Animated Figure Shell Sensing for Movement Compliance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Animated figures in entertainment settings, such as amusement parks, often move in unexpected manners due to unpredictable speed and force when interacting with guests or objects, leading to collisions and suboptimal interactions, and existing torque sensors increase weight and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an interaction system with pressure sensing technology, including capacitive or resistive touch technology embedded in shells, which monitors applied pressure and adjusts movement through actuators to ensure compliance with predetermined movement thresholds, using an automation controller to pause, stop, or redirect movements as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If torque sensors are used to monitor and control animated figure movements, then movement compliance can be ensured, but the weight and space requirements of the animated figure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical torque sensors with a compliance system that uses pressure sensors embedded in the shell and an automation controller to monitor and adjust movements. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical components while maintaining movement compliance through electronic sensing and control, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.
2Ease of operation
If traditional movement control systems are used in animated figures, then basic movement functions are achieved, but the system cannot prevent unexpected collisions or suboptimal interactions with guests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pressure sensors continuously monitor contact forces between the animated figure and its environment, and the automation controller adjusts movements in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures movement predictability and prevents unexpected collisions while maintaining high interaction quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliance system dynamically adjusts the animated figure's movements based on real-time pressure sensor data and interaction context. The system can modify speed, force, and trajectory of movements to ensure predictable and safe interactions with guests, transforming static movement patterns into adaptive, context-aware motion.
3Weight of moving object
If pressure sensing technology is implemented in the shell, then weight and space requirements are reduced, but the system complexity increases due to integration of sensors and compliance control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates pressure sensors into the shell structure, making the shell serve multiple functions: structural support, aesthetic appearance, and force sensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor housings and mounting mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliance system merges the pressure sensing, data processing, and movement control functions into an integrated automation controller. By combining these previously separate subsystems into a unified control architecture, the patent reduces the number of discrete components and interfaces, thereby managing system complexity while enabling sophisticated compliance behavior.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows animated figures to interact in an expected and controlled manner, enhancing the guest experience while reducing weight and space requirements by minimizing the need for large torque sensors, ensuring movements align with animation profiles and preventing collisions.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensing technology, including capacitive or resistive touch technology embedded in shells
Implementation Method 2
pressure sensing technology, including capacitive or resistive touch technology embedded in shells
Data Source
AI summary
An interaction system for animated figures is provided that includes an animated figure equipped with shell layers that include shell sensors. The shells sensors are embedded or adhered to the shell layers and are configured to detect applied pressure via capacitive touch technology or resistive touch technology or both. The interaction system further includes a compliance system that includes an automation controller, the shell layers, and the shell sensors. The shell sensors sense applied pressure on the shell layers of the animated figure and monitor movement of the animated figure in response to the applied pressure. The automation controller determines whether the response movement exceeds a movement threshold associated with the animated figure. If the movement exceeds the movement threshold, the automation controller brings the animated figure back into compliance with the movement threshold.