WO2018080408A1

WO2018080408A1 - A waterslide system

Info

Publication number: WO2018080408A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cem OZTURK; Eralp OZCAN
Original assignee: Polin Su Parklari ve Havuz Sistemleri AS
Current assignee: Polin Su Parklari ve Havuz Sistemleri AS
Priority date: 2016-10-25
Filing date: 2016-10-25
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-25

Abstract

Invention relates to a waterslide system comprising a waterslide (10) defining a sliding path (16) for a rider; a position detection system (30) arranged so that detecting a sliding position (Px) of the rider along the sliding path (16) and an electronic control unit (23) configured to receive a sliding position data from the position detection system (30) by means of a data transmission. A display unit (22) configured to show a computer generated virtual object (50) is attached to the rider and the electronic control unit (23) is configured to combine an actual view of the sliding path (16) at the sliding position (Px) with a computer generated virtual object (50) and transfer to the display unit (22) in realtime.

Description

SPECIFICATION

A WATERSLIDE SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a waterslide system, particularly an audio visual entertainment system adapted to the waterslides.

Prior Art

Waterslides equipped with interactive entertainment systems offer various experiences to the riders using the same infrastructure. A number of light and sound sources are adapted to the waterslides. Different configurations of the light and sound resources allow simple differentiation of the product in an easy manner.

US20060252563 discloses an interactive water slide includes a plurality of light and sound sources synchronized with a theme chosen by the rider, the lighting and sound changes as the rider travels down the slide. Images are projected onto a screens of water that block the path of the rider and as the rider travels down the slide the rider must go through these projected images.

Brief Description of the Invention The object of the present invention is enabling utilization of an augmented reality application for the waterslides.

In order to achieve above objective, invention is a waterslide system comprising a waterslide defining a sliding path for a rider; a position detection system arranged so that detecting a sliding position of the rider along the sliding path and an electronic control unit configured to receive a sliding position data from the position detection system by means of a data transmission. A display unit configured to show a computer generated virtual object is attached to the rider and the electronic control unit is configured to blend an actual view of the sliding path at the sliding position with a computer generated virtual object and transfer to the display unit in realtime. While the rider slides along the sliding path, different accelarations, speeds and movements occur. Position detection system provide accurate position of the rider at any time during the sliding movement or at defined stops allowing syncronization of the computer generated virtual object with the realtime view in correct order related to any theme selected for the waterslide.

In another embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to transfer computer generated virtual object to the display unit when the sliding position reach to predetermined coordinates. Each type of the waterslide define a different sliding path so defining coordinates, e.g. altitude, height, etc. allow electronic control unit to initiate a scene, e.g. an image to matching with the actual view of the sliding path. Instead of using time, a coordinate based syncronization of a theme with the ride will provide an accurate match between the computer generated virtual object and the actual view, i.e. current perspective of a rider inside the sliding path in a predefined coordinate, such as maximum speed zone, rotation zone, accelaration zone, etc.

In another embodiment, the position detection system is comprising a GPS unit attached to the rider and electronic control unit is configured to receive GPS position data of the rider from the GPS unit to determine the sliding position. GPS unit is the cheapest and most practical solution to provide rider position at a waterslide.

In another embodiment, the position detection unit is comprising a stationary measurement device provided above the sliding path and configured to measure a lenght from the rider and the electronic control unit is configured to calculate a corrected sliding position by comparing the GPS position data and the lenght data. In case of weak GPS signal or when the GPS signal is lost, stationary measurement device will provide electronic control unit the position information of the rider. When the GPS unit is up and running, stationary measurement device, e.g. a camera equipped with laser measurement device, will act as a secondary information source for the electronic control unit to calculate accurate position of the rider at the waterslide. Stationary measurement device may combined with movement detection devices to record rider's body and head position inside the sliding path. This information will be transmitted to the electronic control unit to adjust position of the computer generated virtual object at the display accordingly.

In another embodiment, the position detection unit is comprising a sensor attached to the sliding path and electronic control unit is configured to calculate a corrected sliding position by comparing GPS position data and the sensor position data. Sensor, e.g. a pressure sensor, proximity sensor, etc. increase accuracy of the measurement of the rider inside the sliding path.

In another embodiment, wherein the display unit is attached to a headset wearable to the rider. Therefore, rider simply attach display unit to his head amd free arms or hands for use to increase riding experience inside the waterslide.

In another preferred embodiment, position detecting unit is comprising a gyroscope attached to the headset and arranged such that determining viewing angle of the rider at the waterslide. Gyroscope provide accelaration information of the rider allowing electronic control unit to estimate next position of the rider after a predetermined time, e.g. 50 ms.

In another preferred embodiment, a camera is feeding actual view of the rider at the sliding path to the display unit is attached to the headset. Alternatively, a semitransparent or transparent display can be used allowing rider to see actual view during the travel. Headset can be provided in a form of glasses or helmet. Headset can be combined with an speaker playing pre-recorded audio according to the sliding position of the rider.

In order to reach above objective, invention is an augmented reality system for a waterslide system, comprising a server in data communication with the display unit is configured to stream a video data as computer generated virtual object to the display unit and the electronic control unit is configured to monitor the sliding position and initialize the video stream when the sliding position match with a predetermined value. Video data may include motion pictures, holographic information or 3d models of computer generated objects in rendered form or in raw data form for being rendered or combined at the display to create a video image. Augmented reality server can be a seperate server unit in wireless communication with the electronic control unit or can be provided at the in a sigle device together with the display unit.

In a preferred application, the server is adapted to syncronize video timeframe based on the actual sliding position of the rider. Syncronization prevent any delay of the video data on the display unit to prevent mismatch with real objects on the waterslide.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to achieve below objective a bowl-type waterslide assembly is shown with the illustrative figures.

Figure 1. A schematic view of a waterslide system equipped with a stationary measurement device.

Figure 2. A schematic view of an augmented reality server and a headset for the waterslide system.

Figure 3. A perspective view of another waterslide system according to subject matter of the invention. 10 Waterslide

12 Inlet

14 Outlet

16 Sliding path

20 Augmented Reality System

21 Network connection device

22 Display unit

23 Electronic control unit

24 Camera

26 Headset

30 Position detection system

32 Gyroscope

33 GPS unit

34 Stationary measurement device

40 Augmented reality server

50 Computer generated virtual object

LI First distance

Lx Intermediate distance

L3 Exit distance

PI First position

Px Sliding position

P3 Exit position

PI -2 First user sliding position

P2-2 Second user sliding position

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Fig. 1 , a schematic side view of a waterslide system and a figurative rider wearing a headset (26) equipped with an augmented reality system (20) is shown. The waterslide system comprises an elevated waterslide (10) having S- shaped flute and defining a sliding path (16) between an inlet (12) at the top and an outlet (14) at the bottom. A water flow inside the flume is continuously fed along the sliding path (16) reducing frictions during the sliding movement of the rider. A position detection system (30) comprising a stationary measurement device (34) and several components associated to the headset (26). Stationary measurement device (34) is utilizing laser and optical recognition means to interpret user position and retrieve orientation data. When a rider enter to the inlet (12) stationary measurement device (34) instantly collect a first distance (LI) between the rider and the stationary measurement device (34) and position of the rider, e.g. standing up or sitting on the inlet (12). Stationary measurement device (34) measure an intermediate distance (Lx) of the rider during the travel along the sliding path (16). A computer generated virtual object (50) provided by the augmented reality system (20) is virtually blended with an actual view of the sliding path (16) by the rider. Stationary measurement device (34) is in wireless communication with the augmented reality system (20) so that providing an accurate sliding position (Px) of the rider along the sliding path (16). When the rider exit from the outlet (14) an exit distance (L3) is measured by the stationary measurement device (34) and exit distance (L3) data is transmitted to the augmented reality system (20) to interpret rider is in an exit position (P3).

In figure 2, the augmented reality system (20) is schematically shown. An augmented reality server (40) is provided in data communication with the augmented reality system (20). The headset (26) is an mobile device comprising a camera (24) on the front and a display unit (22) at the back. Position detection system (30) comprises a gyroscope (32) and a GPS unit (33) provided at the headset (26). A network communication device (21) such as a wireless antenna and chipset providing access to the local area netwowk is also attached to the headset (26). In an alternative embodiment, headset (26) can be a handheld mobile device and an adaptor (not shown) may allow a user to wear the handheld mobile device to the head of the rider where the display unit (22) cover the eye part of the rider. A 3D object, a single image or a video as computer generated virtual object (50) is stored by the augmented reality server (40) and transmitted to an electronic control unit (23), e.g. CPU at the headset (26) of the augmented reality system (20) via wireless connection betwen the augmented reality server (40) and the network communication device (21). The electronic control unit (23) is configured to blend an actual view of the rider collected from the camera (24) and the computer generated virtual object (50) provided by a data storing means of the electronic control unit (23) or by the augmented reality server (40).

A virtual or augmented reality expert design the computer generated virtual objects and create single or multiple scenes matching the geometry of the waterslide (10) by mapping the computer generated virtual objects with the coordinates for the real configuration of the waterslide (10). Autmented reality server (40) store the mapped coordinates of the computer generated virtual objects (50). Rider wear the headset (26) and position detection system (30) detect accurate sliding position (Px) of the rider at the sliding path (16) by receiving GPS data from GPS unit (33), accelaration, speed and head position information from the gyroscope (32) and stationary measurement device (34). Accurate sliding position (Px) of the rider can be calculated by the electronic control unit (23) and/or augmented reality server (40). After detection of the sliding position (Px) the electronic control unit (23) compare the computer generated virtual object (50) coordinates and generate an image or video blended with the actual view of the rider provided by the camera (24). The position detection system (30) continiously detect and send the sliding position (Px) of the rider to the augmented reality system (20). Accurate sliding position (Px) calculated by the electronic control unit (22) using the GPS information, altitude and laser position retrived from the intermediate distance (Lx), 3 axis speed and provided by 6 axis acceleration sensors and 3 axis gyroscope data.

Method of operating the augmented reality system (30) comprises collecting riders 3 dimensional movement direction, instant speed and location, 3 or 6 axis accelaration, 3 axis gyroscopic data, GPS, Altimeter and high sensitive pressure sensor data and calculate accurate sliding position (Px) and transmit data to the electronic control unit (23); collecting body posture information of the rider from stationary position measurement device (34) receive information from sensor adapted to provide rider position, weight, pressure created by the rider, water flow rate inside the sliding path (16), air flow rate collected from an anemometer and transmit to the electronic control unit (23); calculate estimated sliding position (Px) of the rider using the collected data and provide a computer generated virtual object and sound according to the estimated sliding position (Px) of the rider via headset (26).

Referring to Figure 3, a waterslide system equipped with augmented reality system (20) suitable for multiple riders is shown. Each one of the rider wear a seperate headset (26) and may select a different theme having different computer generated virtual objects (50) accordingly. Position detection system (30) may detect first user sliding position (PI -2) and a second user sliding position (P2-2) independently and provide sliding position (Px) of each rider to provide matching computer generated virtual object (50) according to the theme selection of the rider or may share the same computer generated object (50) for each rider but blend with the actual view of each rider independently.

Claims

A waterslide system comprising a waterslide (10) defining a sliding path (16) for a rider; a position detection system (30) arranged so that detecting a sliding position (Px) of the rider along the sliding path (16) and an electronic control unit (23) configured to receive a sliding position data from the position detection system (30) by means of a data transmission characterized that a display unit (22) configured to show a computer generated virtual object (50) is attached to the rider and the electronic control unit (23) is configured to blend an actual view of the sliding path (16) at the sliding position (Px) with a computer generated virtual object (50) and transfer to the display unit (22) in realtime.

A waterslide system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (23) is configured to transfer computer generated virtual object (50) to the display unit (22) when the sliding position (Px) reach to predetermined coordinates.

A waterslide system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position detection system (30) is comprising a GPS unit (33) attached to the rider and electronic control unit (23) is configured to receive GPS position data of the rider from the GPS unit (33) to determine the sliding position (Px).

A waterslide system according to claim 3, wherein the position detection unit (30) is comprising a stationary measurement device (34) provided above the sliding path (16) and configured to measure a lenght from the rider and the electronic control unit (23) is configured to calculate a corrected sliding position (Px) by comparing the GPS position data and the lenght data.

A waterslide system according to claims 3-4, wherein the position detection unit (30) is comprising a sensor attached to the sliding path (16) and electronic control unit (23) is configured to calculate a corrected sliding position (Px) by comparing GPS position data and the sensor position data.

A waterslide system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit (22) is attached to a headset (26) wearable to the rider.

A waterslide system according to claim 6, wherein position detecting unit (30) is comprising a gyroscope (32) attached to the headset (26) and arranged such that determining viewing angle of the rider at the waterslide (10).

A waterslide system according to claim 7, wherein a camera (24) is feeding actual view of the rider at the sliding path (16) to the display unit (22) is attached to the headset (26).

9. An augmented reality system for a waterslide system according to any one of the preceding claims, a server (40) in data communication with the display unit (22) is configured to stream a video data as computer generated virtual object (50) to the display unit (22) and the electronic control unit (23) is configured to monitor the sliding position (Px) and initialize the video stream when the sliding position (Px) match with a predetermined value.

10. An augmented reality system according to claim 9, wherein the server (40) is adapted to syncronize video timeframe based on the actual sliding position (Px) of the rider.