Interactive AR Kiosk Using Beam Splitter and Sensor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park attractions lack immersive and interactive experiences that do not require wearable technology, such as headsets or goggles, to provide augmented reality effects.
Innovation Solution
A Pepper's Ghost-based show effect system using a beam splitter and sensors to combine real and virtual imagery, allowing guests to experience augmented reality without wearable technology by employing a display system, sensors, and controllers to track guest interactions and adjust virtual images accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wearable technology (headsets or goggles) is used to provide augmented reality effects, then the immersive experience quality is improved, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical element that combines the real-world view with projected virtual images. This mediator allows guests to experience augmented reality through the kiosk display without wearing any headsets or goggles, resolving the contradiction by eliminating wearable technology while maintaining immersive experience quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of objects or scenes and projects them onto the beam splitter for guests to view. This copying approach enables the augmented reality effect to be displayed on the kiosk screen rather than requiring physical wearable devices, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving the immersive experience
2Illumination intensity
If wearable technology is required for augmented reality, then the virtual image visibility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter serves as a mediator that makes virtual images visible without requiring guests to wear special equipment. Guests can freely interact with the kiosk from their natural viewing position, improving ease of operation while maintaining virtual image visibility through the optical intermediary
Solution Approach 2:
The kiosk display system is designed to serve multiple functions: displaying information, providing augmented reality effects, and enabling guest interaction all through a single interface. This universal design eliminates the need for separate wearable technology, making the system easier to operate while maintaining virtual image visibility
3Reliability
If wearable technology is used, then the augmented reality effect is achieved, but the maintenance and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting virtual images onto a beam splitter that guests view through the kiosk display, the system creates augmented reality effects without requiring expensive wearable technology. This copying approach displays virtual content on a stationary display that is easier and cheaper to maintain, reducing operational costs while preserving the augmented reality effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the augmented reality functionality from wearable devices and relocates it to the kiosk's stationary display system. This extraction eliminates the need for complex wearable technology that requires specialized maintenance, thereby reducing maintenance and operational costs while maintaining the augmented reality effect through the beam splitter projection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a realistic and interactive augmented reality experience by combining real and virtual imagery, enhancing guest engagement without the need for wearable technology, reducing maintenance and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The beam splitter may enable visibility, from a viewing portion (e.g., viewing position), into the interaction space through the beam splitter and of the virtual image via reflection off the beam splitter
Implementation Method 2
The beam splitter positioned to enable visibility, from a viewing portion (e.g., viewing position), into the interaction space through the beam splitter
Data Source
AI summary
A show effect system of an amusement park may include an enclosure, an interaction space within the enclosure, where the interaction space receives an object from outside of the enclosure, and a display system that presents imagery. The show effect system may also include a beam splitter positioned to enable visibility, from a viewing portion, into the interaction space through the beam splitter and of the virtual image via reflection off the beam splitter. A sensor of the show effect system may monitor the interaction space and provide sensor data related to the object within the interaction space. One or more controllers of the show effect system may be communicatively coupled to the sensor and the display system and may perform operations including determining one or more parameters of the object based on the sensor data and generating image data based on the parameter of the object.