Water slide audio visual entertainment system

Abstract

An interactive water slide includes a plurality of light and sound sources synchronized with a theme chosen by the rider, the lighting and sound changes as the rider travels down the slide. Images are projected onto a screens of water that block the path of the rider and as the rider travels down the slide the rider must go through these projected images.

1 . A water slide system comprising: 
 a water slide defining a slide path;    a user interface presenting a menu to a rider, said menu including a first ride theme option and a second ride theme option, said interface further adapted to enable said rider to make a selection of one of said first and second ride theme options; and    a computing arrangement adapted to receive said selection and then cause an effect to be created on or about said waterslide, said effect being consistent with said selection of said first and second ride theme options.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a water nozzle adapted to generate a spray of water into said slide path; and    a projection device adapted to project an image into said spray of water for the purpose of creating a special effect which is related to said selection of one of said first and second ride theme options.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a sensor for sensing the presence of a rider at a particular location on said slide, transmitting a signal; and    a process on said computing arrangement for receiving said signal and then creating said effect at a time and location at which said effect can be experienced by said rider.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said effect is created using one or more of: 
 a nozzle to create a water spray;    an illumination device; and    a sound generating device.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said effect is created at least using said sound generating device, and where said sound generating device is a speaker which is located in a protective speaker housing, said protective speaker housing being accessible from inside the slide which is enclosed.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said effect is created at least using said illumination device, and where said illumination device is located in a protective light housing, said protective light housing being accessible from inside the slide which is enclosed.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a sleep-mode process on said computing arrangement, said sleep-mode process adapted to turn off the power to the system when no riders are detected.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  comprising: 
 a sensor for detecting when said rider is approaching said slide when said system has been in said sleep mode, said sensor transmitting a signal to said computing arrangement to return power to said system.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a data storage component in said computing arrangement, said data storage component adapted to store an audio or a video file; and    a media player component in said computing arrangement, said media player arrangement adapted to play said audio or said video file.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  comprising: 
 a speaker on said slide system, said speaker adapted to play said audio file.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  comprising: 
 a sensor for sensing the presence of a rider at a particular location on said slide, transmitting a signal; and    a process on said computing arrangement for receiving said signal and then playing said one of said audio and said video file on a broadcasting device at a location proximate said rider.    
   
   
       12 . A water slide system comprising: 
 a water slide defining a slide path;    a water-transmitting device adapted to generate a spray of water into said slide path; and    a projection arrangement, said arrangement adapted to project an image into said spray of water for the purpose of creating a special effect which may be seen by said rider.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said slide is enclosed and said projection arrangement comprises: 
 a projector included in a water-shielded housing;    said enclosed slide defines one of a raised splash guard portion and a transparent portion; and    said projector is oriented such that it projects through said one of said raised splashguard portion and said transparent portion such that said image can be produced into said spray of water.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said water-transmitting device is a nozzle, said nozzle adapted to project a pressurized substantially flat spray.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said projection arrangement includes a projector which is accessible from inside the slide and is adapted to generate one of a still and a moving picture.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said slide is enclosed and said projection arrangement comprises: 
 a projector included in a water-shielded housing, said housing being hinged such that a person is able to lift it in order to service one of said projector and another piece equipment.    
   
   
       17 . A method of entertaining a rider on a water slide, said method comprising: 
 presenting a list of options to a rider, said list including a first ride theme option and a second ride theme option;    accepting a selection made by said rider, said selection being of one of said first and second ride theme options; and    creating an effect on or about said waterslide, said effect being consistent with said selection of said first and second ride theme options.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  comprising: 
 saving information related to said selection made by said rider on a database so that it may be retrieved at a later time.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  comprising: 
 providing a remote interface arrangement which enables a technician to remotely monitor a computing system, said computing system adapted to support said method.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  comprising: 
 using a computer program to accomplish said method;    saving said computer program on to a removable computer media for the purpose of allowing theme changes to a location without having technical personnel present.