The Walt Disney Company

Other

Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation of America

Hyper Management, Inc.

William G Adamson

Marshall M Monroe

John W Sogge

Michael H Peterson

Donald Lewis Updyke, Jr

Donald Updyke, Jr

Eric Charles Haseltine

Bruce S Johnson

William George Wiedefeld

Ronald W Froelich

Kyle W Poor

Gordon E Liljegren

David W Spencer, Ii

B Thomas Craven

Lance Duane Updyke

Donald L Updyke, Jr

James S Wassell

Benjamin W Tripp

J Walt Adamczyk

Christopher Brian Smith

In a system and method for simulating a ball movement game, the system includes an input ball adapted to enable movement of a simulated ball in a graphical representation of the simulated game, responsive to movement of the input ball imparted by the player. The system further includes an air bearing for supporting the input ball so as to enable the player to directly impart movement to the input ball. The system also includes an optical encoder for generating the parameters of movement of the simulated ball responsive to detecting the parameters of movement of the input ball imparted by the player. The system still further includes a processor and software adapted to simulate a ball and movement of the simulated ball, responsive to the parameters of movement of the input ball detected by the optical encoder, and to simulate a game environment for movement of the simulated ball therein.

Simulated ball movement game using a trackball with an air bearing

A simulated soup bowl entertainment attraction, comprising: a bowl-shaped member having a top bounded by a top rim, a bottom permitting light transmission therethrough, and sidewalls connecting the top rim with the bottom; a fog generator producing a fog layer at the top of the bowl-shaped member; and an imaging device producing an image within the bowl-shaped member, the image viewable from a viewing position looking down into the top of the bowl-shaped member. Preferably, the bowl shaped entertainment attraction includes an image controlling apparatus coupled to the imaging device for changing the image viewable from the viewing position. Optionally, apparatus producing sound within the bowl-shaped member may be provided. The bowl shaped entertainment attraction may include a sound controlling apparatus coupled to a sound system for selectively changing the sound heard from within the bowl-shaped member.

Soup bowl attraction

Toy robot

Multiple large screens on movable arms form a gateway beneath which viewers may walk. The screens slide up or down, i.e., toward or away from, the viewers walking below. The screens also pivot in a circular arc to sweep toward, or away from, the viewers. In one embodiment a number of vertical support beams are employed. Elongated arms are attached to the support beams at one end so that the arms can each be rotated about their attached ends. The arms also slide up and down the length of the support beams. Projection screens are attached to the arms so that the screens move as the arms move. In a more specific embodiment each screen is provided with a rear-projection projector for displaying images onto the screens. A computer is used to control the sliding and rotating of the support beams so that preprogrammed patterns can be executed. A computer is also used to control the projectors so that coordinated patterns of images are displayed on the screens.

Video gateway having movable screens

An improved computer graphic work station is disclosed of the type that includes a digitizer for allowing an artist or other user to input a drawing into a computer, and an imaging device to produce an image of the drawing as it is being drawn. A beam splitter reflects at least a portion of the produced image to the eye of the user. The position and orientation of the beam splitter may be varied by a user relative to the imaging device in order to allow the user to align the workstation by causing the reflected image to appear, in the user's eye, to be substantially coincident with the drawing. Once aligned, the user may adjust the position and orientation of the digitizing surface without upsetting the alignment.

Virtual easel

A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The projectiles are launched from a launcher having a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine which brings the launching tubes into registration with the output port of a valve. The valve introduces compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube. The method further includes the step of aiming the projectiles, preferably with an aiming apparatus comprising actuators that support the launcher and which are adjustable to change the launching angle of the launcher with respect to the ground each time a new launching tube is indexed to a launching position. The adjustment of these actuators is controlled by pneumatic switches that are operated during indexing of the launching tubes.

Method of launching multiple fireworks projectiles

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a fluid screen for use in entertainment. Provided is a mechanically simple and effective way of creating a fluid screen which facilitates the projection of still and moving pictures upon it. The fluid screen is generated by pumping water, or other comparable fluid, through a fluid screen nozzle having an axial flow director and a nozzle insert. The fluid, at a given pressure and flow rate, is directed through the axial flow director, past the internal end of the nozzle insert and its transition section and then onto and away from its radial stabilizer. The fluid is guided by the radial stabilizer of the nozzle insert to form the fluid screen. Each of the regions mentioned contribute to creating the desired shape of the projection surface. Performance may be further enhanced by having a flow straightening area adjacent to the axial flow director, a reducer prior to the nozzle insert, and texturing the surfaces of the transition section and radial stabilizer.

Method and apparatus for forming a fluid projection screen

A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher using a compressed gas to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, an electronic fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.

Precision fireworks display system having a decreased environmental

A launcher for holding and successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The launcher includes a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine and thus the launching tubes. A control apparatus opens and closes a valve to introduce compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube. The launcher further includes an aiming apparatus comprising actuators that support the launcher and which are adjustable to change the launching angle of the launcher with respect to the ground each time a new launching tube is indexed to a launching position. The adjustment of these actuators is controlled by pneumatic switches that are operated during indexing of the launching tubes.

Launcher for launching multiple fireworks projectiles

A dimensional transformation apparatus and related method for creating visual effects for use in live and prerecorded entertainment. The system engages an elastic projection screen with a three-dimensional object that corresponds to visual effects to be projected. By application of vacuum between the screen and the object, the screen is conformed in skintight relation to the features of the three dimensional object. An actuator, which includes a pneumatic piston, motivates the three-dimensional object to selectively engage and disengage the projection screen, and may be sequenced with projected animation corresponding to the three-dimensional object so as to create multi-dimensional special effects. A control mechanism, including a computer and timing system, digitally controls and sequences projection, dimensional transformation of the screen and background lighting and sound effects.

Growing community of inventors

Pacoima, CA, United States of America

William G Adamson