Ride Vehicle Audio Synchronization via Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Synchronizing audio and visual effects with ride vehicle positioning in entertainment venues is challenging, requiring improved systems and methods to coordinate these elements effectively for an immersive guest experience.
Innovation Solution
A ride effect coordination system that includes sensors to detect ride vehicle positioning, a controller to determine optimal timing for effects, and an audio system to adjust playback in sync with vehicle positioning, ensuring riders experience synchronized audio and visual effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio and visual effects are pre-synchronized with ride vehicle positioning, then guest immersive experience is improved, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates when ride delays or positional offsets occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts audio playback timing based on real-time ride vehicle position feedback. The controller continuously monitors vehicle position and modifies audio playback rates or timing to maintain synchronization with visual effects, transforming a static pre-synchronized system into a dynamic adaptive one that compensates for ride delays and positional variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors detect actual ride vehicle positioning and communicate this data to the controller, which then adjusts audio playback accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to detect synchronization deviations and correct them in real-time, maintaining reliable synchronization despite ride variations
2Adaptability or versatility
If real-time adjustment of audio playback is implemented to maintain synchronization, then adaptability to positional changes is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it monitors ride vehicle position, determines optimal timing for effects, and adjusts audio playback timing. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional controller rather than separate dedicated systems for each function, the patent achieves adaptability while managing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary controller that acts as a mediator between the sensors detecting vehicle position and the audio system requiring timing adjustments. This intermediary processes position data and translates it into appropriate audio playback commands, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling real-time adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a ride effect coordination system that includes a ride vehicle and sensors that detect the ride vehicle positioning along the ride path. The sensors communicate the ride vehicle positioning data as position data to other controllers in the system. The ride effect coordination system includes an audio system to play audio for one or more riders of the vehicle, and an effect system configured to present a special effect that can be observed from the ride path. A controller may receive the position data and determine a timeframe for ride vehicle positioning so that the one or more riders can observe the special effect. The controller may also control the audio system to adjust play of the audio to coordinate a portion of audio with presentation of the special effect and the positioning of the ride vehicle based on the timeframe.