Patents by Inventor Ross Alan Osterman

Ross Alan Osterman 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: 11918925
    Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a riding assembly configured to carry a rider, a base configured to couple to the riding assembly, and a control system configured to control the coordination of movements of the ride vehicle with movements of separate ride vehicles. The base includes a surface movement system configured to move the ride vehicle along a surface, a vertical movement system configured to move the riding assembly vertically relative to the base, and a roll system configured to move the riding assembly angularly relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Lara Larberg MacLean, William Dale Mason, Eric Alan Vance, Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Patent number: 11351470
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Publication number: 20210264710
    Abstract: A queue management system in accordance with present embodiments may include a data server system including a processor and memory. The queue management system may include an interface system of the data server system configured to receive a reservation request including an indication of a general time period of arrival of a guest to an area. Additionally, the queue management system may include a reservation right allotment system of the data server system configured to correlate a reservation slot for accessing an attraction to identification information for the guest. Further, the queue management system may include a detection system of the data server system configured to determine when a portable identification feature associated with the identification information has arrived to the area, and a reservation assignment system of the data server system configured to establish a reservation to access the attraction at a specific time window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman, Jeffrey Lamar Polk
  • Patent number: 11004290
    Abstract: A queue management system in accordance with present embodiments may include a data server system including a processor and memory. The queue management system may include an interface system of the data server system configured to receive a reservation request including an indication of a general time period of arrival of a guest to an area. Additionally, the queue management system may include a reservation right allotment system of the data server system configured to correlate a reservation slot for accessing an attraction to identification information for the guest. Further, the queue management system may include a detection system of the data server system configured to determine when a portable identification feature associated with the identification information has arrived to the area, and a reservation assignment system of the data server system configured to establish a reservation to access the attraction at a specific time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman, Jeffrey Lamar Polk
  • Publication number: 20210016191
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Patent number: 10807009
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Patent number: 10656704
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a virtual reality attraction system. The virtual reality attraction system includes virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) headgear configured to display AR images and/or VR images to a user, and at least one user-assisted vehicle configured to accommodate the user. The vehicle includes a frame configured to permit the user to provide at least partial motor power to move the vehicle within the attraction. The frame defines a boundary about the user. The vehicle also includes a harness coupled to the frame and configured to provide support to the user when the user is in the vehicle, and a vehicle controller configured to communicate the AR and/or VR images to the virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) headgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Publication number: 20190272695
    Abstract: A queue management system in accordance with present embodiments may include a data server system including a processor and memory. The queue management system may include an interface system of the data server system configured to receive a reservation request including an indication of a general time period of arrival of a guest to an area. Additionally, the queue management system may include a reservation right allotment system of the data server system configured to correlate a reservation slot for accessing an attraction to identification information for the guest. Further, the queue management system may include a detection system of the data server system configured to determine when a portable identification feature associated with the identification information has arrived to the area, and a reservation assignment system of the data server system configured to establish a reservation to access the attraction at a specific time window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman, Jeffrey Lamar Polk
  • Patent number: 10304276
    Abstract: A queue management system in accordance with present embodiments may include a data server system including a processor and memory. The queue management system may include an interface system of the data server system configured to receive a reservation request including an indication of a general time period of arrival of a guest to an area. Additionally, the queue management system may include a reservation right allotment system of the data server system configured to correlate a reservation slot for accessing an attraction to identification information for the guest. Further, the queue management system may include a detection system of the data server system configured to determine when a portable identification feature associated with the identification information has arrived to the area, and a reservation assignment system of the data server system configured to establish a reservation to access the attraction at a specific time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman, Jeffrey Lamar Polk
  • Patent number: 10293837
    Abstract: A control system to control a multi-passenger ride vehicle includes a controller. The controller receives a first user feedback from a first user input device and a second user feedback from a second user input device. The controller selects the first user feedback, the second user feedback, or a combination thereof for a determination of a vehicle path of the multi-passenger ride vehicle. The controller determines the vehicle path using the first user feedback, the second user feedback, or the combination thereof based on the selection. The controller controls movement of the multi-passenger ride vehicle based on the vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Ross Alan Osterman, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10238979
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Universal City Sudios LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Publication number: 20190076744
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Publication number: 20180329480
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a virtual reality attraction system. The virtual reality attraction system includes virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) headgear configured to display AR images and/or VR images to a user, and at least one user-assisted vehicle configured to accommodate the user. The vehicle includes a frame configured to permit the user to provide at least partial motor power to move the vehicle within the attraction. The frame defines a boundary about the user. The vehicle also includes a harness coupled to the frame and configured to provide support to the user when the user is in the vehicle, and a vehicle controller configured to communicate the AR and/or VR images to the virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) headgear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Patent number: 10124266
    Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of vehicles having vehicle interface circuitry and configured to accommodate one or more riders. In certain embodiments, a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to receive respective inputs from the one or more riders via the vehicle interface circuitry, and wherein the respective inputs are related to one or more game features of a game environment; and a game controller configured to receive information from the vehicle interface circuitry related to the respective inputs; and provide instructions to modify the game environment based on at least one of the respective inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Universal City Sudios LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Devin Boyle, Ross Alan Osterman
  • Publication number: 20180170399
    Abstract: A control system to control a multi-passenger ride vehicle includes a controller. The controller receives a first user feedback from a first user input device and a second user feedback from a second user input device. The controller selects the first user feedback, the second user feedback, or a combination thereof for a determination of a vehicle path of the multi-passenger ride vehicle. The controller determines the vehicle path using the first user feedback, the second user feedback, or the combination thereof based on the selection. The controller controls movement of the multi-passenger ride vehicle based on the vehicle path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Alan Osterman, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9889860
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-passenger ride vehicle configured to accommodate two or more passengers. The ride vehicle includes a plurality of user input devices configured to generate feedback in response to input from passengers of the ride vehicle. The system also includes a controller configured to control one or more operations of the ride vehicle based on feedback from one or more of the user input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Ross Alan Osterman, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9770665
    Abstract: A functional mat racer in accordance with present embodiments includes a mat configured to accommodate a rider, wherein the mat comprises a ride surface configured to contact a ride floor or slide surface and an opposing surface configured to hold the rider. The functional mat racer also includes one or more handles coupled to the mat and a functional module coupled to the mat, wherein the functional module comprises one or more light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: University City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman, William Dale Mason
  • Publication number: 20170166221
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-passenger ride vehicle configured to accommodate two or more passengers. The ride vehicle includes a plurality of user input devices configured to generate feedback in response to input from passengers of the ride vehicle. The system also includes a controller configured to control one or more operations of the ride vehicle based on feedback from one or more of the user input devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Alan Osterman, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9534408
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for generating waves in multiple directions. Present embodiments may include a wave generation mechanism configured to be positioned centrally within a container filled with water that is sufficiently sized to facilitate recreational activities for patrons within the container. The wave generation mechanism may include at least one actuator configured to activate at least one water-displacement medium to displace the water such that waves are propagated through the water, and a directional feature configured to direct the waves away from the wave generation mechanism after activation of the actuator such that the waves are propagated outward from the wave generation mechanism in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Ross Alan Osterman, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20160325187
    Abstract: A functional mat racer in accordance with present embodiments includes a mat configured to accommodate a rider, wherein the mat comprises a ride surface configured to contact a ride floor or slide surface and an opposing surface configured to hold the rider. The functional mat racer also includes one or more handles coupled to the mat and a functional module coupled to the mat, wherein the functional module comprises one or more light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Justin Michael Schwartz, Ross Alan Osterman, William Dale Mason