Gravity-assisted attraction show systems and methods
AssigneeUniversal City Studios LLC
InventorTimothy J. Eck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An attraction system of an amusement park includes an observation area, a primary area, a primary real object, a reflective component positioned to create a reflection of the primary real object, and a secondary area. The controller is configured to release the primary real object, wherein the reflective component reflects imagery of the primary real object in motion, thereby creating a virtual object that appears to be moving toward a guest within the secondary area.
Claims20
An attraction system of an amusement park, the attraction system comprising:
- an observation area;
- a primary area;
- a primary real object vertically suspended in the primary area via a suspension system;
- and
- a reflective component, wherein the reflective component is angled to reflect the primary real object to provide an illusion of a virtual object in a secondary area from a perspective of one or more guests in the observation area.
An attraction system of an amusement park, the attraction system comprising:
- a reflective component;
- a primary area positioned vertically above the reflective component;
- a primary real object positioned in the primary area;
- and
- a control system configured to instruct actuation of the primary real object in the primary area to enable the primary real object to accelerate in the primary area toward the reflective component to provide an illusion of a virtual object in motion in a secondary area from a perspective of one or more guests in an observation area.
A method of operating an attraction system, the method comprising:
- operating, via a control system, a suspension system to release a primary real object to cause the primary real object to accelerate due to gravity from a first position in a primary area toward a second position in the primary area;
- and
- generating, via a reflective component, a reflection of the primary real object as the primary real object accelerates due to gravity from the first position in the primary area toward the second position in the primary area to provide an illusion of a virtual object in motion in a secondary area from a perspective of one or more guests in an observation area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.