4D Cinema Seat Effect Relay Control for Rear-Row Personalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 4D cinemas, rear-line seat users cannot easily or safely control the effects (such as water, air, or scent) provided by the 4D effect devices while the seat is in motion, leading to potential discomfort and decreased immersion due to uniform effects being applied to all spectators without individual preference consideration.

Innovation Solution

A system that relays effect control information from a rear-line seat user to a front-line seat's effect controlling device, using a central control device to transmit and receive this information via wireless or wired communication, allowing users to select and control the type and strength of effects, such as water shots, air shots, or scents, without additional wiring complications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a switch for controlling the 4D effect is attached to the front-line seat, then the rear-line spectator can control the effect provided to himself/herself, but the spectator needs to move to the front-line seat to control the effect, which creates a risk of being dropped or injured during motion operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of effect controlVSAvoidrisk of injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (wireless transmitter and receiver) that enables control signal transmission between the rear-line seat and front-line seat without physical contact. The rear-line seat includes a wireless transmitter that sends control signals wirelessly to a receiver on the front-line seat, allowing the spectator to control effects from their own seat position without moving during motion operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wiring is connected for each of front/rear-line seats of all the seat sets, then individual seat control is enabled, but the wiring becomes complicated and troubles may occur due to motion operation of the seats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual seat controlVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical wires and cables to transmit control signals between seats, the invention uses wireless transmitters and receivers that communicate via electromagnetic waves, eliminating the need for complex wiring while maintaining individual seat control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the same 4D effect is provided to all the spectators, then the effect devices are simple to control, but some spectators may feel displeasure or decreased immersiveness when the effect is stronger than their own tastes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidspectator satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by enabling each spectator to independently control the 4D effects received at their specific seat location. Each seat is equipped with control switches that allow individual adjustment of effect intensity and type, so that spectators at different locations can customize their experience according to their personal preferences rather than receiving a uniform effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2628514B1System for controlling seat effect for facility for showing pictures
Publication Date: 2014.10.22 CJ 4DPLEX CO LTD
  • EP2628514B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2628514B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2628514B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a system for controlling a seat effect for a facility for showing pictures, and particularly, a user on a rear line (220) may easily and safely control an effect provided to the user himself/herself even while a seat is in motion operation at the time of showing pictures by controlling an effect synchronized with pictures by relaying effect control information inputted from the user on the rear-line seat by using an effect controlling device (320) of a front-line seat, in the facility for showing pictures, which provides the effect (for example, a water shot, an air shot, or a scent) synchronized with the pictures to the user on the rear-line seat.