Patents by Inventor Lanny Smoot

Lanny Smoot 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).

  • Publication number: 20130249301
    Abstract: A system and method for powering a radio frequency identification (RFID) module includes an energy harvesting system configured to passively generate a voltage, a voltage regulator configured to regulate the passively generated voltage and a controllable port through which the passively generated voltage is provided to the RFID module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lanny Smoot, John David Worrall, Gordon Levin, Scott Watson, Vlatko Kolaric
  • Patent number: 8494178
    Abstract: Methods and techniques to implement a digital signal processor for avoidance of audio feedback are disclosed, in particular, audio signal processing systems that reduce the requirement for physical segregation of sound acquisition and diffusion zones. In a more general aspect, the components and techniques described herein provide a for a sound space and sound processing equipment such that sound travelling electronically in a loop through the sound processing equipment that is output into a physical sound diffusion zone, received at the input to the sound processing equipment, and then re-amplified, etc. is attenuated over that loop by frequency modification. The frequency modification is such that, at least for some signals, on each pass through the loop, the sound processing equipment will attenuate or amplify individual sub-bands of the frequency spectrum of the audio signal that is received at the input of the sound processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Loren Carpenter, Lanny Smoot, Alex Stahl
  • Patent number: 8269447
    Abstract: A drive system is presented for controlling rotation of a sphere. The system facilitates holonomic motion of a drive with respect to a sphere such that a holonomic drive or drives may be maintained at a relative position with respect to a sphere. The motion of a sphere may be controlled by controlling the position of a drive with respect to the sphere. The drive may be controlled by way of a controller. A holonomic drive may be urged against a sphere by way magnetic interaction of the holonomic drive and a second structure. Also, a support structure is facilitated that allows a sphere to pass through a support column without breaks or interruptions in the sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny Smoot, Dirk Ruiken
  • Publication number: 20110231013
    Abstract: A drive system is presented for controlling rotation of a sphere. The system facilitates holonomic motion of a drive with respect to a sphere such that a holonomic drive or drives may be maintained at a relative position with respect to a sphere. The motion of a sphere may be controlled by controlling the position of a drive with respect to the sphere. The drive may be controlled by way of a controller. A holonomic drive may be urged against a sphere by way magnetic interaction of the holonomic drive and a second structure. Also, a support structure is facilitated that allows a sphere to pass through a support column without breaks or interruptions in the sphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: LANNY SMOOT, DIRK RUIKEN
  • Publication number: 20100188340
    Abstract: Disclosed are touch detection systems and methods. In one embodiment, a display panel enabling touch detection comprises a touch pane configured to allow a light including a detection light, a back inner surface, and a display generation module located between the touch pane and the back inner surface. The display generation module is configured to produce a visual display at the touch pane. The display generation module is further configured to pass the detection light received from the touch pane. The display panel also comprises a detection light receiver situated at the back inner surface configured to detect the detection light received through the display generation module for enabling a detection of touches to the touch pane of the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Lanny Smoot
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060072076
    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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Lanny Smoot, Alfredo Ayala, William McArdle, Arthur Tanaka, Don Kravitz, James Frankenberger, Deborah Kurth, Kenneth Knowles