SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE ON FIXED PATH

• US 20100026484A1
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: King, Steven Morris, Schwartz, Justin Michael, Blum, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.110
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 7/00 Up-and-down hill tracks; Switchbacks

Abstract

A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.

Claims

1. A system for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system comprising:

at least one vehicle comprising;

an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof; and

an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system is configured to control at least one of dispatch, slowing, stopping, loading, unloading, seat tuning, safety harness tuning, vehicle maintenance, show functions, and quality control.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system comprises an onboard control panel disposed on the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control panel is recessed in the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system comprises an RFID reader.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a radio frequency identification tag.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is attached to a wand to be attached to an operator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is attached to an article worn by the operator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system remains in a LOCK position unless the electronic device is proximate thereto.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system is activated to an UNLOCK position the electronic device is proximate thereto.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising sensors attached to the ride vehicle and in communication with the onboard control system and wherein the control system comprises a transmitter for activating and a receiver for receiving an authorization signal from the electronic device.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an off-board fixed path control system in communication with the vehicles onboard control system, wherein the onboard control system is further configured to store operator input and communicate the input to the off-board system.

13. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the method comprising:

confirming operator authorization via an onboard vehicle control system wherein if an electronic device configured to communicate with vehicle system is proximate thereto, the operator is authorized to control the system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the onboard control system is configured to control at least one of dispatch, slowing, stopping, loading, unloading, seat tuning and safety harness tuning, vehicle maintenance, show functions, and quality control.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic authorization step comprises identifying the operator via a radio frequency identification tag.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the onboard control panel is disposed on the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the onboard control panel is recessed in the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the onboard control system comprises an RFID reader.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic device comprises a radio frequency identification tag.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is attached to at least one glove to be worn by an operator.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the onboard control system remains in a LOCK position unless the electronic device is proximate thereto.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the onboard control system is activated to an UNLOCK position the electronic device is proximate thereto.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising sensors attached to the ride vehicle and in communication with the onboard control system and wherein the control system comprises a transmitter for activating and a receiver for receiving an authorization signal from the electronic device.

24. The method of claim 13, further comprising an off-board fixed path control system in communication with the vehicles onboard control system, wherein the onboard control system is further configured to store operator input and communicate the input to the off-board system.