Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a mobile locker. The mobile locker can include a mobility unit to enable the locker to relocate from one location to another. The mobile locker is modular which allows the storage compartment to be detached from the mobility unit for storage, transfer via other means. The storage compartment can be coupled either the same or a different mobility unit. The mobile lockers can be recalled by a customer to either the customer's location or to designated locations at the venue. The lockers can include any one of multiple locking mechanisms. The mobile locker can communicate with a monitoring center that oversees the deployment of multiple mobile lockers. Embodiments of the mobile locker can interact with customers through a display, microphone, and speaker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface, which simulation vehicle can transit at least one passenger through a ride experience from a starting position to a terminating position. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated dynamic adaptive control are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle that can transit at least one participant through an entertainment experience from a starting positon to a terminating position. The simulation vehicle can include a plurality of user controls. The system can include a processor that can: provide content to the at least one participant; receive user inputs via the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle. The processor can: affect the entertainment experience based on the received user inputs; identify an intervention based on a determined discrepancy between received user inputs and expected user inputs; and modify an effect of the user inputs on the entertainment experience according to the identified intervention.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe an AR system which communicates with light sources in a real world environment to simulate the light sources having an effect on AR content being displayed in the AR system. In one embodiment, the AR system determines the light characteristics of the light sources such as their color, specularity, beam spread, brightness, or illumination pattern. These light characteristics can contribute to the ambient light in the real world environment which affects the appearance of the physical objects in the environment. The AR system can adjust how the AR content is displayed to simulate the AR content being affected in a similar manner by the light sources. As such, the AR content appears to be more like a physical object (rather than a virtual object) thereby providing the user with a more immersive experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for active acoustic compensation in proximate theaters are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a first theater including a first content presentation system and a second theater including a second content presentation system. The system can include a processor in communicating connection with the first content presentation system and the second content presentation system. The processor can be controlled to: direct presentation of first content in the first theater via the first content presentation system; direct presentation of second content in the second theater via the second content presentation system; identify an impending first acoustic event in the first theater; and control the second content presentation system to generate a second acoustic event to mitigate the detectability of the first acoustic event in the second theater.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe an AR system which communicates with light sources in a real world environment to simulate the light sources having an effect on AR content being displayed in the AR system. In one embodiment, the AR system determines the light characteristics of the light sources such as their color, specularity, beam spread, brightness, or illumination pattern. These light characteristics can contribute to the ambient light in the real world environment which affects the appearance of the physical objects in the environment. The AR system can adjust how the AR content is displayed to simulate the AR content being affected in a similar manner by the light sources. As such, the AR content appears to be more like a physical object (rather than a virtual object) thereby providing the user with a more immersive experience.

Abstract: A process and apparatus integrate a first 3D object model with a second 3D object model to generate an integrated 3D printable model. The first 3D object model models a first object that is passive. The second 3D object model models an electrical power source receptacle that operably connects to an electrical power source that provides electrical power for operation of the first object. The process and apparatus print a 3D object based upon the 3D model.

Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle progression along a ride path of an amusement park ride. The method includes receiving inputs from a passenger of a vehicle on the ride path and processing the received inputs to determine a vehicle state change. The method includes determining a present or predicted vehicle state and comparing the present or predicted vehicle state with constraints defined by a dynamic boundary associated with the vehicle. The method includes issuing vehicle control commands to a drive assembly to implement the vehicle state change if it complies with the constraints. The dynamic boundary is moved logically along the ride path at a nominal to define a set of boundaries for movement of the vehicle along the ride path. The vehicle state change may be a change that causes the vehicle to travel at a speed differing from the dynamic boundary while remaining within the dynamic boundary.

Abstract: A system for flock-based control of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system includes UAVs each including a processor executing a local control module and memory accessible by the processor for use by the local control module. The system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The flight plans are stored on the UAVs, and, during flight operations, each of the local control modules independently controls the corresponding UAV to execute its flight plan without ongoing control from the fleet manager module. The fleet manager module is operable to initiate flight operations by concurrently triggering initiation of the flight plans by the multiple UAVs. Further, the local control modules monitor front and back end communication channels and, when a channel is lost, operate the UAV in a safe mode.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for controlling a tracking device to follow a location of a performer on a stage. The tracking device may comprise a lighting fixture such as a high output video projector or an automated mechanical moving light such as a DMX lighting fixture to provide a followspot, or a microphone to record audio from a particular performer. The method comprises capturing a video feed of the stage using a camera, presenting the video feed on a display of a control device, receiving input data indicating a position of the performer in the video feed, translating the input data into the location of the performer on the stage, and adjusting the tracking device to follow the location of the performer on the stage. The control device thereby provides lighting operators with an intuitive interface readily implemented using cost effective commodity hardware.

Abstract: A process integrates object geometry data of an object and data describing an electronic component that is embeddable within the object to generate a printable model. The process also prints an object based upon the integrated printable model. A computing apparatus, e.g., a computing device, a printer, etc., uses a processor to perform the integration and at least one printer head to print the object. The process partially prints the object and then retrieves the electronic component specified by the integrated 3D printable model. The process then operably connects the electronic component to the partially complete object and subsequently completes printing the object. The process can print mechanical receivers for the electronic component or install prefabricated mechanical receivers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus integrate a first 3D object model with a second 3D object model to generate an integrated 3D printable model. The first 3D object model models a first object that is passive. The second 3D object model models an electrical power source receptacle that operably connects to an electrical power source that provides electrical power for operation of the first object. The process and apparatus print a 3D object based upon the 3D model.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a puppet device. The apparatus also comprises a control mechanism operably connected to the puppet device to control movement of the puppet device. The control mechanism comprises a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction of a fluid in which the puppet device and the control device are positioned such that the control mechanism is rendered substantially invisible. Further, another apparatus comprises an object. The apparatus also comprises an actuator that is operably connected to the object and moves in a fluid environment based upon movement of a control mechanism that interacts with the actuator in the fluid environment, the control mechanism comprising a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction to render the control mechanism substantially invisible in the fluid environment.

Abstract: A system for flock-based control of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system includes UAVs each including a processor executing a local control module and memory accessible by the processor for use by the local control module. The system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The flight plans are stored on the UAVs, and, during flight operations, each of the local control modules independently controls the corresponding UAV to execute its flight plan without ongoing control from the fleet manager module. The fleet manager module is operable to initiate flight operations by concurrently triggering initiation of the flight plans by the multiple UAVs. Further, the local control modules monitor front and back end communication channels and, when a channel is lost, operate the UAV in a safe mode.

Abstract: A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of UAVs each including a propulsion device and a display payload, and the system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and memory storing a different flight plan and a set of display controls for the UAVs. Then, wherein, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans through operation of the propulsion devices and operate the display payloads based on the display controls. The display payloads each include a lighting assembly and a light controller. The output light is one of a two or more colored light streams, and each of the display payloads further may include a light diffuser with the output light being directed onto a surface of the light diffuser. The light diffuser may include a light diffusing screen extending about the lighting assembly.

Abstract: A selective illumination system for use with amusement park rides and other attractions. The system includes a first light source illuminating a first set of items in a physical set and also includes a second light source illuminating a second set of items in the physical set. The system further includes a first set of optical filters operating in time synchronization with the first light source to pass light from the illuminated first set of items and also includes a second set of optical filters operating in time synchronization with the second light source to pass light from the illuminated first set of items. The optical filters of the first and second sets may be shutter glasses or other filters that are operated at high rates to selectively pass received light, and the first and second light sources are operated in a time multiplexed manner synchronized with the optical filters.

Abstract: A system for flock-based control of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system includes UAVs each including a processor executing a local control module and memory accessible by the processor for use by the local control module. The system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The flight plans are stored on the UAVs, and, during flight operations, each of the local control modules independently controls the corresponding UAV to execute its flight plan without ongoing control from the fleet manager module. The fleet manager module is operable to initiate flight operations by concurrently triggering initiation of the flight plans by the multiple UAVs. Further, the local control modules monitor front and back and communication channels and, when a channel is lost, operate the UAV in a safe mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle progression along a ride path of an amusement park ride. The method includes receiving inputs from a passenger of a vehicle on the ride path and processing the received inputs to determine a vehicle state change. The method includes determining a present or predicted vehicle state and comparing the present or predicted vehicle state with constraints defined by a dynamic boundary associated with the vehicle. The method includes issuing vehicle control commands to a drive assembly to implement the vehicle state change if it complies with the constraints. The dynamic boundary is moved logically along the ride path at a nominal to define a set of boundaries for movement of the vehicle along the ride path. The vehicle state change may be a change that causes the vehicle to travel at a speed differing from the dynamic boundary while remaining within the dynamic boundary.