Patent Description:
Various amusement rides have been created to provide passengers with unique motion and visual experiences. For example, theme rides can be implemented with single-passenger or multi-passenger ride vehicles that travel along a fixed path or variable path. To provide consistent and efficient passenger experiences, traditional theme rides generally provide passengers a limited amount of control over the ride vehicles, such as interacting with buttons or display devices, or steering the ride vehicles along a narrow channel or track. Moreover, during traditional theme rides in which the passengers can steer their ride vehicles, the ride vehicle generally follows a fixed progression of linear events, such that passengers view scenes in a desired order. In some cases, human operators are tasked with monitoring and managing movement of the ride vehicles through the traditional theme rides; however, such monitoring may be costly and/or provide irregular coverage of the ride vehicles. Accordingly, it is now recognized that there is a need for an improved amusement ride that provides greater freedom of ride vehicle movement to create a more adventurous ride experience.

<CIT> describes a combined multi-axial manipulator and guided vehicle. The combination comprises a trackless guided vehicle, a multi axial manipulator and a carrier which may be configured as a passenger module.

The invention provides a ride control system in accordance with appended claim <NUM>, and a method of operating a ride control system in accordance with appended claim <NUM>.

Present embodiments are directed toward a ride control system for controlling a free-roaming ride vehicle of an amusement park ride, comprising a ride controller having a memory storing a plurality of operational rules and a plurality of gameplay rules, wherein the ride controller comprises a processor configured to: monitor the free-roaming ride vehicle within a game area of the amusement park ride; receive a rider request to perform an action with the free-roaming ride vehicle; determine, based on the monitoring, whether a performance of the action follows the plurality of operational rules; in response to determining that the performance of the action follows the plurality of operational rules, determine, based on the monitoring, whether the performance of the action follows the plurality of gameplay rules; and in response to determining that the performance of the action does not follow the plurality of gameplay rules, determine a proximate action, and provide a control signal indicative of the proximate action to the free-roaming ride vehicle.

Present embodiments are directed toward a method of operating a ride control system. The method comprises monitoring, via a ride controller of the ride control system, a free-roaming ride vehicle positioned within a game area of an amusement park ride; receiving, via the ride controller, a rider request to perform an action with the free-roaming ride vehicle; determining, via the ride controller, whether a performance of the action follows a set of operational rules; in response to determining that the performance of the action follows the plurality of operational rules, determining, based on the monitoring, whether the performance of the action follows the plurality of gameplay rules; and in response to determining that the performance of the action does not follow the plurality of gameplay rules, determining a proximate action, and providing a control signal indicative of the proximate action to the free-roaming ride vehicle.

Present embodiments are directed to a ride control system for an amusement park ride. Notably, the amusement park ride includes free-roaming ride vehicles, defined for use herein as vehicles that are generally controllable by passengers to enable the passengers to move freely within an area by controlling their own direction, speed, and so forth (e.g., without tracks or predefined ride paths). As such, the free-roaming ride vehicles each have a set of controls to allow passengers to provide user input regarding their desired path or interactions with the amusement park ride. To provide an enjoyable and reliable experience, some or all of the user input is received by the ride control system as a requested action (e.g., requested movement, requested interaction), instead of as a reflexively performed action. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the ride control system maintains a set or plurality of rules, including gameplay rules that describe permitted, multi-variate combinations of non-linear game events within the amusement park ride and operational rules that describe permitted physical operations of the free-roaming ride vehicle. In some embodiments, the ride control system simulates the requested actions within a multi-dimensional logical space defined by the gameplay rules and the operational rules for the free-roaming ride vehicle. The ride control system is therefore able to compute (e.g., determine, predict) whether the requested action would result in a state of the ride vehicle that is within or complies with the normal operating parameters. When the ride control system determines that the predicted outcome from the requested action does not fall within or comply with the rule set of allowable actions and/or states, the ride control system disallows the requested action. Moreover, the ride control system may select a suitable proximate action, defined herein as any suitable action within the logical space that provides an outcome that is responsive to the user inputs provided by the passenger, while remaining inside of the allowed set of rules, as discussed herein.

By providing an intervening layer of supervision between receiving the user-requested actions and performing the user-requested actions, the ride control system screens and adjusts actions that are not within normal operating conditions for the ride vehicle and/or that disobey the set of gameplay rules set for the amusement park ride. The actions performed by the ride vehicle are, however, responsive to the user-requested actions. Accordingly, the ride control system is able to allow multiple passengers to have their own self-directed, responsive experiences at the same time, while maintaining machine operation within normal operating parameters and keeping experiences regulated to meet and respect predetermined limits and bounds of the amusement park ride.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an amusement park ride <NUM> includes a ride control system <NUM> having multiple free-roaming ride vehicles <NUM> (hereinafter, "ride vehicles <NUM>") moveable within a game area <NUM>. The present discussion of the amusement park ride <NUM> focuses on an embodiment in which the amusement park ride <NUM> is a dark ride, such as an enclosed or indoor space in which effects and interactions provided to passengers <NUM> are controlled and/or themed. However, the amusement park ride <NUM> may be any suitable type of ride having any suitable type or number of ride vehicles (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more) operational therein. The illustrated ride vehicles <NUM> each include a ride vehicle controller <NUM> of the ride control system <NUM> that controls movement of the respective ride vehicle <NUM> based on input from passengers <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or based on input from a ride controller <NUM> of the ride control system <NUM>. The ride controller <NUM> and ride vehicles <NUM> communicate via any suitable, respective communication circuitry <NUM> (e.g., forming a wireless network). In other embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> or components thereof may be included within each ride vehicle <NUM>. In certain of these embodiments, the ride vehicles <NUM> autonomously perform the techniques disclosed herein to operate as self-contained, self-directing, or independent agents communicatively coupled to one another for peer-to-peer communication and coordination.

The ride controller <NUM> of the present embodiment of the ride control system <NUM> is a main or central controller that coordinates progression of the ride vehicles <NUM> through the game area <NUM>. Generally, the ride controller <NUM> is responsible for validating user inputs the passengers <NUM> provide to their associated ride vehicle <NUM>. For example and as discussed in more detail herein, the ride controller <NUM> of certain embodiments models a predicted state (e.g., modeled state) of the ride vehicle <NUM> that would result after performance of the requested user input. The ride controller <NUM> therefore compares the modeled state of the ride vehicle <NUM> to gameplay rules <NUM> and operational rules <NUM> to determine whether the requested user input is indicative of a permitted action or gameplay action. Then, in response to determining that the requested action (e.g., requested gameplay action) is permitted, the ride controller <NUM> instructs the ride vehicle controller <NUM> to perform the requested action. In response to determining that the user input is indicative of an action that is not permitted, such as attempting to access a second station within the game area <NUM> without visiting a first, prerequisite station within the game area <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> determines a proximate action (e.g., a "next closest" gameplay action) that does abide by the gameplay rules <NUM> and the operational rules <NUM>. In some embodiments, the proximate action is a manufactured (e.g., corrective) action that steers or redirects the ride vehicle <NUM> to a target location or into a target state in response to a condition being met (e.g., ride vehicle <NUM> stationary for threshold time, moving away from target area). In some embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> determines the proximate action based on a proximate modeled state of the ride vehicle <NUM> that is within a threshold of the modeled state. For example and as used herein, a proximate action is an action that is allowed according to respective rules and is responsive to the action requested by the passengers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> instructs the ride vehicle <NUM> to perform the proximate action instead of the requested action. As used herein, "gameplay actions" (or simply "actions") refer to any suitable movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> or action that is requested or performed by passengers <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> throughout a duration of the amusement park ride <NUM>.

The gameplay rules <NUM> of the various embodiments disclosed herein describe permitted combinations of actions available within the game area <NUM>. That is, in certain embodiments, the presently disclosed amusement park ride <NUM> includes multiple, overlapping solutions or conclusions that may be reached by various non-linear paths or combinations of actions, as set forth by the gameplay rules <NUM>. By way of example, the gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments specify that a first interactive object is to be activated by passengers <NUM> of one of the ride vehicles <NUM> before the ride vehicle <NUM> is allowed to enter a room containing a second interactive object and a third interactive object. Based on activation of either the second or the third interactive objects, the gameplay rules <NUM> specify which of multiple exits from the room the ride vehicle <NUM> is permitted to access. Accordingly, should the passengers <NUM> attempt or request to direct the ride vehicle <NUM> through an unauthorized exit, the ride controller <NUM> instructs the ride vehicle <NUM> to perform a proximate action, such as blocking forward progress of the ride vehicle <NUM> through the unauthorized exit and/or providing sensory or physical (e.g., visual, audible, haptic) feedback indicative of a suggested exit. In some cases, the ride controller <NUM> provides responsive feedback to the passengers <NUM> indicative of receipt of their requested action that the ride controller <NUM> is unauthorized or unable to perform. These and other gameplay rules <NUM> are further discussed below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The ride controller <NUM> also maintains operational rules <NUM> that describe permitted operation, or normal operating parameters indicative of normal operation, of the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, the operational rules <NUM> of certain embodiments specify for each ride vehicle: a speed limit, a minimum distance to be maintained between the ride vehicle <NUM> and other physical objects (including other ride vehicles <NUM>) within the game area <NUM>, a maximum yaw, pitch, and/or roll angle, a minimum battery charge, and/or any other suitable physical property, specification, or restriction of the ride vehicles <NUM>. The operational rules <NUM> are customized in some embodiments based on the individual ride vehicle <NUM> and/or the passengers therein, such that ride vehicles <NUM> operated by more experienced passengers are drivable at faster speeds than similar ride vehicles operated by less experienced passengers.

Further, to maintain a log of relevant information related to a passenger's experience within the amusement park ride <NUM> and/or an amusement park having the amusement park ride <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> of the present embodiment includes and updates a user profile database <NUM>. For such embodiments, the user profile database <NUM> stores a user profile for each guest to the amusement park and/or passenger <NUM> within the amusement park ride <NUM>, although other embodiments may include one profile for a group of passengers (e.g., families, friends, schools). In some embodiments, the user profile for each passenger may include an age, a height, a list of previous visits to the amusement park ride <NUM>, a list of actions completed during any previous visits to the amusement park ride <NUM>, and so forth. With this information, the ride controller <NUM> may provide an adaptive and age-appropriate experience to each passenger <NUM>. Additionally, for certain cases in which the passengers <NUM> previously completed actions within the amusement park ride <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> enables the passengers <NUM> to continue from a previous or saved point within the game area <NUM>, such as a previously unlocked portion of the game area <NUM>.

The ride controller <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment includes a processor <NUM> to provide instructions through the communication circuitry <NUM> to the ride vehicles <NUM>, as well as a memory <NUM> (e.g., one or more memories) to store the gameplay rules <NUM>, the operational rules <NUM>, and the user profile database <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that any components can be suitably stored in and updated from any suitable location, such as within a cloud database, within the ride vehicle controllers <NUM>, and so forth. The processor <NUM> is any suitable processor that can execute instructions for carrying out the presently disclosed techniques, such as a general-purpose processor, system-on-chip (SoC) device, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or some other similar processor configuration. In some embodiments, these instructions are encoded in programs or code stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, such as the memory <NUM> and/or other storage circuitry or device.

Moreover, the ride controller <NUM> of the present embodiment is communicatively coupled to a monitoring system <NUM> of the ride control system <NUM> that provides data related to the state of each ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, the state of each ride vehicle <NUM> is defined in some embodiments as a position, orientation, speed, battery charge, weight, and/or any other suitable parameters of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Moreover, the monitoring system <NUM> of certain embodiments also monitors positions, orientations, and/or actions of the passengers <NUM> within the ride vehicles <NUM>, such that feedback can be provided to the passengers <NUM> to reduce prohibited or undesirable user interactions (e.g., attempts to exit the ride vehicle <NUM>). The monitoring system <NUM> therefore includes sensors <NUM> to collect suitable information related to the state of each ride vehicle <NUM> and/or the passengers <NUM> therein. The sensors <NUM> of certain embodiments include motion trackers, visual cameras, infrared (IR) cameras, radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors, pressure mats, light curtains, and/or other suitable sensors for monitoring the ride vehicles <NUM> and the passengers <NUM> of the amusement park ride <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sensors <NUM> also monitor other portions of the amusement park ride <NUM> (e.g., doors, robots, game area <NUM>). The sensors <NUM> of some embodiments are disposed within the game area <NUM>, such as in a ceiling or side wall of the game area <NUM>, although the monitoring system <NUM> and the sensors <NUM> thereof may be disposed in any suitable location in other embodiments.

With the above understanding of the ride controller <NUM> and monitoring system <NUM>, further details are discussed below regarding the ride vehicles <NUM>. For clarity, the following features of the ride vehicles <NUM> are illustrated with reference to one ride vehicle <NUM>, although it is to be understood that the other or additional free-roaming ride vehicles <NUM> of the amusement park ride <NUM> may include similar or different sets of features. The ride vehicle <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment includes a main body <NUM> to house the passengers <NUM> and a motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> selectively drives wheels <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> based on control signals (e.g., communication signals, electric signals) provided from a power source <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or a processor <NUM> (e.g., microprocessor) of the ride vehicle controller <NUM>. The ride vehicle controller <NUM> also includes a memory <NUM> for storing any suitable information or instructions to be performed by the processor <NUM>. Moreover, the power source <NUM> may be any suitable high density battery pack, in certain embodiments. The illustrated embodiment of the ride vehicle <NUM> includes a bumper <NUM> surrounding a perimeter of the main body <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to reduce physical contact of the main body <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> with other objects within the game area <NUM>. In other embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> excludes the bumper <NUM> and/or includes any other suitable physically protective components.

To enable more efficient visualization and tracking by the monitoring system <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> includes visual indicators <NUM> and IR devices <NUM> coupled to a front surface <NUM> or portion of the bumper <NUM>. The visual indicators <NUM> are any suitable fiducial markers that the sensors <NUM> of the monitoring system <NUM> are capable of using as a point of reference for determining information regarding the state (e.g., position, location, orientation) of the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, in the present embodiment, a first visual indicator 62A (e.g., light source or reflector) having a first visual appearance is disposed on a first portion <NUM> of the bumper <NUM>, a second visual indicator 62B having a second visual appearance is disposed on a second portion <NUM> or central portion of the bumper <NUM>, and a third visual indicator 62C having a third visual appearance is disposed on a third portion <NUM> of the bumper <NUM>. Moreover, the IR devices <NUM>, including IR emitters and/or IR reflectors, are disposed on the bumper <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment of the ride vehicle <NUM> to selectively emit respective IR signals that enable the monitoring system <NUM> to identify the state of the ride vehicle <NUM>. In other embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> includes any other suitable combination of identification features to enable tracking by the monitoring system <NUM>.

Further, looking to additional components that enhance passenger <NUM> experience within the amusement park ride <NUM>, for the present embodiment, the ride vehicle <NUM> includes an input device <NUM> for each passenger <NUM>, through which the passengers <NUM> may request to perform actions with the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or with interactive features of the game area <NUM>. Although illustrated as a steering wheel, it is to be understood that the input device <NUM> may additionally or alternatively include any other suitable input device or combination of devices, such as a joystick, a clutch, a gearshift, a gas pedal, a brake pedal, a hand brake, a series of buttons or switches, and so forth. The illustrated embodiment of the ride vehicle <NUM> also includes a display device <NUM> (e.g., a touch display device) to display information to and receive user input from the passengers <NUM>. For embodiments of the amusement park ride <NUM> in which the ride vehicle <NUM> includes two passengers <NUM>, the ride vehicle controller <NUM> may receive input from both passengers <NUM> simultaneously and/or may distribute control of the ride vehicle <NUM> between the two passengers <NUM>. For example, one passenger <NUM> may be responsible for interacting with features of the game area <NUM>, and the other passenger <NUM> may be responsible for driving the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle controller <NUM> may update the respective control each passenger <NUM> has over the ride vehicle <NUM> based on a current time of the amusement park ride <NUM>, passenger <NUM> acquisition of an item or completing a task, and so forth.

As recognized herein, the ride control system <NUM> determines whether modeled actions are permitted or comply with both the gameplay rules <NUM> and the operational rules <NUM> before enabling performance of the requested actions. For example, the ride vehicle controller <NUM> receives the user input indicative of a requested action from the input device <NUM>, and transmits signals indicative of the requested action to the ride controller <NUM> via the communication circuitry <NUM> for validation. The monitoring system <NUM> of certain embodiments simultaneously provides data indicative of the state of the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or other portions of the amusement park ride <NUM> to the ride controller <NUM>. The ride controller <NUM> therefore models performance of the modeled action from the state of the ride vehicle <NUM> and determines whether a modeled state of the ride vehicle <NUM> resulting from modeled action would comply with the gameplay rules <NUM> and the operational rules <NUM>.

To provide feedback indicative of whether the modeled action is permitted, the ride vehicle <NUM> may include any suitable output devices, such as the display device <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, or a physical feedback device <NUM> (e.g., vibration device, haptic device, odor emitting device). The passengers <NUM> of the present embodiment may also be equipped with wearable visualization devices <NUM> that are communicatively coupled to the ride controller <NUM> and the ride vehicle controller <NUM>. The wearable visualization devices <NUM> render virtual objects within the game area <NUM> using augmented reality (AR), (and/or virtual reality (VR) in some embodiments) to further contribute to a theme or gameplay of the amusement park ride <NUM>, example embodiments of which are described below.

For example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a top-down view of an embodiment of the amusement park ride <NUM>, represented as a dark ride. As such, the game area <NUM> is generally confined within a building to control events and displays presented to passengers <NUM> during the amusement park ride <NUM>. One of the ride vehicles <NUM> discussed above is presently illustrated within the game area <NUM> as having the two passengers <NUM> that provide input via the input devices <NUM> to request performance of actions via the ride vehicle <NUM>. In the present top-down view of the amusement park ride <NUM>, the illustrated embodiment of the ride vehicle <NUM> includes a front, fourth visual indicator 62D and a back, fifth visual indicator 62E, each disposed on respective upper portions of the bumper <NUM> to facilitate monitoring aspects (e.g., orientation, speed, position) of the ride vehicle <NUM> by the sensors <NUM> of the monitoring system <NUM>. As discussed above, the ride vehicle <NUM> is a free-roaming ride vehicle from which the passengers <NUM> may request certain actions to influence the path of the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or a progression of events within the game area <NUM>.

The embodiment of the amusement park ride <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes various interactive features that cooperate to provide a multi-solution path through the game area <NUM>. As such, the passengers <NUM> of each ride vehicle <NUM> are able to select their own paths through (and corresponding solutions of) the amusement park ride <NUM>, contributing to user experience and independence within the amusement park ride <NUM>. As mentioned above, the allowed paths or combinations of actions through the game area <NUM> are defined by the gameplay rules <NUM> maintained by the ride controller <NUM>. In some embodiments, the amusement park ride <NUM> enables the passengers <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to complete game objectives that define an individualized game result, determined as one of multiple (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more) game results.

For the example embodiment of <FIG>, the illustrated interactive features of the game area <NUM> include a first interactive object <NUM> separated from a second interactive object <NUM> by an interactive boundary wall <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the interactive objects <NUM>, <NUM> are virtual objects that are displayed as disposed within the game area <NUM> by the wearable visualization devices <NUM> of each passenger <NUM>. The interactive boundary wall <NUM> of the present embodiment is a virtual effect manifested as a force field wall through which the ride vehicle <NUM> is selectively allowed to pass, based on adherence to the gameplay rules <NUM> and the operational rules <NUM>. In other embodiments, the interactive objects <NUM>, <NUM> may be presented within the physical space of the game area <NUM> by projectors or hologram generators, such that the monitoring system <NUM> informs the ride controller <NUM> when the ride vehicle <NUM> drives through or otherwise interacts with the interactive objects <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, the interactive objects <NUM>, <NUM> are physical devices communicatively coupled to the ride controller <NUM>, such as actuatable buttons that the passengers <NUM> may depress with or from the ride vehicle <NUM> or robots the passengers <NUM> may interact with.

The gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments may specify, for example, that the passengers <NUM> are to drive the ride vehicle <NUM> over the first interactive object <NUM> before access is granted to the second interactive object <NUM>. In cases in which the passengers <NUM> request to drive the ride vehicle <NUM> through the interactive boundary wall <NUM> without first driving over the first interactive object <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> models the requested action to determine a modeled state that the ride vehicle <NUM> is expected to be in after performance of the requested action. Because the modeled state does not comply with the gameplay rules <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> determines that the requested action is not permitted, and blocks the requested action. In certain embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> additionally instructs the ride vehicle controller <NUM> to perform a proximate action identified via modeling as similar to the requested action, such as stopping forward motion of the ride vehicle (e.g., deactivating gas pedal), adjusting an amount of force for manipulating the input device <NUM> (e.g., to encourage the passengers <NUM> to steer in a different direction, such as along an outer surface of the interactive boundary wall <NUM>), outputting an alert through an output device (e.g., the display device <NUM>, the speaker <NUM>, the physical feedback device <NUM>) to alert the passengers <NUM> of the blocked action, or any other suitable control action.

The illustrated game area <NUM> also includes an electronic display device <NUM> disposed adjacent to (e.g., within a threshold distance from) a physical wall <NUM>. The illustrated embodiment of the electronic display device <NUM> also includes the communication circuitry <NUM> to enable the ride controller <NUM> to provide control signals thereto; however, it is to be understood that any other suitable display system, such as a projector and a projector screen, may be used in addition or in alternative to the electronic display device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the interactive boundary wall <NUM> of certain embodiments may be combined with or overlaid onto the electronic display device <NUM> and the physical wall <NUM> so that contact between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the physical wall <NUM> is reduced or prevented. A robot <NUM> or animated figure, illustrated as a frog in the embodiment of <FIG>, is disposed in front of the physical wall <NUM> to emulate actions of a frog and/or otherwise interact with the passengers <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., based on control signals provided by the ride controller <NUM>). The robot <NUM> of other embodiments emulates any other suitable character or brings lifelike characteristics to an otherwise inanimate object.

Additionally, the game area <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment includes a first interactive station <NUM> or first gameplay station disposed in front of the electronic display device <NUM>. The game area <NUM> also includes a second interactive station <NUM> or second gameplay station, having a reward <NUM> therein and disposed in front of exits <NUM> from the game area <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments may include rooms, regions, or other areas that are physically or virtually confined from one another by any suitable features of the game area <NUM>, such as interactive boundary walls <NUM> or physical walls <NUM>. The presently illustrated exits <NUM> include a first exit 140A, a second exit 140B, a third exit 140C, and a fourth exit 140D in close proximity to one another, though it is to be understood that the game area <NUM> may include any suitable number of exits separated by any suitable distances.

By way of example, the gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments specify which exit <NUM> that the ride vehicle <NUM> is allowed to pass through based on an order and/or a quantity of actions completed within the game area <NUM>. For example, the gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments specify that the reward <NUM> in the second interactive station <NUM> is unlocked only after the ride vehicle <NUM> has visited the first interactive station <NUM> and/or been provided a presentation on the electronic display device <NUM>. The gameplay rules <NUM> of these embodiments may further specify that the ride vehicle <NUM> can interact with the robot <NUM> at any time during a duration of the amusement park ride <NUM>. Based on an order of the actions completed by the passengers <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> unlocks (e.g., deactivates a corresponding interactive boundary wall, instructs a physical door or gate to open) one or multiple of the exits <NUM>. The exits <NUM>, reward <NUM>, or any other suitable portions of the game area <NUM> are unlocked (e.g., corresponding interactive boundary walls <NUM> deactivated) in some embodiments based on both the past achievements (as stored within the user profile database <NUM>) and the present achievements (within the current instance of the amusement park ride <NUM>) of the passengers <NUM>.

Moreover, the ride controller <NUM> of certain embodiments adaptively updates the gameplay rules <NUM> based on conditions of the amusement park ride <NUM>. For example, if the first interactive station <NUM> is overcrowded (e.g., includes a threshold number of ride vehicles <NUM>), the ride controller <NUM> of certain embodiments updates the gameplay rules <NUM> to push alerts to the ride vehicles <NUM> regarding the availability of a quest or task available at an alternative station of the amusement park ride <NUM> or to direct (e.g., encourage) the passengers <NUM> to visit the alternative station. The ride control system <NUM> may therefore effectively control crowds within the amusement park ride <NUM> to improve passenger <NUM> experience within the game area <NUM> and/or passenger <NUM> through-put or bandwidth. Similarly, if a particular station or portion of the game area <NUM> is undergoing maintenance or repair, the gameplay rules <NUM> enforced by the ride controller <NUM> may be updated to block ride vehicles <NUM> from approaching the particular station. Moreover, if the particular station included a prerequisite action for subsequent stations, the gameplay rules <NUM> can be updated (e.g., in advance or on-the-fly) to substitute or remove the prerequisite action from the gameplay rules <NUM>. In some of these embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> senses when a station is in need of repair and automatically updates the gameplay rules <NUM> to direct ride vehicles <NUM> elsewhere by correcting dependencies between stations (e.g., via a topological sort algorithm).

The gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments are also updated or altered based on a current time period of the amusement park ride <NUM>. For example, the gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments specify that a first portion of the interactive stations within the game area <NUM> are accessible during a first time period and that a second portion of the interactive stations within the game area <NUM> are accessible during a later, second time period. Moreover, the gameplay rules <NUM> of certain embodiments specify that at the conclusion of the amusement park ride <NUM>, passenger <NUM> control of the ride vehicles <NUM> is wholly or partially overridden or denied so that the ride controller <NUM> provides control signals to autonomously direct the ride vehicles <NUM> to exit the game area <NUM>.

With reference to the above features of the game area <NUM> (e.g., interactive objects <NUM>, <NUM>, interactive boundary wall <NUM>, interactive station <NUM>, <NUM>) for discussion purposes, further information is provided herein with reference to operation of the ride control system <NUM> having the ride controller <NUM>. <FIG> is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process <NUM> for operating the ride control system <NUM> to provide a responsive user experience to the passengers <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> of the amusement park ride <NUM>. The illustrated embodiment of the process <NUM> begins with the ride controller <NUM> receiving (block <NUM>) sensor data indicative of a state of the ride vehicle <NUM>, such as from the monitoring system <NUM> discussed above. Indeed, the ride vehicle <NUM> is a free-roaming device movable between the interactive features discussed above with reference to <FIG>. The ride controller <NUM> additionally receives (block <NUM>) user input indicative of a requested action with the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or with interactive features of the game area <NUM>. For example, the passengers <NUM> of certain embodiments provide input to attempt to steer the ride vehicle <NUM> in a certain direction, at a certain speed, into a certain room, and so forth. In some embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> simultaneously receives the sensor data (from block <NUM>) and the user input (from block <NUM>).

Continuing through the illustrated embodiment of the process <NUM>, based on the user input and the state of the ride vehicle <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> models (block <NUM>) the requested action. That is, the ride controller <NUM> uses any suitable simulation or set of equations to determine a predicted state or modeled state of the ride vehicle <NUM> after performance (e.g., upon completion) of the requested action. In some embodiments, the predicted state of the ride vehicle <NUM> may include any suitable parameters representative of an aspect of the state of the ride vehicle <NUM>, such as a predicted position, a predicted speed, a predicted battery charge, a predicted gameplay event that would be completed, or any other suitable data.

After predicting the state of the ride vehicle <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> determines (block <NUM>) whether the model of the requested action, or the modeled action, complies with the operational rules <NUM> set for the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, as mentioned, the ride controller <NUM> maintains the set of operational rules <NUM> that describe permitted physical operation of the ride vehicle <NUM>, including the normal operating parameters thereof. The ride controller <NUM> compares the modeled action to the operational rules <NUM> to determine if the resulting predicted state of the ride vehicle <NUM> is in line with, corresponds to, or complies with the operational rules <NUM>. It is to be understood that any suitable actions, states, or combinations thereof may be compared to the operational rules <NUM> and the gameplay rules <NUM>.

In response to determining that the modeled action does not comply with the operational rules <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> of the ride control system <NUM> determines (block <NUM>) a proximate action that complies with the operational rules <NUM>. As noted above and described further herein, the proximate action may be selected as the closest action (relative to a logical space of potential actions) that is in line with the operational rules <NUM> and responsive to the intended result of the modeled action. For example, in some embodiments in which the passengers <NUM> request to turn the ride vehicle <NUM> to the left while adjacent to the physical wall <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> determines that the operational rules <NUM> specify that the ride vehicle <NUM> is not permitted to contact the physical wall <NUM>, and instead determines that the proximate action is to move the ride vehicle <NUM> forward.

The ride controller <NUM> following the process <NUM> therefore sets (block <NUM>) the proximate action as the modeled action. As such, the ride controller <NUM> can proceed to determine whether the modeled action complies with the gameplay rules <NUM> as well. In some embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> solicits passenger <NUM> approval of the proximate action before setting the proximate action as the modeled action. After determining the modeled action is in line with the operational rules <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> proceeds to determine (block <NUM>) whether the modeled action complies with the gameplay rules <NUM>. For example, based on the predicted, modeled state of the ride vehicle <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> determines whether performance of the modeled action would result in a predicted, modeled state of the ride vehicle <NUM> that complies with the gameplay rules <NUM>. In some embodiments, the modeled state is modeled from multi-dimensional logical space mapping including possible permutations of actions, such that prerequisite actions (as discussed above with reference to <FIG>) are performed before the ride vehicle <NUM> is permitted to perform subsequent actions. In response to determining the modeled action complies with the gameplay rules <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> proceeds directly to instruct (block <NUM>) the ride vehicle to perform the modeled action.

Alternatively, in response to determining the modeled action does not comply with the gameplay rules <NUM>, the ride controller <NUM> determines (block <NUM>) a proximate action that complies with the gameplay rules <NUM>. That is, the ride controller <NUM> of certain embodiments selects or identifies the proximate action as an adjacent point in the multi-dimensional logical space, which may be the closest, allowed action having a comparable outcome state, creative intent, or proximate modeled state that is responsive to the modeled action. The ride controller <NUM> can determine the proximate action as an action having a proximate modeled state that is within a threshold (e.g., distance within the multi-dimensional logical space) of the modeled state determined from the modeled action. As mentioned, the ride controller <NUM> sets (block <NUM>) the proximate action as the modeled action and instructs (block <NUM>) the ride vehicle <NUM> to perform the modeled action.

In other embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> performs the determinations of blocks <NUM> and <NUM> simultaneously. In some of these embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> prioritizes determination of whether the modeled action complies with the operational rules <NUM> before verifying that the modeled action complies with the gameplay rules <NUM> to ensure proper operation of the ride vehicle <NUM> in cases of limited processing power. For example, if the passengers <NUM> request that the ride vehicle <NUM> move at a speed outside of the normal operating parameters through the interactive boundary wall <NUM> (through which the gameplay rules <NUM> specify the ride vehicle <NUM> is not presently permitted to drive), the ride controller <NUM> may first limit the speed of the ride vehicle <NUM> before providing feedback or control signals in response to the attempted progression through the interactive boundary wall <NUM>. In other embodiments, the ride controller <NUM> may determine whether the modeled action complies with the gameplay rules <NUM> before determining whether the modeled action complies with the operational rules <NUM>, or block <NUM> may be omitted in embodiments in which the ride vehicles <NUM> are preprogrammed to operate within the operational rules <NUM> at all times.

As such, technical effects of the disclosed ride control system include improved, individualized passenger control of free-roaming ride vehicles that provide a more immersive and responsive experience to passengers, with reduced reliance on supervising human operators and reduced wear to the components of the amusement park ride. The ride control system further provides improved reliability and operation by improving crowd control and reducing effects of maintenance downtime. Indeed, by receiving passenger-requested inputs as requested actions and verifying the requested actions against both gameplay rules and operational rules, the presently disclosed ride control system generates a responsive gameplay environment in which the passengers may experience self-directed play-throughs within a multi-solution amusement park ride,.

While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It should be appreciated that any of the features illustrated or described with respect to the figures discussed above may be combined in any suitable manner.

Claim 1:
A ride control system (<NUM>) for controlling a free-roaming ride vehicle (<NUM>) of an amusement park ride (<NUM>), comprising:
a ride controller (<NUM>) having a memory (<NUM>) storing a plurality of operational rules (<NUM>) and a plurality of gameplay rules (<NUM>), wherein the ride controller (<NUM>) comprises a processor (<NUM>) configured to:
monitor the free-roaming ride vehicle (<NUM>) within a game area (<NUM>) of the amusement park ride (<NUM>);
receive a rider request to perform an action with the free-roaming ride vehicle (<NUM>);
determine, based on the monitoring, whether a performance of the action follows the plurality of operational rules (<NUM>);
in response to determining that the performance of the action follows the plurality of operational rules (<NUM>), determine, based on the monitoring,
whether the performance of the action follows the plurality of gameplay rules (<NUM>); and
in response to determining that the performance of the action does not follow the plurality of gameplay rules (<NUM>), determine a proximate action, and
provide a control signal indicative of the proximate action to the free-roaming ride vehicle (<NUM>).