UWB Tracking for Amusement Ride VR Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VR technologies for amusement rides, such as those using beacons or optical tracking, face inaccuracies and asynchronous issues, especially in water environments, leading to discomfort and safety concerns due to imprecise position determination and non-synchronized virtual reality experiences.
Innovation Solution
The method employs ultra-wideband (UWB) technology with stationary antennas and a UWB tag to continuously determine the position of VR goggles, enabling precise position calculation and synchronized virtual reality experiences even in direct water contact, using signals transmitted between antennas and the tag, allowing for accurate tracking and real-time virtual reality rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beacon-based position detection is used, then the system can detect position in sections, but the position determination accuracy is poor (approximately 1 m to 3 m) and becomes inaccurate in water environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical beacon system with an electromagnetic UWB (Ultra-Wideband) tracking system. UWB technology uses wideband electromagnetic signals to determine position through time-of-flight measurement, providing centimeter-level accuracy (10-30 cm) that is not affected by water environment, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability in water-based amusement rides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from optical signal strength (which degrades in water) to electromagnetic time-of-flight measurement. By measuring the time it takes for UWB signals to travel between antennas and the tracking device, the system achieves consistent high-precision position determination regardless of water contact, eliminating the signal strength degradation issue.
2Productivity
If beacon-based section detection is used, then the system can operate with limited sensors, but the position determination is not continuous leading to asynchrony between real ride and virtual reality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous position tracking by having UWB antennas continuously transmit and receive signals at high frequency (typically hundreds of times per second). This continuous measurement ensures the position data is always current, maintaining perfect synchronization between the physical ride movement and the virtual reality representation, eliminating the asynchrony problem caused by section-based detection.
3Duration of action of moving object
If optical tracking is used, then the system can provide continuous tracking, but the tracking becomes imprecise in water environments due to changed refraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical tracking methods with electromagnetic UWB tracking. Since electromagnetic waves in the UWB frequency range are not significantly affected by water refraction, the system maintains both continuous tracking capability and high measurement precision even when the passenger is in direct contact with water, resolving the contradiction between tracking continuity and accuracy in water environments.
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 solution provides a highly accurate and continuous virtual reality experience with an accuracy of approximately 10-30 cm, reducing the risk of discomfort and enhancing safety by ensuring precise passenger tracking and synchronized virtual reality representation, even in chaotic movements or water environments.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless connection is established between the at least two stationary UWB antennas and the UWB tag and for at least one signal to be transmitted between the at least two stationary UWB antennas and the UWB tag
Data Source
AI summary
A method provides a virtual reality experience for at least one passenger of an amusement ride, in particular a water ride, with at least two spaced-apart and stationary UWB antennas. The at least one passenger is able to move in the ride and is provided with VR goggles and a UWB tag. The VR goggles can present the virtual reality experience in the field of vision of the at least one passenger. The method includes the steps:establishing a wireless connection and transmitting at least one signal between the at least two stationary UWB antennas and the UWB tag;calculating the position of the UWB tag based on the at least one received signal;generating a virtual reality according to the calculated position;reproducing the virtual reality experience through the VR goggles according to the calculated position and the viewing direction of the VR goggles.