RIDER CONTROLLED AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE

Number: 20240408503
Published: 2024-12-12
Filed: 2023-06-12
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Evans; Robert J.
CPC: A63G7/00; A63G31/02; A63G21/20; B60N2/0025
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Rider-controlled amusement-ride hardware.

Abstract

An immersive or interactive ride experience system may include a motion control system, a motion assembly, a vehicle coupled to the motion assembly and configured to be moved along at least one axis by the motion assembly, and a force sensor coupled to the vehicle and in electrical communication with the motion control system, wherein the force sensor is configured to be activated by a passenger supported by the vehicle and the motion control system generates instructions for the motion assembly to change a position of the vehicle relative to the at least one axis based on the force sensor.

Background

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to amusement or theme park rides providing passenger simulated or immersive experiences. BACKGROUND

Various amusement parks, theme parks, and other entertainment venues often provide rides or immersive experiences to guests. These rides or experiences may include vehicles or other devices to carry passengers along a path, e.g., through a thematic environment. However, many rides or experiences may be limited to predetermined experiences along a set path. Such limitations may prevent a guest or passenger from being immersed or fully engaged with the experience, e.g., the experience may not be as immersive or realistic. Additionally, many of the non-thematic elements of the ride, such as the physical track or pathway of the ride, may be visible to the passenger and remind the passenger that it is a ride only. While some rides may allow some user input to change a path or position of the vehicle, the input is often limited to a simple variation in the ride, e.g., activating a display or similar simple events. The simple variations may also remind the passenger or guest of the limitations of the simulation of the theme and prevent them from fully enjoying or engaging with the ride experience.

Accordingly, there is a need for a ride or entertainment experience that provides a more immersive experience, whether visually or through interactive engagement by the passenger with the ride experience. Additionally, the

Claims

1. An interactive ride experience system comprising: a motion control system; a motion assembly; a vehicle coupled to the motion assembly and configured to be moved along at least one axis by the motion assembly; and a force sensor coupled to the vehicle and in electrical communication with the motion control system, wherein: the force sensor is configured to be activated by a passenger supported by the vehicle, and the motion control system generates instructions for the motion assembly to change a position of the vehicle relative to the at least one axis based on the force sensor. || 14. An interactive ride experience system comprising: a track; a chassis operatively coupled to the track; a motion assembly coupled to the chassis; a vehicle coupled to the motion assembly and moveable relative to at least one axis relative to the chassis, the vehicle comprising: a body corresponding to a thematic element of the ride experience system; and a force torque sensor coupled to the vehicle and in electrical communication with a motion control system, wherein: the force torque sensor detects a force on or a change in a position of an input device, and the motion assembly modifies a position of the vehicle relative to the at least one axis corresponding to the change in position of the input device. || 20. An interactive ride experience system comprising: a vehicle pathway; a chassis movable along the vehicle pathway; a motion assembly coupled to the chassis; a vehicle coupled to the motion control assembly and movable by the motion assembly relative to the chassis, the vehicle including: an input device for a passenger to provide an input requesting a change an orientation of the vehicle; a motion control system in operative communication with the input device and the motion assembly; and one or more non-transitory computer readable media encoded with instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the motion control system cause the interactive ride experience system to: receive the input from the input device, the input corresponding to a request to move the vehicle from a first orientation to a second orientation; determine a current arrangement of the motion assembly corresponding to the first orientation; determine a second arrangement of the motion assembly corresponding to the second orientation; determine a movement of the motion assembly to move from the first arrangement to the second arrangement; and communicate one or more commands from the motion control system to the motion assembly to implement the movement.