Patents by Inventor Lanny S. Smoot

Lanny S. Smoot has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11683551
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for performing actions based on light signatures. An exemplary system includes a light source, a light detector, a non-transitory memory storing a plurality of light signatures and a hardware processor. The hardware processor executes an executable code to illuminate, using the light source, a target object with a first light, collect, using the light detector, a second light being a reflection of the first light by the target object, match the second light with one of the plurality of light signatures, and perform an action in response to matching the second light with the one of the plurality of light signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Michael Holton
  • Publication number: 20210287030
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for performing actions based on light signatures. An exemplary system includes a light source, a light detector, a non-transitory memory storing a plurality of light signatures and a hardware processor. The hardware processor executes an executable code to illuminate, using the light source, a target object with a first light, collect, using the light detector, a second light being a reflection of the first light by the target object, match the second light with one of the plurality of light signatures, and perform an action in response to matching the second light with the one of the plurality of light signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Michael Holton
  • Patent number: 11107129
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Frazier Watson, Nitzan Katz, Lanny S. Smoot
  • Publication number: 20210256565
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Frazier WATSON, Nitzan KATZ, Lanny S. SMOOT
  • Patent number: 11080779
    Abstract: According to one implementation, an interactive retail venue includes a computing platform interactively linked to a display screen, a lighting system, an audio system, a dynamic product display unit, and multiple product sensors. The computing platform includes a hardware processor and a memory storing a venue orchestration software code. The hardware processor executes the venue orchestration software code to receive sensor data from the product sensors, determine respective locations of retail products within the interactive retail venue based on the sensor data, and present a multi-media entertainment featuring the retail products using the display screen, the lighting system, and the audio system. The hardware processor further executes the venue orchestration software code to concurrently activate the dynamic product display unit if at least one of the retail products is situated within a predetermined distance of the dynamic product display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Scott F. Watson, Nitzan Katz
  • Publication number: 20210233158
    Abstract: According to one implementation, an interactive retail venue includes a computing platform interactively linked to a display screen, a lighting system, an audio system, a dynamic product display unit, and multiple product sensors. The computing platform includes a hardware processor and a memory storing a venue orchestration software code. The hardware processor executes the venue orchestration software code to receive sensor data from the product sensors, determine respective locations of retail products within the interactive retail venue based on the sensor data, and present a multi-media entertainment featuring the retail products using the display screen, the lighting system, and the audio system. The hardware processor further executes the venue orchestration software code to concurrently activate the dynamic product display unit if at least one of the retail products is situated within a predetermined distance of the dynamic product display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Scott F. Watson, Nitzan Katz
  • Patent number: 11072075
    Abstract: A system for sensing and controlling eye contact for a robot. The system includes a robotic figure with a movable eye. The system includes a light source positioned in the robotic figure to output light through a light outlet of the eye. A light sensor is included that senses light striking surfaces in a physical space in which the robotic figure is positioned including the output light from the light source. The system includes an image processor processing output of the light sensor to identify a location of a target formed by the output light striking surfaces in the physical space and to identify a location of a face of a human. Further, the system includes a robot controller generating eye movement control signals based on the location of the target and the location of the face to position the eye to provide eye contact with the human observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Loyal Christensen, Alexis P. Wieland, Lanny S. Smoot, Alfredo M. Ayala, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Kyna P. McIntosh, James R. Kennedy, Matthew K. Pan, Günter D. Niemeyer, Daniel De Jesus Campos Zamora, Sungjoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11062359
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing an operation comprising detecting a first mobile device within a predefined proximity of a display device, receiving profile data from the first mobile device, identifying at least one rule for selecting media content based on the profile data, selecting, based on the at least one rule applied to the profile data, a first item of media content of a plurality of items of media content, and outputting the first item of media content for display on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Frazier Watson, Nitzan Katz, Lanny S. Smoot
  • Patent number: 11055552
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for performing actions based on light signatures. An exemplary system includes a light source, a light detector, a non-transitory memory storing a plurality of light signatures and a hardware processor. The hardware processor executes an executable code to illuminate, using the light source, a target object with a first light, collect, using the light detector, a second light being a reflection of the first light by the target object, match the second light with one of the plurality of light signatures, and perform an action in response to matching the second light with the one of the plurality of light signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Michael Holton
  • Patent number: 10997649
    Abstract: According to one implementation, an interactive retail venue includes a computing platform interactively linked to a display screen, a lighting system, an audio system, a dynamic product display unit, and multiple product sensors. The computing platform includes a hardware processor and a memory storing a venue orchestration software code. The hardware processor executes the venue orchestration software code to receive sensor data from the product sensors, determine respective locations of retail products within the interactive retail venue based on the sensor data, and present a multi-media entertainment featuring the retail products using the display screen, the lighting system, and the audio system. The hardware processor further executes the venue orchestration software code to concurrently activate the dynamic product display unit if at least one of the retail products is situated within a predetermined distance of the dynamic product display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Scott F. Watson, Nitzan Katz
  • Publication number: 20210122055
    Abstract: A system for sensing and controlling eye contact for a robot. The system includes a robotic figure with a movable eye. The system includes a light source positioned in the robotic figure to output light through a light outlet of the eye. A light sensor is included that senses light striking surfaces in a physical space in which the robotic figure is positioned including the output light from the light source. The system includes an image processor processing output of the light sensor to identify a location of a target formed by the output light striking surfaces in the physical space and to identify a location of a face of a human. Further, the system includes a robot controller generating eye movement control signals based on the location of the target and the location of the face to position the eye to provide eye contact with the human observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: DAVID LOYAL CHRISTENSEN, ALEXIS P. WIELAND, LANNY S. SMOOT, ALFREDO M. AYALA, QUINN Y. SMITHWICK, KYNA P. MCINTOSH, JAMES R. KENNEDY, MATTHEW K. PAN, GÜNTER D. NIEMEYER, DANIEL DE JESUS CAMPOS ZAMORA, SUNGJOON CHOI
  • Patent number: 10827167
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a hardware processor executing the code to receive a video content including a plurality of frames showing a scene from a perspective of a real camera, create a three-dimensional (3D) model of the scene using the plurality of frames, store the 3D model of the scene in the non-transitory memory, construct a synthetic view of the scene showing additional perspectives from one or more virtual cameras at one or more locations in the scene, transmit the synthetic view of the scene for being displayed on a display, display a scene of the video content on the display, track a position of a viewer moving in a room, and adjust the display of the scene being displayed on the display based on the position of the viewer in the room relative to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Watson, Lanny S. Smoot
  • Patent number: 10783567
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for automating customer assistance includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a venue inventory and activity guide software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the venue inventory and activity guide software code to receive a query from a customer of the retail venue, and determine if the query corresponds to either a retail product or an experience available at the retail venue. If the retail product or the experience is not available at the retail venue, the hardware processor executes the venue inventory and activity guide software code to generate a negative response. If the retail product or the experience is available at the retail venue, the hardware processor executes the venue inventory and activity guide software code to identify a location of the retail product or the experience, and guide the customer to the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Steven Makofsky, Scott F. Watson, Nitzan Katz
  • Patent number: 10739613
    Abstract: A display system is provided that combines the use of a display element with a beamsplitter and at least one retroreflector to provide an image (2D or 3D depending upon the output image from the display element) that appears to be floating in space some distance from the beamsplitter. For example, light that is bounced off/reflected and/or that is transmitted through the beamsplitter may be reflected from the reflective surface of the retroreflector toward the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs this light, through reflection or transmission, into a viewing space such that the 2D or 3D image can be viewed by a viewer as it appears to float a distance from the nearest surface of the beamsplitter and, typically, some distance above the ground/floor upon which viewers are walking. The floating image may be relatively bright so that it is viewable in low and brighter light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Michael J. Ilardi
  • Patent number: 10732197
    Abstract: A system configured for stabilizing or balancing objects in an upright state. The system includes a motion system with an upper support surface for receiving an object that is positionable in a vertical state. The system includes a sensor assembly with at least one sensor generating sensor data by tracking at least one of three dimensional (3D) position and angular movement for the object. The system includes a controller with a stabilizing module to process the sensor data to determine when the object is tipping from the vertical state, and, in response to the tipping away of the object from the vertical state, the stabilizing module generates control signals to modify operations of the motion system to move at least a portion of the upper support surface in contact with a lower contact surface of the object through stabilizing movements, whereby the object remains balanced in the vertical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, David Loyal Christensen, Gunter D. Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 10722807
    Abstract: A haptic floor system is provided that produces large vibration-based effects through the use of one-to-many panel or plate assemblies that can each be selectively operated by a controller in a programmed manner or in response to sensor outputs. Each of these panel or plate assemblies may be labeled a “quake plate assembly” as the special effect delivered by the haptic floor system can provide a person supported by one of the quake plate assemblies with ground trembling and vibrations similar to that felt in an earthquake or when a super strong fictional character strikes the floor nearby or a large animal or robot walks or runs by the person. Each quake plate assembly may include a thin plate or panel with an upper contact surface for supporting people or objects and an opposite lower surface, and one-to-many actuators may be provided on the lower surface of the thin plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, David Loyal Christensen
  • Patent number: 10675766
    Abstract: A system for providing a user of a virtual reality (VR) system with physical interactions with an object in the real world or in the surrounding physical space while they are concurrently interacting in the virtual world with a corresponding virtual object. The real world object is dynamic with the system including a physical interaction system that includes a robot with a manipulator for moving, positioning, and/or orienting the real world object to move it into contact with the user. For example, the physical object is moved into contact with a tracked body part of the user at a time that is synchronized with a time of an interaction event occurring in the virtual world being created by the VR system. Further, a system is described for providing a dynamic physical interaction to a human participant, e.g., a fast and compelling handover in an augmented reality (AR) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Günter D. Niemeyer, Lanny S. Smoot, Vinay Chawda, Matthew Keith Xi-Jie Pan, Moritz Bächer, Lars Espen Knoop
  • Patent number: 10659772
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) system that enhances an AR participant's experience by providing a visual effect with added depth. The AR system displays previously achieved by an AR HMD are augmented with a second layer of accessible depth. This added depth is achieved by including, in the AR space/real world environment, external stereo screens upon which 3D stereo content is projected by one or more 3D projectors. The AR HMD is equipped with an external 3D screen viewing assembly so the AR HMD allows an AR participant wearing the AR HMD to view images on the external stereo screens in stereo. The external stereo screens can be used to produce 3D imagery that may differ in depth from the depth of the fixed focal length images displayed to the viewer by the AR HMD. The AR system enlarges the AR participant's simultaneous angular viewing range to 55 to 160 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph George Hager, Loyal J. Pyczynski, Lanny S. Smoot
  • Patent number: D936514
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Robert J. Bristow
  • Patent number: D958792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Robert J. Bristow