Determining a position, aligning a virtual reality headset, and an amusement ride with a virtual reality headset

0001The invention relates to a method for determining the position of at least one virtual reality headset in rides according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for aligning at least one virtual reality headset according to the preamble of claim 2 and a ride with which a method according to the invention can be carried out according to claim 14 ,

0002Here and in the following, virtual reality refers to the representation and simultaneous perception of reality and its physical properties in an interactive, virtual, computer-generated environment. One requirement that can be made when creating a virtual reality is, for example, the extent to which the perception of oneself is reduced in real reality and the identification with a person in virtual reality is increased. This effect is known as immersion

0003In order to create a feeling of immersion, special output devices are required to display virtual realities, for example virtual reality headsets or head-mounted displays which are worn on the head of a passenger.

0004The main components of such an output device are a display unit and optics. The display unit delivers the image from a connected data source. The optics pass the image on and project it in front of the eye. The display unit and the optics can be integrated in glasses or in a data helmet or the like.

0005Rides are known in which the passenger wears a virtual reality headset during a trip, on which a virtual reality of the trip synchronized with the trip is displayed.

0006For example, the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="JP2001062154A"><text>JP 2001062154 A</text></patcit> a helmet to be worn by a passenger of a roller coaster while driving with glasses and headphones as a head-mounted display for displaying image and audio information. A virtual reality is faded into these glasses and the associated audio information is generated via the headphones.

0007<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP2138213B1"><text>EP 2 138 213 B1</text></patcit> discloses a method in which a virtual reality of a ride on a roller coaster is depicted on a pair of glasses or a head mounted display to be put on by a passenger. A recording device takes a picture of the optical reality perceptible from the vehicle. A facility creates visual impressions that change the perception of reality. The amusement ride also has an element which generates an overall image from the visual impressions generated by the device and the image recorded by the recording device and reproduces imported or mixed-in visual additional impressions.

0008When driving through a virtual reality, it is crucial that the virtual reality headset, which represents the virtual reality, is positioned and aligned in such a way that the movement of the passenger in the virtual reality is as good as possible with the real movement in the real reality is synchronized.

0009In the known methods, e.g. B. on a train of a roller coaster, the position of the virtual reality headset worn by the passenger is determined by the row of seats occupied by the passenger. Each virtual reality headset is assigned to a specific row of seats. Such a method is for example in the<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US6179619B1"><text>US 6,179,619 B1</text></patcit> disclosed. The Virtual Reality Headset can only be used for a given row of seats. This position determination requires an increased coordination effort for the operator of the ride. It must be ensured that the virtual reality headsets are installed and connected in the correct row of seats.

0010In addition, it is known to transmit the number of the row of seats to the virtual reality headset by means of radio frequencies or near field communication chips on or next to the relevant vehicle of the ride when boarding. However, this procedure for determining the position of the virtual reality headset requires an additional process step that can also be forgotten.

0011In real reality, a predefined direction and thus an orientation can usually be determined using a compass. For example, the magnetic north direction can be determined with a magnetic compass. Since in a typical roller coaster environment, due to the numerous steel elements and electric motors, no magnetic compass can be used to align the virtual reality, the virtual reality has so far had to be aligned manually, for example, in which the passenger only puts on and puts on the virtual reality headset when sitting in the vehicle Operator's instruction looks straight ahead. In this case, a vertical axis of the passenger coincides with a plumb direction, so that the operator can align the orientation of the virtual reality with the orientation of the real reality. The vertical axis is the vertical axis in the reference system that is firmly connected to the passenger. The perpendicular direction is defined in the reference system of the earth and points to the center of the earth. Alternatively, the virtual reality can be aligned at the push of a button while looking straight ahead. However, even a slight deviation from the straight direction can lead to a misalignment of the virtual reality, which can cause dizziness and nausea for the passenger when driving through the virtual reality.

0012Out <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="DE102014111386A1"><text>DE 10 2014 111 386 A1</text></patcit> A method for operating a fairground ride with at least one vehicle moving along a route of a fairground ride is known, the at least one vehicle accommodating at least one passenger on whom the virtual reality headset is put on while traveling with the vehicle, wherein when the ride is operated in real reality, a virtual reality corresponding to the trip with the vehicle is generated and displayed on the virtual reality headset, and wherein the ride has at least one position transmitter which, on an optical, inductive or mechanical basis, the current position of the Vehicle determined on the roller coaster rail system. The virtual reality headset is a mobile virtual reality headset and comprises a wireless communication interface, via which a data connection between the virtual reality headset and a data processing device of the fairground ride takes place.

0013<patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US20160048203A1"><text>US 2016 0 048 203 A1</text></patcit> teaches a method for determining the position of at least one virtual reality headset in at least one vehicle moving along a route of an amusement ride, which accommodates at least one passenger to whom the virtual reality headset is attached during a journey with the vehicle, during operation of the amusement ride in the real reality, a virtual reality corresponding to the journey with the vehicle is generated and displayed on the virtual reality headset. The ride also includes a monitoring system, the monitoring system being designed to determine the position and orientation of the virtual reality headset. For this purpose, the monitoring system comprises, for example, one or more cameras.

0014The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for determining the position and alignment of a virtual reality headset, by means of which the disadvantages described are overcome. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an amusement ride, in particular a roller coaster, with one or more virtual reality headsets whose position is determined and aligned without the disadvantages described. In particular, the method according to the invention and the associated amusement ride should allow a high degree of flexibility and any possible use with regard to the virtual reality headsets used.

0015The object of the invention is achieved by a method with the features of patent claim 1, by a method with the features of patent claim 2 and by an amusement ride according to patent claim 14.

0016Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

0017In the method according to the invention for determining the position of at least one virtual reality headset in at least one vehicle moving along a route of an amusement ride which accommodates at least one passenger, the virtual reality headset is placed on the passenger during a ride with the amusement ride. When the ride is operated in real reality, a virtual reality corresponding to the ride with the vehicle is generated and displayed on the virtual reality headset. The amusement ride has at least one position transmitter from which at least one position signal is emitted.

0018It is essential to the invention that the virtual reality headset is a mobile virtual reality headset and that the virtual reality headset has at least one receiver which evaluates the position signal of the position transmitter for determining the position of the virtual reality headset in the vehicle relative to the position transmitter. In addition, the virtual reality headset has, according to the invention, a detachable and / or wireless communication interface, via which a data connection takes place between the virtual reality headset and a data processing device of the fairground ride.

0019Here and below, the term data connection denotes both a two-sided data transmission, ie a data transmission from the data processing device to the virtual reality headset and a data transfer from the virtual reality headset to the data processing device, and a one-sided data transmission, for example only from the data processing device to the virtual Reality headset.

0020In the case of a roller coaster train with rows of seats distributed over individual wagons serving as vehicles, a first passenger can take a seat in a front row of seats with respect to a direction of travel, and a second passenger in a rear row of seats. The first and second passengers receive the position signal as different first and second reception signals due to the different row of seats. For example, the amplitude, frequency or strength of the first received signal can be different from that of the second received signal. The virtual reality headset can then automatically determine the row of seats to which it is assigned by comparing the amplitudes, frequencies, strengths or other signal quantities of the respective received signals with those of the original position signal. The position of the virtual reality headset in the ride is thus carried out automatically.

0021The operator of an amusement ride, for example a roller coaster, can advantageously save computing time for the position determination with a virtual reality headset that can determine his position automatically, that is to say himself. In contrast to the known methods in which each virtual reality headset transmits its position signals to an arithmetic unit of the ride, in which the position of each individual virtual reality headset has to be calculated first, the virtual reality headset according to the invention is used to calculate the result that has already been calculated Transfer position via a detachable or wireless communication interface to a data processing device of the ride. This saves computing time for the data processing device.

0022In the event that virtual reality is generated in the virtual reality headset by means of application software, in particular a mobile app, the data processing device can transmit a start and / or stop signal of the journey with the vehicle to the virtual reality headset via the communication interface. The mobile app thus starts and / or ends, and thus the journey in virtual reality synchronously with the start and / or stop of the journey with the vehicle in real reality.

0023The mobile virtual reality headset according to the invention also has advantages for the passenger. For example, the passenger can put on and use the mobile virtual reality headset, which is not permanently installed in a vehicle, outside the vehicle, for example in a roller coaster station or outside the ride.

0024The method according to the invention for aligning at least one virtual reality headset in at least one vehicle moving along a route of an amusement ride, which accommodates at least one passenger to whom the virtual reality headset is put on while driving the vehicle, wherein when the ride is operated in a real reality, a virtual reality corresponding to the ride with the vehicle is generated and displayed on the virtual reality headset "wherein the ride has at least one alignment sensor, from which at least one alignment signal emanates, characterized in that the virtual reality headset is a mobile virtual reality headset, the virtual reality headset has at least one apparatus, which evaluates the alignment signal of the alignment transmitter for determining the alignment of the virtual reality headset in virtual reality relative to the alignment transmitter, and that the virtual reality headset has a detachable and / or wireless communication interface via which a data connection between the virtual reality headset and a data processing device of the fairground ride he follows.

0025For example, reflections of any image, in the simplest case of a bar or a bar code, can be used as the alignment signal, which is arranged on the amusement ride and is thus also the alignment transmitter. Depending on the vertical axis, which for example points in a different direction relative to the perpendicular direction depending on the occupancy of the passenger's head, the image of the virtual reality headset is perceived from a different perspective. Based on the perspective from which the alignment signal is perceived by the equipment of the virtual reality headset, the alignment of the vertical axis of the virtual reality headset relative to a perpendicular direction can then be determined automatically. As a result, the Virtual Reality Headset automatically recognizes the direction in which the real North Pole is compared to a virtual North Pole, without the passenger having to look straight ahead for such an orientation.

0026The operator of a ride, for example a roller coaster, can advantageously save computing time for determining the orientation with a virtual reality headset that can determine its orientation itself. In contrast to the known methods in which each virtual reality headset transmits its alignment signals to a computing unit of the ride, in which the alignment of each individual virtual reality headset has to be calculated first, the virtual reality headset according to the invention is used to calculate the result that has already been calculated Transfer alignment via a detachable or wireless communication interface to a data processing device of the ride.

0027This saves computing time for the data processing device.

0028The mobile virtual reality headset according to the invention also has advantages for the passenger. For example, the passenger can put on and use the mobile virtual reality headset, which is not permanently installed in a vehicle, outside the vehicle, for example in a roller coaster station or outside the ride.

0029The method for determining the position is preferably combined with the method for aligning the virtual reality headset. This enables the Virtual Reality Headset to recognize at the same time where it is in the ride and how it is oriented towards real reality.

0030A sensor is particularly preferred which is a position sensor and at the same time an alignment sensor. The position and the alignment can be determined with an encoder. For example, each row of seats in a vehicle can be assigned a bar code with a different number, distribution and / or shape of bars. A row of seats can be coded using the number, distribution and / or shape of bars. The position in a specific row of seats can then be deduced from the respective bar code. Depending on the perspective of the respective bar code, the orientation of the virtual reality headset is also determined.

0031The ride advantageously has at least three, preferably at least eight position sensors. The position of the virtual reality headset in the ride can be determined with three position sensors, for example via triangulation or trilateration. The three position transmitters can also transmit their current position and the exact time at predetermined time intervals. The receiver of the virtual reality headset can calculate its own position from the respective received signals. This example is analogous to the GPS satellite navigation method. In addition, runtimes can be measured from the position signal, based on which a speed of the virtual reality headset can be determined.

0032It is also within the scope of the invention that the speed of the vehicles is measured, for example with speed sensors mounted on the vehicle. The measured speed is transmitted to the virtual reality headset via the communication interface. In this way, the speed of the journey in virtual reality can be synchronized with the speed in real reality.

0033The advantage of using multiple position sensors is that a redundant system can be implemented. The excess position transmitter can serve as a replacement for a failed position transmitter.

0034In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position signals are Bluetooth, WLAN, optical, preferably infrared, quick response codes or barcodes, magnetic, a combination of the above-mentioned signals or other radio signals. In particular when using Bluetooth transmission signals, the well-known Bluetooth Low Energy Technology can be used, which works extremely energy-saving. Small transmitters serving as position transmitters, so-called Bluetooth beacons, are placed in the room and send position signals at fixed time intervals. If the receiver of a virtual reality headset comes within range of a Bluetooth beacon, the signal strength of the received signal can be measured. With at least three Bluetooth beacons within range of the receiver, e.g. B. calculate the position of the receiver in two-dimensional space by trilateration. Four Bluetooth beacons within range are required to determine a location in a three-dimensional space.

0035In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the alignment signals are optical, preferably infrared, quick response codes or bar codes. The perspective perception of a quick response code, for example, can advantageously be used to easily identify the direction in which the virtual reality headset is oriented.

0036In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the position transmitter and / or the alignment transmitter are arranged at a stationary point in the ride and / or on the vehicle. For example, in the case of a roller coaster, the position transmitter and the alignment transmitter can be arranged at the roller coaster station.

0037In particular, at least one camera is integrated in the virtual reality headset. The camera can serve as an apparatus for detecting the alignment signal. With a camera, seat recognition and orientation of the virtual reality headset can be determined relatively easily. To do this, it is sufficient to attach quick response codes, barcodes or another optical signal in a train station or in a roller coaster vehicle, which is captured by the camera of the virtual reality headset. The position and orientation of the virtual reality headset used can then be determined from position, perspective, code content or signal brightness. For example, the camera integrated in a smartphone can serve as the camera, the smartphone being inserted into the virtual reality headset.

0038According to a development of the invention, a mobile terminal, preferably a mobile radio device or a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, a tablet computer or the like, can be inserted into the virtual reality headset. The mobile device can also be permanently installed in the virtual reality headset. At the same time, a smartphone is a receiver for determining the position and, using the integrated camera, an apparatus for aligning the virtual reality headset.

0039At least one electrical component of a mobile terminal can advantageously be inserted into the virtual reality headset. It is sufficient, for example, to use only one motherboard of a smartphone. A main processor, a data memory and a WLAN receiver can be arranged on the main board. A keyboard or a touch screen panel of a smartphone is not required to create virtual reality. Among other things, this takes up less space in the virtual reality headset and costs can be reduced.

0040According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the virtual reality headset has at least one marker emitting a tracking signal or functioning under passive influence, the ride has at least one tracking apparatus for detecting a movement of the marker, the position and / / or the orientation of the virtual reality headset relative to the tracking device is determined. By means of such a motion capture system, a data processing system on a stationary part of the ride or on board a vehicle can transmit any virtual reality headset by radio, for example via Bluetooth or WLAN, in which position and in which orientation it is currently located.

0041The tracking signal is advantageously an optical, magnetic, acoustic or a combination of the above-mentioned signals. A suitable tracking signal can be selected for each individual case.

0042A method as described above can be carried out with an amusement ride according to the invention.

0043An amusement ride according to the invention, in particular a roller coaster, with a route, at least one vehicle moving along the route, at least one position transmitter and / or orientation transmitter, of which at least one position signal or A second alignment signal is emitted, at least one virtual reality headset, wherein a virtual reality corresponding to the journey with the vehicle can be generated and displayed on the virtual reality headset when the ride is operating in real reality, characterized in that the virtual reality Headset is a mobile headset, the virtual reality headset has at least one receiver and / or at least one apparatus, the virtual reality headset has a detachable or wireless communication interface, via which there is a data connection between the virtual reality headset and a data processing device of the amusement ride, and that a position determination and / or an orientation of the virtual reality headset according to the inventive method for position determination and / or Orientation is determined.

0044The advantages of these methods are the automatic position and orientation determination as well as the mobility of the virtual reality headset.

0045The invention is explained in detail using the following figures. Show it:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an embodiment of a ride with passengers, each wearing a virtual reality headset, the position of which is determined,</dd><dt>Fig. 2</dt><dd>an embodiment of a ride with passengers, each wearing a virtual reality headset, the orientation of which is determined and</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method for aligning the virtual reality headset.</dd></dl>

0046In the figures, the same reference symbols designate the same reference parts, each with the same meaning. For the sake of clarity, only the relevant reference parts are identified in the respective figures.

0047The <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> shows a side view of a section of a train of a roller coaster as a ride 20. Each vehicle 22, ie each wagon of the train, has two rows of seats, in each of which at least one passenger 23 is seated. While the train is traveling, each passenger 23 wears a virtual reality headset 10 in the form of virtual reality glasses. However, the invention is not limited to roller coasters. A carousel or other amusement attraction in an amusement park or at a folk festival can also be provided as the amusement ride 20.

0048Depending on the position of the passenger 23 in the row of seats of the train, the orientation of the virtual reality headset 10 and the position of the vehicle 23 on a route, a virtual reality corresponding to a journey with the vehicle 22 is created using a ride-specific computer program or a mobile app the Virtual Reality Headset 10 generated. The virtual reality can be generated in such a way that the journey through the virtual reality corresponds to the journey through the real reality and that a driving experience in the real reality corresponds to a driving experience in the virtual reality. If the passenger 23 travels through a loop in real reality, for example, then he travels through the same loop in virtual reality.

0049Position transmitters 30, which generate a position signal 31, are installed on the amusement ride 20. The position transmitter 30 can be, for example, Bluetooth beacons, which emit Bluetooth signals as position signals 31. The position transmitter 30 can be installed on a stationary part of the ride 20, for example in a roller coaster station, or in the vehicle 22. The position signal 31 is from a receiver 40, which is built into the virtual reality headset 10, see also <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>, detected as a reception signal 41. For example, the position signal 31 can be an optical light signal, preferably in the infrared wavelength range. Infrared signals are not visible to the passenger 23 and are therefore not perceived as disturbing. On the basis of the brightness of the received signal 41 registered by the receiver 40, a distance of the receiver 40 from the respective position transmitter 30 can be determined and thus the position of the virtual reality headset 10 with respect to the row of seats of the vehicle 22.

0050The exact position of the virtual reality headset 10 in the vehicle 22 is important for the synchronization of the virtual reality with the real reality. For example, a passenger 23 who has taken a seat in relation to a direction of travel in a front row of seats of the ride 20 will perceive the real reality differently in terms of space and time than a passenger 23 who sits in a rear row of seats in relation to the direction of travel of the ride 20 Ride 20 has taken place. These different impressions due to the seating arrangement in the amusement ride 20 must be correctly transferred into the virtual reality for a suitable perception of the virtual reality. The exact position of the virtual reality headset 10 in the ride 20 is required for this. The position of the passenger 23 in the virtual reality can thus be synchronized with the position of the passenger 23 in the real reality by the exact position determination of the virtual reality headset 10.

0051For a correct synchronization of the virtual reality with the real reality, however, it is not sufficient to simply match the position of the passenger 23 in the real reality with the position of the passenger 23 in the virtual reality. In addition, the orientation of the passenger 23 in the virtual reality must also match the orientation of the passenger 23 in the real reality. For example, moving forward in real reality should not result in moving sideways in virtual reality. So that a forward movement in real reality also leads to a forward movement in virtual reality, the orientation of the virtual reality headset 10 in the virtual reality must match the orientation of the virtual reality headset 10 in the real reality. Nevertheless, the perception of the virtual reality can also be specifically changed by means of the alignment of the virtual reality headset 10.

0052The determination of the orientation of the virtual reality headset 10 is shown in FIG <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref> shown. In relation to the direction of travel, an alignment sensor 50 is arranged on the rear of a vehicle 22. Passenger 23, who is sitting in a vehicle behind vehicle 22 with alignment transmitter 50, recognizes this alignment transmitter 50 in his front field of view, even if the passenger does not look exactly in a straight line. The alignment sensor 50 can e.g. B. be a quick response code or a bar code. An alignment signal 51 form reflections of the quick response code or the bar code. The alignment signal 51 can be perceived by means of an apparatus 60, for example a camera, which is integrated in the virtual reality headset 10.

0053The <figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref> shows how, based on a comparison of the actual alignment of the alignment transmitter 50 to the alignment of the alignment transmitter 50 perceived by the apparatus 60 in the virtual reality headset 10, which can deviate from the actual alignment by, for example, an inclination of the passenger 22 to the side Position of a vertical axis A relative to a perpendicular direction L can be determined. By knowing the position of the vertical axis A of the virtual reality headset 10 in the coordinate system which is firmly connected to the passenger and the perpendicular direction L, the orientation of the virtual reality relative to the real reality can be determined. Each vehicle 22 is advantageously assigned its own quick response code or bar code. Not only can the orientation of the virtual reality headset 10 be determined, but also the position of the virtual reality headset 10 at the same time.

0054The camera 60 can be implemented, for example, via a smartphone built into the virtual reality headset 10.

0055Another solution for determining the position of the virtual reality headset and its orientation is the use of so-called motion capture systems. In this case, the virtual reality headset 10 is equipped with either passive, for example optical or magnetic or active, in the sense of self-illuminating markers, which are recorded by an apparatus which can record movements, that is to say a motion capture system. On the basis of this data, a data processing system in the station or on board the amusement ride 20 can transmit each virtual reality headset 10 by radio, for example via Bluetooth or WLAN, at what position and in what orientation it is currently located.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

0056<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>10</dt><dd>Virtual reality headset</dd></dl><dl id="dl0003" compact="compact"><dt>20</dt><dd>ride</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>vehicle</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>passenger</dd></dl><dl id="dl0004" compact="compact"><dt>30</dt><dd>locator</dd><dt>31</dt><dd>position signal</dd></dl><dl id="dl0005" compact="compact"><dt>40</dt><dd>receiver</dd><dt>41</dt><dd>receive signal</dd></dl><dl id="dl0006" compact="compact"><dt>50</dt><dd>alignment encoder</dd><dt>51</dt><dd>alignment signal</dd></dl><dl id="dl0007" compact="compact"><dt>60</dt><dd>apparatus</dd></dl><dl id="dl0008" compact="compact"><dt>A</dt><dd>vertical axis</dd><dt>L</dt><dd>plumb</dd></dl>