Abstract: An insect trap includes a combination of one or more components used to classify the insect according to a genus and species. The trap includes an imaging device, a digital microphone, and passive infrared sensors at the entrance of the trap to sense wing-beat frequencies and size of the insect (to identify entry of a mosquito). A lamb-skin membrane, filled with an insect attractant such as carbon dioxide mixed with gas air inside, mimics human skin so that the insect can rest on the membrane and even pierce the membrane as if a blood meal is available. An imaging device such as a passive infrared sensor or a camera gathers image data of the insect. The insect may be a mosquito.

Abstract: A ride vehicle for an amusement attraction includes a body configured to support at least one rider; an engagement component connected with the body and configured to be interacted with by the at least one rider; a battery electrically connected with the engagement component for providing power to the engagement component; and an activator connected with the body, the activator configured to be triggered by a component located outside of the ride vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system, method, and apparatus for implementing a modular park attraction system. The system comprising a submerged surface in a depth of water, one or more platforms, a framework, and a plurality of challenge features. The submerged surface is configured to dampen a force impacted upon the submerged surface in the depth of water.

Abstract: A play center is described that is formed from multiple interconnected, modular polygonal decking components attached to and receiving water from one or more monopoles. The monopoles contain pressurized water and includes ports for distributing water to various water features distributed around the play center. Monoliths are attached to one or more sides of each of the decking components and are comprised of one or more panels and frame elements. The monoliths are removably connected to the decking components such that each monolith may be removed from one side of the decking and reconnected to another side of the decking, or be replaced with a different monolith. The play center also includes one or more elevated water control stations hidden within a monolith that allow for various adjustments to be made to the output of water to the water features of the play center.

Abstract: A water ride includes ride vehicles and spectator areas for allowing interaction between ride vehicles and/or between a ride vehicle and spectators to the ride. The water ride may include engagement components (e.g., water guns) located on the ride vehicle and/or at spectator areas. Users of the engagement components may therefore interact with other users operating other engagement components. Activators and corresponding reactors may be triggered by users and/or automatically providing additional entertainment and interaction for the water ride. Various charging capabilities may be used for powering one or more components, activators, and/or reactors of the ride, ride vehicle, and/or spectator areas.

Abstract: A water ride includes ride vehicles and spectator areas for allowing interaction between ride vehicles and/or between a ride vehicle and spectators to the ride. The water ride may include engagement components (e.g., water guns) located on the ride vehicle and/or at spectator areas. Users of the engagement components may therefore interact with other users operating other engagement components. Activators and corresponding reactors may be triggered by users and/or automatically providing additional entertainment and interaction for the water ride. Various charging capabilities may be used for powering one or more components, activators, and/or reactors of the ride, ride vehicle, and/or spectator areas.

Abstract: An insect trap includes a combination of one or more components used to classify the insect according to a genus and species. The trap includes an imaging device, a digital microphone, and passive infrared sensors at the entrance of the trap to sense wing-beat frequencies and size of the insect (to identify entry of a mosquito). A lamb-skin membrane, filled with an insect attractant such as carbon dioxide mixed with gas air inside, mimics human skin so that the insect can rest on the membrane and even pierce the membrane as if a blood meal is available. An imaging device such as a passive infrared sensor or a camera gathers image data of the insect. The insect may be a mosquito.

Abstract: A water ride includes ride vehicles and spectator areas for allowing interaction between ride vehicles and/or between a ride vehicle and spectators to the ride. The water ride may include engagement components (e.g., water guns) located on the ride vehicle and/or at spectator areas. Users of the engagement components may therefore interact with other users operating other engagement components. Activators and corresponding reactors may be triggered by users and/or automatically providing additional entertainment and interaction for the water ride. Various charging capabilities may be used for powering one or more components, activators, and/or reactors of the ride, ride vehicle, and/or spectator areas.

Abstract: A safety system is disclosed to provide safety to a user while traversing an amusement attraction. The safety system may include one or more safety mechanisms for attachment to a user and a track system. The one or more safety mechanisms may removably couple together. The one or more safety mechanisms may include additional features such as speed controllers, track engagement systems, among others to assist in the traversal of the safety mechanism through and across the track system.

Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.

Abstract: A halfshaft assembly in a vehicle is disclosed. The halfshaft assembly includes a hub and a mating universal joint, such as a constant-velocity joint. The hub has a plurality of hub-teeth arranged annularly about an axis. The constant-velocity joint has a plurality of joint-teeth arranged annularly about the axis and engaged with the hub-teeth. Between each joint-tooth is a joint-root. The top, outermost surface of each tooth facing away from adjacent roots extends at a first angle with respect to the central axis. The root extends at a second angle with respect to the central axis. The angles are different such that the height of the tooth varies along the same tooth along the length of the tooth. Each tooth has involute side surfaces. The joint-teeth form a conical or inverse-conical shape.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a safety system for coupling a rider to an amusement attraction with a track assembly including a junction box, and a plurality of control surfaces. The plurality of control surfaces includes slideable and rollable control surfaces. The safety system includes a carriage system for coupling the rider to the track assembly including a main support assembly, and a rolling safety mechanism including a rotatable element. The rotatable element includes a track engagement surface including rolling and sliding surfaces. In some embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes a plurality of pucks. Some embodiments include a rolling safety mechanism with a partially truncated ellipsoidal member rotatably mounted to a control support. In other embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes two partially truncated ellipsoidal members each positioned at substantially opposite ends of a support frame that includes at least one lanyard support.

Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.

Abstract: A halfshaft assembly in a vehicle is disclosed. The halfshaft assembly includes a hub and a mating universal joint, such as a constant-velocity joint. The hub has a plurality of hub-teeth arranged annularly about an axis. The constant-velocity joint has a plurality of joint-teeth arranged annularly about the axis and engaged with the hub-teeth. Between each joint-tooth is a joint-root. The top, outermost surface of each tooth facing away from adjacent roots extends at a first angle with respect to the central axis. The root extends at a second angle with respect to the central axis. The angles are different such that the height of the tooth varies along the same tooth along the length of the tooth. Each tooth has involute side surfaces. The joint-teeth form a conical or inverse-conical shape.

Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction. points.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a safety system for coupling a rider to an amusement attraction with a track assembly including a junction box, and a plurality of control surfaces. The plurality of control surfaces includes slideable and rollable control surfaces. The safety system includes a carriage system for coupling the rider to the track assembly including a main support assembly, and a rolling safety mechanism including a rotatable element. The rotatable element includes a track engagement surface including rolling and sliding surfaces. In some embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes a plurality of pucks. Some embodiments include a rolling safety mechanism with a partially truncated ellipsoidal member rotatably mounted to a control support. In other embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes two partially truncated ellipsoidal members each positioned at substantially opposite ends of a support frame that includes at least one lanyard support.

Abstract: An entertainment venue, amusement attraction, or interactive play center configured to provide a variety of activities for users. The attraction may include blaster cannons, sorting stations, fountain components, registration stations, video monitors, targets, and other interactive elements. Several of these components may receive and/or propel elements (such as foam balls, water, light or lasers, etc.) and accumulate points for users based upon this activity. A registration and tracking system can keep track of specific users and their activities for the purpose of generating or compiling statistics or generating a score for the users. A mobile application associated with the interactive play center may be used during play to indicate additional information or features about the amusement attraction or to allow for continued entertainment by users even after they have left the entertainment venue or interactive play center. This may be conveyed via augmented reality or other visual/audible notification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a braking safety system for controlling the velocity of a vehicle on an amusement attraction. The braking system includes a track assembly including a plurality of control surfaces configured to support and guide the vehicle on the amusement attraction, a carriage system for coupling the vehicle to the track assembly, and at least one adaptive braking system configured to adaptively control the velocity of the vehicle on the track assembly. In some embodiments, the at least one adaptive braking system is configured to engage at least one of the following: a passive element or an active element to reduce the velocity of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the at least one adaptive braking system is configured to enable speed reduction of the vehicle using either one or a combination of magnetic field interaction, aerodynamic drag, and friction.

Abstract: An entertainment venue, amusement attraction, or interactive play center configured to provide a variety of activities for users. The attraction may include blaster cannons, sorting stations, fountain components, registration stations, video monitors, targets, and other interactive elements. Several of these components may receive and/or propel elements (such as foam balls, water, light or lasers, etc.) and accumulate points for users based upon this activity. A registration and tracking system can keep track of specific users and their activities for the purpose of generating or compiling statistics or generating a score for the users. A mobile application associated with the interactive play center may be used during play to indicate additional information or features about the amusement attraction or to allow for continued entertainment by users even after they have left the entertainment venue or interactive play center. This may be conveyed via augmented reality or other visual/audible notification.

Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.