Beam Splitter AR Kiosk for Headset-Free Interactive Show Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park attractions lack immersive and interactive augmented reality experiences without the need for wearable technology, which are costly and cumbersome to maintain.
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 interact with augmented reality without headsets, and a controller to adjust imagery based on guest interactions and perspectives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wearable AR technology (headsets) is used to provide augmented reality experiences, then the AR experience quality is improved, but the maintenance cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical element that enables AR visualization without requiring wearable headsets. The beam splitter reflects virtual images from a display system while allowing guests to view real objects through the same system, creating an augmented reality experience using existing infrastructure rather than complex wearable devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of objects and information that are projected onto the beam splitter. These virtual images are superimposed over real objects, allowing guests to interact with augmented reality representations rather than requiring physical wearable AR equipment
2Device complexity
If a beam splitter system is used to create AR experiences, then maintenance costs and operational complexity are reduced, but the ability to provide immersive AR experiences may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect the position and movement of objects within the interaction space, providing feedback to the control system. The controller adjusts the virtual images in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring that the AR experience remains immersive and accurately aligned with real objects despite using simpler beam splitter technology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of virtual images based on real-time sensor data. The system continuously updates the position, orientation, and content of virtual objects to match guest movements and interactions, maintaining immersion without requiring complex wearable equipment
3Ease of operation
If sensors and controllers are added to track object movement and adjust imagery, then interactivity and guest engagement are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data, generates virtual images, adjusts image positioning, and coordinates display output. By consolidating these functions into a single controller that manages the entire AR system, the patent improves interactivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
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 enhancing guest engagement by combining real and virtual elements, reducing maintenance costs and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter positioned to 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
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.