all moving items, then information availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal beacon transmitters that can be attached to various moving items (costumed characters, vending carts, attractions). These same transmitters serve multiple functions: location tracking, proximity detection for memento delivery, and navigation guidance, reducing the need for separate systems for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances visitor experience by facilitating navigation, reducing wait times for interactions, and allowing for the collection of digital mementos, while encouraging repeat visits by providing accessible content and updates on new attractions and offers.
Implementation Method 1
beacon transmitters on costumed characters, vending carts, and fixed items that emit unique wireless signals, allowing visitors with mobile devices to detect and receive information
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for communicating information to a visitor of a site, e.g., a theme park, historical site, zoo, etc., providing mementoes of the visit and/or communicating information encouraging future, e.g., repeat, visits are described. In various embodiments costumed characters, vending carts and/or other items of interest may move around a site and thus be at different locations at different times of the day. In some embodiments beacon transmitters are inserted in the costumes of the characters, on the vending carts and/or on other moveable items. Each beacon transmitter transmits a unique wireless signal.