VR Ride Synchronization via Track Barcodes and Proximity Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual reality ride systems, such as roller coasters, face synchronization issues between the physical motion of the ride and the VR experience due to varying factors like temperature, humidity, and friction, leading to mismatched visuals and physical sensations, causing discomfort for passengers.
Innovation Solution
A synchronized playing system that uses a barcode on the track and a proximity sensor on the car to control VR video playback, ensuring the video content aligns with the car's current position, allowing for real-time adjustments to maintain synchronization without modifying the ride system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VR video is played when the car starts moving without synchronization mechanism, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the video content becomes desynchronized with the car's actual position due to speed variations, causing passenger discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a proximity sensor to detect the car's position relative to barcodes on the track, continuously monitors speed variations, and sends real-time position data back to the controller system which adjusts video playback accordingly. This feedback loop ensures video content remains synchronized with the car's actual position despite speed variations caused by temperature, humidity, or friction changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with electronic and optical systems. Instead of using mechanical linkages or timing devices that would require precise physical coupling between the ride system and video playback system, the invention uses barcode scanning (optical recognition) and wireless communication to achieve synchronization, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If synchronization mechanism is implemented to match video content with car position, then passenger comfort is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor acts as an intermediary device that bridges the physical ride system and the digital video system. It converts physical position information into detectable signals (by reading barcodes) that can be transmitted to the controller, which then translates this data into video playback commands. This intermediary approach enables synchronization without requiring direct complex integration between the mechanical ride system and the video playback system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses barcode copies placed at specific positions along the track to represent physical locations. Instead of directly measuring complex positional data from the car's movement, the system reads simplified barcode representations of these positions. This copying approach simplifies the synchronization task by replacing complex continuous position measurement with discrete, easily readable positional markers.
3Measurement precision
If existing ride system is modified to integrate VR synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but maintenance cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system is divided into independent modular components: barcode markers placed on the track, proximity sensors mounted on the car, wireless communication modules, and video playback control software. Each component functions independently and can be installed, tested, and maintained separately. This segmentation allows integration with existing ride systems without requiring modifications to the core mechanical structure, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving precise position detection.
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 effectively reduces passenger discomfort by ensuring the virtual reality experience matches the physical sensations, reducing the need for frequent system updates and maintenance, and integrating VR technology into existing ride systems at a lower cost.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor arranged on bottom face of the car
Data Source
AI summary
A synchronized playing system for virtual reality (VR) image adopted by a ride system includes a track and a car running along the track. The system includes a controller system, a synchronization system and a visualization system. The visualization system includes multiple VR apparatuses respectively worn by the passengers of the car. The synchronization system includes a barcode arranged on top face of the track and a proximity sensor arranged on bottom face of the car. The controller system includes a calculation unit and a wireless communication unit communicated wirelessly with the visualization system. The calculation unit generates and transmits a control signal to the visualization system based on barcode content when the car is moving and the barcode is sensed by the proximity sensor. Therefore, each VR apparatus may perform synchronizing process to current played VR video based on current position of the car.