Patents by Inventor James Stephen Frankenberger

James Stephen Frankenberger 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: 8072418
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to an operator. The apparatus includes first and second magnetic assemblies having first and second magnets, respectively. The apparatus further includes a user input device, such as a trigger, a knob, a release cord, or a joystick, that is connected to at least one of the two assemblies and positions the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction occurs between the magnetic fields to generate a force that is exerted on the input device. The force may be an opposing, resisting, or attractive force that creates movement of the user input such as resisting a triggering or releasing action in an interactive video game when the poles are of like polarity. The first magnetic assembly may be stationary, and the second magnetic assembly may be connected to the user input device to be positioned relative to the first magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Susan M. Bryan, James Stephen Frankenberger
  • Patent number: 8025581
    Abstract: A ride vehicle for use in amusement park rides with interactive game or show equipment. A vehicle body is included with a passenger seat and an interactive device operable by a passenger to interact with the interactive game. A mounting assembly is provided in or on vehicle body and is configured for pivotally mounting the interactive device on the vehicle body. The mounting assembly may be adapted such as with a cam or guide plate to rotate or otherwise position the interactive device through a range of positions at varying distances from the seat. Further, A passenger restraint assembly is provided and is used to determine a size of the passenger in the seat. The passenger restraint is linked to the mounting assembly to drive the mounting assembly so as to place the interactive device at a passenger-use position that is selected based on the defined size of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan M. Bryan, Gregory A. Wilzbach, James Stephen Frankenberger
  • Publication number: 20090277295
    Abstract: A ride vehicle for use in amusement park rides with interactive game or show equipment. A vehicle body is included with a passenger seat and an interactive device operable by a passenger to interact with the interactive game. A mounting assembly is provided in or on vehicle body and is configured for pivotally mounting the interactive device on the vehicle body. The mounting assembly may be adapted such as with a cam or guide plate to rotate or otherwise position the interactive device through a range of positions at varying distances from the seat. Further, A passenger restraint assembly is provided and is used to determine a size of the passenger in the seat. The passenger restraint is linked to the mounting assembly to drive the mounting assembly so as to place the interactive device at a passenger-use position that is selected based on the defined size of the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: SUSAN M. BRYAN, GREGORY A. WILZBACH, JAMES STEPHEN FRANKENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20080297328
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to an operator. The apparatus includes first and second magnetic assemblies having first and second magnets, respectively. The apparatus further includes a user input device, such as a trigger, a knob, a release cord, or a joystick, that is connected to at least one of the two assemblies and positions the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction occurs between the magnetic fields to generate a force that is exerted on the input device. The force may be an opposing, resisting, or attractive force that creates movement of the user input such as resisting a triggering or releasing action in an interactive video game when the poles are of like polarity. The first magnetic assembly may be stationary, and the second magnetic assembly may be connected to the user input device to be positioned relative to the first magnet assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID W. CRAWFORD, SUSAN M. BRYAN, JAMES STEPHEN FRANKENBERGER
  • Patent number: 7273280
    Abstract: A method and system of selectively projecting images is disclosed. An illuminated area is created on a projection surface by directing a light source to the projection surface. The illuminated area is detected with a camera. Electrical signals are transmitted from the camera to the projector, the electrical signals being indicative of the position of the illuminated area in relation to the projection surface. Based on the received electrical signals, an image and a second image are projected on the projection surface. The image is projected on the illuminated area of the projection surface. The second image is projected on an area of the projection surface that is not illuminated by the light source. Applications of this method and system include the projection of background and foreground images creating the illusion of an x-ray beam, the projection of a normal image and an overblown image creating the illusion of a magnifying light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny Smoot, Alfredo Medina Ayala, William Joseph McArdle, Arthur Jun Tanaka, Don Kravitz, James Stephen Frankenberger, Deborah Susan Kurth, Kenneth L. Knowles