RF-Powered Wearable Interaction Without Batteries in Attractions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park attractions face challenges in providing immersive experiences as guest interactions with electronic devices, such as mobile phones and battery-powered controllers, can distract from the themed environment and are not always permitted within attractions.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power system that includes a control system emitting radio waves to power and communicate with wearable or themed guest devices, which harvest energy and operate without batteries, allowing for seamless interaction with attractions and other devices without user input, maintaining immersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery-powered electronic devices are used for guest interaction, then device functionality is improved, but guest immersion and distraction are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component from the electronic device, extracting the power source that causes distraction and immersion issues. The device is redesigned to be wirelessly powered through energy harvesting from radio frequency signals in the environment, eliminating the need for visible batteries or charging ports that would distract guests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless power transmission system that transfers energy from a base station to the portable device through radio frequency signals. This mediator enables power delivery without physical connections or visible power sources, maintaining the themed environment while providing full device functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If themed wearable devices are used, then guest immersion is improved, but power supply reliability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device is designed to harvest its own power from ambient radio frequency signals in the environment. The device autonomously captures energy from wireless communications and other RF sources, converting it to electrical energy to power its components without requiring external battery replacement or charging infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter from stored chemical energy in batteries to harvested electromagnetic energy from the environment. This parameter change enables the device to maintain themed aesthetics while ensuring continuous power supply through energy harvesting from ubiquitous RF signals.
3Weight of moving object
If wireless power transmission is implemented, then device portability is improved, but energy harvesting efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device incorporates multiple energy harvesting mechanisms that can capture energy from various RF sources including wireless communications, broadcasting signals, and dedicated power transmission systems. This multi-functionality ensures sufficient energy collection despite the device's lightweight, portable design with minimal power-consuming components.
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 enhances the immersive experience by eliminating the need for battery-powered devices, reducing distractions, and allowing guests to interact with attractions using themed, wirelessly powered devices that communicate and respond to environmental cues.
Implementation Method 1
a wearable device having an energy harvesting device configured to receive the radio waves and to harvest energy from the received radio waves
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power system includes a control system configured to output radio waves to an environment and a wearable device having an energy harvesting device configured to receive the radio waves and to harvest energy from the received radio waves. The wearable device also includes a processor and a sensor configured to detect a state of the wearable device and output a state signal to the processor. The processor is configured to output a device control signal based on the detected state signal. The wearable device further includes a communicator configured to receive the device control signal from the processor and to provide an output to the control system based on the state of the wearable device. At least the processor, the sensor, or the communicator receive power via the energy harvested by the energy harvesting device.