Abstract: The connected avatar is a virtual participant or assistant in an interactive game or entertainment attraction that recognizes players or items carried by players, and visually and/or audibly engages with the player throughout the interactive game or entertainment attraction to provide assistance, aid, guidance, or direction to them through the environment, provide items, information or clues, and/or pose challenges or games. The player may summon or enlist the connected avatar to perform tasks or retrieve information or items. In one embodiment, the connected avatar lives in a virtual parallel world that is connected to the real world through portals (such as mirrors, windows, or holographic displays) that can be accessed throughout the interactive game or entertainment attraction. The connected avatar combines the two worlds in an interactive manner and contributes to the connectivity of the player to the interactive game or entertainment attraction.

Abstract: Smart Entertainment Technology uses technology to create an enhanced, real-world experience or adventure, and helps users explore, communicate, learn, and solve puzzles, creating a richer, more immersive experience. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of patrons in an entertainment attraction using a contactless sensor. The entertainment attraction comprises a room, and each wall of the room comprises modular, interconnected, adaptable full-wall digital displays. The method further includes determining a digital attraction experience suitable for each of the patrons based on the age and attraction preferences of each of the patrons. The method additionally includes formatting for display on the modular full-wall digital displays content associated with the determined digital attraction experience.

Abstract: Smart Entertainment Technology uses technology to create an enhanced, real-world experience or adventure, and helps users explore, communicate, learn, and solve puzzles, creating a richer, more immersive experience. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of patrons in an entertainment attraction using a contactless sensor. The entertainment attraction comprises a room, and each wall of the room comprises modular, interconnected, adaptable full-wall digital displays. The method further includes determining a digital attraction experience suitable for each of the patrons based on the age and attraction preferences of each of the patrons. The method additionally includes formatting for display on the modular full-wall digital displays content associated with the determined digital attraction experience.

Abstract: The immersive, interactive system according to the present disclosure employs interconnected hardware, firmware, software, and mixed technology comprising projection systems, smart entertainment technologies, tracking systems, sound, light, visual displays, and other physical and/or special effect displays to create an entertainment experience that brings people together to enjoy a common story, theme, music, or game. In one embodiment, the system takes the form of a magical campfire that interacts with members of the audience to present an interactive and customized visual and audio display and story. The system may connect and interact with other technological platforms and smart devices to supplement the processing and experience, and may be updated to maintain relevant and timely content, and add additional features. The system may exist in a large scale environment, such as a theatre, theme park, or museum, or may be condensed to a smaller-scale version for home use.

Abstract: Like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Book, the infinite tracking system allows for an amusement park ride or attraction to identify a user or participant based on unique characteristics, track them throughout the ride or attraction, and modify the experience based on the user or participant's chosen preferences. For example, a user or participant may choose outer space as their preferred theme. The tracking system may employ a variety of sensors to identify and distinguish the user or participant based on characteristics such as their physical size and clothing, and locates them throughout the amusement park ride or attraction. The system associates the outer space theme preference with the user or participant. As the user or participant travels throughout the amusement park ride or attraction, the system displays relevant effects, and the user or participant enjoys a unique and customized visual, audio, and physical experience that features their preferred theme.

Abstract: Regenerative and Sustainable Energy Structures are integrated systems that harness the energy in the surrounding environment and the energy created by the structure itself to offset the energy required to operate the system. The systems can combine various sources of energy, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and physical power, and direct or store that energy to be used to power the system. For example, a water play attraction can utilize a solar panel shade structure, a hydroelectric generator under a fountain, wind turbines, and generators that can be cranked by participants. The energy generated by each of these components may be returned to the system to operate the water pump that fuels the fountain, for example. The aggregated energy is sufficient to offset the energy consumption of the system in whole or in part, and may even generate a surplus of energy that can be returned to the electrical grid.

Abstract: The connected avatar is a virtual participant or assistant in an interactive game or entertainment attraction that recognizes players or items carried by players, and visually and/or audibly engages with the player throughout the interactive game or entertainment attraction to provide assistance, aid, guidance, or direction to them through the environment, provide items, information or clues, and/or pose challenges or games. The player may summon or enlist the connected avatar to perform tasks or retrieve information or items. In one embodiment, the connected avatar lives in a virtual parallel world that is connected to the real world through portals (such as mirrors, windows, or holographic displays) that can be accessed throughout the interactive game or entertainment attraction. The connected avatar combines the two worlds in an interactive manner and contributes to the connectivity of the player to the interactive game or entertainment attraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present disclosure provide a costume of a puppet or a character having customizable mixed technology interactive components that enables the wearer of the costume to interact with stimuli in the costume's or wearer's surrounding environment as the puppet or character.