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 CONTROLLER THAT REALIZES HUMAN-LIKE RESPONSES TO UNEXPECTED DISTURBANCES
    Publication number: 20130054021
    Abstract: A robotic structure includes a component that moves from a first position to a second position. Further, the robotic apparatus includes a robotic controller that (i) receives an input quantity and an output quantity that are computed from human motion data based on a human musculoskeletal model, (ii) computes at least one parameter based on the input quantity and the output quantity, and (iii) outputs the output quantity to the component upon an input of robotic motion data from the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: AKIHIKO MURAI, Katsu Yamane
  • System and method for in-band A/V timing measurement of serial digital video signals
    Patent number: 8384827
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing the relative offset in time between audio and video signals and enables the receiver of the audio and video signals to resynchronize the audio and video signals. Signal characterization data is dynamically captured and encoded into frames of video and audio data that is output by a television origination facility. The signal characterization data is extracted by the receiver and signal characterization data is captured for the received frames. The extracted signal characterization data is compared with the captured signal characterization data to compute the relative offset in time between the video and one or more audio signals for a frame. The receiver may then resynchronize the video and audio signals using the computed relative offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Strein, Efthimis Stefanidis, James L. Jackson
  • System and method for providing digital multimedia presentations
    Patent number: 8386942
    Abstract: There is presented a system and method for providing a digital multimedia presentation. The system comprises a presentation server and a presentation content database configured to store a plurality of digital multimedia content items, accessible through the presentation server. The system also comprises a presentation control application configured to enable identification of a digital multimedia content item for presentation from among the plurality of digital multimedia content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Barsook, Matthew Paul Bice, Marieke Iwema Watson
  • Musical action response system
    Patent number: 8382589
    Abstract: A framework is disclosed for associating visual elements of a computer game with musical scores of a computer game. In one embodiment, a visual element is moved in a virtual environment of the computer game, in response to user input. Playback of a musical score may be altered based on movement of the visual element. A visual effect in the scene may also be generated, based on the altered playback of the musical score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Hoh Koo
  • DYNAMICALLY GENERATED PHRASE-BASED ASSISTED INPUT
    Publication number: 20130046791
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for supplying users in an online environment with a safe and effective chat facility. The chat facility is “safe” in the sense that the ability of users to compose inappropriate messages is greatly restricted, while “effective” in the sense that users are still allowed a broad range of expressivity in composing and exchanging chat messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: VITA MARKMAN, SEAN O'DELL, ARKADY TRESTMAN, DREW BEECHUM, PAUL PAK, STEPHANE JANKOWSKI, MARC SILBEY, KIP MARTIN, KEVIN O'SULLIVAN, CHRISTIAN SHRIGLEY, LANE MERRIFIELD
  • PHYSICS-INSPIRED UP SAMPLING FOR CLOTH SIMULATION
    Publication number: 20130046522
    Abstract: A technique for physically-based cloth simulation uses linear upsampling operators. The upsampling operators enrich the appearance of a coarse mesh physical cloth simulation. The technique starts by pre-computing the upsampling operators using a pair of coarse and fine training simulations aligned with tracking constraints using harmonic test functions. Then the upsampling operators are trained using a novel regularization technique that enables mid-scale detail learning without over-fitting. Oscillatory modes may be introduced to add dynamic details not captured by the coarse mesh simulation alone. Trained upsampling operators can then be advantageously applied to coarse mesh simulations of cloth to add realistic detail to the cloth in real-time three-dimensional applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: LADISLAV KAVAN, PETER-PIKE SLOAN
  • SOFT-SENDING CHAT MESSAGES
    Publication number: 20130047099
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for supplying users in an online environment with a safe and effective chat facility. The chat facility is “safe” in the sense that the ability of users to compose inappropriate messages is greatly restricted, while “effective” in the sense that users are still allowed a broad range of expressivity in composing and exchanging chat messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: VITA MARKMAN, SEAN O'DELL, ARKADY TRESTMAN, DREW BEECHUM, PAUL PAK, CHRISTIAN SHRIGLEY
  • Refreshing cached data based on content identifier map
    Patent number: 8380930
    Abstract: A system for refreshing cached data based on content update frequency includes an application/presentation layer coupled to a caching layer, the caching layer including cached content, and a content management system coupled to the application/presentation layer, the content management system configured to provide a content invalidation message to the caching layer informing the caching layer when the cached content is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Talbott Katz, Yury Polyakovsky
  • SMS-sponsored WAP advertisement
    Patent number: 8380230
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, computer devices, and computer software for providing an integrated SMS/WAP advertisement are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a system for providing SMS-sponsored WAP advertisements. One such system comprises a short messaging service (SMS) application server and a web server. The SMS application server is configured to send a short message service (SMS) message to a mobile terminal that has an embedded link to a wireless access protocol (WAP) site. The embedded link includes a predetermined parameter identifying an advertiser associated with the SMS message. The web server is configured to receive a request for the WAP site. If the request includes the predetermined parameter, it is determined that the request originated from the SMS message and the WAP site is provided to the mobile terminal with an advertisement associated with the advertiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Christianson, John Kehle, John Dietz
  • System and method for inter-connectable multi-track media-based trading cards
    Patent number: 8376861
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for inter-connectable multi-track media-based cards. There is provided a card for media playback, the card comprising a media output, a memory storing at least one of a plurality of media tracks of a media, a communications interface inter-connectable with one or more additional cards storing other media tracks of the plurality of media tracks of the media, and a media processor. The media processor is configured to detect, via the communications interface, any of the one or more additional cards connected to the communications interface to determine connected cards, and cause a playback of at least one of the plurality of media tracks in the memory in combination with at least one of the other media tracks of the plurality of media tracks on the connected cards. This enables concurrent playback of multi-track media-based trading cards, providing entertainment and collectible value for users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Thomas Souriall
  • Floating omnimover ride
    Patent number: 8375864
    Abstract: A floating omnimover ride with high capacity throughput and enhanced control over speeds of passenger boats. The ride includes a water containment structure with spaced apart sidewalls defining an elongated guide channel that defines a loop-shaped ride path or circuit. The ride includes a volume of liquid contained in the guide channel to a desired depth. The ride also includes a chain of passenger boats floating in the liquid contained in the guide channel. Each of the boats is linked to the two adjacent boats with a connecting link such that the chain of boats is a continuous loop. The chain of boats has a length that is approximately equal to a length of the ride path, and during operation of the ride, the boats in the chain are moved along the loop-shaped ride path at a predefined rate by a pump station moving the liquid in the guide channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth
  • RING CAROUSEL RIDE
    Publication number: 20130040744
    Abstract: A carousel ride in which vehicles may move at differing speeds, in differing directions, and each be independently positioned relative to a load/unload platform. In one embodiment, a carousel ride is provided that includes: (1) an inner ring assembly including a first ring supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the first ring about a center axis of the carousel ride; and (2) an outer ring assembly including a second ring, concentric to the first ring, supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the second ring about a center axis of the carousel ride. During a portion of a ride, the drive system of the inner ring assembly operates to rotate the first ring at a first rotation rate, and the drive system of the outer ring assembly operates to rotate the second ring at a second rotation rate differing from the first rotation rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENCODING AND TRANSMITTING HIGH DEFINITION 3-D MULTIMEDIA CONTENT
    Publication number: 20130039636
    Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a method and system for encoding and/or transmitting high definition 3-D multimedia content. In one embodiment, the frames for each eye of a viewer may be transmitted in a frame sequential manner to a display device, with an occasional null frame included in the frame stream. The null frame may be ignored by the display device and not presented to the viewer. In another embodiment, a synchronization signal may be presented to the display device to instruct the display device on how to display the frame-sequenced frames such that the 3-D effect of the content may be achieved. The synchronization signal may be presented to the display device embedded within the frames of the content or embedded within the null frames. The synchronization signal may also be provided out of band, such as on a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
  • LOCATION-BASED AUTOMATED CHECK-IN TO A SOCIAL NETWORK RECOGNIZED LOCATION USING A TOKEN
    Publication number: 20130040654
    Abstract: A user with a user account on a social network uses an interface to communicate user identification information and the user's intent to participate in a social network application. The user also communicates an identifier associated with an entitlement token to the social network application. When a server receives, from a device at a fixed location, a message indicative of the user's presence at the fixed location as determined by the receipt of the identifier and a site specific identifier, the server generates and sends a communication sufficient to cause the social network to implement a behavior as if the user had generated a message to the social network from their mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adam S. Parish
  • System and Method of Presenting Synchronous Picture-In-Picture for Consumer Video Players
    Publication number: 20130038794
    Abstract: A media playback device capable of displaying multiple streams simultaneously and with expanded picture-in-picture capabilities is provided. The placement, size, aspect ratio, cropping, scale, transparency, tint, contrast, and cropping of the media can be set or adjusted arbitrarily. Furthermore, the audio may be mixed between separate tracks accompanying the video streams and may also be set or adjusted arbitrarily. Each variable can be dynamically changed during playback through either automated or user-initiated means. A system and method are provided for simultaneously displaying a first video stream and at least a second video stream on a display comprising the steps of feeding the video streams into a video player; providing control of the display of the video streams; displaying a first video stream substantially across the display; and displaying the other video streams in a secondary display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ackley, Christopher T. Carey, Bennet S. Carr, Kathleen S. Poole
  • Rider-controlled swing ride
    Patent number: 8371951
    Abstract: A swing ride for providing lateral movement to a plurality of passenger vehicles. The ride includes a center hub rotating about its axis. The ride includes, for each of the passenger vehicles, a vehicle support assembly attached to rotate with the hub. The vehicle support assembly includes a flexible support member attached at a first end to the hub and at a second end to one of the vehicles. The vehicle support assembly includes a fulcrum assembly defining a fulcrum or pivot point for the support member between the first and second ends such that the member has a flexible and variable-length flexible arm attached to the vehicle. The fulcrum assembly is selectively positionable to move the fulcrum point in response to user input at the vehicle such that the passenger interactively moves the fulcrum point and thus moves the vehicle laterally inward and outward relative to the spinning hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Nemeth, David W. Crawford
  • Method and system for articulated character head actuation and control
    Patent number: 8371893
    Abstract: A method for operating a driven output device provided in an articulated head, mobile prop, or other object worn by a performer. The method includes providing a wearable control system, the control system including a driver for the output device, a control module, a wireless receiver, and memory. The method includes storing a set of show control commands for the output device in the memory, and receiving a show control signal with the wireless receiver from a wayside controller. The method includes operating the control module to process the show control signal, to retrieve the show control commands, and to signal the driver to drive the output device based on the commands. The commands are selected based on a character identifier stored in memory associated with the output device such as in a character head junction box, and this memory stores tuning or configuration data for the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Eck, William G. Wiedefeld, David Michael Hynds, Jeffrey R. Schenck, William Eugene Brasher, Brendan D. MacDonald
  • Omnimover ride system with crossing paths
    Patent number: 8371227
    Abstract: A ride system with crossing ride paths. A first omnimover assembly is provided that includes a continuous vehicle chain movable along a first ride path and includes vehicles vertically supported above the track at a first height. A second omnimover assembly is provided with a continuous vehicle chain movable along a second ride path that differs from the first ride path and crosses over the first ride path when viewed in plan view. The second omnimover assembly includes vehicles vertically supported below the upper vehicle track at a second height, which may be the same as the first height such that passengers perceive a risk of a collision at the path intersections. The upper track is at a higher elevation than the lower track such that cross overs occur without interference. A synchronization mechanism is provided that synchronizes the movement of the upper and lower vehicle chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Nemeth, David W. Crawford
  • Computing environment that produces realistic motions for an animatronic figure
    Patent number: 8374724
    Abstract: A system for producing motions for an animatronic figure is disclosed. The system is configured to produce different types of motions in real-time and in a life-like manner. The motion software module forms a composite motion by combining the user-inputted motion with user-selected fixed sequences and/or with algorithmically calculated motion. The motions of the animatronic figure can further be filtered to produce motions that are life-like. Combined motions are formed by superimposing, modulating, or modifying component motions. Motions are filtered based on user-inputted commands and commands determined from a stimulus and filtered to create a life-like motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexis P. Wieland, Akhil Jiten Madhani, Holger Irmler
  • Round ride with contoured and rotating track
    Patent number: 8371952
    Abstract: A round ride that creates a rotating ride experience with a varying frequency of vehicle elevations. The round ride includes a central hub assembly with a hub and a hub drive that rotates the hub about a central axis at a hub rotation rate. The drive assembly includes support arms extending outward from the hub, upon which are mounted passenger vehicles. The support arms are pivotally mounted to the hub. The round ride includes a track structure with a ring-shaped running surface extending about the central axis and with a track drive rotating the running surface about the central axis at a track rotation rate in the same or differing direction and rate as the hub. The vehicles are vertically supported by the running surface which is contoured to define a series of hills and valleys, and the running surface and the hub are independently rotated about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Nemeth, David W. Crawford
  • System and method for determining placement of a virtual object according to a real-time performance
    Patent number: 8375311
    Abstract: There is presented a system for determining a placement of a virtual object in a performance space according to a performance by a real-time performer. The disclosed system comprises a projection module including a polarizing filter, the projection module configured to generate a polarized visible image corresponding to the virtual object. The system includes a surface for displaying the polarized visible image to the real-time performer. The system also includes a detection module for detecting inputs to the surface, wherein the inputs are provided by the real-time performer based on a location of the polarized visible image on the surface. The system further comprises a mapping module configured for mapping a location of each input to the surface to a corresponding point in the performance space, for the placement of the virtual object in the performance space according to the locations of inputs to the surface by the real-time performer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gay, Michael Zigmont, Robert Hess, Anthony Bailey
  • Art-directable retargeting for streaming video
    Patent number: 8373802
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for content-aware video retargeting. An interactive framework combines key frame-based constraint editing with numerous automatic algorithms for video analysis. This combination gives content producers a high level of control of the retargeting process. One component of the framework is a non-uniform, pixel-accurate warp to the target resolution that considers automatic as well as interactively-defined features. Automatic features comprise video saliency, edge preservation at the pixel resolution, and scene cut detection to enforce bilateral temporal coherence. Additional high level constraints can be added by the producer to achieve a consistent scene composition across arbitrary output formats. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide a better visual result for retargeted video when compared to using conventional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Gross, Alexander Hornung, Manuel Lang, Philipp Kraehenbuehl
  • ZONE-BASED POSITIONING FOR VIRTUAL WORLDS
    Publication number: 20130036372
    Abstract: Techniques are described for displaying avatars within a virtual environment in a way that avoids an appearance of offensive content. Embodiments of the invention receive a request specifying a first location within the virtual environment to move a first user-controlled virtual object to. A zone encompassing the specified location is then identified and a second location within the identified zone is determined. Embodiments then output the virtual environment for display in a manner that shows the first user-controlled virtual object positioned at the determined second location within the virtual environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Priebe
  • CONDUCTING MARKET RESEARCH USING SOCIAL GAMES
    Publication number: 20130035989
    Abstract: Techniques are described for conducting market research via interactive game play mechanics. A game platform may allow a market research sponsor to create and publish online games which can identify latent consumer sentiment (and other market research data), while simultaneously providing an entertaining and engaging experience for the game participants. The games may be tailored such that elements of game play elicit responses from participants that reveal the desired market research data, e.g., consumer product awareness, consumer sentiment, brand preferences, loyalty, trends in awareness and sentiment, etc. Providing an engaging online experience provides an element of situational distraction, leading to more authentic responses from the participants as well as greater participation rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: AMBER R. A. BROWN, JOSEPH W. MARKS
  • SOCIAL NETWORKS GAMES CONFIGURED TO ELICIT RESEARCH DATA AS PART OF GAME PLAY
    Publication number: 20130035981
    Abstract: Techniques are described for conducting market research via interactive game play mechanics. A game platform may allow a market research sponsor to create and publish online games which can identify latent consumer sentiment (and other market research data), while simultaneously providing an entertaining and engaging experience for the game participants. The games may be tailored such that elements of game play elicit responses from participants that reveal the desired market research data, e.g., consumer product awareness, consumer sentiment, brand preferences, loyalty, trends in awareness and sentiment, etc. Providing an engaging online experience provides an element of situational distraction, leading to more authentic responses from the participants as well as greater participation rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: AMBER R. A. BROWN, JOSEPH W. MARKS
  • Power play game mechanics
    Patent number: 8366526
    Abstract: Method, article and apparatus for executing computer games, and in particular, computer-based racing games. In a racing game, a player may be allowed to earn one or more game play options which may be exercised during the race. The game play options, when exercised, may modify the predefined race path to create an advantage for the player or a disadvantage to the competitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Baynes, David Jefferies, Jason Green, Serkan Hassan
  • ROLLER COASTER WITH ARTICULABLE SEAT BACKS
    Publication number: 20130025492
    Abstract: A roller coaster with seats articulated between vertical and reclined positions. The roller coaster includes a track with a load/unload portion and a ride portion. The coaster includes a vehicle with a body supported on the track and a passenger seat positioned in the body mounted for articulation between a first position and a second position. The roller coaster includes a seat positioning mechanism coupled to the passenger seat operating while the vehicle is in the load/unload portion to articulate the seat into the first position and operating, prior to the vehicle traveling into the ride portion of the ride path, to articulate the seat into the second position. The passenger seat includes a seat back that is substantially vertical in the first position and is at an obtuse angle in the second position or horizontal position, such that a passenger has an upward point of view during the ride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID W. CRAWFORD, THOMAS FITZGERALD, DEREK HOWARD, DAVID A. DURHAM, JAMES H. SHULL
  • FLOATING OMNIMOVER RIDE
    Publication number: 20130025491
    Abstract: A floating omnimover ride with high capacity throughput and enhanced control over speeds of passenger boats. The ride includes a water containment structure with spaced apart sidewalls defining an elongated guide channel that defines a loop-shaped ride path or circuit. The ride includes a volume of liquid contained in the guide channel to a desired depth. The ride also includes a chain of passenger boats floating in the liquid contained in the guide channel. Each of the boats is linked to the two adjacent boats with a connecting link such that the chain of boats is a continuous loop. The chain of boats has a length that is approximately equal to a length of the ride path, and during operation of the ride, the boats in the chain are moved along the loop-shaped ride path at a predefined rate by a pump station moving the liquid in the guide channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth
  • System and method for providing media content
    Patent number: 8364657
    Abstract: There is presented a system for providing a content stored on a medium, the system comprising a media presentation module including a processor. The processor is configured to retrieve a content payload including a digital content from a data structure residing on the medium, and to retrieve a content-describing metadata stored separately from the digital content, from the data structure. The content-describing metadata provide content information including media encoding information for the digital content and a media profile information for the digital content. The content-describing metadata are configured to provide the content information to the media presentation module prior to rendering the digital content. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to configure the media presentation module based on the media encoding information and the media profile information, and to present the content on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnaud Robert
  • Roller coaster vehicle
    Patent number: 8360893
    Abstract: A ride system provides guest compartment(s) with a roll degree of freedom through a pivoting connection. The guest compartment is attached to a track via a chassis, the chassis being attached to the track such that the guest compartment rides substantially above the track but has a roll degree of freedom relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Howard
  • System and method for providing a personalized media consumption experience
    Patent number: 8364011
    Abstract: There are presented systems and methods for enabling an association of media information relating to a playback of a media content file with a medium containing the media content file. In one embodiment, such a method for use by a playback device comprises obtaining a unique identifier present on the medium, transmitting the unique identifier, obtaining the media information relating to a usage of the media content file, and transmitting the media information. In another embodiment, such a method for use by a server comprises receiving a unique identifier present on the medium, storing the unique identifier in a memory, receiving the media information of the media content file according to the playing of the media content file, storing the media information in the memory, and associating the media information with the unique identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnaud Robert
  • System and/or method for distributing media content
    Patent number: 8365295
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing one or more protected segments of a media content segment, selectively providing access to at least a portion of said one or more protected segments in response to an access of a gating segment for a duration, and setting said duration in response to a selection to access said media content segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ariff Sidi, Skarphedinn Hedinsson, David Watson, Dionysius Mavromatis
  • System and method for electronically managing and routing news content
    Patent number: 8364757
    Abstract: Techniques that enable automated processing of news content. A client device receives news content and configures a message for processing by a server. A user of the client device can assign one or more processing attributes to the news content such as scheduling, formatting, or delivery attributes. A message with the news content and assigned attributes is configured according to a predetermined format and transmitted to the server. The server receives the message and may automatically process the news content based upon information contained in the message. Output from the server may be distributed for use at one or more newsrooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Scott, John C. Chybinski
  • Method and System for Providing a Compact Graphical User Interface for Flexible Filtering of Data
    Publication number: 20130024801
    Abstract: There is presented a method and system for providing a compact graphical user interface for flexible filtering of data. The method comprises showing a search interface on a display device for filtering a content set by a plurality of domains, including a first domain, displaying, within the search interface, a first graphical representation of a parameter set of the first domain in response to a selecting of the first domain, receiving a first parameter subset from the first graphical representation, filtering a content set using the first parameter subset to obtain a search result, and displaying the search result on a display device. The search interface includes a temporally visible menu for selecting parameter sets of the domains and a compact single line query box to display graphical representations of parameter sets or to provide a conventional text entry box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Krispin J. Leydon, Douglas E. Lesan, Matthew F. Schnittker, Dale Roger Beck
  • System and method for integrated hardware platform for flash applications with distributed objects
    Patent number: 8359605
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for providing an integrated hardware platform to allow hardware control via an Application Program Interface (API) used by a Flash application executing in a Flash runtime environment on a host system. There is a provided a computer platform comprising a processor, a peripheral hardware, a connector device, and a memory. The memory contains an API implementation for remote methods provided by the API for the Flash application, a proxy server for enabling communications between the Flash application and the platform processor, and a security service for providing a security policy to grant network connection permissions for communications with the platform processor. API remote method invocations allow the Flash application to control the peripheral hardware, and a networked server may manage remote invocations to control platform hardware of multiple networked clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Ross
  • System and method for managing digital media content
    Patent number: 8359370
    Abstract: There is presented a system for managing digital media content, the system comprising a media server accessible over a communications network, the media server including a server processor. The server processor is configured to identify a first container data structure, the first container data structure including the digital media content encoded in a first encoding format. The server processor is also configured to use a digital media profile, and to extract a media file including the digital media content encoded in the first encoding format, from the first container data structure, according to the digital media profile. The server processor is further configured to assemble the media file in a second container data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnaud Robert, Edward C. Drake
  • Generation of three-dimensional movies with improved depth control
    Patent number: 8358332
    Abstract: Techniques for creating 3-D movies allow improved control over camera positioning parameters and editing of depth in post-process to provide for a smoother variation in the viewer's convergence distance and a more pleasant viewing experience. A director can define reference parameters related to a desired viewing experience, and camera positioning parameters are derived therefrom. A depth script specifying piecewise continuous variations in reference parameters can be applied in post-process to generate 3-D shots, scenes, or movies. These techniques can be applied in both computer-generated and live-action 3-D movies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Hendrickson, Robert Neuman
  • GUEST EXPERIENCE SCHEDULE SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130018684
    Abstract: An exemplary computer-implemented method comprises receiving a guest strategy, the guest strategy determined at least in part from information received from a guest. The exemplary method also includes determining available experiences based on the guest strategy, and geographically sequencing at least two of the available experiences based on the guest strategy. An exemplary computer system comprises a guest interface capable of receiving a guest strategy, where the guest strategy is determined at least in part from information received from the guest. The exemplary computer system also includes a scheduling element capable of receiving information from the guest interface, the information including at least the guest strategy. The exemplary scheduling element includes logic to determine available experiences based on the guest strategy. The exemplary scheduling element also includes logic to generate a geographic sequence of at least two of the available experiences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Padgett, Bart D. Butler, Steven Whittington, Patrick B. Russell, Bonnie J. Spivey, Christy Diaz, Timothy D. Sypko, Jennifer Pitts Fishpool, Roger C. Stevens
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE TEXTURE MAP STORAGE AND FILTERING INCLUDING IRREGULAR TEXTURE MAPS
    Publication number: 20130016112
    Abstract: A method for a computer system including receiving a file comprising textures including a first and a second texture map, which can be regular or irregular texture maps, and metadata, wherein the metadata includes identifiers associated with texture maps and includes adjacency data, associating the first texture map with a first face of an object in response to an identifier associated with the first texture map, associating the second texture map with a second face of the object in response to an identifier associated with the second texture map, determining an edge of the first texture map is adjacent to an edge of the second texture map in response to the adjacency data, and performing a rendering operation with respect to the first and second faces of the object to determine rendering data in response to the first and second texture maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent D. Burley, Christian Eisenacher
  • GUEST EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130018661
    Abstract: An exemplary computer implemented method comprises receiving information from a guest, determining a guest strategy based on the information received from the guest, and generating a schedule for the guest visit based on the guest strategy. The schedule for the guest visit may include attendance at one or more experience areas. An exemplary computer system comprises a guest experience manager. The guest experience manager includes a guest interface capable of receiving a communication from a guest computer, where the communication from the guest computer provides guest information. The exemplary guest experience manager also includes at least one business rule for determining a guest strategy based at least in part on the guest information. The computer system also comprises a scheduling element in communication with the guest experience manager. The exemplary scheduling element is capable of scheduling at least on experience based on the guest strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Padgett, Bart D. Butler, Steven Whittington, Patrick B. Russell, Bonnie J. Spivey, Christy Diaz, Timothy D. Sypko, Jennifer Pitts Fishpool, Roger C. Stevens
  • PROVIDING A NAVIGATION MESH BY WHICH OBJECTS OF VARYING SIZES CAN TRAVERSE A VIRTUAL SPACE
    Publication number: 20130016090
    Abstract: A single polygonal navigation mesh in a virtual space by which objects of varying sizes can traverse may be provided. This may allow the navigation mesh to be used in determining appropriate paths for objects having a wide range of object sizes. The objects may include objects having a continuous range of possible object sizes. The use of a single navigation mesh for a range of object sizes may reduce the amount of storage needed to store separate navigation meshes for different object sizes. According to some implementations, constraints at outer boundaries of the navigation mesh may be determined based on a given object size allowing a single navigation mesh to be used for objects of any size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Nixon
  • PHYSICAL REPRODUCTION OF REFLECTANCE FIELDS
    Publication number: 20130016100
    Abstract: A three-dimensional relief can be produced from one or more two-dimensional digital (2D) images. A height field is computed from the 2D images and illumination direction information. The height field comprises a multiplicity of geometric surface elements arrayed in a 2D field corresponding to the pixels of the one or more 2D images. Each geometric surface element corresponds to a pixel of each of the digital images and has at least one height parameter representing a displacement from a surface floor. Once the height field is computed, optimizations can be made to the height field including adding and adjusting albedo and glossy surface finishing. The height field can be used to fabricate relief elements in a material, such that each relief element corresponds in shape, position in the height field, and height above the surface floor, to one of the geometric surface elements in the height field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernd Bickel, Marc Alexa, Jan Kautz, Wojciech Matusik, Fabrizio Pece
  • OMNIMOVER RIDE SYSTEM WITH CROSSING PATHS
    Publication number: 20130014669
    Abstract: A ride system with crossing ride paths. A first omnimover assembly is provided that includes a continuous vehicle chain movable along a first ride path and includes vehicles vertically supported above the track at a first height. A second omnimover assembly is provided with a continuous vehicle chain movable along a second ride path that differs from the first ride path and crosses over the first ride path when viewed in plan view. The second omnimover assembly includes vehicles vertically supported below the upper vehicle track at a second height, which may be the same as the first height such that passengers perceive a risk of a collision at the path intersections. The upper track is at a higher elevation than the lower track such that cross overs occur without interference. A synchronization mechanism is provided that synchronizes the movement of the upper and lower vehicle chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: EDWARD A. NEMETH, DAVID W. CRAWFORD
  • System and method for initialization of media asset modules for improved execution sequence on a playback environment
    Patent number: 8355305
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for initialization of media asset modules for an improved execution sequence on a playback environment. The system includes a player application configured to segment media assets associated with a primary media content into a plurality of asset modules, assemble the plurality of asset modules into a media file, identify a first subset of asset modules from the plurality of asset modules for loading in a first loading process, determine a loading sequence for the first subset of asset modules, and load the first subset of asset modules according to the loading sequence before beginning playback of the primary media content. The player application may be further configured to identify, determine another loading sequence for, and load additional asset modules after playback of the primary media content has begun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Prestenback, Arnaud Robert
  • Intersecting path ride
    Patent number: 8348776
    Abstract: An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth
  • Apparatus and method for removing ink lines and segmentation of color regions of a 2-D image for converting 2-D images into stereoscopic 3-D images
    Patent number: 8351689
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D image to a stereoscopic 3-D image by segmenting one or more portions of the 2-D image based on one or more pixel color ranges. Further, a matte may be created that takes the shape of the segmented region such that several stereoscopic effects may be applied to the segmented region. In addition, ink lines that are contained within the segmented region may be removed to further define the corresponding matte. Implementations of the present disclosure also include a interface that provides the above functionality to a user for ease of segmentation and region selection. By utilizing the segmentation process, a 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding stereoscopic 3-D image with a perceived depth. Further, this process may be applied to each image of an animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • 3D DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH REAR PROJECTION SCREENS FORMED OF WATER MIST OR SPRAY
    Publication number: 20130003020
    Abstract: A 3D display system using a planar sheet of mist or water droplets as a rear projection screen. The system includes a screen generation assembly with a nozzle configured to convert supply water into a screen of water droplets. The screen is substantially planar and has a front surface facing a viewing area and an opposite rear surface. The display system includes a projection assembly projecting 3D content onto the rear surface. The projection assembly includes a first projector projecting left eye images and a second projector projecting right eye images. The 3D content may be provided using polarization or other 3D technology. For example, the first projector includes a first interference filter and the second projector includes a second interference filter differing from the first interference filter, whereby the left and right eye images are presented concurrently on the rear surface with differing bands of the visible color spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Erik M. Koehler, Justin A. Sykes
  • VIRTUAL LENS-RENDERING FOR AUGMENTED REALITY LENS
    Publication number: 20130002698
    Abstract: Techniques for displaying content using an augmented reality device are described. Embodiments provide a visual scene for display, the visual scene captured using one or more camera devices of the augmented reality device. Embodiments adjust physical display geometry characteristics of the visual scene to correct for optimal projection. Additionally, illumination characteristics of the visual scene are modified based on environmental illumination data to improve realism of the visual scene when it is displayed. Embodiments further adjust display characteristics of the visual scene to improve tone mapping output. The adjusted visual scene is then output for display on the augmented reality device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan C. Geiger, Wojciech Jarosz, Manuel J. Lang, Kenneth J. Mitchell, Derek Nowrouzezahrai, Robert W. Sumner, Thomas Williams
  • Method and System for Managing The Lifecycles of Media Assets
    Publication number: 20130002889
    Abstract: There is provided a method for managing the lifecycles of one or more media assets. The method comprises importing the one or more media assets into a system for managing the lifecycles of the one or more media assets, determining one or more metadata tags for association with the one or more media assets by evaluating the one or more media assets with one or more tagging filters, associating the one or more metadata tags with the one or more media assets after determining one or more metadata tags for association with the one or more media assets, and grouping the one or more media assets according to the one or more metadata tags associated with the one or more media assets by evaluating the one or more metadata tags with one or more grouping filters to generate one or more media asset groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: David Canora, Michael Colglazier, Mike Gomes, Beth Patterson, Robert Swirsky
  • 3D DRAWING SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A REAL TIME, PERSONALIZED, AND IMMERSIVE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE
    Publication number: 20130002815
    Abstract: A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) drawing experience. The method includes capturing a 3D image of a participant and then processing this image to key the participant's image from a background. The keyed participant's image is mixed with a 3D background image such as frames or scenes from a 3D movie, and the mixed 3D image is projected on a projection screen. For example, left and right eye images may be projected from a pair of projectors with polarization films over the lenses, and the projection screen may be a polarization-maintaining surface such as a silver screen. The user moves a drawing instrument in space in front of the projection screen, and spatial tracking performed to generate a locus of 3D positions. These 3D positions are used to create a 3D drawing image that is projected with the 3D background and participant images in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: LANNY S. SMOOT, QUINN SMITHWICK, DANIEL M. REETZ, MICHAEL J. ILARDI