Water Attraction Dispatch System Automating Guest Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of monitoring water conditions in amusement parks, particularly in water attractions, leads to inefficient operations and potential delays due to the need for multiple operators to verify attraction conditions, resulting in inconsistent readings and longer wait times for guests.
Innovation Solution
A water attraction dispatch system that utilizes sensors to generate attraction condition data, a dispatch controller to determine if conditions are within tolerance, and a method to transmit signals indicating whether to permit or deny guest dispatch, thereby automating the dispatch process and reducing operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple operators are assigned to monitor water conditions and validate attraction conditions, then guest safety is improved through comprehensive monitoring, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to inconsistent readings and longer wait times
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service monitoring where the automated dispatch controller independently collects sensor data, validates attraction conditions, and makes dispatch decisions without requiring multiple operators to manually verify conditions. The system serves itself by automatically comparing sensor readings against predetermined tolerances and generating dispatch signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual operator monitoring and validation with an automated electronic system. Sensors continuously monitor water conditions and the dispatch controller automatically processes this data, substituting human operators with an automated control system that eliminates inconsistent readings and delays.
2Device complexity
If operators are tasked with both operating guest queues and monitoring water conditions, then labor costs are reduced through multi-tasking, but monitoring reliability deteriorates due to divided attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function from the queue operation function. Sensors are dedicated exclusively to monitoring water conditions, while the dispatch controller is dedicated to processing sensor data and controlling dispatch. This segmentation ensures that monitoring reliability is not compromised by operator divided attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated dispatch controller acts as an intermediary between sensors and dispatch decisions. It receives data from sensors, validates conditions against predetermined tolerances, and generates dispatch signals, serving as a dedicated mediator that ensures reliable monitoring independent of operator tasks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual validation of attraction conditions is performed by operators, then flexibility in handling unusual situations is improved, but dispatch speed deteriorates due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-programming predetermined tolerances for water conditions before operation begins. During operation, the dispatch controller automatically compares sensor readings against these pre-established criteria and immediately generates dispatch signals when conditions are satisfied, eliminating verification delays while maintaining safety standards.
Data Source
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AI summary
A water attraction dispatch system includes a water attraction having a plurality of sensors and a dispatch controller. The dispatch controller is configured to receive attraction condition data from the plurality of sensors of the water attraction and determine a dispatch status of the water attraction based on the attraction condition data. The dispatch status may be a permit dispatch status or a deny dispatch status. The dispatch controller is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the dispatch status to a controller of the water attraction.