Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
ATTRACTION SYSTEM AND ATTRACTION PROVIDING METHOD
This application is a divisional of Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,622,566 filed on September 15, 2005.
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates a picture-providing-
type attraction system, and in particular to an attraction
system capable of increasing the pleasure of visitors.
Background Art
[0002]
Various attraction systems have been installed in
event sites, amusement parks and the like to give enjoyment to
visitors. Such attraction systems include a system for
providing a picture in a theater and the like. This kind of
system is referred to as a picture-providing-type attraction
system in this specification. There is also a system in which
another element is combined with provision of a picture (for
example, a ride is combined with a picture). Such a system is
also included in the picture-providing-type system in this
specification.
[0003]
The picture-providing-type attraction system provides
an impressive picture by making full use of
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'
state-of-the-art picture techniques. For example, by
= utilizing a three-dimensional CG (computer graphic) image,
the visitor's feeling as if he/she were in the picture
can be increased, and reality or virtual reality is
provided.
[0004]
Visitors are often related to a story. For example,
a picture of space travel is provided on the assumption
that visitors travel in space. Such elaboration of the
story also contributes to increase of the visitor's
feeling as if he/she were in the picture.
[0005]
In the field of CG technology, there is proposed a
technique for generating a CG image from an actually
taken image. There is also proposed a technique for
combining the CG image obtained from a taken image with
another CG image.
[0006]
The CG techniques related to the present invention
are disclosed, for example, in "Reality and Communication
Gap of Agent in HAT" by Morishima, Journal of the
Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, Japan, The
Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, November
2002, Vol. 17, No. 6, pp. 687-692.
Disclosure of the Invention
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[0007]
Under the background described above, the inventor
of the present invention has examined an attraction
=
=
system which can further increase the pleasure of
visitors. The conventional techniques increase the
visitor's feeling as if he/she were in the picture simply
= by involving him in a story. Unlike such conventional
= techniques, the present invention makes the visitor
= actually appear in a picture and further makes the visitor
act as character (performer) in the picture as described
below, thereby drastically increase the visitor's feeling
as if he/she were in the picture.
[0008]
In a picture-providing-type attraction, the number
= of visitors for one show is relatively large. However,
the time for one show is restricted. In such a situation,
if a lot of visitors are simply made to appear in a
picture, the time for each visitor is shortened, or the
= size of each visitor is reduced. As a result, there is a
possibility that the visitors cannot have a real feeling
of appearing in the picture sufficiently. Some embodiments
of the present invention also address this problem.
= [0009]
An attraction system is required to appropriately
cope with a fault. For example, it is desirable that
provision of an attraction can be continued even if a
fault occurs in a part of the attraction system.
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Furthermore, the attraction system is required to appropriately .
cope with a state of emergency.
[0009a] According to an aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an attraction system comprising: a plurality
of theaters arranged so as to be positioned face to face with
one another; an attraction picture providing means for
providing an attraction picture in each of the plurality of
theaters; a screen moving means for moving screens of the
plurality of theaters to cause the visitors of the plurality of
theaters to meet face to face with one another; a moving
mechanism emergency stop switch; and a moving mechanism control
means for controlling the screen moving means, wherein when a
movement prohibition mode is set by turning the moving
mechanism emergency stop switch on, the moving mechanism
control means prohibits the movement of the screen by the
screen moving means, and the attraction picture providing means
continues to provide the attraction picture.
[0009b] According to another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an attraction providing method comprising:
providing an attraction picture in each of a plurality of
theaters arranged so as to be positioned face to face with one
another; Moving screens of the plurality of theaters after
providing the attraction pictures, so as to make visitors of
the plurality of theaters meet face to face; and setting a
movement prohibition mode when a moving mechanism emergency
stop switch is turned on, then prohibiting movement of the
screen in the corresponding theater, and continuing to provide
the attraction picture.
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[0010] Some embodiments may provide an attraction system
which can increase the pleasure of visitors.
[0011] Some embodiments may provide an attraction system
which enables multiple visitors to have a real feeling of
appearing in a picture sufficiently.
[0012] Some embodiments may provide an attraction system
which can appropriately cope with occurrence of a fault or a
state of emergency.
[0013] In one aspect, an attraction system comprises:
character (cast) data generation means for generating character
data which is an image of a character having an image of a
visitor; attraction picture generation means for causing the
character data to move in accordance with character scenario
data which specifies at least one character's movement along an
attraction story to generate an attraction picture in which the
visitor acts as the
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character; and attraction picture providing means for
providing the attraction picture.
[0014]
The attraction system of the present invention may
comprise: voice data storage means storing male voice
data and female voice data of each character in the
attraction picture; sex judgment means for judging sex
(garden) of each visitor on the basis of the image of
each visitor; selection means for selecting the male
voice data or the female voice data of each character;
and output means for outputting the voice of the voice
data selected by the selection means; and wherein the
selection means may output the voice data corresponding
to the sex of the visitor assigned to the character, on
the basis of the result of the judgment by the sex
judgment means. The selection means is typically a mixer,
to which male voice data and female voice data of each
character may be inputted and from which the male voice
data or the female voice data may be outputted. The
mixer may output voice data corresponding to the sex of
the visitor assigned to the character, on the basis of
the result of the sex judgment.
[0015]
In one aspect, an
= attraction system comprises: a theater having a theater
size changeable between the size of a plurality of
adjacent booths and the size of a combined theater
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obtained by combining the plurality of booths; attraction
picture providing means for providing an attraction
picture including a booth picture provided in each of the
plurality of booths and a combined-theater picture
provided in the combined theater, the booth picture in
the attraction picture being a picture in which one or
more images of visitors seated in the corresponding booth
are incorporated as characters; and theater size changing
means for changing the theater size in accordance with
the progress of the attraction picture so that the
theater is divided into the plurality of booths when the
plurality of booth pictures are provided and the
plurality of booths are combined to form the combined
theater when the combined-theater picture is provided.
[0016]
For example, a booth picture is provided in each
booth first, and, in each booth, visitors seated in the
booth appear. Since the number of visitors is reduced by
dividing the theater, it is possible to provide a picture
in which each visitor sufficiently appears within a
restricted time. Next, the booths are combined to form a
combined theater. In the combined theater, a large-
scaled combined-theater picture is provided.
[0017]
The combined-theater picture may be a picture formed
by a plurality of adjacent partial theater pictures
provided on a plurality of screens provided for the
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plurality of booths, respectively. Each of the plurality
of booths may provide the attraction picture including
the booth picture and the partial theater picture. The
attraction system may further comprise: a plurality of
attraction picture generation means provided for the
plurality of booths, respectively, each of the plurality
of attraction picture generation means generating the
booth picture of a corresponding booth; a plurality of
default picture storage means provided for the plurality
of booths, respectively, for storing a default booth
picture in which the images of the visitors are not
incorporated but default character images are
incorporated; and a plurality of fault detection means
provided for the plurality of booths, respectively, for
detecting occurrence of a fault which disables generation
of the booth picture; and, when the fault is detected by
the fault detection means, the booth where the fault has
been detected may provide the default booth picture and
the partial theater picture, and the one or more booths
where the fault has not been detected may provide the
booth picture and the partial theater picture.
[0018]
Each of the plurality of attraction picture
generation means may further generate a partial theater
picture in which one or more images of visitors are
incorporated as characters, and the default picture
storage means may store a default partial theater picture
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in which the images of visitors are not incorporated but
default character images are incorporated, together with
the default booth picture. The fault detection means may
detect a fault which disables generation of the booth
picture or the partial theater picture. When the fault
is detected, the booth where the fault has been detected
may provide the default booth picture and the default
partial theater picture, and the one or more booths where
the fault has not been detected may provide the booth
picture and the partial theater picture.
[0019]
A plurality of theaters may be provided. The
plurality of theaters may be partitioned by one or more
theater partition members, and the theater partition
members may be removable members. The plurality of
theaters may be arranged so that the visitors of the
plurality of theaters meet face to face when the theater
partition members are removed. The plurality of theaters
may be arranged in parallel, each of the plurality of
theaters being individually provided with a function of
providing the attraction picture and a function of
changing the theater size. The attraction system may
comprise control means capable of, when a fault which
disables provision of an attraction occurs in one of the
plurality of theaters, stopping the functions of the
theater where the fault has occurred and continuing the
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operation of the functions of the one or more theaters
where the fault has not occurred.
[0020]
The attraction system may comprise an emergency stop
switch and a moving mechanism emergency stop switch.
When the emergency stop switch operates, the theater size
may become the size of the combined theater, the screen
of the theater may be removed, a lighting apparatus may
be lighted, and an emergency guide light may be lighted.
When the moving mechanism emergency stop switch operates,
change of the theater size may be prohibited.
[0021]
In one aspect, an
attraction system comprises: a theater; one or more booth
partition members for partitioning the theater into a
plurality of booths; a partition moving mechanism for
moving the booth partition members to combine the
plurality of booths to form a combined theater; and a
plurality of picture sending apparatuses provided for the
plurality of booths, respectively; when the theater is
divided in the plurality of booths, each of the plurality
of picture sending apparatuses sends a booth picture of
the corresponding booth; and when the plurality of booths
are combined and the combined theater is formed, a
combined theater picture is formed by a plurality of
adjacent partial theater pictures sent out from the
plurality of picture sending apparatuses; and the booth
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picture of the booth is a picture in which one or more
images of visitors seated in the corresponding booth are
incorporated as characters.
[0022]
Each of the plurality of picture sending apparatuses
provided for the plurality of booths may provide the
attraction picture including the booth picture and the
partial theater picture. The attraction system may
further comprise: a plurality of attraction picture
generation apparatuses provided for the plurality of
booths, respectively, each of the plurality of attraction
picture generation apparatuses generating the booth
picture of the corresponding booth; a plurality of
default picture storage sections provided for the
plurality of booths, respectively, for storing a default
booth picture in which the images of the visitors are not
incorporated but default character images are
incorporated; and a plurality of fault detection sections
provided for the plurality of booths, respectively, for
detecting occurrence of a fault which disables generation
of the booth picture. When the fault is detected by the
fault detection section, the picture sending apparatus
may provide the default booth picture and the partial
theater picture in the booth where the fault has been
detected, and the picture sending apparatuses may provide
the booth picture and the partial theater picture in the
one or more booths where the fault has not been detected.
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[0023]
Each of the plurality of attraction picture
generation apparatuses may further generate a partial
theater picture in which one or more images of visitors
are incorporated as characters, and the default picture
storage section may store a default partial theater
picture in which the images of visitors are not
incorporated but default character images are
incorporated, together with the default booth picture.
The fault detection section may detect occurrence of a
fault which disables generation of the booth picture or
the partial theater picture. When a fault is detected,
the booth where the fault has been detected may provide
the default booth picture and the default partial theater
picture, and the one or more booths where the fault has
not been detected may provide the booth picture and the
partial theater picture.
[0024]
A plurality of theaters may be provided. The
plurality of theaters may be partitioned by one or more
theater partition members, and the theater partition
members are may be removable members. The plurality of
theaters may be arranged so that the visitors of the
plurality of theaters meet face to face when the theater
partition members are removed. The plurality of theaters
may be arranged in parallel, each of the plurality of
theaters being individually provided with a function of
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providing the attraction picture and a function of moving
the theater partition members. The attraction system may
comprise a control apparatus capable of, when a fault
which disables provision of an attraction occurs in one
of the plurality of theaters, stopping the functions of
the theater where the fault has occurred and continuing
the operation of the functions of the one or more
theaters where the fault has not occurred.
[0025]
The attraction system may comprise: an emergency
stop switch and a moving mechanism emergency stop switch;
a control apparatus connected to the emergency stop
switch; and a moving mechanism control apparatus
connected to the moving mechanism emergency stop switch
and controlled by the control apparatus. When the
emergency stop switch operates, the control apparatus may
control the moving mechanism control apparatus to form
the combined theater by moving the booth partition
members, and move and remove the screen of the theater,
and the control apparatus may further light a lighting
apparatus and an emergency guide light. When the moving
mechanism emergency stop switch operates, the moving
mechanism control apparatus may prohibit the booth
partition members and the screen of the theater from
being moved.
[0026]
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In one aspect, an
attraction system comprises: a plurality of theaters
arranged so as to be positioned face to face with one
another; attraction picture providing means for providing
an attraction picture in each of the plurality of
theaters; and screen moving means for moving the screens
of the plurality of theaters to cause the visitors of the
plurality of theaters to meet face to face with one
another. By moving the screens and combining the
plurality of theaters in a state of being positioned face
to face, it is possible to provide an attraction enabling
the visitors of the plurality of theaters to have a
feeling of unity.
[0027]
The present invention is not limited to the above-
described aspects of the system. Aspects of the present
invention may be expressed, for example, by a method for a part
or all of any of the attraction systems described above, a
program or a program recording medium. The advantages of
the present invention can be obtained by such aspects.
[0028]
For example, another aspect is
an attraction providing method. This method comprises:
generating character data which is an image of a
character having an image of a visitor; causing the
character data to move in accordance with character
scenario data which specifies at least one character's
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movement along an attraction story to generate an
= attraction picture in which the visitor acts as the
character; and providing the attraction picture.
[0029]
= One aspect is a program for
causing a computer to generate an attraction picture.
This program causes the computer to execute the
processing of: acquiring character data which is an image
of a character having an image of a visitor; and causing
the character data to move in accordance with character
scenario data which specifies at.least one character's
movement along an attraction story to generate an
attraction picture in which the visitor acts as the
character.
[0030]
= One aspect is an attraction
providing method, and this method comprises: changing the
theater size between the size of a plurality of adjacent
= booths and the size of a combined theater obtained by
combining the plurality of booths; and providing an
attraction picture including a booth picture provided in
each of the plurality of booths and a combined-theater
picture provided in the combined theater. The booth
= picture of the booth is a picture in which one or more
= images of visitors seated in the corresponding booth are
incorporated as characters. The theater size is changed
in accordance with the progress of the attraction picture
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so that the theater is divided into the plurality of
booths when the plurality of booth pictures are provided
and the plurality of booths are combined to form the
combined theater when the combined-theater picture is
provided.
[0031]
One aspect is an attraction
providing method, and this method comprises: partitioning
a theater into a plurality of booths with the use of one
or more booth partition members; and combining the
plurality of booths to form a combined theater by moving
the booth partition members; and when the theater is
divided in the plurality of booths, each booth provides a
booth picture corresponding to the booth, and, when the
plurality of booths are combined, the combined theater
provides a combined-theater picture. The booth picture
of the booth is a picture in which one or more images of
visitors seated in the corresponding booth are
incorporated as characters.
[0032]
One aspect is an attraction
providing method, and this method comprises: providing an
attraction picture in each of a plurality of theaters
arranged so as to be positioned face to face with one
another; and moving screens of the plurality of theaters
=
after providing the attraction picture, so as to make
visitors of the plurality of theaters meet face to face.
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[0033]
As described below, other aspects of the present
invention exist. Therefore, the disclosure of this
invention is intended to provide a part of the aspects of
the present invention and is not intended to restrict the
scope of the invention described and claimed here.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0034]
Figure 1 is a diagram showing an attraction system
of an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of an
attraction picture generation apparatus and an image
scenario storage server;
Figure 3 is a plane view of a facility for the
attraction system;
Figure 4 is a plane view of the attraction system,
and it is a diagram showing a twenty-visitor theater;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the attraction
system seen from a horizontal direction, and it is a
diagram showing the twenty-visitor theater;
Figure 6 is a plane view of the attraction system,
and it is a diagram showing an eighty-visitor theater;
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the attraction
system seen from a horizontal direction, and it is a
diagram showing the eighty-visitor theater;
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Figure 8 is a plane view of the attraction system,
and it is a diagram showing a two-hundred-and-forty-
visitor theater;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of the attraction
system seen from a horizontal direction, and it is a
diagram showing the two-hundred-and-forty-visitor
theater;
Figure 10 shows a main show seat in a main show
room;
Figure 11 shows an example of an attraction picture
provided in this embodiment;
Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the
configuration related to control of the attraction
system;
Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the
configuration of one theater;
Figure 14 is a block diagram showing picture
providing systems of four booths in one theater;
Figure 15 is a block diagram showing the picture
providing system of one booth;
Figure 16 is a diagram showing the whole operation
of the attraction system, and it is a diagram showing the
operation of a pre-show;
Figure 17 is a diagram showing the whole operation
of the attraction system, and it is a diagram showing the
operation of a main show;
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Figure 18 is a block diagram showing the
configuration of a sending personal computer;
Figure 19 is a block diagram showing the
configuration of a voice system; and
Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the
configuration related to emergency stop functions.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0035]
A detailed description of some embodiments of the present
invention will be given below. However, the detailed description
below and accompanying drawings do not limit the present
invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is
specified by accompanying CLAIMS..
[0036]
In this embodiment, the image of a visitor's face is
taken into an attraction picture as a visitor image.
First, the configuration related to generation and
provision of an attraction picture will be described.
Then, an example of an attraction system suitable for a
facility which seats a lot of visitors will be described.
[0037]
Figure 1 shows the attraction system of this
embodiment. The attraction system 10 includes a three-
= dimensional scanner 12, an image processing PC 14, an
attraction picture generation apparatus 16, an image
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scenario storage server 18, a picture sending apparatus
20 and a screen 22.
[0038]
The three-dimensional scanner 12 generates three-
dimensional image data of a visitor. The three-
dimensional scanner 12 takes images of the visitor from a
plurality of directions, measures the shape of the face,
and generates three-dimensional CG data from the taken
images.
[0039]
The image processing PC (personal computer) 14
generates character data (cast data) from the three-
dimensional CG data generated by the three-dimensional
scanner 12. The image processing PC 14 generates 3D CG
data enabling generation of an expression, based on the
data of the face shape measured by the three-dimensional
scanner 12. This 3D CG data is data in which
characteristic parts of the face are recognized, that is,
data having information about a recognition result.
[0040]
Thus, the three-dimensional scanner 12 and the image
processing PC 14 function as character data generation
means and generates character data which is an image of a
character (cast) which has the image of a visitor.
[0041]
More precisely, in this embodiment, 3D CG data of a
face excluding hair and ears is taken into this system
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with the use of the three-dimensional scanner 12 and the
image processing PC 14 to constitute character data. The
outline of the face is included in the character data.
That is, this system employs data excluding hair and ears.
As for hair and ears, data prepared in advance is used by
processing at a later stage. Of course, the image of
hair and ears may be acquired from a visitor image and
included in the character data, within the scope of the
present invention.
[0042]
A plurality of visitors are assumed in this
embodiment. The three-dimensional scanner 12 and the
image processing PC 14 generate character data from each
of the plurality of visitors. Preferably, plurality of
three-dimensional scanners 12 and image processing PCs 14
are prepared according to the number of visitors in
consideration of smooth progress of an attraction.
[0043]
The attraction picture generation apparatus 16
generates an attraction picture with the use of the
character data and data in the image scenario storage
server 18. The attraction picture generation apparatus
16 refers to character (cast) scenario data which
specifies the movements of characters along an attraction
story. Then, the attraction picture generation apparatus
16 generates an attraction picture in which the character
data is moved in accordance with the attraction data.
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Thereby, visitors act as characters in the attraction
picture.
[0044]
The picture sending apparatus 20 and the screen 22
function as attraction picture providing means and
provide an attraction picture generated by the attraction
picture generation apparatus 16 for visitors. Typically,
the screen 22 is provided in a theater, and the picture
sending apparatus 20 projects an attraction picture on
the screen 22.
[0045]
Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the
attraction picture generation apparatus 16 and the image
scenario storage server 18, which are computer systems.
The image scenario storage server 18 includes a
background data storage section 30 and a scenario storage
section 32. The attraction picture generation apparatus
16 includes a character data acquisition section 34, a
character data storage section 36, a scenario data
acquisition section 38, a background data acquisition
section 40, a face changing processing section 42 and a
synthesis section 44.
[0046]
The background data storage section 30 stores
background data for an attraction picture. The
background data is data of a background image. For
example, if an attraction story is set in space, picture
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data of space, a spacecraft and the like is stored. Body
data (data excluding face data) of characters is also
stored in the background data storage section 30 together
with the background data.
[0047]
The scenario storage section 32 stores the character
scenario data. The character scenario data is data which
specifies the movements of characters along an attraction
story as described before. In this embodiment, the
character data is a character's face. The character
scenario data includes data of the position, angle and
expression of each character's face at each time point.
The expressions are, for example, an angry face, a crying
face, a smiling face, and the like. The character
scenario data specifies the movements of each of multiple
characters. The character scenario data may include data
of conversation by the characters. Thus, the image
scenario storage server 18 is a database of parts data
constituting a story, such as background data, body data
of the characters (images without faces) and description
of a scenario, and it can be said to be a story server.
[0048]
In the attraction picture generation apparatus 16,
the character data acquisition section 34 acquires
character data inputted from the image processing PC 14.
The character data is stored in the character data
storage section 36. Each of a plurality of character
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data is assigned to a different character. Information
about this assignment is also acquired together with the
character data and stored in the character data storage
section 36.
[0049]
The scenario data acquisition section 38 acquires
character scenario data from the scenario storage section
32 of the image scenario storage server 18. The
background data acquisition section 40 acquires
background data and body data of characters from the
background data storage section 30.
[0050]
The face changing processing section 42 and the
synthesis section 44 generate an attraction picture as
described below. The face changing processing section 42
functions as expression changing means, and it changes
the expression of character data with the use of the
character data and the character scenario data. The
principle of the image processing here is that the
expression is changed with the use of information about
face parts given to the character data by recognition
processing. As described before, the character scenario
data includes the expression of each character's face at
each time point. Therefore, the face expression of the
character data is changed by image processing in
accordance with the character scenario data. Furthermore,
the face changing processing section 42 may perform image
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processing for deforming the character's face in
accordance with conversation data included in the
character scenario data to generate an image of character
talking.
[0051]
Here, in this embodiment, the image processing is
performed for face image data after recognition obtained
by performing image recognition of three-dimensional CG
(3D CG) data acquired by a three-dimensional scanner.
The expression (including change in the face made for
conversation) can be preferably changed in a picture. As
the image processing for changing the expression of a
face, the technique related to the HAI (Human Agent
Interactive) proposed by Morishima can be preferably
applied. This technique is described, for example, in
"Reality and Communication Gap of Agent in HAI" by
Morishima, Journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial
Intelligence, Japan, The Japanese Society for Artificial
Intelligence, November 2002, Vol. 17, No. 6, pp. 687-692.
[0052]
The synthesis section 44 synthesizes the character
data with the background data and the body data. Here,
the character data in which the expression has been
changed is pasted on the background. The character
scenario data includes the position and the angle of each
character data at each time point as described before.
The character data is pasted in accordance with the
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position and the angle in the character scenario data.
The body data of the character is also pasted on the
background data. Moving (time-varying) image data of a
body may be prepared in advance. It is also possible to
move the body by CG processing in accordance with the
scenario data when synthesis is performed.
[0053]
As described above, the attraction picture
generation apparatus 16 generates an attraction picture
in which the images of visitors act changing their
expressions. In the attraction picture, the characters,
who are visitors, perform the same movements as the
behaviors of living persons, such as "talking", "showing
expressions of human feelings" and "performing physical
movements such as moving hands or moving legs".
[0054]
Next, the operation of the attraction system 10 of
this embodiment will be described. When a visitor visits
a facility provided with the attraction system 10, he/she
is scanned by the three-dimensional scanner 12. The
three-dimensional scanner 12 measures the shape of the
visitor's face. The image processing PC 14 generates 3D
CG data capable of generating expressions, based on the
face shape data measured by the three-dimensional scanner
12.
[0055]
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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The attraction picture generation apparatus 16
generates an attraction picture from data in the image
scenario storage server 18 and character data. The
expressions of the character data is changed by image
processing in accordance with character scenario data.
Then, the character data is synthesized with background
data at the position and angle specified in the character
scenario data. Body data is also synthesized with the
background data.
[0056]
The attraction picture is handed over from the
attraction picture generation apparatus 16 to the picture
sending apparatus 20. The picture sending apparatus 20
projects the attraction picture on the screen 22. The
visitor sits on a seat in the theater and appreciates the
CG picture in which he/she appears, on the screen 22.
[0057]
In the above process, scanning of the visitor and
generation of the character data may be performed while
the visitor is waiting for the attraction to start.
Generation of the attraction picture may be performed in
real time along the progress of the attraction show.
That is, generation and output of the attraction picture
may be simultaneously performed in parallel during the
show.
[0058]
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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As described above, according to the present
invention, it is possible to cause the image of a visitor
to appear in an attraction picture, and it is further
possible to cause the image of the visitor to act.
Thereby, the visitor's feeling as if he/she were in the
picture can be drastically increased.
[0059]
Variations of the above embodiment will be described.
The character data may include not only face data of a
character but also body data. That is, though the body
data is processed together with the background data in
the above embodiment, the body data may be processed
together with the face data. The body data may be data
prepared in advance or data of the image of a visitor.
[0060]
Character data of a plurality of expressions may be
prepared at the stage of generating the character data.
Then, at the stage of synthesis with a background,
character data of an expression specified at each time
point may be selected.
[0061]
Furthermore, as for the processing for generating an
expression, the attraction system of this embodiment may
be configured as described below. The configuration
below is desirable to preferably realize real-time
rendering. In this configuration, the image processing
PC 14 generates "standard model data" and "a set of a
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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plurality of kinds of sample expression data" as the
character data of each visitor. The standard model data
is a 3D CG image of a standard expression for which
texture mapping has been performed. Typically, the
standard model data is data of an expressionless face.
The standard model data is also referred to as fitting
data. The sample expression data is data which specifies
the shape of a face, and it is, for example, wireframe
data. The sample expression data becomes a part of the
character data. For example, thirty-two sample
expression data are generated.
[0062]
As the expression data of the character scenario
data, blend data of the sample expression data is stored.
The blend data specifies the kind of sample expression
data to be selected. The face expression changing
section 42 selects one or more sample expression data
shown in the blend data. When one sample expression data
is specified and selected, the standard model data is
deformed with the use of the sample expression data.
When a plurality of sample expression data are selected,
the standard model data is deformed with the use of those
sample expression data. The standard model data is
deformed into a shape in which the plurality of sample
expression data are mixed. A face CG image at each time
point is generated in accordance with the blend data at
each point. This face CG image is synthesized with a
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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background image as the character data after the
expression has been changed.
[0063]
The blend data may include the blend ratio. In this
case, weight is given in accordance with the ratio.
[0064]
The expression (blend) data does not have to be set
for all frames. The expression data may be set at
predetermined intervals. In short, the expression data
may be set for one frame per a predetermined number of
frames. In this case, the expression changing section 42
generates a face CG image for the frame for which the
expression data is set. The face CG images for the
remaining frames may be generated by interpolation
processing. The face CG images for the remaining frames
may be generated by morphing processing.
[0065]
All the visitors do not have to appear in an
attraction picture, within the scope of the present
invention. Only those wishing to appear may appear in
the attraction picture. Default images may be applied to
the remaining characters.
[0066]
The attraction story does not have to be fixed,
within the scope of the present invention. It is
possible to compose a story interactively and cause a
character to take a different action in response to a
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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visitor's instruction. In this case, it is preferable to
provide an instruction input apparatus on visitors' seats
to accept a visitor's instruction.
[0067]
The attraction picture generation apparatus 16
of this embodiment may be configured by a plurality of
computers which share image generation. For example, in
the case of thirty computers sharing images of 30 frames
per second, each computer generates an image of one frame
per second. One image is generated by a certain computer,
and the next image is generated by another computer. The
next to next image is generated by a still another
computer, and the thirty-first image is generated by the
first computer.
[0068]
Each computer stores the background data, body data
and character scenario data of the image to be generated
by the computer. Therefore, the image scenario storage
server does not have to be used. Each computer performs
the face deformation processing of character data
described above with the use of these data, and generates
an image of one frame by synthesizing the character data,
the background data and the body data.
[0069]
The images which are sequentially generated by the
computers are collected to a computer for arraying
(editing). Then, by the arraying computer arranging the
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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images in a predetermined order, a moving image is
generated. The arraying computer is connected to the
plurality of image generation computers so that image
communication can be performed. A part of the image
generation computers may be the arraying computer.
[0070]
Such a configuration is especially advantageous in
the following points.
[0071]
In this embodiment, the background data and the body
data are prepared in advance, that is, they are pre-
rendering data. On the other hand, a character's face is
data generated in real time from the character data by
face deformation, that is, it is real-time rendering data.
In this embodiment, a picture is generated by
synthesizing the real-time rendering data and the pre-
rendering data.
[0072]
Here, the pre-rendering data progresses in
accordance with the frame rate of the attraction picture
without getting slow. In the above example, the rate of
30 frames per second is kept. If the processing of real-
time rendering is delayed, the real-time rendering cannot
catch up with the progress of the pre-rendering data, and
the attraction picture cannot be generated successfully.
[0073]
= CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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According to the present invention, such a situation
can be avoided by processing being shared by a plurality
of computers. The time required for generation
processing of an image of one frame in each computer may
be longer than the time for one frame of an attraction
picture. By providing the number of computers depending
on the processing performance of the computers, the real-
time rendering processing performance enough to prevent
the real-time rendering from falling behind the pre-
rendering data can be ensured. By preparing an
appropriate number of computers, even a system configured
by personal computers can generate the real-time
rendering data at a speed which prevents the real-time
rendering data from falling behind the pre-rendering data.
[0074]
As described above, the attraction picture
generation means is preferably configured by a plurality
of image generation computers, and each of the plurality
of image generation computers has a function of
generating frame images constituting an attraction
picture which is a moving image. Each frame image of a
group of frame images of the attraction picture is
assigned to any of the plurality of image generation
computers. Here, the frame images arrayed in order are
sequentially assigned to different image generation
computers to be processed. Each image generation
computer generates the assigned frame image. Furthermore,
= CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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an arraying computer is provided, and the arraying
computer arranges the group of frame images generated by
these image generation computers in the order set and
stored in advance along the progress of the attraction
picture. Due to such a configuration as described above,
it is possible to appropriately generate time-varying
image data in which the pre-rendering data and the real-
time rendering data are synthesized.
[0075]
Next, an attraction system suitable for a facility
which seats a lot of visitors will be described. As for
a picture-providing-type attraction, the number of
visitors to one show is relatively large. However, the
time for one show is restricted. It is supposedly
assumed that, simply a lot of visitors appear in a
picture. In this case, the time of the performance of
each visitor is shortened, or the size of each visitor is
reduced.
[0076]
For example, it is supposedly assumed that there are
two hundred and forty visitors, and the time of the show
is about twelve minutes. In this case, if there are as
many as two hundred and forty characters, it is thought
to be difficult for each character to sufficiently appear.
[0077]
The present invention can solve the above problem as
shown in the embodiment below. The example described
= CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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above will be also used in the description below. That
is, it is supposedly assumed that there are two hundred
and forty visitors, and the time of the show is about
twelve minutes.
[0078]
Figure 3 is a simplified plane view of the facility
of an attraction system 50.
[0079]
As shown in Figure 3, an attraction facility 52 has
three theaters 54 (theaters A, B and C). Each theater 54
seats eighty visitors, and the total of two hundred and
forty visitors can be seated.
[0080]
The three theaters 54 are arranged so that they are
positioned face to face with one another. At the center
of the three theaters 54, there is arranged a central
area 56.
[0081]
Each theater 54 is configured by a pre-show room 60
and a main show room 62. The pre-show room 60 is
arranged at the outer side, and the main show room 62 is
arranged at the inner side.
[0082]
The pre-show room 60 is a room where visitors wait
for a main show to begin. The visitors receive
explanation about the show by a picture and voice in the
pre-show room 60.
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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[0083]
The main show room 62 is a room where an attraction
picture, which is the main show, is shown. The main show
room 62 is configured by four booths 64. These booths 64
are combined to form a combined theater 66. Each booth
64 seats twenty visitors. Since the booth 64 is formed
by dividing the theater 54 (or the combined theater 66),
it may be referred to as a divided theater.
[0084]
As shown in the figure, the four booths 64 are
arranged side by side, and they are partitioned by three
movable booth partition walls 68. The booth partition
walls 68 are moved backward, that is, toward the outer
side (toward the pre-show room 60) by a partition wall
moving apparatus. Thereby, the booth partition walls 68
are removed, and the divided theaters 64 are combined to
form the combined theater 66. The booth partition wall
68 may be a hard member or a soft member. For example,
the booth partition wall 68 may be a curtain.
[0085]
A screen 70 of the theater 54 is configured by four
divided screens 72. The divided screen 72 is a screen of
the booth 64, and it has a size according to the width of
the booth 64.
[0086]
When the booth partition walls 68 are removed, a
combined screen 74 is formed by the four divided screens
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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72. The combined screen 74 is the screen of the combined
theater 66. It does not matter even if there is a gap
between adjacent divided screens 72 and the combined
screen 74 is not completely continuous.
[0087]
In this embodiment, the screen 70 is also movably
provided as described later. The screen 70 is removed by
being moved downward by a screen moving apparatus. The
combined screen 74 may move, and each of the divided
screens 72 may individually move. Furthermore, a ceiling
not shown is also movably configured. The ceiling is
moved backward by a ceiling moving apparatus.
[0088]
Figures 4 to 9 are more detailed drawings of the
attraction facility 52. Figures 4, 6 and 8 are plane
views, and Figures 5, 7 and 9 are sectional views when
the attraction facility 52 is seen from a horizontal
direction.
[0089]
Figures 4 and 5 show the state that the booth
partition walls 68 and the screen 70 are in the main show
room 62. Figures 6 and 7 show the state that the booth
partition walls 68 have been moved from the state in
Figures 4 and 5, respectively. Figures 8 and 9 show the
state that the screen 70 has further been moved.
[0090]
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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As shown in Figures 4 and 5, there is provided a
path 76 for visitors to walk on, around the three
theaters 54. Twenty main show seats 78 are installed in
each booth 64. The pre-show room 60 is provided with
twenty pre-show seats 80 at the position corresponding to
each booth 64, and the total of eighty pre-show seats 80
are provided.
[0091]
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the booth partition
walls 68 are moved backward and enter the pre-show room
60, and, thereby, they are removed from the main show
room 62. The partition wall moving apparatus (actuator)
has a guide mechanism (path), a motor, and a mechanism
for transmitting the power of the motor to move the booth
partition walls 68 along the guide.
[0092]
As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the screen 70 descends
toward the groove at the lower side, and it is stored
under the floor and removed from the visitors' sight.
The screen moving apparatus (actuator) has a guide
mechanism (path), a motor, and a mechanism for
transmitting the power of the motor to move the screen 70
along the guide, similar to the booth partition wall
moving apparatus.
[0093]
The attraction facility 52 is provided with a
ceiling moving apparatus for moving a ceiling 82 of the
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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theater 54. The ceiling moving apparatus slidingly moves
the ceiling 82 backward. The ceiling moving apparatus
(actuator) also has a guide mechanism (path), a motor,
and a mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor
to move the ceiling 82 along the guide.
[0094]
When the screen moving apparatus moves the screen 70,
the ceiling moving apparatus moves the ceiling 82.
Thereby, the three theaters 54 are further combined. The
visitors of the three theaters 54 meet face to face, and
the ceiling of the central area 56 enters the visitors'
field of vision. A central common object 84 is installed
above the center of the central area 56 so that it can be
seen from all the visitors in that state.
[0095]
Among Figures 4 to 9 described above, Figures 4 and
show a twenty-visitor theater configured by the booth
64. Figures 6 and 7 show an eighty-visitor theater
configured by the combined theater 66. Figures 8 and 9
show a two-hundred-and-forty-visitor theater configured
by the three combined theaters 66.
[0096]
Figure 10 shows a main show seat 78 in the main show
room 62. As shown in the figure, the upper parts of the
back portion project to be close to the ears of a visitor.
Speakers with high directivity are installed at these
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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positions. The advantages shown below can be obtained
due to this configuration.
[0097]
In this embodiment, the booth partition walls 68 are
provided as described above. When the booth partition
walls 68 are moved, noises occur. According to the
present invention, the influence of the noises can be
suppressed even if the booth partition walls 68 are moved
during projection of an attraction picture. That is,
even if the noises occur, the voice of the attraction
picture can be transmitted to visitors with a sufficient
quality. Therefore, it is possible to preferably realize
a system for moving the booth partition walls 68 during
projection of an attraction picture.
[0098]
Figure 11 shows an example of the attraction picture
provided by this embodiment. Figure 11 indicates four
pictures provided by four picture sending apparatuses
provided in the four booths, respectively.
[0099]
The attraction picture is configured by a ten-minute
booth picture (divided-theater picture) and a one-minute-
and-fifteen-second combined-theater picture. The booth
picture is a picture to be provided in the booth, and the
combined-theater picture is a picture to be provided in
the combined theater.
[0100]
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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The booth picture is generated with the use of the
system in Figure 1. Thereby, each booth picture becomes
a picture in which the images of the visitors seated in a
corresponding booth are incorporated as characters.
Therefore, among the four pictures in Figure 11, the
characters in the booth picture part differ.
[0101]
The combined-theater picture is provided with the
use of the combined screen. The combined-theater picture
is a picture with a size corresponding to the combined
screen. As the combined-theater picture, a large-scaled
picture suitable for the large-sized screen is
appropriate.
[0102]
As described above, the combined-theater picture is
provided with the use of the four picture sending
apparatuses 1 to 4. Each of the picture sending
apparatuses 1 to 4 in Figure 11 provides a partial
theater picture as the combined-theater picture. The
partial theater picture is a picture corresponding to a
quarter of the whole picture. By being combined with one
another, the adjacent four partial theater pictures form
the combined-theater picture. In this example, one
picture sending apparatus provides an attraction picture
which includes a booth picture and a partial theater
picture. Such an attraction picture is included in the
attraction picture which includes the booth picture and
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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the combined-theater picture in the present invention.
In this embodiment, the four picture sending apparatuses
1 to 4 provide a combined-theater picture in cooperation
with one another. In this case, four pictures are
provided in synchronization with one another, and,
thereby, visitors can see a full-size combined-theater
picture.
[0103]
Visitors may also appear as characters in the
combined-theater picture. In this case also, character
data created from the visitors is incorporated in the
combined-theater picture with the use of the system in
Figure 1. All the visitors in the combined theater may
appear, or a part of them may appear.
[0104]
Next, Figures 12 and 13 are block diagrams showing
the configuration related to control of the attraction
system 50.
[0105]
In Figure 12, an attraction control apparatus 100 is
a computer system for controlling the whole attraction
system 50. The attraction control apparatus 100 is
provided with two system configurations of a main control
apparatus 102 and a sub-control apparatus 104. Usually,
the main control apparatus 102 is used. In the case of
occurrence of any fault in the main control apparatus 102,
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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the control system is switched to the sub-control
apparatus 104, and the sub-control apparatus 104 is used.
[0106]
The attraction control apparatus 100 controls the
moving mechanisms and the picture systems of the three
theaters A, B and C. The three theaters A, B and C are
arranged in parallel. The attraction control apparatus
100 can control the three theaters A, B and C
independently from one another. The voice systems of the
theaters A, B and C are also arranged in parallel, though
it is not shown, and the attraction control apparatus 100
can also control the voices of the three theaters A, B
and C independently from one another.
[0107]
In addition to the control of the whole system, the
attraction control apparatus 100 also monitors the
progress condition of the attraction of each theater and
each booth, the operation condition of each apparatus,
the state of the network and the like. The network
connects apparatuses, such as computers, constituting the
system to one another. In the case where an error is
found in any of the various apparatuses, the attraction
control apparatus 100 displays the condition of the error
on the operation screen and inputs an operation
instruction by an operator.
[0108]
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the
configuration of one theater. In this embodiment, each
theater is provided with a moving mechanism control
apparatus 106. The moving mechanism control apparatus
106 is connected to the attraction control apparatus 100
and is controlled by the attraction control apparatus 100.
[0109]
The moving mechanism control apparatus 106 functions
as a partition wall movement control section, a screen
movement control section and a ceiling movement control
section. The moving mechanism control apparatus 106
controls the movement of the booth partition walls 68
among the booths by controlling a booth partition wall
moving mechanism (moving apparatus) 108. Furthermore,
the moving mechanism control apparatus 106 controls the
movement of the screen 70 by controlling a screen moving
mechanism (moving apparatus) 110. Furthermore, the
moving mechanism control apparatus 106 controls the
movement of the theater ceiling 82 by controlling a
ceiling moving mechanism (moving apparatus) 112. Each of
these moving mechanisms 108, 110 and 112 is configured by
a motor and the like.
[0110]
Each theater is provided with four picture systems
114 corresponding to the four booths. The four picture
systems 114 are arranged in parallel. The four picture
systems 114 are connected to a common file server 116.
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
=
- 44 -
[0111]
Each of the picture systems 114 is also controlled
by the attraction control apparatus 100. Therefore, the
attraction control apparatus 100 controls provision of a
picture in each of the four booths of each theater
independently. Furthermore, the attraction control
apparatus 100 can also control provision of voices in
each booth independently though it is not shown.
[0112]
Figure 14 shows the picture-related configuration of
each theater. Each theater is provided with four
parallel picture systems 114 corresponding to the four
booths. Each picture system 114 is configured by a pre-
show system 118 and a main show system 120. The pre-show
system 118 generates character data, which is a CG image
of a visitor's face, and stores it in the file server 116.
The main show system 120 uses character data for a
corresponding booth to generate an attraction picture.
The attraction picture is sent out from the picture
sending apparatus 22 and displayed on the screen 72.
Each of the four picture sending apparatuses 22 sends out
its attraction picture to its screen 72.
[0113]
Figure 15 shows the picture system of each booth.
The pre-show system 118 is configured by a three-
dimensional scanner 12, an image processing PC 14 and an
attendant PC (personal computer) 130. The three-
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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dimensional scanner 12 and the image processing PC 14 are
configured as described with the use of Figure 1. The
three-dimensional scanner 12 generates three-dimensional
CG data of a visitor, and the image processing PC 14
generates character data from the three-dimensional CG
data.
[0114]
The attendant PC 130 controls the three-dimensional
scanner 12 and the image processing PC 14. Control data
is sent from the attendant PC 130 to the image processing
PC 14, and the control data is further sent from the
image processing PC 14 to the three-dimensional scanner
12. The attendant PC 130 is operated by an attendant (an
operator of an attraction provider).
[0115]
In a pre-show, the attendant operates the attendant
PC 130 to instruct image-taking timing, image judgment
and image processing. Specifically, the image of a
visitor is taken by the three-dimensional scanner 12 in
response to an operation by the attendant. The three-
dimensional scanner 12 outputs three-dimensional CG data
to the image processing PC 14. The image processing PC
14 outputs thumbnail image data of the visitor to the
attendant PC 130. Then, a thumbnail image of the visitor
is displayed on the operation screen of the attendant PC
130.
[0116]
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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The attendant looks at the thumbnail image on the
operation screen and performs image judgment. The image
judgment is judgment on whether or not the image of the
visitor can be used for synthesis of an attraction
picture. For example, when the visitor closes his eyes
when his image is taken, the image cannot be used. If
the image cannot be used, the attendant inputs an
instruction to take an image again to the attendant PC
130. If the image can be used, the attendant inputs an
instruction to start image processing to the attendant PC
130. This instruction is sent to the image processing PC
14, and the image processing PC 14 generates character
data and stores it in the file server 116.
[0117]
On the attendant PC 130, the sex (gender) and age of
a visitor are judged by image processing of the image
data of the visitor (the sex and the age may be judged by
the image processing PC 14). The judgment of the sex and
the age may be realized by any well-known image
processing technique. The attendant PC 130 automatically
determines casting on the basis of the sex and the age of
visitors. Here, the attendant PC 130 executes a casting
determination program. This program includes an
algorithm for automatically determining casting. This
algorithm is configured so that the age and sex of the
visitors are close the set age and set sex of the
characters as a whole. As a simple example, the visitors
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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are divided into a male group and a female group, and the
visitors in each group are arrayed in order of age. The
characters are similarly arrayed. Then, one visitor is
assigned to one character in the order of the array. If
there are more male visitors than male characters, the
excessive male visitors are assigned to female characters
to adjust the casting. In the case of more female
visitors than female characters, similar adjustment is
performed. The characters are originally set in a manner
that such change in the sex does not cause a problem. A
more complicated algorithm may be applied to the setting
of characters.
[0118]
The attendant PC 130 may determine casting on the
basis of any one of the sex and the age, within the scope
of the present invention. Furthermore, the attendant PC
130 may determine casting not on the basis of the sex and
the age. For example, the attendant PC 130 may determine
casting at random.
[0119]
The casting data is sent from the attendant PC 130
to the file server 116 via the image processing PC 14
together with the sex data and the age data. Then, the
casting data, the sex data and the age data are stored in
the file server 116 together with the character data.
The file server 116 stores data of twenty visitors of
CD, 02810282 2013-03-20
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each booth. Since the file server 116 stores data of the
four booths, it stores data of eighty visitors in total.
[0120]
The pre-show system 118 may be provided with a
plurality of three-dimensional scanners 12, a plurality
of image processing PCs 14 and a plurality of attendant
PCs 130 in order to perform necessary processing in a
short time. The control state and the operation state of
the apparatuses are sequentially reported to the
attraction control apparatus 100.
[0121]
Next, the configuration of the main show system 120
will be described. The main show system 120 includes a
synthesis apparatus 132 and a sending PC (personal
computer) 134. The configuration of the synthesis
apparatus 132 corresponds to the configuration of the
attraction picture generation apparatus 16 and the image
scenario storage server 18 in Figure 1. The synthesis
apparatus 132 acquires character data from the file
server 116 and generates an attraction picture. The
synthesis apparatus 132 generates a booth picture. The
character data is synthesized with a background image in
accordance with character scenario data.
[0122]
The synthesis apparatus 132 acquires a plurality of
character data obtained from a plurality of visitors.
The synthesis apparatus 132 also acquires data of casting
CD. 02810282 2013-03-20
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(assignment of characters) from the file server 116.
Then, the synthesis apparatus 132 processes the character
data of each visitor with the use of character scenario
data of a character assigned to the visitor. Thereby,
the character data of the visitors move in the picture in
accordance with the casting.
[0123]
The synthesis apparatus 132 is controlled by the
sending PC 134. Control data is sent from the synthesis
apparatus 132 to the sending PC 134. The booth picture
is sent from the synthesis apparatus 132 to the picture
sending apparatus 22 via the sending PC 134.
[0124]
The sending PC 134 controls the synthesis apparatus
132 as described below and controls provision of an
attraction picture in a target booth. The sending PC 134
is connected to a synchronization signal generation
apparatus 136 which functions as a synchronization
control apparatus. The synchronization signal generation
apparatus 136 is controlled by the attraction control
apparatus 100. The synchronization signal generation
apparatus 136 generates time code data and a black burst
signal as synchronization signals and sends these signals
to the sending PC 134. The time code data and the black
burst signal are data which instructs the image synthesis
processing timing and the image sending timing.
[0125]
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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The sending PC 134 instructs the synthesis apparatus
132 to synthesize a booth picture, on the basis of the
time code data. The sending PC 134 sends the frame
number of a frame targeted by synthesis at each time
point to the synthesis apparatus 132. The synthesis
apparatus 132 synthesizes the image of the frame of the
specified frame number. The synthesized image is
outputted to the sending PC 134 and accumulated in the
sending PC 134. The specification of a frame number and
the synthesis of a frame are repeatedly performed, and
frame data are sequentially generated.
[0126]
The sending PC 134 selects an image to be sent, from
the group of accumulated frames in accordance with the
time code data. Then, the selected image is sent from
the sending PC 134 to the picture sending apparatus 22
and projected onto the screen 70. The sending timing is
adjusted by the black burst signal.
[0127]
The synthesis of a booth picture described above is
performed in real time. Specifically, the sending PC 134
instructs the synthesis apparatus 132 to start synthesis
a predetermined time before start of sending a picture,
on the basis of the time code data. Here, the first
frame number is communicated from the sending PC 134 to
the synthesis apparatus 132. For example, synthesis of
an image is started fifteen seconds before start of
CA 02810282 2013-03-20
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sending an attraction picture. Then, sending of the
image is started. The image synthesis by the synthesis
apparatus 132 and the image sending by the sending PC 134
are performed in parallel. This operation is performed
in a state that a time lag of several seconds between the
image synthesis and the image sending is kept. As
described above, images inputted from the synthesis
apparatus 132 are accumulated in the sending PC 134.
Thereby, the sending PC 134 functions as a buffer for a
picture corresponding to several seconds.
[0128]
A booth picture is synthesized by the synthesis
apparatus 132 as described above. As shown in Figure 11,
the sending PC 134 sends out a combined-theater picture
after sending out a booth picture. More precisely, the
sending PC 134 sends a partial theater picture
corresponding to a quarter of a combined-theater picture.
Images of visitors do not have to be incorporated in the
partial theater picture. Therefore, a partial theater
picture is held by the sending PC 134 in advance. The
sending PC 134 sends out the partial theater picture
after the booth picture, as the attraction picture.
[0129]
The partial theater picture is also sent out in
accordance with the time code data and the black burst
signal. An image to be sent out is selected on the basis
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of the time code data, and the timing is adjusted by the
black burst signal.
[0130]
As already described before, visitors may be
incorporated in the combined-theater picture similarly to
the booth picture. In this case, the combined-theater
picture may be also generated by the synthesis apparatus
132 under the control of the sending PC 134.
[0131]
The time code data and the black burst signal are
sent out from one synchronization signal generation
apparatus 136 to the four sending PC 134 of the four
booths. Thereby, the timing of progress of the
attraction picture is adjusted in the four booths of one
theater.
[0132]
Figure 13 shows one synthesis apparatus 132.
Actually, however, it is preferable, in an actual system,
to provide a plurality of synthesis apparatuses 132 in
order to realize real-time rendering. In the main show
system 120 also, the control state and the operation
state of the apparatus are sequentially reported to the
attraction control apparatus 100.
[0133]
As shown in Figure 13, the sending PC 134 is
connected to a web server 138. The sending PC 134 also
sends out an attraction picture to the web server 138.
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The web server 138 receives the attraction picture data
from the sending PC 134 and stores it. The web server
138 has the functions of a WWW server and provides the
attraction picture data via a network. The network is
typically the Internet.
[0134]
In the pre-show system 118 and the main show system
120 described above, more precisely, the image-related
processing may be performed as described below. The
three-dimensional scanner 12 generates scanned data and
texture data, and outputs these data. The scanned data
is data of the shape of a face. The texture data is a
two-dimensional image of the face, and it is typically a
front-view image taken from the front of the face. The
texture data is used for texture mapping. The image
processing PC 14 sends thumbnail images to the attendant
PC 130. The thumbnail images are three-dimensional and
two-dimensional images. The two-dimensional image
corresponds to the texture data described above.
[0135]
When an instruction to start image processing is
inputted from the attendant PC 130, the image processing
PC 14 starts generation of character data. The image
processing PC 14 generates "standard model data" and "a
set of a plurality of kinds of sample expression data" as
the character data of each visitor as already described
before. The standard model data is also referred to as
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fitting data. The sample expression data is data which
specifies the shape of a face. The standard model data
and the set of sample expression data are generated for
each character (that is, for each visitor). The standard
model data and the set of sample expression data as
described above are stored in the file server 116 and
used for synthesis processing by the synthesis apparatus
132. The synthesis apparatus 132 blends a plurality of
sample expression data in accordance with blend data to
transform the standard model data. The blend data is
included in character scenario data as data which
specifies expressions. Thereby, the synthesis apparatus
132 generates image data of various expressions.
[0136]
The pre-show system 118 may also determine the iris
color from the face image of a visitor and generate iris
color data. The iris color data is outputted from the
image processing PC 14 and stored in the file server 116.
Then, the iris color data is sent from the file server
116 to the synthesis apparatus 132 and used for image
synthesis. The color of the eyes of a character is
adjusted in accordance with the iris color data to make
the image of the character more similar to the actual
visitor.
[0137]
Next, the operation of the attraction system 50 will
be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Here,
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an attraction story composed as described below will be
given as an example.
- The characters (visitors) of one booth are inhabitants
on the same planet.
- A different planet is set for each booth.
- The characters of the booth travel to space as the
crews of a spaceship.
- The spaceships of the four booths gather after
adventures in space.
- The four spaceships start for the earth together as a
fleet.
- Fleets gather from three planet systems, and the finale
of the story comes.
[0138]
An attraction show is configured by a pre-show and a
main show. Figure 16 shows the operation of the pre-show,
and Figure 17 shows the operation of the main show. For
both of the pre-show and the main show, the length of one
round is twenty minutes.
[0139]
Referring to Figure 16, the pre-show is configured by
entry for about four minutes at 1610, the main part of the
pre-show for about twelve minutes at 1620, and exit for
about four minutes at 1630.
[0140]
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At the entry 1640, two hundred and forty visitors enter
the pre-show room 60 and sit on the pre-show seats 80. Each of the
three pre-show rooms 60 seats eighty visitors.
[0141]
- During the main part of the pre-show, each visitor's face
is scanned by the three-dimensional scanner 12 first at 1650. The
scanned data is used for generation of character data. Image
processing is performed by the image processing PC 14 during the
pre-show, and character data is generated.
[0142]
After the scanning, the situation is explained by a
picture at 1660. Explanation is given on parts of the above-
described attraction story which need to be explained. That is, it
is explained that the characters of the booth are on the same
planet and they go on board a spaceship.
[0143]
. After the explanation of the situation, each crew member
is introduced by a picture at 1670. Here, the character data
generated from the scanned data may be used. Different characters
are assigned to the twenty visitors, respectively. The role of each
character is introduced with a face image being shown.
[0144]
When the introduction of the crew ends, at step 1680, the
visitors exit the pre-show room 60 and move into the main show
room 62.
[0145]
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Next, the main show will be described with reference
to Figure 17. The main show is configured by entry for
about four minutes at 1710, the main part of the main show for about
twelve minutes at 1720, and exit for about four minutes at 1730.
The main part of the main show is provided by the twenty-
visitor theater, the eighty-visitor theater and the two-
hundred- and-forty theater.
[0146]
At the entry 1740, the visitors enter the main show room
62 from the pre-show room 60 and sit on the main show
seats 78.
[0147]
At this stage 1750, the theater 54 is already in the
state of the twenty-visitor theaters shown in Figures 4
and 5. The main show room 62 is divided in the four
booths 64 by the booth partition walls 68. Each booth 64
seats twenty visitors.
[0148]
In the main part of the main show, provision of the
attraction picture is started. In the theaters, the
pictures of the four picture sending apparatuses 20
simultaneously start and simultaneously progress.
[0149]
At the main part of the main show, a booth picture1110
is provided in the booth 64 of the twenty-visitor theater
first. The booth picture is a picture in which the
seated twenty visitors appear as characters. The twenty
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characters go on board the same spaceship in the picture
and experience an adventure in space. The stories of all
the booths 64 may be the same or may be different from
one another.
[0150]
The length of the booth picture is ten minutes.
When the booth picture ends, the moving mechanism control
apparatus 106 (theater control section) performs control
for transition from the twenty-visitor theaters to an
eighty-visitor theater at 1760, as described below.
[0151]
When the booth picture ends, the moving mechanism
control apparatus 106 controls the booth partition wall
moving mechanism 108 to move the booth partition walls 68
at a predetermined switching timing. Thereby, in each of
the three theaters 54, the four booths 64 are combined to
form the combined theater 66 as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
[0152]
The switching timing is not strictly the same as the
time point when the booth pictures end. The time
required for moving the booth partition walls 68 may be
taken into account. The movement of the booth partition
walls 68 may start a little before (or after) the time
point when the booth pictures end. Such control is also
included in "the movement of the booth partition walls 68
performed when the booth pictures end" in the present
invention.
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[0153]
The moving mechanism control apparatus 106 measures,
for example, the time elapsed after an attraction picture
starts with a timer and thereby detects that the
switching timing has come. The moving mechanism control
apparatus 106 may receive information indicating the
switching timing from the outside. The moving mechanism
control apparatus 106 may receive time code data from the
synchronization signal generation apparatus 136.
- [0154]
In the eighty-visitor theater, a combined-theater
picture is provided. As described with reference to
Figure 11, the picture sending apparatus 20 of each booth
64 projects a partial theater picture 1121, 1122, 1123 and 1124 corresponding
to a quarter of the combined-theater picture 1125 on the divided
screen 72. Thereby, a large-scaled picture adjusted to
the size of the combined screen 74 is provided. In order
that the pictures of the four picture sending apparatuses
20 transition from booth pictures to a combined-theater
picture at the same time, outputs of the pictures are
synchronized.
[0155]
The combined-theater picture 1125 is a picture of a fleet
formed by gathering of the spaceships of the four booths
64, and the fleet goes toward the earth through space.
In the combined-theater picture 1125 also, the visitors may be
incorporated as characters, as already described.
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[0156]
The length of the combined-theater picture is one
minute and fifteen seconds, and the attraction picture
ends in the state of the combined-theater picture. When
the combined-theater picture ends, the moving mechanism
control apparatus 106 performs control for transition
from the eighty-visitor theaters to a two-hundred-and-
forty-visitor theater 1770.
[0157]
When the combined-theater picture ends, the moving
mechanism control apparatus 106 controls the screen
moving mechanism 110 to move the screen 70 at a
predetermined switching timing. At the same time, the
moving mechanism control apparatus 106 controls the
ceiling moving mechanism 112 to move the ceiling 82.
Thereby, the partitions of the three combined theaters 66
are removed as shown in Figures 8 and 9.
[0158]
Similarly as described in relation to the control of
the booth partition walls 68, the switching timing of the
screen 70 and the ceiling 82 does not have to be strictly
the same as the time point when the combined-theater
picture ends. The time required for moving the screen 70
and the ceiling 82 may be taken into account. The
movement of the screen 70 and the ceiling 82 may start a
little before (or after) the time point when the
combined-theater picture ends. Furthermore, the
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switching timings of the screen 70 and the ceiling 82 may
be different. Such control is also included in "the
movement of the screen 70 and the ceiling 82 performed
when the combined-theater pictures end" in the present
invention.
[0159]
Furthermore, the moving mechanism control apparatus
106 may detect that the switching timing of the screen 70
and the ceiling 82 has come by processing similar to the
detection of the switching timing of the booth partition
walls 68. For example, the switching timing is detected
with the use of a timer.
[0160]
In the two theater, the
three combined theaters 66 are further combined. The two
hundred and forty visitors meet face to face and see the
central common object 84 above them. The scene of people
of the three planet systems gathering is assumed here.
The central common object 84 is the symbol of the earth.
The time set for the two-hundred-and-forty-visitor
theater is forty five seconds.
[0161]
Then, the main part of the main show ends. The visitors
exit and move to a post-show at 1780. The post-show is
provided in a post-show room (not shown). Various kinds
of novelty goods are sold. An image of each visitor
appearing in the picture may be handed as a novelty.
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[0162]
After leaving the theater, the visitors can access
the web server 138 via the Internet, browse the image in
which they appear, and download the image.
[0163]
[Booth fault]
First, problems of a booth fault (booth failure)
will be described first. In this embodiment, the booth
fault means a fault of a picture system which occurs in
each booth, and especially, the booth fault means a fault
which disables generation of a booth picture in which a
picture of visitors is incorporated. A booth fault
occurs, for example, due to a failure of the synthesis
apparatus 132. Furthermore, a booth fault occurs, for
example, due to a failure of the pre-show system 118.
[0164]
As has been described, in the attraction system 50,
four booths are combined, and a combined-theater picture
is projected on four screens. However, when the picture
of a part of the booths is not provided due to occurrence
of a booth fault, a part of the combined-theater picture
is lost, direction of the four-plane combined screen
becomes impossible, and the attraction cannot be provided.
In order to avoid such a situation from occurring, the
attraction system 50 of this embodiment is configured as
described below.
[0165]
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Figure 18 shows the configuration of the sending PC
134. The sending PC 134 has a synthesis control section
140, a booth picture acquisition section 142, a booth
picture accumulation section 144, a partial theater
picture storage section 146 and a sending control section
148. The configuration provides a normal attraction in a
normal state in which any fault has not occurred.
Furthermore, the sending PC 134 is provided with a fault
detection section 150 and a default picture storage
section 152. These function when a booth fault occurs.
[0166]
To the sending PC 134, time code data and a black
burst signal are inputted from the synchronization signal
generation apparatus 136. The synthesis control section
140 controls the synthesis apparatus 132 to perform
synthesis of a booth picture. The booth picture
acquisition section 142 receives a booth picture
outputted from the synthesis apparatus 132. The booth
picture is accumulated in the booth picture accumulation
section 144. The booth picture accumulation section 144
is a buffer for accumulating a booth picture
corresponding to several seconds. The partial theater
picture storage section 146 stores a partial theater
picture. The sending control section 148 reads the booth
picture from the booth picture accumulation section 144
and sends it out to the picture sending apparatus 22.
Furthermore, the sending control section 148 reads the
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partial theater picture from the partial theater picture
storage section 146 and sends it out to the picture
sending apparatus 22.
[0167]
The fault detection section 150 automatically
detects occurrence of a booth fault. When a booth fault
occurs, a booth picture is not received by the booth
picture acquisition section 142. Therefore, the fault
detection section 150 monitors the state of the booth
picture acquisition section 142, and judges that a fault
has occurred when a booth picture is not received.
[0168]
The default picture storage section 152 stores a
default booth picture. The default booth picture is a
booth picture in which images of visitors are not
incorporated but default character images are
incorporated. The default booth picture is generated in
advance. For example, a third person's face is scanned
to generate character data, and the character data is
synthesized with a background image and the like to
generate a default booth picture.
[0169]
When the fault detection section 150 detects a fault,
the occurrence of the fault is communicated to the
sending control section 148. Then, the sending control
section 148 automatically switches a booth picture to a
default booth picture. The sending control section 148
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reads the default booth picture from the default picture
storage section 152 instead of reading from the booth
picture accumulation section 144. The sending control
section 148 sends out the default booth picture to the
picture sending apparatus 22, and then, it sends out the
partial theater picture in the partial theater picture
storage section 146 to the picture sending apparatus 22.
[0170]
When a booth fault occurs, the attraction system 50
of this embodiment operates as described below. In this
embodiment, the systems of the four booths are arranged
in parallel, excluding the file server, the attraction
control apparatus and the synchronization signal
generation apparatus, as described in Figures 14 and 15.
Therefore, when a booth fault occurs, the booth fault
does not influence normal booths where a booth fault has
not occurred. The normal booths operate as usual and
provide an attraction picture configured by a booth
picture and a partial theater picture.
[0171]
On the other hand, in the booth where the booth
fault has occurred, the attraction picture is switched
from a booth picture to a default booth picture. The
booth having the fault provides an attraction picture
configured by the default booth picture and a partial
theater picture. Therefore, it is possible to avoid loss
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of a part of the attraction picture and continue using
the normal booths.
[0172]
Thus, in this embodiment, even when a booth fault
occurs, a default picture is provided if the sending PC
134 of the booth normally functions, and, thereby, the
pictures of all the booths are provided. It is possible
to avoid loss of a part of the picture in the state that
the theaters are combined and avoid such a situation that
the attraction is not realized. It is possible to avoid
the closure of the whole theater and continue providing
the attraction using the normal booths.
[0173]
There are conceived a case that a booth fault occurs
before start of an attraction and a case that a booth
fault occurs after start of an attraction. In both cases,
the configuration and the operation of the sending PC 134
can be the same. If a booth picture is not sent from the
synthesis apparatus 132, the sending PC 134 judges that a
booth fault has occurred and provides a default booth
picture. Since the configuration of the sending PC 134
can be the same irrespective of the time of occurrence of
a booth fault, the system configuration is simple in this
regard.
[0174]
The default picture storage section 152 may store a
partial theater picture together with a default booth
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picture. In this case, when a booth fault occurs, the
sending control section 148 reads all the attraction
picture from the default picture storage section 152 and
outputs it to the picture sending apparatus 22.
[0175]
In this embodiment, character data may be
incorporated in a combined theater picture, as already
described. In this case, the default picture of the
partial theater picture is also stored in the sending PC
134. When a booth picture or a partial theater picture
is not received from the synthesis apparatus 132, the
sending PC 134 judges that a booth fault has occurred.
When a booth fault occurs, the sending PC 134 outputs
default pictures of a booth picture and a partial theater
picture.
[0176]
[Theater fault]
Next, a theater fault (theater failure) will be
described. In this embodiment, the theater fault means a
fault which occurs in each theater. The theater fault is
typically a failure of some apparatus provided in one
theater. The theater fault is, for example, a failure of
the moving mechanism control apparatus 106. Furthermore,
the theater fault is, for example, a failure of the booth
partition wall moving mechanism 108, the screen moving
mechanism 110 or the ceiling moving mechanism 112. The
attraction system 50 of this embodiment is configured as
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described below in order to preferably cope with the
theater fault.
[0177]
In the attraction system 50 of this embodiment, the
systems of the three theaters A, B and C are provided in
parallel excluding the attraction control apparatus 100,
as described with Figures 12 and 13. More precisely, the
moving mechanisms and the picture systems of the three
theaters A, B and C are arranged in parallel. The moving
mechanisms are for the booth partition walls, the screen
and the ceiling (the booth partition wall moving
mechanism carries out a theater size changing function).
The theaters A, B and C are independently controlled by
the attraction control apparatus 100. Accordingly, the
attraction control apparatus 100 stops the functions of a
theater where a fault has occurred and continues the
operation of the functions of normal theaters where a
fault has not occurred.
[0178]
In Figure 12, in addition to the control of the
whole system, the attraction control apparatus 100 also
monitors the progress condition of the attraction of each
theater and each booth, the operation condition of each
apparatus, the network state, and the like. The network
connects apparatuses, such as computers, constituting the
system to one another. In the case where an error is
found in any of the various apparatuses, the attraction
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control apparatus 100 displays the condition of the error
on the operation screen. The operator inputs an
instruction to stop the functions of the theater where
the occurrence of a fault has been detected, to the
attraction control apparatus 100. In response to this
instruction input, the attraction control apparatus 100
stops the various functions of the theater where the
fault has occurred. Specifically, the attraction control
apparatus 100 stops the moving mechanisms and the picture
providing function of a target theater. Furthermore, the
attraction control apparatus 100 also stops provision of
voice in the target theater. Since the three theaters
are independent from one another, the functions of the
other two normal theaters keep operating.
[0179]
The attraction control apparatus 100 may be operated
as shown below. On the screen of the attraction control
apparatus 100, it is possible to perform an ON/OFF
operation of the booth partition wall, screen and ceiling
moving functions for each theater. As for the function
of the picture providing system, it is possible to
perform an ON/OFF operation for each booth. Accordingly,
when a fault occurs, the operator turns off the moving
function of the theater concerned, and it further turns
off the picture providing systems of the four booths
existing in the theater concerned. Thereby, the
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functions of the theater are stopped. The functions of
the two normal theaters keep operating.
[0180]
As described above, in this embodiment, when a
theater fault occurs, the attraction control apparatus
100 can stop the functions of the theater where the fault
has occurred and continue the operation of the functions
of the other theaters. Thus, it is possible to continue
provision of an attraction with the use of the normal
theaters without closing the attraction facility.
[0181]
[Voice system]
Next, a preferred example of a voice system in the
attraction system 50 of this embodiment will be described.
This system is configured to automatically identify the
sex of a visitor and output the voice of words in a
picture with a voice corresponding to the sex of the
visitor.
[0182]
Figure 19 shows the voice system of the attraction
system 50. The voice system is configured by a voice
sending apparatus 160, a matrix audio mixer 162, the
three file servers 116, the attraction control apparatus
100 and the synchronization signal generation apparatus
136.
[0183]
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The voice sending apparatus 160 stores data of voice
materials of all characters, sound effects and BGM.
These voices are recorded in stereo. The number of
characters is twenty (the number of visitors for one
booth). The voice of each character is the voice of the
lines of the character. In this embodiment, especially
the voice sending apparatus 160 stores male and female
voices of the twenty characters. Therefore, voices of
forty characters are stored in total.
[0184]
The voice sending apparatus 160 has ninety-six
channel outputs. About ten channels output stereo voices
of the BGM and the sound effects. Eighty channels output
the voices of all the characters. The number of
characters is twenty, male and female voices are
outputted, and furthermore, stereo voices are outputted.
Therefore, eighty channels are required.
[0185]
The voice sending apparatus 160 is connected to the
matrix audio mixer 162, and the matrix audio mixer 162 is
connected to all the speakers of all the booths. The
number of booths is twelve. In each booth, voice is
provided to a group of speakers for twenty chairs, as
described with the use of Figure 10.
[0186]
The matrix audio mixer 162 has at least twenty-four
output channels. Thereby, the matrix audio mixer 162 can
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change voice output according to the booths. Since there
are twelve booths and stereo voice is outputted, outputs
of twenty-four channels are required.
[0187]
The matrix audio mixer 162 can change voice
according to the booths by setting a cross point for each
booth output. By utilizing this function, the voice of
each character of each booth is selected from between the
male voice and the female voices inputted from the voice
sending apparatus 160 so that the voice corresponds to
the sex of the actual visitor. The matrix audio mixer
162 is controlled by the attraction control apparatus 100.
[0188]
Next, the operation of the voice system in Figure 19
will be described. As described in relation to the
picture system, the sex of each visitor is automatically
identified from a taken image during image processing, in
this embodiment. This sex data is outputted from the
pre-show system of each booth together with data of an
assigned character and stored in the file server 116 (sex
data for each character).
[0189]
The attraction control apparatus 100 reads the sex
data of all the characters of all the booths, from the
three file servers 116 provided for the three theaters.
The attraction control apparatus 100 controls the matrix
audio mixer 162 on the basis of the sex data, and sets a
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cross point for each output of each booth. In order that
the voice of each character corresponds to the sex of an
actual visitor, the attraction control apparatus 100
selects one of the male voice and the female voice for
the input channel for the character. Such cross point
setting is performed for all the characters of all the
booths. Furthermore, a cross point is also set for the
BGM and the sound effects.
[0190]
The attraction control apparatus 100 controls the
synchronization signal generation apparatus 136 to
control the operation of the voice sending apparatus 160.
As already described, the synchronization signal
generation apparatus 136 generates time code data under
the control of the attraction control apparatus 100. The
time code data is provided for the voice sending
apparatus 160. The voice sending apparatus 160 outputs
voice to the matrix audio mixer 162 in accordance with
the time code. The matrix audio mixer 162 operates in
accordance with the cross point setting and outputs voice
to each booth. The voice is sent to the chairs including
speakers which are installed in each booth and amplified
there.
[0191]
Since a cross point is set on the basis of the sex
data as described above, each character in an attraction
picture talks with voice corresponding to the sex of the
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visitor assigned to the character, in each booth. For
example, it is supposedly assumed that a male visitor is
assigned to a certain character in one booth, and a
female visitor is assigned to the same character in
another booth. In such a case, the voice of the
character matches the sex of the visitor according to
this embodiment, and, thereby, the visitor's feeling as
if he/she were in the picture is increased.
[0192]
The advantage of the voice system of this embodiment
will be further described. First, it is supposedly
assumed that the voice system of this embodiment is not
applied. In this case, it is conceivable that the voice
of each character is fixed as a male voice or a female
voice. In such a configuration, however, the possibility
that the voices of a part of characters do not correspond
to the sex of visitors is high. As a result, the image
of a visitor talks with a voice of a sex different from
the actual sex of the visitor, the visitor's feeling as
if he/she were in the picture is impaired.
[0193]
In order to avoid such a situation, sex restriction
of visitors is conceivable. It is supposedly assumed
that the number of male characters is X and the number of
female characters is Y. In this case, the number of male
visitors is limited to X, and the number of female
visitors is limited to Y. Thereby, it is possible to set
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casting in which the voice of characters correspond to
the sex of visitors.
[0194]
However, an unspecified number of visitors gather in
an attraction facility. In view of this point, it is
actually difficult to perform the visitor restriction
described above. In comparison, the voice system of this
embodiment can advantageously increase the visitor's
feeling as if he/she were in the picture without
restricting visitors.
[0195]
In this embodiment, voice is adjusted to correspond
to the sex of a visitor. In a variation example, the
voice may be further adjusted to correspond to the age of
the visitor. The voice sending apparatus 160 stores
voices of men and women of a plurality of ages. The
matrix audio mixer 162 selects and outputs a voice based
on the result of judgment of the sex and age of a visitor.
For example, voices of persons in their teens, twenties,
thirties, m are prepared, and selection is made therefrom.
Such processing is performed for each of all the
characters.
[0196]
[Emergency stop function]
Next, description will be made on an emergency stop
function in the attraction system of this embodiment. In
this embodiment, the two kinds of emergency stop
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functions shown below are provided in a manner that they
are suited for the configuration of the attraction system
in which the booth partition walls and the screens move.
[0197]
Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the
configuration related to the emergency stop functions.
As already described, the attraction control apparatus
100 is configured by the main control apparatus 102 and
the sub-control apparatus 104 and controls the whole
attraction system 50. The attraction control apparatus
100 controls the moving mechanism control apparatuses 106
of the three theaters, and each of the moving mechanism
control apparatuses 106 controls the booth partition wall
moving mechanism 108, the screen moving mechanism 110 and
the ceiling moving mechanism 112.
[0198]
The attraction system 50 is provided with a lighting
apparatus 170, a light adjustment apparatus 172 for
controlling the lighting apparatus 170, an emergency
guide light 174, and a guide light control apparatus 176
for controlling the emergency guide light 174. The
attraction control apparatus 100 controls the lighting
apparatus 170 by controlling the light adjustment
apparatus 172, and controls the emergency guide light 174
by controlling the guide light control apparatus 176.
[0199]
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Furthermore, the attraction system 50 is provided
with an emergency stop switch 180 and a moving mechanism
emergency stop switch 182 in relation to the emergency
stop functions. The emergency stop switch 180 is
connected to the attraction control apparatus 100. More
precisely, it is connected to both of the main control
apparatus 102 and the sub-control apparatus 104. The
moving mechanism emergency stop switch 182 is connected
to the three moving mechanism control apparatuses 106
provided for the three theaters, respectively. In the
figure, one emergency stop switch 180 and one moving
mechanism emergency stop switch 182 are shown. Actually,
however, a plurality of emergency stop switches 180 and a
plurality of moving mechanism emergency stop switches 182
may be provided.
[0200]
The moving mechanism emergency stop switch 182 is
typically operated by a person in charge when the
operation of the moving mechanism is considered to be
dangerous. For example, when a visitor stands up and
moves during an attraction, the moving mechanism
emergency stop switch 182 is operated. Specifically, the
moving mechanism emergency stop switch 182 may be pressed.
[0201]
When the moving mechanism emergency stop switch 182
is operated, a moving mechanism emergency stop signal (ON
signal) is inputted to the three moving mechanism control
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apparatuses 106. In response to this signal, each moving
mechanism control apparatus 106 sets a movement
prohibition mode. When the movement prohibition mode is
set, moving the booth partition walls 68, the screen 70
and the ceiling 82 is prohibited. Accordingly, changing
the theater size between the size of the four booths 64
and the size of the combined theater is also prohibited.
[0202]
It is supposedly assumed that the moving mechanism
emergency stop switch 182 is operated while the booth
partition walls 68, the screen 70 or the ceiling 82 is
moving. When the switch is operated during the operation
of a moving mechanism, the mechanism which is moving
stops. However, the progress of the attraction may be
continued while the direction by the moving mechanism is
stopped. The attraction picture may be continuously
displayed.
[0203]
It is supposedly assumed that the moving mechanism
emergency stop switch 182 is operated while the moving
mechanisms are not operating. In this case, the
operation of the moving mechanisms is restrained even
when the time for the moving mechanism to move comes. In
this case also, the attraction may be continuously
progressed.
[0204]
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The emergency stop switch 180 is typically operated
by a person in charge when it is considered that the
attraction should be stopped. For example, in the case
of occurrence of a fire or a natural disaster, the
emergency stop switch 180 is operated. Specifically, the
emergency stop switch 180 may be pressed.
[0205]
When the emergency stop switch 180 is operated, an
emergency stop signal (ON signal) is inputted to the
attraction control apparatus 100. In response to this
signal, the attraction control apparatus 100 controls the
light adjustment apparatus 172 to light the lighting
apparatus 170. Furthermore, the attraction control
apparatus 100 controls the guide light control apparatus
176 to light the emergency guide light 174.
[0206]
Furthermore, the attraction control apparatus 100
controls the moving mechanism control apparatus 106 to
open the booth partition walls 68, the screen 70 and the
ceiling 82 which are in a closed state. The booth
partition wall moving mechanism 108 moves the booth
partition walls 68 backward. Thereby, the booth
partition walls 68 are removed, and a combined theater is
formed. The screen moving mechanism 110 causes the
screen 70 to descend to remove it from the theater.
Furthermore, the ceiling moving mechanism 112 moves the
ceiling 82 backward to remove it. In this way, the booth
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partition walls 68, the screen 70 and the ceiling 82 move,
and the theater is in an open state so that evacuation of
the visitors is facilitated.
[0207]
The emergency stop switch 180 is further linked with
a cut relay of fire protection equipment and a vibration
sensor of architectural equipment. When the cut relay
for fire protection equipment or the vibration sensor for
the architectural facility operates, the emergency stop
switch 180 sends an emergency stop signal to the
attraction control apparatus 100. Then, the attraction
control apparatus 100 performs the emergency stop control
as described above.
[0208]
As described above, in this embodiment, in the case
where a visitor walks, the moving mechanism emergency
stop switch 182 operates, and movement of the moving
mechanisms is prohibited. Furthermore, in the case of
occurrence of a natural disaster or the like, the
emergency stop switch 180 operates, the moving mechanisms
operate to remove the partition walls and the screens,
and the attraction facility is in an open state, so that
visitors can easily evacuate. Thus, this embodiment can
provide an emergency stop function suited for the
characteristic attraction system in which the booth
partition walls and the screens move.
[0209]
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[Variation examples]
Some variation examples of this embodiment will be
described. The number of visitors seated in the theaters
is, of course, not limited to the number in the above
example (twenty visitors, eighty visitors, and two
hundred and forty visitors). Each of the plurality of
theaters may seat a different number of visitors. Each
of the plurality of booths may seat a different number of
visitors.
[0210]
In this embodiment, a combined-theater picture is
provided after booth pictures are provided. Accompanying
this, the booths 64 are combined during the attraction,
and the combined theater 66 is formed. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto. The combined-
theater may be formed first. Combination and division
may be performed. One or both of combination and
division may be performed several times.
[0211]
In this embodiment, a combined-theater picture is
provided by four picture sending apparatuses. However,
the combined-theater picture may be provided by one
picture sending apparatus.
[0212]
In this embodiment, there are two stages of theater
size. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto. For example, in the configuration in Figure 3,
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two booths are combined first to form a combined theater
with an intermediate size, and a combined-theater picture
corresponding to this intermediate size is provided. Two
intermediate-sized combined theaters are further combined
to form a final combined theater, and a combined-theater
picture adjusted to the size is provided there. In this
configuration, the intermediate-sized theater can be
understood as a combined theater when seen from the first
booths, and it can be understood as a booth (divided
theater) when seen from the final combined theater.
[0213]
In this embodiment, the partition wall moving
apparatus is configured by a motor. However, the
partition wall moving apparatus may be provided with a
hydraulic actuator and move the partition walls by
hydraulic control. Similarly, the screen moving
apparatus and the ceiling moving apparatus may be of the
hydraulic type.
[0214]
In this embodiment, each seat is provided with
speakers. However, each seat may be provided with a
headphone. In this case also, a system can be preferably
realized which moves the booth partition walls during the
progress of an attraction picture, reducing the influence
of noises caused by moving partition walls.
[0215]
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Furthermore, as a variation example, it is also
possible that the partition wall moving apparatus is not
provided and a combined picture is not provided. In this
case also, the advantage due to movement of the screen
can be obtained.
[0216]
The synthesis apparatus, which is the attraction
picture generation apparatus, is preferably provided with
a plurality of computers as already described. Those
computers preferably share processing of a group of
frames of moving images, which is an attraction picture.
It is preferable to provide the plurality of computers
for the picture of each booth. Due to such a
configuration, even a personal computer can generate the
attraction picture of this embodiment.
[0217]
[Advantages of the present invention]
As described above, the present invention processes
character scenario data which specifies the movements of
characters along an attraction story. The present
invention causes character data having the image of a
visitor to move in accordance with this character
scenario data. Thereby, the present invention can cause
the image of the visitor appear in the attraction picture
and further cause the image of the visitor to act.
Consequently, it is possible to drastically increase the
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visitor's feeling as if he/she were in the picture and
increase the pleasure.
[0218]
Each of visitors can enjoy that a person having the
same face as the visitor's face appears on the screen as
an actor/actress (character) and lively act in the
picture story.
[0219]
Furthermore, it is also possible to cause an
existing actor/actress or an entertainer to appear in the
picture. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the feeling of
acting together with a famous person.
[0220]
Furthermore, it is possible to have experience which
can be got only in a picture story. For example, a
visitor can be put on a stage which he/she never actually
experience, such as space and a scene in the ancient
history. The visitor can also become a hero/heroin in a
story and experience an extraordinary event.
[0221]
Thus, according to the present invention, it is
possible to increase the pleasure of visitors to an
attraction system.
[0222]
The three-dimensional scanner apparatus may generate
three-dimensional images of visitors. Then, three-
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dimensional character data may be generated. Thereby, a
three-dimensional attraction picture can be provided.
[0223]
The three-dimensional scanner apparatus may be
provided in a pre-show room for providing a pre-show of
an attraction. Images of visitors may be generated while
they are waiting for the main show of an attraction to
begin. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently generate
the images of visitors during the time while they are
waiting for the main show of an attraction to begin.
[0224]
Character scenario data may be stored, and a
background image may be stored. Then, an attraction
picture may be generated so that the character data
operates in accordance with the character scenario data
in the background image. Thereby, it is possible to
provide a picture in which visitors appear and act in the
background.
[0225]
The attraction picture generation means may comprise
expression changing means for changing the expression of
the face of the character data in accordance with the
character scenario data which specifies the expressions
of the character's face along an attraction story and
generates an attraction picture in which the expression
of visitors' faces change. It is possible to generate an
attraction picture in which the expression of visitor's
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face changes. For example, a picture in which visitors
give performances of getting angry, crying and the like
can be provided.
[0226]
The attraction picture may be provided for visitors
on the Web. Thereby, the visitors can enjoy the picture
of their performance even after the show.
[0227]
According to the present invention, the attraction
system may comprise: voice data storage means storing
male voice data and female voice data of each character
in the attraction picture; sex judgment means for judging
the sex of each visitor on the basis of the image of each
visitor; selection means for selecting the male voice
data or the female voice data of each character; and
output means for outputting the voice of the voice data
selected by the selection means; and the selection means
may output the voice data corresponding to the sex of the
visitor assigned to the character, on the basis of the
result of the judgment by the sex judgment means.
Therefore, it is possible to cause the image of a visitor
to utter a voice corresponding to the actual sex of the
visitor during picture attraction, and the visitor's
feeling as if he/she were in the picture can be further
increased. In the embodiment described above, the
selection means is a mixer, to which male voice data and
female voice data of each character are inputted and from
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which the male voice data or the female voice data is
outputted. The mixer outputs voice data corresponding to
the sex of the visitor assigned to the character on the
basis of the result of the sex judgment.
[0228]
According to the present invention, an attraction
system comprises: a theater having a theater size which
is changeable between the size of a plurality of adjacent
booths and the size of a combined theater obtained by
combining the plurality of booths; attraction picture
providing means for providing an attraction picture
including a booth picture provided in each of the
plurality of booths and a combined-theater picture
provided in the combined theater, the booth picture in
the attraction picture being a picture in which one or
more images of visitors seated in the corresponding booth
are incorporated as characters; and theater size changing
means for changing the theater size in accordance with
the progress of the attraction picture so that the
theater is divided into the plurality of booths when the
plurality of booth pictures are provided and the
plurality of booths are combined to form the combined
theater when the combined-theater picture is provided.
In the embodiment described above, the theater size
changing means is configured by moving mechanism of booth
partition walls and a control apparatus therefor.
[0229]
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%
According to the present invention, it is possible
to change the theater size between the size of a booth
and the size of a combined theater. An attraction
picture is configured by a booth picture and a combined-
theater picture. The theater size is changed in
accordance with the progress of the attraction picture so
that the booth picture is provided in the booth, and a
combined-theater picture is provided in the combined
theater. Due to the combination of the booth picture and
the combined-theater picture, it is possible to provide
visitors with an attraction picture in which each visitor
sufficiently appears and which enables a large-scaled
picture to be seen and, thereby, enhance the pleasure of
the visitors.
[0230]
Each booth can seat a predetermined number of
visitors, and the images of at least a part of the
predetermined number of visitors may be incorporated in
the booth picture.
[0231]
The theater may comprise one or more booth partition
walls for dividing the combined theater into the
plurality of booths and a partition wall moving apparatus
for moving the booth partition walls. By moving the
booth partition walls, the plurality of booths can be
combined and changed into the combined theater, or the
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combined theater can be divided and changed into the
plurality of booths.
[0232]
When the booth partition walls are removed, a
combined screen of the combined theater may be
constituted by a plurality of divided screens provided
for the plurality of booths. The combined-theater
picture with a size corresponding to the combined screen
may be commonly provided for the visitors of the
plurality of booths. Thereby, accompanying the removal
of the partition walls, a large-scaled picture can be
provided on the combined screen.
[0233]
The attraction picture may be generated by
distributed processing by a plurality of computers.
Thereby, the processing performance of real-time
rendering is secured, and it is possible to appropriately
generate a picture configured by character images by
real-time rendering and a background image by pre-
rendering. This is especially advantageous when booth
pictures and a combined theater picture are provided.
That is, according to the present invention, by securing
the real-time rendering performance, it is possible to
prevent progress difference among the pictures of a
plurality of adjacent booths. Thereby, transition from
booth pictures to a combined theater picture can be
performed smoothly.
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[0234]
A plurality of theaters may be provided. The
plurality of theaters may be partitioned by theater
partition means, and the theater partition means may be
removed. The visitors of the plurality of theaters may
be given common experience by meeting face to face when
the theater partition means are removed. Since the
plurality of theaters are further combined, more visitors
can be seated. Furthermore, it is possible to provide an
attraction which enables the many visitors to have a
feeling of unity.
[0235]
The theater partition means may comprise screens for
providing the attraction picture. Thereby, when the
screens are moved, the visitors in the different theaters
meet face to face with one another. Such an element of
surprise can further increase the pleasure.
[0236]
According to the present invention, the combined
picture may be a picture formed by a plurality of
adjacent partial theater pictures provided on a plurality
of screens provided for the plurality of booths,
respectively. Each of the plurality of booths may
provide the attraction picture including the booth
picture and the partial theater picture. The attraction
system may further comprise: a plurality of attraction
picture generation means provided for the plurality of
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booths, respectively, each of the plurality of attraction
picture generation means generating the booth picture of
the corresponding booth; a plurality of default picture
storage means provided for the plurality of booths,
respectively, for storing a default booth picture in
which the images of the visitors are not incorporated but
default character images are incorporated; and a
plurality of fault detection means provided for the
plurality of booths, respectively, for detecting
occurrence of a fault which disables generation of the
booth picture. When a fault is detected by the fault
detection means, the booth where the fault has been
detected may provide the default booth picture and the
partial theater picture, and the one or more booths where
the fault has not been detected may provide the booth
picture and the partial theater picture.
[0237]
According to the present invention, even if the
booth picture cannot be generated in a part of the booths,
it is possible to avoid loss of a part of the picture of
the combined theater. Thus, it is possible to continue
provision of the attraction with the use of the remaining
normal booths.
[0238]
According to the present invention, a plurality of
theaters may be provided; and the plurality of theaters
may be partitioned by one or more theater partition
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members, the theater partition members being removable
members, and the plurality of theaters may be arranged so
that the visitors of the plurality of theaters meet face
to face when the theater partition members are removed.
The plurality of theaters may be arranged in parallel,
each of the plurality of theaters being individually
provided with a function of providing the attraction
picture and a function of changing the theater size. The
attraction system may comprise control means, and the
control means is capable of, when a fault which disables
provision of an attraction occurs in one of the plurality
of theaters, stopping the functions of the theater where
the fault has occurred and continuing the operation of
the functions of the one or more theaters where the fault
has not occurred.
[0239]
According to the present invention, even when a
fault occurs in a part of theaters, it is possible to
provide the attraction with the use of the remaining
theaters.
[0240]
The attraction system may comprise an emergency stop
switch and a moving mechanism emergency stop switch.
When the emergency stop switch operates, the theater size
may become the size of the combined theater, the screen
of the theater may be removed, a lighting apparatus may
be lighted, and an emergency guide light may be lighted.
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When the moving mechanism emergency stop switch operates,
change of the theater size may be prohibited.
[0241]
According to the present invention, when the
emergency stop switch operates, it is possible to
appropriately cope with it by performing combination of
the booths and the like. When the moving mechanism
emergency stop switch operates, change of the theater
size can be prohibited. Thus, it is possible to cope
with a state of emergency in the characteristic
attraction system in which the booth partition walls and
the screens move.
[0242]
In another aspect of the present invention, the
attraction system comprises: a theater; one or more booth
partition members for partitioning the theater into a
plurality of booths; a partition moving mechanism for
moving the booth partition members to combine the
plurality of booths to form a combined theater; and a
plurality of picture sending apparatuses provided for the
plurality of booths, respectively. When the theater is
divided in the plurality of booths, each of the plurality
of picture sending apparatuses sends a booth picture of
the corresponding booth; and when the plurality of booths
are combined and the combined theater is formed, a
combined theater picture is formed by a plurality of
adjacent partial theater pictures sent out from the
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plurality of picture sending apparatuses; and the booth
picture of the booth is a picture in which one or more
images of visitors seated in the corresponding booth are
incorporated as characters.
[0243]
According to this configuration also, the theater
size is changed between the size of the booth and the
size of the combined theater, and combination of a booth
picture and a combined-theater picture is provided. Thus,
it, is possible to provide visitors with an attraction
picture in which each visitor sufficiently appears and
which enables a large-scaled picture to be seen and,
thereby, enhance the Pleasure of the visitors.
[0244]
The present invention is not 'limited to aspects of
an attraction system. Another aspect of the present
invention is, for example, an attraction providing method
or a program. In such a different aspect, the various
advantages of the present invention described above can
be obtained.
[0245]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention
conceivable at present have been described above. It is
intended to make it understood that various variations
of this embodiment are possible and to include all such
variations within the scope of the present invention in
the accompanying CLAIMS.
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Industrial Applicability
[0246]
The present invention is useful as an attraction
system for providing an attraction picture.
