Haptic Prop Guidance for Precise Motion Capture Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion capture systems struggle to provide real-time or near real-time feedback to actors to synchronize their actions with scripted events, leading to challenges in delivering realistic performances in video games and other productions.
Innovation Solution
A motion capture reference system that uses actuators on props to generate tactile haptic feedback synchronized with event occurrences, allowing actors to perform in sync with scene events through a computing device interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional audio-visual cues are used to guide actors, then the system remains simple, but the timing precision and synchronization with scene events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where actuators provide real-time haptic feedback to actors based on their performance relative to the script. The computing device receives data from sensors on the actor, compares it with the scripted events, and triggers haptic feedback through actuators to guide the actor's timing and actions, creating a closed-loop control system that improves synchronization precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the scene events and the actor. This intermediary processes timing data, coordinates actuator activation, and translates scripted events into haptic feedback signals, enabling precise synchronization without requiring direct complex communication between all system components.
2Ease of operation
If haptic feedback actuators are added to props, then actor guidance and synchronization improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the haptic feedback functionality into separate actuators that can be independently controlled and positioned on different props. Each actuator can be individually configured through the graphical interface to respond to specific events, allowing the system to provide targeted guidance without requiring a completely integrated complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device serves multiple functions: it coordinates motion capture data, manages timing of scene events, controls multiple actuators across different props, and provides the graphical user interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, managing complexity while enhancing actor guidance capabilities.
3Reliability
If real-time haptic feedback is provided to actors, then performance realism improves, but the processing requirements and system resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the graphical interface with event timing and actuator mappings before the performance. The computing device prepares the coordination logic in advance, allowing real-time haptic feedback to be triggered by simple condition checks rather than complex real-time calculations, reducing processing resource demands during actual performance.
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
Enables actors to deliver more realistic performances by providing timely and intuitive haptic feedback, enhancing synchronization and realism in motion capture data.
Implementation Method 1
activating the at least one actuator to generate and deliver the feedback to the actor
Data Source
AI summary
The specification discloses methods and systems for enabling users to configure one or more actuators in data communication with a user's computing device and positioned on a prop to generate and deliver feedback to a motion capture actor engaged with the prop. At least one graphical interface in the computing device is configured to enable the user to configure occurrence of at least one event during a scene, associate a time and duration of occurrence to the at least one event within an overall duration of the scene, select the prop, assign the at least one event and the associated time and duration of occurrence to at least one actuator on the prop, configure at least one parameter for the feedback, and activate the at least one actuator to generate and deliver the feedback to the actor in response to an occurrence of the at least one event.