Programming device and method for controlling ride vehicles in an

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a ride vehicle for use in an amusement attraction. The ride vehicle mounts a passenger supporting structure upon a motion base, so that the passenger supporting structure may be articulated about one or more axes as the vehicle moves. Thus, this 'simulator ride' carries passengers through three-dimensional scenery and articulates the passenger supporting structure in synchronism with motions of the ride vehicle, the motions of moving show sets, which are external to the vehicle, sound, projection and other effects. The ride vehicle is programmably-controlled by a redundant, two computer control system aboard each vehicle, which controls motions of the ride vehicle in synchronism with actions of the motion base and other special effects in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of ride programs. The external body of the vehicle and the plurality of ride programs, which are created using a special programming console and an offline editor, may thus be quickly adapted and reprogrammed to provide an infinite variability in ride experience, for nearly any desired environment. Thus, a plurality of ride vehicles may be governed by a computerized central controller that utilizes radio frequency communication to orchestrate the progress of each vehicle and report digitally transmitted status and fault conditions to a human operator of the attraction.