Patents by Inventor Eric A. Vance
Eric A. Vance 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).
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Patent number: 9610509Abstract: Systems and methods for braking or launching a ride vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a linear induction motor (LIM) installed in a curved portion of a track, a ride vehicle disposed upon the track, one or more reaction plates coupled to a side of the ride vehicle facing the track via a plurality of actuators, one or more sensors configured to monitor an air gap between the one or more reaction plates and the LIM, and a processor configured to determine which of the plurality of actuators to actuate and a desired performance of each of the plurality of actuators based on data received from the one or more sensors to maintain the air gap at a desired level throughout traversal of the curve by the ride vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventor: Eric Vance
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Publication number: 20170001123Abstract: A ride system includes a first ride vehicle and a second ride vehicle positioned within a course and configured to travel within the course. The ride system also includes a control system having at least one controller and at least one position tracking system, where the at least one controller is configured to control movement of the first and second ride vehicles, and where the at least one position tracking system is configured to facilitate identification of a first location and a second location of the first and second ride vehicles, respectively, within the course. The ride system also includes a wireless network configured to enable communication between components of the ride system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Mark Bruce Maycock, Eric Vance
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Publication number: 20160332084Abstract: A ride assembly includes a passenger vehicle having front wheels, rear wheels, a motor, and a steering wheel, where the front and rear wheels are disposed on a surface, the motor is configured to provide power to the front wheels to propel the passenger vehicle, and the steering wheel is configured to adjust a position of the rear wheels and enable the passenger vehicle to drift, a track forming a trough in the surface, and a bogie hingedly coupled to the passenger vehicle, where the bogie is disposed in the trough, and where the bogie is configured to direct movement of the passenger vehicle along the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Keith Michael McVeen, Eric A. Vance
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Publication number: 20160287999Abstract: An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Keith Michael McVeen, Eric A. Vance, Thierry Coup
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Publication number: 20160288000Abstract: A boom coaster includes a passenger vehicle, a track, a bogie coupled to the passenger vehicle and the track and configured to move along the track, and a simulated ride surface positioned above the track and beneath the passenger vehicle. The simulated ride surface is configured to imitate a path of the passenger vehicle, the bogie is coupled to a surface of the passenger vehicle via a leg member extending around the simulated ride surface, and the leg member suspends the passenger vehicle above the simulated surface such that the bogie and the track are blocked from a passenger view perspective of the passenger vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Keith Michael McVeen, Eric Parr, Thierry Coup, Eric A. Vance
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Patent number: 9457282Abstract: A ride control system includes a plurality of ride vehicles positioned within a course and configured to travel within the course. Each of the plurality of ride vehicles includes a vehicle controller configured to control movement of a respective one of the plurality of ride vehicles. Each of the plurality of ride vehicles also includes a position tracking system configured to facilitate identification of a location of the respective one of the plurality of ride vehicles within the course. Each of the plurality of ride vehicles further includes a vehicle transceiver in communication with the vehicle controller. The ride control system also includes a primary controller and a primary transceiver in communication with the primary controller. The ride control system further includes a primary wireless network formed by the vehicle transceiver and the primary transceiver to include at least the primary controller and the vehicle controller of each of the plurality of ride vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Mark Bruce Maycock, Eric Vance
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Patent number: 9422975Abstract: A system includes a plain bearing assembly configured to enable rotation of a shaft about a bearing system axis of the shaft. The plain bearing assembly includes the shaft, a cylindrical intermediate bearing disposed about the shaft, and an external bearing disposed about the intermediate bearing. The plain bearing assembly is configured to facilitate oscillatory motion of the shaft relative to the external bearing such that, when the shaft rotates in a first direction about the bearing system axis, the intermediate bearing rotates about the bearing system axis in the first direction, and when the shaft rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction about the bearing system axis, rotation of the intermediate bearing about the bearing system axis is resisted or prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Eric A. Vance, Michael Roy Kiddoo
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Patent number: 9278292Abstract: A ride attraction system utilizes a robotic actuation system to move a curved door of a curved enclosure wall between a first position and a second position via a compound trajectory. In the first position, the door is mated with the wall, and in the second position, the door leaves an opening in the wall. The door and the wall may both include display surfaces that enable images to be displayed to occupants of a ride moving toward the wall and through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Eric A. Vance, Eric L. Hunt, Dale Mason, Keith McVeen
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Publication number: 20160038840Abstract: Systems and methods for braking or launching a ride vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a linear induction motor (LIM) installed in a curved portion of a track, a ride vehicle disposed upon the track, one or more reaction plates coupled to a side of the ride vehicle facing the track via a plurality of actuators, one or more sensors configured to monitor an air gap between the one or more reaction plates and the LIM, and a processor configured to determine which of the plurality of actuators to actuate and a desired performance of each of the plurality of actuators based on data received from the one or more sensors to maintain the air gap at a desired level throughout traversal of the curve by the ride vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventor: Eric Vance
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Publication number: 20150352452Abstract: A ride attraction system utilizes a robotic actuation system to move a curved door of a curved enclosure wall between a first position and a second position via a compound trajectory. In the first position, the door is mated with the wall, and in the second position, the door leaves an opening in the wall. The door and the wall may both include display surfaces that enable images to be displayed to occupants of a ride moving toward the wall and through the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Eric A. Vance, Eric L. Hunt, Dale Mason, Keith McVeen
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Publication number: 20150336012Abstract: A ride control system includes a plurality of ride vehicles positioned within a course and configured to travel within the course. Each of the plurality of ride vehicles includes a vehicle controller configured to control movement of a respective one of the plurality of ride vehicles. Each of the plurality of ride vehicles also includes a position tracking system configured to facilitate identification of a location of the respective one of the plurality of ride vehicles within the course. Each of the plurality of ride vehicles further includes a vehicle transceiver in communication with the vehicle controller. The ride control system also includes a primary controller and a primary transceiver in communication with the primary controller. The ride control system further includes a primary wireless network formed by the vehicle transceiver and the primary transceiver to include at least the primary controller and the vehicle controller of each of the plurality of ride vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Mark Bruce Maycock, Eric Vance
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Publication number: 20150252844Abstract: A system includes a plain bearing assembly configured to enable rotation of a shaft about a bearing system axis of the shaft. The plain bearing assembly includes the shaft, a cylindrical intermediate bearing disposed about the shaft, and an external bearing disposed about the intermediate bearing. The plain bearing assembly is configured to facilitate oscillatory motion of the shaft relative to the external bearing such that, when the shaft rotates in a first direction about the bearing system axis, the intermediate bearing rotates about the bearing system axis in the first direction, and when the shaft rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction about the bearing system axis, rotation of the intermediate bearing about the bearing system axis is resisted or prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Eric A. Vance, Michael Roy Kiddoo
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Publication number: 20150252850Abstract: A system includes a rolling bearing element assembly configured to enable rotation of a rotary element relative to a stationary element, the rotation being about a bearing system axis of the rolling bearing element assembly. The rolling bearing element assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling bearing elements disposed between the inner and outer races. The rolling bearing element assembly is configured to facilitate oscillatory motion of the rotary element relative to the stationary element such that, when the rotary element rotates in a first direction about the bearing system axis, the rolling bearing elements revolve about the bearing system axis in the first direction, and when the rotary element rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction about the bearing system axis, revolution of the rolling bearing elements about the bearing system axis in the second direction is resisted or prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Eric A. Vance, Michael Roy Kiddoo
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Publication number: 20150220599Abstract: Tracking all accessing of individual files in a database that do not change a files content, and generating and storing for an accessed file, metadata defining the accessing. Thus, the stored metadata for metadata describing the accessing of the files in said database covers all accessing of files irrespective of whether files have been modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Eric Vance Kline
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Patent number: 9056592Abstract: An opposing airbag contacts the primary inflating airbag to counter or modulate the thrust or force of the primary airbag, wherein the force of the primary airbag may be reduced dependent upon the size of the seated person of unusual size.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Eric Vance Kline
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Publication number: 20140304034Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for generating sales data reports. One approach is provided for receiving time information, simulation information, and forecast parameters to generate on the fly revenue and profitability reports for past historical data and future forecasts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Oracle International CorporationInventors: Kara MITCHELL, Aaron JOHNSON, Eric VANCE
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Patent number: 8840034Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to coolant flow control apparatus, in association with a liquid flow through heat exchanger situated to cool one or more electronic or other device. The apparatus comprises a first input channel for carrying liquid coolant to a first input of the heat exchanger, and further comprises a flow control device positioned along a flow path that includes the first input channel. The flow control device is provided with a gating element supported for selected movement across the flow path, in order to selectively vary the amount of coolant moving through the flow path. The apparatus further include an actuator located in the flow control device that comprises a metal component which is directly tied to the gating element, wherein the metal component changes its shape in response to specified changes in coolant temperature, and a given change in the shape of the metal component acts to selectively move the gating element with respect to the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric Alan Eckberg, Eric Vance Kline, Paul N. Krystek, Michael Robert Rasmussen, Stephen M. Zins
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Patent number: 8838612Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of implementing fulfillment management. The method includes receiving order information, wherein the order information includes one or more order lines, selecting at least one of the one or more order lines, scoring the one or more selected order lines, and accessing one or more rules assigned to the one or more order lines. The method further includes based on the assigned rules, defining a priority rank of each of the one or more selected order lines, specifying fulfillment of inventory based on the priority and scoring of each of the selected one or more order lines, and assigning inventory based on the specified fulfillment.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Oracle International CorporationInventors: Kara Lea Berlener, Karen Lee Brown, Eric Vance, Denise Tsuru Okuno-Prickett, Jack William Hurdelbrink, Joseph Ellimoottil Joseph, Yelena B. Feldman, Thomas Gerard Vinci, Paula Dennice Dietz
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Patent number: 8837694Abstract: An apparatus for filtering telephone calls includes a fee module, an exemption list module, a call module, a matching module, and a fee waiver module. The fee module charges a fee to a caller for an incoming call made by the caller to a user. The fee is specific to the incoming call. The exemption list module maintains an exemption list, which includes callers exempt from the fee, and their information. This information identifies an exempted caller when the call module receives an incoming call. The matching module determines if information associated with the incoming call matches an exempt caller's information on the exemption list. The fee waiver module exempts the incoming call from the fee when the matching module determines that the caller's information matches the information on the exemption list. The fee module charges the fee for incoming calls not exempted from the fee.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Eric Vance Kline
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Publication number: 20140254781Abstract: An apparatus for filtering telephone calls includes a fee module, an exemption list module, a call module, a matching module, and a fee waiver module. The fee module charges a fee to a caller for an incoming call made by the caller to a user. The fee is specific to the incoming call. The exemption list module maintains an exemption list, which includes callers exempt from the fee, and their information. This information identifies an exempted caller when the call module receives an incoming call. The matching module determines if information associated with the incoming call matches an exempt caller's information on the exemption list. The fee waiver module exempts the incoming call from the fee when the matching module determines that the caller's information matches the information on the exemption list. The fee module charges the fee for incoming calls not exempted from the fee.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Eric Vance Kline