Methods for dynamic show-length variation

Number: 10561954
Published: 2020-02-18
Filed: 2018-10-29
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Kalama; Asa K., Nettmann; Karl, Huebner; Robert E., King; Jacqueline E.
CPC: A63G1/24; H04N21/8545; A63G31/16; A63F13/65; H04N21/44
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Dynamic ride/show-length variation control system.

Abstract

Methods for dynamic show-length variation are disclosed herein. Such methods can include: a track extending from a starting position to a termination position; a first simulation vehicle that can move along the track from the starting position to the termination position; and a content presentation feature. Such methods can further include a processor. The processor can: determine a departure of the simulation vehicle from the starting position; provide content having a beginning, an end, and a plurality of scenes to the content presentation feature while the simulation vehicle is en route between the starting position and the termination position; and customize the length of the provided content so the content reaches the end as the simulation vehicle reaches the termination position.

Background

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) The present disclosure relates generally to the customization of a simulated experience. A simulation is the imitation of a real-world process or event over time, or the imitation of an imaginary process or event over time. Simulations can include, for example, a simulation of the operation of a vehicle such as a car, an airplane, a boat, or a spaceship.(2) In an amusement park, a ride can be the hybrid of a simulation, a video game, and a traditional amusement ride. Such a ride can use received user inputs to affect the ride experience and which content is delivered to the passenger. Delivery of such content based on received passenger inputs can increase the satisfaction of people on the ride, and the ride becomes customized to their inputs. Thus, the ride becomes customized to the passenger and can provide a much more unique experience.(3) While such hybrid rides can have advantages as compared to more traditional rides, they can create problems and can be challenging to implement. Among these problems are the difficulty in creating an experience that is sufficiently variable to allow user inputs to significantly affect the experience, while also packaging this variable experience within the constraints of an amusement park ride. To improve overall passenger satisfaction, improvements to hybrid rides are desired to better package variability of content for delivery to the passenger.BRIEF SUMMARY(4) Embodiments can provide systems and methods

Claims

1. A method for dynamic show-length variation, the method comprising: determining a departure of a first simulation vehicle from a starting position; providing content to a passenger of the first simulation vehicle based on received user inputs in the first simulation vehicle, the content comprising a beginning, an end, and a plurality of scenes, wherein the content is provided while the first simulation vehicle is en route between the starting position and a termination position; and customizing a length of the provided content so the content reaches the end as the first simulation vehicle reaches the termination position, wherein customizing the length of the provided content comprises: determining an estimated time until arrival at the termination position; determining a duration of the provided content until the end of the provided content; determining a discrepancy between the estimated time until arrival at the termination position and the duration of the provided content until the end of the provided content; and altering the provided content to minimize the determined discrepancy.