New Patent Could Bring More Interactive Elements to Disney+

Disney has always tried to keep up with the latest technology. According to a new patent that has been registered earlier this month, Disney is currently developing some new interactive elements, which could become part of its streaming platforms such as Disney+ and ESPN+.

 

The patent is called “Cloud-based Image Rendering for Video Stream Enrichment” and can be integrated within existing streaming services.

Some of the possibilities that could potentially be added to Disney+ in the future include quizzes, polls, games and more.  There is also more development for ESPN+, allowing personal displays for sports events that could include identifying a favourite team of that user, team colours and/or a team logo may be included in a lightly enhanced video stream.

This would be possible because the apps offload the streaming device’s processing requirements (such as an Apple TV, Roku, smart televisions) to the video enrichment unit, making interactive 3D objects, quizzes, games, and polls possible.

 

The Disney patent application states that apps lead to “brand confusion” and may be hampered by underpowered user devices such as tablets or smartphones.  Disney has released many interactive apps over the years, but they’ve generally not been hugely successful.  Disney+ is now being viewed as the gateway into people’s homes, so having everything built into one app could help with this, such as allowing people to vote on shows like American Idol via Hulu, rather than its own separate app.

Interactive elements added into Disney+ could still be a long way off or might not even come to be; many patents don’t necessarily get made into real products.  Other streamers, including Netflix have been testing out interactive shows, so it wouldn’t be a huge step forward to offer more of a personalised experience for apps like Disney+ and ESPN+.

Credit: WhatsOnDisneyPlus