Retro-reflective show element systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025294132-A1
Application number	US-202519081852-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 17, 2025
Priority date	Mar 18, 2024
Publication date	Sep 18, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

An entertainment attraction for an entertainment venue includes a retro-reflective object including a retro-reflective layer configured to directionally reflect light, a transparent layer configured to enable passage of the light towards the retro-reflective layer, and a translucent layer overlaid onto the transparent layer and configured to provide the retro-reflective object with one or more light effects. The entertainment attraction also including a light source configured to direct the light to the retro-reflective object.

First claim

1 . An entertainment attraction for an entertainment venue, the entertainment attraction comprising:
a retro-reflective object comprising:
a retro-reflective layer configured to directionally reflect light;
a transparent layer configured to enable passage of the light towards the retro-reflective layer;
a translucent layer overlaid onto the transparent layer and configured to provide the retro-reflective object with one or more light effects; and
a light source configured to direct the light to the retro-reflective object.

2 . The entertainment attraction of claim 1 , wherein the translucent layer is configured to provide the retro-reflective object with a color effect as the one or more light effects.

3 . The entertainment attraction of claim 2 , wherein the translucent layer is a translucent paint or a translucent sticker, and wherein the translucent layer is configured to define an image.

4 . The entertainment attraction of claim 3 , comprising an opaque element configured to at least partially define the image.

5 . The entertainment attraction of claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to be manipulated by a guest of the entertainment attraction.

6 . The entertainment attraction of claim 1 , comprising:
a sensor, configured to detect an application of the light to the retro-reflective object; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
identify the application of the light to the retro-reflective object, and based on identifying the application of the light to the retro-reflective object:
indicate to a guest of the entertainment attraction that the retro-reflective object has been found.

7 . The entertainment attraction of claim 1 , wherein the entertainment attraction is a ride attraction, and wherein the light source is coupled to a vehicle of the ride attraction.

8 . The entertainment attraction of claim 1 , wherein the retro-reflective object is a three-dimensional (3D) object, and wherein the transparent layer, the translucent layer, or both are configured to surround the retro-reflective layer.

9 . An entertainment attraction for an entertainment venue, the entertainment attraction comprising:
a retro-reflective object comprising:
a retro-reflective layer configured to directionally reflect light;
a transparent layer configured to enable passage of the light towards the retro-reflective layer; and
a translucent layer overlaid onto the transparent layer and configured to provide the retro-reflective object with one or more light effects;
a sensor configured to detect an application of the light to the retro-reflective object; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
identify the application of the light to the retro-reflective object, and based on identifying the application of the light to the retro-reflective object:
provide, via a display associated with a guest of the entertainment attraction, an indication associated with the retro-reflective object.

10 . The entertainment attraction of claim 9 , wherein the entertainment attraction is a walkthrough attraction or a ride attraction.

11 . The entertainment attraction of claim 9 , wherein the light is provided by a light source configured to be held by the guest.

12 . The entertainment attraction of claim 11 , wherein the light source comprises a light source sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the light source based on feedback received from the light source sensor.

13 . The entertainment attraction of claim 12 , wherein the feedback is indicative of a position or an orientation of the light source.

14 . The entertainment attraction of claim 9 , comprising a light source configured to apply the light to the retro-reflective object, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the light source based on an associated trait of the guest.

15 . The entertainment attraction of claim 9 , wherein the retro-reflective object is a three-dimensional (3D) object.

16 . A retro-reflective object for an entertainment venue, the retro-reflective object comprising:
a retro-reflective layer configured to receive light from a light source and directionally reflect the light back towards the light source; a scrim layer configured to at least partially block passage of light to the retro-reflective layer, from the retro-reflective layer, or both; a transparent layer configured to enable passage of the light towards the retro-reflective layer; and a translucent layer overlaid onto the scrim layer and configured to provide the retro-reflective object with one or more light effects.

17 . The retro-reflective object of claim 16 , wherein the light source is configured to be carried, manipulated, or both by a guest of the entertainment venue.

18 . The retro-reflective object of claim 16 , comprising an opaque element configured to at least partially define an image of the retro-reflective object.

19 . The retro-reflective object of claim 16 , wherein the retro-reflective layer is a three-dimensional (3D) object, and the transparent layer, the translucent layer, or both, at least partially surround the retro-reflective layer.

20 . The retro-reflective object of claim 19 , wherein the scrim layer is separated from the retro-reflective layer.

Assignees

• Universal City Studios Llc

Inventors

• Krauthamer Akiva Meir
• Jeromin Aaron Chandler

Classifications

• A63G31/00

  Amusement arrangements · CPC title

• A63G33/00 Primary

  Devices allowing competitions between several persons, not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• H04N13/398

  Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof · CPC title

• H04N13/302 Primary

  for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays · CPC title