Ride with automated trackless vehicles controlled based on sensed occupant state

Number: 9943769
Published: 2018-04-17
Filed: 2017-02-17
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Comploi; Dumene
CPC: A63G25/00; A63G31/00; B60W40/08; B60W50/10; G05D1/00; G06V20/597; G06V40/174
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Trackless ride vehicle controlled by sensed occupant state.

Abstract

A system for controlling ride experiences through a ride space of an amusement park ride based on a passenger's present state. The system includes a sensor mounted on an automated trackless vehicle, being controlled to travel along a first ride path, sensing passenger data for a passenger. The system includes a controller processing the passenger data to determine a passenger state at a particular point in time during the ride experience. The controller determines a location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path. The controller, based on the passenger state and the location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path, determines a second ride path for the automated trackless vehicle for the ride space. The controller then controls the automated trackless vehicle to move from the first ride path to the second ride path to alter the passenger's state to enhance their ride experience.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) 1. Field of the Description.(2) The present invention relates, in general, to methods and systems for controlling or managing passenger vehicles and systems external to such vehicles as the vehicles pass nearby, and, more particularly, to methods and systems engaging and entertaining passengers of vehicles such as trackless vehicles in an amusement park, autonomous cars, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the like.(3) 2. Relevant Background(4) There is a growing trend in the transportation industry towards use of vehicles that do not require passenger interaction to control navigation of the vehicle through a space or over roads. For example, amusement or theme parks have recently designed and implemented trackless dark rides, and these rides feature ride systems where automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or trackless vehicles are utilized instead of the more conventional vehicles that run on guide rails or tracks. Trackless ride vehicles may be controlled to cross over existing paths, to reverse direction, and to rotate in contrast to tracked vehicles that are constrained to follow a ride path defined by a track. Some trackless rides may rely upon a set of buried wires for controlled navigation while others may rely on a ride control system that uses Wi-Fi-based, RFID-based, or other positioning systems to track the present position of each vehicle and to move the vehicles through a ride space including positioning vehicles near to show elements such as animatro

Claims

1. A park ride, comprising: a ride space comprising a plurality of display assemblies; a plurality of automated trackless vehicles each including a drive system and a sensor assembly with inward sensing sensors collecting data for at least one passenger in a vehicle cabin in each of the automated trackless vehicles; and a control system processing the collected data to determine a current state for the at least one passenger in each of the automated trackless vehicles and, in response to the current states, operating at least one of the drive systems of one of the automated trackless vehicles to manage travel of the one of the automated trackless vehicles through the ride space including selecting either a first ride path or a second ride path for traveling through the ride space, wherein the current state for the at least one passenger is an emotional state or a level of attention. 2. A system for controlling a ride experience for a passenger, comprising: an automated trackless vehicle traveling along a first ride path in a ride space; a sensor, mounted on or provided within the automated trackless vehicle, sensing passenger data for a passenger in the automated trackless vehicle while traveling along the first ride path; and a controller processing the passenger data to determine an emotional state or a level of attention of the passenger, wherein the controller further determines a location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path, determines a second ride path for the automated trackless vehicle in the ride space based on the emotional state or the level of attention of the passenger, and controls the automated trackless vehicle to move from the first ride path onto the second ride path. 8. A system comprising: a trackless vehicle with a body with seating for one or more passengers, wherein the trackless vehicle is adapted for automated travel along one of paths through a travel space; a sensor on the passenger vehicle sensing data for a passenger in the trackless vehicle; and a control system: processing the sensed data for the passenger to determine a state of the passenger during movement of the trackless vehicle through the travel space, comparing the determined passenger state with a goal state for the travel space, and generating a control signal based on results of the comparing that alters an operating state of the trackless vehicle, wherein the state of the passenger is an emotional state or a level of attention, and wherein the sensed data comprises a digital image of the passenger or physiological data for the passenger.