Hybrid Motion Ride and Ride Simulator Vehicle

Abstract

A hybrid motion ride and ride simulator vehicle is realized as an encapsulating and reusable simulation technology roller coaster car that visually encapsulates passengers of the car from the surrounding environment to the car during the normal operation of a roller coaster ride such that only interior components of the car are within the field of vision of passengers. Simultaneously, the roller coaster car's internal simulation technology uses a computer network system to produce video and audio outputs to passengers of the vehicle for presenting an internal simulated ride theme adventure environment, of system variability and reusability, to compliment the car's roller coaster ride motions. Embodiments of the current invention present varying car designs with integrated encapsulating and reusable ride simulator components that each meets the requirements of encapsulating and reusable simulation technology roller coaster car design of the current invention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 584,656 filed Jan. 9, 2012 by the present inventor.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableSEQUENCE LISTING[0004]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]1. Field[0006]The current invention relates to fields of motion rides and ride simulators commonly found in amusement parks and especially in regards to the use of roller coaster cars and ride simulation technology.[0007]2. Prior Art[0008]Roller coaster type rides have been appreciated for about two hundred years as riders have enjoyed viewing large skylines as they fall, climb, and roll with great velocities and strong accelerations up, down, and over hills of ride track. Such adventures, however, are limited in type of ride themes that can be effec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is for a roller coaster car that visually encapsulates passengers from the surrounding environment during the roller coaster ride, allowing only the car's interior components to be seen by passengers. The car's internal simulation technology creates both visual and audio output to enhance the ride's experience. This technology can be used in a wide variety of motion rides that achieve ride motions by use of ride vehicles and ride track systems. The technical effect of the patent is to create a roller coaster car that provides a more immersive experience for passengers.

Problems solved by technology

Such adventures, however, are limited in type of ride themes that can be effectively implemented.

With desires to explore more fantastical themes, ride simulators emerged as self-contained systems of visual and audio presentations but such systems have proven to be severely limited in their full capabilities of motion movements.

While these rides present exciting video and audio simulated environments, the motion movements experienced by passengers on these ride simulators have not achieved the velocities and accelerations comparable to roller coaster rides.

Furthermore, roller coaster rides have not captured the extensive and excitable video and audio effects of simulated themes and environments created by ride simulators.

This has created the problem of a divide between amusement park attendees—“thrill-seekers” often flock to roller coaster rides while virtual-enthusiast riders commonly flood ride simulators.

Another issue only worsens the current limited use of roller coaster cars.

Another key problem in the design of roller coaster cars is the limited practicality of ride theme variability and reusability.

Such modifications for roller coaster cars are non-encapsulating and merely additive to external effects of the surrounding environment to the car (and are limited to the single theme constructed for the roller coaster ride) and therefore do not attain the full array of synergistic effects and benefits (including, but not limited to, ride reusability, ride variability, and heightened intensity of the ride experience) that are accomplished from using ERST roller coaster car technology.

In fact, those in fields of motion rides and ride simulators may argue that combining these two separate technologies in the manner of ERST roller coaster car design is counterintuitive to their original applications.

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