USA: Disney Granted With Patent for “Virtual-World Simulator“

The patent, awarded to Disney Enterprise Inc. by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on 28 December 2021, covers a new simulation technology that Disney plans to use in the future, e.g. in the company‘s theme parks or film and television studios. The “Virtual-World Simulator“ is intended to enable multiple people to experience an AR attraction without having to rely on wearing helmets, headsets or apps on their smartphones. The virtual effects are adapted to the three-dimensional characteristics of the location within an enclosed space. For this purpose, the “Virtual-World Simulator“ consists of a computer with hardware processor, a non-transitory storage device as well as tracking systems, projection and mapping devices.

By means of the so-called SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology, it should be possible to continuously track the constantly changing point of view of a visitor moving through a real location - for example, a theme park attraction. By continuously tracking the ever-changing point of view of people within the room, projections are supposed to be adjusted within its angle of their view and thus offer a highly immersive 3D experience. To further enhance the immersion, the “Virtual-World Simulator“ can be equipped with audio systems so that ambient sounds as well as the speech of virtual characters or noises can be played. The new technology is intended to overlap real and virtual structures in such a way that they become a homogeneous symbiosis and enable a unique visitor experience without visitors having to wear an AR viewing device. Disney does not rule out the possibility that gadgets such as control units in the hands may still be used for certain applications of this simulator. (eap)