IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,730,497
Granted Patent B2
US 12,730,497 · App. 18/914,917 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Interactive energy effect attraction

Inventors: Giulianna Silva (Orlando, FL); Michael Tresaugue (Orlando, FL)
Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
G06F3/011A63G31/00G06T19/006H05H1/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,730,497
App. No.
18/914,917
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interactive energy effect system that includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a user-associated object in the system. The interactive energy effect system also includes a system controller that receives the signal and generates a first and second set of instructions based on the signal. The system controller transmits the first instructions to an energy emission system to cause the energy emission system to reposition and activate an energy emitter. The system controller transmits the second instructions to a multi-layer display system to cause the multi-layer display system to move towards or away from the user-associated object.

Claims (40)

1 . An interactive energy effect system, comprising:

one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of a user gesture;

a system controller configured to receive the signal and configured to:

generate instructions based on the signal;

cause an energy emission system to reposition and activate an energy emitter based on the instructions, wherein the energy emitter is configured to output emitted energy; and

cause an at least partially transparent target to move towards or away from the energy emitter based on the instructions, wherein the target is spaced apart from the energy emitter.

2 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein at least one layer of the target is configured to absorb the emitted energy from the energy emitter.

3 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 2 , wherein at least one layer of the target comprises transparent metallic glass.

4 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein at least one layer of the target is configured to attract the emitted energy from the energy emitter.

5 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one layer of the target comprises a metallic sheet or layer.

6 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise image sensors, radio frequency sensors, optical sensors, a camera, or any combination thereof.

7 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein the energy emitter comprises a plasma emitter or a Tesla coil.

8 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions comprise instructions to set a focus of the emitted energy.

9 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions comprise instructions to set an intensity of the emitted energy.

10 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions comprise instructions to set a color of the emitted energy.

11 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 comprising a track configured to enable movement of the target towards or away from the energy emitter.

12 . The interactive energy effect system of claim 1 , wherein the energy emitter is positioned to align with a user's hand based on the signal.

13 . An interactive energy effect system, comprising:

an energy emitter;

a metallic target spaced apart from the energy emitter; and

a system controller configured to:

receive, from one or more sensors, sensor data indicative of a user gesture or a user associated object; and

generate instructions to orient or activate the energy emitter relative to the target based on the sensor data.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the metallic target is configured to attract emitted energy from the energy emitter upon activation of the energy emitter.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the instructions cause the energy emitter to move in a lateral direction or in an orbital motion along a track.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the metallic target is selectively conductive and the system controller is configured to:

generate instructions to control the conductivity of the target.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the instructions cause the metallic target to move towards the energy emitter based on the sensor data.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the metallic target to move in an up or down direction relative to the energy emitter.

19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the metallic target comprises a transparent metal glass configured to absorb emitted energy from the energy emitter.

20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the metallic target comprises a multi-layer system that is at least partially transparent.

21 . A method of operating an interactive energy effect system, the method comprising:

receiving, via a system controller, sensor data indicative of a hand gesture of a user or a user-associated object;

generating, via the system controller, instructions based on the sensor data;

receiving the instructions at a movement controller;

directing movement of an energy emitter relative to a target based on the instructions; and

activating emission of energy from the energy emitter towards the target based on the instructions.

22 . The method of claim 21 , comprising:

receiving, via an additional movement controller, the instructions; and

causing, via the additional movement controller, movement of the target to intercept the emission of energy at a predetermined location based on the sensor data.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2024
From: SILVA, GIULIANNA; TRESAUGUE, MICHAEL
To: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
Reel/Frame 068889/0653 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18190552 · Mar 27, 2023
Continuation 17507490 · Oct 21, 2021
Provisional Application 63105643 · Oct 26, 2020
Related Publication 20250036192A1 · Jan 30, 2025
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