Patent Description:
Various amusement attractions have been created to provide riders with unique motion and visual experiences. In some cases, an amusement attraction may include a ride vehicle and a ride track (or other path) along which the ride vehicle moves. In an increasing number of amusement attractions, the ride vehicle may not traverse a path. For example, the vehicle may be configured for roll, pitch, and/or yaw while remaining fixed to a location. Such vehicles may be referred to as stationary vehicles. For example, the international patent application published as <CIT>discloses a motion simulation device allowing motion in pitch and roll degrees of freedom. A base supports a motion table on which a seat is mounted. The table is supported on the base by a main joint. Linear actuators provide motive power for controlled movement of the seat. The motion table has an assistance lever rigidly attached to it such that at a nominal point of zero angular displacement of the motion table - the centre position - a fixture point at the end of the lever, below the motion table, lies on a notional vertical axis which intersects, and is perpendicular to, the axes of pitch and roll. Attached to the fixture point is one end of an extension spring, the other end being attached to a point on the base structure which, at centre position, lies on the vertical axis below the assistance lever's spring fixture point. For both stationary vehicles and those that traverse a path, virtual reality (VR) devices are being employed to provide additional excitement. It is now recognized that it is desirable to provide riders with the ability to control certain aspects of these rides and/or associated VR experiences to increase excitement and immersion in the ride experience. For example, it is now recognized that it is desirable to provide users with the ability to steer the ride vehicle or at least be given the perception, via the VR devices, that they are steering the ride vehicle.

The present invention provides a resistance control system of an amusement attraction according to claim <NUM> and a method of controlling a ride vehicle of an amusement attraction according to claim <NUM>.

Present embodiments are directed to a resistance control system for an amusement attraction, such as an attraction in which a rider is equipped with a virtual reality (VR) device of a VR system. Generally, the rider provides input to the VR system of the stationary attraction by leaning or shifting his or her weight relative to a ride vehicle positioned underneath the rider. The ride vehicle includes supports that are tensioned or engaged to appropriately resist the movement to simulate a virtual experience, such as riding a horse or steering a paraglider, which is delivered through the VR device. As discussed herein, the resistance control system enables selective adjustment of a resistance of the ride vehicle to movement, thus providing a similar experience to people of varying weights and enabling a wide range of rider weights to be accommodated on the stationary attraction.

The ride vehicle of the resistance control system generally includes rider accommodations, such as a chair or seat, coupled to a spring plate. In certain embodiments, the spring plate is supported by a structural joint (e.g., universal joint) that enables riders to pitch and roll the spring plate with their bodyweight. Notably, springs are engaged with, or coupled to a surface of, the spring plate to selectively contact an actuator plate disposed underneath the spring plate. The actuator plate is vertically positioned relative to the spring plate via actuators, thus enabling the springs of the spring plate to compress and provide stability during pitch and roll motions of the spring plate. The actuators may move the actuator plate up or down to respectively increase or decrease resistance of the resistance control system to movements of the rider. Thus, during a normal ride cycle, the resistance control system may measure a weight of the rider and instruct the actuators to change the tension of the springs to a predetermined setting or effective spring constant that corresponds to the weight. In other embodiments, compound or conical springs coupled to the spring plate may be passively compressed by the rider to a target height and secured with ratcheting devices, thereby providing a target resistance to movements of the rider. In any case, as a semi-passive system, the resistance control system provides an improved experience for guests of all weights relative to entirely passive systems, and further, may be less expensive and technically complicated than completely active systems.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an amusement attraction <NUM> includes a resistance control system <NUM> having a vehicle controller <NUM> (e.g., controller) and a ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., a motion simulator). The present embodiment of the amusement attraction <NUM> illustrates the ride vehicle <NUM> having a seat <NUM> from which a rider <NUM> may steer the ride vehicle <NUM> and receive a virtual experience, which is supported by a VR device <NUM> (e.g., VR headset, wearable visualization device) having a VR controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the VR device <NUM> is not included and additional excitement is added by the resistance control system <NUM> without VR effects. It should be understood that the ride vehicle <NUM> may take any suitable form, such as one including a sled, a motorcycle, an animal, a surfboard, a skateboard, and so forth. Although the resistance control system <NUM> is discussed herein with reference to a single rider <NUM>, it should be understood that similar techniques may be applied to adapt the resistance control system <NUM> for multi-passenger ride vehicles.

In the present embodiment, the seat <NUM> is coupled to a top surface <NUM> of a spring plate <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>, and springs <NUM> are engaged with or coupled to a bottom surface <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>. It should be noted that the spring plate <NUM> may be a frame or framework and not a solid plate, in other embodiments. The ride vehicle <NUM> includes a base <NUM> that is coupled to a support beam <NUM> via struts <NUM>, in the present embodiment. The support beam <NUM> is also coupled to the bottom surface <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM> via a pivot joint <NUM>. The pivot joint <NUM> of the present embodiment enables the spring plate <NUM> to rotate via roll <NUM> and pitch <NUM> relative to the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> is generally stationary relative to a ground surface <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the base <NUM> may be part of a larger vehicle that traverses a path (e.g., a track). In some embodiments, the pivot joint <NUM> may be a spherical bearing joint or universal joint that also enables rotational movements <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM> about an axis that is parallel a vertical axis <NUM> (e.g., yaw movement). In other embodiments, the pivot joint <NUM> may enable movement along a single axis (e.g., corresponding to a single degree of freedom), which may be suitable for simplified amusement attractions <NUM>. For example, to provide rotation around the single axis, the pivot joint <NUM> may be a gimbal or a hinged gimbal expansion joint. In any case, the base <NUM>, the support beam <NUM>, and the pivot joint <NUM> generally form a support assembly <NUM> that supports the spring plate <NUM> while allowing any suitable degrees of freedom of pivotal movement of the spring plate <NUM>.

The VR device <NUM> worn by the rider <NUM> implements VR techniques to render an interactive virtual experience within eyesight of the rider <NUM>. For example, the VR controller <NUM> may instruct a display of the VR device <NUM> to generate a target set of virtual images corresponding to the interactive virtual experience via a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. In some embodiments, the VR techniques include augmented reality techniques as well. As illustrated, the VR controller <NUM> of the VR device <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the vehicle controller <NUM> via a wireless communication component <NUM>. In other embodiments, the VR controller <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the vehicle controller <NUM> via any suitable components that form a communication connection, such as a wired connection, a BLUETOOTH® connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and so forth. It should be understood that the virtual experience provided through the VR device <NUM> may be selected to correspond with a physical appearance of the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or a theme of the amusement attraction <NUM>, in some embodiments. For example, in embodiments in which the amusement attraction <NUM> is themed as a jungle, the seat <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be designed as an animal, and the virtual experience may be displayed to the rider <NUM> as a race through the jungle. Such cohesive designing of components of the amusement attraction <NUM> may provide a consistent and immersive experience to the rider <NUM>. In other embodiments, the VR device <NUM> may be replaced with an augmented reality device. Moreover, it should be understood that the resistance control system <NUM> may be implemented in any suitable environment in which a semi-passive resistance control framework enhances user experience (e.g., an interactive movie theater or a motion-based ride).

Looking to resistance-adjusting features of the resistance control system <NUM> in more detail, the ride vehicle <NUM> includes an actuator plate <NUM> positioned between the spring plate <NUM> and the base <NUM>, relative to the vertical axis <NUM>. As with the spring plate <NUM>, the actuator plate <NUM> may be a framework and does not necessarily include a solid plate. In the present embodiment, actuators <NUM> are coupled between the actuator plate <NUM> and the base <NUM> to adjust a position of the actuator plate <NUM> based on instruction from the vehicle controller <NUM>. In other words, the actuators <NUM> are instructed to contract or extend to any suitable actuator length, between a fully contracted length and a fully extended length, to position the actuator plate <NUM> at a particular separation distance <NUM> from the spring plate <NUM>. The actuators <NUM> may be any suitable components that facilitate movement of the actuator plate <NUM>, including electric actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, magnetic actuators, mechanical actuators, and/or servo motors, and so forth. It should be understood that in the present embodiment, the actuator plate <NUM> is not directly coupled to the spring plate <NUM>.

As mentioned, the springs <NUM> are coupled to the bottom surface <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>, and further, may selectively compress against contact the actuator plate <NUM> in response to movements of the rider <NUM>. For example, when the rider <NUM> leans to shift his or her weight relative to the support beam <NUM>, the pivot joint <NUM> enables the spring plate <NUM> to tilt accordingly, thus disposing a corresponding portion of the springs <NUM> in contact (e.g., engaged) with a top surface <NUM> of the actuator plate <NUM>. In response to continued weight shifting or engagement, the portion of the springs <NUM> that is in contact with the top surface <NUM> compresses and provide resistance to slow and eventually stop the movement of the spring plate <NUM>. As recognized herein, by adjusting the separation distance <NUM> between the spring plate <NUM> and the actuator plate <NUM>, the resistance control system <NUM> may effectively tune the ride vehicle <NUM> to provide a feeling of neutral buoyancy to the rider <NUM> that is suited for any one of multiple VR experiences delivered by the VR device <NUM>.

Moreover, although two springs <NUM> and two actuators <NUM> are illustrated for simplicity, it should be understood that these are representative of any number of such features. In accordance with present embodiments, any suitable number of springs <NUM> and actuators <NUM> may be included in the ride vehicle <NUM>, including one spring <NUM> and/or one actuator <NUM>. For example, in embodiments having a single actuator <NUM>, the single actuator may include any suitable four-bar linkage, scissor linkage, guide rails combined with wheels, or any other suitable linkage mechanism that enables the single actuator <NUM> to adjust the position of the actuator plate <NUM> in one or multiple dimensions, in accordance with the present techniques. Additionally, in embodiments having a single spring <NUM>, the single spring <NUM> may be disposed at a central position corresponding to an expected center of mass of the rider <NUM>. It should also be understood that the springs <NUM>, which are illustrated as mechanical, helical, or coil springs in the present embodiment, may include or represent any suitable resistance devices in certain embodiments, such as gas springs, air springs, elastomers, leaf springs, stiff air bladders, conical spring washers (e.g., Belleville washers), gas struts, or magnetic repulsion assemblies, or any combination thereof. That is, any suitable device that applies a variable force as a function of a dimension of the suitable device is presently contemplated as a suitable component of the resistance control system <NUM>.

Additionally, although illustrated with the springs <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM> separated from the actuator plate <NUM>, in other embodiments, the springs <NUM> may be coupled between the spring plate <NUM> and the base <NUM> to provide a normalizing bias to the spring plate <NUM>. Moreover, although discussed herein with reference to the springs <NUM> coupled to the spring plate <NUM>, it should be understood that the springs <NUM> may be coupled at any suitable position in the ride vehicle <NUM> that enables selective engagement of the springs <NUM>, including positions in which the springs <NUM> engage with any suitable surface of the actuator plate <NUM>, via cantilever action or any other suitable force-distributing components. That is, the suitable position may be any suitable position from which the springs <NUM> are engaged in response to tilting of the spring plate <NUM> beyond a threshold angle. In some of these embodiments, one or both ends of the springs <NUM> may be coupled to the support beam <NUM> and selectively compressed between the spring plate <NUM> and the actuator plate <NUM>. In other embodiments, the springs <NUM> may alternatively be coupled to the top surface <NUM> of the actuator plate <NUM>.

As illustrated, the resistance control system <NUM> also includes sensors <NUM> to collect suitable information related to the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or the rider <NUM> thereon. For example, the sensors <NUM> presently include an inclinometer <NUM> coupled to the spring plate <NUM> to sense an angle and a direction of incline, or position, of the spring plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inclinometer <NUM> senses an incline of the spring plate <NUM> to a thousandth of a degree. In other embodiments, an accelerometer, a position sensor, and so forth may be additionally or alternatively coupled to the ride vehicle <NUM>. Moreover, the sensors <NUM> of the resistance control system <NUM> include a weight sensor <NUM> that senses data indicative of a weight of the rider <NUM> and transmits the data to the vehicle controller <NUM>. The weight sensor <NUM> is illustrated as coupled directly to the support beam <NUM> in the present embodiment, thus enabling the weight sensor <NUM> to sense an entire weight or force from the rider <NUM> that is directed through the support beam <NUM>. In other embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> may be positioned anywhere between the rider <NUM> and the base <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>, such as between the seat <NUM> and the spring plate <NUM>. In other embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> may be omitted, and the ride vehicle <NUM> may include a user input device that enables the rider <NUM> to provide input indicative of a weight, a user profile, and/or a desired resistance setting.

Proceeding to discussion of the vehicle controller <NUM>, the vehicle controller <NUM> is generally responsible for controlling the ride vehicle <NUM> to provide a target distance between the spring plate <NUM> and the actuator plate <NUM>, as well as for aligning rider experiences (e.g., physical movements of the vehicle <NUM>) with the VR experience delivered through the VR device <NUM>. It should be noted that the VR device <NUM> may be representative of different and/or additional effects (e.g., flat screen displays and audio systems). The vehicle controller <NUM> may communicate with other components of the amusement attraction <NUM> and/or the resistance control system <NUM> via any suitable, respective communication circuitry (e.g., forming a wired or wireless network). In the present embodiment, the vehicle controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the VR controller <NUM> of the VR device <NUM>, the actuators <NUM>, the inclinometer <NUM>, and the weight sensor <NUM>. The vehicle controller <NUM> may be included in a housing or chassis of the ride vehicle <NUM>, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the vehicle controller <NUM> may be remote to the ride vehicle <NUM> and coordinate operation of multiple ride vehicles <NUM>.

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

As will be understood, the resistance setting database <NUM> is a store of data having resistance settings that correlate a sensed weight of the rider <NUM> to a target actuator length (e.g., target length, length within a threshold range) for the actuators <NUM>. The resistance setting database <NUM> therefore enables the vehicle controller <NUM> to appropriately move the actuator plate <NUM> to tension the springs <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> for riders of a wide range of weights. Generally, the resistance control system <NUM> instructs the actuators <NUM> to provide less resistance for lighter riders <NUM> and more resistance for heavier riders <NUM>. In some embodiments, the resistance setting database <NUM> correlates the target actuator lengths to a signal indicative of the weight of the rider <NUM>, such as a raw output of the weight sensor <NUM> in volts. Such a correlation may improve privacy and/or reduce computational latency for the resistance control system <NUM> compared to embodiments that convert the raw output into a value with units of weight. The resistance setting database <NUM> may include a target actuator length for any suitable range of raw outputs and/or weights above a customizable lower weight limit, such as every <NUM> pound, <NUM> pounds, <NUM> pounds, and <NUM> pounds, for example.

In some embodiments, the resistance setting database <NUM> includes individualized target actuator lengths that correspond to a respective virtual experience, a respective rider age, a respective rider profile, and so forth. For example, in embodiments in which the virtual experience provided through the VR device <NUM> is a detail-oriented or challenging experience, the resistance control system <NUM> may implement relatively high resistance settings (e.g., <NUM>% more tension) to provide more motion sensitivity to the ride vehicle <NUM>. Additionally, in embodiments in which the resistance control system <NUM> determines that a rider profile of the rider <NUM> indicates a preference for a relaxed experience (e.g., relaxed VR gameplay), the resistance control system <NUM> may implement relatively low resistance settings and instruct the VR device <NUM> to provide a simplified virtual experience that suits the relatively low resistance settings. The resistance control system <NUM> of certain embodiments may also adjust the resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> over a duration of a ride cycle of the amusement attraction <NUM>, such as by increasing the resistance in response to determining that the ride cycle is nearing completion, that the rider <NUM> is entering a particular region of a simulated environment supported by the VR device <NUM>, that the rider <NUM> has performed a certain task within the simulated environment, that the rider <NUM> has provided user input indicative of a requested resistance adjustment, and so forth.

With the above features of the resistance control system <NUM> in mind, further discussion is provided herein regarding operation of the resistance control system <NUM> to regulate the weight resistance of, and enhance rider satisfaction on, the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, <FIG> is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process <NUM> that enables the resistance control system <NUM> to control the ride vehicle <NUM> through a ride cycle of the amusement attraction <NUM>. The steps illustrated in the process <NUM> are meant to facilitate discussion and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, because additional steps may be performed, certain steps may be omitted, and the illustrated steps may be performed in an alternative order or in parallel, where appropriate. The process <NUM> may be representative of initiated code or instructions stored in a non-transitory computer- readable medium (e.g., the memory <NUM>) and executed, for example, by the processor <NUM> of the vehicle controller <NUM> of the resistance control system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be communicatively coupled via a network, such as a wireless network, to receive and send the instructions and signals described below.

In the presently illustrated embodiment, the vehicle controller <NUM> performing the process <NUM> starts (block <NUM>) a ride cycle by receiving (block <NUM>) input indicative of a weight of the rider <NUM>. For example, the vehicle controller <NUM> may receive signals from the weight sensor <NUM> after the rider <NUM> has boarded the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> may transmit signals continuously, such that the vehicle controller <NUM> identifies one of the signals as being indicative of the weight of the rider <NUM> in response to the signals being constant (e.g., within <NUM>%, within <NUM>%) for a threshold time period. Such embodiments may facilitate security within the amusement attraction <NUM> by providing a baseline weight value of the rider <NUM> to the vehicle controller <NUM>. The vehicle controller <NUM> may therefore present an alert to an operator of the amusement attraction <NUM> and/or shut down the ride vehicle <NUM> in response to a detected weight value that is outside a predetermined threshold from the baseline weight value (e.g., indicative of a dropped item, a premature departure). In other embodiments, the vehicle controller <NUM> may receive user input from a user interface in response to the rider <NUM> entering his or her weight or a requested resistance setting into the user interface, then store the user input as the input indicative of the weight of the rider <NUM>. In some embodiments, the vehicle controller <NUM> converts the input indicative of the rider weight into a weight value. As such, although discussed herein as a rider weight for simplicity, it should be understood that the vehicle controller <NUM> may instead perform the following steps of the process <NUM> with respect to other information including the raw output of the weight sensor <NUM> in volts, in certain embodiments.

Continuing the process <NUM>, the vehicle controller <NUM> queries (block <NUM>) the resistance setting database <NUM> to retrieve a target actuator length that corresponds to the rider weight. As mentioned, the resistance setting database <NUM> includes entries that associate respective lengths of the actuators <NUM> with various rider weights. The vehicle controller <NUM> thus utilizes the rider weight to identify a suitable actuator length for the actuators <NUM> that provides an appropriate resistance to movement for the rider <NUM> having that particular rider weight. In general, the target actuator length is more extended (e.g., corresponding to a smaller separation distance <NUM>) for heaver rider weights than lighter rider weights to increase the movement resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> for the heavier rider weights. With the appropriate target actuator length identified, the vehicle controller <NUM> controls, operates, or instructs (block <NUM>) the actuators <NUM> to extend or contract to reach the target actuator length, thus disposing the actuator plate <NUM> at a specified separation distance <NUM> from the spring plate <NUM>. In other embodiments, the resistance setting database <NUM> may include entries that associate respective positions of the actuator plate <NUM> with various rider weights, and the resistance control system <NUM> may control the weight resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> by moving the actuator plate <NUM> to a target actuator plate position, which corresponds to a target separation distance <NUM> from the spring plate <NUM>.

With the tension of the ride vehicle <NUM> calibrated to the rider weight, the vehicle controller <NUM> provides (block <NUM>) a ride experience to the rider <NUM> through the ride vehicle <NUM> that corresponds to the virtual experience provided through the VR device <NUM>. For example, the VR controller <NUM> of the VR device <NUM> may instruct the processor <NUM> to generate particular virtual images to display to the rider <NUM>. The rider <NUM> generally moves his or her bodyweight relative to the ride vehicle <NUM> to provide user input to the vehicle controller <NUM> (e.g., via the inclinometer <NUM>), which communicates the user input to the VR controller <NUM>. The VR controller <NUM> therefore adjusts the virtual images displayed to the rider <NUM> to display a target set of virtual images that corresponds to the received user input. For example, in response to the rider <NUM> leaning to the left, the spring plate <NUM> may move in pitch <NUM> by a particular amount (e.g., inches) based on the resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The inclinometer <NUM> senses the movement of the spring plate <NUM> and transmits a signal indicative of the movement to the vehicle controller <NUM>. The vehicle controller <NUM> may therefore instruct the VR controller <NUM> to adjust the virtual images provided through the VR device <NUM> to display a corresponding virtual movement in pitch <NUM>. It should be understood that, in other embodiments, the VR controller <NUM> is embedded or stored within the vehicle controller <NUM>. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the amusement attraction <NUM> may include features other than or in addition to the VR device <NUM>, such as a projection screen, which receives the user input as feedback that enhances rider enjoyment. In further embodiments, such as those in which the ride vehicle <NUM> moves along a track, the VR device <NUM> and the VR controller <NUM> are omitted.

In addition to commanding the VR device <NUM> to respond to the movements of the ride vehicle <NUM>, the resistance control system <NUM> enables the ride vehicle <NUM> to respond to instructions from the VR controller <NUM>. For example, the vehicle controller <NUM> performing the process <NUM> determines (block <NUM>) whether a haptic feedback request is received from the VR controller <NUM>. Continuing the above example, in response to the rider <NUM> steering the ride vehicle <NUM> such that a virtual representation of the ride vehicle <NUM> contacts a boundary (e.g., a fence, a cloud, an obstacle), the VR controller <NUM> may request that the vehicle controller <NUM> vibrate or otherwise manipulate the ride vehicle <NUM> to indicate the contact. It should be understood that the vehicle controller <NUM> may receive any single or multiple haptic feedback requests from the VR controller <NUM>, including continuous requests and/or preprogrammed requests.

In response to receiving the haptic feedback request, the vehicle controller <NUM> instructs (block <NUM>) the actuators <NUM> to manipulate the actuator plate <NUM> to correspond to the VR experience of the VR device <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the actuators <NUM> may extend to position the actuator plate <NUM> in contact with the springs <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM> and/or move the spring plate <NUM>, thereby providing haptic feedback to the rider <NUM>. The vehicle controller <NUM> may instruct the actuators <NUM> to adjust in length either individually or in sync with one another. For example, the actuators <NUM> may be instructed to further tension one region (e.g., quadrant, side) of the ride vehicle <NUM> to discourage the rider <NUM> from steering the ride vehicle <NUM> in a direction that corresponds to the one region. In other embodiments, the actuators <NUM> may be instructed to move the entirety of the actuator plate <NUM> sequentially up and down, or in a random manner, to provide an experience of floating to the rider <NUM>. After fulfilling the haptic feedback request, the vehicle controller <NUM> may return to instruct (block <NUM>) the actuators <NUM> to move to the target actuator length.

Alternatively, in response to determining that a haptic feedback request is not unfulfilled or outstanding, the vehicle controller <NUM> may determine (block <NUM>) whether the present ride cycle of the amusement attraction <NUM> is completed. The vehicle controller <NUM> may consult a clock, the VR controller <NUM>, or any other suitable component to perform the determination of block <NUM>. In response to determining that the ride cycle is not completed, the vehicle controller <NUM> performing the illustrated embodiment of the process <NUM> returns to block <NUM> to continue determining whether haptic feedback requests are received. Alternatively, in response to determining that the ride cycle is completed, the vehicle controller <NUM> instructs (block <NUM>) the actuators <NUM> to return to a default length, thereby ending (block <NUM>) the process <NUM>. The default length may correspond to a relaxed state of the actuators <NUM>, a most common length that suits a majority of riders <NUM>, a length that facilitates dismounting from the ride vehicle (e.g., tilting the spring plate <NUM> toward an exit of the amusement attraction <NUM>), and so forth. The resistance control system <NUM> having the vehicle controller <NUM> therefore efficiently improves rider experience within the amusement attraction <NUM> by semi-passively tuning the weight resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> to each particular rider weight. Moreover, the resistance control system <NUM> disclosed herein provides dynamic haptic feedback to the rider <NUM> that corresponds to the virtual images provided through the VR device <NUM>, further generating dynamic and enjoyable rider experiences.

With the above understanding of operation of the resistance control system <NUM> in mind, further discussion is provided herein regarding example embodiments of the ride vehicle <NUM> controlled by the resistance control system <NUM>. For example, <FIG> is a cross-sectional elevational view of an embodiment of the ride vehicle <NUM> having the spring plate <NUM> in a horizontal orientation (e.g., aligned with a horizontal axis <NUM>). As discussed above, the ride vehicle <NUM> includes the actuator plate <NUM>, the spring plate <NUM>, and the support assembly <NUM> having the base plate, the support beam <NUM>, and the pivot joint <NUM>. Because the ride vehicle <NUM> is stationary, the base <NUM> is disposed in contact with the ground surface <NUM>. In other embodiments, the resistance control system <NUM> may be utilized on a mobile motion base and the ground surface <NUM> may be representative of a larger vehicle to which the ride vehicle <NUM> is coupled.

The ride vehicle <NUM> also includes six springs <NUM>, which are illustrated as conical mechanical springs in the present embodiment. The conical mechanical springs generally have length-variable or non-linear spring constants, such that initial compression of the springs against the actuator plate <NUM> progresses with less force than further compression of the springs <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the springs <NUM> are evenly spaced from each other in a hexagonal or circular formation, which is centered over the pivot joint <NUM>. However, it should be understood that any other suitable type, formation, and quantity of springs <NUM> may be employed within the ride vehicle <NUM> to selectively compress against and/or contact the actuator plate <NUM>. For example, the conical springs may be replaced with cylindrical, helical springs having progressive spring constants coupled to one another in series (e.g., compound springs), in some embodiments. The ride vehicle <NUM> may alternatively include a single spring <NUM> that is suitably positioned within the ride vehicle <NUM> to enable the presently disclosed features to dynamically adjust the weight resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM>.

The resistance control system <NUM> also includes moderating features that further improve rider experience on the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> of the present embodiment includes speed limiters <NUM> (e.g., gas springs) that control movement of the spring plate <NUM>. The speed limiters <NUM> are each coupled between the spring plate <NUM> and a peripheral support beam <NUM> that is positioned beneath an outer edge <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the speed limiters <NUM> include spherical rolling bearings <NUM> that give three-axis rotational freedom, though any other suitable connection components with the same or more restricted rotational movement may be employed. The speed limiters <NUM> include a piston <NUM> and a rod <NUM> that moves relative to the piston <NUM> to provide damping to the motion of the ride vehicle <NUM>. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, this dampened motion correlates to movement of a seat within or part of a ride vehicle, a ride vehicle that is effectively a seat, or both a ride vehicle and a seat of the ride vehicle.

<FIG> is a side perspective side view of an embodiment of the stationary ride vehicle <NUM> having the spring plate <NUM> in a tilted orientation. As illustrated, the spring plate <NUM> is disposed at an inclination angle <NUM> relative to the actuator plate <NUM>, due to weight shifting of the rider <NUM> that may be boarded onto the spring plate <NUM>. The ride vehicle <NUM> also includes bumpers <NUM> (e.g., rubber bumpers, stoppers) positioned on the peripheral support beams <NUM> disposed underneath the spring plate <NUM>. The bumpers <NUM> generally enable the spring plate to freely rotate up to a threshold inclination angle at which the bottom surface <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM> contacts the bumpers <NUM>. The bumpers <NUM> may include a contact sensor that provides signals to the vehicle controller <NUM> to indicate whether the spring plate <NUM> is contacting the respective bumper <NUM>. In some embodiments, six bumpers <NUM> and six peripheral support beams <NUM> may be included in the ride vehicle <NUM>. In such cases, every other peripheral support beam <NUM> may also be indirectly coupled to the spring plate <NUM> via one of the speed limiters <NUM> discussed above.

The actuators <NUM> illustrated in the present embodiment are coupled between the actuator plate <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Thus, the actuators <NUM> may move the actuator plate along the vertical axis <NUM> to adjust the effective spring constant of the springs <NUM>, such as by increasing or decreasing the separation distance <NUM> between the actuator plate <NUM> and the spring plate <NUM> (e.g., in a horizontal position corresponding to the pivot joint <NUM> or a fulcrum of the spring plate <NUM>). The ride vehicle <NUM> may include three actuators <NUM> that are spaced equidistant from one another in a triangular formation, though it should be understood that additional actuators <NUM> may be included and evenly spaced relative to one another in any suitable polygonal shape. Moreover, the speed limiters <NUM> discussed above may be positioned in a triangle formation that is a mirror image of the triangle formation of the actuators <NUM>, thereby evenly distributing force of the speed limiters <NUM> and the actuators <NUM> around a perimeter of the ride vehicle <NUM>. In other embodiments, such as those in which the ride vehicle <NUM> is mobile, the force of the speed limits <NUM> and the actuators <NUM> may be evenly distributed around a seat of the ride vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective diagram illustrating another embodiment of the resistance control system <NUM> that controls the ride vehicle <NUM> within the amusement attraction <NUM>. The ride vehicle <NUM> includes the spring plate <NUM> and the seat <NUM> or other rider accommodation coupled to the top surface <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>. From the seat <NUM>, the rider <NUM> may steer the ride vehicle <NUM> with his or her bodyweight. Notably, the ride vehicle <NUM> includes spring columns <NUM> coupled to the bottom surface <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM> to selectively adjust a resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> based on a weight of the rider <NUM>. Each spring column <NUM> includes a height-adjustable spring assembly <NUM> that is passively (e.g., naturally) compressed to a target height <NUM> by the weight of the rider <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, each height-adjustable spring assembly <NUM> includes three spring regions <NUM>, namely: a high-compression region <NUM>, a medium-compression region <NUM>, and a low-compression region <NUM>. As used herein, each spring region <NUM> is defined as any suitable component that provides a respective spring constant. As such, the low-compression region <NUM> has a larger spring constant than the medium-compression region <NUM> or the high-compression region <NUM>, indicating that more force is utilized to compress the low-compression region <NUM> (e.g., as approximated by Hooke's law). In the present embodiment, the compressibility of each spring region <NUM> is provided by selecting a target wire thickness for the spring region <NUM>, though any other suitable properties of the spring regions <NUM> may be varied (e.g., material, coating, treatment, size).

For example, the high-compression region <NUM> may be designed to be active for riders having a first weight range (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> pounds), beyond which the high-compression region <NUM> is fully compressed and substantially stiff. The other spring regions <NUM>, <NUM> may be negligibly compressed and act substantially stiff for riders having a weight within the first weight range. The medium-compression region <NUM> may be designed to be active for a second weight range (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> pounds) that is higher than the first weight range. As such, the medium-compression region <NUM> is actively compressible for riders having a weight within the second weight range, while the high-compression region <NUM> is fully compressed and the low-compression region <NUM> is substantially stiff. Similarly, the low-compression region <NUM> may be designed to be active when supporting riders having a weight within a third weight range (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> pounds), such that the other spring regions <NUM>, <NUM> are fully compressed. Accordingly, after the rider <NUM> boards the ride vehicle <NUM>, the height-adjustable spring assemblies <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> passively compress to tune the weight resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> to the weight of the rider <NUM>.

The spring regions <NUM> presently include cylindrical, helical coil springs that are coupled in series with one another between the spring plate <NUM> and a respective base plate <NUM>. In other embodiments, each spring column <NUM> may include a single conical spring that provides continuously variable spring regions along the height of the spring columns <NUM>, or other suitable resistance-variable components discussed above (e.g., gas springs, magnetic repulsion assemblies). Although illustrated with four spring columns <NUM> each having three spring regions <NUM>, it should be understood that any suitable number of spring columns <NUM> with any suitable number of spring regions <NUM> may be implemented within the ride vehicle <NUM>, including a single spring column <NUM> positioned underneath a center point <NUM> of the spring plate <NUM>. In accordance with the present disclosure, reference to a spring element may include any feature capable of providing resistive spring force, such as a metal spring, plastic spring, leaf spring, conical or cylindrical coil, gas spring, magnetic repulsion assembly, or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, each spring column <NUM> includes a linkage mechanism <NUM> (e.g., cable, rope, chain) coupled between the respective base plate <NUM> and the spring plate <NUM> to restrict lateral motion of the spring columns <NUM>. The linkage mechanism <NUM> is illustrated as disposed within the height-adjustable spring assembly <NUM>, though it should be understood that the linkage mechanism may be positioned elsewhere within the spring column <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the linkage mechanism <NUM> facilitates securement of the spring columns <NUM> to the target height <NUM>, as discussed in more detail below. In other embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may operate without securing the spring columns <NUM>, thereby enabling less complex construction and operation of the amusement attraction <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the resistance control system <NUM>, which includes the vehicle controller <NUM> and the VR controller <NUM> discussed above. The present discussion focuses on operation of a single spring column <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>, though it should be understood that each spring column <NUM> may operate similarly. The illustrated embodiment of the spring column <NUM> includes locking devices <NUM> that selectively secure the spring columns <NUM> at the target height <NUM> based on a weight of the rider <NUM>. For example, the locking devices <NUM> may be ratcheting devices that receive a ribbed extension <NUM> coupled to a distal end <NUM> of a main body <NUM> of the linkage mechanism <NUM>. In such embodiments, the base plate <NUM> may include an opening that enables the main body <NUM> of the linkage mechanism <NUM> to be coupled to, and disposed on an opposite side of the base plate <NUM> from, the ribbed extension <NUM>. In such embodiments, the weight of the rider <NUM> may passively compress the height-adjustable spring assembly <NUM> to a target height <NUM>, moving the spring plate <NUM> closer to the base plate <NUM> and depressing the ribbed extension <NUM> to a target position relative to the locking devices <NUM>. It should be understood that any other suitable locking devices may be implemented within the ride vehicle <NUM>, such as a reel and spool that secure the linkage mechanism <NUM>, caliper brakes, locking gas springs, magnetic retention systems, locking racks and/or pinions, and so forth.

In embodiments having the locking devices <NUM>, the vehicle controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the locking devices <NUM> to control operation of the locking devices <NUM>. For example, the ratcheting embodiments of the locking devices <NUM> may passively retain the spring columns <NUM> to have the target height <NUM> in response to force applied by the weight of the rider. In other embodiments having active locking devices, the vehicle controller <NUM> may instruct the locking devices <NUM> to secure the spring columns <NUM> in response to determining that a ride cycle of the amusement attraction <NUM> is initiated. In either case, the vehicle controller <NUM> may instruct the locking devices <NUM> to release the ribbed extension <NUM> or other suitable components of the spring column <NUM> to enable the spring column <NUM> to return to a default height (e.g., uncompressed height) in response to determining that the ride cycle is completed.

The illustrated embodiment of the resistance control system <NUM> also includes the inclinometer <NUM> coupled to the spring plate to provide feedback to the VR controller <NUM>, thereby enabling the VR controller <NUM> to align the virtual experience of the VR device <NUM> to a current position of the ride vehicle <NUM>. As discussed above, any other suitable sensors <NUM> may be additionally or alternatively coupled to the ride vehicle <NUM> to facilitate operation of the amusement attraction <NUM>. Notably, the resistance control systems <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> do not include the weight sensor <NUM>, providing a less complex embodiment of the ride vehicle <NUM>, while enabling semi-passive control of the weight resistance of the ride vehicle <NUM> for improved rider experiences.

Claim 1:
A resistance control system (<NUM>) of an amusement attraction (<NUM>), the resistance control system (<NUM>) comprising:
a support assembly (<NUM>) comprising a base (<NUM>), a pivot joint (<NUM>), and a support beam (<NUM>) extending between the base (<NUM>) and the pivot joint (<NUM>);
a spring plate (<NUM>) for supporting a rider (<NUM>), coupled to the pivot joint (<NUM>) of the support assembly (<NUM>); at least one spring (<NUM>) engaged with the spring plate (<NUM>);
an actuator plate (<NUM>) positioned between the spring plate (<NUM>) and the base (<NUM>) of the support assembly (<NUM>), the at least one spring (<NUM>) being configured to selectively compress against the actuator plate (<NUM>) in response to movements of the rider (<NUM>); and
at least one actuator (<NUM>) coupled between the actuator plate (<NUM>) and the base (<NUM>), wherein the at least one actuator (<NUM>) is configured to move and secure the actuator plate (<NUM>) relative to the pivot joint (<NUM>) to adjust a resistance to movement about the pivot joint (<NUM>) by changing a separation distance (<NUM>) between the spring plate (<NUM>) and the actuator plate (<NUM>).