LOCATION-BASED EXPERIENCE WITH INTERACTIVE MERCHANDISE

Number: 20180008897
Published: 2018-01-11
Filed: 2016-07-07
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: ACKLEY; JONATHAN; PURVIS; CHRISTOPHER J.; WATSON; SCOTT FRAZIER; REICHOW; MARK A.; PRESTENBACK; KYLE
CPC: A63F13/211; A63F13/428; A63F13/837; A63F13/235; A63F13/426; A63F13/245; A63F13/213; A63F13/27
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Location-based interactive merchandise experience.

Abstract

A system for providing an interactive experience for multiple game-players. The experience is provided in a light-controlled setting where the game-players may wear or hold one or more of various toys (e.g., gloves). The system detects and recognizes the toy along with gestures and pointing efforts performed by the game-player and the system generates an effect based on the type of toy and the type of gesture. The system also generates one or more visual targets that are visible to the game-player such as projections, holograms, and displays of one or more of various fantasy virtual adversaries. The generated effects may include any combination of sensory effects including visual, audio, tactile, and smell/taste. The generated effect may be directed based on the pointing efforts of the game-player. The system may then register the effect on the target, if the pointing efforts intersect with the virtual location of the target.

Background

BACKGROUND

In recent years, interactive games and experiences have been developed for amusement parks to increase the engagement and enjoyment of park visitors. One example is Disney's Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, which uses card recognition mechanics in a theme park-based interactive game/experience.

Another example is Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, which featured interactive game/experience installations triggered through inputs from mobile devices (phones) carried by participants.

Another example is a hand-held object with a retro-reflector thereon (and which is otherwise passive (not containing any electronics)) that allows a system at amusement parks to track movements of the object and determine gestures the user makes with the object. The system can then cause certain special effects to occur based on the gesture. Such systems are very limited in the number of simultaneous users that can play and in the number and types of special effects that can be created.

It is against this background that the techniques described herein have been developed.SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a system for providing an interactive game experience. The system includes a defined game-player zone in which one or more game-players may participate in the interactive game experience; a defined theatrical zone in which one or more images are produced, each image being produced at a real or virtual position; one or more sensors positioned to detect

Claims

1. A system for providing an interactive game experience, comprising: a defined game-player zone in which one or more game-players may participate in the interactive game experience; a defined theatrical zone in which one or more images are produced, each image being produced at a real or virtual position; and one or more sensors positioned to detect the presence of one or more predefined toys associated with each game-player, determine a toy type for each toy, recognize gestures made by each game-player, and determine the position and pointing direction of each game-player; wherein the system generates an effect from at least one of the game-players based on the toy type of the toy associated with that game-player and based on the gesture made by that game-player; and wherein the effect is directed along a direction determined by the position and pointing direction of that game player. 15. A method for providing an interactive game experience, comprising: detecting a game-player and associated toy; displaying a virtual adversary target; determining the type of toy associated with the game-player; determining a predefined gesture performed by the game-player; determining a pointing vector created by pointing efforts of the game-player; displaying a visual effect along the pointing vector, the effect being correlated to the toy type and the predefined gesture; determining if the pointing vector intersects with the target; and if the pointing vector does intersect, displaying a resulting effect on the target. 17. A method for providing an interactive game experience, comprising: detecting the presence of a human with a LIDAR tracking system; alerting the human of the opportunity to participate in the interactive game experience; and accepting the human into the interactive game experience. 18. A method for providing an interactive game experience, comprising: providing a sensor located at a first location; with the sensor, sensing a three-dimensional position of an object located at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location; based upon the sensed three-dimensional position of the object, determining the position of the object relative to a target plane.