Patents by Inventor Michael R. Kiddoo

Michael R. Kiddoo 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: 10788603
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from vehicles within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to survey the amusement park equipment to determine whether the equipment has degraded or shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Paula Stenzler, Christopher Oliver, Brian B. McQuillian, Justin M. Schwartz, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Patent number: 10162350
    Abstract: A system may include a plurality of grid elements, an analytic system, and a control system. The plurality of grid elements are installed in a dynamic driving area in an attraction and are configured to perform based on command instructions received from the control system to control the movement of a vehicle disposed on the plurality of grid elements. The analytic system may be configured to track, via one or more sensors, vehicle information and to send the vehicle information to the control system via a communication module, and the control system may be configured to receive the vehicle information, to determine, via one or more processors, which of the grid elements to actuate and a corresponding manner of actuation based on a desired movement of the vehicle, and to send command instructions including performance data to each of the grid elements identified for actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Sameer Kawash, Michael R. Kiddoo, Eric Parr
  • Publication number: 20180341040
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from vehicles within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to survey the amusement park equipment to determine whether the equipment has degraded or shifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Paula Stenzler, Christopher Oliver, Brian B. McQuillian, Justin M. Schwartz, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Patent number: 10061058
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from vehicles within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to survey the amusement park equipment to determine whether the equipment has degraded or shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Paula Stenzler, Christopher Oliver, Brian B. McQuillian, Justin M. Schwartz, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Patent number: 10031259
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from vehicles within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to survey the amusement park equipment to determine whether the equipment has degraded or shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Paula Stenzler, Christopher Oliver, Brian B. McQuillian, Justin M. Schwartz, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Patent number: 9429398
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from show elements within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to determine whether the show elements are to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Publication number: 20160070262
    Abstract: A system may include a plurality of grid elements, an analytic system, and a control system. The plurality of grid elements are installed in a dynamic driving area in an attraction and are configured to perform based on command instructions received from the control system to control the movement of a vehicle disposed on the plurality of grid elements. The analytic system may be configured to track, via one or more sensors, vehicle information and to send the vehicle information to the control system via a communication module, and the control system may be configured to receive the vehicle information, to determine, via one or more processors, which of the grid elements to actuate and a corresponding manner of actuation based on a desired movement of the vehicle, and to send command instructions including performance data to each of the grid elements identified for actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Sameer Kawash, Michael R. Kiddoo, Eric Parr
  • Publication number: 20150338548
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from vehicles within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to survey the amusement park equipment to determine whether the equipment has degraded or shifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Paula Stenzler, Christopher Oliver, Brian B. McQuillian, Justin M. Schwartz, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Publication number: 20150338196
    Abstract: A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from show elements within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to determine whether the show elements are to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Michael R. Kiddoo
  • Patent number: 7691002
    Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a tactile or physical contact system. The ride vehicle moves along a path or track. The path or track can be outdoors or partially or entirely indoors, i.e., in a dark ride. The system provides a touch effect by causing a physical or solid touch element to make physical contact with a part of a rider's body. Alternatively, the system can operate by projecting or spraying a gas, such as air, a vapor, such as water vapor or steam, or even a liquid, such as water, toward or onto part of a rider's body or the rider's clothing. The system is advantageously substantially self-contained aboard the vehicle, but may receive power or working fluid from off-board sources, either at discrete locations, or continuously along the ride path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Joseph F. Casey, Michael R. Kiddoo, Steven C. Blum, William F. Whitcomb, Scott R. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 7484460
    Abstract: An amusement ride has a track defining a ride vehicle path with a section of the track that can be decoupled from the main track and is subsequently movable on or about up to three axes with between one and six independent degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Michael R. Kiddoo, Scott R. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 6105507
    Abstract: A vehicle for an amusement ride attraction has front and rear bumper systems which include proximity or impact sensors connected to a programmable controller. The controller signals the vehicle to accelerate or decelerate for a pre-determined period of time, during a sensed collision. Consequently, during a collision, the chasing car is automatically decelerated and the leading car is automatically accelerated. The dynamic effect of a collision can thus be simulated or exaggerated without the full impact normally associated with collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Universal City Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Jelf, Michael R. Kiddoo, Gregory J. Rude