Transparent Display Augmented Reality Amusement Ride

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement ride systems lack realistic and interactive entertainment features that effectively engage guests, as current visual effects do not sufficiently interact with the ride vehicles or guests.

Innovation Solution

An augmented reality system featuring transparent displays positioned between the ride area and viewing area, controlled by a processor that receives sensor signals to synchronize augmented reality images with the movement of ride vehicles, creating an immersive experience by depicting objects that appear to interact with the vehicles and guests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional visual effects are used in amusement rides, then the system structure remains simple, but the entertainment features do not appear sufficiently realistic or interactive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverealism of entertainment featuresVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent display is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the ride area and viewing area. This display serves as a mediator that overlays augmented reality content onto the real-world view, enabling realistic and interactive entertainment features without fundamentally altering the ride vehicle or track structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical visual effects systems with an electronic augmented reality system. Instead of using physical props, mechanical animatronics, or complex stage machinery, the system uses digital content displayed on transparent screens controlled by a processor that receives sensor data to create realistic interactive experiences.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If augmented reality displays are added to enhance guest experience, then the entertainment value increases, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteractive entertainment capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent display system serves multiple functions: it displays augmented reality content, provides real-time feedback based on ride vehicle position, and can be controlled through various sensor inputs. This multi-functional approach enables adaptable interactive entertainment while consolidating control mechanisms to manage system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where sensors detect ride vehicle position and movement, the processor analyzes this data, and the transparent display adjusts the augmented reality content in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic interactive entertainment that responds to guest actions and ride conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If transparent displays are positioned between ride area and viewing area, then realistic visual content is achieved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual content realismVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent display acts as an intermediary structure that can be integrated into existing ride infrastructure. By positioning it between the ride area and viewing area, it creates realistic visual content without requiring fundamental structural changes to the ride vehicle or track, thus managing structural complexity while achieving visual realism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3911426B1Augmented reality system for an amusement ride
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP3911426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3911426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3911426B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An amusement ride system includes a ride area, a ride vehicle configured to move within the ride area, a transparent display positioned between the ride area and a viewing area and configured to enable viewing of the ride vehicle from the viewing area, and a controller having a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of a position of the ride vehicle within the ride area and control an augmented reality image on the transparent display based on the position of the ride vehicle.