Tether actuation systems and methods for visualization device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024036335-A1
Application number	US-202318483368-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 9, 2023
Priority date	Aug 18, 2020
Publication date	Feb 1, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

An augmented reality, virtual reality, and/or mixed reality (AR/VR) system includes a wearable visualization assembly configured to be worn by a user and to display virtual features for visualization by the user during a ride stage of an attraction. The wearable visualization assembly includes a sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of an attachment status of the wearable visualization assembly on the user. The AR/VR system also includes a retraction assembly coupled to the wearable visualization assembly via a tether and configured to retrieve the tether. The AR/VR system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the retraction assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to actuate the retraction assembly to retrieve the tether to transition the wearable visualization assembly to a storage configuration in response to the feedback indicating that the wearable visualization assembly is in a detached configuration during the ride stage.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A retraction system for retracting a visualization device configured to present virtual imagery to a user, the retraction system comprising:
a retraction assembly comprising an actuator and a tether, wherein a first end of the tether is configured to couple to the visualization device and a second end of the tether is coupled to the actuator; control circuitry configured to:
determine an attachment status of the visualization device with respect to a support based on sensor data received from one or more sensors; and
provide control signals to the actuator to retrieve the tether in response to determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from an attached configuration in which the visualization device is attached to the support to a detached configuration in which the visualization device is detached from the support.

22 . The retraction system of claim 21 , wherein the support comprises:
a head of the user; or an interface device that is configured to couple to the head of the user.

23 . The retraction system of claim 21 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
monitor a time of operation, a position of the visualization device, or both; wherein determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration comprises determining that the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration within at least one of a target time period based on the time of operation, a target location based on the position of the visualization device, or both.

24 . The retraction system of claim 21 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
monitor an occupancy status of a seat associated with the visualization device based on occupancy sensor data received from at least one occupancy sensor; and provide additional control signals to the actuator to maintain a threshold force on the tether to maintain the tether in a retracted position while the occupancy status of the seat indicates that the seat is unoccupied.

25 . The retraction system of claim 21 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
determine a storage status of the visualization device based on the sensor data received from the one or more sensors; wherein providing the control signals to the actuator to retrieve the tether is in response to determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration and that the storage status of the visualization device indicates that the visualization device is in the detached configuration without being placed in a storage receptacle within a threshold period of time.

26 . The retraction system of claim 21 , comprising power cables that extend through the tether to provide power to components of the visualization device.

27 . The retraction system of claim 21 , comprising the visualization device, wherein the one or more sensors are positioned on the visualization device.

28 . The retraction system of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more contact sensors, one or more proximity sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, or any combination thereof.

29 . The retraction system of claim 21 , wherein the retraction assembly is integrated into a ride vehicle configured to carry the user during a ride experience.

30 . A method of operating a retraction system for a visualization device configured to present virtual imagery to a user, the method comprising:
receiving, at a processor system including one or more processors and from one or more sensors, sensor data indicative of an attachment status of the visualization device with respect to a head of the user; determining, using the processor system and based on the sensor data, that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from an attached configuration in which the visualization device is attached to a support to a detached configuration in which the visualization device is detached from the support; and providing, using the processor system, control signals to an actuator to retrieve a tether coupled to the visualization device in response to determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the support comprises:
a head of the user; or an interface device that is configured to couple to the head of the user.

32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the support comprises a head of the user, and the method comprises:
providing, using the processor system and while the visualization device is coupled to an interface device that is configured to couple the visualization device to the head of the user, the control signals to the actuator to retrieve the tether coupled to the visualization device and the interface device in response to determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration.

33 . The method of claim 30 , comprising:
monitoring, using the processor system, a time of operation, a position of the visualization device, or both; wherein determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration comprises determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration within at least one of a target time period based on the time of operation, a target location based on the position of the visualization device, or both.

34 . The method of claim 30 , comprising:
monitoring, using the processor system, an occupancy status of a seat associated with the visualization device based on occupancy sensor data received from at least one occupancy sensor; and providing, using the processor system, additional control signals to the actuator to maintain a threshold force on the tether to maintain the tether in a retracted position while the occupancy status of the seat indicates that the seat is unoccupied.

35 . The method of claim 30 , comprising providing, using the processor system and while a ride vehicle moves the user through a ride experience, the control signals to the actuator to retrieve the tether to retract the visualization device into a storage receptacle defined in the ride vehicle in response to determining that the attachment status of the visualization device transitions from the attached configuration to the detached configuration.

36 . An augmented reality, virtual reality, and/or mixed reality (AR/VR) system, comprising:
a visualization device configured to be worn by a user and to display virtual features to the user; a retraction assembly comprising an actuator and a tether, wherein a first end of the tether is coupled to the visualization device and a second end of the tether is coupled to the actuator; and control circuitry configured to provide control signals to the actuator to retrieve or release the tether with the visualization device based on an attachment status of the visualization device with respect to a head of the user, a configuration status of the visualization device with respect to an interface device that is configured to couple the visualization device to the head of the user, an occupancy status of a seat associated with the visualization dev

Assignees

• Universal City Studios Llc

Inventors

• Raij Andrew Brian
• Majdali David Gerard

Classifications

• G02B27/0176 Primary

  characterised by mechanical features · CPC title

• G06F1/163 Primary

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• A63G31/00

  Amusement arrangements · CPC title

• A63G31/16

  creating illusions of travel · CPC title

• G06F3/011

  Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00) · CPC title