Disney Patent Applications

Disney patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160063104
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for visual search in a video media player. There is provided a computing device for performing a visual search in video files comprising a display, a memory, a video media player application in the memory, and a processor configured to store into the memory search terms by allowing a user to visually select objects as search terms using a user interface on the display, initiate a search using the search terms, obtain search results comprising time offsets and play durations within the video files, each play duration containing at least one frame corresponding to the search terms, and display navigational controls in the user interface for presenting the search results, including selectable graphical thumbnail images or preview videos. A user can select objects via outlined, highlighted, or otherwise visually identified objects in a video frame, the selecting enabled by associated search metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Barsook, Joven Matias, Cyrus Hoomani, Arun Ramagopal
  • Publication number: 20160057471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining alternative versions of media content are provided. Digital purchasing technology can be integrated with content viewing technology to provide dynamic content discovery and the ability to easily and efficiently obtain alternative media content to enhance a user's viewing experience. Additionally, a user's viewing experience can be upgraded by easily and efficiently allowing for the viewing of previously obtained alternative media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Mark Arana
  • Publication number: 20160046018
    Abstract: A robot that includes two or more skeletal or rigid links interconnected by a joint. The joint is pneumatically actuated and includes a pneumatic joint actuator that allows the robot's skeletal links to be moved in an expressive manner. The pneumatic actuator includes a pair of opposing air bladders encased within a housing or body of the joint. Each air bladder is positioned on an opposite side of an actuating lever arm, which is rigidly attached to one of the skeletal links and is pivotally mounted on the joint body or housing. Movement of the actuating lever arm causes the attached skeletal link to pivot. To obtain this selective movement, one of the two air bladders is filled with a gas, such as air, while the other is left un-inflated or less inflated, and this forces the lever arm and attached skeletal link to pivot about their mounting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES R. ROBERTSON, PHILIP J. JACKSON
  • Publication number: 20160048311
    Abstract: A process and apparatus provide an adaptable user interface. An image of a device is captured. Further, the process and apparatus identify a device identifier of the device based upon the image. In addition, the process and apparatus retrieve a control interface based upon the device identifier. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that control operation of the device. The control interface is displayed. Alternatively, a process and apparatus provide a uniform user interface and have adaptable communications protocols. The process and apparatus displays a uniform control interface for operation with a plurality of devices. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that controls operation of the plurality of devices. Further, an image of a device is captured. In addition, the process and apparatus identify a device identifier of the device based upon the image. A communications protocol is also retrieved based upon the device identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Purvis, Jonathan Ackley
  • Publication number: 20160048609
    Abstract: A process and system scan an object to generate a first 3D digital model of the object. Further, the process and system send data corresponding to the first 3D digital model to a server that is in communication with a database of high quality 3D digital models of a plurality of objects. In addition, the process and system receive a second 3D digital model of the object from the server based upon a matching of the first 3D digital model and the second 3D digital model, the second 3D digital model having a higher resolution of the object than the first 3D digital model. The process and system also print a 3D replica of the object based upon the second 3D digital model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Voris, David Crawford, Benjamin Christen, Jorge Alted
  • Publication number: 20160050358
    Abstract: There is provided a method, which includes providing a multimedia unit configured to capture still images and videos, receiving a triggering signal and capturing a still image and a video containing the still image, in response to the receiving of the triggering signal, where the video spans a window starting before and ending after the still image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Holton, Clifford Wong, Jonathan M. Ackley
  • Publication number: 20160039541
    Abstract: A method of docking and recharging using a base station and a station-mating frame on the multicopter. The base station includes an upward-facing camera that is used by a docking controller to detect the presence, position, and orientation of a frame, with infrared light-emitting diodes arranged in a predefined pattern. The controller of the base station acts to emit wireless signals to the multicopter to guide the multicopter with its station-mating frame to a predefined position above the base station. The controller transmits a wireless signal to the multicopter to reduce thrust, and the multicopter lowers itself onto a sloped receiving surface that may be arranged in a crown pattern to provide passive gravity-driven centering, which causes the station-mating frame to slide to a lowest vertical point of the receiving assembly. A locking mechanism engages to lock the frame in place and provide electrical contact for recharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: PAUL A. BEARDSLEY, MICHAEL ERIKSSON, JAVIER ALONSO-MORA, JOERN REHDER
  • Publication number: 20160044356
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for customizing channel programming. The disclosed methods and systems utilize various data inputs, including affirmative user inputs, non-affirmative user characteristics, environmental data and/or temporal data to customize channel programming for a particular user or group of users. In a further aspect, the disclosed methods and systems provide for various social sharing of viewing experiences and channels by coordinating, broadcasting and/or sharing channels or viewing schedules with other users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Mark Arana
  • Publication number: 20160042158
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for delivering and unlocking restricted media content on physical media. The disclosed methods and systems provide restricted media assets on a physical media. The restricted media assets may be ad-sponsored media content. Restrictions on the restricted media assets may be removed by providing an unlock code, either on an online or offline media player. In the ad-sponsored media context, an unlocked version might comprise an ad-free version.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Arana
  • Publication number: 20160033855
    Abstract: A projection assembly for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as quadrotors. The projection assembly includes a projection screen with a rear surface and a front surface, and the projection screen has a level of opacity and/or other physical qualities that enables it to function as a rear-projection surface. The projection assembly includes a vehicle attachment member adapted for coupling with a frame of the UAV, and the projection screen is supported at a first end by the vehicle attachment member. The apparatus includes a projector projecting light, and the projected light is directed onto the rear surface of the projection surface to generate a displayed image visible on the front surface. The projection screen can be formed from a mesh sheet with a porosity allowing air to flow through the projection screen. The mesh sheet may be formed of plastic threads that provide the rear-projection surface function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: CLIFFORD W. WONG, MICHAEL J. ILARDI
  • Publication number: 20160029051
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for dynamically generated client side streaming playlists. There is provided a method comprising receiving a request to stream a video asset for playback, retrieving, from a network, a video asset playlist corresponding to the video asset and an ad campaign playlist, generating a consolidated video playlist including the video asset playlist and the ad campaign playlist, and processing the consolidated video playlist using a media playback framework to stream a plurality of video files from the network for decoding and output to a display. Discontinuity tags within the video asset playlist may be utilized as insertion points for portions of the ad campaign playlist. The consolidated video playlist may be accessed through a local HTTP web server, advantageously allowing the use of commonly installed media playback framework models such as QuickTime X to trigger adaptive bitrate support through HTTP Live Streaming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Manzari, Robert Longwell, Chang Liu, Andrew Bauch, David Brueck
  • Publication number: 20160019311
    Abstract: There is presented a system and method enabling visual filtering of content. The system comprises a server, a content database storing content units and accessible through the server, and a filtering and display application. The filtering and display application is configured to enable visual filtering of the content units by filtering a plurality of graphical representations corresponding to a plurality of content units stored by the system, to extract a first plurality of graphical representations for displaying to a user, displaying the first plurality of graphical representations as active graphical representations selectable by the user in a first featured display, and dynamically filtering the first plurality of graphical representations and replacing the first featured display with another featured display of a first subset of active graphical representations selectable by the user according to an input received from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Arnaud Robert, Edward C. Drake, William Bartley
  • Publication number: 20160016360
    Abstract: A printer adapted for printing three dimensional (3D) objects that are difficult to copy by use of a 3D scanner and 3D printer. The printer includes a print head with an extrusion nozzle with a heated portion and a print bed with a surface for receiving material extruded from the extrusion nozzle. The printer includes a print material supply spool loaded with an anti-scanning filament. The print head is adapted for drawing the anti-scanning filament into the heated portion for heating prior to extrusion from the extrusion nozzle to form a 3D object. Further, the 3D object includes one or more scan protected exterior surfaces on at least one element of the 3D object. The scan protected exterior surfaces are either light absorbing surfaces or reflect light in one or more unconventional directions. The anti-scanning filament may be a plastic mixed with an anti-scanning additive such as a retroreflective material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFREY VORIS, DAVID W. CRAWFORD, JORGE ALTED, BENJAMIN FOSTER CHRISTEN
  • Publication number: 20160007066
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for digital library channel creation. The disclosed methods and systems utilize a user's digital media library to create and/or simulate one or more broadcast channels for viewing by the user. Channels may be created randomly or according to particular preferences set by the user. In a further aspect, the disclosed methods and systems allow users to broadcast or share their channels with other users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Mark Arana
  • Publication number: 20150375451
    Abstract: A printer adapted for printing three dimensional (3D) objects with material having two or more colors. The printer includes a print head with an extrusion nozzle having an outlet, a mixing chamber upstream of the outlet, and a heated portion. The printer also includes a print bed with a surface for receiving material extruded from the outlet of the extrusion nozzle and a print material supply that is loaded with a filament of a plastic having a first color. The print head is adapted for drawing the filament into the heated portion to liquefy the plastic upstream of or in the mixing chamber. The printer includes a dye supply assembly fluidically coupled with the mixing chamber supplying dyes, such as inks, of two or more colors to the mixing chamber, whereby the liquefied plastic has its color changed from the first color to a second color prior to being extruded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFREY VORIS, BENJAMIN FOSTER CHRISTEN, JORGE ALTED, DAVID W. CRAWFORD
  • Publication number: 20150379019
    Abstract: A process, computer program product, and apparatus provide for a contextual media presentation. The process, computer program product, and apparatus receive a plurality of planned and/or completed user experiences. Further, the process, computer program product, and apparatus select a plurality of media files that are contextually relevant to the received user experiences. In addition, the process, computer program product, and apparatus sort a list of the plurality of media files to generate a sorted list of media files. The process, computer program product, and apparatus send the sorted list of media files to a player for playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Purvis, Jonathan Ackley
  • Publication number: 20150379243
    Abstract: A process verifies, with a processor, a user account for content delivery with a rolling slot configuration. The rolling slot configuration has a maximum quantity of available slots for devices authorized to receive content. The rolling slot configuration has a plurality of ordered slots that are ordered based upon priority. The process receives a request for content from the user account at a device. The process automatically registers the device in an available slot of the rolling slot configuration based upon a determination of slot availability. The process authorizes the device to play content associated with a user entitlement. The process automatically deauthorizes the device to play the content based upon a deauthorization parameter being met. The process removes a registration of the device from the available slot. The process moves a registration of an additional device with a higher priority than the device to the available slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Drake, Michael Musick, Mark Arana, Andrew Wright
  • Publication number: 20150348284
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for generating virtual terrains. A terrain editing application is configured to receive assets of various types, including a blank canvas, two-dimensional (2D) sketches, real-world elevation maps, authored heightfields, etc. The assets specify characteristics of a terrain, and provide starting points for creating the virtual terrain. The editing application further provides a set of tools allowing a user to modify the virtual terrain. In one embodiment, the set of tools may include a copy-and-paste tool, a peak creation tool, a ridge creation tool, a ridge tracing tool, and a resynthesis tool. The editing application generates a new layer for each edit, as well as 2D and three-dimensional (3D) previews of the edited terrain. The editing application also provides a user-adjustable frequency decomposition of each layer. The editing application combines layers using Laplacian blending to produce the final virtual terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gwyneth BRADBURY, Tim WEYRICH, Kenneth MITCHELL
  • Publication number: 20150348273
    Abstract: Techniques of depth modification for display applications are disclosed. A multiscopic video frame, including at least first and second images depicting a scene, is received. Depth information pertaining to the multiscopic video frame is received. A depth mapping function is determined based on one or more image characteristics of the multiscopic video frame, other than depth. The depth information is modified based on the depth mapping function. At least a third image is generated based on the modified depth information and based further on at least one of the first and second images, where the third image is output for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre CHAPIRO, Tunc Ozan AYDIN, Steven Charles POULAKOS, Simon HEINZLE, Aljosa Aleksej Andrej SMOLIC
  • Publication number: 20150350277
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for predictive delivery of high bit-rate content. The disclosed systems and methods provide an adaptive-bit-rate streaming (ABS) system with more robust information, thereby allowing more intelligent pre-caching of the media content. By providing greater information to the ABS system, the disclosed systems are able to foresee higher bit-rate segments that require greater attention, allowing the system to use such information to improve the playback experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES VORIS, MARK ARANA, EDWARD DRAKE
  • Publication number: 20150347918
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a future event prediction. Embodiments include capturing spatiotemporal data pertaining to activities, wherein the activities include a plurality of events, and employing an augmented-hidden-conditional-random-field (a-HCRF) predictor to generate a future event prediction based on a parameter-vector input, hidden states, and the spatiotemporal data. Methods therein utilize a graph including a first node associated with random variables corresponding to a future event state, a second node associated with random variables corresponding to spatiotemporal input data, a first group of nodes, each node therein associated with random variables corresponding to a subset of the spatiotemporal input data, a second group of nodes, each node therein associated with random variables corresponding to a hidden-state; wherein the edges connect the first node with the second node, the first node with the second group of nodes, and the first group of nodes with the second group of nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicants: Disney Enterprises, Inc., Queensland University of Technology
    Inventors: Patrick LUCEY, Xinyu WEI
  • Publication number: 20150339964
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-adjusting displays are provided. A self-adjusting display may receive a display characteristics shift profile, where the display characteristics shift profile can be generated based on calibration event data collected from a plurality of displays. The display characteristics shift profile can be utilized as an estimate or prediction of a shift in display characteristics the self-adjusting display may experience over time. The self-adjusting display may calculate adjustment factors or curves to compensate for the estimated/predicted shift in display characteristics to lessen or altogether eliminate the need for performing actual calibration on the self-adjusting display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: STEFAN LUKA, NORBERT FAERSTAIN, LEON SILVERMAN, HOWARD LUKK
  • Publication number: 20150341890
    Abstract: An audio-based navigation system for determining a present location or position of a mobile device such as a smartphone within a venue. The system includes a sound system with a first speaker playing first audio content and a second speaker playing second audio content. The first speaker is positioned in a first space in a venue, and the second speaker is positioned in a second space of the venue. The navigation system also includes a mobile device with memory storing a database of fingerprints of a plurality of differing audio content. The mobile device includes a microphone for receiving an audio signal associated with the first audio content or with the second audio content. The mobile device includes a processor(s) selectively running software to determine the mobile device location in the first or second space using either fingerprinting or watermarking module by processing the received audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Giorgio Corbellini, Stefan Mangold, Vladimir Vukadinovic
  • Publication number: 20150334549
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a mobile device configured to transmit a first advertisement to a listening device and a repeater device, receive a data advertisement from the listening device in response to transmitting the first advertisement to the listening device, the data advertisement including a time difference between the listening device receiving the first advertisement and the listening device receiving a second advertisement transmitted from the repeater device in response to transmitting the first advertisement from the mobile device to the repeater device, and determine a location of the mobile device using the data advertisement including the time difference. In the system, the listening device and the repeater device may each include Bluetooth low energy devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Harout Jarchafjian, Jeffrey Voris, Benjamin F. Christen, Robert P. Michel
  • Publication number: 20150326819
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation, the operation comprising defining, in a message, attributes of a graphics object to overlay on a video as part of a media broadcast, wherein the attributes comprise an identifier of a template for the graphics object and a time in the video to overlay the graphics object, and publishing the message to one or more recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge VELOSO, Michael J. STREIN, Terrence PONG, Jonas GEDULDIG
  • Publication number: 20150326951
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation, the operation comprising defining, in a data space of a video, attributes of a time-dependent graphics object to overlay on the video as part of a media broadcast, wherein the attributes comprise a location of a template for the graphics object, a location of a current value for a variable of the graphics object, and a time in the video to overlay the graphics object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. STREIN, Terrence PONG, Jorge VELOSO, Jonas GEDULDIG
  • Publication number: 20150327331
    Abstract: A method for attaching padding material to a surface of a structural component, e.g., a lap bar or other park ride vehicle component. The method includes positioning a laminated sheet onto the surface of the structural component, with the laminated sheet including an adhesive material and a heating element. The method includes positioning a pad formed of the padding material onto the surface of the structural component, with a surface of the pad abuts an exposed surface of the laminated sheet. Further, the method involves connecting the heating element to a power source and then operating the power source to activate the heating element. The padding material may include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and the adhesive material then is compatible with EVA. The adhesive material may be provided in first and second layers, and the heating element is sandwiched between the first and second layers in the laminated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: John Douglas Smith, Laurel L. Skaggs, Mark A. Naylor
  • Publication number: 20150319423
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating stereoscopic content with granular control over binocular disparity based on multi-perspective imaging from representations of light fields are provided. The stereoscopic content is computed as piecewise continuous cuts through a representation of a light field, minimizing an energy reflecting prescribed parameters such as depth budget, maximum binocular disparity gradient, desired stereoscopic baseline. The methods and systems may be used for efficient and flexible stereoscopic post-processing, such as reducing excessive binocular disparity while preserving perceived depth or retargeting of already captured scenes to various view settings. Moreover, such methods and systems are highly useful for content creation in the context of multi-view autostereoscopic displays and provide a novel conceptual approach to stereoscopic image processing and post-production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: CHANGIL KIM, ALEXANDER HORNUNG, SIMON HEINZLE, WOJCIECH MATUSIK, MARKUS GROSS
  • Publication number: 20150317040
    Abstract: A system for editing virtual content of a virtual space. The system may include a host server comprising one or more physical processors configured to effectuate presentation of an editing interface on a client computing platform associated with an administrator user. The files may store property values for the properties of the virtual content of the virtual space. The property value for a property of virtual content may be determined based on a selection of a file that stores the property value. The editing interface may be configured to receive selection of a file from a group of files that stores different property values for the same property in order to implement the property value(s) of the selected file. The editing interface may be configured to present visual cues to the administrator related to the selection of files that store different property values for the properties of the virtual content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Vesco
  • Publication number: 20150302039
    Abstract: Methods and systems of archiving media files are provided. Media files may be archived such that only the difference between a media file and a base media file is stored. The base media file is archived. The media file to be archived and the base media file may have common attributes such as video codec, resolution, frame rate, and/or color space. A media file to be archived may be compared to the base media file to determine any difference. Bit-to-bit analysis or frame-to-frame analysis may be performed to identify the differences between a media file to be archived and a base media file. The differences may be extracted from the media file to be archived. A difference media file may be created to store the difference of a media file with respect to the base media file. A record may be created to store the actual location where the difference is extracted from a media file to be archived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: YAZMALIZA YAACOB, NIMESH NARAYAN
  • Publication number: 20150294158
    Abstract: There is provided a system for tracking objects. The system includes a processor and a memory for storing a plurality of sensory data frames. The processor determines a first hypothesized location for each of the objects in each of the plurality of sensory data frames. For each of the plurality of sensory data frames, the processor determines probabilities that the first hypothesized location of each of the objects in a sensory data frame of the plurality of sensory data frames is the same as the first hypothesized location of another object in an adjacent sensory data frame. The processor computes a first optimal trajectory for each of the objects using an algorithm based on the probabilities, checks the first optimal trajectory for each of the objects, and accepts or rejects the first optimal trajectory for each of the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT T. COLLINS, GEORGE PETER CARR
  • Publication number: 20150293635
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for displaying a traffic output synchronized with an automation output, the system including a display, a memory storing a user interface, and a processor configured to receive the traffic output, receive the automation output, synchronize the traffic output with the automation output, and display the traffic output synchronized with the automation output using the user interface on the display. The processor is further configured to advance each of the traffic output and the automation output being displayed by the user interface in real-time. Furthermore, the processor is further configured to update the traffic output being displayed by the user interface based on feedback from the automation output. The updating including marking each element in the traffic output as being aired correctly or not being aired correctly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Timpone, Glenn Godfrey, Jerry Rapella
  • Publication number: 20150294192
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for detecting objects in images. An object detection application receives a set of training images with object annotations. Given these training images, the object detection application generates semantic labeling for object detections, where the labeling includes lower-level subcategories and higher-level visual composites. In one embodiment, the object detection application identifies subcategories using an exemplar support vector machine (SVM) based clustering approach. Identified subcategories are used to initialize mixture components in mixture models which the object detection application trains in a latent SVM framework, thereby learning a number of subcategory classifiers that produce, for any given image, a set of candidate windows and associated subcategory labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Tian LAN, Michail RAPTIS, Leonid SIGAL
  • Publication number: 20150293594
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for real-time age profiling. One system includes at least one sensor, a memory storing an algorithm, and a processor configured to execute the algorithm to receive data corresponding to a user interaction with the at least one sensor and calculate an age of a user using the data corresponding to the user interaction. The data corresponding to the user interaction may include pressure data from a pressure sensor, orientation data from an orientation sensor, motion data from a motion sensor, or interaction data from an interaction sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus Hoomani, Steven Makofsky
  • Publication number: 20150294514
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods of identification and automation of devices using a beacon. A system includes a beacon, an automation device, and a server. The beacon is configured to transmit a signal to the automation device in response to entering a defined geographic zone. The automation device is configured to receive the signal from the beacon, transmit, in response to receiving the signal, the signal to the server, receive an identification of a person possessing the beacon from the server, and activate an automation feature, wherein the automation feature uses the identification of the person possessing the beacon. An automation feature may include, but is not limited to, a video camera, a display device, or a stereo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan McCollum, Nitzan Katz, Steven Makofsky
  • Publication number: 20150284010
    Abstract: A method for providing shared control over movement of a vehicle within a space. The method includes receiving user input related to a velocity and a direction for the vehicle within the space. The method includes processing the user input to selectively adjust the velocity and the direction desired by the user based on a set of predefined constraints to generate a trajectory for the vehicle for an upcoming time period. The method includes operating drive mechanisms in the vehicle based on the trajectory to move the vehicle from a first position to a second position within the space during the upcoming time period. A grid map defining locations of obstacles in the space may be used to define the trajectory to avoid collisions, and a guidance trajectory may be used to further control movement to achieve a desired throughput and control vehicle movement within particular portions of the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: PAUL A. BEARDSLEY, SCOTT FRAZIER WATSON, JAVIER ALONSO-MORA
  • Publication number: 20150286853
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for detecting and localizing action in video. In one embodiment, an action detection application receives training video sequences and associated eye gaze fixation data collected from a sample of human viewers. Using the training video sequences and eye gaze data, the action detection application learns a model which includes a latent regions potential term that measures the compatibility of latent spatio-temporal regions with the model, as well as a context potential term that accounts for contextual information that is not directly produced by the appearance and motion of the actor. The action detection application may train this model in, e.g., the latent structural SVM framework by minimizing a cost function which encodes the cost of an incorrect action label prediction and a mislocalization of the eye gaze. During training and therafter, inferences using the model may be made using an efficient dynamic programming algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Nataliya SHAPOVALOVA, Leonid SIGNAL, Michail RAPTIS
  • Publication number: 20150261939
    Abstract: Methods and systems described herein play multi-license media contents. A multi-license media content includes digital assets, at least one of which is encrypted and requires one or more licenses to be decrypted when being played. The digital assets may include a video digital asset, an audio digital asset, or a textual digital asset. The digital assets may be played by using licenses from multiple sources such that various components (e.g., a video component, an audio component, or a textual component) of a media content are synchronized. The media content may be played without downloading those licenses that already exist in the domain. Licenses may be retrieved adaptively when the licenses or the license segments required for playing the requested digital asset are incomplete. A related digital asset rather than the digital asset that is requested may be played thereby ensuring an uninterrupted media content delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: MARK ARANA, KEVIN LIAO
  • Publication number: 20150262190
    Abstract: An example system includes a database having a plurality of data structures, each of the plurality of data structures associated with a different business rule and one or more provider identifications, and a processor configured to receive one or more consumer identifications and one of the one or more provider identifications, search the plurality of data structures for one or more data structures associated with the one of the one or more provider identifications to identify authorized data structures, in the authorized data structures, determine entitlements associated with the one or more consumer identifications to identify consumer entitlements, generate a list of the consumer entitlements, and transmit the list of the consumer entitlements in response to the receiving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Drake, Mark Arana
  • Publication number: 20150258457
    Abstract: A method including receiving a broadcast of an event comprising a plurality of frames; receiving, from a plurality of users, a corresponding plurality of inputs, each of the inputs relating to a characteristic of an object depicted in one of the frames of the broadcast; and analyzing the plurality of inputs to determine a best guess of the characteristic of the object in the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuecheng ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20150251101
    Abstract: An amusement park ride adapted to provide passengers unobstructed lines of sight in turns and increased turn velocities. The ride includes a track and a ride vehicle. The ride vehicle includes a track connector assembly coupled to the track for movement along the ride path in a direction of travel. The vehicle also includes a vehicle base mounted to the track connector assembly to move with the track connector. The vehicle includes a bridge, or cantilever support arm or boom, extending from the vehicle base. The vehicle further includes a passenger compartment with one or more passenger seats. The passenger compartment is mounted to the bridge such that the seats and any passengers seated therein are spaced apart from the base at a cantilever distance. As a result, the passenger compartment has fore or aft cantilever mounting relative to the track connector assembly and relative to the vehicle base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Edward A. Nemeth, Spencer T. Banks, Derek Howard
  • Publication number: 20150251619
    Abstract: A passenger restraint system is provided for use in vehicles such as ride vehicles used in theme and amusement park rides. The restraint system includes a passenger restraint such as a lap bar, a belt, or an over-the-shoulder restraint includes a locking mechanism for selectively latching the restraint in a desired position. The locking mechanism includes a ratchet connected to the passenger restraint and mounted so as to rotate with movement of the passenger restraint. The locking mechanism also includes a pawl, which is a two piece assembly that includes: (1) a pivotally mounted upper portion; and (2) a pawl arm extending outward from the upper portion. In some embodiments, a first end of the pawl arm is pivotally coupled with the upper portion, and a second end of the pawl arm, distal to the second end, includes a tooth for engaging teeth on a surface of the ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Travis Howard Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20150256740
    Abstract: A client device for image capture in an eyes-free manner or without ongoing observance of the device's display screen to ensure proper framing and focusing. The client device may take the form of a smartphone, tablet, or the like. The client device includes an image capture application run by a processor to select a target to be included in a digital image captured by the client device's camera. The image capture application causes the processor to operate feedback mechanisms to prompt an operator of the client device to move the device so as to move the camera or its lens, before or during the capturing of the digital image, from a first orientation to a second orientation relative to the target. The image capture application urges the operator of the client device to hold their client device so as to better frame or focus on the selected target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: ASA KALAMA
  • Publication number: 20150239133
    Abstract: An arm assembly for use in a robot to provide gravity counterbalancing of the robot arms. The arm assembly includes an arm and a drive assembly. The arm assembly includes a differential interconnecting the drive assembly with the arm link. The differential is attached to a torso-side or upper end of the arm link, and the differential is adapted to provide gravity counterbalancing for the predefined mass of the arm link. A pair of half counterweights are provided and arranged to each move in one degree of freedom and to provide two equal counterweights to the differential's two inputs such as input gears, pulleys, or the like. The drive assembly includes two motors that are grounded. In some embodiments, both the motors and the counterweights are spaced apart from the robot's shoulder, i.e., spaced apart from the differential near the robot's pelvis or low in the torso.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: John P. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20150243258
    Abstract: A visual display assembly is provided for allowing an operator of digital device such as a smartphone to have an interactive experience with their display. The assembly or apparatus includes a digital device with a display screen and an overlay card for positioning over the display screen. The overlay card, which may take the form of a gift card, a debit card, a credit card, an access card, an ID card, or the like, includes a light-blocking region and a viewing window that is at least translucent to light adjacent the light-blocking region. Further, the digital device is selectively operable to display an image on the display screen viewable through the viewing window of the overlay card. The assembly includes a web server accessible with the digital device to download the image onto the digital device, and the image is provided by the digital device playing video content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: ERIC MICHAEL HOWE
  • Publication number: 20150238876
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed which provide an approach for selecting group-based digital content using a market system. An application receives a bid that indicates a selection for a user-configurable feature of a shared online activity and specifies an amount of currency that a corresponding participant is bidding for the selection. The application identifies a selection of the user-configurable feature having a highest total bid and initiates the shared online activity configured according to the user-configurable feature having the highest total bid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. MILLEGAN, Lily Xudan LIU, Alif Salim KHALFAN
  • Publication number: 20150242983
    Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing a broadcast video with contextual data are disclosed, wherein the broadcast video is enhanced by graphical overlays. Synchronization is achieved by means of digital watermarking of the broadcast video in conjunction with the graphical-overlays. Exemplary embodiments embed a watermark bitstream into the broadcast video based on an overlay-template, characteristic of a corresponding overlay-graphic. The watermarked video is then transmitted over a communication link to a receiving-end including a detector. According to some embodiment, the embedder inserts the watermark bitstream into the overlay-graphics' regions of the video and the detector extracts the watermark bitstream based on information in the overlay-template and based on a restored version of the original overlay-graphics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph DiGIOVANNI
  • Publication number: 20150241712
    Abstract: A 3D display apparatus for providing a Pepper's Ghost effect. The apparatus includes a background set spaced apart from a viewing space such that a viewer in the viewing space has a line of sight to the background set. The apparatus also includes a mirrored surfaces fan, which includes a motor, a hub rotatable by the motor, and a plurality of fan blades attached in a spaced apart manner to the hub to rotate with the hub. In some cases, each of the fan blades has a reflective region on a side facing away from the background set. The apparatus also includes a display device with a screen displaying an image of an object. The screen is positioned at an offset angle in the range of 40 to 60 degrees from a rotation plane for the sides of the fan blades. Often, the display device includes a 3D autostereoscopic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Quinn Y. Smithwick
  • Publication number: 20150237092
    Abstract: Network condition prediction and multimedia streaming consumption prediction are provided. The prediction may be based on a device's prior location, behavior, and statistics thereof. By gathering location data from users anonymously and securely, a virtual location network with millions of nodes are provided. Each virtual location, at a given time, is stored with associated network metrics gathered from various devices in a database. The database may comprise a probabilistic model and a behavioral model tracking device metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: KEVIN LIAO, JARED MCPHILLEN, MARK ARANA
  • Publication number: 20150231486
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining an identity of a game piece. The system including a detection grid, a memory for storing a detection algorithm, and a processor configured to detect an electrical change on the detective grid caused by a contact face from the game piece, determine the identity of the game piece based on the electrical change using the detection algorithm, and transmit the identity of the game piece wirelessly. The game piece may include a die with a plurality of resistors, where each of the plurality of faces includes a resistor with a different resistance value. The identity of the die corresponds to the rolled face of the die. Wherein detecting the rolled face of the die includes detecting the resistance value on the contact face of the die and determining the rolled face based on the detected resistance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Murdock