阅读说明：本技术 基于紫外线涂料的车辆引导 (Vehicle guidance based on ultraviolet paint ) 是由 C·L·雷恩 于 2019-08-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种用于引导车辆的系统。该系统包括表面上的多个路径,其中每个路径由紫外线(UV)反应涂料限定,该紫外线(UV)反应涂料被配置为响应于UV光而发射可见光。该系统还包括车辆。该车辆包括：UV源,其被配置为发射UV光；传感器,其被配置为检测由多个路径中的相应路径的UV反应涂料发射的可见光；以及控制器,其被配置为基于由传感器检测到的可见光的波长沿着相应路径引导车辆。(A system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of paths on the surface, wherein each path is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light in response to UV light. The system also includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a UV source configured to emit UV light; a sensor configured to detect visible light emitted by the UV-reactive coating of a respective path of the plurality of paths; and a controller configured to guide the vehicle along the respective paths based on the wavelengths of the visible light detected by the sensors.)

1. A system for guiding a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of pathways on a surface, wherein each pathway is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light in response to UV light;

a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises:

a UV source configured to emit UV light;

a sensor configured to detect the visible light emitted by the UV-reactive coating of a respective path of the plurality of paths; and

a controller configured to guide the vehicle along the respective paths based on the wavelengths of the visible light detected by the sensors.

2. The system for guiding the vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of paths and the visible light emitted by the UV reactive coating along the plurality of paths are not visible to an occupant in the vehicle.

3. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the UV-reactive paint defining each of the plurality of paths is coated in a gloss leveler to conceal the respective path.

4. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the UV reactive coating defining each of the plurality of paths is configured to emit visible light at a unique wavelength relative to other of the plurality of paths in response to the UV light.

5. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine which of the plurality of paths to guide the vehicle along based on an input, wherein the input is associated with a particular wavelength of visible light.

6. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to receive the input during movement along the one of the plurality of paths and to change which of the plurality of paths to guide the vehicle along based on the input.

7. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the UV-reactive coating disposed along the respective path of the plurality of paths is configured to emit visible light at different wavelengths at different locations along the respective path.

8. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 7, wherein the different wavelengths represent different speeds of the vehicle along the respective paths, and the controller is configured to adjust the speed of the vehicle along the respective paths based on changes in the wavelengths of the emitted visible light.

9. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to cause the vehicle to rotate based on a change in the wavelength of the emitted visible light.

10. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vehicles arranged on different ones of the plurality of pathways, and respective controllers of the plurality of vehicles are configured to guide the plurality of vehicles on the plurality of pathways simultaneously.

11. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the respective ones of the plurality of paths include a central portion and a first portion flanking the central portion, the central portion including a first UV-reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a first wavelength, the first portion including a second UV-reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a second wavelength.

12. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to guide the vehicle back to the central portion of the respective one of the plurality of paths in response to detecting the second wavelength.

13. A system for guiding a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of pathways on a surface, wherein each pathway is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light in response to UV light; and

a plurality of vehicles, wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises:

a UV source configured to emit UV light;

a sensor configured to detect the visible light emitted by the UV-reactive coating of a respective path of the plurality of paths;

a controller configured to guide the vehicle along the respective paths based on the wavelengths of the visible light detected by the sensors;

wherein the UV reactive coating of each of the plurality of paths is configured to emit visible light in response to the UV light at a wavelength different from the wavelength of visible light emitted by other of the plurality of paths, and each vehicle is configured to move along a different path.

14. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the plurality of vehicles are configured to move along the plurality of paths simultaneously.

15. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the plurality of paths and the visible light emitted by UV reactive paint along the plurality of paths are not visible to passengers in the plurality of vehicles.

16. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to change which of the plurality of paths to guide the vehicle along based on an input during movement along the one of the plurality of paths, wherein the input is associated with a particular wavelength of visible light.

17. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the UV-reactive coating disposed along the respective one of the plurality of paths is configured to emit visible light at different wavelengths at different locations along the respective one of the plurality of paths.

18. The system for guiding a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the different wavelengths represent different speeds of the vehicle along the respective ones of the plurality of paths, and the controller is configured to adjust the speed of the vehicle along the respective ones of the plurality of paths based on a change in the wavelength of the emitted visible light.

19. A method for guiding a vehicle, comprising:

obtaining, at a controller of a vehicle, a wavelength of visible light to guide the vehicle along a path, wherein the path is one of a plurality of paths on a surface and each path among the plurality of paths is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a different wavelength in response to UV light;

emitting UV light at the path via a UV source on the vehicle;

detecting, via a sensor on the vehicle, the wavelength of the visible light emitted in response to the UV light; and

guiding, via the controller, the vehicle along the path among the plurality of paths based on the wavelength of the visible light detected by the sensor.

20. The method for guiding vehicles of claim 19, further comprising guiding a plurality of vehicles along the plurality of paths simultaneously, wherein the controllers of the plurality of vehicles guide the plurality of vehicles along different paths based on different wavelengths of the detected visible light.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicle guidance. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to amusement attractions utilizing Ultraviolet (UV) paint based ride vehicle guidance.

Background

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which are described below and which may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Amusement parks include various rides that provide unique experiences to each park guest. Additional parts of a attraction, such as rides and shows, typically provide the amusement park with additional capacity to handle a larger number of guests. However, the additional portion of a conventional ride without an additional conspiracy layer (layer of intugue) may not be sufficient to gain sufficient interest of the guest to address the guest's traffic problems or provide an advantage over competitors. As the sophistication and complexity of modern attractions increases, and the corresponding increase in expectations among amusement and/or theme park visitors, there is a need for improved and more creative attractions, including attractions that provide a unique guest experience.

Disclosure of Invention

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but rather these examples are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In one embodiment, a system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of paths on a surface, wherein each path is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light in response to UV light. The system also includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a UV source configured to emit UV light; a sensor configured to detect visible light emitted by the UV-reactive coating of a respective path of the plurality of paths; and a controller configured to guide the vehicle along the respective paths based on the wavelengths of the visible light detected by the sensors.

In another embodiment, a system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of paths on a surface, wherein each path of the plurality of paths is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light in response to UV light. The system also includes a plurality of vehicles. Additionally, each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles includes a UV source configured to emit UV light; a sensor configured to detect visible light emitted by the UV-reactive coating of a respective path of the plurality of paths; and a controller configured to guide the vehicle along a respective path of the plurality of paths based on the wavelength of the visible light detected by the sensor. The UV reactive coating of each of the plurality of paths is configured to emit visible light in response to UV light at a wavelength different from the wavelength of visible light emitted by other of the plurality of paths, and each vehicle is configured to move along the different path.

In another embodiment, a method for guiding a vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining, at a controller of the vehicle, a wavelength of visible light to guide the vehicle along a path, wherein the path is one of a plurality of paths on a surface, and each path among the plurality of paths is defined by an Ultraviolet (UV) reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a different wavelength in response to UV light. The method also includes emitting UV light on the path via a UV source on the vehicle. The method further includes detecting, via a sensor on the vehicle, a wavelength of visible light emitted in response to the UV light. The method further includes guiding, via the controller, the vehicle along a path among the plurality of paths based on the wavelength of the visible light detected by the sensor.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system for amusement attractions, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an environment of an amusement park utilizing the UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an environment of an amusement park utilizing the UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system of FIG. 1 (e.g., having a plurality of vehicles), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a path having different UV-reactive coatings surrounding the path, as taken within line 4-4 in FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a path having symbols or markings adjacent the path, as taken within line 4-4 in FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a path with different UV reactive coatings as taken within line 4-4 in FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for guiding a vehicle in an amusement attraction utilizing the UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system of fig. 1, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

Amusement parks feature a wide variety of entertainment, such as amusement park rides, performance shows, and games. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to UV paint based ride vehicle guidance systems that may be utilized in amusement parks. Multiple pathways may be arranged on the surface. Each path is defined by an invisible, transparent UV-reactive coating that emits visible light at a different wavelength (e.g., representing a different color) in response to UV light. In certain embodiments, each path generally includes a different invisible transparent UV reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a specific wavelength different from the other paths. Each ride vehicle may be equipped with a UV source configured to emit UV light and a sensor for detecting visible light emitted from the UV reactive coating along the path. The path and the visible light emitted by the path may be invisible to passengers on the vehicle or persons preparing to ride the vehicle. The paths may intersect. In addition, multiple vehicles may move along the path and past each other at the same time. In some embodiments, the passenger may be able to change the path along which the vehicle is moving via inputs provided to the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the wavelength emitted by the UV-reactive coating may be varied at different locations along the path to change the speed of the vehicle (e.g., accelerate, decelerate, stop, etc.) or cause the vehicle to perform an action (e.g., rotate). Due to the invisibility of the path, amusement attractions may appear unpredictable to the riders and may enhance the ride experience of the riders.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system 10 for an amusement attraction. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, the system 10 may include a vehicle 12 (e.g., a ride vehicle) and a ride controller system 14. In certain embodiments, the system 10 may include a plurality of vehicles 12. The system 10 may be configured to be utilized in conjunction with a plurality of pathways disposed on a surface. Each path may be defined by a transparent, invisible UV reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a specific wavelength (e.g., color) in response to UV light. In certain embodiments, each path may be defined by a different UV reactive coating configured to emit visible light at a different wavelength (e.g., yellow, pink, orange, etc.) than the UV reactive coatings defining the other paths. In certain embodiments, a particular path may include different UV reactive coatings emitting different wavelengths at different locations along the path, where the different wavelengths (e.g., colors) represent different actions to be communicated to the vehicle 12. These different actions may include changing speed (e.g., accelerating, decelerating, stopping, etc.) or other actions (e.g., spinning in place). In certain embodiments, the particular path may include a central portion having a UV reactive path configured to emit visible light at a first wavelength (e.g., yellow) and one or more side portions emitting at a different wavelength (e.g., blue, violet, red, etc.) than the first wavelength, wherein the wavelengths emitted by the UV reactive coating in the side portions transmit: how far the vehicle 12 deviates from the path (e.g., the center portion) and/or how the vehicle 12 corrects the route to return on the path. In certain embodiments, additional indicia (e.g., tick marks, bar codes, etc.) may be disposed in the UV reactive paint adjacent the path to provide information (e.g., distance traveled, path information, speed, etc.) to the vehicle 12 and/or ride controller system 14. In certain embodiments, a gloss leveler (sheen level) may be disposed over the UV reactive paint of the path to hide the path. Thus, in visible light, each path may be invisible to any passenger on the vehicle 12 or anyone waiting to ride the seating device. Additionally, any visible light emitted by the respective paths may not be visible to any passengers on the vehicle 12 or anyone waiting to board the seating device.

The vehicle 12 may include a UV source 16 configured to emit UV light. In certain embodiments, the UV source 16 may include one or more UV light emitting diodes. The vehicle 12 may also include one or more sensors 18, the one or more sensors 18 configured to detect wavelengths of visible light emitted from the invisible UV reactive coating along any path. In certain embodiments, both the UV source 16 and the one or more sensors 18 may be disposed along the vehicle 12 (e.g., a bottom portion of the vehicle 12) so as to prevent any visible light emitted by the respective paths from being seen by a passenger or anyone waiting to board the seating device.

The vehicle 12 may also include a controller 20, the controller 20 configured to control actions of the vehicle 12. The controller may include a memory 22 and a processor 24, the processor 24 being configured to execute instructions stored on the memory 22. In certain embodiments, the memory 22 may store the wavelength (or wavelengths) of the emitted visible light for the vehicle 12 to utilize to guide the vehicle 12 along a particular path. Additionally, the memory 22 may store additional wavelengths of emitted visible light that cause various actions of the vehicle (e.g., acceleration, deceleration, stopping, rotation, etc.). In some embodiments, memory 22 may store the entire path as well as any wavelengths or any changes in wavelengths associated with a particular path. The controller 20 may be configured to obtain the wavelength of the emitted visible light (e.g., from the memory 22 and/or the ride controller system 14) to utilize to guide the vehicle 12 along a particular path. The controller 20 may also be configured to receive the detected wavelengths from the sensors 18 and utilize them to guide the vehicle 12 along the path. In certain embodiments, if the vehicle 12 deviates from the path, the detected wavelength may cause the controller 20 to correct the route back onto the path.

The controller 20 may control the vehicle 12 via a steering system 26 coupled to wheels on the vehicle 12. The controller may also be coupled to an input device 12 on the vehicle 12. Input device 28 may include a touch screen, one or more buttons, a joystick, or any other device. Input devices 28 may enable the passenger to provide input that causes a selection and/or a change of path. For example, the input device 28 may provide different options or scenarios to the passenger (e.g., passage through a particular subject portion, difficulty level of passage, etc.). The various inputs received via the input device 28 may be associated with particular wavelengths of emitted light utilized by the controller 20 to direct the vehicle 12. In certain embodiments, the passenger may be able to provide input prior to the initiation of the ride that determines the initial path and/or subsequent paths utilized by the vehicle 12. In certain embodiments, the passenger may be able to provide input during the ride to change the path of the vehicle 12 (e.g., when the vehicle 12 encounters an intersection where the current path intersects other paths). In certain embodiments, the controller 20 may automatically determine the path (i.e., the wavelength to be utilized) of the lead vehicle 12 when no input is provided by the occupant.

The controller 20 may also be coupled to a transceiver 30, the transceiver 30 being configured to wirelessly communicate with other vehicles that may be on the path and/or on the ride controller system 30. In certain embodiments, the vehicle 12 may communicate its selected wavelength, location, speed, future changes in wavelength, and/or other information to other vehicles and/or the ride controller system 14 via the transceiver 30. In certain embodiments, the controller 20 may receive the same information about other vehicles from the vehicle and/or ride controller system 14 via the transceiver 30. In certain embodiments, the vehicle 14 may be autonomous from the ride controller system 14. In certain embodiments, control of the vehicle 14 by the controller 20 may be overridden via the ride controller system 14 (override).

The ride controller system 14 may include a controller 32, with the controller 32 controlling one or more of the vehicles 12 in the attraction. In certain embodiments, the controller 32 may communicate (e.g., via wavelength) a particular path for a particular vehicle 12 to utilize. In certain embodiments, the ride controller system 14 may provide the vehicle 12 with the entire path and any wavelengths or any changes in wavelengths associated with a particular path. In certain embodiments, the ride controller system 14 may provide information associated with other vehicles (e.g., wavelength, location, speed, future changes in wavelength, and/or other information) to a particular vehicle 12. The actions for the vehicle 12 associated with a particular wavelength may have been stored on the vehicle 12 and/or provided to the vehicle 12 from the ride controller system 14. The controller 32 may be coupled to a transceiver 38, the transceiver 38 enabling wireless communication with the vehicle 12.

Processors 20, 32 may each include multiple processors, one or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or some combination thereof. For example, each processor 20 and 32 may include one or more Reduced Instruction Set (RISC) processors, Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) processors, performance optimization processors with enhanced RISC (powerpc), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) integrated circuits, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), or any other suitable processing device.

Each memory device 22 and 34 may include volatile memory (such as Random Access Memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (such as Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, or any combination thereof Each memory device 22 and 34 may store various information that may be used for various purposes Each memory device 22 and 34 may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for execution by the respective processor 20 and 32, such as instructions for controlling the vehicle 12. the storage device(s) (e.g., non-volatile storage) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an environment of an amusement park utilizing the UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system 10 of fig. 1. The depicted vehicle 12 is as depicted in FIG. 1. The vehicle 12 configured to hold one or more passengers may include wheels 42 on a bottom portion 40 of the vehicle 12 to enable the vehicle 12 to move along a path 44 on a surface 46. The number of wheels 42 may vary. In certain embodiments, the means for moving the vehicle may vary (e.g., track, etc.). The wheels 42 may be coupled to the steering system described above. The vehicle 12 may also include the UV source 16 and the sensor 18 on the bottom portion 40 as described above. Locating the UV source 16 and sensor 18 on the bottom portion 40 of the vehicle 12 may prevent visible light emitted by the path 44 from being seen by passengers and anyone waiting to board the seating apparatus. In certain embodiments, the location of the UV source 16 and the sensor 18 on the vehicle 12 may vary.

As depicted, the plurality of pathways 44 may be arranged on a surface 46. The path 44 may include straight and/or curved portions. Three paths 48 (solid lines), 50 (dashed lines) and 52 (dotted lines) are shown. The number of paths 44 may vary. In some embodiments, path 44 or portions of path 44 may be associated with a particular topic. In some embodiments, path 44 or portions of path 44 may be associated with different levels of irritation. For example, a less aggressive path may include a higher number of straighter portions, slower speeds, and/or gentle turns. More stimulated paths may include a higher number of bends, faster speeds, sharper turns, and/or rotations. Paths 48, 50, 52 all three intersect at points 54 and 56. Paths 48 and 50 also intersect at point 58. Each path 44 may be defined primarily by a different transparent invisible UV reactive coating that emits visible light at a particular wavelength in response to UV light. For example, the UV reactive coatings defining paths 48, 50, and 52 may emit visible light at wavelengths corresponding to yellow, pink, and green (or any other color), respectively, in response to UV. One benefit of using a UV reactive coating is that the path 44 can be easily altered on the surface 46 with little or no facility cost. In certain embodiments, a gloss leveler may be disposed over the UV reactive paint of the path 44 to conceal the path 44. The ride may be present in the dark or in lighted areas.

At intersections 54, 56, and 58, a combination of visible wavelengths may be emitted. The controller of the vehicle 12 may be programmed to identify a combination of the wavelength of the assigned path 44 and the wavelength at the intersection to keep the vehicle 12 moving along the assigned path. In certain embodiments, the vehicle 12 may change paths at the intersections 45, 56, 58, either as programmed in a controller of the vehicle 12 or based on input received from passengers and communicated to the controller of the vehicle 12.

As depicted in fig. 3, multiple vehicles 12 may be moving along a path 44 on a surface 46 simultaneously. The vehicle 12 and path 44 are as described above. Three vehicles 60, 62, 64 and three paths 66, 68, 70 are shown. The number of vehicles 12 and paths 44 may vary. Each vehicle 60, 62, and 64 may move along their respective paths 66, 68, and 70 based on the respective wavelengths of visible light emitted by the UV reactive coating associated with the path in response to the UV light. Vehicles 60, 62, and 64 may communicate with each other and/or with a ride controller system. Thus, the vehicles 60, 62, and 64 and/or ride controller system may know the location of the other vehicles during the ride. In certain embodiments, the vehicles 60, 62, 64 may change the path 44 (e.g., predetermined or in response to passenger input). In certain embodiments, the change in path due to the passenger input may be overridden due to the position of another vehicle 12 (e.g., by the passenger's vehicle and/or the ride controller system). In some embodiments, certain choices for passenger input may not be presented to the passenger due to the location of other vehicles. In certain embodiments, the vehicle 12 may be accelerated, decelerated, or stopped in response to the position of the other vehicle. In certain embodiments, more than one vehicle 12 may travel on the same path 44.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a portion of path 44 having a different UV reactive coating surrounding path 44 as taken within line 4-4 in fig. 2 and 3. As depicted in fig. 4, path 44 may include a central portion 72. The central portion 72 may include a UV reactive coating that emits visible light at a primary wavelength (e.g., yellow, pink, green, or any other color) in response to UV light for guiding the vehicle 12 along the path 44. A plurality of side portions may flank the central portion 72. For example, the first side portion 74 may flank the central portion 72, and the second side portion 76 may flank both the central portion 72 and the first side portion 74. The number of side portions may vary. In certain embodiments, first side portion 72 may have both a left side portion and a right side portion defined by a UV reactive coating that is different from central portion 72, second side portion 76, and any other side portions (i.e., the UV reactive coating emits visible light at a different wavelength). The third side portion 76 may have both a left side portion and a right side portion defined by a UV reactive coating that is different from the central portion 72, the first side portion 76, and any other side portions (i.e., the UV reactive coating emits visible light at a different wavelength). For example, the central portion 72 may be associated with yellow, the first side portion 74 may be associated with orange, and the second side portion 76 may be associated with red.

In certain embodiments, the wavelength emitted by the side portions 74, 76 may be associated with an indication of how much (e.g., distance, percentage, etc.) the vehicle 12 has deviated from the central portion 72. In certain embodiments, the wavelengths emitted by the side portions 74, 76 may be associated with an indication that the vehicle 12 is corrected toward the center portion 72 (e.g., corrected to the left, corrected to the right, etc.). In certain embodiments, the wavelength emitted by one or more inboard side portions may be associated with an indication of how much the vehicle 12 has deviated from the center portion 72, while the wavelength emitted by the outermost side portion may be associated with an indication that the vehicle 12 is corrected toward the center portion 72. In certain embodiments, the wavelength emitted by the outermost face portion may be associated with an indication that the vehicle 12 is stopped due to a deviation from the path 44.

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of path 44 having a symbol or marker 78 adjacent to path 44 as taken within line 4-4 in fig. 2 and 3. As depicted in fig. 5, a symbol or mark may be painted in the transparent invisible UV reactive paint adjacent to the path 44 for detection by the vehicle 12. As depicted, the symbol or indicia 78 may be a bar code. In some embodiments, the symbol or indicia may be a tick mark, a shape, a number, or any other kind of indicia. The symbol or marker 78 may communicate information related to the path 44 (e.g., distance traveled, path information, speed, etc.) to the vehicle 12 and/or ride controller system.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a portion of the path 44 having a different UV reactive coating as taken within line 4-4 in fig. 2 and 3. As depicted, a majority of path 44 (e.g., region 80) may be defined by a UV reactive coating that emits visible light at a primary wavelength (e.g., yellow, pink, green, or any other color) in response to UV light for guiding vehicle 12 along path 44. Other areas along path 44 may include different UV reactive coatings that emit different wavelengths than the primary wavelength associated with path 44, which may be associated with different control actions for vehicle 12. For example, region 80 may be yellow and region 82 may be purple. In certain embodiments, the wavelengths emitted by the region 82 may cause the vehicle 12 to rotate or some other action (e.g., bounce, tilt, etc.). In certain embodiments, other zones (e.g., zones 84, 86) may provide other control actions (e.g., acceleration, deceleration, stopping, etc.) related to the vehicle 12. One or more regions similar to regions 84, 86 may be spaced apart from, and in contact with, each other. These regions 84, 86 may include UV reactive coatings that emit different wavelengths than region 80 and each other. Each zone 80, 84, 86 may be associated with a particular speed of the vehicle 12. For example, region 80 may be associated with a normal speed of vehicle 12 along path 44, while region 84 may be associated with a faster speed, and region 86 may be associated with an even faster speed. Alternatively, region 84 may be associated with a slower speed, and region 86 may be associated with an even slower speed. In some embodiments, the change in color emitted by the region may have a gradual change. For example, regions 80, 84, 86 may be yellow, red, orange, respectively, or yellow, green, blue, respectively. The path 44 may include a combination of regions for both acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 12. In certain embodiments, the wavelengths emitted by the zones may be such that the vehicle 12 has a variable speed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 88 for guiding a vehicle 12 in an amusement attraction utilizing the UV paint based ride vehicle guidance system 10 of FIG. 1. One or more steps of the method 88 may be performed by the controller 20 of the vehicle and/or the ride controller system 14. One or more steps of method 88 may be performed simultaneously and/or in a different order than that depicted. The method 88 may include obtaining a wavelength to guide the vehicle 12 along the path 44 (block 90). In certain embodiments, more than one wavelength may be available to the vehicle 12. For example, a first portion of the ride may follow a first path having a first wavelength and a second portion of the ride may follow a different path having a different wavelength. The wavelength may represent a color emitted by the UV reactive coating along path 44 in response to UV light. The wavelengths may be obtained from respective memories of the ride controller system 14 and/or the vehicle controller 20. In some embodiments, the passenger may provide input based on the presented selections (e.g., related to theme, level of irritation, etc.) prior to the start of the ride, and the input may be associated with one or more particular wavelengths associated with one or more paths 44. In certain embodiments, when multiple vehicles are to be utilized during a ride, each vehicle 12 may obtain a respective one or more wavelengths to define their respective paths. In certain embodiments, in the case of multiple vehicles, each vehicle 12 may obtain wavelengths and/or other information related to the other vehicles and their respective paths before or during the ride.

The method 88 may also include emitting UV light via a UV source on the vehicle 12 (block 92). The method 88 may further include detecting, via sensors on the vehicle 12, visible light emitted by the UV-reactive coating disposed along the respective path 44 for the vehicle 12 (block 94). The method 88 may include comparing the detected wavelengths to the obtained wavelengths associated with the path 44 of the vehicle (block 96). When the detected wavelength is the same as the obtained wavelength, the method 88 may include guiding or moving the vehicle 12 along the path 44 (block 98). When the detected wavelength is different from the obtained wavelength, the method 88 may include the vehicle 12 performing some action while moving along the path 44 (block 100). These actions may include the vehicle 12 accelerating, decelerating, stopping, spinning, correcting the route back onto the path 44, or other types of actions.

In some embodiments, method 88 may include receiving input from a passenger during a ride (block 102). The passenger may provide input based on the presented selections (e.g., related to subject matter, level of irritation, etc.), and the input may be associated with one or more particular wavelengths associated with one or more paths 44. In certain embodiments, the inputs may be associated with the same wavelength and the vehicle 12 maintains the same path. In certain embodiments, the passenger input may be associated with a different wavelength that changes the wavelength and thus the path 44 for guiding the vehicle 12 (block 104).

Although the above embodiments relate to amusement rides, the same techniques may be utilized in other applications. For example, the technique may be applied to toys. Multiple pens, brushes, or other items containing different transparent invisible UV reactive coatings that emit visible light at different wavelengths in response to UV light may create multiple paths on a surface by a user. Different toy vehicles (e.g., equipped with UV light sources and sensors) may also be provided to follow different paths drawn on a surface by a user using a pen or brush.

While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. The technology presented and claimed herein is cited and applied to substantive objects and concrete examples of a practical nature which arguably improve the technical field and are therefore not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Also, if any claim appended to the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [ performing ] … … [ function" or "step for [ performing ] … … [ function"), it is intended that such elements be construed in accordance with 35 u.s.c. 112 (f). However, for any claim that contains elements specified in any other way, it is intended that such elements will not be construed in accordance with 35 u.s.c. 112 (f).