Systems and Methods for Providing Enhanced Ride System Experience to Guests with Disabilities

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/659,718, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED RIDE SYSTEM EXPERIENCE TO GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES”, filed Jun. 13, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be noted that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art.

In entertainment venues such as theme parks, it is now recognized that providing improved accessibility and accommodations for guests that have disabilities and/or assistance requirements may improve overall guest experience. In particular, integrating improved assistive or adaptive technology into the theme park's ride systems to produce individualized experiences based on the assistive requirements of each guest may provide a more immersive and comfortable guest experience. However, synchronization of existing ride systems with assistive devices and presentation of individualized ride content based on each guest's needs may be challenging. Thus, it is now recognized that there is a need for improved systems and methods for facilitating coordination of assistive devices with various components of a ride system and to provide guests with an enhanced ride experience based on the assistive requirements of each guest.

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In accordance with an embodiment, a ride system includes a sensor configured to detect a triggering event associated with the ride system, and an adaptive show control system comprising a processing system. The processing system is configured to receive information associated with the triggering event, and cause an assistive device communicatively coupled to the ride system to output assistive show content based on the information.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of providing assistive show content includes sensing, via a sensor, a triggering event associated with a ride system. The triggering event includes a position of a ride vehicle of the ride system, an orientation of the ride vehicle, a location of a guest associate with the ride system, or an indication of a ride time. The method further includes transmitting, via a triggering device associated with the sensor, information associated with the triggering event over a network associated with the ride system. Additionally, the method includes receiving, via a processing circuitry, the information, determining, via the processing circuitry, the assistive show content based on the information, and transmitting, via the processing circuitry, instructions configured to cause an assistive device associated with the ride system to output the assistive show content. The method includes outputting, via the assistive device, the assistive show content based on the instructions. The assistive show content is configured to overlay, enhance, or replace standard show content of the ride system.

In accordance with another embodiment, a ride system includes an identifier reader device with a sensor configured to detect an identifier associated with an assistive location, and an adaptive show control system including a processing system. The processing system is configured to receive, from the identifier reader device, an indication of the identifier associated with the assistive location. The indication includes identification information associated with the assistive location. The processing system is further configured to identify the assistive location as associated with a flagged state based on the indication. The flagged state indicates output of assistive show content at the assistive location. The processing system is configured to receive information associated with a triggering event of the ride system, and to cause an output device associated with the assistive location to output the assistive show content based on the information and the flagged state.

One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. One or more specific embodiments of the present embodiments described herein will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be noted that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be noted that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for providing assistive show content (e.g., show data, show effects) by a ride system of an amusement park attraction and/or interactive experience. The assistive show content may be overlaid with, enhance, or substitute standard show content displayed or provided to guests by the ride system. In particular, the present embodiments may cause output of the assistive show content based on received indication (e.g., detection, signal) of an assistive device (e.g., of a guest of the ride system) or indication of whether to provide the assistive show content. For example, an assistive device may include a device configured to output the assistive show content and that is coupled to, integrated with, or separate from the ride system (e.g., a ride vehicle of the ride system). The assistive device may be configured to receive instructions from the ride system and display or provide the assistive show content to a guest participating in a ride or experience based on the instructions. In some embodiments, the assistive device may include any suitable American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant device or technology. In additional or alternative embodiments, the assistive device may include a wearable device or a mobile device (e.g., including an application or software running on a mobile device), and may include speakers, a display screen, haptic outputs, tactile outputs, or any combination thereof. As discuss in more detail below, in some embodiments, the assistive device may be coupled (e.g., physically coupled) to or integrated with the ride vehicle or a component of the ride system. In addition, the assistive device may be owned by a guest or assigned to the guest, such as at an entrance to the amusement park, the ride, or the experience. The assistive show content may include audio data, tactile data, image data, and/or haptic data configured to supplement, enhance, or substitute the standard show content.

The ride system may provide (e.g., output) the assistive show content based on or determined by the type of assistive device or a type of assistive show content needed by each guest. For example, in some embodiments, guest profile information or identification information associated with the guest may indicate the type of assistive device and/or a type of assistive show content to provide to the guest (e.g., ride vehicle and/or ride seat associated with the guest). In some embodiments, the type of assistive device and/or the type of assistive show content to provide to the guest may be determined based on an indication of or an association with one or more physical disabilities and/or impairments, such as hearing impairment or vision impairment of the guest. In some embodiments, an operator of the ride system may indicate (e.g., via input to the ride system) the type of assistive device and/or the type of assistive show content to provide to the guest.

It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the ride system may include any interactive experience located within an entertainment venue in which a guest may participate in. For example, the ride system may include an interactive scene, prop, wearable and/or interactive device, character, and/or animated figure. In such embodiments, the ride system may provide or cause output of the assistive show content to supplement, enhance, and/or substitute the standard content of the interactive experience. In addition, while in some embodiments the ride system may include a ride vehicle, in other embodiments the guests may be directed along a ride path and/or be positioned with in an interactive area of the ride system.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ride system includes an adaptive show system that may interface with an existing (e.g., a standard) show system of the ride system to provide the assistive show content to an assistive device associated with a guest of the ride system. In particular, the standard show system may provide or output (e.g., synchronize) standard show content, such as audio effects (e.g., music, sound effects), visual effects (e.g., an electronic video presentation, movements of an automated figure, pyrotechnics), and physical effects (e.g., haptic effects, ride vehicle movements) to create an immersive experience to guests participating in the ride or interactive experience, and/or located within the ride vehicle. Output of the standard show content may be based on triggering events, such as indications of guest interactions (e.g., via wearable device or integrated ride device), indications of a flagged ride vehicle and/or ride seat (e.g., via a tag or identifier reader used by a ride operator), indications of ride vehicle and/or guest positionings or locations along a ride path (e.g., signals from triggering devices positioned throughout the ride system), and/or indications of scheduling (e.g., timing, duration) of the ride and/or interactive experience. In addition, the adaptive show system may be configured to detect the triggering events, such as via detection of triggering event signals and/or data associated with the standard show system, and provide or output the assistive show content to an assistive device associated with the guest (e.g., a device of the ride system or ride vehicle) based on the triggering events. Furthermore, a type of assistive show content to provide or to cause the assistive device to output may be determined based on a detected type of assistive device. To this end, the adaptive show system may detect (e.g., via one or more signals) a type of assistive device and/or receive an indication of a type of assistive show content to provide based on the type of assistive device, and determine the type of assistive show content based on the type of assistive device. The adaptive show system may transmit the assistive show content to the assistive device and/or transmit instructions to cause the assistive device to output the assistive show content. Output of the assistive show content may be overlaid with, combined with, integrated with, or substitute (e.g., replace) the standard show content output by the standard show system. Thus, the ride system, via the adaptive show system, may provide guests with an accommodating and individualized experience based on the assistive requirements of each guest.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the ride system includes assistive show content to be provided or output by the ride system based on receiving an indication of whether to provide the assistive show content. In particular, the indication may indicate that assistive show content is desired to be provided to a particular guest (e.g., to a position or a location of a guest) or to particular ride vehicle (e.g., seat location) of the ride system. In addition, in some embodiments, the indication may also indicate a type of assistive show content to provide or output to the guest. The assistive show content may be provided by a separate adaptive show system or by the existing standard show system. The assistive show content may be overlaid with, integrated with, or substitute (e.g., replace) the standard show content output by the ride system. For example, a ride vehicle and/or one or more particular seats of the ride vehicle may be flagged or be associated with carrying a physically impaired guest (e.g., visual impairment, hearing impairment). Based on being flagged, the ride vehicle may output the assistive show content, such as an assistive audio track that may be overlaid with a standard audio track of the ride system at the flagged ride vehicle or seat. As another example, the assistive show content may include audio-enhanced, tactilely enhanced, and/or haptically enhanced output (e.g., cues) that may complement the standard show content, so that the guest may experience details that they may otherwise miss due to their disabilities. The enhanced output may provide cues as to upcoming positional changes or movements of the ride vehicle (e.g., twists and turns), thus allowing the guest to brace or be prepared for exposure to dynamic forces associated with movements of the ride vehicle. Output of the assistive show content may be pre-programmed based upon ride timing, and/or could be triggered by events of the ride system (e.g., utilizing position sensing/detection of the ride vehicle, detection of ride vehicle and/or seat tags or identifiers). Thus, the assistive show content (e.g., via audio or haptic cues) may create a more immersive and pleasant experience for guests, in particular the physically impaired guest, of the ride.

Thus, the present disclosure includes a ride system that provides improved systems and methods for facilitating coordination of assistive show content with the standard show content of a ride system to provide guests with an enhanced (e.g., accommodating) ride experience.

With the foregoing in mind,is a schematic illustration of a ride systemincluding a show systemand an adaptive show system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ride systemmay be within an amusement park attraction or other suitable location. The ride systemmay include a ride vehicleconfigured to carry one or more guestsalong (e.g., traverse along) a ride path(e.g., tracks). The ride vehiclemay be guided via a track system and/or any other guidance system of the ride systemfor ride vehicle movement throughout the ride system. As discussed herein, in some embodiments, the ride systemmay not include a ride vehicle, and the guests may be directed along a ride path or be positioned within an interactive area to experience visual, audio, and/or physical effects presented by the ride system. The show systemis configured to present or output show content, such as these visual, audio, and/or physical effects, to the guestsof the ride through control and coordination of output devices.

The ride systemmay include one or more output devices. The output devicesmay include any suitable output devices, such as display screens, speakers, lights, haptic devices, tactile devices, pyrotechnic devices, projectors, animated figures, and/or props or special effects devices. The output devicesmay be coupled to, integrated with, and/or separate from the ride vehicle. For example, as illustrated, the ride vehicleincludes a display device, one or more haptic devices, and/or one or more speakers, each configured to receive instructions and/or data from the show systemand output corresponding show content as audio, visual, and/or physical output to the guests. Presentation and/or timing of the show content may be based on position (e.g., location) or movements of the ride vehicle(e.g., and/or the guests). The ride systemmay control or instruct movement of the ride vehiclewithin or along the ride path, and the show systemmay cause presentation (e.g., output, synchronized output) of show content (e.g., via the output devices) to the guestsbased on the movements and/or position of the ride vehicle. In some embodiments, output of the show content may be additionally or alternatively based on other factors or triggers associated with the ride system. For example, output of the show content may be based on a ride timer or scheduler. In such embodiments, output of the show content may be based on a show effect schedule, duration of the ride, and/or a travel time (e.g., a current time of travel) of the ride vehiclewithin the total ride time.

In an embodiment, the ride systemmay include one or more triggering devices. The triggering devicesmay include one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the sensorsmay be configured to detect position and/or movement of the guestand/or ride vehicle. As such, the sensorsmay include proximity sensors, radar sensors, infrared sensors, photoelectric sensors, magnetometers, and/or cameras or imaging devices. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the sensorsmay be configured to detect identifier (e.g., tags, identification tags, physical tags) associated with the guestand/or ride vehicle. As such, the sensorsmay additionally or alternatively include near-field communication (NFC) functionally or operations (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors). The sensorsmay be communicatively coupled to a triggering device(e.g., controller). As an example, in the illustrated embodiment, when the ride vehiclepasses the sensor, the sensoroutputs a signal to the triggering device. The triggering devicereceives the signal and generates a packet (e.g., data, data packet) that may include information (e.g., metadata) about the sensor, sensor signal, and/or the ride vehicleor guest. For example, the information may include identification of the ride vehicle, the guest, and/or the seat of the ride vehicle, a position of the ride vehicleand/or guest, an identification and/or a location of the sensor, ride time information, and the like. The triggering devicemay be communicatively coupled to the show system, and may transmit the packet to the show system. The show systemmay receive (e.g., and/or tag) the packet and instruct output of the show content based on the packet. In particular, the show content may correspond to the information included in the packet. As such, in some embodiments, the show systemcoordinates output of the show content with movement or position of the ride vehicleand/or guests.

The ride systemmay also include the adaptive show system. As discussed herein, the adaptive show systemmay be a separate show system from the show system. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay be integrated with the show systemor the show systemmay perform the functions and include the features as described herein with respect to the adaptive show system. The adaptive show systemis configured to present or output assistive show content, such as assistive visual, audio, and/or physical effects, to the guestsof the ride through control and coordination of assistive devices.

The ride systemmay include one or more assistive devices. The assistive devices may include any suitable assistive devices, such as display devices, speakers, wearable devices, mobile devices, lights, tactile device, and/or haptic devices. The assistive devices may be coupled to, integrated with, and/or separate from the ride vehicle. In some embodiments, the assistive devicesmay include or be the same as the output devicesof the ride system. For example, as illustrated, the ride vehicleincludes a display device, one or more haptic devices, and/or one or more speakers. In some embodiments, the assistive devicesmay be separate from the ride vehicleand/or separate from the ride system. In particular, the assistive devicesmay be owned or associated with a guest, and may be configured to communicatively couple to the ride system. For example, as illustrated, the ride systemincludes the assistive device(e.g., a mobile device, wearable device) associated with the guestand separate from the ride vehicle. The assistive devices(e.g., and/or output devices) may be configured to receive instructions and/or data from the adaptive show systemand output corresponding assistive show content to enhance, overlay, or replace the show content that may be associated with the show system. In some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay be configured to receive an indication of or detect a type of assistive deviceassociated with the gueston the ride. In addition, the adaptive show systemmay be configured to generate instructions to cause output of the assistive show content based on the type of assistive device. In some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay be configured to format, convert, translate, or generate instructions that cause output of the assistive show content to be compatible with a variety of assistive devices.

Moreover, presentation and/or timing of the assistive show content may be based on position (e.g., location) or movements of the ride vehicleand/or of the guests. In particular, the adaptive show systemmay cause presentation (e.g., output) of the assistive show content to the guestsbased on the movements and/or position of the ride vehicle. As an example, in the illustrated embodiment, the adaptive show systemmay be communicatively couple do the triggering device, and may receive the packet generated by the triggering device. The adaptive show systemmay receive (e.g., and/or tag) the packet and instruct output of the assistive show content (e.g., via the assistive devicesand/or output devices) based on the packet. In particular, the assistive show content may correspond to the information included in the packet. As such, in some embodiments, the adaptive show systemcoordinates output of the assistive show content with movement or position of the ride vehicleand/or guests. In some embodiments, output of the assistive show content may be additionally or alternatively based on other factors or triggers associated with the ride system. For example, output of the assistive show content may be based on a ride timer or scheduler. In such embodiments, output of the assistive show content may be based on a show effect schedule, duration of the ride, and/or a travel time (e.g., a current time of travel) of the ride vehiclewithin the total ride time.

As another example, the adaptive show system(e.g., or show system) may provide or cause output of the assistive show content based on receiving an indication to provide the assistive show content to a particular assistive location, such as the ride vehicle, ride vehicle seat, and/or location of the guest. In particular, the assistive location may include a location (e.g., within a ride area or interactive area) at which assistive content may be provided to accommodate guest participating in the ride or interaction. Specifically, the ride vehicleand/or one or more seats of the ride vehiclemay be flagged (e.g., via the show systemor adaptive show system), set to a flagged state, or otherwise be associated with carrying a guestwho may need provision of the assistive show content (e.g., the guest may have a physically impairment). In some embodiments, an operator of the ride may manually flag the ride vehicleand/or one or more seats of the ride vehicle. For example, the ride vehicleand/or one or more seats of the ride vehiclemay include or be associated with one or more identifiers(e.g., tags, identification tags, physical tags, barcodes, RFID tags, infrared tags, quick response (QR) codes). The one or more identifiersmay identify the ride vehicleand/or one or more seats of the ride vehicle. The operator may use a triggering device, such as an identifier reader device(e.g., tag reader device, including a sensor, NFC sensor, RFID sensor, camera, and/or scanner) that is communicatively coupled to the show systemand/or the adaptive show system, to scan or read the one or more identifiers. The identifier reader devicemay flag or associate the scanned ride vehicleand/or the scanned one or more seats of the ride vehiclewith provision of assistive show content (e.g., via the corresponding identifiers). In particular, the identifier reader device, by scanning the one or more identifiers, may indicate to the show system(e.g., or adaptive show system) to provide assistive show content at the flagged (e.g., identified) ride vehicleand/or one or more flagged seats.

In other words, the indication (e.g., flag) received by the show system(e.g., or adaptive show system) may include identification information of the ride vehicleand/or of the ride seat, and/or an indication of provision or output of the assistive show content to the flagged ride vehicle (e.g., to a position or a location of a guest) or to the flagged ride seat. In addition, in some embodiments, the indication may also include a type of assistive show content to provide or output (e.g., to the guest). Thus, based on the indication of the flagged ride vehicle and/or seat and, the show system(e.g., adaptive show system) may provide instructions (e.g., control signals) to and/or cause output of the assistive show content at the flagged ride vehicle or seat. As discussed herein, the assistive show content may include audio-enhanced, visually-enhanced, haptically enhanced, and/or tactilely enhanced output that may complement the ride and/or the show content provided by the show system. In some embodiments, the assistive show content may include audio, haptic, and/or tactile cues to provide the guestwith an indication of upcoming positional changes or movements of the ride vehicle(e.g., twists and turns), thus allowing the guestto brace or be prepared for exposure to dynamic forces associated with movements of the ride vehicle.

To this end, the ride systemincludes a networkto facilitate communication (e.g., transmitting and receiving of data) between the various systems and components of the ride system. In particular, the show systemmay be communicatively coupled to the ride vehicle(e.g., controller of the ride vehicle), one or more output devicesand/or assistive devices, the triggering device, the sensor, the identifier reader device, or any combination thereof, via the network. Additionally, in some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay be communicatively coupled to the one or more output devices and/or assistive devices, the triggering device, the sensor, the identifier reader device, or any combination thereof, via the network. It should be understood that, althoughillustrates the ride vehicleand the assistive deviceas coupled to the adaptive show systemand/or the show system, via the network, in some embodiments, the triggering device, the one or more output devices, the assistive device, the sensor, the ride vehicle, or any combination thereof may be communicatively coupled to the adaptive show systemand/or the show system, via the network.

The networkmay be any suitable computer network that enables electronic devices (e.g., servers), communication components (e.g., routers), and the like to facilitate communication between components of the ride system. For example, the networkmay include wired and/or wireless networks, such as a mobile network, WiFi, BLUETOOTH® network, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless mess network (WMN), Internet, and the like. Control systems (e.g., controllers) associated with components of the ride system(e.g., ride vehicle control system, show system control system, adaptive system control system, etc.) may be connected to a network switch that enables network connection and communication between the elements and components of the ride system.

is a schematic block diagram of the ride systemofincluding the adaptive show system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed herein, the adaptive show systemis configured to receive packets generated by components of the ride system, such as the triggering devices, and cause output of the assistive show content based on the received packets. In particular, the adaptive show systemmay send (e.g., transmit) the assistive show content to the assistive devices(e.g., output devices) and/or send instructions (e.g., control signals) to the assistive deviceto cause the assistive deviceto output the assistive show content. Additionally or alternatively, output of the assistive show content may be based on a received indication (e.g., flag) to provide the assistive show content (e.g., via flagging the ride vehicleand/or seat). Specifically, the adaptive show systemmay provide or send instructions to output devicesand/or assistive devicesassociated with a flagged assistive location (e.g., the flagged ride vehicle, a flagged guest (e.g., flagged guest location), and/or a flagged ride vehicle seat) to cause the output devicesand/or assistive devicesto output the assistive show content. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay determine a type of assistive show content to be output by the output devicesand/or the assistive devicesbased on an indication of a type of assistive show content to provide and/or an indication of a type of detected assistive device.

Similarly, as described with reference to, the ride systemincludes the show system, the adaptive show system, the network, the one or more output devices, and the one or more assistive devices. In some embodiments, the assistive devicesmay be separate from the ride system, and may be configured to communicatively couple to the ride system(e.g., via the network). In such embodiments, the assistive devicesmay be configured to receive instructions and/or data from the ride system(e.g., the adaptive show system). Moreover, the ride systemincludes the triggering deviceas described with reference to. In particular, the triggering devicemay include a triggering device controllerand a sensoras described with reference to. The triggering device controllermay include processing circuitry, and memory. In addition, the triggering devicemay include communication circuitry. In particular, as discussed herein, the controller, via the communication circuitry, may receive a sensor signal from the sensorbased on a triggering event of the ride system. The triggering event may include a detected current position, movement, interaction, and/or location of the ride vehicle and/or guest, an indication to provide assistive show content to a flagged ride vehicle and/or guest, and/or an indication of a current ride time or ride duration. The controller, via the processing circuitryand/or memory, may process the sensor signal by generating a packet that includes information associated with the triggering event. The controller, via the communication circuitry, may then transmit the packet to the show systemand/or the adaptive show system(e.g., via the network).

Continuing with, the ride systemmay include the adaptive show systemconfigured to cause output of the assistive show content based on a triggering event of the ride system. In particular, the adaptive show systemincludes an adaptive show control system(e.g., programmable logic control system (PLC)) and a communication component. In some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay include the one or more assistive devicesand/or the identifier reader device(e.g., triggering device) as additionally described with reference to. The adaptive show control systemmay be a single controller, one or more controllers, or a system of controllers. For embodiments with multiple controllers, each controller may implement all of, a portion of, or distinct functions for carrying out the operations as discussed herein. The adaptive show control systemincludes processing circuitry(e.g., processing system) and memory. The processing circuitrymay include one or more general purpose microprocessors, one or more application specific processors (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the memorymay include one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media that store instructions executable by the processing circuitryand/or store data (e.g., packets, assistive show content) to be processed by the processing circuitry. Further, the memorymay store instructions executable by the processing circuitryto perform the methods and control actions described herein for the ride system(e.g., the adaptive show system).

The communication componentmay include any suitable communication circuitry or network interface that enables the adaptive show systemto be communicatively coupled to various components of the ride system. In particular, the communication componentmay support transmission and reception of various signals and/or data (e.g., through wired and/or wireless operations, via the network) between the adaptive show control systemand components of the ride system, such as for example, the triggering device, the assistive devices, the output devices, and/or external databases.

In an embodiment, the adaptive show control systemmay receive a packet generated by the triggering device, and may tag and/or store the packet based on processing the triggering event information included in the packet. In particular, referring to, the triggering devicemay send a packet in response to the ride vehiclepassing or coming within a threshold distance of the sensor. The packet may include triggering event information including a location and/or identification information of the sensor, and thus indicate a current location or position of the ride vehiclealong the ride path. In addition, the adaptive show control systemmay receive the packet, and determine the assistive show content based on the received packet (e.g., triggering event information). In particular, the adaptive show control systemmay process the packet to extract and/or tag the triggering event information. In addition, the extracted and/or tagged triggering event information may be stored via the memory. The adaptive show control systemmay determine the assistive show content by inputting the tagged or extracted triggering event information into control logic (e.g., hardware components and/or software that implements one or more algorithms) and/or by using a lookup table. The control logic and/or the lookup table may be stored in the memoryand/or be part of the processing circuitry. As such, the packets (e.g., received and/or tagged triggering event information) may be mapped to desired assistive show content to be outputted via the ride system(e.g., via the output devices, assistive devices).

Moreover, the adaptive show control systemmay output control signals and/or data to control components of the ride system(e.g., the output devices, the assistive devices) based on the determined assistive show content. In particular, the adaptive show control systemmay cause output of the assistive show content by the targeted (e.g., desired, appropriate) assistive device(e.g., output device). In some embodiments, the adaptive show control systemmay send an indication of the assistive show content to be output by the assistive device, and the assistive devicemay output the assistive show content based on the indication. For example, the assistive devicemay query a memory and/or database (e.g., integrated with the assistive deviceand/or separate (e.g., the external database) from the assistive device) to retrieve the assistive show content based on the indication. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the adaptive show control systemmay transmit the assistive show content to the assistive deviceand cause the assistive deviceto output the transmitted assistive show content.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the adaptive show control systemmay receive information (e.g., data) from the identifier reader deviceand/or from detected assistive devicesto determine the assistive show content (e.g., the type of assistive show content). As discussed herein, the adaptive show control systemmay communicatively couple to one or more assistive devices(e.g., integrated with and/or separate from the ride system) and receive an indication of a type of assistive device present (e.g., detected) within the ride system. The adaptive show control systemmay determine the assistive show content and/or the type of assistive show content to be provided by the detected assistive devicebased on the indication. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the adaptive show control systemmay receive an indication to provide assistive show content to a flagged assistive location (e.g., flagged ride vehicle and/or flagged seat (e.g., to a particular guest location)) from the identifier reader device. Then, as the ride progresses, the adaptive show control systemmay receive the packets and cause output of the assistive show content (e.g., via the output deviceand/or assistive device) based on a combination of the indication to provide the assistive show content (e.g., the flagged ride vehicle and/or flagged seat) and the information associated with the packets.

In some embodiments, with reference to, the adaptive show control systemmay include a translation layer. In particular, the translation layermay be an intermediate layer that enables the adaptive show control system(e.g., via the processing circuitry) to format (e.g., re-format), convert, translate, or generate instructions (e.g., control signals) for causing output of the assistive show content that are compatible with the detected type of assistive device. For example, the adaptive show systemmay receive the indication of the type of detected assistive deviceand generate compatible instructions, via the translation layer, to cause output of the assistive show content by the assistive devicebased on the type of detected assistive device. In some embodiments, the adaptive show systemmay generate instructions to cause output of the assistive show content and the translation layermay intercept the instructions prior to the instructions being received by the assistive device. As such, the translation layermay translate the instructions into a compatible format based on the detected type of assistive device. The translation layermay be integrated with the adaptive show control system. Additionally or alternatively, the translation layermay be separate from the ride system(e.g., the adaptive show system), such as part of an application installed on a mobile device of a guest. In such embodiments, the application on the mobile device (e.g., an example assistive device) may be communicatively coupled to the adaptive show system, via the network, receive instructions from the adaptive show systemthat cause output of the assistive show content via the mobile device, and translate the instructions to a compatible format associated with the mobile device. In this way, the translation layermay enable the adaptive show systemto transmit instructions and/or transmit assistive show content to a variety of different types of assistive devices.

Furthermore, as illustrated in, the ride systemincludes the one or more external databases. In particular, the external data bases may be configured to store lookup tables. For example, the external databasesmay store lookup tables that map packets/packet information, indication of a type of assistive device, indication of type of assistive show content to provide, and the like to desired show content and/or assistive show content. In addition, the external databasesmay store show content and/or assistive show content, such as audio data, image data, control data, tactile output data, haptic output data, and the like. The show systemand/or the adaptive show system(e.g., via the adaptive show control system) may query the external databasebased on received packets, extracted packet information, an indication of a type of assistive device, indication of type of assistive show content to provide, and the like and receive from the external databasethe corresponding show content and/or assistive show content. In some embodiments, the external databasesmay store indications of a flagged state associated with a ride vehicle, a ride seat, and/or a guest location within the ride system.

With the foregoing in mind,is a flow diagram of a methodfor causing output of assistive show content (e.g., data, control signals) by the adaptive show systemof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The methodincludes various steps represented by blocks. It should be noted that at least some steps of the methodmay be performed as an automated procedure by a system, such as the adaptive show systemand/or the show system. Although the flow chart illustrates the steps in a certain sequence, it should be understood that the steps may be performed in any suitable order and certain steps may be carried out simultaneously, where appropriate. Additionally, steps may be added to or omitted from the method. Further, some or all of the steps of the methodmay be performed by the processing circuitryof the adaptive show control system.

In block, the adaptive show system (e.g., the adaptive show control system) may receive a packet from a triggering device. In particular, as discussed herein, the triggering device may include the sensor configured to detect a triggering event associated with the ride system and transmit signals indicative of the triggering event. For example, the triggering event may include a detected current position, orientation, movement, interaction, and/or location of the ride vehicle and/or guest, an indication to provide assistive show content to a flagged ride vehicle and/or guest, and/or an indication of a current ride time or ride duration. The triggering device (e.g., via the triggering device controller) may receive the signals from the sensor and generate a packet that includes information (e.g., data) associated with the triggering event based on the signals. Furthermore, the triggering device may transmit the packet, via the network, to the ride system.

In addition, the adaptive show control system may be communicatively coupled to the network, and thus receive the packet (e.g., or a copy of or a duplicate of the packet) and extract the triggering event information from the packet. In some embodiments, the adaptive show control system may process the packet to extract and/or tag the triggering event information. In addition, the extracted and/or tagged triggering event information may be stored via the memory.

At block, the adaptive show system may receive an indication (e.g., via a signal) of a type of assistive device located in proximity to the ride system (e.g., associated with a guest of the ride) and/or a type of output (e.g., output capabilities) associated with the assistive device. In particular, the adaptive show system may be configured to detect and/or receive signals from a variety of different types of assistive devices. The adaptive show system may determine a type of assistive device based on the received signals from the assistive device. As an example, the assistive device may be configured to couple to the network, and the adaptive show system may receive a signal including information (e.g., identification) associated with the assistive device, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address and/or a media access control (MAC) address associated with the assistive device via the network. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the adaptive show system may receive other information associated with the assistive device via the signals. For example, the information may include an indication of a type of output or output capabilities associated with the assistive device, such as audio, visual, tactile, haptic, and the like. The adaptive show system may determine a type of assistive device, identify the assistive device, and/or determine output capabilities based on the signal. In some embodiments, the adaptive show system may receive an indication of a type of assistive show content to provide to the assistive device. For example, the assistive device may include a display screen, and the adaptive show system may receive an indication to provide visual assistive show content to be displayed via the assistive device. As such, a guest with a hearing impairment that is associated with the assistive device may be provided with the visual assistive show content via the display screen of the assistive device to enhance, overlay, and/or replace standard show content of the ride system. Other examples of types of assistive show content may include haptic show content, tactile show content, visual show content, audio show content, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the adaptive show system may receive the indication of the type of assistive device, the type of assistive show content to provide, and/or type of output of the assistive device based on guest profile information. For example, a guest of the ride system may be associated with a guest profile (e.g., digital profile, online profile) that includes information associated with the guest, such as preferences, biological information, financial information, identification information, accommodation and/or disability information, indications of types of assistive devices, indications of types of assistive show content (e.g., to be provided to the guest when participating in a ride and/or experience), and the like. The guest profile information may be stored via the memory (e.g., of the ride system or of the adaptive show system) and/or in the external databases. The adaptive show system may be configured to receive identification information associated with a guest participating in the ride of the ride system, and retrieve and/or receive information from a guest profile based on the identification information of the guest. In such embodiments, the indication of the type of assistive device and/or type of output/assistive show content to provide to the assistive device associated with the guest may be received via the guest profile information.

At block, the adaptive show system may determine assistive show content based on the triggering event information (e.g., from the packet). In some embodiments the adaptive show system may determine the assistive show content based on the triggering event information and the indication of the type of assistive device, the type of assistive show content to provide, or type of output capabilities of the assistive device (e.g., type of assistive show content to provide to the assistive device). The adaptive show system may determine the assistive show content by inputting the tagged or extracted triggering event information into control logic (e.g., one or more algorithms). The adaptive show system may additionally input any of the type of assistive device, the type of output of the assistive device, and/or type of assistive show content to provide to the assistive device into the control logic. The control logic may output the assistive show content based on the input information. Additionally or alternatively, the adaptive show system may use lookup tables to determine the assistive show content based on the packet information. The adaptive show system may also use the lookup tables to determine the assistive show content based additionally on any of the type of assistive device, the type of output of the assistive device, and/or type of assistive show content to provide to the assistive device. The control logic and/or the lookup tables may be stored in memory (e.g., the memory of the ride system, the external databases). As such, the packets (e.g., received and/or tagged triggering event information) and/or the receive indication may be mapped to desired assistive show content to be outputted via the ride system (e.g., the output devices, assistive devices).

To this end, at block, the adaptive show system may cause the assistive devices (e.g., and/or output devices) to output the determined assistive show content. In particular, the adaptive show system may send one or more control signals (e.g., instructions) to the assistive devices to cause output of the assistive show content. In some embodiments, the adaptive show system may transmit the assistive show content (e.g., the visual or image data, audio data, tactile data, haptic data) to the assistive devices (e.g., via the network), and the assistive devices may display the data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the adaptive show system may transmit a signal (e.g., instructions) including an indication of the assistive show content (e.g., the visual or image data, audio data, tactile data, haptic data) to be outputted by the assistive devices to the assistive devices. In such embodiments, the data of the assistive show content may be stored (e.g., preloaded) on the assistive devices (e.g., via memory) and/or the assistive devices may retrieve or receive the assistive show content from other memory (e.g., of the ride system, of the external databases) based on the indication. The assistive devices may display the data based on receiving the instructions from the adaptive show system.

As discussed herein, the assistive show content may be provided to and/or output by output devices of the ride system (e.g., of the ride vehicle). In addition, the assistive show content may be combined with (e.g., overlaid, integrated with) and/or replace (e.g., override) standard show content provided by and/or output by the standard show system of the ride system. Furthermore, in some embodiments, output of the assistive show content may be based on whether a ride vehicle, guest location, and/or ride vehicle seat is associated with a flagged state or an indication to provide (e.g., to output) assistive show content.

is a flow diagram of a methodfor causing output of assistive show content by the ride system of, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The methodincludes various steps represented by blocks. It should be noted that at least some steps of the methodmay be performed as an automated procedure by a system, such as the adaptive show systemand/or the show system. Although the flow chart illustrates the steps in a certain sequence, it should be understood that the steps may be performed in any suitable order and certain steps may be carried out simultaneously, where appropriate. Additionally, steps may be added to or omitted from the method. Further, some or all of the steps of the methodmay be performed by processing circuitry of the ride system.

At block, the ride system (e.g., the adaptive show system, show system) may receive an indication (e.g., via one or more signals) to provide assistive show content. In particular, the indication may indicate that assistive show content is to be provided to a particular guest (e.g., to a position or a location of a guest), to a particular ride vehicle, or to a particular ride vehicle seat (e.g., seat location) of the ride system. In addition, in some embodiments, the indication may also indicate a type of assistive show content to be provided or outputted via the ride system. As discussed herein, an assistive location may be flagged or set to a flagged state. In particular, the assistive location may include the ride vehicle, one or more seats of the ride vehicle, or a location associated with a guest (e.g., a guest associated with a physical impairment) may be flagged, set to a flagged state, or otherwise be associated with carrying a guest who may need provision of the assistive show content. In some embodiments, an operator of the ride system may manually flag the ride vehicle, one or more seats of the ride vehicle, or a guest location by scanning an identifier with the identifier reader device. The ride system may receive the flag or indication of whether to provide the assistive show content and store the flag or indication in memory (e.g., memory, external databases). In some embodiments, the flag or indication may be stored with an identification of or in associated with the flagged ride vehicle, flagged ride seat, and/or flagged guest location. In some embodiments, the ride system may set the ride vehicle, the ride seat, and/or the guest location to a flagged state based on the indication.

At block, the ride system may receive a packet from a triggering device. In particular, as discussed herein, the triggering device may include the sensor configured to detect a triggering event associated with the ride system and transmit signals indicative of the triggering event. The triggering device (e.g., via the triggering device controller) may receive the signals from the sensor and generate a packet that includes information (e.g., data) associated with the triggering event based on the signals. Furthermore, the triggering device may transmit the packet, via the network, to the ride system. The ride system may receive the packet (e.g., or a copy of or a duplicate of the packet) and extract the triggering event information from the packet. In some embodiments, the ride system may process the packet to extract and/or tag the triggering event information. In addition, the extracted and/or tagged triggering event information may be stored via the memory.

At block, the ride system may determine whether the ride system has received an indication to provide assistive show content at a ride vehicle, ride seat, and/or a guest location of the ride system. In particular, the ride system may check or determine a state (e.g., flagged state, unflagged or standard state) of the ride vehicle, ride seat, and/or a guest location based on receiving the packet. In some embodiments, the ride system may determine that a ride vehicle, ride seat, and/or a guest location is associated with an indication to provide the assistive show content.

When the ride system determines that a ride vehicle, ride seat, and/or a guest location is not associated with an indication to provide the assistive show content, or is associated with a unflagged or standard state, at block, the ride system may determine standard show content based on the packet and/or triggering event information of the packet. For example, as discussed herein, the ride system may process the packet to extract and/or tag the triggering event information. In addition, the extracted and/or tagged triggering event information may be stored via memory. The ride system (e.g., show system) may determine the standard show content by inputting the tagged or extracted triggering event information into control logic (e.g., one or more algorithms) and/or by using a lookup table. The control logic and/or the lookup table may be stored in the memory. As such, the packets (e.g., received and/or tagged triggering event information) may be mapped to standard show content to be outputted via the ride system (e.g., via the output devices).

At block, the ride system (e.g., show system) may cause the output devices to output the determined standard show content. In particular, the ride system may send one or more control signals (e.g., instructions) to the output devices to cause output of the standard show content. In some embodiments, the ride system may transmit the standard show content (e.g., the visual or image data, audio data, tactile data, haptic data) to the output devices (e.g., via the network), and the output device may display the data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the ride system may transmit a signal (e.g., instructions) including an indication of the standard show content (e.g., the visual or image data, audio data, tactile data, haptic data) to be outputted by the output devices to the output devices. In such embodiments, the data of the standard show content may be stored (e.g., preloaded) on the output device (e.g., via memory) and/or the output device may retrieve or receive the standard show content from other memory (e.g., of the ride system, of the external databases) based on the indication. The output devices may display the data based on receiving the instructions from the ride system.

Returning to block, when the ride system determines that a ride vehicle, ride seat, and/or a guest location is associated with an indication to provide the assistive show content, or is associated with a flagged state, at block, the ride system may determine assistive show content based on the indication and on the packet and/or triggering event information of the packet. For example, as discussed herein, the ride system may process the packet to extract and/or tag the triggering event information. In addition, the extracted and/or tagged triggering event information may be stored via memory. The ride system (e.g., adaptive show system) may determine the assistive standard show content by inputting the tagged or extracted triggering event information and the indication to provide assistive show content (e.g., the flagged state) into control logic (e.g., one or more algorithms) and/or by using a lookup table. The control logic and/or the lookup table may be stored in the memory. As such, the packets (e.g., received and/or tagged triggering event information) and the indication may be mapped to assistive show content to be outputted via the ride system (e.g., via the assistive devices and/or output devices).

At block, the ride system may cause the assistive devices (e.g., and/or output devices) to output the determined assistive show content. In particular, the ride system may send one or more control signals (e.g., instructions) to the assistive devices to cause output of the assistive show content. In some embodiments, the ride system may transmit the assistive show content (e.g., the visual or image data, audio data, tactile data, haptic data) to the assistive devices (e.g., via the network), and the assistive devices may display the data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the ride system may transmit a signal (e.g., instructions) including an indication of the assistive show content (e.g., the visual or image data, audio data, tactile data, haptic data) to be outputted by the assistive devices to the assistive devices. In such embodiments, the data of the assistive show content may be stored (e.g., preloaded) on the assistive devices (e.g., via memory) and/or the assistive devices may retrieve or receive the assistive show content from other memory (e.g., of the ride system, of the external databases) based on the indication. The assistive devices may display the data based on receiving the instructions from the ride system.