EP-4739408-A1 - DYNAMIC ILLUSION EFFECT FOR A MOVING RIDE VEHICLE

EP4739408A1EP 4739408 A1EP4739408 A1EP 4739408A1EP-4739408-A1

Abstract

A show effect system for an amusement park may include a display system coupled with a ride vehicle and configured to transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, a screen coupled to the display system, a controller in communication with an actuator, where the actuator may adjust an angle between the screen and the display system. The screen may move with the display system between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration and reflect imagery from the display system in the extended configuration.

Inventors

MELO, ANTHONY
BENDER, JOSIAH LOGAN
PAGLIUCA, Angelo

Assignees

Universal City Studios LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20240625

Claims (20)

1. A show effect system for an amusement park, comprising: a display system configured to couple with a ride vehicle and configured to transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration; a screen coupled to the display system, wherein the screen is configured to: move with the display system between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and reflect imagery from the display system in the extended configuration; and a controller in communication with an actuator, wherein the controller comprises a memory and one or more processors, and wherein the controller is configured to perform operations comprising: instructing the actuator to adjust an angle between the screen and the display system.
2. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising a pivot integrated with or coupled to the ride vehicle, wherein the display system and the screen are coupled to the pivot.
3. The show effect system of claim 1, wherein the screen comprises a beam splitter configured to reflect the imagery from the display system toward a viewing port in a partially extended configuration of the display system.
4. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising a receptacle within the ride vehicle, wherein the receptacle is configured to house at least a portion of the display system in the retracted configuration.
5. The show effect system of claim 1, wherein the display system is configured to fold against the ride vehicle in the retracted configuration.
6. The show effect system of claim 1, wherein the display system comprises an accordion structure configured to unfold into the extended configuration and fold into the retracted configuration.
7. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising a spool configured to store at least a portion of the screen and configured to facilitate extension from and retraction of the screen from the spool.
8. The show effect system of claim 7, comprising a pivot coupled to the spool or the spool couples the screen to the display system.
9. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data indicative guest characteristics or guest activity for one or more guests within the ride vehicle.
10. The show effect system of claim 9. wherein the controller is configured to: determining a line of sight for the one or more guests within the ride vehicle based on the sensor data; and instructing one or more actuators to adjust positioning of the display system or positioning of the screen based on the line of sight.
11. The show effect system of claim 9. wherein the controller is configured to: determine a movement of the one or more guests based on the sensor data; determine if the movement of the one or more guests matches one or more stored movements associated with a show effect; generate the show effect based on the movement; and instruct the display system to display the show effect.
12. The show effect system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to: determine a target angle between the display system and the screen based on determining a line of sight for one or more guests on the ride vehicle; and adjust a position of the screen by instructing the actuator to reduce the angle between the display system and the screen.
13. The show effect system of claim 1. wherein the controller is configured to: receive sensor data indicative of a lateral distance between the show effect system and an obstacle; and instruct at least one actuator to adjust positioning of the display system between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration based on the lateral distance.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: determine one or more characteristics of a guest within a ride vehicle based on sensor data from one or more sensors of a show effect system; receive an initiation signal to transition the show effect system from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration or from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration; instruct the show effect system to transition by activating an actuator to adjust an orientation or a position of a display system based on the sensor data, wherein adjustment of the display system adjusts an orientation or a position of a beam splitter coupled to the display system; generate image data based on the one or more characteristics of the guest; and instruct the display system to project the image data for reflection off the beam splitter based on the image data to cause virtual imagery to be visible to the guest.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein instructing the actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the display system comprises: activating the actuator to fold or unfold the display system.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein instructing the actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the display system comprises: instructing the actuator to fold or unfold the display system, wherein the display system comprises an accordion structure.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: determining a line of sight for the guest within the ride vehicle based on the sensor data; and instructing the actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the display system based on the line of sight.
18. An attraction system within an amusement park, comprising: a show effect system coupled to a ride vehicle, wherein the show effect system comprises: a beam splitter configured to reflect imagery; a display system coupled to the ride vehicle, an actuator, and the beam splitter, wherein the actuator is configured to transition the display system between a first configuration relative to the ride vehicle and a second configuration relative to the ride vehicle; and at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of at least one characteristic of a guest; and a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the show effect system, the controller configured to: determine a line of sight of the guest based on the sensor data; generate image data based on the sensor data; and instruct the display system to present the image data as imagery for reflection off the beam splitter.
19. The attraction system of claim 18, wherein the ride vehicle comprises: a receptacle configured to house at least a portion of the display system in the first configuration; or a pivot coupled to the beam splitter and configured to store at least a portion of the beam splitter.
20. The attraction system of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to activate the actuator to transition the display system from the first configuration to the second configuration based on the ride vehicle entering a designated portion of a ride path.

Description

DYNAMIC ILLUSION EFFECT FOR A MOVING RIDE VEHICLE CROSS-RFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/525,335, entitled “DYNAMIC ILLUSION EFFECT FOR A MOVING RIDE VEHICLE,” filed July 6, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. BACKGROUND [0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. 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. [0003] Throughout amusement parks and other entertainment venues, special effects can be used to help immerse guests in the experience of a ride or attraction. Immersive environments may include three-dimensional (3D) props and set pieces, robotic or mechanical elements, and/or display surfaces that present media. For example, amusement parks may provide an augmented reality (AR) and/or a virtual reality experience for guests. The experience may include presenting virtual imagery for guest interaction and the virtual imagery may provide unique special effects for the guests. The special effects may enable the amusement park to provide creative methods of entertaining guests, such as by simulating real world elements or story-telling elements in a convincing manner. SUMMARY [0004] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. [0005] In an embodiment, a show effect system for an amusement park may include a display system coupled with a ride vehicle and configured to transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, a screen coupled to the display system, a controller in communication with an actuator, where the actuator may adjust an angle between the screen and the display system. The screen may move with the display system between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration and reflect imagery from the display system in the extended configuration. [0006] In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, includes instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising determine one or more characteristics of a guest within a ride vehicle based on sensor data from one or more sensors of a show effect system, receive an initiation signal to transition the show effect system from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration or from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration, and instruct the show effect system to transition. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may instruct the show effect system to transition by activating an actuator to adjust an orientation or a position of a display system based on the sensor data, where adjustment of the display system adjusts an orientation or position of a beam splitter coupled to the displaysystem. generate image data based on the one or more characteristics of the guest, and instruct the display system to project the image data for reflection off the beam splitter based on the image data to cause virtual imagery to be visible to the guest. [0007] In an embodiment, an attraction system within an amusement park may include a show effect system coupled to a ride vehicle. The show effect system may include a beam splitter configured to reflect imagery, a display system coupled to the ride vehicle, an actuator, and the beam splitter, wherein the actuator is configured to transition the display system between a first configuration relative to the ride vehicle and a second configuration relative to the ride vehicle and at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of at least one characteristic of a guest. The show effect system may also include a controller comprising a memory and a processor, where the controller is communicatively coupled to the show effect system. The controller may determine a line of sight of the guest based on the sensor data, generate image data based on the sensor data, and instruct the display system to present the image data as imagery for reflection off the beam splitter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] 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 accom