Disney Enterprises, Inc.

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Thomas Fraiser LaDuke

Anselm Grundhofer

Przemyslaw Iwanowski

Francisco E Gonzalez

Mark A Reichow

Daniel Mark Joseph

Henning Zimmer

Keith Comito

Dirk Edward Van Dall

Justin Ali Kennedy

Thomas Tracey Tait

Jessica Anne Klouda

Sanchita Tiwari

Daniel Cahall

Mark R Brashear

Edgar F Mahnke, Iv

David Robert Wyatt Rose

A system for producing conversation-driven character animation includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a system memory storing software code, the software code including multiple trained machine learning (ML) models. The processing hardware executes the software code to obtain a conversation understanding feature set describing a present state of a conversation between a digital character and a system user, and to generate an inference, using at least a first trained ML model of the multiple trained ML models and the conversation understanding feature set, the inference including labels describing a predicted next state of a scene within the conversation. The processing hardware further executes the software code to produce, using at least a second trained ML model of the multiple trained ML models and the labels, an animation stream of the digital character participating in the predicted next state of the scene within the conversation.

Conversation-driven character animation

The present disclosure is related to a method to generate user representative avatars that fit within a design paradigm. The method includes receiving depth information corresponding to multiple user features of the user, determining one or more feature landmarks for the user based on the depth information, utilizing the one or more feature landmarks to classify a first user feature relative to an avatar feature category, selecting a first avatar feature from the avatar feature category based on the classification of the first user feature, combining the first avatar feature within an avatar representation to generate a user avatar, and output the user avatar for display.

Personalized stylized avatars

A system for projecting content, such as images, onto a moving object. The system includes a tracking module, a prediction module, a projection generation module, and a projector. In one example, the tracking module and the prediction module provide commentary data to the projection generation module, which uses the data to select or render content for projection on the object at a select location. The complementary data includes tracked position information and predicted position information.

High speed projection onto dynamic moving objects

A display system that is particularly well-suited for use in providing or displaying a live cinematic performance to an audience. The system includes a first space that is directly viewable by the audience and that is illuminated with a stage lighting assembly. Human, robotic, or other physical performers are positioned in the first space and selectively illuminated by light from the stage lighting. The system includes a Pepper's ghost assembly configured to provide enhanced brightness of the projected image as background items in the Pepper's ghost assembly's space are hidden from view by the audience. The Pepper's ghost assembly may include one or more high speed projectors or other light sources, a high speed vision system, and black retroreflective material, and these components function in combination to allow the assembly to be operated to selectively light objects and people in the hidden space without projecting the background to the audience.

Accurate and balanced lighting in a Pepper's ghost projection system for live cinematic performances

Accurate and balanced lighting in a pepper's ghost projection system for live cinematic performances

The present disclosure includes a method for modifying an input image to map to a three dimensional shape prior to forming the three dimensional shape. The method includes receiving by a processor at least two pre-forming images of a locally unique non-repeating pattern printed on an input material. The at least two pre-forming images are captured prior to the input material being formed into the three dimensional shape. The method further includes receiving by the processor at least two post-forming images of the pattern printed on the input material, wherein the post-forming images are captured after the input material has been formed into the three dimensional shape and analyzing by the processor the at least pre-forming images and the at least two post-forming images to determine a translation table.

Mapping for three dimensional surfaces

A system for controlling ride experiences through a ride space of an amusement park ride based on a passenger's present state. The system includes a sensor mounted on an automated trackless vehicle, being controlled to travel along a first ride path, sensing passenger data for a passenger. The system includes a controller processing the passenger data to determine a passenger state at a particular point in time during the ride experience. The controller determines a location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path. The controller, based on the passenger state and the location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path, determines a second ride path for the automated trackless vehicle for the ride space. The controller then controls the automated trackless vehicle to move from the first ride path to the second ride path to alter the passenger's state to enhance their ride experience.

Ride with automated trackless vehicles controlled based on sensed occupant state

The present disclosure includes a projection system for enhancing color saturation and contrast for a projected image. The projection surface includes a coat containing active materials and the projection system includes a first light source emitting light onto the surface and defining a first image on the surface and a second light source emitting light onto the surface and activating the active materials within the transparent coat to emit visible light of one or more wavelengths. The first light source defines the first image and the visible light emitted from the active materials enhances one or more characteristics of the first image. In another embodiment, the second light source may be activated when the first light source fails to define a backup or static image that may be different or the same as the image produced by the first light source.

Projection system for enhancing and modifying the appearance of a projection surface

A method for controlling a ride experience through a ride space of an amusement park ride. The method includes, with a sensor mounted on an automated trackless vehicle being controlled to travel along a first ride path, sensing passenger data for a passenger. The method involves processing the passenger data to determine a passenger state at a particular point in time during the ride experience. The method includes determining a location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path. The method involves, based on the passenger state and the location of the automated trackless vehicle on the first ride path, determining a second ride path for the automated trackless vehicle to move through the ride space. The method includes controlling the automated trackless vehicle to move off the first ride path and along the second ride path, e.g., to alter the passenger's state to enhance the ride experience.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

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