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 into the scene area, and causing a second mechanism associated with the second figure to move the second figure out of the scene area.

A virtual puppeteering system includes a portable device including a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the object animation software code to, using the camera, generate an image in response to receiving an activation input, using the display, display the image, and receive a selection input selecting an object shown in the image. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the object animation software code to determine a distance separating the selected object from the portable device, receive an animation input, identify, based on the selected object and the received animation input, a movement for animating the selected object, generate an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, and render the animation of the selected object.

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.

A voice providing method includes obtaining position information from a voice reproducing device, and performing processing, in a case in which a first position of obtained position information and a second position of a virtual talker are in a predetermined relationship, to cause the voice reproducing device to reproduce voice for the virtual talker to have a dialogue with a user with content according to the user.

A mobile character control system that includes a platform, a character assembly, a control system, and a transportation assembly. The platform is configured to support an operator. The character assembly is engaged with the platform and includes actuatable features configured to simulate movement of a creature. The control system is configured to control activation of the actuatable features of the character assembly in response to signals received from control features controlled by the operator. The transportation assembly is configured to direct movement of the platform, and the transportation assembly is configured to support the character assembly.

A terminal for an action robot allows a user to easily manage motion data for controlling movement of the action robot and a method of operating the same. The terminal may include a storage configured to store motion data, a wireless communicator configured to transmit the motion data to an action robot, a display configured to display a motion production screen for generating the motion data, an input interface configured to receive a command for generating pieces of motion part data for controlling motion parts of the action robot through the motion production screen respectively, and a controller configured to generate the motion data by combining the pieces of motion part data.

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 voice providing method includes obtaining position information from a voice reproducing device, and performing processing, in a case in which a first position of obtained position information and a second position of a virtual talker are in a predetermined relationship, to cause the voice reproducing device to reproduce voice for the virtual talker to have a dialogue with a user with content according to the user.

A folding toy theatre with characters that move using just one finger, comprising a theatre surround with side flaps which fold backwards allowing it to stand upright, the front face has a cut central aperture and a slot cut out at its bottom face edge. The characters have a long forward flap from the base of the body to action it and two flaps at the left and right sides of the body which fold backwards to keep the character upright. The character is placed inside the theatre surround the long forward flap passes through the bottom face slot of the theatre surround so the character can be moved from the front of the theatre. The theatre surround can have slots in its side flaps, a tabbed background can be added or the side flaps have a slot and latch to join directly.

We generally describe a winch (100) comprising: a plurality of ropes (130, 140) coupleable to a first load (200) or to different respective second loads (200, 210); a support frame (110); and a first roller (150) moveably coupled to the support frame (110), wherein a first rope (150) of the plurality of ropes (130, 140) is moveable over the first roller (150); wherein a movement of the first roller (150) is configured to shorten and/or lengthen a usable length of the first rope (140) of the plurality of ropes (130, 140), and wherein the shortening and/or lengthening of the usable length of the first rope (140) is configured to raise and/or lower the first load (200) or one of the second loads (200, 210) to which the first roller (150) is coupleable via the first rope (140).