Patent Description:
This discussion is believed to help provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Theme or amusement parks have become increasingly popular and are created to provide guests with immersive experiences. For example, amusement parks may include entertainment systems, such as interactive attractions intended to improve these immersive guest experiences. Unfortunately, traditional interactive attractions may be technologically limited in ways that cause the immersive experiences to be redundant, generic, and simplistic. It is now recognized that improved interactive experiences for amusement parks are desirable. <CIT> discloses methods, devices and attachments for game-playing (sports) that involves manipulating objects in X, Y and Z planes (<NUM>-D space) using remote controlled aerial craft such as a drone that has hovering capability. Particularly characterized by the use of at least one human player controlled craft plus a passive aerial playing object like a game ball that players can only indirectly control by physically manipulating it with the player craft.

In an embodiment, an entertainment system includes a drone configured to be maneuvered across a plurality of zones, an interactive toy device configured to be actuated to cause a plurality of toy reactions, one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device, where the correlation is based on a proximity between the drone and the interactive toy device and at least one of: a location of the drone within a zone of the plurality of zones, an additional location of the interactive toy device within the zone or an additional zone of the plurality of zones, a non-position based physical attribute of the drone, or an additional non-position based physical attribute of the interactive toy device. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to activate, based on the correlation, a toy reaction of the plurality of toy reactions.

In an embodiment, an entertainment system includes one or more processors and one or more non-transitory, computer readable media storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors of the entertainment system, cause the one or more processors to perform various acts. The instructions cause the one or more processors to determine a first location of a first interactive toy device, determine a second location of a second interactive toy device, and determine a third location of a drone. The instructions cause the one or more processors to determine, based on the first location and the third location, a first proximity between the first interactive toy device and the drone, and actuate, in response to determining that the first proximity is less than a proximity threshold, the first interactive toy device to cause a first toy reaction of a first plurality of toy reactions, each toy reaction of the first plurality of toy reactions corresponding to a relation between a first non-position based physical attribute of the first interactive toy device and an additional non-position based physical attribute of the drone. The instructions also cause the one more processors to determine, based on the second location and the third location, a second proximity between the second interactive toy device and the drone, and actuate, in response to determining that the second proximity is less than the proximity threshold, the second interactive toy device to cause a second toy reaction of a second plurality of toy reactions. Each toy reaction of the second plurality of toy reactions corresponds to a relation between a second non-position based physical attribute of the second interactive toy device and the additional non-position based physical attribute of the drone.

The present disclosure relates generally to entertainment systems and methods (e.g., employed in an amusement park) that enable an interactive drone experience. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an interactive drone system and method that causes reactions of interactive toy devices based on a correlation between the interactive toy devices and at least one drone maneuverable across various areas of an amusement park.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an interactive drone system includes at least one drone and a number of interactive toy devices. The interactive toy devices may be, for example, distributed to guests attending an amusement park. In certain embodiments, a number of different types of interactive toy devices may be distributed to guests attending the amusement park. For example, a first interactive toy device may include a first color, such as red, and a second interactive toy device may include a second color, such as blue. However, the interactive toy devices may be distinguished via additional or alternative characteristics, such as size or shape. In certain embodiments, the interactive toy devices may include different humanistic or animalistic features, such as faces. These humanistic or animalistic features may also be distinguishing characteristics of the interactive toy devices. For example, a first face of the first interactive toy device may differ from a second face of the second interactive toy device. Indeed, the first face of the first interactive toy device may include bushy eyebrows while the second face of the second interactive toy device may include thin eyebrows. The various interactive toy devices may additionally or alternatively correspond to characters in a story known by at least some of the guests attending the amusement park. For example, a first interactive toy device may correspond to a villain (e.g., antagonist) of the story while a second interactive toy device may correspond to a hero (e.g., protagonist) of the story. Additionally or alternatively, a first interactive toy device may correspond to a sidekick of the story while a second interactive toy device may correspond to a main character of the story. The interactive toy devices may include characteristics corresponding to these characters of the story. It should be understood that the above-described examples of distinguishing characteristics between various interactive toy devices is non-exclusive.

As previously mentioned, the various interactive toy devices may be distributed to various guests attending the amusement park. The interactive toy devices may be handheld, wearable, or otherwise sized and shaped such that the guests can move about the amusement park with the interactive toy devices on their persons. Accordingly, the various interactive toy devices may be distributed about zones of the amusement park as the various guests having the various interactive toy devices move throughout the zones of the amusement park. Some interactive toy devices may also be permanently stationed in various areas of the park.

The interactive drone system also includes at least one drone. The drone may be flown or otherwise maneuvered about the above-described zones of the amusement park. For example, the drone may be pre-programmed to fly along a pre-defined course spanning the various zones of the amusement park. In some embodiments, a path of the drone may be entirely or partially automated via a controller. Additionally or alternatively, the path of the drone may be at least partially dependent on feedback received by the controller. For example, feedback (e.g., sensor feedback) indicative of weather, guest distribution throughout the amusement park, and other factors may be received by the controller and considered by the controller as the controller automatically determines and controls movement of the drone. In still other embodiments, the drone may be entirely or partially maneuvered via a control device (e.g., remote control) operated manually, such as by an amusement park employee or a guest via a controller.

Each of the interactive toy devices may be configured to react in response to the drone coming within a pre-defined proximity of the interactive toy device (e.g., within the same zone as the interactive toy device). For example, sensors and a controller may be employed to determine a proximity between the drone and a first interactive toy device, and the first interactive toy device may be controlled to react when the proximity is less than a pre-defined proximity threshold. In some embodiments, the proximity threshold may correspond to a pre-defined distance between the interactive toy device and the drone, such as fifty feet. When the interactive toy device is positioned an actual distance away from the drone that is equal to or less than the pre-defined distance (e.g., the interactive toy device is fifty feet or less away from the drone), then the interactive toy device may be controlled to react. In other embodiments, the proximity threshold simply corresponds to common residence of the interactive toy device and the drone in a particular pre-defined zone of the amusement park. That is, the proximity threshold is met when the interactive toy device is in the same zone as the drone.

In the above-described embodiments, the particular type of reaction exhibited by the interactive toy device may be selected based on a correlation between the interactive toy device and the drone. The proximity between the drone and the interactive toy device may be considered one factor of the correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device, but other factors may also be considered in determining when and how an interactive toy device reacts. That is, the interactive toy device may be capable of multiple reactions, and a particular reaction of the multiple reactions may be caused in response to a particular correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device. Because the above-described proximity may trigger the reaction, the above-described proximity may be considered a part of the correlation between the first interactive device and the drone in accordance with the present disclosure.

It should be noted that "proximity" in accordance with the present disclosure refers to a closeness between the drone and the interactive toy device (e.g., based on a distance between the drone and the interactive toy device, or based on the drone and the first interactive toy device residing in the same zone). Proximity may be determined based on an actual distance between the toy and the drone being less than a pre-defined threshold distance, or proximity may be determined based on the toy and the drone occupying a common pre-defined zone.

Further, location-based features may also be considered in determining and triggering an interactive toy reaction. "Location" in accordance with the present disclosure may refer to the particular zone in which the interactive toy device resides, or a zone in which the drone resides. That is, "proximity" refers to a closeness between the drone and the interactive toy device regardless of location, whereas "location" refers to an actual location of the toy, the drone, or both regardless of "proximity.

For example, the first interactive toy device may be disposed in a first zone of the amusement park and may react a particular way while in the first zone. Indeed, as the drone comes within close proximity of the interactive toy device (e.g., as the drone and the interactive toy device are both resident in the first zone), the above-described proximity threshold may be met and the interactive toy device may exhibit a first reaction that corresponds to the first zone. If the first interactive toy device and the drone were to, for example, simultaneously occupy a second zone different than the first zone, the first interactive toy device may exhibit a second reaction corresponding to the second zone and different than the first reaction. That is, in both cases a proximity between the drone and the interactive toy device is determined and the reaction of the interactive toy device is triggered based on the proximity. The particular type of reaction exhibited by the interactive toy device in this case depends at least in part on the particular location (e.g., the first zone, the second zone, etc.) in which the interactive toy device resides. In embodiments whereby proximity is determined based on a pre-defined threshold distance (e.g., as opposed to the toy and drone residing in the same zone), the particular reaction exhibited by the toy may depend on a zone in which the toy itself resides, a zone in which the drone itself resides, or a combination thereof.

Further to the description above, if a second interactive toy device and the first interactive toy device reside in the first zone as the drone comes into close proximity with both, the second interactive toy device may react differently than the first interactive toy device. In some embodiments, the first interactive toy device and the second interactive toy device may react differently at a single or similar moment in time. Indeed, other non-position based physical characteristics or attributes (e.g., aesthetic characteristics), such as the above-described color, size, shape, or face of the interactive toy device, may dictate the type of reaction exhibited by the interactive toy device. For example, the first interactive toy device in the first zone may correspond to a hero of a story and may react with happiness as the drone comes in close proximity with the first interactive toy devices, whereas the second interactive toy device in the first zone may correspond to a villain of the story and may react with anger as the drone comes in close proximity with the second interactive toy device. The reactions may include, for example, a change in color, size, or shape, or a change in facial expression (e.g., smiling, frowning, yawning, yelling, crying, screaming, and the like), among other possible reactions. It should be noted that "position" in accordance with the present disclosure may refer broadly to both proximity and location. That is, reference to "non-position based physical characteristics" above and below may mean characteristics of the drone, the interactive toy device, or both involving size, shape, color, character, face, or some other aesthetic or functional feature. In other words, "non-position based physical characteristics" excludes "proximity" characteristics and "location" characteristics.

In certain embodiments, multiple drones may also be employed. Further, the drones may differ in type (e.g., based on size, shape, color, facial characteristics, or character in a story). Thus, the correlation between the drone(s) and the interactive toy device(s) that dictate the type of reaction exhibited by the interactive toy device(s) may depend on physical attributes of the drone(s), such as size, shape, color, character, or face. For example, an interactive toy device having a first color (e.g., red) may react to a first drone having a second color (e.g., blue) differently that it would react to a second drone having a third color (e.g., green).

Depending on the embodiment, non-position based physical characteristics of the interactive toy devices, the drone, or any combination thereof may be detected or determined in a number of ways. For example, the interactive toy device may include a physical identifier, such as an RFID chip or tag, a bar code, a QR code, a physical mark, or some other identifier that corresponds to the type (e.g., size, shape, color, face, or character in a story) of the interactive toy device. Likewise, the drone may include a physical identifier that corresponds to the type (e.g., size, shape, color, face, or character in a story) of the drone. The controller may determine the non-position based physical characteristics of the correlation between the interactive toy device and the drone based on the above-described identifiers without having to detect each of the non-position based physical characteristics themselves, but instead merely by detecting the corresponding identifier, where characteristics corresponding to the identifier are stored in memory. However, in certain embodiments, detection hardware (e.g., sensors) may be employed to detect the non-position based physical characteristics of the drone and the interactive toy device. Additionally or alternatively, as previously described, detection hardware (e.g., sensors) may be employed to detect locations and/or proximity between the drone and the interactive toy device. Further, in certain embodiments, no detection of physical identifiers is required. For example, in certain embodiments, the reaction for a particular toy device may be determined based on proximity and/or location features.

As suggested in the description above, the correlation between a particular drone and a particular interactive toy device may include a number of factors, including proximity between the drone and the interactive toy device, a location of the interactive toy device, a location of the drone, a non-position based physical characteristic (e.g., aesthetic characteristic) of the interactive toy device, a non-position based physical characteristic (e.g., aesthetic characteristic) of the drone, etc. Each correlation may include a corresponding reaction of the interactive toy device at issue. By employing the above-described features in the disclosed interactive drone system, unique, immersive, interactive guest experiences can be created. That is, a guest may partake in the attraction multiple times and may receive a different experience each time (e.g., by way of occupying different zones of the park, by encountering different types of drones in the park, by having different types of interactive toy devices, etc.). These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an interactive drone system <NUM> for an amusement park <NUM>. In certain instances in the present disclosure, the interactive drone system <NUM> may be referred to as an entertainment system. The interactive drone system <NUM> may include a drone <NUM>, a control assembly <NUM>, and interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, as will be described in detail with reference to later drawings, a global controller is not employed, and instead control features (e.g., processors, memories) are distributed across various components of the system <NUM>. In general, one or more processors and one or more memories may be employed by the presently disclosed system <NUM>, and may be distributed amongst various components of the system <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure. Various examples of control distribution will be provided with reference to later drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a number of different types of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be employed. For example, the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond to a first type having diamond shaped features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the interactive toy device <NUM> may correspond to a second type having a triangular shaped feature <NUM>. As previously described, the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include other distinguishing characteristics, such as size, color, shape, character in a story, or facial features. The diamond shaped features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the triangular shaped feature <NUM> are examples and representative of any number of different characteristics (e.g., color, team affiliation, shape, character type).

The amusement park <NUM> may be divided into various zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown. The bounds of these zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be stored to a memory of the control assembly <NUM> (e.g., as part of a map of the amusement park <NUM> stored to the memory). Additionally or alternatively, the bounds of these zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be defined by various beacons configured to communicate with the toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the drone <NUM>. For example, each beacon associated with each zone may be configured to send and receive communications to and from the devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the drone <NUM>, and in some embodiments a range of each beacon may define the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the park <NUM>. That is, the various zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond to communication ranges for a signal emitter and/or detector of the beacon.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM> reside in the first zone <NUM>, the interactive toy device <NUM> resides in the second zone <NUM>, and the interactive toy device <NUM> resides in the third zone <NUM>. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the drone <NUM> resides in the second zone <NUM>. As previously noted, these zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond to an effective reach of wireless communications from a signal emitter and/or detector (e.g., beacon technology).

Each of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to exhibit a reaction in response to a correlation between the respective interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and the drone <NUM>. That is, a first correlation may be determined by the control assembly <NUM> between the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, a second correlation may be determined by the control assembly <NUM> between the second interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, a third correlation may be determined by the control assembly <NUM> between the third interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, and a fourth correlation may be determined by the control assembly <NUM> between the fourth interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>. The various correlations may be determined in view of position-based characteristics of the drone <NUM> and/or the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and in view of non-position based physical characteristics. The position-based characteristics may include independent or relative positions of the drone <NUM> and/or the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the position-based characteristics may include the zone(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in which the drone <NUM> and/or the interactive toy device(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> reside. Further, the position-based characteristics may include a proximity between the drone <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, a first distance <NUM> between the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, a second distance <NUM> between the second interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, a third distance <NUM> between the third interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, and a fourth distance <NUM> between the fourth interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM> may be determined by the control assembly <NUM> and may be one of multiple factors included in the above-described correlations between the drone <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, a reaction may be triggered based one of the above-described distances <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> being less than a pre-defined threshold distance. For example, in one embodiment, the third interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit a reaction in response to the distance <NUM> being less than a pre-defined threshold distance or proximity (e.g., stored to the memory of the control assembly <NUM>), where a type of the reaction depends on the correlation between the drone <NUM> and the third interactive toy device <NUM>.

It should be noted that the distances <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be measured from the corresponding interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to a central point or region <NUM> (e.g., sensing region) of the drone <NUM>. The distances <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be determined by sensors of the control assembly <NUM>, for example infrared (IR) sensors. In one embodiment, an IR transmitter may be disposed on each of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and an IR receiver may be disposed on the drone <NUM>, or vice versa. The IR transmitter and receiver pairs may be utilized to determine the various distances <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, relative proximity may be additionally or alternatively determined based on the drone <NUM> residing in one of the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in which one or more of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> resides. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the drone <NUM> and the third interactive toy device <NUM> reside in the second zone <NUM>. Accordingly, a reaction of the third interactive toy device <NUM> may be triggered based on the relative proximity (e.g., the drone <NUM> and the third interactive toy device <NUM> residing in the same zone <NUM>). In these and other embodiments, beacons corresponding to each of the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be employed to detect presence of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the drone <NUM>, and the beacons may be utilized to send communications to the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., to initiate a reaction of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and/or the drone <NUM>.

In addition to triggering a reaction in response to close proximity between the drone <NUM> and, for example, the third interactive toy device <NUM>, the control assembly <NUM> may trigger a particular type of reaction dependent on a location of the drone <NUM> and/or the third interactive toy device <NUM>. That is, the third interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit a first reaction, such as a smile, when the drone <NUM> and the third interactive toy device <NUM> come in close proximity and the third interactive toy device <NUM> and/or the drone <NUM> are in the second zone <NUM>. However, the third interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit a second reaction, such as a frown, when the drone <NUM> and the third interactive toy device <NUM> come in close proximity and the third interactive toy device <NUM> and/or the drone <NUM> are in the third zone <NUM>.

Further, the particular reaction of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may depend on non-position based physical characteristics (e.g., aesthetic or functional characteristics) of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the drone <NUM>. That is, the non-position based physical characteristics may be a part of the above-described correlation that dictates the type of reaction exhibited by the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> having the diamond shaped features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may react to close proximity with the drone <NUM> in a first way (e.g., crying), whereas the interactive toy device <NUM> having the triangular shaped feature <NUM> may react to close proximity with the drone <NUM> in a second way (e.g., laughing). Thus, for example, toys associated with a hero team may exhibit happy traits when a drone associated with the hero team is nearby while the same toys may exhibit disgust when a drone associated with villains is nearby. Of course, the correlation dictating the type of reaction of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be multi-factor, including non-position based physical characteristics of the drone <NUM> at issue, non-position based physical characteristics of the interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> at issue, location of the drone <NUM> at issue, location of the interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> at issue, and others.

Various control schemes for employing the above-described effects will be illustrated in, and described with respect to, <FIG>. First, an embodiment of various possible reactions of the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the first interactive toy device <NUM> having the triangular shaped feature <NUM> may be capable of being controlled to react with a smile reaction <NUM>, a frowning reaction <NUM>, and a playful reaction <NUM>. The second interactive toy device <NUM> with the diamond shaped feature <NUM> may be capable of being controlled to react with a horizontal open mouth reaction <NUM>, a vertical open mouth reaction <NUM>, or a slanted mouth reaction <NUM>. The reactions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be caused by actuating mechanical features of the toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, or the reactions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be caused via a digital display on the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the facial features of the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM> may be displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) of the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM> and may be controlled digitally. It should be understood that the above-described reactions are nonlimiting examples. Examples of other types of reactions may include mechanical or digitally presented reactions including making a noise, speaking a phrase, blinking eyes, flapping wings, wagging a tail, raising a hat, shaking a fist, nodding a head, and any other mechanical, audio or visual action.

Further, it should be understood that the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, may be capable of exhibiting the same types of reactions while still enabling the unique, immersive guest experiences described in the present disclosure. Indeed, the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM> may include the same subset of available reactions, but may react differently in response to different correlations. For example, the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the second interactive toy device <NUM> may both be capable of the smile reaction <NUM>, but the first interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit the smile reaction <NUM> in response to a different correlation than that of the second interactive toy device <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit the smile reaction <NUM> based on close proximity with the drone <NUM>, based on the first interactive toy device <NUM> residing in the first zone <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and based on the first interactive toy device <NUM> having the triangular shape feature <NUM>, while the second interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit the smile reaction <NUM> based on close proximity with the drone <NUM>, based on the second interactive toy device <NUM> residing in the second zone <NUM> of <FIG>, and based on the second interactive toy device <NUM> having the diamond shaped feature <NUM>. Further, the first interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit the frown reaction <NUM> of <FIG> in response to close proximity with the drone <NUM>, the first interactive toy device <NUM> residing in the second zone <NUM>, and the first interactive toy device <NUM> having the triangular shaped feature <NUM>, and the second interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit the frown reaction <NUM> of <FIG> in response to close proximity with the drone <NUM>, the second interactive toy device <NUM> residing in the first zone <NUM>, and the second interactive toy device <NUM> having the diamond shaped feature <NUM>. In some embodiments and/or in response to certain correlations, the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the second interactive toy device <NUM> may exhibit different reactions at a single or similar moment in time.

Further, it should be noted that the correlation between the drone <NUM> and the various interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be a multi-factor correlation. For example, focusing again on <FIG>, the zone <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in which a particular one of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> resides may be a first factor of the multi-factor correlation, the zone <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in which the drone <NUM> resides may be a second factor of the multi-factor correlation, a non-position based physical characteristic (e.g., the size, shape, color, or character) of the particular one of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be a third factor of the multi-factor correlation, and a non-position based physical characteristic of the drone <NUM> may be a fourth factor of the multi-factor correlation. Indeed, multiple drones (including the drone <NUM>) may be employed, each drone having distinguishing non-position based physical characteristics (e.g., size, shape, color, face, character in a story). Of course, as previously described, a relative proximity between the drone <NUM> and the particular one of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> required in some embodiments to trigger a reaction may also be considered a part of the above-described multi-factor correlation. The relative proximity, as previously described, may be based on common residence in one of the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or on a proximity threshold distance exceeding a measured distance between the drone <NUM> and one of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, sensor feedback and/or beacons may be a part of, or utilized by, the control assembly <NUM> to determine the various correlations between the drone <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, the control assembly <NUM> may include sensors or receive sensor feedback. Of course, as previously described, the control assembly <NUM> schematically illustrated in <FIG> may signify various control components distributed across various components of the system <NUM>. For example, the control assembly <NUM> may include one or more processors, one or more memories, and one or more sensors, where the one or more processors receive(s) data from the one or more sensors and determines at least a portion of the above-described correlations based on the sensor feedback. Control features of the control assembly <NUM> and example control distributions are illustrated in <FIG> and will be described in detail below.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of the interactive drone system <NUM> of <FIG> having a control assembly including first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first beacon <NUM> corresponds to the first zone <NUM>, the second beacon <NUM> corresponds to the second zone <NUM>, and the third beacon <NUM> corresponds to the third zone <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are defined by the corresponding signal ranges of the respective first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each of the first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to communicate with the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the drone <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the second beacon <NUM> may be capable of detecting the drone <NUM> and/or any of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> within range (e.g., within the corresponding second zone <NUM>), and may be capable of transmitting a communication to the drone <NUM> and any of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> within range (e.g., within the corresponding first zone <NUM>). In some embodiments, the first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may not be configured to detect the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, but instead will send a signal received by any interactive toy device within range. In the illustrated embodiment, the second beacon <NUM> may detect the drone <NUM> within the second zone <NUM> and the third interactive toy device <NUM> within the second zone <NUM>. Upon detecting that the third interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM> occupy the same second zone <NUM>, the second beacon <NUM> may transmit a communication (e.g., wireless communication) to the third interactive toy device <NUM>. The third interactive toy device <NUM> may receive the communication and, in response to the communication, react in a particular way.

In some embodiments that employ the first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may determine at least a portion of the correlation that dictates the particular reaction exhibited by the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In <FIG>, for example, the second beacon <NUM> may detect that the third interactive toy device <NUM> includes the diamond shape <NUM>, and the second beacon <NUM> may cause, via the above-described communication (e.g., wireless communication), the third interactive toy device <NUM> to react based on the diamond shape <NUM>. In another embodiment, the second beacon <NUM> may instruct the third interactive toy device <NUM> to react, but the third interactive toy device <NUM> itself (e.g., a processor thereof) at least partially determines the appropriate reaction.

However, it should be noted that multiple drones may be employed and/or a type of drone being employed may be unknown by the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, where the type or characteristics of the drone(s) being employed may play a role in determining the type of reaction exhibited by the various interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, a first reaction of the third interactive toy device <NUM> may be determined based on a first physical characteristic of the drone <NUM> paired with the diamond <NUM> of the third interactive toy device <NUM>, whereas a second reaction of the third interactive toy device <NUM> may be determined based on a second physical characteristic of the drone <NUM> paired with the diamond <NUM> of the interactive toy device <NUM>.

These pairings of physical non-position based characteristics can be determined via the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. For example, each of the first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to detect a presence of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> within range, to detect a type of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, to detect a presence of the drone <NUM> (or drones) within range, to detect a type of the drone <NUM> (or drones), to determine appropriate toy reactions based on the presence and types of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the drone <NUM>, and to communicate instructions indicative of the appropriate toy reactions to the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, other control schemes are also possible.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the interactive drone system <NUM> of <FIG> having a control assembly, including the control assembly <NUM>. As previously described, the system <NUM> may include the drone <NUM> and a number of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the system <NUM> also includes a second drone <NUM>. The drone <NUM> and the second drone <NUM> include distinguishing non-position based physical characteristics. For example, the first drone <NUM> includes a circular shape <NUM> attached thereto and the second drone <NUM> includes a square shape <NUM> attached thereto. Again, the shapes (e.g., the circular shape <NUM> and the square shape <NUM>) are representative of any of various different characteristics (e.g., color or association with a group, such as heroes or villains). As previously described, these non-position based physical characteristics of the drones <NUM>, <NUM> may at least partially dictate how proximate ones of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> react. These and other features are described in detail below.

The control assembly <NUM> of the system <NUM> includes one or more controllers <NUM> having one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memories <NUM>, and communication circuitry <NUM>. Further, the control assembly <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment includes a database <NUM> and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> may correspond to a first drone <NUM> of the system <NUM>, the second sensor <NUM> may correspond to a second drone <NUM> of the system <NUM>, the third sensor <NUM> may correspond to a first zone <NUM> (e.g., of an amusement park <NUM>), the fourth sensor <NUM> may correspond to a second zone <NUM> (e.g., of the amusement park <NUM>), and the fifth sensor <NUM> may correspond to a third zone <NUM> (e.g., of the amusement park <NUM>). The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to monitor hardware associated therewith. That is, the first and second sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may monitor the locations of the drones <NUM>, <NUM>, while the third, fourth, and fifth sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may monitor locations of the various devices disposed on ground-level in the first, second, and third zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., the third sensor <NUM> monitors the locations of the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, the fourth sensor <NUM> monitors the location of the third interactive toy device <NUM>, and the fifth sensor <NUM> monitors the location of the fourth interactive toy device <NUM>). In accordance with present embodiments, more or fewer sensors may be employed. For example, each interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include a dedicated sensor or sensors. Further, a single sensor may monitor the locations of the two drones <NUM>, <NUM>. It should be noted that the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include any suitable type of sensor, such as a camera, an infrared (IR) sensor, or the like.

The controller(s) <NUM> may receive data from one or more of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and utilize the data to determine the locations of the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and a relative proximity between each drone <NUM>, <NUM> and each interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sensor feedback may be considered by the controller(s) <NUM> in determining when and how each interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> reacts. For example, the memory <NUM> may include instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processor <NUM> to determine the correlations utilized by the controller(s) <NUM> to instruct various reactions of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The communication circuitry <NUM> of each controller <NUM> may be configured to send communications (e.g., reaction instructions) to each of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

As previously described, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (and/or other sensors), or feedback therefrom, may also be utilized to determine non-position based physical characteristics of the various drones <NUM>, <NUM> and/or interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the non-position based physical characteristics may be correlated with identifiers of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> stored to the one or more memories <NUM> of the one or more controllers <NUM>. That is, the control assembly <NUM> may determine the non-position based physical characteristics without detecting the non-position based physical characteristics themselves, but instead by merely detecting a presence of the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and/or interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and consulting a reference table (e.g., stored to the memory <NUM>) indicating the non-position based physical characteristics and/or the appropriate correlation-based reactions. In some embodiments, the presence of the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and/or interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be detected via a physical identifying feature (e.g., an RFID tag, a QR code, a barcode, a physical symbol, an alphanumeric character, etc.) disposed on or in the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and/or interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the second drone <NUM> includes a physical identifying feature <NUM> which may correspond to an RFID tag or chip, a QR code, a barcode, an alphanumeric character, or any other suitable identifier, where the physical identifying feature <NUM> indicates that the second drone <NUM> is of the type including the square <NUM> feature. After identifying the interactive toy device(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> based on the above-described identifier(s), the controller(s) <NUM> may consult the reference table stored in the memory <NUM> to determine the non-position based physical characteristics (e.g., aesthetic or functional characteristics) associated with the identifier(s).

In some embodiments, a database <NUM> of the control assembly <NUM> may be employed to store certain of the above-described data (e.g., the reference table[s]), and may communicate relevant data to the processor <NUM> or memory <NUM> when needed to determine the appropriate reactions of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, in some embodiments, an ambient sensor <NUM> may be employed, and the correlations between the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (and subsequent reactions of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may depend in part on these ambient conditions. For example, the ambient sensor <NUM> may communicate data indicative of ambient conditions (e.g., ambient weather, ambient temperature, ambient brightness, guest concentration throughout various zones of the park). In some embodiments, ambient conditions (e.g., weather conditions) may be scrubbed by the controller(s) <NUM> from a weather broadcasting service. Based on the position based characteristics (e.g., proximity and location) and non-position based physical characteristics (e.g., size, shape, color, character, or face) of the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the controller(s) <NUM> may determine when and how each of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> reacts.

As previously described, it should be understood that the controller(s) <NUM> may be separate from the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or may reside in whole or in part on the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the communication circuitry <NUM> may be divided into multiple processors <NUM>, memories <NUM>, and communication circuitries <NUM> separate from, or integral with, the drones <NUM>, <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In general, the control assembly <NUM> and corresponding controller(s) <NUM> operate to determine correlations between the drone <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and between the drone <NUM> and the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and to instruct the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to cause correlation-based reactions.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the interactive drone system <NUM> of <FIG> having the control assembly <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a first guest <NUM> is positioned within a barrier <NUM>. The first guest <NUM> has on his person the first interactive toy device <NUM> and a first additional handheld device <NUM>, such as a cell phone or other customer interface device. A second guest <NUM> is positioned outside of the barrier <NUM>. The second guest <NUM> has on her person the second interactive toy device <NUM> and a second handheld device <NUM>, such as a cell phone or other customer interface device. The control assembly <NUM> includes first and second cameras <NUM>, <NUM>. The first camera <NUM> monitors the drone <NUM> and the second camera <NUM> monitors the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the second interactive toy device <NUM>. The controller(s) <NUM> control assembly <NUM> also includes at least one processor <NUM>, at least one memory <NUM>, and communication circuitry <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the communication circuitry <NUM> includes a wireless transmitter <NUM> configured to transmit instructions to the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the second interactive toy device <NUM> (e.g., to control reactions thereof).

In accordance with the present disclosure, the control assembly <NUM> may be capable of incentivizing the first and second guests <NUM>, <NUM> to act in a way that enables the corresponding first and second interactive toy device <NUM>, <NUM> to react in accordance with the previous discussion regarding correlations between the first and second interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM> and the drone <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second camera <NUM> may not be able to see the first interactive toy device <NUM> because the first guest <NUM> is positioned within the barrier <NUM>. However, the control assembly <NUM> may be aware of the presence of the first interactive toy device <NUM> via other means (e.g., RFID tracking or geolocation sensors). Further, the first guest <NUM> may be incapable of seeing the drone <NUM> while the first guest <NUM> is within the barrier <NUM>. Accordingly, the control assembly <NUM> (e.g., via the wireless transmitter <NUM>) may request that the first guest <NUM> exit the physical barrier <NUM> such that the first guest <NUM> can see the drone <NUM> and/or such that the second camera <NUM> can see the first interactive toy device <NUM>.

The above-described request may be sent by the wireless transmitter <NUM> to a communication interface of the first handheld device <NUM> or of the first interactive toy device <NUM>. If the first guest <NUM> complies with the request and exits the physical barrier <NUM>, the second camera <NUM> may see the first interactive toy device <NUM> and alert the processor <NUM>. That is, the control assembly <NUM> may determine and/or establish a line-of-sight between the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM> by way of the above-described control features. In response to the alert, the processor <NUM> may cause the wireless transmitter <NUM> to instruct the first interactive toy device <NUM> to react in accordance with the aforementioned correlation calculation (e.g., the correlation between the first interactive toy device <NUM> and the drone <NUM>). By incentivizing the first guest <NUM> to leave the physical barrier <NUM> such that the first guest <NUM> can see the drone <NUM>, and by initiating the reaction of the first interactive toy device <NUM> only after the second camera <NUM> sees the first interactive toy device <NUM>, the first guest <NUM> may better understand why the first interactive toy device <NUM> reacts a particular way (e.g., based on the above-described correlation), thereby improving the immersive guest experience. In other words, the above-described scheme enables the first guest <NUM> to observe the drone <NUM> as the first interactive toy device <NUM> reacts, thus contextualizing to the first guest <NUM> the reason(s) for the reaction.

The above-described incentivizing scheme may be employed via any of the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>. For example, cameras may not be required to enable the above-described incentive. In one embodiment, wireless signals sent by the first, second, and third beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>, for example, may be blocked by physical barriers such as the barrier <NUM> in <FIG>. However, positions of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may still be monitored. For example, the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be equipped with position trackers, such as a Global Positioning (GPS) trackers, the signals of which are not blocked by the barrier <NUM>. Thus, while the presence or locations of the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are known, the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may not receive a signal from the corresponding beacons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> if the interactive toy devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are blocked by the barrier <NUM> or some other barrier. This condition, when detected, may trigger a communication to guests (e.g., the first guest <NUM> in <FIG>) to move away from the physical barrier <NUM>. In some embodiments, said communication may be sent to the first guest <NUM> (i.e., a CID <NUM> of the first guest <NUM>) via the interactive toy device itself, or via a communication component capable of communicating a signal through the physical barrier <NUM>.

<FIG> is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method <NUM> of operating the interactive drone system of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the method <NUM> includes receiving (block <NUM>) sensor data indicative of characteristics of an interactive toy device. For example, the characteristics may include position based and non-position based characteristics. The position based characteristics may include, for example, a location of the interactive toy device in a particular zone of the amusement park. The non-position based characteristics may include, for example, a color of the interactive toy device, a shape of the interactive toy device, a size of the interactive toy device, a face of the interactive toy device, a character of the interactive toy device in a story, and other features. As previously described, in some embodiments, the interactive toy device may include a physical identifier, such as a barcode, an alphanumeric identifier, a QR code, or an RFID tag or chip. The identifier may indicate the non-position based physical characteristics of the interactive toy device. That is, a controller receiving the sensor data indicative of the characteristics of the interactive toy device may confirm the non-position based physical characteristics based on detection of the physical identifier.

The method <NUM> also includes receiving (block <NUM>) sensor data indicative of characteristics of a drone. For example, the characteristics may include position based and non-position based characteristics. The position based characteristics may include, for example, a location of the drone in a particular zone of the amusement park. The non-position based characteristics may include, for example, a color of the drone, a shape of the drone, a size of the drone, a face of the drone, a team affiliation, a character of the drone in a story, and other features. As previously described, in some embodiments, the drone may include a physical identifier, such as a barcode, an alphanumeric identifier, a QR code, or an RFID tag or chip. The identifier may indicate the non-position based physical characteristics of the interactive toy device. That is, a controller receiving the sensor data indicative of the characteristics of the interactive toy device may confirm the non-position based physical characteristics based on detection of the physical identifier.

The method <NUM> also includes determining (block <NUM>) a correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device. For example, the method <NUM> may include determining that the drone is blue and the interactive toy device is red, and that the drone and the interactive toy device reside is in a first zone of the amusement park. The method <NUM> also includes determining (block <NUM>) a reaction of the interactive toy device corresponding to the correlation. For example, the above-described correlation may correspond to a smiling reaction, whereas a different correlation may correspond to a frowning reaction.

The method <NUM> also includes determining (block <NUM>) whether the interactive toy device is in close proximity with the drone. In some embodiments, the proximity may be considered a part of the correlation. Proximity may be determined based on a comparison of the location of the drone and the location of the interactive toy device. In one embodiment, a distance between the drone and the interactive toy device may be determined, and "close proximity" may be determined based on the distance being less than a proximity threshold. In another embodiment, "close proximity" may be determined based on the interactive toy device and the drone residing in the same zone of the amusement park. If the drone and the interactive toy device are not in close proximity (block <NUM>), the method <NUM> begins again at block <NUM>. If the drone and the interactive toy device are in close proximity (block <NUM>), the method <NUM> includes actuating (block <NUM>) the interactive toy device to cause the reaction determined at block <NUM>.

As previously noted, the present disclosure includes determining a correlation between a drone and an interactive toy device, and causing a reaction of the interactive toy device based on the correlation. The correlation may include a number of factors (e.g., two, three, four, or more factors). <FIG> is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of control decisions for a control assembly of the interactive drone system of <FIG>, whereby a correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device includes at least two factors. For example, an X-axis <NUM> of the illustrated control plot <NUM> corresponds to a non-position based physical characteristic (e.g., color) of the interactive toy device, including blue, red, and green. A Y-axis <NUM> of the illustrated control plot <NUM> corresponds to a non-position based physical characteristic (e.g., color) of the drone, including blue, red, and green. In an embodiment where a red interactive toy device comes into close proximity with a red drone, the correlation illustrated in the control plot <NUM> corresponds to a screaming reaction <NUM> of the interactive toy device. As illustrated, other reactions corresponding to other correlations are also possible.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of control decisions for a control assembly of the interactive drone system of <FIG>, whereby a correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device includes at least three factors. For example, the X-axis <NUM> and the Y-axis <NUM> in the control plot <NUM> of <FIG> is the same as the X-axis <NUM> and the Y-axis <NUM> in the control plot <NUM> of <FIG>. However, in <FIG>, a Z-axis <NUM> corresponds to the position (or zone) in which the interactive toy device resides. Thus, a color of the drone, a color of the interactive toy device, and a zone in which the interactive toy device resides may all be factors of the correlation for determining a corresponding reaction of the interactive toy device.

Claim 1:
An entertainment system (<NUM>), comprising:
a drone (<NUM>) configured to be maneuvered across a plurality of zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
an interactive toy device (<NUM>) configured to be actuated to cause a plurality of toy reactions;
one or more processors (<NUM>); and
one or more non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors (<NUM>), cause the one or more processors (<NUM>) to:
determine a correlation between the drone (<NUM>) and the interactive toy device (<NUM>), wherein the correlation is based on a proximity (<NUM>) between the drone (<NUM>) and the interactive toy device (<NUM>) and at least one of:
a location of the drone (<NUM>) within a zone of the plurality of zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
an additional location of the interactive toy device (<NUM>) within the zone or an additional zone of the plurality of zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a non-position based physical attribute of the drone (<NUM>); or
an additional non-position based physical attribute of the interactive toy device (<NUM>); and
activate, based on the correlation, a toy reaction of the plurality of toy reactions.