UWB Portable Device for Interactive Attraction Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive amusement park systems lack efficient and immersive experiences for guests, particularly in determining the location and orientation of portable devices within interactive environments and providing personalized virtual interactions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of ultra-wideband (UWB) circuitry in portable devices and control systems to determine location and orientation, combined with guest profiles for personalized virtual projectile interactions, enables real-time tracking and dynamic feedback within the interactive environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional tracking methods are used in interactive amusement park systems, then the system complexity is reduced, but the location and orientation determination accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation and orientation determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or optical tracking systems with ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication technology. The UWB circuitry enables precise location and orientation determination through electromagnetic signal transmission and time-of-flight measurements, achieving high measurement precision without complex mechanical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device integrates multiple functions including UWB communication for tracking, display screen for visual feedback, and trigger device for user interaction. This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high location and orientation determination accuracy through the sophisticated UWB circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If real-time tracking of portable devices is implemented, then guest engagement is improved, but data communication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized virtual interactionsVSAvoiddata communication volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential data elements needed for personalized interactions from the complete device state. The UWB circuitry transmits selectively filtered data including location coordinates, orientation angles, and trigger activation status, rather than continuously streaming all sensor data, thereby reducing communication volume while maintaining personalization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device autonomously processes and filters its own sensor data before transmission. The device determines which data elements are relevant for virtual interaction personalization and transmits only those, reducing the burden on the communication network while enabling adaptive guest experiences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If UWB circuitry is integrated into portable devices, then location tracking precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking precisionVSAvoidportable device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the UWB circuitry with existing portable device components such as the processor, memory, and communication modules. This integration approach allows location tracking precision improvement while minimizing the increase in device complexity by sharing hardware resources and using unified software protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances guest engagement by providing accurate location and orientation tracking, personalized virtual interactions, and efficient data communication, resulting in an immersive and interactive experience.

Implementation Method 1

first ultra-wideband (UWB) circuitry... second UWB circuitry... determine a location and an orientation of the portable device based on communication between the first UWB circuitry and the second UWB circuitry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltra-wideband electromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20220317782A1Interactive environment with portable devices

Publication Date: 2022.10.06 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC

AI summary

An interactive system includes a portable device configured to be carried by a user as the user travels through an interactive attraction. The portable device includes a trigger device and first ultra-wideband (UWB) circuitry. A central system includes second UWB circuitry and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to determine a location and an orientation of the portable device within the interactive attraction based on communication between the first UWB circuitry and the second UWB circuitry, receive an indication of actuation of the trigger device via communication between the first UWB circuitry and the second UWB circuitry, and display a virtual projectile on a display screen of the interactive attraction based on the location and the orientation of the portable device during the actuation of the trigger device.