GAMEPLAY SYSTEM WITH PLAY AUGMENTED BY MERCHANDISE

Number: 20220080321
Published: 2022-03-17
Filed: 2021-11-22
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Elbert; Jeffrey, Iwanowski; Przemyslaw, Strong; Brent David, Daly; Matthew S., Ghildayal; Sarit, Hickman; Bob, Hampton; John Cody, Wilde; Alex Christopher, Leahy; Amanda Marie
CPC: G06V20/20; G06V40/10; A63F13/213; A63F13/216; A63F13/65
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Physical merchandise-augmented interactive play system (pre-grant).

Abstract

A gameplay system for providing interactivity based on a piece of merchandise or other object held or worn by a player. The system includes an object identification assembly, which may be a modified computer vision system, that operates to sense, for a gameplay participant, the presence and identity of a particular augmenting object such as themed merchandise worn or held by a rider of a theme park ride. The sensing may be performed by detecting an on-and-off pattern of light emitted from the object. In response, the gameplay system selects or modifies the interactive features of gameplay associated with the participant based on the identified augmenting object. For example, the interactive features are selected from memory by the gameplay system controller to match a character associated with the augmenting object during any interactive gameplay. This allows the gameplay participant to choose their abilities or powers for gameplay.

Background

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Description

The present invention relates, in general, to augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other gameplay systems and experiences configured for interactive gameplay for one or more players or participants, and, more particularly, to a gameplay system configured to provide augmented or modified gameplay or interactive experiences based upon detection or sensing of an augmenting object (e.g., a particular piece of merchandise that is worn, handheld, or otherwise made a part of gameplay by a player or participant). 2. Relevant Background

There are numerous situations where it is desirable to provide participants with unique interactive experiences. For example, theme and amusement parks and other large venues continue to strive to entertain visitors in way that allows them to participate in the experience. This may involve providing interactivity such that they can modify or effect the produced experience. In particular applications, a ride or space may include gameplay that is interactive with the system being adapted to sense visitor input and to respond by changing audio outputs, visual displays, and the like.

To date, though, it has been difficult to provide interactive experiences on rides and other settings with a larger number of participants that are individualized so that each participant can immediately recognize that actions they have taken individually has changed gameplay or the experience. Instead, e

Claims

1. A system for providing player-selected interactive functionalities, comprising: a base toy comprising memory storing a set of base operating functions, a body, a set of operational elements mounted upon the body, and a controller operating the set of operational elements to operate to provide one or more of the set of base operating functions; and an add-on element detachably mounted upon the body, wherein the add-on element comprises memory storing a set of upgrade operating functions, wherein the controller further operates the set of operational elements to operate to provide one or more of the set of upgrade operating functions, wherein the add-on element comprises a thematic component configured for mounting to an external surface of the body of the base toy, and wherein the thematic component includes the memory adapted for being communicatively linked to the controller of the base toy. || 8. A system for providing player-selected interactive functionalities, comprising: a base toy comprising memory storing a set of base operating functions, a body, a set of operational elements mounted upon the body, and a controller operating the set of operational elements to operate to provide one or more of the set of base operating functions; and an add-on element detachably mounted upon the body, wherein the add-on element comprises memory storing a set of upgrade operating functions, wherein the controller further operates the set of operational elements to operate to provide one or more of the set of upgrade operating functions, wherein the set of operational elements includes a motion assembly for moving the body of the base toy, wherein the set of base operating functions includes a speed range for the moving of the body or a set of locomotion types for the body, and wherein the set of upgrade operating functions modifies the speed range or modifies or adds to the set of locomotion types. || 14. A system for providing player-selected interactive functionalities, comprising: a base toy comprising memory storing a set of base operating functions, a body, a set of operational elements mounted upon the body, and a controller operating the set of operational elements to operate to provide one or more of the set of base operating functions; and an add-on element detachably mounted upon the body, wherein the add-on element comprises memory storing a set of upgrade operating functions, wherein the controller further operates the set of operational elements to operate to provide one or more of the set of upgrade operating functions, wherein the set of operational elements includes a sound assembly and a light assembly, wherein the set of base operating functions includes a set of sounds for output by the sound assembly and a set of lighting parameters for use in operating the light assembly, and wherein the set of upgrade operating functions modifies or adds to at least one of the set of sounds and the set of lighting parameters.