Abstract: A faceted screen system includes a curved backing surface, a first planar panel coupled to the curved backing surface, and a second planar panel coupled to the curved backing surface. The first planar panel and the second planar panel are angled towards a hypothetical focal point of the curved backing surface. The faceted screen system also includes a first plurality of light sources disposed on the first planar panel and a second plurality of light sources disposed on the second planar panel. Individual light sources of the first plurality of light sources are oriented at respective different angles relative to the first planar panel to emit light towards the hypothetical focal point. Individual light sources of the second plurality of light sources are oriented at respective different angles relative to the second planar panel to emit light towards the hypothetical focal point.

Abstract: An amusement ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to carry a passenger, one or more sensors configured to detect a face and a body of the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle, and a display assembly configured to be viewable by the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle. The amusement ride system also includes a controller configured to generate an animation based on signals received from the one or more sensors and to instruct display of the animation on the display assembly. The signals are indicative of movement of the face and the body of the passenger, and the animation mimics the movement of the face and the body of the passenger.

Abstract: A dynamic quest-based experience system of an amusement park includes a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the processor to receive a user input from a computing device indicative of starting a dynamic quest-based narrative, in which the dynamic quest-based narrative includes a plurality of sets of information. The instructions further cause the processor to place an identifier associated with the computing device in a virtual queue associated with a narrative endpoint of the amusement park, select a set of information from the plurality of sets of information based on a determined parameter, wherein the set of information is associated with a requested task, and output the set of information to the computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an attraction system that includes a walkway, a carrier disposed at a first side of the walkway, and a barrier disposed at a second side of the walkway opposite the first side. The carrier is configured to translate relative to the walkway, and the barrier is removably coupled to the carrier. Translation of the carrier relative to the walkway transitions the barrier between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling performance of a digital character depicted at a display device are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment, a method for controlling performance of a digital character depicted at a display device includes: determining a presence of a person located in a physical environment; and in response to determining the presence of the person, facilitating control of the performance of the digital character depicted at the display device by a human operator, by an artificial intelligence (AI) game-engine, or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: A mobile refreshment cart includes an open refreshment chamber exposed to an environment surrounding the refreshment cart and configured to receive refreshment containers therein. The mobile refreshment cart also includes a thermally conductive plate having a first surface facing the open refreshment chamber, and having a second surface opposite to the first surface. The mobile refreshment cart also includes a thermoelectric cooler coupled to, and directly contacting, the second surface of the thermally conductive plate. The thermoelectric cooler is configured to extract heat from the thermally conductive plate through the second surface of the thermally conductive plate. The refreshment cart also includes a fan configured to urge an air flow over a portion of the thermoelectric cooler and to the environment, such that the air flow extracts the heat from the thermoelectric cooler and expels the heat to the environment.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of rotatable track members that guide travel of a vehicle. Each rotatable track member of the plurality of rotatable track members is configured to individually rotate between a first orientation along a first direction of vehicle travel and a second orientation along a second direction of vehicle travel.

Abstract: A projected target location of a handheld object is determined based on applying translation factors, scaling factors, and offsets to a location of a reference element of the handheld object detected by a camera on a two-dimensional plane. The translation factors are determined based on a difference between a calibration location on the plane and an initial location of the reference element corresponding to the calibration location, and serve to shift the location of the reference element to generate the projected target location. The scaling factors are determined based on an estimated length of a user's arm holding the handheld object, and serve to scale the location of the reference element to generate the projected target location. The offsets are determined based on polynomial equations, and serve to extend the distance between the projected target location and the calibration location.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a truss with integrated wiring. A truss with integrated wiring includes a plurality of chords coupled together with a plurality of support members. At least one chord of the plurality of chords includes a hollow space along a length of the at least one chord of the plurality of chords. The truss with integrated wiring further includes a first set of electrical connectors situated near a first end of the at least one chord of the plurality of chords, and a second set of electrical connectors situated near a second end of the at least one chord of the plurality of chords. The first and second set of electrical connectors are outside of the hollow space. The first set of electrical connectors is coupled to the second set of electrical connectors through a set of electrical wires housed in the hollow space.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a sensor configured to emit an output signal toward a guest area and receive a reflected signal from the guest area and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system is configured to receive data from the sensor, in which the data is indicative of a distance of signal travel based on the output signal and the reflected signal. The control system is also configured to compare the distance of signal travel with an unoccupied distance value corresponding to a distance between the sensor and the guest area being unoccupied, and determine whether the guest area is occupied based on comparing a difference between the distance of signal travel and the unoccupied distance value with a threshold.

Abstract: An interactive video game system includes an array of volumetric sensors disposed around a play area and configured to collect respective volumetric data for each of a plurality of players. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the array of volumetric sensors. The controller is configured to: receive, from the array of volumetric sensors, respective volumetric data of each of the plurality of players; to combine the respective volumetric data of each of the plurality of players to generate at least one respective model for each of the plurality of players; to generate a respective virtual representation for each player of the plurality of players based, at least in part, on the generated at least one respective model of each player of the plurality of players; and to present the generated respective virtual representation of each player of the plurality of players in a virtual environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include an evacuation deterrence system that includes a vehicle having a member configured to deter evacuation of passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence system also includes an evacuation deterrence device configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence device includes an elongated main body, a handle portion, a latch mechanism configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the latch mechanism, and a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first location of the elongated main body relative to the vehicle. The elongated main body is configured to be extended relative to the vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body is fixed relative to the vehicle via the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A ride system for an amusement park includes a plurality of rooms stacked atop one another and a ride vehicle. A method to transport the ride vehicle from a first room to a second room includes withdrawing the ride vehicle from the first room, changing the vertical height of the ride vehicle, rotating the ride vehicle, and inserting the ride vehicle into the second room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a special effects device for simulating sparks generated by combustion, electricity, or other means. The device may include light-emitting devices mechanically connected to extendable structures that are spatially dispersed by an actuator during the operation of the special effects device. The special effects device may be coordinated with a device for simulating combustion to give the impression of sparks generated by a combustion source.

Abstract: An interaction point includes a hardware-based processor, a local cache data store that stores attraction data pertaining to an entertainment attraction, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader that receives electromagnetic radiation of a wearable electronic device indicative of an interaction with the interaction point. The hardware-based processor, based upon the interaction with the interaction point: causes feedback to be rendered by the wearable electronic device, causes modification to at least a portion of the attraction data, or both.

Abstract: A wearable device includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag having a memory that stores identification information. The wearable device also has a power harvesting circuit configured to harness power from electromagnetic radiation. Further, the wearable device has a sensor coupled to the power harvesting circuit and configured to utilize the power to monitor a condition of the wearable device. Even further, the wearable device has a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and configured to write data indicative of the condition to the memory of the RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag is configured to transmit the identification information and the data in response to receipt of the electromagnetic radiation from an RFID reader.

Abstract: Present systems and methods are directed to a ride system that includes a personal electronic device (PED) holding system for a ride vehicle. The PED holding system includes a lock that is configured to move from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration to lock a PED of a passenger of the ride vehicle to the ride vehicle during a ride cycle. The PED holding system also includes a charging system that is configured to charge an energy storage component of the PED during the ride cycle.

Abstract: A maintenance assembly for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle includes a foundational body, a wheel engagement section extending a first distance from the foundational body, and a datum section including a protrusion extending a second distance from the foundational body. The wheel engagement section is configured to contact a wheel surface of the wheel assembly, and the datum section is configured to contact a pad of the wheel assembly. Additionally, the wheel engagement section is rigidly positioned with respect to the datum section, and the second distance is greater than the first distance, such that the maintenance assembly provides a fixed distance between a surface of the datum section configured to contact the pad and a surface of the wheel engagement section configured to contact the wheel surface.

Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a source of electromagnetic radiation that operates to emit electromagnetic radiation into an active playing area. The system also includes a sensing device that operates to receive the electromagnetic radiation after being reflected from a retro-reflective material of an article positioned in the active playing area and operable to generate data based on receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation from a series of article positions. Further, the system includes a controller that operates to process the data generated by the sensing device to determine whether the series of article positions correlate to a stored gesture and output a control signal to actuate an effect when the series of article positions correlate to the stored gesture.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display system may include a peg array of multiple pegs. Each peg may be individually addressable and designed to move along one or more axes. The 3D display system may also include an induction array having multiple electromagnetic coils to generate electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields may induce magnetic forces upon at least one peg to cause the peg to move along an axis into an actuated position. The 3D display may also include a display screen to be distended into a 3D topography via contact with at least one peg in the actuated position.