Patent ID: 12212054

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Recently there has been a growing interest in interactive amusement park experiences. Indeed, aside from rides and games of an amusement park, the amusement park itself may include elements through which patrons may interact to enable various features of the amusement park. For example, a patron may interact with an interface, or theme element, to enable one or more special effects, establish a virtual position within a queue, access personal storage, and so forth. Further, in some instances, the interface may be formed in accordance with a theme of the amusement park, such as through utilization of certain theme-conducive materials. As a specific example, theme-conducive materials may resemble stone or metal. In some instances, the interface may be interactive through radio frequency and colored light. However, while materials such as stone or metal may be inherent to the theme of the amusement park, these materials may block radio frequencies and transmission of light, thereby limiting patron interaction with the interface. In particular, in one example, the appearance of a medallion or other type of metal object may be in keeping with a desired theme. However, because metal blocks RF transmissions, such objects may not be suitable for facilitating RF interaction.

As seen in the figures below, the disclosed embodiments generally relate to an interface for radio frequency (RF) enabled interaction. More specifically, the interface may utilize radio frequency identification (RFID), radio frequency proximity (RFProx), or the like, to enable communication with a portable device. The portable device may be worn by a patron to enable interaction between the patron and the interface. To this end, the interface may be formed to resemble a stone or a metal structure in accordance with a theme of an amusement park while still enabling RF communication. Indeed, the use of stone or metal in the interface may otherwise inhibit communication through RF transmission.

Further, the interface may utilize colored light to communicate feedback to the patron based on the patron's interaction with the interface. Accordingly, the interface may appear to be an opaque material in keeping with the desired thematic appearance while providing translucent sections through which light may be displayed. For example, in some instances, such as before interaction with the portable device, the interface may appear as an opaque solid material such as stone or metal. Further, in some instances, such as after an interaction with the portable device, light may be displayed on or through one or more portions of a surface of the interface. In other words, the interface may utilize a dead front type display. Accordingly, the interface may be formed through various layers of materials which provide for RF and light transmission while appearing in accordance with a theme of the amusement park.

Keeping this in mind,FIG.1is a view of an embodiment of an amusement park100, which may utilize interfaces10through which patrons102(e.g., users) may interact to enable various effects throughout the amusement park100. Upon initial observation of the interface10, the interface10may appear to patrons as an object that is not capable of a technological function, such as to enable a special effect. That is, the interface10may be configured to appear as an inert or low technology item, such as a rock, bronze age artifact, or archeological remnant. Indeed, as discussed herein, the façade of the interface10may be particularly designed to mask the technological capabilities of the interface10in order to surprise the patron102upon interaction with the interface10. For example, upon interaction with the interface10, the interface10may glow, or emit/transmit light, despite the interface10initially appearing to be substantially opaque, and may cause one or more effects within the amusement park100to occur.

In some embodiments, the patrons102may utilize a portable device104(e.g., a personal device) to interact with the interface10. The portable device104may be included in a wrist band that the patron102my wear throughout the amusement park100. Further, in certain embodiments, the portable device104may be a personal electronic device, such as a smart phone, that is programmed to interact with the interface10. Generally, the patron102may place the portable device104proximate to the interface10to enable communication, via radio frequency (RF), between the portable device104and internal components of the interface10. In other words, the interface10may be configured to transmit RF signals between the portable device104and the internal components of the interface10. As discussed in further detail below with reference toFIG.2, the internal components of the interface10may include at least a controller, communication circuitry, and a light source. The RF communication between the portable device104and the interface10may cause a variety of effects to occur depending on an intended or pre-programmed purpose of the internal components of the interface10. Indeed, it should be understood that, as used herein, interaction between the interface10and the portable device104may specifically refer to interaction between the internal components of the interface10and the portable device104via transmission of RF signals through the interface10. For example, the portable device104may communicate with the interface10to purchase goods or services from a store106, establish a position in a virtual queue for an attraction107, take a picture with a photo booth108, enable a special effect110, access personal storage112, or any other suitable effect.

As mentioned above, the patrons102may utilize the interface10to purchase goods and/or services from the store106. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the portable device104may be linked to a bank account or credit card associated with the patron102. Similarly, the interface10(e.g., the internal components of the interface10) may be communicatively coupled to a register, or other payment device. In this way, the patron102may select goods and/or services from the store106for purchase, and utilize the portable device104to interact with the interface10to pay for the goods and/or services. Particularly, to pay for the goods or service, the patron102may place the portable device104adjacent to, or in contact with, the interface10. In doing so, one more RF signals may be transmitted through the interface10between the portable device104and the internal components of the interface10to complete the transaction.

Further, in some embodiments, the patron102may utilize the interface10to take a photograph with the photo booth108, or other photography device. To illustrate, the patron102may place the portable device104adjacent to the interface10, which may be coupled to the photo booth108. That is, it may be mounted to an external surface of the photo booth108. One or more internal components of the interface10may communicate with the portable device104via transmission of RF signals through the interface10when the portable device104is placed adjacent to the interface10. The internal components of the interface10may be communicatively coupled to a display114and a camera116of the photo booth108. In this way, when the portable device104communicates with the internal components of the interface10, the internal components may cause the display114to communicate feedback (e.g., via displayed images) to the patron102. The feedback of the display114may notify the patron102that the camera116is preparing to take a photograph and/or video of the patron102. The display114may also communicate a preview of the impending photograph, or other options related to the photograph.

The interface10may also be utilized by the patron102to establish a position in a virtual queue for an attraction107of the amusement park100. To illustrate, the patron102may place the portable device104adjacent to the interface10, which may be coupled to a kiosk120, or other structure, associated with the attraction107. As discussed above, when the portable device104is placed adjacent to the interface10, one or more internal components of the interface10may communicate with the portable device104via transmission of RF signals through the interface10. The internal components of the interface10may be coupled to the display114of the kiosk120. Accordingly, the display114may communicate feedback to the patron102to confirm that the internal components of the interface10have successfully communicated with the portable device104to establish a position of the patron102within the virtual queue. For example, the feedback communicated via the display114may indicate a time in which the patron102will have access to the attraction107, or when the position of the patron102has reached a front of the virtual queue.

Further, in some embodiments, the interface10may be utilized by the patron102to utilize a special effect110of the amusement park100. To illustrate, the patron102may place the portable device104adjacent to the interface10, which may be coupled to a kiosk120, or other structure, associated with the special effect110. As discussed above, when the portable device104is placed adjacent to the interface10, one or more internal components of the interface10may communicate with the portable device104via transmission of RF signals through the interface10. Indeed, the internal components of the interface10may be communicatively coupled to components of the special effect110. In this way, once the internal components of the interface10communicate with the portable device104, the internal components of the interface10may cause the special effect110to initiate. For example, initiation of the special effect110may include initiation of a water effect (e.g., water spray/squirt/projection), a sound effect, a movement (e.g., vibration) effect, or any other suitable type of special effect. To this end, the interface10may be water proof, or water resistant, in that the interface10prevents water from reaching the internal components of the interface10.

In another example, the interface10may be utilized by the patron102to access personal storage112, such as lockers. Specifically, the patron102may place the portable device104adjacent to the interface10, which may be coupled to a kiosk120, or other structure, associated with the personal storage112. The internal components of the interface10may be coupled to the display114of the kiosk120. Accordingly, the display114may communicate feedback to the patron102to confirm that the internal components of the interface10have successfully communicated with the portable device104. For example, the display114may display images to indicate that a personal storage container122associated with the portable device104is unlocked, and the location of the personal storage container122.

Generally it should be understood that communication between the interface10and the portable device104may be utilized to for a variety of purposes. As a further example, in some embodiments, interaction between the interface10and the portable device104may be utilized to track locations of patrons102throughout the amusement park100. Further in some embodiments, interaction between the portable device104and the interface10may be utilized to access public transportation or personal lodging.

Keeping this in mind,FIG.2is a perspective view of an interface10which may provide for the transmission of radio frequency (RF) and light. The interface10may include a base12, and one or more raised portions14, or theme portions, which may be in the shape of a design or emblem in accordance with a theme of the amusement park100. In certain embodiments, the interface10may be coupled to a theme element16. The theme element16, as shown inFIG.2, is merely intended to be an example of one embodiment of a theme element. Indeed, the theme element16may be any suitable types of structure, which may be located in a variety of locations throughout the amusement park having a variety of purposes, as discussed above inFIG.1. That is, in certain embodiments, the theme element16may be the store106, the photo booth108, the kiosk120, a totem, a table, or any other suitable surface/object capable of the functions of the theme element16as discussed herein. The theme element16may house the internal components of the interface10, as referenced inFIG.1. Particularly, the internal components may include communication circuitry17, one or more lighting systems19(e.g., LEDs), a controller21, a speaker/sound system, and so forth.

The controller21may employ a processor, which may represent one or more processors, such as an application-specific processor. The controller21may also include a memory device for storing instructions executable by the processor to perform the methods and control actions described herein for the amusement park100. The processor may include one or more processing devices, and the memory may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by the processor or by any general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.

The communication circuitry17enables intercommunication between the portable device104, the controller21, and elements associated with the theme element16, such as the camera116, the display114, the special effect110, and so forth. Particularly, the communication circuitry17enables the communication via transmission of RF signals through the interface10. Indeed, in some embodiments, the communication circuitry17may utilize radio-frequency identification [RFID] to enable the communication through the interface10. To this end, in certain embodiments, the communication circuitry17may include an RFID antenna, which may extend substantially throughout, or along a surface, of the interface10. The RFID antenna is configured to communicate with the portable device104via RF. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry17may communicate through a wireless network, such as wireless local area networks [WLAN], wireless wide area networks [WWAN], near field communication [NFC], Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry17may communicate through a wired network such as local area networks [LAN], or wide area networks [WAN].

The raised portion14may be translucent, or semi-transparent, and configured to transmit light while the base12may be substantially opaque and configured to block light. Moreover, as discussed in further detail below, the interface10as a whole, may be configured to transmit RF. Indeed, the radio frequency communication circuitry17may be configured to transmit RF through the interface10to communicate with the portable device104, which is also configured to communicate through RF. Further, the lighting system19may be configured to transmit light through one or more portions of the interface, according to interaction with the interface10. That is, upon communication between the portable device104and the interface10, the lighting system19may emit light, which may observed within the raised portion14.

To this end,FIGS.3and4, which may now be discussed in parallel, illustrate embodiments of a process20to manufacture the interface10such that the interface10is configured to transmit RF and light as described herein. To form the interface10, a faceplate24of the interface10may be formed via casting clear urethane resin in a silicone mold (block22). Particularly, it should be noted that the faceplate24ofFIG.3is the casting that is formed as described in block22ofFIG.4. The faceplate24may include the base12and the one or more raised portions14that protrude from or are raised relative to a surface15of the base. The raised portions14include a top raised surface13. In some embodiments, the clear urethane resin may be CRYSTAL CLEAR® Urethane Resin manufactured by Smooth-On of Macungie, PA. In certain embodiments, the faceplate24may be formed via casting of any suitable clear material. The faceplate24is then post cured at approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately six hours. However, in certain embodiments, the faceplate24may be cured at any other suitable temperature for any suitable amount of time. An embodiment of the resulting faceplate24is shown as a first phase26of the process20(FIG.2).

Further, it should be noted that, as discussed herein, the interface10may refer to the faceplate24and features added to the faceplate24, such as layers of paint and other deposits. Indeed, the interface10, as referenced herein, may refer to each of the individual phases of the process20as depicted inFIG.3, and the various features (e.g., the faceplate24and the layers) associated with each of the phases. That is, embodiments referenced by the term, “interface10”, may change throughout the description of the process20. It should also be noted that while a specific series of steps for depositing layers is disclosed with respect to the illustrated embodiment, other embodiments may utilize templates or a rearrangement of steps to achieve the same results. Further, while the disclosed techniques are described in the context of a faceplate including one or more raised portions14, it should be understood that the faceplate24may additionally or alternatively include recessed portions or may be irregularly shaped. In one embodiment, the disclosed layers may be applied to some portions of the surface15in a similar manner as discussed with regard to the raised portions14. That is, the partial removal may be implemented on flat or planar portions of the surface15.

An adhesion promoter (e.g., a primer) is then applied to the interface10once the faceplate24is cleaned and dried (block28). Next, a blended mixture of metallic powder (e.g., metallic flakes) and a clear, or substantially clear (e.g., translucent), material, such as an aliphatic compound, is applied to the interface10on the adhesion promoter as a first layer36(block30). As used herein, translucent may be defined as clear, substantially clear, able to transmit at least some light (e.g., 80% or greater), or a combination thereof. Thus, the first layer36includes the adhesion promoter and the blended mixture. However, in some embodiments, no adhesion promoter may be used such that the first layer36includes the blended mixture but not the adhesion promoter. In some embodiments, the aliphatic compound may be Industrial Coatings Acrylic/Aliphatic Polyurethane Clear Satin Enamel manufactured by Richard's Paint Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Rockledge, FL. In certain embodiments, any suitable substance that is substantially clear, durable, chemically resistant, and easily applicable to the material of the faceplate24, may be used in place of the aliphatic compound. In certain embodiments, the mixture of metallic powder and aliphatic compound may be sprayed with two passes, or applied through any other suitable means, and allowed to tack up (e.g., at least partially dry). Further, the metallic powder may be a combination of different colored metallic powders. For example, the metallic powder may be formed in a two to one ratio of an antique-bronze-color metallic powder and a rich-pale-gold-color metallic powder, respectively. However, in some embodiments, the metallic powder may be formed with any suitable colors of metallic powder in any suitable ratio, which may depend on a theme of the amusement park100.

Once the mixture of metallic powder and aliphatic compound (e.g., “the mixture”) has been applied to the faceplate24, the mixture may be removed from certain portions of the faceplate24, such as the raised portions14(block32). In certain embodiments, the mixture may be wiped away from the raised portions14using a rag. Further, in certain embodiments, the mixture may be removed from the raised portions14utilizing a clearing agent, or solvent, such as xylene. An embodiment of the interface10, once the mixture has been removed from the raised portions14, is shown as a second phase34of the process20(FIG.3).

Once the mixture has been removed from the raised portions14(and/or some other portion of the faceplate24), the mixture (e.g., the same mixture) may once again be applied to the interface10(block38) as a second layer46. Particularly, the mixture may be applied (e.g., with a certain amount of thickness) such that the interface10appears substantially opaque from a front40, and once light (e.g., from the lighting system19) is applied from a rear42, only the raised portions14, (or other portions from which the mixture was removed) may substantially display the light. While some limited amount of light may pass through other areas intended to be substantially opaque (e.g., the base12), the amount of light passing through the other areas may be negligible (e.g., less than 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of light may pass through) such that the other areas appear opaque relative to the amount of light passing through the raised portions14, or other portions intended to be illuminated. An embodiment of the interface10once the mixture has been applied to the interface10is shown as a third phase44of the process20(FIG.2). Particularly, in certain embodiments, the second layer46may be substantially thinner than the first layer36such that the first layer36may be substantially opaque on its own while the second layer46is at least partially translucent and configured to transmit light. Once the second layer46of the mixture is applied to the interface10, the interface10is given time to cure, or dry and harden. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the second layer46is only applied to the portions of the interface10intended to be illuminated, such as the raised portions14. In yet another embodiment, the layer referred to as the second layer46may be initially disposed on the interface10and the layer referred to as the first layer36may be subsequently disposed on the second layer46. The so-called first layer36may then be removed from portions (e.g., the raised portions14) intended to allow substantial light transmission or a template (or the like) may be used to avoid depositing the so-called first layer36on the portions intended to allow substantial light transmission.

Once the interface10is cured, paint that has been thinned with mineral spirits is applied (e.g., brushed on) as a third layer48to the interface10(block50). In certain embodiments, the paint of the third layer48may be a mixture of Raw Umber and Lamp Black colored paints manufactured by the T.J. Ronan Paint Corporation of Bronx, NY. In such embodiments, the Raw Umber and Lamp Black may be mixed together in approximately a three to two ratio, respectively. Once the third layer48of paint thinned with mineral spirits is applied to the interface10, a majority of the third layer48may be removed (e.g., wiped away) from the interface10utilizing a paint thinner, such as mineral spirits (block52), such that the remaining portions of the third layer48may be disposed substantially only within recesses (e.g., depressions), or imperfections, on a surface of the interface10. Indeed, while the surface of the interface10is depicted as substantially smooth, it should be noted that the interface10may include recesses such as corners, dimples, or other texturized formations including natural texturing of the underlying material. An embodiment of the interface10after the majority of the third layer48has been wiped away is shown as a fourth phase53of the process20(FIG.2). Although not explicitly shown, it should be noted that the third layer48may be disposed within recesses of the base12and the one or more raised portions14. Further, it should be noted that in some embodiments, the recesses of the interface10in which the third layer48is disposed may be formed a result of the application or curing of the second layer46.

Once the third layer48has been generally removed from most portions of the interface10, as described above, the third layer48may cure, or dry and harden. Specifically, the third layer48may provide an aged appearance or simulated patina to the interface10.

Once the third layer48has cured, a mixture of metallic powder and aliphatic compound may be applied as a fourth layer54to the raised portions14of the interface10, or other portions of the interface10that are intended to be at least partially translucent (block60). In certain embodiments, the metallic powder of the fourth layer54may utilize a two to one ratio of rich pale gold and antique bronze colored metallic powders, respectively. The fourth layer54may be applied via lightly brushing over the raised portions14, or other suitable portions, such that the fourth layer54is at least partially translucent. Once the fourth layer54is applied, the interface10may be cured, or allowed to dry and harden. An embodiment of the interface10after the fourth layer54has been applied to the raised portions14is shown as a fifth phase62of the process20(FIG.3).

Once the process20is complete, the interface10may be coupled to the theme element16(FIG.2) to be utilized within the amusement park100. As discussed herein, the interface10may be configured to transmit RF and light from the theme element16while resembling an opaque (e.g., metallic) structure when viewed from the front40. For example, the first layer36, the second layer46, and the fourth layer54may include a mixture of metallic powder (e.g., flakes) suspended within a substantially clear solid material, such as an aliphatic compound. Accordingly, the metallic powder suspended within the solid material may contribute to a metallic and opaque appearance of the interface10. However, while the metallic powder may appear to be a solid and opaque piece of metal, there will be gaps between the particles of the metallic powder. In this manner, the RF may travel through the interface10between the gaps of the particles, thereby providing for transmission of RF (or other communication mediums of the communication circuitry17, as discussed above) through the interface10. Moreover, visible light may also travel through gaps between particles of the metallic powder of the second and fourth layers46,54. In this manner, the raised portions14may be illuminated on the front40of the interface10when light is applied from the rear42of the interface10. Additionally or in the alternative to the interface10including the one or more raised portions14that are configured to be illuminated, the interface10may include one or more flat portions, or theme portions, that are substantially flat, or flush with the base12, and configured to be illuminated. That is, in such embodiments, the one or more flat portions may include the second layer46and the fourth layer54such that the one or more flat portions may appear opaque, yet are configured to be illuminated through the transmission of visible light. The second layer46and the fourth layer54may be applied to the one or more flat portions through any suitable means such as stenciling, precise application (e.g., utilizing a paintbrush), and so forth. Indeed, layers may be applied to the one or more flat portions in a manner that is similar to the application of layers to the one or more raised portions14, as described herein.

Further, it should be noted that the phases (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, and fifth phases26,34,44,53,62) ofFIG.3are intentionally simplified to focus on the layers (e.g., the first, second, third, and fourth layers36,46,48,54) disposed on the interface10. Indeed, the thicknesses of each of the layers may not be drawn to scale and may vary from layer to layer. Further, it should be understood that, while the first, second, and third layers36,46,48are currently shown as being disposed substantially on horizontal surfaces of the interface10, the first, second, and third layers36,46,48may similarly be disposed on the vertical, irregularly-shaped, or non-horizontal, surfaces of the raised portions14of the interface10.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a thematic interface that is configured to communicate with a portable device through radio frequencies (RF) and is configured to display lighting effects based on the communication with the portable device. Particularly, the thematic interface may appear to be an opaque material formed from metal or stone in accordance with a theme of an amusement park. That is, the thematic interface may be configured to create a permissible light effect, or dead fronting effect (e.g., the display/transmission of visible light) which may serve to surprise a patron of the amusement park when the thematic interface displays lighting effects despite initially appearing to be incapable of displaying light due at least to the opaque appearance of the thematic interface. To this end, the thematic interface may utilize metallic powder suspended in a solid medium to give the effect of opaqueness while allowing RF signals and light to pass through. Particularly, the RF signals may pass through the gaps between particles of the metallic powder.

While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).