Infrared Path Projection for Variable Ride Vehicle Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in attracting guests and managing traffic with traditional rides, as they fail to provide unique and creative experiences while ensuring safety, and existing guidance systems lack innovation and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle guidance system using infrared projections to define multiple paths on a surface, where each path is detected by infrared cameras and sensors on vehicles, allowing for automated navigation and dynamic control of vehicle speed and actions, enhancing the ride experience and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rides are used to provide amusement park attractions, then the park can handle a larger number of guests with additional capacity, but the rides fail to provide unique and creative experiences to attract guests and differentiate from competitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamically generated infrared projection paths that can be randomly altered during operation. The ride paths are not fixed but can change based on vehicle position, random number generation, and real-time control signals, creating unique experiences for each ride while maintaining operational capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by modifying infrared projection characteristics (position, pattern, visibility) based on vehicle location and random factors. This allows the same physical ride infrastructure to provide varied unique experiences through parameter changes in the guidance projections rather than requiring multiple different ride structures
2Reliability
If mechanical safety mechanisms are implemented in traditional rides, then guest safety is ensured, but the mechanisms wear over time requiring untimely repairs and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical safety mechanisms with an optical guidance system using infrared projections and sensors. Instead of relying on mechanical interlocks, brakes, and physical safety devices that wear, the system uses non-contact infrared path detection and automated vehicle control, eliminating mechanical wear while maintaining safety through precise digital control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service safety through automated vehicle navigation where the vehicle's own sensors detect infrared projections and the controller automatically adjusts vehicle position and speed. This eliminates the need for external mechanical safety systems that require maintenance, as the safety function is performed autonomously by the vehicle itself
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed physical paths are used in traditional rides, then the ride structure is simple and reliable, but any changes to the ride experience require physical modifications to the attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses infrared projections as virtual copies of physical paths instead of actual physical track modifications. The projections create virtual path representations that can be changed digitally without altering the physical infrastructure, allowing path variability while keeping the physical structure simple and unchanged
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared projection paths are dynamic and can be altered in real-time based on vehicle position, random generation, and control signals. This provides ride path variability without requiring physical modifications, as the virtual paths can be reconfigured digitally while the physical attraction remains static and simple
4Reliability
If automated vehicle guidance using infrared projections is implemented, then unique and unpredictable ride experiences are provided with improved safety, but the system requires complex coordination of projections, sensors, and vehicle control
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared projection system serves multiple functions: it provides path guidance, enables vehicle localization, creates unique ride experiences, and ensures safety through automated control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, managing complexity through universal use of the infrared projection infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where vehicle sensors continuously detect infrared projection positions, the controller processes this information to determine vehicle location and path, and adjusts vehicle control accordingly. This closed-loop feedback manages complexity by using continuous information exchange between components rather than complex open-loop coordination
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
The system provides a unique and unpredictable ride experience, improves safety by automating navigation, and reduces maintenance costs by allowing for easy alteration of paths without physical changes to the attraction, while ensuring mechanical safety through precise control of vehicle movements.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared projection formed from infrared laser diodes affixed to structures
Implementation Method 2
infrared projection configured to read by infrared cameras
Implementation Method 3
infrared cameras affixed to a vehicle... infrared cameras/sensor mounted to its frame... detect characteristics associated with the one or more infrared projections
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes multiple paths on a surface, wherein each path is defined by light projection characteristics of a respective light projection defining a respective path. The system also includes the vehicle. The vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect the light projection characteristic of the respective path of the multiple paths, and a controller configured to guide the vehicle along the respective path with a light projection characteristic that matches an expected light projection characteristic that is assigned to the vehicle.