Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to the objects for use in interactive environments, such as a game environment or an amusement park. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a passively powered interactive object that uses power harvesting to facilitate interactive effects.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be noted that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art.

In recent years, it has become more common in amusement parks to create immersive environments that include props, media, and special effects that improve a guest's experience and that support a particular narrative of the environment. In certain immersive environments, it is enjoyable for the guests to have their own devices, e.g., props or toys, that interact with the environment in various ways. In one example, a guest may wish to interact with the immersive environment using a handheld device to generate a particular effect that simulates effects from the movie or game. However, handheld objects may be relatively small with limited capacity for on-board power and/or internal effects components. Further, such devices may not be capable of interacting with an immersive environment to generate these effects to create a number and/or variety of effects and independent of user input (e.g., the user turning the effect on and off). Accordingly, it is now recognized that it is desirable to have interactive objects that are capable of generating variable special effects in immersive environments.

<CIT> describes a system that includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to read data stored on an RFID tag associated with a user and to generate a first signal indicative of the data and indicative of a location of the RFID tag, a sensor system configured to detect a user interaction with an interactive element and to generate a second signal indicative of the user interaction, and a processor configured to match the user to the user interaction based on the first signal and the second signal and to update a user database to reflect that the user is matched to the user interaction.

The invention provides an interactive object for use in an interactive environment according to claim <NUM> and a method for activating a special effect of a interactive object within an interactive environment according to claim <NUM>.

Guests of an immersive or themed environment may enjoy carrying a handheld object or wearing a costume element that aligns with the theme, such as a sword, stuffed animal, hat, wand, jewelry, or other prop. While these objects may have certain interactivity, typically the interactions are mediated by external devices that recognize the object (e.g., image recognition) and activate external actions based on the recognition. Such an arrangement permits the objects to be implemented as relatively inexpensive passive devices, with the more complex and costly elements of the interactions being off-board or external to the passive device. A challenge of managing interactions using such unpowered passive devices is the lack of feedback or effects that take place on or in the passive devices. While guest feedback systems can be situated as fixed components of the environment, the ability to generate feedback in or on a passive device can facilitate a deeper level of immersion in to the themed environment.

Presently disclosed embodiments are directed to special effects of a handheld or other interactive object that carries no or relatively low-power internal power supplies and that is passively powered using harvested optical or other electromagnetic energy from an external source. The power harvesting may be used to power an on-board special effect system of the interactive object or to power other feedback systems of the device. By providing external power sources, the interactive object may, in certain implementations, exclude visible power buttons or activation features as well as heavy or costly power supplies. Further, the power supply is managed by an interactive object system that can activate delivery of power to a particular interactive object (and not to other objects) within an environment and/or with timing controlled by the system (e.g., in conjunction with external effects or interactions) so that the effect experienced by the user visibly, audibly, haptically, or otherwise emanates from the user's own interactive object, which enhances the immersive experience.

The one or more on-board special effect systems are passively activated as part of an interactive object system that directs electromagnetic radiation (which may be in a nonvisible wavelength range) to the interactive object to activate its special effects or other feedback systems. In contrast to systems that harvest power from user motion, the disclosed embodiments facilitate activation of interactive object special effects independent of a user harvesting sufficient motion-based power, which permits users of a variety of abilities and interests to enjoy an immersive environment and to participate in a group narrative as directed by a control system. In addition, passive power harvesting may provide maintenance advantages, and users need not be concerned with replacing batteries before interacting with immersive environments. Still further, the interactive object system may incorporate a source of electromagnetic radiation that can be focused on a sufficiently small location such that only a desired interactive object or set of interactive objects is powered. In an embodiment, the interactive object may include a marker, such as a retroreflective marker, that is detectable within the environment and that may be used to direct the electromagnetic energy to the location of interactive object.

Such objects may, in an embodiment, be a prop or toy used within an interactive environment to permit greater variability in special effect control by using power harvesting. The use of power harvesting permits a user to move freely within an immersive environment while the interactive object receives power to activate an on-board special effect. Further, it should be appreciated that, while embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in the context of a toy, prop, or handheld object, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments may be used with other types of objects. Such objects may include wearable objects, such as clothing, jewelry, bracelets, headgear, glasses. In addition, the object may be a prop or scenery item within an immersive environment. The immersive environment may be an environment of an amusement park, an entertainment complex, a retail establishment, etc..

Certain aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to <FIG>, which generally illustrates the manner in which an interactive object control system <NUM> may be integrated within an immersive environment in accordance with present embodiments. As illustrated, the system <NUM> includes one or more emitters <NUM> (which may be all or a part of an emission subsystem having one or more emission devices and associated control circuitry) configured to emit one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light such as infrared, ultraviolet, visible, or radio waves and so forth). The system <NUM> also includes a detector <NUM> (which may be all or a part of a detection subsystem having one or more sensors, cameras, or the like, and associated control circuitry) configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected as a result of the emission, as described in further detail below. To control operations of the emitter <NUM> and detector <NUM> (emission subsystem and detection subsystem) and perform various signal processing routines resulting from the emission, reflection, and detection process, the system <NUM> also includes a control unit <NUM> communicatively coupled to the emitter <NUM> and detector <NUM>.

As illustrated, the interactive object control system <NUM> may include an interactive object <NUM> (illustrated as a handheld object) that includes a housing <NUM> having an exterior surface <NUM> formed at least in part from a material that permits certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, that are used to power on-board special effects, to pass through the exterior surface <NUM> to be received by interior power harvesting circuitry of a power harvesting device that is housed on or in the interactive object <NUM>. In an embodiment, the interactive object may also include a retroreflective marker <NUM> positioned on or in the exterior surface <NUM>. While the illustrated embodiment shows a single interactive object <NUM>, it should be understood that the system <NUM> may be used in conjunction with one or more interactive objects <NUM> in the immersive environment.

In an embodiment, the emitter <NUM> is external to (e.g., spaced apart from) the interactive object <NUM>. The emitter <NUM> operates to emit electromagnetic radiation, which is represented by an expanding electromagnetic radiation beam <NUM> for illustrative purposes, to selectively illuminate, bathe, or flood an area <NUM> in the electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation beam <NUM>, in certain embodiments, may be representative of multiple light beams (beams of electromagnetic radiation) being emitted from different sources <NUM> of the emitter or emitters <NUM> (all part of an emission subsystem that includes one or more emitters <NUM>). For example, the source <NUM> may be a visible light source, an infrared light source, etc, to emit the desired wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. Further, the emitter <NUM> may include one or more sources <NUM> of different types, such as light emitting diodes, laser diodes. The electromagnetic radiation beam <NUM> is intended to generally represent any form of electromagnetic radiation that may be used in accordance with present embodiments, such as forms of light (e.g., infrared, visible, UV) and/or other bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., radio waves and so forth). However, it is also presently recognized that, in certain embodiments, it may be desirable to use certain bands of the electromagnetic spectrum depending on various factors. For example, in one embodiment, it may be desirable to use forms of electromagnetic radiation that are not visible to the human eye or within an audible range of human hearing, so that the electromagnetic radiation used for tracking does not distract guests from their experience. Further, it is also presently recognized that certain forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as certain wavelengths of light (e.g., infrared) may be more desirable than others, depending on the particular setting (e.g., whether the setting is "dark," or whether people are expected to cross the path of the beam).

The area <NUM> may correspond to all or a part of an amusement park attraction area or immersive environment, such as a stage show, a ride vehicle loading area, a waiting area outside of an entrance to a ride or show, and so forth. In an embodiment, the emitter <NUM> is fixed in position within the environment while the interactive object <NUM> moves freely within the environment to move within the area <NUM> and receive the electromagnetic radiation <NUM>. Accordingly, the interactive object <NUM> may be detected (e.g., located within the area <NUM>), tracked, and powered to activate one or more special effects that originate from the interactive object <NUM> via emitted and detected electromagnetic radiation <NUM> of the interactive object control system <NUM>.

As generally disclosed herein, the activation of the special effect of the interactive object <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM>, which drives the emitter <NUM>. The activation may be indiscriminate, such that the emitter <NUM> continuously emits electromagnetic radiation of the appropriate wavelength or frequency that corresponds to the power harvesting circuitry, and any interactive object positioned within the area <NUM> and oriented towards the emitter <NUM> is passively powered to activate the special effect. In an embodiment, as disclosed in more detail herein, the activation may be selective, such that the control unit <NUM> operates to locate or detect the interactive object <NUM> and, upon the locating or detecting, to drive the emitter <NUM> to direct energy of an activating wavelength towards the interactive object <NUM> such that the activation of the special effect at the interactive object <NUM> may be turned on or off depending on a desired narrative or user actions.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the system <NUM> showing an example of interaction between the interactive object <NUM> and various components of the system <NUM> external to the interactive object <NUM>. In the depicted example, the interactive object <NUM> includes the retroreflective marker <NUM> that reflects electromagnetic radiation <NUM> of certain wavelengths that in turn is detected by the detector <NUM>. However, it should be understood that the retroreflective marker <NUM> may not be present in certain implementations. Additionally or alternatively, the disclosed detection or locating of the interactive object <NUM> as provided herein may involve sensors <NUM> (e.g., proximity sensors, optical sensors, image sensors) of the system that provide location or movement data of the interactive object <NUM>.

In operation, the electromagnetic radiation <NUM> (shown as electromagnetic radiation 28a) from the emitter <NUM> acts as a power source for the interactive object <NUM>, which in turn uses the harvested power to activate one or more onboard special effects of a special effect system <NUM>, which may include light, sound, fluid, haptic, or other special effects that, when activated, originated from the interactive object <NUM>. The special effect system <NUM> is part of the interactive object <NUM> and may be contained in part within or on the housing <NUM> and may also include one or more features that are disposed on or visible from the exterior surface <NUM> to permit the user to view or experience the activated special effect. Such features may include light sources, speakers, haptic feedback devices, ports that release special effect materials (smoke, confetti, fluids), and/or actuatable elements that move in response to activation.

In the depicted embodiment, the retroreflective marker <NUM> operates to reflect the electromagnetic radiation <NUM> (shown as incident electromagnetic radiation 28b and reflected electromagnetic radiation 28c) back to the detector <NUM>, which may be used to locate or track the interactive object <NUM>. Because retro-reflection by the retroreflective markers <NUM> is such that a cone of reflected electromagnetic radiation <NUM> is incident on the detector <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> may in turn correlate a center of the cone, where the reflected electromagnetic radiation is most intense, to a point source of the reflection. Based on this correlation, the control unit <NUM> may identify and track a location of this point source, or may identify and monitor a pattern of reflection by the retroreflective marker <NUM> over a time period as part of tracking the interactive object <NUM>. As discussed, the emitter <NUM> and detector <NUM> operate under direction of the control unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, the location of the interactive object <NUM> within the cone of the electromagnetic radiation <NUM> triggers activation of the emitter <NUM> to drive a light source that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation that corresponds with the activating wavelength of a power harvesting device <NUM>. In other embodiments, the wavelength or wavelengths reflected by the retroreflective marker <NUM> also correspond to wavelengths used for power harvesting by the power harvesting device <NUM>. In this manner, the detection wavelength, used to located and track the interactive object <NUM>, is also used to passively power on-board special effects of the interactive object.

The power harvesting device <NUM> may include an optical cell that is sensitive to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The optical cell may include a Wi-Charge device (Wi-Charge, Milwaukee, WI) light. The power harvesting device may include a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) based power harnessing circuit. Dependent on the frequency utilized for the specific application photovoltaic (PV) based power harnessing circuits can also be utilized. In an embodiment, the activating electromagnetic radiation <NUM> is provided by a laser source of an emitter <NUM> that is capable of being focused to deliver relatively higher power. The transmission of near infrared laser light through the material <NUM> enables the harnessing of the laser photons into electrical power. As the laser is focused on and emits to the exact position of the material <NUM>, significant power transmission can be achieved. The resulting power can be harnessed to perform a myriad of on-board operations of the interactive object <NUM>, including but not limited to computation, sensing, data transceiving (e.g., under instructions from an object controller <NUM>), and sounds, lights and motion via the special effect system <NUM>.

In operation, the detector <NUM> of the system <NUM> may function to detect the electromagnetic radiation beam <NUM> retro-reflected from the retroreflective marker <NUM> and provide data associated with the detection to the control unit <NUM> for processing. The detector <NUM> may operate to specifically identify the marker <NUM> based on certain specified wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted and reflected and, thus, avoid issues with false detections. For example, the detector <NUM> may be specifically configured to detect certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., corresponding to those emitted by the emitter <NUM>) through the use of physical electromagnetic radiation filters, signal filters, and the like. Further, the detector <NUM> may utilize a specific arrangement of optical detection features and electromagnetic radiation filters to capture substantially only retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation. In embodiments in which the retro-reflected wavelengths are the same as the wavelengths from which power is harvested, detection of retro-reflection may also serve as confirmation that activating wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation <NUM> have impinged the interactive object <NUM>.

For example, the detector <NUM> may be configured to detect wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation retro-reflected by the retroreflective markers <NUM> while filtering wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation not retro-reflected by the markers <NUM>, including those wavelengths of interest. To produce signals from the received electromagnetic radiation, as an example, the detector <NUM> may be a camera having a plurality of electromagnetic radiation capturing features (e.g., charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and/or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors corresponding to pixels). In one example embodiment, the detector <NUM> may be an amp® high dynamic range (HDR) camera system available from Contrast Optical Design and Engineering, Inc. of Albuquerque, NM.

The control unit <NUM> that drives the emitter <NUM> and that receives and processes data from the detector <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> and one or more memory <NUM>, which may generally referred to herein as "processing circuitry. " By way of specific but non-limiting example, the one or more processors <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. Additionally, the one or more 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, or solid-state drives. In some embodiments, the control unit <NUM> may form at least a portion of a control system configured to coordinate operations of various amusement park features, such as an amusement park attraction and control system. It should be understood that the subsystems of the system <NUM> may also include similar features. In one example, the special effect system <NUM> may include processing capability via a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. Further, the object controller <NUM>, when present, may also include integral processing and memory components.

It should be noted that the arrangement of the one or more emitters <NUM>, one or more detectors <NUM>, the control unit <NUM>, and other features may vary based on application-specific considerations and the manner in which the control unit <NUM> operates in conjunction with the ion. In the embodiment of the system <NUM>, the emitter <NUM> and the sensor or detector <NUM> are integral features such that a plane of operation associated with the detector <NUM> is essentially overlapping with a plane of operation associated with the emitter <NUM>. That is, the detector <NUM> is located in substantially the same position as the emitter <NUM>, which may be desirable due to the retro-reflectivity of the markers <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to this configuration. For instance, as noted above, retro-reflection may be associated with a cone of reflection, where the highest intensity is in the middle of the reflected cone. Accordingly, the detector <NUM> may be positioned within an area where the reflected cone of the retro-reflective markers is less intense than its center, but may still be detected by the detector <NUM>. By way of non-limiting example, in some embodiments, the emitter <NUM> and the detector <NUM> may be concentric or co-located. However, the detector <NUM> (e.g., an infrared camera) may be positioned in a different location with respect to the emitter <NUM>, which may include an infrared light bulb, one or more diode emitters, a laser, or similar source.

As provided herein, the interactive object <NUM> permits the electromagnetic radiation <NUM> to transmit through a portion of the housing <NUM> from the exterior surface <NUM> and impinge appropriate circuitry of the power harvesting device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the interactive object <NUM> includes a reflector assembly <NUM> arranged on or in the housing <NUM>, e.g., to form part of the exterior surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, at least a portion (e.g., a first portion) of the reflector assembly <NUM> is formed from a material <NUM> (e.g., a transmissive material) that is at least transparent to electromagnetic radiation in wavelength ranges for power harvesting. In this manner, the electromagnetic radiation <NUM> used to harvest power is able to penetrate through the material <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (or a reflector assembly <NUM> coupled to the housing <NUM>) to reach the appropriate the power harvesting device <NUM>. In a specific example, the power harvesting is infrared power harvesting (e.g., for near infrared light a range of <NUM>-<NUM>), and the material <NUM> is transparent or mostly transparent to infrared light (e.g., permits at least <NUM>% of infrared light to pass through). In other embodiments, the power harvesting circuitry may be disposed on or in the exterior surface <NUM> such that the electromagnetic radiation directly contacts the power harvesting device <NUM>. The material <NUM> may be a glass or clear plastic that is transparent to visible and near infrared, such as poly(methyl methacrylate). In this manner, the material <NUM> may permit viewing of internal illuminated components of the special effect system <NUM>. The material <NUM> may be opaque to visible light, such as a semiconductive material (e.g., silicon, germanium).

A portion (e.g., a second portion) of the reflector assembly <NUM> may include the retroreflective marker <NUM>. In an embodiment, the emitter <NUM> is configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation beam <NUM> at a frequency that has a correspondence to a material of the retroreflective marker <NUM> (e.g., is able to be reflected by the retro-reflective elements of the marker <NUM>). In an embodiment, the retroreflective marker <NUM> reflects a wavelength that is also transmitted by the transmissive material <NUM>. In this manner, a single wavelength (or wavelength range) may be used for both power transmission and detection of the interactive object <NUM>. In an embodiment, the wavelength (or wavelength range) used for both power transmission is different than the retro-reflected wavelength or wavelengths.

For instance, the retroreflective marker <NUM> may include a coating of retro-reflective material disposed on or in the exterior surface <NUM> or a solid piece of material coupled with the housing <NUM> of the object <NUM>. By way of more specific but non-limiting example, the retroreflective material may include spherical and/or prismatic reflective elements that are incorporated into a reflective material to enable retro-reflection to occur. Again, in certain embodiments many such retroreflective markers <NUM> may be present, and may be arranged in a particular pattern stored in the memory <NUM> to enable further processing, analysis, and control routines to be performed by the control unit <NUM> (e.g., control system).

The retroreflective marker <NUM> may reflect a majority of the electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared, ultraviolet, visible wavelengths, or radio waves and so forth) incident from the electromagnetic radiation beam <NUM> back toward the detector <NUM> within a relatively well-defined cone having a central axis with substantially the same angle as the angle of incidence. This reflection facilitates identification of a location of the retroreflective marker <NUM> by the system <NUM> and correlation thereof to various information stored in the memory <NUM> (e.g., patterns, possible locations). This location information (obtained based on the reflected electromagnetic radiation) may then be utilized by the control unit <NUM> to perform various analysis routines and/or control routines, for example to determine whether to cause triggering or other control of an external special effect system <NUM>. Accordingly, the system <NUM> may coordinate special effects activated through harvested power with external special effects mediated by the external special effect system <NUM>. In this manner, feedback at the interactive object <NUM> may enhance effects within the immersive environment.

<FIG> show examples of arrangements of the reflector assembly <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic top view of an example of the reflector assembly <NUM> in which the retroreflective marker <NUM> forms a toroid about the transmissive material <NUM>. The material <NUM> at the center portion of the torus can be composed of either a transparent material, an infrared transmissive material of the same wavelength (or frequency) as the retroreflective marker <NUM> (~<NUM>-<NUM>) or transmissive of select other wavelengths (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). Additionally, visible light emission can be achieved by implementation of the transmissive material <NUM> as a transparent or translucent material layer. The transmissive material <NUM> and the retroreflective marker <NUM> may be coplanar or arranged as adjacent layers (e.g., with the transmissive material <NUM> adjacent to and beneath or atop the retroreflective marker <NUM>). Further, the transmissive material <NUM> and the retroreflective marker <NUM> may be arranged such that their respective cross-sectional areas in the reflector assembly <NUM> are equal or unequal. In one embodiment, the transmissive material <NUM> and the retroreflective marker <NUM> form adjacent halves of the reflector assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of a reflector assembly <NUM> in which a single material <NUM> is both retroreflective and transmissive/ transparent at different wavelengths such that the reflector assembly can be transmissive of desired frequencies while reflective of others. The reflector assembly <NUM> may utilize a frequency specific anti reflective (AR) coating or material to enable transmissivity (shown as electromagnetic radiation beam 28a) at select wavelengths (e.g. <NUM>) while enabling reflection (shown as electromagnetic radiation beams 28b, 28c) at other desired wavelengths (e.g. <NUM>). The arrangements in <FIG> are shown by way of example, and it should be understood that the reflector assembly <NUM> can be implemented as a layer or coating and in any shape that maintains the desired level of reflectivity and according to the particular shape and geometry of the interactive object <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a process flow diagram of a method <NUM> for powering the interactive object <NUM>. The method <NUM> may include steps that are stored as instructions in the memory <NUM> and that are executable by one or more processors <NUM> of the control unit <NUM>. It should be noted that in some embodiments, steps of the method <NUM> may be performed in different orders than those shown, or omitted altogether. In addition, some of the blocks illustrated may be performed in combination with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, the method <NUM> includes a step of emitting electromagnetic radiation into an area using one or more emitters (block <NUM>). A portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is harvested by an interactive object in the area and used to activate an integral feedback of the interactive object, such as a special effect (block <NUM>). In addition, a portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is also reflected by a retroreflective material of the interactive object (block <NUM>). The location of the interactive object and/or any movement patterns of the interactive object may be detected based on a position of the reflected electromagnetic radiation received by the detector of the system (block <NUM>). For example, in an embodiment, the controller may monitor a movement pattern of the retroreflective marker, and identify a pattern associated with a particular downstream action. Further, certain characteristics of the retroreflective marker (e.g., a number or position on the interactive object) may be used by the controller to identify the holder or type of the interactive object, and the downstream action may be selected or activated based on factors including identification information as well as the location and/or movement pattern.

For example, the downstream action may be activation of an external special effect based on the detected location and/or movement pattern of the interactive object (block <NUM>). In one example, the interactive object is a sword, and pulling the sword from a wall activates an illumination effect in the sword in concert with associated effects in the wall, such as a pulling noise and changing in shape or color of the wall. While the wall may be a fixed component of the immersive environment capable of supporting more complex effects, the illumination effect in the sword is retained even when separated from the wall, adding to the illusion. The system <NUM> may operate to selectively activate integral special effects or feedback of an interactive object in conjunction with external special effects.

In another example, illustrated in <FIG>, the interactive object <NUM> may include user-specific interactive effects. The interactive object <NUM>, illustrated here as a sword <NUM>, is shown with a reflector assembly <NUM> positioned at a sword tip <NUM> and implemented as a point. The reflector assembly <NUM> permits electromagnetic radiation to penetrate through the sword tip <NUM> so that power can be harvested by the power harvesting device <NUM>. In embodiments, the exterior surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> that is not part of the reflector assembly <NUM> (e.g., a grip portion) is opaque to the electromagnetic radiation that passively powers the interactive object <NUM>. In this manner, the sword <NUM> has an orientation, such that the sword <NUM> is passively powered when oriented in a particular manner towards the source of electromagnetic radiation. In other embodiments, the reflector assembly <NUM> may form a greater portion (or all) of the exterior surface <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the interactive object <NUM> may be powered when oriented at a variety of angles relative to the emitter.

The sword <NUM> includes the special effect system <NUM> that controls on board special effects, illustrated here as multiple light sources <NUM>, <NUM>. The first light source <NUM> may be an LED light source of a first color, and the second light source may be an LED light source of a second color. The object controller <NUM>, in an embodiment, operates to receive control signals to control operation of the special effect system <NUM> to selectively active the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> in a particular pattern or order. In one example, the sword <NUM> includes an array <NUM> of individual pressure or grip sensors <NUM> that provide pressure information (via internal communication leads <NUM>) to the object controller <NUM>. The array may be a capacitive or force sensitive resistor array of at least <NUM> or at least <NUM> individual sensors.

The object controller <NUM>, under passive power, can use the signals from the array <NUM> to calibrate based on sensor data indicative of a characteristic grip biometric for a particular user. The calibration process may activate a feedback via the special effect system <NUM> (e.g., activation of the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> in a pattern associated with matching the sword <NUM> to a particular user, activating a speaker <NUM>, activating a haptic feedback element <NUM>). Further, the calibration information can be stored by the object controller <NUM>. In environments in which the sword <NUM> receives no passive power, the sword <NUM> may be inert to the matched user or a nonmatched user. However, in the immersive environment, the sword <NUM> may receive sufficient passive power to recognize its matched user and provide a matched user special effect (e.g., green lights, clear tone) that is different than a special effect (e.g., red lights, uncomfortable sound) for a nonmatched user whose grip biometric is different than that of the matcher user. In this manner, the user may experience that his or her own particular object <NUM> is matched to them. Upon each use when receiving passive power, the object <NUM> may generate the special effects associated with the matched user when the matched user is holding the object. It should be understood that other biometric identifiers may be used. In an embodiment, the system <NUM> may receive facial recognition data (e.g., from the sensor <NUM> operating as a camera). Upon matching the facial recognition data to object recognition data (e.g., from a reflector assembly configuration or unique reflected wavelength band of the object <NUM>), the control unit <NUM> may activate the emitter <NUM> to emit the electromagnetic radiation that powers the interactive object <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a process flow diagram of a method <NUM> for powering an interactive object with multiple available special effects. As discussed above, these effects may be selectively activated based on sensors integrated onto the interactive object. Additionally or alternatively, the special effects may be activated based on the location or movement pattern of the interactive object.

The method <NUM> includes a step of emitting electromagnetic radiation into an area using one or more emitters (block <NUM>). A portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is reflected by a retroreflective material of the interactive object and detected (block <NUM>). The location of the interactive object and/or any movement patterns of the interactive object may be determined based on the detected portion of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector of the system (block <NUM>). For example, in an embodiment, the controller may identify a first movement pattern of the retroreflective marker, and in turn drive the emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength (block <NUM>). The interactive object includes a first power harvesting device that is powered by electromagnetic radiation of the first wavelength, and passive power received by the first power harvesting device in turn causes activation of a first special effect of the interactive object that is coupled to the first power harvesting device (block <NUM>). In another example, the controller may identify a second movement pattern of the retroreflective marker, and in turn drive the emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength (block <NUM>). The interactive object includes a second power harvesting device that is powered by electromagnetic radiation of the second wavelength, but not the first wavelength. Similarly, the first power harvesting device is not powered by electromagnetic radiation of the second wavelength. Passive power received by the second power harvesting device in turn causes activation of a second special effect of the interactive object that is coupled to the second power harvesting device (block <NUM>). Via selective activation or tuning of a wavelength of the emitter, the external controller can influence the activated special effects on the interactive object.

<FIG> illustrates a process flow diagram of a method <NUM> for powering an interactive object that is triggered by detection of a retroreflective material on the interactive object. The method <NUM> includes a step of emitting electromagnetic radiation into an area using a source, e.g., a first emitter (block <NUM>). A portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is reflected by a retroreflective material of the interactive object and detected (block <NUM>). The location of the retroreflective material of the interactive object and/or any movement patterns of the interactive object may be determined based on the detected portion of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector of the system (block <NUM>). The emitter (using the same emission source or a different emission source) can be focused based on the detected location of the material (block <NUM>). In an embodiment, the focusing may include estimating a location based on a known spatial relationship between the detected retroreflective material and the transmissive portion of the reflector assembly on the interactive object. The emitter emits the focused electromagnetic radiation (block <NUM>) from which power is harvested to activate a special effect (block <NUM>).

In one example, the focused emitter may be an emitter having one or more sources configured to emit a combination of discrete near infrared (NIR) frequencies (e.g., in a range of <NUM>-<NUM>) to achieve a plurality of functionality. The desired reflective frequency (eg. <NUM>) can be utilized to locate the position of the reflector. The reflection and tracking can be achieved through passive NIR emitters while the reflection can be followed through camera based computer vision. The position of the reflector tracked by computer vision is leveraged to actuate a NIR laser of the same or a discrete frequency from the reflective frequency. The NIR laser is additionally focused, e.g., aimed and steered to the position of the reflector or an adjusted position on the interactive object, through the use of techniques such as scanning micro mirrors or nonmechanical beam steering methods such as steerable electro-evanescent optical refractor (SEEOR). Whether a discreet NIR frequency versus the reflectance frequency is utilized ultimately is dependent on the use scenario and intended functionality of the application. Both approaches can offer similar functionality with the discrete approach adding potential additional methods of inter-device communication (eg. data, identification, response triggers). Another additional advantage of discrete frequencies is the ability for enhanced safety in the invention. For instance, while NIR reflectivity might be desired at the <NUM> range for compatibility with existing systems, a laser emitter intended to provide device power at those frequencies might not be indicated. In that instance, using a NIR laser at a discrete frequency of at least <NUM> for instance, would enable power transmission at the intended intensity as the frequency reflects off of the eye. The use of an NIR laser permits higher passive power transmission that has enhanced ability to focus, leading to selective power transmission to one or only some interactive objects within an area while not powering others in the same area.

Claim 1:
An interactive object (<NUM>) for use in an interactive environment, the interactive object comprising:
a power harvesting device (<NUM>), wherein the power harvesting device (<NUM>) harvests power from electromagnetic radiation;
a housing (<NUM>) within which the power harvesting device (<NUM>) is disposed, the housing (<NUM>) comprising: a reflector assembly (<NUM>) that transmits the electromagnetic radiation through a first portion of the reflector assembly (<NUM>) to the power harvesting device (<NUM>) and that reflects the electromagnetic radiation to an external detector (<NUM>) from a second portion of the reflector assembly (<NUM>), wherein the first portion comprises a transmissive material and wherein the second portion comprises a retroreflective material; and
a special effect system (<NUM>) that is powered by the harvested power from the power harvesting device (<NUM>).