Reflective Attraction Layout for Gravity-Driven Virtual Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement park attractions lack immersive and realistic special effects that can create complex illusions using dynamic and static elements, limiting guest engagement and experience.

Innovation Solution

An attraction system utilizing a reflective component to reflect a primary real object, creating an illusion of a virtual object in motion, combined with a control system to actuate the real object and special effects like lighting and actuated props, providing an immersive experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a reflective component is used to create an illusion of a virtual object, then the immersive experience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmersive experienceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a reflective component to create a virtual copy of a primary real object, allowing guests to perceive an illusion of a virtual object in a secondary area without physically constructing the entire virtual environment. This copying approach enhances immersion while avoiding the complexity of building complete virtual sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective component acts as an intermediary between the primary real object and the guest's perception, creating the illusion of a virtual object without requiring direct physical presence of the virtual object. This mediator approach simplifies the system compared to creating actual virtual objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If gravity is used to accelerate the primary real object, then energy consumption is reduced, but control precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces active mechanical propulsion systems with passive gravitational acceleration, allowing the primary real object to accelerate naturally toward the reflective component without requiring complex motors or power systems. This substitution dramatically reduces energy consumption while the control system compensates for positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses preliminary positioning to place the primary real object at specific starting positions before gravitational acceleration begins. By pre-positioning objects and coordinating their release timing, the system achieves adequate control precision without requiring active control during the acceleration phase itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If a compact space design is used, then the attraction footprint is reduced, but the illusion realism decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattraction footprintVSAvoidillusion realism

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a vertical arrangement where the primary area is positioned above the secondary area, utilizing the vertical dimension to create the illusion of horizontal depth and distance. This dimensional transformation allows compact horizontal footprint while maintaining the perception of a larger, more realistic virtual space through the reflective component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual secondary area is nested within the perception of the primary area through the reflective component, creating a layered spatial arrangement. The reflection of the primary real object appears to exist within the virtual secondary area, allowing compact physical space to convey a sense of larger, more complex virtual environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively creates a realistic illusion of a virtual object moving through a secondary area, enhancing guest engagement and immersion by leveraging gravity and compact space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

The reflective component is angled to reflect the primary real object to provide an illusion of a virtual object in the secondary area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

operating, via a control system, a suspension system to release a primary real object to cause the primary real object to accelerate due to gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250367571A1Gravity-assisted attraction show systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC

AI summary

An attraction system of an amusement park includes an observation area, a primary area, a primary real object, a reflective component positioned to create a reflection of the primary real object, and a secondary area. The controller is configured to release the primary real object, wherein the reflective component reflects imagery of the primary real object in motion, thereby creating a virtual object that appears to be moving toward a guest within the secondary area.