Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for generating a vanishing illusion effect. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to generating the vanishing illusion by using a transition glass.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art.

An amusement or theme park generally includes a variety of entertainment systems or attractions that each provides a unique experience for guests of the amusement park. For example, the amusement park may include different attraction systems, such as a roller coaster, a drop tower, a log flume, and so forth. Some attraction systems may include an environment that may have several different features, such as animated figures and special effects, which help immerse guests in the experience of the attraction system. However, installation and configuration of the features may be difficult and/or the features may not satisfactorily provide the desired effect or experience for the guests. Therefore, improved features and techniques are useful to provide a desirable effect or experience for the guests.

<CIT> describes an apparatus for providing optical illusions comprising longitudinally aligned and identically but reversely furnished rooms, a sheet of transparent glass disposed between the rooms at right angles to the longitudinal axes thereof, and a system of lights in the rooms for alternately illuminating the rooms to utilize the reflective properties of the glass, at times, and to utilize the transparent properties of the glass at times.

It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure which is determined by the appended claims. Indeed, the present invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below but which are within the scope of the claims as appended.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for generating a vanishing illusion comprises a first room, a second room, wherein the second room mirrors the first room, and a wall separating the first room from the second room. The wall comprises a transition glass comprising a mirrored portion and a transparent portion and a frame through which the transition glass is configured to move. The system further comprises an actuator configured to move the transition glass with respect to the frame such that the mirrored portion is in alignment or out of alignment relative to the frame based on a trigger or a condition being met, such that, in use, depending on the position of the transition glass relative to the frame, a guest in the first room views a mirrored image of the first room or views the second room through the transparent portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for generating a vanishing illusion comprises: receiving, via a processor, an indication of a viewer disposed in a first room based at least in part on data acquired from one or more sensors, wherein the first room mirrors a second room, and is separated from the second room via a wall, wherein the wall comprises a frame through which a transition glass is configured to move, and wherein the transition glass comprises a mirrored portion and a transparent portion; receiving, via the processor, an indication of movement in the first room via the one or more sensors; and actuating, via the processor, the transition glass to move with respect to the frame such that the mirrored portion is out of alignment relative to the frame in response to identifying the motion signature, such that, in use, depending on the position of the transition glass relative to the frame, a guest in the first room views a mirrored image of the first room or views the second room through the transparent portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a theme park attraction system for generating a vanishing illusion, comprises a first ride vehicle, a second ride vehicle, wherein the second ride vehicle mirrors the first ride vehicle, and a transition glass that separates the first ride vehicle from the second ride vehicle over at least a portion of a ride path, wherein the transition glass comprises a mirrored portion and a transparent portion. The theme park attraction system further comprises one or more motors configured to move the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle from a first position in alignment relative to the mirrored portion to a second position in alignment relative to the transparent portion, such that, in use, depending on the position of the first ride vehicle relative to the transition glass, a guest in the first ride vehicle views a mirrored image of the first vehicle or views the second ride vehicle through the transparent portion.

An amusement park may include an illusion system that generates a vanishing special effect to provide a guest experience at an amusement park attraction. Indeed, combinations of certain hardware configurations (e.g., circuitry), software configurations (e.g., algorithmic structures and/or modeled responses), as well as certain attraction features may be utilized to provide guests with a vanishing special effect.

The vanishing special effect may entail the guest appearing to disappear or turn invisible. Such an illusion may be achieved without altering lighting systems or using 3D glasses, additional media, and so forth. An illusion system may generate the vanishing special effect via movement of a transition glass. In some embodiments, an amusement park attraction or ride may include two rooms (e.g., a first room and a second room) that at least partially mirror each other and are divided by a wall. For example, the second room may completely mirror (e.g., be a true or accurate reflection) of the first room. "Completely mirror" or "true reflection", as used herein, may refer to when each object in the first room corresponds to or aligns with each object in the second room. In alternative embodiments, the second room may partially mirror (e.g., be a partial reflection of) the first room. "Partially mirror" or "partial reflection" may refer to when most objects in the first room correspond to or align with most objects in the second room, while there may be one or more objects in the second room that do not perfectly correspond to or align with any objects in the first room (or vice versa). One or more guests may have access to enter the first room but may not have access to the second room. In fact, the one or more guests may be unaware of the presence of the second room. Further, the wall, which separates the two rooms, may include a frame that the transition glass may move with respect to. The transition glass may be actuatable within the frame and may include a mirrored portion, a fading portion, and a transparent portion. In response to receiving data associated with one or more of motion, light, or sound, a controller may instruct an actuator to move the transition glass with respect to the frame. Based on the data acquired by one or more sensors, the controller may identify the presence of one or more guests in the first room. The one or more guests may be sitting, standing, or generally located in the first room. Detecting motion data (e.g., correlating with a predefined motion signature) associated with the one or more guests (e.g., waving of a wand) may prompt the controller to instruct the actuator to move the transition glass with respect to the frame.

By way of example, when the one or more guests enter the first room, the mirrored portion of the transition glass may be in alignment relative to the frame. As a result, the one or more guests may see a mirrored image of the first room, or in other words, a reflection of themselves and the first room. When the controller receives motion data (e.g., a motion signature) or other triggering inputs from the one or more sensors, the controller may instruct the actuator to move the transition glass such that the fading portion of the transition glass is in alignment relative to the frame. As a result, the one or more guests may see a combination of a portion of the mirrored image of the first room and a portion of the second room via the transition glass. The fading portion may be made of a combination of thin strips of mirror and thick strips of glass. The strips may be triangular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. The fading portion serves as a transition from a reflection of the one or more guests in the first room to a vanishing appearance of the one or more guests in the first room. The controller may instruct the actuator to continue moving the transition glass such that the transparent portion of the transition glass is in alignment relative to the frame, making it appear as if the one or more guests have vanished. That is, because the second room behind the wall mirrors the first room, it may be appear that the first room is empty, and the one or more guests have vanished. In reality, the one or more guests are viewing the second room, which mirrors the first room, via the transparent portion of the transition glass. In sum, movement of the transition glass may create an illusion of the one or more guests vanishing.

In another embodiment, the vanishing special effect may be achieved via movement of one or more ride vehicles. For example, an amusement park attraction or ride may include two ride vehicles that mirror each other. The ride vehicles and their respective tracks may be separated via a transition glass. In one embodiment, the transition glass may be stationary, and the one or more guests may be seated in a first ride vehicle but may be unaware of the presence of the second ride vehicle. The transition glass may include a mirrored portion, a fading portion, and a transparent portion. When the first ride vehicle, in which the one or more guests are seated, is in alignment with the mirrored portion, the guest may see a mirrored image of the first ride vehicle. As the first ride vehicle moves along its respective track, the second ride vehicle behind the wall moves together with the first ride vehicle. When both ride vehicles are in alignment with the fading portion, the one or more guests may see a combination of the mirrored image of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle.

As mentioned above, the fading portion may be made of a combination of thin strips of mirror and thick strips glass. The strips may be triangular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. The fading portion serves as a fading or gradual transition from a reflection of the one or more guests in the first ride vehicle to a vanishing appearance of the one or more guests in the first ride vehicle. When both ride vehicles are in alignment relative to the transparent portion, the one or more guests may appear to have vanished. That is, the second ride vehicle behind the transition glass mirrors the first ride vehicle so that it may appear as if the first ride vehicle is empty when the one or more guests view the second ride vehicle through the transparent portion of the transition glass. In this process, the one or more guests in the first ride vehicle may appear to have disappeared. In sum, movement of both ride vehicles with respect to the transition glass may create an illusion of the one or more guests vanishing.

Turning to the figures, <FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an illusion system <NUM> that generates a vanishing special effect via an actuatable transition glass <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the system <NUM> may include the transition glass <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and one or more sensors <NUM>. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors <NUM> may be disposed in a wall <NUM>, a first room, or both. The wall <NUM> may serve as a physical divider between the first room and a second room that mirrors the first room. As mentioned above, one or more guests may have access to enter the first room but not the second room. In some embodiments, the one or more guests, who may be disposed in the first room, may be unaware of the presence of the second room behind the wall <NUM>. The wall <NUM> may include a frame attached to the transition glass <NUM>. The transition glass <NUM> may be actuatable (e.g., movable via one or more actuators <NUM>) and may include a mirrored portion, a fading portion, and a transparent portion. In an embodiment, each portion of the transition glass <NUM> (the mirrored portion, the fading portion, and/or the transparent portion) may have similar dimensions (e.g., length and width) as the frame. That is, each of the mirrored portion, the fading portion, and/or the transparent portion may fill the frame without another of the portions being in the frame. The transition glass <NUM> may move relative to the frame. Movement of the transition glass <NUM> may be controlled by an actuator <NUM> attached to the transition glass <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may be any suitable type and number of actuators for providing motion, including, but not limited to, an electrical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, or any combination thereof. Based on instructions from the controller <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> may regulate the movement of the transition glass <NUM>. In some embodiments, the actuator <NUM> represents a set of multiple actuators that connect to the transition glass <NUM> and provide motion of the transition glass <NUM>. Such motion of the transition glass <NUM> may include linear movements, such as heave and surge.

In certain embodiments, the actuator <NUM> and the one or more sensors <NUM> are communicatively coupled to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may execute hardware and/or software control algorithms to regulate movement of the transition glass <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) or other suitable control device. According to some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may include an analog to digital (A/D) converter, one or more microprocessors or general or special purpose computers, a non-volatile memory, memory circuits, and/or an interface board. For example, the controller <NUM> may include memory circuitry for storing programs, control routines, and/or algorithms implemented for control of the various system components, such as speed of moving the transition glass <NUM>. The controller <NUM> also includes, or is associated with, input/output circuitry for receiving sensed signals from the one or more sensors <NUM>, and interface circuitry for outputting control signals. Memory circuitry may store set points, actual values, historic values, and so forth, for any or all such parameters. Any other suitable devices may be included in the illusion system <NUM>, such as additional transducers or switches that sense motion, light, sound, and so forth in the first room. Further, other values and/or set points may be used to determine when and how to operate the movement of the transition glass <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine the distance the transition glass <NUM> may move, the direction (e.g., left, right) in which the transition glass <NUM> may move, and/or the frequency (e.g., regular or irregular time intervals) at which the transition glass <NUM> may move. The controller <NUM> also may include components for operator interaction with the systems, such as display panels and/or input/output devices for checking operating parameters, inputting control signals representative of set points and desired operating parameters, checking error logs and historical operations, and so forth. The controller <NUM> may receive data from the one or more sensors <NUM> and/or control the actuator <NUM>, which in turn controls the movement of the transition glass <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may include a processor(s) <NUM> (e.g., a microprocessor(s)) that may execute software programs to control the illusion system <NUM>. Moreover, the processor <NUM> may include multiple microprocessors, one or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more system-on-chip (SoC) devices, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or one or more reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processors. The controller <NUM> may include a memory device <NUM> that may store executable instructions and/or information such as control software, look up tables, configuration data, etc..

The memory device <NUM> may include a tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium, such as a volatile memory (e.g., a random access memory (RAM)) and/or a nonvolatile memory (e.g., a read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, a hard drive, and/or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium). The memory device <NUM> may store a variety of information that may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device <NUM> may store machine-readable and/or processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor <NUM> to execute. In particular, the memory device <NUM> may store instructions that cause the processor <NUM> to regulate movement of the transition glass <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include any of various sensor types useful in detecting the presence of one or more guests, location of the one or more guests, and/or motion data indicative of the performance of certain motions (e.g., correlating with predefined motion signatures) to the controller <NUM>. As such, the one or more sensors <NUM> may detect changes in motion, light, sound, and so forth in the first room. For example, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include any number of location sensors, motion sensors, proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, photoelectric sensors, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensors, sound sensors, and/or cameras. Additionally, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include pressure sensors, such as piezoelectric pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, optical pressure sensors, and so on, included on the wall <NUM> and/or the first room.

Based on the data acquired from the one or more sensors <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines when and/or how to move the transition glass <NUM>. Movement of the transition glass <NUM> may cause the vanishing special effect, in which the one or more guests appear to disappear or turn invisible. With the preceding in mind, <FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of the illusion system <NUM> of <FIG>, generating the vanishing special effect with a mirrored portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system <NUM> may include a first room <NUM> and a second room <NUM>. As viewed from the perspective of the first room, the second room <NUM> completely mirrors (e.g., is a mirror image duplicate) of the first room <NUM> including the actual or perceived dimensions, layout, and so forth, of the first room <NUM>. For instance, each object in the first room <NUM> aligns with a corresponding object in the second room <NUM>. In some embodiments, an object in the first room <NUM> may be aligned along a line normal to the transition glass or angled in the same direction as that of a corresponding object in the second room <NUM>. The object in the first room <NUM> may be spaced the same distance away from the transition glass <NUM> as a corresponding object in the second room <NUM> is spaced away from the transition glass <NUM>. For example, a plant <NUM> may be disposed in the first room <NUM>. The plant <NUM> corresponds to a plant <NUM> disposed in the second room <NUM>. The plant <NUM> and its corresponding plant <NUM> correlate in size, shape, color, alignment with respect to the transition glass <NUM>, distance away from the transition glass <NUM>, and so forth. Similarly, a bookshelf <NUM> may be disposed in the first room <NUM>. A bookshelf <NUM> disposed in the second room <NUM> may correspond to the bookshelf <NUM>, such that both the bookshelves <NUM> and <NUM> correlate in terms of size, shape, color, alignment with respect to the transition glass <NUM>, distance away from the transition glass <NUM>, and so forth.

In additional or alternative embodiments, the second room <NUM> may partially mirror (e.g., be a partial mirror image duplicate of) the first room <NUM>, such that the second room <NUM> may include objects that do not correspond or align with any object in the first room <NUM>, or vice versa. For example, the second room <NUM> may include additional or altered objects relative to the first room (e.g., footprints in or on a floor covering) that may not correspond to the objects as they appear in the first room <NUM>. Alternatively, the second room <NUM> may include additional objects that do not align or correspond with any object in the first room <NUM> and that may leverage the apparent disappearance of the guest <NUM>. For instance, unlike the first room <NUM>, the second room <NUM> may include footprints in a corresponding area on which the "vanished" guest is presumably standing. Thus, from the perspective of the guest <NUM>, when the transparent portion <NUM> is in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, it may appear as if his or her body has vanished but his or her footprints are left behind in the first room <NUM>. In reality, the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM> enables the guest <NUM> to see footprints disposed in the second room <NUM>.

A guest <NUM> may have access to enter the first room <NUM>, but the guest <NUM> may not have access to enter the second room <NUM>. In some embodiments, the guest <NUM> may represent multiple guests, who may be disposed in the first room <NUM>. The wall <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> that moves with respect to the transition glass <NUM>. The transition glass <NUM> may be actuatable and may include a mirrored portion <NUM>, a fading portion <NUM>, and a transparent portion <NUM>. In an embodiment, each portion of the transition glass <NUM> (the mirrored portion <NUM>, the fading portion <NUM>, and the transparent portion <NUM>) may have similar dimensions (e.g., length and width) as the frame <NUM>. The transition glass <NUM> may move left or right along the wall <NUM> and relative to the frame <NUM> via the actuator <NUM>.

When the guest <NUM> enters the first room <NUM>, the mirrored portion <NUM> may be in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>. In other words, the mirrored portion <NUM> may fill the frame <NUM> while the fading portion <NUM> and the transparent portion <NUM> may not be in the frame <NUM>. Because the first room <NUM> may be separated from the second room <NUM> via the wall <NUM>, the guest <NUM> may be unaware of the presence of the second room <NUM> when the mirrored portion <NUM> fills the frame <NUM>. The mirrored portion <NUM> may include a rectangular mirror, a collection of mirrored strips of suitable size and shape, and so forth. When the mirrored portion <NUM> is in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, the guest <NUM> may see a mirrored image of the first room <NUM>. In other words, the guest <NUM> may see a reflection <NUM> of him or herself and a reflection of the first room <NUM>.

After the guest <NUM> has entered the first room <NUM> (<FIG>), the controller <NUM> may receive data indicative of the presence of the guest <NUM> from the one or more sensors <NUM> (<FIG>). Non-limiting examples of the data that may be indicative of the presence of the guest <NUM> and/or may prompt the controller <NUM> to move the transition glass <NUM>, may include motion data, image data, sound data, pressure data, and/or displacement data. In some instances, the one or more sensors <NUM> include a camera, which acquires image data of the first room <NUM>. The one or more sensors <NUM> may include a motion sensor that captures movement associated with the guest <NUM> in the first room. Furthermore, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include a proximity sensor or an ultrasonic sensor that may measure the distance of the guest <NUM> relative to the transition glass <NUM>. The one or more sensors may include a sound sensor that captures noise associated with the guest <NUM>. The one or more sensors may also include a piezoelectric sensor that captures pressure associated with the guest <NUM>. In some embodiments, receiving data indicative of the presence of the guest <NUM> may be an optional step and may not be performed. For example, the vanishing effect may be performed at fixed time intervals based on a known rate. In another example, the vanishing effect may be performed based on the known or presumed rate of passage of the guests through an attraction.

Various factors may trigger the controller <NUM> to instruct the actuator <NUM> to move the transition glass <NUM>. For instance, movement or motion data (e.g., a motion signature, such as the guest <NUM> waving a wand), sound data (e.g., the guest <NUM> reciting a phrase), pressure data (e.g., the guest <NUM> touching the mirrored portion <NUM>), and/or displacement data (e.g., the guest <NUM> being less than a threshold distance, such as <NUM> inches or any other suitable threshold distance, from the transition glass <NUM>) may prompt the controller <NUM> to activate movement of the transition glass <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, analyzing image data (e.g., the guest <NUM> facing the mirrored portion <NUM>) may cause the controller <NUM> to initiate movement of the transition glass <NUM>. Additionally, the rate and time intervals at which the transition glass <NUM> moves may be regular or irregular (e.g., varied or otherwise not constant).

Based on the data received from the one or more sensors <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may instruct the actuator <NUM> to move the mirrored portion <NUM> out of alignment relative to the frame <NUM> and the transparent portion <NUM> into alignment relative to the frame <NUM>. In some embodiments, during the process of moving the mirrored portion <NUM> out of alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, the fading portion <NUM> may at least partially fill the frame <NUM> during the transition to displaying the transparent portion <NUM>. That is, the fading portion <NUM> may partially or completely fill the space of the frame <NUM>. The fading portion <NUM> may include a combination of mirrored parts and transparent parts. The transparent part may be made of glass, plexiglass, acrylic, plastic, or any other material that enables the guest to see the second room though it.

In some embodiments, the fading portion <NUM> may have a gradient that includes more mirrored parts and less transparent parts closer to the mirrored portion <NUM>, and less mirrored parts and more transparent parts closer to the transparent portion <NUM>. That is, a region of the fading portion <NUM> may have a greater reflectivity closer to the mirror portion <NUM> compared to a region of the fading portion <NUM> that is farther away from the mirrored portion <NUM>. Thus, the fading portion <NUM> may provide a gradual increase in reflectivity toward the mirrored portion <NUM>, while providing a gradual decrease in transparency. On the other hand, a region of the fading portion <NUM> that is closer to transparent portion <NUM> may have a greater transparency than a region of the fading portion <NUM> that is farther away from the transparent portion <NUM>. Thus, the fading portion <NUM> may provide a gradual increase in transparency toward the transparent portion <NUM>, but a gradual decrease in reflectivity.

In certain embodiments, the fading portion <NUM> may include alternating strips of mirror with strips of glass. The strips may be triangular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. In alternative or additional embodiments, the fading portion <NUM> may include other suitable forms or materials (e.g., frosted glass) to cause an effect indicating that the vanishing effect is occurring. As a result, the guest <NUM> may see a combination of a portion of the mirrored image of the first room <NUM> and a portion of the second room <NUM> via the transition glass <NUM>. The fading portion <NUM> serves as a fading or gradual transition from a reflection of the guest <NUM> in the first room <NUM> to a vanishing appearance of the guest <NUM> in the first room <NUM>. Because the guest <NUM> may be unaware of the presence of the second room <NUM> and the mobility of the transition glass <NUM>, the vanishing special effect or illusion may be particularly effective. From the perspective of the guest <NUM>, when the fading portion <NUM> is in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, it may appear as if he or she is disappearing from the first room <NUM>. In reality, through the transparent part of the fading portion <NUM>, the guest <NUM> may see a portion of the second room <NUM>, which may be a mirror of the first room <NUM>, but without the presence of the guest <NUM>. Further, through the mirrored part of the fading portion <NUM>, the guest <NUM> may see a portion of his or her reflection in the first room <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the transition glass <NUM> may not include the fading portion <NUM>. As a result, when the controller <NUM> instructs the actuator <NUM> to move the mirrored portion <NUM> out of alignment relative to the frame and move the transparent portion <NUM> into alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, the transparent potion <NUM> directly comes into alignment with the frame <NUM>. Thus, the fading or gradual transition between the mirrored portion <NUM> and the transparent portion <NUM> may not exist. Further, the fading or gradual transition from a reflection of the guest <NUM> in the first room <NUM> to a vanishing appearance of the guest <NUM> in the first room <NUM> may not be present.

When the transparent portion <NUM> is in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, it may appear as if the guest <NUM> has vanished or become invisible. In other words, the transparent portion <NUM> may fill the frame <NUM> while the fading portion <NUM> and the mirrored portion <NUM> may not be in the frame <NUM>. As such, <FIG> depicts a schematic diagram of the illusion system <NUM> generating the vanishing special effect with the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller <NUM> may instruct the actuator <NUM> to move the transition glass <NUM> such that the transparent portion <NUM> may be in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>. The fading or gradual transition from the mirrored portion <NUM> to the transparent portion <NUM> may take less than <NUM> seconds, such as <NUM> second, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> minute, or any other suitable time period. The transparent portion <NUM> may include a rectangular glass, a collection of glass strips of suitable size and shape, and so forth. When the transparent portion <NUM> is in alignment with the frame <NUM>, the guest <NUM> may see the second room <NUM> through the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>. Because the second room <NUM> behind the wall <NUM> mirrors the first room <NUM>, it may appear as though the first room <NUM> is empty and the guest <NUM> has vanished. Movement of the transition glass <NUM> from the mirrored portion <NUM> to the transparent portion <NUM> causes the vanishing special effect.

In additional or alternative embodiments, the illusion system <NUM> may generate a reappearing special effect (e.g., causing the guest <NUM> to reappear). By way of example, when the guest <NUM> enters the first room <NUM>, the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM> may be in alignment relative to the frame <NUM> such that the guest <NUM> appears to be absent from the first room <NUM>. That is, because the second room <NUM> behind the wall mirrors the first room <NUM>, it may be appear that the first room <NUM> is empty, and the guest <NUM> is not present. In reality, the guest <NUM> is viewing the second room <NUM>, which completely or partially corresponds to the first room, via the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>. When the mirrored portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM> is in alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, the guest <NUM> may see a mirrored image of the first room <NUM>, or in other words, a reflection <NUM> of him or herself and the first room <NUM>. From the perspective of the guest <NUM>, it may seem as if the guest <NUM> has reappeared. In some embodiments, during the process of moving the transparent portion <NUM> out of alignment relative to the frame <NUM>, the fading portion <NUM> may at least partially fill the frame <NUM> during the transition to displaying the mirrored portion <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, a flowchart of a process <NUM> that generates the vanishing special effect via the transition glass <NUM> is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process <NUM> may be performed by any suitable system that may receive sensor data from the one or more sensors <NUM> and instruct the actuator <NUM> to move the transition glass <NUM>, such as any component of the illusion system <NUM>, including the controller <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM>. While the process <NUM> is described using steps in a specific sequence, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that the described steps may be performed in different sequences than the sequence illustrated, and certain described steps may be skipped or not performed altogether. In some embodiments, the process <NUM> may be implemented by executing instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, such as the memory device <NUM>, using a processor, such as the processor <NUM>.

As indicated above, the transition glass <NUM> may be actuatable, such that its linear movements may be regulated by the actuator <NUM> based on instructions from the controller <NUM>. At block <NUM>, after the guest <NUM> has entered the first room <NUM>, the controller <NUM> receives data indicative of the presence of the guest <NUM> from the one or more sensors <NUM>. As mentioned above, non-limiting examples of the data that may be indicative of the presence of the guest <NUM> include motion data, image data, sound data, pressure data and displacement data. In some instances, the one or more sensors <NUM> include a camera, which acquires image data of the first room <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include a motion sensor that captures movement associated with the guest <NUM> in the first room. Furthermore, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include a proximity sensor or an ultrasonic sensor that may measure the distance of the guest <NUM> relative to the transition glass <NUM>. The one or more sensors may include a sound sensor that captures noise associated with the guest <NUM>. The one or more sensors may also include a piezoelectric sensor that captures pressure associated with the guest <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the controller <NUM> detects motion or receives an indication of movement associated with the guest <NUM>. In some embodiments, the detected motion may be provided by the indication received in block <NUM>. That is, the detected motion may be acquired by analyzing the data received from the one or more sensors <NUM>. With respect to the process <NUM>, certain motion data (e.g., a motion signature) may prompt the controller <NUM> to move the transition glass <NUM>. For instance, if the controller <NUM> determines motion associated with the guest <NUM> (e.g., the guest <NUM> waving a wand in a certain pattern, such as a "<FIG>" pattern or a zigzag pattern) correlates with a certain predefined motion signature (block <NUM>), then the controller <NUM> instructs the actuator <NUM> to move the transition glass <NUM> (block <NUM>). In some embodiments, the predefined motion signature (or multiple predefined motion signatures) may be stored in a memory or storage device, such as the memory device <NUM>. However, if the controller <NUM> does not detect the motion signature, then the controller <NUM> may repeat the process <NUM> to detect another motion from the guest <NUM> in the first room <NUM>. In response to detecting the motion signature, the controller <NUM> may cause the transition glass to move such that the fading portion <NUM> or the transparent portion <NUM> is in alignment relative to the wall <NUM>. This movement creates a vanishing effect, in which the guest appears to disappear. In reality, the guest <NUM> sees the second room <NUM> through the transparent portion <NUM> or a part of the second room <NUM> through the fading portion <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the controller <NUM> may move the transition glass <NUM> based on acquiring data associated with whether the guest <NUM> is facing the transition glass <NUM> and/or whether the guest <NUM> is within a threshold distance from the transition glass <NUM> (e.g., without evaluating whether a motion of the guest <NUM> correlates with a motion signature, thus skipping at least block <NUM> of the process <NUM>). As mentioned above, such data may be acquired from the one or more sensors <NUM>, which may include a camera and a proximity sensor. Image data of the first room <NUM> may be acquired via the camera to determine whether the guest <NUM> is facing the transition glass <NUM>. Data associated with distance away from the transition glass <NUM> may be acquired via the proximity sensor to determine whether the guest <NUM> is within a threshold distance from the transition glass <NUM>.

In a further embodiment, the vanishing special effect may be achieved via movement of a first ride vehicle <NUM> and a second ride vehicle <NUM> relative to a transition glass. <FIG> is a block diagram of an illusion system <NUM> that generates a vanishing special effect via the transition glass (e.g., a stationary transition glass), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the illusion system <NUM> may include a first ride vehicle <NUM>, a second ride vehicle <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and one or more sensors <NUM>. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors <NUM> may be disposed about the first ride vehicle and/or its respective track. The second ride vehicle <NUM> may mirror the first ride vehicle <NUM>, such that both ride vehicles may match or correlate with one another in size, shape, dimension, color, appearance, and so forth. The first ride vehicle <NUM> may be separated from the second ride vehicle via the transition glass <NUM>. The transition glass serves as a physical divider between the two ride vehicles. The one or more guests may be seated in the first ride vehicle <NUM> and may be unaware of the presence of the second ride vehicle behind the transition glass. Further, the transition glass may include a mirrored portion, a fading portion, and a transparent portion.

In certain embodiments, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may move together with one another (e.g., simultaneously) relative to the transition glass <NUM>. Movement of the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may be controlled by their respective motors (motor <NUM> and motor <NUM>). The motors <NUM> and <NUM> may be any suitable type of motors for providing motion, including, but not limited to, electrical and/or mechanical motors. Based on instructions from the controller <NUM>, the motors <NUM> and <NUM> may regulate the movement of the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. In some embodiments, each motor <NUM> and <NUM> represents a set of multiple motors that connect to and drive its respective ride vehicle (e.g., along tracks, rails, preplanned routes).

In certain embodiments, the motors <NUM> and <NUM> and the one or more sensors <NUM> are communicatively coupled to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may operate similar to and have the same components as the controller <NUM> of <FIG>, though the controller <NUM> may specifically receive data from the one or more sensors <NUM> and control the motors <NUM> and <NUM>, which in turn control the movement of the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may include a processor(s) <NUM> and a memory device <NUM>, which may operate similarly to the processor <NUM> and the memory device <NUM> of <FIG>, respectively. In particular, the memory device <NUM> may store instructions that cause the processor <NUM> to control the movement of the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may be operated automatically based on determining the presence of the one or more guests seated in the first ride vehicle <NUM> by the controller <NUM>. Indication of the presence of the one or more guests in the first ride vehicle <NUM> may be determined based on data acquired from the one or more sensors <NUM>. The one or more sensors <NUM> may be any of various sensor types useful in providing various operational data to the controller <NUM>. For example, the one or more sensors <NUM> may detect changes in mass, motion, light, sound and so forth in the first ride vehicle <NUM>. Such data acquired by the one or more sensors may be indicative of the presence of the one or more guests in the first ride vehicle <NUM>. The one or more sensors <NUM> may include any number or type of sensors, including location sensor, motion sensor, proximity sensor, ultrasonic sensor, photoelectric sensor, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, sound sensor, and/or a camera. Additionally, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include pressure sensors such as piezoelectric pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, optical pressure sensors, and so on, included on the first ride vehicle <NUM> and/or its respective track.

Based on the data acquired from the one or more sensors <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines when and/or how to move the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>. Movement of the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> along the transition glass <NUM> may enable the vanishing special effect, in which the one or more guests appear to disappear or turn invisible. With the preceding in mind, <FIG> illustrates a schematic of the illusion system <NUM> of <FIG> generating the vanishing special effect with a mirrored portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system <NUM> may include the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>. As mentioned previously, the second ride vehicle <NUM> mirrors the first ride vehicle <NUM>, or in other words, the shape, size and so forth associated with the first ride vehicle <NUM> correlates with that of the second ride vehicle <NUM>.

The first ride vehicle <NUM> may move along a track <NUM> while the second ride vehicle <NUM> may move along a track <NUM>. The tracks <NUM> and <NUM> may correspond or align with each other such that the movement of the second ride vehicle <NUM> mirrors the movement of the first ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tracks <NUM> and <NUM> may be rails, and the first and second ride vehicle <NUM>, <NUM> may be suspended by their respective rails. In additional or alternative embodiments, the second ride vehicle <NUM> and its track <NUM> may be aligned with the first ride vehicle <NUM> and its track <NUM> along a line normal to the transition glass <NUM>. In other embodiments, the second ride vehicle <NUM> and its track <NUM> may be spaced the same distance away from the transition glass <NUM> as the first ride vehicle <NUM> and its track <NUM> spaced away from the transition glass <NUM>. In some embodiments, there may be no tracks. Instead, the controller <NUM> may control the pathing of the second ride vehicle <NUM> to mirror or correlate with the pathing of the first ride vehicle <NUM>.

Guests <NUM> and <NUM> may be seated in their respective seats (seat <NUM> and seat <NUM>) in the first ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may each carry a single guest. Because the first ride vehicle <NUM> may be separated from the second ride vehicle <NUM> via the transition glass <NUM>, the second ride vehicle <NUM> may not be visible to the guests <NUM> and <NUM> disposed in the first ride vehicle <NUM>. In fact, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may be unaware of the presence of the second ride vehicle <NUM>. The transition glass <NUM> may include a mirrored portion <NUM>, a fading portion <NUM>, and a transparent portion <NUM>. Each portion of the transition glass <NUM> (the mirrored portion <NUM>, the fading portion <NUM>, and the transparent portion <NUM>) may vary or may be similar in dimension with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may move linearly relative to the transition glass <NUM> via their respective motors <NUM> and <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may move along curved, zigzag, and so forth paths via their respective tracks <NUM> and <NUM>, as long as both the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> mirror each other.

When the guests <NUM> and <NUM> enter the first ride vehicle <NUM> and are seated, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may be in alignment relative to the mirrored portion <NUM>. In other words, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may be facing the mirrored portion <NUM>, but may not be facing the fading portion <NUM> or the transparent portion <NUM>. The mirrored portion <NUM> may include a single rectangular mirror, a collection of mirrored strips of suitable size and shape, and so forth. When the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> are in alignment relative to the mirrored portion <NUM>, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see a mirrored image of the first ride vehicle. In other words, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see their respective reflections (<NUM> and <NUM>) and respective seat reflections (<NUM> and <NUM>).

Once the guests <NUM> and <NUM> are seated in the first ride vehicle <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may receive data indicative of the presence of the guests <NUM> and <NUM> from the one or more sensors <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of the data, which may be indicative of the presence of the guests <NUM> and <NUM> and/or may prompt the controller <NUM> to move the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> in conjunction with one another (e.g., simultaneously) relative to the transition glass <NUM>, may include motion data, image data, sound data, pressure data, and displacement data. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may not receive data indicative of the presence of the guests <NUM> and <NUM> from the one or more sensors <NUM>. Instead, both ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may move in continuous loops along their respective tracks <NUM> and <NUM>. As another example, the first ride vehicle <NUM> may be stopped and/or started by a theme park employee, and the controller <NUM> may correlate movement of the second ride vehicle <NUM> with the first ride vehicle <NUM>.

After the controller <NUM> instructs the motors <NUM> and <NUM> to respectively move the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM>, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may move together to be out of alignment relative to the mirrored portion <NUM>, and into alignment relative to the fading portion <NUM>. With the preceding in mind, <FIG> is a schematic of the illusion system <NUM> of <FIG> generating the vanishing special effect with a fading portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fading portion <NUM> includes a combination of a mirrored part and a transparent part. In certain embodiments, the fading portion <NUM> may consist of a combination of thin strips of mirror and thick strips of glass. The strips may be triangular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. In alternative or additional embodiments, the fading portion <NUM> may include other suitable forms or materials (e.g., frosted glass) to cause an effect indicating that the vanishing effect is occurring. As a result, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see a combination of a portion of the mirrored image of the first ride vehicle <NUM> and a portion of the second ride vehicle <NUM> via the transition glass <NUM>. The fading portion <NUM> serves as a transition from a reflection of the guests <NUM> and <NUM> in the first ride vehicle <NUM> to a vanishing appearance of the guests <NUM> and <NUM> in the first ride vehicle <NUM>.

Because the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may be unaware of the presence of the second <NUM> ride vehicle, the vanishing special effect or illusion may be effective. When the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> are in alignment relative to the fading portion <NUM>, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> are not facing the mirrored portion <NUM> or the transparent portion <NUM>. From the perspective of the guests <NUM> and <NUM>, when the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> are in alignment relative to the fading portion <NUM>, it may appear as if they may be starting to disappear from the first ride vehicle <NUM>. In reality, through the mirrored part of the fading portion <NUM>, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see a portion of their reflections in the first ride vehicle <NUM>. Further, through the transparent part of the fading portion <NUM>, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see a portion of the second ride vehicle <NUM>, which appears to be empty. For example, if the seat <NUM> of the first ride vehicle <NUM> is in alignment with the mirrored part of the fading portion <NUM>, then the guest <NUM> may see a reflection <NUM> of himself or herself and a reflection <NUM> of seat <NUM>. Meanwhile, if the seat <NUM> of the first ride vehicle <NUM> is in alignment with the transparent part of the fading portion <NUM>, then the guest <NUM> may appear to have vanished. The guest <NUM> may appear to see seat <NUM> as empty, but in reality the guest <NUM> may see a seat <NUM> of the second ride vehicle <NUM> via the transparent part of the fading portion <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the transition glass <NUM> may not include the fading portion <NUM>. Thus, a fading or gradual transition between the mirrored portion <NUM> and the transparent portion <NUM> may not exist. Further, the fading or gradual transition from viewing a reflection of the first ride vehicle <NUM> and the guests <NUM> and <NUM> to viewing of the second ride vehicle <NUM> and a vanishing appearance of the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may not be present.

When the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> are in alignment relative to the transparent portion <NUM>, it may appear as if the guests <NUM> and <NUM> have vanished or become invisible. <FIG> depicts a schematic of the illusion system <NUM> of <FIG> generating the vanishing special effect with the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller <NUM> may instruct the motors <NUM> and <NUM> to move the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> into alignment relative to the transparent portion <NUM>. In other words, the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> may be facing the transparent portion <NUM>, but may not be facing the mirrored portion <NUM> or the fading portion <NUM>. The fading or gradual transition from the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> being in alignment with the mirrored portion <NUM> to the transparent portion <NUM> may take less than a second, or may take <NUM>-<NUM> seconds, such as <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> minute, or any other suitable time period. The transparent portion <NUM> may include a single rectangular glass, a collection of glass strips of suitable size and shape, and so forth. When the first and second ride vehicles <NUM>, <NUM> are in alignment relative to the transparent portion <NUM>, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see the second ride vehicle <NUM>. Because the second ride vehicle <NUM> behind the transition glass <NUM> travels along with or mirrors the first ride vehicle <NUM>, it may be appear as though the first ride vehicle <NUM> is empty, and that the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may have vanished. In reality, the guests <NUM> and <NUM> may see the second ride vehicle <NUM> and its seats <NUM> and <NUM> through the transparent portion <NUM> of the transition glass <NUM>. Movement of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> ride vehicles from the mirrored portion <NUM> to the transparent portion <NUM> causes the vanishing special effect.

Claim 1:
A system for generating a vanishing illusion, the system (<NUM>) comprising:
a first room (<NUM>);
a second room (<NUM>), wherein the second room (<NUM>) mirrors the first room (<NUM>);
a wall (<NUM>) separating the first room (<NUM>) from the second room (<NUM>), wherein the wall (<NUM>) comprises:
a transition glass (<NUM>) comprising a mirrored portion (<NUM>) and a transparent portion (<NUM>); and a frame (<NUM>) through which the
transition glass (<NUM>) is configured to move; and
an actuator (<NUM>) configured to move the transition glass (<NUM>) with respect to the frame (<NUM>) such that the mirrored portion (<NUM>) is in alignment or out of alignment relative to the frame (<NUM>) based on a trigger or a condition being met, such that, in use, depending on the position of the transition glass (<NUM>) relative to the frame (<NUM>), a guest (<NUM>) in the first room (<NUM>) views a mirrored image of the first room (<NUM>) or views the second room (<NUM>) through the transparent portion (<NUM>).