Patents by Inventor Alfredo M. Ayala

Alfredo M. Ayala has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250117069
    Abstract: An interactive user experience system is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a display in electrical communication with the processor and configured to display a visual content of interactive content, a modular tile floor in electrical communication with the processor and including a plurality of tiles configured to move independently to induce or respond to a desired motion for a user in contact with the modular tile floor, a sensor in electrical communication with the processor. The sensor detects at least one of an orientation or a position of the user on the modular tile floor, and based on the detected orientation or position of the user, the processor modifies at least one of the visual content or a movement of the plurality of tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Jack Wetherell, Robert J. Bristow, Lanny S. Smoot, Alfredo M. Ayala, Michael Ryan Enriquez Arevalo, Frank D. Mezzatesta, III
  • Publication number: 20250117536
    Abstract: Techniques for animatronic design are provided. A plurality of simulated meshes is generated using a physics simulation model, where the plurality of simulated meshes corresponds to a plurality of actuator configurations for an animatronic mechanical design. A machine learning model is trained based on the plurality of simulated meshes and the plurality of actuator configurations. A plurality of predicted meshes is generated for the animatronic mechanical design, using the machine learning model, based on a second plurality of actuator configurations. Virtual animation of the animatronic mechanical design is facilitated based on the plurality of predicted meshes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Kenneth J. MITCHELL, Matthew W. MCCRORY, Jeremy Oliveira STOLARZ, Joel D. CASTELLON, Moritz N. BÄCHER, Alfredo M. AYALA, JR.
  • Patent number: 12236168
    Abstract: Techniques for animatronic design are provided. A plurality of simulated meshes is generated using a physics simulation model, where the plurality of simulated meshes corresponds to a plurality of actuator configurations for an animatronic mechanical design. A machine learning model is trained based on the plurality of simulated meshes and the plurality of actuator configurations. A plurality of predicted meshes is generated for the animatronic mechanical design, using the machine learning model, based on a second plurality of actuator configurations. Virtual animation of the animatronic mechanical design is facilitated based on the plurality of predicted meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Mitchell, Matthew W. Mccrory, Jeremy Oliveira Stolarz, Joel D. Castellon, Moritz N. Bächer, Alfredo M. Ayala, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11072075
    Abstract: A system for sensing and controlling eye contact for a robot. The system includes a robotic figure with a movable eye. The system includes a light source positioned in the robotic figure to output light through a light outlet of the eye. A light sensor is included that senses light striking surfaces in a physical space in which the robotic figure is positioned including the output light from the light source. The system includes an image processor processing output of the light sensor to identify a location of a target formed by the output light striking surfaces in the physical space and to identify a location of a face of a human. Further, the system includes a robot controller generating eye movement control signals based on the location of the target and the location of the face to position the eye to provide eye contact with the human observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Loyal Christensen, Alexis P. Wieland, Lanny S. Smoot, Alfredo M. Ayala, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Kyna P. McIntosh, James R. Kennedy, Matthew K. Pan, Günter D. Niemeyer, Daniel De Jesus Campos Zamora, Sungjoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20210122055
    Abstract: A system for sensing and controlling eye contact for a robot. The system includes a robotic figure with a movable eye. The system includes a light source positioned in the robotic figure to output light through a light outlet of the eye. A light sensor is included that senses light striking surfaces in a physical space in which the robotic figure is positioned including the output light from the light source. The system includes an image processor processing output of the light sensor to identify a location of a target formed by the output light striking surfaces in the physical space and to identify a location of a face of a human. Further, the system includes a robot controller generating eye movement control signals based on the location of the target and the location of the face to position the eye to provide eye contact with the human observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: DAVID LOYAL CHRISTENSEN, ALEXIS P. WIELAND, LANNY S. SMOOT, ALFREDO M. AYALA, QUINN Y. SMITHWICK, KYNA P. MCINTOSH, JAMES R. KENNEDY, MATTHEW K. PAN, GÜNTER D. NIEMEYER, DANIEL DE JESUS CAMPOS ZAMORA, SUNGJOON CHOI
  • Publication number: 20210110001
    Abstract: Techniques for animatronic design are provided. A plurality of simulated meshes is generated using a physics simulation model, where the plurality of simulated meshes corresponds to a plurality of actuator configurations for an animatronic mechanical design. A machine learning model is trained based on the plurality of simulated meshes and the plurality of actuator configurations. A plurality of predicted meshes is generated for the animatronic mechanical design, using the machine learning model, based on a second plurality of actuator configurations. Virtual animation of the animatronic mechanical design is facilitated based on the plurality of predicted meshes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth J. MITCHELL, Matthew W. MCCRORY, Jeremy Oliveira STOLARZ, Joel D. CASTELLON, Moritz N. BÄCHER, Alfredo M. AYALA, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160139676
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method and/or system for projection of images to appear to an observer as one or more three-dimensional images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Alfredo M. Ayala
  • Patent number: 8864592
    Abstract: A ride adapted for providing riders or passengers with a unique ride experience. The ride includes a first turntable assembly including a first turntable and a drive mechanism operable to rotate the first turntable about a rotation axis extending vertically through the first turntable. The ride apparatus includes a second turntable assembly that is supported on the first turntable, and the second turntable assembly includes a second turntable and a drive mechanism operable to rotate the secondary turntable about a rotation axis extending vertically through the second turntable. The ride apparatus includes a number of passenger vehicles mounted on the second turntable that are rotated to maintain an angular orientation to cause the vehicles to face a focal point or area on a projection surface provided about the turntables. The drive mechanisms are operable to independently rotate the first and second turntables about the rotation axes, e.g., no mechanical linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony W. Baxter, Edward A. Nemeth, Alfredo M. Ayala
  • Publication number: 20140261052
    Abstract: A ride adapted for providing riders or passengers with a unique ride experience. The ride includes a first turntable assembly including a first turntable and a drive mechanism operable to rotate the first turntable about a rotation axis extending vertically through the first turntable. The ride apparatus includes a second turntable assembly that is supported on the first turntable, and the second turntable assembly includes a second turntable and a drive mechanism operable to rotate the secondary turntable about a rotation axis extending vertically through the second turntable. The ride apparatus includes a number of passenger vehicles mounted on the second turntable that are rotated to maintain an angular orientation to cause the vehicles to face a focal point or area on a projection surface provided about the turntables. The drive mechanisms are operable to independently rotate the first and second turntables about the rotation axes, e.g., no mechanical linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: ANTHONY W. BAXTER, EDWARD A. NEMETH, ALFREDO M. AYALA
  • Patent number: 8651916
    Abstract: Realistic electronically controlled eyes for a figure such as a doll, toy, animatronic being, robot, etc., are provided by displaying a sequence of images simulating eye movement on an electronic display screen mounted to a portion of the figure. A convex lens, which serves to simulate the figure's eye, is mounted substantially in contact with a surface of the display screen system from which the light defining the sequence of images is emitted. To an observer looking at the convex surface of the lens, the lens appears as an eye characterized by realistic eye movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Holger Irmler, Alfredo M. Ayala, Frank Mezzatesta, Gary W. Schnuckle, Lanny S. Smoot, Philip J. Jackson, Ronit Slyper
  • Publication number: 20110177753
    Abstract: Realistic electronically controlled eyes for a figure such as a doll, toy, animatronic being, robot, etc., are provided by displaying a sequence of images simulating eye movement on an electronic display screen mounted to a portion of the figure. A convex lens, which serves to simulate the figure's eye, is mounted substantially in contact with a surface of the display screen system from which the light defining the sequence of images is emitted. To an observer looking at the convex surface of the lens, the lens appears as an eye characterized by realistic eye movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Holger Irmler, Alfredo M. Ayala, Frank Mezzatesta, Gary W. Schnuckle, Lanny S. Smoot, Philip J. Jackson, Ronit Slyper
  • Publication number: 20090219381
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method and/or system for projection of images to appear to an observer as one or more three-dimensional images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventor: Alfredo M. Ayala
  • Patent number: 6607287
    Abstract: A black-light display creates dynamic and animated imagery by employing a UV laser system (14, 16, 18) configured to scan a luminescent material (12) to produce a UV-excited static or dynamic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo M. Ayala, Jr., Eric C. Haseltine, Kathleen L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6530662
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the realism of a displayed image may include an image display subsystem and a shadow projector. When an image is displayed, a shadow is projected near the image so that the shadow appears to be cast by the image. Shadows and lighting effects may also be reflected within a displayed image by rendering shadows and lighting corresponding to the viewer's environment within the image before or during display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Haseltine, Alfredo M. Ayala, Jr., Peter Hastings
  • Patent number: 6128132
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for generating an autostereo image. The apparatus comprises at least one light source generating at least two views of an image, a parallax or "slit"-type barrier screen and at least one light-transmitting elements projecting the at least two different views provided by the light source at one or more apertures in the barrier screen. A viewer viewing the screen perceives an autostereo image as a result of the left and right eyes of the viewer seeing different views of the image. In one embodiment, the light source comprises at least one digital projector. In one embodiment, the light-transmitting elements comprise fiber optic strands. A first end of the strand is arranged to receive light projected by one of the light sources. A second end of the strand is arranged to project at a rear side of the barrier screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexis P. Wieland, Elizabeth A. Woods, Thomas F. LaDuke, Alfredo M. Ayala, Andrew R. Beechum