Circular flying theater

Abstract

A theater experience for a flying theater system comprises a programmable, configurable motion base, set inside a display screen area, that may be controlled to synchronize with media content and provide multiple viewpoints that allow multiple guest experiences simultaneously where its display screen provides complete guest immersion from all sides. A selectively retractable passenger load/unload platform may be present and retract to allow full view of the display screen, creating multiple views of a surrounding media scene and allowing guests to experience presented media content from different seat positions while having a unique experience each time. Seats typically comprise exterior facing seats which remove or otherwise ameliorate a potential of a fall hazard since the floor remains below the guests' feet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flying theater system, comprising:
 a) a programmable, configurable motion base ( 10 ), comprising a predetermined set of motion actuators ( 11 ) configured to provide multiple degrees of freedom;   b) a guest platform ( 20 ), comprising:
 i) a lower surface ( 21 ), the lower surface operatively connected to the programmable, configurable motion base; 
 ii) an upper surface ( 22 ); and 
 iii) a plurality of rows of seats ( 23 , 24 ) disposed about the upper surface of the guest platform, comprising:
 (1) an inner row ( 24 ) of seats; 
 (2) an outer row ( 23 ) of seats; and 
 (3) a guest access area ( 30 ) configured to provide access by a passenger to the inner row and the outer row of seats; 
 
   c) a selectively retractable passenger load/unload platform ( 40 ) disposed proximate the programmable, configurable motion base and configured to interface with the guest access area;   d) a display screen ( 50 ) wrapping around a predetermined portion of the guest platform and configured to provide multiple guest viewpoints of a displayed image;   e) a media screen content provider ( 60 ); and   f) a motion controller ( 70 ) operatively in communication with the predetermined set of motion actuators and configured to synchronize movement of the programmable, configurable motion base with media screen content.   
     
     
         2 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple degrees of freedom comprise a predetermined set of pitch, roll, heave, yaw, surge, and sway motions. 
     
     
         3 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) the guest platform comprises a circular shape;   b) the inner row ( 24 ) of seats and the outer row ( 23 ) of seats are arranged concentrically within the guest platform; and   c) the display screen ( 50 ) comprises a full 360-degree screen wrapping completely around the guest platform.   
     
     
         4 . The flying theater system of  claim 3 , wherein the full 360-degree screen comprises a spherical, toroid, or cylindrical media screen for full immersion. 
     
     
         5 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rows of seats ( 23 , 24 ) are arranged in a round or a square seating arrangement with seats facing outward towards the display screen ( 50 ). 
     
     
         6 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner row ( 24 ) of seats is configured to accommodate smaller guests who typically cannot ride a flying theater due to containment challenges and fall hazards due to mitigation of a fall hazard. 
     
     
         7 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner row ( 24 ) of seats and the outer row ( 23 ) of seats are configured to allow a seated passenger's feet to hang freely with respect to the seats. 
     
     
         8 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the guest platform further comprises:
 a) a selectively retractable portion ( 25 ) disposed proximate the inner row of seats and the outer row of seats, the selectively retractable portion configured to allow a passenger's feet for a passenger seated in the inner row ( 24 ) of seats to hang freely with respect to the inner row ( 24 ) of seats; and   b) a programmable retraction controller ( 72 ) operatively connected to the selectively retractable portion.   
     
     
         9 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen comprises a controlled entry and exit door ( 52 ) built in to allow media to be displayed on the controlled entry and exit door ( 52 ) with minimal distortion. 
     
     
         10 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the media screen content provider ( 60 ) comprises a visual content image projector ( 62 ) configured to project an image onto an inner surface of the display screen. 
     
     
         11 . The flying theater system of  claim 10 , wherein the image comprises a still image or a moving image. 
     
     
         12 . The flying theater system of  claim 10 , wherein the media screen content provider ( 60 ) further comprises a wind generator, a scent generator, a water sprayer, a face air blaster, a neck air blaster, or a seat vibrator, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The flying theater system of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen further comprises a predetermined set of selectively openable and closeable doors ( 52 ) configured to allow guest access to the guest platform and exit from the guest platform. 
     
     
         14 . A method of providing a theater experience for a flying theater system that comprises a programmable, configurable motion base that comprises a predetermined set of motion actuators configured to provide multiple degrees of freedom; a guest platform that comprises a lower surface operatively connected to the programmable, configurable motion base, an upper surface, and a plurality of rows of seats disposed about the upper surface of the guest platform where the plurality of rows of seats comprises an inner row of seats, an outer row of seats and a guest access area configured to provide access by a passenger to the inner row and the outer row of seats; a selectively retractable passenger load/unload platform disposed proximate the programmable, configurable motion base and configured to interface with the guest access area; a display screen wrapping around a predetermined portion of the guest platform and configured to provide multiple guest viewpoints of a displayed image; a media screen content provider; and a motion controller operatively in communication with the predetermined set of motion actuators and configured to synchronize movement of the programmable, configurable motion base with media screen content, the method comprising:
 a) controlling the programmable, configurable motion base to achieve a passenger load position for the guest platform;   b) allowing guests to access the guest platform and select a seat from the inner and outer rows of seats;   c) at a predetermined time, disallowing further access by guests to the guest platform;   d) initiating a media presentation sequence by the media screen content provider;   e) using the motion controller to synchronize motion of the programmable, configurable motion base with the media presentation sequence;   f) returning the programmable, configurable motion base to the passenger load position for the guest platform upon completion of the media presentation sequence; and   g) allowing guests to disembark from the guest platform.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein using the motion controller to synchronize motion of the programmable, configurable motion base with the media presentation sequence comprises imparting a predetermined set of pitch, roll, heave, yaw, surge, and sway motions to the guest platform via the programmable, configurable motion base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the media presentation sequence comprises projection of a predetermined set of visual images onto an inner portion of the display screen. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the media presentation sequence comprises generation of a wind effect, a scent effect, a water spray effect, a face air blast effect, a neck air blast effect, a seat vibration effect, or a combination thereof, the effects discernable by a guest seated on the guest platform. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising dynamically reconfiguring the guest platform to allow a seated passenger's feet to hang freely. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dynamic reconfiguration comprises selectively retracting a selectively retractable portion of the guest platform disposed proximate the inner row of seats and the outer row of seats to allow a passenger's feet to hang freely by using a programmable retraction controller operatively connected to the selectively retractable portion of the guest platform. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a) providing a selectively openable and closeable door in the display screen;   b) opening the selectively openable and closeable door in the display screen to allow guest access to the guest platform before initiating the media presentation sequence;   c) closing the selectively openable and closeable door in the display screen to disallow guest access to the guest platform during the media presentation sequence; and   d) opening the selectively openable and closeable door in the display screen to allow guest access away from the guest platform after initiating the media presentation sequence.