Ride Vehicle Image Projection for Guided Guest Boarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Guests may face difficulty entering and exiting ride vehicles in amusement park attractions due to irregular vehicle geometry or obstructing objects, leading to inefficient operation and diminished experience.

Innovation Solution

An attraction system that includes a projector projecting an image synchronized with the movement of the ride vehicle to provide guidance and instructions for efficient entry and exit, using a control system to adjust the image's location based on the vehicle's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operator intervention is used to guide guests into and out of ride vehicles, then guest guidance can be provided, but operational efficiency decreases and the system requires continuous human involvement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguest transition guidanceVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by projecting instructional images that guide guests to autonomously transition into and out of ride vehicles. The projected images provide step-by-step visual instructions, allowing guests to independently understand and execute the transition process without manual operator assistance, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual operator guidance with an optical projection system. Instead of operators physically guiding guests, the system uses projected images displaying transition instructions, substituting human mechanical interaction with an automated visual communication mechanism that achieves the same guidance function while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual operator intervention is used to guide guests, then real-time assistance can be provided, but continuous operation is disrupted and experience is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguest guidance reliabilityVSAvoidcontinuous operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The projected image system enables continuous operation by eliminating interruptions caused by manual operator intervention. The automated projection system can continuously provide guidance instructions without breaks, ensuring the ride operates without disruption while maintaining reliable guest guidance throughout the entire process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the projection system monitors and responds to the ride vehicle's position and guest transition status. This feedback loop ensures that guidance instructions are provided at the appropriate times and can be adjusted based on actual conditions, maintaining reliability without requiring continuous manual oversight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12465865B2Systems and methods for providing an image for an attraction system

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC

AI summary

An attraction system of an amusement park includes a ride vehicle that moves along a path of the attraction system. A pathway moves alongside the ride vehicle, and a projector projects an image that follows movement of the ride vehicle along the path and movement of the pathway alongside the ride vehicle.