Attraction device and usage of attraction device

Abstract

To provide an attraction device capable of executing various performances and increasing motivation to visit facilities and effect of attracting customers, and usage of the attraction device.SOLUTION: An experiential attraction device 100 allows users to enter and exit a space comprised of partition walls 1, 1 ..., where at least a part of the partition walls 1, 1 ... includes reflection means 2 for reflecting light, and the reflection means 2 is configured to reflect light at an angle different from an incident angle to the partition walls 1. The attraction device can thus utilize unexpectedness of light reflection directions to execute various performances, thereby increasing motivation to visit facilities and effect of attracting customers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an attraction device that people can enter and enjoy, and a method for using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Attraction devices are installed as part of the entertainment activities at amusement facilities, large commercial facilities, etc., to entertain visitors. Attraction devices such as mazes and other artistic attraction devices have the effect of increasing the motivation to visit the facility and attracting customers by providing attractive mechanisms.

[0003] Attraction devices are either permanently installed or configured to be assembled for each event, but they cannot be made large-scale due to cost and space constraints. Therefore, there is a possibility that people will get bored of them in a relatively short time, and the anticipation of this fact can sometimes lead to a lack of motivation to use them. Also, once people have used them once, the impression of fun fades, so if they are simply an attraction, it is difficult to create motivation to use them again.

[0004] Therefore, manufacturers of attraction devices have devised various methods to not only increase users' motivation to use the devices, but also to enable them to be reused and enjoyed again and again. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a highly artistic maze device technology in which multiple rooms are arranged adjacent to each other, and pictures that can be made to appear three-dimensional are painted on the walls of each room. This technology is said to make the pictures appear three-dimensional by painting them with highly transparent paint in layers.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a maze mechanism technology that enhances entertainment value by using a reflective material such as a mirror on the walls of a three-dimensional maze. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-33842 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-206238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, it is thought that the three-dimensional effect obtained by layering paint is minimal. Therefore, it must be said that simply painting a picture on a wall using this method has limited effect on increasing the motivation to visit a facility and attracting customers.

[0008] Furthermore, the technology of Patent Document 2 is expected to have the effect of reflecting the surrounding scenery and creating the illusion of a passageway by making the walls mirror-like. However, mirrors are familiar to people in their daily lives, and once people recognize them as mirrors, the dramatic effect is diminished. Furthermore, maze devices that use mirrors have traditionally been recognized by many people as mirror houses, and are commonplace in the form of displays aimed at attracting visitors.

[0009] Even if conventional techniques were used to take advantage of the properties of light, such as painting artistic designs on the walls or creating illusions through specular reflection, the impression made on users of the attraction device was very weak. Furthermore, the above-mentioned method has the problem that it is difficult to create new performances.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an attraction device and a method for using the same that can perform a variety of performances and increase the motivation to visit a facility and the effect of attracting customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The means adopted by the present inventors to solve the above problems will be described below. The attraction device of the present invention is an experiential attraction device in which users can enter and exit a space defined by partition walls. At least a part of the partition wall is provided with a reflecting means for reflecting light, and the reflecting means reflects the light at an angle different from the angle of incidence to the partition wall.

[0012] On ordinary walls, incident light is reflected in all directions, resulting in diffuse reflection. This phenomenon occurs all around us. If the partitions of attraction devices are made of ordinary boards, fabric, wallpaper, etc., this diffuse reflection will usually occur. On the other hand, if the partition wall is constructed like a mirror, specular reflection occurs, where the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are equal. However, as mentioned above, while specular reflection beautifully reflects the surrounding scenery, the specular reflection that we often see in everyday life does not provide much visual effect.

[0013] In contrast to this, in the present invention, at least a part of the partition wall is provided with a reflecting means having a property of reflecting light at an angle different in magnitude from the angle of incidence to the partition wall. By having the reflecting means reflect light in a direction different from that of the incident light, the light can be guided in a direction different from that generally expected from the position of the light emitting means. In other words, users of the attraction device can receive light in unexpected positions and can visually check the surface condition of the reflecting means itself.

[0014] In diffuse reflection, some components of the reflected light are reflected in a direction different from the incident light, but the light is not reflected evenly in all directions. Generally, even in diffuse reflection, the intensity tends to be strongest in the direction of the reflection angle equal to the angle of incidence. In contrast, in the present invention, "reflecting light in a direction different from that of the incident light" means that, among the angular components of light reflected at various angles, the angle with the highest intensity is an angle different in magnitude from the angle of incidence.

[0015] Another means that can be adopted to solve the problem is to have a passage formed by the partition wall and an entrance / exit provided in part of the partition wall, and to create a maze within the passage that users can navigate.

[0016] By using a maze as the attraction device, it is possible to add an element of surprise to the playfulness of the maze itself through the use of the above-mentioned reflection means. Once a user has memorized the route through a maze, they tend to lose motivation to try again. However, by using the above-mentioned reflection means to create a maze, it is possible to take advantage of the unexpectedness of the reflection to create an attraction device that will not tire of users even if they try again.

[0017] Another method that can be adopted to solve the problem is to use a retroreflective material as the reflecting means. Retroreflection refers to the reflection of light toward the light-emitting means regardless of the angle at which light is incident, and a retroreflective material refers to a reflective material that is configured to cause such retroreflection. Note that retroreflection does not strictly refer to reflection in exactly the same direction as the incident light; even if the reflected light contains a certain angular variation, if it is reflected macroscopically roughly in the direction of the light-emitting means, it is considered retroreflection.

[0018] In the above configuration in which a retroreflective material is used as the reflecting means, the user of the attraction device can wear or hold the light-emitting means, and the reflecting means can be seen only when the user points the light-emitting means in the direction of the reflecting means. On the other hand, even if another user tries to look at the position of the reflecting means from another position at the same time, the light from the reflecting means shone by the user holding the light emitting means does not reach the user, and the user cannot see the reflecting means. In other words, even if multiple users are inside the attraction device, only the user who points the light emitting means at the reflecting means can see the reflecting means.

[0019] As still another means that can be adopted to solve the problem, the reflecting means can be configured to reflect light of a specific wavelength in an emphasized manner in accordance with the angle of incidence with respect to the partition wall. One example of how light of a specific wavelength can be emphasized depending on the angle of incidence is to use the optical path difference caused by refraction to cause interference for each wavelength, causing the wavelengths to strengthen or weaken each other depending on the sum of the phases.

[0020] Generally, when the light emitted by the light emitting means, which is non-parallel light, is incident on the reflecting means, the angle of incidence will vary slightly depending on the position of the reflecting means having a predetermined area. In the above configuration, which emphasizes light of a specific wavelength depending on the angle of incidence, the wavelength to be emphasized varies depending on the angle of incidence, so the reflecting means reflects light of a color that gradually changes depending on the position of the reflecting means, i.e., the reflecting means appears to be rainbow-colored. Furthermore, when the light emitting means or the user moves relative to the reflecting means, the color of the reflecting means appears to change.

[0021] As a means that can be adopted to solve the problem, it is possible to use the attraction device described above and configure it so that light emitted by the light emitting means held by the user is reflected by the reflecting means. As a method of using the attraction device described above, the light emitting means can be fixed in a predetermined position and emit light, but as described above, by emitting light using a light emitting means carried by the user, the user will enter and exit the attraction device while emitting light.

[0022] This allows the user to illuminate any desired location in the attraction device with the light emitting means, and when light is incident on the reflecting means, it can be reflected in a specific direction.

[0023] As still another means that can be adopted to solve the problem, when using the attraction device described above, the light emitting means can be a headlight attached to the head of the user. By using a headlight as the light emitting means, the user's hands are free to operate various mechanisms and perform actions such as writing within the attraction device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] In the attraction device and the method of using the attraction device of the present invention, a reflecting means that reflects light at an angle different from the angle of incidence is provided on at least a part of the partition, so that the reflecting means can reflect light in a direction contrary to the user's expectation. In this way, various effects can be created by taking advantage of the unexpected direction of light reflection, which has the effect of increasing the desire to visit the facility and attracting customers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an attraction device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a partition wall of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a reflecting means of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams showing how to use the attraction device of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a reflecting means in Modification 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an attraction device according to a first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using the attraction device in the first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a reflecting means in Modification 2 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the drawings are shown schematically for the sake of simplicity.

[0027] 1, attraction device 100 of the present invention is configured as a complex maze, with passageways formed by a plurality of partitions 1·1... that are higher than a human being. Attraction device 100 is provided with a pair of entrances EN and exits EX, and a user U can enter through entrance EN and exit through exit EX by following the correct path. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the entrance EN and the exit EX are provided separately, but they may be provided as a single entrance / exit EN·EX.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the partitions 1·1... are made up of left and right wall surfaces 11·11' in the passageway and a ceiling 12, and the inside of the maze is dark. For the sake of explanation, part of the ceiling 12 has been omitted in FIG. 1 to provide a bird's-eye view of the interior. Note that the ceiling 12 may not be provided, and the entire facility space in which the attraction device 100 is installed may be turned off to create darkness. Alternatively, only a portion of the space may be dark. On the other hand, instead of darkness, it is also possible to take in external light, which is diffused light, to create a relatively bright state.

[0029] A part of the partition wall 1 in the passage is provided with a reflective means 2. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the reflective means 2 is in the shape of a character with an animal motif or the like, but it may also be in the shape of a poster or a painting, or may have various other shapes such as letters or figures. Furthermore, the reflective means 2 may be provided only in a part of the partition wall 1, or the reflective means 2 may be provided on the entire partition wall 1.

[0030] The reflecting means 2 is configured to be irradiated with light from the light emitting means L. The light emitting means L may be held by the user U or worn by the user U. Alternatively, the light emitting means L may be fixed to a wall surface 11 or hung from a ceiling 12. It may also be supported from the ground by a stand.

[0031] The partition wall 1 is not limited to any particular shape as long as it can separate a space. For example, in the form shown in Fig. 2, erector pipes 13 are combined to form a set of rectangular frame pairs, and fabric 14 is stretched over the frame pairs. This can be used standing on the ground to form a wall surface 11, or fabric 14 can be stretched across the erector pipes 13, 13' at the top of a pair of wall surfaces 11, 11' to form a ceiling 12 (not shown).

[0032] If you combine these partition walls 1 in a long, narrow shape, it becomes a passageway, and if you form a large space, it becomes a room. The shape of the partition wall 1 may be a rectangular shape, a tubular shape, or a complex curved shape. Furthermore, the components of the partition wall 1 may be made of various materials other than the erector pipes 13 and the fabric 14, such as wood boards and cardboard.

[0033] Although there are no particular limitations on the fabric 14, it is preferable that the fabric be a black, raised fabric with low reflectivity that reflects as little light as possible. If the reflectivity is 30% or less, the reflective means 2 described below will be clearly visible, but it is more preferably 20% or less, and even more preferably 10% or less. The fabric 14 may be different for each partition wall 1 that forms a passageway or room. Also, it may be a light color or have an all-over pattern.

[0034] Next, the reflecting means 2 in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the reflecting means 2 is a retroreflective material. Retroreflective materials can be configured in a variety of ways, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), they can be configured by laminating a coating layer 21, glass beads 22, an interference layer 23, a colored resin layer 24, and an adhesive resin layer 25.

[0035] The covering layer 21 is a layer for protecting the surface, and may be made of a colorless and transparent resin such as polyethylene resin. The glass beads 22 are preferably selected to have a refractive index of about 1.9 and a diameter ranging from 38 μm to 85 μm. The interference layer 23 is a layer of a metal compound vapor-deposited on the lower surface of the glass beads 22, and can be made up of, for example, three layers with an optical thickness of 140 nm zinc sulfide, 140 nm silicon dioxide, and 140 nm zinc sulfide. However, the layer thickness varies, becoming thinner toward the outside.

[0036] The colored resin layer 24 is a layer that expresses a pattern, and in addition to a diffusely reflective colored layer, it can be made by appropriately combining a specularly reflective landing layer, a colored layer with low reflectivity, a colored layer with translucency, etc., or by using some of them alone. The adhesive resin layer 26 is a layer used to fix the reflective material by adhesion, and by having the adhesive resin layer 26, it can be attached to the fabric 14 of the partition wall 1 by thermal transfer (thermal adhesion). In addition to thermal transfer, various methods can be used to attach the reflective material to the fabric 14, such as applying an adhesive, using double-sided tape, or sewing.

[0037] When light is incident on a retroreflective material with the above layer configuration, as shown in Figure 3(b), the light that passes through the coating layer 21 is refracted by the glass beads 22 and enters the interference layer 23. The light that passes through the interference layer 23 is reflected at the boundary surface with the colored resin layer 24, passes through the interference layer 23 again, and enters the glass beads 22. The light refracted by the glass beads 22 then passes through the coating layer 21 and exits. Light is refracted multiple times from the time it enters the glass bead 22 until it exits, and this refraction and reflection by the resin layer 24 cause the light to exit in the same direction as it entered.This is the basic principle of retroreflection.

[0038] Here, when light enters and leaves the interference layer 23, there is light that is reflected at the boundary between the interference layer 23 and the glass bead balls 22, and light that penetrates into the interference layer 23 and is reflected back at the boundary with the colored resin layer 24. The light that penetrates the interior has a longer optical path difference than the light that is reflected at the boundary with the glass bead balls 22, and so a phase difference occurs between this light and the light that is reflected at the boundary with the glass bead balls 22.

[0039] When the phase difference is the same, the lights are added together and strengthen each other, but depending on the phase difference, they may weaken each other. This phase difference varies depending on the wavelength and the thickness of the interference layer 23. Therefore, depending on the angle of incidence on the coating layer 21, the distance traveled within the interference layer 23 varies, and the color of the reflected light also varies. In the retroreflective material with the configuration shown in Figure 3, due to the above principle, each part of the retroreflective material has a different color, resulting in a color distribution like a gradation, and the reflected light looks like a rainbow.

[0040] Next, a method of using the attraction device 100 using such a reflecting means 2 will be described with reference to FIG. A user U enters the maze from the entrance EN after wearing a headlamp or holding a handy light, which is the light-emitting means L. In order to create a game-like or competitive atmosphere, the attraction device 100 is used so that multiple users U, U', etc. enter the maze at the same time.

[0041] The retroreflective material, which is the reflecting means 2, is cut out into a specific shape and attached to the fabric 14 on the wall surface 11 by thermal transfer. Users U, U'... are given a task in advance: they are to count the number of reflectors 2 installed on the correct route, and when they exit from exit EX, they are asked to confirm whether the number is correct. Alternatively, they can be asked to count only the number of reflectors 2 of a specific type of shape, or to guess the shape itself.

[0042] The inside of the passage surrounded by the partition wall 1 is dark, and the reflecting means 2 cannot be seen as it is. However, when a user U shines light ahead with the light emitting means L and the light happens to hit the reflecting means 2, the reflecting means 2 shines in rainbow colors, and its shape can be seen.

[0043] At this time, since the reflecting means 2 is a retroreflective material, the user U who shines the reflecting means 2 can see its shape, but the reflected light does not reach another user U' who is in a different position. Therefore, the other user U' cannot find the reflecting means 2, which increases the fun and competitiveness of the game. For this reason, it is preferable that the light emitting means L is something like a spotlight with narrow directionality that emits light intensively in a certain direction.

[0044] In this way, by using the attraction device 100 of the present invention, various unprecedented performances are possible, which can increase the motivation to visit the facility and the effect of attracting customers. In addition, the retroreflective material reflects rainbow colors, making it visually appealing. Therefore, in addition to game-like and competitive effects, simply illuminating the reflecting means 2 with the light-emitting means L and allowing people to discover its shape can increase the motivation to visit the facility and attract more customers.

[0045] "Variation 1" Next, an attraction device 101 according to a modified example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The attraction device 101 of this modification differs in that the reflecting means 2 is not made of retroreflective material but is made of a variable visible image print.

[0046] A visually variable image print is a printed material whose visual content changes depending on the viewing angle. As shown in Figure 5(a), a visually variable image print is created by dividing two paintings into minute strips, alternating the strips of each painting onto a single sheet, and then embossing the resulting sheet to form multiple ridges along the strips. A strip of painting A is printed on one side of each ridge, and a strip of painting B is printed on the other. When viewed from one diagonal angle, the visually variable image print appears to have strips of painting A (e.g., a dinosaur) arranged in a continuous pattern, as shown in Figure 5(b). When viewed from the opposite diagonal angle, the strips of painting B (e.g., a cat) appear to have strips arranged in a continuous pattern, as shown in Figure 5(c). This results in the print appearing as if only painting A or painting B were printed on it.

[0047] In this modification, one side of each ridge is printed with a low reflectance color similar to the surface of wall surface 11, and the other side is printed with a specific picture with high reflectance. As shown in Figure 6, these are placed near the corner where wall surfaces 11 intersect. In this case, the picture is printed on the side facing the corner, and the color similar to the surface of wall surface 11 is printed on the side facing the opposite side.

[0048] On the other hand, the space in which the visually variable image print is provided is also provided with a light emitting means L. The light emitting means L is preferably a light emitting means with high directionality such as a spotlight, but it may also be possible to make holes in the wall surface 11 or ceiling 12, for example, to allow external light to enter the interior. The light from the light emitting means L is then emitted toward the wall surface 11 at the corner of the wall surfaces 11, 11, on which the variable visual image print is not provided.

[0049] The surface of the wall surface 11 is made of fabric 14 with low reflectivity, as in the configurations of Figures 1 to 4, so even if light from the light-emitting means L is irradiated onto the wall surface 11, the light does not reach the visible image variable print, and therefore the visible image variable print cannot be seen. Furthermore, a wall-mounted mirror M is provided movably at an arbitrary position on the wall surface 11 of this space.

[0050] Here, a method of using the attraction device 101 of this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 7. First, a user U enters through the entrance EN without carrying any light-emitting means. The user U is tasked with progressing through the maze while recording the contents of the paintings displayed within the space, and checking the answer when he or she reaches the exit EX. When user U enters the space where this visually variable image print is installed, he searches for the painting. However, although there is a light emitting means L, the light is not irradiated onto the visually variable image print, so user U has difficulty finding the painting, as shown in Figure 7(a).

[0051] Now, let us focus on mirror M and move the position of mirror M to the position of wall surface 11 illuminated by light-emitting means L, as shown in FIG. 7(b). Then, mirror M reflects the light from light-emitting means L and illuminates the visually variable image print. The light reflected by mirror M is irradiated onto the surface facing the corner of the visually variable image print, and is reflected by that surface and returns toward mirror M. In other words, light is incident obliquely on wall surface 11 on which reflecting means 2 is provided, but is not reflected at an equal reflection angle, but is reflected in such a way that the light returns toward mirror M.

[0052] By moving mirror M as shown in Figure 7(b), user U can view the picture with the variable visual image print through mirror M from near light emitting means L. At this time, even if the user tries to view the variable visual image print itself, the surface of the variable visual image print facing the space is printed in the same color as fabric 14, creating the illusion that it is wall surface 11. Therefore, a mysterious visual effect can be created in which the painting appears to exist only within mirror M, and by providing a unique experience in addition to the game element, it can increase the motivation to visit the facility and attract more customers.

[0053] "Variation 2" The reflecting means 2 shown in Fig. 3 can have other configurations in addition to the glass beads 22. For example, as shown in Fig. 8(a), a rectangular prism can be used instead of a small sphere. Even with this configuration, it is possible to reflect light in the same direction as the light emitting means L, as shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0054] "Variation 3" The attraction device can be configured not only as a maze as shown in Figures 1 to 7, but also as an art space device in which light is shone on the reflecting means 2 within a large space, allowing visitors to enjoy the unexpectedness of the reflection (not shown). Attractions are generally entertainment-oriented, but may also be aimed at providing a sense of psychological relaxation or stimulating aesthetic senses. In this modified example, there is only one space and the device configuration itself is simple, but by providing a reflecting means 2, users can use a light emitting means and enjoy the unexpectedness of the light reflected by the reflecting means 2.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the configurations of Figures 1 to 4, the retroreflective material may be a single color that does not utilize interference, and the shape may be letters rather than figures or characters, thereby incorporating a quiz format. In the examples of FIGS. 5 to 7, the surface on which the picture is printed may be configured to generate retroreflection, and the light emitting means L may not be fixed, but may be configured so that the user U emits light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100,101 Attraction device 1 Bulkhead 11 Wall 12 Ceiling 13 Erector pipe 14 Fabric 2 Reflection means 21 Covering layer 22 Glass beads 23 Interference Layer 24 Colored resin layer 25 Adhesive resin layer 26 Prism EN Entrance EX exit L Light-emitting means M mirror U User

Claims

1. An experiential attraction device in which users can enter and exit a space defined by a partition wall, At least a part of the partition wall is provided with a reflecting means for reflecting light, An attraction device, wherein the reflecting means reflects light at an angle different from the angle of incidence on the partition wall.

2. a passage formed by the partition wall and an entrance / exit provided in a part of the partition wall, 2. The attraction device according to claim 1, wherein the passage is a maze through which users can proceed.

3. 3. The attraction device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting means is a retroreflective material.

4. 4. The attraction device according to claim 3, wherein the reflecting means reflects light of a specific wavelength in an emphasized manner in accordance with an incident angle with respect to the partition wall.

5. A method of using the attraction device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: A method of using an attraction device, characterized in that light emitted from a light-emitting means held by the user is reflected by the reflecting means.

6. 6. The method for using an attraction device according to claim 5, wherein the light emitting means is a headlight attached to the user's head.

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