Animatronic Projection Alignment With Dynamic Surface Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animatronic figures require tedious manual calibration and mechanical actuators for projection alignment, leading to costly repairs and complex mechanical systems that wear out over time, making them expensive and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically renders content onto a mechanically animated surface using projectors, synchronized with the animatronic's movements, through real-time rendering and automatic calibration based on sensor inputs, reducing the need for complex mechanical components and simplifying the development process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual calibration and mechanical actuators are used for projection alignment, then projection alignment can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and requires costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration and alignment systems with an automated computer vision system using cameras and software. The system captures images of the animatronic figure and uses image processing algorithms to automatically determine projection alignment, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms and manual calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-alignment by automatically detecting the animatronic figure's position and orientation using cameras, then dynamically adjusting projection parameters without human intervention. The automated calibration process allows the system to align projections independently, reducing dependency on manual operations and complex mechanical alignment systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical actuators are used for animation, then animation movement can be generated, but the skin material wears over time causing costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical actuators that physically move skin materials with a projection-based system. Instead of using motors and linkages to animate the figure, the system projects dynamic content onto the skin material, which remains stationary while the projected content creates the illusion of movement. This eliminates mechanical wear on the skin material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of movement through projection rather than physical movement of the skin material. The projected content replicates the appearance of animation without requiring the physical skin to move, thereby preventing wear and tear on the skin material while maintaining the visual effect of animation.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual calibration is used for projection alignment, then projection can be aligned with the animatronic, but the process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration by capturing images of the animatronic figure with embedded calibration markers or using feature detection algorithms. The computer vision system automatically processes these images to determine the precise alignment between the projection surface and the animatronic geometry, eliminating tedious manual calibration procedures while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system uses feedback from camera images to continuously adjust and verify projection alignment. By capturing images and processing them to detect the animatronic figure's position and orientation, the system provides real-time feedback that enables automatic adjustment of projection parameters, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining an orientation of a mechanically animated surface relative to one or more projectors configured to project content onto the mechanically animated surface, dynamically rendering the content based on one or more parameters derived from the orientation of the mechanically animated surface relative to the one or more projectors, and presenting the content on the mechanically animated surface using the one or more projectors.