Abstract: An animated figure system includes an animated figure having a body. The animated figure system further includes one or more actuators configured to move the body according to a motion profile. Additionally, the animated figure system includes a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) coupled to the body at a respective plurality of locations. Each IMU is configured to measure one or more motion parameters of the body. Further, the animated figure system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more actuators and the plurality of IMUs. The controller is configured to determine one or more offset factors based at least on the one or more motion parameters, augment the motion profile based on the one or more offset factors to produce an adjusted motion profile, and operate the one or more actuators according to the adjusted motion profile to apply a force opposing oscillation of the body.

Abstract: An animated figure system includes an animated figure having a central body portion and one or more appendages. Each appendage of the one or more appendages includes a proximal end portion opposite a distal end portion, and each appendage is pivotally coupled to the central body portion at the proximal end. The animated figure system further includes a boom system having a boom coupled to the central body portion. The boom system is configured to adjust a vertical position of the central body portion. Additionally, the animated figure system includes one or more actuators configured to position one or more magnets below a platform. The one or more magnets are configured to magnetically engage at least one of the distal end portions of the one or more appendages. Furthermore, the animated figure system includes a controller communicatively configured to coordinate motion of the boom and the one or more magnets.

Abstract: A system includes one or more illumination devices configured to emit light. The system also includes a serpentine extension coupled to a rotatable shaft. The rotation of the rotatable shaft causes the serpentine extension to rotate at an angular velocity. The system also includes a control system comprising one or more processors. The control system is configured to control the one or more illumination devices to emit light toward or from the serpentine extension at an illumination timing frequency that is asynchronous with respect to the angular velocity.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an articulated joint. The articulated joint includes a first rotatable joint member including a first socket cavity, and a second rotatable joint member including a second socket cavity. The articulated joint further includes an elongated member including a first end having a spherical shape and a second end having the spherical shape, the first end of the elongated member being moveably secured in the first socket cavity and the second end of the elongated member being moveably secured in the second socket cavity. The elongated member is configured to rotate the second rotatable joint member in response to a rotation of the first rotatable joint member.

Abstract: Present embodiments provide a projection mapping system that includes multiple trackers and an actuatable object. The actuatable object may include multiple tracking cameras positioned on the actuatable object, such that the multiple tracking cameras are configured to detect optical signals of the multiple trackers and to generate tracking signals indicative of detection of the multiple trackers. Additionally, the projection mapping system includes an object controller configured to transmit the tracking signals, and receive instructions to actuate the actuatable object. Also, the projection mapping system includes a system controller configured to receive the tracking signals, determine a position of the actuatable object based on the tracking signals, and generate projection instructions based on the determined position.

Abstract: A show effect system of an amusement park attraction includes a prop component and a linkage system having an extension and a contactor system. The linkage system is configured to move relative to the prop component to move the extension toward the prop component and to cause engagement between the contactor system and the prop component, cause the prop component to move, via the engagement between the contactor system and the prop component, in conjunction with the extension, and block direct contact between the prop component and the extension. The extension is coupled to an animated figure such that the linkage system is configured to cause movement of the animated figure via the extension.

Abstract: An attraction system may include a projection mapped tangible show element with a first rigid body including a first shell coupled to a first tracker, a second rigid body including a second shell coupled to a second tracker, and a connection coupling the first rigid body and the second rigid body to one another. The connection may enable movement of the first rigid body relative to the second rigid body. The attraction system may also include an image sensor to generate sensor data indicative of a first position of the first rigid body and a second position of the second rigid body and a projector to project first image data on the first rigid body and second image data on the second rigid body.

Abstract: A reactive media system includes a motion control system that includes an animated figure having a figure portion. The reactive media system also includes a media control system. The media control system includes a camera configured to generate updated image data indicative of updated images to be projected onto an external surface of the figure portion. The media control system also includes a projector configured to receive the updated image data from the camera and project the updated images onto the external surface of the figure portion.

Abstract: An ambulatory animated figure system includes an animated figure having a body with a first limb and a second limb extending therefrom. The system also includes a carrier configured to be disposed on a support, and the animated figure extends away from a side of the carrier in a direction. The carrier is coupled to a first limb through a first actuator system, which is configured to move the first limb away from the side of the carrier in the direction and configured to slide an end of the first limb transversely relative to the direction. The carrier is translated relative to the support through a second actuator system. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first actuator system and the second actuator system and configured to coordinate actuation of the first actuator system and the second actuator system to provide an ambulatory effect.

Abstract: A reactive media system of includes a motion control system. The motion control system includes an animated figure having a figure portion. The motion control system also includes a set of trackers coupled to a first surface of the figure portion. Each tracker of the set of trackers is configured to emit a respective sensor signal. The reactive media system also includes a media control system. The media control system includes a tracking camera configured to receive the respective sensor signals from the set of trackers. The tracking camera is also configured to determine a current position of the set of trackers relative to one another, relative to the tracking camera, or both based on receipt of the respective sensor signals. The tracking camera is also configured to generate state signals indicative of a current position and a current orientation of the figure portion based on the current position of the set of trackers.

Abstract: An ambulatory animated figure system includes an animated figure having a body with a first limb and a second limb extending therefrom. The system also includes a carrier configured to be disposed on a support, and the animated figure extends away from a side of the carrier in a direction. The carrier is coupled to a first limb through a first actuator system, which is configured to move the first limb away from the side of the carrier in the direction and configured to slide an end of the first limb transversely relative to the direction. The carrier is translated relative to the support through a second actuator system. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first actuator system and the second actuator system and configured to coordinate actuation of the first actuator system and the second actuator system to provide an ambulatory effect.

Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes an observation area, a primary area, a primary real object, a reflective component positioned to create a reflection of the primary real object, and a secondary area. The controller is configured to release the primary real object, wherein the reflective component reflects imagery of the primary real object in motion, thereby creating a virtual object that appears to be moving toward a guest within the secondary area.

Abstract: A method of dynamic media generation for presentation via projection on an animated figure includes defining, via processing circuitry, a computer-generated model of the animated figure, operating, via the processing circuitry, a manufacturing system to generate a tangible model based on the computer-generated model, generating, via the processing circuitry, a revised computer-generated model based on the tangible model, simulating, via the processing circuitry, projection of imagery onto the revised computer-generated model, and operating, via the processing circuitry, a projector to project the imagery onto the tangible model based on simulated projection of the imagery onto the revised computer-generated model.

Abstract: An attraction system may include a projection mapped tangible show element with a first rigid body including a first shell coupled to a first tracker, a second rigid body including a second shell coupled to a second tracker, and a connection coupling the first rigid body and the second rigid body to one another. The connection may enable movement of the first rigid body relative to the second rigid body. The attraction system may also include an image sensor to generate sensor data indicative of a first position of the first rigid body and a second position of the second rigid body and a projector to project first image data on the first rigid body and second image data on the second rigid body.

Abstract: A dual-surfaced mirror for a mirror wedge illusion. The dual-surfaced mirror includes a reflective material layer, a thin glass layer overlaying a front surface of the reflective material, a dark mask layer overlaying a back surface of the reflective material, and a thick glass support layer coupled to the dark mask layer.

Abstract: A method of dynamic media generation for presentation via projection on an animated figure includes defining, via processing circuitry, a computer-generated model of the animated figure, operating, via the processing circuitry, a manufacturing system to generate a tangible model based on the computer-generated model, generating, via the processing circuitry, a revised computer-generated model based on the tangible model, simulating, via the processing circuitry, projection of imagery onto the revised computer-generated model, and operating, via the processing circuitry, a projector to project the imagery onto the tangible model based on simulated projection of the imagery onto the revised computer-generated model.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are related to a flexible shell structure. The flexible shell structure includes a plurality of rigid support strips that collectively define a three-dimensional shape of at least one part of a character form. The flexible shell structure further includes at least one coupling member configured to couple two or more rigid support strips of the plurality of rigid support strips. The at least one coupling member enables the flexible shell structure to flex when a first force is applied to the flexible shell structure in a first direction, and enables the flexible shell structure to resist flexing when a second force is applied to the flexible shell structure in a second direction.

Abstract: A dual-surfaced mirror for a mirror wedge illusion. The dual-surfaced mirror includes a reflective material layer, a thin glass layer overlaying a front surface of the reflective material, a dark mask layer overlaying a back surface of the reflective material, and a thick glass support layer coupled to the dark mask layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are related to a flexible shell structure. The flexible shell structure includes a plurality of rigid support strips that collectively define a three-dimensional shape of at least one part of a character form. The flexible shell structure further includes at least one coupling member configured to couple two or more rigid support strips of the plurality of rigid support strips. The at least one coupling member enables the flexible shell structure to flex when a first force is applied to the flexible shell structure in a first direction, and enables the flexible shell structure to resist flexing when a second force is applied to the flexible shell structure in a second direction.

Abstract: A reactive media system of includes a motion control system. The motion control system includes an animated figure having a figure portion. The motion control system also includes a set of trackers coupled to a first surface of the figure portion. Each tracker of the set of trackers is configured to emit a respective sensor signal. The reactive media system also includes a media control system. The media control system includes a tracking camera configured to receive the respective sensor signals from the set of trackers. The tracking camera is also configured to determine a current position of the set of trackers relative to one another, relative to the tracking camera, or both based on receipt of the respective sensor signals. The tracking camera is also configured to generate state signals indicative of a current position and a current orientation of the figure portion based on the current position of the set of trackers.