THEMED AERIAL VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM FOR PROVIDING DYNAMICALLY-COORDINATED SHOW

Number: 20260268782
Published: 2026-09-10
Filed: 2025-01-13
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: HOVEY; PEHR L., PYCZYNSKI; LOYAL J., ZUPAN; MADELINE R., CARROLL; CLARE M., WATSON; SCOTT F.
CPC: G08G5/55; B64D47/02; G05D1/692; G05D1/695; G08G5/56; G08G5/57; B64U2101/24; B64U2201/10; B64U2201/20
Verdict: High Hardware
First reported: 2026-W37 (2026-09-11)
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Show drones wrapped in themed shells (e.g. a spacecraft or flying character) fly dynamically-coordinated routines with onboard lights instead of a fixed flight plan — direct animatronics/show-tech interest.

Abstract

A themed aerial vehicle entertainment system or platform useful for generating crowd-pleasing shows or displays through the use of dynamically-coordinated show systems. Instead of use of a fixed flight plan, the new entertainment platform is configured to include one or more UAVs that is enclosed within or supports thematic cladding such as the outer shell of a spacecraft or flying character, and the show is dynamically coordinated to present a cohesive performance. Onboard show effects provided by onboard or UAV supported show system components such as high brightness lights are dynamically adjusted in the new system/platform to ensure the best show appearance to the audience while providing safer operations. The dynamic adjustments may involve selecting or generating a second script or “B show” in a contingent manner based on the current location or timing of movement of the UAV along a flight plan.

Background

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Description

The present description relates, in general, to aerial shows or displays, and, more particularly, the description relates to a new system or platform (and related operational method) adapted for providing a dynamically-coordinated show (e.g., coordinated between airborne and ground devices) to entertain guests of a facility such as a theme park, an outdoor sporting stadium, a cruise ship, and so on. The system/platform often will build upon use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones (with these terms used interchangeably herein). 2. Relevant Background

There is a strong demand for new ways to provide shows or displays in the sky. These shows and displays may be provided, for example, to crowds of people visiting a theme or amusement park. In other cases, an airborne display or show is provided to sports fans before or after a sporting event or even at halftime or another break.

Many of these sky-based or airborne shows or displays have relied wholly on show systems positioned on the ground. For example, a fireworks or other pyrotechnic show may involve launching show components (e.g., exploding rockets and the like) in a choreographed manner with, in some cases, synchronization with a soundtrack (e.g., operation of a ground-based sound system). As another example, a show or display may involve a light and/or laser show that illuminates the overhead sky and/or screens and/or other objects on the ground or in the

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: one or more show effect devices; a memory storing a show plan comprising a plurality of alternative scripts; a show controller configured to generate show control signals configured to control operations of the one or more show effect devices based on the show plan and based on timing signals and location signals provided to the show controller; and wherein the show controller is configured to select a script of the plurality of alternative scripts to generate the show control signals based on a comparison of the timing signals and location signals with a flight plan, show effect timing defined in the show plan, and show effect locations defined in the show plan, whereby the show controller provides real-time show contingencies based on real-time performance and positioning of the UAV in a space. || 10. An aerial platform comprising: a show system; a memory storing a show plan comprising a plurality of alternative scripts; and a show controller configured to: receive timing signals and location signals of the aerial platform; compare the timing signals and location signals with a flight plan, show effect timing defined in the show plan, and show effect locations defined in the show plan; based on the comparison, select a script of the plurality of alternative scripts; and generate show control signals based on the selected script to control operations of the show system. || 16. A system comprising: an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: one or more show effect devices; a memory storing a show plan comprising a plurality of alternative scripts; and a show controller configured to: receive timing signals and location signals; compare the timing signals and location signals with a flight plan, show effect timing defined in the show plan, and show effect locations defined in the show plan; select a script of the plurality of alternative scripts based on the comparison showing the UAV deviating from either the show effect timing or the show effect locations defined in the show plan; and generate show control signals based on the selected script to control operations of the one or more show effect devices.