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).
  • Method and device for fantasy sports auction recommendations
    Patent number: 10940395
    Abstract: A device and method groups sport players into tiers for a fantasy sports auction and generates bid recommendations. The method includes receiving at least one parameter value for each of a plurality of sport players. The method includes determining a score value for each of the sport players as a function of the at least one parameter value. The method includes determining a corresponding tier value of a plurality of tier values for each of the sport players, each of the tier values being indicative of a respective range of score values. The method includes providing first player data for one of the plurality of sport players including at least identity data and the corresponding tier value. The method includes accepting the nomination of a second player, and generating recommended bid data using the at least one parameter value, and optionally modifying the recommendation thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Nathaniel Sloan, David Michael Fishel
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A LATENT SPACE RESIDUAL
    Publication number: 20210067808
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a latent space residual. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes non-transient electronic storage, a graphical user interface, and one or more physical computer processors. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining a target frame, obtaining a reconstructed frame, encoding the target frame into a latent space to generate a latent space target frame, encoding the reconstructed frame into the latent space to generate a latent space reconstructed frame, and generating a latent space residual based on the latent space target frame and the latent space reconstructed frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Joaquim Campos, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Yuanyi Xue, Erika Varis Doggett, Jared McPhillen, Scott Labrozzi
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECONSTRUCTING FRAMES
    Publication number: 20210067801
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reconstructing a frame. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes non-transient electronic storage, a graphical user interface, and one or more physical computer processors. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining one or more reference frames from non-transient electronic storage, generating one or more displacement maps based on the one or more reference frames and a target frame with the physical computer processor, generating one or more warped frames based on the one or more reference frames and the one or more displacement maps with the physical computer processor, obtaining a conditioned reconstruction model from the non-transient electronic storage, and generating one or more blending coefficients and one or more reconstructed displacement maps by applying the one or more displacement maps, the one or more warped frames, and a target frame to the conditioned reconstruction model with the physical computer processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Joaquim Campos, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Yuanyi Xue, Erika Varis Doggett, Jared McPhillen, Scott Labrozzi
  • Image compensation using image enhancement effects
    Patent number: 10937242
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for performing image compensation using image enhancement effects. In one implementation, such a system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing an image compensation software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the image compensation software code to receive image data corresponding to an event being viewed by a viewer in a venue, the image data obtained by a wearable augmented reality (AR) device worn by the viewer, and to detect a deficiency in an image included in the image data. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the image compensation software code to generate one or more image enhancement effect(s) for compensating for the deficiency in the image and to output the image enhancement effect(s) for rendering on a display of the wearable AR device while the viewer is viewing the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Todd P. Swanson, Joseph Popp, Samy Segura, Mehul Patel
  • Optimizing 3D printed large-scale structures under worst-case loads
    Patent number: 10933623
    Abstract: A 3D printer system with a structural optimization tool to generate 3D models optimized for build materials such as those used in binder jetting technology-based printers. The structural optimization tool uses a computational approach to optimize mechanical and mass properties of large-scale structures (i.e., objects to be 3D printed), and the computational approach is tailored for fabrication on binder jetting technologies. To spend a material budget for printing an object wisely, the inventors in designing the computational approach turned the Bresler-Pister failure criterion into an objective measuring the potential of failure of an object or structure. This involved modeling the difference in tensile and compressive strength of the build material. To optimize structures under worst-case loads, the computational approach unifies an optimization to identify worst-case loads with an optimization to minimize the resulting failure potential, nesting them with first-order optimality constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Moritz Niklaus Bächer, Christian Gabriel Schumacher, Jonas Alois Zehnder
  • Animation streaming for media interaction
    Patent number: 10937220
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for animation streaming for media interaction by receiving, at a generator, inputs from a target device presenting of a virtual environment; updating, based on the user inputs, a model of the virtual environment; determining network conditions between the generator and target device; generating a packet that includes a forecasted animation set for a virtual object in the updated model that comprises rig updates for the virtual object for at least two different states, and a number of states included in the packet is based on the network conditions; and streaming the packet to the target device, where the target device: receives a second input to interact with the virtual environment that changes the virtual environment to a given state; selects and applies a rig update associated with the given state a local model of the virtual object; and outputs the updated local model on the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Mitchell
  • Methods and systems of hybrid actuator-system control
    Patent number: 10933335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hybrid actuator system control are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle. The simulation vehicle can transit at least one passenger through a ride experience, can include a plurality of controls, and can be mounted on an actuator system controllable to move the simulation vehicle in connection with at least one ride event. The system can include a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; receive user inputs via the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify authored control data; generate algorithmic control data; generate a hybrid control signal according to a combination of the authored control data and the algorithmic control data; and control movement of the simulation vehicle according to the hybrid control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ashbrook, Robert E. Huebner, Asa K. Kalama, Daniel Sass, Michael Arevalo
  • Learning to schedule control fragments for physics-based character simulation and robots using deep Q-learning
    Patent number: 10929743
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for learning to schedule control fragments for physics-based virtual character simulations and physical robot control. Given precomputed tracking controllers, a simulation application segments the controllers into control fragments and learns a scheduler that selects control fragments at runtime to accomplish a task. In one embodiment, each scheduler may be modeled with a Q-network that maps a high-level representation of the state of the simulation to a control fragment for execution. In such a case, the deep Q-learning algorithm applied to learn the Q-network schedulers may be adapted to use a reward function that prefers the original controller sequence and an exploration strategy that gives more chance to in-sequence control fragments than to out-of-sequence control fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Libin Liu, Jessica Kate Hodgins
  • Prompting a user for feedback based on user experience
    Patent number: 10929897
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for prompting a user for feedback based on user experience. The technique includes detecting, via a processor, that a first application event has occurred and updating a score based on a first value assigned to the first application event. The technique further includes determining that the score exceeds a first threshold, and, in response, outputting a first prompt for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McNabb, Kathleen Reilly
  • Distributed storytelling environment
    Patent number: 10928915
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are disclosed for an interactive storytelling environment. The method comprises identifying a plurality of storytelling devices available to participate in a storytelling experience, including a first storytelling device at a first physical location and a second storytelling device at a remote second physical location. The method further comprises receiving, based on user input during playback of a story, an instruction to perform a first action of a predetermined plurality of actions using the second storytelling device, the user input indicating a user interaction with a depiction of the second storytelling device at the first physical location. The method further comprises performing, based on timing information included in the received instruction, the first action using the second storytelling device such that performing the first action is at least partly synchronized with performance of an animation sequence of the depicted second storytelling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Katherine M. Bassett, Joseph Logan Olson, Eric C. Haseltine
  • Light transmitting wearable device with transparent and translucent components
    Patent number: 10931002
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device is described. The wearable electronic device uses a light within a housing of the electronic device to illuminate an optically connected band, such as a watch band which provides interactive displays and features to a user. The positioning of the light source within the housing allows for the interactive display in the connected band without increasing the size and/or complexity of the electronic device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan D. Nocon
  • System and method for providing landscape and portrait oriented images of a common scene on separate feeds with independent image controls
    Patent number: 10931889
    Abstract: A system and method for providing landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) oriented images of a common scene on separate feeds with independent image controls includes a movable horizontal camera configured to provide a horizontal image on a horizontal image feed, a movable vertical camera configured to provide a vertical image on a vertical image feed, the horizontal and vertical cameras configured to be aligned along a camera axis and mounted to a common support, the horizontal and vertical cameras configured to view the common scene and to provide separate horizontal and vertical image feeds simultaneously, the cameras being independently controlled such that a given camera is moved when a tracked subject exceeds a control range threshold for that camera image, independent of the subject location in the other camera image. In some embodiments, a single high resolution image may be used with independently-controlled horizontal and vertical extracted images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Barone, Samuel J. Reisner
  • Systems and methods to provide a sports-based interactive experience
    Patent number: 10918949
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to provide sports-based interactive experiences. The interactive experiences may be facilitated by providing users' views of virtual content related to a particular sport. The systems and methods may utilize action sequence information and/or other information. The action sequence information may specify anticipated sequences of output signals generated by sensors coupled to real-world items of playing equipment. The output signals in the anticipated sequences of output signals may be associated with anticipated control signals for controlling the virtual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Panec
  • Cloud-based image rendering for video stream enrichment
    Patent number: 10924823
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a cloud-based system for performing cloud-based image rendering for video stream enrichment includes a video forwarding unit and a video enrichment unit. The video forwarding unit is configured to detect one or more non-interactive video player(s) linked to the video forwarding unit over a communication network, forward a video stream to the non-interactive video player(s), and forward the video stream to the video enrichment unit. The video enrichment unit is configured to receive the video stream, detect one or more interactive video player(s) linked to the video enrichment unit over the communication network, identify a video enhancement corresponding to one or more customizable video segment(s) in the video stream, insert a rendered video enhancement into the one or more customizable video segment(s) to produce an enriched video stream, and distribute the enriched video stream to one or more of the interactive video player(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan A. Binder, Marc Junyent Martin, Jordi Badia Pujol, Avner Swerdlow, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu
  • Compact perspectively correct occlusion capable augmented reality displays
    Patent number: 10921593
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe AR systems that provide occluded AR content to a user while maintaining the perspective of the user. In one embodiment, the AR system includes an optical cloak that contains a mask display device and an AR display device and one or more focusing elements and a prism for focusing light captured from the user's environment. As the light enters the optical cloak, the mask display device occludes a portion of the user's view to generate a black silhouette. The AR system then combines AR content displayed by the AR display device with the image of the environment such that the location of the AR content overlaps with the location of the black silhouette. Furthermore, the spacing and characteristics of the focusing elements and the prism are set to maintain the perspective of the user as the light passes through the optical cloak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinn Yorklun Jen Smithwick, Isela D. Howlett
  • Stability controlled systems
    Patent number: 10921830
    Abstract: A stability controlled system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor, a memory storing a software code, a moveable component, and a tilt sensor. The hardware processor executes the software code to monitor the tilt sensor to determine whether the system is at a tilt with respect to a support surface for the system. When the tilt sensor is sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface: when the moveable component is off, the software code prevents the moveable component from turning on, and when the moveable component is on, the software code performs one of (a) turning off the moveable component, and (b) slowing down a regular rate of motion of the moveable component. When the tilt sensor is not sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface, the software code permits the moveable component to be turned on and have the regular rate of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Wong, Nathan D. Nocon
  • Contextually changing guest messaging and experience
    Patent number: 10918961
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a customized amusement ride experience are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation vehicle that can transit at least one passenger from a starting position to a terminating position of the amusement ride, a memory including a content database and a token database, and a sensor that can receive data identifying at least one token. The system can include a processor that can: receive data from the sensor identifying the at least one token; retrieve ride data from the token database based on the data identifying the at least one token, which ride data identifies an attribute associated with the token; select content for delivery based on the ride data; retrieve the selected content for delivery from the content database; and provide the selected content to the at least one passenger of the simulation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Casey Ging, Peter Stepniewicz, Robert E. Huebner
  • System and method for polarization and wavelength gated transparent displays
    Patent number: 10924639
    Abstract: A transparent display system is provided where broadcast talent (or presenter) can see interactive content, tool palettes, prompts (and the like) as well as their own sketches and annotations, but a viewing audience sees only the broadcast talent and content intended for the viewing audience with the talent's annotation thereof. A transparent scattering screen together with optical filtering or gating of a first optical property of the light (e.g., polarization-based or wavelength-based) is used such that the first property of the light is projected onto the screen so the talent can see the projection, and a camera-side filter blocks the first property of the light so it is not seen by the camera. Simultaneously, a broadcast talent (or presenter) is illuminated by light having properties other than the first property, which allows the talent image to pass through the screen and the camera-side filter allowing the talent to be seen by camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Quinn Smithwick, Samuel J. Reisner
  • Adaptive luminance/color correction for displays
    Patent number: 10921596
    Abstract: The systems described herein facilitate providing a virtual content with an intended appearance. The virtual content can be an interactive space. The interactive space may be presented on a display of a presentation device. The display can be a transparent display. The interactive space can be superimposed over a perspective of a physical real-world environment of a user. Environmental characteristics of the physical real-world environment can alter the intended appearance of the interactive space superimposed over a perspective of a physical real-world environment. The environmental characteristics include one or more of a light intensity, color, and/or other visual features of the physical real-world environment. The appearance of the interactive space can be altered to compensate for the environmental characteristics. The appearance of the interactive space can be altered such the user can perceive the interactive space as intended by the creator of the interactive space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Nocon, Michael P. Goslin, Wilfredo Rosas
  • Systems and methods to provide a software benefit when a consumer object is recognized in an image
    Patent number: 10922700
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, it may be recognized that a consumer has placed a consumer object, such as a toy or action figure, into a field of view of a camera (e.g., a video camera incorporated into a portable computer). A software benefit associated with the consumer object may then be automatically determined, and, responsive to the recognition and determination, it may be arranged for the consumer to receive that software benefit (e.g., in a virtual world).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Heatherly
  • Noise reduction on G-buffers for Monte Carlo filtering
    Patent number: 10922872
    Abstract: Techniques for selectively removing Monte Carlo (MC) noise from a geometric buffer (G-buffer). Embodiments identify the G-buffer for rendering an image of a three-dimensional scene from a viewpoint. Embodiments determine, for each of a plurality of pixels in the image being rendered, respective world position information based on the three-dimensional scene and a position and orientation of the viewpoint. A pre-filtering operation is then performed to selectively remove the MC noise from the G-buffer, based on the determined world position information for the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Mitchell, Jose A. Iglesias-Guitian, Bochang Moon, Steven G. McDonagh
  • Systems and methods to provide a game based on common media consumption
    Patent number: 10918951
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide a game based on common media consumption are described herein. Exemplary implementations may: obtain sets of consumption information for users of a game; identify common media content that has been consumed by two or more users from the sets of consumption information for the two or more users; responsive to requests from users to play the game together, obtain game information that corresponds to the common media content; effectuate presentation of the game on computing platforms of the users based on the game information; and/or perform other operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Hunter Gibson, Janice Rosenthal, Nathan Nocon, Michael Goslin, Elliott Baumbach, Jason Yeung
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARTITIONING AN ANIMATABLE MODEL
    Publication number: 20210042981
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for partitioning an animatable model. The system may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium operatively coupled to processors. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may store instructions that, when executed, cause the processors to perform a number of operations. One operation may include obtaining an animatable model. The animatable model may include a geometry matrix. Another operation may include obtaining user input to partition an animatable model into multiple partitions. The user input may include a connected curve in the geometry matrix. Yet another operation may include partitioning the animatable model into the multiple partitions based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Bisceglio, Christopher Franz Moore, Daniel Sampaio Lima, Scotty Sharp, Steven Song
  • Systems and methods to synchronize real-world motion of physical objects with presentation of virtual content
    Patent number: 10916061
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to synchronize real-world motion of physical objects with presentation of virtual content. Individual physical objects may be detected and/or identified based on image information defining one or more images of a real-world environment. Individual network connections may be established between individual computing platforms and individual physical objects. A network connection may facilitate a synchronization of a presentation of virtual content on a computing platform with motion of one or more physical objects in the real-world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Panec, Janice Rosenthal, Hunter J. Gibson, Nathan D. Nocon, Stephen A. Thornton
  • Preference implementation system for acting on preferences of facility visitors
    Patent number: 10915738
    Abstract: A system for implementing visitor customizations at a facility using selective image recognition. The system includes a processor and memory storing an optical marker definition and, for potential visitors to the facility, a reference file for image-based recognition of a person. The system includes a camera in a space of the facility capturing an image of the space. The system includes an opt-in verification module run by the processor that processes the captured image of the space to identify, based on the optical marker definition, presence of an optical marker. The system includes an image recognition module run by the processor that compares recognizable features in the captured image with the reference files for the potential visitors to recognize the visitor. The memory stores opt-in records for the potential visitors, and permission to use recognition technology is obtained prior to processing by the image recognition module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Egger, Mihail A. Ambrozie, Luis M. Bracamontes Hernandez, Mangesh Patil, Ravel A. Antunes, Hariraghav Ramasamy, John David Worrall, Ernest L. Martin
  • Joining gameplay of a game through video content
    Patent number: 10913002
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to facilitating players joining an ongoing game session depicted in video content for contemporaneous, interactive play with a player. A first user on a first computing platform may present a recording of video content to a second user on a second computing platform. The video content may include a depiction of a game session of a game and a pointer to the game session. The second user may access the pointer. The pointer may enable the second user to participate in the game session depicted in the video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Joint estimation from images
    Patent number: 10916046
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for estimating poses from images. In one embodiment, a machine learning model, referred to herein as the “detector,” is trained to estimate animal poses from images in a bottom-up fashion. In particular, the detector may be trained using rendered images depicting animal body parts scattered over realistic backgrounds, as opposed to renderings of full animal bodies. In order to make appearances of the rendered body parts more realistic so that the detector can be trained to estimate poses from images of real animals, the body parts may be rendered using textures that are determined from a translation of rendered images of the animal into corresponding images with more realistic textures via adversarial learning. Three-dimensional poses may also be inferred from estimated joint locations using, e.g., inverse kinematics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Martin Guay, Dominik Tobias Borer, Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Robert W. Sumner, Jakob Joachim Buhmann
  • System and method for identifying and tagging assets within an AV file
    Patent number: 10915715
    Abstract: A system for identifying, tagging, and displaying one or more assets within an audio visual (AV) file includes an asset tagging server, an asset tag acquisition device, and a database, wherein the asset tag acquisition device includes an asset identification engine configured to receive an asset identification data set and generate an asset tag data file that includes an asset tag corresponding to each asset. The asset tagging server is configured to receive, from an AV capture device, an AV file that includes an AV representation of each asset and corresponding timestamp data, and store, in the database, an AV asset tag data file comprising the beginning timestamp, the ending time stamp, and the set of asset tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony R. Smith
  • Large-scale infinity optics window for use in small facility packaging applications
    Patent number: 10916163
    Abstract: A display system useful for achieving a wide field of view infinity effect. The system includes a frame assembly adapted for mounting on a wall of viewing space. The system includes a display element with a display surface. The system includes a magnifying lens supported within the frame assembly with a rear surface facing the display surface and with a front surface facing the viewing space. The rear surface of the magnifying lens is parallel to the display surface of the display element and is separated from the display surface by a separation distance less than a focal length of the magnifying lens, e.g., a value such that a ratio of the separation distance to the focal length is in the range of 0.169 to 0.254. The magnifying lens may be a Fresnel lens in the form of a planar plastic sheet manufactured to provide a flat spherical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Andrew J. Johnson, Gilles J. Martin, Harry B. Wykes
  • Systems and methods to facilitate selective dialogue presentation
    Patent number: 10917451
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to facilitate selective dialogue presentation for multimedia presentations. Exemplary implementations may: present visual content of the multimedia presentation on a display device; present effects audio content of the multimedia presentation on a set of audio presentation devices; communication of individual dialogue audio content of the multimedia presentation to individual user devices to cause the individual user devices to present individual dialogue audio content in sync with the presentation of the visual content and/or the effects audio content; and/or other operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Arana
  • Multimedia system for transforming any room into a show environment
    Patent number: 10917683
    Abstract: A show system or in-room entertainment or show system configured to provide engaging and immersive multimedia shows or presentations in nearly any space (or “room”) that is defined by one or more walls. The in-room show system generally includes a controller for selectively operating a display device (e.g., a television or the like), a video projector, an audio system (e.g., one or more speakers), and other show components (e.g., one or more lights, a fan, a mechanical device, and so on). Media content is predefined for the room, and the controller operates (such as in response to a triggering switch or remote control device that may take the form of a show prop activated by someone in the room) to serve the media content to tell a story and/or magically transform the space into a multidimensional and immersive entertainment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Jeffrey L. Voris, John David Smith, Zachery W. Kennedy, Preston Timothy Landry
  • Robotics skin system with integral elastomeric links to complete mechanical linkages
    Patent number: 10913161
    Abstract: A skin or skin system for a robot or robotics assembly is provided that includes one or more integral elastomeric links (or bars) (“IELs”) that are configured for receiving and connection with coupling elements or members (e.g., pivot pins) at the ends of mechanical links/bars. The IELs are also configured to act as a final link of a mechanical linkage made up of these mechanical links to provide a closed chain. For example, the body of each of the IELs, or a portion of the IEL body extending between connection points with the coupling elements of the links/bars of the mechanical linkage, provides a final link in a mechanical linkage forming a closed chain to allow it properly function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip John Jackson, Todd P. Camill, Anthony D. Martin
  • ID association and indoor localization via passive phased-array and computer vision motion correlation
    Patent number: 10915796
    Abstract: A system and method for combining computer vision information about human subjects within the field-of-view of a computer vision subsystem with RF Angle of Arrival (AoA) information from an RF receiver subsystem to locate, identify, and track individuals and their location. The RF receiver subsystem may receive RF signals emitted by one or more electronic devices (e.g., a mobile phone) carried, held, or otherwise associated with am individual. Further, gestures can be made with the device and they can be detected by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Chouchang Yang, Alanson Sample
  • Content promotion through automated curation of content clips
    Patent number: 10911803
    Abstract: A content curation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a content promotion software code providing a user interface. The hardware processor executes the content promotion software code to receive an initiation signal corresponding to a user action, and, in response to receiving the initiation signal, to identify multiple content items as desirable content items to the user. In addition, the content promotion software code determines a portion of the desirable content item as most desirable content to the user, and, for each most desirable content portion, obtains a content clip including that content, resulting in multiple content clips corresponding respectively to the multiple content items. The content promotion software code further outputs the content clips for playout to the user via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Horn, Michael McNabb, Jason G. Fong
  • Scent blending
    Patent number: 10905970
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of a method of dispersing scents in congruity with entertainment. Multiple scents are dispersed into the environment surrounding a participant at various points in congruity with visual entertainment. The scents are selectively provided at various times to coincide with the display of one or more elements in the entertainment experience such as a location or character. One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of a system for blending scents. The system includes an airflow source, a plurality of scent distributors, and a controller operably coupled to the airflow source and plurality of scent distributors to selectively control delivery of the scents from the plurality of scent distributors to bulk airflow delivered to a participant environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Samantha M. Catanzaro, David Lester, Steven A. Johnson
  • INTERACTIVE TOY
    Publication number: 20210023457
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to an improved interactive experience. The system can be for delivery of an interactive attraction experience. The system can include a passenger vehicle having a plurality of passenger locations and a content presentation system that can present a virtual portion of the attraction experience viewable from the plurality of passenger locations. The system can include a transceiver that can transmit a trigger signal and at least one processor. The at least one processor can control delivery of the virtual portion of the attraction experience via the content presentation system, detect presence of a non-ride device, and deliver a trigger signal via the transceiver to the non-ride device, the trigger signal linked with the attraction experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Robert S. TROWBRIDGE, Peter STEPNIEWICZ, Casey M. GING, John C. HAMPTON
  • Customization of content for different audiences
    Patent number: 10904618
    Abstract: A first version and a second version of audio visual content are provided via a disc, a web site or a mobile device application to consumers. The second version has audiovisual content removed from the first version that is not appropriate for a type of viewer, such as children. In addition, a menu is provided that allows a user to select the first version or the second version to play on a device. In addition to or instead of the second version, the menu may allow the user to customize the first version for an intended audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Chen, James Voris
  • Automated image synthesis using a comb neural network architecture
    Patent number: 10902571
    Abstract: An image synthesis system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code including a neural encoder and multiple neural decoders each corresponding to a respective persona. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive target image data, and source data that identifies one of the personas, and to map the target image data to its latent space representation using the neural encoder. The software code further identifies one of the neural decoders for decoding the latent space representation of the target image data based on the persona identified by the source data, uses the identified neural decoder to decode the latent space representation of the target image data as the persona identified by the source data to produce a swapped image data, and blends the swapped image data with the target image data to produce one or more synthesized images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Naruniec, Romann Weber, Christopher Schroers
  • Gameplay using mobile device sensors
    Patent number: 10898795
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to gameplay using mobile devices. Embodiments include receiving, by a first device, input from a player initiating a targeted action. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, an orientation of the first device. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, a location of at least a second device based at least on a message received from the second device. Embodiments include identifying, by the first device, that a target of the targeted action is associated with the second device based on the orientation of the first device and the location of the second device. Embodiments include transmitting, by the first device, an indication of the targeted action to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Nocon, R. Hunter Gough
  • Intrinsic color camera
    Patent number: 10904449
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to capturing intrinsic color images of subjects. A camera may be equipped with a light source that is coaxial to the camera's image sensor and configured to emit a pulse of light of short duration. During image capture of a subject, the camera light source may emit the pulse of light through the lens barrel of the camera and stop emission of light before the reflected light from the light source returns. Thereafter, the camera lens receives the reflected light from the light source (with the light source no longer emitting light) and charge is collected at one or more image sensor photodetector sites of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Chapman, Mehul Patel, Joseph Popp, Calis Agyemang, Joseph Hager
  • Directed wind effect for AR/VR experience
    Patent number: 10898798
    Abstract: An air flow generator may be implemented on an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) controller or head-mounted display (HMD) through which an AR or VR experience is presented. Based on content upon which the AR or VR experience is based, air flow effects can be provided by the air flow generator. In particular, desired air flow effect parameters based on or obtained from the content, can be used to enhance the AR or VR experience through generating air flow directed at a user of the HMD. The air flow generated by the air flow generator can be further enhanced by the addition of liquid and/or scented additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Javier Soto, Mehul Patel, Joseph Popp, Calis Agyemang
  • Deep-learning motion priors for full-body performance capture in real-time
    Patent number: 10902343
    Abstract: Training data from multiple types of sensors and captured in previous capture sessions can be fused within a physics-based tracking framework to train motion priors using different deep learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) and Recurrent Temporal Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RTRBMs). In embodiments employing one or more CNNs, two streams of filters can be used. In those embodiments, one stream of the filters can be used to learn the temporal information and the other stream of the filters can be used to learn spatial information. In embodiments employing one or more RTRBMs, all visible nodes of the RTRBMs can be clamped with values obtained from the training data or data synthesized from the training data. In cases where sensor data is unavailable, the input nodes may be unclamped and the one or more RTRBMs can generate the missing sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Sheldon Andrews, Ivan Huerta Casado, Kenneth J. Mitchell, Leonid Sigal
  • SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC CONTENT UNLOCK AND ADAPTIVE CONTROLS
    Publication number: 20210016184
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic modification of an amusement ride are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle including a plurality of controls and at least one interface. The system can include a content presentation system, and a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; identify a user skill level based on a plurality of user inputs received by at least some of the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify a modification to a difficulty of the ride experience based in part on the identified user skill level; and modify the difficulty of the ride experience according to the identified modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Asa K. KALAMA, Robert Scott TROWBRIDGE, Jacqueline E. KING, Robert E. HUEBNER, Peter STEPNIEWICZ
  • VARIABLE RESOLUTION RECOGNITION
    Publication number: 20210019509
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for dynamically adjusting an amount of retrieved recognition data based on the needs of a show, experience, or other event where participants are recognized. The retrieved recognition data may be deleted once it is no longer needed for the event. Recognition data retrieval is limited to just what is needed for the particular task, minimizing the uniqueness of any retrieved recognition data to respect participant privacy while providing an enhanced participant experience through recognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Fidaleo
  • JAW TRACKING WITHOUT MARKERS FOR FACIAL PERFORMANCE CAPTURE
    Publication number: 20210012512
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to capturing facial training data for one or more subjects, the captured facial training data including each of the one or more subject's facial skin geometry tracked over a plurality of times and the subject's corresponding jaw poses for each of those plurality of times; and using the captured facial training data to create a model that provides a mapping from skin motion to jaw motion. Additional implementations of the disclosure are directed to determining a facial skin geometry of a subject; using a model that provides a mapping from skin motion to jaw motion to predict a motion of the subject's jaw from a rest pose given the facial skin geometry; and determining a jaw pose of the subject using the predicted motion of the subject's jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicants: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich)
    Inventors: Dominik Thabo Beeler, Derek Edward Bradley, Gaspard Zoss
  • Method and system for optimizing bitrate selection
    Patent number: 10893266
    Abstract: A method including encoding a video program into a plurality of video streams, each of the plurality of video streams being encoded at a corresponding one of a plurality of bitrates; providing, to a plurality of viewing clients, an option to select one of the plurality of video streams; determining a streaming capacity of each of the viewing clients; and determining an improved plurality of bitrates based on streaming capacities of the plurality of viewing clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Joseph Reisner, Michael Kidd
  • Bi-level specificity content annotation using an artificial neural network
    Patent number: 10891985
    Abstract: A content annotation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a tagging software code including an artificial neural network (ANN). The hardware processor executes the tagging software code to receive content having a content interval including an image of a generic content feature, encode the image into a latent vector representation of the image using an encoder of the ANN, and use a first decoder of the ANN to generate a first tag describing the generic content feature based on the latent vector representation. When a specific content feature learned by the ANN corresponds to the generic content to feature described by the first tag, the tagging software code uses a second decoder of the ANN to generate a second tag uniquely identifying the specific content feature based on the latent vector representation, and tags the content interval with the first and second tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Monica Alfaro Vendrell, Albert Aparicio Isarn, Daniel Fojo, Marc Junyent Martin, Anthony M. Accardo, Avner Swerdlow
  • System and method for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object
    Patent number: 10885637
    Abstract: A system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object comprises an object position system for generating three-dimensional object position data comprising an object trajectory, a software element for receiving the three-dimensional object position data, the software element also for determining whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that an object has exceeded a boundary, and a graphics system for displaying the object trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Casamona, Frank C. Guida, Jr., Michael F. Gay, Anthony J. Bailey
  • System and method for providing location-based data on a wireless portable device
    Patent number: 10885471
    Abstract: There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a display. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. By optimizing map routes and schedules using the location-based data and user preferences including wish lists, the wireless portable device can provide helpful recommendations via the display, enabling the user to plan an efficient schedule of activities in the defined geographical area optimized by walking distance, queue wait times, booking and arriving at reserved events, and/or by other user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Purvis, Laura Kampo, Kevin Rice
  • Bottle closure
    Patent number: D906806
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Joshi, Matthew Cooper, Susan Propp, Ellen Gutierrez, Michael Pickholtz, Christopher Lee Beatty, Brian Scott Loo, Darin Pugne, Carl Smith