UV Marker Motion Tracking for Real-Time Show Effect Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement park attractions lack immersive and interactive show effects that can be triggered in real-time without the need for guests to carry or handle props, limiting the engagement and storytelling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A show effect system that applies a detectable UV marker to guests or performers, uses a UV camera to track marker motions, and a control system to identify and trigger corresponding show effects in real-time, enhancing the immersive experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If guests carry or handle props to trigger show effects, then show effects can be triggered, but guest convenience and immersion are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguest convenienceVSAvoidprop handling requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the triggering function from physical props and transfers it to motion detection of markers applied to guests. The marker itself becomes the trigger mechanism, eliminating the need for separate prop objects while maintaining the show effect triggering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces motion detection technology and UV markers as an intermediary between guest movement and show effect triggering. The camera system detects marker motion and translates it into trigger signals, creating a seamless connection without requiring physical prop handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If tangible objects are used to control show effects, then interaction is enabled, but immersion and storytelling are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive capabilityVSAvoidstorytelling immersion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical prop handling with an optical detection system. UV cameras detect the position and motion of UV markers applied to guests, translating physical movement into digital trigger signals without requiring tangible control objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses UV markers that are invisible to the human eye but detectable by UV cameras, creating an invisible interface layer. This allows the system to track and respond to guest motions without the guests being aware of the tracking mechanism, preserving immersion while enabling interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If real-time show effect triggering is implemented, then guest engagement increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshow effect triggering speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies UV markers to guests in advance before they enter the show area. This preliminary marking allows the system to immediately begin tracking and triggering show effects without requiring complex real-time object recognition or prop identification, simplifying the real-time processing requirements.

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

Enables guests to control show effects through their motions, providing an interactive and immersive experience by generating effects instantly and precisely, without the use of tangible objects, thus enhancing the storytelling and engagement in amusement park attractions.

Implementation Method 1

a camera configured to generate image data representative of an environment with the detectable marker... The detectable marker may include an ultra-violet (UV) component with a detectable wavelength range corresponding to UV-A, UV-B or UV-C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12505557B2Systems and methods for providing a show effect using a detectable marker

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC

AI summary

A show effect system may include an applicator configured to apply a detectable marker, a camera configured to generate image data representative of an environment with the detectable marker, and a control system communicatively coupled to the camera and comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The detectable marker may include an ultra-violet (UV) component with a detectable wavelength range corresponding to UV-A, UV-B or UV-C. The processor may execute the instructions that cause the processor to determine a motion of the detectable marker based on the image data and determine that the motion of the detectable marker corresponds to a target motion. The processor may also identify a show effect that may be associated with the target motion and trigger generation of the show effect in the environment.