Show Effects System for Attraction Systems

Abstract

An amusement park attraction system (50) includes a viewing area (58), a virtual area (60), a beam splitter (64), and a controller (74), the beam splitter (64) positioned to allow visibility of a portion of the viewing area (58) through the beam splitter (64) and visibility of a portion of the virtual area (60) via reflection from the beam splitter (64). The controller (74) is configured to generate image data based on distortion parameters associated with a first element positioned within the viewing area (58) and to transmit the image data to cause a second element to be displayed within the virtual area (60). The distortion parameters are indicative of a distortion of the appearance of an object (100) viewed through the first element.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0002] Amusement parks and other entertainment venues may use special effects to help immerse guests in the ride or attraction experience. Immersive environments may include three-dimensional (3D) props and scenery, robotic or mechanical elements, and / or display surfaces presenting media. Immersive environments may also include sound effects, smoke effects, and / or kinetic effects. Thus, immersive environments may include a combination of dynamic and static elements. With the increasing sophistication and complexity of modern ride attractions and corresponding rising expectations among theme park or amusement park patrons, improved and more creative attractions are desirable, including ride attractions with more complex, immersive, and / or realistic special effects. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] Below, we present an overview of some embodiments disclosed herein. It should be understood that these aspects are merely intended to provide the reader with a summary of some of these embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure may include various aspects that may not be presented below.

[0004] In one embodiment, an amusement park attraction system includes a viewing area, a virtual area, a beam splitter, and a controller, the beam splitter positioned to allow visibility of a portion of the viewing area through the beam splitter and visibility of a portion of the virtual area via reflection from the beam splitter. The controller is configured to generate image data based on a distortion parameter associated with a first element positioned within the viewing area and transmit the image data to cause a second element to be displayed within the virtual area. The distortion parameter is indicative of a distortion of an appearance of an object viewed through the first element.

[0005] In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, are configured to cause the processing circuit to perform operations including: determining distortion parameters indicative of a distortion of an appearance of a further object viewed through a physical object associated with a viewing area of ​​a Pepper's Ghost system of an attraction system and viewed through a beam splitter of the Pepper's Ghost system, generating image data based on the distortion parameters, and transmitting the image data to display a digital element within a virtual area of ​​the Pepper's Ghost system, where a reflected image of the digital element is viewed through the beam splitter.

[0006] In one embodiment, an attraction system for an amusement park includes a viewing area including a first element, a virtual area including a second element, a guest area, a beam splitter, and a controller, the first element associated with a distortion parameter indicative of an occurring distortion of an appearance of an object viewed through the first element, the beam splitter configured to enable visibility of the first element from the guest area through the beam splitter and to reflect an image of the second element from the virtual area towards the guest area, and the controller configured to generate image data to cause the second element to be displayed in the virtual area, the image of the second element reflected off the beam splitter includes a distortion effect corresponding to the distortion parameter associated with the first element.

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are designated with like reference characters throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a show effect transition provided by a show effect system of an attraction system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a method or process for providing show effects via a show effects system of an attraction system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart of a method or process for providing show effects via a show effects system of an attraction system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] One or more specific embodiments are described below. In order to describe these embodiments concisely, not all of the features of the implementations are described herein. It is to be understood that in the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's particular objectives, such as adhering to system-related and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. Moreover, it is to be understood that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0010] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one, two, or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. It should also be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also contain the recited features.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to providing show effects for amusement or theme parks. Amusement parks can include a variety of features to entertain guests, such as rides (e.g., roller coasters), theatrical shows, set designs, performers, and / or decorative elements. Show effects can be used to supplement or complement these features, such as to provide a more immersive and / or unique experience for guests. For example, show effects can be presented to emulate real-world elements to provide a more realistic atmosphere for guests.

[0012] The attraction system may utilize a show effects system configured to present virtual or simulated objects that can complement the appearance of real-world objects via a Pepper's Ghost system. A conventional Pepper's Ghost system may employ a primary area (e.g., background scene, first stage), a secondary area (e.g., augmented reality scene, second scene), and a light beam splitter (e.g., glass). The light beam splitter may be positioned to allow transmission of an image of the primary area to allow a guest of the attraction system to view the image of the primary area through the light beam splitter. The light beam splitter may also reflect an image from the secondary area toward the guest to allow the guest to view a reflected image of the secondary area. Thus, the guest may observe images from the primary area (e.g., a real image transmitted from the primary area through the light beam splitter) and images from the secondary area (e.g., a virtual image reflected from the secondary area to the light beam splitter) that are combined, overlapped, or superimposed with respect to each other via the light beam splitter. The show effects system may also include lighting for illuminating the appearance of the combined image while blocking the illumination of the optical beam splitter, so that the show effects system may realistically represent elements of the secondary area such that an observer perceives the elements of the secondary area as being physically present within the primary area.

[0013] An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to improving the operation of a show effects system utilizing Pepper's Ghost-based technology to provide a realistic representation of the combination of elements of the secondary area and elements of the primary area as described above. In particular, to achieve more realism with respect to reflective and / or refracting objects, the image of the element of the secondary area (e.g., an image on a display such as a television) can be adjusted or manipulated to represent distortion, change and / or interaction through the object from the primary area. In an embodiment, a first element (e.g., a real object) in the primary area can include a property such as a refractive index that distorts the appearance of the object seen through the first element. To more realistically represent that a second element of the secondary area is physically located, such as behind the first element in the primary area, relative to the guest's viewpoint, the appearance of the second element can be distorted according to the property of the first element. In other words, the appearance of the second element can be distorted by the property of the first element to represent that the element of the secondary area is seen through the element of the primary area. Thus, the first element and the second element appear to interact with each other to represent their physical positioning relative to each other. In one embodiment, the second element of the secondary area can be digitally generated and a rendering of the second element can be generated to incorporate distortion based on the first element. For example, the location of the first element (e.g., as seen from the guest's viewpoint) and the location of the reflected image of the second element can be determined to generate and distort the appearance of the second element. The distorted appearance of the second element of the secondary area can establish a realistic appearance (illusion) that the first and second elements are each physically located within the primary area, thus providing the guest with a more realistic show effect than would be achieved without distortion.

[0014] With this in mind, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system 50. The attraction system 50 can include a guest area 52 in which one or more guests 54 of the attraction system 50 can be located. As one example, the guest area 52 can include a path (e.g., a hallway, a queue, a line) in which the guest(s) 54 can navigate. As another example, the guest area 52 can include a space (e.g., a seating area) in which the guest(s) 54 can be located and view a performance. As a further example, the guest area 52 can include a ride vehicle that can move throughout the attraction system 50 to carry the guest(s) 54.

[0015] Additionally, the attraction system 50 can include a show effects system 56 (e.g., Pepper's Ghost System) that can provide entertainment to the guest(s) 54 located in the guest area 52. For example, the show effects system 56 can create visual effects that can be viewed by the guest(s) 54. In some embodiments, the show effects system 56 can include a viewing area 58 (e.g., primary area, background scene) that can be viewed by the guest(s) 54 from the guest area 52. As an example, the viewing area 58 can include a stage on which physical objects (e.g., performers, props) can be placed and / or a display screen on which images can be projected. The show effects system 56 can also include a virtual area 60 (e.g., secondary area, augmented reality scene) that is not directly visible to the guest(s) 54 from the guest area 52. For example, a partition 62 (e.g., wall, panel, screen) can be positioned to block the virtual area 60 from being directly visible to the guest(s) 54 from the guest area 52. In some embodiments, the virtual area 60 may be elevated or positioned behind or over the guest area 52. Similarly, the virtual area 60 may be positioned below or recessed relative to the guest area 52.

[0016] The show effects system 56 may also include a beam splitter or partially reflective surface 64 positioned to combine the imagery from the viewing area 58 and the virtual area 60. For example, the guest(s) 54 may see an object 65 (e.g., a physical prop or display) in the viewing area 58 as a transmitted element 66 that transmits or is visible through the beam splitter 64. In other words, the guest(s) 54 may see the transmitted element 66 in the viewing area 58 either through the beam splitter 64 or directly. Additionally, the guest(s) 54 may see an object 67 in the virtual area 60 as a reflective element 68 that is reflected from the beam splitter 64 towards the guest area 52. That is, the guest(s) 54 may see a reflection of the object 67 in the virtual area 60 through the beam splitter 64. To this end, the beam splitter 64 may be oriented such that an image of the object 67 in the virtual area 60 is projected by illumination in the attraction system 50 (e.g., in the virtual area 60) onto the beam splitter 64 and reflected towards the guest area 52, and such that the reflection of the object 67 provides a reflective element 68 that appears to be physically located in the viewing area 58, such as next to the transmissive element 66. As an example, the beam splitter 64 may be angled (e.g., at a 45 degree angle) with respect to the line of sight of the guest(s) 54 towards the viewing area 58 and / or with respect to the projection of the object 67 from the virtual area 60 towards the beam splitter 64. Furthermore, the beam splitter 64 may be formed from a material, such as glass, plastic, foil and / or a semi-transparent mirror, that includes both transmissive and reflective properties that may allow the transmissive element 66 of the viewing area 58 to be seen through the beam splitter 64, and the reflective element 68 of the virtual area 60 to be seen as reflected from the beam splitter 64.

[0017] The reflective element 68 in FIG. 1 is shown with a dashed line to indicate that it only appears to be present in the viewing area 58, but is in fact a reflection of the object 67. The combined image of the transparent element 66 and the reflective element 68 in the viewing area 58 can provide a unique viewing experience for the guest(s) 54. For example, moving, adjusting, or any other change to the object 67 in the virtual area 60 can cause a corresponding change to the reflective element 68 in the viewing area 58. As an example, the object 67 in the virtual area 60 can be adjusted to simulate an interaction between the transparent element 66 and the reflective element 68 in the viewing area 58. Thus, the object 67 can be adjusted to represent a more realistic appearance of the reflective element 68. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the reflective element 68 visible to the guest(s) 54 can include certain properties, qualities, or characteristics. For example, the reflective element 68 has a transparent or translucent appearance. For example, the transparent element 66 and / or another physical object in the viewing area 58 can appear to be visible through the reflective element 68. Thus, the appearance of the reflective element 68 can differ from the appearance of the object 67 in direct view.

[0018] In one embodiment, objects 67 in virtual area 60 may include digital elements 70 that may be digitally rendered and projected into virtual area 60, with the image of digital elements 70 reflecting off beam splitter 64 and visible to guest(s) 54 as reflective elements 68. As an example, virtual area 60 may include a light field display capable of projecting three-dimensional (3-D) images. For example, virtual area 60 may include a display array or viewing surface (e.g., an array of lenses) that may manipulate the convergence, concentration, and / or directionality of light. For example, the display array may focus light at different locations, such as different depths, relative to the guest. Manipulating the light properties may cause an image projected onto or through the display array to have the appearance of layers, contours, and / or textures, thus forming a 3-D profile for the projected image. Additionally or alternatively, virtual area 60 may include different displays, such as two-dimensional (2-D) displays and / or 3-D displays that do not use a light field display. In such an embodiment, the digital element 70 may be projected based on a determined field of view of the guest(s) 54, such as the eye position of the guest 54, to present the exact appearance of the reflective element 68 as seen from the perspective of the guest(s) 54. Additionally or alternatively, different perspectives of the digital element 70 may be provided simultaneously (e.g., to multiple guests 54 located at different positions within the guest area 52), such as by presenting multiple perspectives of the digital element 70 and utilizing time multiplexed images (e.g., synchronous image refresh and alternating illumination of images from different perspectives). In some embodiments, the virtual area 60 may include a projector or other device 72 configured to cause the digital element 70 to be reflected off the beam splitter 64 and displayed within the virtual area 60.

[0019] Further, the show effects system 56 may include a control system 74 (e.g., an automation controller, a programmable logic controller, an electronic controller) configured to operate to coordinate the experience provided to the guest(s) 54 via the show effects system 56. The control system 74 may include a memory 76 and a processing circuit 78. The memory 76 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium that contains instructions. The processing circuit 78 may be configured to execute such instructions. For example, the processing circuit 78 may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general-purpose processors, or any combination thereof.

[0020] In an embodiment, the control system 74 can operate to provide the digital element 70 within the virtual area 60. As an example, the control system 74 can send image data to the projector 72 and cause the projector 72 to provide the digital element 70 based on the image data. For example, the control system 74 can adjust and update the image data provided to the projector 72 to adjust the appearance of the digital element 70 and correspondingly adjust the appearance of the reflective element 68 within the viewing area 58. As an example, the control system 74 can send image data to the projector 72 representing the movement of the reflective element 68 within the viewing area 58 relative to the transmissive element 66, etc. As another example, the control system 74 can also adjust the appearance of the digital element 70 based on the transmissive element 66. For example, the transmissive element 66 can be at least partially transparent and can include various properties that can distort the appearance of a real-world object viewed through the transmissive element 66. In one example, the transmissive element 66 can refract light directed through the transmissive element 66 to adjust the continuity of the profile of the real-world object viewed through the transmissive element 66. In another example, the transparent element 66 can be partially opaque and can block or limit the transmission of light through the transparent element 66. Thus, the transparent element 66 can reduce the appearance of a real-world object seen through the transparent element 66. In a further example, the transparent element 66 can have color characteristics (e.g., hue, tint, tone, shade) that can change the color of a real-world object seen through the transparent element 66. The control system 74 can transmit image data to the projector 72 that causes the projector 72 to provide the digital element 70 and an image of the corresponding reflective element 68 as distorted by the transparent element 66. Such a distorted appearance of the reflective element 68 can represent the physical positioning of the object 67 corresponding to the reflective element 68 within the viewing area 58. In this manner, the control system 74 can provide a more realistic appearance of the reflective element 68. For example, the transparent element 65 can be a substantially transparent crystal, and a portion of the object 67 that the guest(s) 54 perceive as being seen through the transparent crystal can be distorted to provide realism.

[0021] The viewing area 58 may include sensors 82 disposed within the viewing area 58 and configured to transmit sensor data to the control system 74. The sensor data may include parameters indicating how the control system 74 should render the digital elements 70 to provide a realistic appearance of the reflective elements 68. For example, the sensor data may include parameters related to how the transmissive elements 66 may distort the appearance of an object seen through the transmissive elements 66, and the control system 74 may cause the rendering of the digital elements 70 in the virtual area 60 to represent such distortions (e.g., a colored, distorted, or warped version of the original image). Thus, the control system 74 may provide a realistic appearance of the reflective elements 68 based on the sensor data received from the sensors 82.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the virtual area 60 may include a real-world or physical object 80 disposed within the virtual area 60. In practice, the object 67 may represent any number of real-world or electronically generated (e.g., projected or displayed) objects. An image of the real-world object 80 may be projected onto the beam splitter 64, which may be viewed by the guest(s) 54 as a reflective element 68. In one embodiment, the control system 74 may adjust the appearance of the digital element 70 based on the real-world object 80. As an example, the control system 74 may adjust the appearance of the digital element 70 to simulate not only an interaction between the digital element 70 and the transmissive element 66, but also an interaction between the digital element 70 and the real-world object 80 (e.g., as the reflective element 68). Thus, the control system 74 may provide a more realistic appearance of the reflective element 68, which may be based on the inclusion of both the digital element 70 and the real-world object 80 within the virtual area 60.

[0023] In some embodiments, the real-world object 80 may also distort the appearance of the object as seen through the real-world object 80. For example, the real-world object 80 may have similar properties and characteristics to those of the transmissive element 66 and may be positioned to distort the appearance of the digital element 70 as seen through the real-world object 80. Thus, the real-world object 80 (e.g., a crystal or glass structure such as a crystal sphere) may distort the image of the digital element 70 projected onto the beam splitter 64, thereby distorting the reflective element 68 corresponding to the image of the digital element 70. Such distortion of the reflective element 68 through the real-world object 80 may thus appear to be caused by the transmissive element 66, thereby allowing the digital element 70 to appear as if it were physically located within the viewing area 58. In this manner, the real-world object 80 positioned within the virtual area 60 may facilitate distorting the appearance of the reflective element 68 (e.g., by limiting the distortion of the rendering of the digital element 70 provided by the control system 74).

[0024] The control system 74 can be configured to adjust the positioning of a real-world object 80 (e.g., a magnifying glass) within the virtual area 60. As an example, the real-world object 80 can be coupled to an actuator 84 (e.g., one or more actuators) configured to cause movement of the real-world object 80. The control system 74 can be communicatively coupled to the actuator 84 to instruct the actuator 84 to move the real-world object 80, e.g., to position the real-world object 80 relative to the digital element 70 to distort the appearance of the digital element 70.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of an attraction system 50. In the illustrated attraction system 50, a viewing area 58 includes a physical object 100 (e.g., object 65 described with respect to FIG. 1). In FIG. 2, the physical object 100 is a ball made of a transparent material (e.g., glass). The physical object 100 is visible to the guest 54 through a beam splitter 64. In this manner, the guest 54 can view the physical object 100 as a transparent element through the beam splitter 64. The virtual area 60 of the illustrated attraction system 50 includes a rendering of a first digital element 104 and a second digital element 106 (e.g., object 67 described with respect to FIG. 1). Although FIG. 2 shows the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 as 3-D objects for illustrative purposes, the digital elements 104, 106 may also represent 2-D objects on a display (e.g., a television or projection screen) or light field display objects. Additionally, while FIG. 2 depicts the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 as separate digital elements, the digital elements 104, 106 may be generated via a single digital element (e.g., a combination of 2-D images, a group of pixels generated and projected onto a display). The images of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 may appear to the guest 54 as reflected elements. That is, the images of the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 may be projected onto the beam splitter 64 and reflected back towards the guest 54, such reflected images appear to the guest 54 as representing the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 as physically located within the viewing area 58. In some embodiments, a projector (e.g., projector 72 of FIG. 1) may provide the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 in the virtual area 60 for reflection off the beam splitter 64. For example, the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 may be projected as a 3-D image (eg, via a light field display in the virtual area 60).

[0026] In one embodiment, the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 can be projected in the virtual area 60 such that aligning the reflection with the physical object 100 creates the appearance that the image of the first digital element 104 in the viewing area 58 is occluded through the physical object 100. In other words, from the perspective of the guest 54, the first digital element 104 appears to be physically located behind the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58, based in part on the distorted appearance of the first digital element 104 by the second digital element 106. In fact, without the presence of the second digital element 106 and the projection of the distorted first digital element 104, the guest 54 would see the reflected image of the first digital element 104 simply superimposed on the physical object 100, since light passing through the first digital element 104 in the virtual area 60 would not pass through and be distorted by the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58. For example, in the absence of the generated distortion and the second digital element 106, the first digital element 104 would appear to be physically located in front of the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58, with the physical object 100 being at least partially visible through a reflected image of the first digital element 104. A reflected image of the second digital element 106 may be provided to obstruct the visibility of the physical object 100 as perceived through the reflected image of the first digital element 104. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the second digital element 106 may be replaced with an actual physical object that distorts the presentation of the first digital element 104 after the associated light passes through the actual physical device in the virtual area 60. Thus, the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 may be rendered to provide the appearance that the first digital element 104 is physically located behind and visible through the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58, or an actual physical object may provide a similar effect.

[0027] The second digital element 106 can correspond to the physical object 100 and can have a similar appearance, profile, size, shape, and / or geometry as the physical object 100. The second digital element 106 can also be projected (e.g., at a particular location) within the virtual area 60 such that a reflected image of the second digital element 106 within the viewing area 58 aligns, coincides, or overlaps with the physical object 100 within the viewing area 58. In this manner, the images of the physical object 100 and the second digital element 106 can appear to the guest 54 as a single element (e.g., the same physical object) within the viewing area 58.

[0028] Additionally, the first digital element 104 may be projected relative to the second digital element 106 (e.g., at a different location relative to the location of the second digital element 106) within the virtual area 60 such that the second digital element 106 appears to be obstructing visibility of a portion of the first digital element 104 from the guest area 52. In other words, it appears to the guest 54 that the second digital element 106 is blocking a portion of the first digital element 104. In this manner, the first digital element 104 appears to be located behind the second digital element 106 within the viewing area 58. Additionally, the first digital element 104 may also appear to be located behind the physical object 100 within the viewing area 58, since the reflected image of the second digital element 106 and the physical object 100 appear to be a single element or object located within the viewing area 58.

[0029] In some embodiments, the physical object 100 may be at least partially transparent such that the guest 54 can see through the physical object 100. Thus, the second digital element 106 may also be rendered to simulate the transparency of the physical object 100. As an example, the second digital element 106 may be rendered such that a reflection of the second digital element 106 appears partially transparent, and the first digital element 104 may be rendered such that a portion of the reflection of the first digital element 104 appears to be seen through the reflection of the second digital element 106. In this manner, the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 may be rendered to provide the appearance that the first digital element 104 is seen through the physical object 100.

[0030] Additionally, the physical object 100 may include certain properties that can distort or adjust the transmission of light through the physical object 100. As an example, the physical object 100 (e.g., a fish tank, a glass sphere) may include refractive properties that can redirect or bend the transmission of light and / or may include color properties that can change the visible light spectrum seen by the guest 54. Thus, the physical object 100 may distort the appearance of the further physical object 110 seen through the physical object 100. For example, the further physical object 110 may be positioned on a side of the physical object 100 opposite (e.g., behind) the side on which the guest 54 is positioned relative to the physical object 100, and the guest 54 may be able to see the further physical object 110 through the physical object 100. That is, the physical object 100 may include distortive properties that distort the appearance of the further physical object 110 observed by the guest 54 and seen through the physical object 100. In other words, a first appearance of the further physical object 110 seen through the physical object 100 can be different from a second appearance of the further physical object 110 seen directly without the physical object 100 .

[0031] However, because the images of the first digital element 104 and the second digital element 106 are reflected toward the guest area 52 (e.g., not through the physical object 100), the guest 54 is not viewing these images through the physical object 100. Thus, the distortion properties of the physical object 100 do not directly distort or change the reflected images of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106. Rather, the appearance of the reflected images of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 may be substantially the same as a rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 in the virtual area 60. Thus, the first digital element 104 may be rendered to represent the distortion properties of the physical object 100 that affect the appearance of the first digital element 104. That is, distorted effects may be applied to the first digital element 104 to represent the first digital element 104 being positioned behind the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58, with the appearance of the first digital element 104 as seen through the physical object 100 being distorted by the distorting properties of the physical object 100. As an example, the appearance of a portion of the first digital element 104 that overlaps (e.g., is occluded by) the second digital element 106 (e.g., representing the physical object 100) may be distorted to simulate a corresponding distortion caused by the physical object 100. In other words, from the guest 54's perspective, it appears that the second digital element 106, and thus the physical object 100, distorts the first digital element 104. In this way, the first digital element 104 appears more realistically to be physically located within the viewing area, which may provide a realistic and / or immersive visual effect.

[0032] The control system 74 can be configured to adjust the rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 to simulate a realistic physical appearance of the first digital element 104 in the viewing area 58. In one embodiment, the control system 74 can determine a distortive parameter associated with the physical object 100 that indicates the distortion that the physical object 100 causes to the appearance of a real-world object seen through the physical object 100. By way of example, the distortive parameter can include a refractive index, a transparency measurement, a diffractive property, and / or a color blend that can indicate the amount or manner in which the physical object 100 can distort another object. In practice, the distortive parameter can be based on the material of the physical object 100. The control system 74 can be configured to adjust the rendering of the first digital element 104 to apply a distortive effect based on the distortive parameter. For example, the distortion effects may include a discontinuous profile between portions of the first digital element 104, an offset, a misalignment, a bend and / or curvature, a change in color of the first digital element 104, a mirror of some portions of the first digital element 104, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the control system 74 may be configured to adjust the rendering of the first digital element 104 based on another parameter related to the physical object 100, such as a profile of the physical object 100 (e.g., a shape and / or size of the physical object 100), a position of the physical object 100 (e.g., within the viewing area 58), or any other suitable parameter that may be indicative of a position within the viewing area 58 at which the first digital element 104 may be distorted. Adjusting the rendering of the first digital element 104 based on the determined parameter(s) may cause the first digital element 104 to appear as if it were physically located within the viewing area 58 rather than as if it were reflected off the beam splitter 64.

[0033] The control system 74 may also generate the second digital element 106 to match the appearance of the reflected image of the second digital element 106 to the appearance of the physical object 100, to represent that the first digital element 104 appears to be disposed behind the second digital element 106, and thus behind the physical object 100. To this end, the control system 74 may adjust the rendering of the second digital element 106 based on the distortion parameters of the physical object 100 (e.g., by sending image data to a projector configured to project an image of the second digital element 106). For example, the control system 74 may determine, based on the distortion parameters of the physical object 100, the manner in which light transmits through and / or is reflected by the physical object 100 to affect the appearance of the physical object 100, and cause the second digital element 106 to be rendered such that the corresponding appearance of the reflected image of the second digital element 106 is adjusted based on the appearance of the physical object 100. Additionally, control system 74 may determine the position and / or orientation at which second digital element 106 appears to be located within virtual area 60 to match the position and / or orientation of physical object 100 within viewing area 58. In this manner, the reflected image of second digital element 106 may be matched to the actual appearance of physical object 100 as seen by guest 54. In other words, guest 54 may not perceive second digital element 106 as being a separate object from physical object 100.

[0034] The control system 74 may then adjust the rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 to appear as if the reflected image of the first digital element 104 is disposed behind the reflected image of the second digital element 106, and thus behind the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58. Furthermore, the control system 74 may adjust the rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 to appear as if the reflected image of the first digital element 104 is seen through the reflected image of the second digital element 106, and thus through the physical object 100. As a result, the guest 54 may perceive the first digital element 104 as being disposed behind the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58, the first digital element 104 being seen through the physical object 100, and the appearance of the first digital element 104 being distorted by the physical object 100.

[0035] In an embodiment, the distortion parameters of the physical object 100 can be provided to the control system 74 via user input. For example, a user (e.g., operator, technician) can provide the distortion parameters prior to operation of the attraction system 50, and the control system 74 can operate the attraction system 50 to render the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 based on the distortion parameters already provided by the user. In practice, the control system 74 can be pre-programmed to provide a particular rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 during an operation cycle of the attraction system 50.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, control system 74 may be configured to automatically determine distortion parameters (e.g., without user input) and cause first digital element 104 and / or second digital element 106 to be rendered based on the determined distortion parameters, which may be determined and transmitted by sensor 82. For example, sensor 82 may include a refractometer configured to determine a refractive index associated with physical object 100, a transparency meter (e.g., a clarity meter) configured to determine a transparency associated with physical object 100, a position sensor configured to determine a position and / or movement of physical object 100 (e.g., within viewing area 58), a visual or optical sensor configured to determine an appearance of physical object 100 (e.g., from guest area 52), another suitable sensor, or any combination thereof. Control system 74 may be configured to adjust, modify, or otherwise update the rendering of first digital element 104 and / or second digital element 106 based on sensor data received from sensor 82. Additionally or alternatively, control system 74 may determine the distortion parameters via a physics-based model, analysis, and / or simulation (e.g., a software program). For example, the physics-based model may include a light refraction algorithm that may define the refractive index used by control system 74. Thus, control system 74 may be configured to adjust, modify, or otherwise update the rendering of first digital element 104 and / or second digital element 106 based on the physics-based model.

[0037] In an example embodiment, distortion parameters may be initially provided to the control system 74 via user input, and the control system 74 may render the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 according to the user input. Additionally, during operation of the attraction system 50, the distortion parameters of the physical object 100 may change from the distortion parameters provided by the user, and the control system 74 may adjust the rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 based on the determined updated distortion parameters, which may differ from the initial distortion parameters provided via the user input. For example, the physical object 100 may include water, and changes in the movement of the water may cause the distortion parameters associated with the physical object 100 to be adjusted. The control system 74 may modify the image data used to present the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 in response to the changes in the distortion parameters (e.g., as determined by the sensor 82). Thus, the control system 74 can alter the rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 based on changes in the physical object 100 within the viewing area 58 to maintain the realistic appearance provided by the show effects system 56.

[0038] While the illustrated attraction system 50 includes a physical object 100 within the viewing area 58, in further or alternative embodiments, different objects such as digital elements (e.g., images) may be placed within the viewing area 58. As an example, the control system 74 may control the rendering of the digital elements within the viewing area 58 and the rendering of the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 within the corresponding virtual area 60. For example, the control system 74 may display a background 112 for the viewing area 58. The background 112 may be seen through the physical object 100, and may be distorted by the physical object 100 because light passing through the physical object 100 and incident on the background 112 is distorted. As a result, the first digital element 104 and / or the second digital element 106 may be rendered based on the background 112 to incorporate the distortion of the background 112, resulting in a more realistic appearance of the background 112 as seen through the physical object 100. Thus, control system 74 may also adjust the rendering of first digital element 104 and / or second digital element 106 in response to adjusting the display of background 112 .

[0039] Additionally, in some embodiments, a physical object (e.g., real-world object 80 as described with respect to FIG. 1 ) may be placed in virtual area 60 in addition to or instead of second digital element 106. The physical object may have distortion parameters corresponding to the distortion parameters of physical object 100 that distort the image of first digital element 104 reflected by beam splitter 64. Such distortion of the image of first digital element 104 caused by a physical object in virtual area 60 may correspond to distortion caused by the distortion parameters associated with physical object 100 in viewing area 58. Additionally, the physical appearance of the physical object in virtual area 60 may match the physical appearance of physical object 100 in viewing area 58. As an example, the profile, geometry, size, shape, etc. of the physical object in virtual area 60 may correspond to the profile, geometry, size, shape, etc. of physical object 100 in viewing area 58. As another example, a physical object may be positioned within the virtual area 60 (e.g., via actuators 84 in FIG. 1 ) such that the location of the reflected image of the physical object coincides with the location of the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58 from the perspective of the guest 54. In this way, the reflected image of the physical object in the virtual area 60 and the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58 may appear to the guest 54 to be the same object. By positioning the physical object in the virtual area 60 to appear like the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58 and distorting the image of the first digital element 104, the distortion of the image of the first digital element 104 may be made to appear to be caused by the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58. Thus, the first digital element 104 may appear to be physically located within the viewing area 58. In such an embodiment, the distortion effect of the reflected image of the first digital element 104 may be fully applied via the physical object in the viewing area, thus limiting the distortion effect provided by generating image data via the control system 74. Thus, the operation of the control system 74 may be reduced and / or the complexity may be reduced.

[0040] 3 is a front view of a viewing area 58 of the attraction system illustrating show effects provided via show effects system 56. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a first show effect 150 and a second show effect 152 provided by show effects system 56, each of which includes a viewing area 58 that is viewed by guests from a guest area of ​​the attraction system. In one embodiment, control system 74 can be configured to implement first show effect 150 and second show effect 152, such as by generating and transmitting image data to enable visibility of a reflected image of a digital element from the guest area.

[0041] The first show effect 150 may include a physical object 100 physically located within the viewing area 58 and a first reflected image 154 reflected from a beam splitter. For example, the physical object 100 may be seen through the beam splitter and the first reflected image 154 may be seen via a first digital element (e.g., the first digital element 104 described with respect to FIG. 2) presented in the virtual area and reflected off the beam splitter. The beam splitter may be hidden from view in order to enhance the realism of the appearance of the physical object 100 and the first reflected image 154, such as by creating the appearance that the first reflected image 154 is an object physically located within the viewing area 58. As an example, the beam splitter may be hidden from view by various lighting effects produced by the show effects system 56.

[0042] The control system 74 may cause a first digital element to be displayed within the virtual area to generate a first reflected image 154 that appears to be present within the viewing area 58. In the illustrated first show effect 150, the first reflected image 154 and the physical object 100 are superimposed relative to one another. For example, the first reflected image 154 may overlap the physical object 100 due to the position of the first digital element within the viewing area. Also, in the first show effect 150, the first reflected image 154 may be at least partially transparent such that the physical object 100 is visible through the first reflected image 154. Additionally, the appearance of the first reflected image 154 may be undistorted by the physical object 100 associated with the distortion parameter. In other words, physical object 100 may be associated with distortion parameters and first reflected image 154, and although physical object 100 appears to overlap first reflected image 154 in viewing area 58, physical object 100 does not distort first reflected image 154 because light that passes through first reflected image 154 in virtual area 60 does not pass through physical object 100 in viewing area 58. In this manner, first show effect 150 may not include a distortion effect applied to first reflected image 154 and visible to the guest.

[0043] The second show effect 152 may include a distortion effect applied to the first reflected image 154 to represent distortion caused by the physical object 100. For example, the second show effect 152 may include a second reflected image 156 corresponding to the physical object 100. The second reflected image 156 may be visible through a second digital element (e.g., the second digital element 106 described with respect to FIG. 2) presented in the virtual area by the control system 74 and appears to be reflected off a beam splitter and disposed in the viewing area 58. In the second show effect 152, the second reflected image 156 and the physical object 100 may appear as a single object physically disposed in the viewing area 58. To this end, the control system 74 generates a second digital element in the virtual area and reflects it through a beam splitter so that the second reflected image 156 and the physical object 100 appear to be present in the viewing area 58 with generally the same appearance (e.g., same shape, same size, same texture), and the second reflected image 156 and the physical object 100 may also be aligned or superimposed on one another.

[0044] Additionally, control system 74 may cause a third digital element to be presented within viewing area 58, such as by adjusting the appearance of the first digital element corresponding to first reflected image 154 in first show effect 150, to generate third reflected image 158. Third reflected image 158 may be physically located behind, and appear to be seen through, and distorted by, second reflected image 156 of physical object 100 and second show effect 152. In this manner, second show effect 152 may represent third reflected image 158 as another physical object located within viewing area 58, rather than as a reflection off a beam splitter, to provide a realistic interaction between physical object 100 and third reflected image 158. For example, the control system 74 can cause the third digital element to be presented in the virtual area at a position relative to the second digital element such that a third reflected image 158 corresponding to the third digital element appears to be behind the second reflected image 156 corresponding to the second digital element, and thus also behind the physical object 100 in the viewing area 58. Further, the control system 74 can cause the third digital element to be presented in the virtual area such that the third reflected image 158 appears to be distorted by the second reflected image 156, and thus by the physical object 100. In other words, the third reflected image 158 can appear distorted relative to the first reflected image 154 in the first show effect 150. For example, the third digital element presented in the virtual area can include irregular shapes, discontinuous profiles, misaligned portions, mirrored parts, and the like, to represent distortion of the corresponding third reflected image 158. In this manner, the second show effect 152 can create the realistic appearance of a reflected image that simulates the distortion caused by the physical object 100 .

[0045] In addition to making the third reflected image 158 appear to be distorted by the physical object 100, the second show effect 152 may enable the physical object 100 to cause distortion of additional physical objects in the viewing area 58. For example, additional physical objects may be placed behind the physical object 100 (e.g., appearing to be behind the second reflected image 156 and the third reflected image 158), causing the physical object 100 to distort the appearance of the additional physical objects. In effect, the physical object 100 may continue to physically distort objects placed in the viewing area 58 regardless of the reflected image generated via the control system 74. In this manner, the physical object 100 may appear to distort both the reflected image and the physical object, further enhancing the realism that the reflected image corresponds to a real-world object physically placed in the viewing area 58.

[0046] 4 and 5, described below, each illustrate a method or process for operating a show effects system of an attraction system. Each method may be performed by any suitable apparatus (e.g., processing circuitry 78 of control system 74 shown in FIGS. 1-3). In one embodiment, each method may be performed by executing instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 76 of control system 74 shown in FIGS. 1-3). For example, each method may be performed at least in part by one or more software components, one or more software applications, and the like. Although each method is described using a particular order of steps, additional steps may be performed, the described steps may be performed in a different order than that shown, and / or some described steps may be skipped or not performed entirely.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method or process 180 for operating a show effects system of an attraction system to provide realistic Pepper's Ghost-like show effects. At block 182, distortion parameters associated with a physical object disposed within the viewing area may be determined. The physical object may be directly visible to a guest of the attraction system through a beam splitter. The distortion parameters may include any suitable parameters that may distort or change the appearance of another object (e.g., another physical object disposed behind the physical object in the viewing area) that is visible through the physical object, such as refractive index, transparency measurements, color blend, profile, size, shape, and position. In an embodiment, the distortion parameters may be determined via sensor data that may be transmitted from a sensor of the attraction system. In further or alternative embodiments, the distortion parameters may be determined using a physics-based model. In further embodiments, the distortion parameters may be provided via user input.

[0048] In block 184, image data can be generated based on the distortion parameters. The image data can be used to present a first digital element in a virtual area of ​​the attraction system, and a guest can see a first reflected image of the first digital element through reflection from a beam splitter. The image data can be generated to apply a distortion effect to the first reflected image to represent the first reflected image being distorted by a physical object, simulating the appearance that the first reflected image is a real-world object located in the viewing area. As an example, the image data can be generated based on the distortion parameters such that some portions of the first reflected image appear distorted by a physical object. The appearance of the distortion, such as the shape, irregularity, continuity, and orientation of the distortion of the first reflected image, appears to be caused by the physical object. As an example, appearance characteristics, such as refraction angle, visibility, and color, associated with the first reflected image can be determined based on the distortion parameters of the physical object, and the distortion effect can be applied based on the appearance characteristics.

[0049] As another example, the image data may be generated based on other parameters related to the physical object. For example, the overlap of the first reflected image and the physical object as seen from the guest's viewpoint may be determined based on the location of the physical object in the viewing area, the profile of the physical object, the size of the physical object, and the location of the first digital element and the corresponding first reflected image in the virtual area. A distortion effect may be applied to certain portions of the first digital element corresponding to the overlap to represent the corresponding portions of the first reflected image being distorted by the physical object.

[0050] The generated image data may further include a second digital element corresponding to a physical object. For example, the second digital element may be generated to occlude a portion of the first reflected image corresponding to the first digital element, to represent that the physical object in the viewing area occludes a portion of the first reflected image. Thus, the second digital element may be generated such that the second reflected image corresponding to the second digital element is superimposed on the physical object when viewed by the guest. Thus, the position, profile, shape and / or size of the second digital element in the virtual area may correspond to the position, profile, shape and / or size of the physical object in the viewing area. As an example, a first position of the physical object in the viewing area (e.g., a position visible to the guest) may be determined and set as a target position of the second reflected image corresponding to the second digital element. In this manner, by presenting the second digital element at a second position in the virtual area that causes the second reflected image to appear at the target position, the respective positions of the physical object and the second reflected image may be aligned with each other to be viewed by the guest as a single object.

[0051] At block 186, image data may be transmitted to cause the digital elements to be presented within the virtual area. As an example, the image data may be transmitted to a projector, and the projector may present the digital elements based on the image data. In one embodiment, the virtual area may include a light field display, and the projector may present the digital elements as 3-D images via the light field display. In this way, reflections of the digital elements may also appear 3-D and may have a more realistic appearance than reflections of, for example, a 2-D image.

[0052] 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method or process 210 for operating a show effects system of an attraction system. At block 212, image data may be received that presents digital elements within a virtual area of ​​the show effects system and causes the display of a reflected image of the corresponding digital element through a viewing area of ​​the show effects system. The received image data may include initial image data that does not apply a distortion effect to the corresponding digital element. For example, the image data may correspond to a reflected image that would be presented if not distorted by a physical object in the viewing area.

[0053] However, physical objects may be present within the viewing area, and the physical objects may include distortion characteristics that distort the appearance of other real-world objects within the viewing area that are seen through the physical objects. Thus, it may be desirable to adjust the received image data to apply distortion effects to the digital elements and corresponding reflected images of the digital elements in order to represent the digital elements as real-world objects located within the viewing area. Thus, in block 182, distortion parameters associated with the physical objects within the viewing area may be determined (e.g., via sensor data) using techniques such as those described herein.

[0054] In block 214, based on the distortion parameters, the already received image data can be adjusted to apply a distortion effect to the corresponding digital element. For example, the image data can be adjusted according to the technique described with respect to block 184 of FIG. 4 so that some parts of the first digital element and the reflected image of the first digital element appear distorted by a physical object. That is, the image data can be adjusted to apply a distortion effect to the corresponding first digital element and the reflected image to represent the distortion that appears to be caused by the physical object. In this way, the received image data can be adjusted to represent an updated appearance of the digital element in response to the placement of the physical object in the viewing area, etc. In effect, the adjustment of the image data can result in a realistic representation of a physical object distorting the appearance of the reflected image of the first digital element corresponding to the image data.

[0055] Additionally, the image data may be adjusted to include or update the presentation of a second digital element corresponding to a physical object to occlude a portion of the reflected image of the first digital element. That is, the adjusted image data may cause the second digital element to be presented in the virtual space, and the reflected image of the second digital element may appear to occlude the reflected image of the first digital element. The image data may also be adjusted to match the appearance of the reflected image of the second digital element with the appearance of the physical object, such that the reflected image of the second digital element and the physical object are represented to the guest as the same object. In this way, the physical object may appear to occlude the reflected image of the first digital element.

[0056] After adjusting the image data, the adjusted image data can be transmitted to display updated digital elements in the virtual area in block 216. For example, the adjusted image data can be transmitted (e.g., to a projector) to update previously presented undistorted digital elements according to distortion parameters associated with a physical object. Thus, the reflected image of the corresponding digital element can also be updated to represent the distortion caused by the physical object, providing a more realistic show effect to the guest.

[0057] It should be noted that some steps of the methods 180, 210 may be performed repeatedly or iteratively during operation of the show effects system. For example, image data may be repeatedly generated and / or adjusted based on determined distortion parameters (e.g., changes in distortion parameters such as changes in refractive index) to present digital elements and corresponding reflections of digital elements that appear to be distorted by physical objects. Thus, the show effects system may maintain a realistic appearance that the digital elements are physically located within the viewing area.

[0058] While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

[0059] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that positively improve the art and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Moreover, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," such elements are to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). On the other hand, for any claim containing an element designated in any other manner, such elements are not to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 50 Attraction System 52 Guest Area 54 Guests 56 Show Effects System 58 Viewing Area 60 Virtual Area 62 Partition 64 Beam splitter 65 Objects in the viewing area 66 Transparent element 67 Objects in a Virtual Area 68 Reflective Elements 70 Digital Elements 72 Projector 74 Control Systems 76 Memory 78 Processing Circuit 80 Real Objects 82 Sensors 84 Actuator

Claims

1. An attraction system for an amusement park, comprising: The viewing area and A virtual area, A beam splitter; A controller; the beam splitter is positioned to allow visibility of a portion of the viewing area through the beam splitter and visibility of a portion of the virtual area via reflection from the beam splitter, and the controller generating image data based on distortion parameters associated with a first element positioned within the viewing area and indicative of distortion of the appearance of an object viewed through the first element; transmitting the image data to display a second element within the virtual area; configured to perform operations including: An attraction system characterized by:

2. The distortion parameter includes a refractive index. The attraction system according to claim 1 .

3. the second element appears as a reflected image via reflection from the beam splitter, and the controller is configured to generate the image data based on the distortion parameters to apply a distortion effect to the reflected image corresponding to the distortion caused by the first element. The attraction system according to claim 1 .

4. the reflected image is a first reflected image, and the controller is configured to generate the image data to produce a representation of a third element in the virtual area and a corresponding representation of a second reflected image that reflects off the beam splitter and intercepts the first reflected image. The attraction system according to claim 3 .

5. a sensor configured to monitor the distortion parameter associated with the first element, the sensor communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to transmit sensor data indicative of the distortion parameter to the controller, the controller configured to generate the image data based on the sensor data. The attraction system according to claim 1 .

6. the virtual area includes a light field display, and the controller is configured to transmit the image data to cause the second element in the virtual area to be displayed as a three-dimensional image via the light field display. The attraction system according to claim 1 .

7. a projector communicatively coupled to the controller, the controller configured to transmit the image data to the projector and cause the projector to display the second element within the virtual area based on the image data. The attraction system according to claim 1 .

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, determining distortion parameters associated with a physical object positioned within a viewing area of ​​a Pepper's Ghost system of an attraction system and viewed through a beam splitter of said Pepper's Ghost system, said distortion parameters being indicative of distortion of the appearance of a further object viewed through said physical object; generating image data based on the distortion parameters; transmitting the image data to display a digital element within a virtual area of ​​the Pepper's Ghost system; wherein a reflected image of the digital element is viewed through the beam splitter.

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

9. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, receiving initial image data for displaying said digital element; adjusting the initial image data based on the distortion parameters to generate the image data based on the distortion parameters; 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 configured to cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including:

10. the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to adjust the initial image data to apply a distortion effect to the reflected image of the digital element. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9.

11. the digital element is a first digital element, the reflected image is a first reflected image of the first digital element, and the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are configured to generate the image data to display a second digital element in the virtual area, wherein a second reflected image of the second digital element is viewed through the beam splitter and obstructs the first reflected image of the first digital element. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8.

12. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, determining a first position of the physical object; generating the image data to display the second digital element to align a second position of the second reflected image with the first position of the physical object; 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 configured to cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including:

13. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, determining a first position of the physical object; determining an overlap between the first position of the physical object and a second position of the reflected image of the digital element; generating the image data and applying a distortion effect to the reflected image corresponding to the overlap of the first position of the physical object and the second position of the reflected image; 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 configured to cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including:

14. the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are configured to cause the processing circuit to determine the distortion parameters associated with the physical object via user input. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8.

15. 1. An attraction system for an amusement park, comprising: a viewing area including a first element; a virtual area including a second element; The guest area and A beam splitter; A controller; Equipped with the first element is associated with a distortion parameter indicative of the resulting distortion of the appearance of an object seen through the first element; the beam splitter is configured to allow visibility of the first element from the guest area through the beam splitter and to reflect an image of the second element from the virtual area towards the guest area; the controller is configured to generate image data to display the second element within the virtual area, and the image of the second element reflected by the beam splitter includes a distortion effect corresponding to the distortion parameter associated with the first element. An attraction system characterized by:

16. the distortion effect comprises a discontinuous profile, an offset, a misalignment, a bend, a curvature, a mirror, or any combination thereof, of a portion of the second element applied via the controller by generating the image data based on the refractive index of the first element; 16. The attraction system according to claim 15.

17. the distortion effect includes a change in color of the second element applied via the controller by generating the image data based on the color of the first element.

16. The attraction system according to claim 15.

18. The controller generating further image data to display a third element within the viewing area such that the appearance of the third element from the guest area is seen through and distorted by the first element; generating the image data to display the second element within the virtual area based on the distortion of the appearance of the third element caused by the first element; The attraction system of claim 15 configured to:

19. the virtual area includes a physical object disposed therein, the physical object including a further distortion parameter corresponding to the distortion parameter associated with the first element, the physical object being positioned to apply the distortion effect via the further distortion parameter to the image of the second element reflected by the beam splitter.

16. The attraction system according to claim 15.

20. an actuator configured to cause movement of the physical object, the controller comprising: Determining a first position of a first element; commanding the actuator to move the physical object to align a second position of an image of the physical object reflected by the beam splitter with the first position of the first element; 20. The attraction system of claim 19 configured to perform operations including:

21. An attraction system for an amusement park, comprising: The viewing area and A virtual area, A beam splitter; A controller; the beam splitter is positioned to allow visibility of a portion of the viewing area through the beam splitter and visibility of a portion of the virtual area via reflection from the beam splitter, and the controller generating distorted image data relative to distortion parameters associated with a first element disposed within the viewing area, the distortion parameters indicative of distortion applied by the first element to light interacting with the first element; transmitting the image data to display a second element within the virtual area; configured to perform operations including: An attraction system characterized by:

22. An attraction system as described in Claim 21, wherein the distortion parameter indicates the distortion applied by the light passing through and / or reflected by the first element.

23. An attraction system as described in claim 21, wherein the second element includes an image of an object distorted based on the distortion parameters.

24. The attraction system described in claim 21, wherein the second element is seen as a reflected image through reflection from the beam splitter, and the controller is configured to be positioned so that the image data overlaps with the first element from a viewing viewpoint in the observation area.

25. The attraction system described in claim 24, wherein the reflected image is a first reflected image, and the controller is configured to generate the image data to display a display of a third element in the virtual area and a corresponding display of a second reflected image that is reflected off the beam splitter and obstructs the first reflected image.

26. The attraction system described in claim 21, wherein the virtual area includes a physical object positioned therein, the physical object including a further distortion parameter corresponding to the distortion parameter associated with the first element, the physical object being positioned to distort images passing through it based on the further distortion parameter to generate image data.

27. An actuator configured to cause movement of the physical object, wherein the controller: determining a first position of the first element; commanding an actuator to move the physical object to align a second position of the image of the physical object reflected by the beam splitter with the first position of the first element; 27. The attraction system of claim 26 configured to perform operations including:

28. An attraction system as described in claim 21, comprising a sensor configured to monitor the distortion parameter associated with the first element, the sensor being communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to transmit sensor data indicative of the distortion parameter to the controller, and the controller being configured to generate the image data based on the sensor data.

29. An attraction system as described in claim 21, wherein the virtual area includes a barrier that blocks viewing from the observation area, and the beam splitter includes a partially reflective film positioned between the viewing area and the observation area.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, determining a distortion parameter associated with a physical object located within a viewing area of ​​the Pepper's Ghost system and viewed through a beam splitter of the Pepper's Ghost system, the distortion parameter being indicative of a distortion applied to light interacting with the physical object; generating image data based on the distortion parameters; transmitting the image data to display a digital element within a virtual area of ​​the Pepper's Ghost system; wherein a reflected image of the digital element is viewed through the beam splitter.

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

31. The digital element is a first digital element, the reflected image is a first reflected image of the first digital element, and the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are configured to cause the processing circuit to perform operations including generating the image data and displaying a second digital element within the virtual area, wherein a second reflected image of the second digital element is visible through the beam splitter and obstructs the first reflected image of the first digital element; 31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein transmitting the image data includes displaying the digital element such that, from a viewing viewpoint in an observation area, the reflected image of the digital element overlays the physical object.

33. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, determining a location of the physical object; generating the image data to display the digital element based on the location of the physical object; 32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31 configured to cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including:

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein generating the image data based on the distortion parameters includes directing the image through a further physical object located in the virtual area, the further physical object including further distortion parameters corresponding to the distortion parameters.

35. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, determining a location of the physical object; commanding an actuator to move the further physical object to align the digital element with the image data such that the reflected image of the digital element overlaps the physical object from a viewing point in an observation area; 35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 configured to cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including:

36. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, receiving data indicative of the strain parameter from a sensor; creating the image data based on the received data; 31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30 configured to cause the processing circuitry to perform operations including:

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein generating the image data includes modifying the shape, continuity, orientation, or a combination thereof, of a base image based on the distortion parameters.

38. A method of operating a Pepper's Ghost system, comprising: receiving image data via a processor; determining, via said processor, distortion parameters associated with a physical object placed in a viewing area; adjusting the image data based on the distortion parameters via the processor and projecting the image data from a virtual area onto a beam splitter; a corresponding representation of a reflected image of the image data is provided on the beam splitter to align with the physical object, the beam splitter being located between the viewing area and an observation area; A method comprising:

39. The method of claim 38, wherein adjusting the image data based on the distortion parameters includes at least partially inverting the image data.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein determining the distortion parameters includes determining the refractive index using a refractometer and / or determining the transparency level using a transparency meter.

Images