Possible AVATAR Patents?

[aka_emilicious]

I tend to frequent the US Patent site to see what Disney's been up to. I stumbled on a couple of interesting patents that might be related to some of the Avatar and Rivers of Light stuff. I thought I would post them here in case anyone else was interested.

• Flow sensing system and method: Vague name, but the patent clearly shows a Tree of Life type of figure with lights throughout. It might be the blue lights everyone saw at the end of Harambe Nights?
  
• Animatronic eye with an electromagnetic drive and fluid suspension and with video capability: Pretty much what the name says. An animatronic eye suspended in fluid with rear projected video. I think this could potentially be more realistic looking eyes for the future Avatar figures.
  
• CHIN STRAP SENSOR FOR TRIGGERING CONTROL OF WALK-AROUND CHARACTERS: I guess Disney doesn't like the fact they have to choreograph things so carefully.
• System and method for generating realistic eyes: More eyes.
  
• Method and apparatus for control of a flexible material using magnetism: If you take a look at the images, it's used for animating plants. In the actual text it states "For example, a three-dimensional, life-sized sculpture based on a cartoon character, such as a cartoon dog or alien, may be constructed of a flexible material, such as an elastomer." Basically, it's using the power of magnets instead of servos for animation.
  
• Amusement park ride with passenger loading separated from vehicle insertion into simulators: Disney's answer to Forbidden Journey's simulators.

I'll stop for now, lol. There's two more I remember seeing, but I didn't quite find. I'll post them later if I come across them again.

 

[danlb_2000]

I tend to frequent the US Patent site to see what Disney's been up to. I stumbled on a couple of interesting patents that might be related to some of the Avatar and Rivers of Light stuff. I thought I would post them here in case anyone else was interested.

• Flow sensing system and method: Vague name, but the patent clearly shows a Tree of Life type of figure with lights throughout. It might be the blue lights everyone saw at the end of Harambe Nights?
  
• Animatronic eye with an electromagnetic drive and fluid suspension and with video capability: Pretty much what the name says. An animatronic eye suspended in fluid with rear projected video. I think this could potentially be more realistic looking eyes for the future Avatar figures.
  
• CHIN STRAP SENSOR FOR TRIGGERING CONTROL OF WALK-AROUND CHARACTERS: I guess Disney doesn't like the fact they have to choreograph things so carefully.
• System and method for generating realistic eyes: More eyes.
  
• Method and apparatus for control of a flexible material using magnetism: If you take a look at the images, it's used for animating plants. In the actual text it states "For example, a three-dimensional, life-sized sculpture based on a cartoon character, such as a cartoon dog or alien, may be constructed of a flexible material, such as an elastomer." Basically, it's using the power of magnets instead of servos for animation.
  
• Amusement park ride with passenger loading separated from vehicle insertion into simulators: Disney's answer to Forbidden Journey's simulators.

I'll stop for now, lol. There's two more I remember seeing, but I didn't quite find. I'll post them later if I come across them again.

Although these could be used for Avatar, most of them are to old to have been developed specifically for Avatar. The last one appears to be similar to some elements of the Ratatouille being built in Paris.

 

[aka_emilicious]

Although these could be used for Avatar, most of them are to old to have been developed specifically for Avatar. The last one appears to be similar to some elements of the Ratatouille being built in Paris.

Agreed. That's sort of what I meant - they could be used for, but not necessarily specifically for Avatar. Heck, these may never become reality either! But, they have some similar elements to what we've heard for Avatar.

 

[ntoeman]

Although these could be used for Avatar, most of them are to old to have been developed specifically for Avatar. The last one appears to be similar to some elements of the Ratatouille being built in Paris.

That and possibly for Shanghai? Regardless of where they could go, very exciting stuff to see!

 

[danlb_2000]

That and possibly for Shanghai? Regardless of where they could go, very exciting stuff to see!

Could be, or could be for no where. Just because they have patented something doesn't mean they actually have current plans to use it.

 

[ntoeman]

Could be, or could be for no where. Just because they have patented something doesn't mean they actually have current plans to use it.

Oh ya, true as well!! I've seen some patents over the years that have been related to some exciting things that come out of Disney Research labs too.

 

[PorterRedkey]

I tend to frequent the US Patent site to see what Disney's been up to. I stumbled on a couple of interesting patents that might be related to some of the Avatar and Rivers of Light stuff. I thought I would post them here in case anyone else was interested.

• Flow sensing system and method: Vague name, but the patent clearly shows a Tree of Life type of figure with lights throughout. It might be the blue lights everyone saw at the end of Harambe Nights?
  
• Animatronic eye with an electromagnetic drive and fluid suspension and with video capability: Pretty much what the name says. An animatronic eye suspended in fluid with rear projected video. I think this could potentially be more realistic looking eyes for the future Avatar figures.
  
• CHIN STRAP SENSOR FOR TRIGGERING CONTROL OF WALK-AROUND CHARACTERS: I guess Disney doesn't like the fact they have to choreograph things so carefully.
• System and method for generating realistic eyes: More eyes.
  
• Method and apparatus for control of a flexible material using magnetism: If you take a look at the images, it's used for animating plants. In the actual text it states "For example, a three-dimensional, life-sized sculpture based on a cartoon character, such as a cartoon dog or alien, may be constructed of a flexible material, such as an elastomer." Basically, it's using the power of magnets instead of servos for animation.
  
• Amusement park ride with passenger loading separated from vehicle insertion into simulators: Disney's answer to Forbidden Journey's simulators.

I'll stop for now, lol. There's two more I remember seeing, but I didn't quite find. I'll post them later if I come across them again.

It looks like the links you provided now go to different Disney patents, but not the interesting ones you listed. (One was about a Karaoke microphone, another was about a game controller that had a stylus.)

Would you be able to post the links again, or just list the patent numbers and I can go look it up myself? I would love to check this out.

 

[George]

I have just finished the onerous patent process and now own the intellectual rights to Avatar. JC and Disney are going to have to start ponying up some cash, cuz yours truly is more than a bit miffed at the use of my intellectual property without my permisson.

 

[Bob]

I have just finished the onerous patent process and now own the intellectual rights to Avatar. JC and Disney are going to have to start ponying up some cash, cuz yours truly is more than a bit miffed at the use of my intellectual property without my permisson.

That's nothing more than a cash grab.