Synchronized motion simulation for virtual reality

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide for a motion-synchronized virtual reality experience. In particular, in some embodiments, the invention includes a motion platform to impart a shared motion experience to a plurality of passengers, individual head-mounted displays providing for personalized viewpoints, and a variety of immersion-enhancements. A common ride model to controls the motion platform in order to simulate a ride for a plurality of passengers. The passengers' virtual-reality headsets depict the progress of the ride through the virtual-reality world. These headsets track the individual passenger's head or gaze to allow the user to adjust their angle of view in the virtual world simply by looking around. As such, different passengers can be looking in different directions simultaneously, allowing a much greater immersion than the single fixed perspective of prior ride simulations.

1 . A system for providing a motion-synchronized virtual reality ride for a plurality of passengers, comprising:
 a motion platform supported by a plurality of actuators;   a plurality of passenger seats mounted upon the motion platform;   a plurality of passenger head-mounted displays; and   a ride model programmed to:
 control the plurality of actuators in accordance with the ride model; 
 control a set of the plurality of passenger seat actuators wherein at least one of the passenger seat actuators is configured to provide motion to at least one passenger seat based on input from at least one passenger; and 
 communicate information regarding progress of the ride to each of the passenger head-mounted displays, 
   wherein each of the passenger head-mounted displays combine the information regarding progress of the ride for each passenger of the plurality of passengers.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an orientation sensor in the head-mounted display detects an orientation of the head-mounted display, and wherein the orientation of the head-mounted display is further combined with the information regarding the progress of the ride for each passenger of the plurality of passengers to display a viewpoint of each passenger. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of passenger seats are disposed side-by-side. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of passenger seats are disposed in a line. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the progress of the ride is at least partially controlled by the at least one passenger of the plurality of passengers using one or more ride controls, wherein the ride controls are disposed on the motion platform. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the motion platform moves three-dimensionally in accordance with the ride controls and the ride model,   wherein the three-dimensional movement is presented in the plurality of passenger head-mounted displays.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the progress of the ride is at least partially controlled by the at least one passenger of the plurality of passengers using one or more ride controls, wherein the ride controls are displayed in at least one passenger head-mounted display. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motion platform is further supported by a turntable enabling rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the motion platform traverses a track, and   wherein the motion platform is further supported by a turntable enabling rotation.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the rotation is controlled by at least one passenger. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the rotation is controlled by the ride information. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 ,
 wherein an orientation sensor in the head-mounted display detects an orientation of the head-mounted display,   wherein the orientation of the head-mounted display is further combined with the information regarding the progress of the ride for the at least one passenger, and   wherein the rotation is controlled by the combined orientation of the head-mounted display and the information regarding the progress of the ride.   
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling a motion-synchronized virtual-reality ride for a plurality of passengers, comprising:
 combining input from at least one passenger of the plurality of passengers with information regarding progress of the ride to create a ride experience;   controlling a set of actuators configured to provide motion to at least one seat mounted on at least one motion platform based on the ride experience; and   communicate information regarding the ride experience to a plurality of passenger head-mounted displays;   wherein each of the plurality of passenger head-mounted displays displays information indicative of the ride experience.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the information indicative of the ride experience comprises passenger gaze information to display a personalized viewpoint for each passenger of the plurality of passengers. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further configured to control the set of actuators in accordance with a motion of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is operated by a person distinct from the plurality of passengers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the motion platform moves three-dimensionally in accordance with the ride experience,   wherein the three-dimensional movement is presented in the plurality of passenger head-mounted displays.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the motion platform traverses a track. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of seats are side-by-side. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of seats are disposed in a line. 
     
     
         20 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method of controlling a motion-synchronized virtual-reality ride for a plurality of passengers, the method comprising the steps of:
 combining input from at least one passenger of the plurality of passengers with information regarding progress of the ride to create a ride experience;   controlling a set of actuators configured to provide motion to at least one seat mounted on at least one motion platform based on the ride experience;   communicate information regarding the ride experience to a plurality of passenger head-mounted displays;   receiving, from a plurality of orientation sensors, information indicative of the plurality of passenger head-mounted displays' orientation;   determining passenger gaze for each passenger from the orientation of the plurality of passenger head-mounted displays;   combining the ride experience with the passenger gaze for each passenger to create an individual ride experience for each passenger of the plurality of passengers; and   displaying the individual ride experience in each of the head-mounted displays to create a unique individual experience for each passenger.