Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that perform occupancy detection. Photoelectric sensors, such as through sensors, are arranged in an angled cross pattern, such that light beams of the through sensors cover a substantial portion of the seating surface of a seat. Upon interruption of a light beam making up the angled cross pattern, an object is detected in the seat. The through sensors may be held in a narrow armrest of a seat by a bracket attached to the seat frame. Further, through sensors for neighboring seats may also be held by the bracket.

Abstract: An amusement park system in accordance with present embodiments includes a ride vehicle configured to move along a path, an aquatic portion of the path defined by a water flow path, and an aerial portion of the path defined by a track configured to support a bogie. The ride vehicle is configured to freely float and move along the water flow path in response to currents of the water flow path. The ride vehicle is configured to be carried along the track by the bogie.

Abstract: A system including a projection device configured to emit a plurality of light beams, where each individual light beam is emitted with a unique path within an environment, and where each individual light beam has a modulation pattern configured to transmit data corresponding to the unique path. The system also includes a receiver device having a sensor configured to detect at least one individual light beam of the plurality of light beams, a receiver processor configured to identify the modulation pattern of the detected individual light beam and generate response instructions based on the position data transmitted via the modulation pattern, and an output device configured to output a response based on the generated response instructions.

Abstract: Systems and method for generating a vanishing illusion special effect are provided. One approach involves two rooms that mirror each other and are separated by a wall. The wall includes a frame through which the transition glass is configured to move. The transition glass includes a mirrored portion and a transparent portion. A controller may instruct an actuator to move the transition glass such that the mirrored portion is in alignment or out of alignment relative to the frame. In a further embodiment, a first ride vehicle and a second ride vehicle mirror each other and are separated by a transition glass that also includes a mirrored portion and a transparent portion. A controller may regulate the movement of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle from a position in alignment to a position out of alignment relative to the mirrored portion or the transparent portion.

Abstract: A system may include a virtual reality system configured to present one or more virtual objects via an electronic display. The system may also include one or more inflatable objects that correspond to the one or more virtual objects, such that the one or more inflatable objects matches one or more shapes of the one or more virtual objects. The system may also include a processor configured to cause at least one of the one or more inflatable objects to inflate based on feedback from the virtual reality system.

Abstract: An amusement park ride vehicle includes a chassis, a cabin, a slider, and a rotator. The chassis is configured to direct the ride vehicle along a ride path in a direction of travel. The cabin is configured to hold one or more passengers. The slider is configured to translate between a neutral position and a cantilevered position relative to the chassis in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to carry the rotator and the cabin along the direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel. The rotator is coupled between the slider and the cabin, and is configured to rotate the cabin relative to the slider.

Abstract: A granular material effect system includes a plurality of granular particles disposed in a container, a nozzle configured to activate to direct a fluid into the container, an actuator coupled to a prop and disposed in the container within the plurality of granular particles, and a controller communicatively coupled to the nozzle and the actuator. The controller is configured to instruct the nozzle to activate to direct the fluid into the container and to instruct the actuator to move the prop relative to the container while the nozzle is activated.

Abstract: An entertainment enhancement system includes an infrared projection system configured to output an infrared image to a target surface. The infrared projection system includes a controller configured to coordinate projection of the infrared image with a separate action by generating instructions for projecting the infrared image based on data received by the controller indicative of an active status of the separate action and an infrared emitter configured to receive the generated instructions and emit the infrared image to the target surface. The system also includes a viewing device configured to be wearable by a user. The viewing device includes at least one lens and a filter assembly configured to shift the infrared image from an infrared frequency to a visible light frequency such that the infrared image is viewable on the target surface via the viewing device.

Abstract: A wearable visualization device configured to provide a user with an augmented reality, a virtual reality, and/or a mixed reality experience includes a housing and a lens portion extending from the housing. The wearable visualization device includes a first display screen and a second display screen coupled to the housing and configured to project light onto the lens portion, where the lens portion is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light into eyes of the user. The wearable visualization device includes a camera positioned between the first display screen and the second display screen and configured to acquire image data of the lens portion.

Abstract: An amusement attraction provides a reactive game experience to a guest. The amusement attraction includes a robot control system having a show robot and a robot controller communicatively coupled to the show robot. The robot controller is configured to instruct the show robot to execute a baseline performance, which is predetermined and stored within the robot controller. The robot controller is configured to receive game input from an input device and instruct the show robot to interrupt the baseline performance by executing a reactive performance comprising a sequence of reactive actions that is responsive to the game input. Additionally, the robot controller is configured to instruct the show robot to execute a connective performance that links an end of the sequence of the reactive actions back to the baseline performance.

Abstract: A segmented bending system includes multiple linkages coupled to one another in a stacked arrangement. The segmented bending system also includes multiple rotation assemblies coupled to one another to extend through the multiple linkages. The multiple rotation assemblies include multiple cam members, and each cam member of the multiple members extends into a respective opening formed in a corresponding linkage of the multiple linkages. At least one cam member of the multiple cam members is offset from at least one other cam member of the multiple cam members in a circumferential direction about a center axis of the multiple rotation assemblies.

Abstract: An augmented reality device receives beacon signals within a geographical area from beacons that facilitate determining a distance between the device and a respective beacon. The device sends beacon-related signals indicative of the beacon signals to a server, which determines the area of the device. The server determines markers within the area of the device, and sends marker signals and augmented reality content associated with the markers to the device. The device scans the area and outputs content associated with a marker it identifies based on the marker signals. As the device enters subsequent areas, it receives additional beacon signals from additional beacons, sends additional beacon-related signals, and receives additional marker signals and content. If there is insufficient storage space on the device to store the additional marker signals and content, the device deletes previous marker signals and associated content. The device stores the additional marker signals and content.

Abstract: A wearable visualization system that includes a wearable visualization device. The wearable visualization device includes a housing. A display couples to the housing that displays an image for a user. A camera couples to the housing and captures the image. A computer system receives the image from the camera and compares the image to a master image to determine if the image matches the master image.

Abstract: A detection system is configured to detect improper handling of a wearable visualization device. The detection system includes a sensor coupled to the wearable visualization device, a light emitter coupled to the wearable visualization device, and a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor. The processor is also configured to determine whether the signal indicates improper handling of the wearable visualization device, and to instruct illumination of the light emitter in response to determining that the signal indicates improper handling of the wearable visualization device.

Abstract: A ride attraction system includes a tower track and a ride vehicle configured to accommodate one or more riders. The ride vehicle is coupled to and configured to move relative to the tower track and the ride vehicle includes one or more user input devices. The ride attraction system further includes an image system configured to display a ride environment, wherein the user input devices are configured to enable the one or more riders to interact with elements of the ride environment via the one or more user input devices. The ride attraction system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the ride vehicle and the image system and configured to control movement of the ride vehicle relative to the tower track based on signals from the one or more user input devices.

Abstract: A ride system includes a tunnel, a vehicle ride path, a ride vehicle, and a projection system. The tunnel includes a first end and a second end and is curved between the first and second ends. The vehicle ride path extends within the tunnel from an entrance at the first end of the tunnel to an intermediate position within the tunnel. The second end of the tunnel is not visible from the intermediate position. The ride vehicle travels along the vehicle ride path and decelerates as the ride vehicle approaches the intermediate position. The projection system projects images onto one or more walls of the tunnel, such that the images are synchronized with the deceleration of the ride vehicle and a perceived speed of the ride vehicle, as perceived by a guest in the ride vehicle, exceeds an actual speed of the ride vehicle.

Abstract: A system for evaluation of an augmented reality (AR) experience provided to a user includes a backdrop, a physical light configured to project light onto the backdrop, and a display system configured to display a virtual feature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the display system and the physical light. The controller is configured to render the virtual feature, receive feedback indicative of an operational parameter of the physical light, and receive additional feedback indicative of a state of a virtual light, where the state of the virtual light defines an appearance of the virtual feature. The controller is configured to adjust the appearance of the virtual feature to an updated appearance based on the feedback indicative of the operational parameter of the physical light, adjust the operational parameter of the physical light based on the additional feedback indicative of the state of the virtual light, or both.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for actuating a soft robot. An actuation system includes a camshaft, a motor configured to drive the camshaft to rotate around a rotational axis, and an air bladder configured to expel fluid from the air bladder during compression and draw fluid into the air bladder during decompression. The system further includes a cam coupled to the camshaft that is configured to rotate around the rotational axis when the camshaft is driven and compress or decompress the air bladder based on a physical profile of the cam as the cam rotates around the rotational axis. The system also includes a soft robot coupled to the air bladder, wherein the soft robot is actuated to move based on the fluid inserted into the soft robot during compression or the fluid removed from the soft robot during decompression.

Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of wearable devices and a virtual queue control system configured to maintain respective virtual queues for respective attractions and in communication with the plurality of virtual queuing attraction stations. The virtual queue control system is configured to receive communications from the plurality of virtual queuing stations and add guests to the respective virtual queues based on the communications.

Abstract: A ride assembly includes a passenger vehicle having front wheels, rear wheels, a motor, and a steering wheel, where the front and rear wheels are disposed on a surface, the motor is configured to provide power to the front wheels to propel the passenger vehicle, and the steering wheel is configured to adjust a position of the rear wheels and enable the passenger vehicle to drift, a track forming a trough in the surface, and a bogie hingedly coupled to the passenger vehicle, where the bogie is disposed in the trough, and where the bogie is configured to direct movement of the passenger vehicle along the track.