US20160096120A1 - Puppet control mechanism - Google Patents
Puppet control mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160096120A1 US20160096120A1 US14/505,408 US201414505408A US2016096120A1 US 20160096120 A1 US20160096120 A1 US 20160096120A1 US 201414505408 A US201414505408 A US 201414505408A US 2016096120 A1 US2016096120 A1 US 2016096120A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- control mechanism
- actuator
- fluid
- refraction
- puppet
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63J—DEVICES FOR THEATRES, CIRCUSES, OR THE LIKE; CONJURING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
- A63J19/00—Puppet, marionette, or shadow shows or theatres
- A63J19/006—Puppets or marionettes therefor
Definitions
- This disclosure generally relates to the field of puppeting configurations. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a control mechanism for manipulating movement of a puppet.
- Various entertainment environments e.g., theme parks, provide entertainment features having a puppet whose movement is manually or automatically manipulated with different control mechanisms.
- the control mechanisms can be rods, strings, etc. that are attached to the puppet and manipulated by a human, machine, etc. to initiate movement of the puppet.
- a physical puppeting configuration requires visible control mechanisms that are attached to the physical puppet.
- Current approaches attempt to hide the visible control mechanisms, e.g., placement of the control mechanisms behind a curtain in front of which the physical puppet is positioned, physical barrier that prevents spectators from viewing the side of the physical puppet where control mechanisms may be located, placement of the physical puppeting configuration in a dark environment where the lack of lighting hides the control mechanisms, etc.
- An apparatus comprises a puppet device.
- the apparatus also comprises a control mechanism operably connected to the puppet device to control movement of the puppet device.
- the control mechanism comprises a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction of a fluid in which the puppet device and the control device are positioned such that the control mechanism is rendered substantially invisible.
- an apparatus comprises an object.
- the apparatus also comprises an actuator that is operably connected to the object and moves in a fluid environment based upon movement of a control mechanism that interacts with the actuator in the fluid environment, the control mechanism comprising a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction to render the control mechanism substantially invisible in the fluid environment.
- an apparatus comprises a tube that interacts with a puppet device to move the puppet device.
- the tube comprises a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction of a fluid in which the puppet device and the tube are positioned such that the control mechanism is rendered substantially invisible.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a puppeting configuration
- FIG. 2 illustrates a hydraulic configuration that is used to deliver hydraulic fluid to an actuator of the puppet.
- a puppeting configuration has an control mechanism that is invisible in a surrounding medium to provide a realistic puppeting performance in a fluid environment.
- a material is selected for the control mechanism to match the index of refraction of the surrounding medium, i.e., the index of refraction of the fluid environment in which the puppet and control mechanism are positioned. The control mechanism is thereby rendered invisible in the fluid environment.
- control mechanism can also be used as a transit conduit for the delivery of hydraulic fluid from an external hydraulic pump to actuators of the puppet.
- the hydraulic fluid is selected to match the index of refraction of the surrounding medium.
- the puppet is then powered with hydraulic fluid that is invisible in the fluid environment.
- the puppeting configuration provides a control mechanism and a powering mechanism that are invisible.
- puppeteering performances in a fluid environment can provide a sense of realism.
- an aquariam can use fish puppets that are controlled and powered with invisible mechanisms such that the fish puppets appear realistic.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a puppeting configuration 100 .
- the puppeting configuration has a puppet 101 that is positioned within a fluid environment 102 , e.g., a water tank, with a fluid 103 .
- a plurality of control mechanisms 104 e.g., tubes, rods, strings, etc., are connected to the puppet 101 .
- the control mechanisms control movement of the puppet.
- the control mechanisms 104 are connected to the limbs of the puppet to that movement of the control mechanisms 104 in a particular direction also results in movement of the corresponding limbs of the puppet 101 in that same direction.
- the control mechanisms 104 are fabricated from a material that has an index of refraction that substantially matches the index of refraction of the fluid environment 102 .
- the index of refraction of the material for the control mechanisms 104 is substantially similar to the index of refraction for the fluid environment, the control mechanisms 104 appear invisible within the fluid environment 102 .
- the material can be acrylic as acrylic has a substantially simile index of refraction as water if water is used for the fluid environment 102 .
- a plurality of motors 105 are operably connected to the control mechanisms 104 . Therefore, movement of the control mechanisms can be automated. In another implementation, the control mechanisms 104 are operated manually without the plurality of motors 105 .
- the puppet 101 is moved in the fluid environment 102 in a manner that appears as if the puppet 101 is moving by itself. Additional props such as curtains, lighting, etc. are not necessary to help the control mechanisms 104 appear invisible in the fluid environment 102 . Further, the puppet 101 can be viewed from different angles without any viewing restrictions. For example, theme park guests can move around a water tank to view the puppet 101 from different angles. Such lack of viewing restrictions also helps provide an enhanced sense of realism.
- the puppet 101 can also have a plurality of actuators that are activated to perform a particular movement. Rather than having the motor 105 or a human move the control mechanism 104 in the intended direction of the actuator, the control mechanism 104 can be used to be used as a conduit to deliver an activation medium, e.g., air pressure, hydraulic fluid, etc., to an actuator to perform the particular movement.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a hydraulic configuration 200 that is used to deliver hydraulic fluid to an actuator 204 of the puppet 101 .
- the control mechanism 104 has an inner conduit through which the hydraulic pump 202 pumps hydraulic fluid to the actuator 204 .
- the hydraulic fluid has substantially the same index of refraction as the index of refraction as the fluid 103 .
- the delivery of the hydraulic fluid through the control mechanism 104 from the hydraulic pump 202 to the actuator 204 is rendered invisible.
- the control mechanism 104 that is used to control the movement of the actuator 204 and the activation medium, e.g., the hydraulic fluid are rendered invisible.
- a puppet 101 in a water tank can appear to move by itself in a realistic manner as the control mechanisms 104 that activate movements of the limbs of the puppet 101 and the hydraulic fluid that is being delivered to those limbs appear invisible, e.g., the control mechanisms 104 and the actuators 204 have a clear appearance that is similar to the appearance of the water in which the puppet 101 is situated.
- the hydraulic pump 202 is illustrated as a powering mechanism for the actuator 204 , other types of powering mechanisms can be used instead.
- an air pump can be used to deliver air pressure through the control mechanism 104 to the actuator 204 . As air is invisible, the delivery of the air pressure to the actuator 204 is also invisible.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field
- This disclosure generally relates to the field of puppeting configurations. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a control mechanism for manipulating movement of a puppet.
- 2. General Background
- Various entertainment environments, e.g., theme parks, provide entertainment features having a puppet whose movement is manually or automatically manipulated with different control mechanisms. The control mechanisms can be rods, strings, etc. that are attached to the puppet and manipulated by a human, machine, etc. to initiate movement of the puppet.
- With advances in the realistic appearance of virtual characters generated through animation and computer generated imagery (“CGI”), generating a similar realistic appearance for a physical puppet has been difficult. For instance, computer graphics can be used to display and manipulate an animated character without any visible control mechanisms. In contrast, a physical puppeting configuration requires visible control mechanisms that are attached to the physical puppet. Current approaches attempt to hide the visible control mechanisms, e.g., placement of the control mechanisms behind a curtain in front of which the physical puppet is positioned, physical barrier that prevents spectators from viewing the side of the physical puppet where control mechanisms may be located, placement of the physical puppeting configuration in a dark environment where the lack of lighting hides the control mechanisms, etc.
- Such approaches are limited to dry environments, i.e., using curtains, dimmer lighting, physical barriers, etc., are simply not practical for a puppet that moves in a fluid environment. For instance, hiding the control mechanisms attached to a mermaid puppet that moves through a fluid environment is quite difficult and impractical. Cloudy water can be used to attempt to hide some of the control mechanisms, but then the physical features of the puppet are also hidden.
- Therefore, current puppetting configurations do not have adequate control mechanisms for controlling the movement of puppets in a fluid environment in an invisible and realistic manner. An invisible control mechanism for controlling the movement of a puppet in a fluid environment is needed for a puppeting configuration to provide a realistic puppeting performance.
- An apparatus comprises a puppet device. The apparatus also comprises a control mechanism operably connected to the puppet device to control movement of the puppet device. The control mechanism comprises a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction of a fluid in which the puppet device and the control device are positioned such that the control mechanism is rendered substantially invisible.
- Further, an apparatus comprises an object. The apparatus also comprises an actuator that is operably connected to the object and moves in a fluid environment based upon movement of a control mechanism that interacts with the actuator in the fluid environment, the control mechanism comprising a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction to render the control mechanism substantially invisible in the fluid environment.
- In addition, an apparatus comprises a tube that interacts with a puppet device to move the puppet device. The tube comprises a material having a material index of refraction that substantially matches a fluid index of refraction of a fluid in which the puppet device and the tube are positioned such that the control mechanism is rendered substantially invisible.
- The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a puppeting configuration. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a hydraulic configuration that is used to deliver hydraulic fluid to an actuator of the puppet. - A puppeting configuration has an control mechanism that is invisible in a surrounding medium to provide a realistic puppeting performance in a fluid environment. A material is selected for the control mechanism to match the index of refraction of the surrounding medium, i.e., the index of refraction of the fluid environment in which the puppet and control mechanism are positioned. The control mechanism is thereby rendered invisible in the fluid environment.
- Further, the control mechanism can also be used as a transit conduit for the delivery of hydraulic fluid from an external hydraulic pump to actuators of the puppet. The hydraulic fluid is selected to match the index of refraction of the surrounding medium. The puppet is then powered with hydraulic fluid that is invisible in the fluid environment.
- Therefore, the puppeting configuration provides a control mechanism and a powering mechanism that are invisible. As a result, puppeteering performances in a fluid environment can provide a sense of realism. As an example, an aquariam can use fish puppets that are controlled and powered with invisible mechanisms such that the fish puppets appear realistic.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates apuppeting configuration 100. The puppeting configuration has apuppet 101 that is positioned within afluid environment 102, e.g., a water tank, with afluid 103. A plurality ofcontrol mechanisms 104, e.g., tubes, rods, strings, etc., are connected to thepuppet 101. The control mechanisms control movement of the puppet. For instance, thecontrol mechanisms 104 are connected to the limbs of the puppet to that movement of thecontrol mechanisms 104 in a particular direction also results in movement of the corresponding limbs of thepuppet 101 in that same direction. - The
control mechanisms 104 are fabricated from a material that has an index of refraction that substantially matches the index of refraction of thefluid environment 102. As the index of refraction of the material for thecontrol mechanisms 104 is substantially similar to the index of refraction for the fluid environment, thecontrol mechanisms 104 appear invisible within thefluid environment 102. As an example, the material can be acrylic as acrylic has a substantially simile index of refraction as water if water is used for thefluid environment 102. - In one implementation, a plurality of
motors 105 are operably connected to thecontrol mechanisms 104. Therefore, movement of the control mechanisms can be automated. In another implementation, thecontrol mechanisms 104 are operated manually without the plurality ofmotors 105. - The
puppet 101 is moved in thefluid environment 102 in a manner that appears as if thepuppet 101 is moving by itself. Additional props such as curtains, lighting, etc. are not necessary to help thecontrol mechanisms 104 appear invisible in thefluid environment 102. Further, thepuppet 101 can be viewed from different angles without any viewing restrictions. For example, theme park guests can move around a water tank to view thepuppet 101 from different angles. Such lack of viewing restrictions also helps provide an enhanced sense of realism. - The
puppet 101 can also have a plurality of actuators that are activated to perform a particular movement. Rather than having themotor 105 or a human move thecontrol mechanism 104 in the intended direction of the actuator, thecontrol mechanism 104 can be used to be used as a conduit to deliver an activation medium, e.g., air pressure, hydraulic fluid, etc., to an actuator to perform the particular movement.FIG. 2 illustrates ahydraulic configuration 200 that is used to deliver hydraulic fluid to anactuator 204 of thepuppet 101. Thecontrol mechanism 104 has an inner conduit through which thehydraulic pump 202 pumps hydraulic fluid to theactuator 204. The hydraulic fluid has substantially the same index of refraction as the index of refraction as thefluid 103. Therefore, the delivery of the hydraulic fluid through thecontrol mechanism 104 from thehydraulic pump 202 to theactuator 204 is rendered invisible. As a result, thecontrol mechanism 104 that is used to control the movement of theactuator 204 and the activation medium, e.g., the hydraulic fluid, are rendered invisible. As an example, apuppet 101 in a water tank can appear to move by itself in a realistic manner as thecontrol mechanisms 104 that activate movements of the limbs of thepuppet 101 and the hydraulic fluid that is being delivered to those limbs appear invisible, e.g., thecontrol mechanisms 104 and theactuators 204 have a clear appearance that is similar to the appearance of the water in which thepuppet 101 is situated. - Although the
hydraulic pump 202 is illustrated as a powering mechanism for theactuator 204, other types of powering mechanisms can be used instead. For instance, an air pump can be used to deliver air pressure through thecontrol mechanism 104 to theactuator 204. As air is invisible, the delivery of the air pressure to theactuator 204 is also invisible. - It is understood that the apparatuses, systems, and processes described herein may also be applied in other types of apparatuses, systems, and processes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the aspects of the apparatuses, systems, and processes described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present apparatuses, systems, and processes. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present apparatuses, systems, and processes may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/505,408 US20160096120A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2014-10-02 | Puppet control mechanism |
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US14/505,408 US20160096120A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2014-10-02 | Puppet control mechanism |
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US20160096120A1 true US20160096120A1 (en) | 2016-04-07 |
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ID=55632091
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US14/505,408 Abandoned US20160096120A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2014-10-02 | Puppet control mechanism |
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Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107330913A (en) * | 2017-05-27 | 2017-11-07 | 南京信息工程大学 | A kind of intelligent robot marionette performance system based on autonomous learning drama |
CN110227276A (en) * | 2018-03-05 | 2019-09-13 | 苏卫星 | A kind of automatic control system of puppet show performance |
KR102260786B1 (en) * | 2020-11-04 | 2021-06-07 | 주식회사 파이스토리 | Silent Automatic Puppet Performance System |
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US3599363A (en) * | 1968-11-29 | 1971-08-17 | Mattel Inc | Environmental space suit toy |
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US4054006A (en) * | 1976-03-24 | 1977-10-18 | Marjac Inc. | Puppet operated by both hands |
US4223471A (en) * | 1978-12-13 | 1980-09-23 | Shelcore, Inc. | Aquarium crib toy |
US4363483A (en) * | 1979-08-20 | 1982-12-14 | Tomy Kogyo Company, Inc. | Competitive water filled game |
US4591345A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1986-05-27 | The Michael Kohner Corp. | Confined animation figure toy |
US4923429A (en) * | 1989-08-07 | 1990-05-08 | Lewco Corp. | Bubble-propelled amusement device |
US6814646B2 (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2004-11-09 | Sega Toys, Ltd. | Toy with a waverring or dancing figure in a liquid container |
US6827626B1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2004-12-07 | Playstages, Incorporated | Marionette |
US6981701B2 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2006-01-03 | Mattel, Inc. | Fluid-filled game device |
US20090071137A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2009-03-19 | Martin Russell Harris | Fluid transmission |
US20110066239A1 (en) * | 2009-09-16 | 2011-03-17 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Animatronic Eye with an Electromagnetic Drive and Fluid Suspension and with Video Capability |
US7934973B2 (en) * | 2005-06-06 | 2011-05-03 | Mattel, Inc. | Pneumatic action figure |
US8382550B2 (en) * | 2007-09-04 | 2013-02-26 | Hyun Gu Kang | Apparatus for animating doll using electromagnets |
-
2014
- 2014-10-02 US US14/505,408 patent/US20160096120A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3599363A (en) * | 1968-11-29 | 1971-08-17 | Mattel Inc | Environmental space suit toy |
US3773015A (en) * | 1972-03-27 | 1973-11-20 | R Cruickshank | Aquarium diver |
US4054006A (en) * | 1976-03-24 | 1977-10-18 | Marjac Inc. | Puppet operated by both hands |
US4223471A (en) * | 1978-12-13 | 1980-09-23 | Shelcore, Inc. | Aquarium crib toy |
US4363483A (en) * | 1979-08-20 | 1982-12-14 | Tomy Kogyo Company, Inc. | Competitive water filled game |
US4591345A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1986-05-27 | The Michael Kohner Corp. | Confined animation figure toy |
US4923429A (en) * | 1989-08-07 | 1990-05-08 | Lewco Corp. | Bubble-propelled amusement device |
US6827626B1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2004-12-07 | Playstages, Incorporated | Marionette |
US6814646B2 (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2004-11-09 | Sega Toys, Ltd. | Toy with a waverring or dancing figure in a liquid container |
US6981701B2 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2006-01-03 | Mattel, Inc. | Fluid-filled game device |
US7934973B2 (en) * | 2005-06-06 | 2011-05-03 | Mattel, Inc. | Pneumatic action figure |
US20090071137A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2009-03-19 | Martin Russell Harris | Fluid transmission |
US8382550B2 (en) * | 2007-09-04 | 2013-02-26 | Hyun Gu Kang | Apparatus for animating doll using electromagnets |
US20110066239A1 (en) * | 2009-09-16 | 2011-03-17 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Animatronic Eye with an Electromagnetic Drive and Fluid Suspension and with Video Capability |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107330913A (en) * | 2017-05-27 | 2017-11-07 | 南京信息工程大学 | A kind of intelligent robot marionette performance system based on autonomous learning drama |
CN110227276A (en) * | 2018-03-05 | 2019-09-13 | 苏卫星 | A kind of automatic control system of puppet show performance |
KR102260786B1 (en) * | 2020-11-04 | 2021-06-07 | 주식회사 파이스토리 | Silent Automatic Puppet Performance System |
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