Patents by Inventor MICHAEL J. ILARDI
MICHAEL J. ILARDI 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: 11294378Abstract: A system for use in a park attraction to provide collaborative driving experiences. The system includes a vehicle including a body with passenger seats, including a user input assembly proximate to each of the passenger seats, and further including a holonomic drive system adapted to move the body in any direction while riding on a driving surface of the park attraction. The system also includes a system controller (running an attraction/game control module) that operates to: (a) receive user input from each of the user input assemblies; (b) process the user input from each of the user input assemblies to generate a control vector associated with each of the user input assemblies; (c) combine the control vectors from all of the user input assemblies to generate a resultant vector; (d) generate a drive control signal from the resultant vector; and (e) transmit the drive control signal to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Ilardi, Frank D. Mezzatesta, III, Jonathan Michael Becker, Dawson McLeod Dill, Luke Andrew Sciaraffa, Joseph George Hager, IV, William Bennett Hogue, Jr.
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Patent number: 10739613Abstract: A display system is provided that combines the use of a display element with a beamsplitter and at least one retroreflector to provide an image (2D or 3D depending upon the output image from the display element) that appears to be floating in space some distance from the beamsplitter. For example, light that is bounced off/reflected and/or that is transmitted through the beamsplitter may be reflected from the reflective surface of the retroreflector toward the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs this light, through reflection or transmission, into a viewing space such that the 2D or 3D image can be viewed by a viewer as it appears to float a distance from the nearest surface of the beamsplitter and, typically, some distance above the ground/floor upon which viewers are walking. The floating image may be relatively bright so that it is viewable in low and brighter light conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Michael J. Ilardi
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Publication number: 20190302776Abstract: A system for use in a park attraction to provide collaborative driving experiences. The system includes a vehicle including a body with passenger seats, including a user input assembly proximate to each of the passenger seats, and further including a holonomic drive system adapted to move the body in any direction while riding on a driving surface of the park attraction. The system also includes a system controller (running an attraction/game control module) that operates to: (a) receive user input from each of the user input assemblies; (b) process the user input from each of the user input assemblies to generate a control vector associated with each of the user input assemblies; (c) combine the control vectors from all of the user input assemblies to generate a resultant vector; (d) generate a drive control signal from the resultant vector; and (e) transmit the drive control signal to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: MICHAEL J. ILARDI, FRANK D. MEZZATESTA, III, JONATHAN MICHAEL BECKER, DAWSON MCLEOD DILL, LUKE ANDREW SCIARAFFA, JOSEPH GEORGE HAGER, IV, WILLIAM BENNETT HOGUE, JR.
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Publication number: 20180259784Abstract: A display system is provided that combines the use of a display element with a beamsplitter and at least one retroreflector to provide an image (2D or 3D depending upon the output image from the display element) that appears to be floating in space some distance from the beamsplitter. For example, light that is bounced off/reflected and/or that is transmitted through the beamsplitter may be reflected from the reflective surface of the retroreflector toward the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs this light, through reflection or transmission, into a viewing space such that the 2D or 3D image can be viewed by a viewer as it appears to float a distance from the nearest surface of the beamsplitter and, typically, some distance above the ground/floor upon which viewers are walking. The floating image may be relatively bright so that it is viewable in low and brighter light conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: DANIEL M. JOSEPH, LANNY S. SMOOT, QUINN Y. SMITHWICK, MICHAEL J. ILARDI
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Patent number: 10001654Abstract: A display system is provided that combines the use of a display element with a beamsplitter and at least one retroreflector to provide an image (2D or 3D depending upon the output image from the display element) that appears to be floating in space some distance from the beamsplitter. For example, light that is bounced off/reflected and/or that is transmitted through the beamsplitter may be reflected from the reflective surface of the retroreflector toward the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs this light, through reflection or transmission, into a viewing space such that the 2D or 3D image can be viewed by a viewer as it appears to float a distance from the nearest surface of the beamsplitter and, typically, some distance above the ground/floor upon which viewers are walking. The floating image may be relatively bright so that it is viewable in low and brighter light conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Michael J. Ilardi
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Publication number: 20180024373Abstract: A display system is provided that combines the use of a display element with a beamsplitter and at least one retroreflector to provide an image (2D or 3D depending upon the output image from the display element) that appears to be floating in space some distance from the beamsplitter. For example, light that is bounced off/reflected and/or that is transmitted through the beamsplitter may be reflected from the reflective surface of the retroreflector toward the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs this light, through reflection or transmission, into a viewing space such that the 2D or 3D image can be viewed by a viewer as it appears to float a distance from the nearest surface of the beamsplitter and, typically, some distance above the ground/floor upon which viewers are walking. The floating image may be relatively bright so that it is viewable in low and brighter light conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: DANIEL M. JOSEPH, LANNY S. SMOOT, QUINN Y. SMITHWICK, MICHAEL J. ILARDI
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Patent number: 9778741Abstract: A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) drawing experience. The method includes capturing a 3D image of a participant and then processing this image to key the participant's image from a background. The keyed participant's image is mixed with a 3D background image such as frames or scenes from a 3D movie, and the mixed 3D image is projected on a projection screen. For example, left and right eye images may be projected from a pair of projectors with polarization films over the lenses, and the projection screen may be a polarization-maintaining surface such as a silver screen. The user moves a drawing instrument in space in front of the projection screen, and spatial tracking performed to generate a locus of 3D positions. These 3D positions are used to create a 3D drawing image that is projected with the 3D background and participant images in real time.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Daniel Reetz, Michael J. Ilardi
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Patent number: 9405181Abstract: A projection assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as quadrotors. The projection assembly includes a projection screen with a rear surface and a front surface, and the projection screen has a level of opacity and/or other physical qualities that enables it to function as a rear-projection surface. The projection assembly includes a vehicle attachment member adapted for coupling with a frame of the UAV, and the projection screen is supported at a first end by the vehicle attachment member. The apparatus includes a projector projecting light, and the projected light is directed onto the rear surface of the projection surface to generate a displayed image visible on the front surface. The projection screen can be formed from a mesh sheet with a porosity allowing air to flow through the projection screen. The mesh sheet may be formed of plastic threads that provide the rear-projection surface function.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Clifford W. Wong, Michael J. Ilardi
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Publication number: 20160033855Abstract: A projection assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as quadrotors. The projection assembly includes a projection screen with a rear surface and a front surface, and the projection screen has a level of opacity and/or other physical qualities that enables it to function as a rear-projection surface. The projection assembly includes a vehicle attachment member adapted for coupling with a frame of the UAV, and the projection screen is supported at a first end by the vehicle attachment member. The apparatus includes a projector projecting light, and the projected light is directed onto the rear surface of the projection surface to generate a displayed image visible on the front surface. The projection screen can be formed from a mesh sheet with a porosity allowing air to flow through the projection screen. The mesh sheet may be formed of plastic threads that provide the rear-projection surface function.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: CLIFFORD W. WONG, MICHAEL J. ILARDI
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Publication number: 20150241960Abstract: A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) drawing experience. The method includes capturing a 3D image of a participant and then processing this image to key the participant's image from a background. The keyed participant's image is mixed with a 3D background image such as frames or scenes from a 3D movie, and the mixed 3D image is projected on a projection screen. For example, left and right eye images may be projected from a pair of projectors with polarization films over the lenses, and the projection screen may be a polarization-maintaining surface such as a silver screen. The user moves a drawing instrument in space in front of the projection screen, and spatial tracking performed to generate a locus of 3D positions. These 3D positions are used to create a 3D drawing image that is projected with the 3D background and participant images in real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: LANNY S. SMOOT, QUINN Y. SMITHWICK, DANIEL REETZ, MICHAEL J. ILARDI
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Patent number: 9082214Abstract: A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) drawing experience. The method includes capturing a 3D image of a participant and then processing this image to key the participant's image from a background. The keyed participant's image is mixed with a 3D background image such as frames or scenes from a 3D movie, and the mixed 3D image is projected on a projection screen. For example, left and right eye images may be projected from a pair of projectors with polarization films over the lenses, and the projection screen may be a polarization-maintaining surface such as a silver screen. The user moves a drawing instrument in space in front of the projection screen, and spatial tracking performed to generate a locus of 3D positions. These 3D positions are used to create a 3D drawing image that is projected with the 3D background and participant images in real time.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Smithwick, Daniel M. Reetz, Michael J. Ilardi
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Publication number: 20130002815Abstract: A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) drawing experience. The method includes capturing a 3D image of a participant and then processing this image to key the participant's image from a background. The keyed participant's image is mixed with a 3D background image such as frames or scenes from a 3D movie, and the mixed 3D image is projected on a projection screen. For example, left and right eye images may be projected from a pair of projectors with polarization films over the lenses, and the projection screen may be a polarization-maintaining surface such as a silver screen. The user moves a drawing instrument in space in front of the projection screen, and spatial tracking performed to generate a locus of 3D positions. These 3D positions are used to create a 3D drawing image that is projected with the 3D background and participant images in real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: LANNY S. SMOOT, QUINN SMITHWICK, DANIEL M. REETZ, MICHAEL J. ILARDI