Systems and methods of dynamic lighting effects

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12516787-B2
Application number	US-202418673085-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2024
Priority date	May 23, 2024
Publication date	Jan 6, 2026
Grant date	Jan 6, 2026

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

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.

Assignees

• Universal City Studios Llc

Inventors

• Padua Andrew
• Hall Gregory Shellman
• Majdali David Gerard

Classifications

• F21Y2113/00

  Combination of light sources · CPC title

• F21V23/0492

  the sensor detecting a change in orientation, a movement or an acceleration of the lighting device, e.g. a tilt switch · CPC title

• F21V23/003

  the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array · CPC title

• F21V19/001

  the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs · CPC title

• F21S8/08

  with a standard {(F21S6/00 takes precedence)} · CPC title