A new Universal Destinations & Experiences patent application looks at how to integrate physical reactions in a virtual-reality world.
The patent, dubbed "Facial Activity Detection for Virtual Reality Systems and Methods," describes a technology where riders on an attraction with virtual-reality components can have a headset with a camera facing the user to detect physical characteristics such as facial expressions, gestures and more.
The patent would help improve the realism of an attraction that uses virtual technology.
"A rider on a virtual-reality ride system may experience virtual-reality image content that fails to resemble the surroundings ... For example, when the rider turns their head toward another rider on the virtual-reality ride system, the rider may expect to see the other rider depicted in the virtual-reality display (e.g., head-mounted display)," said the patent.
The technology describes being able to generate an avatar — a virtual version of the user — with similar facial characteristics and facial movements. The re-creations include "virtual avatars with similar facial characteristics (e.g., mouth, nose, eyes, and so forth), similar facial movement (e.g., open mouth, raised eyebrows, furrowed brow, and so forth), similar facial gestures (e.g., smile, frown, excitement, and so forth) and that results in visually perceived images occurring at approximately the same time and for approximately the same duration."
Universal executives could not be reached for comment.
The patent shows how the theme park industry's movement into more virtual- and augmented-reality-based rides are seeking to improve realism within the virtual worlds.
Meanwhile, here's a look at Universal's other recently filed patent applications:
- Interactive Device of an Attraction System: A wearable head display that includes an interactive component with a projector to show images, plus a microphone and a display.
- Choreographed Ride Systems and Methods: A free-moving carousel ride system that has more mobility vertically and horizontally — adding a twist to traditional carousel-style attractions.
- Dark Ride Tower Systems Having Stationary and Adaptable Rooms: A tower-like ride system with two levels. The first level is a stationary room, and the second level can change configurations.
- System and Method for Tracking a Passive Wand and Actuating an Effect Based on a Detected Wand Path: This allows for a user with a handheld object such as a wand to use specific gestures to activate certain effects in their environment.
- Interactive Animated Character Head Systems and Methods: A system that allows an animated head on a character to respond to pre-determined signals from an interaction between the character head and the guest.
Universal Orlando Resort — owned and operated by Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA) — is among Central Florida's top attractions, per Orlando Business Journal research. Universal Orlando typically draws a combined 21 million-plus annual visitors to its Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks, as well as its Volcano Bay water park.
Universal also owns the CityWalk dining/shopping/entertainment complex, several area hotels and more than 700 acres for development off of Universal Boulevard, where it is building its Epic Universe theme park. That new $1 billion park is expected to create up to 14,000 new theme park jobs along with thousands of local construction and vendor opportunities.
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