Abstract: A special effects system includes a retroreflective target, an object comprising one or more light sources disposed on an end of the object, where the end of the object is spatially oriented to face the retroreflective target such that light from the one or more light sources is emitted onto the retroreflective target, and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the one or more light sources, wherein the controller comprises a processor configured to adjust the light from the light source based in part on the on the one or more signals output by the one or more sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of a position of the object, or a condition of the one or more light sources.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a fluid source configured to emit a fluid stream with a geometry that facilitates internal reflection, a transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the fluid stream such that the signal is enclosed in the fluid stream via internal reflection and the signal comprises a parameter, a sensor configured to receive the signal via the fluid stream and provide data indicative of the parameter, and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system includes a processor and a memory, and the memory includes instructions that cause the processor to receive the data indicative of the parameter from the sensor, and operate the attraction system based on the parameter.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a fluid source configured to emit a fluid stream with a geometry that facilitates internal reflection, a transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the fluid stream such that the signal is enclosed in the fluid stream via internal reflection and the signal comprises a parameter, a sensor configured to receive the signal via the fluid stream and provide data indicative of the parameter, and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system includes a processor and a memory, and the memory includes instructions that cause the processor to receive the data indicative of the parameter from the sensor, and operate the attraction system based on the parameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an electromagnetic animated figure control system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to techniques for actuating a figure, such as a plush toy, using addressable control nodes (e.g., electromagnetic coils) of an electromagnetic array. For example, an amusement park may include a control surface implemented to include the electromagnetic array. Further, an animated figure may include magnets in one or more components. Accordingly, while the animated figure may lack a power source, the animated figure may be controlled (e.g., actuated) via a controlled magnetic interaction between the control surface and the magnets.

Abstract: A system includes a projection device configured to project images onto a receiver surface of a viewing device. The viewing device includes a screen having the receiver surface and a viewing surface opposite the receiver surface. The screen is configured to permit transmission of the images through the screen, from the receiver surface, to the viewing surface such that the images are viewable on the viewing surface. The viewing device also includes a focusing lens configured to focus the images for a user when wearing the viewing device. Further, the system includes a tracking system configured to determine a location and orientation of the receiver surface of the viewing device. The projection device is configured to adjust image properties of the images based at least in part on the determined location and orientation of the receiver surface.

Abstract: A system includes a projection device configured to project images onto a receiver surface of a viewing device. The viewing device includes a screen having the receiver surface and a viewing surface opposite the receiver surface. The screen is configured to permit transmission of the images through the screen, from the receiver surface, to the viewing surface such that the images are viewable on the viewing surface. The viewing device also includes a focusing lens configured to focus the images for a user when wearing the viewing device. Further, the system includes a tracking system configured to determine a location and orientation of the receiver surface of the viewing device. The projection device is configured to adjust image properties of the images based at least in part on the determined location and orientation of the receiver surface.

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 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: An edible soft robot system may be used to display and/or interact with edible inflatable objects. In an embodiment, the edible inflatable object is configured to receive a fluid in an internal compartment. The edible inflatable object may be reversibly coupled to a container, wherein coupling the edible inflatable object to the container comprises aligning a port of the edible inflatable object to a fluid conduit to fluidically couple the internal compartment to the fluid conduit. A control system of the edible soft robot system is configured to receive instructions to adjust inflation of the internal compartment by activating fluid flow into or out of the internal compartment via the fluid conduit, wherein adjusting inflation of the internal compartment causes the edible inflatable object to actuate on or within the container.

Abstract: A system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes multiple paths on a surface, wherein each path is defined by light projection characteristics of a respective light projection defining a respective path. The system also includes the vehicle. The vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect the light projection characteristic of the respective path of the multiple paths, and a controller guide the vehicle along the respective path with a light projection characteristic that matches an expected light projection characteristic that is assigned to the vehicle.

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: The present disclosure relates generally to an electromagnetic animated figure control system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to techniques for actuating a figure, such as a plush toy, using addressable control nodes (e.g., electromagnetic coils) of an electromagnetic array. For example, an amusement park may include a control surface implemented to include the electromagnetic array. Further, an animated figure may include magnets in one or more components. Accordingly, while the animated figure may lack a power source, the animated figure may be controlled (e.g., actuated) via a controlled magnetic interaction between the control surface and the magnets.

Abstract: A motion capture glove may use a set of sensors to detect the motion of fingers. Pairs of magnets and magnetic sensors may be positioned along portions of a hand that are capable of movement or bending. For example, a magnet may be positioned on one side of a top of the joint and a magnetic sensor on the opposite side of the top of the joint. As a user bends the finger, the sensor is moved further away from the magnet. An electrical signal generated by the sensor may vary as the distance between the sensor and the magnet varies. The strength of the electrical signal may be used to determine a configuration of the joint. A determination of the configuration of each joint may be used to determine a configuration of a hand, which can be used to generate an animation of motion capture clip.

Abstract: A method to provide visual feedback for gazed-based user-interface navigation includes presenting, on a display, a first image representing a digital object available for user interaction, recognizing a user gaze axis, and computing a point of intersection of the user gaze axis through the first image. An offset distance between the point of intersection and a reference position of the first image then recognized, and a second image is presented on the display. The second image is presented displaced from the point of intersection by an amount dependent on the offset distance.

Abstract: A method to provide visual feedback for gazed-based user-interface navigation includes presenting, on a display, a first image representing a digital object available for user interaction, recognizing a user gaze axis, and computing a point of intersection of the user gaze axis through the first image. An offset distance between the point of intersection and a reference position of the first image then recognized, and a second image is presented on the display. The second image is presented displaced from the point of intersection by an amount dependent on the offset distance.