Amusement and virtual reality ride

• US 6,301,845 B1
• Filed: 02/16/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cyrus Milanian
• Original Assignee: Cyrus Milanian
• Inventors: Milanian, Cyrus
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Beth A.
• Application Number:
  US09/250,964
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 472/60, 472/59, 472/61, 472/130, 522/361, 52/791
• US Class Current: 52/236.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/02 Hotels; Motels; Coffee-houses; Restaurants; Shops; Department stores

Abstract

This invention includes means, apparatus and devices for performing the steps of the method described above, such as for example, wide angle image projection apparatus for projecting wide angle images for the enactment of a sail; sound projection apparatus for creating sound elements of the virtual reality in at least two directions, synchronized with the image projection apparatus; means for creating olfactory elements of the virtual reality synchronized with the image projection apparatus; and means for creating hot air and cold air synchronized with the image projection apparatus; and furthermore, wide angle screen means juxtaposed with the wide angle projection apparatus for displaying the wide angle images, the wide angle screen means having a focal region within view of the projected images; seating means disposed in the focal region for seating viewers of the images, the focal region being exposed to the elements of virtual reality, including the olfactory elements, and the hot air and cold air. The apparatus according to the invention may further include wide angle image projection apparatus, wherein the wide angle is up to a 360° in a horizontal plane, and the wide angle image projection apparatus, including upward directed projection means for projecting overhead images of the enactment, synchronously coupled to the wide angle projection apparatus. The apparatus according to the invention may further include digital signal detection means coupled to digital image projection apparatus operative for receiving digital control signals embedded in the projected digital images, the digital control signals being operative for digitally controlling functions of at least one of the means for creating the olfactory elements of virtual reality.

Claims

1. A method and elements for enacting an ocean sail of a ship using elements of virtual reality, the elements including visual image presentation means for enacting the ocean sail having cues digitally embedded therein, a first structure having the likeness of a ship, a second structure having the likeness of an iceberg, and a body of water adjoining said first and second structures, the method which comprises the steps of:

enacting the likeness of the ship departing a port of embarkation;

enacting the likeness of the ship crossing the body of water;

enacting the likeness of the ship impacting the likeness of the iceberg;

enacting the likeness of rescue efforts;

beginning the formation of at least one of the elements of olfactory and tactile air pressure and temperature virtual reality in response to cues digitally embedded in said visual image presentation means;

and further including the steps of presenting said element of virtual reality at predetermined times after said cues.

2. The method according to claim 1, including the step of forming the element of olfactory virtual reality by means of air-moving apparatus synchronized with said visual image presentation means by certain of said cues, and drawing said air from smell-generating sources.

3. The method according to claim 1, including the step of forming the element of temperature virtual reality by means of air-moving apparatus synchronized with said visual image presentation means by certain of said cues, and drawing the air from air-heating and air-cooling sources.

4. The method according to claim 1, including the steps of providing seating means for at least one person to view said enacting steps, initiating the agitating of said seating means by means of cues digitally embedded in said visual image presentation means, and producing the agitating of said seating means at predetermined times after said cues.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of enacting a dive to the sunken ship.

6. Apparatus for providing elements of virtual reality for enactment of a sail, comprising:

a first structure having a likeness of a ship;

a second structure having a likeness of an iceberg;

a body of water adjoining said first and second structures for creating a likeness of the ship crossing said body of water;

a film strip carrying a sequence of image frames depicting said enactment of a sail, each image frame having a distinct frame identity number embedded in said image frame, said film strip also carrying digitally embedded cues at certain of said image frames;

wide angle image projection apparatus for projecting from said film strip wide angle images for said enactment of a sail;

sound projection apparatus for creating sound elements of said virtual reality in at least two directions, synchronized with said image projection apparatus;

means for initiating the creation of olfactory elements of said virtual reality by certain of said cues on the film strip and for delivering said olfactory elements at predetermined times after said cues to synchronize said olfactory elements with said image projection apparatus;

means for initiating the creation of hot air and cold air by certain of said cues on the film strip and for delivering said hot air and cold air at predetermined times after said cues to synchronize said hot air and cold air with said image projection apparatus;

wide angle screen means juxtaposed with said wide angle projection apparatus for displaying said wide angle images, said wide angle screen means having a focal region within view of said projected images; and

seating means disposed in said focal region for seating viewers of said images, said focal region being exposed to said elements of virtual reality, including said olfactory elements, and said hot air and cold air; and

including in said seating means control means coupled to said seating means for controlling positions of said seating means, said seating control means being responsive to certain of said cues on the film strip.