Patent Description:
An amusement park includes various attractions that provide a unique experience for guests of the amusement park. For example, the amusement park may include various rides and show performances. With the increasing sophistication and complexity of attractions, there is a corresponding increase in expectations regarding entertainment quality of the attractions. As a result, improved and more creative attractions are needed.

Document <CIT> describes an apparatus for detecting the number of passers, the apparatus having a plurality of rows of sensors in each of which a plurality of distance variation measuring sensors comprising a light emitter and a light receiver are arranged in the orthogonal direction to the direction in which human bodies pass. Document <CIT> describes a child monitoring system and method for detecting and discriminating between children and adults passing under a sensor. Document <CIT> describes a target detecting method for detecting a target by emitting a laser beam diagonally downward from an installing position of a laser emitting and receiving portion. Document <CIT> describes a system for detecting the movement of invader through a pyroelectric sensor while using the pyroelectric sensor and an ultrasonic sensor as sensors.

The present invention is directed to an interactive system according to claim <NUM>. Subsidiary aspects of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

It should be noted that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

In an embodiment, an interactive system includes a device configured to output a signal toward a surface such that the signal reflects off the surface at an angle and along a path of travel, and such that an object that interrupts the path of travel of the signal causes a return signal to travel in a reverse direction along the path of travel for receipt by the device. The interactive system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the device. The control system is configured to receive data from the device, in which the data is associated with the receipt of the return signal by the device, and determine a position of the object relative to the device based on the data.

In an embodiment, an interactive system includes a first surface, a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface to form a space between the first surface and the second surface, and a device configured to output a signal toward the first surface such that the signal reflects off the first surface and toward the second surface along a path of travel, and such that an object that interrupts the path of travel of the signal causes the signal to reflect off the object and form a return signal that travels in a reverse direction along the path of travel for receipt by the device. The interactive system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the device. The control system is configured to receive data from the device, in which the data is associated with the receipt of the return signal by the device, and determine a presence of the object within the space based on the data.

In an embodiment, an interactive system includes a first surface, a second surface positioned relative to the first surface to form a space between the first surface and the second surface, and a device configured to output a signal into the space such that the signal reflects off the first surface and the second surface along a path of travel within the space, and such that an object that interrupts the path of travel of the signal causes the signal to reflect off the object and form a return signal that travels in a reverse direction along the path of travel for receipt by the device. The device is configured to determine a distance traveled by the return signal upon the receipt of the return signal. The interactive system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the device. The control system is configured to receive data from the device, in which the data is indicative of the distance traveled by the return signal, and determine a position of the object relative to the device based on the data.

The present disclosure is related to a sensing system configured to detect an interaction. The sensing system may be used for an attraction, such as an attraction within an amusement park. For example, the attraction may include a feature (e.g., a physical prop, a display screen, a wall surface) with which a guest of the attraction may interact. The sensing system may be used to detect an occurrence and/or to determine a location of the interaction between the guest and the feature, such as a particular portion of the feature touched by the guest. The feature may then be updated based on the detected interaction between the guest and the feature, such as to provide the guest with a unique entertainment experience. Various other actions may be taken based on the detected interaction between the guest and the feature, such as to store information related to the interaction, and so forth.

In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a sensing system having a device (e.g., a rangefinder device) configured to emit a signal (e.g., laser, infrared light) that travels along a path traversing multiple directions. For example, the sensing system may include a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite one another so as to form a space between one another. The device may be configured to output the signal toward the first surface such that the signal reflects off the first surface and toward the second surface. The signal may then continue to travel within the space by reflecting off the first and second surfaces in order to travel along a substantial length of the space. If an object, such as the guest, is positioned within the space to interrupt a path of travel of the signal, the signal may reflect off the object to return to and be received by the device. The received signal may then facilitate determination of the position of the object within the space. Such a sensing system may therefore facilitate detection of the occurrence and/or determination of the location of the interaction between the object and the signal without having to use multiple sensors, such as multiple sensors positioned at various locations to emit respective signals in different directions. As such, the disclosed sensing system may reduce a cost and/or complexity associated with the manufacture, the operation, and/or the maintenance of the sensing system.

With the preceding in mind, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an interactive system <NUM> having an interactive feature <NUM> (e.g., a physical prop, a display screen, a wall surface). A user <NUM> (e.g., a guest of an attraction) may interact with the interactive feature <NUM> during operation of the interactive system <NUM>. For instance, the user <NUM> may contact a portion of the interactive feature <NUM>. The interactive feature <NUM> may include or be associated with a sensing system <NUM> configured to facilitate detection of the occurrence and/or determination of the location of the interaction between the user <NUM> and the interactive feature <NUM>. That is, the sensing system <NUM> may detect that the user <NUM> has interacted with the interactive feature <NUM>, and the sensing system <NUM> may determine the location of the interaction relative to the interactive feature <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates the user <NUM> interacting with the interactive feature <NUM>, it should be noted that the sensing system <NUM> may detect an interaction between the interactive feature <NUM> and any suitable object, such as a vehicle, debris, and so forth.

In an embodiment, the sensing system <NUM> is communicatively coupled to a control system <NUM> (e.g., an electronic controller) of the interactive system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may include a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>, such as a microprocessor. The memory <NUM> may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), optical drives, hard disc drives, solid-state drives, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions to operate the interactive system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general purpose processors, or any combination thereof, configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory <NUM> to operate the sensing system <NUM> and/or other components of the interactive system <NUM>, such as to determine the location of the interaction between the user <NUM> and the interactive feature <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the interactive system <NUM> may be a part of an attraction, which may be within an amusement park. By way of example, the interactive feature <NUM> may be a part of an interactive activity (e.g., a game, a show, a ride) and may have a display <NUM> (e.g., a display screen, a wall surface) that is configured to display images that are viewable and/or selectable by the user <NUM>. For example, the user <NUM> may interact with the interactive feature <NUM>, such as by touching to select one of the images presented on the display <NUM>. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the interactive system <NUM> may be a part of a path navigated by the user <NUM>, and the interactive feature <NUM> may facilitate a determination of a characteristic of the user <NUM>. In an example, the control system <NUM> may determine where the user <NUM> navigates the path based on the interaction between the user <NUM> and the interactive feature <NUM>. In an example, the control system <NUM> may determine a physical property (e.g., a height, a profile) of the user <NUM> via the sensing system <NUM>. In an example, the interactive feature <NUM> may be a part of a boundary fence (e.g., of an enclosure), and the control system <NUM> may determine an interaction with the boundary fence to determine a security characteristic of the boundary fence.

The control system <NUM> may also perform additional operations of the interactive system <NUM> based on the interaction, such as based on the determined location of interaction between the user <NUM> and the interactive feature <NUM>. As an example, the control system <NUM> may update the display <NUM> (e.g., change an image on the display <NUM>) of the interactive feature <NUM> and/or another part of the interactive system <NUM> (e.g., an animated figure, a movement of a ride vehicle, lights, sounds) to provide the user <NUM> with a more interactive activity for entertainment purposes. As an example, the control system <NUM> may control operation of the sensing system <NUM>, such as how the sensing system <NUM> is positioned relative to the interactive feature <NUM>. Thus, the control system <NUM> may adjust how the location of interaction between the user <NUM> and the interactive feature <NUM> may be determined.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the interactive system <NUM> having the sensing system <NUM>. The illustrated sensing system <NUM> includes a device <NUM> configured to output a signal <NUM> (e.g., via a transmitter of the device <NUM>). For instance, the device <NUM> may include any suitable ranging or rangefinder device, such as a laser ranging device, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, a radar device, a sound navigation ranging (sonar) device, a photometer, an ultrasonic ranging device, or any other suitable device. Further, the signal <NUM> may include light (e.g., infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light) or another suitable component that may travel along a path (e.g., a signal path). After being output by the device <NUM>, the signal <NUM> may reflect off an object (e.g., the user <NUM> of <FIG>) to return to and be received by the device <NUM> (e.g., via a receiver of the device <NUM>). Based on one or more characteristics of the return of the signal <NUM>, such as the time of travel of the signal <NUM>, a wavelength of the signal <NUM>, and/or an angle of receipt of the signal <NUM>, the device <NUM> (or the control system <NUM>) may determine a distance between the device <NUM> and the object. Thus, the device <NUM> may facilitate determining a location of the object relative to the device <NUM> and relative to the interactive feature <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensing system <NUM> may guide the signal <NUM> to travel along a particular path of travel <NUM> (e.g., a signal path) of the interactive system <NUM>. To this end, the sensing system <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM>, which may each be made of a reflective material, such as metal or glass. The first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> may be positioned relative (e.g., opposite) to one another to form a space <NUM> between the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> may be substantially parallel to one another. The device <NUM> may be oriented and positioned relative to the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> to output the signal <NUM> to contact the second surface <NUM> at an angle <NUM> that is not substantially perpendicular to the second surface <NUM>, such that the signal <NUM> travels a first length <NUM> from the device <NUM> to the second surface <NUM>. Due to the reflective property of the second surface <NUM>, the signal <NUM> may reflect off the second surface <NUM> within the space <NUM> to contact the first surface <NUM> at the angle <NUM> (e.g., an angle that is not substantially perpendicular to the first surface <NUM>). Thus, the signal <NUM> travels a second length <NUM> from the second surface <NUM> to the first surface <NUM>, in which the distance spanned by the second length <NUM> is substantially equal to the distance spanned by the first length <NUM>. The reflective property of the first surface <NUM> then reflects the signal <NUM> to contact the second surface <NUM> at the angle <NUM> to travel a third length <NUM>, and the signal <NUM> may continue to travel along respective lengths (e.g., vertical lengths) of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> within the space <NUM> and away from the device <NUM> by reflecting between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> as long as there are no objects interrupting the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM>. In this way, the path of travel <NUM> of the illustrated signal <NUM> may include a zigzag or wave-like (e.g., triangle wave) pattern extending away from the device <NUM> through the space <NUM>.

Although the illustrated signal <NUM> travels within the space <NUM> along five units indicated by gridlines across the space <NUM> relative to the length of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, the signal <NUM> may travel along any suitable number of units based on a parameter of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., a length, a reflective property), a parameter of the signal <NUM> (e.g., a signal strength), and/or a parameter of the device <NUM> (e.g., an orientation). In an embodiment, the signal <NUM> may substantially travel along a plane formed by a first axis <NUM> (e.g., a lateral axis, an x-axis) and a second axis <NUM> (e.g., a vertical axis, a y-axis), such as by reversing direction relative to the first axis <NUM> each time the signal <NUM> reflects off one of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the signal <NUM> may travel in two dimensions within the space <NUM>, and the various lengths may have certain relationships to one another. For example, the first length <NUM> and the third length <NUM> may be substantially parallel to one another, while the second length <NUM> and the third length <NUM> may be symmetrical about an axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis <NUM>.

It should be noted that the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM> within the space <NUM> may be based on the orientation of the device <NUM> relative to the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the space <NUM> spans five units relative to the first axis <NUM> and five units indicated by gridlines across the space <NUM> relative to the second axis <NUM>. Further, the device <NUM> is oriented such that each length (e.g., the lengths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the signal <NUM> extends five units relative to the first axis <NUM> and one unit relative to the second axis <NUM>. In this way, the signal <NUM> may be considered to have a one unit resolution. However, changing the orientation of the device <NUM> (e.g., to change the angle <NUM> of contact between the signal <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>) may change a characteristic of the lengths (e.g., the lengths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the signal <NUM>. For instance, reducing the angle <NUM> may increase the resolution. As an example, each length (e.g., the lengths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the signal <NUM> may extend five units relative to the first axis <NUM> and two units relative to the second axis <NUM>, such that the signal <NUM> has a two unit resolution, and the path of travel <NUM> may include a smaller number of lengths within the space <NUM> to span the lengths of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Moreover, increasing the angle <NUM> may reduce the resolution. As another example, each length of the signal <NUM> may extend five units relative to the first axis <NUM> and half of a unit relative to the second axis <NUM>, such that the signal <NUM> has a half unit resolution, and the signal <NUM> may include a greater number of lengths within the space <NUM> to span the lengths of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the interactive system <NUM>, in which the sensing system <NUM> is being used to detect an object <NUM> (e.g., a part of a guest) within the space <NUM> and to determine a location of the object <NUM> within the space <NUM> relative to the device <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the object <NUM> is positioned along the first length <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM>. As a result, the signal <NUM> may travel along a first portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>, illustrated by a solid line in <FIG>. The signal <NUM> may then reflect off the object <NUM> to return to the device <NUM> (e.g., as a return signal) in a reverse direction along the first portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>. Therefore, the signal <NUM> does not travel along a second, remaining portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>, illustrated by the dashed lines in <FIG>. Instead, the signal <NUM> travels from the object <NUM> back to the device <NUM> by traveling in the reverse direction along the first portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>.

The device <NUM> may receive the signal <NUM> and may determine a distance traveled by the signal <NUM> (e.g., along the first portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>) based on properties of the signal <NUM>. For example, the properties of the signal <NUM> may indicate the distance traveled is associated with the first portion <NUM>. The device <NUM> may transmit the determined distance to the control system <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may determine the position of the object <NUM> within the space <NUM> relative to the device <NUM> based on the determined distance and parameters associated with the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may determine a first coordinate (e.g., an x-coordinate) relative to the first axis <NUM> via the following Equation <NUM>: <MAT> in which x is the first coordinate, a is the angle <NUM> of contact between the signal <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>, and D is the distance of travel in the reverse direction along the path of travel <NUM> (e.g., the first portion <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment). Moreover, the control system <NUM> may determine a second coordinate (e.g., a y-coordinate) relative to the second axis <NUM> via the following Equation <NUM>: <MAT> in which y is the second coordinate, a is the angle <NUM> of contact between the signal <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>, and D is the distance of travel in the reverse direction along the path of travel <NUM> (e.g., the first portion <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment). Accordingly, the control system <NUM> may determine the first coordinate and the second coordinate of the object <NUM> within the space <NUM> based on the distance determined by the device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the interactive system <NUM>, in which the sensing system <NUM> is being used to detect another object <NUM> within the space <NUM> and to determine a location of the object <NUM> within the space <NUM> relative to the device <NUM>. While <FIG> and <FIG> are described with reference to different objects (e.g., the object <NUM> of <FIG> and the object <NUM> of <FIG>) to facilitate discussion and for image clarity, it should be noted that the techniques may be utilized to detect the same object (e.g., the object <NUM> of <FIG>) in different locations (e.g., in the location of <FIG> at one time and in the location of <FIG> at another time, such as during a sequence of interactions between the object <NUM> and the interactive system <NUM>) and within the space <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the object <NUM> is positioned along the third length <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM>. As a result, the signal <NUM> may travel along a third portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>, illustrated by a solid line in <FIG>. The third portion <NUM> may include an entirety of the first length <NUM>, an entirety of the second length <NUM>, and a portion of the third length <NUM>. The signal <NUM> may reflect off the object <NUM> to return to the device <NUM> (e.g., as a return signal) in a reverse direction along the third portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>. In other words, the signal <NUM> travels from the object <NUM> to the device <NUM> along the portion of the third length <NUM>, and the respective entireties of the second length <NUM> and the first length <NUM>. As such, the signal <NUM> does not travel along a fourth, remaining portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>, illustrated by the dashed lines in <FIG>.

Upon receipt of the signal <NUM> reflected off the object <NUM>, the device <NUM> may determine a distance traveled by the signal <NUM> (e.g., the return signal) in the reverse direction along the third portion <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM>. The device <NUM> may transmit the determined distance to the control system <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may determine the position of the object <NUM> within the space <NUM> relative to the device <NUM> based on the determined distance and parameters associated with the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM>. It should be noted the Equation <NUM> and Equation <NUM> may be used to accurately calculate the position of the object <NUM> that is shown in <FIG> within the space <NUM> when the object <NUM> is at a part of the first length <NUM>. However, Equation <NUM> may be modified to determine the first coordinate of the object <NUM> that is shown in <FIG> because the object <NUM> is located at another part of the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM> after the first length <NUM>, such as at the third length <NUM>. This is because Equation <NUM> does not account for the signal <NUM> reversing direction relative to the first axis <NUM> upon reflection off the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Rather, in such cases, the first coordinate may be determined via Equation <NUM>: <MAT> in which a is the angle <NUM> of contact between the signal <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>, D is the distance of travel in the reverse direction along the path of travel <NUM> (e.g., the third portion <NUM> including the first length <NUM>, the second length <NUM>, and the portion of the third length <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment), L is the distance associated with an entirety of one of the lengths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., an entirety of the length <NUM>, from a first end at the first surface <NUM> to a second end at the second surface <NUM>), and Rem(D/L) is the remainder when dividing the distance D by the distance L. That is, Rem(D/L) indicates a portion <NUM> of the final length (e.g., the third length <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment) traveled by the signal <NUM>. The second coordinate of the object <NUM> may still be determined via Equation <NUM> discussed above, because the second coordinate of the object <NUM> may be unaffected by the reflection of the signal <NUM> off the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, the signal <NUM> does not reverse direction relative to the second axis <NUM> upon reflection off the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> along the path of travel <NUM> until impact with the object <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the first coordinate and/or the second coordinate may be rounded after calculation via Equation <NUM>, Equation <NUM>, or Equation <NUM>, such as to the nearest integer, to the nearest tenth place, and so forth, to represent an estimate of the first coordinate and/or the second coordinate.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the interactive system <NUM> having the sensing system <NUM> implemented with the interactive feature <NUM>, which may include interactive components <NUM> with which a user (e.g., the user <NUM> of <FIG>) may interact. In an embodiment, the interactive feature <NUM> may include a display (e.g., the display <NUM>), the interactive components <NUM> may include icons or images presented onto the display, and the user may approach and/or contact the images to interact with the interactive feature <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the interactive components <NUM> may include physical objects with which the user may interact. For instance, the interactive components <NUM> may include certain interface features, including a button, a dial, a roller, a block, an animated figure, and the like. The interactive components <NUM> may be positioned so that the user interrupts the signal <NUM> when the user approaches and/or contacts the interactive components <NUM>. In particular, the interaction between the user and the interactive feature <NUM> may cause the signal <NUM> to reflect back to the device <NUM>, and the device <NUM> may determine the distance traveled by the signal <NUM> (e.g., the return signal) in the reverse direction along the path of travel <NUM>, in the manner discussed above with respect to <FIG>. The control system <NUM> may receive the distance from the device <NUM> and may determine the location (e.g., the first coordinate along the first axis <NUM> and the second coordinate along the second axis <NUM>) of interaction between the user and the interactive feature <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may then determine which of the interactive components <NUM> the user interacted with based on the position (e.g., a known position, such as known coordinates along the first and second axes <NUM>, <NUM>) of the interactive components <NUM> within the space <NUM> and the location (e.g., determined location) of interaction between the user and the interactive feature <NUM>.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a first interactive component 200A is positioned proximate to the second surface <NUM> such that the third length <NUM> and a fourth length <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM> extends across the first interactive component 200A. Moreover, a second interactive component 200B is positioned above the first interactive component 200A relative to the second axis <NUM> and is substantially centered between the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> such that a fifth length <NUM> of the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM> extends across the second interactive component 200B. The control system <NUM> may determine whether the user interacted with the first interactive component 200A or the second interactive component 200B by determining the location of interaction between the user and the interactive feature <NUM>.

For instance, based on the distance determined by the device <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may determine that the user interacted at a first location <NUM> of the interactive feature <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may compare the first location <NUM> (e.g., x, y coordinates) of the interactive feature <NUM> with respective locations (e.g., x, y coordinates) of the interactive components <NUM> to determine with which of the interactive components <NUM> the user interacted. In this case, the control system <NUM> may determine that the first location <NUM> matches (e.g., substantially matches, overlaps) with a location of the first interactive component 200A to determine the user interacted with the first interactive component 200A. Similarly, the control system <NUM> may determine the user interacted at a second location <NUM> of the interactive feature <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may determine that the second location <NUM> matches (e.g., substantially matches, overlaps) with a location of the second interactive component 200B to determine the user interacted with the second interactive component 200B. Further, the control system <NUM> may determine that the user interacted at a third location <NUM> of the interactive feature <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may determine that third location <NUM> does not substantially match with the locations of any of the interactive components <NUM>. Accordingly, upon determining that the user interacted at the third location <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may determine that the user did not interact with any of the interactive components <NUM>. In this manner, the control system <NUM> may determine whether an interaction between the user and the interactive components <NUM> has occurred without having to use additional sensors, such as sensors (e.g., located on the interactive components <NUM> or surrounding the interactive feature <NUM>) configured to directly determine an interaction between the user and the interactive components <NUM>. Indeed, the configuration of the device <NUM> and/or the signal <NUM> output by the device <NUM> may sufficiently enable determination of the occurrence and location of interactions between various objects and the interactive feature <NUM>.

Based on the determined interaction between the user and the interactive feature <NUM> (e.g., one of the interactive components <NUM>), the control system <NUM> may perform further actions. In an example, the control system <NUM> may cause the interactive feature <NUM> to present a different image (e.g., on the interactive feature <NUM>) in response to a determination that the user interacted with one of the interactive components <NUM>. For instance, the control system <NUM> may display movement of the corresponding interactive component <NUM> to present a realistic interaction between the user and the interactive component <NUM>. In another example, the control system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to a database <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may update the database <NUM> based on the interaction. The database <NUM> may, for example, store information associated with the user (e.g., a number of points associated with a stored user profile), and the control system <NUM> may update the information (e.g., add additional points to the user profile) stored on the database <NUM>. Therefore, the interactive system <NUM> may provide the user with an interactive activity, such as an activity (e.g., game) in which multiple users may compete with one another to accumulate the greatest amount of points.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the control system <NUM> may perform actions based on whether there is an interaction with the interactive feature <NUM> regardless of the particular location of the interaction with the interactive feature <NUM>. To this end, the interactive feature <NUM> may not include the interactive components <NUM>. Instead, for example, the interactive system <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to an entrance (e.g., a passageway, a space) into a room (e.g., such that the signal <NUM> travels from one side of the entrance to another side of the entrance; similar to an arrangement shown in <FIG>), such that the control system <NUM> may determine whether the user has passed through the entrance to enter the room. For instance, in response to determining that the user has passed through the entrance, the control system <NUM> may turn on lights to illuminate the room. In another implementation, if the control system <NUM> determines that someone has passed through the entrance in an unauthorized manner (e.g., during a time interval during which occupancy of the room is blocked), the control system <NUM> may output a notification, such as a visual output (e.g., a light), an audio output (e.g., a sound), a notification to a mobile device, or the like. In any case, the control system <NUM> may perform any suitable action based on a determined occurrence of interaction with the interactive feature <NUM> without having to determine a particular location of the interaction.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the interactive system <NUM>, in which the sensing system <NUM> is configured to determine a height of the user <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the user <NUM> may navigate through the space <NUM> formed by the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the sensing system <NUM>. That is, the interactive system <NUM> may form the space <NUM> as a passageway <NUM> (e.g., entrance) through which the user <NUM> may navigate. For example, the passageway <NUM> may be adjacent to an entrance of an attraction, such as a roller coaster, a water ride, a tower drop, and the like, such that users may navigate through the space <NUM> before entering the attraction. As a result, the interactive system <NUM> may determine the height of each user passing through the passageway <NUM> so as to determine whether each user is eligible to experience the attraction (e.g., by exceeding a height threshold). To this end, the device <NUM> may be positioned and oriented such that the device <NUM> outputs the signal <NUM> in a downward angle relative to the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM>. As the user <NUM> passes through the space <NUM> generally along a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM>, the signal <NUM> may reflect off a part of the user <NUM>. Since the signal <NUM> generally travels downwardly relative to the second axis <NUM>, the signal <NUM> may reflect off a top or near a top part of the user <NUM> to return to the device <NUM> and provide a determined distance to the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> may transmit the determined distance to the control system <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may determine the location of the reflection off the user <NUM> (e.g., the second coordinate of the reflection relative to the second axis <NUM>). The control system <NUM> may further determine the height of the user <NUM> based on the determined location of reflection. For example, the control system <NUM> may determine the distance of the reflection relative to a floor <NUM> to determine the height of the user <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> may then perform additional actions based on the determined height of the user <NUM>. As an example, if the height of the user <NUM> does not exceed a certain height threshold, the control system <NUM> may output a notification, such as to an operator, to indicate the height of the user <NUM> is below the height threshold. In an additional example, the control system <NUM> may monitor and/or store the heights of various users <NUM> over time to determine height characteristics of users <NUM>. In this manner, the control system <NUM> may determine whether an attraction appeals to users having a certain anthropometry, such as for determining the popularity of the attraction. Changes or improvements to the attraction may then be made based on the determined heights of the users <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the interactive system <NUM> having the sensing system <NUM>, in which the sensing system <NUM> is configured to output the signal <NUM> that travels relative to the first axis <NUM>, the second axis <NUM>, and a third axis <NUM> (e.g., a vertical axis). In particular, the second axis <NUM> may be oriented at an acute angle, rather than at a substantially perpendicular angle, relative to the third axis <NUM>. Thus, the signal <NUM> may travel along a plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM>, transversely to a plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM>, and transversely to a plane formed by the second axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM>, such that the signal <NUM> is directed in a three dimensional path of travel <NUM> within the space <NUM> between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. To this end, the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may be shaped, positioned, and/or oriented in a suitable manner, and the device <NUM> may be positioned and/or oriented to output the signal <NUM> toward the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., to the second surface <NUM>) along the plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM> in which the second axis <NUM> is oriented at a particular angle relative to the third axis <NUM>. That is, the device <NUM> may be oriented to output the signal <NUM> at a particular angle relative to the plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM>, a particular angle relative to the plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM>, and/or at a particular angle relative to the plane formed by the second axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM>. Therefore, the path of travel <NUM> of the signal <NUM> may be determined such that a location of reflection of the signal <NUM> may also be determined. For example, the location of reflection relative to the plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM> may be determined via Equation <NUM>, Equation <NUM>, and/or Equation <NUM>. Moreover, the location of reflection relative to the plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the third axis <NUM> and/or relative to the plane formed by the second axis <NUM> relative to the third axis <NUM> may be determined based on the angle between the second axis <NUM> relative to the third axis <NUM> and the location of reflection relative to the plane formed by the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM>. Indeed, the location of reflection of the signal <NUM> may include the first coordinate relative to the first axis <NUM>, the second coordinate relative to the second axis <NUM>, and/or a third coordinate relative to the third axis <NUM>, in which the third coordinate relative to the third axis <NUM> may be determined based at least in part on the first coordinate relative to the first axis <NUM> and the second coordinate relative to the second axis <NUM>. Accordingly, the location or reflection of the signal <NUM> may be determined within a three dimensional space.

<FIG> is a side view of an embodiment of the interactive system <NUM> having the sensing system <NUM> arranged as shown in <FIG>, in which the sensing system <NUM> is configured to output the signal <NUM> that travels relative to the first axis <NUM>, the second axis <NUM>, and the third axis <NUM>. The illustrated interactive system <NUM> may be used to determine a profile of various objects, such as a physical profile of the user <NUM>, which may pass through the space <NUM> formed by the sensing system <NUM>. By way of example, the user <NUM> may generally travel along a direction <NUM> (e.g., perpendicularly relative to the third axis <NUM> and to the first axis <NUM>) through the space. The user <NUM> may be at a first position <NUM> at a first time of operation of the interactive system <NUM>, such that the signal <NUM> reflects off the user <NUM> at a first location <NUM> (e.g., a foot of the user <NUM>). The control system <NUM> may then associate the first location <NUM> (e.g., a height relative to the second axis <NUM>) with the first time of operation of the interactive system <NUM>. The user <NUM> may be at a second position <NUM> at a second time of operation of the interactive system <NUM> after the first time, such that the signal <NUM> reflects off the user <NUM> at a second location <NUM> (e.g., the torso of the user <NUM>). The control system <NUM> may then associate the second location <NUM> with the second time of operation of the interactive system <NUM>. The user <NUM> may be at a third position <NUM> at a third time of operation of the interactive system <NUM> after the second time, such that the signal <NUM> reflects off the user <NUM> at a third location <NUM> (e.g., the head of the user <NUM>). The control system <NUM> may then associate the third location <NUM> with the third time of operation of the interactive system <NUM>. Based on the determined respective associations between the locations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the times, the control system <NUM> may determine a type of the object within the space, such as that the user <NUM> is a person in the illustrated embodiment.

In an embodiment, the control system <NUM> may identify and/or differentiate the object that passes through the space <NUM>, such as via matching techniques (e.g., matching the profile with one of multiple stored profiles). For example, the control system <NUM> may identify the user <NUM> as a person and/or distinguish the user <NUM> from other objects, such as a stroller, an animal, a prop, and so forth. For example, other objects may have different associations between the reflected locations and the times. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the control system <NUM> may distinguish the user <NUM> from other users. For instance, the control system <NUM> may determine certain features of the user <NUM>, such as a height of the user <NUM>, a geometric shape of the profile of the user <NUM>, or any other suitable features of the user <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may therefore distinguish users <NUM> from one another based on the determined features. In any case, the control system <NUM> may determine the profile of objects passing through the space <NUM> to identify and/or distinguish the objects from one another.

Claim 1:
An interactive system (<NUM>), comprising:
a device (<NUM>) configured to output a signal (<NUM>) toward a surface such that the signal (<NUM>) reflects off the surface at an angle and along a path of travel (<NUM>), and such that an object (<NUM>) that interrupts the path of travel (<NUM>) of the signal (<NUM>) causes a return signal to travel in a reverse direction along the path of travel (<NUM>) for receipt by the device, wherein the signal reflects off the surface before reaching the object; and
a control system (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the device (<NUM>), wherein the control system (<NUM>) is configured to:
receive data from the device (<NUM>), wherein the data is associated with the receipt of the return signal by the device; and
determine a position of the object (<NUM>) relative to the device (<NUM>) based on the data.