Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing synthetic animatronics are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for synthetic animatronics includes providing a display surface having different regions that accommodate different positions or deformations of a subject, mapping images of the subject to the different regions on the display surface, and displaying the mapped images on the different regions of the display surface at different times in accordance with a desired animation of the subject.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing synthetic animatronics are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for synthetic animatronics includes providing a display surface having different regions that accommodate different positions or deformations of a subject, mapping images of the subject to the different regions on the display surface, and displaying the mapped images on the different regions of the display surface at different times in accordance with a desired animation of the subject.

A decoration system includes a base and a mount. The base has a base surface. A fixed portion of the mount is mounted to the base surface, and a moveable portion of the mount is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. A decoration is mounted to the mount. The decoration is moveable between an erected position and an unerected position as the moveable portion moves between the folded position and the unfolded position. A slit is defined in the base. The base holds the decoration in the erected position upon receipt of at least a portion of the moveable portion within the slit.

A kinetic sculpture system for powering one or more kinetic sculptures by an updraft to drive the one or more kinetic sculptures in a forward direction along a looped path. The kinetic sculpture system generally includes a pair of kinetic sculptures which are suspended over an updraft source by a hanging structure. Each of the kinetic sculptures includes a main body and a pair of wings pivotably attached to the main body. Each of the wings of each of the kinetic sculptures includes a front edge which is downwardly angled with respect to a rear edge such that the updraft from the updraft source catches upon the front edge to drive the kinetic sculptures forward along a looped path. In this manner, the kinetic sculptures may be driven along a fixed path around the updraft source without outside intervention.

A kinetic sculpture system for powering one or more kinetic sculptures by an updraft to drive the one or more kinetic sculptures in a forward direction along a looped path. The kinetic sculpture system generally includes a pair of kinetic sculptures which are suspended over an updraft source by a hanging structure. Each of the kinetic sculptures includes a main body and a pair of wings pivotably attached to the main body. Each of the wings of each of the kinetic sculptures includes a front edge which is downwardly angled with respect to a rear edge such that the updraft from the updraft source catches upon the front edge to drive the kinetic sculptures forward along a looped path. In this manner, the kinetic sculptures may be driven along a fixed path around the updraft source without outside intervention.

A display arrangement includes a base, a decorative shell having a front cover and a back cover, an elongated central post that is rotatably coupled to the decorative shell and fixedly coupled to the base, a light source disposed on the elongated central post and within the shell, such that the light is visible though at least one opening in the shell, a stem coupled to the shell and coupled to the elongated central post, the stem having a magnet on one end, and a coil configured to receive energy from a power source to cause an arcing motion of the magnet, the stem, and thereby the decorative shell. The display arrangement can include a second shell disposed horizontally above the decorative shell and coupled to the decorative shell, and can also include a third shell disposed horizontally below the decorative shell, and that is coupled to the decorative shell.

A display arrangement includes a base, a decorative shell having a front cover and a back cover, an elongated central post that is rotatably coupled to the decorative shell and fixedly coupled to the base, a light source disposed on the elongated central post and within the shell, such that the light is visible though at least one opening in the shell, a stem coupled to the shell and coupled to the elongated central post, the stem having a magnet on one end, and a coil configured to receive energy from a power source to cause an arcing motion of the magnet, the stem, and thereby the decorative shell. The display arrangement can include a second shell disposed horizontally above the decorative shell and coupled to the decorative shell, and can also include a third shell disposed horizontally below the decorative shell, and that is coupled to the decorative shell.

A lunar image projection system is configured primarily for projecting and viewing images on the lunar surface, eg for lunar advertising, and which utilizes a projector that suitably operates to project and target an image onto an area in the dark phase and suitably on the far side of the moon, the system may further include a camera that operates to capture the image as projected on the moon and a transmitter to transmit the captured image to a remote viewer back on earth, the system thereby facilitating the use of the moon as a display screen for images, without obtruding on the appearance of the moon as viewed from earth, and when deployed on the far side with further advantage of avoiding the effect of contrast loss due to earth shine that the moon's near side surface is exposed to.

A reactive media system includes a motion control system having an animated figure with a body and actuators configured to adjust a figure portion of the body in response to interactive data received from one or more interactive data sources. The reactive media system includes a media control system having a tracking camera configured to generate signals indicative of a current position and orientation of the figure portion based on a set of trackers coupled to the figure portion. The media control system includes a media controller configured to receive the signals, determine the current position and orientation based on the signals, and generate data indicative of images to be projected onto an external surface of the figure portion having the current position and orientation. The media control system also includes a projector configured to receive the data from the media controller and project the images onto the external surface.

A kinetic sculpture system for powering one or more kinetic sculptures by an updraft to drive the one or more kinetic sculptures in a forward direction along a looped path. The kinetic sculpture system generally includes a pair of kinetic sculptures which are suspended over an updraft source by a hanging structure. Each of the kinetic sculptures includes a main body and a pair of wings pivotably attached to the main body. Each of the wings of each of the kinetic sculptures includes a front edge which is downwardly angled with respect to a rear edge such that the updraft from the updraft source catches upon the front edge to drive the kinetic sculptures forward along a looped path. In this manner, the kinetic sculptures may be driven along a fixed path around the updraft source without outside intervention.