IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,623,160
Granted Patent B2
US 12,623,160 · App. 18/121,786 · Granted May 12, 2026

Closed loop feedback atmospheric effects systems

Inventors: Jason Goldenberg (Las Vegas, NV); Michael Rives (Orlando, FL); Stuart Elby (Westport, CT); Robert Anderson (Levittown, NY)
Assignee: Sphere Entertainment Group, LLC
A63J5/02F24F11/64F24F11/89G05B19/042A63J2005/006A63J2005/007A63J2005/008F24F2221/08G05B2219/2614
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,623,160
App. No.
18/121,786
Filed
Mar 15, 2023
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2118
USPC
700/276
Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein can be implemented as a closed loop feedback system to provide various atmospheric effects. These systems, methods, and apparatuses can regulate these atmospheric effects based on one or more environmental measurements as part of the closed loop feedback system. As part of the closed loop feedback system, these systems, methods, and apparatuses can detect, or measure, one or more physical properties, such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation amount, scent, location, altitude, and/or azimuth to provide some examples. These systems, methods, and apparatuses can compare the one or more physical properties with one or more performance targets of the atmospheric effects and can regulate the atmospheric effects to cause the one or more physical properties to satisfy the one or more performance targets of the atmospheric effects.

Claims (64)

1 . An atmospheric effects system for presenting an atmospheric effect within a venue, the atmospheric effects system comprising:

an atmospheric effects pod system configured to provide the atmospheric effect within the venue without an audience being present in the venue;

an atmospheric effects monitoring system configured to measure and record a physical property of the atmospheric effect without the audience being present in the venue; and

an atmospheric effects control system configured to:

compare the physical property of the atmospheric effect with a corresponding performance target from among a plurality of performance targets;

regulate a configuration of the atmospheric effects pod system until the physical property of the atmospheric effect satisfies the corresponding performance target to determine a plurality of configurations of the atmospheric effects pod system that respectively satisfy the plurality of performance targets,

store the plurality of configurations of the atmospheric effects pod system that provided the atmospheric effect at the plurality of performance targets to generate a plurality of entries in an atmospheric effects calibration database, each entry from among the plurality of entries being associated with a corresponding configuration from among the plurality of configurations and a corresponding performance target from among the plurality of performance targets,

access the atmospheric effects calibration database to retrieve a corresponding entry that achieves a specific performance target in the venue from among the plurality of entries in the atmospheric effects calibration database, and

configure the atmospheric effects pod system in accordance with the corresponding entry to provide the atmospheric effect at the specific performance target within the venue during an event being hosted by the venue and with the audience being present in the venue.

2 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the physical property of the atmospheric effect comprises a temperature, an atmospheric pressure, a humidity, a wind speed, a wind direction, a precipitation amount, or a scent.

3 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric effects monitoring system comprises an atmospheric effects sensor configured to measure the physical property of the atmospheric effect at a location within the venue.

4 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 3 , wherein the atmospheric effects sensor comprises:

a stationary device that is incorporated within or coupled to the venue; or

a mobile device that moves about the venue.

5 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding performance target is outlined by event information relating to the event.

6 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric effects calibration database outlines the plurality of configurations for the atmospheric effects pod system to provide the atmospheric effect at the plurality of performance targets within the venue.

7 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric effects control system is configured to:

vary the configuration of the atmospheric effects pod system when a difference between the corresponding performance target and the physical property of the atmospheric effect is outside of a target window; and

maintain and store the configuration of the atmospheric effects pod system when the difference between the corresponding performance target and the physical property of the atmospheric effect is within the target window.

8 . A venue for presenting an atmospheric effect in relation to an event, the venue comprising:

an atmospheric effects pod system configured to provide the atmospheric effect within the venue without an audience being present in the venue;

an atmospheric effects monitoring system configured to measure and record a plurality of physical properties of the atmospheric effect at a plurality of locations within the venue without the audience being present in the venue; and

an atmospheric effects control system configured to:

compare the plurality of physical properties of the atmospheric effect with corresponding performance targets from among a plurality of performance targets,

regulate a configuration of the atmospheric effect pod system until the plurality of physical properties of the atmospheric effect satisfy the corresponding performance targets to determine a plurality of configurations of the atmospheric effects pod system that respectively satisfy the plurality of performance targets,

store the plurality of configurations of the atmospheric effects pod system that provided the atmospheric effect at the plurality of performance targets to generate a plurality of entries in an atmospheric effects calibration database, each entry from among the plurality of entries being associated with a corresponding configuration from among the plurality of configurations and corresponding performance targets from among the plurality of performance targets,

access the atmospheric effects calibration database to retrieve a corresponding entry that achieves a plurality of specific performance targets at the plurality of locations from among the plurality of entries in the atmospheric effects calibration database, and

configure the atmospheric effects pod system in accordance with the corresponding entry to provide the atmospheric effect at the plurality of specific performance targets at the plurality of locations during an event being hosted by the venue and with the audience being present in the venue.

9 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric effects control system is configured to:

regulate an atmospheric effects control signal to cause the atmospheric effects pod system to provide the atmospheric effect at the physical property until satisfying the corresponding performance target to determine a plurality of atmospheric effects control signals for the atmospheric effects pod system that respectively satisfy the plurality of performance targets, and

store the plurality of atmospheric effects control signals that provided the atmospheric effect at the plurality of performance targets to generate the plurality of entries in the atmospheric effects calibration database.

10 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric effects control system is further configured to:

receive an environmental measurement from the atmospheric effects monitoring system that indicates the physical property of the atmospheric effect, and

process the environmental measurement to determine the physical property of the atmospheric effect.

11 . The atmospheric effects system of claim 10 , wherein the atmospheric effects control system is configured to smooth the environmental measurement to determine the physical property of the atmospheric effect.

12 . The venue of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of physical properties of the atmospheric effect comprise one or more temperatures, atmospheric pressures, humidity, wind speeds, wind directions, precipitation amounts, or scents of the atmospheric effect at the plurality of locations.

13 . The venue of claim 8 , wherein the atmospheric effects monitoring system comprises:

a plurality of atmospheric effects sensors configured to measure the plurality of physical properties of the atmospheric effect at the plurality of locations.

14 . The venue of claim 13 , wherein at least one atmospheric effect sensor from among the plurality of atmospheric effects sensors comprises:

a stationary device that is incorporated within or coupled to the venue; or

a mobile device that moves about the venue.

15 . The venue of claim 8 , wherein the corresponding performance targets are outlined by event information relating to the event.

16 . The venue of claim 8 , wherein the atmospheric effects calibration database outlines the plurality of configurations for the atmospheric effects pod system to provide the plurality of atmospheric effects at the plurality of performance targets.

17 . The venue of claim 8 , wherein the atmospheric effects control system is configured to:

vary the configuration of the atmospheric effect system when a difference between the corresponding performance targets and the plurality of physical properties of the plurality of atmospheric effects is outside of a target window; and

maintain and store the configuration of the atmospheric effect system when the difference between the corresponding performance targets and the plurality of physical properties of the plurality of atmospheric effects is within the target window.

18 . A method for operating an atmospheric effects system for presenting an atmospheric effect within a venue, the method comprising:

providing, by the atmospheric effects system, the atmospheric effect within the venue without an audience being present in the venue;

measuring and recording, by the atmospheric effects system, a physical property of the atmospheric effect without the audience being present in the venue;

comparing, by the atmospheric effects system, the physical property of the atmospheric effect with a corresponding performance target from among a plurality of performance targets;

regulating, by the atmospheric effects system, a configuration of the atmospheric effects system until the physical property of the atmospheric effect satisfies the corresponding performance target to determine a plurality of configurations of the atmospheric effects pod system that respectively satisfy the plurality of performance targets;

storing, by the atmospheric effects system, the plurality of configurations of the atmospheric effects system that provided the atmospheric effect at the plurality of performance targets to generate a plurality of entries in an atmospheric effects calibration database, each entry from among the plurality of entries being associated with a corresponding configuration from among the plurality of configurations and a corresponding performance target from among the plurality of performance targets;

accessing, by the atmospheric effects system, the atmospheric effects calibration database to retrieve a corresponding entry that achieves a specific performance target in the venue from among the plurality of entries in the atmospheric effects calibration database; and

configuring, by the atmospheric effects system, the atmospheric effects system in accordance with the corresponding entry to provide the atmospheric effect at the specific performance target within the venue during an event being hosted by the venue and with the audience being present in the venue.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the physical property of the atmospheric effect comprises a temperature, an atmospheric pressure, a humidity, a wind speed, a wind direction, a precipitation amount, or a scent.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the measuring and recording comprises:

measuring and recording the physical properties property of the atmospheric effect at a location within the venue.

21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the corresponding performance target is outlined by event information relating to the event.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the atmospheric effects calibration database outlines the plurality of configurations for the atmospheric effects pod system to provide the plurality of atmospheric effects at the plurality of performance targets within the venue.

23 . The method of claim 18 , wherein regulating comprises:

varying, by the atmospheric effects system, the configuration of the atmospheric effects system when a difference between the corresponding performance target and the physical property of the atmospheric effect is outside of a target window; and

maintaining, by the atmospheric effects system, the configuration of the atmospheric effects system when the difference between the corresponding performance target and the physical property of the atmospheric effect is within the target window, and

wherein the storing comprises:

storing, by the atmospheric effects system, the configuration of the atmospheric effects system when the difference between the corresponding performance target and the physical property of the atmospheric effect is within the target window.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 29, 2024
From: MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC
To: SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 067260/0192 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2023
From: RIVES, MICHAEL; ELBY, STUART; ANDERSON, ROBERT; GOLDENBERG, JASON
To: MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 062988/0728 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240307794A1 · Sep 19, 2024
References Cited (44)
US 4023645A · Retka et al. · 1977 [cited by applicant]
US 4199936A · Cowan et al. · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4370155A · Armbruster · 1983 [cited by applicant]
US 5832320A · Wittek · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 6220388B1 · Sanborn · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 7691002B2 · Casey et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8336261B2 · Hosking et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 9307841B2 · Jamele et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 11260314B1 · Anderson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11266921B1 · Anderson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11434826B2 · Riou et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11986849B2 · Anderson et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 12017152B2 · Anderson et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20050284692A1 · McWilliam et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20070119433A1 · Popik et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20090014237A1 · Skowronski et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20110319180A1 · Lee · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120131858A1 · Hosking et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20150198150A1 · Streeter · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150345497A1 · Lucas et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20170072674A1 · Butler et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170074288A1 · Venugopal Setty et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170131858A1 · Gu · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170191684A1 · Tompkins · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170306845A1 · Laing et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180030896A1 · Roach et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20200224810A1 · Hakuta et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210093742A1 · Miki · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210293210A1 · Timme · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220054952A1 · Anderson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220054953A1 · Anderson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220176265A1 · Anderson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220228605A1 · Anderson et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20240167714A1 · McKenna · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240183293A1 · Anderson et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20240286059A1 · Anderson et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2017105058A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019121744A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020053514A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching authority directed to related International Application No. PCT/US2024/018647, mailed Jun. 10; 9 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching authority directed to related International Application No. PCT/US2024/044180, mailed Nov. 21, 2024; 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report directed to related European Application No. 22740152.8, mailed Dec. 2, 2024; 9 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority directed to related International Application No. PCT/US2021/046479, mailed Sep. 21, 2021; 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching authority directed to related International Application No. PCT/US22/12543, mailed Apr. 4, 2022; 14 pages. [cited by applicant]