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).
  • Robotic sherpa
    Patent number: 11360471
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a mobile locker. The mobile locker can include a mobility unit to enable the locker to relocate from one location to another. The mobile locker is modular which allows the storage compartment to be detached from the mobility unit for storage, transfer via other means. The storage compartment can be coupled either the same or a different mobility unit. The mobile lockers can be recalled by a customer to either the customer's location or to designated locations at the venue. The lockers can include any one of multiple locking mechanisms. The mobile locker can communicate with a monitoring center that oversees the deployment of multiple mobile lockers. Embodiments of the mobile locker can interact with customers through a display, microphone, and speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert Scott Trowbridge, Scott Watson
  • Media flow transport security management
    Patent number: 11362994
    Abstract: A media flow transport security manager of a hybrid cloud-based media production system having a network orchestrator and an extensible resource manager (ERM) includes a firewall communicatively coupled to a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a security software code. The hardware processor executes the security software code to communicate with the network orchestrator to identify multicast production media flow(s) for processing in a cloud-based virtual production environment, and to communicate with the ERM to obtain an identifier of each cloud-based resource used for processing cloud production media flow(s) corresponding to the identified multicast production media flow(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Strein, Douglas R. Mason, Craig L. Beardsley, Benjamin H. Kepler
  • Leveraging microservices to orchestrate media workflows in the cloud
    Patent number: 11363087
    Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to orchestrate a media workflow using a computer system. A payload for an application programming interface (API) to be utilized to process media content is determined. The payload is parsed to display one or more variables of the payload in a graphical user interface. The variables are mapped to webform user interface elements. A job of the media workflow is executed. During execution, a webform of the user interface elements is programmatically generated and presented to an operator, data for the payload is received via the webform, and the received data is provided to the API to process the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Arturo Valenzuela, Thanh Hai Nguyen, Paul Michael DiLoreto, Sergey Arturovich Sarkisyan, Devanathan Sattanathan
  • Systems and methods for using a gyroscope to change the resistance of moving a virtual weapon
    Patent number: 11351472
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for using a gyroscope to change the resistance of moving a virtual weapon to simulate a feel of moving the virtual weapon. A feel of moving a virtual weapon may be simulated by determining a position and/or an orientation of a virtual blade of the virtual weapon, determining controls for a gyroscope based on the position and/or the orientation of the virtual blade, and operating the gyroscope in accordance with the controls for the gyroscope to provide resistance to changing the orientation of the hilt, wherein the resistance to changing the orientation of the hilt simulates the feel of moving the virtual weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Automated content validation and inferential content annotation
    Patent number: 11354894
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for automating inferential content annotation includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code including a set of rules trained to annotate content inferentially. The hardware processor executes the software code to utilize one or more feature analyzer(s) to apply labels to features detected in the content, access one or more knowledge base(s) to validate at least one of the applied labels, and to obtain, from the knowledge base(s), descriptive data linked to the validated label(s). The software code then infers, using the set of rules, one or more label(s) for the content based on the validated label(s) and the descriptive data, and outputs tags for annotating the content, where the tags include the validated label(s) and the inferred label(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Matthew C. Petrillo, Monica Alfaro Vendrell, Daniel Fojo, Albert Aparicio Isarn, Francesc Josep Guitart Bravo, Jordi Badia Pujol, Marc Junyent Martin, Anthony M. Accardo
  • Real-time projection in a mixed reality environment
    Patent number: 11354852
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for creating a mixed reality environment. A mixed reality system includes a performance area for generating a mixed reality environment, a motion determination module that determines and tracks the motion of an object within the performance area, a physical article module that generates a physical article within the performance area, and a mixed reality display that displays a virtual article within the performance area, wherein the physical article and the virtual article are correlated to the motion of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Leslie M. Evans, Siroberto Scerbo, Clare M. Carroll, Joseph G. Hager, IV, Nicholas S. Newberg, Alexis P. Wieland, Jonathan Becker
  • Techniques for automatically removing content from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal
    Patent number: 11356721
    Abstract: Content is automatically removed from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal. A closed-caption compliance system decodes a first portion of a first video frame that includes a closed-caption data packet. The system extracts a first character string that includes at least a portion of the closed-caption data packet. The system determines whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers. If the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then the system encodes at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame. Otherwise, the system modifies the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encodes at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Strein, William McLaughlin
  • Display device array
    Patent number: 11347465
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow a display device array to be used to present content to one or more users. In particular, a user associated with a first user device, may opt to present content on a plurality of other devices. The plurality of other devices may be arranged in any desired configuration, and the first user device can capture the arrangement. Upon capturing the arrangement, content, under the control of the first user device, may be presented on the plurality of other devices in accordance with the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Andranik Aghababyan
  • Systems and method for dynamic content unlock and adaptive controls
    Patent number: 11344815
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert Scott Trowbridge, Jacqueline E. King, Robert E. Huebner, Peter Stepniewicz
  • Wide field of view occlusion capable augmented reality pancake optics head mounted display
    Patent number: 11347058
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for a display system that overlays augmented reality (AR) content onto a view of an environment. The display includes a first polarizer that receives light providing a view of the environment (which can be natural light or light generated from another display). The polarized light then passes through a transparent display that emits light forming the AR content. The light emitted by the display and the polarized light of the environment pass through a beam splitter before reaching a selective mirror. The polarized light from the environment passes through the selective mirror while the light from the display is reflected back towards the beam splitter where it is collimated. Moreover, when collimating the light, the beam splitter also reflects the light back towards the selective mirror and changes its polarization so the light can pass through the selective mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinn Yorklun Jen Smithwick, Scott F. Watson
  • Park ride with weight proportional water braking
    Patent number: 11338212
    Abstract: A water ride including vehicles that ride on a track and using water for braking. A run-out section of the track is provided after a drop or down chute section, and the track in the run-out section runs through a pool of water at a depth causing at least a portion of a vehicle riding on the rails to contact a depth of the water to achieve vehicle braking. Significantly, the new water ride is adapted to adjust or set a variable height of the rails in the run-out chute or pool to adjust the depth of water providing water drag on a vehicle traveling through the run-out section based on the vehicle weight. A braking force is applied by the water that is proportional to vehicle weight, and the water ride may be thought of as slowing vehicles with a range of weights at about the same deceleration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristopher M. Laffin
  • Techniques for estimating person-level viewing behavior
    Patent number: 11343587
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a viewing behavior subsystem computes estimated viewership among target audiences at a person-level based on a household viewing logs and person-level data. A viewing behavior subsystem distributes the household viewing logs across buckets based on the sizes of the households and sets of person-level characteristics that are associated with the persons within the households. The viewing behavior subsystem generates a model for viewing behaviors associated with different sets of person-level characteristics based on the buckets. Subsequently, the viewing behavior subsystem estimates viewership among a target audience that is associated with one or more of the sets of person-level characteristics based on the model and census data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Denslow, Haining Yu, David T. Parker, Jingyang Xu, Ludwig Kuznia
  • Parameterized animation modifications
    Patent number: 11335051
    Abstract: Techniques for animation are provided. A first trajectory for a first element in a first animation is determined. A first approximation is generated based on the first trajectory, and the first approximation is modified based on an updated state of the first element. The first trajectory is then refined based on the modified first approximation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Robert W. Sumner, Alba Maria Rios Rodriguez, Maurizio Nitti, Mattia Ryffel, Steven C. Poulakos
  • Systems and methods for image compression at multiple, different bitrates
    Patent number: 11335034
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting a target set of pixels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include obtaining target content. The target content may include a target set of pixels to be predicted. The method may also include convolving the target set of pixels to generate an estimated set of pixels. The method may include matching a second set of pixels in the target content to the target set of pixels. The second set of pixels may be within a distance from the target set of pixels. The method may include refining the estimated set of pixels to generate a refined set of pixels using a second set of pixels in the target content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Erika Doggett, Stephan Marcel Mandt, Jared McPhillen, Scott Labrozzi, Romann Weber, Mauro Bamert
  • System and method for providing security for master clocks
    Patent number: 11336687
    Abstract: Embodiments describe monitoring network activity and behavior of authorized clocks to identify suspicious activity, and in response, removing a clock for an authorized clock list. In one embodiment, a network monitor detects changes in profiles corresponding to the authorized clocks such as a disconnecting from a port, changing a network location, unexpected changes in the clock signal, changes to the clock ID or MAC address, and the like. If the network monitor deems these changes suspicious, it removes the clock from the authorized clock list. When the current master clock fails, the PTP endpoints select a new master clock only if that clock is included in the authorized clock list. In this manner, the network monitor can constantly update the authorized clock list to ensure it contains only clocks that have not been tampered with or replaced with rogue clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Beardsley, Michael J. Strein
  • Dual-function display and camera
    Patent number: 11336806
    Abstract: A display screen includes a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel in the plurality of pixels includes at least one light-emitting element; and a plurality of light sensors, wherein each light sensor in the plurality of light sensors is disposed adjacent to a corresponding light-emitting element of a pixel in the plurality of pixels and is configured to convert received light into an electrical signal corresponding to a portion of an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Panoramic, multiplane, and transparent collimated display system
    Patent number: 11314086
    Abstract: A display system for creating a multiplane display. The display system includes a viewing space for viewers. The display system includes a convex screen and a mirror element spaced apart from the convex screen to provide a collimated display. The mirror element is both reflective and transmissive of light, and a fraction of light from the convex screen that strikes a front concave surface of the mirror element is reflected into the viewing space. The convex screen and the front concave surface of the mirror element are each shaped to have an optical prescription defined for a collimated display whereby light reflected into the viewing space is collimated to provide variable depth imagery. The display system includes a background space behind the mirror element, and light from the background space from projection screens and illuminated objects is transmitted through the mirror element to viewers in the viewing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. LaDuke, Mark A. Reichow
  • Multi-party conversational agent
    Patent number: 11315565
    Abstract: A multi-party conversational agent includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to identify a first predetermined expression for conversing with a group of people, and to have a group conversation, using the first predetermined expression, with at least some members of the group. The hardware processor is configured to further execute the software code to identify, while having the group conversation, a second predetermined expression for having a dialogue with at least one member of the group, and to interrupt the group conversation to have the dialogue, using the second predetermined expression, with the at least one member of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Kennedy, Victor R. Martinez Palacios
  • Metadata aggregation using a trained entity matching predictive model
    Patent number: 11314706
    Abstract: A metadata aggregation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code including a trained entity matching predictive model trained using training data obtained from a reference database. The hardware processor executes the software code to obtain metadata inputs from multiple sources, conform the metadata inputs to a common format, match, using the trained entity matching predictive model, at least some of the conformed metadata inputs to the same entity, and determine, using the trained entity matching predictive model, a confidence score for each match. The software code further sends a request to one or more human editor(s) for confirmation of each match having a confidence score greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, and updates the reference database, in response to receiving a confirmation that at least one match is a confirmed match, to include the confirmed match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Stoafer, Jordi Badia Pujol, Francesc Josep Guitart Bravo, Marc Junyent Martin, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Calvin Lawson, Erick L. Luerken
  • Techniques for concealed vehicle reset
    Patent number: 11311812
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an amusement park ride. The amusement park ride include a ride vehicle that can transition from a first configuration to a second configuration during the duration of the ride. The amusement park ride can include a loading area for loading passengers into the ride vehicle and a separate unloading area for disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle. After disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle the ride vehicle travels to a transition area concealed from the public where the ride transitions from the second configuration to the first configuration. In the transition area, maintenance can be performed on the ride vehicle and calibration can be performed on one or more of the ride vehicle systems (e.g., projector or audio systems).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge
  • Personalized stylized avatars
    Patent number: 11315298
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method to generate user representative avatars that fit within a design paradigm. The method includes receiving depth information corresponding to multiple user features of the user, determining one or more feature landmarks for the user based on the depth information, utilizing the one or more feature landmarks to classify a first user feature relative to an avatar feature category, selecting a first avatar feature from the avatar feature category based on the classification of the first user feature, combining the first avatar feature within an avatar representation to generate a user avatar, and output the user avatar for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Dumene Comploi, Francisco E. Gonzalez
  • Incorporating and coordinating multiple home systems into a play experience
    Patent number: 11311804
    Abstract: Techniques to synchronize changes in physical and virtual environments. An environmental change that will occur during a specified playback event within an interactive game is determined. An amount of time sufficient to permit an environmental device to effect a desired change in the physical environment before the specified playback event occurs is determined. The environmental device is controlled based on the amount of time, to effect the desired change synchronously with the environmental change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Eric C. Haseltine, Joseph L. Olson
  • Supplementing entertainment content with ambient lighting
    Patent number: 11317137
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for supplementing entertainment content with ambient lighting includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to receive an entertainment content, detect one or more attributes of the entertainment content that correspond to an artistic intent of a producer of the entertainment content, and interpret the artistic intent of the producer of the entertainment content using the detected one or more attributes. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to compose an ambient lighting routine as a supplement to the entertainment content based on the interpreted artistic intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford W. Wong, Michael P. Goslin
  • Automated crash recovery
    Patent number: 11307920
    Abstract: Methods for improving operation of a user device running an application. The methods include collecting a first set of data corresponding to a run time environment of the application, collecting a second set of data corresponding to a crash of the application, identifying a cause of the crash based on the first set of data and a second set of data and determining the cause of the crash is associated with an application feature corresponding to a feature flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Kagan, Nathan Lefler, Josh Phelps, James A. Corrigan-Colville, Benjamin Manning
  • Techniques for generating media content for storyboards
    Patent number: 11302047
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a storyboarding application generates a storyboard for a media title. In operation, the storyboarding application determines a categorization for a first portion of the media item. The storyboarding application then determines a first media item based on at least one of the categorization or a caption associated with the first portion of the media title. Subsequently, the storyboarding application modifies the first media item based on at least one of the categorization or a character associated with the caption to generate a second media item. The storyboarding application then generates a sequence of media items for the storyboard that includes the second media item. Advantageously, because the storyboarding application can automatically generate media items for storyboards based on categorizations and/or captions, the storyboarding application can reduce both the manual effort and time required to generate storyboards relative to prior art techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Erika Varis Doggett, Mark Arana, Michael Goslin
  • Creation of non-linearly connected transmedia content data
    Patent number: 11297396
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for manipulating non-linearly connected transmedia content, in particular for creating, processing and/or managing non-linearly connected transmedia content and for tracking content creation and attributing transmedia content to one or more creators. Specifically, the invention involves creating a transmedia content data item by a first user and storing the transmedia content data item in a data store, along with a record indicating an association between the first user and the transmedia content data item; creating an ordered group of transmedia content data items by a second user, the ordered group comprising a pointer to the transmedia content data item of the first user; and storing the ordered group and a record associating both the first user and the second user with the ordered group in the data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebekkah Laeuchli, Sasha Schriber, Stephan Veen, Markus Gross, Isabel Simo, Max Grosse
  • Robots with robust bipedal locomotion supported with non-conventional physics
    Patent number: 11292126
    Abstract: A robot system with a robot configured for locomotion about a space using ground reaction force (GRF) to provide a first level of balancing. The robot system includes force generators located on or in the robot's body or offboard in the space that act to generate balancing forces to provide a second level of balancing for the robot using non-conventional physics. Clamping of a robot's feet to a support surface is provided whenever the feet are in contact with the support surface using electromagnets in the feet and a layer of ferrous material on the support surface or using mechanical coupling techniques to temporarily anchor the foot to the support surface. A balance controller processes output of balance sensors and responds by generating control signals to operate force generators onboard the robot such as electric fans or inertial reaction wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Loyal Christensen, Günter D. Niemeyer, Morgan T. Pope, Matthew A. Estrada, Richard-Alexandre Peloquin
  • Park attraction with collaborative passenger control of holonomic vehicles
    Patent number: 11294378
    Abstract: A system for use in a park attraction to provide collaborative driving experiences. The system includes a vehicle including a body with passenger seats, including a user input assembly proximate to each of the passenger seats, and further including a holonomic drive system adapted to move the body in any direction while riding on a driving surface of the park attraction. The system also includes a system controller (running an attraction/game control module) that operates to: (a) receive user input from each of the user input assemblies; (b) process the user input from each of the user input assemblies to generate a control vector associated with each of the user input assemblies; (c) combine the control vectors from all of the user input assemblies to generate a resultant vector; (d) generate a drive control signal from the resultant vector; and (e) transmit the drive control signal to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Ilardi, Frank D. Mezzatesta, III, Jonathan Michael Becker, Dawson McLeod Dill, Luke Andrew Sciaraffa, Joseph George Hager, IV, William Bennett Hogue, Jr.
  • Incorporating external guests into a virtual reality environment
    Patent number: 11294615
    Abstract: A technique for modifying a virtual reality (VR) environment via a first computing device includes establishing a network connection with a VR application that is executing on a second computing device and generating the VR environment, receiving metadata associated with the VR environment from the second computing device via the network connection, receiving at least one user input VIA the first computing device, and, based on the metadata and on the at least one user input, transmitting data to the VR application via the network connection to modify the VR environment being generated by the VR application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McNabb
  • Special effects system providing a walking character
    Patent number: 11297261
    Abstract: A special effects system for creating a unique walking character effect or illusion. The character appears to the observer to be a physical character or to have dimensionality rather than being two dimensional. The illusion or effect is achieved by mounting a projector and a thin, vertical, flat screen onto an automated cart or sled. The cart is adapted to roll on a track positioned to run from a backdrop or backwall toward a viewing space in which one or more observers or viewers may be located during system operations. The media (or video file) of the character walking is projected on the projection surface of the screen element with the projector. The sled or cart is triggered to roll forward toward the viewing space as the media is playing so that the projected image appears to be moving and getting closer to the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose A. Gutierrez, John Sebastian Larena, Daniel M. Joseph, Sean Paul Torres
  • Digital conformation of media content
    Patent number: 11289125
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a media content conformation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive an editing file including edits to media content, the edits being based on a compressed representation of the media content and having a first data format. The software code also obtains cross-referencing data that maps a timecode data of the compressed representation of the media content to segments of an uncompressed representation of the media content, and transforms the editing file to a conformation file including the edits in a second data format based on the cross-referencing data. The conformation file enables rendering of an edited version of the media content including the edits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Adler, Giovanni Colombo, Jonathan Hartzberg, Colin Smith
  • Real-time feature preserving rendering of visual effects on an image of a face
    Patent number: 11288859
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for rendering augmented reality effects on an image of a user's face in real time. The method generally includes receiving an image of a face of a user. A global facial depth map and a luminance map are generated based on the captured image. The captured image is segmented into a plurality of segments. For each segment in the plurality of segments, a displacement energy of the respective segment is minimized using a least square minimization of a linear system for the respective segment. The displacement energy is generally defined by a relationship between a detailed depth map, the global facial depth map and the luminance map. The detailed depth map is generated based on the minimized displacement energy for each segment in the plurality of segments. One or more visual effects are rendered over the captured image using the generated detailed depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Mitchell, Llogari Casas Cambra, Yue Li
  • High-speed parallel engine for processing file-based high-resolution images
    Patent number: 11290777
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for receiving a request to generate a video of a specified resolution based on a plurality of images, and generating, via a file engine, a plurality of transfer units comprising the plurality of images, wherein each of the plurality of transfer units has a size based on the specified resolution and at least one of: (i) a count of the plurality of images or (ii) a size of the plurality of images. The file engine then assigns the plurality of transfer units for parallel processing by a plurality of image processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Colombo, Scott Erickson
  • Automated hardware resource optimization
    Patent number: 11288097
    Abstract: An automated hardware resource optimization system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to identify computing hardware for hosting a neural network based application, determine, based on a first performance parameter of the computing hardware, a batch size for performing data processing using the neural network based application, and tune, using a data batch having the determined batch size, a second performance parameter of the computing hardware to enable substantially continuous loading of its hardware processor memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Marc Junyent Martin, Jordi Badia Pujol
  • Content redirection after interrupt
    Patent number: 11284164
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for redirecting to content after an interruption includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a content redirection software code. The hardware processor executes the content redirection software code to track a playout status of a primary content being provided by the system, and detect a pause to playout of the primary content due to receipt of an interrupt content by the system. In addition, the hardware processor executes the content redirection software code to, during playout of the interrupt content by the system, save the playout status of the primary content at the pause. The hardware processor further executes the content redirection software code to detect completion of interrupt content playout by the system, and enable a return to the primary content after the pause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladislav Feldman, Michael J. Strein
  • Environmental based dynamic content variation
    Patent number: 11282250
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods directed to updating pre-generated content by applying secondary effects associated with detected and/or collected environmental data corresponding to a display environment. In operation, a sensor device detects environmental data corresponding to a display environment. A computing device may identify a secondary effect corresponding to the detected environmental data. The secondary effect may be applied to pre-generated content to update the content, and the updated pre-generated content may be displayed on a display. Accordingly, systems and methods described herein enable an improved immersive viewing experience by incorporating features of a user's environment into pre-generated content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Alice J. Taylor, Steven M. Chapman, Alexandra J. Lewis Christiansen, Jackson Rogow
  • Semantic deep face models
    Patent number: 11276231
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for training and applying nonlinear face models. In embodiments, a nonlinear face model includes an identity encoder, an expression encoder, and a decoder. The identity encoder takes as input a representation of a facial identity, such as a neutral face mesh minus a reference mesh, and outputs a code associated with the facial identity. The expression encoder takes as input a representation of a target expression, such as a set of blendweight values, and outputs a code associated with the target expression. The codes associated with the facial identity and the facial expression can be concatenated and input into the decoder, which outputs a representation of a face having the facial identity and expression. The representation of the face can include vertex displacements for deforming the reference mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Prashanth Chandran, Dominik Thabo Beeler, Derek Edward Bradley
  • Augmented reality (AR)-capable headset and visually detected controller devices
    Patent number: 11277496
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include a wearable headset comprising an optical arrangement configured to couple light from a display onto a first field of view, and one or more visual sensors defining a second field of view. The wearable headset further comprises one or more computer processors configured to receive a signal indicating that the headset is in an unworn state, and, while the headset is in the unworn state, operate the one or more visual sensors to detect one or more user inputs within the second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Nocon, Jason A. Yeung
  • Systems and methods for real-time compositing of video content
    Patent number: 11272081
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for compositing real-time, real-world video with virtual objects. An electronic device includes circuitry coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the circuitry to receive video of a given video capture region. The circuitry is caused to receive location information and camera information from the unmanned vehicle. The circuitry is caused to obtain a representation of a location of interest corresponding to the location of the unmanned vehicle. The circuitry is caused to display the representation. The circuitry is caused to obtain virtual objects. The circuitry is caused to place the virtual objects into the representation. The circuitry is caused to render the virtual objects and the video to generate a rendered video including rendered virtual objects in at least one frame of the video. The circuitry is caused to send the rendered video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Mehul Patel, Joseph Popp
  • Adaptive multi-window configuration based upon gaze tracking
    Patent number: 11269403
    Abstract: A window in a multi-window display configuration is provided. A gaze of one or more users is directed at the window. The multi-window display configuration has a plurality of windows that are each configured to display corresponding content. Further, a window attribute of the window is modified based upon the gaze. In addition, a request for the content corresponding to the window is sent to a server. The content corresponding to the window is received from the server. The content corresponding to the window is then displayed according to the modified window attribute at the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Mehul Patel
  • Systems and methods for providing contextual messages for media contents
    Patent number: 11269890
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a memory and a processor configured to stream a media content for playback to a first media device for viewing by a first user, receive, while streaming the media content, an input from the first media device indicating an insertion point in the media content selected by the first user for inserting a contextual message provided by the first user, receive the contextual message from the first media device, stream the media content for playback to a second media device for viewing by a second user, and deliver the contextual message to the second media device for viewing by the second user when streaming the media content to the second media device reaches the insertion point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Mark Arana
  • Automated storyboarding based on natural language processing and 2D/3D pre-visualization
    Patent number: 11269941
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a workflow framework that scriptwriters can utilize when developing scripts. A script can be parsed to identify one or more elements in a script, and various visual representations of the one or more elements and/or a scene characterized in the script can be automatically generated. A user may develop or edit the script which can be presented in a visual and temporal manner. Information parsed from the script can be stored in basic information elements, and used to create a knowledge bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Sasha Anna Schriber, Rushit Sanghrajka, Wojciech Witon, Isabel Simo, Mubbasir Kapadia, Markus Gross, Daniel Inversini, Max Grosse, Eleftheria Tsipidi
  • Techniques for automatically exposing 3D production assets to an editorial workstation in a content creation pipeline
    Patent number: 11263257
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for automatically exposing 3D production assets to an editorial workstation in a content creation pipeline. A production asset management system transmits, to an editorial workstation, a first content library that includes first metadata associated with a 3D production asset that is included in an editorial cut. The first metadata allows a user to see what versions of the 3D production asset are available for incorporation into the editorial cut. The production asset management system retrieves second metadata associated with a second version of the 3D production asset from a production database. The production asset management system retrieves, based on the second metadata, the second version of the 3D production asset from the production database. The production asset management system transmits the second version of the 3D production asset to the editorial workstation for incorporation into the editorial cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Breymann, Evan A. Binder, Anthony M. Accardo, Katharine S. Navarre, Avner Swerdlow, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu
  • System for adjusting an audio/visual device based on health and wellness data
    Patent number: 11257573
    Abstract: A process receives, with a receiver, health and wellness data of a user that is sensed by one or more sensors during consumption by the user of media content. Further, the process receives, with the receiver, health and wellness data of the user that is determined by a healthcare provider during an event that is distinct from the consumption of the media content. In addition, the process aggregates, with a processor, the health and wellness data of the user that is sensed and the health and wellness data of the user that is determined by the health care provider into an aggregated health and wellness data model. The process also determines, with the processor, one or more optimal audio/visual device settings based on the aggregated health and wellness data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Head, Lee Bombard, Yazmaliza Yaacob
  • Digital companion device with display
    Patent number: 11256460
    Abstract: Techniques for improved interactive devices are provided. Input is received from a user, where the input includes a first request. The input is evaluated using one or more natural language processing techniques to determine a context of the input, and a response to the input is generated based at least in part on the determined context. A first virtual character of a plurality of virtual characters is selected based at least in part on the determined context. The first virtual character is displayed on a rotating display, and the generated response is implemented while the first virtual character is being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Nathan D. Nocon, Timothy M. Panec, Jonathan R D Hsu, Janice K. Rosenthal
  • Appearance synthesis of digital faces
    Patent number: 11257276
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating digital faces. In some examples, a style-based generator receives as inputs initial tensor(s) and style vector(s) corresponding to user-selected semantic attribute styles, such as the desired expression, gender, age, identity, and/or ethnicity of a digital face. The style-based generator is trained to process such inputs and output low-resolution appearance map(s) for the digital face, such as a texture map, a normal map, and/or a specular roughness map. The low-resolution appearance map(s) are further processed using a super-resolution generator that is trained to take the low-resolution appearance map(s) and low-resolution 3D geometry of the digital face as inputs and output high-resolution appearance map(s) that align with high-resolution 3D geometry of the digital face. Such high-resolution appearance map(s) and high-resolution 3D geometry can then be used to render standalone images or the frames of a video that include the digital face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZURICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Prashanth Chandran, Dominik Thabo Beeler, Derek Edward Bradley
  • Augmented reality camera frustum
    Patent number: 11249304
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a head-mounted display (HMD) may have a camera for capturing a visual scene for presentation via the HMD. A user of the apparatus may be operating a second, physical camera for capturing video or still images within the visual scene. The HMD may generate an augmented reality (AR) experience by presenting an AR view frustum representative of the actual view frustum of the physical camera. The field of view of the user viewing the captured visual scene via the AR experience is generally larger that the AR view frustum, allowing the user to avoid unnatural tracking movements and/or hunting for subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Popp
  • Near field communication antenna system for a playset
    Patent number: 11239899
    Abstract: A playset comprises a near field communication extending system. The near field communication extending comprises a main antenna and a plurality of extending antennas. The main antenna is positioned at a first location of the playset and configured to wirelessly communicate to a near field communication device of a mobile device. The plurality of extending antennas is positioned at a plurality of different locations in an interior of the playset. Each of the plurality of extending antennas is connectable to the main antenna via a plurality of connection elements. The playset further comprises an antenna switching mechanism coupled to the plurality of extending antennas via a plurality of connection elements. The antenna switching mechanism is configured to switchably couple the main antenna with each of the plurality of extending antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Nocon, Janice K. Rosenthal, Elliott H. Baumbach, Michael P. Goslin, Hunter J. Gibson, Jason A. Yeung
  • Placing large objects and objects separated by large distances in augmented reality
    Patent number: 11238610
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for placing large objects and objects separated by large distances in an AR environment. An AR headset system may place and generate digital objects using relative geographical coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) between the user's current position and the object being placed. In one implementation, a digital object's geographical coordinates may be calculated by determining a user's geographical coordinates, using a distance determination device to measure a distance to a boundary in the user's real-world environment within an AR headset's field of view, and calculating an orientation of the AR headset relative to the user's position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mehul Patel, James Voris
  • Drinkware
    Patent number: D944596
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Marthe Hoffmann, Daria Vinogradova, Kaitlyn Rosette