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).
  • Depth codec for real-time, high-quality light field reconstruction
    Patent number: 11595630
    Abstract: Techniques to facilitate compression of depth data and real-time reconstruction of high-quality light fields. A parameter space of values for a line, pairs of endpoints on different sides of the line, and a palette index for each pixel of a pixel tile of a depth image is sampled. Values for the line, the pairs of endpoints, and the palette index that minimize an error are determined and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Mitchell, Charalampos Koniaris, Malgorzata E. Kosek, David A. Sinclair
  • Interactive autonomous robot configured for deployment within a social environment
    Patent number: 11590660
    Abstract: An interactive autonomous robot is configured for deployment within a social environment. The disclosed robot includes a show subsystem configured to select between different in-character behaviors depending on robot status, thereby allowing the robot to appear in-character despite technical failures. The disclosed robot further includes a safety subsystem configured to intervene with in-character behavior when necessary to enforce safety protocols. The disclosed robot is also configured with a social subsystem that interprets social behaviors of humans and then initiates specific behavior sequences in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle G. Freeman, Michael Fusco, Jeremy Andrew Mika, Michael Richard Honeck, Jon Hayes Snoddy, Shelley Short, Cory Rouse, Raymond J. Scanlon, Clifford Wong, Lance Duane Updyke, Jeremie Papon, Daniel Pike
  • Segment quality-guided adaptive stream creation
    Patent number: 11595716
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation. A target average bitrate (TAB) segment is generated by encoding a first segment, of a plurality of segments in a video, using a first maximum average bitrate (MAB) of a plurality of MABs specified in an encoding ladder. An intermediate average bitrate (IAB) segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a first intermediate bitrate, wherein the first intermediate bitrate is lower than the first MAB. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first MAB, the IAB segment is output based at least in part on determining that a first quality score of the IAB segment is within a predefined tolerance of a second quality score of the TAB segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Labrozzi, Chetan K. Mathur, Yuanyi Xue, Michael J. Bracco
  • System and method of generating effects during live recitations of stories
    Patent number: 11594217
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to presentation of a first effect on one or more presentation devices during an oral recitation of a first story. The first effect is associated with a first trigger point, first content, and/or first story. The first trigger point being one or more specific syllables from a word and/or phrase in the first story. A first transmission point associated with the first effect can be determined based on a latency of a presentation device and user speaking profile. The first transmission point being one or more specific syllables from a word and/or phrase before the first trigger point in the first story. Control signals for instructions to present the first content at the first trigger point are transmitted to the presentation device when a user recites the first transmission point such that first content is presented at the first trigger point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Taylor Hellam, Malcolm E. Murdock, Mohammad Poswal, Nicolas Peck
  • Optical viewfinder for costume heads
    Patent number: 11592659
    Abstract: A head for a walk-around costume is provided that is adapted for enhanced visibility. The costume head includes an outer shell defining an interior space for receiving a head of a human performer. The outer shell includes an aperture allowing incoming light from an exterior space to enter the interior space, and an eye location for the human performer is spaced apart from the aperture when the head is received in the interior space. To provide an enlarged field of view, the costume head includes an optical viewfinder assembly disposed within the interior space of the outer shell between the aperture and the eye location. The optical viewfinder assembly is adapted for receiving the incoming light and transmitting the incoming light to the eye location to move a viewpoint of the human performer to the aperture to provide a larger field of view of the exterior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Quinn Y. Smithwick
  • Untethered robot with hybrid air and water power for hovering and quick airborne movements
    Patent number: 11591100
    Abstract: A robot including a hybrid fan-based and fluid-based propulsion system to provide thrust, such as deceleration during fall to create a smooth landing or to provide a quick reduction in velocity, and to provide actuation/controlled motion, such as to hover after quick deceleration and to control orientation or pose. The hybrid propulsion system uses discharging of pressurized fluid and exhausted gas (or fluid in some cases) from ducted fans (or propellers, impellers, and the like) to provide controlled thrust and/or lift forces. The hybrid propulsion system uses of pressurized fluid for generating larger or primary thrust and quick changes in velocity. The hybrid propulsion system includes a fan-based propulsion assembly with ducted fans that use environmental air (or fluids) to provide lower or secondary thrust. Both types of propulsion can be integrated into a robot or robotic figure to move the robot during flight (e.g., during falling or hovering).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard-Alexandre Peloquin, David Loyal Christensen, Morgan Thomas Pope, Grant Imahara, Tony Dohi
  • Touchable and 360-degree playable holographic display
    Patent number: 11592686
    Abstract: A system for displaying three dimensional (3D) images. The system includes a 3D display operating in a first state to display a 3D image by outputting light into a viewing space and operating in a second state in which the 3D image is not displayed. The system further includes a screen element positioned between the 3D display and the viewing space. The screen element reflects light from the viewing space to appear opaque to a viewer in the viewing space when the 3D display operates in the second state. The screen element transmits the light output by the 3D display, whereby the 3D display image is perceivable by the viewer in the viewing space. The screen element includes a sheet of mesh or netting material that transmits light output by the 3D display through its pores or openings and may be a planar sheet of scrim or tulle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Jessica Anne Klouda
  • Tracking system for visual effect triggering using induced magnetic field and predictive analysis
    Patent number: 11592592
    Abstract: A system comprises active magnetic emitters positioned within an area, passive magnetic emitters configured to be moved within the area, a magnetic field detector configured to measure a strength and direction of a magnetic field within the area, and a processor in communication with the magnetic field detector. The passive magnetic emitters are configured to be integrated in, coupled to, or secured to at least one tracked object or tracked subject within the area. The processor is configured to evaluate at least one change in the measured strength and direction of the magnetic field end send a signal to a visual effect actuator or visual effects display to initiate a visual effect based on the at least one change. A method and computer program product relating to the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Hager
  • Distribution channel using audio/visual recognition
    Patent number: 11593866
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a platform to provide virtual storefronts to consumers. Environmental elements are associated with specific consumer services on computer server. A user in the environment takes audio or visual recordings of an environmental element and uploads the recordings to the server. The server determines the appropriate consumer service associated with the recorded environmental element and provides the user with a reference to the service. Accordingly, any space, such as a bus stop, subway or train terminal, movie theater, or airport, may be turned into a virtual store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Graham, Tuomo Korpinen
  • Techniques for inferring the configuration of a room from skeleton tracking
    Patent number: 11587239
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a map inference application automatically maps a user space. A camera is positioned within the user space. In operation, the map inference application determines a path of a first moving object within the user space based on a tracking dataset generated from images captured by the camera. Subsequently, the map inference application infers a walking space within the user space based on the path. The map inference application then generates a model of at least a portion of the user space based on the walking space. One or more movements of a second object within the user space are based on the model. Advantageously, unlike prior art solutions, the map inference application enables a model of a user space to be automatically and efficiently generated based on images from a single stationary camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Elliott Baumbach, Michael Goslin
  • Triggered virtual reality and augmented reality events in video streams
    Patent number: 11587292
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for generating a virtual object for a VR/AR environment in response to a trigger. A VR/AR application executing on a client device receives a media content item. The VR/AR application detects an event trigger associated with the media content item. The VR/AR application generates at least a portion of a virtual object based on the event trigger. The VR/AR application displays the media content item and the at least a portion of the virtual object on a display associated with a user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John Holbrook Crocker, Wilfredo Rosas
  • Interactive multimedia package methods and systems
    Patent number: 11589127
    Abstract: Interactive multimedia package methods and systems are provided. An interactive multimedia package system may generate, manage, deliver, and/or play interactive multimedia packages with various digital media. An interactive multimedia package may be incorporated into any platform such as physical media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.), web services (e.g., download, or streaming), and other applications. A user may shop directly off of the digital media that he or she is experiencing (e.g., watching a movie, viewing a digital news, reading an e-book, playing a video game, etc.) The user may be directed to an e-commerce website, a digital storefront, or a list of items associated with an object, by clicking on the object of interest in the digital media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thatcher Thornburg Gellman
  • Virtual-world simulator
    Patent number: 11587284
    Abstract: In one implementation, a virtual-world simulator includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code, a tracking system communicatively coupled to the computing platform, and a projection device communicatively coupled to the computing platform. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to obtain a map of a geometry of a real-world venue including the virtual-world simulator, to identify one or more virtual effects for display in the real-world venue, and to use the tracking system to track a moving perspective of one of a user in the real-world venue or a camera in the real-world venue. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to control the projection device to simulate a virtual-world by conforming the identified one or more virtual effects to the geometry of the real-world venue from a present vantage point of the tracked moving perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane M. Coffey, Evan M. Goldberg, Steven M. Chapman, Daniel L. Baker, Matthew Deuel, Mark R. Mine
  • Data-driven extraction and composition of secondary dynamics in facial performance capture
    Patent number: 11587276
    Abstract: A modeling engine generates a prediction model that quantifies and predicts secondary dynamics associated with the face of a performer enacting a performance. The modeling engine generates a set of geometric representations that represents the face of the performer enacting different facial expressions under a range of loading conditions. For a given facial expression and specific loading condition, the modeling engine trains a Machine Learning model to predict how soft tissue regions of the face of the performer change in response to external forces applied to the performer during the performance. The modeling engine combines different expression models associated with different facial expressions to generate a prediction model. The prediction model can be used to predict and remove secondary dynamics from a given geometric representation of a performance or to generate and add secondary dynamics to a given geometric representation of a performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Dominik Thabo Beeler, Derek Edward Bradley, Eftychios Dimitrios Sifakis, Gaspard Zoss
  • INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM DATA TAP AND MODEL FOR MANAGING INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230051829
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a method, comprising: receiving tapped data that was tapped from a controller of an industrial control system (ICS) while the controller executed first control code to control ICS devices of the ICS, the tapped data used during execution of the first control code, and the tapped data comprising input data obtained from one or more input components of the controller communicatively coupled to the ICS devices, or output data obtained from one or more output components of the controller communicatively coupled to the ICS devices; and after receiving the tapped data, executing, using at least the tapped data, second control code that provides an emulation of the controller, the emulation comprising running, using at least the tapped data, a process of the first control code at a faster rate than it is run by the controller executing the first control code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Brock, Brian Walters, Nicholas Stantzos, Christopher Hofer, Mario Scarabino, Michael Tschanz
  • Methods and apparatuses for combining and distributing user enhanced video/audio content
    Patent number: 11582507
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided, which may be implemented to combine and distribute user enhanced video and/or audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Prestenback, Evan Tahler, Brian Kwan, David Jessen
  • Display of supplemental content
    Patent number: 11567723
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for displaying supplemental content. The method includes determining environmental characteristics, e.g., wall space, empty areas, colors, etc., for a display environment, determining supplemental content based in part on a primary content displayed by a primary display, and displaying the supplemental content in the display environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Daniel L. Baker, Steven M. Chapman, Dane M. Coffey, Matthew Deuel, Mark R. Mine
  • Tunable models for changing faces in images
    Patent number: 11568524
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for changing the identities of faces in images. In embodiments, a tunable model for changing facial identities in images includes an encoder, a decoder, and dense layers that generate either adaptive instance normalization (AdaIN) coefficients that control the operation of convolution layers in the decoder or the values of weights within such convolution layers, allowing the model to change the identity of a face in an image based on a user selection. A separate set of dense layers may be trained to generate AdaIN coefficients for each of a number of facial identities, and the AdaIN coefficients output by different sets of dense layers can be combined to interpolate between facial identities. Alternatively, a single set of dense layers may be trained to take as input an identity vector and output AdaIN coefficients or values of weighs within convolution layers of the decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Leonard Markus Helminger, Jacek Krzysztof Naruniec, Romann Matthew Weber, Christopher Richard Schroers
  • Techniques for understanding how trained neural networks operate
    Patent number: 11568212
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a relevance application quantifies how a trained neural network operates. In operation, the relevance application generates a set of input distributions based on a set of input points associated with the trained neural network. Each input distribution is characterized by a mean and a variance associated with a different neuron included in the trained neural network. The relevance application propagates the set of input distributions through a probabilistic neural network to generate at least a first output distribution. The probabilistic neural network is derived from at least a portion of the trained neural network. Based on the first output distribution, the relevance application computes a contribution of a first input point included in the set of input points to a difference between a first output point associated with a first output of the trained neural network and an estimated mean prediction associated with the first output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Markus Gross, Marco Ancona
  • Deinterlacing via deep learning
    Patent number: 11570397
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing deinterlacing. The technique includes separating a first interlaced video frame into a first sequence of fields ordered by time, the first sequence of fields including a first field. The technique also includes generating, by applying a deinterlacing network to a first field in the first sequence, a second field that is missing from the first sequence of fields and is complementary to the first field. The technique further includes constructing a progressive video frame based on the first field and the second field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH, (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Michael Bernasconi, Daniel Konrad Dorda, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Shinobu Hattori, Christopher Richard Schroers
  • System and method for leveraging machine learning to deliver time-sensitive content over optimal devices and channels
    Patent number: 11561671
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for leveraging machine learning to deliver time-sensitive media content offers to a consumer over an optimal device and channel. In an implementation, a server system transmits media content offers over an optimal device and channel to a user. The server system captures metadata of at least one of: the user's use of multiple devices, the user's media content preferences, the user's preferred transmission channels for receiving media content offers over the multiple devices, and the user's preferred times for receiving media content offers. The server system prepares a media content offer for transmission to the user. Based on the captured metadata, the server system selects a user device of the multiple user devices and a transmission channel of multiple transmission channels to transmit the media content offer; and transmits the media content offer to the selected user device over the selected transmission channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony R. Smith
  • Storage efficient content revalidation for multimedia assets
    Patent number: 11563824
    Abstract: Techniques relating to caching a content object are disclosed. A first server receives a revalidation request, relating to a content object, from a requestor. It is determined that metadata, relating to the content object, is stored in a cache associated with the first server. In response, the first server determines not to retrieve the content object from a second server. The content object is not stored in the cache. A response to the revalidation request, indicating that the content object is not modified, is transmitted from the first server to the requestor, based on analyzing the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Friedrich, Eric R. Klein, Jeffrey Edwin Grubb
  • Heuristic detection of potential digital media artifacts and defects in digital media assets
    Patent number: 11553211
    Abstract: A method, comprises monitoring a encoding process of a source video file performed by an encoder; obtaining an encoding decision parameter used to encode a picture of the source video file during the encoding process; comparing the encoding decision parameter to a threshold; based on the step of comparing, identifying the picture as a candidate picture for a visual defect or coding error; and storing a timestamp of the candidate picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Liao, Jared McPhillen, Mark Arana
  • Industrial control system data tap and model for managing industrial control system
    Patent number: 11550310
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to tapping input/output (I/O) data from an industrial control system (ICS) or applying the tapped I/O data to a learned model to perform predictive or prescriptive maintenance. In one implementation, a method comprises: tapping I/O data from a controller of an ICS while the controller executes first control code to control one or more devices of the ICS; transmitting the tapped I/O data over a network to a second system; and executing, via the second system, second control code comprising an original or modified version of all or a subset of the first control code of the ICS, wherein the second control code executes in response to receiving the tapped I/O data. The output of executing the second control code may be provided to a model to predict a future event involving the ICS or to prescribe maintenance of the ICS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Brock, Brian Walters, Nicholas Stantzos, Christopher Hofer, Mario Scarabino, Michael Tschanz
  • Method and system for generating a visual representation of media content for performing graph-based media content evaluation
    Patent number: 11550840
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for performing graph-based media content evaluation includes a computing platform having a hardware processor, and a system memory storing a media content evaluation software code and a graph database. The hardware processor is configured to execute the media content evaluation software code to receive a query from a system user, and to identify one or more media content evaluation metrics corresponding to the query. In addition, the hardware processor is configured to execute the media content evaluation software code to search the graph database for a media content data relevant to the one or more media content evaluation metrics, and to retrieve the media content data from the graph database. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the media content evaluation software code to generate a report responsive to the query using the media content data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Accardo, Grace Lu, Avner Swerdlow, Katharine Ettinger, Alexis J. Lindquist
  • Context-based digital assistant
    Patent number: 11544274
    Abstract: An electronic device that includes one or more input sensor devices, one or more output devices, one or more computer processors and a memory containing computer program code that, when executed by operation of the one or more computer processors, performs an operation. The operation includes collecting information, using one or more input sensor devices, about the plurality of users within a physical environment. The operation includes analyzing the collected information to determine a present situational context for the plurality of users that are currently present within the physical environment. An action to perform is determined based on the determined present situational context. The determined action is executed using the one or more output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Afsoun R. Yazdian, Michelle Blanken, Olivia K. De Carlo, Theodore Wei-Yun Leung
  • Automatic occlusion detection
    Patent number: 11544828
    Abstract: A method includes producing a filter mask based on a blur mask and a saliency mask and identifying locations of a plurality of bounding boxes of a plurality of objects of interest in a received image. The method also includes applying the filter mask to the received image and to the locations of the plurality of bounding boxes in the received image to remove at least one object of interest from consideration. The method further includes performing a comparison of a location of a bounding box of the plurality of bounding boxes of an object of interest remaining in consideration to a predetermined safe region of the received image and generating a validation result based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farré Guiu, Marc Junyent Martin, Pablo Pernias
  • Analyzing viewer behavior in real time
    Patent number: 11544585
    Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for are provided for analyzing user behavior in real time by ingesting telemetry data related to a streaming media application; feeding the telemetry data to a machine learning model (MLM) that produces a User Experience (UX) command based on the telemetry data and prior telemetry data received from the content streaming application; selecting content items to provide to the client device based on the telemetry data; determining, based on the telemetry data, whether the client device has sufficient free resources to receive the UX command and the content items in a current time window while providing a predefined level of service; when client device has sufficient free resources to receive the UX command and the content items, encapsulating the UX command with the content items in a content stream; and transmitting the content stream to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam S. Ahringer, Giuseppe Manzari, Inna Giguere
  • Machine learning based video compression
    Patent number: 11544606
    Abstract: Systems and methods for compressing target content are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system may include non-transient electronic storage and one or more physical computer processors. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured by machine-readable instructions to obtain the target content comprising one or more frames, wherein a given frame comprises one or more features. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured by machine-readable instructions to obtain a conditioned network. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured by machine-readable instructions to generate decoded target content by applying the conditioned network to the target content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Marcel Mandt, Christopher Schoers, Jun Han, Salvator D. Lombardo
  • System resiliency with temporary access
    Patent number: 11539710
    Abstract: A method for use by a system computer for granting access to a network resource includes receiving, in a first session, a first request for accessing the network resource, the first request including authorization information of a user of an access computer, initiating, while in the first session and using the first authorization information, a first authorization process with one or more authorization computers, and determining a failure relating to the first authorization process initiated with the one or more authorization computers. The method further includes, upon determining the failure, sending a second request indicating a temporary access token is to be delivered to the access computer in response to an access computer executing a session refresh for initiating a second session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Pankaj Gambhir, Sean T. Curtis, Mahesh Swaminathan, Kai Wang, Krutarth Patel
  • Systems and methods for providing customized instances of a game within a virtual space
    Patent number: 11524242
    Abstract: A system and method for providing customized instances of a game within a virtual space. The system may be configured to obtain values associated with one or more users of the virtual space. The game, which is playable within the virtual space, may initially comprise predefined features and initially undefined features. The customizations may define the initially undefined features to provide custom-defined features. As such, when played, the game may include the predefined features and the custom-defined features. Customizations defining the initially undefined features to provide custom-defined features for a given instance of the game may be determined based on the values associated with a given user. The system may be configured to provide the given instance of the game to the given user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Robert Lowe
  • Gameplay system with play augmented by merchandise
    Patent number: 11524239
    Abstract: A gameplay system for providing interactivity based on a piece of merchandise or other object held or worn by a player. The system includes an object identification assembly, which may be a modified computer vision system, that operates to sense, for a gameplay participant, the presence and identity of a particular augmenting object such as themed merchandise worn or held by a rider of a theme park ride. The sensing may be performed by detecting an on-and-off pattern of light emitted from the object. In response, the gameplay system selects or modifies the interactive features of gameplay associated with the participant based on the identified augmenting object. For example, the interactive features are selected from memory by the gameplay system controller to match a character associated with the augmenting object during any interactive gameplay. This allows the gameplay participant to choose their abilities or powers for gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elbert, Przemyslaw Iwanowski, Brent David Strong, Matthew S. Daly, Sarit Ghildayal, Bob Hickman, John Cody Hampton, Alex Christopher Wilde, Amanda Marie Leahy
  • Gameplay in a chat thread
    Patent number: 11528247
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for user generated gameplay in chat. The system including a memory storing a text and multimedia messaging software application, and a processor configured to execute the text and multimedia messaging software application to initiate a message exchange session with a remote mobile device, in response to a request received from a user of the mobile device, the message exchange session displaying a user interface for exchanging text and multimedia messages, provide a plurality of games for selection by the user to be played during the message exchange session and within the user interface for exchanging text and multimedia messages, receive a selection of one of the plurality of games by the user after initiating the message exchange session, and initiate the one of the plurality of games for playing within the user interface for exchanging text and multimedia messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John Crocker, Randall Davis, Orrin Shively, Christopher W. Heatherly, James Molinets
  • Dynamic management system for notification and response to emergent events
    Patent number: 11520832
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide techniques for dynamic response management. Weather data for a geographic region is received, and a state of the geographic region is determined based on the weather data. A first predefined rule of a plurality of predefined rules is identified based on the determined state of the geographic region. A first role of a first user is determined. A first instruction is then generated for the first user based on the first predefined rule and the first role, where the first instruction comprises one or more actions. The first instruction is then transmitted to the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Brooks Hale, David Benson Gilmore, II
  • System and method for providing multi-camera 3D body part labeling and performance metrics
    Patent number: 11521411
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-camera 3D body part labeling and performance metrics includes receiving 2D image data and 3D depth data from a plurality image capture units (ICUs) each indicative of a scene viewed by the ICUs, the scene having at least one person, each ICU viewing the person from a different viewing position, determining 3D location data and visibility confidence level for the body parts from each ICU, using the 2D image data and the 3D depth data from each ICU, transforming the 3D location data for the body parts from each ICU to a common reference frame for body parts having at least a predetermined visibility confidence level, averaging the transformed, visible 3D body part locations from each ICU, and determining a performance metric of at least one of the body parts using the averaged 3D body part locations. The person may be a player in a sports scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jayadas Devassy, Peter Walsh
  • System and method for synchronizing on-air commercial programming with interactive applications
    Patent number: 11523168
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the synchronizing on-air commercial programming with interactive applications, providing interactive content synchronized with on-air television programming. There is provided a system comprising a client device with a display device and an input device and running a synchronization application. The client device receives digital data transmitted from a server, and transmits user feedback information generated from user interactions with the digital data back to the server. The digital data are interactive advertisements, such as online social games, that increase users' awareness of the advertised products or messages. The digital data are delivered to the user's client device in synchronization with the broadcasting of on-air television commercials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Hao Cheng
  • Automated audio mapping using an artificial neural network
    Patent number: 11523186
    Abstract: According to one implementation, an automated audio mapping system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing an audio mapping software code including an artificial neural network (ANN) trained to identify multiple different audio content types. The hardware processor is configured to execute the audio mapping software code to receive content including multiple audio tracks, and to identify, without using the ANN, a first music track and a second music track of the multiple audio tracks. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the audio mapping software code to identify, using the ANN, the audio content type of each of the multiple audio tracks except the first music track and the second music track, and to output a mapped content file including the multiple audio tracks each assigned to a respective one predetermined audio channel based on its identified audio content type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Marc Junyent Martin, Albert Aparicio Isarn, Avner Swerdlow, Anthony M. Accardo, Bradley Drew Anderson
  • Systems and methods for intelligent media content segmentation and analysis
    Patent number: 11523188
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive a media content including a plurality of frames, divide the media content into a plurality of shots, each of the plurality of shots including a plurality of frames of the media content based on a first similarity between the plurality of frames, determine a plurality of sequential shots of the plurality of shots to be part of a first sub-scene of a plurality of sub-scenes of a scene based on a timeline continuity of the plurality of sequential shots, identify each of the plurality of shots of the media content and each of the plurality of sub-scenes with a corresponding beginning time code and a corresponding ending time code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nimesh Narayan, Jack Luu, Alan Pao, Matthew Petrillo, Anthony M. Accardo, Alexis Lindquist, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Katharine S. Ettinger, Lena Volodarsky Bareket
  • Real time kinematic analyses of body motion
    Patent number: 11514722
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for generating statistics associated with a performance of a participant in an event, wherein pose data associated with the participant, performing in the event, are processed in real time. Pose data associated with the participant may comprise positional data of a skeletal representation of the participant. Actions performed by the participant may be determined based on a comparison of segments of the participant's pose data to motion patterns associated with actions of interests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin John Prince, Carlos Augusto Dietrich, Dirk Edward Van Dall
  • Detection of contacts among event participants
    Patent number: 11514677
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for detecting physical contacts effectuated by actions performed by an entity participating in an event. An action, performed by the entity, is detected based on a sequence of pose data associated with the entity's performance in the event. A contact with another entity in the event is detected based on data associated with the detected action. The action and the contact detections are employed by neural-network based detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Ali Kennedy, Kevin John Prince, Carlos Augusto Dietrich, Dirk Edward Van Dall
  • System for projecting light elements generated from light of a laser
    Patent number: 11512833
    Abstract: A system, comprising a light source configured to emit light; and a first component including a reflective surface configured to reflect the light as a plurality of light elements that are reflected onto a second component. The reflective surface may include a plurality of mirrors. Each mirror, of the plurality of mirrors, may be configured to reflect a portion of the light as a respective light element of the plurality of light elements. A first light element, of the plurality of light elements, may be reflected onto a first location of the surface. A second light element, of the plurality of light elements, may be reflected onto a second location, of the surface, that is different than the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Jessica Klouda
  • Packager for segmenter fluidity
    Patent number: 11509949
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. May, Jr., Eric R. Klein, William J. Zurat
  • Capturing augmented reality on a head mounted display
    Patent number: 11508127
    Abstract: To capture augmented reality (AR) on a head mounted display the embodiments described herein include the optical display of virtual components of an AR on an AR device. A real world view within a field of view of the display of the AR device is captured, creating a composite image that combines the virtual components and real world physical components within the field of view of the AR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Nathan D. Nocon, Jonathan R D Hsu, Eric C. Haseltine, Elliott H. Baumbach
  • Curating narrative experiences through automated content compilation
    Patent number: 11509962
    Abstract: A content compilation system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code configured to provide an editorial interface. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive compilation authoring data via the editorial interface, identify one or more end-user(s) for receiving a content compilation, access a consumption profile of the end-user(s), obtain, using the consumption profile and a first authoring criterion in the compilation authoring data, content items from one or more content sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Eivy, Katharine S. Navarre, Ricky Kane Stapler
  • Dynamic authorization rule stacking and routing across multiple systems
    Patent number: 11509661
    Abstract: A system includes a hardware processor that executes a software code to receive an authorization request on behalf of a user for a stacked resource including resources offered separately by multiple resource providers, determine resource provider computers associated with the stacked resource, and send a look-up request including an electronic identity of the user to those computers, where the electronic identity is used as a look-up key for determining user attribute(s) of the user. The software code further receives the user attribute(s) from the resource provider computers, generates an accumulated access profile of the user based on the user attribute(s), applies the profile to a rules engine to determine a stacked access result, and routes the authorization request and the stacked access result to one of the resource provider computers, where that computer completes an authorization process for access to the stacked resource based on the stacked access result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Pankaj Gambhir, Joseph Inzerillo, Rajendra Dubagunta, Adetayo Adeleye, Mahesh Swaminathan, Fekade Sergew, Kazuhiro Kusunoki, Sean Curtis
  • Automated salience assessment of pixel anomalies
    Patent number: 11508143
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for performing automated salience assessment of pixel anomalies includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to analyze an image for a presence of a pixel anomaly in the image, obtain a salience criteria for the image when the analysis of the image detects the presence of the pixel anomaly, and classify the pixel anomaly as one of a salient anomaly or an innocuous anomaly based on the salience criteria for the image. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the software code to disregard the pixel anomaly when the pixel anomaly is classified as an innocuous anomaly, and to flag the pixel anomaly when the pixel anomaly is classified as a salient anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Erika Varis Doggett
  • Intelligent photography with machine learning
    Patent number: 11509818
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to intelligent photography with machine learning. Embodiments include receiving a video stream from a control camera. Embodiments include providing inputs to a trained machine learning model based on the video stream. Embodiments include determining, based on data output by the trained machine learning model in response to the inputs, at least a first time for capturing a first picture during a session. Embodiments include programmatically instructing a first camera to capture the first picture at the first time during the session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew G. Adams, Jere M. Kirkley, Jason B. Jenkins
  • Strain wave gearbox with over-torque protection
    Patent number: 11499592
    Abstract: A strain wave gearbox configured to provide over-torque protection. The strain wave gearbox is designed to include a clutch that is at least partially housed within or positioned inside the internal space (herein labeled a chamber or void space interchangeably with internal space) of a flex spline. In some cases, the internal space is utilized to generate the preload for the clutch, and it may be used to provide room for a clutch preload subassembly. The clutch is located outside the flex spline's internal space and is formed to use geometric friction surfaces in the form of mating rings of teeth on mating surfaces or sides of the first and second clutch plates that once preloaded by the clutch preload subassembly require a greater torque than the design torque to rotate to the next tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Robert Thompson, Scott Christopher LaValley
  • Augmented reality image generation
    Patent number: 11501498
    Abstract: According to one implementation, an augmented reality image generation system includes a display, and a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code. The hardware processor executes the software code to receive a camera image depicting one or more real-world object(s), and to identify one or more reference point(s) corresponding to the camera image, each of the reference point(s) having a predetermined real-world location. The software code further maps the real-world object(s) to their respective real-world location(s) based on the predetermined real-world location(s) of the reference point(s), merges the camera image with a virtual object to generate an augmented reality image including the real-world object(s) and the virtual object, and renders the augmented reality image on the display. The location of the virtual object in the augmented reality image is determined based on the real-world location(s) of the real-world object(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Steven M. Chapman, Mark Arana
  • Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
    Patent number: D978186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 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