Augmenting Animatronic Appearance via Multi-Projector Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Animatronic figures face limitations in expressiveness due to mechanical constraints, requiring costly and complex actuators to accurately replicate facial expressions and movements, which are cost-prohibitive and space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple projectors to project high-frequency details onto a mechanically movable avatar, combining with mechanical low-frequency movements to create a realistic appearance, independent of viewing angle, by compensating for defocus and subsurface scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If actuators are used to replicate facial expressions and movements, then the expressiveness of animatronic figures is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses projected images to create visual copies of facial expressions and movements on the animatronic figure's surface. Instead of physically moving every facial feature with actuators, the system projects high-frequency detail images that visually replicate the appearance of complex expressions, thereby achieving expressiveness without proportional mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical actuator system with an optical projection system. The projector delivers images that visually simulate facial movements and expressions, substituting mechanical muscle-like actuators with light-based visualization that achieves the same expressive effect without the mechanical complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If actuators are used to accurately replicate facial expressions, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates visual copies of high-frequency facial details through projected images. The projector displays pre-rendered images that accurately represent facial expressions, achieving manufacturing precision in visual appearance without requiring equally precise mechanical actuators for each facial feature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional mechanical actuator movements to two-dimensional projected images, adding the dimension of optical visualization. This allows complex three-dimensional facial expressions to be represented through two-dimensional image projection that visually mimics the depth and detail of real facial movements
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple projectors are used to create uniform appearance from any viewing angle, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the projection task across multiple projectors, with each projector responsible for illuminating and projecting images onto specific portions of the animatronic figure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve uniform appearance from multiple viewing angles by coordinating projections from different positions, distributing the complexity across modular projector units
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
Enhances the expressiveness of animatronic figures without increasing mechanical complexity or cost, providing a realistic and uniform appearance from any viewing angle by blending projected images seamlessly.
Implementation Method 1
Each projector includes a light source and a lens in optical communication with the light source, where the lens focuses light emitted by the light source on the object
Implementation Method 2
The system also includes a computer in communication with the plurality of projectors, the computer including a memory component and a processing element in communication with the memory component and the plurality of projectors. The processing element determines a plurality of images to create an augmented appearance of the object and provides the plurality of images to the plurality of projectors to project light corresponding to the plurality of images onto the object to create the augmented appearance of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A system for augmenting the appearance of an object including a plurality of projectors. Each projector includes a light source and a lens in optical communication with the light source, where the lens focuses light emitted by the light source on the object. The system also includes a computer in communication with the plurality of projectors, the computer including a memory component and a processing element in communication with the memory component and the plurality of projectors. The processing element determines a plurality of images to create an augmented appearance of the object and provides the plurality of images to the plurality of projectors to project light corresponding to the plurality of images onto the object to create the augmented appearance of the object. After the images are projected onto the object, the augmented appearance of the objected is substantially the same regardless of a viewing angle for the object.