Disney Patents

The Walt Disney Company is an entertainment company focused on media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive games. The company's media holdings include ESPN (partial ownership), the Disney channels, ABC Family and A&E Television Networks (partial ownership). The company also operates Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani, the Disney Cruise Line, and has partial ownership interests in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney. Tokyo Disneyland is operated by an independent company that licenses Disney intellectual property and pays royalties based on revenues. Disney also produces live-action and animated motion pictures, direct-to-video content, musical recordings and live stage plays, and distributes Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Touchstone films.

Disney Patents by Type
  • Disney Patents Granted: Disney patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Disney Patent Applications: Disney patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Systems and methods for using augmented reality with the internet of things
    Patent number: 11663783
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for using augmented reality with the internet of things. An augmented reality experience may be provided based on an operation of an object. Operation status information of a detected object may be obtained and a visual effect may be determined based on the operation status information. An object may be controlled using augmented reality. Operation status information of a detected object may be obtained and a control option may be determined based on the operation status information. A visual effect may be determined based on the control option and a user input regarding the control option may be obtained. A control information configured to effectuate a change in the operation of the object may be transmitted to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Eric Haseltine, Joseph Olson, Timothy Panec, Katherine M. Bassett, Blade Olson
  • Holographic imagery for on set eyeline reference
    Patent number: 11656578
    Abstract: Techniques for using holographic imagery for eyeline reference for performers. A first computer generated object is identified for display to a first performer at a designated physical position on a set. A first holographic projection of the first computer generated object is generated using a first holographic display. The first holographic display is configured to make the first holographic projection appear, to the first performer, to be located at the designated physical position on the set. One or more images of the performer are captured using an image capture device with a field of view that encompasses both the first performer and the designated physical position on the set. The captured one or more images depict the first performer and do not depict the first holographic projection. The first computer generated object is added to the captured one or more images after the capturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Alexa L. Hale
  • DEEP LEARNING FRAMEWORK FOR VIDEO REMASTERING
    Publication number: 20230153952
    Abstract: Restoration methods and systems are disclosed for video remastering. Techniques disclosed include receiving a video sequence. For each frame of the video sequence, techniques disclosed include encoding, by a degradation encoder, a video content associated with the frame into a latent vector. The latent vector is a representation of the degradation present in the video content; the degradation present in the video content includes one or more degradation types. Based on the latent vector and the video content, techniques disclosed further include generating, by a backbone network, one or more feature maps, and, then, restoring the frame based on the one or more feature maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Djelouah, Givi Meishvili, Christopher Richard Schroers, Shinobu Hattori
  • Synergistic object tracking and pattern recognition for event representation
    Patent number: 11651501
    Abstract: A system for performing synergistic object tracking and pattern recognition for event representation includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a system memory storing a software code. The processing hardware is configured to execute the software code to receive event data corresponding to one or more propertie(s) of an object, to generate, using the event data, a location data estimating a location of each of multiple predetermined landmarks of the object, and to predict, using one or both of the event data and the location data, a pattern corresponding to the propertie(s) of the object. The processing hardware is further configured to execute the software code to update, using the predicted pattern, the location data, and to merge the updated location data and the predicted pattern to provide merged data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Comito, Kevin Prince
  • Techniques for sculpting digital faces based on anatomical modeling
    Patent number: 11645813
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital faces. In some examples, an anatomical face model is generated from a data set including captured facial geometries of different individuals and associated bone geometries. A model generator segments each of the captured facial geometries into patches, compresses the segmented geometry associated with each patch to determine local deformation subspaces of the anatomical face model, and determines corresponding compressed anatomical subspaces of the anatomical face model. A sculpting application determines, based on sculpting input from a user, constraints for an optimization to determine parameter values associated with the anatomical face model. The parameter values can be used, along with the anatomical face model, to generate facial geometry that reflects the sculpting input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Aurel Gruber, Marco Fratarcangeli, Derek Edward Bradley, Gaspard Zoss, Dominik Thabo Beeler
  • Automated machine learning tagging and optimization of review procedures
    Patent number: 11645579
    Abstract: Techniques for machine learning optimization are provided. A video comprising a plurality of segments is received, and a first segment of the plurality of segments is processed with a machine learning (ML) model to generate a plurality of tags, where each of the plurality of tags indicates presence of an element in the first segment. A respective accuracy value is determined for each respective tag of the plurality of tags, where the respective accuracy value is based at least in part on a maturity score for the ML model. The first segment is classified as accurate, based on determining that an aggregate accuracy of tags corresponding to the first segment exceeds a predefined threshold. Upon classifying the first segment as accurate, the first segment is bypassed during a review process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farré Guiu, Monica Alfaro Vendrell, Marc Junyent Martin, Anthony M. Accardo
  • Method for temporal stabilization of landmark localization
    Patent number: 11640676
    Abstract: Various embodiments set forth systems and techniques for training a landmark model. The techniques include determining, using the landmark model, a first landmark in a set of first landmarks associated with a first image; performing, on the first image, a first perturbation to obtain a second image; determining, using the landmark model, a second landmark in a set of second landmarks associated with the second image; determining, based on a first distance between the first landmark and the second landmark, a first loss function; and updating, based on the first loss function, a first parameter of the landmark model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Krzysztof Naruniec, Christopher Richard Schroers, Romann Matthew Weber
  • Method and apparatus for portably binding license rights to content stored on optical media
    Patent number: 11636182
    Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a playback system to play back encrypted content associated with a first globally unique identifier (ID). The method includes storing an encrypted content in a memory being under control of a memory controller having a second globally unique ID, storing the first globally unique ID, transmitting a request from the memory controller to a license server, the request comprising the first globally unique ID, the second globally unique ID and a request for a content license to play back the encrypted content, receiving the content license enabling a right for the playback of the encrypted content, the content license including content keys and being encrypted to be decryptable according to a memory controller secret associated with the second globally unique ID, decrypting the content license, according to the memory controller secret to recover the content keys to a playback module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanno Basse, Ian E. Harvey
  • Virtual puppeteering using a portable device
    Patent number: 11628374
    Abstract: A virtual puppeteering system includes a portable device including a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the object animation software code to, using the camera, generate an image in response to receiving an activation input, using the display, display the image, and receive a selection input selecting an object shown in the image. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the object animation software code to determine a distance separating the selected object from the portable device, receive an animation input, identify, based on the selected object and the received animation input, a movement for animating the selected object, generate an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, and render the animation of the selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich
    Inventors: Raphael Anderegg, Loic Ciccone, Robert W. Sumner
  • Automated crash recovery
    Patent number: 11630714
    Abstract: Methods for improving operation of a user device executing an application. The methods include collecting a first set of data corresponding to a run time environment of the application, collecting a second set of data corresponding to a crash of the application, identifying a cause of the crash based on the first set of data and a second set of data and determining the cause of the crash is associated with an application feature corresponding to a feature flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Kagan, Nathan Lefler, Josh Phelps, James A. Corrigan-Colville, Benjamin Manning
  • Corrector plates for head mounted display system
    Patent number: 11624905
    Abstract: The embodiments herein use a corrector plate or a light field display in an AR/VR display device to compensate for sub-optimal collimation at the edge of the FOV. In one embodiment, the corrector plate is disposed between the collimator and the viewer so that the light at the edge of the FOV can be corrected so that the aberrations mentioned above do not occur. In another embodiment, rather than using a corrector plate, the AR/VR display device can include a light field display that can use color intensity to pre-distort emitted light to compensate for sub-optimal collimation at the edge of the FOV. In this manner, the AR/VR display device can mitigate aberrations or distortions as the user moves her eyes relative to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Quinn Yorklun Jen Smithwick
  • Buffering data on high bandwidth networks
    Patent number: 11627174
    Abstract: Techniques for buffering data over high bandwidth networks are provided. A first portion of data is downloaded into a buffer at a first download speed via a first network. The first portion of data is outputted from the buffer. Upon determining that data is being downloaded, via a second network, at a second download speed greater than the first download speed, a size of the buffer is expanded, and a second portion of data is downloaded into the expanded buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikita I. Tkachov
  • Guided interaction between a companion device and a user
    Patent number: 11622146
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a method of guiding an interaction between a companion module and a user includes identifying a media content for playout by a media player device, transmitting, to a remote server, an interaction schema request identifying the media content and the companion module, and receiving, from the remote server, behavioral manifest data including an instruction for guiding the interaction between the companion module and the user. Such a method also includes obtaining a play head state of the media player device and a playout timecode state of the media content, and identifying a user interaction behavior for the companion module based on the behavioral manifest data, the play head state of the media player device, and the playout timecode state of the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Comito, Dirk Van Dall, James Bowers, Anthony Waters, Thomas Engel
  • Systems and methods to improve brushing behavior
    Patent number: 11615715
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to improve user brushing behavior. Exemplary implementations may: effectuate presentation of audio content via an audio output device, the audio content being characterized by an audio profile; obtain output signals from one or more sensors coupled to a user device, the output signals conveying user input information, the user input information defining user input by a user via the user device; determine, based on the user input information, a user profile, the user profile including one or more user values of the one or more audio attribute; compare the user profile with the audio profile to determine, for individual audio attributes, one or more differences; determine one or more scores reflecting the one or more differences; and/or perform other operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Learning-based sampling for image matting
    Patent number: 11615555
    Abstract: A method of generating a training data set for training an image matting machine learning model includes receiving a plurality of foreground images, generating a plurality of composited foreground images by compositing randomly selected foreground images from the plurality of foreground images, and generating a plurality of training images by compositing each composited foreground image with a randomly selected background image. The training data set includes the plurality of training images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Tunc Ozan Aydin, Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Jingwei Tang, Yagiz Aksoy
  • Machine learning enabled evaluation systems and methods
    Patent number: 11610239
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing machine-learning enabled user-specific evaluations are disclosed. Implementations include obtaining a first set of evaluation data from a user interface, obtaining a first set of target-descriptive data including target-specific characteristics objectively describing the evaluation targets, and training, with a machine-learning algorithm, a user-specific evaluation profile indicating evaluation patterns relative to the first set of evaluation data and the first set of target-specific characteristics. Implementations include applying the user-specific evaluation profile to a second set of target-descriptive data to predict a user-specific evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Chapman, Mehul Patel, Joseph Popp, Benjamin Havey
  • TEMPORAL TECHNIQUES OF DENOISING MONTE CARLO RENDERINGS USING NEURAL NETWORKS
    Publication number: 20230083929
    Abstract: A modular architecture is provided for denoising Monte Carlo renderings using neural networks. The temporal approach extracts and combines feature representations from neighboring frames rather than building a temporal context using recurrent connections. A multiscale architecture includes separate single-frame or temporal denoising modules for individual scales, and one or more scale compositor neural networks configured to adaptively blend individual scales. An error-predicting module is configured to produce adaptive sampling maps for a renderer to achieve more uniform residual noise distribution. An asymmetric loss function may be used for training the neural networks, which can provide control over the variance-bias trade-off during denoising.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicants: Pixar, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • System and method for robust model-based camera tracking and image occlusion removal
    Patent number: 11606512
    Abstract: A system and method for model-based camera tracking and image occlusion removal for a camera viewing a sports field (or other scene) includes receiving a synthesized data set comprising at least one empty field image of the field, the empty field image with at least one occlusion graphic, and camera parameters corresponding to the empty field image, training a neural network model to estimate the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters by providing the model with an input training image comprising the empty field image with occlusion graphic, and providing the model with model output targets comprising the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters as targets for the model, receiving by the neural network model, alive input image comprising a view of the field with live occlusions, and providing by the neural network model, using trained model parameters, estimated live camera parameters or an estimated empty field image associated with the live input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Walsh, Jayadas Devassy
  • Haptic content presentation and implementation
    Patent number: 11604516
    Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a touchscreen, a video comprising a video frame and determining, based on a saliency map of the video frame, a region of interest in the video frame. The method also includes detecting a touch on a region of the touchscreen while the video frame is displayed and generating a haptic response in response to determining that the region of the touchscreen overlaps with the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Daniel L. Baker, Jackson A. Rogow
  • Relative surface travelling map projection process
    Patent number: 11605320
    Abstract: A method to project content from a moving projector. The method includes analyzing an object to identify a projection surface; determining a first position of a projector relative to the projection surface; modifying a first frame of a content for projection onto the projection surface based on the projection surface and the first position of the projector; projecting the first frame of the content from the projector onto the projection surface; determining a second position of the projector relative to the projection surface; modifying a second frame of the content based on the projection surface and the second position; and projecting the second frame of the content from the projector onto the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Popp, Steven M. Chapman, Charles P. Davis, Jeremie A. Papon, Alice J. Taylor
  • Player-controlled anonymity of interactive scoring sessions
    Patent number: 11602695
    Abstract: A method includes storing a plurality of scores and a plurality of session identifiers for a game. The plurality of scores are generated by monitoring player activity during game sessions identified by the plurality of session identifiers and by applying rules of the game to determine scoring events based on the player activity. The method also includes generating, during a game session, a code for a player, providing the code to the player before the player leaves the game, and receiving, from a device, a target session identifier generated by the device based on the code and in response to receiving the target session identifier. The method further includes retrieving a score of the plurality of scores generated during a game session identified by a session identifier of the plurality of session identifiers that matches the target session identifier and communicating, to the device, the retrieved score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Elbert, Brent D. Strong, Bob Hickman, Robert J. Peitzman
  • Automated image augmentation using a virtual character
    Patent number: 11600047
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing an image augmentation software code, a three-dimensional (3D) shapes library, and/or a 3D poses library. The image processing system also includes a two-dimensional (2D) pose estimation module communicatively coupled to the image augmentation software code. The hardware processor executes the image augmentation software code to provide an image to the 2D pose estimation module and to receive a 2D pose data generated by the 2D pose estimation module based on the image. The image augmentation software code identifies a 3D shape and/or a 3D pose corresponding to the image using an optimization algorithm applied to the 2D pose data and one or both of the 3D poses library and the 3D shapes library, and may output the 3D shape and/or 3D pose to render an augmented image on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Martin Guay, Gokcen Cimen, Christoph Maurhofer, Mattia Ryffel, Robert Sumner
  • Menu navigation mode for media discs
    Patent number: 11600305
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reordering and/or bypassing certain informational content or menus that are conventionally presented prior to playback of media content stored on physical media discs. Upon initial use of a physical media disc, certain information content or menus may be presented to a user or viewer, for example, piracy warnings, language selection menus, etc. However, upon subsequent use of the physical media disc, such informational content or menus may be bypassed. The user or viewer is given an option to immediately begin consuming the media content stored on the physical media disc. Conventional content, such as trailers are not played prior to playback of the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kwan, David M. Jessen, James J. Madden
  • Methods and systems for playing an audio corresponding to a text medium
    Patent number: 11599328
    Abstract: There is provided a media player device for use with a text medium having a plurality of pages each having a plurality of words, the media player device comprising an audio output, a memory storing a text medium application software; and a processor configured to execute the text medium application software to receive a first signal emitted from a wireless communication element embedded in the text medium, the first signal including a text medium ID uniquely identifying the text medium, and play an audio, via the audio output and in response to receiving the text medium ID, wherein the audio corresponds to the text medium ID and the audio pronounces the plurality of words in a same sequence appearing in each of the plurality of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Poswal, Giovanna Alaimo, Malcolm Murdock, Richard Ginter, Taylor Hellam
  • Automated annotation of heterogeneous content
    Patent number: 11599804
    Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor, and a system memory storing a software code and a content labeling predictive model. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to scan a database to identify content assets stored in the database, parse metadata stored in the database to identify labels associated with the content assets, and generate a graph by creating multiple first links linking each of the content assets to its corresponding label or labels. The hardware processor is configured to further execute the software code to train, using the graph, the content labeling predictive model, to identify, using the trained content labeling predictive model, multiple second links among the content assets and the labels, and to annotate the content assets based on the second links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Hayko Jochen Wilhelm Riemenschneider, Leonhard Markus Helminger, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Christopher Richard Schroers
  • Depth codec for real-time, high-quality light field reconstruction
    Patent number: 11595630
    Abstract: Techniques to facilitate compression of depth data and real-time reconstruction of high-quality light fields. A parameter space of values for a line, pairs of endpoints on different sides of the line, and a palette index for each pixel of a pixel tile of a depth image is sampled. Values for the line, the pairs of endpoints, and the palette index that minimize an error are determined and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Mitchell, Charalampos Koniaris, Malgorzata E. Kosek, David A. Sinclair
  • Interactive autonomous robot configured for deployment within a social environment
    Patent number: 11590660
    Abstract: An interactive autonomous robot is configured for deployment within a social environment. The disclosed robot includes a show subsystem configured to select between different in-character behaviors depending on robot status, thereby allowing the robot to appear in-character despite technical failures. The disclosed robot further includes a safety subsystem configured to intervene with in-character behavior when necessary to enforce safety protocols. The disclosed robot is also configured with a social subsystem that interprets social behaviors of humans and then initiates specific behavior sequences in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle G. Freeman, Michael Fusco, Jeremy Andrew Mika, Michael Richard Honeck, Jon Hayes Snoddy, Shelley Short, Cory Rouse, Raymond J. Scanlon, Clifford Wong, Lance Duane Updyke, Jeremie Papon, Daniel Pike
  • Touchable and 360-degree playable holographic display
    Patent number: 11592686
    Abstract: A system for displaying three dimensional (3D) images. The system includes a 3D display operating in a first state to display a 3D image by outputting light into a viewing space and operating in a second state in which the 3D image is not displayed. The system further includes a screen element positioned between the 3D display and the viewing space. The screen element reflects light from the viewing space to appear opaque to a viewer in the viewing space when the 3D display operates in the second state. The screen element transmits the light output by the 3D display, whereby the 3D display image is perceivable by the viewer in the viewing space. The screen element includes a sheet of mesh or netting material that transmits light output by the 3D display through its pores or openings and may be a planar sheet of scrim or tulle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Jessica Anne Klouda
  • Tracking system for visual effect triggering using induced magnetic field and predictive analysis
    Patent number: 11592592
    Abstract: A system comprises active magnetic emitters positioned within an area, passive magnetic emitters configured to be moved within the area, a magnetic field detector configured to measure a strength and direction of a magnetic field within the area, and a processor in communication with the magnetic field detector. The passive magnetic emitters are configured to be integrated in, coupled to, or secured to at least one tracked object or tracked subject within the area. The processor is configured to evaluate at least one change in the measured strength and direction of the magnetic field end send a signal to a visual effect actuator or visual effects display to initiate a visual effect based on the at least one change. A method and computer program product relating to the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Hager
  • Optical viewfinder for costume heads
    Patent number: 11592659
    Abstract: A head for a walk-around costume is provided that is adapted for enhanced visibility. The costume head includes an outer shell defining an interior space for receiving a head of a human performer. The outer shell includes an aperture allowing incoming light from an exterior space to enter the interior space, and an eye location for the human performer is spaced apart from the aperture when the head is received in the interior space. To provide an enlarged field of view, the costume head includes an optical viewfinder assembly disposed within the interior space of the outer shell between the aperture and the eye location. The optical viewfinder assembly is adapted for receiving the incoming light and transmitting the incoming light to the eye location to move a viewpoint of the human performer to the aperture to provide a larger field of view of the exterior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Quinn Y. Smithwick
  • System and method of generating effects during live recitations of stories
    Patent number: 11594217
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to presentation of a first effect on one or more presentation devices during an oral recitation of a first story. The first effect is associated with a first trigger point, first content, and/or first story. The first trigger point being one or more specific syllables from a word and/or phrase in the first story. A first transmission point associated with the first effect can be determined based on a latency of a presentation device and user speaking profile. The first transmission point being one or more specific syllables from a word and/or phrase before the first trigger point in the first story. Control signals for instructions to present the first content at the first trigger point are transmitted to the presentation device when a user recites the first transmission point such that first content is presented at the first trigger point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Taylor Hellam, Malcolm E. Murdock, Mohammad Poswal, Nicolas Peck
  • Untethered robot with hybrid air and water power for hovering and quick airborne movements
    Patent number: 11591100
    Abstract: A robot including a hybrid fan-based and fluid-based propulsion system to provide thrust, such as deceleration during fall to create a smooth landing or to provide a quick reduction in velocity, and to provide actuation/controlled motion, such as to hover after quick deceleration and to control orientation or pose. The hybrid propulsion system uses discharging of pressurized fluid and exhausted gas (or fluid in some cases) from ducted fans (or propellers, impellers, and the like) to provide controlled thrust and/or lift forces. The hybrid propulsion system uses of pressurized fluid for generating larger or primary thrust and quick changes in velocity. The hybrid propulsion system includes a fan-based propulsion assembly with ducted fans that use environmental air (or fluids) to provide lower or secondary thrust. Both types of propulsion can be integrated into a robot or robotic figure to move the robot during flight (e.g., during falling or hovering).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard-Alexandre Peloquin, David Loyal Christensen, Morgan Thomas Pope, Grant Imahara, Tony Dohi
  • Segment quality-guided adaptive stream creation
    Patent number: 11595716
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation. A target average bitrate (TAB) segment is generated by encoding a first segment, of a plurality of segments in a video, using a first maximum average bitrate (MAB) of a plurality of MABs specified in an encoding ladder. An intermediate average bitrate (IAB) segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a first intermediate bitrate, wherein the first intermediate bitrate is lower than the first MAB. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first MAB, the IAB segment is output based at least in part on determining that a first quality score of the IAB segment is within a predefined tolerance of a second quality score of the TAB segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Labrozzi, Chetan K. Mathur, Yuanyi Xue, Michael J. Bracco
  • Distribution channel using audio/visual recognition
    Patent number: 11593866
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a platform to provide virtual storefronts to consumers. Environmental elements are associated with specific consumer services on computer server. A user in the environment takes audio or visual recordings of an environmental element and uploads the recordings to the server. The server determines the appropriate consumer service associated with the recorded environmental element and provides the user with a reference to the service. Accordingly, any space, such as a bus stop, subway or train terminal, movie theater, or airport, may be turned into a virtual store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Graham, Tuomo Korpinen
  • Triggered virtual reality and augmented reality events in video streams
    Patent number: 11587292
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for generating a virtual object for a VR/AR environment in response to a trigger. A VR/AR application executing on a client device receives a media content item. The VR/AR application detects an event trigger associated with the media content item. The VR/AR application generates at least a portion of a virtual object based on the event trigger. The VR/AR application displays the media content item and the at least a portion of the virtual object on a display associated with a user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John Holbrook Crocker, Wilfredo Rosas
  • Interactive multimedia package methods and systems
    Patent number: 11589127
    Abstract: Interactive multimedia package methods and systems are provided. An interactive multimedia package system may generate, manage, deliver, and/or play interactive multimedia packages with various digital media. An interactive multimedia package may be incorporated into any platform such as physical media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.), web services (e.g., download, or streaming), and other applications. A user may shop directly off of the digital media that he or she is experiencing (e.g., watching a movie, viewing a digital news, reading an e-book, playing a video game, etc.) The user may be directed to an e-commerce website, a digital storefront, or a list of items associated with an object, by clicking on the object of interest in the digital media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thatcher Thornburg Gellman
  • Techniques for inferring the configuration of a room from skeleton tracking
    Patent number: 11587239
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a map inference application automatically maps a user space. A camera is positioned within the user space. In operation, the map inference application determines a path of a first moving object within the user space based on a tracking dataset generated from images captured by the camera. Subsequently, the map inference application infers a walking space within the user space based on the path. The map inference application then generates a model of at least a portion of the user space based on the walking space. One or more movements of a second object within the user space are based on the model. Advantageously, unlike prior art solutions, the map inference application enables a model of a user space to be automatically and efficiently generated based on images from a single stationary camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Elliott Baumbach, Michael Goslin
  • Virtual-world simulator
    Patent number: 11587284
    Abstract: In one implementation, a virtual-world simulator includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform, and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to obtain a map of a geometry of a real-world venue including the virtual-world simulator, to identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue, and to use the tracking system to track a moving perspective of one of a user in the real-world venue or a camera in the real-world venue. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to control the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane M. Coffey, Evan M. Goldberg, Steven M. Chapman, Daniel L. Baker, Matthew Deuel, Mark R. Mine
  • Data-driven extraction and composition of secondary dynamics in facial performance capture
    Patent number: 11587276
    Abstract: A modeling engine generates a prediction model that quantifies and predicts secondary dynamics associated with the face of a performer enacting a performance. The modeling engine generates a set of geometric representations that represents the face of the performer enacting different facial expressions under a range of loading conditions. For a given facial expression and specific loading condition, the modeling engine trains a Machine Learning model to predict how soft tissue regions of the face of the performer change in response to external forces applied to the performer during the performance. The modeling engine combines different expression models associated with different facial expressions to generate a prediction model. The prediction model can be used to predict and remove secondary dynamics from a given geometric representation of a performance or to generate and add secondary dynamics to a given geometric representation of a performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Dominik Thabo Beeler, Derek Edward Bradley, Eftychios Dimitrios Sifakis, Gaspard Zoss
  • INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM DATA TAP AND MODEL FOR MANAGING INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230051829
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a method, comprising: receiving tapped data that was tapped from a controller of an industrial control system (ICS) while the controller executed first control code to control ICS devices of the ICS, the tapped data used during execution of the first control code, and the tapped data comprising input data obtained from one or more input components of the controller communicatively coupled to the ICS devices, or output data obtained from one or more output components of the controller communicatively coupled to the ICS devices; and after receiving the tapped data, executing, using at least the tapped data, second control code that provides an emulation of the controller, the emulation comprising running, using at least the tapped data, a process of the first control code at a faster rate than it is run by the controller executing the first control code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Brock, Brian Walters, Nicholas Stantzos, Christopher Hofer, Mario Scarabino, Michael Tschanz
  • Methods and apparatuses for combining and distributing user enhanced video/audio content
    Patent number: 11582507
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided, which may be implemented to combine and distribute user enhanced video and/or audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Prestenback, Evan Tahler, Brian Kwan, David Jessen
  • Display of supplemental content
    Patent number: 11567723
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for displaying supplemental content. The method includes determining environmental characteristics, e.g., wall space, empty areas, colors, etc., for a display environment, determining supplemental content based in part on a primary content displayed by a primary display, and displaying the supplemental content in the display environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Daniel L. Baker, Steven M. Chapman, Dane M. Coffey, Matthew Deuel, Mark R. Mine
  • Deinterlacing via deep learning
    Patent number: 11570397
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing deinterlacing. The technique includes separating a first interlaced video frame into a first sequence of fields ordered by time, the first sequence of fields including a first field. The technique also includes generating, by applying a deinterlacing network to a first field in the first sequence, a second field that is missing from the first sequence of fields and is complementary to the first field. The technique further includes constructing a progressive video frame based on the first field and the second field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Michael Bernasconi, Daniel Konrad Dorda, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Shinobu Hattori, Christopher Richard Schroers
  • Techniques for understanding how trained neural networks operate
    Patent number: 11568212
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a relevance application quantifies how a trained neural network operates. In operation, the relevance application generates a set of input distributions based on a set of input points associated with the trained neural network. Each input distribution is characterized by a mean and a variance associated with a different neuron included in the trained neural network. The relevance application propagates the set of input distributions through a probabilistic neural network to generate at least a first output distribution. The probabilistic neural network is derived from at least a portion of the trained neural network. Based on the first output distribution, the relevance application computes a contribution of a first input point included in the set of input points to a difference between a first output point associated with a first output of the trained neural network and an estimated mean prediction associated with the first output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Markus Gross, Marco Ancona
  • Tunable models for changing faces in images
    Patent number: 11568524
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for changing the identities of faces in images. In embodiments, a tunable model for changing facial identities in images includes an encoder, a decoder, and dense layers that generate either adaptive instance normalization (AdaIN) coefficients that control the operation of convolution layers in the decoder or the values of weights within such convolution layers, allowing the model to change the identity of a face in an image based on a user selection. A separate set of dense layers may be trained to generate AdaIN coefficients for each of a number of facial identities, and the AdaIN coefficients output by different sets of dense layers can be combined to interpolate between facial identities. Alternatively, a single set of dense layers may be trained to take as input an identity vector and output AdaIN coefficients or values of weighs within convolution layers of the decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Leonard Markus Helminger, Jacek Krzysztof Naruniec, Romann Matthew Weber, Christopher Richard Schroers
  • System and method for leveraging machine learning to deliver time-sensitive content over optimal devices and channels
    Patent number: 11561671
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for leveraging machine learning to deliver time-sensitive media content offers to a consumer over an optimal device and channel. In an implementation, a server system transmits media content offers over an optimal device and channel to a user. The server system captures metadata of at least one of: the user's use of multiple devices, the user's media content preferences, the user's preferred transmission channels for receiving media content offers over the multiple devices, and the user's preferred times for receiving media content offers. The server system prepares a media content offer for transmission to the user. Based on the captured metadata, the server system selects a user device of the multiple user devices and a transmission channel of multiple transmission channels to transmit the media content offer; and transmits the media content offer to the selected user device over the selected transmission channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony R. Smith
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D978186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paull, Jerrell Jimerson, Anthony Sokolowski, Ole Lutjens, Lucas Perlove, Peter Harmon, Reed Korn, Brian Ziffer, Juan Sichon, Kurt Brockett
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D980236
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Pepijn Ulje, Tibor Koek, Niels Berk, Nick Rutte, Amanda Russo, Susana Soares, Ole Lutjens
  • Display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface
    Patent number: D980237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Pepijn Ulje, Tibor Koek, Niels Berk, Nick Rutte, Amanda Russo, Susana Soares, Ole Lutjens
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D985611
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paull, Jerrell Jimerson, Anthony Sokolowski, Ole Lutjens, Lucas Perlove, Peter Harmon, Reed Korn, Brian Ziffer, Juan Sichon, Kurt Brockett