RFID Audio Channel Assignment for Head-Mounted Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

In amusement parks, the varying noise levels from entertainment attractions make it difficult for guests to communicate with each other, especially in noisy environments where ambient noise interferes with conversations within groups.

Innovation Solution

An audio distribution system that uses RFID tags and head-mounted displays to assign private audio channels to groups, allowing guests to communicate with each other while filtering out external noise, regardless of their seating positions, by reading the RFID tags and using processors to manage and transmit audio signals within designated channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If guests use traditional audio systems in noisy amusement park attractions, then ambient noise can be heard, but communication between group members becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal noise interferenceVSAvoidcommunication clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The audio system is segmented into multiple independent audio channels, each assigned to specific groups of guests. The system divides the audio space so that each group receives its own dedicated audio feed through bone conduction transducers, preventing cross-interference between groups and isolating each group's communication from external noise sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone conduction transducer acts as an intermediary device that delivers audio signals directly through the skull bone to the inner ear, bypassing the external ear canal. This intermediary mechanism allows group members to hear each other clearly while filtering out ambient noise that enters through the external ear, solving the contradiction between noise exposure and communication clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the system assigns private audio channels to groups, then communication within groups is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication clarityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head-mounted display device serves multiple functions: it displays visual content, houses bone conduction transducers for audio output, contains RFID readers for group identification, and manages private audio channel assignments. By making the head-mounted display a multi-functional device, the system avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving clear group communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically assigns groups to private audio channels based on RFID tag identification without requiring manual configuration. The head-mounted displays self-configure by reading RFID tags of nearby guests and automatically establishing appropriate audio channels, reducing the operational complexity and eliminating the need for manual system setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the system uses RFID tags and head-mounted displays for group assignment, then private audio channels can be designated, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup assignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice coupling simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Guests are assigned RFID tags before entering the attraction, and groups are pre-identified and assigned to audio channels before the ride begins. The system performs preliminary group formation and audio channel assignment based on RFID readings, so that when guests put on head-mounted displays, the private audio channels are already configured and ready for immediate use without requiring on-the-spot setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This system enables effective communication within groups by ensuring that members can hear each other while excluding external noise, enhancing the overall audio experience and allowing guests to converse easily, even in noisy environments.

Implementation Method 1

a head-mounted display RFID reader configured to read the RFID tag of the guest interface device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a bone conduction transducer configured to deliver the audio signals to a user's inner ear via bone conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBone conduction: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4255594B1System and method for private audio channels
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP4255594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4255594B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4255594B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system includes a plurality of guest interface devices including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with each of the guest interface devices. The system includes a plurality of head-mounted displays and an audio distribution system. The audio distribution system includes a RFID reader and a processor to receive guest interface device identification information encoded in an identification tag associated with a guest interface device and designate a private audio channel for an assigned group of the guest interface device. The system includes a head-mounted display that reads the identification tag to associate the head-mounted displayed with the assigned group of the guest interface device. The system transmits audio between head-mounted devices in the assigned group via the designated private audio channel.