RFID Wearable Tracking for Self-Powered Guest Interaction Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement park attractions lack an efficient and reliable system to track guest interactions, including identity recognition and accurate tracking of game statistics, providing a suboptimal interactive experience.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device equipped with RFID tags and tracking devices, such as LEDs and sensors, that harness electromagnetic radiation for power and communicate with RFID readers to monitor and track guest interactions, providing visual feedback and updating game statistics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a wearable device with RFID tag and tracking devices is used, then guest interaction tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguest interaction tracking accuracyVSAvoidwearable device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (RFID identification, tracking, sensing, and power harvesting) into a single wearable device. The RFID tag serves as both an identification element and a power source through its ability to harvest electromagnetic energy, while tracking devices and sensors are integrated into the same housing, reducing the need for multiple separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides guest identification, harvests electromagnetic radiation for power, and enables tracking when combined with the integrated tracking devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high tracking accuracy.

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

2Productivity

If power harvesting circuit and sensor are added to the wearable device, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time monitoring capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device harvests its own power from ambient electromagnetic radiation through the power harvesting circuit integrated with the RFID tag. This self-powered approach eliminates the need for external power sources or batteries, allowing real-time monitoring of guest interactions without adding significant energy burden, as the device sustains itself using environmental energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If RFID reader and wearable device communication range is increased, then system coverage is improved, but signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coverage areaVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag acts as an intermediary that facilitates communication between the wearable device and the RFID reader. By using standardized RFID communication protocols and modulation techniques, the system achieves extended coverage while managing signal interference through frequency selection and signal processing methods inherent to RFID technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables accurate tracking of guest interactions, enhances the immersive experience by providing real-time feedback, and efficiently manages game statistics.

Implementation Method 1

The RFID tag comprises an antenna which is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from an RFID reader when the RFID tag is located within a first distance from the RFID reader

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a power harvesting circuit configured to harness power from the received electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower harvesting: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3740902B1Interactive systems and methods with tracking devices
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP3740902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3740902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3740902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wearable device includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag having a memory that stores identification information. The wearable device also has a power harvesting circuit configured to harness power from electromagnetic radiation. Further, the wearable device has a sensor coupled to the power harvesting circuit and configured to utilize the power to monitor a condition of the wearable device. Even further, the wearable device has a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and configured to write data indicative of the condition to the memory of the RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag is configured to transmit the identification information and the data in response to receipt of the electromagnetic radiation from an RFID reader.