Abstract: A ride or show control apparatus using visual recognition to provide a more interactive experience to guests or participants. The apparatus is adapted for operating a ride or show element, such as a robotic character. The apparatus includes a mechanized or robotic element with movable components positioned near a guest traffic area. The apparatus includes an imaging assembly capturing images of the traffic area and outputting digital image data. A controller is provided that includes a processor using an object recognition module to process the image data to determine whether an object is in the traffic area. In response to the object recognition, the control system operates movable components of the mechanized element such as to cause it to speak or move in the direction of the recognized object such as a visitor's face or a badge, hat, or other item worn or carried by a guest or participant.

Abstract: A miniature spooling apparatus is described. The miniature spooling apparatus includes a housing having a miniature motor attached within the housing. The miniature motor has an axle extending therefrom, with a mechanically powered miniature spool attached with the axle. The miniature spool includes a top portion having a tapered indentation formed circumferentially around the top portion, and a bottom portion having slits formed therein. The slits intersect one another at a point of intersection to form an axle receptacle for receiving the axle from the miniature motor.

Abstract: A miniature spooling apparatus is described. The miniature spooling apparatus includes a housing having a miniature motor attached within the housing. The miniature motor has a shaft extending therefrom, with a mechanically powered spool attached with the shaft. A magnet is connected with the shaft and/or the spool. An integrated circuit is connected with the motor to operate the motor. Additionally, a magnetic reed switch is connected with the integrated circuit such that as a user pulls the thread and manually rotates the item, the magnet rotates to actuate the magnetic reed switch which is connected with the integrated circuit, thereby initiating the motor to start winding the thread around the spool. When the spool is still for a predetermined amount of time, the integrated circuit is configured to turn off the motor. Additionally, the miniature spooling apparatus is housed in an item, such as a pen, to conceal the apparatus.

Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a tactile or physical contact system. The ride vehicle moves along a path or track. The path or track can be outdoors or partially or entirely indoors, i.e., in a dark ride. The system provides a touch effect by causing a physical or solid touch element to make physical contact with a part of a rider's body. Alternatively, the system can operate by projecting or spraying a gas, such as air, a vapor, such as water vapor or steam, or even a liquid, such as water, toward or onto part of a rider's body or the rider's clothing. The system is advantageously substantially self-contained aboard the vehicle, but may receive power or working fluid from off-board sources, either at discrete locations, or continuously along the ride path.

Abstract: A device for amusing a cat or other pet is provided that has a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a motor disposed in the housing, a belt attached to the housing via an upper shaft and a lower shaft, a string having a first end attached to the belt and a second end extending freely from the belt, and means for activating the motor. In operation the motor rotates the belt causing the string to repeatedly fling outwardly from being hidden within the frame and amuse the cat. Methods for amusing a pet are also disclosed that comprise the steps of automating a string, whereby a free end of the string appears and disappears from view. These methods are preferably accomplished by attaching one end of the string to a rotating belt within a housing.

Abstract: A miniature electrically powered thread reel and precision spooling mechanism fully and discretely hidden inside the cap of a working ink pen. Primarily intended for use by magicians during routines that require a super-thin thread be used for secretly controlling the motion of small objects. The device is completely self-contained and internally houses all necessary components required for normal and reliable functioning. The reel mechanism consists of a spool, spool-cap, motor, motor-housing, switch, battery, electrical contacts, and connective wiring. The main body of the pen is split into two primary sections and is retractable in length. This specialized body configuration is required because the cap contains the reel mechanism, and as a result is not hollow like an ordinary pen cap, so the body of the pen is segmented allowing the halves to slide together.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus including a user-operated and controlled apparatus for self-infliction of repetitive blows to the user's buttocks by a plurality of elongated arms bearing flexible extensions that rotate under the user's control. The apparatus includes a platform foldable at a mid-section, having first post and second upstanding posts detachably mounted thereon. The first post is provided with a crank positioned at a height thereon which requires the user to bend forward toward the first post while grasping the crank with both hands, to prominently present his buttocks toward the second post. The second post is provided with a plurality of rotating arms detachably mounted thereon, with a central axis of the rotating arms positioned at a height generally level with the user's buttocks. The elongated arms are propelled by the user's movement of the crank, which is operatively connected by a drive train to the central axis of the rotating arms.

Abstract: A system of remotely actuated novelty devices is disclosed having triggering and actuating components packaged in separate, interchangeable modules. The system includes several interchangeable trigger modules, each of which detects the occurrence of an activating event and in response generates a trigger signal of finite duration, and several interchangeable action modules, each of which performs a prank in response to a trigger signal. Each action module includes a battery that powers the action module and any trigger module connected to it.