Passive Optical Identification for Battery-Free Interactive Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interactive devices in entertainment venues face challenges due to expensive and bulky circuitry, limited mobility, and the need for charging or battery replacement, as well as interference issues with radio-frequency identification (RFID) in certain environments.
Innovation Solution
A user interactive device with a passive identification assembly that reflects a unique pattern of light, using reflective and non-reflective materials to generate a recognizable pattern, which is captured by a camera for identification without the need for power sources or communication circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user interactive devices include communication circuitry, power circuitry, and processing circuitry, then the devices can provide interactive experiences and user identification, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from the user interactive device itself and places it in the environment (via cameras and sensors). The device only needs to reflect light passively, while all active processing is done externally by the environment's camera system and controller, thereby removing complex circuitry from the handheld device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying by projecting machine-readable patterns (such as QR codes or other visual identifiers) onto the user interactive device. The camera captures these visual patterns and the controller decodes them to identify the device and retrieve associated user information, replacing electronic communication with optical information transfer
2Use of energy by moving object
If user interactive devices include batteries or power cords, then the devices can operate electronic components, but the devices require charging, battery replacement, or have limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The user interactive device serves itself by passively reflecting light without requiring any power source. The identification function is achieved through the device's physical properties (reflective surfaces, geometric features) rather than active electronic components, eliminating the need for batteries, charging, or power management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical power system with an optical system. Instead of using electricity to power identification transponders or communication modules, the device uses passive optical reflection, where the camera system in the environment provides the light source and detects the reflected pattern
3Measurement precision
If RFID systems are used for identification, then user identification can be achieved, but interference issues occur in certain environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes radio-frequency identification with optical identification. Instead of using electromagnetic radio waves that are susceptible to interference from metal structures and electronic devices, the system uses visible or infrared light patterns that are reflected off the user interactive device and captured by cameras, providing robust identification in environments where RFID fails
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes device bulk, enhances mobility, and provides a cost-effective, interactive user experience by enabling identification through a simple and efficient light pattern recognition system.
Implementation Method 1
an identification assembly coupled to the body. The identification assembly includes reflective material configured to reflect light and non-reflective material disposed over the reflective material. Apertures are formed within the non-reflective material, and the reflective material is configured to reflect light through the apertures to generate a pattern of light for identification of the user interactive device
Data Source
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AI summary
An entertainment system includes a user interactive device having an identification assembly configured to generate a pattern of light via reflective material, a camera configured to capture the pattern of light generated by the reflective material, and a controller having processing circuitry and a memory. The memory stores machine- readable instructions configured to cause the processing circuitry to receive an indication of the pattern of light and determine identification data associated with the user interactive device based on the pattern of light.