US 12,233,531 B2
Systems and methods to control an entertainment figure
Akiva Meir Krauthamer, Orlando, FL (US); Aaron Chandler Jeromin, Winter Garden, FL (US); and Elam Kevin Hertzler, Winter Garden, FL (US)
Assigned to Universal City Studios LLC, Universal City, CA (US)
Filed by Universal City Studios LLC, Universal City, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 25, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/829,608.
Prior Publication US 2021/0299881 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B25J 11/00 (2006.01); A63J 19/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 11/0015 (2013.01) [A63J 19/006 (2013.01); B25J 9/163 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An animated figure system, comprising:
an animated figure comprising a flexible skin layer;
an actuating system coupled to a connection location of the flexible skin layer; and
an automation controller configured to:
access a digital model of the animated figure, wherein the digital model comprises a vertex associated with the connection location;
determine a first positioning of the vertex within the digital model; and
control the actuating system to set a second positioning of the connection location based on the first positioning of the vertex;
wherein the first positioning of the vertex comprises a first position, a first orientation, or both, of the vertex, wherein the second positioning of the connection location comprises a second position, a second orientation, or both, of the connection location, and wherein the automation controller is configured to control the actuating system to cause the second position to correspond to the first position, the second orientation to correspond to the first orientation, or both.