Location sensitive display device, system, and method of providing animation sequences

• US 20040263494A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company), The Walt Disney Company
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Dietz, Paul H., Holzberg, Roger S., Poor, Kyle W., Swirsky, Robert, Stein, Lawrence P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,564,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/204
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/00 Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A location sensitive display device, and method therefor utilized in an entertainment environment. The display device includes a receiver, control circuit, and indication units. Infrared (IR) transmitters are positioned within the entertainment environment and emit a code which is detected and decoded by the receiver or IR photodiode. The receiver generates a control signal in response to the transmitted IR signal, and a control circuit processes the control signal to generate output signals which illuminate Light Emitting Diode (LED) indication units in a sequence determined by the output signals to provide a predetermined visual display. The display can be used in an activity related to the entertainment environment and can be controlled by a user or a central control system. Further, the display device can include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen to provide various types of games including games of skill and trivia games with questions and answers.

Claims

1. A display device for use in an entertainment environment provided with at least one transmitter which emits a coded signal, the device comprising:

a display base provided with indication units which illuminate when activated;

a receiver-decoder unit which detects the coded signal emitted by the transmitter and decodes it to provide a control signal;

a microprocessor control circuit coupled to said receiver-decoder unit and said indication unit and having a stored program, said program directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal, said sequence of output signals activating and illuminating said indication units in a sequence determined by said output signals to provide a predetermined visual display.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein said display device comprises an object which is wearable by a person on his or her person or clothing as an item of adornment.

3. The display device of claim 2, wherein said item of adornment is worn by the person as a necklace.

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein said display base, receiver-decoder unit, and control circuit are integrated into said item of adornment.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein said receiver-decoder unit comprises an infrared photodetector.

6. The display device of claim 1, wherein said indication units of said display base include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein said predetermined visual display is selected from the group consisting of:

an illuminated LED;

an LED having a change in brightness;

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a sequence;

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a chase sequence;

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a pattern; and

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a blinking pattern.

8. The display device of claim 1, wherein said indication units are part of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein said predetermined visual display provided on the LCD screen comprises a display which is part of a game selected from the group consisting of:

a trivia game,a a word game, a maze game, a role playing game, and a strategy game.

10. The display device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined visual display is synchronized with an event in the entertainment environment.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the event comprises a parade.

12. The display device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined visual display is synchronized with a display in the entertainment environment.

13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the display in the entertainment environment comprises a fireworks show.

14. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a switch coupled to an input of said control circuit, said switch providing a user control to trigger the predetermined visual display.

15. The display device of claim 14, said switch comprising a capacitive proximity switch, wherein

said control circuit provides a voltage signal, the voltage signal reaches a threshold value dependent on a capacitance of said capacitive proximity switch, and

the time for the voltage level to reach the threshold value increases as an object moves closer to a test point of said capacitive proximity switch,

thereby activating said proximity switch and generating the presence signal.

16. The display device of claim 1, wherein said display device is designed as an object selected from the group consisting of:

a pin;

a button;

a toy;

a plush toy;

a hand held module; and

a prop related to the entertainment environment.

17. The display device of claim 1, wherein the entertainment environment is selected from the group consisting of:

a theme park;

a resort;

a cruise ship;

a hotel; and

an educational setting.

18. A system for use in an entertainment environment, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter of said plurality of transmitters configured to emit a coded signal;

a display base provided with indication units which illuminate when activated;

a receiver-decoder unit configured to selectively detect and decode the coded signals emitted from said plurality of transmitters and to provide a control signal in response thereto;

a microprocessor control circuit coupled to said receiver-decoder unit and said indication unit and having a stored program, said program directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal, said sequence of output signals activating and illuminating said indication units in a sequence determined by said output signals to provide a predetermined visual display.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said display base, receiver-decoder unit, and control circuit are included in an object which is wearable by a person on his or her person or clothing as an item of adornment.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said item of adornment is worn by the person as a necklace.

21. The system of claim 18, said display device is designed as an object selected from the group consisting of:

a pin;

a button;

a toy;

a plush toy; and

a prop related to the entertainment environment.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters comprises an infrared transmitter.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is selected from the group consisting of:

a low power radio frequency transmitter;

an inaudible audio signal transmitter;

an audible audio signal transmitter;

a Global Positioning System transmitter; and

a transmitter configured for communications through a low power wireless networking protocol.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted in an information display.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted at an entrance of the entertainment environment.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted at an exit of the entertainment environment.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted at an entrance of an attraction in the entertainment environment.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted at an exit of an attraction in the entertainment environment.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted at a ticket booth.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters is mounted at a turnstile.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters comprises a fixed transmitter.

32. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters comprises a mobile transmitter.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said mobile transmitter is attached to a parade float.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein said mobile transmitter is carried by a person associated with the entertainment environment.

35. The system of claim 18, wherein said receiver-decoder unit comprises an infrared photodetector.

36. The system of claim 18, wherein said indication units of said display base include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said predetermined visual display is selected from the group consisting of:

an illuminated LED;

an LED having a change in brightness;

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a sequence;

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a chase sequence;

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a pattern; and

a plurality of LEDs illuminated in a blinking pattern.

38. The system of claim 18, wherein said indication units are part of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said predetermined visual display provided on the LCD screen comprises a display which is part of a game selected from the group consisting of:

a trivia game, a a word game, a maze game, a role playing game, a strategy game, a treasure hunt game, and a team game.

40. The system of claim 38, further comprising a user input button located on the face of the display device, wherein input from the user through the input button affects the predetermined visual display.

41. The system of claim 18, further comprising a switch coupled to an input of said control circuit, wherein said switch provides a user control to trigger said predetermined visual display.

42. The system of claim 41, said switch comprising a capacitive proximity switch, wherein

said programmable control circuit provides a voltage signal,

the voltage signal reaches a threshold value dependent on a capacitance of said capacitive proximity switch, and

the time for the voltage level to reach the threshold value increases as an object moves closer to a test point of said capacitive proximity switch,

thereby activating said capacitive proximity switch which generates the presence signal.

43. The system of claim 18, wherein the entertainment environment is selected from the group consisting of:

a theme park;

a resort;

a cruise ship;

a hotel; and

an educational setting.

44. The system of claim 18, further comprising a central control system, said central control system configured to program one or more transmitters of said plurality of transmitters to synchronize said predetermined visual display of said indication units with a display or event in the entertainment environment.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said central control system programs said one or more transmitters using a serial signal sent over a serial data link to said transmitter.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein said one or more transmitters include a transmitter control circuit and a transmission circuit, wherein

said transmitter control circuit configured to convert the serial signal from said central control system into an infrared signal, the infrared signal being provided by said transmitter control circuit to said transmission circuit, and

said transmission circuit configured to transmit the coded infrared signal.

47. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is triggered based on a location of the display device within the entertainment environment.

48. The system of claim 18, wherein the said predetermined visual display is part of a mass audience effect.

49. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is synchronized with an event in the entertainment environment.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the event comprises a parade.

51. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is synchronized with a display in the entertainment environment.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the display comprises a fireworks show.

53. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on a user interacting with a prop associated with the entertainment environment.

54. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on a user interacting with a character of the entertainment environment.

55. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on a user visiting an information booth.

56. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on user control.

57. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on a purchase in a restaurant associated with the entertainment environment.

58. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on a photograph being taken in the entertainment environment.

59. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on a purchase of merchandise in the entertainment environment.

60. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined output is triggered based on an expenditure exceeding a predetermined amount.

61. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is immediately displayed.

62. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is displayed for a specified duration of time.

63. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is delayed for a specified duration of time.

64. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined visual display is repeated.

65. The system of claim 18, wherein the said predetermined visual display indicates a benefit to a guest of the entertainment environment selected from the group consisting of:

a reduced wait time for an attraction;

a reserved seat for an attraction;

selection as a participant in an attraction;

a merchandise discount; and

a food item discount.

66. An audio-visual device for use in an entertainment environment provided with at least one transmitter which emits a coded signal, the device comprising:

a speaker which provides sound when activated;

a display base provided with indication units which illuminate when activated;

a receiver-decoder unit which detects the coded signal emitted by the transmitter and decodes it to provide a control signal;

a microprocessor control circuit coupled to said receiver-decoder unit, said speaker, and said indication units, and having a stored program, said program directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal, said sequence of output signals activating said speaker and said indication units to generate a sequence of predetermined sounds and visual displays according to said output signals, wherein said speaker, display base, receiver-decoder unit, and programmable control circuit are integrated into an object which is wearable by a person on his or her person or clothing as an item of adornment.

67. An display device for use in a game related to an entertainment environment provided with at least one transmitter which emits a coded signal, the display device comprising:

a display base provided with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) indication unit which illuminates when activated;

a receiver-decoder unit which detects the coded signal emitted by the transmitter and decodes it to provide a control signal;

one or more user input buttons; and

microprocessor control circuit coupled to said receiver-decoder unit and said speaker and having one or more stored programs representing a game,

said program directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal, said sequence of output signals activating said LCD indication unit to generate a sequence of predetermined visual displays representing the game, the user playing the game through said one or more input buttons, wherein said LCD indication unit, receiver-decoder unit, and programmable control circuit are integrated into a hand held module.

68. The display device of claim 67, wherein the game is selected from the group consisting of:

a trivia game, a a word game, a maze game, a role playing game, a skill game, and a strategy game.

69. The display device of claim 67, further comprising a speaker coupled to said control circuit, wherein said program directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal activates said speaker to generate sounds related to the game, wherein said speaker is also integrated into said hand held module.

70. A game system for use in an entertainment environment, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter of said plurality of transmitters configured to emit a coded signal corresponding to a game;

a display base provided with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) indication unit which illuminates sequences in the game when activated;

a receiver-decoder unit which detects the coded signal emitted by the transmitter and decodes it to provide a control signal;

one or more user input buttons; and

a microprocessor control circuit coupled to said receiver-decoder unit and having one or more stored programs representing the one or more games.,

selected one of said one or more programs directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal, said sequence of output signals activating said LCD indication unit to generate a sequence of predetermined visual displays representing the game, wherein the user plays the game through said one or more input buttons, and wherein said LCD indication unit, receiver-decoder unit, and programmable control circuit are integrated into a hand held module.

71. The game system of claim 70, wherein the game is selected from the group consisting of:

a trivia game, a word game, a maze game, a role playing game, a skill game, and a strategy game.

72. The game system of claim 70, wherein a different game is triggered in different locations in the entertainment environment based on a unique coded signal being emitted from respective transmitters associated with the different locations.

73. The game system of claim 70, further comprising a speaker coupled to said control circuit, wherein said program directing said control circuit to generate a sequence of output signals selected by said control signal activates said speaker to generate sounds related to the game, wherein said speaker is also integrated into said hand held module.

74. A method of providing an experience within an entertainment environment provided with at least one transmitter which emits a coded signal through the use of a display device having one or more indication units which illuminate when activated, the method comprising:

programming a plurality of animation sequences into a microprocessor control circuit;

detecting the coded signal emitted by the at least one transmitter using a decoder-receiver unit;

generating a control signal with said decoder-receiver unit in response to the detected coded signal;

providing the control signal to said control circuit;

executing the control signal with said control circuit;

generating output signals selected by said control signal;

illuminating said indication units in a sequence determined by said output signals to provide a predetermined visual display.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein detecting the coded signal with said decoder-receiver unit further comprises detecting a coded infrared signal.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein detecting the coded signal with said decoder-receiver unit further comprises detecting the coded signal with an infrared photodiode.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises illuminating a Light Emitting Diode.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises illuminating a sequence of Light Emitting Diodes.

79. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises illuminating a pattern of Light Emitting Diodes.

80. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises changing the brightness of one or more Light Emitting Diodes.

81. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence determined by said output signals to provide a predetermined visual display further comprises illuminating a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen with trivia questions and answers.

82. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises immediately illuminating the indication units.

83. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises illuminating the indication units for a specified duration of time.

84. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises illuminating the indication units after a specified delay period.

85. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises repeatedly illuminating the indication units.

86. The method of claim 74, wherein illuminating said indication units in a sequence further comprises illuminating said indication units based on a location in the entertainment environment that has been visited by a guest.

87. The method of claim 74, further comprising incorporating illuminated indication units into a mass audience effect.

88. The method of claim 74, further comprising synchronizing the illuminated indication units with a parade.

89. The method of claim 74, further comprising synchronizing the illuminated indication units with a fireworks display.

90. The method of claim 74, further comprising providing an interaction between a guest and a prop related to the entertainment environment.

91. The method of claim 74, further comprising providing an interaction between a guest and a character of the entertainment environment.

92. The method of claim 74, further comprising providing an interaction between a guest and an information booth.

93. The method of claim 74, further comprising incorporating said predetermined visual display into a game related to the entertainment environment.

94. The method of claim 74, further comprising providing a merchandise discount based on the illuminated indication units.

95. The method of claim 74, further comprising providing reserved seating at an attraction of the entertainment environment based on the illuminated indication units.

96. The method of claim 74, further comprising reducing wait time for an attraction based on the illuminated indication units.

97. The method of claim 74, further comprising providing control to a user to decide when the predetermined visual display will be activated.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein providing control to the user further comprises providing control to the user through a capacitive proximity switch.

99. The method of claim 98, further comprising

coupling said capacitive proximity switch to said programmable control circuit;

and

generating a presence signal in response to an object approaching or contacting a predefined area, the presence signal indicating to said programmable control circuit that said predetermined visual display should be provided by said indication units.

100. The method of claim 74, further comprising coordinating the predetermined visual display resulting from the illumination of said indication units with a central control system.