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.

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.