Animatronics Motion Control via Force-Based Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animatronics units lack flexibility in hardware and software, making them unsuitable for realistic and organic motion, as they are often custom-built and require proprietary software, limiting their use in artistic and aesthetic applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for animating animatronics units using force-based and kinematics-based software models, where artistically determined motions are used to generate driving signals for animating the force-based model, and a computer system is employed to display and specify the construction of the animatronics unit, enabling more realistic and natural motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built animatronics units are used for specific purposes, then the hardware can be tailored to specific functions, but the hardware and software flexibility is reduced and proprietary software is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal software platform that can control multiple types of animatronics units with different functions and configurations. The software architecture allows a single system to handle diverse animatronics applications through configurable parameters and modular design, eliminating the need for proprietary software for each specific unit type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual modeling to create digital representations of animatronics units. These virtual models can be simulated and tested before physical construction, allowing designers to evaluate different configurations and motions without building multiple physical prototypes. The virtual model serves as a copy that can be iterated upon efficiently.
2Ease of operation
If animatronics units move between set number of positions, then the motion control is simplified, but the motion appears mechanical and not realistic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic motion control that allows animatronics units to move through continuous ranges of positions rather than discrete set points. The system uses dynamic parameter adjustment to control motion trajectories, speeds, and accelerations, enabling realistic organic movements while maintaining simplified control through predefined motion patterns and easing functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If commercial robots are used for manufacturing purposes, then off-the-shelf hardware is available, but the robots are not designed for artistic and aesthetic purposes and cannot move realistically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control system that can adapt commercial off-the-shelf robots for artistic and aesthetic applications. The software platform provides high-level abstraction layers that translate artistic motion requirements into robot control commands, enabling manufacturing robots to perform realistic animatronics movements without requiring custom hardware design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables realistic motion by dynamically adjusting multiple parameters including position, velocity, acceleration, and timing. The system modifies motion parameters in real-time to create organic movements, transforming the rigid motion patterns of manufacturing robots into fluid, realistic animatronics performance through parameter optimization and easing functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for specifying an animatronics unit includes receiving a force-based software model for the animatronics unit, receiving a kinematics-based software model for the animatronics unit, receiving animation data for animating the kinematics-based software model, wherein the animation data comprises artistically determined motions for the kinematics-based software model by a user, determining a plurality of driving signals in response to the animation data, animating the force-based software model of the animatronics unit in response to the plurality of driving signals, displaying animation of the force-based software model determined in response to the plurality of driving signals, and determining a specification for construction of the animatronics unit in response to animation of the force-based software model.