Amusement Ride Gondola Motion Control via Non-Tactile Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park rides lack innovative interactive control methods that allow riders to control ride motions without physical contact, limiting the engagement and excitement of the ride experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a non-tactile sensing system that interprets body movements, such as arm flapping, to control the motion of an amusement ride, allowing riders to control the ride's motion without physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical control mechanisms (levers, buttons) are used, then riders can control ride motion, but the interaction becomes less exciting and engaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control mechanisms (levers, buttons) with a non-tactile sensing system that uses optical sensors to detect body movements. This substitution maintains ride control functionality while significantly enhancing engagement and excitement by eliminating the need for physical contact with control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing system between the rider and the ride control mechanism. This intermediary system (optical sensors, cameras) detects body movements and translates them into control signals, enabling contactless interaction and improving both ease of operation and ride engagement simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-tactile sensing systems are implemented, then rider engagement and excitement increase, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional sensing system that can detect various types of body movements (arm flapping, leg kicking) and translate them into different ride control functions. This universal system handles multiple interaction modes through a single integrated platform, managing complexity through functional consolidation rather than separate systems for each interaction type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical sensors to create a visual copy or representation of the rider's body movements, which then serves as the control input. This copying approach simplifies the interaction interface by capturing motion patterns and converting them into control signals, reducing the need for complex mechanical linkages while maintaining engagement.
3Ease of operation
If body movement sensing is used, then physical contact requirements are eliminated, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sensing system continuously monitors body movements and provides real-time control signals to the ride system. This feedback loop ensures that even subtle movements are accurately captured and translated into appropriate ride responses, maintaining measurement precision through active adjustment and validation of detected motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic sensing techniques that adapt to the rider's movements in real-time. The system adjusts its detection sensitivity and processing algorithms based on the detected motion patterns, ensuring high measurement precision across various types and intensities of body movements without requiring fixed, overly complex detection parameters.
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
This solution enhances the ride experience by providing riders with interactive control over the ride's motion, increasing excitement and engagement, while eliminating the need for physical contact with control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensing system adapted to control motion of the amusement ride responsive to a non-tactile input from at least one rider
Data Source
AI summary
An amusement ride comprises at least one sensing system adapted to control motion of the amusement ride responsive to a non-tactile input from at least one rider. The non-tactile input comprises body motion of at least one rider. The body movement may be of the rider's arms, such as flapping of the rider's arms. The amusement ride includes at least one vehicle adapted to receive the rider. The vehicle may be a gondola suspended from an overhead rotatable retaining member and the motion of the amusement ride may be raising and lowering the gondola responsive to the rider's body motion.