Abstract: An amusement park ride adapted for fully rotating a passenger compartment in response to vehicle motion along a guide track. The ride includes a vehicle chassis that engages the guide track and travels along the ride path during operation of the ride. The ride further includes a cam-based positioning assembly that is supported by the vehicle chassis to move with it along the guide track. The positioning assembly operates in response to being moved along the guide track to rotate the passenger compartment. The positioning assembly rotates the passenger compartment in counterclockwise and clockwise directions to provide 360-degree rotation. The positioning assembly includes a cam shaft with three cam follower pairs offset along the shaft and extending outward from the shaft at angular offsets, and three cam rails are used to selectively position the followers to rotate the cam shaft and set the position of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a mobile set configured to include one or more projection devices to display a media presentation to a viewer. The mobile set may be configured to follow a fixed path or may move through autonomous navigation. In one embodiment, the mobile set may be included as part of an amusement park ride to interact with the ride patrons and provide them with a greater entertainment experience. For example, the mobile projected set may be synchronized to move with a carrier vehicle carrying the ride patrons and project a presentation or display to the ride patrons during the ride. Placing the projected scene on a mobile set allows the patrons to interact with the projected scene for a longer period of time then if the projected scene was stationary. Further, the mobile sets may be used to configure and control sightlines through the ride to provide a more dynamic environment for the amusement park ride.

Abstract: An amusement park ride that provides an interactive flying experience in a round ride setting by allowing vehicle passengers to move their vehicle in and out horizontally through a fly zone. The ride includes a central support assembly with a structure rotatable about a central axis at one or more rotation speeds. The ride also includes passenger vehicles and, for each vehicle, a support arm assembly that extends outward from the rotatable structure. The support arm assembly includes a support arm and a variable radius mechanism. The support arm is mounted to the rotatable structure and supports the passenger vehicle. The variable radius mechanism operates during rotation of the rotatable structure to vary the arm length or support location of the vehicle on the arm to vary the vehicle's rotation radius. The variable radius mechanism may include a telescoping arm that reciprocates the vehicle along a linear displacement path.

Abstract: A rotating hub ride configured to position passenger vehicles at different vehicle radii relative to the hub's axis of rotation. The ride includes curved support arms extending outward from the hub, with a first end coupled to the hub at a lower height than a second end of the arm. A vehicle is attached, via a mounting assembly, to each curved support arm to slide radially inward and outward on the arm in response to forces applied to the vehicle due to rotation of the hub, e.g., at two or more hub rotation rates. The arm or track defines a travel path for radial movement of the vehicle. When hub rotation is halted, the vehicle slides inward on the track to a load position corresponding to a minimum vehicle radius. At increasing hub speeds, the vehicle slides outward to position the vehicle in any of a number of vehicle radii.

Abstract: A ride system for moving a passenger vehicle through a dynamically-defined work space. The system includes a track structure that guides one or more motorized or driven carriers on the track structure. The system includes winches on the carrier(s) that are independently operable to set lengths of the vehicle supporting cables, which extend outward from the winches to the vehicle. During operation, the winch systems provide upper anchor points for suspending the passenger vehicle such that these anchor points are selectively positioned. The winches may be independently operated as the carrier(s) travels from a first position to a second position, such that the vehicle body pitches, rolls, or yaws and moves transversely relative to the track. The winches may be operated concurrently to drop or raise the vehicle to define the work space for the vehicle in the vertical direction. Passenger input may interactively control motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.

Abstract: A Ferris wheel-type ride. A lever arm is mounted to the wheel rim to freely pivot between front and rear stops. Passenger gondolas, pivotally attached to the lever arms, travel through four zones experiencing differing ride dynamics. In the first zone, the lever arm abuts the front stop while, in the second, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and the lever arm is supported from above by the wheel via the lever arm causing the gondola to be vertically lifted and to rotate slower than the hub rotation rate. In the third zone, the lever arm abuts the rear stop and, in the fourth zone, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and is supported from below by the wheel as it falls toward the front stop at a rate greater than the hub rotation rate.

Abstract: An amusement park ride with one or more evacuation zones. The ride includes a track with a rail defining a ride path. The ride path includes at least one evacuation zone along a first length of the track at a first height and a non-evacuation zone along a second length of the track with one or more portions at a second height greater than the first height. The track is sloped in the non-evacuation zone toward the evacuation zone. The ride includes a vehicle supported on the rail via roller elements such as load bearing wheels. The ride includes a drive assembly that provides a driving force to selectively move the vehicle along the ride path. The drive assembly is adapted to automatically disengage from the vehicle upon loss of power. The vehicle is free rolling upon loss of power to travel to the evacuation zone based on gravity.

Abstract: A round ride is selectively placing passenger vehicles in one of two or more workspaces or vehicle fly zones. The ride includes a drive assembly including a rotating hub structure and a plurality of vehicle support assemblies mounted to the hub. Each of the vehicle support assemblies includes: (a) a vehicle; (b) a support arm supporting the vehicle proximate to a first end; (c) a base pivotally supporting the arm; and (d) a base angle mechanism mounted to the rotatable structure and selectively operable to position the base into a low position and a high position. The vehicle support assemblies are grouped into first and second sets including alternating ones of the vehicle support assemblies. The base angle mechanisms positions the first set of vehicle support assemblies in the low position and the second set of vehicle support assemblies in the high position and later swaps the positions.

Abstract: A carousel ride in which vehicles may move at differing speeds, in differing directions, and each be independently positioned relative to a load/unload platform. In one embodiment, a carousel ride is provided that includes: (1) an inner ring assembly including a first ring supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the first ring about a center axis of the carousel ride; and (2) an outer ring assembly including a second ring, concentric to the first ring, supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the second ring about a center axis of the carousel ride. During a portion of a ride; the drive system of the inner ring assembly operates to rotate the first ring at a first rotation rate, and the drive system of the outer ring assembly operates to rotate the second ring at a second rotation rate differing from the first rotation rate.

Abstract: A magnetic pacer system and method for adjusting vehicle speed in an amusement park ride. The system includes a controller and memory that stores speed settings such as upper and lower speed limits for the vehicle in a specific portion of a ride. A magnetic thruster is positioned near the portion of the ride, and a signal or signals are sent from position sensors to the controller. The controller determines the actual velocity of the vehicle as it travels along a direction of travel and acts to compare the determined vehicle velocity with the stored and desired speed settings. The controller then determines a magnetic force to apply to the vehicle including selecting whether the force is along the direction of travel or opposite to provide acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The magnetic thruster is selectively operated to generate a magnetic force to act on the vehicle.

Abstract: A round ride with passenger-initiated motion profiles controlling vertical vehicle movements. The ride includes a drive assembly with a rotating hub that includes support arms extending outward from the structure supporting passenger vehicles. Each of the vehicles includes a triggering device capable of generating either an onboard or offboard discrete signal when operated by a passenger causing a controller to select a motion profile from a number of stored profiles that each defines an actuator motion profile (or angular movement of a support arm about its pivotal mounting point to the rotatable central hub). The motion profiles define different angular rotations for a support arm to cause a vehicle to jump to differing heights, and the profile may be chosen by the controller based on vehicle height and position along the circular path and other environmental inputs such as a game state for the vehicle or a show/ride status.

Abstract: An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path.

Abstract: A rotating ride for use in water parks and other settings to provide ride passengers or park guests with an interactive water experience. The ride includes a structural system with a drive that rotates a support structure such as a wheel frame about a central axis or hub. The ride includes a plurality of vehicles that each includes a body with seating for passengers and that is connected to the support structure and rotates with it. The vehicle assembly includes a water release mechanism that is passenger operable to release water from the vehicle as it is moved through the ride path. The vehicle body may include a water storage reservoir storing a volume of water that then can be selectively released by the passenger. The stored water may be caught as it pours over the vehicle or the vehicle may pass through a pool to scoop up the water.

Abstract: An amusement park ride that provides an interactive flying experience in a round ride setting by allowing vehicle passengers to move their vehicle in and out horizontally through a fly zone. The ride includes a central support assembly with a structure rotatable about a central axis at one or more rotation speeds. The ride also includes passenger vehicles and, for each vehicle, a support arm assembly that extends outward from the rotatable structure. The support arm assembly includes a support arm and a variable radius mechanism. The support arm is mounted to the rotatable structure and supports the passenger vehicle. The variable radius mechanism operates during rotation of the rotatable structure to vary the arm length or support location of the vehicle on the arm to vary the vehicle's rotation radius. The variable radius mechanism may include a telescoping arm that reciprocates the vehicle along a linear displacement path.

Abstract: A ride system for moving a passenger vehicle through a dynamically-defined work space. The system includes a track structure that guides one or more motorized or driven carriers on the track structure. The system includes winches on the carrier(s) that are independently operable to set lengths of the vehicle supporting cables, which extend outward from the winches to the vehicle. During operation, the winch systems provide upper anchor points for suspending the passenger vehicle such that these anchor points are selectively positioned. The winches may be independently operated as the carrier(s) travels from a first position to a second position, such that the vehicle body pitches, rolls, or yaws and moves transversely relative to the track. The winches may be operated concurrently to drop or raise the vehicle to define the work space for the vehicle in the vertical direction. Passenger input may interactively control motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to an operator. The apparatus includes first and second magnetic assemblies having first and second magnets, respectively. The apparatus further includes a user input device, such as a trigger, a knob, a release cord, or a joystick, that is connected to at least one of the two assemblies and positions the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction occurs between the magnetic fields to generate a force that is exerted on the input device. The force may be an opposing, resisting, or attractive force that creates movement of the user input such as resisting a triggering or releasing action in an interactive video game when the poles are of like polarity. The first magnetic assembly may be stationary, and the second magnetic assembly may be connected to the user input device to be positioned relative to the first magnet assembly.

Abstract: A track and vehicle assembly for amusement park ride. The assembly includes a track with an arcuate contact surface and banked corners. A levitation circuit is placed along a length of the track with passive electric coils. The assembly includes a vehicle with a body for receiving passengers. The vehicle body includes a bottom surface that is adjacent to the contact surface of the track when the vehicle is positioned on the track. To utilize passive magnetic levitation, the vehicle includes arrays of permanent magnets positioned proximate to the bottom surface of the body. The magnet arrays are arranged, such as Halbach arrays, to produce a substantially one-sided magnetic flux distribution directed outward from the vehicle body. The vehicle is levitated above the track contact surface and allowed to move side-to-side by interaction of the permanent magnets and the coils when the vehicle travels above a minimum velocity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating images. The method includes receiving first and second target images. The method further includes computing a delta image based on a difference between the first target image and the second target image and a technique for multiplexing a first display image with the delta image, where the first display image multiplexed with the delta image, when viewed by a person in an ambient setting, is perceived as the second target image. Advantageously, a hidden image is obscured from an ambient observer, while still providing the ambient observer with a target image that is intended to be perceived.

Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.