Guest Face Orientation Tracking for Ride Scene Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining guest orientation and rotation on amusement park rides is challenging without wearable devices, which are costly and cumbersome, and existing methods lack precision in activating show scene features based on guest positioning and face orientation.
Innovation Solution
A system using sensors and machine learning to track ride cart orientation and guest position, combined with skeletal and facial tracking, determines face orientation and rotation, enabling precise activation of show scene features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable devices are used to detect guest orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cameras to capture images of guests and creates a digital representation (skeletal model) of the guest's body and head orientation. This optical copy replaces the need for physical wearable sensors, achieving orientation detection without requiring guests to wear complex electronic devices. The skeletal tracking system processes the captured images to extract orientation information, effectively copying the measurement function from wearable devices to a camera-based system.
2Measurement precision
If wearable devices are deployed for orientation detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and tracks guest orientation using cameras and skeletal tracking algorithms without requiring any action or preparation from the guests. The cameras continuously capture images, and the processing system automatically extracts orientation data from the skeletal models. This eliminates the need for guests to put on, wear, or interact with any detection devices, making the operation completely passive and convenient for guests while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional orientation detection methods are used, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electronic wearable orientation sensors with an optical system using cameras and image processing. The cameras capture visual information, and computer vision algorithms process these images to determine guest orientation. This substitution of mechanical/electronic sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis achieves high measurement precision for show scene feature activation while avoiding the high costs associated with wearable electronic devices and their associated infrastructure.
4Measurement precision
If wearable ride gear is provided for orientation detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs orientation detection using cameras that are already installed in the ride environment, eliminating the need for preliminary distribution, fitting, and setup of wearable devices. The cameras continuously capture images throughout the ride, and the processing system automatically extracts orientation data in real-time. This preliminary setup of the camera system allows for immediate orientation detection without the time-consuming process of equipping guests with wearable gear, thereby reducing loss of time while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a ride system, comprising one or more sensors and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers are configured to receive position data of a guest from the one or more sensors, the position data indicative of a position of a body, a face, or a combination thereof, of the guest, on a ride, determine face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof, of the guest based at least in part upon the position data, and control one or more features of the ride based upon the determined face orientation, face rotation, or the combination thereof.