Patents Assigned to Universal City Studios LLC
  • Ride with rotating lift
    Patent number: 10821368
    Abstract: A method of transporting a ride vehicle in an amusement park ride includes moving the ride vehicle vertically along a frame to a height using a motion base lift assembly, rotating, using a base, the ride vehicle around an attraction tower, in which the attraction tower comprising a plurality of rooms and the base is configured to rotate about the attraction tower and is attached to the frame. The method also includes extending the ride vehicle into a room of the plurality of rooms via the motion base lift assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studio LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hall, Dwain South, David Goodwin, Carlos Weiser
  • Object orientation detection system
    Patent number: 10825196
    Abstract: A face orientation system of a ride that includes one or more sensors and a controller. The controller receives ride cart data from the one or more sensors indicative of a presence and position of the ride cart on the ride, determines ride cart orientation based on the ride cart data, receives position data of a guest from the one or more sensors indicative of a position of a body, a face, or a combination thereof, of the guest, determines face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof, of the guest based on the ride cart orientation and position data, and transmits data indicative of the determined face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof to a downstream controller for subsequent control based upon the determined face orientation, face rotation, or the combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Lin, Anthony Melo
  • System and method for facilitating throughput using facial recognition
    Patent number: 10817706
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that include receiving an indication of a scanned document from a scanning device, waiting a delay period in response to receiving the indication of the scanned document, and instructing an image capture device to capture an image of a document holder after waiting the delay period. In this manner, the described systems and methods may increase facial recognition throughput by waiting the delay period after receiving the indication of the scanned document, allowing for sufficient time for the document holder to look up from the scanning device to the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Alexander Alvin, Preston Tyler Jordan
  • Interactive systems and methods with feedback devices
    Patent number: 10818152
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a first radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a second RFID tag, one or more feedback devices configured to provide feedback to a guest, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to generate a first control signal that causes a first type of feedback via the one or more feedback devices in response to interaction between electromagnetic radiation having a first frequency and the first RFID tag and to generate a second control signal that causes a second type of feedback via the one or more feedback devices in response to interaction between electromagnetic radiation having a second frequency and the second RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Wei Cheng Yeh, Travis Jon Cossairt
  • Augmented reality system for an amusement ride
    Patent number: 10818090
    Abstract: An augmented reality system for an amusement ride includes a guest-tracking sensor configured to determine a position of a guest, a projector configured to project imagery, a semi-transparent mirror configured to reflect the imagery as augmented reality imagery, and a controller including a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of the position of the guest from the guest-tracking sensor, generate image data based on the position of the guest, and output a control signal indicative of the image data to the projector. The projector is configured to project the imagery based on the control signal indicative of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Akiva Meir Krauthamer
  • Coaster transportation system
    Patent number: 10814236
    Abstract: A ride system includes a vehicle configured to travel along a first ride path. The ride system also includes a coaster that travels along a second ride path that overlaps with the first ride path at an overlapping portion of the ride system. The vehicle disengages from a first portion of the first ride path and engages with the coaster when the coaster is positioned at the overlapping portion, such that the coaster transports the vehicle along the second ride path to a second portion of the first ride path after engaging with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: James Francis Dagley
  • Augmented reality system for an amusement ride
    Patent number: 10807531
    Abstract: An amusement ride system includes a ride area, a ride vehicle configured to move within the ride area, a transparent display positioned between the ride area and a viewing area and configured to enable viewing of the ride vehicle from the viewing area, and a controller having a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of a position of the ride vehicle within the ride area and control an augmented reality image on the transparent display based on the position of the ride vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Dante Lamar Bruno, Gregory S. Hall, Shelby Nicole Honea
  • Conveyor ride system
    Patent number: 10807010
    Abstract: Provided herein is a conveyor ride system that includes a conveyor structure having a plurality of conveyor beams and a plurality of conveyor grooves. The plurality of conveyor beams and the plurality of conveyor grooves are configured to direct a ride vehicle along a surface of the conveyor structure. The surface of the conveyor structure defines at least a portion of a ride path of the conveyor ride system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hall, Keith Michael McVeen, Michael Joseph Tresaugue
  • Video game ride
    Patent number: 10807009
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Systems and methods for an entertainment system
    Patent number: 10794073
    Abstract: An entertainment system includes a cylinder within a body of liquid, an entertainment platform within the cylinder, and a pump system. The entertainment platform is configured to move within the cylinder. The pump system is configured to remove fluid from and provide fluid to an interior of the cylinder on a first side of the entertainment platform to move the entertainment platform within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Self, Kenneth Walker
  • Tracking system and method for use in surveying amusement park equipment
    Patent number: 10788603
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from vehicles within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to survey the amusement park equipment to determine whether the equipment has degraded or shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Paula Stenzler, Christopher Oliver, Brian B. McQuillian, Justin M. Schwartz, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Systems and methods for a connected augmented environment
    Patent number: 10780359
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include an amusement park system that includes an augmented experience system. The augmented experience system is configured to track guest interactions of a plurality of guests of an amusement park with one or more employees of the amusement park, one or more mobile devices, one or more wearable devices, one or more themed devices, or one or more physical objects disposed within a real-world environment of the amusement park. The augmented experience system is also configured to augment the real-world environment of the amusement park based at least in part on data relating to the guest interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Leiba, Wei Cheng Yeh, Travis Jon Cossairt, Erica Lynn McCay
  • Display systems in an entertainment environment
    Patent number: 10777012
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) and 3-dimensional (3-D) viewing system for providing an AR and 3-D experience to a user includes a wearable visualization device having a viewing assembly through which the user is capable of viewing a real-world environment. The viewing assembly includes a first display configured to display one or more AR features and a 3-D viewing component that enables the user to perceive one or more coded 2-dimensional (2-D) images as one or more deciphered 3-D features. The AR and 3-D viewing system also includes a fixed 3-D display system having a second display configured to display the one or more coded 2-D images. The fixed 3-D display system is disposed within the real-world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Goergen, Danielle M. Holstine, Thierry Coup, Brian McQuillian, Justin Schwartz
  • Dynamic convergence adjustment in augmented reality headsets
    Patent number: 10778953
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that dynamically and laterally shift each virtual object displayed by an augmented reality headset by a respective distance as the respective virtual object is displayed to change virtual depth from a first virtual depth to a second virtual depth. The respective distance may be determined based on a lateral distance between a first convergence vector of a user's eye with the respective virtual object at the first virtual depth and a second convergence vector of the user's eye with the respective virtual object at the second virtual depth along the display, and may be based on an interpupillary distance. In this manner, display of the virtual object may be adjusted such that the gazes of the user's eyes may converge where the virtual object appears to be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Lin, Patrick John Goergen, Martin Evan Graham
  • Animated character head systems and methods
    Patent number: 10775880
    Abstract: A system includes an animated character head having one or more processors configured to receive an input, to make an animation selection based on the input, and to provide a first control based on the animation selection. The animated character head also includes a display configured to provide an indication of the animation selection for visualization by a performer operating the animated character head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Anisha Vyas, Caitlin Amanda Correll, Sean David McCracken, William V. McGehee
  • Interactive maze attraction systems and methods
    Patent number: 10765962
    Abstract: An attraction system includes a first level, a second level positioned vertically above or below the first level, and one or more controllers configured to present a game environment to one or more riders in a ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels along a path on the first level. The attraction system also includes a lift configured to move the ride vehicle vertically from the first level to the second level based at least in part on a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
    Inventor: Steven Morris King
  • Retro-reflective optical system for controlling amusement park devices based on a size of a person
    Patent number: 10729985
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection of people within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from people and/or objects within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector and control various automated amusement park equipment as a result of this evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Paula Stenzler, Robert J. Cortelyou, Brian B. McQuillian, Christopher Oliver, Steven C. Blum, Justin M. Schwartz, Bradley D. Okeson
  • Amusement park ride tunnel
    Patent number: 10722806
    Abstract: A ride system includes a tunnel, a vehicle ride path, a ride vehicle, and a projection system. The tunnel includes a first end and a second end and is curved between the first and second ends. The vehicle ride path extends within the tunnel from an entrance at the first end of the tunnel to an intermediate position within the tunnel. The second end of the tunnel is not visible from the intermediate position. The ride vehicle travels along the vehicle ride path and decelerates as the ride vehicle approaches the intermediate position. The projection system projects images onto one or more walls of the tunnel, such that the images are synchronized with the deceleration of the ride vehicle and a perceived speed of the ride vehicle, as perceived by a guest in the ride vehicle, exceeds an actual speed of the ride vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Devin Boyle
  • System and method for tracking a passive wand and actuating an effect based on a detected wand path
    Patent number: 10699557
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a source of electromagnetic radiation that operates to emit electromagnetic radiation into an active playing area. The system also includes a sensing device that operates to receive the electromagnetic radiation after being reflected from a retro-reflective material of an article positioned in the active playing area and operable to generate data based on receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation from a series of article positions. Further, the system includes a controller that operates to process the data generated by the sensing device to determine whether the series of article positions correlate to a stored gesture and output a control signal to actuate an effect when the series of article positions correlate to the stored gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Sameer Kawash, Justin Michael Schwartz, Steven C. Blum
  • Local interaction systems and methods
    Patent number: 10699084
    Abstract: An interaction point includes a hardware-based processor, a local cache data store that stores attraction data pertaining to an entertainment attraction, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader that receives electromagnetic radiation of a wearable electronic device indicative of an interaction with the interaction point. The hardware-based processor, based upon the interaction with the interaction point: causes feedback to be rendered by the wearable electronic device, causes modification to at least a portion of the attraction data, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Wei Cheng Yeh, Travis Jon Cossairt