Universal City Studios, Inc.

Other

Universal Studios LLC

Patrick Devin Boyle

Eric Alan Vance

Ross Alan Osterman

Keith Michael McVeen

Thierry Coup

Justin Michael Schwartz

Patrick John Goergen

Martin Evan Graham

Danielle Marie Holstine

Thomas Martin Geraghty

Sean David McCracken

Jack Joseph Colletta

Eric Lawrence Merz

Sean David Mccracken

Keith Michael Mcveen

A system includes a plurality of ride vehicle modules, where each of the plurality of ride vehicle modules includes an interlock system configured to perform linking operations to join to other ride vehicle modules to form a cluster and delinking operations to separate from the other ride vehicle modules throughout a ride, control circuitry configured to control the interlock system and movement of the respective ride vehicle module independently or as a part of the cluster, and communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the other ride vehicle modules internal and/or external to the cluster. The cluster may change sizes throughout the ride by performing linking and delinking operations as desired. A method for changing the size of clusters of ride vehicle modules throughout a ride is also disclosed.

System and method for modular ride vehicles

A ride system includes a tunnel, a vehicle ride path, a ride vehicle, and a projection system. The tunnel includes a first end and a second end and is curved between the first and second ends. The vehicle ride path extends within the tunnel from an entrance at the first end of the tunnel to an intermediate position within the tunnel. The second end of the tunnel is not visible from the intermediate position. The ride vehicle travels along the vehicle ride path and decelerates as the ride vehicle approaches the intermediate position. The projection system projects images onto one or more walls of the tunnel, such that the images are synchronized with the deceleration of the ride vehicle and a perceived speed of the ride vehicle, as perceived by a guest in the ride vehicle, exceeds an actual speed of the ride vehicle.

Amusement park ride tunnel

An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm.

System and method for positioning vehicles of an amusement park attraction

A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.

Video game ride

A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a surface that displays a plurality of images related to a game, a vehicle comprising interface circuitry configured to receive an input from the rider related to a vehicle path on the surface, wherein the vehicle operates according to the input to move on the surface on the vehicle path, and a controller that determines that the vehicle has moved over a first image of the plurality of images while on the vehicle path based on a signal from the vehicle, the surface, an external sensor, or a combination thereof; provides instructions to display circuitry associated with the surface to change the first image when the vehicle has moved over the first image while on the vehicle path; and updates a score associated with the vehicle when the vehicle has moved over the first image while on the vehicle path.

Interactive game floor system and method

Present embodiments are directed toward a dynamic control system for an amusement park ride. The system includes a game server that generates game data describing movement of a virtual vehicle through a virtual environment; a programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to conditionally execute instructions of a dynamic ride profile relative to one or more stored limits to operate physical actions of the ride vehicle; and a dynamic ride profile server communicatively coupled to the game server and the PLC. The dynamic ride profile server is configured to: receive input data, sensor data, and the game data; provide the received data as inputs to one or more physical models to generate a portion of a dynamic ride profile based on the movement of the virtual vehicle through the virtual environment; and provide the portion of the dynamic ride profile to the PLC for conditional execution.

Systems and methods for dynamic ride profiles

A ride system for an amusement park includes a ride vehicle configured to accommodate a rider and configured to travel along a ride path, a head mounted display configured to be worn by the rider, and a control system. The control system is configured to display a virtual instruction to the rider via the head mounted display, receive a signal from a user input device associated with the rider, determine that the signal received from the user input device corresponds to the virtual instruction, and trigger a movement of the ride vehicle in response to determining that the signal corresponds to the virtual instruction.

Growing community of inventors

Orlando, FL, United States of America

Patrick Devin Boyle