Abstract: An interactive entertainment system using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to allow participants to communicate user input to the system. The system includes an interactive station including an RFID reader and wireless communication devices that each has a user input portion operable by a user. Each communication device includes an RFID assembly that operates to broadcast to the RFID reader tag data, which is selectable by a user by operating the user input portion. The RFID assembly may use passive RFID tags that are activated or operable in response to user input such as pressing a button associated with an RFID tags, which causes the RFID tag to be read by the RFID reader to obtain a button ID. The RFID assembly may include an active RFID tag and a computing device that selectively modifies tag memory based on user input to communicate user messages to the RFID reader.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A conveyer apparatus for inspecting and processing pellet-shaped articles, each of the pellet-shaped articles including a first side and a second side, the conveyer apparatus comprising: a conveyer including a plurality of carrier links to convey a plurality of pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined conveyer path; a first inspection unit including at least one camera to inspect the first side and/or the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles and determine an orientation of each of the pellet-shaped articles on the conveyer; a processing unit including at least two processing devices, each on an opposite side of the conveyer to process the first side and the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles; and a second inspection unit including at least one camera on each side of the conveyer to inspect the first side and/or the second side of the pellet-shaped articles after processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a conveyer structured to convey a plurality of articles along a conveyer path and at least one processing station provided along the conveyer path to perform at least one processing operation. The conveyer path includes at least one loop or festoon.

Abstract: A conveyer apparatus for inspecting and processing pellet-shaped articles, each of the pellet-shaped articles including a first side and a second side, the conveyer apparatus comprising: a conveyer including a plurality of carrier links to convey a plurality of pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined conveyer path; a first inspection unit including at least one camera to inspect the first side and/or the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles and determine an orientation of each of the pellet-shaped articles on the conveyer; a processing unit including at least two processing devices, each on an opposite side of the conveyer to process the first side and the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles; and a second inspection unit including at least one camera on each side of the conveyer to inspect the first side and/or the second side of the pellet-shaped articles after processing.

Abstract: A carrier bar to convey at least one pellet-shaped article along a predetermined conveyer path in a direction of travel, the carrier bar comprises at least one pocket adapted to receive a pellet-shaped article and each pocket having a pocket wall, and a product settling area included in each pocket and having a dimple defined in the product settling area by an edge, said dimple adapted to seat the bottom side of the pellet-shaped article, wherein said dimple is offset from a center of said product settling area and said dimple is shaped to position, hold, or bias a portion of the pellet-shaped article towards and/or against a portion of the pocket wall.

Abstract: There is provided a system comprising a venue including a mapped physical space; a venue management system configured to control real events occurring within the venue; a transporter designed to transport at least one occupant through the mapped physical space along a known path, the transporter configured to move through the mapped physical space under the control of the venue management system; an augmented reality experience server including a virtual venue generator in communication with the venue management system, the virtual venue generator for producing a virtual venue having a virtual representation of the mapped physical space including virtual events and real events occurring within the venue; the augmented reality experience server configured to provide the at least one occupant of the transporter with an augmented sensory perspective including a selective combination of the real events occurring in the venue and the virtual events produced by the virtual venue generator.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for operating multi-power signaling device. There is provided a system comprising a memory, a transmitter, and a processor. The processor chooses a power level from a plurality of transmit power levels to be used as the strength for broadcasting the next signal to be broadcasted. The selected power level value is converted into a digital value and inserted into the data content of the signal to be broadcasted. The transmitter broadcasts the signal at the strength of the prior selected power level.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A system for marking pellet shaped articles includes a conveyer to convey the pellet-shaped articles along a transport path, and a laser to generate at least one beam to print or etch information on one or more of the pellet-shaped articles. The information includes at least one of alphabetical characters, numeric characters, and/or logos. The information comprises at least one engraving, e.g., two engravings or holes, apertures, etc., that are adjacent one another and at least partially overlapping. The system includes a controller to control x and y or x, y and z coordinates of the beam of the laser relative to the transport path to align the beam with the one or more of the pellet-shaped articles.

Abstract: A carrier bar to convey at least one pellet-shaped article along a predetermined conveyer path in a direction of travel, the carrier bar comprises at least one pocket adapted to receive a pellet-shaped article and each pocket having a pocket wall, and a product settling area included in each pocket and having a dimple defined in the product settling area by an edge, said dimple adapted to seat the bottom side of the pellet-shaped article, wherein said dimple is offset from a center of said product settling area and said dimple is shaped to position, hold, or bias a portion of the pellet-shaped article towards and/or against a portion of the pocket wall.

Abstract: There is provided a system comprising a venue including a mapped physical space; a venue management system configured to control real events occurring within the venue; a transporter designed to transport at least one occupant through the mapped physical space along a known path, the transporter configured to move through the mapped physical space under the control of the venue management system; an augmented reality experience server including a virtual venue generator in communication with the venue management system, the virtual venue generator for producing a virtual venue having a virtual representation of the mapped physical space including virtual events and real events occurring within the venue; the augmented reality experience server configured to provide the at least one occupant of the transporter with an augmented sensory perspective including a selective combination of the real events occurring in the venue and the virtual events produced by the virtual venue generator.

Abstract: A conveyer apparatus for transporting and processing tablets includes a conveyer and an ejection system. Each of the tablets includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a belly band that interconnects the first and second sides. The conveyer includes a plurality of carrier links to convey a plurality of tablets along a predetermined conveyer path. Each carrier link has a pocket to receive and transport a tablet in a vertical orientation along the predetermined conveyer path. The ejection system is structured to selectively accept or eject a tablet from the carrier link in response to a signal provided by a sensor positioned upstream of the ejection system.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for operating multi-power signaling device. There is provided a system comprising a memory, a transmitter, and a processor. The processor chooses a power level from a plurality of transmit power levels to be used as the strength for broadcasting the next signal to be broadcasted. The selected power level value is converted into a digital value and inserted into the data content of the signal to be broadcasted. The transmitter broadcasts the signal at the strength of the prior selected power level.

Abstract: There is provided a system comprising a venue including a mapped physical space; a venue management system configured to control real events occurring within the venue; a transporter designed to transport at least one occupant through the mapped physical space along a known path, the transporter configured to move through the mapped physical space under the control of the venue management system; an augmented reality experience server including a virtual venue generator in communication with the venue management system, the virtual venue generator for producing a virtual venue having a virtual representation of the mapped physical space including virtual events and real events occurring within the venue; the augmented reality experience server configured to provide the at least one occupant of the transporter with an augmented sensory perspective including a selective combination of the real events occurring in the venue and the virtual events produced by the virtual venue generator.

Abstract: A pellet-shaped article inspection unit is structured for use with a conveyer mechanism having a plurality of carrier bars, each carrier bar being structured to convey a plurality of pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The article inspection unit includes a first camera unit positioned adjacent a first side of the conveyer mechanism, to sense a first predetermined characteristic, e.g., laser holes. A removal mechanism, downstream from the first camera unit, is structured to remove or maintain at least a selected one of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles from at least a selected one of the plurality of carrier bars depending on whether the first predetermined characteristic is sensed.