Patents by Inventor Asa K. Kalama

Asa K. Kalama 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: 11483486
    Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual experience video generation are disclosed herein. The system can include a passenger vehicle including a plurality of passenger locations, a content presentation system for presenting images from a virtual world to passengers in the passenger vehicle, at least one camera for capturing video of the passenger locations, and a processor. The processor can: capture video data of a passenger of a passenger vehicle during a ride experience, identify portions of captured video data for inclusion in the virtual experience video, select video data generated from a virtual world, and combine captured video data and generated video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Huebner, Asa K. Kalama, Peter Stepniewicz, Robert S. Trowbridge, Joshua B. Gorin
  • Patent number: 11373363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulation of ambient light based on generated imagery are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation sled, a simulation display that can display generated imagery viewable from the simulation sled, an ambient light simulator that can selectively illuminate portions of the simulation sled, and a processor. The simulation sled can include a plurality of user controls. The processor can: control the simulation display to generate imagery; identify an effect of the generated imagery on the simulation sled; and control the ambient light simulator to selectively illuminate at least portions of the simulation sled according to the identified effect of the simulated light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Jose Gutierrez, Paul Bailey, Karl Nettmann, William Hastings
  • Patent number: 11364442
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to an improved interactive experience. The system can be for delivery of an interactive attraction experience. The system can include a passenger vehicle having a plurality of passenger locations and a content presentation system that can present a virtual portion of the attraction experience viewable from the plurality of passenger locations. The system can include a transceiver that can transmit a trigger signal and at least one processor. The at least one processor can control delivery of the virtual portion of the attraction experience via the content presentation system, detect presence of a non-ride device, and deliver a trigger signal via the transceiver to the non-ride device, the trigger signal linked with the attraction experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge, Peter Stepniewicz, Casey M. Ging, John C. Hampton
  • Patent number: 11360471
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a mobile locker. The mobile locker can include a mobility unit to enable the locker to relocate from one location to another. The mobile locker is modular which allows the storage compartment to be detached from the mobility unit for storage, transfer via other means. The storage compartment can be coupled either the same or a different mobility unit. The mobile lockers can be recalled by a customer to either the customer's location or to designated locations at the venue. The lockers can include any one of multiple locking mechanisms. The mobile locker can communicate with a monitoring center that oversees the deployment of multiple mobile lockers. Embodiments of the mobile locker can interact with customers through a display, microphone, and speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert Scott Trowbridge, Scott Watson
  • Patent number: 11344815
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert Scott Trowbridge, Jacqueline E. King, Robert E. Huebner, Peter Stepniewicz
  • Patent number: 11311812
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an amusement park ride. The amusement park ride include a ride vehicle that can transition from a first configuration to a second configuration during the duration of the ride. The amusement park ride can include a loading area for loading passengers into the ride vehicle and a separate unloading area for disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle. After disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle the ride vehicle travels to a transition area concealed from the public where the ride transitions from the second configuration to the first configuration. In the transition area, maintenance can be performed on the ride vehicle and calibration can be performed on one or more of the ride vehicle systems (e.g., projector or audio systems).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge
  • Publication number: 20210217226
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulation of ambient light based on generated imagery are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation sled, a simulation display that can display generated imagery viewable from the simulation sled, an ambient light simulator that can selectively illuminate portions of the simulation sled, and a processor. The simulation sled can include a plurality of user controls. The processor can: control the simulation display to generate imagery; identify an effect of the generated imagery on the simulation sled; and control the ambient light simulator to selectively illuminate at least portions of the simulation sled according to the identified effect of the simulated light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Jose GUTIERREZ, Paul BAILEY, Karl NETTMANN, William HASTINGS
  • Patent number: 10997781
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulation of ambient light based on generated imagery are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation sled, a simulation display that can display generated imagery viewable from the simulation sled, an ambient light simulator that can selectively illuminate portions of the simulation sled, and a processor. The simulation sled can include a plurality of user controls. The processor can: control the simulation display to generate imagery; identify an effect of the generated imagery on the simulation sled; and control the ambient light simulator to selectively illuminate at least portions of the simulation sled according to the identified effect of the simulated light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Jose Gutierrez, Paul Bailey, Karl Nettmann, William Hastings
  • Patent number: 10933335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hybrid actuator system control are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle. The simulation vehicle can transit at least one passenger through a ride experience, can include a plurality of controls, and can be mounted on an actuator system controllable to move the simulation vehicle in connection with at least one ride event. The system can include a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; receive user inputs via the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify authored control data; generate algorithmic control data; generate a hybrid control signal according to a combination of the authored control data and the algorithmic control data; and control movement of the simulation vehicle according to the hybrid control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ashbrook, Robert E. Huebner, Asa K. Kalama, Daniel Sass, Michael Arevalo
  • Patent number: 10918961
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a customized amusement ride experience are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation vehicle that can transit at least one passenger from a starting position to a terminating position of the amusement ride, a memory including a content database and a token database, and a sensor that can receive data identifying at least one token. The system can include a processor that can: receive data from the sensor identifying the at least one token; retrieve ride data from the token database based on the data identifying the at least one token, which ride data identifies an attribute associated with the token; select content for delivery based on the ride data; retrieve the selected content for delivery from the content database; and provide the selected content to the at least one passenger of the simulation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Casey Ging, Peter Stepniewicz, Robert E. Huebner
  • Publication number: 20210023457
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to an improved interactive experience. The system can be for delivery of an interactive attraction experience. The system can include a passenger vehicle having a plurality of passenger locations and a content presentation system that can present a virtual portion of the attraction experience viewable from the plurality of passenger locations. The system can include a transceiver that can transmit a trigger signal and at least one processor. The at least one processor can control delivery of the virtual portion of the attraction experience via the content presentation system, detect presence of a non-ride device, and deliver a trigger signal via the transceiver to the non-ride device, the trigger signal linked with the attraction experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Robert S. TROWBRIDGE, Peter STEPNIEWICZ, Casey M. GING, John C. HAMPTON
  • Publication number: 20210016184
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Robert Scott TROWBRIDGE, Jacqueline E. KING, Robert E. HUEBNER, Peter STEPNIEWICZ
  • Publication number: 20200368628
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an amusement park ride. The amusement park ride include a ride vehicle that can transition from a first configuration to a second configuration during the duration of the ride. The amusement park ride can include a loading area for loading passengers into the ride vehicle and a separate unloading area for disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle. After disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle the ride vehicle travels to a transition area concealed from the public where the ride transitions from the second configuration to the first configuration. In the transition area, maintenance can be performed on the ride vehicle and calibration can be performed on one or more of the ride vehicle systems (e.g., projector or audio systems).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Robert S. TROWBRIDGE
  • Publication number: 20200368627
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to an improved interactive experience. The system can be for delivery of an interactive attraction experience. The system can include a passenger vehicle having a plurality of passenger locations and a content presentation system that can present a virtual portion of the attraction experience viewable from the plurality of passenger locations. The system can include a transceiver that can transmit a trigger signal and at least one processor. The at least one processor can control delivery of the virtual portion of the attraction experience via the content presentation system, detect presence of a non-ride device, and deliver a trigger signal via the transceiver to the non-ride device, the trigger signal linked with the attraction experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Robert S. TROWBRIDGE, Peter STEPNIEWICZ, Casey M. GING, John C. HAMPTON
  • Patent number: 10828573
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to an improved interactive experience. The system can be for delivery of an interactive attraction experience. The system can include a passenger vehicle having a plurality of passenger locations and a content presentation system that can present a virtual portion of the attraction experience viewable from the plurality of passenger locations. The system can include a transceiver that can transmit a trigger signal and at least one processor. The at least one processor can control delivery of the virtual portion of the attraction experience via the content presentation system, detect presence of a non-ride device, and deliver a trigger signal via the transceiver to the non-ride device, the trigger signal linked with the attraction experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge, Peter Stepniewicz, Casey M. Ging, John C. Hampton
  • Patent number: 10828572
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface, which simulation vehicle can transit at least one passenger through a ride experience from a starting position to a terminating position. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert Scott Trowbridge, Jacqueline E. King, Robert E. Huebner, Peter Stepniewicz
  • Patent number: 10722805
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an amusement park ride. The amusement park ride include a ride vehicle that can transition from a first configuration to a second configuration during the duration of the ride. The amusement park ride can include a loading area for loading passengers into the ride vehicle and a separate unloading area for disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle. After disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle the ride vehicle travels to a transition area concealed from the public where the ride transitions from the second configuration to the first configuration. In the transition area, maintenance can be performed on the ride vehicle and calibration can be performed on one or more of the ride vehicle systems (e.g., projector or audio systems).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 10695682
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated dynamic adaptive control are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle that can transit at least one participant through an entertainment experience from a starting positon to a terminating position. The simulation vehicle can include a plurality of user controls. The system can include a processor that can: provide content to the at least one participant; receive user inputs via the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle. The processor can: affect the entertainment experience based on the received user inputs; identify an intervention based on a determined discrepancy between received user inputs and expected user inputs; and modify an effect of the user inputs on the entertainment experience according to the identified intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Trowbridge, Asa K. Kalama, Robert E. Huebner
  • Patent number: 10630829
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an accessory for a computing device. The accessory includes one or more physical attributes that can produce a signal that can be detected by one or more sensors of the computing device. Once detected by the one or more sensors of the computing device, the signal can be compared with at least one signature stored in a memory of the computing device. If there is a match between the detected signal and the signature in memory, an application running on the computing device can instruct the a processor of the computing device to execute an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge, Scott Watson
  • Patent number: 10561954
    Abstract: Methods for dynamic show-length variation are disclosed herein. Such methods can include: a track extending from a starting position to a termination position; a first simulation vehicle that can move along the track from the starting position to the termination position; and a content presentation feature. Such methods can further include a processor. The processor can: determine a departure of the simulation vehicle from the starting position; provide content having a beginning, an end, and a plurality of scenes to the content presentation feature while the simulation vehicle is en route between the starting position and the termination position; and customize the length of the provided content so the content reaches the end as the simulation vehicle reaches the termination position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Karl Nettmann, Robert E. Huebner, Jacqueline E. King