Patents Assigned to Z-IMAGE, LLC
  • Patent number: 10539711
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for operating a laser attraction. Aspects include instructing a plurality of laser transmitters to each emit a laser beam, each of the emitted laser beams being detected by a particular receiver device. In addition, a signal may be received that indicates that one of the laser beams has been broken. In an aspect, the signal may be received from a receiver device that is associated with the broken laser beam. Further, the receiver device may be instructed to illuminate a light source when the laser beam is broken, the light source being part of the receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Z IMAGE, LLC
    Inventors: John Bonvallet, Ted Ziemkowski
  • Patent number: 9243449
    Abstract: An automated entrance device includes a housing and a first and second panel operably coupled to the housing. The panels are positioned approximately at a 90° angle to each other. The first panel and the second panel rotate together from a first position to a second position to allow entrance to a user. After allowing a user to enter, the panels reset to the first position ready to selectively allow entrance to additional users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Z Image, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Ziemkowski, John Bonvallet, Devon Clark, Peeraya Nilwong
  • Publication number: 20120120973
    Abstract: An amusement attraction may have a laser input device where a user may wave several fingers or make repeated motions to break a laser beam in a predefined pattern. The pattern may be recognized by a controller to perform a specific function. In one embodiment, a maintenance technician may use the input device to turn on or off certain lasers in a laser maze attraction. In another embodiment, a game player may use the input device to configure the game, change conditions of the game, or perform some other function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Z-Image, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Bruce Ziemkowski, John Bonvallet, Conrad Proft
  • Publication number: 20120085663
    Abstract: Amusement attractions are entertaining and sometimes challenging games that are designed to excite patrons. Attractions may be constructed inside portable, pre-constructed containers designed to be moved over short or long distances. Portability allows attractions to be constructed off-site, moved between a plurality of sites, or moved into different locations at a single site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Z-IMAGE, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Bruce Ziemkowski, John Bonvallet, Chris Corman
  • Publication number: 20110220774
    Abstract: Light beam detection is used in a wide variety of applications, including manufacturing, security, transportation, scientific research, and amusement products. A system for detecting a moving light beam is comprised of a light beam detector, a moving light system, and a controller. A light beam detector may include a light receiver and a light sensor. A moving light system may include a focused light source and a light movement system. A controller may monitor the light detector for the presence or absence of a light beam and may control light beam movement and other aspects of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Z-IMAGE, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Bruce Ziemkowski, John Bonvallet
  • Publication number: 20100004794
    Abstract: A laser controller may operate a laser at a high power level, such as Class 3R, Class 3B, or higher, but may have safety interlocks to limit exposure to a safe level and may, as a system, be classified as Class 1. The laser controller may control a laser that transmits a light beam to a sensor, and may operate the laser in a high power mode when the sensor senses the light beam. While a laser is transmitting and the laser beam is not sensed, the laser may be operated within Class 1 power levels. When the light beam is broken, the laser controller may turn off the laser or change the power level to a safe level such that a person would not be exposed to any more energy than a Class 1 level. The laser controller may use various mechanisms to set a detection threshold and may use an ambient light sensor to determine when detection may be impossible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Z-IMAGE, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Bruce Ziemkowski, John Bonvallet