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.

A system includes an attraction vehicle in an attraction. The attraction vehicle includes one or more sensors configured to measure one or more parameters pertaining to the attraction. The system also includes a network interface configured to transmit information related to the one or more parameters wirelessly using outgoing signals in a first high-frequency band and to receive incoming information at the attraction vehicle wirelessly using incoming signals using a second high-frequency band. The system also includes a controller configured to operate the attraction vehicle based at least in part on the incoming information.

A method of controlling a first figure configured to animate and a second figure configured to exhibit free motion in an amusement park ride includes determining when a field of view of a ride vehicle (RV) moving along a RV path of the ride is either directed away from a scene area of the ride or obstructed from the scene area, and responsive to such determination, causing a first mechanism associated with the first figure to move the first figure out of the scene area, and causing a second mechanism associated with the second figure to move the second figure into the scene area.

An unfolding springing apparatus comprises a base, an apparatus linkage comprising cranks and coupler links connected to the base, an unfolding spring, a drive motor, a transmission, and a prop mount. The apparatus linkage includes one or a plurality of opposed pairs of cranks, each pair of cranks being connected to each other at their respective ends by a pair of pivotally connected coupler links. The unfolding spring is operative to bias the apparatus linkage to unfold. The drive motor is operative to fold the apparatus and to reenergize the unfolding spring. The transmission includes a linear extension module. When engaged, the transmission transmits displacement of the drive motor to the apparatus linkage to fold the linkage. When disengaged, the transmission releases the apparatus linkage to be unfolded by the unfolding spring. The transmission includes a motorized clutch module.

Figure expression using a multi-axis control is described. In one or more implementations, a figure (e.g., a ventriloquism figure) includes a head having eyeballs, eyelids, and eyebrows. A multi-axis control is integral with the head and is configured to control the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows responsive to manipulation of the multi-axis control by a hand of a person. In contrast to conventional approaches, the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows of the figure are controlled only by the multi-axis control. Indeed, the multi-axis control is configured to control the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows without application of force by a hand to any other control of the figure.

An animated figure system includes an animated figure comprising a flexible skin layer, an actuating system coupled to a connection location of the flexible skin layer, and an automation controller. The automation controller is configured to access a digital model of the animated figure, in which the digital model comprises a vertex associated with the connection location, determine a first positioning of the vertex within the digital model, and control the actuating system to set a second positioning of the connection location based on the first positioning of the vertex.

Provided herein is a character control system includes a strap configured to removably couple to a prop of a performer. A controls assembly is disposed within a portion of the strap. The controls assembly includes a plurality of control features. A controller is configured to couple to the controls assembly and an actuator of a puppet. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move a part of the puppet in response to actuation of a control feature of the plurality of control features by the performer.

A puppet having left and right upper and lower limbs, a body and head. Each upper limb includes a finger recess shaped to receive a respective finger of a first one of an operators hands, and the head has at least one finger recess to receive a finger of the first one of the operators hands, and each lower limb includes a finger recess shaped to receive a respective finger of the other, operators hand. At least one of the upper limbs may have a movable finger associated therewith, the finger being movable by a cable drive arrangement operable by a lever mounted upon the body. The head may have a pair of finger recesses associated therewith to receive respective fingers of the first one of the operators hands, wherein the finger recesses associated with the head comprise respective finger receiving components, each of which is pivotally connected to the head such that relative forward-backward movement between the finger receiving components drives the head for angular movement.

An interactive system includes one or more processors that are configured to receive a first signal indicative of an activity of a user within an environment and to receive a second signal indicative of the user approaching an animated character head. The one or more processors are also configured to provide information related to the activity of the user to a base station control system associated with the animated character head in response to receipt of the second signal to facilitate a personalized interaction between the animated character head and the user.

An apparatus for the use of controlling a puppet to obtain a desired position or display, with a mounting plate defining at least one aperture; at least one rod having a first and second end; a ball brace configured to engage a ball and the rod, engaging the rod between the first and second end; wherein the ball brace may be locked and unlocked; wherein the rod further comprises a coating on the second end to engage with the inside of a puppet; and wherein the rod, when engaged with the inside of the puppet, moves the inside of the puppet when moved.