THEMED INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT OR AREA AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

Abstract

A hotel or motel room (or other defined area) incorporates special effects in accordance with a particular theme (e.g., haunted room). A control room provides a concealed area for personnel and/or automated systems, including artificial intelligence, to trigger the special effects which may include, but are limited to shaking, rattling, rumbling, pepper ghosts, water fixtures being activated, thunder and lightning, swapping tiles with digital graphics, turning on a TV, clock or light, etc. Heat sensors, weight sensors, biometric sensors, floor mats and/or other sensors determine positions of guests in the hotel and hotel rooms thereby allowing the automatic or manual triggering of the special effects. The system may utilize a guest's mobile phone for unique and exciting in-room or across-property missions and tasks.

Claims

1. An attraction comprising: a defined area; at least one processor in communication with one or more sensors positioned to detect locations of one or more people in said defined area and one or more special effects in said defined area, wherein said one or more special effects in said defined area are configured to be triggered responsive to people being detected by said one or more sensors at one or more pre-established locations within said defined area; and wherein said one or more special effects are selectively triggered by said at least one processor only if it is determined by said at least one processor and/or one or more sensors that (i) a person has not previously experienced said one or more special effects based on a feature or item unique to a person or (ii) a person has experienced said one or more special effects previously based on a feature or item unique to a person and a pre-established amount of time has passed since a person last experienced said one or more special effects.

2. The attraction of claim 1 wherein said sensors include one or more of the following: heat sensors, location sensors, proximity sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, vibration sensors, piezo sensors, fluid property sensors, humidity sensors, strain sensors, photo optic sensors, weight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors, biometric sensors and touch sensors.

3. The attraction of claim 1 further comprising sensors integrated into tangible articles utilized by guests within said defined area, said sensors configured to activate special effects.

4. The attraction of claim 1 wherein said at least one processor is configured to communicate with mobile phones of guests within or proximate said defined area.

5. The attraction of claim 4 wherein said at least one processor is configured to transmit mission clues to mobile phones of guests within said defined area.

6. The attraction of claim 1 wherein said at least one processor is configured to run artificial intelligence and/or machine learning instructions for controlling special effects.

7. The attraction of claim 1 wherein said at least one processor includes a central processor and one or more remote processors in communication therewith. Add one more claim with facial recognition—thoughts? I added to the sensor claims as biometric sensors which covers facial, iris, etc.

8. A method comprising: utilizing at least one processor in communication with one or more sensors and special effects; positioning one or more sensors in a defined area, said one or more sensors configured to determine a location of one or more people in said defined area; positioning one or more special effects in said defined area; via said at least one processor receiving outputs of said one or more sensors determining if a person in said defined area has experienced said one or more special effects based on a feature or item unique to a person or a last time a person experienced said one or more special effects; and responsive to said at last one processor and/or one or more sensors determining (i) a person in said defined area not having experienced the one or more special effects previously or (ii) a person has experienced said one or more special effects previously and a pre-established amount of time has passed since a person last experienced said one or more special effects, triggering at least one of said one or more special effects.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising utilizing one or more of the following: heat sensors, location sensors, proximity sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, vibration sensors, piezo sensors, fluid property sensors, humidity sensors, strain sensors, photo optic sensors, weight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors, biometric sensors and touch sensors.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising integrating sensors into tangible articles including an air conditioning unit, wall control unit, deadbolt, key card, room service menu, dumb waiter, tv controller, door knob, shower, faucet, and/or mat.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising triggering said special effects responsive to use of said tangible articles.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising utilizing at least one processor configured to run artificial intelligence and/or machine learning instructions for controlling special effects.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising utilizing at least one processor as a central processor and one or more remote processors in communication therewith.

14. A system comprising: at least one processor; a defined attraction area having one or more sensors and one or more special effects, each in communication with said at least one processor, said one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect the identity of persons entering said defined attraction area and determine the location of identified persons entering said defined attraction area; and wherein upon confirming an identify of a person entering said defined attraction area and determining, via said at least one processor and/or one or more sensors, that said identified person (i) has not previously experienced said one or more special effects or (ii) a person has experienced said one or more special effects previously and a pre-established amount of time has passed since a person last experienced said one or more special effects, said at least one processor configured to trigger said one or more of said special effects within said defined attraction area.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said sensors include one or more of the following: heat sensors, location sensors, proximity sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, vibration sensors, piezo sensors, fluid property sensors, humidity sensors, strain sensors, photo optic sensors, weight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors, biometric sensors and touch sensors.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising sensors integrated into tangible articles utilized by guests of said amusement area, said sensors configured to trigger special effects.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said one or more sensors include biometric sensors relying on passive facial recognition detectors and iris scanners.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said at least one processor is configured to communicate with mobile phones of guests within said defined area.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said at least one processor is configured to transmit mission clues to mobile phones of guests within said defined area.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein said at least one processor is configured to run artificial intelligence and/or machine learning instructions for controlling special effects.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein said at least one processor includes a central processor and one or more remote processors in communication therewith.

22. An attraction comprising: a defined area; at least one processor in communication with one or more sensors positioned to detect locations of one or more people in said defined area and one or more special effects in said defined area, wherein said one or more special effects in said defined area are configured to be triggered responsive to people being detected by said one or more sensors at one or more pre-established locations within said defined area; wherein said one or more special effects are selectively triggered by said at least one processor only if it is determined by said at least one processor and/or one or more sensors that (i) a person has not previously experienced said one or more special effects based on a feature or item unique to a person or (ii) a person has experienced said one or more special effects previously based on a feature or item unique to a person and a pre-established amount of time has passed since a person last experienced said one or more special effects; and wherein said at least one processor utilizes artificial intelligence and/or machine learning programming to monitor and control said one or more special effects.

23. The attraction of claim 22 wherein said sensors include one or more of the following: heat sensors, location sensors, proximity sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, vibration sensors, piezo sensors, fluid property sensors, humidity sensors, strain sensors, photo optic sensors, weight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors, biometric sensors and touch sensors.

24. The attraction of claim 22 further comprising sensors integrated into tangible articles utilized by guests within said defined area, said sensors configured to activate special effects.

25. The attraction of claim 22 wherein said at least one processor is configured to communicate with mobile phones of guests within or proximate to said defined area.

26. The attraction of claim 25 wherein said at least one processor is configured to transmit mission clues to mobile phones of guests within said defined area.

27. The attraction of claim 22 wherein said at least one processor includes a central processor and one or more remote processors in communication therewith.

28. A system comprising: one or more processors including a central processor and one or more remote processors in communication therewith; a defined attraction area having one or more sensors and one or more special effects, each in communication with said at least one or more processors, said one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect persons entering said defined attraction area and determine the location of persons entering said defined attraction area; and wherein upon confirming a person entering said defined attraction area and determining, via said at least one processor and/or one or more sensors, that said person (i) has not previously experienced said one or more special effects or (ii) a person has experienced said one or more special effects previously and a pre-established amount of time has passed since a person last experienced said one or more special effects, said at least one or more processors configured to trigger said one or more of said special effects within said defined attraction area.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said sensors include one or more of the following: heat sensors, location sensors, proximity sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, vibration sensors, piezo sensors, fluid property sensors, humidity sensors, strain sensors, photo optic sensors, weight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors, biometric sensors and touch sensors.

30. The system of claim 28 further comprising sensors integrated into tangible articles utilized by guests within said defined area, said sensors configured to activate special effects.

31. The system of claim 28 wherein said at least one or more processors is configured to communicate with mobile phones of guests within or proximate to said defined area.

32. The system of claim 28 wherein said at least one or more processors is configured to transmit mission clues to mobile phones of guests within said defined area.

33. The system of claim 28 wherein said at least one processor is configured to run artificial intelligence and/or machine learning instructions for controlling special effects.

34. An attraction comprising: a defined area; at least one processor in communication with one or more sensors positioned to detect locations of one or more people in said defined area and one or more special effects in said defined area, wherein said one or more special effects in said defined area are configured to be triggered responsive to people being detected by said one or more sensors at one or more pre-established locations within said defined area; and wherein said at least one processor is configured to communicate with mobile phones of people within or proximate to said defined area and transmit mission clues to said mobile phones of people within or proximate to said defined area.

35. The attraction of claim 34 wherein said one or more special effects are selectively triggered by said at least one processor only if it is determined by said at least one processor and/or one or more sensors that (i) a person has not previously experienced said one or more special effects based on a feature or item unique to a person or (ii) a person has experienced said one or more special effects previously based on a feature or item unique to a person and a pre-established amount of time has passed since a person last experienced said one or more special effects.

36. The attraction of claim 34 wherein said sensors include one or more of the following: heat sensors, location sensors, proximity sensors, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, vibration sensors, piezo sensors, fluid property sensors, humidity sensors, strain sensors, photo optic sensors, weight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, IR sensors, biometric sensors and touch sensors.

37. The attraction of claim 34 further comprising sensors integrated into tangible articles utilized by guests within said defined area, said sensors configured to activate special effects.

38. The attraction of claim 34 wherein said at least one processor is configured to communicate with mobile phones of guests within or proximate said defined area.

39. The attraction of claim 38 wherein said at least one processor is configured to transmit mission clues to mobile phones of guests within said defined area.

40. The attraction of claim 34 wherein said at least one processor is configured to run artificial intelligence and/or machine learning instructions for controlling special effects.

41. The attraction of claim 34 wherein said at least one processor includes a central processor and one or more remote processors in communication therewith.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of system according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary room layout and sensor positioning according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates use of a room key to determine guest location according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a projection system according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart detailing one method of operating an interactive hotel or motel according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart detailing one method of involving a guest's mobile device according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an interactive hotel or motel (campsite, RV site, cabins, trains, tents, escape rooms, lounges and defined area. Hotel and motel are interchangeable for purposes of this document. Indeed, while a themed hotel is used herein to detail the embodiments of the present invention, any confined structure (e.g., barn, apartment complex, office building, boat, mall, etc.) is suitable for the embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the attraction may take place in a warehouse with a facade front or plain warehouse where guests check in at a front office but when they enter the warehouse a new whole world of immersion with all the amenities of a hotel or motel (e.g., pool, spa, gym, restaurant(s), bar(s), and more, the outdoor areas which may be inside the warehouse even appear to be outside with faux trees and landscapes, which gives full control of day, night, rainfall and more.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, an interactive system 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention utilizes a plurality of sensors 110-1 through 110-N, a plurality of special effects 120-1 through 120-N triggered by outputs of sensors 110-1 through 110-N, a plurality of special effects 115-1 through 115-N triggered unrelated to outputs of sensors 110-1 through 110-N, one or more cameras 130-1 through 130-N and a central controller/processor 140. Although each special effect 120-1 through 120-N is shown with an associated sensor 110-1 through 110-N, it is apparent that the output of a single sensor may be responsible for triggering multiple special effects. The central controller 140 may be any computer having one or more processors configured to run software instructions. In an alternative embodiment, each room or other defined area may incorporate its own controller/processor in communication with one another and optionally a central controller/processor.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary room layout 200 and a position of a plurality of sensors 210-1 through 210-7. The outputs of the sensors 210-1 through 210-7 trigger special effects proximate to the sensors 210-1 through 210-7. More particularly, sensor 210-1 is positioned to detect guests entering the room via door 201; sensor 210-2 is positioned to detect guests entering the bathroom; sensor 210-3 is positioned to detect guests using the toilet; sensor 210-4 is positioned to detect guests using the shower or bath; sensor 210-5 is positioned to detect guests seated or laying on the couch; sensor 210-6 is positioned to detect guests entering the bedroom; and sensor 210-7 is positioned to detect guests seated or laying in the bed. As detailed below, each of the sensors 210-1 through 210-7 may be used to trigger one or more special effects proximate to the position of the sensor 210-1 through 210-7. A video camera 220 provides guest location in a common hallway outside of the room. The sensors 210-1 through 210-7 and camera 220 are communicatively linked to a central controller 230. Speakers 215-1 through 215-N may be used to pump in sounds such as echoing footsteps, howls, screeches, etc.

[0022] The sensors 210-1 through 210-7 may be any type of sensor including optical sensors, laser sensors thermal sensors, weight sensors, motion sensors, proximity sensors, IR and RF sensors and so on. Indeed, any sensor configured to detect the location and/or movement of guests may be used, including cameras (if not inside of a guest room).

[0023] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a digital or magnetic room key 250 is communicatively linked to the central controller 260 (or a room controller). Use of the room key 250 to enter the room can be used to determine a specific guest location. The location of the room key 250 in the room can also be used to infer that the guest is in the room as guests tend to travel with the room key 250. The room key 250 may also be used to identify guests in the common areas. When issued, the room keys 250 may be programmed with the name of the guest such that when the room key 250 communicates with the central controller 260 the name of the guest and/or facial shot of the guest, captured at check in, is transmitted along with the location. The cameras and facial recognition cameras may capture the location of guests in common areas (e.g., bars, nightclubs, restaurants, check-in area, grounds of the property, etc.) Common areas may also utilize one or more microphones 270-1, 270-2 to acquire guest conversations and create and trigger specific special effects responsive thereto. The outputs of the microphones 270-1, 270-2 are transmitted to the central controller 260.

[0024] While many special effects are electro-mechanically driven, in one embodiment, hotel personnel also participate in the interactive environment. With a haunted theme, hotel personnel may stumble around the hotel like zombies and target specific guests desiring a realistic experience. The hotel may include hidden rooms and dedicated personnel areas to provide means for hiding actors, props, sets, special effects, and more as needed. A central control room may be used to house the central controller which receives sensor outputs and monitor video camera outputs so that personnel may undertake steps to manually trigger special effects or create special effects based on acquired real-time guest location data.

[0025] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the elevation 400 of the motel 405 may be modified using backlit features or projection means 410. In one embodiment, the motel may be changed from a conventional looking motel to a rundown property. For example, during the day the motel looks appealing while during the evening the motel is made to show signs of aging, or a fire or explosion ruined it or the like. The transformation of the motel may be the centerpiece of a daily show whereby guests may congregate about the front of the motel to watch the transformation. The daily show may include other special effects utilizing pixel lighting, fiber optic lighting, projections, fire, and other effects. In one embodiment, the transformation of the motel coincides with two magic wands positioned outside of the motel coming together.

[0026] Table 1 lists exemplary special effects of the type, which may be present in the motel or hotel room.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Special Effect Action Door knockers inside walls, doors, and./or Noises inside walls, doors and/or ceiling ceiling Speaker systems hidden within furniture, Whispers, knocks, talking, and other sounds walls, doors, or props Shaking Bed Bed shakes Ringing Phone Prop Phone rings Mist Sprayers Broken pipe from wall simulation; side spraying shower effect; and sound of another guest sneezing and spray mist on guest Scrim/Screen on walls or ceiling Project or display content Box Window Generate thunder and lightning; themed landscape, etc. Automatic Opening and Closing Features Actuators, pulleys, and or other robotic devices drive the opening and closings of drawers, closets, doors, etc. (sensors can prevent injury to guests) Walking Feet Effect Sounds of footsteps Illusions Project content against a wall, ceiling or mirror Videos Turn on/off pre-recorded snippets of video Adjoining Room Door (Door Separating Door may open randomly at which point guest Adjoining Rooms) or Other Doors may close it (the door may open again), guest may go into other room and explore where other special effects may be triggered; may also be used to award the guest with a suite or larger room. Colored Bath/Shower Upon activation of the bath/shower and detection of guest close to bath/shower, dye or other color agents or a bath bomb may be added to the water to change its color Screen or Window in Pool Content displayed on screen or window at bottom of the pool when a guest is swimming Vase A vase with flowers that has 3 sides. When a guest arrives the flowers are alive; when the guest is not looking the vase rotates slightly and now shows dying flowers and then rotates again to reveal dead flowers. Facial Wall Moulding Eye balls installed in faces attached to ceiling mouldings. The eye balls can either a) move when a guest is looking at them or b) move when a guest is not looking at them. Sensors in or near the eyeballs are configured to determine where the guest is looking so as trigger movement of the eyeballs.

[0027] Besides those special effects listed in Table 1, there are many features, including but not limited to trap doors, slides, mazes, motion elevators, angled walkways, pepper ghosts, simulated thunder and lightning, that may be used in rooms, hallways, common areas of the motel or on the grounds thereof. The hotel room windows may also look out to a secondary controlled and confined area outside of the room but within a structure that cannot be seen from the front of the hotel. In this controlled area, the lightning and thunder (and other special effects) can be viewed from inside the room.

[0028] Additional special effects that may be implemented about the motel property include shaking, rumbling, electrical loss, malfunction simulation, etc. With the malfunction simulation, guests may be taken to a designated area to explore while the fake malfunction is supposedly being addressed. This may happen on the elevator or other areas around the property.

[0029] In one embodiment, video or static cameras proximate to check-in are configured to capture facial images of guests which can be subjected to biometric analysis for later use including identification of guests within the motel or on the grounds such that the same special effect is not triggered twice for the same guest. As set forth above, the room keys 250 may also serve this purpose.

[0030] Now referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart 500 details one methodology of operating a motel according to the embodiments of the present invention. At 505, guests check in to the property. At check in guests may provide the property with their desired level of interaction and level of scare desired. The information may then be associated with the guest via the facial recognition, room keys and/or smart devices. At 510, facial data of the guests may be captured. At 515, guests are issued room keys with tracking capabilities. In one embodiment, when the room keys are used, they transmit a signal to the central controller. Alternatively, the room keys may have GPS and/or RFID technology embedded therein. In another embodiment, guests may allow the property to track guest location using the guests' smart device. At 520, the central controller receives a sensor output indicating that a guest is in proximity to a subject special effect. At 525, it is determined, via facial recognition, room key or other technique, whether the guest has experienced that subject special effect previously. The central controller may alternatively determine when the special effect was last triggered and elect to trigger the special effect the next time a sensor detects a guest nearby. If so, the guest has experienced the special effect previously, the special effect is not triggered. If the guest has not experienced the subject special effect previously, at 530, the special effect is triggered by the central controller. The central controller may trigger the special effect directly or via the sensor that detected the guest location.

[0031] In another embodiment, sensors are dispersed about a hotel/motel room and about the property to collect guest movement and activity data which may be used by the property for purposes of tailoring experiences for guests. In such an embodiment, triggering the special effects is not the objective but rather collecting data associated with the guests for marketing purposes is the objective.

[0032] In another embodiment, the system simultaneously monitors the position of two or more guests within a same party via mobile devices, room keys, sensors, etc. Based on the position of the two or more guests, the system may trigger certain special effects. By way of example, responsive to determining that a first guest is in the bathroom, a second guest is on the bed and a third guest has left the room, the system may simultaneously trigger related or unrelated effects for the guest in the hallway, the guest in the bathroom and the guest in the bedroom.

[0033] In another embodiment, the system contacts guests via their mobile phones. Such contact may comprise, for example, false warnings of imminent danger in their room while corresponding special effects are triggered in the room. The mobile contact may further comprise the digital transmission of clues for guests to decipher to find a treasure or other physical rewards; clues to save a person in jeopardy; clues to prevent a catastrophic special effect from triggering; etc. The clues may be limited to the guest's room or the entire property. In one embodiment, a plurality of guests may receive the same clues simultaneously and compete against one another to complete the mission or task about the property.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart 600 detailing one method of involving a guest's mobile device in the embodiments of the present invention. At 605, a push notice, email, text and/or other digital message is transmitted by the system to the guest's mobile phone (as registered at check in). The initial digital message provides the guest with an introduction to the mission. Preferably, the digital message appears to be unrelated to the attraction. For example, the initial digital message may claim that it has been discovered that a treasure is somewhere on the property. A second digital message may ask the guest if he or she wants to accept clues to look for it. If not, at 615, the mission ends. If so, at 620, a first clue is transmitted to the guest's mobile phone. The clue may be a simple statement or may incorporate static and/or video images. At 625, it is determined if the clue has been deciphered. Once a guest deciphers a clue, the guest may be required to transmit, via the guest's mobile phone, proof to the system that the clue has been deciphered. For example, in one embodiment, the guest may send an image of a QR code (or other indicia) located on an article (painting in the room) that is the subject of the clue. If, after a preestablished amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes), at 630, the system may transmit a digital message to the guest's mobile phone asking if the guest is still participating in the mission. If not, at 615, the mission ends. If so, at 635, the system transmits a hint to the guest's mobile phone. Once the clue is deciphered at 630, at 640, it is determined if the final clue has been deciphered. If not, the system loops back to 620 to transmit the next clue to the guest's mobile phone. If, at 640, it is determined that the deciphered clue is the final clue, the system transmits a congratulations message and optionally some type of prize (e.g., coupon for the gift shop).

[0035] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.