Patent Application
20230398464
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art.
An amusement park generally includes attractions that provide various experiences for guests of the amusement park. For example, the amusement park may include different attractions, such as a roller coaster, a drop tower, a log flume, and so forth. Certain attractions may include show elements (e.g., animated props) that move within a show space.
Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.
In an embodiment, a show system includes a rotatable beam assembly having a rotatable beam, a first track, a second track, and one or more motors. The show system also includes a first show element coupled to the first track to enable the first show element to translate along the first track and a second show element coupled to the second track to enable the second show element to translate along the second track. The show system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the rotatable beam assembly and configured to provide control signals to the one or more motors, with the first show element in a show location, to drive the first show element to translate along the first track to present a respective motion profile in a scene. The controller is also configured to provide the control signals to the one or more motors to rotate the rotatable beam to cause the first show element to rotate from the show location to a reset location and to cause the second show element to rotate from the reset location to the show location. The controller is further configured to provide the control signals to the one or more motors, with the second show element in the show location, to drive the second show element to translate along the second track to present a respective motion profile in the scene.
In an embodiment, a method of operating a show system includes driving, via one or more motors and with a first show element in a show location, the first show element to translate in a first direction along a first track coupled to a rotatable beam to present a respective motion profile to one or more guests in a first ride vehicle. The method also includes rotating, via the one or more motors, the rotatable beam to cause the first show element to rotate from the show location to a reset location and to cause a second show element to rotate from the reset location to the show location. The method further includes driving, via the one or more motors and with the second show element in the show location, the second show element to translate in the first direction along a second track to present a respective motion profile to one or more additional guests in a second ride vehicle.
In an embodiment, a show system includes a rotatable beam assembly with a rotatable beam, a first track positioned on a first side of the rotatable beam, a second track positioned on a second side of the rotatable beam, and one or more motors configured to drive rotation of the rotatable beam. The show system also includes a first show element coupled to the first track to enable the first show element to translate along the first track and a second show element coupled to the second track to enable the second show element to translate along the second track. The show system further includes a controller configured to provide control signals to one or more motors to rotate the rotatable beam to alternate presentation of the first show element and the second show element within a scene.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are 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,” “the,” and “said” 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.
Entertainment systems, such as those typically provided in amusement parks, often employ show elements (e.g., animated props) that move within a show space. It is presently recognized that it may be desirable to improve control of the show elements, such that the show elements move in a manner that enables efficient deployment of animations (e.g., allowing guests traveling in close succession to each view full motion profiles of show elements as the guests travel along a path). The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for deploying and resetting show elements. The systems and methods may be implemented within an amusement park, such as within an attraction of the amusement park. However, the systems and methods may be implemented in any suitable venue (e.g., entertainment venue or show venue). It should be appreciated that the show elements may include props (e.g., real, physical elements) that are coupled to show action equipment (SAE). The SAE may include devices and structures that are configured to move the show elements (e.g., within the attraction). For example, the SAE may include beams, tracks, actuators, and the like that drive movement of the show elements to create a show (e.g., visual show) for guests (e.g., visitors, users, customers).
As noted herein, it is presently recognized that it may be desirable to improve movement of the show elements, such that the show elements move in a manner that enables the guests to view full motion profiles of the show elements as the guests travel along a path. This may enable the guests to experience an immersive, engaging storyline as the guests travel along the path. For example, certain ride attractions may carry the guests in ride vehicles along the path. In particular, certain ride attractions may carry the guests in a line of ride vehicles (e.g., one after the other) along the path. Each ride vehicle in the line of ride vehicles may be exposed to a scene (e.g., one or more show elements) along the path for a time period (e.g., show beat; less than or equal to about 60, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5 seconds). For example, a first ride vehicle in the line of ride vehicles may enter a room along the path, travel through the room along the path, and then exit the room along the path. Then, a second ride vehicle adjacent to the first ride vehicle in the line of ride vehicles may enter the room along the path, travel through the room along the path, and then exit the room along the path. In any case, each ride vehicle (e.g., the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, and so on) may be within the room that includes the show elements and/or otherwise be positioned to view the show elements for the time period. The time period may vary with and/or be based on a speed of travel of each ride vehicle and/or a length of the path through the room (or other space with the show elements).
Advantageously, the systems and methods disclosed herein control the SAE to cause the show elements to complete a motion profile (e.g., show) and reset over the time period. For example, if the time period is seven seconds, then the SAE causes the show elements to complete their motion profiles for the guests in the first ride vehicle and also reset before the guests in the second ride vehicle are exposed to the show elements. Thus, the guests may view the motion profile (e.g., an entirety of the motion profile) from its beginning to its end while they are exposed to the show elements. Due to limiting time constraints on certain attractions (e.g., rides), without the disclosed embodiments, the guests may view only portions of the motion profile and/or view the end prior to the beginning. For example, without the disclosed embodiments, the guests of the first ride vehicle may not have sufficient time to see the end of the motion profile and/or the second ride vehicle may view the end of the motion profile prior to the beginning of the motion profile. Operating the SAE and the show elements so that the guests view the motion profile as disclosed herein enables the guests to be presented with storylines (e.g., that present a story with the show elements completing their respective motion profiles from beginning to end in each scene/room as the guests travel along the path). Further, without introducing delays for the purposes of resetting, present embodiments prevent guests of the ride vehicles from observing a reset phase that is outside of the immersive experience.
In particular, the systems and methods disclosed herein include a controller, a rotatable beam assembly, and show elements (e.g., two show elements, such as two show elements that are duplicates of one another, are identical to one another, and/or are shaped and designed so as to be perceived as essentially the same or duplicates of one another by the guests) coupled to the rotatable beam assembly. The rotatable beam assembly may include a rotatable beam, a first track that supports a first show element of the show elements, and a second track that supports a second show element of the show elements. The first track and the second track are disposed on different sides, such as opposite sides, of the rotatable beam. Further, the rotatable beam assembly may include one or more motors (e.g., electric motors) that drive movement of the first show element along the first track and movement of the second show element along the second track. The one or more motors may also drive rotation of the rotatable beam assembly.
In operation, the controller sends control signals to the one or more motors to drive the first show element along the first track to complete a respective motion profile that is visible to the guests of the first ride vehicle, while also simultaneously resetting the second show element. Then, the controller sends control signals to the one or more motors to drive the second show element along the second track to complete a respective motion profile that is visible to the guests of the second ride vehicle, while also simultaneously resetting the first show element. Thus, the systems and methods effectively halve a run-reset time (e.g., from fourteen seconds to seven seconds) provided for each of the show elements to complete their motion profile and to reset prior to their next motion profile. In turn, the time saved via this efficiency can be shifted for use in providing a more substantial viewing event without taking up valuable ride time. For example, this increased efficiency may allow for an increase in a visible run time for each of the show elements to complete their viewable motion profile in view of the guests, thereby providing an enhanced guest experience. For example, instead of spending several seconds initiating the reset as the first ride vehicle departs the room and/or as the second ride vehicle enters the room, the systems and methods may enable the first show element to begin its motion profile as the first ride vehicle enters the room and end its motion profile as the first ride vehicle departs from the room, and also enable the second show element to begin its motion profile as the second ride vehicle enters the room and end its motion profile as the second ride vehicle departs the room, and so on.
Further, the amusement park ride system 8 includes multiple ride vehicles, such as a first ride vehicle 30, a second ride vehicle 32, a third ride vehicle 34, and so on. The multiple ride vehicles may each carry one or more guests, and the multiple ride vehicles travel along a path 36 (e.g., a ride path or track). The path 36 may be a continuous loop and/or may include boarding/unloading station(s). For example, the path 36 may include a boarding station at which the guests board the multiple ride vehicles, a ride portion that includes multiple, distinct scenes (e.g., separate rooms or portions) that present respective show elements to create a storyline, and an unloading station at which the guests exit the multiple ride vehicles.
The multiple ride vehicles may travel along the path 36 according to programmed speed settings and/or with fixed spacing; however, it is possible that the multiple ride vehicles may travel along the path 36 in other ways (e.g., via driving control by the one or more guests in the multiple ride vehicles). The respective guests in each of the multiple ride vehicles may be exposed to a particular scene (e.g., a room; a portion of the path 36) over successive or sequential time periods (e.g., show beats; known time periods; times of less than or equal to about 60, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5 seconds). For example, the first ride vehicle 30 may be positioned to enable its guests to view the particular scene for the time period, then the second ride vehicle 32 may be positioned to enable its guests to view the particular scene for the time period, then the third ride vehicle 34 may be positioned to enable its guests to view the particular scene for the time period, and so on as the multiple ride vehicles travel along the path 36. Notably, a queue of ride vehicles may be coordinated such that a single ride vehicle may be positioned to enable its guests to view the particular scene over one time period while all of the other ride vehicles are positioned away from the particular scene and/or their guests are unable to view the show elements. In one embodiment, multiple ride vehicles may be positioned to enable their guests to view the particular scene over one time period, but at least one other ride vehicle is positioned away from the particular scene and/or its guests are unable to view the show elements. In any case, the multiple ride vehicles may travel to the multiple, distinct scenes in this way to view the respective show elements in each of the multiple, distinct scenes to follow the storyline during the ride portion. Further, once guests pass the viewing area for the show element in the ride vehicle, in some embodiments, an aspect of the environment (e.g., a tunnel or wall) or a portion of the ride vehicle (e.g., a high-backed seat) may block further viewing of the scene to further enhance immersion in the narrative.
The sensors 12 and the one or more motors 24, 26 are communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or a wireless connection) to the controller 14. In one embodiment, the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or a wireless connection) to the controller 14. In one embodiment, the multiple ride vehicles may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or a wireless connection) to the controller 14.
In one embodiment, the sensors 12 may be utilized to detect respective positions of the multiple ride vehicles. For example, the sensors 12 may detect each of the multiple ride vehicles upon entry into the particular scene and/or exit from the particular scene (e.g., the particular scene with the show elements 20, 22). The sensors 12 may include motion sensors, position sensors, optical sensors, a camera, and/or any other suitable type of sensor configured to detect the respective positions of the multiple ride vehicles. The sensors 12 may be located along the path 36 (e.g., mounted to a floor or a wall along the path 36) and/or mounted on each of the multiple ride vehicles. The sensors 12 transmit signals indicative of the respective positions of the multiple ride vehicles to the controller 14, and then the controller 14 may initiate other actions based on the signals (e.g., in response to the signals indicating that one of the multiple ride vehicles has entered the scene and/or is within a threshold distance of the show elements 20, 22). It should be appreciated that the sensors 12 may additionally or alternatively be utilized to detect respective characteristics (e.g., positions, gestures, facial features) of the first show element 20, the second element 22, the guests, and/or other components in the scene. Further, it should be appreciated that the sensors 12 may not be utilized to detect the respective positions of the multiple ride vehicles and/or to trigger the motion profile. For example, in one embodiment, the controller 14 may be configured to receive programmed and/or current timing inputs for the multiple ride vehicles (e.g., speed of travel, spacing, start/stop times), and then to operate the rotatable beam assembly 10 based on the timing inputs to present the motion profile to the respective guests in each of the multiple ride vehicles. In one embodiment, the controller 14 may control the multiple ride vehicles and the rotatable beam assembly 10 in a coordinated manner to present the motion profile to the respective guests in each of the multiple ride vehicles.
As noted here, the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 14. The first show element 20 and the second show element 22 may have controllable features, such as servo motor(s) and/or actuator(s) that drive movement of one portion relative to another portion (e.g., drive wings to move relative to a body), light emitters that emit light, and/or speakers that emit sound. Thus, the controller 14 may provide control signals to control the controllable features of the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 as the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 travel through the scene (e.g., travel along the rotatable beam 28). Further, the controller 14 may control other components in the scene, such as light emitters and/or speakers mounted on walls, to coordinate output of light and sounds as the motion profile is presented to the respective guests in each of the multiple ride vehicles.
The controller 14 may include the processor 16 and the memory device 18. The processor 16 may include one or more processors and may provide control signals to certain controllable components (e.g., the one or more motors 24, 26; the show elements; and/or the ride vehicles). The processor 16 may receive inputs, such as inputs from the sensors 12, and then provide the control signals to the controllable components in response to the inputs. The memory device 18 may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media that store instructions executable by the processor 16. The time period, the motion profile, or the like may be stored in the memory device 18 so that the preferred operations related to presentation of a storyline in the scene may be performed automatically via the processor 16 with or without supervision by an operator (e.g., human operator). The memory device 18 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory, hard drives, optical discs, and/or the like. Additionally, the processor 16 may include one or more general purpose microprocessors, one or more application specific processors (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. The controller 14 may also include components for operator interaction with the amusement park ride system 8, such as via display panels and/or input/output devices (e.g., checking operating parameters, inputting desired operating parameters, checking error logs and historical operations).
At block 52, the processor 16 provides control signals to the one or more motors 24 to rotate the rotatable beam 28 to move the first show element 20 to an initial show location and to move the second show element 22 to an initial reset location. As discussed herein, the first show element 20 may be coupled (e.g., slidingly coupled) to a first track disposed on a first side of the rotatable beam 28 to enable the first show element 20 to translate (e.g., slide) along the first track, and the second show element 22 may be coupled (e.g., slidingly coupled) to a second track disposed on a second side of the rotatable beam 28 (e.g., the second side of the rotatable beam 28 may be opposite the first side of the rotatable beam 28) to enable the second show element 22 to translate (e.g., slide) along the second track. Thus, rotation of the rotatable beam 28 moves both the first show element 20 and the second show element 22. It should be noted that the initial show location for the first show element 20 or the second show element 22 is essentially a respective starting position for a viewable presentation of the respective element 20, 22 along a respective first track or second track. The first show element 20 or the second show element 22 may be rotated into the initial show location from a concluding reset location as the rotatable beam 28 is rotated. That is, after the respective show element 20, 22 has completed its reset transition (e.g., traversed the respective track positioned on a back side of the rotatable beam 28), it can be rotated into the initial show location before proceeding to traverse the respective track (e.g., the track positioned on the front side of the beam) for viewing by the guests.
At block 54, the processor 16 provides control signals (e.g., a command or instruction) to move the first show element 20 along the first track to present a motion profile to one or more guests in a first ride vehicle 30. For example, the first show element 20 may be in the initial show location (with the rotatable beam 28 rotated such that the motion profile will be viewable by guests), then move along the first track toward the first ride vehicle 30 to present the motion profile to the one or more guests in the first ride vehicle 30, and then proceed to a concluding show location on the first track. In conjunction with providing the control signals to move the first show element 20 from its initial show location to its concluding show location, the processor 16 may provide control signals to move (e.g., simultaneously) the second show element 22 from an initial reset location on the second track to a concluding reset location on the second track, which is positioned out of view with the current rotational positioning of the rotatable beam 28. In this way, the first show element 20 may present the motion profile as the second show element 22 completes a reset process.
At block 56, the processor 16 provides control signals to the one or more motors 24 to rotate the rotatable beam 28 such that the second track is positioned for viewing and the first track is hidden from viewing by the guests. This results in moving the first show element 20 to the initial reset location (from the concluding show location) and moving the second show element 22 to the initial show location (from the concluding reset location). At block 58, the processor 16 provides control signals to move the second show element 22 along a second track to present the motion profile to one or more guests in a second ride vehicle 32. For example, the second show element 22 may be in the initial show location (with the rotatable beam 28 rotated such that the motion profile will be viewable by guests), then move along the second track toward the second ride vehicle 32 to present the motion profile to the one or more guests in the second ride vehicle 32. As discussed herein, the rotation of the rotatable beam 28 and/or the movement of the show elements 20, 22 relative to the rotatable beam 28 may be coordinated with travel of the multiple ride vehicles so that the respective guests in each of the multiple ride vehicles is presented with the motion profile (e.g., a complete motion profile, from beginning to end) as they travel through the scene.
As shown in
It should be appreciated that the rotatable beam assembly 10 and the show elements 20, 22 may be positioned to present one of the show elements 20, 22 to the respective guests of each of the multiple ride vehicles that travel along the path 36. For example, the rotatable beam assembly 10 with the show elements 20, 22 may be suspended from a ceiling or supported on another surface (e.g., a floor or a wall) within the scene. In this way, the respective guests of the first ride vehicle 30 may view the first show element 20 as it performs the motion profile, then the respective guests of the second ride vehicle 32 may view the second show element 22 as it performs the motion profile, then the respective guests of the third ride vehicle 34 may view the first show element 20 as it performs the motion profile, and so on. Thus, the one show element that is in the show location is visible to the respective guests in the ride vehicle(s) at the scene, while the other show element that is in the reset location is not visible to the respective guests in the ride vehicle(s) at the scene (or possibly not visible to any ride vehicle in the amusement park ride system 8). For example, the other show element that is in the reset location may be hidden from view by the ceiling or other structure. It should be appreciated that the other show element that is in the reset location may be visible to the respective guests in the ride vehicle(s) in the scene or in another scene, or visible to other guests (who may be in ride vehicle(s)) in another scene. For example, the other show element may be visible to other guests being carried by other ride vehicle(s) through another scene of the attraction. It should be appreciated that the show elements 20, 22 may be visible during an entirety of their travel along their respective tracks 60, 62 or only during some of their travel along their respective tracks 60, 62. For example, the show elements 20, 22 may be visible in the initial show location or may not be visible in the initial show location. As another example, the show elements 20, 22 may be visible as they begin to rotate into the initial reset location or may not be visible as they begin to rotate into the initial reset location.
As discussed herein, each show element 20, 22 (e.g., mechanical butterfly) may include one or more actuators to drive movement of portions (e.g., mechanical wings) of the show element 20, 22 to enhance the experience of the guests. For example, sliding the mechanical butterfly along the track may make it appear as if a butterfly is flying toward the guests. In one embodiment, the show elements 20, 22 may include any of a variety of morphing mechanisms that allow a shape (e.g., geometric configuration) of the show elements 20, 22 to change over time. For example, the one or more actuators (e.g., servo motor or a pneumatic actuator, or both) may maneuver structural features of the first show element 20 to cause the first show element to change geometric configurations. The first show element 20 and the second show element 22 may include the same or different types of show elements having similar or different structures for changing one or more geometric characteristics of particular set pieces. For example, the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 coupled to the rotatable beam 28 may be soft robots. In some embodiments, the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 include fixed geometry show elements or modifiable geometry show elements. Thus, the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 may be duplicates of one another and/or may perform the same motion profiles and/or the same shape changes to provide the same experiences and storylines (e.g., the same may refer to essentially the same; designed to be perceived to be essentially the same by guests). It should also be appreciated that the first show element 20 and the second show element 22 may be different and/or may perform different motion profiles and/or different shape changes to provide varied experiences and storylines.
While some embodiments may include only a single beam 28, one or more additional beams with one or more additional show elements may be installed in the amusement park ride system 8. The one or more additional beams may be located at a different depth (e.g., further in the background) than the rotatable beam 28 relative to the ride vehicles. By utilizing multiple beams in this manner, present embodiments may provide additional effects to provide immersion in a scene. For example, the one or more additional show elements may include miniature structures that represent background features (e.g., trees) and the one or more additional beams may move the one or more additional show elements slower relative to the show elements 20, 22 to create an illusion of depth and realistic movement.
While only certain features of the disclosure 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 present disclosure. 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).
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/350,556, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYING AND RESETTING SHOW ELEMENTS,” filed Jun. 9, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63350556 | Jun 2022 | US |
