Patents Assigned to Universal Studios LLC
  • Patent number: 11040731
    Abstract: Present systems and methods are directed to a passenger restraining system, which includes a restraint and a locking mechanism, and a lighting system, which includes a variety of light sources. At least a portion of the variety of light sources is integrated with the restraint. Furthermore, the lighting system receives an indication of a configuration of the locking mechanism, executes a first light scheme via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of an unlocked configuration, and executes a second light scheme via the plurality of light sources when the indication is of a locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventor: Gregory S. Hall
  • Patent number: 11033829
    Abstract: A resistance control system of an amusement attraction includes a support assembly having a base, a pivot joint, and a support beam extending between the base and the pivot joint. The resistance control system includes a spring plate coupled to the pivot joint of the support assembly, and includes at least one spring engaged with the spring plate. Additionally, the resistance control system includes an actuator plate positioned between the spring plate and the base of the support assembly, as well as at least one actuator coupled between the actuator plate and the base. The at least one actuator is configured to move and secure the actuator plate relative to the pivot joint to adjust a resistance to movement about the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Mark Allan Stepanian, Jordan Dillon Barner, Tyler James Blankenship
  • Patent number: 11036391
    Abstract: An amusement park ride system including a ride vehicle, a ride control system that may track a location of the ride vehicle on a ride path and a haptic feedback system having a screen having a surface modifying component. The surface modifying component may be positioned on the ride vehicle. The haptic feedback system also includes a control system having a memory and a processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the haptic feedback system to convert data from the ride control system into tactile information representative of scenery surrounding the ride vehicle based on stored scenery data that is correlated to the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hall, Dante Lamar Bruno
  • Patent number: 10967285
    Abstract: A ride vibration system includes a rider support feature coupled to a ride vehicle and accessible to a rider positioned in the ride vehicle. The system includes a vibrator with a motor that rotates an eccentric mass to generate vibrations. The vibrator is at least partially integrated with the rider support feature and transfers the vibrations to the rider support feature. An input device receives a vibration intensity selection. A controller couples to the vibrator and to the input device. The controller receives the vibration intensity selection and controls the motor to control an intensity of the vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventors: William Rodriguez, Rachel Wilcox, Garrett Malatek, Luis Carlos Alarcon, Kevin Primm
  • Patent number: 10970725
    Abstract: A crowd management system includes at least one local controller associated with an attraction area of an individual attraction within a theme park. The crowd management system includes a transceiver of the at least one local controller, where the transceiver receives guests data via wireless signals from guest-associated devices within a detection range of the local controller. The crowd management system includes a remote central controller in communication with the at least one local controller and the guest-associated device. The remote central controller receives the guest data from the at least one local controller and determines one or more crowd metrics of the individual attraction based on the guest data. The remote central controller generates an activity command based on the one or more crowd metrics. The remote central controller transmits the activity command to at least one guest-associated device of the guest-associated devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventors: Wei Yeh, Travis Cossairt
  • Patent number: 10898816
    Abstract: A ride vehicle for an amusement park includes a restraint system. The restraint system includes a first conformable component configured to be disposed over a first lower portion of a guest's body. The restraint system further includes a behind-the-knee component configured to be disposed behind a leg of the guest. The restraint system additionally includes a linkage mechanism configured to move the first conformable component, the behind-the-knee component, or a combination thereof, to secure the restraint system to the guest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventors: Eric Vance, Lara Larberg MacLean, Dale Mason, Marcel Santos, Powers Alexander Yamich
  • Patent number: 10881958
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a surface that displays a plurality of images related to a game, a vehicle comprising interface circuitry configured to receive an input from the rider related to a vehicle path on the surface, wherein the vehicle operates according to the input to move on the surface on the vehicle path, and a controller that determines that the vehicle has moved over a first image of the plurality of images while on the vehicle path based on a signal from the vehicle, the surface, an external sensor, or a combination thereof; provides instructions to display circuitry associated with the surface to change the first image when the vehicle has moved over the first image while on the vehicle path; and updates a score associated with the vehicle when the vehicle has moved over the first image while on the vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Devin Boyle
  • Patent number: 9192865
    Abstract: A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven Morris King, Justin Michael Schwartz, Steven C. Blum