EP-4739411-A1 - MIRROR ILLUSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

A show effect system may include a first mirror coupled to a first actuator and mounted to a wall, a second mirror coupled to a second actuator and mounted to the wall adjacent to the first minor, and a sensor configured to monitor a viewing area for observing the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the sensor is configured provide sensor data related to a guest within the viewing area. The show effect system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the first actuator, the second actuator, and the sensor. The controller may determine the guest is in a location within the viewing area based on the sensor data and instruct the first actuator to adjust a position or an orientation of the first mirror to remove the location from a reflection of the first mirror.

Inventors

• KRAUTHAMER, AKIVA MEIR
• GARNIER, TIMOTHY FITZGERALD
• JEROMIN, Aaron Chandler
• BOXER, Eric Ross

Assignees

• Universal City Studios LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240613

Claims (20)

1. 1. A show effect system comprising: a first mirror coupled to a first actuator and mounted to a wall; a second mirror coupled to a second actuator and mounted to the wall adjacent to the first mirror; a sensor configured to monitor a viewing area from which a guest can observe the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the sensor is configured to provide sensor data related to the guest wi thin the viewing area; and a controller communicatively coupled to the first actuator, the second actuator, and the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to: determine the guest is in a location within the viewing area based on the sensor data; and instruct the first actuator to adjust a position or an orientation of the first mirror to remove the location from a first reflection of the first mirror.
2. 2. The show effect system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct the second actuator to adjust a position or an orientation of the second mirror to remove the location from a second reflection of the second mirror.
3. 3. The show effect system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor guest movement and the controller is configured to: determine a target angle between the first mirror and the second mirror based on the location the guest is in; instruct the first actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the first mirror based on the target angle; and instruct the second actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the second mirror based on the target angle.
4. 4. The show effect system of claim 2, wherein the first mirror and the second mirror are rotatably coupled by a hinge, and wherein the first actuator is coupled to an edge of the first mirror opposite the hinge and the second actuator is coupled to an edge of the second mirror opposite the hinge.
5. 5. The show effect system of claim 4, wherein the first actuator is configured to adjust the position or the orientation of the first mirror in a first direction and the second actuator is configured to adjust the position or the orientation of the second mirror in a second direction opposite the first direction.
6. 6. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising an object coupled to an additional actuator and mounted opposite the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct the additional actuator to adjust a position of the object to keep the object in the field of view of the first mirror in response to the first actuator adjusting the position or the orientation of the first mirror to remove the location from the first reflection of the first mirror.
7. 7. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising a display mounted opposite the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct the display to adjust image data to keep imagery on the display in the field of view of the first mirror in response to the first actuator adjusting the position or the orientation of the first mirror to remove the location from the first reflection of the first mirror.
8. 8. The show effect system of claim 1 , comprising a projector configured to project image content onto a projection surface opposite the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the controller is configured to: generate image data for projection onto an additional wall opposite the wall; update the image data to updated image data in response to determining the guest is in the location; and instruct the projector to project the updated image data in parallel with instructing the first actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the first mirror.
9. 9. The show effect system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor eye blinking of the guest, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct the first actuator based on eye blinking of the guest.
10. 10. The show effect system of claim 1, comprising an output device configured to emit a visual diversion, an audio diversion, or both, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the output device to emit the visual diversion, the audio diversion, or both prior to instructing the first actuator to adjust the position or the orientation of the first mirror to remove the location from the first reflection of the first mirror.
11. 11. 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: receive sensor data from a sensor monitoring guest activity; determine a position of a guest relative to a show effect system based on the sensor data; and instruct at least one actuator of the show effect system to adjust a position or an orientation of at least one mirror of the show effect system to adjust a reflection of the at least one mirror to exclude the guest based on the position of the guest.
12. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to: instruct a first actuator to adjust a position or the orientation of a first mirror; and instruct a second actuator to adjust a position or the orientation of a second mirror.
13. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to: determine a distance between the guest and the show effect system; and determine a target angle between the first mirror and the second mirror based on the distance.
14. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to: instruct an additional actuator of the show effect system to adjust a position or an orientation of an object of the show effect system based on the reflection of the at least one mirror being adjusted to exclude the guest; or instruct a display to move imagery based on the reflection of the at least one mirror being adjusted to exclude the guest.
15. 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to initiate a media distraction or detect an eye blink of the guest prior to instructing the at least one actuator of the show effect system to adjust the position or the orientation of the at least one mirror of the show effect system to adjust the reflection of the at least one mirror to exclude the guest based on the position of the guest.
16. 16. An attraction system for an attraction, the attraction system comprising: a first mirror; a second mirror; one or more actuators configured to adjust positioning and/or orientation of the first mirror, the second mirror, or both; one or more sensors configured to track a position of a guest within the attraction; and a controller configured to: receive, from the one or more sensors, sensor data indicative of the position of the guest; determine a target angle between the first minor and the second mirror to exclude the position of the guest from a first reflection of the first mirror and/or the second mirror based on the position of the guest; and instruct the one or more actuators to adjust the positioning and/or the orientation of the first mirror, the second mirror, or both based on the target angle.
17. 17. The attraction system of claim 16, comprising an output device configured to emit a visual effect, an audio effect, or both, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct the output device to emit the visual effect, the audio effect, or both prior to instructing the one or more actuators to adjust the positioning and/or the orientation of the first minor, the second mirror, or both based on the target angle.
18. 18. The attraction system of claim 16, wherein the sensor data comprises detected blinking of the guest, and wherein the controller is configured to: instruct the one or more actuators to adjust the positioning and/or the orientation of the first mirror, the second mirror, or both during a blink of the guest.
19. 19. The attraction system of claim 16, comprising a shutter glasses worn by the guest and configured to temporarily block a view of the guest, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a shutter timing of the shutter glasses; and instruct the one or more actuators to adjust the positioning and/or the orientation of the first mirror, the second mirror, or both during a closing period of the shutter glasses.
20. 20. The attraction system of claim 16, wherein the one or more actuators comprise a first actuator coupled to the first mirror and a second actuator coupled to the second mirror.

Description

MIRROR ILLUSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/525,271, entitled “MIRROR ILLUSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” 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] Special effects can be used throughout amusement parks and other entertainment venues 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 a show effect for guests. The show effect may include a visual illusion of the guest disappearing, such as a reflection of the guest disappearing. The show effect may enable the amusement park to provide creative methods of entertaining guests, such as presenting the illusion 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 may include a first mirror coupled to a first actuator and mounted to a wall, a second mirror coupled to a second actuator and mounted adjacent to the first mirror, and a sensor configured to provide sensor data related to a guest within the viewing area. The show effect system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the first actuator, the second actuator, and the sensor. The controller may determine whether the guest is within the viewing area based on the sensor data and may instruct the first actuator to adjust a position or an orientation of the first mirror to alter a reflection of the mirror as viewed by the guest. [0006] In an embodiment, anon-transitory computer-readable medium, may include instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive sensor data from a sensor monitoring guest activity, determine a position of a guest relative to a show effect system based on the sensor data, and instruct at least one actuator of the show effect system to adjust a position or an orientation of at least one mirror of the show effect system to alter a reflection of the mirror as viewed by the guest to exclude a reflection of the guest on at least one mirror. [0007] In an embodiment, an attraction system for an attraction may include a first mirror, a second mirror, and one or more actuators configured to adjust aposition and/or orientation of the first mirror, the second mirror, or both. The attraction system may also include one or more sensors that track a position of a guest within the attraction system and a controller that may receive, from the one or more sensors, sensor data indicative of the position of the guest, determine a target angle between the first mirror and the second mirror to exclude the reflection of the guest from a reflection of a first mirror and/or the second mirror based on the position of the guest, and instruct the one or more actuators to adjust the positioning and/or the orientation of the first mirror, the second mirror, or both based on the target angle. 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 accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: [0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system of an amusement park, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic front elevational view of the attraction system of FIG. 1 including a show effect system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic overhead view of the attraction system of FIG. 1 including the show effect system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0012] FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of the attraction system of FIG. 1 including the show effect system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; [0013] FIG. 5 is a