Interactive Floor Panels with Capacitive Sensing and Segmented Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for immersive and interactive amusement attractions that provide a variety of experiences, especially in smaller markets and those with seasonal constraints, as conventional attractions like laser tag and large-scale amusement parks are cost-prohibitive and subject to temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
An interactive floor system comprising base modules, illuminable panels, a sensing system, and a controller that creates an immersive gaming environment by illuminating and detecting participant presence, with flexible perimeter seals for grip and leveling, allowing for a fully interactive and dynamic gameplay experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional amusement attractions like laser tag and large-scale amusement parks are used, then participants can enjoy amusement experiences, but the cost becomes prohibitive and the attractions are subject to seasonal constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is divided into multiple independent cells that can be individually controlled and configured. Each cell is a separate module with its own lighting and sensing capabilities, allowing the system to create various game configurations and scenarios without requiring complete replacement of the entire floor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The interactive floor system serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, displays visual information through illumination, detects participant presence and actions, and enables various game modes. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate attraction systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional amusement attractions are used, then participants can enjoy amusement experiences, but the attractions are subject to temperature variations and seasonal constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical/physical attraction elements with electronic and optical components. The sensing system uses electrical fields or capacitive detection rather than mechanical sensors, and the illumination system uses LEDs rather than incandescent bulbs, making the system resistant to temperature variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an interactive floor system with individual panel illumination and sensing is implemented, then participant interaction and gameplay variety are enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is divided into multiple independent cells that can be individually controlled and configured. Each cell is a separate module with its own lighting and sensing capabilities, allowing the system to create various game configurations and scenarios without requiring complete replacement of the entire floor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing mechanism is integrated within the panel structure itself, with the sensing circuitry embedded in the same module that contains the illumination elements. This nesting reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
4Measurement precision
If individual panel sensing and illumination control is implemented, then participant detection accuracy and gameplay precision are improved, but manufacturing and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing mechanism and illumination elements are combined into a single integrated panel module. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and installed, while maintaining individual panel detection and control capabilities.
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
The system provides a cost-effective, immersive, and adaptable amusement experience that engages participants through dynamic lighting and sensing, ensuring mandatory interaction and enhancing gameplay with varying challenges and interactions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing system operable to detect presence of any participant occupying the upper face of any panel of the collective floor surface
Implementation Method 2
an illumination system operable to individually illuminate each panel
Data Source
AI summary
An amusement system features an interactive floor with an array of panels laid out in one or more grids to collectively define an interactive floor surface, an illumination system operable to individually illuminate each panel, and a sensing system operable to detect presence of any participant atop any panel. A base frame of the interactive floor is composed of a plurality of base modules seated on a subfloor, and supporting a respective panel for one or more cells of the interactive floor. The base modules are not directly fastened together, and instead are only intercoupled by perimeter seals applied over peripheral regions of the panels of neighbouring modules. Separation of the modules is constrained by surrounding walls of a room fully occupied by the interactive floor. In gameplay, some panels are distinctively illuminated as hazards to be avoided by participants, subject to penalty.