A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a source of electromagnetic radiation that operates to emit electromagnetic radiation into an active playing area. The system also includes a sensing device that operates to receive the electromagnetic radiation after being reflected from a retro-reflective material of an article positioned in the active playing area and operable to generate data based on receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation from a series of article positions. Further, the system includes a controller that operates to process the data generated by the sensing device to determine whether the series of article positions correlate to a stored gesture and output a control signal to actuate an effect when the series of article positions correlate to the stored gesture.

A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a source of electromagnetic radiation that operates to emit electromagnetic radiation into an active playing area. The system also includes a sensing device that operates to receive the electromagnetic radiation after being reflected from a retro-reflective material of an article positioned in the active playing area and operable to generate data based on receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation from a series of article positions. Further, the system includes a controller that operates to process the data generated by the sensing device to determine whether the series of article positions correlate to a stored gesture and output a control signal to actuate an effect when the series of article positions correlate to the stored gesture.

An interactive gaming toy is provided for playing a game having both physical and virtual gameplay elements. The gaming toy comprises a physical toy, such as a toy wand, doll or action figure, having an RFID tag pre-programmed with a unique identifier that identifies the toy within an associated computer-animated game. The RFID tag stores information describing certain attributes or abilities of a corresponding virtual character or object in the computer-animated game. Additional information may be stored on the RFID tag as the corresponding virtual character evolves or changes over time based on player performance and/or gameplay progression. The interactive gaming toy thus allows developed character attributes and the like to be stored and easily transported to other games and compatible gaming platforms. One or more optional auxiliary components may be attached to the gaming toy to selectively create a modified gaming toy having additional desired functionality and/or aesthetics.

An interactive gaming toy is provided for playing a game having both physical and virtual gameplay elements. The gaming toy comprises a physical toy, such as a toy wand, doll or action figure, having an RFID tag pre-programmed with a unique identifier that identifies the toy within an associated computer-animated game. The RFID tag stores information describing certain attributes or abilities of a corresponding virtual character or object in the computer-animated game. Additional information may be stored on the RFID tag as the corresponding virtual character evolves or changes over time based on player performance and/or gameplay progression. The interactive gaming toy thus allows developed character attributes and the like to be stored and easily transported to other games and compatible gaming platforms. One or more optional auxiliary components may be attached to the gaming toy to selectively create a modified gaming toy having additional desired functionality and/or aesthetics.

A mirror-display is taught for use in a destination such as a theme park or hotel that allows a guest to move an article such as a wand in front of the mirror-display, where the movements are tracked and interpreted as commands. Visual movement feedback of the article is provided to help train the guests. The mirror-display can act as a full mirror, but then switch into a half-mirror mode where the guest sees their partial reflection along with output from the display, or a transparent mode where the guest does not see their reflection. Output includes secret messages only viewable to guests wearing glasses that are controllably detected and synchronized with the display output. The mirror-display comprises means for automatically determining guest identity and for exchanging commands and information with either or both of a local or global eco-system.

A mirror-display is taught for use in a destination such as a theme park or hotel that allows a guest to move an article such as a wand in front of the mirror-display, where the movements are tracked and interpreted as commands. Visual movement feedback of the article is provided to help train the guests. The mirror-display can act as a full mirror, but then switch into a half-mirror mode where the guest sees their partial reflection along with output from the display, or a transparent mode where the guest does not see their reflection. Output includes secret messages only viewable to guests wearing glasses that are controllably detected and synchronized with the display output. The mirror-display comprises means for automatically determining guest identity and for exchanging commands and information with either or both of a local or global eco-system.

Wands of the present disclosure have features that increase entertainment value, improve portability, durability, and balance, making the wands especially well-suited for use in creative routines. The wands include a middle section or an end section that at least partially houses a light engine, and at least one pole configured to couple to the middle section or end section in an axially-aligned assembly. The light engine causes the pole to transmit light.

Wands of the present disclosure have features that increase entertainment value, improve portability, durability, and balance, making the wands especially well-suited for use in creative routines. The wands include a middle section or an end section that at least partially houses a light engine, and at least one pole configured to couple to the middle section or end section in an axially-aligned assembly. The light engine causes the pole to transmit light.

A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a source of electromagnetic radiation that operates to emit electromagnetic radiation into an active playing area. The system also includes a sensing device that operates to receive the electromagnetic radiation after being reflected from a retro-reflective material of an article positioned in the active playing area and operable to generate data based on receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation from a series of article positions. Further, the system includes a controller that operates to process the data generated by the sensing device to determine whether the series of article positions correlate to a stored gesture and output a control signal to actuate an effect when the series of article positions correlate to the stored gesture.

A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a source of electromagnetic radiation that operates to emit electromagnetic radiation into an active playing area. The system also includes a sensing device that operates to receive the electromagnetic radiation after being reflected from a retro-reflective material of an article positioned in the active playing area and operable to generate data based on receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation from a series of article positions. Further, the system includes a controller that operates to process the data generated by the sensing device to determine whether the series of article positions correlate to a stored gesture and output a control signal to actuate an effect when the series of article positions correlate to the stored gesture.