IP Library Granted Patent US 12,516,787
Granted Patent B2
US 12,516,787 · App. 18/673,085 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Systems and methods of dynamic lighting effects

Inventors: Andrew Padua (Orlando, FL); Gregory Shellman Hall (Orlando, FL); David Gerard Majdali (Orlando, FL)
Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
F21S4/22F21S8/08F21V19/001F21V23/003F21V23/0492F21Y2107/70F21Y2113/00F21Y2115/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,516,787
App. No.
18/673,085
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lighting system includes a central support structure and one or more adjustable arms coupled to the central support structure. The one or more adjustable arms are configured to transition between a retracted position and an extended position, and a plurality of light sources are disposed along the one or more adjustable arms.

Claims (38)

1 . A lighting system, comprising:

a central support structure;

one or more adjustable arms coupled to the central support structure, wherein the one or more adjustable arms are configured to transition between a retracted position and an extended position;

a plurality of light sources disposed along the one or more adjustable arms;

a controller, configured to control actuation and positioning of the one or more adjustable arms;

one or more sensors configured to provide sensor data indicative of the positioning of the one or more adjustable arms; and

a processing system of the controller configured to activate one or more portions of the plurality of light sources based on the sensor data.

2 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the extended position of the one or more adjustable arms forms an elliptical shape around the central support structure of the lighting system.

3 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the lighting system comprises:

a first end of the one or more adjustable arms, wherein the first end of the one or more adjustable arms is coupled to the central support structure in the extended position; and

a second end of the one or more adjustable arms, wherein the second end of the one or more adjustable arms extends laterally from the central support structure of the lighting system in the extended position.

4 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustable arms are positioned substantially parallel to the central support structure in the retracted position.

5 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable arms are controlled to expand to the extended position within an internal volume of an element, and wherein the element is illuminated by the plurality of light sources.

6 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the central support structure comprises a steering assembly.

7 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the central support structure comprises a mount.

8 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources are LEDs.

9 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein one or more temperature sensors provide sensor data indicative of a temperature proximate the plurality of light sources.

10 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect a presence of the one or more adjustable arms in relation to one or more boundaries of an element in which the lighting system is disposed.

11 . The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to individually control a respective position of each of the one or more adjustable arms.

12 . A method of lighting a themed element with a lighting system from within an internal volume of the themed element, the method comprising:

activating one or more adjustable arms of the lighting system to transition between a retracted position and an extended position such that a plurality of light sources disposed on the adjustable arms are transitioned toward boundaries of the internal volume;

receiving, at a controller, sensor data indicative of positioning of the one or more adjustable arms;

controlling, via the controller, actuators of the one or more adjustable arms based on the sensor data; and

activating the plurality of light sources disposed on the one or more adjustable arms based on the sensor data.

13 . The method of claim 12 , comprising mounting a central support structure of the lighting system within the internal volume of the themed element, wherein one or more adjustable arms are coupled to the central support structure.

14 . The method of claim 12 , comprising adjusting the one or more adjustable arms to provide dynamic lighting effects based instructions from the controller.

15 . The method of claim 12 , comprising controlling, via the controller, a lumen output of the plurality of light sources.

16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising: individually controlling, via the controller, a position of each of the one or more adjustable arms.

17 . A lighting system, comprising:

a central support structure;

one or more adjustable arms coupled to the central support structure, wherein the one or more adjustable arms are configured to transition between a retracted position and an extended position;

a plurality of light sources disposed along the one or more adjustable arms;

a controller, configured to control a position of the one or more adjustable arms; and

one or more sensors configured to provide sensor data to the controller, wherein the sensor data is indicative of positioning of the one or more adjustable arms; and

a processing system of the controller configured to activate one or more portions of the plurality of light sources based on the sensor data.

18 . The lighting system of claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to control power to the plurality of light sources.

19 . The lighting system of claim 17 , wherein the sensor data is indicative of the positioning of the one or more adjustable arms relative to boundaries of an element in which the lighting system is disposed.

20 . The lighting system of claim 19 , wherein the central support structure and adjustable arms are configured to be installed into a port of the element with the adjustable arms in the retracted position.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2024
From: PADUA, ANDREW; HALL, GREGORY SHELLMAN; MAJDALI, DAVID GERARD
To: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
Reel/Frame 067513/0649 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250361994A1 · Nov 27, 2025
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