System and method for private audio channels

Abstract

A system includes a plurality of guest interface devices, each of which includes an associated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The system includes a plurality of head-mounted displays and an audio distribution system. The audio distribution system includes an RFID reader and a processor that receives guest interface device identification information encoded on an identification tag associated with the guest interface devices and designates a private audio channel for an assigned group of guest interface devices. The system includes a head-mounted display that reads the identification tag, which associates the head-mounted display with the assigned group of guest interface devices. The system transmits audio between the head-mounted devices in the assigned group over the designated private audio channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority and the benefit thereof to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 121,550, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRIVATE AUDIO CHANNELS", filed on December 4, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology that may be relevant to the various aspects of the present disclosure described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in showing the reader the background circumstances and facilitating a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, these descriptions should be read from the above perspective rather than as an admission of prior art.

[0003] An amusement park can include various entertainment attractions useful for entertaining guests. The entertainment attractions in an amusement park may have various noise levels that can make it difficult for guests to communicate with other guests in the group. It is recognized that it is desirable to enhance the audio experience of guests within the entertainment attractions.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The following presents an overview of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. These aspects are merely intended to show the reader a summary of some of these embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure can include various aspects that are not shown below.

[0005] In one embodiment, the audio channel system includes a guest interface device that includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the guest interface device. The RFID tag includes encoded device identification information for the guest interface device. The system includes a head-mounted display that includes a head-mounted display RFID reader configured to read the RFID tag of the guest interface device and receive the device identification information corresponding to the guest interface device when the guest interface device is coupled to the head-mounted display. The system includes an audio distribution system having an RFID reader configured to read the RFID tag of the guest interface device and receive the device identification information for the RFID tag. The audio distribution system includes a processor configured to receive a group assignment for the guest interface device and associate the group assignment with the device identification information read by the RFID reader. The processor is also configured to receive device identification information and head-mounted display information from the head-mounted display, associate the head-mounted display with the group assignment for the guest interface device, specify a private audio channel for the group assignment of the head-mounted display, and generate an instruction to transmit audio to and from the head-mounted device using the private audio channel.

[0006] One embodiment provides a method for managing one or more private audio channels, which includes receiving guest interface device identification information encoded in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with a guest interface device. The method further includes assigning the guest interface device identification information to a group, receiving head-mounted device identification information indicating that a head-mounted device is coupled to the guest interface device, designating a private audio channel for the assigned group, and communicating audio signals between the head-mounted device and other head-mounted devices in the assigned group via the designated private audio channel.

[0007] In one embodiment, a head-mounted device is provided that includes a guest interface device having an identification tag encoding guest interface device identification information. The head-mounted device includes a head-mounted display configured to couple with the guest interface device. The head-mounted device includes a reader configured to read the guest interface device identification information from the identification tag. The head-mounted device also includes a communication circuit configured to transmit the guest interface device identification information and the head-mounted device identification information to a controller. The head-mounted device further includes a speaker configured to output audio signals for a private audio channel associated with the guest interface device.

[0008] A better understanding of these and other features, aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be gained by reading the following detailed description while referring to the attached drawings, which use the same symbols to indicate the same elements throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an audio distribution system incorporating a guest interface device and a head-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]This is a flowchart of the process for assigning private audio channels for different groups while a vehicle is in operation, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the process for associating a guest interface device and a head-mounted device with a private audio channel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a head-mounted device communicating with an identification tag of a coupled guest interface device. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of different groups during the operation of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This figure shows a graphical user interface (GUI) for assigning private audio channels to different groups while a vehicle is in operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the guest interface device and head-mounted device shown in Figure 1, which are in a separate configuration, of the audio distribution system according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes one or more specific embodiments of this disclosure. For the sake of brevity, this specification does not describe all features of the embodiments. It should be understood that in developing any such embodiments, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific objectives, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary by implementation. Furthermore, while such development efforts can be complex and time-consuming, they should be understood by those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure as routine design, fabrication, and manufacturing activities.

[0011] When describing elements of the various embodiments of this disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of these elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be comprehensive and mean that there may be further elements other than those listed. Furthermore, any reference to “one embodiment” or “a certain embodiment” in this disclosure should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of further embodiments, including the features described.

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure facilitate the assignment of one or more private audio channels to provide guests experiencing specific attractions in an amusement park with an improved audio experience. The audio distribution system can receive various inputs indicating specific desired groupings. These inputs may include preferences, such as a particular family preferring to be in the same group. The audio distribution system can use these inputs to assign a specific private audio channel to each of the specific groupings. When private audio channels are utilized, members of the same group can hear each other's voices regardless of which seats on the ride each member occupies. Private audio channels facilitate an improved audio experience for group members and allow members to converse with each other, while excluding communications from amusement park guests on rides who are not part of the private audio channels.

[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure describe an audio distribution system that is communicatively coupled to a head-mounted device to facilitate private audio channel communication. The head-mounted device may include (1) a relatively expensive head-mounted display component, and (2) a relatively robust adapter or interface component, called a guest interface device, which can be customized to each guest's preferences and is independent of the head-mounted display. These components are reversibly coupled to each other to enable the guest interface device to be used with the head-mounted display. The guest interface device may include device information, such as a unique device code or identification number, which is stored in or otherwise associated with the device, such as via a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. In one embodiment, the RFID tag is read by an RFID reader associated with both the audio distribution system and the head-mounted display. Guests in an attraction may be temporarily assigned head-mounted devices that can be grouped into specific private audio channels via device information during the run of the attraction. The technology makes it possible to group the temporarily assigned head-mounted devices into one or more private audio channels based on these temporary assignments and the preferences of these assigned guests. The system can individually address the audio inputs / outputs of head-mounted devices according to these groupings, enabling private communication during the attraction.

[0014] The guest interface device can be provided to the guest while queuing or at ride dispatch to allow time for fit adjustment, while the head-mounted display can be provided at a later point, such as when the guest is seated in the vehicle and does not need to walk, or when they do not need to carry the relatively fragile head-mounted display. The distribution of the guest interface device and head-mounted display can be carried out at different locations and times. This technology enables the rapid association of a specific head-mounted display with a guest's desired audio channel group based on the assignment of a coupled guest interface device. Thus, group assignment is performed by the identity of the guest interface device. Therefore, as long as the guest holds a guest interface device with an identification tag linked to their assigned private audio channel group, they do not need to sit in a specific assigned seat and / or with other members of that group. Upon being seated, the guest receives the head-mounted display, which then reads the identification tag and communicates with the central controller via the guest interface device information on the identification tag to adjust the link between the head-mounted display and the specific private audio channel of their assigned group.

[0015] Based on the above, Figure 1 is a block diagram of an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) system 8 having an audio distribution system 10 including a guest interface device 12 and a head-mounted display 14 for a specific ride in a theme park. The guest interface device 12 and the head-mounted display 14 can be independent components coupled together to form a head-mounted device distributed to guests, as shown herein.

[0016] As shown in the figure, the audio distribution system includes a controller 16, such as a central controller, which includes one or more processors 18 and one or more memory devices 20. One or more processors 18 can execute software programs and / or instructions for adjusting the display of virtual objects and assigning audio channels. Furthermore, the (one or more) processors 18 may include multiple microprocessors, one or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), and / or one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors. The (one or more) memory devices 20 may include one or more storage devices that can store machine-readable and / or processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) executed by the (one or more) processors 18, such as instructions related to adjusting the display of virtual objects. The (one or more) memory devices 20 may store, for example, control software to facilitate the adjustment of the display of virtual objects, lookup tables and configuration data. In some embodiments, the (one or multiple) processor 18 and the (one or multiple) memory devices 20 may be located outside the controller 16. The (one or multiple) memory devices 20 may include tangible non-transient 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 drive, and / or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium).

[0017] The audio distribution system 10 also includes a reader 22 and a display or graphical user interface (GUI) 23. The reader 22 (e.g., a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader) reads identification information 24 associated with a specific head-mounted display 14 distributed to or associated with a specific guest via the guest interface device 12. The identification information may reside on or be part of the head-mounted display 14, or may reside on or be part of the guest interface device 12 as shown, and may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 26 placed, attached, embedded, or otherwise coupled on the guest interface device 12 (e.g., on a label or sticker). The RFID tag may be made of a reusable, inexpensive material (e.g., plastic) that can be easily replaced in the event of loss, misplacement, or theft of the guest interface device 12. Of particular importance, the RFID tag 26 stores data associated with the guest interface device 12. The identification information 24 stored in the RFID tag 26 is read and interpreted by the reader 22. Although embodiments of this disclosure are described in the context of RFID tags, it should be understood that, in addition to or instead of thereto, the device identification information of the guest interface device 12 may also be provided via a barcode, a visible marker, or an optical transmitter that supplies a signal readable by a reader (e.g., an optical sensor or reader).

[0018] In some embodiments described herein, the audio distribution system 10 can associate the guest interface device 12 with a specific guest profile so that guest profile preferences, such as the guest's language preferences, vehicle or character preferences, preferred volume settings, closed caption preferences, and group preferences, are applied to the operation of the head-mounted display 14.

[0019] It should be understood that the components of the audio distribution system 10 can be separated from each other and connected in a communicative manner. For example, the reader 22 and GUI 23 can be located in the attraction dispatch area and can pass information to a controller 16, which is the central controller of the audio distribution system 10 and can be located separately from the reader 22 and GUI 23. The controller 16 can communicate with system 8 or other components of the amusement park to receive commands or information regarding guest profiles or ride operating status. Furthermore, the controller 16 can be communicated to the head-mounted display 14 and can control audio channels as shown herein, for example, via the controller's wired or wireless communication circuit.

[0020] The audio distribution system 10 receives identification information 24 stored in the RFID tag 26. The audio distribution system 10 can create (e.g., render), specify, or assign a first audio channel 28, a second audio channel 30, and any additional audio channels 32 required to accommodate each group requested for a particular ride. As will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 5, the audio distribution system 10 can assign an audio channel to as few as one guest, or to the same number of guests as the capacity of a particular ride (e.g., 50 to 200 guests). In other words, the upper limit of guests that can be grouped into a single audio channel can be a function of the number of guests that a particular ride accommodates while it is in operation. In some cases, a specific audio channel is used to group guests who want to come to the theme park together and experience a particular ride together, such as families, groups of friends, and groups of classmates. Guests can group themselves at the departure point or at the distribution point of the guest interface device. As described herein, in embodiments, the system 10 may take into account the preferences of guests, such as group size, specific guests within the group, language preferences, closed caption preferences, and volume preferences.

[0021] The audio distribution system 10 transmits data to a specific head-mounted display 14 of a specific vehicle (see vehicle 272, FIG. 5) via audio channels 28, 30, 32 through the communication circuit of the audio distribution system 10, such as a wireless transmitter 21 or a wired communication device. Each head-mounted display 14 facilitates the use of the corresponding group member's audio channels 28, 30, 32. Each head-mounted display 14 includes at least a tag reader 34 (e.g., an RFID reader), a speaker 36, a GUI and / or a display 38, a microphone 40, a plurality of sensors 42 (e.g., a camera, a gaze tracking sensor, a heart rate sensor, a facility monitoring sensor, a finger tracking sensor, etc.), a controller 56, a processor 58, and / or a memory 60. The head-mounted display 14 includes a communication circuit that facilitates wired or wireless communication within the system 10, such as an antenna 46 and a transmitter 47 coupled to a receiver 44. The head-mounted display 14 also includes electronic glasses 62 (e.g., goggles). When the glasses 62 are not activated, the guest can see the real-world environment. In other words, the guest can only see what can be seen without wearing the glasses 62 or goggles. When the glasses 62 are activated, virtual features within an augmented reality or virtual reality environment can be activated via the activated glasses 62, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0022] Referring back to the AR / VR system 8 of FIG. 1, the audio input / output of a particular one of the audio channels 28, 30, 32 can communicate by means of an antenna 46 coupled to a receiver 44 of the head-mounted display 14. However, in addition to or instead of this, it should be understood that the head-mounted display 14 can also receive wired communication by being wired-connected via a tether. The receiver 44 picks up the audio output of a particular channel so that the wearer of the head-mounted display 14 can hear the audio output of the particular channel through the speaker 36. In certain embodiments, audio channel communication is addressed to the assigned head-mounted display 14 so that the head-mounted display 14 receives audio from other guests within the assigned group. In certain embodiments, the head-mounted display 14 can also include a noise cancellation function that filters out other noise so that only the audio of a particular channel can be heard. As can be understood, a vehicle is a noisy environment, and it can be very difficult to hear what another guest is saying, even when sitting nearby, due to music, conversations from other guests, ambient noise, and other noise sources. The head-mounted display 14 reduces external interference so that guests within the same group can easily converse by hearing each other's voices through the head-mounted display 14.

[0023] Guests assigned to a particular audio channel can hear each other through the audio channel 32 via their own particular head-mounted display 14, regardless of where they are sitting on the vehicle. For example, in some cases, one group member may be more adventurous and want to experience certain features earlier than another group member who wishes to sit at the back of the vehicle while the adventurous group member sits at the front. Nevertheless, the group member at the front of the vehicle and the group member at the back of the vehicle can hear each other through the same audio channel 32.

[0024] If a group member at the front of the vehicle says into their microphone 40, "Watch out for the waterfall! I'm already soaked!", the rest of the group can hear this voice regardless of their location within the vehicle. The private audio channel, which is configured to include the head-mounted display 14, allows members of the same group to hear each other while ensuring that conversations from other audio channels 32 are filtered out so that the experience of members of the same group is not interrupted by conversations from other groups.

[0025] As described above, the head-mounted display 14 also includes an RFID reader 34 (or another sensing modality that conforms to the device information relating to the guest interface device 12 as described herein). The RFID reader 34 reads the RFID tag 26 coupled to the guest interface device 12. The device identification information from the guest interface device 12 is read by the reader 22 and then assigned to a group. Guests within a particular group can be scattered throughout the attraction and receive a head-mounted display 14 while holding or wearing the guest interface device 12. For example, a guest can receive a head-mounted display 14 after being seated in a ride. As described, these seats do not need to be attached to hold the audio channel assignment information. Each individual head-mounted display 14 is coupled to its respective guest interface device 12 and receives the unique device identification information of the coupled guest interface device 12 via the reader 34. This information is transmitted by the head-mounted display 14 to the audio distribution system 10. In one embodiment, guest interface device identification information is transmitted together (as a bundle) or otherwise associated with specific identification information of the coupled head-mounted display 14. Based on this communication, the audio distribution system 10 links a specific guest interface device 12 to a specific head-mounted display 14. Furthermore, based on the grouping information or assigned group of the coupled guest interface devices 12, the head-mounted display 14 can be assigned to a private audio channel.

[0026] The head-mounted display 14 also includes a GUI and / or display 38 that allows the user to adjust the volume of audio channels and change closed caption preferences via various inputs (e.g., buttons, keyboard). The GUI and / or display 38 can also be used to display vehicle-related information and notifications. The head-mounted display 14 can also transmit guest data to the audio distribution system 10 via a transmitter 47. For example, the transmitter 47 can receive various signals output by the sensor 42, which are then transmitted to the audio distribution system 10 and received via the receiver 48. The sensor 42 can output signals indicating the surrounding environment, the surrounding environment's sounds and / or the guest's conversation, the guest's movements (e.g., hand movements, hand signals, etc.), biometric data (e.g., eye movements, pulse, etc.), facial movements and expressions, etc. In one embodiment, the audio distribution system 10 can adjust one or more aspects of the audio channels 32 based in part on the signals output by the various sensors 42. For example, the audio distribution system 10 can detect when a guest is passing through a section of the vehicle that is particularly noisy due to special effects on the vehicle (e.g., the sound of water gushing from a waterfall, the sound of a volcanic eruption, etc.).

[0027] Figure 2 is a flowchart of process 200 for assigning private audio channels 28, 30, and 32 for different groups while the vehicle is in operation. Process 200 includes receiving identification information from the guest interface device (block 202). Process 200 includes receiving inputs indicating specific groupings (block 204). For example, these inputs may indicate that a particular family is in the same group, or that members of the family have been grouped into specific channels (e.g., one channel for adults, one channel for children). Other inputs may include default settings for a particular group, such as disabling the group chat function for an input indicating a single member group, the group's language preference for alternative audio, turning text subtitles on or off, various default settings for the interaction experience related to the diversity of a particular ride experience, and retrieving unique guest ID information from another guest tracking system. Reader 22 may receive multiple inputs at once to form a particular grouping, or it may read one input at a time in an iterative process.

[0028] Process 200 includes assigning a private audio channel to each of a specific group (block 206). Assigning a private audio channel includes defining each specific group using inputs. Groups can be changed in response to changing circumstances. For example, if a group member no longer wishes to be part of a particular group, or if a new member should be added to a particular group, the assignment of private audio channels can be updated. For example, a new member can be added to an existing audio channel, or a member can be removed or blocked from an audio channel.

[0029] Process 200 includes utilizing private audio channels for each group while the vehicle is in operation (block 208). As described above, using private audio channels facilitates sharing of private audio channels by only specific groups. That is, members of the same group can hear each other's voices while excluding conversations from the vehicle environment or other audio channels. Process 200 includes transmitting audio information between guest interface devices grouped into the same private audio channel (block 210). Head-mounted devices can communicate with each other via wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth®, NFC, etc.) or wired connection / communication. Process 200 can be understood to be repeatable in whole or in part to generate the latest private audio channels for the vehicle. For example, private audio channels can be updated when it is desirable to add or remove group members from the private audio channels.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the distribution and group assignment process of this technology. In one embodiment, guest interface devices 12 are distributed to guests at a distribution location 230, which can be part of a vehicle queue or vehicle departure area. This distribution can be autonomous, with each guest picking up a guest interface device 12 from a repository such as a container. Distribution can also be operator-mediated, with an operator handing the guest interface device 12 to a guest. In any case, the guest interface devices 12 can generally be provided randomly so that any guest can receive a guest interface device 12 of any appropriate size. Furthermore, each guest interface device 12 can be sized and shaped to fit any head-mounted display 14 so that there is no prior association between the head-mounted display 14 and a particular guest interface device 12 prior to the steps of the disclosed process. In another embodiment, a guest may provide their own interface device 12 linked to a guest profile. After the distribution of the guest interface device 12, guests enter a group assignment area 236. The group assignment area 236 may be in the same location as the distribution location 230, or it may be a spaced-out area, so that distribution and group assignment occur approximately simultaneously. In the group assignment area 236, device identification information on identification tags 26 coupled to each guest interface device 12 is captured (read) according to a preferred grouping of guests (e.g., a group of friends riding an attraction together) so that groups of guests are divided into one group. A first guest 238a is a member of the first group, and a second guest 238b is a member of the second group. In one embodiment, each guest is divided into only one group so that there is no overlap in group membership. This grouping information (e.g., group assignment) is used to establish groups assigned to a given private audio channel.

[0031] This technology enables grouping and assignment without necessarily incorporating guest identification information. That is, groups can be established based on guests classifying themselves into preferred groups. These self-classified groups can then scan tags 26 on their distributed guest interface devices 12 using a reader 22 at, for example, a kiosk 240 or reading station, or the groups can be scanned by a handheld device including a reader 22 that can be controlled by an attraction operator. In one embodiment, the grouping process is not slowed down by guests without guest profiles needing to input information during distribution or scanning, or by guests needing to provide their name or other information as part of the assignment process. Furthermore, since the grouping information is linked to the guest interface device 12 that guests carry to their desired seat, guests can freely choose their seats within the attraction 250. As described above, any guest interface device 12 can be coupled to any head-mounted display 14. However, the system 10 has already incorporated grouping information linked to a specific guest interface device 12. Therefore, guests can sit anywhere as long as they are holding the guest interface device 12 and / or receive one of the head-mounted displays 14 to maintain their group assignment.

[0032] To eliminate the need for the guest interface device 12 to store guest information, the identification information of the guest interface device can be directly linked to temporary assignments to groups. Therefore, at the end of each attraction run, these assignments can be efficiently terminated without the need to erase or modify the information stored in the guest interface device 12 to enable new grouping and associations for new guest groups. The efficiency of the device distribution and departure process allows the attraction to operate on time with high throughput, thus enhancing the overall guest experience and operational efficiency of the attraction. In contrast to user-controlled head-mounted devices where guests can adjust communication settings via direct input to the device or controller, the head-mounted devices described herein can be provided or maintained by a third party, such as a theme park. This technology enables efficient temporary association of head-mounted devices to specific audio channel groups in the context of devices with limited user input capabilities.

[0033] Subsequently, the acquired device identification information, along with the assigned grouping information, is provided to the central controller. When a guest interface device 12 is coupled to a head-mounted display 14, the head-mounted display reader 34 of the head-mounted display 14 reads a unique device identification from that particular coupled guest interface device 12, as shown in Figure 4. This reading can be short-range communication based or contact-based, so as to prevent reading of uncoupled guest interface devices 12 in adjacent seats, the reading is initiated only when the guest interface device 12 and the head-mounted display 14 are relatively close to each other. Once the head-mounted display 14 has finished acquiring the information, it transmits both the guest interface device identification information and the unique head-mounted display information of its own machine to the controller (e.g., controller 16, Figure 1) in a linked or associated manner. The controller then checks the group assignment of the guest interface device identification (for example, stored in the memory 20 of the controller 16) and associates the head-mounted display 14 coupled to the guest interface device 12 with the correct audio group and private audio channel by linking the communication of the head-mounted display 14 to this group. The association between the head-mounted display 14 and the guest interface device 12 is performed at or after these components are coupled together and does not require any additional input from the guest for an efficient and user-friendly process that avoids bottlenecks and improves ride efficiency.

[0034] The tag 26 can be an active tag or a passive tag. As described herein, the tag 26 can be an RFID, NFC, and / or optical barcode that is scanned by an RFID reader, an NFC reader, and / or an optical reader, respectively. The head-mounted display can be provided with device identification information by a light emitter on the guest interface device 12 that is sensed by a detector on the head-mounted display. Each guest interface device 12 can emit light having a unique modulation pattern.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of different groups associated with different private audio channels 32 during the operation of the vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The schematic diagram shows the private audio channels 32 formed for each group. As shown, each vehicle 270 of the vehicle 272 can include a plurality of audio channels 32 corresponding to groups of different sizes. For example, the first vehicle 271 includes two different audio channels 32 for each of two groups of the first vehicle 271. The first group 274 of the first vehicle includes two passengers sitting next to each other at one end of the first vehicle 271, and the second group 276 of the first vehicle includes four passengers sitting in two rows of two behind the first group 274. While the vehicle 272 is operating, the first group 274 of the first vehicle 271 and the second group 276 of the first vehicle 271 cannot hear each other's private conversations taking place through their respective private audio channels 32. As described above, audio for the first audio channel 32A associated with the first group 274 of the first vehicle 271 is received by the head-mounted display 14. The wearer of the head-mounted display 14 can hear only the audio output for a specific channel 32. Thus, the head-mounted display 14 receives audio only for a specific channel 32A. The vehicle 272 is located in a noisy environment, and external noise, music, and other guests can make it very difficult to hear what other guests are saying, even if they are sitting nearby. The head-mounted display 14 reduces external interference so that guests in the same group can hear each other and easily converse.

[0036] It can be understood that the private audio channel 32 functions the same way regardless of where each group member is seated. As shown in vehicle 2 (e.g., 273), even if each member of a group is seated next to a member of a different group, members assigned to channel 32 are not provided with audio input / output from other channels (e.g., channels 28, 30, see Figure 1). For example, in vehicle 2 (e.g., 273), the first group 278 in vehicle 2 includes three passengers seated one-to-one in a row, and the second group 280 in vehicle 2 (e.g., 273) includes three more passengers seated one-to-one in a row. While riding in vehicle 272, guests seated next to each other can speak, shout, or otherwise make noise simultaneously when vehicle 72 is operating, while still being able to hear the voices of everyone else in their own private audio channel 32, even if the passenger sitting next to them is not in their own private audio channel 32. Furthermore, the head-mounted display 14 and / or guest interface device 12 may include noise shielding or cancellation functions to block out ambient or nearby noise. Guests in specific groups 278, 280 can hear each other, regardless of the number of individuals in the group or where the guests are seated in the vehicle 272.

[0037] In one embodiment, one-way communication can be activated from a team member 282 (e.g., a vehicle operator) or a specific character associated with the vehicle 272, enabling communication from the team member 282 to the vehicle's passengers. This one-way communication can be selectively activated so that the team member 282 can deliver messages to all passengers of the vehicle 272, only to passengers in a specific group through a private audio channel 32, or only to specific passengers within the private audio channel 32. For example, the team member 282 may have a reason to communicate with the entire group of passengers of the vehicle 72, such as maintenance-related issues, emergencies, or other suitable reasons. In these scenarios, it may be useful for the team member 282 to engage in one-way communication from the team member 282 to the vehicle's passengers, conveying a message such as, "This vehicle needs to be stopped to assist a passenger. Please remain seated while we assist this passenger as quickly as possible and resume operation of the vehicle."

[0038] In another scenario, it may be useful for team member 282 to engage with a specific audio channel 32A and deliver a message only to members of that specific audio channel 32A. In some scenarios, it may be useful to deliver a message that applies only to members associated with a specific audio channel 32A to members of that specific audio channel 32A. In one example, team member 282 may need to inform group members about a group emergency or a change in the group's plans. For example, team member 282 may need to deliver a message from the school principal (e.g., "Harris Primary School students need to return to the school bus after the rides are finished in order to depart the theme park") to a group of students grouped on a specific audio channel.

[0039] Furthermore, it may be useful for team member 282 to engage with a specific audio channel and deliver a message to only one member of that specific audio channel 32A. In one example, team member 282 may need to deliver a specific message to a specific guest that needs to be delivered to that guest, such as indicated by element 284. For example, if a guest in a private audio channel moves their arm outside the vehicle 70 to touch an element (e.g., a waterfall, a rock, a character, etc.), team member 282 can engage in one-way communication from team member 282 to that guest to remind the passenger of proper vehicle etiquette. In one example, team member 282 could use one-way communication to tell the guest, "Please do not put your hands out of the vehicle." Audio channel communication can be controlled by the weight / ranking of individual members based on their behavior in the vehicle or pre-configured preferences (e.g., by the order in which they are scanned into groups).

[0040] It can be understood that one-way communication between team member 282 and passengers can be active over a first period. In practice, team member 282 can communicate with one group (e.g., all passengers on the vehicle) over a first period, such as before the vehicle starts, so that team member 282 can convey specific instructions to the entire group 286. In a second period, a private chat function (e.g., private audio channel 32) can be enabled. For example, after the vehicle starts, the private chat function can be turned on so that group members can hear each other and start a conversation with each other via the private audio channel 32.

[0041] However, team member 282 can also selectively enable one-way communication with the group again at a specific point outside of the first period. In fact, team member 282 can enable one-way communication again at any point while in the vehicle when needed (for example, in an emergency scenario).

[0042] Furthermore, it can be understood that the private audio channel 32 can accommodate more passengers than a particular vehicle can hold, and the number of passengers in a private audio channel is not limited by the size of the vehicle. For example, even if a particular vehicle associated with the ride (e.g., vehicle 1, 271) can only accommodate six guests, if guests in another vehicle (e.g., vehicle 2, 273 or vehicle 3, 275) are grouped into the same private audio channel by team member 282 (or by group assignment 236), these guests can also receive the private audio channel. In this way, guests sitting in vehicle 1, 271 can hear and talk to guests sitting in vehicle 2, 723 or vehicle 3, 275, as long as those guests are assigned to the same private audio channel 32.

[0043] Figure 6 shows an example graphical user interface (GUI) 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for assigning private audio channels for different groups during the operation of a vehicle (which can be displayed as GUI 23 in Figure 1, for example). The GUI 300 can be displayed on a handheld or portable device 302, as shown in the illustration, which integrates a reader 22 (Figure 1) and can be controlled by an operator, such as a vehicle operator. The GUI 300 can be incorporated into a kiosk or station (e.g., kiosk 240 in Figure 3) that guests interact with to group themselves by scanning a guest interface device 12. The GUI 300 may include various objects (e.g., icons, windows, buttons, drop-down menus, etc.) for executing specific commands of the audio distribution system 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the GUI 300 includes an input device, such as a selectable soft key or button 306, for specifying the group size. Once specified, the device 302 can transition to different screens 310 that update when the device is read (by scanning a tag 26 via the reader 22).

[0044] Device 302 may include one or more indicators, such as audio or visual indicators, related to the successful reading of tags 26. These audio or visual indicators may transition to a characteristic completion queue to indicate that the scan is complete when the last tag 26 in a group (corresponding to a specified group size) is scanned. Reader 22 can be triggered to operate and stop upon receiving user input for the group size and completing the scan of a specified number of tags 26 in the group. GUI 300 may also include instructions for incomplete scans, which may prompt the replacement of guest interface device 12 containing a faulty or non-functional tag 26. GUI 300 may allow input or flags for selecting the group's language, subtitles, or captioning.

[0045] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the guest interface device 12 and head-mounted display 14 of the AR / VR system 8 of Figure 1. The guest interface device 12 and head-mounted display 14 form a head-mounted device 350 when coupled. Each guest interface device 12 in the ride 72 has a unique identification (ID) associated with a particular guest interface device 12. The unique ID can be used to identify a particular guest interface device 12. At any given time, the amusement park can ensure that there are no repeat IDs when the amusement park is at maximum capacity by having enough guest interface devices 12 with unique IDs. In this way, the unique ID ensures that the private audio channels 32 assigned by the audio distribution system 10 are transmitted only to the guest interface device 12 associated with a particular head-mounted display 14. Each guest interface device 12 can be detachably coupled to each head-mounted display 14 via a coupling interface 13. When coupled together, the guest interface device 12 and the head-mounted display 14 can be configured to allow a user (e.g., a guest, a passenger in a vehicle) to experience AR / VR scenes (e.g., see them, interact with them) and hear the passenger's voice on their own private audio channel 32.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the guest interface device 12 is coupled to the head-mounted display 14 via a coupling interface 13, as shown to be located on the head-mounted display 14. Alternatively, complementary portions of the coupling interface 13 may be incorporated on or within the guest interface device 12. The coupling interface 13 may include an electromagnetic coupling device, a press-fit assembly, a fastener, or any other suitable coupling device. When coupled together, the guest interface device 12 and the head-mounted display 14 are mounted in such a way that they function as an integrated unit. The guest interface device 12 can be a replaceable device provided at each attraction and returned at the attraction's exit. In this way, the guest interface device 12 can be tracked throughout the amusement park and retrieved before guests exit the attraction by exit scanning of identification tags 26. Exit scanning can serve as the end of a group assignment associated with a particular guest interface device 12 and head-mounted display 14. Upon retrieval, the guest interface device 12 is disinfected and inspected to ensure proper functionality. If the guest interface device 12 is determined to meet the usage conditions, it is returned to the flow and used again by other guests who are entering the amusement park for the first time.

[0047] As described above, each head-mounted display 14 includes at least a tag reader 34 (e.g., an RFID reader), a speaker 36, (one or more) displays 38, a microphone 40, and a plurality of sensors 42 (e.g., a camera, eye-tracking sensor, equipment monitoring sensor, finger-tracking sensor, etc.). The head-mounted display 14 also includes an electronic display 62 (e.g., AR / VR glasses, goggles) coupled to the housing 390 of the head-mounted display 14. The electronic display 62 can be transparent, translucent, or opaque. In one embodiment, the electronic glasses 62 can enable the guest to see the real-world environment (e.g., physical structures within an attraction) when operated with several virtual features (e.g., AR features) overlaid on it, so that the guest perceives the virtual features as being integrated into the real-world environment. That is, the electronic glasses 62 can at least partially control the guest's field of view by overlaying virtual features onto the guest's line of sight.

[0048] In one embodiment, to prevent the head-mounted display 14 from becoming separated from a structure (e.g., a ride vehicle) during implementation in an amusement park setting, the head-mounted display 14 can be physically coupled to a structure (e.g., via a cable or tether). The guest interface device 12 is configured to be attached to the guest's head, so that the guest can comfortably wear the guest interface device 12 while moving through various attractions or specific amusement park environments. For example, the guest interface device 12 may include a head strap assembly 392 configured to wrap around the guest's head and tighten (e.g., compress) over the guest's head. Thus, the head strap assembly 392 facilitates attaching the guest interface device 12 to the guest's head so that it can be held on the guest using the coupling interface 13 (e.g., when the guest interface device 12 engages with the head-mounted display 14). The head strap assembly 392 may include an adjustment assembly that adjusts the inner circumference of the head strap assembly 392 to facilitate the attachment of the head-mounted display 14 to each guest's head in response to various guest head parameters (e.g., head size, head shape, hairstyle).

[0049] The tag 26 can be coupled to the guest interface device 12 at a position that roughly corresponds to the position of the reader 34 on the head-mounted display 14 when the guest interface device 12 and the head-mounted display 14 are coupled to each other. As shown in the figure, the tag 26 and the reader 34 can be located on roughly the same side after coupling. In one embodiment, the tag 26 and the reader 34 come into contact with each other when the guest interface device 12 and the head-mounted display 14 are coupled to each other. When contact ends or the tag 26 separates out of the range of the reader 34, the group assignment described herein is stopped.

[0050] While several embodiments have been described in the context of the guest interface device 12, the group assignment information disclosed may also be linked to other tags 26 carried by the guest. For example, a guest may wear a sticker that is scanned to specify a group assignment. This sticker is then scanned by a head-mounted device 350 (which may be a single integrated unit) assigned to that guest to facilitate the private audio channels described herein.

[0051] While this specification illustrates and describes only a few features of the present disclosure, many modifications and changes will come to mind for those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to include all such modifications and changes in accordance with the true spirit of the disclosed embodiments.

[0052] The claimed technologies described herein refer to and apply to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical, but which certainly improve the art. Furthermore, if any of the claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as "...means for performing [function]" or "...steps for performing [function]," such elements should be interpreted in accordance with 112(f) of the United States Patent Act. On the other hand, any claim containing elements designated in any other form should not be interpreted in accordance with 112(f) of the United States Patent Act. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 8. Augmented Reality (AR) / Virtual Reality (VR) Systems 10 Audio distribution system 12. Guest Interface Device 13. Joint Interfaces 14. Head-mounted display 16 Controllers 18 processors 20 memory 21 Transmitter 22 Leader 24 Identification Information 26 RFID tags 28 Audio Channel 1 30 Audio Channel 2 32 Audio Channels N 34 Tag Leaders 36 speakers 38 displays 40 microphones 42 sensors 44 Receiver 46 Antennas 47 Transmitter 48 Receiver 56 Controllers 58 processors 60 memory 62 Goggles

Claims

1. It is an audio channel system, A guest interface device including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, A head-mounted display including an RFID reader, Audio distribution system and Equipped with, The RFID tag is associated with the guest interface device and includes encoded device identification information of the guest interface device. The head-mounted display RFID reader is configured to read the RFID tag of the guest interface device and receive the device identification information corresponding to the guest interface device when the guest interface device is coupled to the head-mounted display. The aforementioned audio distribution system is An RFID reader configured to read the RFID tag of the guest interface device and receive the device identification information of the RFID tag, Processor and The processor includes, The guest interface device receives the group assignment, and associates the group assignment with the device identification information read by the RFID reader. The device identification information and head display information are received from the head-mounted display. The head-mounted display is associated with the group assignment of the guest interface device, Specify a private audio channel for the group assignment of the head-mounted display, Using the private audio channel, generate commands to transmit audio to and from the head-mounted display. An audio channel system configured in such a way.

2. The guest interface device is detachably coupled to the head-mounted display. The audio channel system according to claim 1.

3. The guest interface device is coupled to the head-mounted display using a magnetic assembly or press-fit mechanism. The audio channel system according to claim 2.

4. The head-mounted display includes a microphone configured to receive audio input from a guest, and the head-mounted display is configured to transmit the audio input to the audio distribution system via the designated private channel. The audio channel system according to claim 1.

5. The audio distribution system is configured to transmit the received audio input to other head-mounted displays coupled to each guest interface device associated with the group assignment via the designated private audio channel. The audio channel system according to claim 4.

6. The signals associated with the aforementioned audio input are not decoded by a head-mounted display that is not associated with the aforementioned group assignment. The audio channel system according to claim 4.

7. The RFID reader is incorporated into a kiosk that scans the guest interface device while the guest interface device is not coupled to the head-mounted display. The audio channel system according to claim 1.

8. The processor is configured to receive an exit scan from the guest interface device and terminate the group assignment. The audio channel system according to claim 1.

9. A method for managing one or more private audio channels executed by one or more processors, Receiving guest interface device identification information encoded in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the guest interface device, Assigning the aforementioned guest interface device identification information to a group, The guest interface device receives head-mount device identification information indicating that a head-mount device has been connected to it, Specify a private audio channel for the aforementioned assigned group, The head-mounted device communicates audio signals between the head-mounted device and other head-mounted devices within the assigned group via the designated private audio channel. Methods that include...

10. Receiving further guest interface device identification information from additional RFID tags associated with another guest interface device, Adding the further guest interface device identification information from the further radio frequency identification tag to the assigned group, The method according to claim 9, including the method described in claim 9.

11. This includes receiving multiple other device identification information from RFID tags of other guest interface devices and assigning the multiple other device identification information to the assigned group. The method according to claim 9.

12. This includes receiving an exit scan from the guest interface device and terminating the assignment of the assigned group of guest interface device identification information associated with the guest interface device, The method according to claim 9.

13. It accepts input specifying the group size, The reader is activated to read the RFID tags and further RFID tags of the further guest interface devices, and to receive guest interface device identification information from the RFID tags and further RFID tags corresponding to the number of the group size, The method according to claim 9, including the method described in claim 9.

14. The head-mounted device identification information is received from the head-mounted device bundled or linked with the guest interface device identification information of the coupled guest interface device. The method according to claim 9.

15. Accessing the assigned group of the guest interface device associated with the guest interface device identification information, Associating the head-mounted device identification information with the aforementioned assigned group, Receiving communications from different head-mounted devices, Determining that the different head-mounted devices exist within the assigned group, Transmitting the communication to the head-mounted device via the private audio channel, The method according to claim 9, including the method described in claim 9.

16. A head-mounted device, The guest interface device includes an identification tag that encodes guest interface device identification information, The head-mounted device is configured to be coupled to the guest interface device. The head-mounted device is A reader configured to read the guest interface device identification information from the identification tag, A communication circuit configured to transmit the guest interface device identification information read by the reader of the head-mounted device and the head-mounted device identification information to a controller when the head-mounted device is coupled to the guest interface device, and to assign the head-mounted device to a group of head-mounted devices based on a group assignment associated with the guest interface device, wherein the group assignment is formed based on the guest interface device identification information read by a further reader configured to read the guest interface device identification information from the identification tag, A microphone configured to receive audio input for a private audio channel, wherein the private audio channel is designated for the group of head-mounted devices, and the microphone A speaker configured to output the audio signal of the aforementioned private audio channel, A head-mounted device, including a head-mounted device.

17. The identification tag is a sticker attached to the guest interface device. The head-mounted device according to claim 16.

18. The identification tag is positioned on the guest interface device so as to contact or be in close proximity to the reader when the guest interface device is coupled to the head-mounted device. The head-mounted device according to claim 16.

19. The reader is a short-range wireless communication reader, and the identification tag is an RFID tag. The head-mounted device according to claim 16.

20. The head-mounted device is connected to the vehicle via a tether, and the tether transmits the guest interface device identification information, the head-mounted device identification information, and the audio signal. The head-mounted device according to claim 16.

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