Marshall M Monroe

US Patent:

20120105489, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/284472

Inventors:

Marshall McLaury Monroe - Corrales NM, US
William Wesley Monroe - Austin TX, US
Vineet Shriniwas Joshi - Aurora CO, US
Atul Madhukar Barve - Coppell TX, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345684

Abstract:

A method of displaying information on a display (and concomitant non-transitory medium comprising computer software) comprising displaying a cascading variant picker array and simultaneously displaying a gallery of images associated with the information content of the array. Also a method of displaying information on a display (and concomitant non-transitory medium comprising computer software) comprising displaying a background and simultaneously superimposed on the background displaying a vertically scrollable arrangement.

US Patent:

54215897, Jun 6, 1995

Filed:

Sep 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/118385

Inventors:

Marshall M. Monroe - Glendale CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63F 922

US Classification:

273437

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for displaying a virtual image and for providing control over the "alpha channel" or transparency of the virtual image. The present invention uses a beam splitter to provide a virtual image to a viewer. Behind the beam splitter is a liquid crystal region for controlling the transparency of the virtual image. Behind the liquid crystal region is a background image. Control of the liquid crystal region is coordinated with control of the virtual image so as to make transparency and opacity of the liquid crystal region follow the portions of the virtual image that are intended to be transparent and opaque, respectively.

US Patent:

57934703, Aug 11, 1998

Filed:

May 22, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/447111

Inventors:

Eric C. Haseltine - Manhattan Beach CA
Marshall M. Monroe - La Canada CA
Bruce M. Schechter - Altadena CA
Bran Ferren - East Hampton NY
Nicholas F. Baum - East Hampton NY
Clinton B. Hope - East Hampton NY

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G03B 2114

US Classification:

353 20

Abstract:

A latent image projection system, and related method, for displaying entertaining visual effects and optical illusions by projecting a polarization-encoded latent image onto a polarization-preserving viewing screen. The latent image is revealed using a polarized analyzer having its polarization direction aligned with a polarization direction associated with the latent image. A "magic window" special effect is produced by sizing the analyzer to reveal only a portion of the latent image. A Pepper's Ghost image is created by orienting a dielectric plate so that its surface analyzes the latent image on the screen and superimposes it onto the image of a real object. A dielectric surface, such as a pond of water, placed between a viewer and the screen will analyze and reveal the latent image when the viewer views the reflection of the screen on the surface of the water. Selectively viewable subtitles for a movie are created by polarization encoding the light that illuminates the movie's film with alphanumeric images. The latent alphanumeric message are perceptible only to viewers viewing the screen using an analyzer.

US Patent:

57697256, Jun 23, 1998

Filed:

Jul 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/680908

Inventors:

Andrew M. Ogden - Pasadena CA
Marshall M. Monroe - La Canada CA
David F. Barnett - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63G 3112

US Classification:

472 59

Abstract:

The invention regards an inflatable motion base for moving one or more loads, such as objects or riders, through various degrees of freedom, and a simulator employing the motion base. The invention includes a plurality of modular, inflatable cells on a foundation that serves as a structure to provide reaction forces, the cells being adjacent to each other and joined along their load-bearing surfaces with interlaced bungee cords. Each cell is connected to a high volume manifold through an inlet. The inlets each include an actuator controlling a butterfly valve to control the airflow into the cell. A plurality of pumps maintain the manifold pressure. Each cell is also provided with an exhaust passage, which includes an actuator controlling a butterfly valve to control the airflow out of the cell. The exhaust passages connect to tubes that direct the exhaust to blow on the cell load-bearing surfaces. The foundation houses manifolds, inlets, exhaust passages, pumps, and sound dampening material.

US Patent:

53054075, Apr 19, 1994

Filed:

Oct 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/957265

Inventors:

Marshall M. Monroe - Glendale CA
Kerry M. Perkins - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G02B 6421

US Classification:

385 89

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for underwater coupling of a fiber-optic cable to a light source without exposing the light source to the surrounding water. The apparatus employs an optically clear coupling element having one or more blind holes on one surface sized to snugly hold a fiber optic cable. The coupling element closes a watertight enclosure containing a light source such that the blind holes are on the exterior of the enclosure. Light emitted by the light source can pass through the optically clear coupling element to be received by fiber-optic cables fitted into the exterior blind holes. The fiber optic cables can be removed and replaced without opening the enclosure and exposing the light source to contact by the surrounding water.

US Patent:

53927354, Feb 28, 1995

Filed:

Oct 30, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/968817

Inventors:

Mark J. Xitco - Kissimmee FL
John D. Gory - Orlando FL
Kerry M. Perkins - Simi Valley CA
Marshall M. Monroe - Glendale CA
William G. Redmann - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A01K 1502

US Classification:

119712

Abstract:

An innovative communication device and learning tool that enables marine mammals, such as dolphins, to communicate with humans and with each other. The communication device includes a keyboard having a plurality of hollow keys. Each key includes a switch which can be activated by the dolphin, and a two- or three-dimensional object which can be distinguished by dolphins from other objects in other keys both visually and through echolocation. A microprocessor based controller can be used to associate audible feedback, such as unique words or phrases, with each key and to generate that word or phrase when the proper key is selected. Thus, a dolphin can select a word or phrase by locating the associated key and by activating the switch for that key to communicate with humans or with another dolphin. Likewise, a human can activate the switch to generate a spoken word or phrase to communicate with a dolphin. A photosensor switch can be advantageously used as a non-contact switch to enable the dolphin to use its rostrum or other body parts to select a key by breaking an optical beam generated across the opening of the key.

US Patent:

55859674, Dec 17, 1996

Filed:

Sep 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/118384

Inventors:

Marshall M. Monroe - Glendale CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G02B 2714
G03B 2132
G03B 2126
G03B 2128

US Classification:

359629

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for display of a three dimensional virtual image is provided. The present invention allows one or more objects, real images and virtual images to be displayed at one or more of an arbitrary number of depth levels along a viewer's line of sight. The present invention uses a plurality of beam splitters organized as an optical labyrinth to combine a images with the proper perspective and parallax to result in a three dimensional image.

US Patent:

52803058, Jan 18, 1994

Filed:

Oct 30, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/968819

Inventors:

Marshall M. Monroe - Glendale CA
Steven G. Goldstein - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

International Classification:

C01D 1516

US Classification:

346107R

Abstract:

The current invention provides a device that produces a three-dimensional object with custom art work from an electronic signal. More particularly, the preferred implementation is a device for making masquerade-type masks, and includes a digital camera that captures a front-on image of an individual's face and converts the captured image to an electronic signal that is downloaded into a personal computer. The computer is utilized to select an image, process that image to remove background, scale the image to correspond to the dimensions and features of a facial die that will be used to mold the mask, and to provide for special effects processing of the selected image. An ink jet plotter is then directed to print the processed image upon thin, flat plastic, which is aligned with the facial features of the die and deformed to skin tight conformance with the die by a vacuum-forming process. The finished mask bears art work, upon its convex exterior, that realistically imitates the face of the individual which served as the model for the mask.