Abstract: A flume ride is provided having a funnel-shaped slide feature having a relatively larger entry end and a relatively smaller exit end, the funnel-shaped slide feature being configured and arranged such that a rider enters at the wider end with a predetermined expected velocity and swings back and forth and/or spins around the inner surface of the funnel before safely draining through the smaller end.

Abstract: The invention provides an interactive dark ride configured and designed to stimulate the development of creative thinking and problem solving abilities and to encourage group cooperation and team work. A dark ride vehicle is also provided having inward-facing seating adapted to facilitate socializing and group gaming activities among ride participants during the ride sequence. Various interactive effects are provided along a defined ride path and/or along various associated ride cueing areas. The interactive effects are configured and arranged such that ride participants selectively actuate the various effects by successfully completing various requested tasks. Some or all of the interactive effects require the cooperation of multiple ride participants (either on the same vehicle, other vehicles and/or in adjacent queuing areas) in order to actuate the desired effect(s).

Abstract: A method of interactive game play is provided wherein a seemingly magical wand toy is provided for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys, a master system and/or to actuate various play effects within a play environment. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/received radio frequency communications protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magical interactive play experience.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive play structure including an active targeting system for automatically sensing the location of a play participant and spraying or propelling water or other play media at the sensed location. Play participants race against the clock to determine and enter a secret code to disable the active targeting system or otherwise activate a desired self-destruct sequence or other desired sequence of events. But the active targeting system sprays water or shoots other play media at play participants who attempt to approach the structure. The secret code is periodically scrambled so that play participants must act quickly and cooperate with one another to determine and enter the correct code. These and other improvements increase the challenge and enjoyment of interactive play structures incorporating such improvements.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved water flume ride having one or more slide effects for presenting multiple random flume paths to riders. In one embodiment, a water flume comprises a primary flume portion, an uphill embankment culminating in a crest, and two or more adjoining secondary flume portions. The secondary flume portions provide mutually exclusive ride paths which are selected according to the particular kinetic energy and/or momentum possessed by a rider ascending toward the crest of the uphill embankment.

Abstract: An interactive treasure hunt game played in a public forum that includes interactive clue sources and personal game pieces and which allows for play by multiple, contemporaneous or consecutive players and encourages player interaction to prevent non-participants from entering the game.

Abstract: A ride surface for water ride attractions and the like is provided. The ride surface is fabricated from a reinforced membrane material tensioned over a supporting framework. The tensioned membrane ride surface serves the dual role of providing structural support for water flow and riders thereon while at the same time providing an impact safe surface that is non-injurious to riders who may fall thereon. The tensioned membrane can be adjusted actively and/or passively in order to accommodate different and varied ride experiences. Optionally, the shape of the membrane ride surface can be changed either dynamically or passively by special tensioning techniques and/or by using auxiliary support structures such as air bladders, pressure/suction, foam supports or/or the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wave pool consisting of a pool with a wave generator at the deep end, which creates waves that advance toward the shallow end. One or more interactive waterplay elements, such as water guns, pourspouts, or playsinks, are provided near the pool. Pool guests can operate these waterplay elements to selectively direct water or other play media at other guests, or into the pool itself.

Abstract: A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for automated photo/video capture and retrieval using RFID tags containing a unique person and/or group identifier number. The system allows automated capturing and indexing of individual or group photo/video images according to each unique person and/or group identifier. Tags are worn by each park patron during their visit to the park or other entertainment facility. Various readers distributed throughout the park or entertainment facility are able to read the RFID tags. Thus, the unique identifier numbers can be conveniently read and provided to an associated photo/video capture system for purposes of providing indexing of captured photo/video images according to the unique identifiers of all individuals standing within the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: A competition water slide play apparatus is provided having a pair of water slide riding surfaces that are essentially mirror images of each other. These riding surfaces pass through a competition zone wherein the riding surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and first and second competition platforms are positioned adjacent the riding surfaces. Control stations are disposed on each of the competition platforms. Each control station corresponds to an aiding or a hindering play effect whereby a non-riding play participant can aid or hinder the travel of riding participants through the competition zone. The control stations on a first competition platform control aiding play effects in a first riding surface and hindering effects in a second riding surface. Similarly, the control stations on a second competition platform control aiding effects in the second ride surface and hindering effects in the first ride surface.

Abstract: A process for producing an endodontic instrument by selectively hacking burr-like cutting edges into a rod of a nickel-titanium alloy. Nickel-titanium being a particularly difficult material to machine; process parameters for performing said hacking procedure are disclosed herein. The cutting edges may be formed in a variety of patterns, such as helical or linear patterns, on the instrument.