Space Ranger Spin - Way off topic

[MarkBarbieri]

Anyone know how it really works? It looks like the target registers when your laser hits it. I bet that isn't it.

If I were designing it, I'd use the laser just to show people where they are shooting. For scoring, I'd have each of the targets emitting an IR signal using off-the-shelf remote control parts. I'd have each of the guns use an IR receiver at the end of a tube (so that it has a narrow angle of view). The receiver would register when it "sees" one of the targets.

I looked online but couldn't find anything that said how it works. I'm curious. Does anyone know?

If my theory is correct, you could prove it by using a learning remote to learn the target IR signal. Then you could aim the remote in the gun and shoot the remote while sending the signal. The result should be the same as using the target.

OK, you could return to rational photography discussions now.

 

[pjacobi]

I'm not sure about Space Ranger Spin, but an article on Toy Story Midway Mania was on the cover of Design News. It uses the position of the shooter tip to score a hit on the target.

"Disney Rides on Wireless Ethernet"

http://www.designnews.com/article/46702-Disney_Rides_on_Wireless_Ethernet.php?text=disney


-Paul

 

[ukcatfan]

I think you might be on the right track Mark. I have read somewhere that the laser is just the aiming device and your actual coverage area is much larger. It also said to shoot at farther away targets so that it gets wider and easier to score a hit. I know a few high point targets if anyone wants to know. I don't want to just blurt it out here, b/c once you know you cannot resist going for them!

 

[Groucho]

I don't think that Buzz uses the position of the gun tip itself.

(In old-school arcade terms, that's like the "lightgun" of the Terminator 2 lightgun game - which was actually a big twisting joystick in the shape of a gun, firmly mounted to the cabinet - versus the lightgun of a "proper" lightgun game.)

I say this for a couple reasons... first, the connection to the ride car in the WDW version seems awfully loose for such measurements. I think you'd feel some gearing moving (like you did on the aforemented T2 lightgun game.)

Furthermore - the DL version features guns that are only attached to the ride car by a tether. You're free to move the gun wherever you want. To determine the firing point by the gun itself, you'd need a Nintendo Wii-style motion sensor, which would be extraordinarily advanced for when the ride was designed, plus the constant movement of the car (especially the jerky guest-controlled rotational) would wreak havoc with such a system.

I'm quite sure that the targets themselves are not counting the scores.

I would guess that it's something like you described, Mark, though maybe not IR - but who knows? Maybe it is.

One other note... are we sure that it's a laser coming out of the guns? It would be easy to point your gun at another guest in their car (or even your own car, in the DL version) and I'm quite sure that Disney wouldn't want to be aiming laser pointers into people's eyes!

 

[ukcatfan]

One other note... are we sure that it's a laser coming out of the guns? It would be easy to point your gun at another guest in their car (or even your own car, in the DL version) and I'm quite sure that Disney wouldn't want to be aiming laser pointers into people's eyes!

I have had one hit me in the eye and it was not pleasant. It was just like a laser pointer in the eye.

 

[10dedfish]

Is it possible that the gun itself receives the reflected IR from the targets? Something like a transponder system, where the gun's IR triggers a responding IR from the target, and then the gun identifies the target based on either frequency or dataword and then increments the appropriate amount?

I am completely postulating here, and since its quite early and Ive only had one cup of coffee any thing may be taken with the same seriousness as any brainded zombie.

10ded

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't think that Buzz uses the position of the gun tip itself.

I agree. Using telemetry data would be very complicated and unnecessary. That might work in situations where the position of the gun is fixed, but it would be a nightmare when everything is moving.

I would guess that it's something like you described, Mark, though maybe not IR - but who knows? Maybe it is.

One other note... are we sure that it's a laser coming out of the guns? It would be easy to point your gun at another guest in their car (or even your own car, in the DL version) and I'm quite sure that Disney wouldn't want to be aiming laser pointers into people's eyes!

I'm pretty certain that it is a laser. I don't know how else you could keep a light beam that focused over that much distance. It's a pretty low power laser, so it's hard to do much harm with it.

As for the IR bit, I have absolutely no evidence to back up my guess. I think it is IR because that would be the technology I would have chosen. I would have done that because there are so many easy to work with and cheap off-the-shelf parts for IR transmission and receiving.

Is it possible that the gun itself receives the reflected IR from the targets? Something like a transponder system, where the gun's IR triggers a responding IR from the target, and then the gun identifies the target based on either frequency or dataword and then increments the appropriate amount?

That's possible, but it seems like it would be easier to just have each target emit a repeating IR signal (like holding down the volume button on a remote control) and having the "gun" attempt a read when the button is pressed. Why add complexity in having the target need to know when it is being shot? Also, you have to deal with the possibility of multiple shooters shooting the same target.

A test of my theory would be to have someone record the IR signal (that I postulate exists) from a reacting target (like the batteries that fall down). They could then play back that signal to the gun. If I'm correct, the gun would record the hit and send a signal that the target had been hit. The target would react as though it was hit even though no gun was aimed at it.

 

[10dedfish]

All right, whos going next and how can we come up with a control for this experiment?



10ded

 

[Groucho]

This sounds like an assignment for a solo traveler. My wife is pretty understanding but I don't think she'd go for me carrying a learning remote just to test this theory.

Surely there's an article somewhere that explains things...