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).
  • ADAPTIVE SAMPLING IN MONTE CARLO RENDERINGS USING ERROR-PREDICTING NEURAL NETWORKS
    Publication number: 20200184313
    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: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicants: Pixar, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • DENOISING MONTE CARLO RENDERINGS USING PROGRESSIVE NEURAL NETWORKS
    Publication number: 20200184605
    Abstract: Supervised machine learning using neural networks is applied to denoising images rendered by MC path tracing. Specialization of neural networks may be achieved by using a modular design that allows reusing trained components in different networks and facilitates easy debugging and incremental building of complex structures. Specialization may also be achieved by using progressive neural networks. In some embodiments, training of a neural-network based denoiser may use importance sampling, where more challenging patches or patches including areas of particular interests within a training dataset are selected with higher probabilities than others. In some other embodiments, generative adversarial networks (GANs) may be used for training a machine-learning based denoiser as an alternative to using pre-defined loss functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicants: PIXAR, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Jan Novak
  • Enhanced virtual desktop infrastructures
    Patent number: 10678569
    Abstract: Performing an operation comprising providing, by a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) client, access to an application executing on a host system to a first client system via a network, receiving, from the first client system, at least one internet protocol (IP) packet specifying attributes of an input provided by an input/output (I/O) device of the client system, receiving a timestamp from a time source, and storing the attributes of the input and the timestamp as metadata of a first image corresponding to a first frame of a video output of the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rabindra Mukraj, Ralph Maese, Michael J. Strein, Benjamin H. Kepler
  • System for introducing physical experiences into virtual reality (VR) worlds
    Patent number: 10675766
    Abstract: A system for providing a user of a virtual reality (VR) system with physical interactions with an object in the real world or in the surrounding physical space while they are concurrently interacting in the virtual world with a corresponding virtual object. The real world object is dynamic with the system including a physical interaction system that includes a robot with a manipulator for moving, positioning, and/or orienting the real world object to move it into contact with the user. For example, the physical object is moved into contact with a tracked body part of the user at a time that is synchronized with a time of an interaction event occurring in the virtual world being created by the VR system. Further, a system is described for providing a dynamic physical interaction to a human participant, e.g., a fast and compelling handover in an augmented reality (AR) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Günter D. Niemeyer, Lanny S. Smoot, Vinay Chawda, Matthew Keith Xi-Jie Pan, Moritz Bächer, Lars Espen Knoop
  • Method and system for detecting commercial breaks
    Patent number: 10674195
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a break in a broadcast including receiving a broadcast of an event, the broadcast comprising one of audio and video, receiving event data about the event, determining, during the event, a break threshold based on the event data and a type of the event and identifying a break based on the broadcast of the event and the break threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Joseph Reisner
  • Methods and arrangements for content filtering
    Patent number: 10673795
    Abstract: Systems and arrangements are provided for filtering language. As presently preferred, these are configured to filter inappropriate language, symbols, words, etc on web sites or used in chat rooms. Embodiments create one or more arrays of inappropriate character strings representing, for example, obscene words and character combinations. Embodiments identify the inappropriate character strings, for example in chat text, and edit them to an appropriate form, for example with cartoon characters, and/or delete the inappropriate character strings. Preferably, at least one embodiment applies the content filter via executing a program of instructions, stored on a tangible storage medium, to achieve this functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Brent Milne, Jeffrey C. Ward, Michael G. Ingoldby, Jonathan B. Ballagh, Thomas E. Fischaber, Krista M. Marks
  • Systems and methods for profile based media segment rendering
    Patent number: 10674111
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transcoding media content in accordance with thematic and/or cinematic characteristics of scenes. In particular, compression techniques may be selected to optimize compression of scenes based on their thematic and/cinematic characteristics. Scene boundary identifiers, such as scene in and out points may be identified, and the corresponding thematic and/or cinematic characteristic meta-data can be sent to a transcoder for transcoding. In this way, the specific characteristics of each scene in a movie can be accounted for during transcoding. This can result in transcoded versions of the movie that have better audio/visual qualities, and that can be encoded at a lower overall bit rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Arana, Jared McPhillen
  • Graph based content browsing and discovery
    Patent number: 10671670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using graph databases to make digital content recommendations are described. A graph database may be associated with tagged digital content. The graph database may include a node for each content tag and edges identifying a relationship between nodes. When a user accesses or searches a digital content item, the graph database may be traversed to identify and present related content recommendations to the user based on the traversed nodes. Node graph traversal may initiate from a root node associated with a tag of content item being presented to a user. Nodes may be searched based on their proximity to the root node as determined by edge connections of the graph. Initially searched nodes may include nodes in the graph database directly connected by edges to the root node. Subsequently searched nodes may include nodes one edge connected removed from the root node, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Wright, Benjamin F. Havey
  • Methods of restricted virtual asset rendering in a multi-user system
    Patent number: 10672193
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to receiving an indication of a desired item by a user in a multi-use virtual world. The indication requests a rendering of a restricted virtual object in a space of the user. A server can determine and retrieve a partially rendered model of the restricted virtual object, determine a rendering location based on position data, and link the partially rendered model to the user and to the rendering location. The partially rendered model and the rendering location can be sent to user devices for rendering the partially rendered model at the rendering location. A partially rendered appearance of the restricted virtual object indicates to a second user the desired item by a first user. A fully rendered model may contain restricted content data, whereas a partially rendered model may not contain restricted content data. The restricted content data may include a restricted digital media file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: K. C. (Casey) Marsh
  • Multi-scale architecture of denoising monte carlo renderings using neural networks
    Patent number: 10672109
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Pixar, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • System and method for providing dynamic virtual reality ground effects
    Patent number: 10671154
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for providing dynamic virtual reality ground effects. The system includes a user interface surface and multiple motors coupled to the user interface surface. At least one of the motors is coupled to a virtual reality component of an electronic device. A first motor of the multiple motors is driven by movement of the user interface surface and is used to generate a feedback electrical signal in response to the movement of the user interface surface. A second motor of the multiple motors is driven using the feedback electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Popp, Alice Taylor, Samy Segura, Mehul Patel
  • System using rule based techniques for handling gameplay restrictions
    Patent number: 10668384
    Abstract: Systems and methods employing rule based techniques for handling virtual entity manifestation into gameplay modes in accordance with gameplay restrictions of the individual gameplay modes. The system may comprise a host server including one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may comprise a game module configured to execute an instance of the online game and to facilitate participation in one or more gameplay modes, a rule module configured to maintain rules corresponding to the restrictions for manifesting virtual entities into the individual gameplay modes, a creation module configured to create manifests including information corresponding to the rules for each gameplay mode, a determination module configured to determine which rules to apply to the virtual entities, and an application module configured to apply the rules according to the determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Sandeep V. Kharkar, Christopher H. Stewart, Bradley A. Edwards, Mark Snow, Jaren J. Peterson, C. Matthew Dawson, Jon Matsukawa
  • Mediating interactions among system agents and system clients
    Patent number: 10671461
    Abstract: A system for mediating interactions among system agents and system clients includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing an interaction cueing software code including decision trees corresponding to storylines. The hardware processor executes the interaction cueing software code to receive interaction data corresponding to an interaction of a system client with a first system agent, identify a storyline for use in guiding subsequent interactions with the system client based on the interaction data, and store the interaction data and data identifying the storyline in a client profile assigned to the system client. The interaction cueing software code further determines an interaction cue or cues for coaching the same or another system agent in a second interaction with the system client based on the interaction data and a decision tree corresponding to the storyline, and transmits the interaction cue(s) to the system agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Scanlon, Douglas A. Fidaleo, Robert P. Michel, Daniel C. Pike, Jordan K. Weisman
  • Panoramic, multiplane, and transparent collimated display system
    Patent number: 10663724
    Abstract: A display system for creating a multiplane display. The display system includes a viewing space for viewers. The display system includes a convex screen and a mirror element spaced apart from the convex screen to provide a collimated display. The mirror element is both reflective and transmissive of light, and a fraction of light from the convex screen that strikes a front concave surface of the mirror element is reflected into the viewing space. The convex screen and the front concave surface of the mirror element are each shaped to have an optical prescription defined for a collimated display whereby light reflected into the viewing space is collimated to provide variable depth imagery. The display system includes a background space behind the mirror element, and light from the background space from projection screens and illuminated objects is transmitted through the mirror element to viewers in the viewing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Laduke, Mark A. Reichow
  • Systems and methods to present interactive content based on detection of markers
    Patent number: 10664989
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to present augmented reality content based on detection of augmented reality markers. A first presentation device may detect presence of a first marker of a set of augmented reality markers. The first presentation device may present a second marker of the set of augmented reality markers. A second presentation device may detect presence of the second marker presented on the first presentation device. One or both of the first presentation device and/or second presentation device may effectuate presentation of virtual content associated with the set of augmented reality markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Elliott Baumbach
  • Environmental mapping for augmented reality
    Patent number: 10665029
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for reconciling a first map of an environment created by a first device with a second map of the environment created by a second device by determining a first confidence score for a first location of a given object in the first map; determining a second confidence score for a second location of the given object in the second map; inserting the given object into a reconciled map at a position based on the first confidence score and the second confidence score; anchoring an Augmented Reality object in the reconciled map at coordinates based on the position of the given object; and outputting the reconciled map to an Augmented Reality device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Yeung, Michael P. Goslin, Corey D. Drake, Elliott H. Baumbach, Nicholas F. Barone
  • Video object tagging using synthetic images and segmentation hierarchies
    Patent number: 10664973
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a memory and a processor configured to obtain a first frame of a video content including an object and a first region based on a segmentation hierarchy of the first frame, insert a synthetic object into the first frame, merge an object segmentation hierarchy of the synthetic object with the segmentation hierarchy of the first frame to create a merged segmentation hierarchy, select a second region based on the merged segmentation hierarchy, provide the first frame including the first region and the second region to a crowd user for creating a corrected frame, receive the corrected frame from the crowd user including a first corrected region including the object and a second corrected region including the synthetic object, determine a quality based on the synthetic object and the second corrected region, and accept the first corrected region based on the quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Marc Junyent Martin, Aljoscha Smolic
  • Cloud based content assembly method and system
    Patent number: 10666997
    Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a cloud based content assembly system having a memory and a processor for assembling multiple customized linear channel streams from an assembly template. The method comprises selecting, using the processor, the assembly template from the memory, identifying the customized linear channel streams to be produced using the assembly template, and generating a virtualized assembly environment for each of the customized linear channel streams. The method further comprises provisioning each virtualized assembly environment with content assets corresponding respectively to its customized linear channel stream, and assembling the customized linear channel streams using the respective virtualized assembly environments. The cloud based content assembly system is configured to enable substantially concurrent use of shared infrastructure resources by the virtualized assembly environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Roberts, Daniel Siewers, Michael M. Martin
  • System and method for providing improved augmented reality content
    Patent number: 10665023
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for generating improved AR content. An electronic device includes circuitry coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the circuitry to obtain frame data for a frame captured using a camera. The frame data includes a level of focus for one or more frame objects in the frame. The circuitry is caused to associate an augmented reality object with at least one of the one or more frame objects. The circuitry is caused to determine a fit factor between a level of focus of the augmented reality object and level of focus of the at least one of the frame objects associated with the augmented reality object. Additionally, the circuitry is caused to, if the fit factor does not satisfy a threshold, apply a decrease to the level of focus of the augmented reality object in order to generate an increased fit factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mehul Patel, Steven M. Chapman, Benjamin F. Havey, Joseph Popp
  • Calibration of a magnetometer for augmented reality experience
    Patent number: 10653948
    Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture relating to calibration of a magnetometer in an electronic device suitable for use in an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) video game. An electronic video game device includes a magnetometer. A prompt is displayed in the video game requesting a user-performed first gameplay motion using the electronic video game device where the first gameplay motion is a pre-defined motion used for calibrating the magnetometer. A first plurality of measurements is received from the magnetometer relating to a magnetic field in a physical gameplay environment, where the first plurality of measurements is taken by the magnetometer during the first gameplay motion. The first plurality of measurements is analyzed to detect a magnetic bias in the magnetometer. The magnetometer is calibrated to offset the magnetic bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Matthew W. Ryan, Elliott H. Baumbach, John Crocker, Lee Chidgey, Timothy M. Panec
  • Augmented reality system for layering depth on head-mounted displays using external stereo screens
    Patent number: 10659772
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) system that enhances an AR participant's experience by providing a visual effect with added depth. The AR system displays previously achieved by an AR HMD are augmented with a second layer of accessible depth. This added depth is achieved by including, in the AR space/real world environment, external stereo screens upon which 3D stereo content is projected by one or more 3D projectors. The AR HMD is equipped with an external 3D screen viewing assembly so the AR HMD allows an AR participant wearing the AR HMD to view images on the external stereo screens in stereo. The external stereo screens can be used to produce 3D imagery that may differ in depth from the depth of the fixed focal length images displayed to the viewer by the AR HMD. The AR system enlarges the AR participant's simultaneous angular viewing range to 55 to 160 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph George Hager, Loyal J. Pyczynski, Lanny S. Smoot
  • Electrical charger for a spinning device
    Patent number: 10657854
    Abstract: There is provided a system that includes a base providing a wireless power source, a rotor situated over the base and configured to spin, and a device coupled to the rotor and configured to spin with the rotor, the device having a display and a wireless power receiver, where the wireless power source and the wireless power receiver are configured to power the device to show an image on the display while the rotor is spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Nocon
  • Facial location determination
    Patent number: 10659679
    Abstract: A method of determining facial location and orientation may include receiving a location of a first radio frequency (RF) tag on a subject; receiving a location of a second RF tag on the subject; determining a location and orientation of a face of the subject using at least the location of the first RF tag and the location of the second RF tag; and sending commands to one or more camera units. The commands may cause the one or more camera units to capture the location and orientation of the face of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Giorgio Corbellini
  • Designing effective inter-pixel information flow for natural image matting
    Patent number: 10650524
    Abstract: Embodiments can provide a strategy for controlling information flow both from known opacity regions to unknown regions, as well as within the unknown region itself. This strategy is formulated through the use and refinement of various affinity definitions. As a result of this strategy, a final linear system can be obtained, which can be solved in closed form. One embodiment pertains to identifying opacity information flows. The opacity information flow may include one or more of flows from pixels in the image that have similar colors to a target pixel, flows from pixels in the foreground and background to the target pixel, flows from pixels in the unknown opacity region in the image to the target pixel, flows from pixels immediately surrounding the target pixels in the image to the target pixel, and any other flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRUCH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Yagiz Aksoy, Tunc Ozan Aydin
  • Ordered mapping on a three-dimensional projection surface
    Patent number: 10650712
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting visual media on a structure having a plurality of unordered light sources, e.g., fiber optic light sources, light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. Visual media can be created based on a computer model of the structure. Images of the structure can be analyzed to determine the location of each of the light sources. A lookup table can be generated based on the image analysis, and used to correlate pixels of the visual media to one or more of the actual light sources. A visual media artist or designer need not have prior knowledge of the order/layout of the light sources on the structure in order to create visual media to be presented thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Popp, Mehul Patel
  • Varying display content based on viewpoint
    Patent number: 10652522
    Abstract: A method for creating multiple viewpoint images for an image frame. The method includes receiving by a processing element a left eye image and a right eye image, wherein the left eye image and right eye image comprise a stereoscopic image pair. Once the images are received, the method includes determining by the processing element a first viewing location corresponding to the left eye image and a second viewing location corresponding to the right eye image and determining by the processing element a plurality of new viewpoint locations using the first viewing location and the second viewpoint location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Lewis Nathaniel Siegel, Brandon Bloch, Robert M. Neuman, Brian Whited, David Anthony Bossert
  • Virtual insertions in 3D video
    Patent number: 10652519
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to insertions in 3D video. Virtual camera models enable insertions to be reconciled relative to left and right channels of the 3D video to maximize 3D accuracy and realism of the insertions. Cameras are formed as composites, and can be derived from other models. The camera models can be based on a visual analysis of the 3D video, and can be based on 3D camera data including toe-in and ocular spacing. The camera data may be derived from information collected using instrumentation connect to a 3D camera system, derived based on visual analysis of the 3D video, or derived using a combination of information collected using instrumentation and visual analysis of 3D video. Insertions can be made on-site or at a remote site, and camera data can be embedded in the 3D video and/or separately transmitted to a remote site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon Katz, Gregory House, Howard Kennedy
  • DENOISING MONTE CARLO RENDERINGS USING MACHINE LEARNING WITH IMPORTANCE SAMPLING
    Publication number: 20200143522
    Abstract: Supervised machine learning using neural networks is applied to denoising images rendered by MC path tracing. Specialization of neural networks may be achieved by using a modular design that allows reusing trained components in different networks and facilitates easy debugging and incremental building of complex structures. Specialization may also be achieved by using progressive neural networks. In some embodiments, training of a neural-network based denoiser may use importance sampling, where more challenging patches or patches including areas of particular interests within a training dataset are selected with higher probabilities than others. In some other embodiments, generative adversarial networks (GANs) may be used for training a machine-learning based denoiser as an alternative to using pre-defined loss functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicants: PIXAR, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Jan Novak
  • Motorized monopod jib for cameras
    Patent number: 10642130
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a hand-held monopole; a first motor positioned at an end of the hand-held monopole; a first connecting element attached to the first motor; a second motor positioned at an end of the first connecting element; a second connecting element attached to the second motor; a third motor positioned at an end of the second connecting element; and a camera mounting plate attached to the second connecting element by the third motor, where components of the multi-axis gimbal are positioned such that a camera viewing axis, a horizontal image axis, and a vertical image axis of a camera mounted on the camera mounting plate need not be aligned with any of a rotational axis of the first motor, a rotational axis of the second motor, or a rotational axis of the third motor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Vince Roberts, Anthony Accardo, Michael Holton
  • Asset-data integration
    Patent number: 10642858
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a processor and a memory, storing an asset-data synthesis unit having a data translation module and a data integration module. The processor executes the asset-data synthesis unit to receive a first and a second domain specific asset description data being expressed using different descriptive vocabularies, translate the first and second domain specific asset description data to a common descriptive vocabulary to produce respective first and second common format asset description data, inferentially identify based on probabilistic inference that the first and second common format asset description data describe a same asset, integrate the first and second common format asset description data to produce an integrated asset description data describing the same asset, and generate a synthesized data describing the same asset and linking the integrated asset description data and the first and second domain specific asset description data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Accardo, Walter P. Chatfield, Jr., Maged Boctor, Alexander Marshall
  • Systems and methods to facilitate bi-directional artificial intelligence communications
    Patent number: 10635665
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to facilitate artificial intelligence communications. One or more sensors may be configured to generate output signals conveying user behavior information and/or other information. The user behavior information may represent one or more communicative behaviors of a user in a real world. The one or more communicative behaviors may be interpreted based on communication structures of the one or more communicative behaviors to determine a meaning of a message conveyed by the one or more communicative behaviors. The communication structures may be categorized by structure type. The structure types may include one or more of a verbal type communication structure and/or a non-verbal type communication structure. Verbal type communication structure may refer to the conveyance of words via speech and/or non-speech communications. Non-verbal communication structure may refer to the conveyance of one or more of feelings, emotions, and/or impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Real-time rendering with compressed animated light fields
    Patent number: 10636201
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for real-time rendering using compressed animated light fields are disclosed. One embodiment provides a pipeline, from offline rendering of an animated scene from sparse optimized viewpoints to real-time rendering of the scene with freedom of movement, that includes three stages: offline preparation and rendering, stream compression, and real-time decompression and reconstruction. During offline rendering, optimal placements for cameras in the scene are determined, and color and depth images are rendered using such cameras. Color and depth data is then compressed using an integrated spatial and temporal scheme permitting high performance on graphics processing units for virtual reality applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Mitchell, Charalampos Koniaris, Malgorzata E. Kosek, David A. Sinclair
  • High dynamic range enhancement authorization
    Patent number: 10630934
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively enabling enhanced high dynamic range (HDR) metadata for enhanced HDR playback of media content stored on a media disc are provided. Media discs may be authored with a base layer media content in accordance with a non-enhanced HDR media profile. Media discs may also include enhanced HDR metadata. In order to enable the use of the enhanced HDR metadata, a media player in which the media disc is inserted for playback may first seek authorization from a third-party resource, such as an authorization server. Only after obtaining authorization is the media player allowed to playback the media content stored on the media disc in conjunction with the enhanced HDR metadata. If authorization is not obtained, the media player may only play the base layer media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Arana
  • Boat capture and launch system for water rides
    Patent number: 10625168
    Abstract: A water ride adapted for stopping and launching boats. The ride includes a flume containing flowing water and first and second sidewalls define the flume. The ride includes a boat in the flume with an interaction member extending outward from its hull. The ride includes a boat capture and launch assembly provided on the second wall, and this assembly includes: (a) a body; (b) a drive mechanism rotating the body; (c) a capture arm with a first contact surface on the body; and (d) a launch arm with a second contact surface on the body. When the body is rotated into a first position, the capture arm extends outward into the flume to catch the interaction member and stop the boat. When the body is rotated through a range of second positions, the interaction member abuts the second contact surface and a launch force is applied to accelerate the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher M. Laffin, Zachary Royce Kerchman
  • Special effects system for generating a midair laser blast illusion
    Patent number: 10627079
    Abstract: A special effects apparatus for generating an illusion of a moving beam of light in midair. The apparatus includes a light source, such as a laser light source outputting colored light, generating a beam of light that is aimed along a linear light travel path. The apparatus further includes a dynamic light receiving assembly, and this assembly includes: an elongated support rod; a light receiving element attached to a first end of the support rod; and a driver coupled to a second end of the support rod opposite the first end of the support rod. The driver rotates the support rod about the second end at a high rotation rate, and the light receiving element moves along an arcuate travel path that intersects the linear light travel path of the beam of light. The arcuate travel path of the light receiving element and the linear light travel path are coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Guillermo Fok De Jesus, Justin C. Petronglo, Samantha L. Kaplan
  • Device and techniques for mobile experience
    Patent number: 10630829
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an accessory for a computing device. The accessory includes one or more physical attributes that can produce a signal that can be detected by one or more sensors of the computing device. Once detected by the one or more sensors of the computing device, the signal can be compared with at least one signature stored in a memory of the computing device. If there is a match between the detected signal and the signature in memory, an application running on the computing device can instruct the a processor of the computing device to execute an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Robert S. Trowbridge, Scott Watson
  • Manipulation of non-linearly connected transmedia content data
    Patent number: 10628405
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for manipulating non-linearly connected transmedia content, in particular for creating, processing and managing non-linearly connected transmedia content. The disclosure includes content creation modes and version control systems for non-linearly connected transmedia content data, in which individual transmedia content data items are connected to either other via directional linking data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Rebekkah Laeuchli, Isabel Simo, Max Grosse, Sasha Schriber, Markus Gross, Maria Cabral
  • Simulation experience with physical objects
    Patent number: 10627909
    Abstract: A simulation adapter can be attached to a real-world physical object and adapted to communicate one or more characteristics and/or simulation events associated with the real-world physical object to a simulation device. The simulation device is adapted to generate a simulation experience based upon the one or more characteristics of the real-world physical object and/or the simulation events associated with the real-world physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Arana, Benjamin F. Havey, Edward Drake, Alexander C. Chen
  • System and method for generating online content creator profiles and providing a searchable platform for the online content creator profiles
    Patent number: 10621242
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating online content creator profiles and providing a searchable platform for the online content creator profiles. Creator information, online content information, and/or other information may be obtained from multiple online sources. The creator information, online content information, and/or other information may be organized into creator profiles for individual ones of the creators. User defined search parameters defining a search query may be received. The user defined search parameters may indicate one or both of the creator information, the online content information, and/or other information. One or more of the individual ones of the creators may be identified based on the creator information and/or the online content information included in the creator profiles for the one or more of the individual ones of the creators satisfying the user defined search parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Cherie Hurwitz, Benjamin Collier, Ryan Lissack, Kristopher Johns, Kyle Medina, Chad Wyszynski
  • Tracking location and resolving drift in augmented reality head mounted displays with downward projection
    Patent number: 10621789
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for tracking location and resolving drift in Augmented Reality (AR) devices. The AR devices includes computing devices having screens on a first face and cameras on a second, opposite face to project an image onto optical arrangements for viewing by wearers of the AR devices. The AR devices map locations for real objects in the environment to a virtual environment; anchor virtual objects at anchor locations within the virtual environment; capture station keeping images of the environment from a first Field of View via the camera; determine a second, different Field of View in the environment for the wearer of the AR device based on the relative locations of real objects present in the station keeping images; and output images depicting the virtual objects at positions on the screen to depict the virtual objects in the physical environment at the anchor locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Davis, Elliott H. Baumbach, Nathan D. Nocon, Todd Michael Graham
  • Video super-resolution using an artificial neural network
    Patent number: 10621695
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a video processing system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code including an artificial neural network (ANN). The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to receive a first video sequence having a first display resolution, and to produce a second video sequence based on the first video sequence using the ANN. The second video sequence has a second display resolution higher than the first display resolution. The ANN is configured to provide sequential frames of the second video sequence that are temporally stable and consistent in color to reduce visual flicker and color shifting in the second video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Yifan Wang, Federico Perazzi, Brian McWilliams, Alexander Sorkine Hornung
  • Focus control for virtual objects in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) displays
    Patent number: 10621792
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method for authoring content for display using an optical system comprising one or more optical elements defining a field of view relative to an optical reference point. The method comprises arranging a virtual object at a first location within an authoring environment. The virtual object is configured to be included in imagery displayed by one or more display devices of the optical system to appear in a focal plane within the field of view. The method further comprises determining, using one or more viewer parameters that control a positioning of the virtual object on the one or more display devices, that a viewer may experience discomfort when viewing the virtual object at the first location. The method further comprises displaying an alert responsive to determining that the viewer may experience discomfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Haseltine, Michael P. Goslin, Joseph L. Olson, James Smith
  • Interoperable keychest
    Patent number: 10621520
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for an interoperable keychest. There is provided a method for use by a central key repository (CKR) or keychest to provide content access authorizations to distributors, comprising receiving a key information file including a first encrypted second key for decrypting with a first key and a content identification, decrypting the first encrypted second key using a first key to retrieve the second key, receiving, from a distributor, a key request including the content identification, encrypting the second key using a third key to generate a second encrypted second key, and transmitting the second encrypted second key to the distributor in response to the receiving of the key request. In this manner, key management for protected distributors using different DRM schemas or systems may be simplified and made interoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnaud Robert, Scott F. Watson
  • Video color propagation
    Patent number: 10623709
    Abstract: A video processing system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code including a convolutional neural network (CNN). The hardware processor executes the software code to receive video data including a key video frame in color and a video sequence in gray scale, determine a first estimated colorization for each frame of the video sequence except the key video frame based on a colorization of a previous frame, and determine a second estimated colorization for each frame of the video sequence except the key video frame based on the key video frame in color. For each frame of the video sequence except the key video frame, the software code further blends the first estimated colorization with the second estimated colorization using a color fusion stage of the CNN to produce a colorized video sequence corresponding to the video sequence in gray scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Simone Meyer, Victor Cornillere, Markus Gross, Abdelaziz Djelouah
  • Video optimizer for determining relationships between events
    Patent number: 10621596
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for a video optimizer for determining relationships between events. The method comprises receiving a total number of events for a plurality of contents over a period of time, receiving a first number of events of a first content of the plurality of contents over the period of time, receiving a second number of events of the plurality of contents over the period of time, and determining a relationship between the first content and the second content based on the first number of events, the second number of events, and the total number of events. A second relationship may be determined by utilizing a first time of event by a user of the first content, a second time of event by the user of the second content, and a weighed correspondence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Fernando, Michael Clements
  • Interoperable keychest
    Patent number: 10621518
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for an interoperable keychest. There is provided a method for use by a central key repository (CKR) or keychest to provide content access authorizations to distributors, comprising receiving a key information file including a first encrypted second key for decrypting with a first key and a content identification, decrypting the first encrypted second key using a first key to retrieve the second key, receiving, from a distributor, a key request including the content identification, encrypting the second key using a third key to generate a second encrypted second key, and transmitting the second encrypted second key to the distributor in response to the receiving of the key request. In this manner, key management for protected distributors using different DRM schemas or systems may be simplified and made interoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnaud Robert, Scott F. Watson
  • Multi-vantage point light-field picture element display
    Patent number: 10616547
    Abstract: A pixel projection component for projecting a multi-vantage point light-field includes a distal layer with a plurality of apertures disposed therein, each of the plurality of apertures traversing the distal layer between a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, and an intermediate layer comprising a plurality of light guides, the intermediate layer being mechanically coupled to the distal layer such that a proximal end of each light guide of the plurality of light guides is oriented to accept light transmissions from a corresponding light source and a distal end of each light guide is oriented to transmit the light transmission through a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures, such that the light is directed to targeted vantage points corresponding to the corresponding aperture, and causing different light transmissions to be transmitted to different vantage points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Popp, Steven Kosakura, James Bumgardner, Mehul Patel
  • Robust classification by pre-conditioned lasso and transductive diffusion component analysis
    Patent number: 10614379
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for identifying and filtering outliers from a sample set of data prior to training a classifier on an object using the sample set. A data set including a plurality of samples used to train a classification model is retrieved. The samples in the data set have a feature dimensionality. A graph of the data set is built. Each node in the graph corresponds to a sample in the data set and edges connecting the nodes correspond to a measure of similarity between the nodes. The feature dimensionality of the sample data set is reduced based on a topology of the graph. One or more outliers in the data set are identified based on the reduced feature dimensionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanwei Fu, Leonid Sigal
  • Systems and methods to provide video and control signals over an internet protocol communications network
    Patent number: 10616662
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide video signals and control signals over an internet protocol (IP) communications network are presented herein. Video signals and control signals may be obtained via an IP communications network. The control signals may be associated with the video signals using synchronization source identifiers as described in IETF RFC 3550.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Strein, Vladislav Feldman, Efthimis Stefanidis, Joseph Kenny, Craig Beardsley
  • Bottle
    Patent number: D885129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Rosette, Daria Vinogradova