Patents by Inventor Thomas F. LaDuke

Thomas F. LaDuke 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: 8845108
    Abstract: A high dynamic range scenographic image and video projection system and method involving the projection of an image of an object or collection of objects onto the object, 2D or 3D, in such a manner than projected image elements are positioned substantially on the actual image of the object. The projection enhances or otherwise alters the hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, luminance, and/or other visible features of the object. Visual and not-visual features may be projected onto the object or the area around the object to enhance or disguise the object as well as the surroundings of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Richard Bradley Turner, Steven T. Kosakura, Bryan Lee Jolley
  • Publication number: 20130308064
    Abstract: A projection system for projecting a still or video image onto a liquid surface. The system includes an agitation mechanism selectively operable to generate gas bubbles on the liquid surface. The system includes a tracking system tracking a location, size, and shape of the gas bubbles on the liquid surface. The system also includes a projector projecting a video stream onto the gas bubbles based on the location, shape, and size of the area of the liquid surface containing the gas bubbles. The tracking system may include an infrared (IR) light source delivering IR light to the liquid surface and an IR video camera receiving a portion of the delivered IR light that is reflected by the gas bubbles. The reflected IR light defines a dynamic projection surface presented by the gas bubbles on the liquid surface by defining a boundary on the liquid surface about the gas bubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas F. LaDuke
  • Patent number: 8439503
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein involves systems, methods, apparatuses or devices related to infrared imaging or infrared imaging projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Christopher R. Runco, Tom E. Brentnall, Thomas F. LaDuke
  • Patent number: 8262226
    Abstract: An assembly and method of generating a Pepper's ghost illusion involving an image generation platform, such as a computer providing an anamorphically-distorted image coupled with some form of display projects an image, directly or indirectly on a spherical medium. The spherical medium reconstitutes the anamorphically-distorted image and generates a Pepper's ghost illusion of the reconstituted anamorphically-distorted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Jose A. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8231225
    Abstract: A high dynamic range scenographic image and video projection system and method involving the projection of an image of an object or collection of objects onto the object, 2D or 3D, in such a manner than projected image elements are positioned substantially on the actual image of the object. The projection enhances or otherwise alters the hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, luminance, and/or other visible features of the object. Visual and not-visual features may be projected onto the object or the area around the object to enhance or disguise the object as well as the surroundings of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Richard Bradley Turner, Steven T. Kosakura, Bryan Lee Jolley
  • Publication number: 20120154695
    Abstract: A high dynamic range scenographic image and video projection system and method involving the projection of an image of an object or collection of objects onto the object, 2D or 3D, in such a manner than projected image elements are positioned substantially on the actual image of the object. The projection enhances or otherwise alters the hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, luminance, and/or other visible features of the object. Visual and not-visual features may be projected onto the object or the area around the object to enhance or disguise the object as well as the surroundings of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Richard Bradley Turner, Steven T. Kosakura, Bryan Lee Jolley
  • Publication number: 20110285854
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for controlling a tracking device to follow a location of a performer on a stage. The tracking device may comprise a lighting fixture such as a high output video projector or an automated mechanical moving light such as a DMX lighting fixture to provide a followspot, or a microphone to record audio from a particular performer. The method comprises capturing a video feed of the stage using a camera, presenting the video feed on a display of a control device, receiving input data indicating a position of the performer in the video feed, translating the input data into the location of the performer on the stage, and adjusting the tracking device to follow the location of the performer on the stage. The control device thereby provides lighting operators with an intuitive interface readily implemented using cost effective commodity hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Robert Scott Trowbridge
  • Publication number: 20110037952
    Abstract: An assembly and method of generating a Pepper's ghost illusion involving an image generation platform, such as a computer providing an anamorphically-distorted image coupled with some form of display projects an image, directly or indirectly on a spherical medium. The spherical medium reconstitutes the anamorphically-distorted image and generates a Pepper's ghost illusion of the reconstituted anamorphically-distorted image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Jose A. Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20100033683
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein involves systems, methods, apparatuses or devices related to infrared imaging or infrared imaging projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Christopher R. Runco, Tom E. Brentnall, Thomas F. LaDuke
  • Publication number: 20100033682
    Abstract: A high dynamic range scenographic image and video projection system and method involving the projection of an image of an object or collection of objects onto the object, 2D or 3D, in such a manner than projected image elements are positioned substantially on the actual image of the object. The projection enhances or otherwise alters the hue, contrast, brightness, saturation, luminance, and/or other visible features of the object. Visual and not-visual features may be projected onto the object or the area around the object to enhance or disguise the object as well as the surroundings of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Richard Bradley Turner, Steven T. Kosakura, Bryan Lee Jolley
  • Patent number: 6128132
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for generating an autostereo image. The apparatus comprises at least one light source generating at least two views of an image, a parallax or "slit"-type barrier screen and at least one light-transmitting elements projecting the at least two different views provided by the light source at one or more apertures in the barrier screen. A viewer viewing the screen perceives an autostereo image as a result of the left and right eyes of the viewer seeing different views of the image. In one embodiment, the light source comprises at least one digital projector. In one embodiment, the light-transmitting elements comprise fiber optic strands. A first end of the strand is arranged to receive light projected by one of the light sources. A second end of the strand is arranged to project at a rear side of the barrier screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexis P. Wieland, Elizabeth A. Woods, Thomas F. LaDuke, Alfredo M. Ayala, Andrew R. Beechum
  • Patent number: 5262895
    Abstract: A color synthesizing device for generating a plurality of hues of color from visible light employing a beam splitter system to split the light into the three primary colors, mechanical attenuators to independently attenuate the primary color and light beams, and a recombination system to recombine the light beams to obtain the desired color hue of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Joel D. Gruber
  • Patent number: 5044730
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for generating a plurality of colors of light from a light source. The device includes a plurality of filters to separate the light at predetermined wavelengths and to recombine them at different amplitudes to generate a predetermined color hue in the visible spectrum of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Artifex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Joel D. Gruber, Richard Romano