Ride Operator Gesture Recognition for Single-Console Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park ride systems face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple operator control consoles and additional staff to manage ride operations, leading to overstaffing and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A ride control system utilizing a vision system and machine-learned processor to recognize valid gestures from ride operators, enabling control of ride operations through a single console, reducing the need for multiple operators and enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple operator control consoles are deployed to ensure ride safety and control, then ride operation reliability is improved, but device complexity and staffing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control console functions into a single unified system. Multiple cameras capture operator gestures from different positions, and a processing system integrates these inputs to control ride operations. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple physical consoles while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical control consoles with a vision-based gesture recognition system. Instead of requiring operators to physically interact with multiple control panels, the system uses cameras to detect and interpret hand gestures, substituting optical sensing for mechanical control interfaces.
2Reliability
If additional ride operators are positioned at control consoles, then ride safety and operational control are improved, but labor costs and operational inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables operators to control ride operations independently through gesture recognition. Each operator can perform control functions without requiring another operator at a separate console, allowing single-operator deployment while maintaining safety protocols. The system serves itself by automatically recognizing and processing gestures without human intervention at multiple stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential control function from multiple physical consoles and concentrates it in a single processing system. By removing redundant console hardware and staffing requirements, the system maintains operational control while eliminating unnecessary personnel and equipment.
3Productivity
If a single operator controls the ride using gesture recognition, then staffing costs and device complexity are reduced, but measurement precision and gesture validation challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different quality standards for different gesture types. Critical safety gestures require higher validation thresholds and may require confirmation from multiple camera angles, while routine operational gestures have streamlined recognition. This localized quality approach ensures high precision where needed while maintaining efficiency for standard operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to validate gesture recognition accuracy. Multiple cameras provide redundant detection, and the processing system cross-verifies gesture inputs before execution. This feedback loop ensures high measurement precision by confirming gesture intent through multiple sensing perspectives.
Data Source
AI summary
A ride control system for controlling operation of an amusement park ride having a ride station area wherein patrons embark and disembark from a ride vehicle under supervision of one or more ride operators, includes a vision system and a ride control processor. The vision system capture images of one or more of the one or more ride operators at one or more locations within the ride station area. The ride control processor receives one or more images from the vision system and includes a machine-learned module configured to recognize one or more valid gestures within the one or more images, where a valid gesture corresponds to a gesture from at least one of the one or more ride operators, and program logic configured to process the one or more valid gestures within the one or more images to enable a ride operation.