Patents by Inventor Christopher C. HOFER

Christopher C. HOFER 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: 12208782
    Abstract: A simulation platform may receive equipment information regarding ride equipment. The equipment information identifies a first location of a first end of the ride equipment on a travel path and identifies a second location of a second end of the ride equipment. The simulation platform may determine, based on the equipment information, that the first location is at a first distance from a starting location on the travel path and indicates that the second location is at a second distance from the starting location. The simulation platform may execute a computer model to perform a simulation of a movement of a passenger vehicle along the travel path. The simulation platform may determine, during the simulation, that the passenger vehicle is located at a particular distance from the starting location. The simulation platform may determine whether the particular distance corresponds to a location between the first location and the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J McNaull, Robert J. Marra, Christopher C. Hofer
  • Publication number: 20240202388
    Abstract: In some implementations, a simulation platform may receive a request to perform a simulation of operations of a plurality of components. The simulation platform may receive first fidelity information identifying a first level of detail and functionality to be simulated for a first component of the plurality of components, wherein the first level of detail and functionality is part of a first plurality of levels of details and functionalities to be simulated for the first component. The simulation platform may receive second fidelity information identifying a second level of detail and functionality to be simulated for a second component of the plurality of components, wherein the second level of detail and functionality is part of a second plurality of levels of details and functionalities to be simulated for the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. MCNAULL, Robert J. MARRA, Christopher C. HOFER, Brian F. WALTERS
  • Publication number: 20240190400
    Abstract: A simulation platform may receive equipment information regarding ride equipment. The equipment information identifies a first location of a first end of the ride equipment on a travel path and identifies a second location of a second end of the ride equipment. The simulation platform may determine, based on the equipment information, that the first location is at a first distance from a starting location on the travel path and indicates that the second location is at a second distance from the starting location. The simulation platform may execute a computer model to perform a simulation of a movement of a passenger vehicle along the travel path. The simulation platform may determine, during the simulation, that the passenger vehicle is located at a particular distance from the starting location. The simulation platform may determine whether the particular distance corresponds to a location between the first location and the second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J MCNAULL, Robert J. MARRA, Christopher C. HOFER
  • Publication number: 20240173632
    Abstract: A vehicle location system may execute a model to simulate a movement of a passenger vehicle along a ride path. The vehicle location system may determine, based on executing the model, that a current ride location of the passenger vehicle is a first ride location. The vehicle location system may update a map application to indicate that the current ride location is the first ride location. The vehicle location system may receive sensor data generated by a sensor device located at a second ride location. The sensor data indicates that the passenger vehicle has been detected at the second ride location. The vehicle location system may provide the sensor data as an input to the model to update the current ride location to the second ride location. The vehicle location system may update, based on the sensor data, the map application to indicate the second ride location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick MCNAULL, Chun Sum YEUNG, Robert J. MARRA, Christopher C. HOFER, Brian F. WALTERS