Patent Description:
Certain types of illusions create the effect of disappearing. The audience of a transportation illusion typically sees a performer disappear from view as the illusion is carried out. The audience may watch from afar as the performer is seemingly transported to a different location on a stage or in a building. The disappearance and emergence of the performer is timed for a single performance. However, the audience or individual members of the audience are typically not provided with an immersive experience of being transported to another location. Improved and more immersive viewing experiences are desirable.

<CIT> describes a theater that can be divided into a plurality of booths by booth partition walls. By moving the booth partition walls, the plurality of booths is combined to form a combined theater. When the theater is divided in the plurality of booths, each booth provides a booth picture in which images of visitors seated in the booth are incorporated as characters. The combined theater provides a combined-theater picture with the use of screens of all the booths. Each booth provides a default picture when a fault occurs in the function of generating a booth picture.

These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Indeed, the subject matter within the scope of the appended claims may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In an example useful for understanding the present invention, a special effects visualization system may have a capture system that generates a dataset associated with a user based on likeness data of the user at a first location, an environmental system that displays one or more images at a second location different from the first location, a special effects system that triggers a special effect at the second location, and a control system communicatively coupled to the capture system, the environmental system, and the special effects system. The control system may detect a presence of the user at the second location, and in response to detecting the presence of the user at the second location, transmit one or more control signals to the environmental system based on the dataset and transmit one or more additional control signals to the special effects system. The control signals may cause the environmental system to display the one or more images at the second location. The one or more images may be generated using the dataset. The additional control signals may cause the special effects system to trigger the special effect during display of the one or more images at the second location.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a special effects visualization system comprising a capture system configured to acquire likeness data of a user at a first location and generate a dataset based on the likeness data, an environmental system configured to display a three-dimensional (3D) presentation based on the dataset at a second location different from the first location, wherein the 3D-presentation comprises a likeness of the user, and a special effects system configured to trigger a special effect at the second location during the display of the 3D presentation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising acquiring, via a capture system, likeness data of a user at a first location, generating, via the capture system, a dataset based on the likeness data, displaying, via an environmental system, a three-dimensional (3D) presentation based on the dataset at a second location different from the first location, wherein the 3D presentation comprises a likeness of the user, and triggering a special effect, via a special effects system, at the second location during the display of the 3D presentation.

It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

The performance of a transportation illusion is typically enacted by a skilled or professional performer for an audience to view. The performer may simulate the transportation of the performer, an assistant, an inanimate object, or an animal to another location in view of the audience. However, the audience's limited participation in the performance leaves the audience as mere bystanders. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide an immersive and/or transformative transportation illusion to the audience such that the audience may actively participate (e.g., as a user) in the transportation illusion and view another user's transportation illusion (e.g., as a viewer).

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that utilize material actuation, sensor data, and/or special effects to enhance a user experience and a viewer experience with a transportation illusion. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a special effects visualization system that includes an image capture (e.g., image, video, or spatial) and environmental display or projection system (e.g., fog screen or display, vapor screen or display, smoke screen or display, a cryogenic-based screen or display, a sand-based screen or display, or other particulate-based screen or display). In some embodiments, one or more components of the surrounding environment (e.g., walls, doors, ceiling, floor, objects within the environment, or the like) may also form part of the display of the transportation illusion. The image capture and environmental projection system may simulate (e.g., generate an illusion of) the transportation of a user away from the user's position. In one embodiment, for example, the capture and projection system may acquire image data of the user, capture a likeness of the user based on the image data, generate one or more special effects based on the likeness of the user, and trigger the special effects while displaying the likeness of the user in an environment to provide the transportation illusion associated with the user to any number of viewers. That is, a viewer may see the likeness of the user being transported away (e.g., the user disappearing). Additionally, the special effects visualization system may provide the user with one or more sensory stimulations to impart to the user a feeling that the user is being transported away to another location or that the user's environment is changing. For example, the special effects visualization system may trigger one or more types of environmental effects (e.g., olfactory, heat, wind, cold, haptics, or auditory) as the user walks along a pathway through the environment that provides the transportation illusion to both the viewer and any viewers in range. The environmental effects may provide the user with various sensory stimulations associated with a particular characteristic of the transportation illusion (e.g., disappearing into smoke or flames, dispersing into particles, or walking into a wormhole). Accordingly, the special effects visualization system may enhance the experience of the user and the experience of the viewer with the transportation illusion simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) by providing an immersive and/or transformative experience to the user and the viewer. Further, by using likeness data of the user and user-triggered special effects, the experience is personalized and dynamic, in contrast to scripted or pre-recorded illusions.

In certain embodiments, the disclosed special effects visualization system is provided within a location-based entertainment venue, such as an amusement or theme park. Theme parks provide controlled environments that may be associated with memorable effects that enhance an immersive and/or transformative experience. That is, a particular attraction environment may have ice, fire, smoke, light, and other sensory thematic elements that are recreated at least in part for a user of the special effects visualization system to provide the user with a feeling of being transported from a first location to a second location. Accordingly, certain embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the context of special effects that are part of an entertainment narrative and that enhance an immersive and/or transformative entertainment experience for users or viewers. In one embodiment, a user may adopt a character associated with an attraction within the theme park, such as an astronaut having different physical features and operating in a fictional extraplanetary environment. Accordingly, the communication effects and the special effects are selected and operate in concert to enhance the desired narrative. It should be understood that the communication effects and the special effects may be selected to fit other narrative environments and that the depicted astronaut narrative is by way of example only.

As described herein, the "user" is referred to as the desired target of the transportation illusion. The likeness of the user is captured and displayed as part of the transportation illusion for viewers of the transportation illusion to see. In some embodiments, the user may not be able to view the user's own transportation illusion. Additionally, as described herein, the "viewer" is referred to as the desired audience of the transportation illusion. In some embodiments, the viewer is positioned at some distance away from the transportation illusion, e.g., in range, such that the viewer may see the transportation illusion but not the physical body of the user during at least a portion of the illusion event. Further, in some embodiments, the viewer may become a desired target of a subsequent transportation illusion such that the viewer becomes the user associated with the subsequent transportation illusion. In one embodiment, a user, a first viewer, and a second viewer may be in a line for an attraction at theme park. The user is first in line, the first viewer is second in line, and the second viewer is third in line. The user may be the desired target of a first transportation illusion while the first viewer and/or the second viewer may view the first transportation illusion. After the first transportation illusion is complete, the first viewer may transition into the role of the user (e.g., desired target) associated with the second transportation illusion while the second viewer may view the second transportation illusion, and so on and so forth. Additional details with regard to the roles of the user and the viewer during a particular transportation illusion and the transition between roles (e.g., from viewer to user) may be discussed below with reference to <FIG>.

Turning now to the drawings, <FIG> is a schematic illustration of an illusion environment <NUM> that may implement a transportation illusion as provided herein. The illusion environment <NUM> includes a pathway <NUM> traveled by a user <NUM> through the illusion environment <NUM> and, subsequently, by a viewer <NUM> of a transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM> along the pathway <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the pathway <NUM> may include a first region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM> in which a viewer <NUM> may be positioned to view the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM>. Although a single viewer <NUM> is illustrated as being positioned within the first region <NUM>, it should be noted that any number of viewers <NUM> may be positioned within the first region <NUM> to view the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM>.

Additionally, the pathway <NUM> may also include a second region <NUM>, e.g., a transition region or an image capture region, through which the user <NUM> may move towards a third region <NUM>, e.g., an illusion region, in which a special effects visualization system (see <FIG>) provides the transportation illusion <NUM> to the viewer <NUM> in the first region <NUM>. As provided herein, the viewer <NUM> may transition to the role of the user <NUM> after a preceding transportation illusion <NUM> has completed. During such a transition, the second region <NUM> may be associated with the region in which the transition between the role of the viewer <NUM> and the role of the user <NUM> occurs. For example, after a preceding transportation illusion <NUM> has completed, the viewer <NUM> may move through the second region <NUM> toward the third region <NUM>. As the viewer <NUM> moves through the second region <NUM>, the viewer <NUM> may transition into the role of the user <NUM> for a subsequent transportation illusion <NUM>. For example, the special effects visualization system may acquire image data associated with the user <NUM> (e.g., previously the viewer <NUM>). The special effects visualization system may subsequently use the image data to capture a likeness of the user <NUM> to effectuate a subsequent transportation illusion <NUM> in the third region <NUM> to an additional viewer <NUM> positioned within the first region <NUM>. Additional details with regard to the acquisition of image data associated with the user <NUM> may be discussed below with reference to <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the second region <NUM> and the third region <NUM> may overlap or be the same region. For example, the capture region of the user <NUM> and the region in which the transportation illusion <NUM> is provided may be the same region but at different location within the region.

As the user <NUM> travels through the third region <NUM>, the special effects visualization system may trigger one or more environmental effects (e.g., olfactory, heat, wind, cold, haptics, or auditory) to provide the user <NUM> with various sensory stimulations associated with a particular characteristic of the transportation illusion <NUM> (e.g., disappearing into smoke or flames, dispersing into particles, or walking into a wormhole). That is, the special effects visualization system may provide the user <NUM> with a feeling that the environment is changing to enhance the illusion for the viewer <NUM> and to provide the illusion that the user <NUM> is being transported to another location as the user <NUM> travels through the third region <NUM>. Additionally, the special effects visualization system may provide a transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM> in the third region <NUM> as the user <NUM> travels through the third region <NUM>. For example, the special effects visualization system may trigger one or more special effects and display a likeness of the user <NUM> in the third region to effectuate the transportation illusion <NUM> to the viewer <NUM> positioned in the first region <NUM>. Additional details with regard to the triggered environmental effects, the triggered special effects, and the display of the likeness of the user <NUM> by the special effects visualization system may be discussed below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The transportation illusion <NUM> may occur at a position <NUM> in the third region <NUM> that is between the second region <NUM> and the real-time position of the user <NUM>. That is, the transportation illusion <NUM> is triggered or initiated at a point in time when the user <NUM> has traveled along the pathway <NUM> past the position <NUM> of the transportation illusion <NUM> such that the actual user <NUM> does overlap or interfere with displayed likeness of the user <NUM> displayed as part of the illusion <NUM>.

After the user <NUM> travels through the third region <NUM>, the user <NUM> may pass into a fourth region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. In some embodiments, the user <NUM> may pass through a moveable wall <NUM> move from the third region <NUM> to the fourth region <NUM>. In one embodiment, the moveable wall <NUM> may include one or more doors that open or slide to allow the user <NUM> to travel into the fourth region <NUM>. The doors may close or slide back into position after the user <NUM> has passed into the fourth region <NUM>. In another embodiment, the moveable wall <NUM> may slide to the left or the right to allow a user <NUM> to travel into the fourth region <NUM>. In another embodiment, the user <NUM> turns a corner or moves into another room or hallway to move into the fourth region <NUM>. In any case, after the user <NUM> passes into the fourth region <NUM>, the user may continue traveling along the pathway <NUM>.

The passage of the user <NUM> from the third region <NUM> to the fourth region <NUM> facilitates the occlusion of the user <NUM> from the viewer <NUM> during and/or after the transportation illusion. Although <FIG> illustrates a moveable wall <NUM> to help facilitate the occlusion of the user <NUM>, it should be noted that any other suitable means for preventing the viewer <NUM> from viewing the user <NUM> during and/or after the transportation illusion <NUM> may be utilized. For example, the user <NUM> may pass through a revolving door or wall (see <FIG>), the user <NUM> may be lowered (see <FIG>) or elevated by a platform, the user <NUM> may fall through a trap door, the moveable wall <NUM> may move backwards as the user <NUM> approaches it and another wall may be positioned behind the user <NUM>, or any other suitable means for occluding the user <NUM> from the viewer <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pathway <NUM> may have additional regions, e.g., a fifth region <NUM>, a sixth region <NUM>, positioned after the fourth region <NUM> that the user <NUM> may travel through and forming other parts of the illusion environment <NUM>. It should be noted, however, that in some embodiments, the pathway <NUM> may have any number of regions after the fourth region <NUM> that the user <NUM> may pass through. In some embodiments, the pathway <NUM> may also have any number of regions before the third region <NUM>.

Each respective region <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have one or more walls that at least partially define each region of the pathway <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the third region <NUM> may have walls <NUM>, <NUM> that partially enclose the third region <NUM> such that the focus of the viewer <NUM> may be directed toward the transportation illusion <NUM>. The fourth region <NUM>, the fifth region <NUM>, and the sixth region <NUM> may also have one or more walls <NUM> that partially enclose each region. For example, walls <NUM> may help define the pathways <NUM> for the user <NUM> to travel through or may form other features of the illusion environment <NUM>.

In some embodiments, various implements may be utilized to direct the viewer <NUM> to the pathway <NUM> and/or the user <NUM> away from the pathway <NUM>. For example, an escalator, an elevator, a moving sidewalk, stairs, or another pathway may be implemented. In another embodiment, there may be nothing to direct the viewer <NUM> to the pathway and/ the user <NUM> away from the pathway.

It should also be noted that the position of the viewer <NUM> of the transportation illusion <NUM> may not be limited to the first region <NUM>. In some embodiments, the viewer <NUM> may be positioned in any region outside of the third region <NUM> in which the transportation illusion <NUM> occurs such that the viewer <NUM> may view the transportation illusion <NUM> but have an obstructed view of the physical body of the user <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the pathway <NUM> that the user <NUM> may travel and the transportation illusion <NUM> that may be produced by the special effects visualization system. The user <NUM> may be lowered to a passage in which the pathway <NUM> continues. As illustrated in <FIG>, the user <NUM> may move to a platform in the fourth region <NUM>. The platform may lower the user <NUM> such that the viewer <NUM> may not see the user <NUM> during and/or after the descent of the user <NUM>. For example, the floor of the third region, the back wall of the fourth region, and other components of the environment of the pathway <NUM> may occlude the user <NUM> from the viewer <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of another embodiments of the pathway <NUM> that the user <NUM> may travel and the transportation illusion <NUM> that may be produced by the special effects visualization system. As illustrated in <FIG>, there may be multiple viewers <NUM> that may view the transportation illusion <NUM> from various angles. The multiple viewers <NUM> may see the transportation illusion <NUM> but the view of the user <NUM> may be occluded by various components of the pathway environment (e.g., walls, doors, ceilings, floors, objects in the environment, or portions thereof). Additionally, the user <NUM> may pass through a revolving wall <NUM> to move from the third region <NUM> to the fourth region <NUM>. The revolving wall <NUM> helps facilitate the occlusion of the user <NUM> from the multiple viewers <NUM> of the transportation illusion <NUM>.

Although <FIG> illustrate various configurations of the pathway <NUM>, components (e.g., walls or floors) of the pathway environment, and various implements (e.g., moveable wall, revolving wall or door, platform) that facilitate the display of the teleportation illusion <NUM> and/or occlusion of the user <NUM> from the viewer <NUM>, it should be noted that any other suitable configurations of the pathway <NUM>, the components of the pathway environment, and the implements may be used to facilitate the display of the teleportation illusion <NUM> and/or occlusion of the user <NUM> from the viewer <NUM>. For example, the pathway <NUM> may include any suitable number of turns, curves, elevation changes, or the like, to provide an immersive and/or transformative experience to the user <NUM> and/or the viewer.

<FIG> is an illustration <NUM> of an exemplary embodiment of a special effects visualization system <NUM> that may be implemented with the illusion environment <NUM> of <FIG> and that is configured to capture the likeness of the user <NUM> and provide a transportation illusion <NUM> based on the likeness of the user <NUM> as the user <NUM> travels along the pathway <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the special effects visualization system <NUM> may include a control system <NUM>, an environmental system <NUM>, and a capture system <NUM> that communicate via a communications network <NUM>. Datasets (e.g., audio data, image data, spatial data, or sensor data) may be transmitted between components of the special effects visualization system <NUM> via the communications network <NUM>. The communications network <NUM> may include any number of input/output (I/O) interfaces and/or network interfaces. The communications network may enable data transmission over a variety of wired or wireless networks such as personal area network (PAN), Bluetooth, a local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) such as Wi-Fi, and/or for a wide area network (WAN) such as a cellular network.

The capture system <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM> may acquire image data associated with the user <NUM> in the second region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. The capture system <NUM> may include one or more cameras to acquire image data associated with the user <NUM>. For example, the cameras may include one or more two-dimensional (2D) cameras, one or more three-dimensional (3D) cameras, a video camera, one or more infrared (IR) cameras, one or more depth cameras, or any other suitable image-receiving device in place of, or in addition to, the cameras to facilitate acquisition of the image data associated with the user <NUM>. In one embodiment, a camera may be positioned above and ahead of the user <NUM>. In another embodiment, two or more cameras may be positioned at various points around the user <NUM> in the second region <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, two or more cameras may be positioned on a moving track such that the cameras may acquire image data from various angles as the user <NUM> moves through the second region <NUM>. In any case, the capture system <NUM> may acquire an image data set associated with the user <NUM>. In some embodiments, the image data set may include motion data, heat data, volumetric data, shape data, spatial data, visual data, or any other suitable data associated with the user <NUM> that may be used to capture a visual likeness of the user <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the capture system <NUM> may acquire the image data associated with the user after a second region sensor <NUM> has detected the presence of the user <NUM> in the second region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sensor <NUM> may include one or more ultrasonic sensors, one or more light sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more thermal sensors, one or more IR sensors, one or more piezoelectric sensors, or any other suitable type of sensor for detecting the presence of the user <NUM> in the second region.

In some embodiments, the capture system <NUM> may be positioned in an area other than the second region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. For example, the capture system <NUM> may be positioned in any suitable area before the third region <NUM> in which the transportation illusion <NUM> is provided to a viewer. In one embodiment, the capture system <NUM> may acquire an image data set associated with the user <NUM> at some predetermined time or location before the user <NUM> has traveled to the second region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. The image data set may be stored in a database communicatively coupled to the capture system <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the capture system <NUM> may then acquire image data associated with the user <NUM>, for example, when the user <NUM> travels through the second region <NUM>. In some embodiments, the acquired image data may only correspond to a subset of the stored imaged data set. For example, the capture system <NUM> may determine one or more user characteristics in the acquired image data that the capture system <NUM> (or the database) may use to determine a match to a stored image data sets in the database. After determining a match between the acquired image data and a stored image data set, the capture system <NUM> may receive the matching stored image data set from the database for use in effectuating the transportation illusion <NUM>.

After the capture system <NUM> has acquired the image dataset associated with the user <NUM>, the capture system <NUM> may capture a visual likeness of the user <NUM> based on the image dataset associated with the user. The visual likeness of the user <NUM> captured by the capture system <NUM> may include any suitable digital data and/or analog data to communicate a visage and/or presence of the user <NUM>, including, but not limited to, image data, sensor data, or the like. In this manner, the capture system <NUM> may transmit a dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user <NUM> to any component of the special effects visualization system <NUM> for further use.

In one embodiment, the displayed likeness may present a rear or back image of the user <NUM> to the viewers to provide the illusion <NUM> that the user <NUM> is undergoing transportation while moving along the pathway <NUM>. For example, if the captured image shows a user <NUM> wearing a hat or backpack, the displayed likeness uses the portion of the image data to generated displayed images to show the backpack. In another embodiment, the displayed image or images may show a user front, generated from the image data, showing the user's face as if the user <NUM> were turned to face the viewers. In this manner, a family group may view recognizable family members going through the illusion.

In some embodiments, the capture system <NUM> may modify the image dataset associated with the user <NUM> to finalize the visual likeness of the user <NUM>. For example, the user <NUM> may have been in an undesirable orientation or position (e.g., head at a downward angle) when the capture system <NUM> was acquiring the image dataset associated with the user <NUM>. The capture system <NUM> may apply one or more algorithms to process the dataset such that the capture system <NUM> may subsequently acquire a proper visual likeness of the user <NUM> for use in the illusion environment <NUM>.

The environmental system <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM> may receive a dataset indicative of the likeness of the user <NUM> from the capture system <NUM> and display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion <NUM> based on the likeness of the user <NUM> in the third region <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the environmental system <NUM> may display the transportation illusion <NUM> in the third region <NUM> between walls <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the third region <NUM> may not be defined by any walls or may be defined by any other suitable number of walls.

The environmental system <NUM> may operate to present or display one or more images that are generated based on the dataset to display or otherwise communicate the likeness of the user <NUM> to a viewer of the transportation illusion <NUM>. Additionally, the images associated with the likeness of the user <NUM> may be presented in concert with one or more supporting special effects to effectuate the transportation illusion <NUM> in the third region <NUM>.

Further, the environmental system <NUM> may process or change the visual likeness of the user <NUM> to provide the transportation illusion <NUM> to the viewers. For example, images may present features of the user's face that are transformed (e.g., stretched or fading away at the edges) to enhance an illusion that the user <NUM> is being transported into wormhole. In another example, the image may present features of user's body turning into particles to enhance an illusion that the user <NUM> is being transported by dispersing into the particles. In other embodiments, the displayed image may be based on extracted identifiable (e.g., facial) features from the user <NUM>. The environmental system <NUM> may incorporate these extracted features into a desired character avatar (e.g., a character from a narrative) that resembles the user <NUM>. Certain character avatars may be associated with particular special effects, such as appearing/disappearing in a puff of smoke, and the combination of the display of the image of the avatar and the triggering of the special effect (e.g., release of smoke around a projection) may enhance certain narrative features of the communication. In the illustrated embodiment, the user <NUM> is rendered or presented as an astronaut.

The environmental system <NUM> may display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion <NUM> based on the likeness of the user <NUM> after a third region sensor <NUM> has detected the presence of the user <NUM> in the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sensor <NUM> may include one or more thermal sensors, one or more IR sensors, one or more piezoelectric sensors, or any other suitable type of sensor for detecting the presence of the user <NUM> in the third region.

After the user <NUM> has traveled to the fourth region <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM> may cease displaying the transportation illusion <NUM>. In one embodiment, the third region sensor <NUM> may continuously operate to detect the presence of the user <NUM> in the third region <NUM>. After the third region sensor <NUM> no longer detects the presence of the user <NUM> in the third region <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM> may cease displaying the transportation illusion <NUM>. In another embodiment, the environmental system <NUM> may cease displaying the transportation illusion <NUM> after a predetermined and/or configurable amount of time has passed. For example, the capture system <NUM> may determine a rate of movement associated with the user <NUM> along the pathway <NUM> based on the image data associated with the user <NUM>. The environmental system <NUM> may receive the rate of movement associated with the user <NUM> from the capture system <NUM> and determine a suitable period of time in which to display the transportation illusion based on the rate of movement.

In the illustrated embodiment, a moveable wall <NUM> may define a portion of the third region <NUM> (e.g., along with walls <NUM>, <NUM>) and/or act as a projection surface for the display of the transportation illusion <NUM>. As the user <NUM> approaches the moveable wall <NUM>, the control system <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM> may send a control signal to one or more actuators associated with the moveable wall <NUM> to slide a left portion <NUM> and a right portion <NUM> in a respective direction <NUM> to allow the user <NUM> to pass through the moveable wall <NUM> to the fourth region <NUM>. In one embodiment, the control system <NUM> may send a control signal to the actuators associated with the moveable wall <NUM> to slide or open only one portion <NUM>, <NUM> of the moveable wall <NUM> to allow the user <NUM> to pass through. In another embodiment, the control system <NUM> may send a control signal to the actuators associated with the moveable wall <NUM> to slide or open the entire moveable wall <NUM> to allow the user <NUM> to pass through.

<FIG> is an illustration <NUM> of an exemplary embodiment of the special effects visualization system <NUM> that may display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion <NUM> based on the visual likeness of the user in the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the special effects visualization system <NUM> includes the control system <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM>, a real time graphics engine <NUM>, and a special effects system <NUM> that may communicate via the communications network <NUM>.

As described above, the environmental system <NUM> may receive a dataset of image data indicative of the visual likeness of the user <NUM> after the user moves from the second region of the pathway <NUM> to the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the environmental system <NUM> may receive the dataset from the real time graphics engine <NUM> after the real time graphics engine <NUM> has processed the dataset. For example, the real time graphics engine <NUM> may include memory circuitry and processing circuitry to alter, process, modify, adjust, or the like, the dataset before transmitting the dataset to the environmental system <NUM>. The dataset may include a variety of suitable metadata, such as an illusion identifier or the like, to facilitate the processing of the dataset to provide an immersive and/or transformative experience to the user and/or the viewer. For example, the real time graphics engine <NUM> may process the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user based on the illusion identifier to modify the dataset to correspond to a desired narrative associated with the user, such as an astronaut traveling through a wormhole. The real time graphics engine <NUM> may then transmit the modified dataset to the environmental system to display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion <NUM> in the third region <NUM> based on the modified dataset. The dataset and/or the modified dataset may be used to generate one or more images that are presented or displayed as part of the transportation illusion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the real time graphics engine <NUM> may generate data associated with providing a 3D likeness of the user based on the received dataset indicative of the likeness of the user. For example, the real time graphics engine <NUM> may receive volumetric data, depth data, shape data, spatial data, visual data, or the like from the capture system and modify the received dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user to provide a 3D likeness of the user. In other embodiments, the dataset may already be indicative of a 3D likeness of the user after being processed by the capture system.

The environmental system <NUM> may then display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion <NUM> based on the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user <NUM> in the third region <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the environmental system <NUM> includes one or more projectors, e.g., projectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and environmental output device <NUM>. Based on the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM> may generate and transmit one or more control signals to the environmental output device <NUM> to provide a physical material to the third region <NUM>. For example, the physical material may form a projection screen (e.g., a projection medium) that the environmental system <NUM> may display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion <NUM> upon. In some embodiments, the projection screen (and the physical material) or surface may consist of fog, water, smoke, sand, ice, cryogenic materials, such as liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, and carbon dioxide, or any other suitable particulate materials. Although the transportation illusion <NUM> is described herein as an image projection onto a physical material screen (e.g., a fog screen, a water screen, a smoke screen, a cryogenic-based screen or display, a sand-based screen or display, or other particulate-based screen or display), as will be appreciated, any suitable projection or presentation technique may be used to provide the transportation illusion <NUM> involving the visual likeness of the user via the special effects visualization system <NUM>. For example, the projector or projectors may project an illusion onto a wall or traditional display screen.

In some embodiments, components of the environment of the third region <NUM> may also be utilized as part of the projection medium. For example, walls, doors, a ceiling, a floor, one or more objects within the environment or the third region, or a portion thereof, may form a part of the projection medium. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the environmental system <NUM> may present the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM> on the projection screen or medium, any objects in the environment in which the teleportation illusion <NUM> is displayed, components of the environment in which the teleportation illusion <NUM> is displayed, or a combination thereof.

The environmental system <NUM> may also generate and transmit one or more control signals to the projector (e.g., projectors <NUM>, <NUM>) to present one or more images based on the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user. For example, the images may provide the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user to one or more viewers. That is, the viewer may see the visual likeness of the user being transported away from the third region <NUM>.

It should be noted that the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> may include one or more digital light processing (DLP) projectors, one or more liquid crystal display (LCD) projectors, one or more 3D projectors, or any other suitable image-displaying device in place of, or in addition to, the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> to facilitate display of the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM>. In one embodiment, the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned above the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. In another embodiment, the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> may include three projectors, four projectors, or any other suitable number of projectors to facilitate display of the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM>. The control signals transmitted by the environmental signals to the projectors may control pixels, projection systems, or the like to permit the presentation of the visual likeness of the user into, onto, or out of any suitable physical material or light.

In some embodiments, the environmental system <NUM> may transmit control signals to the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> to simulate the transportation of the user from the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>. The transportation illusion <NUM> may include a 2D or a 3D representation of the visual likeness of the user. For example, the transportation illusion <NUM> may include one or more images that present features of the user's face and/or body, modified features of the user's face and/or body, a body silhouette, or various transformations associated with a desired narrative associated with the transportation illusion <NUM>. The modified features of the user's face and/or body may include the user's face and/or body being transformed (e.g., stretched, warped, or faded away) to enhance an illusion that the user is being transported into wormhole or the user's face and/or body turning into particles to enhance an illusion that the user is being transported by dispersing into the particles. It should be noted that any other suitable modification to the visual likeness of the user's face and/or body may be utilized to enhance the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user <NUM>. Additionally, the various animations or displayed images associated with a desired narrative may include visual effects to enhance the transportation illusion <NUM>, such as an animation of a wormhole, a portal, smoke, flames, particles, or any other suitable visual effect associated with the desired narrative.

Additionally, the images associated with transportation illusion <NUM> may be presented in concert with one or more special effects <NUM> (e.g., sensory effects) to impart to the user a sensation that the user is being transported away to another location. That is, the special effects <NUM> or sensory effects may provide the user with various sensory stimulations associated with a particular characteristic of the transportation illusion (e.g., disappearing into smoke or flames, dispersing into particles, or walking into a wormhole). For example, the special effects system <NUM> may trigger one or more types of special effects <NUM> or sensory effects (e.g., olfactory, heat, wind, cold, haptics, or auditory) as the user walks through the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM> simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the presentation of the transportation illusion <NUM>. In one embodiment, the special effects system <NUM> may receive the metadata associated with dataset indicative of the likeness of the user. For example, the special effects system <NUM> may receive an illusion identifier and trigger one or more special effects <NUM> or sensory effects based on the received illusion identifier.

In some embodiments, the special effects system <NUM> may trigger one or more special effects <NUM> or sensory effects based on a desired narrative associated with the user. For example, the special effects system <NUM> may release a burning smell or emit a heat or smoke effect with regard to a narrative in which the user is being transported via a burst of flames or smoke. In another example, the special effects system <NUM> may produce the sound of thunder with regard to a narrative in which the user is being transported in a lightning bolt. In any case, the special effects system <NUM> may provide any suitable special effects <NUM> or sensory effects based on the transportation illusion <NUM> associated with the user.

Accordingly, the special effects visualization system <NUM> may simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) enhance the experience of the user and the experience of the viewer with the transportation illusion by providing an immersive and/or transformative experience to both the user and the viewer. That is, while a viewer is seeing the likeness of the user being transported in a transportation illusion <NUM> in the third region <NUM> of the pathway <NUM>, the user may experience a feeling of a changing environment to enhance an illusion of being transported away via one or more sensory stimulations associated with the transportation illusion <NUM>.

With the foregoing in mind, <FIG> is an exemplary embodiment of a block diagram <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM>. The special effects visualization system <NUM> may include the control system <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM>, the capture system <NUM>, the real time graphics engine <NUM>, and the special effects system <NUM>. As described above, each component <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the special effects visualization system may communicate with each other via the communication network <NUM>.

The real time graphics engine <NUM> and the control system <NUM> may include respective memory circuitry <NUM>, <NUM> and respective processing circuitry <NUM>, <NUM> to process one or more datasets communicated between various components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM>. The processing circuitry <NUM>, <NUM> may be used to run programs, execute instructions, interpret input, generate control signals, and/or other similar functions, and may include a combination of hardware-based and/or software-based functions or applications to do so. The memory circuitry <NUM>, <NUM> may be used to store data, programs, instructions, diagnostic data and final data, and so forth, in a variety of suitable memory or storage types, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, flash memory, a hard drive, future storage technologies both known and unknown at the current time (e.g., data storage on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)), and so forth.

Datasets (e.g., audio data, image data, spatial data, and additional sensor data) may be transmitted between the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> via the communications network <NUM>. The communications network <NUM> may include any number of input/output (I/O) interfaces and/or network interfaces. The communications network <NUM> may enable data transmission over a variety of wired or wireless networks. In this way, the datasets may be recorded or sensed in an analog or digital domain and transmitted between the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of special effects visualization system <NUM> in an analog or digital domain, or any combination thereof.

The control system <NUM> may operate the capture system <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM>, and the special effects system <NUM> to provide an immersive and/or transformative experience associated with the transportation illusion to the user and the viewer. In this way, the control system <NUM> may generate one or more control signals to respectively control various functions of the capture system <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM>, and the special effects system <NUM>. For example, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the special effects system <NUM> to trigger one or more special effects based at least in part on the control signals.

As described above, the capture system <NUM> may acquire an image dataset associated with the user and capture a visual likeness of the user. The control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to an image capture device <NUM> to acquire the image dataset associated with the user. For example, the image capture device may include one or more cameras as described herein. After capturing a visual likeness of the user, the capture system may transmit a dataset of image data indicative of the visual likeness of the user to other components (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the special effects visualization system <NUM> via the communication network <NUM>.

The environmental system <NUM> may receive the dataset indicative of the likeness of the user from the capture system <NUM> and/or the real time graphics engine <NUM> and display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion based on the likeness of the user. The control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the environmental output device <NUM> to provide a projection screen consisting of a physical material (e.g., fog, water, smoke, sand, ice, or cryogenic materials). The control system <NUM> may also transmit one or more control signals to a video output device <NUM> (e.g., projectors) to display the transportation illusion on the projection screen provided by the environmental output device <NUM>. Additionally, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to an audio output device <NUM> (e.g., speakers, tactile transducer, or other suitable device) to provide one or more sounds associated with the transportation illusion to the user and/or the viewer. In some embodiments, the control signals may be generated by sub-components of the environmental system <NUM>, such as driving circuitry responsive to the received dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user. The environmental output device <NUM>, the video output device <NUM>, and the audio output device <NUM> may be controlled by the control system <NUM> simultaneously or substantially simultaneously to display, or otherwise communicate, the transportation illusion.

The special effects system <NUM> may trigger one or more types of special effects <NUM> or sensory effects (e.g., olfactory, heat, wind, cold, haptics, or auditory) based on a desired narrative associated with the user. The control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the special effect system <NUM> to provide a special effect or a sensory effect to the user such that the user may feel as if they are being transported from the position of the user. In this way, the special effect or the sensory effect may facilitate providing an immersive and/or transformative experience with the transportation illusion to the user. The special effect system <NUM> may include one or more special effects <NUM> (e.g., sensor effects) and a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may actuate or control components, such as valves, actuators, levers, or the like, to generate the special effect <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may release a burning smell, emit heat, produce the sound of thunder, produce a series of vibrations, or the like, based on a desired narrative associated with the transportation illusion of the user. In some embodiments, the special effect <NUM> may be triggered at an entrance or an exit to a room.

In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> may control a tracking device <NUM> of the capture system <NUM> that monitors the position of the user along the pathway and transmit one or more control signals to the capture system <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM>, and/or the special effects system <NUM> when the user is in appropriate position to perform one or more of each component's operations as described herein. For example, the tracking device <NUM> may detect a position of the user in the second region of the pathway and transmit a positional dataset associated with the user to the control system. Based on the positional dataset, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the capture system <NUM> to acquire image data of the user. In some embodiments, the tracking device <NUM> may transmit the positional dataset directly to the capture system <NUM>. In another example, the tracking device <NUM> may detect a position of the user in the third region and transmit a positional dataset associated with the user to the control system. Based on the positional dataset, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the environmental system <NUM> and/or the special effects system <NUM> to activate one or more components of the transportation illusion based on the position of the user. In one embodiments, the special effects system <NUM> may increase the intensity of the special effects (e.g., vibrations) provided to the user as the user moves closer to the fourth region of the pathway (e.g., to make the user feel as though the user had initially been pulled into a wormhole and is now fully being transported in the wormhole). In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> and/or the real time graphics engine <NUM> may modify the dataset based on the tracked position of the user.

As may be appreciated, intensive processing may be used to provide an immersive and/or transformative experience with the transportation illusion to the user and the viewer. The real time graphics engine <NUM> and the control system <NUM> may include respective processing circuitry <NUM>, <NUM> to process one or more datasets communicated between components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM>. In this way, some or all of the processing of the one or more datasets may be shared between the control system <NUM> and the real time graphics engine <NUM>. Processing of the datasets may happen while data transmission continues. In this way, datasets may be used to generate control signals in real-time (e.g., to cause a special effect or to drive presentation of the transportation illusion associated with the user).

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a process <NUM> for providing an immersive and/or transformative experience with the transportation illusion to the user and/or the viewer. Although the process <NUM> is described below as being performed by the control system <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM>, it should be understood that the process <NUM> may be performed by any component <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM> as provided herein. Moreover, although the following description of the process <NUM> is described in a particular order, it should be noted that the process <NUM> may be performed in any suitable order.

At block <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may detect the presence of the user in second region of the walkway. The control system <NUM> may detect the user in response to data received from one or more sensors indicating that the user, or a portion thereof, has entered the second region of the walkway. In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> may detect a user after receiving an initiation input from a computing device associated with the user and/or via an input device associated with the special effects visualization system <NUM>. The initiation input may indicate to the control system <NUM> to being acquiring image data associated with the user. Furthermore, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more initiation inputs to the other components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the capture system <NUM> to acquire image data associated with the user. In some embodiments, the image data may include motion data, heat data, volumetric data, shape data, spatial data, visual data, or any other suitable data associated with the user. As the user travels through a second region of the walkway, the capture system <NUM> may acquire image data of the user such that a 2D representation or a 3D representation of the user may be generated based on the image data.

At block <NUM>, after the image data associated with the user has been acquired, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the capture system <NUM> to capture a visual likeness of the user based on the image data. For example, the capture system <NUM> may determine a 2D representation or a 3D representation of the user based on the image data. In some embodiments, after the image data associated with the user has been acquired, the capture system <NUM> may automatically process the image data to determine a visual likeness of the user. In any case, after the capture system <NUM> has acquired a visual likeness of the user, the capture system <NUM> may transmit a dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user <NUM> to control system <NUM>, the environmental system <NUM>, the real time graphics engine <NUM>, and/or the special effects system <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the environmental system <NUM>, the real time graphics engine <NUM>, and/or the special effects system <NUM> to generate one or more control signals associated with the presentation of the transportation illusion to the user and/or the viewer. For example, the environmental system may generate one or more control signals to display the transportation illusion associated with the user based on the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user. In some embodiments, the real time graphics engine <NUM> may process the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user based on an illusion identifier to modify the dataset to correspond to a desired narrative associated with the user (e.g., an astronaut traveling through a wormhole) before transmitting the dataset to the environmental system <NUM>.

The special effects system <NUM> may also generate one or more control signals based on the dataset indicative of the visual likeness of the user to trigger one or more special effects or sensory effects. For example, the special effects system <NUM> may receive an illusion identifier with the dataset and generate the control signals based on the illusion identifier. For example, the special effects system <NUM> may generate a control signal to release a burning smell and/or emit heat based on a narrative in which the user is transported, leaving smoke or flames. In any case, the special effects system <NUM> may generate one or more control signals to provide any suitable special effects <NUM> or sensory effects based on the transportation illusion associated with the user.

In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> of the special effects visualization system <NUM> may receive a selection of a narrative associated with the transportation illusion. The selection of the narrative may be received via user input device, such as a dial, a voice control, a touchpad, a button, a graphical, spatial, and/or physical user interface presented on a display device, or the like. In one embodiment, the control system <NUM> may receive the selection before the user enters the second region of the pathway. In another embodiment, the control system <NUM> may receive the selection in the first region, the second region, or the third region of the pathway.

At block <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may detect the presence of the user in third region of the walkway. The control system <NUM> may detect the user in response to data received from one or more sensors indicating that the user, or a portion thereof, has entered the third region of the walkway.

At block <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may transmit one or more control signals to the environmental system <NUM> and/or the special effects system <NUM> to trigger one or more respective operations as described herein in response to detecting the presence of the user in the third region of the walkway. For example, the environmental system <NUM> may display the transportation illusion associated with the user based on the one or more control signals generated at block <NUM>. The environmental system <NUM> may transmit a first control signal to the environmental output device <NUM> to provide a projection screen of physical material (e.g., fog, water, smoke, sand, ice, or cryogenic materials) in the third region, a second control signal to one or more video output devices (e.g., projectors) to present one or more images associated with the transportation illusion on the projection screen, a third control signal to one or more audio output devices (e.g., speakers) to present audio associated with the transportation illusion, or a combination thereof. In this way, the environmental system <NUM> may provide a transportation illusion associated with the user that may be seen and/or heard by one or more viewers.

Additionally, the special effects system <NUM> may trigger one or more special effects <NUM> (e.g., sensory effects) associated with the transportation illusion based on the one or more control signals generated at block <NUM>. That is, the special effects <NUM> or sensory effects may provide the user with various sensory stimulations associated with a particular characteristic of the transportation illusion (e.g., olfactory, heat, wind, cold, haptics, or auditory). In some embodiments, the special effects <NUM> or the sensory effects may be provided to the user simultaneously or substantially simultaneously as the transportation illusion provided by the environmental illusion to the viewer. In this way, the user may feel as though the user is being transported to another location as the user walks through the third region while a viewer sees the likeness of the user being transported away. Accordingly, the special effects visualization system <NUM> may simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) enhance the experience of the user and the experience of the viewer with the transportation illusion by providing an immersive and/or transformative experience to both the user and the viewer.

At block <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may determine if the user is still in the third region of the pathway. For example, the control system <NUM> may detect the presence of the user based on data received from sensors indicating that the user, or a portion thereof, is still in the third region of the pathway. If the control system <NUM> determines that the user is still in the third region of the pathway, the process <NUM> may proceed back to block <NUM> and the transportation illusion may continue being produced by the environmental system <NUM> and/or the special effects system <NUM>. If the control system <NUM> determines that the user is no longer in the third region of the pathway, the control system <NUM>, at block <NUM>, may transmit one or more control signals to the environmental system <NUM> and/or the special effects system <NUM> to cease providing the transportation illusion associated with the user at block <NUM>. In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> may transmit the control signals to the environmental system <NUM> and/or the special effects system <NUM> after receiving a stop command signal from a computing system associated with the transportation illusion.

Additionally, certain operations may be performed to reduce or eliminate a residual special effect <NUM> or a physical material produced by the environmental output device <NUM> in the third region. For example, the special effects visualization system <NUM> may operate to eliminate or reduce residual mists, fog, water, smoke, sand, ice, cryogenic materials or other particulate materials from the third region to provide a subsequent user and/or a subsequent viewer a neutral initial experience to the transportation illusion. In this way, a subsequent user and/or a subsequent viewer may not experience residual visual, audio, or sensory effects associated with a previous transportation illusion.

After the transportation illusion associated with the user has stopped and any residual effects minimized, the process <NUM> may optionally return to block <NUM> and repeat for a subsequent user and/or viewer of the transportation illusion.

In some embodiments, additional components, such as mirrors or other reflective surfaces, may be included within or adjacent to the special effects visualization system <NUM> to hide, conceal, enhance, distort or duplicate components of the special effects visualization system <NUM>. In this way, the special effects visualization system may be concealed from the user while the user is traveling through along the pathway. Concealing one or more of the special effects visualization system <NUM> may improve a user experience relative to not concealing the devices.

In some embodiments, facial recognition, voice recognition, content curation (e.g., speech-to-text, text-to-speech), and/or speech detection for censoring of content (e.g., slang or foul language prevention) may also be used to enhance user experiences. Additionally, one or more sensors have been described herein; however, it should be understood that any suitable sensor may be used in the special effect visualization system <NUM> to provide an immersive and/or transformative experience with the transportation illusion including thermal sensors, spatial sensors, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, or the like.

With the foregoing in mind, technical effects of the present disclosure include improvements to visualization systems by improving an ability of a visualization system to provide an immersive and/or transformative experience with a transportation illusion to a user and one or more viewers. The techniques described above may simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) enhance the experience of the user and the experience of the viewer with the transportation illusion by providing an immersive and/or transformative experience to both the user and the viewer. That is, while a viewer is seeing the likeness of the user being transported in a transportation illusion in the third region of the pathway, the user may experience a feeling of being transported away via one or more sensory stimulations associated with the transportation illusion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A special effects visualization system (<NUM>), comprising:
a capture system (<NUM>) configured to acquire likeness data of a user (<NUM>) at a first location (<NUM>) and generate a dataset based on the likeness data;
an environmental system (<NUM>) configured to display a three-dimensional (3D) presentation based on the dataset at a second location (<NUM>) different from the first location (<NUM>), wherein the 3D presentation comprises a likeness of the user (<NUM>); and
a special effects system (<NUM>) configured to trigger a special effect (<NUM>) at the second location (<NUM>) during the display of the 3D presentation.