Patent Description:
Amusement parks, also referred to as theme parks, include various features 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 motion simulator, a drop tower, a performance show, a log flume, and so forth. For some of the attraction systems, guests are positioned within a contained area, such as a ride vehicle. However, it may be difficult to determine the occupancy of the contained area. As an example, it may be tedious for a user, such as an operator of the attraction system, to manually count the number of guests within the contained area.

International Patent Publication No. <CIT> discloses an attraction system having a tracking system that is configured to detect one or more retro-reflective markers to track a position of a rider. An emitter is configured to emit light toward the one or more retro-reflective markers. A detector is configured to detect reflected light from the one or more retro-reflective markers. A controller is configured to determine the position of the rider relative to the one or more retro-reflective markers based on detection of the reflected light and configured to provide an indication of the position of the rider.

The present invention is directed to an attraction system according to claim <NUM> and a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim <NUM>. Subsidiary aspects of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

Features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining an occupancy of an attraction. For example, the attraction may include any of various amusement park features, such as a roller coaster, a performance show, a water ride, an augmented reality ride or experience, and the like. The attraction may accommodate a number of guests and may include a variety of features to entertain such guests. In an example, the attraction may include a guest area, such as seating in a ride vehicle in which guests are secured, and the ride vehicle may travel along a path. In other examples not covered by the claimed invention, such a guest area may be a theatre-like seating arrangement in which guests are positioned, and such a guest area may remain stationary.

It may be beneficial to determine the occupancy of the attraction, such as to determine the number of guests in the attraction, to determine a securement of the guests in the ride vehicle, and so forth. However, it may be difficult or tedious to determine the position of the guests within the attraction in order to determine the attraction's occupancy. As an example, it may be difficult to count the number of guests in the attraction across different times of operation of the attraction. As another example, it may be difficult to monitor the positioning of the guests within the attraction, such as to determine whether the guests are sufficiently secured in the ride vehicle.

It is presently recognized that a system configured to determine the occupancy of guests may improve operation of the attractions. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system configured to determine a distance between an area in which guests may be located and another part of the attraction to determine whether the area is occupied by the guests. For example, the system may include a sensor configured to emit signals to the guest area and receive signals that have reflected off a part of the guest area. The received signals may indicate a distance between the sensor and the part of the area. If the area is unoccupied, the emitted signal extend through an entirety of the part of the area, and the received signal may therefore indicate a first distance spanning from the sensor to the area. However, if the area is occupied, the emitted signal may be blocked by the guests before extending through the entirety of the area. Therefore, the received signal may indicate a second distance spanning from the sensor to the guests, and the second distance may be shorter than the first distance. In this manner, the distances indicated by received signals may be used for determining the occupancy of the area, such as based on a comparison with a reference distance indicative of an unoccupied area without guests. Indeed, in an embodiment, a system operates to emit signals toward the guest area and receive the reflected signals back from the guest area to facilitate identifying whether guests are present and/or properly secured within the guest area. For example, signals directed to the guest area may be reflected back from the guest area by a guest in that area and/or by a seating structure in that area. Characteristics of the reflected signal, as detected by the system, may facilitate determining occupancy and/or securement information.

With the preceding in mind, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system <NUM>, which may be a roller coaster, a dark ride, a drop tower, or any other suitable attraction system <NUM>. The attraction system <NUM> may have a ride vehicle <NUM> in which guests may be positioned during operation of the attraction system <NUM>. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may have one or more ride seats <NUM> that guests may occupy within the ride vehicle <NUM>. In one embodiment, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be configured to travel along a ride path <NUM>. The ride path <NUM> may be a track that guides the ride vehicle <NUM> through the attraction system <NUM>, and/or the ride path <NUM> may include an open surface through which the ride vehicle <NUM> may generally travel (e.g., the ride vehicle <NUM> may be guided based on a user input). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the attraction system <NUM> may not have the ride path <NUM>. Rather, the ride vehicle <NUM> may remain stationary within the attraction system <NUM> during operation, such as for a theatrical show. Indeed, the ride vehicle <NUM> may alternatively be any suitable guest area of the attraction system <NUM> in which guests may be situated during operation of the attraction system <NUM>.

The attraction system <NUM> may also include show effects <NUM> that further enhance the experience of the guests. The show effects <NUM> may include lighting, sounds, animated figures, and the like, that provide additional features to entertain the guests. In an embodiment, the attraction system <NUM> may also include a guest path <NUM> that guests may use to navigate through the attraction system <NUM>, such as from an entrance of the attraction system <NUM> to the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or from the ride vehicle <NUM> to an exit of the attraction system <NUM>. As an example, the guest path <NUM> may include a footpath (e.g., a queue), a staircase, an escalator, an elevator, and so forth. The show effects <NUM> may entertain the guests as they navigate the guest path <NUM> in the attraction system <NUM> such that the guests may also be entertained while waiting within the attraction system <NUM> (e.g., when not in the ride vehicle <NUM>).

In an embodiment, the attraction system <NUM> may include and/or be communicatively coupled with a control system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may include a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>, such as a microprocessor. The memory <NUM> may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), optical drives, hard disc drives, solid-state drives, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions to operate the attraction system <NUM>, such as the show effects <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general purpose processors, or any combination thereof, configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory <NUM> to control the attraction system <NUM>. In one embodiment, the control system <NUM> may be configured to receive a user input to operate the attraction system <NUM>. For instance, the control system <NUM> may include a user interface with which a user, such as an operator and/or a guest of the attraction system <NUM>, may interact to operate the attraction system <NUM>. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the control system <NUM> may automatically operate the attraction system <NUM> without receiving the user input. By way of example, the control system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors <NUM>. The sensor(s) <NUM> may be configured to monitor an operating parameter of the attraction system <NUM>, and the sensor(s) <NUM> may transmit data (e.g., sensor data) indicative of the operating parameter to the control system <NUM>. For example, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include individual systems of one or more emitters and detectors that operate together to detect objects or portions of objects (e.g., a seat back), including identifying measurements, such as distance to the objects, size of the objects, relative spacing of the objects, and so forth. The sensor(s) <NUM> may include wave-based technology, such as light emitters and detectors that cooperate with a processor to correlate detections with measurements to provide data. The control system <NUM> may then operate the attraction system <NUM> based on the data.

As an example, the sensor(s) <NUM> may be configured to monitor an operating parameter associated with occupancy of the ride vehicle <NUM>. In particular, the sensor(s) <NUM> may determine whether the guests are occupying the ride seat(s) <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The control system <NUM> therefore operates the attraction system <NUM> based on the occupancy of the ride vehicle <NUM>. For instance, the control system <NUM> may activate certain show effects <NUM> based on the number of detected guests in the ride vehicle <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the control system <NUM> may store information (e.g., in the memory <NUM>) associated with the number of detected guests in the ride vehicle <NUM>. By way of example, the control system <NUM> may monitor the number of guests that go through the attraction system <NUM> over a period of time. The control system <NUM> may then store such information, which may be used for determining the popularity of the attraction system <NUM>, a guest capacity over a time of operation, and the like.

<FIG> is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the attraction system <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the attraction system <NUM> includes multiple ride vehicles <NUM> coupled together (e.g., via a link) and configured to travel along the ride path <NUM>. The illustrated ride path <NUM> may be a track that guides the movement (e.g., direction, speed, and/or orientation) of the ride vehicle <NUM> through the attraction system <NUM>. Each ride vehicle <NUM> also includes one or more ride seats <NUM> that each may hold one or more guests of the attraction system <NUM>. As an example, each ride seat <NUM> may include a restraint <NUM>, such as a lap bar, configured to secure the guests within the ride vehicles <NUM> as the ride vehicles <NUM> move along the ride path <NUM> during operation of the attraction system <NUM>.

Furthermore, the attraction system <NUM> may include the control system <NUM>, which may be configured to determine an occupancy of the ride vehicles <NUM> via a first sensor <NUM> that is communicatively coupled to the control system <NUM>. For example, the first sensor <NUM> may be located at a first position <NUM> within the attraction system <NUM> and may be configured to determine a distance between the ride seats <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> may be configured to emit output signals <NUM> away from the first position <NUM> through the attraction system <NUM>, and the output signals <NUM> may reflect off any physical object (e.g., the ride vehicles <NUM>) as reflected signals <NUM> and return toward the first sensor <NUM>. That is, the output signals <NUM> and the reflected signals <NUM> may be the same signal that travels along a path from the first sensor <NUM> to the physical object, and then deflected off the physical object to return from the physical object to the first sensor <NUM>. In other words, the output signal <NUM> refers to such signal at the portion of the path traveling from the first sensor <NUM> to the physical object, and the reflected signal <NUM> refers to the same signal at the portion of the path traveling from the physical object to the first sensor <NUM>.

The first sensor <NUM> may receive the reflected signals <NUM> and transmit data associated with the reflected signals <NUM> to the control system <NUM> for further processing. By way of example, the first sensor <NUM> may be a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, a sound navigation ranging (sonar) device, a radio detection and ranging (radar) device, an infrared remote sensing device, another suitable device, or any combination thereof, configured to emit and receive signals <NUM>, <NUM> between the first sensor <NUM> and another part of the attraction system <NUM>. Indeed, the particular device used may be based on the application of the attraction system <NUM>, such as whether certain show effects (e.g., fog, light) may interfere with the signals <NUM>, <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may receive data associated with the output signals <NUM> and the corresponding reflected signals <NUM> from the first sensor <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may determine a distance between the first sensor <NUM> and the physical object based on the data. For example, the data may include a time associated with receiving one of the reflected signals <NUM> after emitting a corresponding output signal <NUM>, a wavelength of the reflected signals <NUM>, an angle of the path traveled by the reflected signal <NUM> to return to the first sensor <NUM>, another suitable parameter associated with the signals <NUM>, <NUM>, or any combination thereof, indicative of a distance of signal travel for the signals <NUM>, <NUM> between the first sensor <NUM> and the physical object. The control system <NUM> may determine the distance between the first sensor <NUM> and the physical object based on the distance of signal travel.

The first sensor <NUM> may therefore be used to determine the distance between the first sensor <NUM> and the ride seats <NUM> of the ride vehicles <NUM>. For instance, the first sensor <NUM> may be positioned such that the output signals <NUM> may be uninterruptedly emitted (i.e., not blocked by other physical objects of the attraction system <NUM>) to the ride seats <NUM>, and the reflected signals <NUM> may be uninterruptedly received by the first sensor <NUM>. Based on the determined distance between the first sensor <NUM> and the ride seats <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may determine whether the ride vehicles <NUM> are occupied or unoccupied. For example, a distance between an occupied ride seat <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>, in which the output signal <NUM> may fully extend into the ride seat <NUM>, may be greater than a distance between an occupied ride seat <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>, in which the output signal <NUM> may be blocked by a guest before fully extending into the ride seat <NUM> (i.e., the output signal <NUM> may merely partially extend into the ride seat <NUM>). In this way, the control system <NUM> may determine whether the value of a determined distance between the ride seat <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM> matches with a distance corresponding to an unoccupied ride seat <NUM> or with a distance corresponding to an occupied ride seat <NUM>. It should be noted that distances relative to specific areas (e.g., a base and/or back of the ride seat <NUM>) may be determined to facilitate analysis in accordance with present embodiments. Further, distances relative to restraints (e.g., a lap bar) may also be detected to facilitate determining whether the restraint is properly engaged in addition to the ride seat <NUM> being occupied.

To this end, the control system <NUM> may operate the attraction system <NUM> in a calibration mode to determine baseline distance values associated with unoccupied ride seats <NUM>. In the calibration mode, the control system <NUM> may operate the ride vehicles <NUM>, such as by moving the ride vehicles <NUM> along the ride path <NUM>, without any guests positioned within the ride seats <NUM>. Furthermore, the first sensor <NUM> may operate and emit output signals <NUM> toward the ride vehicles <NUM> and to the unoccupied ride seats <NUM> during the calibration mode. The control system <NUM> may receive data associated with the output signals <NUM> and the resulting reflected signals <NUM> and, based on the data, the control system <NUM> may determine an unoccupied distance <NUM> spans between the unoccupied ride seats <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. The unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> may include detection of the restraint <NUM> while the ride vehicle <NUM> is unoccupied. For example, an area of the ride seat <NUM> that is unobstructed (e.g., with respect to the first sensor <NUM>) by the restraint <NUM> may be observed to identify a first unoccupied distance 100A and an area where the restraint <NUM> demonstrates engagement may be monitored to identify a second unoccupied distance 100B. Both distances may be used for calibration and, in combination with subsequent measures, may identify whether a rider is not only present but whether the rider is properly restrained.

In an embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> may simultaneously emit multiple output signals <NUM> in various directions, such as toward a first ride vehicle 52A and also toward a second ride vehicle 52B. The first ride vehicle 52A, which is located in a first part of the attraction system <NUM> (e.g., at a first section of the ride path <NUM>), may be positioned at a different distance away from the first sensor <NUM> than that associated with the second ride vehicle 52B, which is located at a second part of the attraction system <NUM>. Thus, the first sensor <NUM> may receive respective reflected signals <NUM> corresponding to the first ride vehicle 52A and the second ride vehicle 52B, and the control system <NUM> may therefore determine separate unoccupied distances <NUM> spanning between unoccupied ride seats <NUM> of different ride vehicles <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. In other words, the control system <NUM> may determine a first unoccupied distance 100A spans between the unoccupied first ride vehicle 52A and the first sensor <NUM>, and a second unoccupied distance 100B, different from the first unoccupied distance 100A, spans between the unoccupied second ride vehicle 52B and the first sensor <NUM>. Indeed, the control system <NUM> may associate multiple unoccupied distances <NUM> with respectively unoccupied ride vehicles <NUM>. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> may be configured to emit output signals <NUM> to a single part of the attraction system <NUM>, such as toward a single point on the ride path <NUM>, in the calibration mode. Each ride vehicle <NUM> traveling along the ride path <NUM> may intersect with the single point on the ride path <NUM> at different times and generally, at the single point, each ride vehicle <NUM> may be positioned at substantially the same distance away from the first sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the data transmitted by the first sensor <NUM> may be indicative of a single unoccupied distance <NUM> spanning between the unoccupied ride vehicles <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. Further, the first sensor <NUM> may emit output signals such that different locations of the same seating area are monitored (e.g., one for occupancy and one for restraint securement). Further, the first sensor <NUM> may be representative of multiple sensing devices that coordinate to perform such monitoring. In any case, the control system <NUM> may store the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> determined via the calibration mode of the attraction system <NUM>, such as within the memory <NUM>, and the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> may be retrieved and/or referenced at a later time.

During operation of the attraction system <NUM>, the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> may be used to determine whether the ride vehicles <NUM> are occupied. By way of example, the first sensor <NUM> may continue to emit and receive signals <NUM>, <NUM> during operation of the attraction system <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may constantly receive data to determine the distance between the first sensor <NUM> and the ride vehicles <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may then compare the determined distances with the stored unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> to determine whether the ride vehicles <NUM> are occupied or unoccupied. For instance, the control system <NUM> may determine whether the determined distances substantially match with the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> to indicate that one of the ride vehicles <NUM> is unoccupied, or whether the determined distances do not substantially match with (e.g., the determined distances are less than) the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> to indicate that one of the ride vehicles <NUM> is occupied by a guest. As previously discussed, similar operation can be performed for identifying whether restraints (e.g., a lap bar) are properly positioned.

Although the illustrated first sensor <NUM> is coupled above the ride vehicles <NUM>, the first sensor <NUM> may be positioned at any suitable location within the attraction system <NUM> to enable the signals <NUM>, <NUM> to be transmitted between the ride seats <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. For example, the first sensor <NUM> may be positioned on the ride vehicle <NUM>, on part of the ride path <NUM>, and the like. Further, in an embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the first position <NUM>, such as by attaching to a stationary structure (e.g., a support of the ride path <NUM>) within the attraction system <NUM>. As such, the first sensor <NUM> may substantially remain in the first position <NUM> during operation of the attraction system <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, the first sensor <NUM> may be configured to move within the attraction system <NUM>. For example, the first sensor <NUM> may be coupled to a device that is movable within the attraction system <NUM> so as to follow the ride vehicles <NUM> and/or be guided by a user (e.g., away from physical show effects or features within the attraction system <NUM>) in order to emit and receive signals <NUM>, <NUM> uninterruptedly. Movement of the first sensor <NUM> relative to the ride vehicles <NUM> may change the distances between the first sensor <NUM> and the ride vehicles <NUM>. Moreover, during operation, the ride vehicles <NUM> may move at elevated speeds and/or complex movements (e.g., corkscrew or twisting) that may cause difficulty for the signals <NUM>, <NUM> to accurately indicate the distance between the ride vehicles <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM>. For instance, the determined distance between one of the unoccupied ride vehicles <NUM> and the first sensor <NUM> may not substantially match the stored unoccupied distance <NUM> because the ride vehicle <NUM> may be oriented such that the output signals <NUM> emitted by the first sensor <NUM> may be transmitted to a side of the ride vehicle <NUM> instead of to the intended unoccupied ride seat <NUM>. Thus, the determined distance may not accurately reflect the occupancy of the ride vehicle <NUM> because of the orientation of the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the first sensor <NUM>.

For this reason, the attraction system <NUM> may also include a second sensor <NUM>, which may be rigidly coupled to the first sensor <NUM> such that a change in positioning of the first sensor <NUM> may cause a corresponding change in positioning of the second sensor <NUM>. As used herein, positioning includes an orientation, a location, a pose, and/or a position. The second sensor <NUM> may be configured to determine the positioning of the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the second sensor <NUM> and therefore relative to the first sensor <NUM>. By way of example, the second sensor <NUM> may include an optical camera and/or another image sensing device, and the second sensor <NUM> may use machine vision to determine the positioning of the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the first sensor <NUM> and vice versa. The second sensor <NUM> may also be communicatively coupled to the control system <NUM> and may transmit data indicative of the positioning of the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the first sensor <NUM>. Based on such data, the control system <NUM> may modify the unoccupied distance <NUM> accordingly. By way of example, after the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> have been determined and stored in accordance to the first position <NUM> of the first sensor <NUM>, the second sensor <NUM> may transmit data to the control system <NUM> and indicate that a relative distance between the first sensor <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> has changed, such as the first sensor <NUM> moving to a second position <NUM> (as represented by elements <NUM> and <NUM> in dashed lines). The control system <NUM> may then update the stored unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> accordingly to reflect the location of the first sensor <NUM> at the second position <NUM>. For instance, the control system <NUM> may determine that at the second position <NUM>, the first sensor <NUM> is substantially closer to the ride vehicles <NUM> than the first sensor <NUM> was at the first position <NUM> and therefore, the control system <NUM> may reduce the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM>. As such, while the first sensor <NUM> is at the second position <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may compare subsequently determined distances indicated by the first sensor <NUM> with the updated reduced unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> associated with the second position <NUM>, rather than the originally stored unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> associated with the first position <NUM>, to accurately determine whether the ride vehicles <NUM> are occupied. If a second sensor <NUM> indicates the first sensor <NUM> has returned from the second position <NUM> back to the first position <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may then update the unoccupied distance(s) <NUM> again (e.g., to the originally stored unoccupied distance[s]) and compare distances to the updated unoccupied distance(s) <NUM>. The functionality of the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> may be provided by a single sensing device. However, the single sensing device may still be referred to as the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> based on the separate functionality. Further, in an alternative embodiment, relative positioning of the first sensor <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> may be determined by the control system <NUM> based on models of the ride path <NUM> and positional data, thereby avoiding the use of additional sensing devices.

In one embodiment, the control system <NUM> may cause the first sensor <NUM> to emit output signals <NUM> when the ride vehicles <NUM> are determined to be within a certain range of the output signals <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> may cause the first sensor <NUM> not to emit output signals <NUM> when the ride vehicles <NUM> are determined to be out of a certain range of the output signals <NUM>. In other words, the control system <NUM> may selectively cause the first sensor <NUM> to emit output signals <NUM> at certain times, rather than to constantly emit the output signals <NUM>, thereby reducing an energy consumption associated with operating the first sensor <NUM>. By way of example, the control system <NUM> may determine a location of the ride vehicles <NUM> in the attraction system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may also store multiple locations (e.g., proximate to the first sensor <NUM>) in which the control system <NUM> may activate the first sensor <NUM>. Thus, in response to determining the ride vehicles <NUM> are at locations included in the stored locations, the control system <NUM> may activate the first sensor <NUM> to emit and receive signals <NUM>, <NUM>. However, upon determining the ride vehicles <NUM> are not at locations included in the stored locations, the control system <NUM> may suspend operation of the first sensor <NUM>.

Although <FIG> discusses operating the attraction system <NUM> in a calibration mode in which the ride vehicle <NUM> may travel along an entirety of the ride path <NUM> without any passengers or guests to obtain unoccupied distances <NUM>, in an additional or alternative embodiment, <FIG> may illustrate a portion of the ride path <NUM> where the ride vehicle <NUM> is unoccupied during normal operation of the attraction system <NUM> (i.e., operation of the attraction system <NUM> to entertain guests). For example, the illustrated portion of the ride path <NUM> is between an unloading area <NUM>, where guests may exit the ride vehicle <NUM>, and before a loading area <NUM>, where guests may enter the ride vehicle <NUM>. As such, during normal operation of the attraction system <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be occupied before the unloading area <NUM> and also after the loading area <NUM>, but the ride vehicle <NUM> may be unoccupied after the unloading area <NUM> and before the loading area <NUM>. In this way, the first sensor <NUM> may emit the output signals <NUM> toward the illustrated portion of the ride path <NUM> in order to acquire the unoccupied distances <NUM> without the attraction system <NUM> having to operate in the calibration mode that is different than normal operation. Accordingly, the unoccupied distances <NUM> may be acquired without interrupting flow through the attraction system <NUM> (e.g., by shutting down the attraction system <NUM> to operate in the calibration mode).

In one embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> may be configured to direct output signals <NUM> toward the illustrated portion of the ride path <NUM> to obtain unoccupied distances <NUM>, and the first sensor <NUM> may be able to re-orient and/or re-position. Thus, the first sensor <NUM> may direct the output signals <NUM> toward a different portion of the ride path <NUM> where the ride vehicle <NUM> may be occupied to acquire additional distances (e.g., distances possibly indicating an occupied ride vehicle <NUM>). The additional distances, such as after modification based on the second sensor <NUM>, may then be compared with the unoccupied distances <NUM> to determine whether the ride vehicle <NUM> is occupied. In an additional or alternative embodiment, an additional first sensor <NUM> may be used to direct output signals <NUM> to the ride vehicle <NUM> at a different section of the ride path <NUM> to acquire the additional distances for comparison with the unoccupied distances <NUM>. In any case, the unoccupied distances <NUM> may be obtained in an ongoing manner during normal operation of the attraction system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side perspective view of the attraction system <NUM> of <FIG> in which the ride vehicles <NUM> of the attraction system <NUM> are occupied by guests <NUM>. In this way, the attraction system <NUM> may be in an operating mode to entertain the guests <NUM>. For example, the control system <NUM> may operate the attraction system <NUM> in the operating mode after storing the unoccupied distance(s) in the calibration mode. During the operating mode, the control system <NUM> instructs the first sensor <NUM> to emit and receive signals <NUM>, <NUM> to enable the control system <NUM> to determine whether the ride vehicles <NUM> are occupied.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first ride vehicle 52A is occupied with the guests <NUM>. For this reason, the data transmitted by the first sensor <NUM> may indicate that a first distance <NUM> spanning between the first sensor <NUM> and the first ride vehicle 52A is less than the stored unoccupied distance, because the output signal <NUM> may reflect off the guests <NUM> rather than off the ride seat <NUM> (e.g., a seating portion or floor portion of the ride seat <NUM>). The control system <NUM> may compare the first distance <NUM> with the stored unoccupied distance to determine whether the first ride vehicle 52A is occupied. In an example, the control system <NUM> may determine that the first distance <NUM> is less than the unoccupied distance <NUM> of <FIG> by greater than a threshold distance. As such, the control system <NUM> may determine that the first distance <NUM> indicates the first ride vehicle 52A is occupied.

However, the second ride vehicle 52B may not be occupied with guests <NUM>. As a result, the data transmitted by the first sensor <NUM> may indicate that a second distance <NUM> spanning between the first sensor <NUM> and the first ride vehicle 52A is substantially the same as the stored unoccupied distance. That is, the control system <NUM> may determine that the second distance <NUM> does not deviate from the unoccupied distance <NUM> of <FIG> by greater than the threshold distance. Thus, the control system <NUM> may determine that the second distance <NUM> indicates the second ride vehicle 52B is unoccupied.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, a single first sensor <NUM> is implemented within the attraction system <NUM>. However, in an alternative embodiment, multiple first sensors <NUM> may be implemented and used for determining the occupancy of the ride vehicles <NUM>. As an example, the data received from each of the first sensors <NUM> may be compared with one another to determine the accuracy in the respectively determined distances between the first sensors <NUM> and the ride vehicles <NUM>. Indeed, multiple pairs of first sensors <NUM> and second sensors <NUM> may be implemented to determine the occupancy of the ride vehicles <NUM> based on various respective positionings of the first sensors <NUM> relative to the ride vehicles <NUM>.

Moreover, although the illustrated attraction system <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> include a moving ride vehicle <NUM>, the described approach for determining the occupancy of the attraction system <NUM> may be implemented for a stationary area in which the guests <NUM> may occupy. By way of example, the attraction system <NUM> may be a performance or theatrical show having seats that do not substantially move within the attraction system <NUM>, but the first sensor <NUM> may still be used for determining the distance between the first sensors <NUM> and the seats.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate respective embodiments of a method or process for operating an attraction system, such as the attraction system <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The steps of each method may be performed by a single controller, such as the control system <NUM> (<FIG>), or multiple controllers may perform different steps of each method. It should also be noted that the steps of each method may be performed differently in another embodiment, such as for a different embodiment of the attraction system. For example, additional steps may be performed, or certain steps of each method may be modified, removed, or performed in a different order.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method or process <NUM> for operating an attraction system to determine an unoccupied distance value. At block <NUM>, the attraction system is operated in a calibration mode. During the calibration mode, unoccupied ride vehicles of the attraction system may be in operation to travel through the attraction system (e.g., via a ride path). This may be a segment of normal operation, which may assist with limiting measurement discrepancies and continual throughput for the attraction.

At block <NUM>, an unoccupied distance value is determined during the calibration mode. For instance, the first sensor is instructed to emit output calibration signals toward the unoccupied ride vehicle and to receive corresponding reflected calibration signals. The first sensor may transmit calibration data that is based on the output calibration signals and reflected calibration signals. A resulting calibration distance between the first sensor and the unoccupied ride vehicle (e.g., a seat, a specific portion of a seat, a restraint in a desired position while the seat is unoccupied) may then be determined based on the calibration data. In an embodiment, multiple calibration distances may be determined for respective ride vehicles positioned at different locations within the attraction system. Additionally or alternatively, a single calibration distance may be determined and associated with all of the ride vehicles. In any case, the calibration distance determined via the calibration mode is stored as the unoccupied distance value, as indicated at block <NUM>.

The frequency in which the steps of the method <NUM> are performed may vary based on the attraction system. In an example, the method <NUM> may be performed once per day such that accurate unoccupied distance value(s) are determined and updated every day. In another example, the method <NUM> may be performed once every time the attraction system is modified, such as after the ride vehicles (e.g., the ride seats) are modified and/or after show elements are changed. In any case, the method <NUM> may be performed at a suitable frequency to update and store accurate unoccupied distance value(s).

<FIG> is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method or process <NUM> for determining the occupancy of a ride vehicle. The method <NUM> may be performed during the operating mode of the attraction system and is performed after the method <NUM>, such that a corresponding unoccupied distance value has been determined and is retrievable. At block <NUM>, a distance of signal travel is determined. The distance of signal travel may indicate a current distance between the first sensor and the ride vehicle (e.g., a seat, a specific portion of a seat, a restraint in a desired position while the seat is unoccupied). For example, similar to the step described with reference to block <NUM> of <FIG>, the first sensor may be instructed to emit output signals toward the ride vehicle and receive corresponding reflected signals, and the distance of signal travel may be determined based on a parameter of the reflected signals. The sensor may then transmit data indicative of the distance of signal travel.

At block <NUM>, the distance of signal travel is compared with the unoccupied distance value, which may have been determined via the calibration mode. In a certain embodiment, the unoccupied distance value may be updated or modified based on a determined positioning of the first sensor relative to the ride vehicle. That is, the unoccupied distance value determined and stored via the calibration mode may be applicable at a first positioning of the first sensor relative to the ride vehicle. However, the first sensor may currently be at a second positioning relative to the ride vehicle (e.g., the first sensor was moved within the attraction system). Therefore, the initially determined unoccupied distance value may be updated to reflect the second positioning, and the updated unoccupied distance value may accurately reflect a distance between the unoccupied ride vehicle and the first sensor based on the second positioning. As such, the occupancy of the ride vehicle may be accurately determined based on the comparison between the distance of signal travel and the updated unoccupied distance value. In some embodiments, a calibration distance may be supplied to multiple sensors (e.g., the first sensor <NUM>) throughout the ride path <NUM> and adjustments to the calibration distance may be made based on a model or known relative orientations of each sensor to the ride vehicle <NUM> when within monitoring range of the particular sensor.

At block <NUM>, a determination is made regarding whether the distance of signal travel deviates from the unoccupied distance value by greater than a threshold distance. For example, the current distance between an occupied ride vehicle and the first sensor may be substantially less than the calibration distance between an unoccupied ride vehicle and the first sensor. As such, the determination may be made as to whether the distance of signal travel is substantially less than the unoccupied distance value (e.g., by an amount that is greater than the threshold distance). The threshold distance may be set based on a database of body metrics for standard body sizes and body characteristics. For example, a <NUM> centimeters (six inch) threshold may be set based on a minimum human body thickness that would be positioned at the monitored location of a seat.

In response to a determination that the distance of signal travel does not deviate from the unoccupied distance value by greater than the threshold distance, a determination may be made that the ride vehicle is unoccupied, as shown at block <NUM>. That is, the distance of signal travel substantially matches with the unoccupied distance value and therefore, the current distance between the ride vehicle and the sensor indicates that the ride vehicle is unoccupied. However, in response to a determination that the distance of signal travel does deviate from the unoccupied distance value by greater than the threshold distance, a determination may be made that the ride vehicle is occupied, as shown at block <NUM>. By way of example, the distance of signal travel may be less than the unoccupied distance value by an amount greater than the threshold distance and therefore, the distance of signal travel indicates that the ride vehicle is occupied.

In one embodiment, further actions may be performed based on the comparison between the distance of signal travel with the unoccupied distance value. In an example, information regarding the occupancy of the ride vehicle may be stored. Such information may then be referenced at a later time to determine information regarding the attraction system. For example, the occupancy of the ride vehicle may be used to determine whether the attraction system is to be modified (e.g., to increase popularity of the attraction system).

In another example, based on the determined occupancy of the ride vehicle, operation of the attraction system may be modified. For instance, the operation of the attraction system may be suspended or terminated. Additionally or alternatively, the ride path taken by one of the ride vehicles may be modified based on the occupancy of the ride vehicle. That is, the ride vehicle may be configured to travel in a variety of manners through the attraction system, and a particular ride path may be selected based on the determined occupancy.

In a further example, additional information regarding the occupancy of the ride vehicle may be determined. For instance, during the calibration mode, further distances may be determined and stored in addition to the unoccupied distance value associated with an unoccupied ride vehicle. Such distances may include a first distance indicative that another object (e.g., a jacket, a bag) is in the ride vehicle without a guest. The object may be smaller than a typical guest such that the first distance does not deviate from the unoccupied distance value by greater than the threshold distance, but may still substantially deviate from the unoccupied distance value. Other stored distances may include a first set of distances that are indicative of the position of the guests. As an example, the first set of distances may indicate postures of the guest, such as a second distance indicative of a seated guest, a third distance indicative of a standing guest, a fourth distance indicative of a leaned over guest, and the like. As another example, the first set of distances may indicate how the guests are positioned relative to the ride vehicle, such as whether the guests are fully contained within the ride seat, whether part of the guest is not contained within the ride seat, whether multiple guests are positioned in a single ride seat (e.g., a child on a parent's lap), whether guests are moving within the ride seat (e.g., not fully secured within the ride seat), and so forth. Such information may then be used for determining improvements for securing guests within the ride vehicles. The stored distances may further include a second set of distances indicative of an attribute of the guests. By way of example, the second set of distances may indicate a height and/or a torso size of the guests. In this way, certain parameters or demographics of the guests, such as age, may be determined, and additional information regarding the occupancy of the attraction system may be used for improving the attraction system.

Further still, certain distances, such as an excessive distance that deviates from the unoccupied distance value by a substantial amount greater than the threshold distance (e.g., by an additional threshold distance greater than the threshold distance), may indicate that operation of a component (e.g., of the ride vehicle, of the first sensor, of the control system) in the attraction system is to be modified, such as for performing maintenance. In an embodiment, a notification may be output upon determination of the excessive distance to inform a user, such as an operator of the attraction system, of such information. For instance, the notification may include a visual output (e.g., a light), an audio output, a notification sent to a mobile device, another suitable notification, or any combination thereof.

Additionally, although the present disclosure primarily discusses the calibration mode as determining and storing unoccupied distance values associated with unoccupied ride vehicles, in an additional or an alternative embodiment, the calibration mode may include determining and storing occupied distance(s) associated with occupied ride vehicles. To this end, during the calibration mode, fully occupied ride vehicles (e.g., occupied by the guests or by objects representative of guests) may be operated, and the control system may determine the occupied distance(s) between the ride vehicles and the first sensor. The occupied distance(s) may then be stored and may be used for comparing distances determined during the operating mode of the attraction system in order to determine the occupancy of the ride vehicles. For example, if the determined distance substantially matches the stored occupied distance(s), a determination may be made that the ride vehicle is occupied, and if the determined distance substantially deviate from the stored occupied distance(s), a determination may be made that the ride vehicle is unoccupied.

Claim 1:
An attraction system (<NUM>), comprising:
a sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to emit an output signal (<NUM>) toward a ride vehicle of the attraction system and receive a reflected signal (<NUM>) from the ride vehicle (<NUM>); and
a control system (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the control system (<NUM>) is configured to:
receive data from the sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the data is indicative of a distance of signal travel based on the output signal (<NUM>) and the reflected signal (<NUM>);
compare the distance of signal travel with an unoccupied distance value corresponding to a distance between the sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the ride vehicle (<NUM>) being unoccupied; and
determine whether the ride vehicle (<NUM>) is occupied based on comparing a difference between the distance of signal travel and the unoccupied distance value with a threshold.