LASER BEAM DETECTOR INCLUDING A LIGHT SOURCE FOR USE IN A LASER ATTRACTION

• US 20180126259A1
• Filed: 11/10/2016
• Published: 05/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z Image, LLC
• Original Assignee: Z-Image LLC
• Inventors: BONVALLET, John, ZIEMKOWSKI, Ted
• Granted Patent: US 10,539,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/00 Amusement arrangements hoop exercising apparatus driven by the user A63B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 33/00 Devices allowing competitions between several persons, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for operating a laser attraction. Aspects include instructing a plurality of laser transmitters to each emit a laser beam, each of the emitted laser beams being detected by a particular receiver device. In addition, a signal may be received that indicates that one of the laser beams has been broken. In an aspect, the signal may be received from a receiver device that is associated with the broken laser beam. Further, the receiver device may be instructed to illuminate a light source when the laser beam is broken, the light source being part of the receiver device.

Claims

1. A method for operating a laser attraction, the method comprising:

instructing a plurality of laser transmitters to each emit a laser beam, each of the emitted laser beams being detected by a particular receiver device;

receiving a signal that indicates that one of the laser beams has been broken, the signal being received from a receiver device that is associated with the broken laser beam; and

instructing the receiver device to illuminate a light source when the laser beam is broken, the light source being part of the receiver device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the instructing the receiver device to illuminate the light source comprises:

instructing the light source to emit flashes of light or a first particular color for a first duration.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the instructing the receiver device to illuminate the light source further comprises:

instructing the light source to emit a second particular color of light for a second duration, the second duration following the first duration.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a game mode associated with the laser maze attraction;

instructing a set of laser transmitters to not emit a laser beam;

instructing a set receiver devices to each emit a particular color, each receiver device in the set of receiver devices being associated with one of the laser transmitters in the set of laser transmitters that is instructed not to emit a laser beam.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a player score level associated with game play; and

instructing one or more of receiver device in the laser maze attraction to emit a color associated with the determined player score level.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a point value associated with the laser beam that has been broken.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the instructing the receiver device to illuminate the light source further comprises:

instructing the light source to emit a particular color associated with the point value.

8. A method for operating a laser attraction, the method comprising:

determining that a laser game is in a non-game mode; and

instructing one or more receiver devices to each illuminate a light source to an intensity associated with the non-game mode, each of the one or more receiver devices including a unique light source.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the instructing comprising:

instructing the one or more receiver devices to each illuminate the light source for a first time limit and at an intensity associated with the non-game mode;

or

instructing the one or more receiver devices to each illuminate the light source for an undetermined time limit at an intensity associated with the non-game mode.

10. A method for operating a laser attraction, the method comprising:

determining that a detector in a receiver device is not detecting a laser beam;

instructing a light source in the receiver device to emit light at an intensity associated with a detector fault;

determining if light emitted by the light source is detected by the detector.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

instructing the light source in the receiver device to emit flashes of light when it is determined that the light emitted by the light source is detected by the detector.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining that the detector in the receiver device is detecting the laser beam; and

instructing the light source in the receiver device to stop emitting flashes of light when it is determined that the detector detects the laser beam.

13. A method for operating a laser attraction, the method comprising:

instructing a first set of light sources in a first set of receiver devices to emit a first color of light and a second set of light sources in a second set of receiver devices to emit a second color of light;

determining that a number of receivers device in one or more of the first set or the second set that are hit by a laser beam during game play; and

calculating a score based on the number of receiver devices in the one or more of the first set or the second set that are hit by the laser beam during game play, the score being calculated based on a first point value associated with each of the receiver devices in the first set and a second point value associated with each of the receiver devices in the second set.

14. A laser attraction comprising:

a plurality of laser emitters; and

a plurality of receivers each having one or more light sources and a sensor configured to detect a laser beam.

15. The laser attraction of claim 14, further comprising:

a controller configured to control the light source of each of the receivers.

16. The laser attraction of claim 15, wherein the controller comprises:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

instruct a plurality of laser transmitters to each emit a laser beam, each of the emitted laser beams being detected by a particular receiver device;

receive a signal that indicates that one of the laser beams has been broken, the signal being received from a receiver device that is associated with the broken laser beam; and

instruct the receiver device to illuminate a light source when the laser beam is broken, the light source being part of the receiver device.

17. The laser attraction of claim 15, wherein the controller comprises:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

determine that a laser game has ended; and

instruct one or more receiver devices to each illuminate a light source when it is determined that the laser game has ended, each of the one or more receiver devices including a unique light source.

18. The laser attraction of claim 15, wherein the controller comprises:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

determine that a detector in a receiver device is not detecting a laser beam;

instruct a light source in the receiver device to emit light at an intensity associated with a detector fault;

determine if light emitted by the light source is detected by the detector.

19. The laser attraction of claim 15, wherein the controller comprises:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

instruct a first set of light sources in a first set of receiver devices to emit a first color of light and a second set of light sources in a second set of receiver devices to emit a second color of light;

determine that a number of receiver devices in one or more of the first set or the second set that are illuminated by a laser beam or other light source during game play; and

calculate a score based on the number of receiver devices in the one or more of the first set or the second set that are hit by the laser beam during game play, the score being calculated based on a first point value associated with each of the receiver devices in the first set and a second point value associated with each of the receiver devices in the second set.