AMUSEMENT RIDE TARGETS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of Italian Application Serial No. 102018000006284, entitled “AMUSEMENT RIDE TARGETS” and filed on Jun. 13, 2018, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND
Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to one or more amusement ride targets.

Background

Various amusement rides have been created to provide passengers with unique motion and visual experiences, including roller coasters, bumper cars, theme rides, and simulators. Amusement rides typically have the limitation of having a fixed ride objective and/or experience. As a result, riders may become familiar with the ride, which may limits the excitement of the user experience.

There is a need to change the objective of certain amusement rides in order to increase the variability, and hence, the excitement of the ride.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Amusement rides in which riders interact with one another typically have the limitation of having a fixed objective. Bumper cars are one such ride that that has for decades had a fixed objective—namely, bumping into other cars. As a result, passengers can become familiar with the ride, which may limits the excitement of the user experience. There is a need to change the objective of amusement rides, such as bumper cars, in order to increase the variability, and hence, the excitement of the ride.

The present disclosure provides a solution by changing the objective of certain amusement rides, such as bumper cars, by including illuminated targets that the riders may try to bump into in order to receive one or more points. For example, the riders may be split into two team, e.g., the red team and the blue team. The members of the red team attempt to bump into the red targets to receive one or more points while the members of the blue team attempt to bump into the blue targets to receive one or more points.

By including illuminated targets, the ride objective of bumper cars may be changed, which may increase the ride variability, and hence, the excitement of the ride as compared to a ride with a fixed objective.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may include an operating system of an amusement ride. In certain implementations, the apparatus may illuminate a first target associated with a first vehicle for a first time period and a second target associated with a second vehicle for the first time period. The apparatus may determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target. The apparatus may determine whether the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle or the second vehicle. The apparatus may increment a first counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle.

In certain other implementations, the apparatus may illuminate at least one target of the plurality of targets. The apparatus may determine that a first vehicle of a plurality of vehicles interacts with the at least one target while illuminated. The apparatus may increment a counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first vehicle interacts with the at least one target while illuminated.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an amusement ride in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an amusement ride in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of an amusement ride in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of an amusement ride in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an amusement ride in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5C are a flowchart of a method of operating an amusement ride.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of operating an amusement ride.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of amusement ride systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

Amusement rides in which riders interact with one another typically have the limitation of having a fixed objective. Bumper cars are one such ride that has for decades had a fixed objective—namely, bumping into other cars. As a result, passengers can become familiar with the ride, which may limits the excitement of the user experience. There is a need to change the objective of amusement rides, such as bumper cars, in order to increase the variability, and hence, the excitement of the ride.

By enabling the amusement ride to change the ride objective using illuminated targets, an amusement ride system of the present disclosure may be able to increase the variability, and hence, the excitement of the ride as compared to a ride with a convention ride objective without incurring a great expense to update the ride, e.g., as described below in connection with any of FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 1 illustrates an amusement ride 100 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The example amusement ride 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 may include an operating system 102, a plurality of targets 104 located around the perimeter of the amusement ride 100, a vehicle 108 associated with a first team of riders, two vehicles 110a, 110b associated with a second team of riders, and a display 112. The vehicle 108 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 208, 308650, second vehicle 210, 310, 660, 960, third vehicle 214, vehicle 408. The vehicle 110a may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 208, 655, second vehicle 210, 660, third vehicle 214, vehicle 408. The vehicle 110b may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 208, 655, 955, second vehicle 210, 660, 960, third vehicle 214, the vehicle 408. The vehicle 110b may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 208, 655, 955, second vehicle 210, 660, 960, third vehicle 214, the vehicle 408. The operating system 102 may correspond to, e.g., operating system 202, 302, the apparatus 602/602′, 902/902′. The targets 104, 106 may correspond to, e.g., the target 204, 206a, 206b, 206c, 222a, 222b, 304, 306, 408, 650, 950.

For illustrative purposes, the amusement ride 100 in FIG. 1 is illustrated as a bumper car ride with three vehicles. However, it should be understood that the amusement ride 100 may include any type of amusement ride which involves user interaction without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the amusement ride 100 may include a water ride, a virtual reality ride, bumper boats, or a motion ride, just to name a few. The number of vehicles is not limited to three, and may include more or three vehicles on any number of teams without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 106 for illumination. The targets 106 may be illuminated using, e.g., a light emitting device (not shown) that may be located in, on, or near the target 106. The light emitting device may emit one or more different colors of light that. For example, the light emitting device may include, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes. The targets 106 may be illuminated for a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), and the object may be to beat the other teams to one of the illuminated targets 106. When one of the vehicles bumps into an illuminated target 106, that particular team may receive a point that may be visible on the display 112.

There may be various ways in which the operating system 102 is able to determine which vehicle or which team interacted with the illuminated target 106 in order increase a counter on the display 112 associated with that team or vehicle.

In certain implementations, the operating system 102 may receive a sensor signal from the second vehicle 110b associated with the second team and a signal from a sensor on the target 106 that was bumped. The sensor may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that sends an identifier associated with second vehicle 110b in the second team that is received by a receiver device at the target 106. The RFID information may then be sent to the operating system 102. In certain aspects, the operating system 102 may access a look-up table that correlates the RFID identifiers to the various vehicles on each team. One or more points may then be rewarded to the team and/or vehicle associated with the RFID identifier received by the target during an interaction (e.g., bump) by the second vehicle 110b.

In certain other implementations the operating system 102 may include an image device (not shown), such as a camera, that may be used to track the position of each of the vehicles 108, 110a, 110b. The operating system 102 may then use the position information determined from the visual signals received from the image device to determine to which team or vehicle 110b to reward point(s).

In certain other implementations, each vehicle 108, 110a, 110b may include a position sensor (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a positioning sensor, a camera, or a proximity sensor, just to name a few) that may collect position information about its particular position that is sent (e.g., wired, wirelessly, etc.) to the operating system 102. The operating system 102 may then use the position information determined from the position signals received from the position sensor on each of the vehicles 108, 110a, 110b to determine to which team or vehicle 110b to reward point(s).

The illuminated targets 106 may be illuminated any color, and either the same color or different colors without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1, the targets 106 are illuminated the same color, and both teams race to bump into one or more of the illuminated targets 106.

Certain additional and/or optional aspects, the operating system 102 may illuminate a strobe light when an illuminated target is bumped, emit a noise when one of the targets is bumped, and/or activating a fog machine when an illuminated target is bumped.

FIG. 2 illustrates an amusement ride 200 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The example amusement ride 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 may include an operating system 202, a plurality of targets 204 located around the perimeter of the amusement ride 200, a first vehicle 208 associated with a first team of riders, a second vehicle 210 associated with a second team of riders, a third vehicle 214 associated with a third team of riders, and a display 212. The first vehicle 208 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 308, 655, 955, second vehicle 110, 310, 660, 960, third vehicle 314, vehicle 408. The second vehicle 210 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 108, 655, second vehicle 660, third vehicle 314, vehicle 408. The third vehicle 214 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 108, 655, 955, second vehicle 660, 960, third vehicle 214, the vehicle 110a, 110b, 408. The operating system 202 may correspond to, e.g., operating system 102, 302, the apparatus 602/602′, 902/902′. The targets 204, 206a, 206b, 206c, 222a, 222b may correspond to, e.g., the target 104, 106, 304, 306, 408, 650, 950. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 2, the first vehicle 208 may be associated with the color red, the second vehicle 210 may be associated with the color blue, and the third vehicle 214 may be associated with the color yellow.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operating system 202 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 206a, 206b, 206c for illumination. The targets 206a, 206b, 206c may be illuminated using, e.g., a light emitting device (not shown) that may be located in, on, or near each of the targets 206a, 206b, 206c. The light emitting device may emit one or more different colors of light that. For example, the light emitting device may include, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes. The targets 206a, 206b, 206c may be illuminated one of the colors (e.g., red, blue, yellow) associated with each of the three teams. The targets 206a, 206b, 206c may illuminated a first set of colors for a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), and the object may be to beat the other teams to the target that is illuminated with that team's color. For example, the first vehicle 208 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the first target 206a that is illuminated red, the second vehicle 210 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the second target 206b that is illuminated blue, and the second vehicle 210 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the third target 206c that is illuminated blue. When one of the vehicles bumps into the associated target, that particular team may receive a point that may be visible on the display 212. After the predetermined duration expires, the operating system 202 may send one or more signal(s) to the same or different targets to be illuminated so that the vehicles race to different areas of the ride.

However, when a vehicle bumps into a target that is not illuminated the color associated with that team, the vehicle that interacts with the incorrect target may be penalized in one or more various manners. As shown in FIG. 2, the third vehicle 214 (e.g., the yellow team) bumps into the first target 206a that is illuminated red. Hence, the operating system 202 may send a signal to the third vehicle 214 that disables the third vehicle 214 for a predetermined period of time. Once a timer expires, the operating system 202 may a subsequent signal that enables the third vehicle's 214 motor. Additionally and/or alternatively, when the third vehicle 214 (e.g., the yellow team) bumps into the first target 206a that is illuminated red, the operating system 202 may send a signal to the third vehicle 214 that causes the third vehicle 214 to vibrate and/or shake for a predetermined period of time. Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, upon determining that the correct vehicle correctly bumped into the corresponding target, the operating system 202 may send a signal to the other vehicles to disable their motors and/or activate vibrating devices on those other vehicles.

In certain implementations, the operating system 202 may send a signal that disables or vibrates all vehicles that do not reach their associated target prior to one of the other competing vehicles reaching its respective target(s) first. The first vehicle to reach its respective target receives a reward point that is visible on the display 212.

Additionally and/or alternatively, images 222a, 222b may be displayed on the floor or on one of the targets and the vehicles 208, 210, 214 race to drive over them or bump into them first. The operating system 202 may reward points to the vehicle that interacts with one of the images 222a, 222b first or different numbers of reward points may be given by the operating system 202 depending on the image. Although the images 222a, 222b are depicted as fruit in FIG. 2, it should be understood that the images 222a, 222b are not limited to fruit, and may include any image without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an amusement ride 300, 301 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The example amusement ride 300, 301 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B may include an operating system 302, a plurality of targets 304 located around the perimeter of the amusement ride 300, a first vehicle 308 associated with a first team of riders, a second vehicle 310 associated with a second team of riders, and a display 312. The first vehicle 308 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 208, 655, 955, second vehicle 110a, 110b, 310, 660, 960, third vehicle 314, vehicle 108, 408. The second vehicle 310 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 108, 655, 955, second vehicle 110b, 110a, 660, 960, third vehicle 314, vehicle 408. The operating system 302 may correspond to, e.g., operating system 202, the apparatus 602/602′, 902/902′. The targets 304, 306 may correspond to, e.g., the target 104, 106, 204, 206a, 206b, 206c, 222a, 222b, 408, 650, 950. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first vehicle 308 may include a first output device 318 that can change colors depending on a signal received from the operating system 202. The second vehicle 310 may include a second output device 320 that can change colors depending on a signal received from the operating system 202. FIG. 3A illustrates a first duration in which the targets 306a, 306b and output devices 318, 320 are illuminated a first set of colors, and FIG. 3B illustrates a second duration in which the targets 306a, 306b and output device 318, 320 are illuminated a second set of colors.

Referring to FIG. 3A, during the first duration, the operating system 202 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 306a (e.g., illuminate red) and 306b (e.g., illuminate blue) for illumination. The operating system 302 may also send one or more signals to the first output device 318 to illuminate the color blue, and to the second output device 320 to illuminate red. Hence, for this round of the game, the first vehicle 308 may try to reach the first target 306a prior to the second vehicle 310 reaching the second target 306b. may be rewarded and displayed for the team that reaches the correct target first.

Referring to FIG. 3B, during the second duration, the operating system 202 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 306a (e.g., illuminate blue) and 306b (e.g., illuminate red) for illumination. The operating system 302 may also send one or more signals to the first output device 318 to illuminate the color red, and to the second output device 320 to illuminate blue. Hence, for this round of the game, the first vehicle 308 may try to reach the first target 306a prior to the second vehicle 310 reaching the second target 306b. Each time the output device's 318, 320 changes, the vehicles try to reach (e.g., interact, bump, etc.) a target illuminated the same color as that particular vehicle's output device. Reward points may be rewarded and displayed for the team that reaches the correct target first.

FIG. 4 illustrates an amusement ride 400 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The example amusement ride 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 may include an operating system (not illustrated), a plurality of targets 404 (one of which is illustrated for simplicity) located around an external platform 412 of the amusement ride 400, a sensor 410 located between the external platform 412 and the target 404. The sensor 410 may that is connected with the operating system via a wired and/or wireless connection. The first vehicle 408 may correspond to, e.g., first vehicle 108, 655, 955, second vehicle 110a, 110b, 310, 660, 960, third vehicle 314. The targets 408 may correspond to, e.g., the target 104, 106, 204, 206a, 206b, 206c, 222a, 222b, 304, 306, 650, 950. The targets 408 may be illuminated using, e.g., a light emitting device (not shown) that may be located in, on, or near each of the targets 404. The light emitting device may emit one or more different colors of light that. For example, the light emitting device may include, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes. The targets 404 may be illuminated one of the colors (e.g., red, blue, yellow) associated with each of the three teams. The targets 404 may illuminated for a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), and the object may be to beat the other teams to the target that is illuminated with that team's color. For example, the vehicle 408 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the target. The interaction with the target 404 may be detected with an RFID device located at the target 404/sensor 410 and the vehicle 408. Additionally and/or alternatively, the sensor 410 may include a pressure sensor that detects when the vehicle 408 hits the target 404. The sensor 410 may send a signal with or without vehicle information indicating that the target 404 has be bumped (e.g., interacted with).

By enabling the amusement ride to change the ride objective using illuminated targets, as described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4 and below in connection with FIGS. 5A-10, an amusement ride of the present disclosure may be able to increase the variability, and hence, the excitement of the ride as compared to a ride with a convention ride objective without incurring a great expense to update the ride.

FIGS. 5A-5C are a flowchart 500 of a method of operating an amusement ride. The method may be performed by an operating system (e.g., operating system 102, 202, 302, the apparatus 602/602′, 902/902′). In FIGS. 5A-5C, optional operations are indicated with dashed lines.

Referring to FIG. 5A, at 502, the operating system may illuminate a first target associated with a first vehicle for a first time period and a second target associated with a second vehicle for the first time period. In certain aspects, a plurality of targets are located around a perimeter of the amusement ride. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may include an illumination device configured to emit a plurality of different colors. In certain other aspects, the plurality of targets located around the perimeter of the amusement ride may include at least the first target and the second target. In certain other aspects, the first target may illuminated a first color for the first time period and the second target is illuminated a second color for the first time period. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may be coupled to an external platform via one or more sensors located between each of the plurality of targets and the external platform. In certain other aspects, the first target includes a first image displayed on a ground surface or a wall surface of the amusement ride and the second target includes a second image displayed on displayed on the ground surface or the wall surface of the amusement ride. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the targets 206a, 206b, 206c may illuminated a first set of colors for a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), and the object may be to beat the other teams to the target that is illuminated with that team's color. For example, the first vehicle 208 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the first target 206a that is illuminated red, the second vehicle 210 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the second target 206b that is illuminated blue, and the second vehicle 210 may attempt to interact (e.g., bump) into the third target 206c that is illuminated blue.

At 504, the operating system may receive video data associated with the first vehicle and the second vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may include an image device (not shown), such as a camera, that may be used to track the position of each of the vehicles 108, 110a, 110b. In this implementation, a signal may be sent from the illuminated target when the second vehicle 110b of the second team hits the target 106. The operating system 102 may then use the position information determined from the visual signals received from the image device to determine to which team or vehicle 110b to reward point(s).

At 506, the operating system may receive a sensor signal from the first vehicle or the second vehicle during the first interaction with the first target. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may receive a sensor signal from the second vehicle 110b associated with the second team. The sensor may include a RFID tag that sends an identifier associated with second vehicle 110b in the second team that is received by a receiver device at the target 106. The RFID information may then be sent to the operating system 102.

At 508, the operating system may receive at least one first position signal from the first vehicle and at least one second position signal from the second vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 1, each vehicle 108, 110a, 110b may include a position sensor (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a positioning sensor, a camera, or a proximity sensor, just to name a few) that may collect position information about its particular position that is sent (e.g., wired, wirelessly, etc.) to the operating system 102.

At 510, the operating system may receive a first signal from a first sensor associated with the first target and a second signal from a second sensor associated with the second target. In certain aspects, the first signal from the first sensor associated with the first target may be received prior to the second signal from the second sensor associated with the second target in determining the first vehicle interacted with the first target. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the interaction with the target 404 may be detected with an RFID device located at the target 404/sensor 410 and the vehicle 408. Additionally and/or alternatively, the sensor 410 may include a pressure sensor that detects when the vehicle 408 hits the target 404. The sensor 410 may send a signal with or without vehicle information indicating that the target 404 has be bumped (e.g., interacted with).

Referring to FIG. 5B, at 512, the operation system may determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may receive a signal from a sensor on the target 106 that was bumped but not a signal from a target that was not bumped before the expiration of a timer. If both targets are bumped, the signal that reaches the operating system 102 first may be determined as the team that wins the point.

At 514, the operating system 512 may determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle when the sensor signal is associated with the first vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may receive a signal from a sensor on the target 106 that was bumped but not a signal from a target that was not bumped before the expiration of a timer. If both targets are bumped, the signal that reaches the operating system 102 first may be determined as the team that wins the point.

At 516, the operating system may determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle when the sensor signal is associated with the second vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may receive a signal from a sensor on the target 106 that was bumped but not a signal from a target that was not bumped before the expiration of a timer. If both targets are bumped, the signal that reaches the operating system 102 first may be determined as the team that wins the point.

At 518, the operating system may determine whether the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle or the second vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 1, In certain implementations, the operating system 102 may receive a sensor signal from the second vehicle 110b associated with the second team and a signal from a sensor on the target 106 that was bumped. The sensor may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that sends an identifier associated with second vehicle 110b in the second team that is received by a receiver device at the target 106. The RFID information may then be sent to the operating system 102. In certain aspects, the operating system 102 may access a look-up table that correlates the RFID identifiers to the various vehicles on each team. One or more points may then be rewarded to the team and/or vehicle associated with the RFID identifier received by the target during an interaction (e.g., bump) by the second vehicle 110b. In certain other implementations the operating system 102 may include an image device (not shown), such as a camera, that may be used to track the position of each of the vehicles 108, 110a, 110b. The operating system 102 may then use the position information determined from the visual signals received from the image device to determine to which team or vehicle 110b to reward point(s). In certain other implementations, each vehicle 108, 110a, 110b may include a position sensor (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a positioning sensor, a camera, or a proximity sensor, just to name a few) that may collect position information about its particular position that is sent (e.g., wired, wirelessly, etc.) to the operating system 102.

Upon determining (at 518) that the first vehicle interacts with the first target, the operation may move to 520. Otherwise, upon determining (at 520) that the second vehicle interacts with the first target, the operation may move to 526.

At 520, the operating system may increment a first counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 1, there may be various ways in which the operating system 102 is able to determine which vehicle or which team interacted with the illuminated target 106 in order increase a counter on the display 112 associated with that team or vehicle as described supra.

At 522, the operating system may disable a motor associated with the second vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 2, upon determining that the correct vehicle correctly bumped into the corresponding target, the operating system 202 may send a signal to the other vehicles to disable their motors and/or activate vibrating devices on those other vehicles.

At 524, the operating system may enable the motor associated with the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. For example, referring to FIG. 2, once a timer expires, the operating system 202 may a subsequent signal that enables the third vehicle's 214 motor.

At 526, the operating system may disable a motor associated with the second vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the third vehicle 214 (e.g., the yellow team) bumps into the first target 206a that is illuminated red. Hence, the operating system 202 may send a signal to the third vehicle 214 that disables the third vehicle 214 for a predetermined period of time.

At 528, the operating system may enable the motor associated with the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. For example, referring to FIG. 2, once a timer expires, the operating system 202 may send a subsequent signal that enables the third vehicle's 214 motor.

At 530, the operating system may activate a vibration device coupled to the second vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle. For example, referring to FIG. 2, when the third vehicle 214 (e.g., the yellow team) bumps into the first target 206a that is illuminated red, the operating system 202 may send a signal to the third vehicle 214 that causes the third vehicle 214 to vibrate and/or shake for a predetermined period of time.

At 532, the operating system may deactivate the vibration device coupled to the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. For example, referring to FIG. 2, a timer at the third vehicle 214 begins counting upon activation of the vibrator machine, and deactivates the vibrator machine at the expiration of the timer.

Referring to FIG. 5C, at 534, the operating system may illuminate a first output device coupled to the first vehicle the first color for the first time period and a second output device coupled to the second vehicle the second color for the first time period. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, during the first duration, the operating system 202 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 306a (e.g., illuminate red) and 306b (e.g., illuminate blue) for illumination. The operating system 302 may also send one or more signals to the first output device 318 to illuminate the color blue, and to the second output device 320 to illuminate red. Hence, for this round of the game, the first vehicle 308 may try to reach the first target 306a prior to the second vehicle 310 reaching the second target 306b. may be rewarded and displayed for the team that reaches the correct target first.

At 536, the operating system may illuminate the first output device coupled to the first vehicle a third color for a second time period and the second output device coupled to the second vehicle a fourth color for the second time period, the second time period being subsequent to the first time period. For example, referring to FIG. 3B, during the second duration, the operating system 202 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 306a (e.g., illuminate blue) and 306b (e.g., illuminate red) for illumination. The operating system 302 may also send one or more signals to the first output device 318 to illuminate the color red, and to the second output device 320 to illuminate blue. Hence, for this round of the game, the first vehicle 308 may try to reach the first target 306a prior to the second vehicle 310 reaching the second target 306b. Each time the output device's 318, 320 changes, the vehicles try to reach (e.g., interact, bump, etc.) a target illuminated the same color as that particular vehicle's output device. Reward points may be rewarded and displayed for the team that reaches the correct target first.

At 538, the operating system may illuminate a third target the third color for the second time period and a fourth target the fourth color for the second time period. For example, referring to FIG. 3B, during the second duration, the operating system 202 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 306a (e.g., illuminate blue) and 306b (e.g., illuminate red) for illumination. The operating system 302 may also send one or more signals to the first output device 318 to illuminate the color red, and to the second output device 320 to illuminate blue. Hence, for this round of the game, the first vehicle 308 may try to reach the first target 306a prior to the second vehicle 310 reaching the second target 306b. Each time the output device's 318, 320 changes, the vehicles try to reach (e.g., interact, bump, etc.) a target illuminated the same color as that particular vehicle's output device. Reward points may be rewarded and displayed for the team that reaches the correct target first.

At 540, the operating system may illuminate a strobe light during the first time period. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may illuminate a strobe light when an illuminated target is bumped, emit a noise when one of the targets is bumped, and/or activating a fog machine when an illuminated target is bumped.

At 542, the operating system may activate a fog machine during the first time period. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may illuminate a strobe light when an illuminated target is bumped, emit a noise when one of the targets is bumped, and/or activating a fog machine when an illuminated target is bumped.

At 544, the operating system may activate a noise device during the first time period. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may illuminate a strobe light when an illuminated target is bumped, emit a noise when one of the targets is bumped, and/or activating a fog machine when an illuminated target is bumped.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram 600 illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus 602. The apparatus may be an operating system (e.g., operating system 102, 202, 302, the apparatus 602′, 902/902′) in communication with a plurality of targets 650 (e.g., the target 104, 106, 204, 206a, 206b, 206c, 222a, 222b, 304, 306, 950), a first vehicle 655 (e.g., first vehicle 208, second vehicle 110a, 110b, 310, 960, third vehicle 314, vehicle 108, 408), and a second vehicle 660 (e.g., first vehicle 208, second vehicle 110a, 110b, 310, 960, third vehicle 314, vehicle 108, 408). The apparatus may include a reception component 604, a target illumination component 606, a target interaction component 608, a strobe component 610, a fog machine component 612, a noise component 614, a vehicle determination component 616, a counter component 618, a vibration component 620, a motor component 622, an output device illumination component 624, and a transmission component 626.

The target illumination component 606 may be configured to illuminate a first target associated with a first vehicle for a first time period and a second target associated with a second vehicle for the first time period. In certain aspects, a plurality of targets are located around a perimeter of the amusement ride. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may include an illumination device configured to emit a plurality of different colors. In certain other aspects, the plurality of targets located around the perimeter of the amusement ride may include at least the first target and the second target. In certain other aspects, the first target may illuminated a first color for the first time period and the second target is illuminated a second color for the first time period. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may be coupled to an external platform via one or more sensors located between each of the plurality of targets and the external platform. In certain other aspects, the first target includes a first image displayed on a ground surface or a wall surface of the amusement ride and the second target includes a second image displayed on displayed on the ground surface or the wall surface of the amusement ride. For example, the target illumination component 606 may generate a signal indicating which targets illuminate which color, and send the signal to the transmission component 626. The transmission component 626 may send the signal to the targets 650.

The reception component 604 may be configured to receive video data associated with the first vehicle 655 and the second vehicle 660. The reception component 604 may send the video data to one or more other components of the apparatus 602.

The reception component 604 may be configured to receive a sensor signal from the first vehicle 655 or the second vehicle 660 during the first interaction with the first target. The reception component 604 may send the sensor signal to one or more other components of the apparatus 602.

The reception component 604 may be configured to receive at least one first position signal from the first vehicle 655 and at least one second position signal from the second vehicle 660. The reception component 604 may send the position information to one or more other components of the apparatus 602.

The reception component 604 may be configured to receive a first signal from a first sensor associated with the first target and a second signal from a second sensor associated with the second target. In certain aspects, the first signal from the first sensor associated with the first target may be received prior to the second signal from the second sensor associated with the second target in determining the first vehicle interacted with the first target. The reception component 604 may send the first signal and/or second signal to one or more other components of the apparatus 602.

The target interaction component 608 may be configured to determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 655 when the sensor signal is associated with the first vehicle 655. The target interaction component 608 may be configured to determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle 660 when the sensor signal is associated with the second vehicle 660. Information related to the first interaction and the second interaction may be sent the target interaction component 608 to one or more components of the apparatus 602.

The vehicle determination component 616 may be configured to determine whether the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 655 or the second vehicle 660. Information related to the vehicle interaction may be sent to one or more other component of the apparatus 602.

The counter component 618 may be configured to increment a first counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 655.

The motor component 622 may be configured to disable a motor associated with the second vehicle 660 upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 655. The motor component 622 may be configured to generate a signal that that is sent to the transmission component 626, and deactivates the motor at the second vehicle 660 when received from the transmission component 626.

The motor component 622 may be configured to enable the motor associated with the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. The motor component 622 may be configured to generate a signal at the expiration of the timer that that is sent to the transmission component 626, and enables the motor at the second vehicle 660 when received from the transmission component 626.

The motor component 622 may be configured to disable a motor associated with the second vehicle 660 upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle 660. The motor component 622 may be configured to generate a signal that that is sent to the transmission component 626, and disables the motor at the second vehicle 660.

The motor component 622 may be configured to enable the motor associated with the second vehicle 660 upon an expiration of a timer. The motor component 622 may be configured to generate a signal at the expiration of the timer that that is sent to the transmission component 626, and enables the motor at the second vehicle 660 when received from the transmission component 626.

The vibration component 620 may be configured to activate a vibration device coupled to the second vehicle 660 upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle 660. The vibration component 620 may be configured to generate a signal at the expiration of the timer that that is sent to the transmission component 626, and enables the vibration device at the second vehicle 660 when received from the transmission component 626.

The vibration component 620 may be configured to deactivate the vibration device coupled to the second vehicle 660 upon an expiration of a timer. The vibration component 620 may be configured to generate a signal at the expiration of the timer that that is sent to the transmission component 626, and disables the vibration device at the second vehicle 660 when received from the transmission component 626.

The output device illumination component 624 may be configured to illuminate a first output device coupled to the first vehicle 655 the first color for the first time period and a second output device coupled to the second vehicle 660 the second color for the first time period. The output device illumination component 624 may be configured to generate a signal that indicates the colors for the first output device and the second output device and is sent to the transmission component 626. The first output device and the second output device may emit their respective colors upon receipt of the signal from the transmission component 626.

The output device illumination component 624 may be configured to illuminate the first output device coupled to the first vehicle 655 a third color for a second time period and the second output device coupled to the second vehicle 660 a fourth color for the second time period. In certain aspects, the second time period may be subsequent to the first time period. The output device illumination component 624 may be configured to generate a signal that indicates the colors for the first output device and the second output device and is sent to the transmission component 626. The first output device and the second output device may emit their respective colors upon receipt of the signal from the transmission component 626.

The target illumination component 606 may be configured to illuminate a third target 650 the third color for the second time period and a fourth target 650 the fourth color for the second time period. The target illumination component 606 may be configured to generate a signal that indicates the colors for the targets and is sent to the transmission component 626. The third target and the fourth target may emit their respective colors upon receipt of the signal from the transmission component 626.

The strobe component 610 may be configured to illuminate a strobe light during the first time period. The fog machine component 612 may be configured to activate a fog machine during the first time period. The noise component 614 may be configured to activate a noise device during the first time period.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGS. 5A-5C. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGS. 5A-5C may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 602′ employing a processing system 714. The processing system 714 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 724. The bus 724 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 714 and the overall design constraints. The bus 724 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 704, the components 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626 and the computer-readable medium/memory 706. The bus 724 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 714 may be coupled to a transceiver 710. The transceiver 710 is coupled to one or more antennas 720. The transceiver 710 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 710 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 720, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 714, specifically the reception component 604. In addition, the transceiver 710 receives information from the processing system 714, specifically the transmission component 626, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 720. The processing system 714 includes a processor 704 coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 706. The processor 704 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory 706. The software, when executed by the processor 704, causes the processing system 714 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 706 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 704 when executing software. The processing system 714 further includes at least one of the components 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626. The components may be software components running in the processor 704, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory 706, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 704, or some combination thereof.

In certain configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for illuminating a first target associated with a first vehicle for a first time period and a second target associated with a second vehicle for the first time period. In certain aspects, a plurality of targets are located around a perimeter of the amusement ride. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may include an illumination device configured to emit a plurality of different colors. In certain other aspects, the plurality of targets located around the perimeter of the amusement ride may include at least the first target and the second target. In certain other aspects, the first target may illuminated a first color for the first time period and the second target is illuminated a second color for the first time period. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may be coupled to an external platform via one or more sensors located between each of the plurality of targets and the external platform. In certain other aspects, the first target includes a first image displayed on a ground surface or a wall surface of the amusement ride and the second target includes a second image displayed on displayed on the ground surface or the wall surface of the amusement ride. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving video data associated with the first vehicle and the second vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving a sensor signal from the first vehicle or the second vehicle during the first interaction with the first target. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving at least one first position signal from the first vehicle and at least one second position signal from the second vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving a first signal from a first sensor associated with the first target and a second signal from a second sensor associated with the second target. In certain aspects, the first signal from the first sensor associated with the first target may be received prior to the second signal from the second sensor associated with the second target in determining the first vehicle interacted with the first target. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for determining that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for determining that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle when the sensor signal is associated with the first vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for determining that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle when the sensor signal is associated with the second vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for determining whether the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle or the second vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for incrementing a first counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for disabling a motor associated with the second vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for enabling the motor associated with the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for disabling a motor associated with the second vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for enabling the motor associated with the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for activating a vibration device coupled to the second vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for deactivating the vibration device coupled to the second vehicle upon an expiration of a timer. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for illuminating a first output device coupled to the first vehicle the first color for the first time period and a second output device coupled to the second vehicle the second color for the first time period. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for illuminating the first output device coupled to the first vehicle a third color for a second time period and the second output device coupled to the second vehicle a fourth color for the second time period, the second time period being subsequent to the first time period. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for illuminating a third target the third color for the second time period and a fourth target the fourth color for the second time period. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for illuminating a strobe light during the first time period. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for activating a fog machine during the first time period. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 602/602′ for wireless communication may include means for activating a noise device during the first time period. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 602 and/or the processing system 714 of the apparatus 602′ configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method of operating an amusement ride. The method may be performed by an operating system (e.g., operating system 102, 202, 302, the apparatus 602/602′, 902/902′).

At 802, the operating system may illuminate at least one target of the plurality of targets. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the operating system 102 may send a signal (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) to certain targets 106 for illumination. The targets 106 may be illuminated using, e.g., a light emitting device (not shown) that may be located in, on, or near the target 106. The light emitting device may emit one or more different colors of light that. For example, the light emitting device may include, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes. The targets 106 may be illuminated for a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), and the object may be to beat the other teams to one of the illuminated targets 106. The illuminated targets 106 may be illuminated any color, and either the same color or different colors without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1, the targets 106 are illuminated the same color, and both teams race to bump into one or more of the illuminated targets 106.

At 804, the operating system may determine that a first vehicle of a plurality of vehicles interacts with the at least one target while illuminated. For example, referring to FIG. 1, there may be various ways in which the operating system 102 is able to determine which vehicle or which team interacted with the illuminated target 106 in order increase a counter on the display 112 associated with that team or vehicle. In certain implementations, the operating system 102 may receive a sensor signal from the second vehicle 110b associated with the second team and a signal from a sensor on the target 106 that was bumped. The sensor may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that sends an identifier associated with second vehicle 110b in the second team that is received by a receiver device at the target 106. The RFID information may then be sent to the operating system 102. In certain aspects, the operating system 102 may access a look-up table that correlates the RFID identifiers to the various vehicles on each team. One or more points may then be rewarded to the team and/or vehicle associated with the RFID identifier received by the target during an interaction (e.g., bump) by the second vehicle 110b. In certain other implementations the operating system 102 may include an image device (not shown), such as a camera, that may be used to track the position of each of the vehicles 108, 110a, 110b. The operating system 102 may then use the position information determined from the visual signals received from the image device to determine to which team or vehicle 110b to reward point(s). In certain other implementations, each vehicle 108, 110a, 110b may include a position sensor (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a positioning sensor, a camera, or a proximity sensor, just to name a few) that may collect position information about its particular position that is sent (e.g., wired, wirelessly, etc.) to the operating system 102. The operating system 102 may then use the position information determined from the position signals received from the position sensor on each of the vehicles 108, 110a, 110b to determine to which team or vehicle 110b to reward point(s).

At 806, the operating system may increment a counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first vehicle interacts with the at least one target while illuminated. For example, referring to FIG. 1, there may be various ways in which the operating system 102 is able to determine which vehicle or which team interacted with the illuminated target 106 in order increase a counter on the display 112 associated with that team or vehicle, as described supra.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram 900 illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus 902. The apparatus may be an operating system (e.g., operating system 102, 202, 302, the apparatus 602/602′, 902′) in communication with a plurality of targets 950 (e.g., the target 104, 106, 204, 206a, 206b, 206c, 222a, 222b, 304, 306, 650), a first vehicle 955 (e.g., first vehicle 208, second vehicle 110a, 110b, 310, 660, third vehicle 314, vehicle 108, 408), and a second vehicle 960 (e.g., first vehicle 208, second vehicle 110a, 110b, 310, 660, third vehicle 314, vehicle 108, 408). The apparatus may include a reception component 904, a target illumination component 906, a target interaction component 908, a vehicle determination component 910, a counter component 912, and a transmission component 914.

The target illumination component 906 may be configured to illuminate a first target associated with a first vehicle for a first time period and a second target associated with a second vehicle for the first time period. In certain aspects, a plurality of targets are located around a perimeter of the amusement ride. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may include an illumination device configured to emit a plurality of different colors. In certain other aspects, the plurality of targets located around the perimeter of the amusement ride may include at least the first target and the second target. In certain other aspects, the first target may illuminated a first color for the first time period and the second target is illuminated a second color for the first time period. In certain other aspects, each of the plurality of targets may be coupled to an external platform via one or more sensors located between each of the plurality of targets and the external platform. In certain other aspects, the first target includes a first image displayed on a ground surface or a wall surface of the amusement ride and the second target includes a second image displayed on displayed on the ground surface or the wall surface of the amusement ride. For example, the target illumination component 906 may generate a signal indicating which targets illuminate which color, and send the signal to the transmission component 914. The transmission component 914 may send the signal to the targets 950.

The reception component 904 may be configured to receive video data associated with the first vehicle 955 and the second vehicle 960. The reception component 904 may send the video data to one or more other components of the apparatus 902.

The reception component 904 may be configured to receive a sensor signal from the first vehicle 955 or the second vehicle 960 during the first interaction with the first target. The reception component 904 may send the sensor signal to one or more other components of the apparatus 902.

The reception component 904 may be configured to receive at least one first position signal from the first vehicle 955 and at least one second position signal from the second vehicle 960. The reception component 904 may send the position information to one or more other components of the apparatus 902.

The reception component 904 may be configured to receive a first signal from a first sensor associated with the first target and a second signal from a second sensor associated with the second target. In certain aspects, the first signal from the first sensor associated with the first target may be received prior to the second signal from the second sensor associated with the second target in determining the first vehicle interacted with the first target. The reception component 904 may send the first signal and/or second signal to one or more other components of the apparatus 902.

The target interaction component 908 may be configured to determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 955 when the sensor signal is associated with the first vehicle 955. The target interaction component 908 may be configured to determine that a first interaction with the first target occurs before a second interaction with the second target by determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the second vehicle 960 when the sensor signal is associated with the second vehicle 960. Information related to the first interaction and the second interaction may be sent the target interaction component 908 to one or more components of the apparatus 902.

The vehicle determination component 910 may be configured to determine whether the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 955 or the second vehicle 960. Information related to the vehicle interaction may be sent to one or more other component of the apparatus 902.

The counter component 912 may be configured to increment a first counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first interaction with the first target is performed by the first vehicle 955.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart of FIG. 8. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowchart of FIG. 8 may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 902′ employing a processing system 1014. The processing system 1014 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 1024. The bus 1024 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 1014 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1024 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 1004, the components 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914 and the computer-readable medium/memory 1006. The bus 1024 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 1014 may be coupled to a transceiver 1010. The transceiver 1010 is coupled to one or more antennas 1020. The transceiver 1010 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1010 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 1020, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1014, specifically the reception component 904. In addition, the transceiver 1010 receives information from the processing system 1014, specifically the transmission component 914, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 1020. The processing system 1014 includes a processor 1004 coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 1006. The processor 1004 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory 1006. The software, when executed by the processor 1004, causes the processing system 1014 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 1006 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 1004 when executing software. The processing system 1014 further includes at least one of the components 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914. The components may be software components running in the processor 1004, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory 1006, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 1004, or some combination thereof.

In certain configurations, the apparatus 902/902′ for wireless communication includes means for illuminating at least one target of the plurality of targets. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 902/902′ for wireless communication includes means for determining that a first vehicle of a plurality of vehicles interacts with the at least one target while illuminated. In certain other configurations, the apparatus 902/902′ for wireless communication includes means for incrementing a counter associated with the first vehicle upon determining that the first vehicle interacts with the at least one target while illuminated. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 902 and/or the processing system 1014 of the apparatus 902′ configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts may be rearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitute for the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

AMUSEMENT RIDE TARGETS

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Priority Claims (1)