1712results about "Amusements" patented technology

A gaming system and method of game play is provided wherein the gaming is earned out within a themed physical play space comprising an existing or specially configured entertainment facility or play structure. The game utilizes electronically identifiable objects, such as colored balls, shaped objects, cards, bands, tags and / or the like, to provide an interactive game play experience generally simulative of a computer adventure game experience. Play participants are challenged to work and cooperate with other play participants to find identified objects, clues or other information and to use the objects, clues or information to solve various puzzles or problems that present encumbrances inhibiting players' advancement in the game. Optionally, each play participant possesses a unique RFID band, card or the like, that electronically identifies the play participant and enables the play system to award and track points or other rewards to successful play participants individually or working with other play participants as a team. The game in accordance with the invention provides the intellectual challenge and excitement of a computer adventure game, but with tangible interactives, physical challenges, and social interaction.

A motion platform configured as automobile racing vehicle simulator is disclosed. The apparatus that embodies the geometry and various methods of articulation related to a motion platform having advantageous geometric relationships are also set forth. In one embodiment enhanced performance of a motion-generating device having a rider or driver is accomplished through the location of the center of mass of a payload as near as practicable to the pivotal center of the payload support. The device has a base supporting an upstanding column and a sled pivotally mounted to the top of the column. The rider is accommodated on the sled. To achieve the event simulated results intended various acts are performed in configuring the motion platform. These include locating a pivotal center of motion on a column in a position above the base of the motion generating device; locating the position of a center of mass, the center of mass calculated from the mass of the sled and the mass of a rider accommodated on the sled; and mounting the sled on the pivotal center of motion of the device such that the located center of mass is close to the pivotal center of motion of the motion platform.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device for producing a fire special effect that is suitable for applications in which the viewers of the simulated flame are able inspect the device from relatively close range and / or from a number of perspectives. For example, the device can be used as a torchiere or wall sconce.

The present invention discloses a system and method for non-holographic virtual teleportation of one or more remote objects to a designated three-dimensional space around a user in realtime. This is achieved by using a plurality of participating teleportation terminals, located at geographically diverse locations, that capture the RGB and depth data of their respective environments, extract RGB images of target objects from their corresponding environment, and transmit the alpha channeled object images via Internet for integration into a single composite scene in which layers of computer graphics are added in the foreground and in the background. The invention thus creates a virtual 3D space around a user in which almost anything imaginable can be virtually teleported for user interaction. This invention has application in intuitive computing, perceptual computing, entertainment, gaming, virtual meetings, conferencing, gesture based interfaces, advertising, ecommerce, social networking, virtual training, education, so on and so forth.

An active sound effect generating apparatus includes a controller (a fourth acoustic adjuster and a fifth acoustic adjuster) which determines the amplitude of a control signal by adjusting the amplitudes of reference signals (intermediate signals) depending on an engine rotational frequency change [Hz / second] calculated by an engine rotational frequency change calculator and an accelerator opening [%] detected by an accelerator opening sensor.

A “magic mirror” wand toy has a body having a mirror element that is partially transparent. An image illuminating apparatus is mounted rearward of the mirror element. An image transport apparatus has a plurality of images that can be positioned selectively and alternately in front of the illuminating apparatus. When an image is stationary, it is lit up and an audible message associated with the image may be played. The wand can be operated in sampling mode, in which each of the set of images is displayed in sequence, and in an individual selection mode.

A system for visually superimposing a first image that may be in motion over and / or under a second image that may be in motion, the system including at least one generating device to provide a first image and a second image, a display device to display the first image and second image superimposed with each other, and an adjustment device for reconfiguring the first image and / or the second image to a size in agreement with a non-adjusted first image and / or second image, to a size in agreement with the display device, and / or to a size acceptable by a user. The first image or the second image is displayed in a different media than the other image to allow for a distinction to be made between movements occurring in both images. A method for visually superimposing a first image that may be in motion over and / or under a second image that may be in motion is further disclosed.

A motion platform system includes a support and a motion platform supported by the support and rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes. The motion platform is further rotatable with respect to the support about at least one axis that is offset from the plurality of bearing axes. The motion platform may include an intermediate frame supported by the support, where the intermediate frame is rotatable about a first bearing axis with respect to the support. The motion platform may further include an inner frame supported by the intermediate frame, where the inner frame is rotatable about a second bearing axis with respect to the intermediate frame. Rotations of the inner and intermediate frames about the first and second bearing axes facilitate rotation of the inner frame with respect to the support about at least one axis offset from the bearing axes.

An interactive activity system is disclosed. One embodiment includes a generator configured to produce electrical power based on physical interaction with a human being, a storage component configured to store the electrical power, and at least one play-oriented application configured to utilize a portion of the electrical power for operation. In one embodiment, the interactive activity system is implemented in a traditional, non-electronic playground environment.

When large numbers of children play in a playground, part of the power of their play could be usefully harnessed resulting in large energy storage. This stored energy can then be converted for basic, low-power, applications in the school such as lighting, communication, or operating fans. Energy can be produced through the use of pneumatic (i.e., compressed air) systems such as cylinders, motors, valves, and regulators for the conversion of human power of children's play in school playgrounds and other public places. The energy of the compressed air can then be converted to electricity for purposes such as lighting and communication. This provides a low-cost, low-resource means of generation of electricity, especially for use in developing countries.

A control system for a water amusement system is described. The control system is configured to operate the water amusement system to produce water effects, sound effects, and / or light effects when the control system receives an activation signal. The activation signal may be sent to the control system by an activation point, such as an optical touch button, or a water target. The control system is further configured to produce water effects, sound effects, and / or light effects in the absence of an activation signal to attract participants to the water amusement system.

A flame simulating apparatus to simulate flames emanating from a wood or fossil fuel burning fire. The flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a light reflecting element, and a fire simulation screen. The light reflecting element produces a moving and generally random pattern of reflected light when light is cast upon it by the light source. The fire simulation screen has the image of a fire thereon and is positioned so that reflected light from the light reflecting element is cast upon its rear surface. The fire simulation screen includes at least one portion that is at least partially translucent such that light cast upon the partially translucent portion by the light reflecting element is diffused and at least partially passes through the translucent portion to present a moving flame image when viewed from a position in front of the fire simulation screen.

An adjustable video game cockpit that facilitates a number of independent adjustments to accommodate users of all sizes. The video game cockpit may include a video monitor stand and a universal video game console mount. The inclusion of the video monitor stand and universal video game console permit the cockpit to operate as a single gaming unit. The video game cockpit collapses down to a low profile for convenient relocation and storage.

A system for the construction of life size play structures includes a multiplicity of inflatable building blocks, each being a member of a finite set of different multi-sided block types. Each such type is a cylinder having the cross section of a regular polyhedron, and the length of each side of each polyhedron is identical. The blocks are attached to each other by means of a rotating joint which aligns each contiguous side of each block with the contiguous side of the adjoining block, but which does not allow each such to translate relative to the adjoining block. The joints are constructed at fixed locations along the sides according to specific dimensional ratios. Stiffening means are used to maintain the dimensional integrity of each block, and to maintain the uniformity of the system from block to block.

The present invention provides safe and secure application distribution and execution by providing systems and methods that test an application to ensure that it satisfies predetermined criteria associated with the environment in which it will execute. Furthermore, by using rules and permission lists, application removal, and a modification detection technique, such as digital signatures, the present invention provides mechanisms to safely distribute and execute tested, or untested, applications by determining whether the application has been modified, determining if it has permission to execute in a given wireless device environment, and removing the application should it be desirable to do so.

A bank of seats for use in an amusement type environment has at least two seats arranged in side-by-side orientation with all seats facing in the same direction. The bank of seats has a substantially planar platform and upstanding, forward support arms attached to the platform in spaced apart positions adjacent at the front edge of the platform. In addition, upstanding, rearward support arms are attached to the platform at spaced apart positions adjacent to the back edge of the platform to form respective pairs of forward and rearward support arms. Each of the seats is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis that is adjacent to the distal ends of a respective pair of forward and rearward support arms. All of the seats are pivoted in unison about their respective pivot axes so that each seat sways from side to side in substantially the same pivotal movement as all other of the seats. Independent mechanisms raise and lower the front and back edges of the planar platform. The mechanisms for raising and lowering the front and back edges of the planar platform are operated independently of each other so that the movement of the front edge of the planar platform can be controlled independent of the movement of the back edge of the planar platform.

A traveling toy system is provided, in which it becomes possible to reduce the amount of information transmitted to a video display device. In the traveling toy system, a video camera, a video camera controller which is adjustably controls at least a frame rate of the video camera, a signal transmission device which transmits a video signal outputted from the video camera to a video display device, and electric storage means for power supply are mounted on the traveling toy which travels on a traveling lane using a potential energy. The traveling toy system further includes a traveling toy carrier device which carries the traveling toy from a position where the potential energy is low to a position where the potential energy is high. The video camera controller changes the frame rate so that when a traveling speed of the traveling toy is higher than a given speed, the frame rate may be increased from the frame rate at the time that the traveling speed is lower than the given speed.

The invention relates to dynamic emulation cinema analog equipment which comprises a screen, a projector assembly and viewer seats arranged into an array, wherein the viewer seats are hung on a cantilever, and the cantilever is connected with a lifting arm; the lifting arm is arranged on a base, and the base can rotate to drive the lifting arm to rotate together; the lifting arms lifts up and down to drive the cantilever to lift up and down; and the cantilever moves up and down to drive the viewer seats to move up and down together. In operation, viewers enter the seat array to sit from the ground, and at the moment, the seat array is back on to the screen; because the seats are back on to the screen at the moment, the viewers cannot feel the screen completely, thus the viewers cannot conscious of seeing a film sensuously, thereby the sense of reality of the back scene is greatly increased; after the viewers sit down, the seat array is lifted; and after the seat array is lifted to an appointed height, the seat array is rotated to dead against the screen so as to ensure that the viewers enter the scene of the film.

The disclosed aerodynamic muscle motion simulation control platform comprises: three very same pieces of aerodynamic muscles connected to a central post and a fixed platform, a motion platform hinged to the muscles with uniform-distributed hinge points, and the central post to rigid connect with the fixed platform and hinge the motion platform through a central ball hinge with the hinge point on platform center to endow the motion platform two rotation DOF. Besides, the control system comprises an input conversion module, a controller, and an output drive amplification module. This invention is fit to different motion simulation.

A flame simulating assembly for providing an image of flames. The flame simulating assembly has a light source for producing the image of flames, a screen, and a simulated interior fireplace wall positioned behind the screen. The screen has a front surface and is positioned in a path of light from the light source. The screen is adapted to transmit the image of flames through the front surface. The front surface of the screen includes an observation region, which is adapted to permit observation of part of the simulated interior fireplace wall.

A flame simulating assembly for providing an image of flames and simulating one or more actual fuel elements in a fire. The flame simulating assembly includes one or more light sources, a screen adapted for transmission of the image of flames therethrough, and a simulated fuel bed. The simulated fuel bed includes a simulated ember bed and one or more simulated fuel elements positioned on an upper surface of the simulated ember bed. Each simulated fuel element includes a base surface with a light-transmitting portion and an exposed surface which is at least partially viewable. The base surface is positioned proximal to the upper surface of the simulated ember bed. The exposed surface includes one or more uncovered portions through which light from the light source is transmittable.

An amusement simulation apparatus and method is disclosed. The simulation apparatus includes screen, projector, rotating platform carrying passenger, rotating shaft and aligned passenger seats round the machine room positioned on the platform and hanging by the suspending structure. When the platform is in upright position, passengers seating in the passenger seats face the screen positioned in front and view the image (2D or 3D) projected on the screen. The passengers are almost in the same vertical plane but in up and down relation. The blocking plate divided the passengers in different rows. The platform and the passenger seats can both pivot upon their shaft. Passenger seats in the left and right columns can rotate round the longitudinal yawing shaft to achieve better viewing effect. Pivoting movement of the passenger seat, combining the special effect of wind blasting, simulates the flying experience vividly. The simulation apparatus is suitable for use in an amusement park or theme park, providing tourists with interesting and life like flying experience.

A flame simulating assembly for providing one or more images of flames. The flame simulating assembly has a light source, a first screen, and a second screen. Each of the first and second screens is positioned in a path of light from the light source. Also, each of the first and second screens is adapted to receive light from the light source to form one or more images of flames transmittable through the screens respectively.

An inflatable enclosure comprising:at least one inflating means for inflating said inflatable enclosure;at least one entrance / exit means for entering and exiting said inflatable enclosure;at least one air pressure regulator for maintaining the air pressure in said enclosure when said at least one entrance / exit means is in use,at least one inflatable rigidifying means;wherein at least one of said entrance / exit means and air pressure regulator is air actuated.

An apparatus designed to fill multiple water balloons and other water-based toys at the same time is herein disclosed. The apparatus takes the form of a large stand approximately thirty-four (34) inches high and twenty-four (24) inches wide made using polyvinylchloride (PVC) piping and fittings. The apparatus is supported across the bottom using two (2) “T”-shaped legs, also made of PVC pipe. A water connection to a standard garden hose is provided on one (1) leg near the bottom. Four (4) angled valves are provided across a top portion, such that up to four (4) users can use the apparatus simultaneously to refill water-based toys such as squirt guns or water balloons. When finished at each station, each user can easily turn off an individual valve, thus avoiding the wasting of water.

The invention relates to a dynamic cinema seat equipment which is sequentially provided with a fixed platform, a reciprocating displacement platform, a lifting platform, a swaying platform and seats from bottom to top, wherein the fixed platform is provided with at least one translation driving device; at least two lifting driving devices are arranged between the reciprocating displacement platform and the lifting platform; at least one swaying supporting column is arranged on the lifting platform; and a plurality of seats are arranged on the swaying platform in parallel. The dynamic cinema seat equipment adopts a multi-frame structure of the fixed platform, the reciprocating displacement platform, the lifting platform and the swaying platform, thus being capable of realizing multidirectional movement of the seat equipment to the maximum and increasing the entertainment when spectacles watch kinetic movies; and the design of arranging an environment effect device on the seat is adopted, therefore, the multidirectional scene simulation effect of the seat equipment is achieved, and the pleasant sensation of sensory organs is increased.