Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for implementing flexible passenger loading time in an attraction of an amusement park.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in increasing an efficiency of loading passengers into ride vehicles of attractions of amusement parks. For example, some attractions may include loading systems that have ride vehicles continuously moving along a loading zone as passengers unload from a ride vehicle and as new passengers load into the ride vehicle. However, some passengers may take a long time to leave the ride vehicle and/or may take a long time to board the ride vehicle. That is, a loading passenger may not be fully boarded and secured within the ride vehicle before the ride vehicle reaches an end of the loading zone. In such instances, movement of all of the ride vehicles through the attraction and/or the loading zone may be affected to give the loading passenger extra time to board the ride vehicle. For example, in one scenario, each ride vehicle may come to a complete stop in order to allow the loading passenger extra time in the loading zone to board the ride vehicle. Slowing or stopping of the ride vehicles' movement through the attraction may be detrimental to a throughput of the attraction, which can lead to increased waiting times and decreased revenue for the amusement park.

US patent application <CIT> discloses a ride vehicle loading interface system comprising a rotational portion and a stationary portion, which allows guests in wheelchairs to access a ride vehicle. This is achieved by providing the ride vehicle with an extendable tray.

The present invention is directed to an attraction loading system according to claim <NUM>, and a method for controlling movement of a ride vehicle in a loading zone of an attraction loading system according to claim <NUM>. Additional features and embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In an embodiment, an attraction loading system attraction loading system comprises a loading platform that includes a rotational portion configured to rotate about a central vertical axis of the loading platform, and a stationary portion extending between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge and the second edge of the stationary portion comprise respective interfaces of the stationary portion with the rotational portion. The rotational portion rotates from the first edge to the second edge. The attraction loading system comprises a loading path disposed about a circumference of the loading platform. A ride vehicle is configured to travel along the loading path. The attraction loading system comprises a track switch configured to move the ride vehicle onto an attraction path from a main portion of the loading path in a first configuration or onto a secondary portion of the loading path from the main portion of the loading path in a second configuration.

In an embodiment, a method for controlling movement of a ride vehicle in a loading zone of an attraction loading system is provided. The attraction loading system comprises a loading path along which the ride vehicle is configured to travel. The loading path is disposed about a circumference of a loading platform of the attraction loading system. The method comprises controlling a track switch of the attraction loading system to switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. The first configuration couples a first portion of the loading path to an attraction path. The second configuration couples the first portion of the loading path to a second portion of the loading path.

The method may comprise controlling a second track switch of the attraction loading system to switch from a third configuration to a fourth configuration. The track switch is at a first connecting location and the second track switch is at a second connecting location different from the first connecting location. The third configuration couples the attraction path to the first portion of the loading path. The fourth configuration couples the second portion of the loading path to the first portion of the loading path.

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a loading system configured to provide a variable amount of available loading time of passengers into ride vehicles. More specifically, the disclosed techniques permit a variable amount of passenger loading time into a particular ride vehicle while allowing other ride vehicles to continue at nominal speeds through a loading zone and subsequently enter the attraction. For example, the disclosed loading system may include a loading zone platform having moving portions and stationary portions. The loading zone platform includes a continuously rotating turntable that rotates in concert with movement of adjacent ride vehicles traveling along a loading zone track portion, both the turntable and the vehicles moving at relatively lower speeds than the speed of the ride vehicles in the attraction path. More specifically, the rotating turntable may form a partial annulus disposed about a central axis that is interrupted by a stationary portion. The rotating turntable may rotate through only a partial circumference of the total circumference of the loading zone platform. The loading zone is configured to receive occupied ride vehicles (e.g., passenger-occupied vehicles) at a first end of the rotational portion. The ride vehicles and the rotational portion may rotate in conjunction from the first end of the rotational portion to a second end of the rotational portion. The rotational speed of the ride vehicles may substantially match the rotational speed of the turntable such that relative movement between the ride vehicles and the turntable may be substantially unperceivable. In other words, an edge of the turntable may be stationary relative to an edge of the ride vehicle to create a static physical interface, or virtual coupling, between the ride vehicles and the turntable.

When the ride vehicles arrive to the first end of the rotational portion of the turntable from an attraction path, passengers may unload from the ride vehicles onto the rotational portion. Once the passengers are unloaded from the ride vehicles, new passengers may be directed to load the ride vehicles from the rotational portion. Generally, in order to increase a throughput of users through the attraction, the turntable and the ride vehicles may be continuously rotating at a nominal speed as the passengers are unloading and loading the ride vehicles. The ride vehicles may continue to move in conjunction with the turntable until the ride vehicles reach the second end of the rotational portion. During the time it takes for the ride vehicle to arrive at the first end of the rotational portion and rotate to the second end of the rotational portion, the passengers are able to unload and load the ride vehicles. If a particular ride vehicle is occupied with a loaded passenger by the time the ride vehicle reaches the second end of the rotational portion, the ride vehicle may be directed along an attraction path to begin a ride cycle of the attraction.

However, in some instances, a passenger may require more time to load the ride vehicle than is allotted by the ride vehicle traveling from the first end to the second end of the rotational portion of the turntable. Further, in some instances, a passenger may simply have an aversion (e.g., due to a physical or mental status of the passenger) to loading a moving ride vehicle from a moving platform. In such instances, a ride operator may flag a particular ride vehicle to cause the particular ride vehicle to transition to the stationary portion of the turntable from the second end of the rotational portion. As mentioned above, the stationary portion of the turntable may be located circumferentially about the central axis between the first and second ends of the rotational portion of the turntable. While positioned at the stationary portion of the turntable, the passenger may have an increased (e.g., an infinite) amount of time to load into the particular ride vehicle. Once the passenger has successfully loaded into the particular ride vehicle, a ride operator may once again flag the particular ride vehicle to move from the stationary portion to the first end of the rotational portion. From the first end of the rotational portion, the particular ride vehicle may once again travel to the second end of the rotational portion, and be directed from the second end of the rotational portion to the attraction path. In this manner, slower-loading passengers may not cause a disruption to other passengers, as each ride vehicle continues to move at a nominal speed through the loading zone regardless of the ride vehicle loading time of other passengers. Thus, passengers may have an increased amount of available time to load the ride vehicles.

Turning now to the figures, <FIG> is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a loading zone <NUM> of a loading system <NUM>. As shown, the loading zone <NUM> may be a portion of an overall ride system <NUM> (e.g., an attraction). For example, passengers may load into ride vehicles <NUM> in the loading zone <NUM>, may travel along an attraction path <NUM> of the ride system <NUM>, and may arrive back at the loading zone <NUM> to unload from the ride vehicles <NUM>. While traveling along the attraction path <NUM>, passengers may be exposed to a variety of experiences, such as virtual reality, alternate reality, environment interactions, multiple ride paths, water features, special effects, and so forth. It should be noted that portions of the ride system <NUM>, such as the attraction path <NUM>, have been intentionally simplified in order to focus on aspects of the loading system <NUM>.

The load system <NUM> may include a loading platform <NUM>, an entrance ramp <NUM>, a loading path <NUM>, and the ride vehicles <NUM>. As shown, the loading platform <NUM> may extend circumferentially about a central vertical axis <NUM> to form a substantially planar surface in a plane orthogonal to the central vertical axis <NUM>. The loading platform <NUM> may include a rotational portion <NUM> (e.g., a rotating turntable) and a stationary portion <NUM> (e.g., a stationary platform). The stationary portion <NUM> may include a stationary central portion <NUM> and a stationary radial portion <NUM>. The stationary central portion <NUM> may be disposed about the central vertical axis <NUM>. Indeed, as shown, in some embodiments, the stationary central portion <NUM> may be substantially circular, with a center of the stationary central portion <NUM> being coaxial with the central vertical axis <NUM> and concentric with the annulus formed by the rotational portion <NUM> and the stationary radial portion <NUM>. More specifically, a visible or top surface <NUM> of the rotational portion <NUM> may extend only partially circumferentially about the central vertical axis <NUM> between a first edge <NUM> and a second edge <NUM> to form a partial annulus or partial curve that is completed by a top surface <NUM> of the radial portion <NUM>. The radial portion <NUM> may also extend only partially circumferentially about the central vertical axis <NUM> between the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM>. Indeed, the first edge <NUM> and the second edge <NUM> may define circumferential (e.g., relative to the central vertical axis <NUM>) boundaries between the rotational portion <NUM> and the radial portion <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the rotation of the rotational portion <NUM> is a partial rotation from the first edge <NUM> of the stationary radial portion <NUM> to the second edge <NUM> of the stationary radial portion <NUM>. That is, the rotational portion <NUM> does not form a complete loop about the circumference of the loading platform <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the rotational portion <NUM> dips below the stationary radial portion <NUM> such that the top surface <NUM> emerges again at the first edge <NUM>. In such embodiments, the rotational portion <NUM> rotates in a complete loop or a complete rotation about the rotational axis. However, parts of the rotational portion <NUM> are underneath the common plane and do not form the top surface <NUM>.

The rotational portion <NUM> may be composed of a series of wedges <NUM>. Rotation of the rotational portion <NUM> may be driven by rotation of the wedges <NUM> through the rotational portion <NUM> about the central vertical axis <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the rotational portion <NUM> may rotate in a clockwise <NUM> direction. Generally, the top surfaces <NUM> of the rotational portion <NUM> and top surface <NUM> of the radial portion <NUM> may both be substantially disposed in a common horizontal plane (e.g., relative to the central vertical axis <NUM>). Accordingly, top surfaces <NUM> of the wedges <NUM> in the depicted embodiment are configured to be disposed substantially within the common horizontal plane while rotating through the rotational portion <NUM>, and are configured to traverse below the common horizontal plane while rotating through the stationary radial portion <NUM>. To further illustrate, <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the wedges <NUM> in relation to the first edge <NUM> of the loading system <NUM>. As shown, the top surface <NUM> of the rotational portion <NUM> may be substantially coplanar with the top surface <NUM> of the stationary radial portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments, similar to the functionality of steps in an escalator, adjacent wedges <NUM> may include a partially vertical interface <NUM> having interlocking grooves such that adjacent wedges <NUM> may slide at least partially vertically (e.g., relative to the central vertical axis <NUM>) along the grooves and relative to each other. Indeed, in some embodiments, top surfaces <NUM> of the wedges <NUM> and edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the stationary radial portion <NUM> may include an interlocking interface <NUM> (e.g., grooves, teeth, ridges, etc.) similar to the top surfaces of steps of a traditional escalator. For example, as the wedges <NUM> rotate clockwise <NUM> through the second edge <NUM> (e.g., transitioning from the rotational portion <NUM> to the stationary radial portion <NUM>), the wedges <NUM> may move vertically beneath the stationary radial portion <NUM>. For example, referring now back to <FIG>, an individual wedge 44a may move out of the plane and in a direction away from or downwards from the top surfaces <NUM> of its adjacent wedge <NUM>. The wedges <NUM> may rotate further clockwise <NUM> beneath the common horizontal plane of the stationary radial portion <NUM> toward the first edge <NUM>. As the wedges <NUM> reach the first edge <NUM>, the wedges <NUM> may transition vertically upwards, shown as the individual wedge 44b such that the top surfaces <NUM> of the wedges <NUM> are disposed within the common horizontal plane as the wedges <NUM> pass the first edge <NUM>.

The entrance ramp <NUM> may be any suitable angled path, which may include stairs, a substantially flat angled surface, an escalator, or any combination thereof. Generally, passengers may enter the loading zone <NUM> from an entrance <NUM>, descend the entrance ramp <NUM> toward the central portion <NUM> of the loading platform <NUM>, and load into the ride vehicle <NUM>. Similarly, users may ascend the entrance ramp <NUM> toward the entrance <NUM> to leave the loading zone <NUM>. As shown, the radial portion <NUM> may be disposed below a portion of the entrance ramp <NUM>.

The ride vehicles <NUM> may enter the loading zone <NUM> from the attraction path <NUM>. Particularly, the attraction path <NUM> may be connected to the loading path <NUM> at a first connecting location <NUM> (e.g., a first track switch <NUM>) and at a second connecting location <NUM> (e.g., a second track switch <NUM>). The ride vehicles <NUM> may travel from the attraction path <NUM> to the first connecting location <NUM>, and travel clockwise <NUM> along the loading path <NUM> toward the second connecting location <NUM>. As will be appreciated, from the second connecting location <NUM>, the ride vehicles <NUM> may either be directed (e.g., re-looped) to continue clockwise <NUM> along the loading path <NUM> toward the first connecting location <NUM>, or may be directed along the attraction path <NUM>.

As shown, the loading path <NUM> may be disposed about a perimeter (i.e. circumference) of the loading platform <NUM>. While the ride vehicle <NUM> is moving along the loading path <NUM>, passengers may load and unload the ride vehicles <NUM>. The loading path <NUM> may include a track or a conveyor, or may be a virtual path along which the ride vehicles <NUM> travel. In some embodiments, the loading path <NUM> is a path along which the ride vehicles <NUM> travel while rotating in conjunction with (i.e., together with or at the same speed as) the loading platform <NUM>. As shown, while traveling along the loading path <NUM>, the ride vehicles <NUM> may rotate at substantially the same rotational speed as the loading platform <NUM>. In this manner, a position and orientation of each ride vehicle <NUM> along the perimeter of the loading platform <NUM> may remain substantially constant. In other words, each ride vehicle <NUM> may maintain a temporarily fixed position relative to a circumference of the loading platform <NUM> while traveling through the loading path <NUM> and while the loading platform <NUM> rotates about the central vertical axis <NUM> such that the orientation of the loading platform <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., with seats facing towards a center or alongside an edge of the loading platform <NUM>) is substantially maintained. For example, in the currently illustrated embodiment having a substantially circular loading platform <NUM>, each ride vehicle <NUM> may continuously face the central vertical axis <NUM> of the loading platform <NUM> as the ride vehicles <NUM> travel along the loading path <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the rotational speed of the loading platform <NUM> as well as the speed of the ride vehicles <NUM> in the loading path <NUM> is less than an average speed of the ride vehicles <NUM> in the attraction path <NUM>.

In the depicted embodiment, the ride vehicles <NUM> are configured to enter the loading zone <NUM> from the attraction path <NUM>, and traverse the first connecting location <NUM> to travel clockwise <NUM> along the loading path <NUM> towards the second connecting location <NUM> (e.g., a main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>). As the ride vehicle <NUM> travels along the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>, passengers may unload from the ride vehicle <NUM>. Once the passengers are unloaded from the ride vehicle <NUM>, new passengers may be directed to load into the ride vehicle <NUM>. The new passengers may attempt to load the ride vehicle <NUM> as the ride vehicle <NUM> travels along the main portion <NUM>. If the new passengers have successfully loaded into the ride vehicle <NUM> before the ride vehicle <NUM> reaches the second connecting location <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be directed (e.g., via the second track switch <NUM> of the second connecting location <NUM>) from the loading path <NUM> to the attraction path <NUM>. However, in some instances, a passenger may request or require extra time to load into the ride vehicle <NUM>, or an operator may subjectively determine that a passenger may benefit from having extra time to load into the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, a passenger may indicate a preference to not load into the ride vehicle <NUM> from the rotational portion <NUM> of the loading platform <NUM>. Accordingly, in such situations, the ride operator may flag the ride vehicle <NUM> to cause the ride vehicle <NUM> to transition from the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>, across the second connecting location <NUM>, and towards the first connecting location <NUM> (e.g., a secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>). The ride vehicle <NUM> may come to a complete stop at the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> to allow passengers to load into the ride vehicle <NUM> from the stationary radial portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, multiple ride vehicles <NUM> may be stationed along the secondary portion <NUM> to allow passengers to load into the multiple ride vehicles <NUM> from the stationary loading portion <NUM> at the same time. For example, as shown in the current embodiment, the secondary portion <NUM> may hold approximately two ride vehicles <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that the secondary portion <NUM> may hold any suitable number of ride vehicles <NUM>.

The secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> may be disposed beneath the entrance ramp <NUM>. That is, the passengers and the ride vehicle <NUM> may be disposed beneath the entrance ramp <NUM> while the passengers attempt to load into the ride vehicle <NUM>. Accordingly, the entrance ramp <NUM> is arranged such that the clearance underneath the entrance ramp <NUM> is sufficient to permit clearance of the ride vehicles <NUM> and any unloaded passengers traveling underneath the entrance ramp <NUM> from the position of the second connecting location <NUM> to the first connecting location <NUM>.

Additionally or in the alternative, transitioning the ride vehicle <NUM> to the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> may be based on a loading time of the passengers. For example, if the new passengers have not successfully loaded into the ride vehicle <NUM> before the ride vehicle <NUM> reaches the second connecting location <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be directed (e.g., via the second track switch <NUM>), to continue along the loading path <NUM> toward the first connecting location <NUM> (e.g., along the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>). If the ride vehicle <NUM> is directed from the second connecting location <NUM> toward the first connecting location <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may come to a complete stop along the secondary portion <NUM> until the passengers have successfully loaded into the ride vehicle <NUM>. That is, if the passengers have not loaded into the ride vehicle <NUM> by the time the ride vehicle <NUM> reaches the second connecting location <NUM>, the passengers may transition from the rotational portion <NUM> to the stationary radial portion <NUM> to load into the ride vehicle <NUM>, as described above.

After the passengers load into the ride vehicle <NUM> from the stationary radial portion <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be transitioned across the first connecting location <NUM> (e.g., from the secondary portion <NUM> to the main portion <NUM> via the first track switch <NUM>) to re-loop along the main portion <NUM> with the ride vehicles <NUM> incoming from the attraction path <NUM>. The ride vehicle <NUM> may then travel along the main portion <NUM> and embark on the attraction path <NUM> at the second connecting location <NUM>.

Keeping this in mind, <FIG> is a flow chart of an embodiment of a loading process <NUM> that may be utilized by the loading system <NUM>. Accordingly, the following discussion may reference <FIG> in parallel with <FIG>. Further, the following discussion references the progress of a particular ride vehicle <NUM> through the loading process <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a ride vehicle <NUM> traveling (e.g., clockwise <NUM>) along the main portion <NUM> may be flagged. Particularly, a ride operator may provide an input to a controller (e.g., a vehicle controller and/or an attraction master controller) to flag the ride vehicle <NUM>. Providing the input may include pressing a button on a control panel, utilizing a key, utilizing a short range communication device (e.g., an RFID tag), or any other suitable input. Flagging the ride vehicle <NUM> distinguishes the ride vehicle <NUM> from other ride vehicles <NUM>, with regard to operations of the controller. In some embodiments, the ride operator may provide the input to flag the ride vehicle <NUM> based on request of a passenger wanting to board the ride vehicle <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be directed from the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>, which may be adjacent to the rotational portion <NUM>, to the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>, which may be adjacent to the stationary radial portion <NUM>. That is, in some embodiments, the second track switch <NUM> disposed at the second connecting location <NUM> may direct the ride vehicle <NUM> from the main portion <NUM> to the secondary portion <NUM>, as opposed to directing the ride vehicle <NUM> from the main portion <NUM> to the attraction path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the embodiments described in block <NUM> may enable (e.g., trigger) the embodiments described in reference to block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may discontinue motion along the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>. In other words, the ride vehicle <NUM> may come to a stop along the secondary portion <NUM> adjacent to the stationary radial portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, a braking system of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be activated to cause the ride vehicle <NUM> to come to a stop at the secondary portion <NUM>. Further still, in some embodiments, the ride operator may simply guide the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., by grabbing onto the ride vehicle <NUM> with a hand or device and walking along the loading platform <NUM>) to a stationary position along the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, an occupancy status of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be determined. For example, the ride operator may determine that passengers are fully loaded and secured into the ride vehicle <NUM>. Upon determining as such, the ride operator may provide an occupancy confirmation input to the controller. Providing the input may include pressing a button on a control panel, utilizing a key, utilizing a short range communication device (e.g., an RFID tag), or any other suitable input. The ride operator may provide the input based on their subjective discretion. That is, the ride operator may determine to provide the input when the ride vehicle is fully occupied, partially occupied, or empty of passengers. Further still, in some embodiments, the occupancy status of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be based on one or more sensors detecting the presence of passengers in the ride vehicles and a status of restraints of the ride vehicle, and providing the occupancy confirmation input to the controller.

At block <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be re-looped to the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> from the secondary portion <NUM> (e.g., via the first track switch <NUM> at the first connecting location <NUM>). That is, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be placed within a flow of ride vehicles <NUM> incoming from the attraction path <NUM> to the loading zone <NUM>.

To illustrate, the ride vehicles <NUM> moving along the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> may generally move along the loading path <NUM> at constant intervals. As such, assuming that each ride vehicle <NUM> is also directed along the attraction path <NUM> from the main portion <NUM>, the ride vehicles <NUM> may also generally travel along the attraction path <NUM> at constant intervals. However, as described in the embodiments of block <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be directed from the main portion <NUM> to the secondary portion <NUM>, as opposed to being directed along the attraction path <NUM>, at the second connecting location <NUM>. In such embodiments, an extended interval (e.g., a gap, a bubble, a space), may occur between two adjacent vehicles <NUM> traveling along the attraction path <NUM> due to the ride vehicle <NUM> having been disposed between the adjacent vehicles <NUM> along the loading path <NUM> being directed to the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> instead of to the attraction path <NUM>.

The adjacent ride vehicles <NUM> may travel along the attraction path <NUM> while maintaining the extended interval therebetween. Accordingly, as the adjacent ride vehicles <NUM> arrive back at the loading zone <NUM> from the attraction path <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> in the secondary portion <NUM> may transition to the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> is disposed between the two adjacent ride vehicles <NUM> (e.g., in the extended interval therebetween). For example, upon receiving the occupancy confirmation signal (e.g., block <NUM>), the ride vehicle <NUM> may prepare to transition into the extended interval (the extended interval that the ride vehicle <NUM> created by transitioning to the secondary portion <NUM>) traveling along the attraction path <NUM>. Indeed, the embodiments of block <NUM> may be triggered or implemented based on the embodiments of block <NUM>. As the adjacent ride vehicles <NUM> having the extended interval therebetween arrive at the first connecting location <NUM> from the attraction path <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may transition into the space between the adjacent ride vehicles <NUM> to continue along the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may transition from the main portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> to the attraction path <NUM> (e.g., via the second track switch <NUM>) at the second connecting location <NUM>. Indeed, because the passengers have already loaded into the ride vehicle <NUM> from the stationary radial portion <NUM> while the ride vehicle <NUM> was stopped at secondary portion <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be directed to the attraction path <NUM> upon arriving to the second connecting location <NUM> to complete a ride cycle.

In some embodiments, to unload from the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., after the ride vehicle <NUM> has completed a ride cycle along the attraction path <NUM>), the ride vehicle <NUM> may be flagged again (e.g., block <NUM>) to transition to the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>, in order to allow the passengers to unload onto the stationary radial portion <NUM>. Thus, other passengers may also load into the ride vehicles <NUM> while the ride vehicle <NUM> is still stationed at the radial portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be a continuously flagged vehicle such that the ride vehicle <NUM> may be directed to stop at the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM> after every ride cycle.

The <FIG> is a block diagram of the loading system <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, the loading system includes a turntable assembly <NUM> that drives rotation of the loading platform <NUM> via a motor <NUM> and a turntable controller <NUM>. The turntable controller <NUM> may be coupled to a central ride controller <NUM> (e.g., an attraction controller), and may communicate through a wireless network (e.g., wireless local area networks [WLAN], wireless wide area networks [WWAN], near field communication [NFC]) and/or through a wired network (e.g., local area networks [LAN], wide area networks [WAN]). The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. It should be understood that other disclosed components of the loading system <NUM> may also include a memory and processor and may operate to execute processor-based instructions stored in a memory. The central ride controller <NUM> may also control vehicle movement, and may communicate with the first track switch <NUM> and the second track switch <NUM> and their respective controllers <NUM>, <NUM> to direct movement of the ride vehicles <NUM> between the attraction path <NUM> and the loading path <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may receive a signal, or data, that one or more ride vehicles <NUM> approaching the second track switch <NUM> are not flagged. As the ride vehicle or ride vehicles <NUM> approach the second track switch <NUM>, the second track switch <NUM> receives a signal to switch to (or remain in) a position to direct the ride vehicles <NUM> onto the attraction path <NUM>. In another example, when the ride system <NUM> is in operation and the ride vehicles <NUM> traversing the loading path <NUM> is flagged, the second track switch <NUM> receives a signal from the controller <NUM> to move to (or remain in) a position to re-loop the ride vehicle <NUM> toward the secondary portion <NUM> of the loading path <NUM>.

The central controller <NUM> may permit operator input via an operator interface <NUM>, which may include a display <NUM>. In some embodiments, an operator may send one or more signals to the central controller <NUM> via the operator interface <NUM> to operate the loading system <NUM> as discussed herein.

Overall, the embodiments disclosed herein systems and methods configured to provide variable loading time for passengers loading into ride vehicles. For example, the disclosed embodiments include an attraction with a loading zone having ride vehicles configured to rotate in conjunction with a turntable while passengers unload and load the ride vehicles. Generally, passengers have a set amount of time to load into the ride vehicles as the ride vehicles travel through the loading zone. However, a passenger may prefer more than the set amount of time, or may prefer to load into the ride vehicles from a stationary surface. Accordingly, the turntable may include a stationary portion and a rotational portion. Normally, passengers may load into the ride vehicles in the rotational portion and may be directed to start a ride cycle from the rotational portion. However, the turntable also includes a stationary portion configured to hold ride vehicles still for a period of time while other vehicles continue to move through the loading zone via the rotational portion. As such, some passengers that require extra time to load into the ride vehicles may do so without disrupting the throughput of other ride vehicles. The uninterrupted progress of the ride vehicles through the attraction enables the attraction to cycle high volumes of guest through the attraction, thereby increasing an efficiency of the attraction.

While only certain features of present embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
An attraction loading system (<NUM>), comprising:
a loading platform (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotational portion (<NUM>) configured to rotate about a central vertical axis (<NUM>) of the loading platform (<NUM>); and,
a stationary portion (<NUM>) extending between a first edge (<NUM>) and a second edge (<NUM>), wherein the first edge (<NUM>) and the second edge (<NUM>) of the stationary portion (<NUM>) comprise respective interfaces of the stationary portion (<NUM>) with the rotational portion (<NUM>) and wherein the rotational portion (<NUM>) rotates from the first edge (<NUM>) to the second edge (<NUM>);
a loading path (<NUM>) disposed about a circumference of the loading platform (<NUM>), wherein a ride vehicle (<NUM>) is configured to travel along the loading path (<NUM>); and,
a track switch (<NUM>) configured to move the ride vehicle (<NUM>) onto an attraction path (<NUM>) from a main portion (<NUM>) of the loading path (<NUM>) in a first configuration or onto a secondary portion (<NUM>) of the loading path (<NUM>) from the main portion (<NUM>) of the loading path (<NUM>) in a second configuration.