Abstract:
Amusement facilities for providing predetermined images to passengers inside a vehicle for amusement on the basis of a scenario while the vehicle (ride)( 1 ) is moving in a predetermined course, wherein the course includes bright areas and dark areas, and acceleration/deceleration of the ride ( 1 ) is done at the boundaries of these areas. A video camera ( 11 ) provides images outside the vehicle to the passengers in the bright areas and images of a video disk player ( 34 ) are provided to the passengers in the dark areas. Further, sways are imparted by a motor ( 23 ) for rolling and a motor ( 24 ) for pitching to the ride ( 1 ) in accordance with scenarios. These images, acceleration/deceleration and sway give the passengers an illusion as if they had moved over a longer distance than an actual distance in the dark areas.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an amusement facility of the type in which a rider enjoys riding on a ride, and an amusement facility ride and amusement facility display device thereof, capable of providing a rider with ambiance that exceeds reality, affording greater satisfaction. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, an amusement facility of the type at which [a rider] can enjoy playing a computer game while riding on a small-scale ride has become increasingly popular among young people. 
     At an amusement facility of this type, [a rider] is looking for a thrill resulting from high ambiance. For example, rides such as jet coasters are operated at highspeed, and incorporate acceleration and oscillation. 
     However, this approach requires a large site, increasingly higher equipment and construction expenses, and costs that inevitably rise. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to attempt to solve for these problems by providing an amusement facility, amusement facility ride, and amusement facility display device, which, despite being low cost, is capable of satisfying a rider with high ambiance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an amusement facility, and an amusement ride for riders which moves along a previously-determined. A predetermined image, based, for example, on a previously-determined scenario, is provided to a rider inside the above-mentioned amusement ride, the above-mentioned course has a first area and a second area. In the above-mentioned first area, a rider is provided with an image of outside the above-mentioned amusement ride, and in the above-mentioned second area, a rider is provided with a previously-determined image. 
     An amusement facility related to the present invention changes the speed of the above-mentioned amusement ride in the above-mentioned first area and the above-mentioned second area in accordance with accelerating the above-mentioned amusement ride when it is in the above-mentioned first area, and decelerating the above-mentioned amusement ride when it transitions from the above-mentioned first area to the above-mentioned second area. 
     For example, 0.1 m/s and 0.7 m/s can be the pre-and post-acceleration speeds on a course of an amusement facility related to the present invention. These speeds are appropriately set in accordance with the pertinent amusement facility. For example, these speeds are set on the basis of the size of the amusement facility, site and/or construction costs, the duration of each ride, the type of rider being targeted (young people, families, or children), the relation with the scenario of the provided image, and the movement of the ride. For example, attempting to increase amusement riding time in spite of the fact that an amusement facility is relatively small will result in slower speeds, and if the imaged scenario is relatively long, the speed in the second area becomes slower. Further, when the difference in speed between the first area and the second area is slight, the effects that change the environment in accordance with the scenario are fewer. 
     Conversely, when this difference is great, a sense of inconsistency is imparted to a rider. With regard to this point, this feeling can be avoided by suitably setting the provided image, and scenario thereof. Further, this feeling can also be avoided by using the environment, and the movement and rocking of the ride. 
     As for the amusement facility related to the present invention, the difference between the speed of the above-mentioned first area and the speed of the above-mentioned second area, and the level of the above-mentioned acceleration, and the level of deceleration are set so that a rider is given the impression that the distance traveled is longer than the actual distance in the above-mentioned second area. 
     As for the level of speed, acceleration and deceleration, this speed is set in accordance with the pertinent amusement facility. For example, the is set on the basis of the size of the amusement facility, site and/or construction costs, the duration of each ride, the type of rider being targeted (young people, families, or children), the relation with the scenario of the provided image, and the movement of the ride. For example, causing a ride to rock as it decelerates makes it hard for a rider to detect the deceleration, thus making it possible to increase the level of deceleration. If a rider&#39;s attention can be diverted elsewhere in this manner, the level of deceleration can be increased. In addition, it is also possible to distract a rider&#39;s attention by acting on his sense of sight (providing an image that will attract his attention, or suddenly displaying an image of the enemy), sense of hearing (playing music/sound effects at high volume), sense of touch (blowing air, or splashing water on a rider) and other senses. An amusement facility related to the present invention accelerates the above-mentioned amusement ride when returning to the above-mentioned first area from the above-mentioned second area. 
     An amusement facility related to the present invention provides between the above-mentioned first area and the above-mentioned second area, a door, which opens when the above-mentioned amusement ride approaches, and the above-mentioned amusement ride passes through the above-mentioned door when transitioning from the above-mentioned first area to the above-mentioned second area. 
     As for an amusement facility related to the present invention, the above-mentioned first area is an area, wherein a rider can acquire visual information from the outside world, and the above-mentioned second area is an area, wherein a rider cannot acquire visual information from the outside world. 
     For example, there is a constitution, in which a ride does not have a window, and a rider cannot see directly outside, but can only see the outside via a display inside thereof. Or, there is a constitution, in which the window of the ride, or a blind, opens and closes at the border of the areas. In this case, because the rider riding in the ride is unable to see the outside world, a light can be provided on the covered inside to make it bright. Shutting a rider off from information from the outside world in this manner makes it possible to achieve a desired effect (for example, making a rider feel like he has traveled a longer distance than the actual distance). 
     As for an amusement facility related to the present invention, the above-mentioned first area is bright enough that a rider can discern the outside world, and the above-mentioned second area is so dark that a rider cannot discern the outside world. 
     In the dark area, the course is covered by a wall/blackout curtain. 
     As for an amusement facility related to the present invention, the above-mentioned first area is an area, in which the above-mentioned amusement ride can be seen by a third party (for example, visitors to this amusement facility, or people accompanying a rider), and the above- mentioned second area is an area, in which the above-mentioned amusement ride cannot be seen by a third party. An amusement facility ride related to the present invention is provided so as to travel parallel to a signal wire, and comprises a receiving device for receiving in a non-contact manner a modulated signal, a demodulator for demodulating a signal received by the above-mentioned receiving device, an amplifier for amplifying an image signal demodulated by the above-mentioned demodulator, and display means for receiving the output of the above-mentioned amplifier, and for displaying an image. 
     An amusement facility ride related to the present invention comprises a camera, which films the outside, and a switch, which selects either an image from the above-mentioned camera, or an image signal of the above-mentioned demodulator, and outputs the same to the above-mentioned amplifier. 
     An amusement facility ride related to the present invention comprises a driving device for self propulsion a, rolling device for rocking a rider from left to right relative to the direction of travel, and a pitching device for rocking a rider up and down relative to the direction of travel. 
     As for an amusement facility ride related to the present invention, the rolling axis of the above-mentioned rolling device slants downward toward the front. 
     As for an amusement facility ride related to the present invention, the pitching axis of the above-mentioned pitching device is located lower than a rider. 
     An amusement facility display device related to the present invention comprises a video projector, a screen for displaying an image projected by the above-mentioned video projector, and a concave mirror, which is provided in front of a rider, via which a rider views an image on the above-mentioned screen. 
     A for amusement facility display device related to the present invention, the above-mentioned screen forms a cylindrical surface. 
     As for an amusement facility display device related to the present invention, the above-mentioned concave mirror comprises a transparent layer, and a light-reflecting metallic layer, which is deposited on the surface thereof. The above-mentioned metallic layer is provided on the opposite side of the rider, and a rider receives light that passes through the above-mentioned transparent layer. 
     As to the transparent layer, an acrylic or other synthetic resin, or glass is used. As to the reflecting metallic layer, aluminum or the like is used. 
     As for an amusement facility display device related to the present invention, the transparent layer of the above-mentioned concave mirror is 5 mm thick. For example, a 5 mm-thick acrylic board is made to conform to a predetermined curved surface in accordance with blow molding, and a mirror is deposited on the backside thereof. As for the concave mirror, in addition to applying double-sided adhesive tape to the rim of the molded portion, the four corners thereof are secured by bolts. 
     An amusement facility display device related to the present invention comprises an auxiliary mirror between the above-mentioned video projector and the above-mentioned screen. 
     As for an amusement facility display device related to the present invention, the above-mentioned concave mirror is a shape, imitates the ride window. 
     As for an amusement facility display device related to the present invention, the line of sight of the rider relative to the above-mentioned concave mirror is practically horizontal. 
     Further, the invention related to this application is characterized in that the ride in the previously-described amusement facility comprises a body of equipment that is sealed relative to the outside so that a rider cannot directly see outside this ride. One aspect of this body of equipment has an image providing device which is constituted so that in the above-mentioned first area a rider is provided with an image taken by a camera or other photographing device of outside this body of equipment, and furthermore, so that in the above-mentioned second area a rider is provided with a game image. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the electrical signal and control systems of a system of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a ride  1  of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the rocking of the ride  1  of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram (front view) of the rocking of the ride  1  of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the constitution of the projection optical system of a first aspect of the embodiment invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a rough plan view of an amusement facility of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the projection optical system of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is described hereinbelow using the figures. The first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is a relatively large indoor amusement facility. Two riders ride in a small ride, and, while either watching an image projected on the inside thereof, or playing a game, experience in a simulated manner a trip and an adventure based on a previously-determined scenario. The course along which the ride moves is, for example, endless, and the trip and adventure thereof ends when the ride returns to the starting point. While the ride moves along the course, the ride rolls and pitches in synch with an image that accords with a scenario. 
     Therefore, a rider can have an experience brimming with ambiance and appeal. 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional block of the electrical signal and control systems within a system of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention. A ride  1  comprises, a video/audio signal system. The includes a video camera  11 , which acquires an image of the direction of travel of the ride, A demodulator  12  receives a modulated video signal and an audio signal sent from a control booth installed outside the ride  1  and demodulates these signals. A switch  13 , selects either an image signal from the video camera  11 , or a video signal, which has been demodulated by the demodulator  12 . The signal is sent to A video amplifier  14 , a video projector  15 , receives the video signal from the video amplifier  14 , and projects an image on a screen  16 . Finally an audio amplifier  17 , receives and amplifies an audio signal, has been demodulated by the demodulator  12 , and outputs the signal to a speaker  18 . 
     Further, a ride  1 , as a ride drive and attitude control apparatus, comprises a motor controller  19 , which generates a motor drive signal based on a drive control signal and an attitude control signal from the demodulator  12 , and a signal of a position sensor  27 , which detects the location of tile ride  1  on the course, Drivers  20  through  22 , drive a rolling motor  23 , a pitching motor  24 , and a ride  1  driving motor  25  based on respective control signals from the motor controller  19 . A clutch  26 , disconnects transmission to the driving motor  25  powered driving shaft. The motor controller  19  also controls the clutch  26 . The motor controller causes the ride  1  to rock by making it roll and pitch in synch with the movement on the screen. A ride  1  receives via a signal receiver  32  image signals, audio signals, and control signals from a signal wire  30  (trolley) provided parallel to the course. This signal receiver  32  does not make contact with the signal wire. Because the image and other signals are modulated, the signal receiver  32  can receive the signals via induction. In this system, a plurality of rides  1  move around the course simultaneously. A different image must be sent to each of these rides  1 . Even if the same image is used, the start timing will differ. Therefore, a plurality of images can be transmitted via a single trolley in accordance with modulating a plurality of channels relative to a plurality of rides  1 . With this system, the signals of three channels can be sent via a single signal wire. Using two signal wires makes it possible to operate up to six rides. Further, a ride  1  obtains the required power in accordance with a collector  33 , which makes contact with a power line  31 . To send an image signal and so forth to a ride  1 , a video disk player  34 , which plays video based on ride  1  positional data, a controlling device  35 , which controls how a ride is to rock in accordance with a displayed image, and a modulator  36 , which modulates outputted signals from the video disk player  34  and the controlling device  35 , and sends these signals to the signal wire  30 , are provided within a system control booth. Modulation is carried out on a specific channel for each ride. The reason this system sends image and other signals to a ride from devices installed on the ground, and uses non-contact trolley transmission as the transmission method therefor is discussed here. When a video disk player is mounted to a ride, spindle vibration occurs in relation to ride vibration, making proper playback impossible. Then, when a video disk player is installed on the ground, the method of transmission becomes the problem. Using a wireless system can give rise to the problems of interference with other devices, as well as to legal or regulatory problems. Accordingly, the system employed was one that uses a probe, which detects a trolley wire signal in accordance with induction. With this method, since trolley wire leakage signals are detected by a probe placed relatively close thereto, modulator output can be limited, and problems do not arise. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a ride  1 , showing only the principal parts. On the bottom portion of a ride  1 , a plurality of wheels  51  are provided for supporting the weight thereof. Further, also provided are a plurality of guide wheels  52  for making contact with a guide (not shown) and moving a ride  1  along a course. The wheels  51 , guide wheels  52 , and driving motor  25  are provided on a frame. A ride  1  main unit is mounted on top of this frame. The frame  53  is designed to support a ride main unit, and rotates around a supporting point  53   a  so as to impart a pitching motion to a ride. This state is shown in FIG.  3 . Which shows the frame  53  is tilted at an angle p toward the rear around the supporting point  53   a.    
     Further, a bearing  54   a ,  54   b  is provided at both ends of the frame  53 , and a frame  55 , which is supported in accordance with these bearings so as to rotate around an axis of rotation L, is mounted thereto. In accordance with this constitution, a rolling motion is imparted to a ride. This state is shown in FIG.  4 . In this figure, the frame  55  is tilted at an angle q to the left around the axis L. In this manner, a ride of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention has two axes of rotation (rolling, pitching), and a predetermined rotation is imparted in accordance with a rolling motor  23  and transmission means  53   b , and pitching motor  24 , respectively. Furthermore, as can be see from FIG.  2  through FIG. 4, the rolling axis is at the bottom portion of a ride, that is, it is provided below a rider. And the pitching axis is not horizontal, but rather slants downward toward the front. This is for the following reason. A conventional rolling axis passed through the center of a ride, in which case there was no sense of acceleration even when a ride tilted significantly. By contrast to this, moving the rolling axis lower increases centrifugal force, giving one the sensation of being swung around, and heightening a rider&#39;s sense of acceleration. Further, the rolling axis was made to slant downward toward the front to give preference to making the line of sight horizontal relative to the configuration with the structure of a concave mirror of the below-described image-projecting optical system. For a rider, it is desirable that the line of sight be horizontal. 
     Furthermore, this approach is also effective at facilitating the design of the optical system, and at designing the body of equipment to be compact. On the inside of the frame  55  of a ride  1 , there is provided a frame  57  for mounting a seat, video projector  15 , and the optical system therefor, and on the outside thereof is mounted the exterior covering  58 ,  59  of a ride  1 . A dummy window  58   a  is provided in the front exterior covering  58 , but, as described below, since a concave mirror is provided in front of a rider, the riders cannot see outside through the window  5   a.    
     FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating the constitution of the projection optical system of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is a side view (perspective view) of a ride  1 , and is constituted roughly to scale. The optical axis L 2  of a video projector  15  intersects with a slightly lower than center portion of a flat auxiliary mirror  71 . The projected light from the video projector  15  is reflected by the auxiliary mirror  71 , forming an image on a screen  72 . The screen  72  is a cylindrical surface shape. It is not shown in the figure, but when the screen  72  is viewed from above, it forms a circular arc. A rider M views an image on the screen  72  via a concave mirror  73 . The line of sight L 1  of the rider M is practically horizontal. 
     The use of a flat mirror as an auxiliary mirror (could just as well have been a concave mirror or a convex mirror) is designed to achieve a folding constitution, which, because the focal distance (distance to the projection surface) of the video projector  15  is relatively long, acquires optical system distance while being housed in a compact body of equipment. To make the imaging system compact and lightweight, the constitution is such that the projector projects an image onto a cylindrical-shaped screen, and a rider views that image via a concave mirror. Using a large cathode ray tube would take up too much space and increase the weight. Further, having a rider view the screen via a concave mirror instead of directly is due to the fact that the pertinent portion is set up as a window  58   a , and if this portion were a screen, it would contradict this setup, giving a rider a sense of inconsistency. In this regard, using a concave mirror lessens the sense of inconsistency. Another reason is that in accordance with a constitution, wherein an image projected on a screen is viewed via a concave mirror, ambiance is further heightened by the lens effect/infinity effect thereof. That is, in accordance with the concave mirror, an image is recessed in accordance with a magnifying effect similar to that of a lens, in other words, the image appears distant and life-like (infinity effect). 
     As for the concave mirror  73 , the mirror surface was made by depositing aluminum onto the surface of a resin (acrylic). The surface of the deposited aluminum is on the backside (outside) as viewed by a rider. By contrast, if the deposited surface was on the front, a coating material would be sprayed onto the deposited surface, creating a white layer, which would degrade the characteristics of the mirror and make viewing difficult. Further, in accordance with placing the deposited surface on the outside, since the projected light rays penetrate inside the acrylic, the setup more closely approximates looking outside through a window. The thickness of the concave mirror  73  is set at 5 mm. If the acrylic is thick, light is reflected irregularly thereinside, causing glare. Conversely, if the acrylic is thin, the mirror itself will warp, and the image will become deformed and hard to see. When a concave mirror is used to create a virtual image, the deformation thereof is especially problematic. Accordingly, a thickness of 5 mm was used, and this was judged to be the most suitable. Further, since a seat is provided so that two people can sit side-by-side in a ride, as a concave mirror  73 , a large concave mirror is used rather than one for individual use. More specifically, the aspect ratio is 1:2, and is a size, which is capable of ensuring a sufficiently wide angle of view that is not tiring to two riders when the two riders are sitting side-by-side. 
     Since the auxiliary mirror  71  rotates, having its center C 2  as an axis, it is possible to adjust the projection location. Similarly, since the concave mirror  73  rotates, having its center C 1  as an axis, it is possible to adjust the viewing position of a rider. 
     FIG. 6 is a rough plan view of an amusement facility of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention. A ride  1  moves over a course  2 . In this figure, eight rides A-H are depicted for explanation purposes, but in accordance with the length of the course  2 , and a facility&#39;s ability to attract riders, one ride or a plurality of rides (for example, six rides) is also possible. This amusement facility is broadly divided into two area, a bright outside portion, and a dark inside portion surrounded by walls  95 ,  96 . The area of rides A-C of this figure is the outside area, and the area of rides D-H is the inside area. 
     The operation of this amusement facility is described next. A rider gets on a ride at the ride B location. The ride travels slowly (approximately 10 cm/s) on its own power in accordance with a driving motor  25 . 
     At the ride C location, the ride is suddenly accelerated in accordance with a rotating roller or other acceleration means  92 , which make contact with the frame of the bottom portion of the ride. The driving motor  25  and drive shaft are disconnected at this time in accordance with the operation of a clutch  26 . As the ride approaches an automatic door  93 , the automatic door  93  opens, allowing the ride into the dark inside area. During this interval, an image of the outside taken by a video camera  11  is projected onto the screen and other image providing means of the inside of the ride. 
     In the ride D location, the ride is suddenly decelerated in accordance with decelerating means  94 . Then, switch  13  switches over, and an image of the video disk player  34  is projected, onto the screen on the inside of the ride. A game starts at the START location of FIG.  6 . 
     At the ride E-ride G locations hereinafter, the game progresses as the ride travels slowly under its own power. At the ride H location, the ride is once again accelerated in accordance with acceleration means  92 , and exits to the outside area. The game ends at the END location of FIG. 6, and an image of the outside is projected once again. The rider gets off at the ride A location. 
     The characteristic features of this amusement facility are a two-person, self-propelled motion ride (bending the rail enables tilting in the yaw direction); the initial sense of acceleration, followed by a reduction of speed when it becomes dark, and the movement of the ride at an ant&#39;s pace thereafter (the rocking of the ride keeps the rider from noticing this); the re-acceleration near the exit, and exiting to the outside; the switching over of the camera image at the START and END points; and the acceleration at image switchover. These serve to enhance ambiance, and to dramatize a rider&#39;s sense of expectation upon entering the dark portion. To control these characteristics, the image is synchronized with the location of the ride, and mechanical switches are provided at predetermined locations of the course  2  (for example, at the portion at which the ride enters The dark place). 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the above-mentioned constitution, the following effects occur. In accordance with the initial sense of acceleration at the ride C location, a rider does not realize the ride is moving extremely slowly following deceleration at the ride D location. This holds especially true since the ride is being rocked up and down, and side to side. Therefore, this motion coupled with the image being projected onto the screen, gives a rider the impression that the travel distance is much longer than it actually is, and furthermore, that the travel speed is much faster than it actually is. 
     Further, amusement facility space can be saved. When viewed overall, since a conventional ride system does not create an illusion in a rider&#39;s mind, the size of the system itself must be made larger to a certain extent, and this raises the costs of securing a site and constructing the buildings. According to an amusement facility of a first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, (1) a portion of the ride system is darkened so that the whole system cannot be seen; (2) the darkness is used to create an illusion in the mind of the rider; and (3) in accordance with the mutual and organic combination of ride motion, sudden acceleration, deceleration, the switch to darkness, and ride rocking, an illusion is created in the mind of a rider (from the perspectives of distance and speed). Therefore, an amusement facility, which furnishes a rider with a high degree of satisfaction, can be provided without increasing manufacturing/construction/installation costs.