Spatial audio control system for amusement rides

Abstract

A system for adjusting audio based on passenger dynamics includes: a passenger vehicle, a controller, one or more motion sensors, and one or more audio output devices coupled to the passenger vehicle. The one or more motion sensors are configured to generate motion data of a passenger and transmit the motion data to the controller. The controller is configured to receive the motion data and generate audio control commands based at least on the motion data. The one or more audio output devices are configured to output spatial audio signals based on the audio control commands.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This section aims to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology that may be related to the various aspects of this disclosure. This discussion is intended to help provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these statements should be read from this perspective and not as an admission of prior art.

[0002] The topics disclosed in this article relate to amusement park attractions, and more specifically, to providing auditory experiences within amusement park attractions.

[0003] Amusement parks or theme parks may include a variety of entertainment attractions that help provide enjoyment to the park's customers. For example, attractions may include rides (e.g., closed-loop tracks, dark rides, thrill rides, or other similar rides), and attractions may be part of a themed environment, which may be traditionally set up using equipment, furniture, architectural layouts, props, decorations, display media, etc. These themed environments may also use audio systems to incorporate sound. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Certain embodiments commensurate with the scope of the original claimed subject matter are outlined below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure; rather, they are merely intended to provide a brief overview of some of the disclosed embodiments. In fact, this disclosure may cover a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a system for adjusting audio based on passenger dynamics includes: a passenger vehicle, a controller, one or more motion sensors, and one or more audio output devices coupled to the passenger vehicle. The one or more motion sensors are configured to generate motion data of a passenger and transmit the motion data to the controller. The controller is configured to receive the motion data and generate audio control commands based at least on the motion data. The one or more audio output devices are configured to output spatial audio signals based on the audio control commands.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes processor-executable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to receive simulated motion data of a customer during a ride cycle of an amusement ride. The processor-executable code, when executed by the processor, also causes the processor to generate audio control instructions based at least on the simulated motion data. Finally, the processor-executable code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to transmit the audio control instructions to one or more audio output devices, causing the one or more audio output devices to output spatial audio signals based on the audio control instructions.

[0007] According to another embodiment, a method for adjusting spatial audio for an amusement ride includes: receiving motion data of one or more customers during a ride cycle of the amusement ride from one or more motion sensors coupled to the ride vehicle via a processor. The method further includes: generating audio control instructions via the processor, at least based on the motion data. Additionally, the method includes: transmitting the audio control instructions via the processor to one or more audio output devices configured to output spatial audio output based on the audio control instructions. Attached Figure Description

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same characters throughout the drawings denote the same parts, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for adjusting audio based on riding dynamics according to the present technology; Figure 2 Based on this technology Figure 1 The illustration shows an embodiment where a customer is moving dynamically; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for adjusting audio based on the riding dynamics of multiple customers in a vehicle, according to the present technology; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication between devices in a spatial audio adjustment system based on this technology; Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication between devices in a spatial audio conditioning system that uses analog motion data according to this technology; Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the spatial audio adjustment method according to this technology; and Figure 7 This is a block diagram of a spatial audio conditioning system including a passenger vehicle and a passenger controller, according to the present technology. Detailed Implementation

[0009] One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be understood that, as in any engineering or design project, the development of any such actual implementation requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but will be nothing more than routine tasks of design, fabrication, and manufacturing for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0010] When describing elements of various embodiments of this disclosure, the articles “a” and “the” are intended to mean the presence of one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising” and “including” are intended to be inclusive and mean that additional elements may exist in addition to the listed elements.

[0011] Amusement parks may include audio systems to enhance the customer experience of park attractions (e.g., rides, shows, or other experiences) by providing customers with themed sound environments. For example, the audio system may include speakers arranged in, on, or around a ride that accommodates one or more customers, and the audio system may output audio to complement a physical, virtual reality, or augmented reality environment. In particular, the audio system may output spatial audio, thereby creating a three-dimensional sound experience for customers. In embodiments, spatial audio modulates the sound directionality, which can, for example, output audio from the speakers to create an immersive 360-degree audio environment. In embodiments, sound can be anchored to a point in space such that the sound source point remains the same rather than rotating with the customer as they turn their head. Stereo mixing separates the sound into left and right channels, and spatial audio provides a height dimension to the audio output, allowing for front / back or top / bottom sound effects that are not typically rendered in two-channel stereo. In spatial audio, the audio output of individual audio objects is output in a speaker configuration. Depending on the desired audio effect, the audio associated with each object is assigned to different speakers (e.g., left and right speakers). Each audio object can have a different audio output.

[0012] Spatial audio can be developed based on assumptions about the orientation of the listener's left and right ears. Spatial audio output can be generated, for example, by emitting audio and recording or detecting the emitted audio using a pair of microphones attached to a model of the listener's head. Detection of the emitted audio at the microphones provides data for modeling the audio experience to the left and right of the listener's orientation. This approach can be effective in instances where the listener's head, and therefore the listener's ears, are assumed to be stationary relative to one or more audio output devices (such as when the listener is wearing headphones). However, recording and outputting spatial sound environments proves challenging in more dynamic environments, such as at amusement park attractions.

[0013] As an example, a speaker can be attached to a seat in a ride that can move along a track of an amusement park ride. As the ride moves along the track, forces can be applied to the ride, the speaker, and one or more customers seated in the ride. In response to these forces, one or more customers can move within the ride, thereby changing the distance between each customer and the audio output device, and thus altering the spatial audio experience of one or more customers at one or both ears.

[0014] Therefore, as will be described in more detail below, this disclosure provides techniques for adjusting spatial audio output to provide an improved spatial audio experience for customers experiencing specific attractions in an amusement park. A spatial audio adjustment system for amusement rides can adjust the spatial audio output based on modeled and / or measured motion data, and the adjusted spatial audio output can thereby create an enhanced spatial audio environment for customers. In particular, the spatial audio output (such as themed spatial audio tracks) can be adjusted before or during the ride to take into account the motion or assumed motion of each customer relative to the speakers.

[0015] A spatial audio conditioning system may include one or more sensors configured to generate motion data. These sensors may include, for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, inertial measurement units (IMUs), etc., and may be attached to or placed on or near the vehicle to generate motion data. The motion data may include force, acceleration, or other suitable measurements that can help directly measure or predict the orientation of one or more customers relative to one or more audio output devices. For example, motion data may indicate that the vehicle is turning right, which could indicate that one or more customers will move to the left relative to the vehicle.

[0016] Additionally, the spatial audio conditioning system may include a controller that can generate audio control instructions based on motion data, and these audio control instructions may include motion-adjusted audio output. Specifically, the controller may use motion data to determine the distance between one or more customers and one or more audio output devices. Based on the determined distance, the controller may generate audio control instructions to adjust the audio output (e.g., signal), and the motion-adjusted audio output can more accurately provide a spatial sound environment for one or more customers. For example, the audio control instructions may include instructions to increase or decrease the audio signal to one or more audio output devices (e.g., raise or lower the volume) when the vehicle is experiencing a sharp turn. In addition to motion data, the controller may generate audio control instructions based on other information, such as the height of one or more customers, calibration values ​​indicated by one or more customers, etc.

[0017] One or more customers experiencing a particular amusement ride can experience similar forces and therefore similar patterns of motion during that ride. Thus, in some embodiments, motion data generated during one cycle of a particular amusement ride can be used to generate motion-modulated audio for subsequent cycles of the ride. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail below, the spatial audio modulation system can use analog techniques to generate analog motion data, and this analog motion data can be used to generate motion-modulated audio output.

[0018] Considering the foregoing, Figure 1 A spatial audio conditioning system 8 is illustrated, comprising a controller 12 that generates audio control commands 18 based on received motion data 16. The motion data 16 may be generated by one or more sensors 10 associated with a vehicle 13. By way of example, the one or more sensors 10 may be attached to or associated with the headrest 9 of a seat 6 of the vehicle 13. The audio control commands may instruct one or more audio output devices 14, 15 to adjust the audio signal, and the one or more audio output devices 14, 15 may output motion-adjusted audio output. In one embodiment, the one or more audio output devices may include one or more speakers.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, by way of example, one or more audio output devices 14, 15 are positioned to the left and right sides of the customer. In some embodiments, one or more audio output devices 14, 15 may be coupled to the upper portion of the restraint system 11 or a portion thereof, or coupled to different portions of the seat 6, restraint system 11, headrest 9, or other locations on the riding vehicle 13. Although in Figure 1 The diagram shows two audio output devices 14 and 15, but other arrangements of audio output devices (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 10 or more) may be present on the ride or vehicle 13 and used as part of the spatial audio conditioning system 8. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail below, one or more audio output devices may output audio signals that can provide a spatial sound environment for multiple (e.g., 2, 4, 8 or more) customers.

[0020] During operation, the ride vehicle 13 may translate within the riding environment and / or move along one or more degrees of freedom to exert force on the seat 6 and the customer 21 occupying the seat 6. The movement of the customer 21 may be tracked using one or more sensors 10 to generate motion data 16, which may include indications of the orientation of the customer's head at various points in time during operation of the ride vehicle 13. The controller 12 may generate audio control commands 18 based on the received motion data 16. In an embodiment, the audio control commands 18 may be dynamically generated in real time for each individual customer 21 as the motion data 16 is received. In some embodiments, the motion data 16 may be collected and used as a calibration dataset to generate audio control commands 18 for representative customers 21 of the experience site. For example, the calibration dataset may be used to generate audio control commands for different subsequent customers 21.

[0021] In one embodiment, motion data 16 is generated throughout the operating cycle of the amusement ride (e.g., the ride cycle of the ride vehicle 13), and the set of motion data for the entire ride cycle is received and used as input to a reference set for the controller to generate audio control commands 18. That is, one or more sensors 10 can generate motion data 16 as part of a cycle, calibration cycle, or test of the amusement ride, and the controller 12 can generate audio control commands 18 based on the motion data 16, which are executed during subsequent ride cycles for subsequent experiences of the amusement ride by customers 21.

[0022] Therefore, the audio control command 18 can be stored in the system 8 and executed during each ride cycle. In such embodiments, motion data 16 can be motion tracking that estimates the orientation of a representative customer 21. Thus, motion data 16 can be generated from a customer 21 with an average height or a human model. In an embodiment, multiple different customers 21 occupying seats 6 during different ride cycles are used to generate motion data 16 for a representative customer 21, and the motion data 16 can be aggregated or averaged to identify the average orientation of the left and right ears at various points in time during the ride cycle. The average orientation of the left and right ears can then be used to generate the audio control command 18. As discussed herein, the left and / or right ears can move to different orientations at different points in time during the ride. Therefore, the audio control command can take into account the movement of the left and / or right ears relative to the speaker during the ride.

[0023] Furthermore, the generation of motion data 16 can be included as part of the routine functional (e.g., operational, mechanical) calibration of the amusement ride, and therefore may not require further calibration of the amusement ride to generate motion data 16. In one embodiment, separate motion data 16 is generated for each individual seat 6 of the ride 13. That is, for a multi-seat ride 13, the seats 6 at the ends can experience different forces relative to the seats 6 positioned inside the vehicle. The seats 6 on the left, right, front, and / or rear sides can experience different characteristic forces, which are transmitted to their respective customers 21, resulting in different potential movements at each seat 6 and corresponding different motion data 16, thereby resulting in audio control instructions 18 for each seat.

[0024] In some embodiments, one or more motion sensors 10 generate motion data 16, controller 12 generates audio control commands 18 based on the motion data 16, and one or more audio output devices 14, 15 dynamically and in real time output audio signals (e.g., spatial audio signals) while one or more customers are experiencing the ride. That is, the spatial audio conditioning system adjusts the spatial audio output based on real-time feedback. This may additionally allow controller 12 to generate audio control commands based on real-time inputs (such as user calibration inputs).

[0025] In any case, motion data 16 generated by one or more motion sensors 10 can allow controller 12 to determine, approximate, or predict the orientation of each of one or more customers 21 in the riding vehicle 13 relative to one or more audio output devices 14, 15. Specifically, controller 12 can generate audio control commands 18 based on the determined and / or estimated orientation of the head and / or ears of each of the one or more customers 21. For example, controller 12 can determine the customer's head and / or ear orientation via an algorithm (e.g., a machine learning algorithm) based on the sensor data that generated motion data 16 and other suitable inputs. Riding simulation software can also be used as part of or in conjunction with controller 12 to determine and / or estimate the customer's head and / or ear orientation. Motion data 16 may include the degree of motion (e.g., scalar, factor, multiplier) in addition to the direction of motion, and controller 12 can determine orientation based on degree and direction. In any case, audio control command 18 may instruct one or more audio output devices 14, 15 to adjust an audio signal (e.g., a spatial audio signal) based on a determined and / or estimated orientation relative to one or more audio output devices 14, 15.

[0026] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the customer 21's head is typically equidistant from each of the one or more audio output devices 14, 15. Therefore, audio control commands sent to each audio output device 14, 15 can cause each audio output device 14, 15 to play at, for example, equal volume. That is, if the orientation of the customer 21's head does not require adjustment of the audio signal to maintain a spatial audio environment for the customer, the audio signal may not be motion-based. Additionally, in response to, for example, initialization or system failure, the controller 12 may assume a default orientation (e.g., equidistant from each of the one or more audio output devices 14, 15) as the determined orientation.

[0027] Figure 1 The illustration shows audio control commands 18 being sent to one or more audio output devices 14, 15. In embodiments, audio control commands 18 may include multiple and / or different audio control commands 18, which may be sent to one or more audio output devices such that each audio output device can be processed independently. For example, controller 12 may send a first audio control command to increase the volume of a first audio output device (e.g., audio output device 14), and controller 12 may send a second audio control command to decrease the volume of a second audio output device (e.g., audio output device 15). That is, each audio output device may be independently instructed by controller 12, and controller 12 may generate separate audio control commands 18 for each of the one or more audio output devices. Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiment shows left and right audio output devices 14, 15, audio output devices may be present in other or alternative locations to provide a different audio experience. For example, the vehicle 13 may include front and / or rear speakers for each seat 6.

[0028] Figure 2An embodiment is illustrated in which controller 12 generates audio control commands 18 based on a determined orientation of a customer, and wherein the customer's orientation is not equidistant between one or more audio output devices 14, 15. Motion data 16 may, for example, indicate that the vehicle is moving to the left. In response, controller 12 may determine that the customer 21's head may move to the right relative to seat 6 and / or vehicle 13. Controller 12 may also determine, based on motion data 16 and the determined orientation, that the customer's head may be closer to audio output device 14 than audio output device 15 (e.g., the distance between the customer 21's head and audio output device 14 is less than the distance between the customer 21's head and audio output device 15). Based on the varying determined distances, controller 12 may generate varying audio control commands for each of the audio output devices 14, 15. As illustrated, the audio control commands may cause audio output device 14 to decrease the audio signal 19 and audio output device 15 to increase the audio output 20. The regulated audio signals 19 and 20 can simulate the equidistant position of the audio output devices 14 and 15 and the head of the customer 21, thereby allowing the maintenance of a spatial audio environment.

[0029] Although Figure 2 The illustration shows audio signals 19 and 20 generated based on adjustments made in response to the customer's head moving to the right relative to the vehicle. However, other adjustments and other audio signals may be generated based on other assumed movements of the customer 21. For example, motion data 16 may instruct the customer to move left, up, down, forward, backward, etc., relative to the vehicle 13 and / or the seat 6. The controller 12 may accordingly (e.g., separately) determine the orientation of the customer 21's head and may generate audio control commands accordingly. Audio control command 18 may direct the audio output devices 14 and 15 toward the determined orientation via rotation of the audio output devices, volume level adjustment, or other suitable directional sound generation techniques.

[0030] Figure 3The illustration depicts a riding vehicle 30 comprising multiple customers 32, 34, 36, 38, one or more motion sensors 10, a controller 12, and one or more audio output devices 31 and 33. As illustrated, the one or more motion sensors 10 include four motion sensors that can be coupled to a headrest portion of the riding vehicle 30, which can support the head of each customer 32, 34, 36, and 38. Therefore, the one or more motion sensors 10 can generate motion data 16 indicating motion data associated with each of the customers 32, 34, 36, and 38. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more audio output devices 31 and 33 are positioned to the left and right sides of one or more customers 32, 34, 36, and 38. In one embodiment, one or more audio output devices 31 and 33 can be positioned at the upper portion of a thigh support bar 40, and the thigh support bar 40 can restrain the multiple customers 32, 34, 36, and 38. Therefore, one or more audio output devices 31 and 33 can provide a spatial audio environment (shown as outputs 35 and 37) for each of the multiple customers 32, 34, 36 and 38.

[0031] Motion data can vary between customers. For example, if vehicle 30 is turning left (i.e., customer 38 is on the inside of the turn and customer 32 is on the outside), the motion data associated with customer 38 and the motion data associated with customer 32 can be different. Therefore, controller 12 can generate audio control commands based at least on the different motion data. For example, controller 12 can determine that the degree of motion associated with customer 32 is greater than the degree of motion associated with customer 38, and can determine the orientation of customers 38 and 32 based on the different degrees of motion. Then, controller 12 can generate different audio control commands 18, for example, based on the different orientations.

[0032] In other embodiments, fewer (e.g., 1, 2, or 3) or more (e.g., 5 or more) motion sensors 10 may be used to generate motion data associated with multiple customers 32, 34, 36, and 38. Therefore, motion data 16 with different specific characteristics (e.g., resolution) can be generated based on the number of motion sensors 10. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more motion sensors 10 of the riding vehicle 13 may generate motion data 16 associated with other customers on the ride. For example, one or more motion sensors 10 may generate motion data associated with customers in rows behind, in front of, below, or above the illustrated multiple customers.

[0033] Figure 4The communication path of a spatial audio conditioning system 8 between one or more motion sensors 10, a controller 12, and one or more audio output devices 14, 15 is shown. One or more motion sensors 10 can generate motion data 16 using the techniques described herein and transmit the motion data 16 to the controller 12. The controller 12 can generate audio control commands 18 based at least on the motion data 16 using the techniques described herein and send the audio control commands 18 to one or more audio output devices 14, 15. It should be noted that although in Figure 4 The diagram illustrates one or more audio output devices 14, 15, but the illustrated communication path may be implemented using other audio output devices (e.g., audio output devices 15, 31 and / or 33) and / or a different number of audio output devices.

[0034] Furthermore, the user input device 50 can generate user input 52 based on input from customers of the ride, and can send user input 52 to the controller 12. User input 52 may include, for example, indications of the customer's height, weight, and / or audio preferences. The user input device may include one or more buttons, sliders, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), etc., and may be located near the customer (e.g., within the customer's reach). As an example, the user input device 50 may include a thigh support bar (e.g., Figure 1 The slider of the thigh lever 11 allows a customer (e.g., customer 21) to control the volume output by the audio output device 14. Spatial audio adjustment may include a user input device for each customer in the ride vehicle of the amusement ride (e.g., customers 32, 34, 36, and 38 of ride vehicle 30), a user input device for multiple (e.g., a pair) customers, multiple user input devices for each customer, or any other suitable arrangement or number of user input devices.

[0035] In some embodiments, user input 52 includes calibration data. For example, user input 52 may be generated after, during, or in response to a prompt (e.g., an audio cue) is given to the customer. Controller 12 may instruct audio output device 14 to output a command for the customer to press a button on user input device 50 when a preferred spatial audio output is heard, and then play a series of spatial audio outputs for the customer. This series of spatial audio outputs may include, for example, spatial audio outputs having various balances, various volumes, various directions, etc., among one or more audio output devices 14, 15. Thus, when a preferred spatial audio output is heard, the customer may press a button on user input device 50. In response to the customer pressing a button on user input device 50, user input 52 may be generated and sent to controller 12 as calibration data, and the calibration data may include, for example, the properties of the preferred spatial audio output.

[0036] Then, in addition to or in combination with motion data 16, controller 12 can generate audio control commands 18 based on user input 52. Therefore, audio control commands 18 can include both motion-adjustable and customer-calibrated audio, and one or more audio output devices can output motion-adjustable and calibrated audio accordingly.

[0037] Figure 5 The communication path of the spatial audio conditioning system 8 between the ride simulation software 54, the controller 12, and one or more audio output devices 14, 15 is illustrated. For example, the ride simulation software 54 can be used in place of, or in addition to, or in combination with, the one or more motion sensors 10 of the spatial audio conditioning system 8. That is, the ride simulation software 54 can allow audio control commands 18 to be provided based on a model of customer movement rather than real-time sensed customer movement, or based on a model of customer movement in addition to real-time sensed customer movement. Furthermore, simulated motion data 56 can be used in place of, or in addition to, or in combination with, the one or more motion sensors 10 of the spatial audio conditioning system 8.

[0038] The ride simulation software 54 may include any suitable ride simulation program capable of generating simulated motion data of the ride, the ride vehicle, customers in the ride, etc. The simulated motion data 56 may be stored in the controller's memory or storage device and may allow the controller 12 to determine, approximate, or predict the orientation of each of one or more customers 21 relative to one or more audio output devices 14, 15 within the ride vehicle. The simulated motion data 56 may characterize the forces experienced by the customers or the ride vehicle throughout the ride. For example, the simulated motion data 56 may include state representations of the customers or the ride vehicle (e.g., orientation, velocity, acceleration), dynamic equations defining changes in the state representations, integration methods for the dynamic equations, motion constraints (e.g., motion constraints on the customer's anatomy), and / or environmental factors associated with the customer or the ride vehicle. In particular, the controller 12 may generate audio control commands 18 based on the determined orientation of the head and / or ears of each of one or more customers based on the simulated motion data 56. For example, controller 12 can determine the orientation via an algorithm (e.g., a machine learning algorithm) based on previously determined orientation, simulated motion data 56, and other suitable inputs.

[0039] In some embodiments, simulated motion data 56 may be generated based on motion data acquired during a test run of the amusement ride. For example, motion sensors (e.g., one or more motion sensors 10) may be placed on or near a model (e.g., a mannequin, dummy) representing a customer within the ride. As the ride moves along the track of the amusement ride, forces may be applied to the model, causing it to move within the ride. The movement of the model may be acquired by the motion sensors as simulated motion data 56, which may be used to predict the movement of (real) customers during the on-site ride cycle. In one embodiment, simulated motion data acquired throughout the test run may be compiled into a ride simulation model, which may be used to predict the customer's orientation throughout the ride cycle.

[0040] In some embodiments, the controller 12 may receive motion data 16 from one or more motion sensors 10 and simulated motion data 56 from ride simulation software 54. The controller 12 may then generate an audio control command 18 based on either or both of the motion data 16 and the simulated motion data 56. In one example, the controller 12 may determine that one or more motion sensors 10 are generating delayed, inaccurate, or otherwise insufficient motion data 16, and may instead generate the audio control command 18 based on the simulated motion data 56. The controller 12 may also use the motion data 16 to supplement the simulated motion data 56 to generate the audio control command 18. For example, the controller 12 may generate the audio control command 18 based on the simulated motion data 56 unless the controller 12 receives motion data 16 from one or more motion sensors 10 that conflicts with the simulated motion data 56. In such cases, the controller 12 may default to using the motion data 16 to generate the audio control command 18, or it may use a combination of the motion data 16 and the simulated motion data 56 to generate the audio control command 18.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method 60 for dynamically adjusting spatial audio based on passenger movement, and references... Figure 1-5 The discussion begins with the initialization of the ride cycle (box 62). Initializing the ride cycle may include, for example, the controller 12 receiving user input 52, calibration data, motion data 16, and / or simulated motion data 56. Initializing the ride may also include other tasks associated with the ride, such as routine mechanical checks, activating customer restraints, and outputting safety information via audio output devices 14, 15. When the controller initializes the ride cycle (box 62), it may initialize spatial audio (box 64). Initializing spatial audio may include, for example, generating audio control instructions 18 based on user input 52, motion data 16, and / or simulated motion data 56 using the techniques described herein. The audio control instructions may be generated for the duration of the ride before it begins, or they may be generated in real time. In either case, the controller may send the audio control instructions 18 to the audio output devices 14, 15, and the audio output devices may output spatial audio based on the audio control instructions 18 (box 66). When the ride cycle is completed, the spatial audio may be terminated (box 68). This may involve resetting user input 52, motion data 16, and / or simulated motion data 56 to prepare for different customers 21. It may also include audio output devices 14, 15 outputting additional safety information or exit instructions.

[0042] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a block diagram of a spatial audio conditioning system 8, which includes a vehicle 13 communicatively coupled to a vehicle controller 74. The vehicle 13 may include, for example... Figure 1 13 or Figure 3 The vehicle 30. The vehicle 13 may include a motion sensor 76, which may indicate, for example... Figure 1 The motion sensor 10. The vehicle may also include a communication circuit system 77, an audio output device 78 (such as... Figure 1 Audio output devices 14, 15 or Figure 3 The audio output devices 31 and 33) and the vehicle controller 79.

[0043] In one embodiment, one or more sensors 76, 10 may include a camera, a pressure sensor, a capacitive sensor, a tracking sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and / or an optical sensor. In embodiments using a camera, the camera may be a visible light camera and / or an IR camera. One or more sensors 76, 10 may be mounted on the vehicle 13, seat 6, and / or may be positioned in the environment of the scenic spot.

[0044] The ride controller 74 may include an audio controller 80 (such as...) Figure 1The ride controller 74 may be used in conjunction with the audio controller 80, or in conjunction with the ride controller 74. The ride controller 74 may facilitate control functions for, for example, mechanical components of the ride (such as lifts, magnets, thigh supports, and seatbelts). The audio controller 80 may include, for example, a processing circuitry 82, a memory 84, and a communication component 86, and may facilitate the generation and / or modulation of spatial audio output. The processing circuitry 82 may include one or more suitable processors capable of executing instructions for performing the techniques currently disclosed, such as a general-purpose processor, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) device, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic controller (PLC), an industrial PC (IPC), or some other similar processor configuration. These instructions are encoded in program or processor-executable code stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory 84 may include one or more storage devices and may store machine-readable and / or processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for execution by the processing circuitry 82, such as instructions relating to determining customer movement from captured sensor data (such as camera images). Therefore, memory 84 can store, for example, control software, lookup tables, configuration data, etc. Memory 84 may include tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media, such as volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) and / or non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive, and / or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage media). Memory 84 can store user input, calibration data, motion data, analog motion data, etc. Memory 84 can also store instructions for adjusting spatial audio output, and processing circuitry 82 can execute these instructions.

[0045] In some embodiments, the ride controller 74 may include an audio controller 80. In other embodiments, the audio controller 80 may be communicatively coupled to and decoupled from the ride controller 74. That is, in one embodiment, the ride controller 74 may facilitate control functions for ride control and spatial audio conditioning for the ride. Therefore, the ride controller 74 may use a processing circuitry system 82 for such control functions and / or may have additional processing circuitry systems. Communication circuitry systems 77, 86 facilitate wireless (e.g., Ethernet, WAN, etc.) and / or wired (HDMI, USB, etc.) communication between the ride vehicle 13 and the ride controller 74 (and, in embodiments, the audio controller 80).

[0046] Execution of the audio control command 18 by the audio controller 80 may include accessing the audio control command 18 from the memory 84 and transmitting the audio control command 18 to the vehicle 13 to modify the audio output from the audio output device 78 for spatial audio. For example, the audio distribution of the signal associated with a particular audio effect (such as an airplane flying overhead) (e.g., between the left, right, front, and / or rear speakers) can be altered based on measured or predicted customer movement.

[0047] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and alterations will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alterations that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[0048] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to concrete examples and substantial objects that can arguably improve the practical nature of the art, and are therefore not abstract, abstract, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended to this specification contains one or more elements designated as “component for (performing)...(function)” or “step for (performing)...(function)”, such elements are intended to be interpreted in accordance with 35 USC 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, such elements are not intended to be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.SC 112(f).

Claims

1. A spatial audio control system for amusement rides, comprising: Ride in a vehicle; One or more motion sensors, the one or more motion sensors being coupled to the ride vehicle and configured to generate motion data of the customer during the ride cycle of the amusement ride; Controller, the controller is configured to: Receive the motion data; At least based on the motion data, audio control commands are generated; and One or more audio output devices, said one or more audio output devices being coupled to the vehicle and configured to: The spatial audio signal is output based on the audio control command.

2. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 1, wherein, The one or more audio output devices include a left speaker and a right speaker.

3. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 2, wherein, The audio control command, based on the motion data, instructs the customer to change the orientation of the left and right speakers during the riding cycle, thereby altering the audio distribution between the left and right speakers.

4. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 1, wherein, The spatial audio signal is output during the riding cycle.

5. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 1, wherein, The spatial audio signal is output during subsequent ride cycles, and the motion data is used to predict customer movement during said subsequent ride cycles.

6. The spatial audio adjustment system of claim 1, further comprising one or more user input devices configured to accept user input from the customer, wherein, The controller is configured to: Receive the user input from the one or more user input devices; as well as The audio control instructions are generated based on the user input.

7. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 6, wherein, The user input includes the customer's height, the customer's spatial audio preferences, or both.

8. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 6, wherein, The one or more user input devices include buttons, sliders, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), or combinations thereof.

9. The spatial audio adjustment system as described in claim 6, wherein, The one or more audio output devices are configured to output a calibration audio signal, and wherein the user input includes calibration data in response to the calibration audio signal.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable code, the processor-executable code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to: Receive simulated motion data from customers during the ride cycle of the amusement ride; At least based on the simulated motion data, audio control commands are generated; and The audio control command is transmitted to one or more audio output devices, so that the one or more audio output devices output spatial audio signals based on the audio control command.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein, The simulated motion data includes a model of the customer's movement during the riding cycle.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein, The model includes a simulation of the forces experienced by the customer during the ride.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein, The one or more audio output devices include a left speaker and a right speaker.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein, The audio control command, based on the simulated motion data, instructs the customer to change the orientation of the left and right speakers relative to the left and right speakers during the riding cycle, thereby altering the audio distribution between the left and right speakers.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein, When the processor-executable code is executed by the processor, the processor: One or more motion sensors coupled to the ride vehicle receive motion sensor data from the customer during the ride cycle of the amusement ride; And among them: The audio control commands are generated based on the motion sensor data and the simulated motion data.

16. A method for adjusting spatial audio for an amusement ride, comprising: The processor receives motion data of one or more customers during a ride cycle of the amusement ride from one or more motion sensors coupled to the ride vehicle. The processor generates audio control commands based at least on the motion data. as well as The processor transmits the audio control command to one or more audio output devices, the one or more audio output devices being configured to output spatial audio output based on the audio control command.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The one or more audio output devices include one or more speakers coupled to the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The audio control commands, based on the motion data, instruct the one or more customers to change their orientation relative to the one or more speakers during the riding cycle, thereby altering the audio distribution among the one or more speakers.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, The motion data of the one or more customers includes the corresponding motion data for each of the one or more customers.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, Generating the audio control instructions based at least on the motion data includes generating corresponding audio control instructions for each of the one or more customers based at least on the corresponding motion data.

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