Puppet control mechanism

Abstract

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, another 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.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]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.[0003]2. General Background[0004]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.[0005]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 r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an apparatus that includes a puppet device and a control mechanism for controlling its movement. The control mechanism is made invisible to the fluid in which the puppet device and control mechanism are positioned by using a material with a similar refraction index to the fluid. This results in the control mechanism being hidden from view, making it easier to control the movement of the puppet device without being visible to the operator.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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.

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