Disney Patents

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

Disney Patents by Type
  • Disney Patents Granted: Disney patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Disney Patent Applications: Disney patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Systems for authenticating digital contents
    Patent number: 11711363
    Abstract: A system for authenticating digital contents includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. According to one implementation, the hardware processor executes the software code to receive digital content, identify an image of a person depicted in the digital content, determine an ear shape parameter of the person depicted in the image, determine another biometric parameter of the person depicted in the image, and calculate a ratio of the ear shape parameter of the person depicted in the image to the biometric parameter of the person depicted in the image. The hardware processor is also configured to execute the software code to perform a comparison of the calculated ratio with a predetermined value, and determine whether the person depicted in the image is an authentic depiction of the person based on the comparison of the calculated ratio with the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Edward C. Drake, Anthony M. Accardo, Mark Arana
  • Volumetric representation of digital objects from depth renderings
    Patent number: 11710272
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a computing platform having processing hardware, a display, and a system memory storing a software code. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive a digital object, surround the digital object with virtual cameras oriented toward the digital object, render, using each one of the virtual cameras, a depth map identifying a distance of that one of the virtual cameras from the digital object, and generate, using the depth map, a volumetric perspective of the digital object from a perspective of that one of the virtual cameras, resulting in multiple volumetric perspectives of the digital object. The processing hardware further executes the software code to merge the multiple volumetric perspectives of the digital object to form a volumetric representation of the digital object, and to convert the volumetric representation of the digital object to a renderable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane M. Coffey, Siroberto Scerbo, Daniel L. Baker, Mark R. Mine, Evan M. Goldberg
  • User preferences based synthesis of group recommendations
    Patent number: 11706474
    Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a memory storing an asset library and software code including a recommendation engine. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive, from a user, group generation data and a preferences profile of the user, the group generation data identifying a group including the user and another user, and to send, to the other user, an invitation to join the group. The processing hardware also executes the software code to receive, from the other user, one of an acceptance or a refusal of the invitation, obtain, in response to receiving the acceptance, a preferences profile of the other user, generate, using the preferences profiles of the user and the other user, a group preferences profile for the group, and identify, using the recommendation engine and the group preferences profile, one or more assets in the asset library for the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Depew, Claudia Cervon
  • Techniques for feature-based neural rendering
    Patent number: 11704853
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for learning a machine learning model that maps control data, such as renderings of skeletons, and associated three-dimensional (3D) information to two-dimensional (2D) renderings of a character. The machine learning model may be an adaptation of the U-Net architecture that accounts for 3D information and is trained using a perceptual loss between images generated by the machine learning model and ground truth images. Once trained, the machine learning model may be used to animate a character, such as in the context of previsualization or a video game, based on control of associated control points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Dominik Tobias Borer, Martin Guay, Jakob Joachim Buhmann, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Robotic systems using learning to provide real-time vibration-suppressing control
    Patent number: 11701774
    Abstract: A robot control method, and associated robot controllers and robots operating with such methods and controllers, providing real-time vibration suppression. The control method involves learning to support real-time, vibration-suppressing control. The method uses state-of-the-art machine learning techniques in conjunction with a differentiable dynamics simulator to yield fast and accurate vibration suppression. Vibration suppression using offline simulation approaches that can be computationally expensive may be used to create training data for the controller, which may be provide by a variety of neural network configurations. In other cases, sensory feedback from sensors onboard the robot being controlled can be used to provide training data to account for wear of the robot's components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanner Rinke, Venkata Krishna Tamminana, Alfredo Medina Ayala, Sungjoon Choi, Moritz Niklaus Bacher, Lars Espen Knoop, Christian Gabriel Schumacher
  • Local preference in anycast CDN routing
    Patent number: 11706292
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a CDN where anycast routing is used to identify a load balancer for selecting a cache in the CDN to use to deliver a requested object to a user. In one embodiment, the user performs a DNS lookup to identify an anycast IP address for a plurality of load balancers in the CDN. The user can then initiate anycast routing using the anycast IP address to automatically identify the closest load balancer. Once the identified balancer selects the cache, the load balancer can close the anycast connection with the user device and use an HTTP redirect to provide the user device with a unicast path to the selected cache. The user device can then establish a unicast connection with the cache to retrieve (e.g., stream) the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Friedrich, Robert G. Colantuoni
  • Systems and methods for tracking objects in a field of view
    Patent number: 11700348
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking objects in a field of view are disclosed. In one embodiment a method may include capturing, via a camera, a real-world object in the field of view; generating a first object data associating the real-world object with a first position of the real-world object in a real-world environment at a first time; generating a virtual object representative of the real-world object depicting the real-world object in the first position at the first time; generating a second object data associating the real-world object with a second position of the real-world object in the real-world environment at a second time, determining a displacement value of the real-world object between the first position and the second position, modifying the virtual object to include an indication that the real-world object has been displaced when the displacement value is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Mine, Steven M. Chapman, Alexa L. Hale, Joseph M. Popp, Dawn J. Binder, Calis O. Agyemang, Alice Taylor
  • System and method for creating a temporal-based dynamic watermark
    Patent number: 11700342
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically and automatically generating digital watermarks are provided. Watermark payloads utilized in generating the digital watermarks are altered based upon changing conditions, such as environmental characteristics associated with playback or distribution of media content. Changing conditions may also encompass a change in the distribution/presentation chain of devices associated with the playback or distribution of the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Arana, Leon Silverman
  • Methods and systems for personalized gamification of media content
    Patent number: 11699173
    Abstract: Techniques for personalized gamification of media content. An engagement level of a consumer is identified based on prior gamification data. A difficulty level is identified using machine learning based on the engagement level. A content element personalized for the consumer is generated based on biographical information or viewing habits. A prompt requesting the consumer to find and access multimedia content scenes depicting the content element is generated. A multimedia content scene found by the consumer is analyzed to determine whether the multimedia content scene has an association with the content element and whether the consumer has accessed the multimedia content element scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mehul Patel
  • Architecture features for a media-centric firewall
    Patent number: 11695732
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe a firewall for a media production system to provide flexible security between an on-premises production environment and remote media production applications and devices (e.g., cloud-based virtual production environments). As new media devices and applications (referred to generally as media nodes) are added at remote locations, the firewall is updated to permit the media nodes to communicate with the on-premises production environment. The embodiments herein described an automatic (e.g., software driven) process where a network orchestrator can detect a change in the media nodes and update the rule set in the firewall accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Strein, Benjamin H. Kepler
  • Content stream having encoded metadata for video enhancement
    Patent number: 11695988
    Abstract: A system for providing default content enhanced with supplemental content includes processing hardware and a memory storing a software code. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive a content stream including multiple video frames, a first video frame of the multiple video frames including first default content, first supplemental content, and first encoded metadata, and to decode the first encoded metadata of the first video frame to produce first decoded metadata. The processing hardware further executes the software code to select, using the first decoded metadata, at least a first portion of the first supplemental content for use in enhancing the first default content, transfer, using the first decoded metadata, the selected first portion of the first supplemental content to one or more predetermined locations in the first default content to produce an enhanced first video content, and output the enhanced first video content to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alice Jane Taylor, Alexandra Christiansen, Steven M. Chapman, Jackson Rogow, Joseph Popp
  • Surface covering for use as artificial moss, grass, roots, hair, and the like
    Patent number: 11686042
    Abstract: A surface covering for use as a moss covering or patch of grass via application to a surface or substrate. The surface covering provides a decorative and durable and easily maintained surface covering. The covering is fabricated using groups of fibers, such as metallic, plastic, or other material fibers, e.g., stainless steel fibers or strands available commercially as steel wool or the like. The fibers or strands provide a core of a body of each blade or piece of the surface covering, which is useful to replicate a blade of grass or moss or to mimic a strand of hair. Each body of the strands further includes an outer layer or coating, which can be formed by painting, e.g., with an epoxy or other useful material that may be colored, the mesh of metal fibers to provide a durable body with a desired look and feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Porter
  • Techniques for personalizing the playback of a media title based on user interactions with an internet of things device
    Patent number: 11689766
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an interactive streaming application plays back a media title via a client device. In operation, while a client device plays back a first chunk of the media title, the interactive streaming application determines a first movement of an internet of things (“IoT”) device. The interactive streaming application then determines, from multiple target states, a target state that is associated with the first movement. Based on the target state, the interactive streaming application determines that a second chunk of the media title should be a next chunk of the media title that is streamed to the client device for playback. The interactive streaming application then causes the second chunk of the media title to be streamed to the client device. Advantageously, the interactive streaming application can automatically personalize the playback of the media title for a user based, at least in part, on movements of the IoT device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Erika Varis Doggett, Michael P. Goslin, Douglas A. Fidaleo
  • Systems and methods for detecting light signatures and performing actions in response thereto
    Patent number: 11683551
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for performing actions based on light signatures. An exemplary system includes a light source, a light detector, a non-transitory memory storing a plurality of light signatures and a hardware processor. The hardware processor executes an executable code to illuminate, using the light source, a target object with a first light, collect, using the light detector, a second light being a reflection of the first light by the target object, match the second light with one of the plurality of light signatures, and perform an action in response to matching the second light with the one of the plurality of light signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Michael Holton
  • Location-based interactive storytelling
    Patent number: 11683662
    Abstract: A storytelling system includes location-based content (LBC) servers and LBC effects databases for use in a real-world story venue, and a computing platform communicatively coupled to those LBC servers and databases. A processor of the computing platform executes software code to receive story selection data from a user device, obtain a story template including story arcs each associated with one or more LBC effect(s) that corresponds to the story selection data, and determine, using a location of the user device, one of the story arcs as an active story arc. The software code also identifies an LBC interaction zone for the LBC effect(s), designates one LBC server and one LBC effects database for supporting the active story arc, and distributes one or more of the LBC effect(s) to the designated database. The designated server enables instantiation of the one or more of the LBC effect(s) at the LBC interaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Braunschweiler, Steven Poulakos, Mattia Ryffel, Robert W. Sumner
  • Blockchain configuration for secure content delivery
    Patent number: 11683153
    Abstract: There is provided a method including receiving a playback system identifier corresponding to a playback system, generating a blockchain corresponding to a content identifier identifying a content, wherein the blockchain is uniquely associated with the content identifier, establishing, in the blockchain, a block corresponding to the playback system identifier, sending an encrypted version of the content to the playback system, and in response to one or more updates to the blockchain by the playback system, providing a content encryption key to the playback system for decrypting the encrypted version of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Artin Nazarian, Mark Arana, Derek Prestegard
  • Calibration, customization, and improved user experience for bionic lenses
    Patent number: 11675429
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to calibration, customization, and improved user experiences for smart or bionic lenses that are worn by a user. The calibration techniques include detecting and correcting distortion of a display of the bionic lenses, as well as distortion due to characteristics of the lens or eyes of the user. The customization techniques include utilizing the bionic lenses to detect eye characteristics that can be used to improve insertion of the bionic lenses, track health over time, and provide user alerts. The user experiences include interactive environments and animation techniques that are improved via the bionic lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Jon H. Snoddy, Douglas A. Fidaleo
  • Methods and systems for conducting multi-user interactions on a device using biometric authentication
    Patent number: 11676118
    Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a mobile device. The method includes launching a software application requiring an identity verification of each of a plurality of users for performing a requested action, the plurality of users including a first user and a second user, receiving a first biometric information of the first user and a second biometric information of the second user, sending the first biometric information of the first user and the second biometric information of the second user to a server, receiving notifications from the server as to whether the first and second biometric information corresponding to biometric information in first user and second user profiles, respectively, and performing the requested action, if the notifications indicate a match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Feder, Patrick W. Millegan, Alif Khalfan
  • Digital rights protected content playing
    Patent number: 11669596
    Abstract: A system for performing digital rights protected content playing includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive, from a first user, metadata identifying one or more content segment(s), determine whether the first user has a right to access the content segment(s), produce a playlist using the metadata when the first user has the right, and output the playlist to the first user and/or a second user. The hardware processor may further execute the software code to receive the playlist from the second user, determine each content segment identified by the playlist that the second user has a right to access, generate a content compilation that omits any content segment identified by the playlist to which the second user lacks the right, and playout the content compilation to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Halleen, William L. Rogers, Lily Zhuo, Cameron S. Pierce
  • Data object classification using an optimized neural network
    Patent number: 11669723
    Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code and a neural network (NN) having multiple layers including a last activation layer and a loss layer. The hardware processor executes the software code to identify different combinations of layers for testing the NN, each combination including candidate function(s) for the last activation layer and candidate function(s) for the loss layer. For each different combination, the software code configures the NN based on the combination, inputs, into the configured NN, a training dataset including multiple data objects, receives, from the configured NN, a classification of the data objects, and generates a performance assessment for the combination based on the classification. The software code determines a preferred combination of layers for the NN including selected candidate functions for the last activation layer and the loss layer, based on a comparison of the performance assessments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Hayko Jochen Wilhelm Riemenschneider, Leonhard Markus Helminger, Christopher Richard Schroers, Abdelaziz Djelouah
  • Techniques for inferring three-dimensional poses from two-dimensional images
    Patent number: 11669999
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a training application generates training items for three-dimensional (3D) pose estimation. The training application generates multiple posed 3D models based on multiple 3D poses and a 3D model of a person wearing a costume that is associated with multiple visual attributes. For each posed 3D model, the training application performs rendering operation(s) to generate synthetic image(s). For each synthetic image, the training application generates a training item based on the synthetic image and the 3D pose associated with the posed 3D model from which the synthetic image was rendered. The synthetic images are included in a synthetic training dataset that is tailored for training a machine-learning model to compute estimated 3D poses of persons from two-dimensional (2D) input images. Advantageously, the synthetic training dataset can be used to train the machine-learning model to accurately infer the orientations of persons across a wide range of environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Martin Guay, Maurizio Nitti, Jakob Joachim Buhmann, Dominik Tobias Borer
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DE-IDENTIFYING DATA USING A COMBINATION OF CRYPTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES
    Publication number: 20230169184
    Abstract: In some implementations, a device may provide a data structure storing first data, wherein the first data indirectly identifies second data, and wherein the second data identifies a particular individual. The device may obtain, from the data structure, the first data. The device may generate a cryptographically random value using a secure generator. The device may combine the first data and the cryptographically random value to generate hashing input data. The device may perform, using a hashing algorithm, a hashing operation on the hashing input data to generate de-identified first data, wherein re-identification of the de-identified first data requires knowledge of at least the first data, the cryptographically random value, and the de-identified first data. The device may perform an action using the de-identified first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. YUCHAS, Benjamin ISRAELSON, Gregory CLAYTON, Steven MALTBY
  • Systems and methods for using augmented reality with the internet of things
    Patent number: 11663783
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for using augmented reality with the internet of things. An augmented reality experience may be provided based on an operation of an object. Operation status information of a detected object may be obtained and a visual effect may be determined based on the operation status information. An object may be controlled using augmented reality. Operation status information of a detected object may be obtained and a control option may be determined based on the operation status information. A visual effect may be determined based on the control option and a user input regarding the control option may be obtained. A control information configured to effectuate a change in the operation of the object may be transmitted to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Eric Haseltine, Joseph Olson, Timothy Panec, Katherine M. Bassett, Blade Olson
  • Holographic imagery for on set eyeline reference
    Patent number: 11656578
    Abstract: Techniques for using holographic imagery for eyeline reference for performers. A first computer generated object is identified for display to a first performer at a designated physical position on a set. A first holographic projection of the first computer generated object is generated using a first holographic display. The first holographic display is configured to make the first holographic projection appear, to the first performer, to be located at the designated physical position on the set. One or more images of the performer are captured using an image capture device with a field of view that encompasses both the first performer and the designated physical position on the set. The captured one or more images depict the first performer and do not depict the first holographic projection. The first computer generated object is added to the captured one or more images after the capturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Alexa L. Hale
  • DEEP LEARNING FRAMEWORK FOR VIDEO REMASTERING
    Publication number: 20230153952
    Abstract: Restoration methods and systems are disclosed for video remastering. Techniques disclosed include receiving a video sequence. For each frame of the video sequence, techniques disclosed include encoding, by a degradation encoder, a video content associated with the frame into a latent vector. The latent vector is a representation of the degradation present in the video content; the degradation present in the video content includes one or more degradation types. Based on the latent vector and the video content, techniques disclosed further include generating, by a backbone network, one or more feature maps, and, then, restoring the frame based on the one or more feature maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Djelouah, Givi Meishvili, Christopher Richard Schroers, Shinobu Hattori
  • Synergistic object tracking and pattern recognition for event representation
    Patent number: 11651501
    Abstract: A system for performing synergistic object tracking and pattern recognition for event representation includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a system memory storing a software code. The processing hardware is configured to execute the software code to receive event data corresponding to one or more propertie(s) of an object, to generate, using the event data, a location data estimating a location of each of multiple predetermined landmarks of the object, and to predict, using one or both of the event data and the location data, a pattern corresponding to the propertie(s) of the object. The processing hardware is further configured to execute the software code to update, using the predicted pattern, the location data, and to merge the updated location data and the predicted pattern to provide merged data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Comito, Kevin Prince
  • Automated machine learning tagging and optimization of review procedures
    Patent number: 11645579
    Abstract: Techniques for machine learning optimization are provided. A video comprising a plurality of segments is received, and a first segment of the plurality of segments is processed with a machine learning (ML) model to generate a plurality of tags, where each of the plurality of tags indicates presence of an element in the first segment. A respective accuracy value is determined for each respective tag of the plurality of tags, where the respective accuracy value is based at least in part on a maturity score for the ML model. The first segment is classified as accurate, based on determining that an aggregate accuracy of tags corresponding to the first segment exceeds a predefined threshold. Upon classifying the first segment as accurate, the first segment is bypassed during a review process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farré Guiu, Monica Alfaro Vendrell, Marc Junyent Martin, Anthony M. Accardo
  • Techniques for sculpting digital faces based on anatomical modeling
    Patent number: 11645813
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital faces. In some examples, an anatomical face model is generated from a data set including captured facial geometries of different individuals and associated bone geometries. A model generator segments each of the captured facial geometries into patches, compresses the segmented geometry associated with each patch to determine local deformation subspaces of the anatomical face model, and determines corresponding compressed anatomical subspaces of the anatomical face model. A sculpting application determines, based on sculpting input from a user, constraints for an optimization to determine parameter values associated with the anatomical face model. The parameter values can be used, along with the anatomical face model, to generate facial geometry that reflects the sculpting input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Aurel Gruber, Marco Fratarcangeli, Derek Edward Bradley, Gaspard Zoss, Dominik Thabo Beeler
  • Method for temporal stabilization of landmark localization
    Patent number: 11640676
    Abstract: Various embodiments set forth systems and techniques for training a landmark model. The techniques include determining, using the landmark model, a first landmark in a set of first landmarks associated with a first image; performing, on the first image, a first perturbation to obtain a second image; determining, using the landmark model, a second landmark in a set of second landmarks associated with the second image; determining, based on a first distance between the first landmark and the second landmark, a first loss function; and updating, based on the first loss function, a first parameter of the landmark model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Krzysztof Naruniec, Christopher Richard Schroers, Romann Matthew Weber
  • Method and apparatus for portably binding license rights to content stored on optical media
    Patent number: 11636182
    Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a playback system to play back encrypted content associated with a first globally unique identifier (ID). The method includes storing an encrypted content in a memory being under control of a memory controller having a second globally unique ID, storing the first globally unique ID, transmitting a request from the memory controller to a license server, the request comprising the first globally unique ID, the second globally unique ID and a request for a content license to play back the encrypted content, receiving the content license enabling a right for the playback of the encrypted content, the content license including content keys and being encrypted to be decryptable according to a memory controller secret associated with the second globally unique ID, decrypting the content license, according to the memory controller secret to recover the content keys to a playback module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanno Basse, Ian E. Harvey
  • Automated crash recovery
    Patent number: 11630714
    Abstract: Methods for improving operation of a user device executing an application. The methods include collecting a first set of data corresponding to a run time environment of the application, collecting a second set of data corresponding to a crash of the application, identifying a cause of the crash based on the first set of data and a second set of data and determining the cause of the crash is associated with an application feature corresponding to a feature flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Kagan, Nathan Lefler, Josh Phelps, James A. Corrigan-Colville, Benjamin Manning
  • Virtual puppeteering using a portable device
    Patent number: 11628374
    Abstract: A virtual puppeteering system includes a portable device including a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the object animation software code to, using the camera, generate an image in response to receiving an activation input, using the display, display the image, and receive a selection input selecting an object shown in the image. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the object animation software code to determine a distance separating the selected object from the portable device, receive an animation input, identify, based on the selected object and the received animation input, a movement for animating the selected object, generate an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, and render the animation of the selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich
    Inventors: Raphael Anderegg, Loic Ciccone, Robert W. Sumner
  • Corrector plates for head mounted display system
    Patent number: 11624905
    Abstract: The embodiments herein use a corrector plate or a light field display in an AR/VR display device to compensate for sub-optimal collimation at the edge of the FOV. In one embodiment, the corrector plate is disposed between the collimator and the viewer so that the light at the edge of the FOV can be corrected so that the aberrations mentioned above do not occur. In another embodiment, rather than using a corrector plate, the AR/VR display device can include a light field display that can use color intensity to pre-distort emitted light to compensate for sub-optimal collimation at the edge of the FOV. In this manner, the AR/VR display device can mitigate aberrations or distortions as the user moves her eyes relative to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Quinn Yorklun Jen Smithwick
  • Buffering data on high bandwidth networks
    Patent number: 11627174
    Abstract: Techniques for buffering data over high bandwidth networks are provided. A first portion of data is downloaded into a buffer at a first download speed via a first network. The first portion of data is outputted from the buffer. Upon determining that data is being downloaded, via a second network, at a second download speed greater than the first download speed, a size of the buffer is expanded, and a second portion of data is downloaded into the expanded buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikita I. Tkachov
  • Guided interaction between a companion device and a user
    Patent number: 11622146
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a method of guiding an interaction between a companion module and a user includes identifying a media content for playout by a media player device, transmitting, to a remote server, an interaction schema request identifying the media content and the companion module, and receiving, from the remote server, behavioral manifest data including an instruction for guiding the interaction between the companion module and the user. Such a method also includes obtaining a play head state of the media player device and a playout timecode state of the media content, and identifying a user interaction behavior for the companion module based on the behavioral manifest data, the play head state of the media player device, and the playout timecode state of the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Comito, Dirk Van Dall, James Bowers, Anthony Waters, Thomas Engel
  • Learning-based sampling for image matting
    Patent number: 11615555
    Abstract: A method of generating a training data set for training an image matting machine learning model includes receiving a plurality of foreground images, generating a plurality of composited foreground images by compositing randomly selected foreground images from the plurality of foreground images, and generating a plurality of training images by compositing each composited foreground image with a randomly selected background image. The training data set includes the plurality of training images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Tunc Ozan Aydin, Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Jingwei Tang, Yagiz Aksoy
  • Systems and methods to improve brushing behavior
    Patent number: 11615715
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to improve user brushing behavior. Exemplary implementations may: effectuate presentation of audio content via an audio output device, the audio content being characterized by an audio profile; obtain output signals from one or more sensors coupled to a user device, the output signals conveying user input information, the user input information defining user input by a user via the user device; determine, based on the user input information, a user profile, the user profile including one or more user values of the one or more audio attribute; compare the user profile with the audio profile to determine, for individual audio attributes, one or more differences; determine one or more scores reflecting the one or more differences; and/or perform other operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Machine learning enabled evaluation systems and methods
    Patent number: 11610239
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing machine-learning enabled user-specific evaluations are disclosed. Implementations include obtaining a first set of evaluation data from a user interface, obtaining a first set of target-descriptive data including target-specific characteristics objectively describing the evaluation targets, and training, with a machine-learning algorithm, a user-specific evaluation profile indicating evaluation patterns relative to the first set of evaluation data and the first set of target-specific characteristics. Implementations include applying the user-specific evaluation profile to a second set of target-descriptive data to predict a user-specific evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Chapman, Mehul Patel, Joseph Popp, Benjamin Havey
  • TEMPORAL TECHNIQUES OF DENOISING MONTE CARLO RENDERINGS USING NEURAL NETWORKS
    Publication number: 20230083929
    Abstract: A modular architecture is provided for denoising Monte Carlo renderings using neural networks. The temporal approach extracts and combines feature representations from neighboring frames rather than building a temporal context using recurrent connections. A multiscale architecture includes separate single-frame or temporal denoising modules for individual scales, and one or more scale compositor neural networks configured to adaptively blend individual scales. An error-predicting module is configured to produce adaptive sampling maps for a renderer to achieve more uniform residual noise distribution. An asymmetric loss function may be used for training the neural networks, which can provide control over the variance-bias trade-off during denoising.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicants: Pixar, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • System and method for robust model-based camera tracking and image occlusion removal
    Patent number: 11606512
    Abstract: A system and method for model-based camera tracking and image occlusion removal for a camera viewing a sports field (or other scene) includes receiving a synthesized data set comprising at least one empty field image of the field, the empty field image with at least one occlusion graphic, and camera parameters corresponding to the empty field image, training a neural network model to estimate the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters by providing the model with an input training image comprising the empty field image with occlusion graphic, and providing the model with model output targets comprising the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters as targets for the model, receiving by the neural network model, alive input image comprising a view of the field with live occlusions, and providing by the neural network model, using trained model parameters, estimated live camera parameters or an estimated empty field image associated with the live input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Walsh, Jayadas Devassy
  • Haptic content presentation and implementation
    Patent number: 11604516
    Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a touchscreen, a video comprising a video frame and determining, based on a saliency map of the video frame, a region of interest in the video frame. The method also includes detecting a touch on a region of the touchscreen while the video frame is displayed and generating a haptic response in response to determining that the region of the touchscreen overlaps with the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Daniel L. Baker, Jackson A. Rogow
  • Player-controlled anonymity of interactive scoring sessions
    Patent number: 11602695
    Abstract: A method includes storing a plurality of scores and a plurality of session identifiers for a game. The plurality of scores are generated by monitoring player activity during game sessions identified by the plurality of session identifiers and by applying rules of the game to determine scoring events based on the player activity. The method also includes generating, during a game session, a code for a player, providing the code to the player before the player leaves the game, and receiving, from a device, a target session identifier generated by the device based on the code and in response to receiving the target session identifier. The method further includes retrieving a score of the plurality of scores generated during a game session identified by a session identifier of the plurality of session identifiers that matches the target session identifier and communicating, to the device, the retrieved score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Elbert, Brent D. Strong, Bob Hickman, Robert J. Peitzman
  • Relative surface travelling map projection process
    Patent number: 11605320
    Abstract: A method to project content from a moving projector. The method includes analyzing an object to identify a projection surface; determining a first position of a projector relative to the projection surface; modifying a first frame of a content for projection onto the projection surface based on the projection surface and the first position of the projector; projecting the first frame of the content from the projector onto the projection surface; determining a second position of the projector relative to the projection surface; modifying a second frame of the content based on the projection surface and the second position; and projecting the second frame of the content from the projector onto the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Popp, Steven M. Chapman, Charles P. Davis, Jeremie A. Papon, Alice J. Taylor
  • Menu navigation mode for media discs
    Patent number: 11600305
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reordering and/or bypassing certain informational content or menus that are conventionally presented prior to playback of media content stored on physical media discs. Upon initial use of a physical media disc, certain information content or menus may be presented to a user or viewer, for example, piracy warnings, language selection menus, etc. However, upon subsequent use of the physical media disc, such informational content or menus may be bypassed. The user or viewer is given an option to immediately begin consuming the media content stored on the physical media disc. Conventional content, such as trailers are not played prior to playback of the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kwan, David M. Jessen, James J. Madden
  • Automated image augmentation using a virtual character
    Patent number: 11600047
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing an image augmentation software code, a three-dimensional (3D) shapes library, and/or a 3D poses library. The image processing system also includes a two-dimensional (2D) pose estimation module communicatively coupled to the image augmentation software code. The hardware processor executes the image augmentation software code to provide an image to the 2D pose estimation module and to receive a 2D pose data generated by the 2D pose estimation module based on the image. The image augmentation software code identifies a 3D shape and/or a 3D pose corresponding to the image using an optimization algorithm applied to the 2D pose data and one or both of the 3D poses library and the 3D shapes library, and may output the 3D shape and/or 3D pose to render an augmented image on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Martin Guay, Gokcen Cimen, Christoph Maurhofer, Mattia Ryffel, Robert Sumner
  • Automated annotation of heterogeneous content
    Patent number: 11599804
    Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor, and a system memory storing a software code and a content labeling predictive model. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to scan a database to identify content assets stored in the database, parse metadata stored in the database to identify labels associated with the content assets, and generate a graph by creating multiple first links linking each of the content assets to its corresponding label or labels. The hardware processor is configured to further execute the software code to train, using the graph, the content labeling predictive model, to identify, using the trained content labeling predictive model, multiple second links among the content assets and the labels, and to annotate the content assets based on the second links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Hayko Jochen Wilhelm Riemenschneider, Leonhard Markus Helminger, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Christopher Richard Schroers
  • Methods and systems for playing an audio corresponding to a text medium
    Patent number: 11599328
    Abstract: There is provided a media player device for use with a text medium having a plurality of pages each having a plurality of words, the media player device comprising an audio output, a memory storing a text medium application software; and a processor configured to execute the text medium application software to receive a first signal emitted from a wireless communication element embedded in the text medium, the first signal including a text medium ID uniquely identifying the text medium, and play an audio, via the audio output and in response to receiving the text medium ID, wherein the audio corresponds to the text medium ID and the audio pronounces the plurality of words in a same sequence appearing in each of the plurality of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Poswal, Giovanna Alaimo, Malcolm Murdock, Richard Ginter, Taylor Hellam
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D980236
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Pepijn Ulje, Tibor Koek, Niels Berk, Nick Rutte, Amanda Russo, Susana Soares, Ole Lutjens
  • Display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface
    Patent number: D980237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Pepijn Ulje, Tibor Koek, Niels Berk, Nick Rutte, Amanda Russo, Susana Soares, Ole Lutjens
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D985611
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paull, Jerrell Jimerson, Anthony Sokolowski, Ole Lutjens, Lucas Perlove, Peter Harmon, Reed Korn, Brian Ziffer, Juan Sichon, Kurt Brockett