Abstract:
The present invention provides an interactive play structure including an active targeting system for automatically sensing the location of a play participant and spraying or propelling water or other play media at the sensed location. Play participants race against the clock to determine and enter a secret code to disable the active targeting system or otherwise activate a desired self-destruct sequence or other desired sequence of events. But the active targeting system sprays water or shoots other play media at play participants who attempt to approach the structure. The secret code is periodically scrambled so that play participants must act quickly and cooperate with one another to determine and enter the correct code. These and other improvements increase the challenge and enjoyment of interactive play structures incorporating such improvements.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on U.S. Ser. No. 09/772,168, filed Jan. 29, 2001 (published Mar. 14, 2002 as Pub. No. US 2002/0032067A1), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, and provisional application Ser. No. 60/178,353, filed Jan. 27, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to children&#39;s play attractions and, in particular, to interactive play attractions for use in family entertainment facilities, theme parks, water parks and the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Interactive play attractions are known for use in family entertainment facilities, theme parks, water parks and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,048 to Briggs discloses an interactive water play structure for use in a “wet” play environment, such as a water park or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,332 to Briggs discloses an interactive play structure for use in a “dry” or “semi-dry” play environment. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference as though fully reproduced herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention expands and improves upon the concept of interactive play and interactive play structures by providing additional interactive theming, play elements and targeting features. In one embodiment the present invention provides an interactive play structure comprising an active targeting system for automatically sensing the location of a play participant and spraying or propelling water or other play media at the sensed location. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of interactive play wherein play participants must race against the clock to determine and enter a secret code to activate a desired self-destruct sequence or other desired sequence of events. The secret code is periodically scrambled so that play participants must act quickly and cooperate with one another to determine and enter the correct code. These and other improvements disclosed herein increase the challenge and enjoyment of interactive play structures incorporating such features and improvements. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recog-nize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
    
    
     All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and its essential features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is top plan view of an interactive play system having features and advantages in accordance with the present invention comprising multiple themed space ship play structures disposed around a central target; 
     FIG. 2 is front elevational view of one of the themed space ship play structures of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a central target structure incorporating an active targeting feature of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a central target structure incorporating an active targeting feature of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation view of an automated water curtain doorway having features and advantages in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are top plan and front elevation views, respectively, of an interactive play system  100  having features and advantages in accordance with the present invention. This particular play system  100  is provided in the theme of an outer space battle comprising multiple themed space ship play structures  110 ,  120 ,  130  disposed around a central target  150 . Thus, play participants  160  can imagine they are aboard the Starship Enterprise or any other similar imaginary or real space vessel. Of course, any one of a number of alternative themes may be used with efficacy, such as one or more fire engines, pirate ships, battle ships, or the like. 
     In accordance with the particular “Star Trek™” theme illustrated, for example, play participants  160  can imagine that their ships  110 ,  120 ,  130  are locked in a face-to-face dual to the death battle with one another. One or more of the ships may be themed as Klingon battle cruisers or the like, as desired. Each space ship is manned by a team of play participants  160 , which assume the imaginary roles of highly skilled technical personnel, helmsmen and weapons systems operators and the like. As each ship falls under increasing attack, critical systems begin to falter and then fail. Play participants must think quickly and work effectively with fellow shipmates in order to thwart the opposing ships&#39; attacks, execute necessary countermeasures, make appropriate repairs, and launch counter-attacks, in order to avert ultimate disaster. The mission may be to destroy (or incapacitate) the enemy ships before they destroy (or incapacitate) your ship. 
     Basic Play Structure 
     Three multilevel play structures  110 ,  120 ,  130  themed as space vessels are situated in a water play area and arranged in a three-way face-off (e.g. FIG.  1 ). At least a portion of each play structure is generally simulative of the bridge or command center  200  of a space vessel and contains various interactive play areas simulating, for example, weapons systems controls  210 , helm controls  220 , shields control  230 , propulsion and maneuvering and communications. An engineering section  240  might also be provided in each play structure for allowing play participants to direct and maintain operating power (water flow) to the various systems on each ship (e.g. FIG.  2 ). 
     For example, the engineering section might allow play participants to actuate various switches, valves, and/or the like in order to divert power (water flow or other simulated power source) away from failed systems or less critical systems and to increase power (water flow) to more critical systems as appropriate under the particular situation or scenario being played out. The various interactive devices can be either wet or dry or both. 
     The primary resource for driving virtually all of the various systems is preferably water, although various other play media may be used, including foam balls, simulated crystals, or any other tangible or intangible (e.g. created by software) play media. If water is used, it can be pumped to the various system components by play participants  160  in the engineering section or in a particular portion of the bridge by actuating various pumping devices and the like. Alternatively, water may be provided by a central circulation pump. Water flow can be used to feed the weapon systems, the shields, propulsion systems and the like. 
     Each play structure  110 ,  120 ,  130  may either be fixed or movable (either up/down and/or rotationally). For example, each play structure (or portion thereof) may be rotatable such that play participants can rotate the angle of their ship in order to gain strategic defensive or offensive advantage and also to simulate the maneuvering of their craft. Optionally, hydraulic lifting up and down of the ship or portion thereof may also be provided so that the ships cannot only rotate back and forth but can also be lifted hydraulically up and down from the ground in order to again simulate maneuverability of the ship. This can be provided, for example, by hydraulic cylinders or other means. Only a few feet of maneuverability need be provided. The play structure  110  can be connected to the ground surface or additional adjacent play surface by a rope netting, cargo netting, or other kind of flexible connector device that facilitates such movement. The hydraulic cylinders can also be pulsed or periodically actuated to provide vibration and/or other effects simulating the sound and vibration of a large spacecraft under various power loading conditions. Jolting or vibrations can also simulate impacts caused by enemy fire. 
     A computer software program is preferably used to provide a voice on each bridge continuously announcing various events as they occur and the status of various shipboard systems and components. The computer voice may announce, for example, “shield strength down to 40%,” “weapons down to 20%,” “core containment field down to 15%,” “core breach imminent,” and the like. Sound can either be provided using water-proof speakers and the like or using a remote sound system with sound “piped in” using hollow pipes extending down into each play structure, as is well-known in the art. One or more computers and associated software can also be used to track and announce the various events and operate additional interactive effects. 
     Additional effects are also preferably provided to help simulate the experience of being in a space ship battle. For example, shields/deflectors  250  can be provided in the form of water curtains that fall down over the front of certain targets  260 . The targets are sized and arranged so as to be actuated by a stream of water or other play media propelled from an opposing ship. The shields can be created, for example, by pumping water to a reservoir and over a weir to cause water to fall down in a cascade of smooth sheet water flow which visually and/or physically blocks associated target areas. There can be multiple shields provided to help block access to various portions of the ship and/or its occupants. 
     Optionally, the shields  250  can be rotated or transferred from one area of the strip to another to help block access to those target areas that are most critical. The operation of the shields or other systems can be directed by a play panel control in the bridge or engineering section of the ship. For example, various valves/actuators may be provided so that play participants can direct water resources to various shield effects, as warranted. More sophisticated effects may also be provided. For example, each shield on each ship may be assigned a code at random (e.g. by the computer) and play participants on the other ships may attempt to “crack” the code by pressing buttons in a certain order in order to periodically effect or disrupt the operation of those shields on the other ship to allow easier targeting of critical target areas on that ship. Thus, play participants work together on one ship to provide maximum effectiveness in their targeting of the other ships. 
     Communication tubes  270  are preferably provided between different areas of each ship so that play participants  160  may communicate with one another. Optionally, communication tubes may also be provided between adjacent ships so that two or more ships can cooperate with another to attack the other ship or multiple ships can cooperate with one another to achieve a mutually desired result such as hitting a central target  150  to achieve a desired effect and which requires the cooperation of all three ships (and perhaps others) to achieve. 
     For example, the central target may comprise an out-of-control “spraybot”  300  from the planet Zenon (e.g. FIG.  3 ). Play participants can imagine, for example, that the spraybot has commandeered a critical Earth defense weapons space station  305  and attempting to crack the weapons launch code so that it can mount an all-out attack against the planet Earth. 
     Optionally, the spraybot has one or more sensors on its head or other parts of its body that can detect the presence and location of play participants  160 . Play participants attempt to sneak up and disable the spraybot by entering a particular secret “self-destruct” sequence into a console  310  on the space station  305 . But as the play participants are detected, the spraybot quickly turns his head/body around, aims and fires his water cannons  320  directly at the would-be assailant while preferably simultaneously scrambling the self-destruct sequence. Play participants  160  must then figure out the new self-destruct sequence and attempt to divert the robot&#39;s attention long enough to allow one or more other play participants  160  to sneak up and enter the correct sequence of buttons/targets that will ultimately “blow up” or deactivate the robot. 
     A similar central themed target  400  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . In this case, a “Spiderbot”  400  provides an exciting and formidable opponent for play participants  160 . The Spiderbot preferably has eight legs  410 , all independently movable. Each leg  410  is able to move toward play participants  160  as they are sensed by various sensors  420 . For example, the spiderbot  400  may be configured to gnash its pinchers  430  at any play participants  160  who dare to come near the spider&#39;s web  440  and/or it sprays them with a jet of “spider-web” water  450 . Play participants  160  attempt to reach and activate a kill-switch  470  while avoiding being sprayed with water. The legs preferably remain safely elevated above the play participants  160 , however, so there is no danger of injury to the play participants. Suitable sensors can be motion sensors, heat/infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, beam sensors and the like. 
     Another complimentary play effect in and/or around each space ship play structure may be automated “doors”  500  (FIG. 5) provided by a smooth sheet of water  510  which stream down in a doorway. A sensor  520  mounted adjacent the door entry can sense when a play participant  160  is near the door and the water curtain  510  can be automatically shut off to allow dry or semi-dry entry and exiting through the door. Similarly, this effect can also be used to provide a simulated force field containment system, for example, for containing play-participant “prisoners” within a brig on the ship. The force field can be activated or deactivated from one side, but not from the other such that once a play participant is locked in the brig, the force field cannot be deactivated from inside. The play participant either stays in the brig or gets wet walking through the “force-field.” 
     While the play structures and elements described above are discussed in the context of a wet play environment with water being used as the primary play medium, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the various systems and components can also be adapted for dry or semi-dry play environments using a variety of play media, such as water, slime, foam balls, plastic balls, Styrofoam and the like. 
     Example Simulation Sequence 
     The play simulation begins with each ship coming under attack by the other ships (and/or other unseen ships). Weapons systems are manned by play participants on each ship in order to execute suitable counter measures and launch counter-attacks. Weapons may include, for example, pump guns (“phasers”), water bombs (“photon torpedoes”), spray guns, ball launchers, and the like. The various weapon controls direct water and/or other impact-safe projectiles to be launched at strategic targets located on opposing ships. These strategic targets may include, for example, critical weapons systems, shield/deflector systems, thrusters and, most critical of all, the core containment field. As each target is successfully struck, an impact event is simulated (e.g. noise, vibration, flashing lights, etc.) and a damage report is announced on the target ship (e.g. “phasers inoperable,” “hull damage,” “forward shields down,” etc.). 
     Simulated impact/damage effects may be provided by, for example, sound effects, vibration, spraying/bursting pipe effects, smoke (water or CO2 vapor), light flashes, simulated explosions, and the like. The number and/or intensity of the damage effects may escalate or progress from simple decreases in the available strength, power or effectiveness of the affected system(s), to complete depletion of the affected system(s) strength, power, or effectiveness, to ultimate catastrophic failure, such as simulated water explosions, dumping water and/or spraying of water/vapor from pipes, and the like. 
     As successive attacks are launched and targets are successfully hit, the affected systems and components sustain more and more damage. Of course, the ultimate failure mode is a “core breach.” As this condition is approached by successive direct target hits, the computer announces “core containment field compromised” “core containment field unstable,” “core containment field down,” and, the ultimate failure mode, “core breach imminent.” The same or similar effects may be provided for individual weapons systems, various shield defenses, force fields, propulsion systems, life support systems, and the like. Thus, a contest is created between play participants on one ship versus play participants on the other ship to see who can hit the targets faster and better. 
     As damage is incurred to each ship, other play participants (e.g., in an engineering portion of each ship) attempt to counteract and repair the damage to the various critical systems by turning cranks, flipping switches, pushing buttons and the like in order to divert limited power resources (water flow) away from failing or less critical systems to more critical components as requested by other play participants on the bridge. Play participants can make “repairs” to affected systems by carrying out a predetermined sequence of steps, solving a puzzle, pumping a handle, or the like to restore the system back to full-operational. Anticipation and excitement builds as play participants race to shut down and repair damaged systems while diverting precious water resources to more critical operational systems. 
     Once the ultimate failure mode occurs (e.g., a core breach), the entire ship is disabled while various catastrophic damage effects take place, e.g., splashing/dumping water, spraying water, smoke vapors, etc. After that, the ship shuts down for a predetermined period while it recharges all of its necessary systems to full capacity. Once it is recharged, it is allowed to come online again as a fully charged ship ready to do battle. The other ships can continue to operate on a continual basis, or all three ships can be shut down and periodically recharged so as to provide discrete play intervals as desired. 
     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.