Trackless Ride Path Control for Rider-Selected Route Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park rides, particularly trackless dark ride systems, face a decline in guest attraction over time, prompting costly changes to structural tracks, scenic elements, and attraction media to maintain novelty, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A trackless ride system that allows individualized ride experiences through rider input, using wireless communicators, independent vehicle controllers, and facility-mounted sensors to dynamically select and adjust ride paths, enabling riders to choose their route based on real-time inputs and predefined decision points, thereby enhancing engagement and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If costly changes are made to structural track, scenic elements, and attraction media to maintain novelty, then guest attraction is improved, but capital investment and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where vehicles can choose between multiple predefined paths (primary and secondary) based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the ride to maintain guest attraction through variable experiences without requiring costly physical modifications to the attraction infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (path selection, vehicle routing) rather than physical infrastructure. By modifying control parameters through the control system rather than physical elements, the attraction can adapt to maintain novelty while avoiding capital-intensive changes to tracks and scenic elements.
2Reliability
If autonomous vehicle transit system with central control is implemented, then system coordination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent vehicle controllers that operate autonomously based on predefined rules and real-time sensor data. Each vehicle controller manages its own path selection and navigation, reducing the complexity of centralized control while maintaining reliable system coordination through decentralized decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
Vehicles autonomously determine their own paths and navigate without constant central intervention. The system provides self-service through onboard controllers that independently manage vehicle operations based on programmed logic and real-time conditions, simplifying the overall control architecture while ensuring reliable coordination.
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 system provides a dynamic and engaging experience by allowing riders to influence their path, maintaining attraction and reducing the need for frequent costly updates, as it can adapt to rider preferences and storyline progression without requiring extensive infrastructure changes.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless rider communicator in wireless communicative communication with the vehicle controller
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle controller receives the rider inputs from the wireless rider communicator and controls the trackless ride vehicle to navigate along a selected vehicle traversal path
Data Source
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AI summary
A trackless vehicle may be dispatched in a ride path comprising a predefined path and a set of optional predefined paths by receiving, such as by an on-board trackless vehicle controller, a rider identifier associated with a rider who is associated with the trackless vehicle, either a rider about to board the trackless vehicle or a rider who has boarded the trackless vehicle. Upon receipt, identification, and validation of the rider identifier, a predetermined set of optional predefined paths available to and associated with the validated rider identifier are identified and one or more of the predefined paths are selected, with the trackless vehicle being commanded to proceed onto the selected predefined path.