Ride System Speed Simulation via Dynamic Display Imagery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Amusement park rides fail to provide fully immersive experiences due to the inability to coordinate various enhancements, such as sound and visual effects, with the motion of the ride vehicle, leading to a lack of engagement for passengers.

Innovation Solution

A ride system that includes a vehicle configured to move along a path with a display system and a control system, where the display system shows imagery moving at a speed based on the vehicle's position and speed, and the control system adjusts the imagery to create a high-speed illusion during deceleration or stationary phases, using projectors and sensors to maintain an immersive environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the ride vehicle operates at high speed throughout the entire path, then passengers experience continuous excitement, but the ride cannot include stopping or deceleration phases which are necessary for safety and scene transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveride vehicle speedVSAvoidride operation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy or illusion of high-speed motion through display imagery that mimics the appearance of rapid movement, allowing the ride vehicle to physically slow down or stop while passengers still perceive high-speed excitement through the coordinated visual effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the speed parameter of displayed imagery to compensate for actual vehicle speed changes, creating a simulated high-speed experience that maintains excitement levels regardless of the vehicle's actual motion state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the display system shows imagery at a fixed speed, then the system is simple to control, but the imagery cannot create a realistic high-speed illusion that adapts to the vehicle's actual motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay control simplicityVSAvoidimagery speed adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system receives feedback about the ride vehicle's actual position and speed, then uses this information to dynamically adjust the speed of displayed imagery, creating a coordinated effect that maintains the illusion of high-speed motion throughout the ride experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the ride vehicle moves slowly or stops in certain areas, then safety and scene viewing are improved, but passengers lose the sense of speed and excitement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveride safetyVSAvoidperceived speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The display system creates a visual copy of high-speed motion effects that compensates for the actual reduction in vehicle speed, allowing passengers to maintain the perception of excitement and speed even when the vehicle safely slows down or stops for scene transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the speed parameter of visual imagery in real-time to match and compensate for vehicle deceleration, maintaining a consistent perception of high-speed motion throughout the ride experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3706877B1Speed simulation effect
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP3706877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3706877B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3706877B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided herein is a ride system. The ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to move along a ride path at a first speed in a forward direction. Furthermore, the ride system includes a display system proximate the ride path, such that the display system displays imagery of an object moving at a second speed and away from the forward direction, and such that the second speed is based on a position of the ride vehicle, the first speed of the ride vehicle, or a combination thereof. The ride system also includes a control system that includes a processor and a memory device communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory devices stores instructions that cause the processor to provide a first control signal to cause the display system to change the second speed of the imagery based on the position of the ride vehicle, the first speed of the ride vehicle, or a combination thereof.