HK40040316B - Interactive animated character head systems and methods - Google Patents

Description

Interactive Animated Character Head Systems and Methods

Technical Field

This disclosure generally relates to amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of this disclosure relate to systems and methods used to provide amusement park experiences.

Background Technology

Along with many other attractions, amusement parks and other entertainment venues include animated characters that interact with guests. For example, animated characters can walk around the park, provide entertainment, and speak to guests. Some animated characters may include performers in costumes with animated character heads covering the performers' faces. As attractions become more complex and sophisticated, and as guests' expectations rise, there is a need for more innovative animated character head systems and methods to provide interactive and personalized experiences.

Summary of the Invention

The following summarizes certain embodiments that are proportionate to the subject matter of the original claims. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, but are merely intended to provide a brief overview of some of the disclosed embodiments. In fact, this disclosure may cover a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In one embodiment, an interactive system includes one or more processors configured to receive a first signal indicating activity of a user within an environment, and a second signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of an animated character. The one or more processors are also configured, in response to the reception of the second signal, to provide information relating to the user's activity to a base station control system associated with the animated character's head to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user.

In one embodiment, an interactive system includes one or more identification devices configured to detect identifiers supported by a user's wearable device. The interactive system also includes one or more processors configured to monitor user activity within an environment based on corresponding signals received from the one or more identification devices. The one or more processors are further configured to output corresponding signals to an animated character head based on the user's activity, thereby causing the animated character head to animate in relation to the user's activity, facilitating personalized interaction between the animated character head and the user.

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal at one or more processors indicating that a user is approaching an animated character's head. The method also includes using one or more processors to access information relating to the user's previous activities. Furthermore, in response to the reception of the signal, the method includes using one or more processors to provide the information relating to the user's previous activities to a base station control system associated with the animated character's head to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user.

Attached Figure Description

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same characters denote the same parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an interactive system with an animated character head according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park including the interactive system of Figure 1 according to an embodiment;

Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for operating the interactive system of Figure 1 according to an embodiment; and

Figure 4 is a front view of a base station control system that can be used in the interactive system of Figure 1 according to an embodiment, and a cross-sectional side view of the head of an animated character.

Detailed Implementation

One or more specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. In striving to provide a brief description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation may be described in the specification. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, many implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as those related to the system and the business, which may vary from implementation to implementation. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development work can be complex and time-consuming, but it will still be a routine task of design, fabrication, and manufacturing for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

Amusement parks are characterized by a wide variety of entertainment, such as rides, games, shows, and animated characters. However, many forms of entertainment do not vary based on a guest's prior activities (e.g., experiences and/or actions). For example, an animated character might greet each guest in a similar manner. Some guests may prefer unique or customized interactions with the animated character that are different for each guest, vary during each interaction, and/or indicate the guest's prior activities. Therefore, this embodiment relates to an interactive system that monitors guest activities within an amusement park and provides outputs, at least in part, based on the guest's prior activities, to control or influence the interaction between the animated character and the guest.

More specifically, this disclosure relates to an interactive system that uses an identification system, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, to monitor the activities of guests within an amusement park. In embodiments, guests may wear or carry devices that support identifiers such as RFID tags. When a guest brings the device within range of a reader (e.g., an RFID transceiver) positioned within the amusement park, the reader can detect the identifier and provide a signal to a computing system, enabling the computing system to monitor and (e.g., in a database) record the activities of guests within the amusement park. For example, the reader may be positioned at the exit of a ride (e.g., a roller coaster or other similar attraction), and the reader can detect the identifier in the device as the guest leaves the ride. The reader may provide a signal to the computing system indicating that the device was detected near the exit of the ride, and the computing system can then determine based on the signal that the guest has completed the ride, and the computing system can then store the information (e.g., the guest has completed the ride) in a database.

Guests can then access an animated character, which may be located in another part of the amusement park. In one embodiment, the animated character includes an animated character head worn by a performer. As a guest approaches the animated character, an additional reader (e.g., an RFID transceiver) positioned near the animated character (e.g., coupled to the animated character, carried by the performer, coupled to a base station control system, or coupled to a fixed structure or feature within the amusement park) can detect an identifier in the device. The additional reader can provide a signal to a computing system indicating that a device has been detected near the animated character. The computing system can then determine, based on the signal, that a guest is approaching the animated character. The computing system can then access information stored in a database and can then provide output based on that information to control or influence the interaction between the animated character and the guest. For example, the computing system can communicate with a base station control system, which may be a tablet or other computing device (e.g., a mobile phone) operated by a manager who moves with and/or supports the performer wearing the animated character head. In some such cases, the computing system can provide output to the base station control system, which causes recommended interactions (e.g., congratulating a guest on winning a game) and/or information (e.g., the guest's score in a game, a ride completed by the guest) to be displayed on the base station control system's screen. The administrator can then select appropriate phrases and/or gestures for the animated character, such as by providing input at the base station control system (e.g., making a selection on a touchscreen), which causes the animated character to say the phrases and/or perform the gestures. In embodiments, the administrator can suggest appropriate phrases and/or gestures for the animated character, such as by speaking to a performer wearing the animated character's head (e.g., via a two-way wireless communication system).

Each guest in the amusement park may have different, individual experiences and/or perform different, individual actions. For example, one guest may experience rides, earn virtual points by playing games, and eat at a restaurant, while another guest may experience different rides, earn different amounts of virtual points by playing games, and eat at different restaurants. The disclosed interactive system enables animated characters to interact with each guest uniquely and personally, through speech or gestures, based on each guest's specific activities. For ease of discussion, the users of the interactive system are described as guests in the amusement park, and the interactive system is described as being implemented in an amusement park; however, it should be understood that the interactive system can be implemented in other environments. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments relate to an animated character head worn by a performer; however, it should be understood that the interactive system may additionally or alternatively include and influence the operation of other components, such as objects held, worn, or carried by the performer (e.g., capes, hats, glasses, armor, swords, buttons).

In light of the foregoing, Figure 1 is a block diagram of an interactive system 10 that can be utilized in an environment such as an amusement park. As illustrated in Figure 1, the interactive system 10 includes an identification system 12 (e.g., an RFID system) and an animated character system 14. In an embodiment, the identification system 12 includes a computing system 16 (e.g., a cloud-based computing system), one or more databases 18, and one or more readers 20 (e.g., RFID readers or transceivers) configured to read identifiers 22 (e.g., RFID tags) that can be worn or carried by a user 26 and are supported in a wearable device 24 (e.g., a wearable or portable device, such as a bracelet, necklace, trinkets, pins, or toys). As discussed in more detail below, the identification system 12 can monitor the activities of the user 26 as the user 26 moves through the amusement park, and the identification system 12 can provide the animated character system 14 with outputs indicating the user 26's previous activities, thereby facilitating a unique, personalized interactive experience for the user 26.

In one embodiment, the animated character system 14 includes an animated character head 30, which can be worn by a performer and configured to emit sounds (e.g., speak phrases) and/or perform various gestures (e.g., blinking, jaw movements, lip shapes). The animated character system 14 may also include a base station control system 32 (e.g., a remote control system) that can be operated by an administrator who moves with and/or supports the performer wearing the animated character head 30. In this embodiment, the animated character head 30 and the base station control system 32 are communicatively coupled such that input from the administrator at the base station control system 32 causes the animated character head 30 to emit a sound or perform a gesture.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the animated character head 30 may include a controller 34 (e.g., an electronic controller) having one or more processors 36 and one or more memory devices 38. In an embodiment, the memory 36 may be configured to store instructions, data, and/or information, such as an animation library for the animated character head 30 (e.g., a database of available animations including voice and/or posture, and corresponding control instructions for generating the animation). In an embodiment, the processor 36 may be configured to receive input (e.g., signals from a base station control system 32) to identify an appropriate animation (e.g., a selected animation) from the animation library based on the received input, and/or to provide one or more appropriate control signals to a display 42, a speaker 44, an actuator 46, and/or a light source 48 based on the received input and/or the selected animation. In this way, the animated character head 30 allows an administrator to control the voice and/or posture of the animated character head 30. It should be understood that the animation library may include individual sounds or small sound clips (e.g., a single word, a buzzing sound, a humming sound), individual gestures (e.g., a smile, a frown, a blink), and/or combinations of multiple sounds and gestures (e.g., a greeting consisting of multiple words combined with a motion profile including a smile and eye movements). For example, the base station control system 32 may present a selection menu of available animations for the animated character head 30 to an administrator, and the administrator may be able to provide input at the base station control system 32 to select a smile, and then select a specific greeting. Subsequently, the processor 36 of the animated character head 30 may receive signals from the base station control system 32 instructing the administrator to input, access the selected animation from the library, and control the actuator 46 to generate the smile and the specific greeting.

The animated character head 30 may include various features to facilitate the techniques disclosed herein. For example, the animated character head 30 may include one or more sensors 40 configured to monitor the performer and/or to receive input from the performer. The one or more sensors 40 may include eye-tracking sensors configured to monitor the performer's eye movements, machine vision sensors configured to monitor the performer's facial movements, microphones or audio sensors configured to receive spoken or other audible input from the performer, physical input sensors (e.g., switches, buttons, motion sensors, foot pedal controllers, or wearable input devices such as muscle input, ring input, or gesture gloves) configured to receive physical or manual input from the performer, or any combination thereof. The input may be processed by the processor 36 to select animations from an animation library stored in memory 38 and/or otherwise influence the animations presented via the animated character head 30. For example, certain inputs via one or more sensors 40 may veto or cancel selections made by an administrator and/or certain inputs may initiate specific animations.

Actuator 46 can be any suitable actuator, such as an electromechanical actuator (e.g., a linear actuator, a rotary actuator). Actuator 46 can be located inside the animated character head 30 and configured to adjust certain features or portions of the animated character head 30 (e.g., eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, mouth, lips, ears, light features). For example, a rotary actuator can be positioned inside the animated character head 30 along the outer tip of the lips to make the face of the animated character head 30 smile in response to a control signal (e.g., from processor 36). As another example, the animated character head 30 can include an electromechanical linear actuator that, in response to a control signal (e.g., from processor 36), drives the position of the eyebrows of the animated character head 30 (e.g., to frown).

As shown, the animated character head 30 may include a light source 48, and the duration, brightness, color, and/or polarity of the light emitted from the light source 48 may be controlled based on control signals (e.g., from the processor 36). In embodiments, the light source 48 may be configured to project light onto a screen or other surface of the animated character head 30, such as to display a still image, moving image (e.g., video), or other visible representation of facial features or poses on the animated character head 30. In some embodiments, the actuator 46 and/or the light source 48 may enable the animated character head 30 to provide any of a variety of projected facial features or poses, electronic animal facial features or poses, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, processor 36 may instruct display 42 to show instructions for available animations (e.g., a list of animations stored in a library in memory 38), instructions for selecting an animation (e.g., selected by processor 36 from the library in memory 38 based on input from base station control system 32), and/or other information (e.g., information about user 26, such as previous activities; recommended animations) for visualization by a performer wearing the animated character head 30. For example, in operation, display 42 may provide a list of available animations, and one or more sensors 40 may receive input from the performer (e.g., an eye-tracking sensor may enable the performer to provide certain eye movements for input) to allow the performer to scroll through the list of available animations and/or select an animation from the list of available animations. In an embodiment, the selected animation may be displayed on display 42, and the selected animation may be confirmed, changed, modified, switched, delayed, or deleted by the performer via various inputs to one or more sensors 40 (e.g., by speaking into a microphone or activating a physical input sensor), thereby enabling efficient updates by the performer during interaction with guests. It should be understood that performers may not have control over the selection, and therefore, for example, may not be able to input a selection via one or more sensors 40 or change the selection made by the administrator.

Display 42 can be used to provide a variety of other information. For example, in some embodiments, a camera 50 (e.g., coupled to or physically separated from the animated character's head 30) can be provided to obtain images (e.g., still or moving images, such as video) of the user 26, the surrounding environment, and/or the currently playing animation (e.g., the current movement or features of the animated character's head 30), which can be relayed to the animated character's head 30 (e.g., via a wireless communication device, such as a transceiver) for display via display 42 to provide information and/or feedback to the performer. In embodiments, display 42 may be part of augmented or virtual reality glasses worn by the performer.

In an embodiment, the animated character head 30 may include one or more status sensors 52 configured to monitor component status and/or system status (e.g., to determine whether the executed animation does not correspond to the selected animation), and status indications may be provided to the performer via a display 42 and/or to an administrator via a base station control system 32. For example, the status sensor 52 may be associated with each actuator 46 and may be configured to detect the position and/or movement of the corresponding actuator 46, which may indicate whether the actuator 46 is functioning correctly (e.g., moving in the expected manner based on the selected animation).

Processor 36 can execute instructions stored in memory 38 to perform the operations disclosed herein. Therefore, in embodiments, processor 36 may include one or more general-purpose microprocessors, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. Additionally, memory 38 may be a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by processor 36 and data to be processed by processor 36. Therefore, in some embodiments, memory 38 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), rewritable non-volatile memory, flash memory, hard disk drive, optical disk, etc.

The base station control system 32 may include various features to facilitate the techniques disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an administrator may utilize an input device 60 (e.g., a touchscreen) at the base station control system 32 to provide input and/or select animations. In this case, the administrator's selection and/or other data may be transmitted wirelessly or via a wired connection to the animation character head 30 through communication devices 62, 64. In an embodiment, the administrator receives system status information (e.g., indications of component failures detected by status sensor 52, completed animations, images from camera 50) from the animation character head 30. In an embodiment, if a particular actuator 46 malfunctions, animation selections dependent on the particular actuator 46 may be removed from the list of available animations and/or otherwise made difficult to achieve through the administrator's selection.

In this embodiment, the animated character head 30 and the base station control system 32 may include audio communication devices 68, 70 (e.g., headsets or other devices with microphones and/or speakers) that enable the performer and the administrator to communicate (e.g., verbally via one-way or two-way communication). In this case, the administrator may be able to verbally inform the performer of the administrator's current selection, the administrator's next selection, information about user 26, etc. Additionally, the performer may be able to request special animations, indicate preferences for animations to cancel selections, etc.

In the depicted embodiment, the controller 72 of the base station control system 32 includes a processor 74 that can execute instructions stored in memory 76 to perform operations such as receiving, accessing, and/or displaying a selection menu of available animations for the animated character head 30 on a display 66 (which may also operate as an input device 60), providing a signal to the animated character head 30 indicating the selected animation, etc. Therefore, in embodiments, the processor 74 may include one or more general-purpose microprocessors, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. Additionally, the memory 76 may be a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the processor 74 and data to be processed by the processor 74. Therefore, in some embodiments, the memory 76 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), rewritable non-volatile memory, flash memory, hard disk drive, optical disk, etc.

Furthermore, communication devices 62 and 64 enable controllers 34 and 72 to interface with each other and/or with various other electronic devices, such as components in identification system 12. For example, communication devices 62 and 64 enable controllers 34 and 72 to communicatively couple to networks such as Personal Area Networks (PANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), and/or Wide Area Networks (WANs). As described above, the base station control system 32 may also include a display 66 to display information such as animated selection menus, completed animations, system status detected by status sensor 52, and/or external images acquired by camera 50.

In one embodiment, the animated character system 14 is configured to operate independently of or without the recognition system 12. For example, at least at certain times, the manager and/or performer can provide input to play various animations on the animated character head 30 to interact with the user 26 without any information about the user 26's previous activities within the amusement park. In another embodiment, at least at certain other times, the manager and/or performer can receive information from the recognition system 12 about the user 26's previous activities within the amusement park (e.g., information about the user 26 completing rides, earning points in games, or visiting attractions), and can use this information to provide the user 26 with a unique, personalized interactive experience. For example, the recognition system 12 can provide information for visualization on one or both of the displays 42, 66, or the recognition system 12 can provide information for visualization by the manager on display 66, and the manager can be able to verbally convey the information to the performer using audio communication devices 68, 70. This information allows the administrator to select a more appropriate animation for user 26, such as a greeting, in which the animated character head 30 congratulates user 26 on their achievements in the game, or in which the animated character head 30 asks user 26 if user 26 enjoyed the recent ride.

Additionally or alternatively, another processing component of the identification system 12 and/or the interactive system 10 (e.g., processor 74) may determine one or more relevant animations for user 26 based on information about user 26's previous activities within the amusement park. In some such cases, the identification system 12 and/or the other processing component may provide recommendations for selecting or playing one or more relevant animations. Recommendations may be provided by highlighting one or more relevant animations on one or both of the displays 42, 66 (e.g., using color, font size or style, position on the screen or in a menu), thereby facilitating the selection of one or more relevant animations. Additionally or alternatively, the identification system 12 may cause the base station control system 32 to select and/or cause the animated character head 30 to play a particular animation (e.g., if user 26 has recently completed a ride, a signal received at processor 74 from the identification system 12 may prompt a selection of a ride-related greeting, and this selection may or may not be considered or altered by the manager and/or performer).

More specifically, the identification system 12 operates to monitor the activities of user 26 within the amusement park. In an embodiment, user 26 may wear or carry a wearable device 24 that supports identifier 22. When user 26 brings wearable device 24 to an area near reader 20 (e.g., within the reading range of reader 20), reader 20 may detect identifier 22 and signal to computing system 16, enabling computing system 16 to monitor and (e.g., in one or more databases 18) record user 26's activities within the amusement park. For example, a reader 20 may be positioned at the exit of a ride (e.g., a roller coaster or other similar attraction), and when user 26 leaves the ride, the reader may detect identifier 22 in wearable device 24. Reader 20 may signal to computing system 16 that wearable device 24 was detected near the exit of the ride, computing system 16 may then determine based on the signal that the user has completed the ride, and computing system 16 may then store the information (e.g., user completed the ride) in one or more databases 18. In this way, the identification system 12 can monitor various activities of user 26 as user 26 walks through the amusement park.

Subsequently, user 26 can access the animated character head 30, which may be located in another part of the amusement park. Another reader 20, located near the animated character head 30 (e.g., coupled to and/or inside the animated character head 30, carried by a performer, coupled to the base station control system 32, or coupled to a fixed structure or feature within the amusement park), can detect identifier 22 in wearable device 24 when user 26 approaches the animated character head 30. The other reader 20 can (e.g., via a wireless or wired connection) provide a signal to computing system 16 indicating that wearable device 24 has been detected near the animated character head 30. Computing system 16 can then determine, based on this signal, that user 26 is approaching the animated character head 30. Computing system 16 can then access information stored in one or more databases 18, and can then provide output to control or influence the interaction between the animated character head 30 and user 26 based on the information. For example, computing system 16 can communicate with base station control system 32 (e.g., via communication devices 64, 80). In some such cases, the computing system 16 may provide output to the base station control system 32, which causes the display of interactive information and/or recommendations on the display 66 of the base station control system 32. The administrator can then select appropriate animation for the animated character head 30, such as by providing input at the base station control system 32, causing the animated character head 30 to say (e.g., related to information about user 26) specific phrases and/or perform specific gestures. In some such cases, the computing system 16 may provide output to the animated character head 30, which causes the display of interactive information and/or recommendations on the display 42 of the animated character head 30. In embodiments, the administrator may convey information and/or provide information-based recommendations to the performer, such as by speaking to the performer (e.g., via a two-way wireless communication system).

In this way, the interactive system 10 can provide a unique, personalized interactive experience between the user 26 and the animated character head 30. The interactive experience may be different for each user 26, and/or different each time the user 26 accesses the animated character head 30. It should be understood that any features, functions, and/or technologies disclosed herein can be distributed among the recognition system 12, the animated character head 30, and the base station control system 32 in any suitable manner. As mentioned above, the animated character system 14 may be able to operate independently of the recognition system 12 or without the recognition system 12. Similarly, in embodiments, the animated character head 30 may be able to operate independently of the base station control system 32 or without the base station control system 32. Therefore, it should be understood that in some such cases, the recognition system 12 may provide its output directly to the animated character head 30 (e.g., the processor 36 of the animated character head 30 may process signals received directly from the recognition system 12 to select and play animations from a library).

Some of the examples disclosed herein relate to activities involving interaction with attractions within an amusement park (e.g., rides, restaurants, characters). In embodiments, in addition to activities within the amusement park, the interactive system 10 may receive and utilize information about user 26 to provide unique, personalized interactions. For example, at a remote location (e.g., outside of the amusement park, such as at a home video console or computing system), the interactive system 10 may receive and utilize information about user 26's performance in a video game, user 26's name, age, or other information provided by user 26 (e.g., during the registration or ticket purchase process). In embodiments, the interactive system 10 may receive and utilize information related to the user's preferred language, any unique conditions of the user (e.g., limited mobility, limited hearing, sensitivity to loud sounds), etc. For example, user 26 may complete a registration process or otherwise have the opportunity to input preferences or other information associated with wearable device 14. When user 26 approaches the head 30 of an animated character, preferences or other information may be presented to the administrator and/or performer, and may be used to select animations and/or determine recommended animations. In this way, the animated character head 30 can speak to the user 26 in a language understood by the user 26 and/or interact with the user 26 in a manner appropriate for the user 26. Additionally, it should be understood that the illustrated interactive system 10, based on the disclosed embodiments, is intended to be exemplary only, and certain features and components may be omitted, as well as various other features and components may be added to improve performance.

As shown, computing system 16 may include processor 82 configured to execute instructions stored in memory 84 to perform the operations disclosed herein. Therefore, in embodiments, processor 82 may include one or more general-purpose microprocessors, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. Additionally, memory 84 may be a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by processor 82 and data to be processed by processor 82. Therefore, in some embodiments, memory 84 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), rewritable non-volatile memory, flash memory, hard disk drive, optical disk drive, etc.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park 100 including an interactive system 10 according to an embodiment. As shown, multiple users 26A, 26B walk through the amusement park 100 wearing corresponding wearable devices 24A, 24B that support corresponding identifiers 22A, 22B. The identification system 12 monitors the multiple users 26A, 26B in the manner discussed above with respect to Figure 1. The animated character system 14 includes animated character heads 30 worn by performers and a base station control system 32 operated by a manager, and the animated character system 14 can receive information from the identification system 12 to provide a unique, personalized experience for each user 26A, 26B.

Referring to Figure 2, in operation, the identification system 12 can detect a first user 26A at restaurant 102 via a first reader 20A, and a second user 26B at seating facility 104 via a second reader 20B. More specifically, each reader 20A, 20B can read a unique identification code or number from identifiers 22A, 22B supported in each wearable device 24A, 24B. The readers 20A, 20B can provide a corresponding signal to a computing system 16 indicating the detection of users 24A, 24B, which determines the activity and records it in one or more databases 18.

At a later time, each user 26A, 26B may approach the head 30 of the animated character. When the first user 26A is within range of the third reader 20C, which is positioned near the head 30 of the animated character, the third reader 20C may provide a signal to the computing system 16 indicating the detection of the first user 26A. In response, the computing system 16 may provide information about the first user 26A's previous activities within the amusement park 100 to the base station control system 32. For example, the computing system 16 may provide information indicating that the first user 26A recently visited restaurant 102, and the base station control system 32 may display this information on the display 66 for visualization by the manager. Thus, the manager may be guided to select animations related to the first user 26A's visit to the restaurant, such as asking the first user 26A whether the first user 26A enjoyed a meal at restaurant 102. As described above, information may be conveyed and/or utilized in various other ways to provide the first user 26A with a unique, customized interactive experience. For example, in one embodiment, the computing system 16 may additionally or alternatively determine recommended animations and provide them to the base station control system 32, or the base station control system 32 may determine one or more relevant animations to facilitate selection by an administrator.

Similarly, when the second user 26B is within range of the third reader 20C, which is positioned near the head 30 of the animated character, the third reader 20C can provide the computing system 16 with a signal indicating the detection of the second user 24B. In response, the computing system 16 can provide information about the second user 26B's previous activities within the amusement park 100 to the base station control system 32. For example, the computing system 16 can provide information indicating that the second user 26B recently visited ride 104, and the base station control system 32 can provide this information on the display 66 for visualization by the manager. Thus, the manager can be guided to select animations related to the second user 26B's visit to the ride, such as asking the second user 26B whether the second user 26B enjoyed ride 104. As described above, information can be conveyed and/or utilized in various other ways to provide a unique, customized interactive experience for the second user 26B. For example, in embodiments, the computing system 16 can additionally or alternatively determine and provide recommended animations, or the base station control system 32 can determine one or more relevant animations to facilitate selection by the manager.

It should also be understood that the third reader 20C can provide a corresponding signal to the computing system 16 indicating the detection of users 24A and 24B, which determines and records interactions with the animated character head 30 in one or more databases 18. Therefore, subsequent activities (e.g., at restaurant 102, ride facility 104, or other attractions, including interactions with other animated character heads) can be varied based on the interactions of users 24A and 24B with the animated character head 30. For example, a game attraction can adjust game elements based on the achievements of users 24A and 24B, including their interactions with the animated character head 30. In an embodiment, another administrator can be guided to select an animation for another animated character head based on previous interactions between users 24A and 24B and the animated character head 30. Similarly, if users 24A, 24B (e.g., on the same day or at any later time, including one or more later years) revisit the animated character head 30, the animated character system 14 may operate in a manner that avoids repeating (one or more) the same phrases, constructing previous interactions, or instructing users 26 to recognize each other (e.g., saying "It's nice to see you again" or "I haven't seen you since last year"). For example, some or all of the previously said phrases may be removed from the list (e.g., not giving the administrator the option to play the phrase), will not be presented to the administrator on the initial screen (which is visible to the administrator via the base station control system 32 when user 26 approaches the animated character head 30), and/or will be marked or highlighted as previously said.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method 110 for operating an interactive system 10 according to an embodiment. Method 110 includes various steps represented by the blocks and reference components shown in Figure 1. Some steps of method 110 can be performed as an automated procedure by a system such as a computing system 16 that can be used within the interactive system 10. Although the flowchart illustrates the steps in a certain order, it should be understood that, where appropriate, the steps can be performed in any suitable order, some steps can be performed simultaneously and/or some steps can be omitted, and other steps can be added. Furthermore, some steps or portions of method 110 can be performed by a separate device.

In step 112, the computing system 16 tracks (e.g., detects and records) the activities of user 26 within the amusement park. In an embodiment, user 26 may wear or carry a wearable device 24 that supports identifier 22. When user 26 brings wearable device 24 within range of reader 20, reader 20 may detect identifier 22 and signal to computing system 16 so that computing system 16 can detect and (e.g., in one or more databases 18) record the activities of user 26 within the amusement park.

In step 114, the computing system 16 receives a signal from one or more readers 20 near the animated character's head 30, indicating the detection of an identifier 22 in the wearable device 24 of the user 26. The computing system 16 can determine based on this signal that the user 26 is approaching the animated character's head 30.

In step 116, in response to the reception of the signal at step 114, the computing system 16 can then access information relating to the user's activities and provide it to the base station control system 32 to control or influence the interaction between the animated character head 30 and the user 26. For example, the computing system 16 can provide an output to the base station control system 32 that causes information and/or recommended interactions to be displayed on the display 66 of the base station control system 32. The administrator can then select appropriate animation for the animated character head 30, such as by providing input at the base station control system 32, which causes the animated character head 30 to say specific phrases and/or perform specific gestures (the phrases and/or gestures, for example, relating to information about the user 26). In this way, the interactive system 10 can provide a unique, personalized interactive experience between the user 26 and the animated character head 30.

Figure 4 is a front view of a base station control system 32 that can be used in an interactive system 10 (Figure 1) according to an embodiment, and a cross-sectional side view of an animated character head 30. As shown, the animated character head 30 includes an opening 120 configured to receive and/or surround the performer's head, and an outer surface 122 (e.g., a face) visible to the user 26 (Figure 1). The outer surface 122 may support various features, such as eyebrows 124 and a beard 128, which may be actuated via corresponding actuators 46 based on control signals (e.g., received from the processor 36 of Figure 1). In an embodiment, a screen 130 may be positioned near the animated character head 30 to display certain poses and/or features (such as eyes 132 and mouth 134) via light projection onto the screen 130. As discussed above, in response to the reception of control signals (e.g., received from the processor 36 of Figure 1), a light source 48 may be provided to project light onto the screen 130 to display such poses and/or features. As shown, among other components, the animated character head 30 may include a display 42, one or more sensors 40, and an audio communication device 68.

The animated character head 30 can be used in conjunction with the base station control system 32. As shown, the display 66 of the base station control system 32 displays a selection menu of available animations for the animated character head 30. In an embodiment, animations can be arranged and/or certain relevant animations can be highlighted in order of relevance to the user 26 (FIG. 1) interacting with the animated character head 30 to assist the administrator in creating unique, personalized interactions for the user 26 (FIG. 1). The display 66 can also present information related to the user 26 (FIG. 1), such as the user 26's previous activities. The administrator can make a selection (e.g., by touching a corresponding area of the display 66), and this selection can be communicated to the animated character head 30 to produce the playback of a particular animation. It should be understood that the elements shown on the display 66 of the base station control system 32 in FIG. 4 may additionally or alternatively be shown on the display 42 of the animated character head 30.

While the identification system is disclosed as a radio frequency identification (RFID) system to facilitate discussion, it should be understood that the identification system can be or includes any of a variety of tracking or identification technologies, such as a Bluetooth system (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy [BLE] system), which enables identification devices (e.g., transceivers, receivers, sensors, scanners) located in an environment (e.g., an amusement park) to detect identifiers in a user's device. Additionally, although only certain features of this disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be understood that components of the various embodiments disclosed herein can be combined or interchanged with each other. Therefore, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes falling within the true spirit of this disclosure.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to actual objects and concrete examples of practical nature, which explicitly improve upon the art and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended to this specification contains one or more elements designated as “means for [performing] [function]…” or “steps for [performing] [function]…”, it is intended that such elements be interpreted according to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements not be interpreted according to 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims (42)

1. An interactive system comprising one or more processors, said processors being configured to: Receive a first signal instructing the user to leave a game attraction within the amusement park and indicating the number of points earned by the user within the game attraction; Receive a second signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of an animated character after leaving the game location; and In response to the reception of the second signal, information relating to the points earned by the user within the game attraction is provided to the base station control system associated with the animated character head, in order to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character head and the user. 2. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to remove a phrase from a list of phrases in response to the phrase being spoken by the animated character head during the personalized interaction with the user, such that the phrase is unavailable to be spoken by the animated character head during future personalized interactions with the user. 3. The interactive system of claim 1, further comprising an identification device located within the game attraction, wherein the identification device is configured to generate the first signal in response to detection of an identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 4. The interactive system of claim 3, wherein the identification device includes a radio frequency identification reader, and the identifier includes a radio frequency identification tag. 5. The interactive system of claim 1, further comprising a recognition device positioned near the head of the animated character, wherein the recognition device is configured to generate the second signal in response to detection of an identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 6. The interactive system of claim 1, comprising the base station control system, wherein the base station control system is configured to display an indication on a display screen of the points earned by the user for visualization by an administrator. 7. The interactive system of claim 1, comprising the base station control system, wherein the base station control system is configured to process the information to determine a recommended animation for the animated character's head, and is configured to display the recommended animation on a display screen of the base station control system for visualization by an administrator. 8. The interactive system of claim 1, wherein the information includes recommended animations for the animated character's head. 9. The interactive system of claim 1, comprising the base station control system, wherein the base station control system includes an input device configured to receive animation selection input from an administrator and a communication device configured to transmit the animation selection input to the head of the animated character. 10. The interactive system of claim 9, comprising the animated character head, wherein the animated character head includes one or more corresponding processors configured to receive the animation selection input and to control one or more actuators of the animated character head based on the animation selection input. 11. The interactive system of claim 1, comprising the base station control system and the animated character head, wherein the base station control system and the animated character head include corresponding audio communication devices, the audio communication devices enabling an operator of the base station control system to verbally communicate with a performer wearing the animated character head. 12. An interactive system, comprising: One or more identification devices are configured to detect identifiers supported by a user's wearable device; One or more processors, which are configured to: Based on corresponding signals received from at least one of the one or more identification devices, the activities of the users within the game attractions of the amusement park are monitored, wherein the activities of the users within the game attractions are associated with points earned by the users within the game attractions; Based on a corresponding signal received from at least one other identification device among the one or more identification devices, the activity of the user outside the game attraction is monitored, wherein the activity of the user outside the game attraction is associated with the user approaching the head of an animated character; In response to the user approaching the animated character's head, a corresponding signal based on the points earned by the user within the game attraction is output to the animated character's head, thereby causing the animated character's head to display an animation related to the points earned by the user within the game attraction, in order to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user. 13. The interactive system of claim 12, wherein the one or more identification devices include one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, and the identifier includes an RFID tag. 14. The interactive system of claim 12, comprising a computing system, a base station control system, and the animated character head, wherein the computing system includes at least one of the one or more processors configured to monitor the user's activities, the base station control system is configured to receive information from the computing system indicating the user's activities, the base station control system includes an input device configured to enable an administrator to select the animation based on the information indicating the user's activities, and the base station control system includes at least one of the one or more processors configured to output the corresponding signal to the animated character head. 15. The interactive system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the one or more identification devices is coupled to the animated character's head and configured to generate a corresponding signal in response to detection of the identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 16. An interactive method, comprising: At one or more processors, a first signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of an animated character in the amusement park is received; In response to receiving a first signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of the animated character, the one or more processors are used to access information related to the user's previous activities within the amusement park; In response to receiving the first signal, the one or more processors are used to provide the information related to the user's previous activities to a base station control system associated with the animated character head, in order to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character head and the user; At one or more processors, a second signal instructing the user to be within a game attraction within the amusement park after leaving the animated character's head is received; and Using the one or more processors, adjust one or more game elements within the game location based on the personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user. 17. The interactive method of claim 16, wherein the user's previous activity is associated with points earned by the user within the game attraction. 18. The interactive method of claim 16, further comprising receiving, at one or more processors, an identification device indicating the user's previous activity, the identification device being configured to detect an identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 19. The interactive method of claim 16, further comprising receiving from an identification device a first signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of the animated character, the identification device being configured to detect an identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 20. The interactive method of claim 19, wherein the identification device includes a radio frequency identification reader, and the identifier includes a radio frequency identification tag. 21. The interactive method of claim 16, comprising: using one or more corresponding processors of the base station control system to process the information to determine a recommended animation for the animated character's head, and displaying the recommended animation on a display screen of the base station control system for visualization by an administrator. 22. The interactive method according to claim 16, comprising: At one or more corresponding processors of the base station control system, animation selection input from the administrator is received; and The communication equipment of the base station control system transmits the animation selection input to the head of the animated character. 23. The interactive method of claim 22, further comprising: using one or more corresponding processors of the animated character's head to control one or more actuators of the animated character's head based on the animation selection input. 24. An interactive system comprising one or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: Receive data related to the previous activities of users within the amusement park; A list of phrases is generated based on the user's previous activities, and the display of the list of phrases is instructed at a base station control system associated with the animated character's head to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user; and In response to the phrase being spoken by the animated character head during the personalized interaction with the user, the phrase is removed from the list of phrases to generate an updated list of phrases, such that the phrase is unavailable to be spoken by the animated character head during future personalized interactions with the user. 25. The interactive system of claim 24, wherein the user's prior activities include attractions visited by the user. 26. The interactive system of claim 24, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive a signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of the animated character; and In response to receiving the signal, an instruction is made to display a list of the phrases at the base station control system. 27. The interactive system of claim 24, wherein the data indicates that the user has left an attraction in the amusement park, and the one or more processors are configured to: Receive a signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of the animated character after the user has left the attraction in the amusement park; and In response to receiving the signal, an instruction is made to display a list of phrases at the base station control system, wherein at least one phrase in the list of phrases is related to the attraction. 28. The interactive system of claim 24, further comprising an identification device located within an attraction of the amusement park, wherein the identification device is configured to generate the data in response to the detection of an identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 29. The interactive system of claim 28, wherein the identification device includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and the identifier includes an RFID tag. 30. The interactive system of claim 24, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine recommended phrases from the list of phrases based on the previous activity, and are configured to highlight the recommended phrases in the display of the list of phrases at the base station control system for visualization by an administrator. 31. The interactive system of claim 24, comprising the base station control system and the animated character head, wherein the base station control system and the animated character head include corresponding audio communication devices that enable an operator of the base station control system to verbally communicate with a performer wearing the animated character head. 32. The interactive system of claim 24, comprising the base station control system, wherein the base station control system is configured to receive selection input from an administrator to select the phrase, and the base station control system is configured to transmit the selection input to the animated character head. 33. The interactive system of claim 32, wherein the selection input for selecting the phrase is configured such that the speaker of the animated character's head outputs the phrase as audio. 34. The interactive system of claim 33, wherein the activities include achievements within attractions of the amusement park. 35. The interactive system of claim 34, wherein the one or more processors are configured to instruct the display of information indicating the achievement within the attraction. 36. An interactive system, comprising: One or more identification devices are configured to detect identifiers supported by a user's wearable device; One or more processors configured to: The activities of the users within the amusement park are monitored based on corresponding signals received from the one or more identification devices. In response to a signal from at least one of the one or more identification devices indicating that the user is approaching the head of the animated character, a list of phrases that can be used for the head of the animated character is accessed; Modify the list of phrases based on the monitored user activity to generate a personalized list of phrases; and The instruction is to display a list of personalized phrases on the screen to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user. 37. The interactive system of claim 36, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: Identify one or more previously spoken phrases uttered by the animated character's head to the user during one or more previous interactions between the animated character's head and the user; and The list of phrases is modified by excluding one or more previously stated phrases to generate the personalized list of phrases. 38. The interactive system of claim 36, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: Identify one or more previously spoken phrases uttered by the animated character's head to the user during one or more previous interactions between the animated character's head and the user; and The instruction displays a list of the personalized phrases, wherein one or more of the previously spoken phrases are highlighted on the display screen. 39. An interactive method, comprising: At one or more processors, a signal indicating that the user is approaching the head of an animated character is received; Using the one or more processors, access data related to the user's previous activities; Identify one or more previously spoken phrases spoken by the animated character head to the user during one or more previous interactions between the animated character head and the user; Generate a list of phrases based on the data relating to the user's previous activities, and exclude the one or more previously spoken phrases; and The instructions are displayed via a list of the phrases to facilitate personalized interaction between the animated character's head and the user. 40. The interactive method of claim 39, further comprising receiving from an identification device an indication that the user is approaching the head of the animated character, the identification device being configured to detect an identifier supported by the user's wearable device. 41. The interactive method of claim 39, wherein the user's prior activity includes rides to attractions visited by the user. 42. The interactive method of claim 39, further comprising using the one or more processors to access the user's preferred language, wherein the list of phrases includes one or more phrases in the user's preferred language.