Patent ID: 12186679

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods for providing passengers on a ride vehicle (e.g., dark ride vehicle) more degrees of freedom to interact with the ride (e.g., dark ride). For example, the disclosed systems and methods include a ride vehicle that includes a platform with multiple rows of seats disposed on it, where each seat is oriented in a same direction (e.g., towards a front portion of the platform or the ride vehicle). Each passenger enters the ride vehicle from the rear before loading a seat. Each seat includes a pad (e.g., front restraint) that engages a front of a seated passenger. Each seat also includes a back restraint that remains in a lowered position (e.g., adjacent the platform) while the passenger loads the seat and then raises against the passenger's back once the passenger is seated. The pad and the back restraint enable a seated passenger freedom of movement with their arms and upper torso to interact with the ride (e.g., virtually or physically). The ride vehicle may include a transport system (e.g., motion base or reaction deck) that enables movements of the ride vehicle in six degrees of freedom. The ride vehicle may travel along a track or trackless ride environment. The unique seating of the ride vehicle provides the passenger more mobility and, thus, a greater degree of freedom to interact with the ride environment.

FIGS.1and2are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a ride vehicle10(e.g., dark ride vehicle) having rear-entry style seats or seat modules12(e.g., bike style seats). One or more of the ride vehicles10may be utilized as part of a motion-based attraction in a dark environment. The ride vehicle10includes a platform14coupled to a transport system16. The platform14includes a front portion18and a rear portion20. Front and rear are defined relative to how a passenger or rider is oriented when seated in one of the seats12. For example, a seated passenger faces toward the front portion18with their back facing the rear portion20. As depicted, a first row22of the seats12is disposed on the platform14adjacent the front portion18and a second row24of the seats12is disposed on the platform14adjacent the rear portion20. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform14includes multiple levels or decks varying in height. For example, the first row22and the second row24of the seats12are disposed on decks26,28, respectively. Deck26is disposed lower than (e.g., beneath) deck28to enable passengers seated within the second row24to have an unhindered view. Passengers descend steps from the deck28to the deck26to get to the first row22of the seats12. The numbers of rows of seats12and the number of decks may vary (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.). The number of seats12per row may also vary (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.). In certain embodiments, the number of seats12within each row may vary between rows. For example, as depicted, the number of seats12in the first row22and the second row24are 6 and 4, respectively. In certain embodiments, each row of seats12may include a same name number of seats12. As depicted, the seats12at the end of the rows22,24are flanked by panels30,32. The platform14is open in front of the first row22and behind the second row24. The openness in front of the first row22enables a presentation to be viewed by all of the passengers in the ride vehicle10. For example, a presentation (providing loading and/or ride instructions and/or providing content related to the theme of the ride) may be presented while the passengers load the ride vehicle10. The openness behind the second row24enables each passenger to load the ride vehicle10from the rear (i.e., rear portion20). Thus, each passenger prior to loading the ride vehicle10will be located behind all of the seats12.

Each seat12includes a front restraint34, a rear restraint36, and a seat portion38(shown inFIG.2). In certain embodiments, each seat12may include other features (e.g., handle bars, monitors, etc.). The seat portion38supports the passenger upon loading the seat12(e.g., sitting on the seat portion38). The front restraint34(e.g., a padded bar or structure) extends around a front portion of the seated passenger to provide stability. As depicted, the front restraint34has a U-like shape. The shape of the front restraint34may vary from this. The front restraint34may be part of or disposed on a frame39defining the area of the seat12. The rear restraint36(e.g., back restraint) contacts and supports the back of the seated passenger to provide seated support. A portion of the rear restraint36(i.e., the portion contacting the passenger's back) may include a padded structure (e.g., padding disposed over metal). During loading of the vehicle10, the rear restraint36is in a lowered position adjacent the platform14(e.g., loading configuration). In certain embodiments, the rear restraint36may contact the platform14in the lowered position. While the rear restraints36are in the lowered position, the passengers enter the ride vehicle10from the rear portion20(e.g., via a loading platform). Once at their respective seat12, the passenger straddles the seat portion38from the rear to sit. The seat portion38may be shaped (e.g., as an elongate narrow shape) for this purpose, with dimensions that allow for passenger straddling. Once the passengers are seated, the rear restraints36are raised until they contact the passengers' backs (e.g., seating configuration) to facilitate seated support. Together, the front restraint34and the rear restraint36provide the passenger (while seated in an upright position) the stability to enable freedom of movement with their arms and upper torso to interact with the ride (e.g., as depicted inFIG.3with passengers56seated on the ride vehicle10). For example, passengers may interact with different elements of the ride virtually (e.g., via augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR)) or physically (e.g., soft robotics or something similar). In certain embodiments, each seat12may include a foot rest40on each side of the seating portion38for placing a foot within or on. In some embodiments, the each seat12may include a cup on each side of the seating portion38for placing a knee within. Each seat12may also include ride-themed elements42(e.g., wheels as depicted inFIGS.1and2) to enhance the ride environment.

In certain embodiments, each seat12may include various transducers disposed within various components of the seat12(e.g., handle bars, front restraint34, rear restraint36, seating portion38, etc.). For example, an audible output may be provided to a passenger via a speaker. The seat12may include tactile transducers that provide stimuli to different parts of the passenger (e.g., face, hands, back, etc.). For example, air or water may be directed at the passenger. Also, a scent may be released. Also, haptic stimuli may be provided by an object pushing against or contacting a portion of the passenger. Also, a temperature of a portion of the seat12may be adjusted to provide a stimulus.

In certain embodiments, each passenger may be provided an AR or VR headset that the passenger wears on their head during the ride that enables the passenger to interact with an AR or VR environment related to the theme of the ride. The AR or VR headset for each seat12may be coupled (e.g., physically, electronically, communicatively, etc.) to the seat12and/or the ride vehicle10.

In certain embodiments, each seat12may include a gesture tracking system (e.g., within an equipment box incorporated within the seat12). The gesture tracking system may be coupled to a controller of the ride vehicle10(e.g., located on or remotely from the ride vehicle10) and track the gestures of the seated passenger. In response to the detected gestures of the passenger, a movement of the ride vehicle10may be altered. For example, the ride vehicle10may spin, turn, alter a path, or change orientation. The ride vehicle10may alter movement based on the gestures of one passenger or multiple passengers. In certain embodiments, the detected gestures may alter what the passenger sees within their respective AR or VR headset. Similar responses may be performed based on or in conjunction with other movements of the one or multiple passengers detected by other aspects of the ride vehicle10, such as detectors in the seat12that track weight shifts of the one or multiple passengers.

The transport system16enables movements of the ride vehicle10in at least three degrees of freedom (e.g., directions in alignment with the ride vehicle10and parallel to direction44, direction46, and direction48). In certain embodiments, the transport system16enables movements of the ride vehicle10in six degrees of freedom. For example, movements of the ride vehicle10may occur in parallel with the direction44, the direction46, the direction48, roll50, pitch52, and yaw54. The transport system16and the platform14may interact to form a motion base or reaction deck. For example, the transport system16may include wheels, linkages (e.g., between the transport system16and the platform14), and other devices to enable the different movements of the ride vehicle10. The transport system16may act as an automated guide vehicle (AGV) in moving the ride vehicle10along its path through the ride environment (e.g., trackless dark ride environment). As an AGV, the ride vehicle10may travel along a substantially smooth ride path, for example via the assistance of optics, markers, magnets, sensors, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the transport system16may be coupled to a track to enable movement of the ride vehicle10along the track in the ride environment (e.g., dark ride environment).

FIG.4is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method58for loading the ride vehicle10. The method58includes orientating the ride vehicle10so that each passenger56enters the ride vehicle10from the rear20(e.g., behind each seat12on the ride vehicle10) (block60) and over the downturned rear restraint36. As depicted inFIG.5, the ride vehicle10is oriented so that the rear portion20of the platform14abuts a load platform62where the passengers56are awaiting loading. Prior to loading the ride vehicle10, passengers56already on the ride vehicle10may have to exit the ride vehicle10before reloading the ride vehicle10. Disembarking may occur at the load platform62or at another location prior to orientating the ride vehicle10relative to the load platform62. The method58also includes maintaining the rear restraints36in a lowered position (e.g., loading configuration) adjacent the platform14during the loading of the passengers56(block64). The rear restraints36may be lowered or translated from a seating configuration (e.g., contacting the passengers' backs) to a loading configuration (e.g., adjacent or contacting the floor of the ride vehicle10) during the disembarkation of the previous passengers. The lowered position of the rear restraints36enables the passengers56to enter the ride vehicle10from the rear portion20(e.g., via the loading platform62). A passenger56, upon proceeding to their respective seat12, passes over a lowered rear restraint36and straddles the seat portion38from the rear as depicted inFIG.6. Once the passengers56are seated, the rear restraints36are raised until they contact the passengers' backs (e.g., in a seating configuration) (block66) as depicted inFIG.7. Together, the front restraint34and the rear restraint36provide the passenger (while seated in an upright position) the stability to enable a freedom of movement with their arms and upper torso to interact with the ride while in the seating configuration. During loading and/or prior to leaving the load platform62, a presentation (providing loading and/or ride instructions and/or providing content related to the theme of the ride) may be presented to the passengers56(e.g., before the open front portion18of the ride vehicle10) on a display (e.g., a flat screen television, computer monitor, projection surface) integral with or in front of the ride vehicle10.

FIG.8is a schematic view of an embodiment of a ride system68(e.g., dark ride system) in a ride environment70(e.g., dark ride environment) with the ride vehicles10(e.g., dark ride vehicles) utilizing a track system72. The ride vehicles10are as described inFIGS.1-7. As depicted, multiple ride vehicles10are moving along a track74(e.g., path) of the track system72through themed elements75. In certain embodiments (as depicted), multiple ride vehicles10may be coupled via a linkage76as they move along the track74. In other embodiments, multiple ride vehicles10may move along the track74independent of each other (i.e., not physically linked). As described above, each ride vehicle10may be capable of at least three degrees of freedom in movements. In certain embodiments, each ride vehicle10may be capable of at least six degrees of freedom in movements. These degrees of freedom provide a motion-based attraction (e.g., in a dark ride environment). Some of the movements of the ride vehicles10may be determined by gestures of one or more passengers56.

FIG.9is a schematic view of an embodiment of a ride system78(e.g., dark ride system) in a ride environment80(e.g., dark ride environment) with the ride vehicles10(e.g., dark ride vehicles) being or using AGVs. The ride vehicles10are as described inFIGS.1-7. As depicted, multiple ride vehicles10are moving along a smooth trackless surface82along a path84through themed elements86. The path84may be predetermined or partially predetermined based on sensors88on the ride vehicles10detecting markers90disposed throughout the ride environment80(e.g., on or near the themed elements86) to guide the vehicles10. In some embodiments, the sensors88and markers90may be swapped so that the markers90are disposed on the ride vehicles10and the sensors88are disposed throughout the ride environment. Further, in some embodiments, the markers90and/or the sensors88may be utilized in both ways. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the path84or movements of the ride vehicles10may be determined (at least partially) by one or more of the passengers56. As described above, each ride vehicle10may be capable of at least three degrees of freedom in movements. In certain embodiments, each ride vehicle10may be capable of at least six degrees of freedom in movements. These degrees of freedom provide a motion-based attraction (e.g., in a dark ride environment). Some of the movements of the ride vehicles10may be determined by gestures of one or more passengers56.

FIG.10is a schematic view of an embodiment of the components of a ride vehicle system92(e.g., dark ride vehicle system) of an amusement attraction (e.g., motion-based dark ride). The ride vehicle10includes the platform14and transport system16as described inFIGS.1and2. Also, the ride vehicle10includes the plurality of seat modules12as described inFIGS.1and2. For example, each seat module12includes the front restraint34, the rear restraint36, and the seat or seat portion38as described above.

Each seat module12may include one or more transducers94. The transducers94may be disposed within various components of the seat12(e.g., handle bars, front restraint34, rear restraint36, seating portion38, etc.). For example, an audible output may be provided to a passenger via a speaker. The seat module12may include tactile transducers that provide stimuli to different parts of the passenger (e.g., face, hands, back, etc.). For example, air or water may be directed at the passenger. Also, a scent may be released. Also, haptic stimuli may be provided by an object pushing against or contacting a portion of the passenger. Also, a temperature of a portion of the seat module12may be adjusted to provide a stimulus.

Each seat module12may also include a gesture tracking system96(e.g., within an equipment box incorporated within the seat module12). The gesture tracking system96may be coupled to a controller98of the ride vehicle10(e.g., located on or remotely from the ride vehicle10) and track the gestures of the seated passenger. In response to the detected gestures of the passenger, a movement of the ride vehicle10may be altered. For example, the ride vehicle10may spin, turn, alter a path, or change orientation. The ride vehicle10may alter movement based on the gestures of one passenger or multiple passengers. In certain embodiments, the detected gestures may alter what the passenger sees within their respective AR or VR headset100. The gesture tracking system96may also represent a system that operates to track movement of the passenger (e.g., leaning in the seat module12) and control based on such movement in conjunction with or separately from other forms of gesturing.

The ride vehicle12may also include AR or VR headsets100for each passenger to wear on their head during the ride that enables the passenger to interact with an AR or VR environment related to the theme of the ride. The AR or VR headset100for each seat12may be coupled (e.g., physically, electronically, communicatively, etc.) to the respective seat12and/or the ride vehicle10. Each AR or VR headset100may be coupled to the ride controller98.

The ride controller98may be disposed within the ride system92(e.g., in each ride vehicle10(as depicted), or somewhere throughout the ride environment), or may be disposed outside of the ride system92(e.g., to operate the ride system92remotely). The controller98may include a memory101with stored instructions for controlling components in the ride system92(e.g., AR or VR headsets100, transducers94, gesture tracking system96, rear restraint36, transport system16, etc.). In addition, the controller98may include a processor102configured to execute such instructions. For example, the processor102may 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. Additionally, the memory101may 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, or solid-state drives.

In certain embodiments, the ride system92includes a track system104(e.g., similar to track system72inFIG.8) for transport of the ride vehicles10. In other embodiments, the ride system92includes a trackless system106(as described inFIG.9) for transport of the ride vehicles10(e.g., utilizing AGVs).

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

While only certain features of the disclosed subject matter have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosed subject matter.