Disney Patents

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

Disney Patents by Type
  • Disney Patents Granted: Disney patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Disney Patent Applications: Disney patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Systems and methods for differential media distribution
    Patent number: 10972769
    Abstract: Systems for electronic media distribution includes a differential versioning server configured to receive a first media file including a first set of data with a first set of attributes and a second media file including a second set of data with a second set of attributes, generate a first differential data file as a function of differences between the first media file and the second media file, and generate a first differential metadata file including an encoding data set configured to enable a media decoder to regenerate the second media file by applying the first differential data file to the first media file. Systems for electronic media distribution may also include a receiver communicatively coupled to a differential versioning decoder configured to receive the first media file and the first differential data file and generate the second media file by applying the first differential data file to the first media file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Silverman, Anne Chang, Kari Grubin, Jeffrey Miller, Christopher Witham
  • Systems and methods for reconstructing frames
    Patent number: 10972749
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reconstructing a frame. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes non-transient electronic storage, a graphical user interface, and one or more physical computer processors. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining one or more reference frames from non-transient electronic storage, generating one or more displacement maps based on the one or more reference frames and a target frame with the physical computer processor, generating one or more warped frames based on the one or more reference frames and the one or more displacement maps with the physical computer processor, obtaining a conditioned reconstruction model from the non-transient electronic storage, and generating one or more blending coefficients and one or more reconstructed displacement maps by applying the one or more displacement maps, the one or more warped frames, and a target frame to the conditioned reconstruction model with the physical computer processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Joaquim Campos, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Yuanyi Xue, Erika Varis Doggett, Jared McPhillen, Scott Labrozzi
  • Methods and systems of displaying an image free of motion-blur using spinning projectors
    Patent number: 10969666
    Abstract: According to one implementation, an image display system includes a motor configured to spin a rotor, first and second projectors, a projection screen having a first projection surface on a first side and a second projection surface on a second side opposite the first side, and a controller. The controller causes the motor to spin the rotor that spins the projection screen, the first projector, and the second projector about an axis, displays a first perspective of an image on the first projection surface using the first projector, and concurrently with displaying the first perspective of the image on the first projection surface, displays a second perspective of the image on the second projection surface using the second projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Haseltine
  • Systems and methods configured to provide gaze-based audio in interactive experiences
    Patent number: 10970031
    Abstract: A system configured to provide gaze-based audio presentation for interactive experiences. The interactive experiences may take place in an interactive space. An interactive space may include one or both of augmented reality (AR) environment, a virtual reality (VR) environment, and/or other interactive spaces. The interactive space may include audio content and/or virtual content. A user's gaze may be tracked. Based on the user's gaze indicating they are looking at a given virtual object, the audio content may be modified. The modification may include one or more of increasing audio content specifically associated with given virtual object, decreasing a volume of other audio content, and/or other modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxwell McCoy, Elliott Baumbach, Timothy M. Panec
  • Systems and methods for using a vehicle as a motion base for a simulated experience
    Patent number: 10969748
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for using a vehicle as a motion base for a simulated experience. To use a vehicle as a motion base for a simulation experience, simulation information for the simulation experience may be obtained. Simulation information may include simulation stimuli that correspond to simulation events. Ride information may be obtained to identify occurrences of simulation events. Simulation stimuli corresponding to the identified simulation events occurrences may be generated. Simulation experience may be provided by operating one or more of a light source inside the vehicle, a speaker, a display, an air conditioner, a heater, a temperature controller of the vehicle, and/or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Systems and methods to trigger presentation of in-vehicle content
    Patent number: 10970560
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system to trigger presentation of in-vehicle content based on detected physical objects. The system may be coupled to a vehicle. The system may include one or more physical processors. The processor(s) may be configured to obtain output signals conveying detection information that facilitates detection and identification of physical objects near and/or within an interior of the vehicle. The processor(s) may be configured to identify the physical objects near or within the interior of the vehicle. The processor(s) may be configured to obtain usage information conveying recent and/or anticipated use of the physical objects. The processor(s) may be configured to control one or more vehicle components to provide content that is specific to the identity of the physical object and/or specific to the usage information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alif Khalfan, Patricia Chao, Thomas M. DeKeyser, David Feder, Nina W. Chai, David Castor
  • Pose estimation and body tracking using an artificial neural network
    Patent number: 10970849
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a pose estimation and body tracking system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code including a tracking module trained to track motions. The software code receives a series of images of motion by a subject, and for each image, uses the tracking module to determine locations corresponding respectively to two-dimensional (2D) skeletal landmarks of the subject based on constraints imposed by features of a hierarchical skeleton model intersecting at each 2D skeletal landmark. The software code further uses the tracking module to infer joint angles of the subject based on the locations and determine a three-dimensional (3D) pose of the subject based on the locations and the joint angles, resulting in a series of 3D poses. The software code outputs a tracking image corresponding to the motion by the subject based on the series of 3D poses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Prashanth Chandran, Markus Gross
  • Selective reduction of pixel intensity to enhance energy efficiency during display of an image
    Patent number: 10964290
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for enhancing energy efficiency during display of an image through selective reduction of pixel intensity includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to receive a first image including multiple pixels and having a first display power consumption when displayed on a display, and to change the intensity of each of a predetermined subset of the pixels of the first image into a predetermined intensity to generate a second image. The second image has a second display power consumption when displayed on the display, the predetermined intensity being such that the second display power consumption is lower than the first display power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Mendes de Souza
  • Systems and methods for tracking a physical object using a passive object having a reflective surface
    Patent number: 10960297
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for tracking physical objects using a passive reflective object. A computer-implemented method includes obtaining a location profile derived from content capturing a passive object having a reflective surface reflecting one or more real-world objects. The passive object is attached to a physical object. The method further includes transmitting the location profile to a simulation device. The method further includes generating a virtual representation of the physical object based on the location profile of the passive object. The method further includes presenting the virtual representation in a simulation experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Steven M. Chapman
  • TRACKING SYSTEM FOR VISUAL EFFECT TRIGGERING USING INDUCED MAGNETIC FIELD AND PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS
    Publication number: 20210088688
    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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: STEVEN M. CHAPMAN, JOSEPH HAGER
  • Adjusting the output of headphones based on external inputs
    Patent number: 10959022
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for controlling an audio output for a headphone system. In one embodiment, a headphone system comprising a speaker, a communication interface configured to receive a first audio signal from a first audio source hosted on a first computing device and a master audio signal from a master audio source hosted on a second computing device separate from the first computing device, wherein the first audio source and master audio source are separate from the headphone system, and an audio control module, is configured to output the first audio signal on the speaker using a first volume level, receive the master audio signal, and in response, decrease a volume of the first audio signal relative to the first volume level, output the master audio signal on the speaker at a second volume level greater than the decreased volume of the first audio signal, and after determining the master audio signal is finished, increase the volume of the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Elliott H. Baumbach
  • Alignment of video and textual sequences for metadata analysis
    Patent number: 10956685
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products related to aligning heterogeneous sequential data are disclosed. Video data in a media presentation and textual data corresponding to content of the media presentation are received. An action related to aligning the video data and the textual data is determined using an alignment neural network, such that the video data and the textual data are at least partially aligned following the action. The alignment neural network includes a first fully connected layer that receives as input the video data, the textual data, and data relating to a previously determined action by the alignment neural network related to aligning the video data and the textual data. The determined action related to aligning the video data and the textual data is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyang Li, Leonid Sigal, Pelin Dogan
  • Energy harvesting from a mobile device
    Patent number: 10958085
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a system for harvesting energy from a mobile device includes a housing having a receptacle for receiving the mobile device, a battery situated within the housing, an energy collection interface including at least one transducer coupled to the battery by a power bus, and one or more auxiliary electronic components coupled to the battery by the power bus. The system is configured to receive, via the receptacle, the mobile device, and to receive, via the energy collection interface, an energy emitted by the mobile device. The system is also configured to generate, by the one or more transducers, a current, using the energy received from the mobile device, and to feed, via the power bus, the current to at least one of the battery and the at least one auxiliary electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Haseltine
  • Augmented reality (AR)-capable headset and visually detected controller devices
    Patent number: 10951736
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include a system and associated AR-capable headset and method. The system includes one or more controller devices and an augmented reality (AR)-capable headset. The AR-capable headset includes one or more visual sensors and one or more computer processors that, while the headset is in an unworn state: receive input from the one or more controller devices, output visual content to an external display, and visually detect the one or more controller devices using the one or more visual sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Nocon, Jason A. Yeung
  • Authenticity assessment of modified content
    Patent number: 10951958
    Abstract: A system for assessing authenticity of modified content includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a software code including a neural network trained to assess the authenticity of modified content generated based on baseline digital content and including one or more modifications to the baseline digital content. The hardware processor executes the software code to use the neural network to receive the modified content and to assess the authenticity of each of the one or more modifications to the baseline digital content to produce one or more authenticity assessments corresponding respectively to the one or more modifications to the baseline digital content. The hardware processor is also configured to execute the software code to generate an authenticity evaluation of the modified content based on the one or more authenticity assessments, and to output the authenticity evaluation for rendering on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Arana, Edward C. Drake, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Anthony M. Accardo
  • Method and device for fantasy sports auction recommendations
    Patent number: 10940395
    Abstract: A device and method groups sport players into tiers for a fantasy sports auction and generates bid recommendations. The method includes receiving at least one parameter value for each of a plurality of sport players. The method includes determining a score value for each of the sport players as a function of the at least one parameter value. The method includes determining a corresponding tier value of a plurality of tier values for each of the sport players, each of the tier values being indicative of a respective range of score values. The method includes providing first player data for one of the plurality of sport players including at least identity data and the corresponding tier value. The method includes accepting the nomination of a second player, and generating recommended bid data using the at least one parameter value, and optionally modifying the recommendation thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Nathaniel Sloan, David Michael Fishel
  • Free-viewpoint collimated display systems for collimated effects
    Patent number: 10942360
    Abstract: Display systems for achieving collimated projection effects. For example, in a theatrical or concert installation, display systems can be used to project images of scenery that appear to be vast and at a great distant behind the viewing window. The system may include a flat panel display, a corrective mirror, and a concave mirror positioned for viewing by an observer. The corrective mirror pre-warps an image generated by the flat panel display and reflects the undistorted image onto the concave mirror such that the observer perceives the image generated by the flat panel display as being at a large distance. The corrective mirror does not distort with changes in viewpoint. In another implementation, the system may include a short throw projector generating an image, a free-form projection screen, and a concave mirror positioned for viewing by many observers through a viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Thomas F. Laduke, Quinn Y. Smithwick
  • Synchronized augmented reality gameplay across multiple gaming environments
    Patent number: 10940387
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for implementing augmented reality (AR) gameplay across multiple AR gaming environments. A synchronized AR gaming application executing on an AR gaming console detects that a first gaming console that is executing an AR gaming application has exited a first AR gaming environment and entered a second AR gaming environment. The synchronized AR gaming application connects to a communications network associated with the second AR gaming environment. The synchronized AR gaming application detects, via the communications network, a sensor associated with the second AR gaming environment. The synchronized AR gaming application alters execution of the AR gaming application based at least in part on sensor data received via the sensor to enable the AR gaming application to continue executing as the first gaming console exits the first AR gaming environment and enters the second AR gaming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Nathan Nocon
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECONSTRUCTING FRAMES
    Publication number: 20210067801
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reconstructing a frame. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes non-transient electronic storage, a graphical user interface, and one or more physical computer processors. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining one or more reference frames from non-transient electronic storage, generating one or more displacement maps based on the one or more reference frames and a target frame with the physical computer processor, generating one or more warped frames based on the one or more reference frames and the one or more displacement maps with the physical computer processor, obtaining a conditioned reconstruction model from the non-transient electronic storage, and generating one or more blending coefficients and one or more reconstructed displacement maps by applying the one or more displacement maps, the one or more warped frames, and a target frame to the conditioned reconstruction model with the physical computer processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Joaquim Campos, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Yuanyi Xue, Erika Varis Doggett, Jared McPhillen, Scott Labrozzi
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A LATENT SPACE RESIDUAL
    Publication number: 20210067808
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a latent space residual. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes non-transient electronic storage, a graphical user interface, and one or more physical computer processors. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining a target frame, obtaining a reconstructed frame, encoding the target frame into a latent space to generate a latent space target frame, encoding the reconstructed frame into the latent space to generate a latent space reconstructed frame, and generating a latent space residual based on the latent space target frame and the latent space reconstructed frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schroers, Joaquim Campos, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Yuanyi Xue, Erika Varis Doggett, Jared McPhillen, Scott Labrozzi
  • Animation streaming for media interaction
    Patent number: 10937220
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for animation streaming for media interaction by receiving, at a generator, inputs from a target device presenting of a virtual environment; updating, based on the user inputs, a model of the virtual environment; determining network conditions between the generator and target device; generating a packet that includes a forecasted animation set for a virtual object in the updated model that comprises rig updates for the virtual object for at least two different states, and a number of states included in the packet is based on the network conditions; and streaming the packet to the target device, where the target device: receives a second input to interact with the virtual environment that changes the virtual environment to a given state; selects and applies a rig update associated with the given state a local model of the virtual object; and outputs the updated local model on the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Mitchell
  • Optimizing 3D printed large-scale structures under worst-case loads
    Patent number: 10933623
    Abstract: A 3D printer system with a structural optimization tool to generate 3D models optimized for build materials such as those used in binder jetting technology-based printers. The structural optimization tool uses a computational approach to optimize mechanical and mass properties of large-scale structures (i.e., objects to be 3D printed), and the computational approach is tailored for fabrication on binder jetting technologies. To spend a material budget for printing an object wisely, the inventors in designing the computational approach turned the Bresler-Pister failure criterion into an objective measuring the potential of failure of an object or structure. This involved modeling the difference in tensile and compressive strength of the build material. To optimize structures under worst-case loads, the computational approach unifies an optimization to identify worst-case loads with an optimization to minimize the resulting failure potential, nesting them with first-order optimality constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Moritz Niklaus Bächer, Christian Gabriel Schumacher, Jonas Alois Zehnder
  • Image compensation using image enhancement effects
    Patent number: 10937242
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for performing image compensation using image enhancement effects. In one implementation, such a system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing an image compensation software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the image compensation software code to receive image data corresponding to an event being viewed by a viewer in a venue, the image data obtained by a wearable augmented reality (AR) device worn by the viewer, and to detect a deficiency in an image included in the image data. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the image compensation software code to generate one or more image enhancement effect(s) for compensating for the deficiency in the image and to output the image enhancement effect(s) for rendering on a display of the wearable AR device while the viewer is viewing the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Todd P. Swanson, Joseph Popp, Samy Segura, Mehul Patel
  • Methods and systems of hybrid actuator-system control
    Patent number: 10933335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for hybrid actuator system control are disclosed herein. The system can include a simulation vehicle. The simulation vehicle can transit at least one passenger through a ride experience, can include a plurality of controls, and can be mounted on an actuator system controllable to move the simulation vehicle in connection with at least one ride event. The system can include a processor. The processor can: provide content to the at least one passenger; receive user inputs via the plurality of controls of the simulation vehicle; identify authored control data; generate algorithmic control data; generate a hybrid control signal according to a combination of the authored control data and the algorithmic control data; and control movement of the simulation vehicle according to the hybrid control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ashbrook, Robert E. Huebner, Asa K. Kalama, Daniel Sass, Michael Arevalo
  • Distributed storytelling environment
    Patent number: 10928915
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are disclosed for an interactive storytelling environment. The method comprises identifying a plurality of storytelling devices available to participate in a storytelling experience, including a first storytelling device at a first physical location and a second storytelling device at a remote second physical location. The method further comprises receiving, based on user input during playback of a story, an instruction to perform a first action of a predetermined plurality of actions using the second storytelling device, the user input indicating a user interaction with a depiction of the second storytelling device at the first physical location. The method further comprises performing, based on timing information included in the received instruction, the first action using the second storytelling device such that performing the first action is at least partly synchronized with performance of an animation sequence of the depicted second storytelling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Katherine M. Bassett, Joseph Logan Olson, Eric C. Haseltine
  • Learning to schedule control fragments for physics-based character simulation and robots using deep Q-learning
    Patent number: 10929743
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for learning to schedule control fragments for physics-based virtual character simulations and physical robot control. Given precomputed tracking controllers, a simulation application segments the controllers into control fragments and learns a scheduler that selects control fragments at runtime to accomplish a task. In one embodiment, each scheduler may be modeled with a Q-network that maps a high-level representation of the state of the simulation to a control fragment for execution. In such a case, the deep Q-learning algorithm applied to learn the Q-network schedulers may be adapted to use a reward function that prefers the original controller sequence and an exploration strategy that gives more chance to in-sequence control fragments than to out-of-sequence control fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Libin Liu, Jessica Kate Hodgins
  • System and method for providing landscape and portrait oriented images of a common scene on separate feeds with independent image controls
    Patent number: 10931889
    Abstract: A system and method for providing landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) oriented images of a common scene on separate feeds with independent image controls includes a movable horizontal camera configured to provide a horizontal image on a horizontal image feed, a movable vertical camera configured to provide a vertical image on a vertical image feed, the horizontal and vertical cameras configured to be aligned along a camera axis and mounted to a common support, the horizontal and vertical cameras configured to view the common scene and to provide separate horizontal and vertical image feeds simultaneously, the cameras being independently controlled such that a given camera is moved when a tracked subject exceeds a control range threshold for that camera image, independent of the subject location in the other camera image. In some embodiments, a single high resolution image may be used with independently-controlled horizontal and vertical extracted images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Barone, Samuel J. Reisner
  • Prompting a user for feedback based on user experience
    Patent number: 10929897
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for prompting a user for feedback based on user experience. The technique includes detecting, via a processor, that a first application event has occurred and updating a score based on a first value assigned to the first application event. The technique further includes determining that the score exceeds a first threshold, and, in response, outputting a first prompt for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McNabb, Kathleen Reilly
  • Light transmitting wearable device with transparent and translucent components
    Patent number: 10931002
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device is described. The wearable electronic device uses a light within a housing of the electronic device to illuminate an optically connected band, such as a watch band which provides interactive displays and features to a user. The positioning of the light source within the housing allows for the interactive display in the connected band without increasing the size and/or complexity of the electronic device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan D. Nocon
  • Systems and methods to provide a sports-based interactive experience
    Patent number: 10918949
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to provide sports-based interactive experiences. The interactive experiences may be facilitated by providing users' views of virtual content related to a particular sport. The systems and methods may utilize action sequence information and/or other information. The action sequence information may specify anticipated sequences of output signals generated by sensors coupled to real-world items of playing equipment. The output signals in the anticipated sequences of output signals may be associated with anticipated control signals for controlling the virtual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Panec
  • Contextually changing guest messaging and experience
    Patent number: 10918961
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a customized amusement ride experience are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation vehicle that can transit at least one passenger from a starting position to a terminating position of the amusement ride, a memory including a content database and a token database, and a sensor that can receive data identifying at least one token. The system can include a processor that can: receive data from the sensor identifying the at least one token; retrieve ride data from the token database based on the data identifying the at least one token, which ride data identifies an attribute associated with the token; select content for delivery based on the ride data; retrieve the selected content for delivery from the content database; and provide the selected content to the at least one passenger of the simulation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Asa K. Kalama, Casey Ging, Peter Stepniewicz, Robert E. Huebner
  • Systems and methods to provide a software benefit when a consumer object is recognized in an image
    Patent number: 10922700
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, it may be recognized that a consumer has placed a consumer object, such as a toy or action figure, into a field of view of a camera (e.g., a video camera incorporated into a portable computer). A software benefit associated with the consumer object may then be automatically determined, and, responsive to the recognition and determination, it may be arranged for the consumer to receive that software benefit (e.g., in a virtual world).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Heatherly
  • Cloud-based image rendering for video stream enrichment
    Patent number: 10924823
    Abstract: According to one implementation, a cloud-based system for performing cloud-based image rendering for video stream enrichment includes a video forwarding unit and a video enrichment unit. The video forwarding unit is configured to detect one or more non-interactive video player(s) linked to the video forwarding unit over a communication network, forward a video stream to the non-interactive video player(s), and forward the video stream to the video enrichment unit. The video enrichment unit is configured to receive the video stream, detect one or more interactive video player(s) linked to the video enrichment unit over the communication network, identify a video enhancement corresponding to one or more customizable video segment(s) in the video stream, insert a rendered video enhancement into the one or more customizable video segment(s) to produce an enriched video stream, and distribute the enriched video stream to one or more of the interactive video player(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan A. Binder, Marc Junyent Martin, Jordi Badia Pujol, Avner Swerdlow, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu
  • Compact perspectively correct occlusion capable augmented reality displays
    Patent number: 10921593
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe AR systems that provide occluded AR content to a user while maintaining the perspective of the user. In one embodiment, the AR system includes an optical cloak that contains a mask display device and an AR display device and one or more focusing elements and a prism for focusing light captured from the user's environment. As the light enters the optical cloak, the mask display device occludes a portion of the user's view to generate a black silhouette. The AR system then combines AR content displayed by the AR display device with the image of the environment such that the location of the AR content overlaps with the location of the black silhouette. Furthermore, the spacing and characteristics of the focusing elements and the prism are set to maintain the perspective of the user as the light passes through the optical cloak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinn Yorklun Jen Smithwick, Isela D. Howlett
  • Adaptive luminance/color correction for displays
    Patent number: 10921596
    Abstract: The systems described herein facilitate providing a virtual content with an intended appearance. The virtual content can be an interactive space. The interactive space may be presented on a display of a presentation device. The display can be a transparent display. The interactive space can be superimposed over a perspective of a physical real-world environment of a user. Environmental characteristics of the physical real-world environment can alter the intended appearance of the interactive space superimposed over a perspective of a physical real-world environment. The environmental characteristics include one or more of a light intensity, color, and/or other visual features of the physical real-world environment. The appearance of the interactive space can be altered to compensate for the environmental characteristics. The appearance of the interactive space can be altered such the user can perceive the interactive space as intended by the creator of the interactive space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Nocon, Michael P. Goslin, Wilfredo Rosas
  • Stability controlled systems
    Patent number: 10921830
    Abstract: A stability controlled system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor, a memory storing a software code, a moveable component, and a tilt sensor. The hardware processor executes the software code to monitor the tilt sensor to determine whether the system is at a tilt with respect to a support surface for the system. When the tilt sensor is sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface: when the moveable component is off, the software code prevents the moveable component from turning on, and when the moveable component is on, the software code performs one of (a) turning off the moveable component, and (b) slowing down a regular rate of motion of the moveable component. When the tilt sensor is not sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface, the software code permits the moveable component to be turned on and have the regular rate of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Wong, Nathan D. Nocon
  • Noise reduction on G-buffers for Monte Carlo filtering
    Patent number: 10922872
    Abstract: Techniques for selectively removing Monte Carlo (MC) noise from a geometric buffer (G-buffer). Embodiments identify the G-buffer for rendering an image of a three-dimensional scene from a viewpoint. Embodiments determine, for each of a plurality of pixels in the image being rendered, respective world position information based on the three-dimensional scene and a position and orientation of the viewpoint. A pre-filtering operation is then performed to selectively remove the MC noise from the G-buffer, based on the determined world position information for the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Mitchell, Jose A. Iglesias-Guitian, Bochang Moon, Steven G. McDonagh
  • System and method for polarization and wavelength gated transparent displays
    Patent number: 10924639
    Abstract: A transparent display system is provided where broadcast talent (or presenter) can see interactive content, tool palettes, prompts (and the like) as well as their own sketches and annotations, but a viewing audience sees only the broadcast talent and content intended for the viewing audience with the talent's annotation thereof. A transparent scattering screen together with optical filtering or gating of a first optical property of the light (e.g., polarization-based or wavelength-based) is used such that the first property of the light is projected onto the screen so the talent can see the projection, and a camera-side filter blocks the first property of the light so it is not seen by the camera. Simultaneously, a broadcast talent (or presenter) is illuminated by light having properties other than the first property, which allows the talent image to pass through the screen and the camera-side filter allowing the talent to be seen by camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Quinn Smithwick, Samuel J. Reisner
  • Systems and methods to provide a game based on common media consumption
    Patent number: 10918951
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide a game based on common media consumption are described herein. Exemplary implementations may: obtain sets of consumption information for users of a game; identify common media content that has been consumed by two or more users from the sets of consumption information for the two or more users; responsive to requests from users to play the game together, obtain game information that corresponds to the common media content; effectuate presentation of the game on computing platforms of the users based on the game information; and/or perform other operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Hunter Gibson, Janice Rosenthal, Nathan Nocon, Michael Goslin, Elliott Baumbach, Jason Yeung
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARTITIONING AN ANIMATABLE MODEL
    Publication number: 20210042981
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for partitioning an animatable model. The system may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium operatively coupled to processors. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may store instructions that, when executed, cause the processors to perform a number of operations. One operation may include obtaining an animatable model. The animatable model may include a geometry matrix. Another operation may include obtaining user input to partition an animatable model into multiple partitions. The user input may include a connected curve in the geometry matrix. Yet another operation may include partitioning the animatable model into the multiple partitions based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Bisceglio, Christopher Franz Moore, Daniel Sampaio Lima, Scotty Sharp, Steven Song
  • Joining gameplay of a game through video content
    Patent number: 10913002
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to facilitating players joining an ongoing game session depicted in video content for contemporaneous, interactive play with a player. A first user on a first computing platform may present a recording of video content to a second user on a second computing platform. The video content may include a depiction of a game session of a game and a pointer to the game session. The second user may access the pointer. The pointer may enable the second user to participate in the game session depicted in the video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goslin
  • Systems and methods to facilitate selective dialogue presentation
    Patent number: 10917451
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to facilitate selective dialogue presentation for multimedia presentations. Exemplary implementations may: present visual content of the multimedia presentation on a display device; present effects audio content of the multimedia presentation on a set of audio presentation devices; communication of individual dialogue audio content of the multimedia presentation to individual user devices to cause the individual user devices to present individual dialogue audio content in sync with the presentation of the visual content and/or the effects audio content; and/or other operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Arana
  • Robotics skin system with integral elastomeric links to complete mechanical linkages
    Patent number: 10913161
    Abstract: A skin or skin system for a robot or robotics assembly is provided that includes one or more integral elastomeric links (or bars) (“IELs”) that are configured for receiving and connection with coupling elements or members (e.g., pivot pins) at the ends of mechanical links/bars. The IELs are also configured to act as a final link of a mechanical linkage made up of these mechanical links to provide a closed chain. For example, the body of each of the IELs, or a portion of the IEL body extending between connection points with the coupling elements of the links/bars of the mechanical linkage, provides a final link in a mechanical linkage forming a closed chain to allow it properly function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip John Jackson, Todd P. Camill, Anthony D. Martin
  • ID association and indoor localization via passive phased-array and computer vision motion correlation
    Patent number: 10915796
    Abstract: A system and method for combining computer vision information about human subjects within the field-of-view of a computer vision subsystem with RF Angle of Arrival (AoA) information from an RF receiver subsystem to locate, identify, and track individuals and their location. The RF receiver subsystem may receive RF signals emitted by one or more electronic devices (e.g., a mobile phone) carried, held, or otherwise associated with am individual. Further, gestures can be made with the device and they can be detected by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Chouchang Yang, Alanson Sample
  • System and method for identifying and tagging assets within an AV file
    Patent number: 10915715
    Abstract: A system for identifying, tagging, and displaying one or more assets within an audio visual (AV) file includes an asset tagging server, an asset tag acquisition device, and a database, wherein the asset tag acquisition device includes an asset identification engine configured to receive an asset identification data set and generate an asset tag data file that includes an asset tag corresponding to each asset. The asset tagging server is configured to receive, from an AV capture device, an AV file that includes an AV representation of each asset and corresponding timestamp data, and store, in the database, an AV asset tag data file comprising the beginning timestamp, the ending time stamp, and the set of asset tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony R. Smith
  • Joint estimation from images
    Patent number: 10916046
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for estimating poses from images. In one embodiment, a machine learning model, referred to herein as the “detector,” is trained to estimate animal poses from images in a bottom-up fashion. In particular, the detector may be trained using rendered images depicting animal body parts scattered over realistic backgrounds, as opposed to renderings of full animal bodies. In order to make appearances of the rendered body parts more realistic so that the detector can be trained to estimate poses from images of real animals, the body parts may be rendered using textures that are determined from a translation of rendered images of the animal into corresponding images with more realistic textures via adversarial learning. Three-dimensional poses may also be inferred from estimated joint locations using, e.g., inverse kinematics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Martin Guay, Dominik Tobias Borer, Ahmet Cengiz Öztireli, Robert W. Sumner, Jakob Joachim Buhmann
  • Systems and methods to synchronize real-world motion of physical objects with presentation of virtual content
    Patent number: 10916061
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to synchronize real-world motion of physical objects with presentation of virtual content. Individual physical objects may be detected and/or identified based on image information defining one or more images of a real-world environment. Individual network connections may be established between individual computing platforms and individual physical objects. A network connection may facilitate a synchronization of a presentation of virtual content on a computing platform with motion of one or more physical objects in the real-world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Panec, Janice Rosenthal, Hunter J. Gibson, Nathan D. Nocon, Stephen A. Thornton
  • Preference implementation system for acting on preferences of facility visitors
    Patent number: 10915738
    Abstract: A system for implementing visitor customizations at a facility using selective image recognition. The system includes a processor and memory storing an optical marker definition and, for potential visitors to the facility, a reference file for image-based recognition of a person. The system includes a camera in a space of the facility capturing an image of the space. The system includes an opt-in verification module run by the processor that processes the captured image of the space to identify, based on the optical marker definition, presence of an optical marker. The system includes an image recognition module run by the processor that compares recognizable features in the captured image with the reference files for the potential visitors to recognize the visitor. The memory stores opt-in records for the potential visitors, and permission to use recognition technology is obtained prior to processing by the image recognition module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Egger, Mihail A. Ambrozie, Luis M. Bracamontes Hernandez, Mangesh Patil, Ravel A. Antunes, Hariraghav Ramasamy, John David Worrall, Ernest L. Martin
  • Large-scale infinity optics window for use in small facility packaging applications
    Patent number: 10916163
    Abstract: A display system useful for achieving a wide field of view infinity effect. The system includes a frame assembly adapted for mounting on a wall of viewing space. The system includes a display element with a display surface. The system includes a magnifying lens supported within the frame assembly with a rear surface facing the display surface and with a front surface facing the viewing space. The rear surface of the magnifying lens is parallel to the display surface of the display element and is separated from the display surface by a separation distance less than a focal length of the magnifying lens, e.g., a value such that a ratio of the separation distance to the focal length is in the range of 0.169 to 0.254. The magnifying lens may be a Fresnel lens in the form of a planar plastic sheet manufactured to provide a flat spherical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Joseph, Andrew J. Johnson, Gilles J. Martin, Harry B. Wykes
  • Multimedia system for transforming any room into a show environment
    Patent number: 10917683
    Abstract: A show system or in-room entertainment or show system configured to provide engaging and immersive multimedia shows or presentations in nearly any space (or “room”) that is defined by one or more walls. The in-room show system generally includes a controller for selectively operating a display device (e.g., a television or the like), a video projector, an audio system (e.g., one or more speakers), and other show components (e.g., one or more lights, a fan, a mechanical device, and so on). Media content is predefined for the room, and the controller operates (such as in response to a triggering switch or remote control device that may take the form of a show prop activated by someone in the room) to serve the media content to tell a story and/or magically transform the space into a multidimensional and immersive entertainment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Jeffrey L. Voris, John David Smith, Zachery W. Kennedy, Preston Timothy Landry