WO2019092402A1

WO2019092402A1 - A flying theatre system

Info

Publication number: WO2019092402A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/053173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Andrew HETHERINGTON; Peter CLIFF
Original assignee: Holovis International Limited
Priority date: 2017-11-09
Filing date: 2018-11-01
Publication date: 2019-05-16

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a seating unit mounted on a transporting device for transporting the seating device from a first boarding position along guiding means to a second ride position in which the seating unit is rotated about an axis to a face-down position, wherein in the ride position, the seating unit is located above a display screen.

Description

A FLYING THEATRE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a flying theatre system.

Flying theatre systems have traditionally been a method for delivering a high throughput of visitors into a large-scale visual experience with dynamic motion. Within the traditional design, guests sit in a passive tiered standard theatre style seating formation that moves towards a curved screen environment to surround the audience's peripheral vision and deliver the media immersion. In some cases, not all of the guests' peripheral vision is occupied by the curved screen.

However, these typically lack a true immersion experience for the audience unless seated in the 'sweet spot' in relation to the projected image, and by the nature of being seated, delivers a lean-back, passive experience for all visitors. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a seating unit mounted on a transporting device for transporting the seating unit from a first boarding position along guiding means to a second ride position in which the seating unit is rotated about an axis to a face-down position, wherein in the ride position, the seating unit is located above a display screen.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a flying theatre attraction comprising boarding one or more visitors in a normal seated position at a first boarding position into a seat of a seating unit, transporting the seating unit by way of a transporting device along guiding means to a second ride position in which the seating unit is rotated about an axis to a face-down position, and locating the seating unit, in the ride position, above a display screen.

Owing to these aspects, an extremely realistic experience can be provided in a virtual environment.

Advantageously, the display screen is a curved screen which occupies a guest's full visual range from central vision to far peripheral vision, giving an active lean-forward experience. These screens are typically, but not exclusively, spherical, toroidal and cylindrical. In order that the present invention can be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a flying theatre ride system,

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the flying theatre ride system of Figure 1 , Figure 3 is a schematic front elevational view of the flying theatre ride system, Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the flying theatre ride system,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a seating unit for the flying theatre ride system,

Figure 6 is a side view of the seating unit of Figure 5 with seats in a loading and a ride position,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a seating unit for the flying theatre ride system, and

Figure 8 is a side view of the seating unit of Figure 7 with seats in a loading and a ride position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a flying theatre ride apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of seating units 4, each seating unit 4 comprising a plurality of seats 6, each seating unit 4 being mounted on a transporting unit 8 which is mounted on guiding means 10 in the form of a rail or track. In a first boarding position A the seats 6 of each seating unit 4 are all oriented with their respective seat-backs in a substantially vertical position so that guests boarding the flying theatre ride board the ride in a regular seated position. In all conventional flying theatre rides, this is how guests remain throughout the ride experience which does not provide a truly immersive experience for the guest.

When the seats are fully occupied, the transporting units 8 move the seating units 4 mounted thereto along the respective rails or tracks 10 to a second ride position B. Either at the second ride location B or during the motion between the first and second positions each seat 6 is arranged to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis by up to around 90 degrees so that the guest in the seat is transferred into a face down position. Each seat has harness devices 7 (see Figures 5 to 8) to retain the guest in the seat, such as an over-head harness and ankle harnesses. Figures 5 and 6 show a loading platform 18 which is hydraulically driven and is in a raised position when guests are to be loaded into the seats and which then lowers when all guests are loaded into the seats and before the seats are put into the second ride position B.

In the second ride position B, the seats are located over a display screen 12, which is preferably a curved screen to experience the immersive experience to the fullest possible. The curved screen completely immerses the guest's full visual field from central vision to far peripheral vision.

The seats 6, in the face-down ride position, are also capable of motion about one or more of a roll axis, a pitch axis and a yaw axis so as to as much as possible fully simulate a flying experience. Referring specifically to Figures 5 and 6, a first embodiment of the seating unit 4 comprises an actuator to provide motion to the seats in the form of a hexapod style actuator 20 to provide 6 degrees of freedom movement in the x, y and z axes as well as pitch, yaw and roll movements. The hexapod style actuator 20 is sandwiched in a split-level carriage 22 including an upper carriage 22a and a lower carriage 22b. The upper carriage 22a has an arrangement of rollers for engaging with the guiding means 10, the upper carriage remaining in a substantially horizontal orientation. The lower carriage 22b has the seats mounted to its underside by way of a pair of arms, a first arm 24 being pivotally connected at one end region of the seat and a second arm 26 being pivotally connected to a second end region of the seat, the second end region being opposite the first end region. One of the first and second arms comprises a hinge joint along its length to be actuated to transfer the seat from its upright loading position into the face-down ride position. As shown in Figure 5, the first arm 24 is pivotally connected to an upper end region of the seat, i.e. the head end region of the seat. The second arm 26 is pivotally connected to a lower end region of the seat and comprises a hinge joint 28 which is lockable in two positions, namely the guest-loading position and the face-down ride position. Actuation of the hexapod type actuator 20 brings about motion of the seats attached to the lower carriage 22b. Figures 7 and 8 show a second alternative embodiment of the seating unit 4. This embodiment does not have the 6 degrees of freedom movement of the seating unit 4 of Figure 5 owing to the fact that the seats are mounted between substantially vertical beams 30 at the top end of which are rollers to engage with the guiding means 10. The vertical beams are maintained in position by respective obliquely arranged brace beams 32 which also have rollers at their upper end regions to also engage with the guiding means 10. The substantially vertical beams 30 include a channel 34 comprising a mechanism to impart vertical movement to the seats or groups of seats where more than one seat is located between respective substantially vertical beams 30. Such a mechanism is conveniently a chain-pulley type mechanism. The seats are further pivotably mounted between the substantially vertical beams 30 in order to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis in order to achieve the face-down ride position. Referring back to Figures 1 to 4, a plurality of projection devices 14a to 14f are arranged above the upper region of the screen 12 to project an image onto the curved display screen. The projection devices are advantageously UHD (Ultra High Definition) projectors. For the curved screen 12, 6 projection devices 14a to 14f project individual image parts within respective image fields 16a to 16f. In order to have a seamless projected image across the whole of the curved screen 12, the image fields 16a to 16f from the projection devices overlap such that the individual image parts are warped by computer software to match in the overlapped sections. Advantageously, a laser auto- alignment system is utilised to ensure that the images from the array of individual projection devices are perfectly aligned, geometrically setup and colour matched every time they are switched on.

In the face down ride position, the flying theatre ride gives the audience an active lean- forward experience, giving a feeling of truly flying. Instead of remaining in the traditional passive seated position, the seats completely tip forwardly so that people are suspended above the curved screen surface for the complete immersion in the ride, no matter where the person is located or where they direct their vision.

Perfectly synched media content to be projected onto the screen 12 and dynamic motion of the seating units 4 is vital for a fully immersive experience. At the least this is to avoid motion sickness, but the aim of the ride is to make people feel like they are on a believable and engaging journey which is stimulating, thrilling and immersive. Any obvious breaks in the synchronisation between the immersive media content, audio, multi-sensory systems and motion will dispel that belief.

In addition, an on-board audio solution will immerse guests in a surround system to deliver an uncompressed spatial experience. Crossfades between multiple asynchronous audio tracks are programmed to give smooth transitions between displayed scenes and triggers.

To enhance the multi-sensory experience, special effects may be programmed to activate in synchronisation with the immersive media and audio experiences. Such special effects can include the inclusion of heat, water sprays, air blasts and scents. The application of real-time media content, generated from a game engine, rather than having a pre-rendered film with a fixed path that the narrative always follows further enhances the experience. This provides more than just gamification and non-linearity; this lets guests control and determine their own destiny whilst being at the heart of a multi-dimensional and compelling narrative.

Advanced data capture and artificial intelligence analytical methods may also be incorporated to interpret the preferences and reactions of guests through their physical, intellectual and emotional responses. This makes the 'story' personalised to each guest based on their interactions. This includes artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision.

Based on the decisions the guests make, paths they choose to take and innovative data capture mechanics which measure guest reactions, the world around them reacts differently each time, every time.

The flying theatre ride apparatus 2 provides a motion system that securely holds up to 100 guests tilted into a prone (face-down) position before elevating them over a highly immersive, ultra-high-resolution dome screen to deliver a compelling and completely unique flying experience.

Claims

1 . Apparatus comprising a seating unit mounted on a transporting device for transporting the seating unit from a first boarding position along guiding means to a second ride position in which the seating unit is rotated about an axis to a face-down position, wherein in the ride position, the seating unit is located above a display screen.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of seating units.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each seating unit includes a plurality of seats.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the seating unit comprises an actuator to provide motion to the seats.

5. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is a hexapod style actuator.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each seat, in the face-down position, is capable of motion in 6 degrees of freedom in the x, y and z axes as well as pitch, yaw and roll movements.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the actuator is sandwiched in a split-level carriage including an upper carriage and a lower carriage, The upper carriage having an arrangement of rollers for engaging with the guiding means, the lower carriage having the seats mounted to its underside by way of a pair of arms.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pair of arms includes a first arm being pivotally connected at one end region of the seat and a second arm being pivotally connected to a second end region of the seat, the second end region being opposite the first end region.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the first and second arms comprises a hinge joint along its length to be actuated to transfer the seat from its first boarding position into second the face-down ride position.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seating unit is mounted between substantially vertical beams at the top end of which are rollers to engage with the guiding means.

1 1 . Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the substantially vertical beams include a channel comprising a mechanism to impart vertical movement to the seats.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the seats are further pivotably mounted between the substantially vertical beams in order to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis to transfer the seat from its first boarding position into second the face-down ride position.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a hydraulically driven loading platform which is in a raised position when the seating unit is in the first boarding position and which then lowers when the seating unit is in the second ride position.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the display screen is a curved screen.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the guiding means is in the form of a rail or track.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at the first boarding position the seats of each seating unit are all oriented with their respective seat- backs in a substantially vertical position for boarding in a regular seated position.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each seat has harness devices attached to the seat.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said harness devices are an overhead harness and ankle harnesses.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a plurality of projection devices arranged above the upper region of the display screen.

20. A method of operating a flying theatre attraction comprising boarding one or more visitors in a normal seated position at a first boarding position into a seat of a seating unit, transporting the seating unit by way of a transporting device along guiding means to a second ride position in which the seat is rotated about an axis to a face-down position, and locating the seat, in the ride position, above a display screen.

21 . A method according to claim 20, wherein each seat, in the face-down position, is capable of motion in 6 degrees of freedom in the x, y and z axes as well as pitch, yaw and roll movements.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the substantially vertical beams include a channel comprising a mechanism to impart vertical movement to the seat.

23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, and further comprising a raising a hydraulically driven loading platform when the seating unit is in the first boarding position and subsequently lowering the hydraulically driven loading platform when the seating unit is in the second ride position.