Patent Description:
Theme park or amusement park attractions have become increasingly popular, and various amusement park attractions have been created to provide guests with unique immersive experiences. Certain amusement park attractions allow guests to move around freely while using virtual reality or augmented reality devices to help provide the guests with the unique immersive experiences. As the guests move through the attraction, it may be desirable to update images viewed by the guest (e.g., video feed, pictures, or text or images based instructions) based on a position of the guest in the amusement park attraction. Traditionally, tracking a location of a guest and updating the display involves a head mounted display with onboard cameras or external calibrated tracking systems. However, these head mounted displays are generally expensive, power hungry, and heavy, which may detract from the immersive experience. Accordingly, it is now recognizable that it is desirable to improve these amusement park attractions.

Document <CIT> describes a system comprising a ride seat disposed within an amusement park ride and having a support against which a rider can be restrained and a restraint associated with the ride seat and configured to restrain the rider within the ride seat. The restraint comprises a first portion having a first connector, a second portion having a second connector, a first retro-reflective marker disposed on the first connector and a second retro-reflective marker disposed on the second connector. The first connector and the second connector are configured to couple to one another to secure the restraint and thereby restrain the rider within the ride seat. The system also comprises a tracking system configured to determine whether the restraint is secured based at least on identification and tracking of the first and second retro-reflective markers, wherein the tracking system comprises: an emitter configured to emit light toward the first and second retro-reflective markers; a detector configured to detect retro-reflected light from the first and second retro-reflective markers; and a controller coupled to the detector and configured to identify respective positions of the first and second retro-reflective markers based on detection of the retro-reflected light. The controller is configured to determine a status of the restraint indicative of whether the first and second connectors are coupled based on relative positioning of the first and second retro-reflective markers. The controller is configured to adjust an operational parameter of the amusement park ride based on the status of the restraint.

The invention provides a spatial projection system for determination of a position of a guest in an amusement park attraction, according to claim <NUM>. The invention further provides a spatial projection method for determination of a position of a guest in an amusement park attraction, according to claim <NUM>.

Provided herein is a system and method that permit position tracking and/or communication using projected light, e.g., light projected using digital light processing (DLP) techniques. The present techniques may facilitate self-locating of objects within the field of projected light. That is, the light may be projected such that objects positioned within the field of projected light detect light beams that carry position information. In an embodiment, one or more receiver devices detect projected light that carries information specific to the unique path of the light using on-board light sensors. The receiver device (e.g., augmented display glasses, toy, wand, or drone) may receive location-specific images or instructions, or may trigger location specific special effects in the amusement park attraction without active tracking of a location of the receiver device. The projected light delivers pixel data along specific light paths, with different light paths being capable of delivering different pixel data. In an embodiment, the disclosed techniques permit delivery of location-specific data without using active communication or position information generated by the guest device or without using an external camera-based tracking system. As such, the system and method do not require a traditional head mounted display with onboard cameras or external calibrated tracking systems. Instead, the system and method may include one or more projection devices (e.g., projector/s) that emit a plurality of light beams within an area of an amusement park attraction, where each light beam of the plurality of light beams has a unique path and a unique modulation pattern indicative of the unique path. As a guest wearing the receiver device moves throughout the attraction, the receiver device may intercept and detect individual light beams of the plurality of light beams. The receiver device may be configured to determine or identify a position of the receiver device within the attraction based at least in part on the unique modulation patterns associated with the detected light beams.

Specifically, the receiver device may include an optical sensor configured to detect an individual light beam when the sensor is positioned in the unique path of the individual light beam. As provided herein, individual light beams may have respective unique modulation patterns that are indicative of the unique path of the individual light beam. A processor of the receiver device is configured to identify the unique modulation pattern based on data generated from the on-board sensor upon detection of the individual light beam. As provided herein, the unique modulation pattern may be a modulation pattern that is distinguishable from other modulation patterns emitted in other light beams that are simultaneously emitted from the projection device. The modulation pattern may be configured to transmit position data corresponding to a respective area of the amusement park attraction along the unique path, such that the processor may determine the position of the receiver device based at least in part on the identified modulation pattern. The processor may generate response instructions based on the identified modulation pattern. Further, an output device of the receiver device may output location specific images or instructions to a display of the receiver device, or to trigger location specific special effects based on the response instructions.

In this manner, a system that includes guest receiver devices or other receiver devices that are positioned within an amusement park attraction may passively detect projected light and, based on the detected light, determine location or position information, which in turn may trigger additional actions by the receiver device and/or by the system. This is in contrast to position detection techniques that involve active communication from the device of interest to determine position or that involve image-based tracking of the devices themselves. The detected light may include information from which position may be determined and, in certain embodiments, may include position-specific data or instructions. Further, the disclosed techniques may be implemented using relatively inexpensive components for receiver devices, such as an optical sensor and limited or no processor/memory capability. This provides the benefit of removing more costly hardware elements from devices that may be handed out to guests or provided as part of a toy.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a spatial data projection system having a projection device <NUM> disposed in an amusement park attraction <NUM>. The projection device <NUM> is configured to emit a plurality of light beams <NUM>. Each light beam of the plurality of light beams <NUM> is emitted along a unique path <NUM> toward various portions of the amusement park attraction <NUM>. For example, the projection device <NUM> may be disposed on a front wall <NUM> of an environment <NUM> in the amusement park attraction <NUM> and oriented to emit the plurality of light beams <NUM> into the environment <NUM>. In some embodiments, the projection device is disposed on a ceiling of the environment. The plurality of light beams <NUM> may be emitted such that individual light beams <NUM> span a width of the environment <NUM> (i.e., from a left wall <NUM> of the environment to a right wall <NUM> of the environment). Further, the plurality of light beams <NUM> may be emitted such that respective unique paths <NUM> of at least some of the plurality of light beams <NUM> may travel from the projection device <NUM> to a back wall of the environment <NUM> in the amusement park attraction <NUM>. In some embodiments, the plurality of light beams <NUM> may be emitted such that individual light beams <NUM> span a height of the environment <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least some of the individual light beam <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM> are emitted with distinguishable or unique modulation patterns. The modulation pattern may be configured to transmit position data corresponding to a respective area of the amusement park attraction <NUM> along the unique path of the respective individual light beams <NUM>. In an embodiment, the projection device <NUM> projects in nonvisible or visible frequencies. For example, using nonvisible frequencies may be less intrusive and, therefore, may contribute to the immersive nature of the attraction <NUM>.

A guest <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM> may have a receiver device <NUM>. The receiver device <NUM> (e.g., augmented display glasses, wand, or drone) includes a sensor configured to detect the individual light beam <NUM> intercepted by the sensor when the sensor is positioned in the unique path <NUM> of the individual light beam <NUM>. A processor of the receiver device <NUM> is configured to identify the unique modulation pattern of the detected individual light beam <NUM>. Based on the identified unique modulation pattern, the processor, or a device in wireless communication with the processor <NUM>, may associate the identified unique modulation pattern of the receiver device <NUM> with particular position-associated data. For example, the processor may access a look-up table or may process the identified unique modulation pattern to associate the receiver device <NUM> with a pre-determined position within the room <NUM>. Because an individual light beam <NUM> may be associated with multiple potential positions along the unique path <NUM>, the determination may also involve an intensity component, such that higher intensities are associated with positions closer to the projection device <NUM> and/or a phase component. Further, the received light from other projection devices <NUM> at different positions may be used to triangulate position within the room <NUM>.

The processor may generate response instructions based on the position data transmitted via the unique modulation pattern, and an output device of the receiver device <NUM> may be configured to output a response <NUM> (e.g., display location specific images or instruction, or trigger location specific special effects) based on the generated response instructions. For example, a first guest <NUM> may be standing close to a corner <NUM> of an environment of the amusement park attraction <NUM> and a second guest <NUM> may be standing close to a center <NUM> of the environment <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>. During an event of the amusement park attraction <NUM>, each of the guests <NUM> may be required to move to the center <NUM> of the environment <NUM>. As the first guest <NUM> is standing close to the corner <NUM> of the environment <NUM>, a first receiver device <NUM> corresponding to the first guest may output first instructions <NUM> to the first guest <NUM>, via the first receiver device, to move to the center <NUM> of the environment <NUM>. As the second guest <NUM> is already positioned in the center <NUM> of the environment <NUM>, a second receiver device <NUM> corresponding to the second guest <NUM> may output second instructions <NUM> to the second guest <NUM>, via the second receiver device, to stay in the center <NUM> of the environment <NUM>. In another example, the receiver device <NUM> may be a wand configured to glow different colors based on a position of the guest <NUM> in the environment <NUM>. As the guest <NUM> moves from the corner <NUM> of the environment <NUM> toward the center <NUM> of the environment, the wand may change colors from red to green.

Each receiver device <NUM> may include a display device having a screen. The outputs or responses may include images configured to be displayed on the screen of the display device via the output device. For example, the receiver device <NUM> may be a pair of augmented reality glasses (AR glasses) configured to worn by the guest of the amusement park attraction. The display device may include the lenses of the AR glasses, and the output device may include an AR projection device configured to project the response <NUM> (e.g., images or instructions) onto the lenses such that the responses <NUM> are viewable for the guest <NUM> wearing the AR glasses. The response <NUM> may include a textual image (e.g., text based message to move to the center of the environment). However, the response <NUM> may also include a picture image, a video image, or some combination thereof. For example, some guests <NUM> (e.g., children, foreign guests, etc.) may not understand text-based messages. Thus, the response <NUM> may include a picture image (e.g., an arrow configured to point toward a target destination to lead the guests to the center of the environment).

As the guest <NUM> moves throughout the amusement park attraction <NUM>, the receiver device <NUM> may update the response <NUM> based on a position of the guest <NUM> in the amusement park attraction <NUM>. Specifically, as the receiver device <NUM> moves through the amusement park attraction <NUM>, the sensor may detect different individual light beams intercepted by the sensor. Each of the different individual light beams detected by the sensor may have unique modulation patterns. As the receiver device <NUM> is configured to generate the response <NUM> based on the detected unique modulation pattern, the receiver device <NUM> may update the response <NUM> (e.g., image) based on the changing unique modulation patterns detected by the sensor as the receiver device moves through the amusement park attraction <NUM>. The receiver device <NUM> may be configured to output any number of responses <NUM> based on the position of the receiver device <NUM> corresponding to the guest <NUM> in the amusement park attraction <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the receiver device <NUM> is used in conjunction with an aerial drone. The aerial drone may be configured to follow a flight path around the amusement park attraction <NUM>. The aerial drone may have a sensor configured to detect the plurality of light beams <NUM>. Based on the unique modulation patterns, transmitted via the plurality of light beams <NUM>, the aerial drone may be configured to activate or release a special effect. For example, the aerial drone may be configured to glow red in response to a first unique modulation pattern and release confetti in response to a second modulation pattern. In an embodiment, the receiver device <NUM> may be incorporated into a moving set piece.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an embodiment of a spatial data projection system <NUM>. The receiver device <NUM> of the spatial data projection system <NUM> is configured to generate the response <NUM> based on the unique modulation pattern emitted by the projection device <NUM> and detected by a sensor <NUM> (e.g., light sensor) of the receiver device <NUM>. An amusement park control system <NUM> is configured to communicate instructions <NUM> to the projection device <NUM> via communications circuitry 58a, 58b. The communications circuitry 58a, 58b may include antennas, radio transceiver circuits, and signal processing hardware and/or software (e.g., hardware or software filters, A/D converters, multiplexers amplifiers), or a combination thereof, and may be configured to communicate over wireless communication paths via Infrared (IR) wireless communication, satellite communication, broadcast radio, Microwave radio, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wifi, UHF, NFC, etc..

The amusement park control system <NUM> may have a system controller <NUM> that includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include one or more processing devices, and the memory <NUM> may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by the processor <NUM> or by other processor-based devices (e.g., mobile devices). In some embodiments, the memory <NUM> is configured to store system controller instructions <NUM> executable by the processor <NUM> to output various control system signals (e.g., instructions <NUM>). For example, the processor <NUM> may execute the system controller instructions <NUM> to output a control system signal(s) <NUM> with instructions <NUM> to activate the projection device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the instructions <NUM> are configured to control the modulation patterns output via the plurality of light beams <NUM> emitted from the projection device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the system controller <NUM> is configured to generate a plurality of image data instruction sets <NUM>. The plurality of image data instruction sets <NUM> may be communicated via the control signal <NUM> and are configured to cause the projection device <NUM> to emit particular unique modulation patterns. The system controller <NUM> may be configured to generate an image data instruction set <NUM> for each respective area of the amusement park attraction. For example, the amusement park attraction may be divided into three areas. The system controller <NUM> may generate an image data instruction set 72a, 72b, and 72c for each of the three areas. A first image data instruction set 72a may be communicated to the projection device <NUM> via the communication circuitry 58a, 58b such that the projection device <NUM> emits a first group of light beams 74a with each light beam of the first group of light beams 74a having a first unique modulation pattern. Similarly the system controller <NUM> may generate a second image data instruction set 72b and third image data instruction set 72c each configured to be communicate to the projection device <NUM> such that the projection device <NUM> emits a second group of light beams 74b and third group of light beams 74c having respective second and third unique modulation patterns. The first unique modulation pattern may cause the receiver device <NUM> (e.g., AR glasses, wand, aerial drone) to glow with a blue light. The second and third modulation patterns may cause the receiver device <NUM> to glow with green and red light respectively. Thus, the receiver device <NUM> corresponding to the guest may change from glowing blue to green to red as the guest moves with the receiver device <NUM> through the three areas of the amusement park attraction corresponding to the first, second, and third image data instruction sets 72a, 72b, 72c.

As set forth above the projection device <NUM> is configured to receive the control system signal <NUM> from the system controller <NUM> via the communication circuitry 58a, 58b. The projection device <NUM> has the communication circuitry 58b configured to receive the control system signal <NUM>. Further, the projection device <NUM> includes a light source <NUM> configured to generate the plurality of light beams <NUM>. In some embodiments, the light source <NUM> is an infrared light source configured to emit a plurality of infrared light beams. In some embodiments, the plurality of light beams <NUM> may be visible light beams, ultraviolet light beams, or some combination thereof. The light source <NUM> may include a plurality of diodes configured to emit individual light beams based at least in part on the control system signal(s) <NUM>.

Further, the projection device may include a digital micro mirror system <NUM>. The digital micro mirror system <NUM> may be configured to actuate based at least in part on the control system signal(s) <NUM> from the system controller <NUM>. The digital micro mirror system <NUM> may include a plurality of mirrors configured to actuate between different orientations and to reflect the plurality of light beams <NUM> emitted from the light source <NUM>. The plurality of mirrors may be configured to selectively reflect the plurality of light beams <NUM> to generate the unique modulation patterns for each light beam of the plurality of light beams <NUM> based at least in part on the control system signal(s) <NUM>. The plurality of mirrors may selectively reflect the plurality of light beams <NUM> such that the unique modulation pattern transmits a binary code.

The receiver device <NUM> is configured to detect the individual light beams <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM> emitted from the projection device <NUM>. Specifically, the sensor <NUM> is configured to detect the individual light beam or beams <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM> when the sensor <NUM> is disposed in or along the unique path corresponding to the individual light beam <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be configured to output data <NUM> associated with the detected individual light beam <NUM> to a receiver processor <NUM> of the receiver device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the unique modulation pattern is configured to transmit a binary code. Detection of the individual light beam <NUM> may indicate a binary <NUM>, and gaps in detection of the individual light beam <NUM> (e.g., the sensor <NUM> not detecting the individual light beam <NUM>) may indicate a binary "<NUM>". However, any suitable code or method of communication may be employed to transmit the unique modulation pattern via the individual light beams <NUM>.

The receiver device may include a receiver controller <NUM> having the receiver processor <NUM> and a receiver memory device <NUM> configured to receive the data <NUM> associated with the detected individual light beam <NUM> and identify the unique modulation pattern emitted via the individual light beam <NUM>. The receiver memory device <NUM> may store a plurality of responses corresponding to potential modulation patterns emitted from the projection device <NUM>. The receiver processor <NUM> may be configured to generate response instructions <NUM> based on the identified modulation pattern from the detected individual light beam <NUM> and the plurality of responses stored on the receiver memory device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the projection device <NUM> is configured to emit the plurality of light beams <NUM> at varying frequencies. The receiver memory device <NUM> may have a set of decoding instructions for the receiver processor <NUM>. The set of decoding instructions may correspond to detected individual light beams <NUM> within a predetermined range of frequencies (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>), wherein the at least one set of decoding instructions is configured to cause the receiver processor <NUM> to decode the unique modulation pattern of the detected individual light beams <NUM> within the range of frequencies and generate the response instructions <NUM> based on the decoded unique modulation pattern. In some embodiments, the decoding instructions may vary by receiver device <NUM>. For example, the amusement park attraction may have a first receiver device <NUM> for adults and a second receiver device <NUM> for children. The first receiver device <NUM> may have a first set of decoding instructions stored in a first receiver memory device <NUM>, and the second receiver device <NUM> may have a second set of decoding instructions stored in a second receiver memory device of the second receiver device <NUM>. Further, the projection device <NUM> may be configured to output a first unique modulation pattern, via a first individual light beam having a frequency within a first frequency range, to a first area of the amusement park attraction. The projection device <NUM> may also be configured to output a second unique modulation pattern, via a second individual light beam having a frequency within a second frequency range, to a second area of the amusement park attraction. The first unique modulation pattern may be configured to cause the first receiver device (e.g., receiver device for adults) to stop glowing, and the second unique modulation pattern may cause the second receiver device (e.g., receiver device for children) to start glowing in the first area of the amusement park attraction. Thus, the receiver device <NUM> may be configured to output responses based on the decoding instructions stored on the receiver memory device <NUM>.

Moreover, the receiver processor <NUM> is configured to output the response instructions <NUM> to an output device <NUM> of the receiver device <NUM>. The output device <NUM> is configured to output a response based on the generated response instructions <NUM>. The responses may include displaying an image or instructions via a display device <NUM>, triggering a special effect, or any other suitable response. In some embodiments, the receiver device <NUM> includes the display device <NUM> (e.g., AR glasses). The generated response instructions <NUM> may be configured to cause the display device <NUM> to display an image for the guest <NUM> corresponding to the receiver device <NUM>. As set forth above, the displayed image may be based on the position of the receiver device <NUM> in the amusement park attraction. Further, the displayed image may be based on the decoding instructions stored in the receiver memory device <NUM> of the receiver device <NUM>.

It should be understood that, in an embodiment, the receiver device <NUM> may be implemented without one or more of the processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the output device <NUM>. That is, in one configuration, the receiver device <NUM> may include the sensor <NUM> and communication circuity to pass along the detected light data from the sensor <NUM>, along with device identification information, to the control system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may perform the association of receiver device <NUM> with the detected light data with the position information and/or other instructions.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the receiver device <NUM>. The receiver device <NUM> may be augmented reality display glasses (AR glasses), a wand, a drone, or some other suitable device configured to detect the individual light beams <NUM> emitted from the projection device <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver device <NUM> is a pair of AR glasses. The receiver device <NUM> includes the sensor <NUM> configured to detect the individual light beams <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be coupled to a frame <NUM> of the AR glasses. Further, the sensor <NUM> may be coupled to a front portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> of the AR glasses. The sensor <NUM> may be an infrared light sensor, a visible light sensor, or an ultraviolet light sensor. A type of the sensor <NUM> (e.g., infrared, ultraviolet, visible) is configured to correspond to a type of light of the individual light beam/s <NUM> emitted via the projection device <NUM>.

The receiver device <NUM> includes the receiver controller <NUM> having the receiver processor <NUM> and the receiver memory device <NUM>. The receiver controller <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM> of the AR glasses. As set forth above, the receiver processor <NUM> is configured to identify the unique modulation pattern <NUM> of the detected individual light beam <NUM> and generate the response instructions based on the identified unique modulation pattern <NUM>. Further, the receiver processor <NUM> is configured to output the response instructions to the output device <NUM>.

The output device <NUM> is configured to output the response (e.g., display location specific images or instruction, or trigger location specific special effects) based on the generated response instructions. In the illustrated embodiment, the output device <NUM> includes the display device <NUM>. As such, the response may be configured to display location specific images on the display device <NUM>. The display device may include screens or micro displays coupled to the frame <NUM> of the AR glasses. The screens or micro displays may be coupled to a left lens <NUM>, a right lens <NUM>, or both lenses of the AR glasses such that the location specific images are viewable for the guest wearing the AR glasses. In some embodiments, the left lens <NUM> and the right lens <NUM> are the screens or micro displays.

In some embodiments, the output device <NUM> is configured to output a plurality of responses based on the generated response instructions. For example, the output device <NUM> may be configured to cause the AR glasses to glow or illuminate in addition to displaying location specific images on the display device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view of an embodiment of a projection device <NUM> emitting the first group of light beams 74a and the second group of light beams 74b into the amusement park attraction <NUM>. In some embodiments, the individual light beams <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM> are divided into a plurality of groups of light beams. Each individual light beam <NUM> of corresponding to a same group of light beams may share a unique modulation pattern. For example, the plurality of light beams <NUM> may include the first group of light beams 74a and the second group of light beams 74b. The first group of light beams 74a may include a first modulation pattern indicative of a first area <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM> through which the respective unique paths of each individual light beam <NUM> of the first group of light beams 74a is configured to pass. That is, the first group of light beams 74a may include each of the individual light beams <NUM> emitted toward the first area <NUM> (e.g., a left portion) of the environment <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>. The second group of light beams 74b may include a second modulation pattern indicative of a second area <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM> through which the respective unique path of each individual light beam <NUM> of the second group of light beams 74b is configured to pass. That is, the second group of light beams may include each of the individual light beams emitted toward the second area <NUM> (e.g., a right portion) of the environment <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>.

The receiver processor <NUM> of the receiver <NUM> may be configured to generate different response instructions for each of the groups of light beams. As such, the receiver processor <NUM> may generate a first set of response instructions based on a first modulation pattern corresponding to the first group of light beams 74a and a second set of response instructions based on the second modulation pattern corresponding to the second group of light beams 74b. Further, the receiver device <NUM> may output, via the output device, a first response (e.g., instruction for the guest to stay) in response to receiving the first set of response instructions when the receiver device is disposed within the first area <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>. Moreover, the receiver device <NUM> may output, via the output device, a second response (e.g., instructions for the guest to move to the center of the environment) in response to receiving the second set of response instructions when the receiver device is disposed within the second area <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view of an embodiment of the spatial data projection system <NUM> having multiple projection devices <NUM>. In some embodiments, the spatial data projection system <NUM> includes at least one additional projection device <NUM> configured to emit an additional plurality of light beams <NUM> into the amusement park attraction <NUM>. The additional projection device <NUM> may be disposed such that additional individual light beams <NUM> of the additional plurality of light beams <NUM> are emitted in a direction that is angularly offset from the individual light beams <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM>. For example, the projection device <NUM> may be disposed on the front wall <NUM> of the environment <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>, and the additional projection device <NUM> may be disposed on a left wall <NUM> of the environment <NUM> of the amusement park attraction <NUM>.

The additional plurality of light beams <NUM> may include additional unique modulation patterns transmitted via the additional individual light beams <NUM>. The receiver processor may determine a position of the receiver device with respect to at least two degrees (e.g., x-direction <NUM> and y-direction <NUM>) by detecting both the individual light beams <NUM> and the additional individual light beams <NUM>. The receiver processor may only determine a position of the receiver device <NUM> with respect to an x-direction <NUM> when only detecting the individual light beams <NUM>. That is, using the data from the additional unique modulation pattern received via the additional individual light beam <NUM>, in combination with the unique modulation pattern received from the detected individual light beam <NUM>, the receiver processor may determine the position of the receiver device with respect to the x-direction <NUM> (e.g., lateral position) and the y-direction <NUM> (e.g., longitudinal position) in the environment <NUM> of the amusement park attraction.

The receiver processor <NUM> may only determine a position of the receiver device <NUM> with respect to the x-direction <NUM> when only detecting the individual light beams <NUM> because the individual light beams <NUM> follow respective unique paths that vary over the x-direction <NUM>. Thus, the receiver device <NUM> may determine the lateral position of the receiver device <NUM> based on the detected individual light beam <NUM> and a corresponding x-direction position associated with the detected individual light beam <NUM>. However, as the individual light beams <NUM> follow unique paths that are substantially aligned with the y-direction <NUM>, the individual light beams <NUM> may not provide distinct y-direction data to the receiver device <NUM>, and the position of the receiver device <NUM> with respect to the y-direction <NUM> may not be determined by detecting only the individual light beams <NUM>.

However, the additional plurality of light beams <NUM> may be emitted substantially perpendicular to the plurality light beams <NUM>. Thus, the additional individual light beams <NUM> of the additional plurality of light beams <NUM> may follow respective unique paths that vary along the y-direction <NUM>. Thus, the receiver device <NUM> may determine the longitudinal position of the receiver device <NUM> based on the detected additional individual light beam <NUM> and a corresponding y-direction position associated with the detected additional individual light beam <NUM>. Accordingly, the receiver device <NUM> may determine the lateral position of the receiver device <NUM> with respect to the x-direction based on the unique modulation pattern transmitted by the individual light beam <NUM>, and the longitudinal position of the receiver device <NUM> with respect to the y-direction based on the additional unique modulation pattern transmitted via the additional individual light beam <NUM>.

The sensor of the receiver device <NUM> may be configured to detect the plurality of light beams <NUM> and the additional plurality of light beams <NUM>. To differentiate between the plurality of light beams <NUM> and the additional plurality of light beams <NUM>, the projection device <NUM> and the additional projection device <NUM> may be configured to emit the respective light beams within different frequency ranges. For example, the projection device <NUM> may be configured to emit the plurality of light beams <NUM> at frequencies within a first range of frequencies (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>), and the additional projection device <NUM> may be configured to emit the additional plurality of light beams <NUM> at nonoverlapping frequencies within a second range of frequencies (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>). The sensor may be configured to detect individual light beams in both the first range and second range of frequencies. In some embodiments, the receiver device <NUM> includes a first sensor configured to detect light beams within the first range of frequencies, and a second sensor configured to detect light beams within the second range of frequencies. The first sensor, the second sensor, or both may be configured to output, to the processor, position data corresponding to the detected individual light beam <NUM> of the plurality of light beams <NUM>, the additional individual light beam <NUM> of the additional plurality of light beams <NUM>, or both.

The processor of the receiver device <NUM> is configured to determine a position of the receiver device <NUM> and generate the response instructions based at least in part on the position data output from the first sensor, the second sensor, or both. The processor may determine the position (i.e., with respect to the x-direction, the y-direction, or both) of the receiver device <NUM> and generate the response instructions based at least in part on the unique modulation pattern corresponding to the detected individual light beam <NUM> within the first range of frequencies, the additional unique modulation pattern corresponding to the additional light beam <NUM> within the second range of frequencies, or both.

In some embodiments, the receiver device <NUM> may be configured to determine the lateral and longitudinal position of the receiver device <NUM> based on the unique modulation pattern from only the individual light beam <NUM>. The unique modulation pattern may be configured to vary over time. The processor of the receiver device <NUM> may be configured to determine the longitudinal position of the receiver device <NUM> based at least in part on a time that the sensor of the receiver device <NUM> detects the individual light beam <NUM>. The receiver memory may be configured to store time data associated with the unique modulation pattern. The time data may include a longitudinal position corresponding to a particular unique modulation pattern and a time the individual light beam is detected. Based on the time data and the detected individual light beam, the receiver processor may determine the lateral and longitudinal position of the receiver device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow chart <NUM> of an embodiment of a method for operating the spatial data projection system. The method includes the step of emitting a plurality of light beams via a projection device, where each light beam of the plurality of light beams includes a unique modulation pattern configured to transmit data corresponding to a respective area of the amusement park attraction (block <NUM>). The data may correspond to the respective area of the amusement park attraction through which a respective light beam passes.

The method further includes the step of detecting an individual light beam of the plurality of light beams via a receiver device (block <NUM>). The receiver device may include augmented reality display glasses (AR glasses), a wand, a drone, or some other suitable device configured to detect the individual light beam emitted from the projection device.

The method includes the step of generating a response instruction based on the data received from unique modulation pattern of the detected individual light beam (block <NUM>). As set forth above, the data may correspond to a respective area of the amusement park attraction. In some embodiments, the data include positional data. Based on the positional data, a processor may determine a position or location of the receiver device in the amusement park attraction. Further, based on the position or location of the receiver device, the processor may generate response instructions configured to cause an output device to output a response. In another embodiment, the data includes instructions that may be relayed directly to the output device, via communications circuitry. The instructions may be configured to cause an output device to output a response.

The method further includes outputting the response based on the generated response instructions via the output device (block <NUM>). In some embodiments, the output device includes glasses. Further, the response may include displaying an image on at least one lens of the glasses such that the image is viewable for a guest wearing the glasses. Moreover, the image may include a textual image, a picture image, a video image, or some combination thereof.

While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
A spatial projection system for determination of a position of a guest (<NUM>) in an amusement park attraction (<NUM>), comprising:
a projection device (<NUM>) configured to emit a plurality of light beams (<NUM>), wherein each individual light beam (<NUM>) is emitted with a unique path (<NUM>) within an environment (<NUM>), and wherein each individual light beam (<NUM>) comprises a modulation pattern configured to transmit position data corresponding to the unique path (<NUM>); and
a receiver device (<NUM>) configured for, in use, to be carried by the guest (<NUM>), the receiver device comprising:
a sensor configured to detect at least one individual light beam (<NUM>) of the plurality of light beams (<NUM>);
a receiver processor configured to identify the modulation pattern of the detected individual light beam (<NUM>) and generate response instructions based on the position data transmitted via the modulation pattern; and
an output device configured to output a response based on the generated response instructions.