阅读说明：本技术 事件家具 (Event furniture ) 是由 根特·博格 于 2020-05-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种事件家具,其具有作为事件家具组件(100,200,250,300,350)的至少一个桌子和/或至少一个椅子,其中,所述至少一个桌子(11,250)、所述至少一个桌子(11)的桌子部(120,300,350)、所述至少一个椅子(110,200)和/或所提到的事件家具组件的组合具有用于执行单独的机械控制移动的器件。(The invention provides an event furniture with at least one table and/or at least one chair as event furniture component (100, 200, 250, 300, 350), wherein the at least one table (11, 250), the table part (120, 300, 350) of the at least one table (11), the at least one chair (110, 200) and/or the combination of the mentioned event furniture components have means for performing a separate mechanically controlled movement.)

1. Event furniture with at least one table and/or at least one chair as event furniture component (100, 200, 250, 300, 350), characterized in that the at least one table (11, 250), the table part (120, 300, 350) of the at least one table (11), the at least one chair (110, 200) and/or the mentioned combination of event furniture components have means for performing separate mechanically controlled movements.

2. Event furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that it has as event furniture component a table (11) combined or combinable by a plurality of table parts (120, 300, 350) and a chair (110, 200) assigned to this table (11).

3. Event furniture according to claim 2, characterized in that some table parts (120, 300) or all table parts (120, 300) are each connected with at least one chair (110) assigned to the table (11) in such a way that the table parts (120, 300) and the chairs (110) connected thereto form a unit as an event furniture assembly (100) that can be moved together in space, and that the restaurant furniture assembly (100) has means for performing mechanically controlled movements, so that the table parts (120, 300) and the chairs (110) connected thereto can be reconfigured into tables (11) or tables (11) in different combinations.

4. Event furniture according to claim 3, characterized in that in case of at least one event furniture component (100) the chair (110) is arranged movable with respect to the table part (120).

5. Event furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that in the case of at least one event furniture component (100) the movement of the chair (110) relative to the table part (120) contains a driving component and driving means for this movement are arranged at the event furniture component (100).

6. Event furniture according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one chair (110) and/or at least one table (120) of an event furniture assembly (100) is connected with the event furniture assembly (100) at the event furniture assembly (100) by means of a quick coupling (1111, 122).

7. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-6, characterized in that two or more table parts are provided, which table parts can be positioned partly overlapping each other in at least one configuration of the event furniture.

8. Event furniture according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one sensor (1124, 1213) is arranged at least one table (120) and/or at least one chair (110), which at least one sensor (1124, 1213) is designed and arranged for detecting the presence, current position and/or movement of a guest (1) or other event furniture component (100, 200, 250, 300, 350).

9. Event furniture according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one user interface with operating elements (1125, 1217) and/or at least one display (1215, 1216) is arranged at least one table (120) and/or at least one chair (110).

10. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-9, characterized in that at least one means (1123, 1214) for sensory stimulation of guests (1) sitting at the table (120) and/or the chair (110) is arranged at least one table (120) and/or at least one chair (110).

11. Event furniture according to claim 10, characterized in that the means (1123, 1214) for sensory stimulation are operated in synchronism with a mechanical control movement.

12. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-11, characterized in that an external control (13) is provided for controlling the individual mechanical control movements.

13. Event furniture according to claim 12, characterized in that the external controller (13) coordinates and/or synchronizes individual mechanically controlled movements of a plurality of event furniture components, in particular a table, a plurality of table parts of at least one table and/or a chair.

14. Event furniture according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that an integrated device (12) for sensory stimulation is provided, which integrated device (12) is also controlled by the external controller (13).

15. Event furniture according to any of the claims 12-14, characterized in that an operating device (98) for event staff (99) is provided, which operating device (98) is in signal communication with the external controller (13) and allows to intervene in the flow of the external controller (13).

16. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-15, characterized in that the event furniture further comprises at least one buffet device (600, 700), which at least one buffet device (600, 700) has means for performing a separate mechanical control movement.

17. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-16, characterized in that the event furniture further comprises at least one wall, partition or privacy screen element (15), which at least one wall, partition or privacy screen element (15) has means for performing a separate mechanically controlled movement.

18. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-17, characterized in that the event furniture further has at least one docking station (16) for providing energy and/or operating material for components of the event furniture, which at least one docking station (16) has means for performing separate mechanically controlled movements.

19. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-18, characterized in that the means for performing a mechanically controlled movement comprise at least one air cushion (140).

20. Event furniture according to claim 19, characterized in that the air cushion (140) has a sealing element (150), the sealing element (150) having a base body (155) and a sealing lip (151), the sealing lip (151) being movably arranged at the base body (155) in such a way that the sealing lip (151) is pressed against a floor (152) when the air cushion (140) is activated.

21. Event furniture according to one of the claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the air cushion (140) has a sealing element (150) with a separate inflatable support ring (153), preferably with a slide lining, and optionally one or more additional sealing combs (154).

22. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-21, characterized in that the means for performing a mechanically controlled movement comprise a magnet system.

23. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-22, characterized in that the means for performing a mechanically controlled movement comprise a rail system.

24. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-23, characterized in that the means for performing a mechanically controlled movement comprise at least one friction wheel (132) or a mecanum wheel.

25. Event furniture according to claim 24, characterized in that more than one friction wheel (132) or mecanum wheel is provided and that the friction wheels (132) or mecanum wheels are coupled on the software side and optionally controllable in the control of the mechanical control movement.

26. Event furniture according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the existing friction wheel (132) or mecanum wheel is height adjustable.

27. Event furniture according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that a drive or an operating medium storage (134), which may in particular ensure the supply of energy, or a local control means (135) or a communication module (136) or a combination of these components is provided at least one movable furniture component (100) with means for performing individual mechanical control movements.

28. Event furniture according to any of the claims 1-27, characterized in that the event furniture comprises at least one robot arm or robot (400, 800, 1000).

29. Event furniture according to claim 28, characterized in that at least one component of the event furniture with means for performing separate mechanical control movements has an interface for interaction with a robot arm or robot (400, 800, 1000).

Technical Field

The invention relates to an event furniture having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Background

Today, engaging in social activities is associated with increasing expectations and pursuits of experiences beyond actual activities. For example, visiting restaurants is increasingly no longer seen as an activity aimed at eating alone and possibly also at social parties, but at the same time should represent an entertainment experience. Therefore, there are increasing proposals to combine this experience with meals in the area of experiencing food. In the simplest case, this can be done in the context of a themed restaurant, where the layout, menus and the equipment to be generated are adapted to the particular theme.

Furthermore, very popular forms have been developed during the time, such as Krimidinner (detective dinner), Witzigmans Palazzo (Wiegalman palace) or Schuhbecks Teatro (Schubeko theatre), in which meals are surrounded by or embedded in theatrical or performance activities.

Another popular practice is to perform the normal flow portion of the restaurant in an unusual and unusual manner. The step toward this direction is show-cook, in which the preparation of the meal is performed directly in front of the guest. It is also known for the operator to present an attraction. Another variant belonging to this category is the known roller coaster restaurant, which is also described in EP1833331B1 or DE 102015011538. In these restaurants, the traditional service process is replaced by supplying the ordered meals and drinks to the table under the gaze of the guest through a roller-coaster-like rail system, the loading of which is partly carried out by means of a robot or a robotic arm in a manner visible to the guest.

However, the common denominator of the previous concepts is that guests are arranged substantially statically in a space during an event, at best in few exceptional cases, such as when the space is arranged on a cruise ship, or in the case of a dining car on a train, the space itself moves. There is therefore a need for event furniture that opens up a new experience dimension in the case of events, for example in the case of visits to restaurants, cafes or bars, but also possibly in the case of meetings or cultural activities.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing such event furniture. This object is achieved by an event furniture having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

Typically, the event furniture according to the invention has at least one table and/or at least one chair as an event furniture component. At this point it should be emphasized that tables and chairs are not necessarily provided; only upright restaurants or chairs with integrated storage possibilities are envisaged.

It is essential to the invention that the combination of at least one table, the table part of at least one table, at least one chair and/or the mentioned event furniture component has means for performing a separate mechanically controlled movement.

A mechanically controlled movement is understood here to mean a driving movement which is at least not directly controlled by the user of the event furniture component, even if the driving movement can be influenced by the user when necessary, for example by emergency braking or specifying a desired destination, and then moved closer to the desired destination in a manner which is not directly controlled by the user. For example, the mechanically controlled movement may be implemented using techniques used in unmanned transport systems.

Here, it should be noted in particular that the presence of means for performing mechanically controlled movements does not exclude the presence of further means for performing movements controlled by the guest himself, wherein parts of these means may also be used for both purposes. In fact, it is provided, in particular according to a preferred further development of the invention, that the event furniture additionally has operating elements for influencing the movement of the guest, such as pedals, drive rockers, handles serving as vertical paddles, etc.

"separate" is here a mechanically controlled movement in the sense of the present disclosure, when mechanically controlled movements of furniture components of different events can produce different results at the same point in time. Rather, the mechanical control movement in which the relative position of the event furniture component does not change is not a separate mechanical control movement.

Even though the specific configuration of the means for performing individual mechanically controlled movements is described in more detail below, it is pointed out in this connection that such means in the sense of the present disclosure already exist when interaction with other objects than the corresponding event furniture is required to perform the movement.

For example, it may be sufficient when only coupling elements are provided for coupling to a drive provided outside the event furniture assembly, such as a magnetic coupling with a magnet transport system or a mechanical coupling with a conveyor chain; the drive does not necessarily have to be fully integrated into the event furniture assembly, for which purpose the event furniture assembly has means for performing a separate mechanically controlled movement.

The coupling to an externally arranged controller may also be sufficient, for example a control signal transmitted wirelessly to a drive integrated in the event furniture part, so that local control, although possible and meaningful for a range of applications, is not necessary, enabling the feature that means for performing individual mechanically controlled movements are present.

The event furniture according to the invention allows, by means of these features, the guests using the event furniture assembly to change the environment in a surprising and unpredictable way. For example, different portions of meals may be consumed in different areas of a restaurant with the event furniture assembly appropriately configured, the serving process may be reversed, i.e., guests are brought to the kitchen and receive meals there, or the number of seats at the table may vary.

This allows stories or travel to be performed in ways not previously available while eating with the restaurant properly prepared. At the same time, it is also possible, in the case of suitable implementation, to achieve a mixing of guests in a celebratory event, for example a one-body communication

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the event furniture has a table combined or combinable from a plurality of tables and a chair assigned to the table, wherein the event furniture assembly preferably has means for performing individual, mechanically controlled movements at all its components or at the groups of combined components forming the event furniture assembly, respectively. Thereby enabling changes in table size and adjacent tables during visits to the restaurant. That is, one large common table, for example, may be suddenly broken down and reconfigured into a plurality of smaller tables.

Thus, one of the standard problems of many people in situations where they enjoy multiple dishes around a common table can be solved, since, although previously they had to be chatty with more or less interesting people all night, a mix can now be made by automatically introduced location changes.

However, it is often desirable, especially when visiting a restaurant, to retain an unambiguous distribution of meals and beverages to customers or guests. It is therefore preferred that some or all table parts are each connected with at least one chair assigned to the table in such a way that the table parts and the chairs connected thereto form a unit which can be moved together in space, which unit can then be understood as an event furniture component. The unit or event furniture component therefore has means for performing a mechanically controlled movement. This in turn results in the table and the chairs connected thereto being reconfigurable into a plurality of tables or tables in different combinations.

This can be achieved, in particular, by arranging a plurality of components on a common base plate which in turn has means for performing mechanically controlled movements.

In order to ensure that the arrangement of the chair relative to the table part is still variable even when using such event furniture components, on the one hand for seat comfort and on the other hand for sitting, and finally in the case of meals accompanied by animation, it is also desirable to ensure an optimum viewing angle of what is seen, it is preferred that in the case of at least one event furniture component, for example, the chair is arranged so as to be movable relative to the table part, i.e. the chair and the table part are arranged on a common base plate with guides or bearings, in which the chair can be moved, in particular displaced, rotated and/or height-adjusted. In particular, a setting possibility can be provided here, which allows the user of the event furniture to set himself a comfortable position for him that is ergonomic.

Here, it is particularly preferred that, alternatively or additionally, in the case of at least one event furniture component, the movement of the chair relative to the table part comprises a drive component and the drive means for this movement are arranged at the event furniture component. On the one hand, a more comfortable adjustment, for example an electrically driven adjustment, can be achieved. On the other hand, when these drive means are implemented as mechanical drive means controlled by a controller, the situation is influenced again, for example by turning the mentioned guest's chair in a certain direction in which something has happened in the animation around the meal, so that the chair is lifted, or a vibration is excited, which can then also be used to provide a background for the accompanying animation or event in the experience story. For example, the shock of an earthquake, a collapsed house or a giant dinosaur stepping on it can be more realistically expressed.

When at least one chair and/or at least one table of an event furniture assembly is connected to the event furniture assembly by a quick coupling with the event furniture assembly, these event furniture assemblies can be quickly replaced by other event furniture assemblies of the same or different types. This helps to make possible, for example: an animated restaurant is quickly adapted when the restaurant theme changes, for example from space travel to wild adventure, or to activities of different age groups, for example holding a birthday party for a child in the afternoon, and then communicating individually in the evening.

Another unusual experience that can arise is that there are two or more table portions that can be positioned partially overlapping each other in at least one configuration of event furniture. This allows, for example, to make the table and the guest sitting on it slide away from each other almost unknowingly from the beginning, thereby creating space in the middle of the table for other effects that arise from above or below in the middle area, which effects can then be used surprisingly.

As an advantageous development of the invention, it has proven to be advantageous to arrange at least one sensor at least one table and/or at least one chair, which is designed and arranged to detect the presence, current position and/or movement of a guest or to detect the presence, current position and/or movement of a furniture component at another event. The sensor may be particularly advantageous for safety reasons. For example, it can be seen that guests of an animated restaurant leave their seats and the movement of the corresponding event furniture assembly is suitably adapted, e.g., stopped gently.

It is also very useful to monitor the docking process of the different tables with one another by means of sensors and to intervene in the mechanical movement or to trigger special (show) effects if necessary. For example, a virtual enclosure having various safe zones may be placed around an event furniture assembly to safely and efficiently regulate traffic and coupling processes, wherein speed and driving forces are preventively reduced, for example, when another event furniture assembly or other object is located within a safe zone. However, for example, as an additional effect in the critical and final coupling process, fog may also appear which is coloured red or illuminated in red and/or sound effects may be output or a certain area may be made to vibrate when touched. The respective region should be freely programmable here.

There are many possible solutions for implementing such a sensor. For example, the system may be implemented using an interface scanner, pressure sensor, IR sensor, or optical sensor.

It is also advantageous if at least one user interface is arranged at the at least one table and/or at the at least one chair, for example for influencing the mechanical movement by the guest and/or for carrying out the order process. It is also advantageous if, in addition or alternatively, a display for displaying information is provided. Such a user interface may then be implemented, for example, as a touch panel or also as a special tablet integrated into the mentioned event furniture component, which is in signal communication with an external controller that further processes the user request.

In addition to the possibility of submitting food and beverage offers and placing orders, information may be provided herein as a decision basis for further access to the restaurant process, and guests may be asked for their preferences for further access to the restaurant process.

For example, when embedding meals into an animated adventure story, multiple viable scenarios of a process may be voted so that different stories are experienced separately by visiting restaurants multiple times, depending on the results of the respective votes, despite the same subject matter of the adventure story. But may also communicate, for example, on one personInsofar as the participant who wants to sit next in the next round enters preferences, this is supported, if necessary, by short messages about these messages, which can be called up by means of a display. In this case, the preferences of all guests can be evaluated by the central controller, on the basis of which an optimized seating order can be calculated, and guests can drive to there with their event furniture component. Similar concepts may be used when holding family celebrations to ensure that each family member receives the most positive experience possible.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one device for sensory stimulation of a guest sitting at the table and/or chair is arranged at the at least one table and/or at the at least one chair, independently of whether the table or chair constitutes or is part of a unit representing an independent event furniture component. Such means for sensory stimulation of guests may be implemented in different ways.

First, visual stimulation can be performed, which in the simplest case can be performed by providing content on a screen. Another type of visual stimulus is projection onto a surface, such as a table surface. With modern projection techniques, virtual objects that would look very real can also be created on such surfaces. Thus, for example, when a visiting restaurant is embedded in a "long african" theme, a stream of giant ants may appear to run on the table. It can also be disguised by such a projection, for example, that the object actually disappears from the table by being replaced by its projection. Other types of visual effects may also be achieved by adapting lighting, fogging, spraying confetti, and the like.

Second, auditory stimulation can be performed. In addition to the pure playback of the content by means of locally arranged loudspeakers, the auditory stimulation can also be performed using a significantly more complex sound device which generates specific sound effects on the input from the superordinate control or on the input from the read-out sensor. For example, the seating position of a chair in which a guest sits may be monitored and a creaking sound may be made at each movement, or a drinking process accompanied by loud drinking noise may be recognized using a camera monitor.

Another very interesting alternative is that when embedded in a frame story, locally different information is output through corresponding speakers, e.g. a dialog may be heard in some locations in space, but not in others. In this way, Krimi-Dinner (spy Dinner) may be made more interesting, for example, and guests may be encouraged to engage in the same activity multiple times in order to experience the story again from different perspectives.

Thirdly, olfactory stimulation can be performed by targeted local release of odorous substances. For example, the smell of a fire can significantly enhance the experience of a fire in an adventure story, where visiting restaurants is animated, or when the story occurs at sea, one can attempt to reproduce the salt smell of the sea in olfaction. If the animation also involves people and/or actors, their presence may also be provided with an olfactory background, such as the strong rum smell given off when the pirate ship walks across the table.

Fourth, tactile stimulation is also possible, for which there are many possible embodiments. The vibrations that may provide a background for the event have been mentioned above. However, even if hot air is blown by the blower from the direction of a fire displayed in the animation or from the mouth of an animal that seems to pass through, for example, a projection, a very impressive effect can be provided. Liquids may also be used successfully here, for example by means of a spraying device.

In a preferred development of this embodiment, the means for sensory stimulation are operated in synchronism with the mechanically controlled movement in order to produce a coordinated overall experience. This can be achieved in particular when the local controller of the device at the table and/or the controller for moving the table (which may also be a local controller at the table that is the same as the controller of the device) interacts with a superordinate control system and/or navigation system. However, such interaction is also explicitly considered to be independently advantageous outside the embodiment of the improvement or the improved implementation.

It has also proven advantageous to provide an external control for controlling the individual mechanical control movements. This is preferably an upper controller which not only controls the mechanically controlled movement of the event furniture component by transmitting suitable control commands to the drive, but which external controller coordinates and/or synchronizes the individual mechanically controlled movement of a plurality of event furniture components, such as a plurality of tables, a plurality of table parts of at least one table and/or a chair. Accordingly, the external control preferably also has a navigation module which can determine the nominal position and preferably also the actual position of the event furniture component at any point in time or communicate with such a navigation module.

Especially when an integrated device for performing sensory stimulation is provided, it is advantageous that the integrated device is also controlled by an external controller.

For safety reasons and to ensure an ordered operating sequence, it is advantageous if operating devices for event personnel are provided, which are in signal communication with the external controller and allow intervention in the sequence of the external controller. Technically, this can be achieved, for example, by a wireless connection, just as by a "by wire" connection, i.e., a wired connection. Advantageously, these operating devices have a confirmation button and/or an operating button, with which the program sequence can be started, stopped, changed or interrupted in a predefined manner, so that a single button or a few buttons can be pressed sufficiently to control and/or influence even complex processes.

In this way, visual control may be provided in addition to the technical safety function. For example, if the relevant employee realizes that the guest is endangering himself or another person, a soft stop or an emergency stop may be implemented by pressing a button. For example, if the staff finds that a guest is panic due to ant phobia during the projection of a giant ant mentioned above by way of example, the corresponding projection can be deactivated at the table in a targeted manner. This ensures a smooth and harmonious progression of the event.

Another technical possibility for providing the above-described functionality is a voice control with which the security function and/or the presentation instruction can be triggered or activated, if necessary by means of a special voice code, in order to avoid accidental triggering. Such voice control may also be used in an interactive fashion to enable guest participation.

A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the event furniture further comprises at least one buffet device with means for carrying out the individual mechanical control movements, which means can be realized in the same way as the individual mechanical control movements already discussed.

A buffet device is to be understood here as meaning, in particular, a device which provides a meal to be placed thereon for consumption; it may also be for example a sushi belt. One example of an animation scenario that may be designed in this way is the actual replacement of a dining process-sitting at a table waiting for a meal, the table suddenly separating, and the corresponding buffet device being removed from the kitchen and positioned in the middle of the table, and then the table portion docked with the buffet device. Another possible variant is that the meal is ready to "run away", i.e. removed using the buffet device and only has to be "caught" or acquired using the respective chair-table unit.

Another event furniture component which can advantageously be used is a wall, partition or privacy screen element, said at least one wall, partition or privacy screen element having means for performing individual mechanically controlled movements, which means can be realized in the same way as the individual mechanically controlled movements already discussed. The event furniture assembly may also perform a number of functions. On the one hand, it can be used in a conventional manner to create private areas, especially in the scenario of breaking up a large table into individual tables, or it can be communicated on its own when a dream partner of a mood is foundTo provide some degree of independence. On the other hand, it can be used as an additional projection surface or as a sensory stimulus that is movable in space. It can also be used as a tension-increasing element in the form of an obstacle, which element is the only element that increases the tensionThe collision is almost unavoidable until it disappears at the end of the time.

Another advantageous type of event furniture component is a docking station for supplying other event furniture components with energy and/or operating materials, such as compressed air, or special-effect components, such as liquids, confetti, etc., which has means for performing separate mechanically controlled movements.

An advantageous embodiment of the means for performing mechanically controlled movements comprises at least one air cushion, which enables particularly low-friction movements on the floor. In this case, the air cushion advantageously has a sealing element with a base body and a sealing lip, which is arranged movably on the base body in such a way that the sealing lip presses against the floor when the air cushion is activated. Alternatively or additionally, the air cushion may have a separate inflatable support ring with a slide lining, and optionally one or more additional sealing combs.

As an alternative to this, the means for performing mechanically controlled movements may also comprise a magnet system, a rail system or a conveyor chain system, which effects movements on the floor of the restaurant.

Furthermore, in order to provide the drive force, it is particularly preferred that the means for performing the mechanical control movement comprise at least one friction wheel or mecanum wheel (Mecanumrad), wherein it is particularly advantageous if more than one friction wheel is provided and the friction wheels or mecanum wheels are coupled on the software side and can be controlled at will in the control of the mechanical control movement. This achieves the highest mobility and mobility in the narrowest space. In order to facilitate adaptation to different floor coverings, it is advantageous here if the existing friction wheels or mecanum wheels are height-adjustable.

Preferably, the drive or the energy supply device or a combination of these components is provided with means for performing individual mechanical control movements at least one component of the event furniture.

Another optional, but advantageous event furniture component is a robotic arm or robot, which may be mounted, for example, at a rail system fastened at the ceiling of a restaurant. The robot arm or robot may perform the meal loading process, interact with guests or take orders.

Such interaction may become particularly interesting when the robot or robot arm is equipped for interaction with a bust onto which facial expressions may be projected. This may be, for example, a celebrity's facial expression, but also other image material, such as a photograph or video previously taken from a relative or friend. Preferably, the sound of the robot or the robot arm is adapted accordingly. For example, in this case, the robot arm may move towards the guest, and the guest may be asked what he wants to eat or where he stroll by a face that appears acoustically like his mother.

Alternatively or additionally, such a robot arm or robot may also ensure the movement of the event furniture component by providing a control of the drive or take-over drive. To this end, preferably, at least one component of the event furniture having means for performing separate mechanically controlled movements should have an interface for interacting with a robot arm or robot.

In particular, this may for example seem like this: the robot arm engages in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner into the protected section and thus either turns the drive for movement or turns the movement with a navigation force. Of course, the robot or the robot arm may also emit control pulses, for example by operating a joystick or by contactless signal transmission, for example by near field communication. The latter in particular may give the impression that the movement is performed just like by magic.

In particular, a lunar strolling scenario may thereby be achieved, wherein the robot, for example from the ceiling, pulls on the table and may also physically perceive slight speed changes (acceleration and braking).

Here, a larger robot may also be used as an event furniture component, and then may for example move the complete buffet module, the guest or the guest together with the event furniture component on which the guest is arranged.

If there are a plurality of event furniture components in the form of robots, it is also possible to interact the robots such that they form a conveyor chain along which the event furniture components or meals are delivered, for example, or to load meals by larger robots or conversely by smaller robots in a robot-superimposed robot configuration, for example, in which a larger robot carries a smaller robot.

It is also conceivable to enable a guest to interact with another guest through an event furniture component in the form of such a robot or drone, for example to bring a rose for a lady in a single-person event.

In particular, to achieve this, it may be advantageous to arrange an identification feature, for example a numerical code, at the event furniture component. The establishment of the connection can be effected by corresponding inputs on an input unit arranged at the own event furniture component, for example by a vibration of a chair, with a concomitant rotation, a short text message being transmitted to a display or indicator of the other event furniture component, which indicator can also be moved out of or away from the other event furniture component, if necessary, to draw attention to the trigger.

Another advantageous possibility of providing such an identification feature, which can also be used simultaneously for information provision and information transmission, can be to equip the event furniture component with an RFID module.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings showing embodiments. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a plan view of an example of an event system viewed from above;

FIG. 2 shows an example of an event furniture assembly movable in space in a table-chair combination;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic example of a table configuration that may be implemented using the spatially movable event furniture assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of interaction with a robotic arm;

figure 5a shows a cross-section of the 4-person table of figure 3 during a first phase in which a meal may be served;

figure 5b shows a cross-section of the 4-person table of figure 3 during a second phase in which meals may be supplied;

fig. 6 shows a schematic example of a first table configuration in which the spatially movable event furniture assembly of fig. 2 is docked with a buffet module;

fig. 7 shows a schematic example of a second table configuration in which the spatially movable event furniture assembly of fig. 2 is docked with a buffet module;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the use of a robotic arm in a table configuration for movement of or combination of event furniture components movable in space;

fig. 9 shows a schematic example of a table configuration in which the space-movable event furniture assembly of fig. 2 is docked with a display-cooking module;

FIG. 10 shows an example of the use of a robotic arm in providing a meal to a table configuration;

FIG. 11 shows a structural scheme for the controller;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of an air cushion-sealing element;

FIG. 13 shows a first variation of the event furniture assembly of FIG. 2; and

fig. 14 shows a second variant of the event furniture system of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Unless otherwise indicated, like objects are labeled with like reference numerals throughout the figures. However, in order to improve the clarity of the drawings, not all reference numerals are always written in each drawing.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary restaurant system as an example of an event system 10 for an animated restaurant, the event system 10 being operated in a restaurant having a bar region 9, an experience region 2, a pre-meal snack region 3, two main-course regions 4, 5, a dessert region 6, and a hygiene region 7 and a kitchen region 8, and may be operated, for example, on the subject of "space travel".

The event system 10 has a series of features:

the first feature is, in particular, the tables 11 with the associated chairs, which tables 11 are symbolized in fig. 1 as rectangles and the current number of seats of which is respectively inscribed in a rectangle, formed by event furniture component groups with movement means for mechanical movement in space, which event furniture component groups each have, by way of example, a chair and a table, which tables form table parts for the modular tables 11, which provisional components of the modular tables 11 can be event furniture parts. Reference is now made to fig. 2 for a more detailed description as follows:

fig. 2 shows an example of an event furniture assembly 100 that can be moved mechanically in space, in which case the event furniture assembly 100 is embodied as a chair 110, which chair 110 is arranged on a base plate 130 together with a table 120 or a table top 120. Here, the position of the chair 110 relative to the table or table top 120 can be changed by means of the support frame 111, with which support frame 111 the seat surface 112 is connected by means of the quick coupling 1111 with the armrests 1121 and the movable backrest 1122, so that the seat surface 112 can be quickly and easily replaced with a detachable part arranged there, for example in case of changing the theme of the event system or in case of changing the target group, for example when a child birthday party is taken in the afternoon and a quick-fit activity is to be taken in the evening.

The support frame 111 has: a displacement mechanism 1112 for moving chair 110 toward table or table top 120 and away from table or table top 120; a lifting mechanism 1113 for changing the height of the seat with respect to the floor 130; a rotation mechanism 1114 for rotating about an axis perpendicular to the base plate 130; and a tilt mechanism 1115, the tilt mechanism 1115 preferably enabling tilt movement along the links to move the point of rotation to a position that averages the center of gravity of the object. Alternatively, these mechanisms may also be driven by, for example, an electric motor and controlled by a wireless communication device using a controller.

In this embodiment, a device 1123 for sensory stimulation of the guest 1 of the animated restaurant is also housed in the seat surface 112 itself, and this device 1123 is exemplified by a vibrating element here. The means for sensory stimulation 1123 is controlled by the first controller, for example, by a wireless connection. This control is in particular synchronized with the mechanical movement of the event furniture assembly 100. This can be used in a number of ways, for example to provide a background for mechanical movements, for example to give the impression of a bumpy slope while driving, but also as a signal indicating that a movement is about to take place and that the guest 1 should be prepared for this.

Furthermore, a sensor 1124 for detecting the seat occupancy is integrated into the seat surface 112, the data of which can also be accessed by the first control, for example within the scope of a safety check before the mechanical movement is initiated, or in order to save effects in the empty seat. An operating element 1125, which may also be embodied as a sensor and whose state is read by the controller, is arranged at the armrest 1122; for example, confirmation of the movement may be caused, or guest 1 may be signaled that it is now ready to make the upcoming movement.

The armrest 1122 may also preferably be moved in height and lowered completely, which may be used to meet content-specific requirements on the one hand and to produce a surprising effect on the other hand. For this purpose, a central guide with a drive can be integrated in the backrest.

The table or table part 120 has a table board 121, which table board 121 is connected by means of a quick coupling 122 to a preferably height adjustable frame 123, which frame 123 is fastened to a base plate 130. In this embodiment, the table top 121 has a large number of components, however these components may also be used individually or in groups and largely independently of each other.

At the edge of the table panel 121, for example, a transmitter and/or a receiver 1211 can be arranged, which transmitter and/or receiver 1211 is able to determine the position and location of the event furniture component 100 in space and is preferably integrated into a navigation system, which in particular performs the localization of the positions of all event furniture components.

If such a navigation system is provided, the positioning can also be supported using signals of contact loops running in the floor.

The edge of the table board 121 may also have distance sensors 1212, by means of which the coupling process between the different event furniture components 100 is monitored, and/or the edge of the table board 121 may also have sensors 1213 as safety sensors, for example in the form of pressure sensors or optical sensors, which sensors 1213 reliably prevent the body of a guest currently located in the edge region of the table board 121 from being pinched within the range of mechanical movement, or indicate that the guest is ready for further action, or ensure that the speed of movement is adapted in a suitable manner when approaching another event furniture component, as long as this has not been ensured by the cooperation of the transmitter and/or receiver 1211 with the navigation system or in addition as a redundant safeguard.

Still further, the means 1214 for generating special effects, i.e. further sensory stimulation means, may be arranged directly or indirectly at the table-board 121, e.g. LEDs, nozzles for releasing mist, moisture, vibrating elements, etc.

Displays 1215, 1216 may also be disposed on the table top 121, and these displays 1215, 1216 are preferably connected to the table top 121 or integrated into the table top 121. These displays also represent additional sensory stimulation devices; they may notify or entertain guest 1. When the displays 1215, 1216 are designed as touch displays, they can also serve as input devices and operating elements for the guest 1, but a separate operating element 1217, for example a pull-out support-type operating panel here, can also be provided for this purpose.

On such a display 1215, 1216 at the allocated location, personalized content that the guest voluntarily discloses at check-in may be called out, among other things. This can also be done in a synchronous manner.

Furthermore, a kind of Jude Box may be integrated in the area of the display at or on the desk, where some variants matching the content are stored, for example in the form of movies, images, sounds or light content, which may be selected if necessary depending on the majority of all guests.

Game-like interactive possibilities may also be provided, in particular with respect to the respective content, by which the guest may for example receive a reward. For example, the guest may be tasked with identifying and validating certain hidden features in the content during the event, for which points credited to the bonus account are obtained, and for which additional services are obtained during further participation, such as adding a dish or a particular beverage.

Around the frame 123 there is arranged a housing 127, which housing 127 forms a protected technical space for receiving the components required for the operation of the event furniture and in particular for the mechanical movement therein.

Moving means for mechanical movement can be classified as follows:

such devices for mechanically moving objects and in particular mechanically movable event furniture components can be generally classified as follows:

first, there are support means that bring the object to be moved to a position or hold it there where it can be moved without significant friction. Examples of such support elements are wheels or (ball) rollers, air cushions, but they may also be realized by suitable magnet systems. Obviously, such moving means are absolutely necessary for the mechanical movement.

Secondly, there are drive means which generate the actual movement of the object to be moved. These drive means can also, depending on the embodiment, perform the function as bearing means or correspond to the bearing means, for example as in the case of driven wheels, in particular friction wheels or mecanum wheels or wheel axles. However, such a drive means does not necessarily have to be arranged completely at the object to be moved, but may be at least one subcomponent with which a part of the drive means not arranged at the object to be moved is coupled, for example by magnetic interaction in a magnet system or by mechanical intervention, for example in a system with a conveyor chain.

Thirdly, there are control means which specify the movement to be performed for the drive means. These control means may be provided locally at the object to be moved or not. In the first case, the control means can be embodied such that they operate semi-autonomously, for example in a ground transport system or in the concept of autonomous driving of a vehicle. In the second case, the drive device obtains a control instruction from an external controller. A hybrid case is also possible in which the lower controllers are locally provided at the object to be moved, but also control instructions from upper controllers not arranged at the object to be moved are received and executed.

Fourth, in all cases, in order to achieve synchronization according to the invention, at least one communication module is usually provided at the object to be moved, with which control instructions and data can be exchanged with another controller.

Fifth, the operating medium reservoir and/or the operating medium generator may also form an important component of a device for mechanical movement, for example in systems with air cushions, a compressed air reservoir as operating medium reservoir and a compressor as operating medium generator, or for example a storage Capacitor (CAP), a Super capacitor (Super CAP), a battery or accumulator as operating medium reservoir, for the need of a local electrically driven drive device, a local controller and/or a communication module as operating medium generator or a device for inductive power transfer.

In the embodiment of the mechanically movable event furniture component 100 shown in fig. 2, bearing means 131 are provided at the underside of the base plate 130, which bearing means 131 can be embodied, for example, as air cushions, magnets, balls or the like.

As drive means, in the embodiment of the mechanically movable event furniture component shown in fig. 2, at least one electrically driven friction wheel 132, preferably a pair of electrically driven friction wheels 132, is rotatably arranged about a preferably vertically extending axis, wherein the rotational movement is also driven. Preferably, this rotatability is achieved at the quadrant points of the friction wheel 132. Independently of this, it is preferred to achieve the rotation with as high an angular increment resolution as possible.

Furthermore, a driven height adjustment mechanism 133 for the electrically driven friction wheel 132 or pair of electrically driven friction wheels is provided to enable fine tuning of the load distribution and the compaction pressure. It goes without saying that the bottom plate 130 has an opening through which the friction wheel 132 is in contact with the floor. Of course, this arrangement may be implemented in the same manner as a mecanum wheel.

The friction wheel 132, including its electric drive and height adjustment mechanism 133, is accommodated in a housing 127 together with an operating medium reservoir 134, in this case in particular a battery for the power supply of the electrical components, and in the case of air cushions or air cushion-cushions, a compressed air reservoir, as well as a local control device 135 and a communication module 136, which communication module 136 preferably operates wirelessly and establishes signal communication with the controller 13.

Particularly preferably, the support means 131 is embodied as an air cushion, which is connected in particular to a drive means in the form of at least one friction wheel 132 or mecanum wheel, the height of which can be adjusted by means of a height adjustment mechanism 133. Here, air from an operating medium reservoir 134, which has a compressed air reservoir, preferably in the form of a replaceable compressed air cylinder, is conducted via a corresponding line system, not shown, to an opening in the base plate 130. These openings are each surrounded, individually or in groups, on the side facing the floor by an air cushion-sealing element, the shape of which corresponds to the perimeter of, for example, a rectangle, a square, a circle or some other geometrical shape. Here, the air cushion/sealing element 150 is particularly preferably embodied as shown in fig. 12 in a half-sided cross section.

The air mattress 140 with sealing element 150 shown in fig. 12 has a base 155. In the outer edge region of the base body 155, a sealing lip 151 is arranged, which sealing lip 151 is pressed against the floor 152 by the supply of compressed air upon activation of the air cushion 140, but is matched to a corresponding floor coating, preferably a hard coating without a recessed joint, for example a parquet floor, in such a way that as good a sliding behavior as possible of the sealing lip 151 on the floor 152 is achieved, which can be verified on the basis of an experimentally determinable coefficient of friction.

Furthermore, a support ring 153 with a sliding coating is present at the base body 155, which support ring 153 is separate from the sealing lip 151, preferably arranged further in the direction of the next outer edge of the sealing element 150, the internal pressure of which support ring 153 can be adapted in such a way that: the support ring 153 is individually charged with the supplied compressed air or the compressed air is discharged in a finely metered manner through a valve not shown. An additional sealing comb 154 may be arranged as a secondary seal at the lower side of the support ring 153.

The sealing element 150 thus achieves variable controllability of the pressure in the air cushion and the support ring 153, so that the relationship between air demand and sliding properties can be controlled in a targeted manner. Another parameter which can be used for adaptation is the height position of the height-adjustable drive means, in particular the height position of the friction wheel 132 or of the mecanum wheel.

However, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, other event furniture assemblies 200, 250, 300, 350 with means for mechanical movement are also conceivable, which not only have sitting possibilities, but also have table assemblies. In fig. 13, a variant with an event furniture assembly 200 is shown in detail, which event furniture assembly 200 differs from event furniture assembly 100 in that it does not have a table board, and therefore also omits the components arranged at table board 121 of event furniture assembly 100. To this end, the table, which optionally may also be an accessory of the buffet device, is here embodied as an own event furniture assembly 250 with the same means for mechanical movement as the embodiment of fig. 2, to which the individual chairs forming the event furniture assembly 200 may be coupled with the optional coupling means 201.

The variant shown in fig. 14 is particularly suitable for situations where a bar-like atmosphere is required, for example when an event such as a quick serve is the subject of an animated restaurant. Event furniture assembly 300 is substantially identical in construction to event furniture assembly 100, with the primary differences being the table height and the chair height. The event furniture component 350 has no sitting possibility at all, but only a (standing) table, where guests stand on the floor 350 during the movement. However, the means and sensors for mechanical movement may be implemented in exactly the same manner as described above for event furniture assembly 100, not only for event furniture assembly 300, but also for event furniture assembly 350, respectively.

Due to the fact that the event furniture components 100, 200, 250, 300, 350 are equipped with movement means for mechanical movement in space, the first controller may control, inter alia, the movement of these event furniture components in space. For example, multiple tables may be moved together through a restaurant and then disassembled or reconfigured into other groups of tables with their belonging chairs 11.

A second feature of the event system 10 is that it has means 12 for sensory stimulation of guests of the animated restaurant, here only schematically shown, where these means 12 are distributed to different areas. In particular, this is achieved here as a visual stimulus by means of a projection device and superimposing these visual effects with sound effects, which will become clear below, but olfactory effects can also be achieved by releasing aromatic substances or tactile effects, such as vibrations, sprays, air streams, etc. Here, the output of the sensory stimuli can be easily adapted by corresponding programming according to the desired theme; even personalization of the content can be achieved.

A third feature of the event system 10 is that the movements of the event furniture components and the sensory stimuli to the guests 1 disposed thereon are synchronized with each other here by means of a component of a controller 13, which controller 13 is also only schematically shown in fig. 1, but is now explained in more detail with reference to fig. 11.

In the embodiment of fig. 12, the controller 13 is so constructed that a first controller 1901 is formed by the main controller, the first controller 1901 being arranged according to the invention to control the mechanical movements and the output of the means for sensory stimulation of guests of the animated restaurant in a synchronized manner with each other. The first controller 1901 is in signal communication with a plurality of lower controllers that receive data from and issue control commands to, among other things:

a chair controller 1902 with which chair controller 1902 is utilized to control the degrees of freedom of movement and special effects, such as vibrations, of the chair 110 of the event furniture assembly 100, and to forward sensor data from sensors arranged at the chair 110 to a first controller 1901;

a table subcontroller 1903 with which table subcontroller 1903 controls the freedom of movement and special effects of the table or table portion 120 of the event furniture assembly 100 and forwards sensor data from sensors arranged at the table or table portion 120 to the first subcontroller 1901;

a light controller 1904 with which the lighting and light effects in different areas of the animated restaurant are controlled by the light controller 1904;

a fan controller 1905 with which the fan controller 1905 controls a locally and globally provided fan for circulating air and for generating haptic effects by air flow;

a buffet controller 1906 with which the buffet controller 1906 moves, in particular, event furniture components in the form of mechanically moving buffets in space and transmits their coordinates to the first controller 1901 for navigation;

a robot controller 1907 with which robot controller 1906, in particular an event furniture component in the form of a mechanical mobile robot, is moved in space, controls their interaction with guests and the surrounding environment and transmits their coordinates to the first controller 1901 for navigation;

a sound controller 1908, with which sound effects are generated and coordinated in the operation of the animated restaurant by the sound controller 1908;

a projection controller 1909 with which visual effects, in particular projections, are generated and coordinated in the operation of the animated restaurant;

a navigation controller 1910, with which navigation controller 1910 controls and monitors, among other things, the movement of furniture assembly 100 in the event of mechanical movement;

calibration controller 1911;

an operator control 1912, with which the event staff can actively intervene in the flow of the animated restaurant by means of the operating device on the one hand and provide information to the event staff in the event of a shortage of certain operating materials on the other hand; and

a docking station controller 1913, with which the docking station controller 1913 is utilized to charge the event furniture component 100, load compressed air and/or other consumable materials of the docking station.

To make the working principle of the event system 10 easier to understand, an exemplary operation on the subject of "space travel" is now described.

Here, the guest first enters a bar area 1 which can be set up, for example, like a hangar of an aerospace flight base, where he waits for appetizer wine until all arrives, determines a certain menu and the event furniture is ready for use.

The door to the experience zone 2 is then opened, wherein it can be shown to the guests, for example by projection, by means of the sensory stimulation means 12 in the bar zone 1 that they are now entering the door of the space ship.

In the section of the experience zone 2 now entered, the guest initially finds a table 11 with 12 seats, which does not necessarily have to be identified first, but can even be hidden to achieve a surprising effect, in particular by means of the sensory stimulation means 12 by means of a suitable projection, which table 11 is in fact made up of 12 individual event furniture components, such as the chair-table component 100 described in detail above in connection with fig. 2, which are each mechanically movable.

It should be noted that in particular this area is also very suitable for providing a docking station 16, at which docking station 16 the event furniture component is supplied with an operating medium, for example electric power in the form of a battery charge, compressed air, an operating medium for special effects or the like; firstly because it is possible to ensure at the beginning of the event that the operating medium required during the procedure is present, and secondly because the event furniture component is usually held in a certain position for a considerable period of time.

After all guests have sat down and issued acknowledgement signals, countdown means 14 starts a countdown, which ends with a simulated rocket launch by sensory stimulation means 12 in experience area 2.

When the rocket is launched, the table 11 with 12 seats is set in motion by the sensory stimulation means in the experience zone 2 in order to provide a corresponding auditory background, for which purpose the twelve individual event furniture components are moved jointly and synchronously through the experience zone 2 by the controller 13. By means of the controller 13, the sensory stimulation means 12 in the experience area 2 are caused to project an image of the movement onto the wall of the experience area 2 in a manner synchronized with the movement to generate the impression of rocket movement. Furthermore, background provision by sound effects may be made.

A particularly convincing feeling can be produced when the mechanically movable wall, partition or privacy screen element 15 with the window is moved by the control in synchronism with the table 11 with 12 seats, so that the moving projection onto the wall of the experience area 2 is followed by the window and in this way the impression of a stationary position in the space ship is further enhanced.

In addition, further effects may be produced by the same or different sensory stimulation devices 12 to enhance the experience of space travel. For example, a vibration device disposed in a chair of the event furniture assembly may be caused to vibrate during a startup sequence of the controller.

At the end of the "space flight" simulated in this way, the arrival space station can be projected, for example. The mechanically moved wall element 15 is lowered into the floor and the pre-meal snack region 3, which is designed as another hangar, is open to the guests' view. However, it is surprising for guests that the 12 people's tables 11 that they have been sitting together before start to separate and that the respective event furniture assemblies 100 independently perform mechanical movements under the control of the controller 13, which mechanical movements cause the event furniture assemblies 100 to eventually become e.g. four tables 11 for four people, which tables 11 have been configured by means of mechanical movements from every fourth event furniture assembly 100 according to fig. 2 at predetermined positions in space, i.e. the configuration exemplarily depicted in fig. 1. Of course, other groupings are possible.

The manner in which the configuration is generated can be specified in different ways. For example, the configuration may be based on, for example, pre-placed orders in the bar region 1, to respectively get people who want to eat the same pre-meal snacks to the same table for multiple people, or to maximize the number of different pre-meal snacks present at each table.

A variant that is very attractive from an experience point of view may be that the grouping of event furniture components is preceded by an interaction with a further mechanically movable event furniture component in the form of a robot or a robot arm 400, as will now be described in more detail with reference to fig. 4.

In fig. 4 two examples of mechanically movable event furniture assemblies 100 are shown, as described above in the context of fig. 2, in a state of being connected to each other and on which guests 1 are arranged. A further event furniture component can also be seen in the form of a robot or robotic arm 400 suspended from a guide rail 401, with the aid of which an automatic drive unit is driven as a moving means 402 for performing mechanical movements.

In principle, such a robot or robot arm 400 can also walk on the floor, but the embodiment in which it is suspended from the rail 401 of the rail system has the advantage that the inherently complex control of the mechanically movable event furniture component 100 is not further simplified by additional event furniture components which are moved on the floor and do not necessarily have to be provided there.

The robot or robotic arm initiates and begins to interact with guest 1 in response to instructions from the first controller 901. Here, the interaction results can be evaluated, in particular using a speech interface known from computer-assisted systems such as Siri or Alexa, and put into effect when necessary, for example during an ordering process.

This may be performed, for example, as an access control for accessing a space station, which is performed by a robot or robotic arm 400, wherein the robot or robotic arm 400 queries for certain preferences, and the controller 901 determines or calculates the configuration of the mechanically movable event furniture assembly 100 based on the query, thereby bringing together people with similar interests or professional backgrounds that were not initially known to each other, for example, in a given table configuration. However, it is also possible to perform the ordering process only at this time by interacting with the robot or the robot arm.

It should be mentioned in this connection that, even if this is not always explicitly mentioned, the embedding of the sensory background provision of the experience and/or the visiting of the restaurant in the story or theme can be continued by means of the respective sensory stimulation means 12, for example by means of image projection, sound effects, vibrations and other tactile experiences or scent generation.

After a given table configuration is completed, a pre-meal snack can be provided in the pre-meal snack region 3. In principle, this can be done by event staff or also by a robot arm, but another very surprising variant consists in having the food appear on the table from above or below the table, to some extent from outside the table, as will now be explained in detail using the example of fig. 5a and 5 b.

In fig. 5a two examples of mechanically movable event furniture assemblies 100 are shown, as described above in the context of fig. 2, in a state of being connected to each other and on which a guest 1 is arranged. Furthermore, a device 501 for automatically providing meals, embodied as a support which can be removed from an opening in the floor, has been seen in the interior space formed by the housing 127, on which support a buffet container 502 is arranged, which buffet container 502 contains the selected pre-meal snacks of the guest 1, respectively.

To actually bring the pre-meal snacks to table or table top 120, mechanically movable event furniture assemblies 100 unknowingly slide away from each other to some extent, as shown in fig. 5b, so that the removable posts with buffet container 502 disposed thereon can be moved out to the level of table top 121 and the meal in buffet container 502 is available to guest 1.

It is also possible to initially place the buffet container in the event furniture assembly and then present the buffet container on the table board using the lift mechanism provided with the event furniture assembly.

This method is particularly effective in providing meals while the sensory stimulation means 12 is distracting.

For example, a view of space along a portion of the space station can be projected onto the wall of the pre-meal snack region. Suddenly, a point starts moving in the image, whereupon guest 1 is given an audible notification "intruder alarm! Intruder alert! ". Further, the first controller 901 automatically rotates the chair 110 so that the guest sees the moving point while looking straight ahead. This point has become increasingly larger, and has been a strange spacecraft. The laser cannon fires the spacecraft, which strikes back and continues to drive toward the space station. The spacecraft is hit and out of control. Sound warning "bump! The impact "rings off, the spacecraft collides with the projected portion of the space station while the vibration is simulated by the vibration module of the chair, and this moment serves to separate the mechanically movable event furniture assembly 100 and provide the pre-meal snacks. After a large explosion with a visual, audible and vibratory background, the chair 110 moves back to its original position under the command of the first controller 1901 to the chair controller 1902 and guests are surprised to find their pre-meal snacks on the table.

It should be noted that, especially due to the fact that the access time of the entire animated restaurant may be longer, the necessity of going to the toilet must also be taken into account, for which a hygienic zone 7 is provided. Since mechanical movements of the event furniture component may occur, it is preferred that movements to and from the sanitary area 7 also occur when accessing the event furniture component on which the guest 1 is arranged. The guest 1 may start the toilet flushing, for example by applying for a corresponding demand on the control tablet. The controller then calculates the appropriate points in time and routes and controls the mechanical movement of the furniture components of the corresponding event, wherein the controller can also take into account the current occupancy of the sanitary area 7, so that the waiting time in line before the toilet can be minimized. However, access to the hygienic area 7 should preferably occur during the consumption phase of the areas 3, 4, 5 or 6, rather than staying in the transition phase between these areas.

After eating the pre-meal snack, the table 11 or the event furniture component constituted thereby is again independently activated, i.e. controlled and programmed by the controller 13, to synchronize with the output of the sensory stimulation means 12, e.g. in the form of a continued movement in accordance with the type of background music, e.g. in a rotational movement with a waltz sound, in a movement to the next area, i.e. the first main menu area 4.

In principle, this can be done after the used utensils and cutlery have been removed by a worker, a robot or a lifting device. Another interesting possibility is that the event furniture assembly is first located in a section of the kitchen area 8, so that used utensils and cutlery can be brought back on its own to some extent. When a guest enters the area together with event furniture, a movie can be projected in the area, for example by means of the sensory stimulation means 12, which movie extends the perceived reality. For example, used plates can be placed by real gripper arms on a real conveyor belt which disappears in the projected wall, but which in projection continues into the kitchen operated by a alien, where, for example, a monster takes the plate off the conveyor belt, pours the leftovers into the mouth, then hands the plate to another alien, which licks the plate with an oversized tongue, and then places the plate on a conveyor belt with "clean" plates.

The event furniture assembly 100 then moves past such a conveyor belt with clean dishes coming out of the projected wall and the guest 1 is audibly and/or visually alerted to such dishes, which may also have a slightly damp or slightly slimy surface, unusual temperature and/or odd smell, for example, to create a common point for alien people in a movie to "clean" the dishes, removing them from the conveyor belt when the first main menu area 4 is operated as a buffet area. This illusion is particularly strongly influenced when the guest receives individually distinguishable trays and the trays removed from the conveyor look exactly the same as the given tray.

The event furniture assembly is then moved to and docked with the buffet element. Fig. 6 and 7 show possible example configurations of event furniture assemblies of the first main menu area 4 operated in a buffet operation.

In the configuration shown in fig. 6, two event furniture assemblies in the form of hexagonal buffet tables 600 can be seen, docked with a mechanically movable event furniture assembly 100 on each side thereof. Here, but not necessarily, the event furniture assemblies 600 embodied as buffet tables each in turn have a movement means for performing a mechanically controlled movement, which makes it possible to move the event furniture assemblies 600 embodied as buffet tables under mechanical control into a section of the kitchen area 8 when a guest 1 is in another area and refill there for a subsequent guest.

In the configuration shown in fig. 7, an event furniture assembly 700 embodied as a sushi-belt can be seen, on each side of which six mechanically movable event furniture assemblies 100 are docked. Here, in this example, but not necessarily, the event furniture assembly 700 embodied as a sushi-belt in turn has in itself moving means for performing a mechanically controlled movement, which makes it possible to move the buffet table under mechanical control into a section of the kitchen area 8 when a guest is in another area and refill there for a subsequent guest.

For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that of course also movements of event furniture assemblies 600, 700 with event furniture assembly 100 docked therewith are possible.

The process can also be upgraded with action elements, for example when embedded into the output of the sensory stimulation device 12, the buffet element itself has means for performing mechanical movements, moves in space and must be "captured" by the event furniture assembly 100 having the chair 110 and table or table portion 120, and these event furniture assemblies 100 are then progressively docked. Alternatively, the long table may also be formed first of all from the event furniture units, which then separate and bring them in between when the buffet table or sushi belt is present.

After eating the first main menu of the buffet in the first main menu area 4, it proceeds to the second main menu area 5. The mechanical movement of the event furniture component thereto can be synchronously accompanied or controlled by an event furniture component in the form of a robot or robot arm 800, which is preferably guided at a ceiling-mounted rail system, for example as explained in more detail with reference to fig. 8.

In fig. 8 two examples of mechanically movable event furniture assemblies 100 are shown, as described above in the context of fig. 2, in a state of being connected to each other and on which guests 1 are arranged. A further event furniture component can also be seen in the form of a robot or robotic arm 800 suspended from a rail 801, with the aid of which an automatic drive unit is driven as a moving means 802 for performing mechanical movements. The robot or robotic arm 800 moves closer to the robotic controller 1907 and brings the probe 803 into proximity to the table or table portion 120 of the connected mechanically moveable event furniture assembly 100 in response to the instructions of the first controller 1901.

The first controller 1901 then simultaneously and synchronously controls the robot or robot arm 800 via the robot controller and the mechanically movable event furniture component 100 via the navigation controller 1910 in such a way that the guest gets the impression that their movements are caused by the robot or robot arm 800, which of course cannot be interpreted, since no interaction or coupling is discernible (in fact not present at all).

Also shown is an event staff 99 having an operating device 98, which operating device 98 allows influencing the first controller 1901 by means of an operator control 1912, so that an immediate intervention can be made in case of a human recognizable or predictable danger.

Seemingly the movement caused by the robot or robot arm 800 can be guided in particular also through the kitchen area 8 again, where it is docked with one of the plurality of presentation cooking stations, for example depending on the order, as illustrated in fig. 9.

Fig. 9 shows an event furniture component 900 in the form of a show-cooking bench 900, in the middle 901 of which a cook is arranged and on each side of which four mechanically movable event furniture components 100 are docked. Guests 1 arranged thereon may then cook directly following their dishes or at least the final stage thereof and obtain a completely new dish on table or table section 120. Upon receipt of a cooked meal, the event furniture assemblies 100 continue to move in a mechanically controlled manner into the second main menu area 5 where they are again configured with other event furniture assemblies to form a table 11 for a specific number of people.

After eating the course of food, the event furniture components then move to the dessert area 6 where they are again gathered together to form a large table 11 for 12 people. The dessert can be supplied as a buffet 1003 by a mechanically movable event furniture component in the form of a robot or robot arm 1000 as shown in fig. 10, which is movably suspended on a rail 1001 belonging to the rail system with a moving means 1002 in the form of an automatic drive unit, into a mechanically movable event furniture component 1004 in the form of a buffet module or can also be supplied separately. During or after consumption of the dessert, the returning earth may be projected by the sensory stimulation device 12 onto the walls of the dessert region 6. The space trip is then over and the guests are released back to the lobby area 9 where they can of course enjoy their adventure and many of the unique impressions they experience while drinking a cup.

Description of reference numerals:

1 Guest

2 experience area

3 Pre-meal snack region

4, 5 main menu area

6 sweet spot area

7 sanitary area

8 kitchen area

9 Bar area

10 event system

11 Table

12 sensory stimulation device

13 controller

15 wall, partition or privacy screen element

16 docking station

98 operating device

99 event staff

100 event furniture assembly

110 chair

111 supporting frame

112 seat surface

120 table or table top

121 table board

122 quick coupler

123 frame

127 casing

130 base plate

131 support device

132 friction wheel

133 height adjusting mechanism

134 operating the media store

135 control device

136 communication module

140 air cushion

150 sealing element

151 sealing lip

152 floor

153 support ring

154 sealing comb

155 base body

200 event furniture assembly

201 coupling device

250 event furniture assembly

300 event furniture assembly

350 event furniture assembly

400 robot or robot arm

401 guide rail

402 moving device

501 device for automatically providing meals

502 buffet container

600 event furniture assembly

700 event furniture assembly

800 robot or robot arm

801 guide rail

802 mobile device

803 probe

900 event furniture assembly

901 middle

1000 robot or robot arm

1001 guide rail

1002 moving device

1003 buffet module

1111 quick coupler

1112 Displacement mechanism

1113 lifting mechanism

1114 rotation mechanism

1115 tilting mechanism

1121 handrail

1122 back support

1123 sensory stimulation device

1124 sensor

1125 operating element

1211 transmitter and/or receiver

1212 distance sensor

1213 safety sensor

1214 devices for producing special effects

1215, 1216 display

1217 operating element

1901 first controller

1902 chair controller

1903 desk controller

1904 light controller

1905 Fan controller

1906 buffet controller

1907 robot controller

1908 Sound controller

1909 projection controller

1910 navigation controller

1911 calibration controller

1912 operator control

1913 docking station controller