Modular interactive climbing wall system using touch-sensitive, illuminated climbing holds, and controller.

Abstract

A system that uses touch sensitive, illuminated, climbing hold on modular panels to create an interactive environment featuring climbing hold illumination and the ability to detect a climber's presence on a hold. The system is connected to the internet where it is configured and enables users with a web enabled device to engage in a wide variety of interactive training activities and games.

Claims

1. An illuminated rock climbing hold comprising: A translucent hold molded into a desired shape with, an ability to flush mount the hold to a desired climbing surface with recess that contains a light source, whereby said light source will light up said translucent hold.

2. A touch sensitive rock climbing hold comprising: A climbing hold that conveys changes in capacitance associated with a climber touching said climbing hold, or the bolt is affixing the hold to the climbing wall.

3. An interactive climbing wall system for entertaining one or more play participants, comprising: a number of modular climbing wall panel elements with a plurality of illuminated and touch sensitive climbing holds as defined in claim 1 and claim 2 situated in a play environment; an electronic system that interfaces with the modular climbing wall panel elements and exchanges data with the modular climbing wall panel elements, the exchanged data comprising game play experience, player location, game progress, and/or performance;

4. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein the exchanged data further comprises one or more climbing wall panel element parameters that correspond to the play participant's progress, performance, ability level and/or a particular subset of said climbing wall panel elements to which the play participant is allowed to access or play next in completing the desired play experience.

5. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein said electronic system comprises an electronic tracking system, a computer and a software program configured and adapted to track the locations and activities said play participants and to adjust the play experience for each play participant based on stored data indicating where the play participant has been, what objectives that play participant has accomplished and how many points and/or levels have been reached.

6. A method for facilitating an interactive play experience for one or more play participants, comprising the steps of: providing a portable identifier for each said play participant, said identifier providing a unique identification for each play participant and/or each group of play participants working together; using said identifier to track the play activities and/or performance of each associated play participant and/or group of play participants; recording each play participant's or each said group of play participants' performance in the play elements; and modifying the play experience and/or controlling access to a set of play elements to which the participant may proceed based on the recorded performance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A clear understanding of the key features of the invention summarized above may be had by reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate the method and system of the invention, although it will be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope with regard to other embodiments which the invention is capable of contemplating. Accordingly:

[0021] FIG. 1: is a representative front view of one embodiment of a panel with affixed illuminating, touch sensitive, climbing holds.

[0022] FIG. 2: is a representative back view of one embodiment of a panel with corresponding wire and control components.

[0023] FIG. 3: is a representative diagram of one embodiment of a plurality panels affixed to the support structure to create a climbing wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein.

[0025] It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a representative front view of one embodiment of a modular panel (1) that is comprised of a plurality of climbing holds (4) affixed to the panel with a bolt (5). Illumination of holds is achieved by using holds molded with a translucent polymer that is illuminated by a number of daisy-chained RGB LEDs (2) that are inset into the panel underneath the hold. A sheet of conductive material (3) may be positioned under the climbing hold (4) to enhance the capacitance of the hold.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a representative back view of one embodiment of a modular panel (1) where the holds on the panel are daisy-chained (6) to each other with the chain beginning at the panel's control unit (8). Wires (7) connect the climbing holds (4) to the control unit (8).

[0028] FIG. 3 is a representative diagram depicting panels affixed to the wall using the mounting flanges (10).

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029] 1Panel [0030] 2RGB LED light source and inset [0031] 3Optional conductive material to enhance hold capacitance [0032] 4Translucent climbing hold [0033] 5Bolt [0034] 6Power/data cable for LEDs [0035] 7Capacitive touch transmission wires [0036] 8Panel control unit [0037] 9Panel [0038] 10Panel flange

Operation

[0039] Installation

[0040] Mounting flanges are attached to a wall using appropriate fasteners. Once installed, panels are powered using a standard power supply. Once powered, the panels automatically associate themselves with the local server. Once associated, the rest of the configuration is done through a website.

[0041] Configuration

[0042] With the panels online, the system configuration is done through a website.

[0043] Usage

[0044] With a wall of panels, users will use a kiosk or their web enabled mobile device to dynamically select an activity or game that is then illuminated by the holds on the panels.