Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to control systems and, more specifically, to an interactive character control system.

Generally, puppets, characters, and/or other creatures may appear to move via actions of a performer, such as a puppeteer, and/or through mechanical actuators. In some cases, movement of the puppeteer may generate corresponding movement of the puppet, character, and/or creature, which may generate an illusion or impression that the puppet, character, and/or creature is alive. Similarly, actuators, motors, and/or other drives may be utilized to cause movement of the puppet, character, and/or creature in addition to, or in lieu of, movement of the performer. In some cases, movement of the puppet, character, and/or creature may be limited by the ability of the performer. Additionally or alternatively, an audience viewing the puppet, character, and/or creature may notice a performer controlling the actuators, motors, and/or drives, thereby reducing a sense of realness of the puppet, character, and/or creature.

<CIT> discloses a character control system with control features.

In an embodiment, a character control system includes a strap configured to removably couple to a prop of a performer, a controls assembly disposed within a portion of the strap, where the controls assembly comprises a plurality of control features, and a controller configured to couple to the controls assembly and an actuator of a puppet, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to move a part of the puppet in response to actuation of a control feature of the plurality of control features, and wherein the plurality of control features enable the performer to control the puppet.

Utilizing puppets or other automated figures (e.g., characters) may provide an illusion that an otherwise fictional character or creature is alive or active. For example, a performer may cause movement of a puppet via movement of the performer. The performer may move features of the puppet (e.g., a head, arms, legs, and/or mouth) to mimic or act out movement of the puppet and generate an illusion that the puppet is alive. Additionally or alternatively, the puppet may be controlled via actuators, motors, and/or other drives that cause movement of the puppet either remotely or by a performer in close proximity to the puppet. Unfortunately, movement of the puppet caused by the performer may be limited because the performer may only control certain portions or parts of the puppet. Additionally, in some cases, audience members may recognize that the performer is directing the movement of the puppet either via movement of the performer or via controls associated with an actuator. It should be noted that the terms character, puppet, animatronic, and automated figure are interchangeably utilized throughout this disclosure to reference puppets or other figures that may have their movement controlled to provide an illusion of autonomous movement.

As such, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward an improved character control system that may conceal a performer's ability to control and/or actuate control of movement of a puppet. For instance, the present disclosure relates to control straps that may be utilized by a performer to actuate movement of a puppet. The control straps may be concealed as part of a costume or uniform of the performer, such that audience members do not easily recognize that the performer is controlling movement of the puppet. As a non-limiting example, the control straps may be used as part of a backpack that the performer wears and is consistent with a theme of the puppet being controlled. The control straps may include controllers coupled to actuators that drive movement of the puppet and/or cause the puppet to output audio to the audience members. Further still, the control straps may be interchangeable with multiple different puppets and/or multiple different costumes of the performer. As such, the controls straps are not limited to a single puppet, theme, or costume, which may reduce costs of the character control system.

Turning to the drawings, <FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a character control system <NUM> utilized by a performer <NUM>. The character control system <NUM> includes a first control strap <NUM> that the performer <NUM> interacts with to control a puppet <NUM> and may include a second control strap <NUM> that the performer <NUM> interacts with to control the puppet <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> are utilized as straps of a backpack <NUM> worn by the performer <NUM>. While the present discussion focuses on utilizing the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> as straps for the backpack <NUM>, it should be recognized that the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be utilized as any other suitable prop or portion of a costume and/or uniform that may be consistent with a theme of the puppet <NUM> (e.g., suspenders, overalls, lapels, and/or other suitable straps).

The first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> (where provided) are utilized to control movement of the puppet <NUM> and/or output audio from the puppet <NUM>. For example, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may each include buttons, joysticks, control pads, touch pads, and/or other interactive features that may enable the performer <NUM> to control movement of the puppet <NUM> and/or output audio from the puppet <NUM>. As set forth above, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be interchangeable with other costumes, props, and/or uniforms that are consistent with a theme of the respective puppet <NUM>. For instance, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be disconnected from the backpack <NUM> and coupled to a second backpack <NUM> and/or a third backpack <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the puppet <NUM> may be interchangeable with the first control strap <NUM>, the second control strap <NUM>, and/or the backpack <NUM>. Therefore, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be utilized with a variety of different costumes, props, and/or uniforms of the performer <NUM>, as well as with a variety of different puppets <NUM>. Thus, the character control system <NUM> is versatile and reduces costs because of the interchangeability of the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> include various control features that enable the performer <NUM> to control the puppet <NUM>. For instance, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the first control strap <NUM> includes a first controls assembly <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> (where provided) includes a second controls assembly <NUM>. The first controls assembly <NUM> may include a control pad <NUM>, a first button <NUM>, a second button <NUM>, a joystick <NUM>, and/or a control wheel <NUM>. Each of the control pad <NUM>, the first button <NUM>, and the second button <NUM> may actuate a different movement, sound, and/or other effect to be performed by the puppet <NUM>. It should be recognized that the first controls assembly <NUM> may include more than one of the control pads <NUM> and any suitable number of buttons (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more than <NUM> buttons). Additionally, the second controls assembly <NUM> may include a control pad <NUM> (e.g., a second control pad), a third button <NUM>, a fourth button <NUM>, a joystick <NUM>, and/or a control wheel <NUM>. Each of the control pad <NUM>, the third button <NUM>, and the fourth button <NUM> may actuate a different movement, sound, and/or other effect to be performed by the puppet <NUM>. Similar to the first controls assembly <NUM>, it should be recognized that the second controls assembly <NUM> may include more than one of the control pads <NUM> and any suitable number of buttons (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more than <NUM> buttons). In some embodiments, the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> may be essentially identical and provide the same controls, which may be beneficial because it will provide redundancy in the event of a failure.

In some embodiments, the control pad <NUM> may be utilized to adjust a position of a head, eyes, ears, arms, fingers, legs, toes, wings, torso, tail, and/or mouth of the puppet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first button <NUM> and/or the second button <NUM> may enable the performer <NUM> to switch control of the control pad <NUM> between various parts of the puppet <NUM>. For example, the performer <NUM> may press the first button <NUM> to enable the control pad <NUM> to adjust a position of a head of the puppet <NUM> and press the second button <NUM> to adjust a position of arms of the puppet <NUM>. In other embodiments, the first controls assembly <NUM> may control a first portion (e.g., the head) of the puppet <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> may control a second portion (e.g., arms and/or legs) of the puppet <NUM>. In still further embodiments, the first controls assembly <NUM> may control linear movement of a portion of the puppet <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> may control rotational movement of the portion of the puppet <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be utilized to output audio from the puppet <NUM>. Further still, the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be pressed in various combinations and/or simultaneously to cause the puppet <NUM> to move, emit a sound, and/or perform another suitable effect. Therefore, the performer <NUM> may be able to control multiple portions or parts of the puppet <NUM> using a limited amount of control features (e.g., the control pads <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM>. It should be recognized, that the control pad <NUM>, the first button <NUM>, the second button <NUM>, the control pad <NUM>, the third button <NUM>, and/or the fourth button <NUM> may be utilized to control any suitable movement and/or audio of the puppet <NUM>. In some embodiments, various movement and/or audio subroutines may be preprogrammed for performance in response to certain actuations or series of actuations of one or both of the first and second control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some cases, the performer <NUM> may interact with the audience and/or otherwise utilize their hands, such that the performer <NUM> is not able to control movement of the puppet <NUM> via the first controls assembly <NUM> and/or the second controls assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the first controls assembly <NUM> and/or the second controls assembly <NUM> may provide the performer <NUM> with an ability to place the puppet <NUM> in an idle state, where movement of the puppet <NUM> follows a predetermined or preprogrammed sequence. The idle state may be defined as a state of control that is entered by control aspects (e.g., controllers <NUM>, <NUM>) of the character control system <NUM> upon activation by a user and/or after a threshold time of inactivity (e.g., no actuation of the first and/or second controls assembly <NUM>, <NUM> for a period of <NUM> seconds). For example, the performer <NUM> may press the first button <NUM> to place the puppet <NUM> into the idle state and enable the puppet <NUM> to move without further interaction by the performer <NUM> with the first controls assembly <NUM> and/or the second controls assembly <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a central controller <NUM> of the character control system <NUM> may detect that the performer <NUM> has not engaged the first controls assembly <NUM> and/or the second controls assembly <NUM> within a predetermined time interval (e.g., <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds) and automatically place the puppet <NUM> in the idle state. In any case, the puppet <NUM> may move and generate an illusion that the puppet <NUM> is alive without the performer interacting with the first controls assembly <NUM> and/or the second controls assembly <NUM> when in the idle state.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the first control strap <NUM> may include a first controller <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may include a second controller <NUM>. The controllers may include servo controllers that are configured to adjust actuators within the puppet <NUM> to cause movement of the puppet <NUM>. Additionally, the controllers <NUM>, <NUM> may actuate a speaker and/or visual effect device of the puppet <NUM> to output audio and/or another visual effect from the puppet <NUM>. The first controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the first controls assembly <NUM>, and thus, directs movement of the puppet <NUM> when the performer <NUM> interacts with the first controls assembly <NUM>. Similarly, the second controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the second controls assembly <NUM>, and thus, directs movement of the puppet <NUM> when the performer <NUM> interacts with the second controls assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first controller <NUM> and/or the second controller <NUM> may both be coupled to the central controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the character control system <NUM> may not include the central controller <NUM>.

The first controller <NUM> and the second controller <NUM> may be removably coupled to the puppet <NUM>, the central controller <NUM>, and/or a prop (e.g., the backpack <NUM>) via a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM>, respectively. Therefore, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be interchangeable between multiple puppets <NUM> and/or props. In some embodiments, the control features (e.g., the control pads <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the first controls assembly <NUM> and/or the second controls assembly <NUM> may adjust different portions or parts of different puppets <NUM> depending on the type of puppet. The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may enable the first controller <NUM> and the second controller <NUM>, respectively, to couple to various actuators disposed within the puppet <NUM> and/or the prop (e.g., the backpack <NUM>). Therefore, interaction with the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> causes movement, audio output, and/or another effect to be performed by the respective puppet <NUM> coupled to the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be utilized as straps for the backpack <NUM>. The first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> may be respectively positioned on inner portions of the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> that face the performer <NUM> to conceal the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> from the audience. The first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> may each be designed or arranged to be actuated by a user's thumb in these embodiments. To avoid inadvertent interaction with the first controls assembly <NUM> (e.g., the first controls assembly <NUM> pressing against the performer <NUM> and causing unintended movement of the puppet <NUM>), the first control strap <NUM> may include a first recessed portion <NUM> that is formed within a first body <NUM> (e.g., padding) of the first control strap <NUM>. Similarly, the second control strap <NUM> may include a second recessed portion <NUM> formed within a second body <NUM> of the second control strap <NUM>. The recessed portions <NUM>, <NUM> may block the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> from contact with the performer <NUM> when the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> are worn as straps of the backpack <NUM> and abutting the performer <NUM>. In other words, the recessed portions <NUM>, <NUM> position the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> into the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM>, respectively. As such, the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> are not flush with surfaces of the bodies <NUM>, <NUM> of the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM>, respectively. In order to interact with the first control strap <NUM> and/or the second control strap <NUM>, the performer may utilize their hands to reach into the recessed portions <NUM>, <NUM> and engage the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM>, respectively. The recessed portions <NUM>, <NUM> reduce inadvertent actuation of the puppet <NUM>, and thus, provide enhanced control of the puppet <NUM> by the performer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first and second control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> may be accessible from the front (or both the front and back) of the first and second control straps <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, themed material may be arranged to conceal interaction with the control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. In each embodiment, a recess (e.g., recessed portions <NUM>, <NUM>) may be employed to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent actuation during use. In a specific example, the control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned in a middle portion of the respective control straps <NUM>, <NUM> and accessible on either side (user-facing and user-opposing sides) via recesses.

As set forth above, the first control strap <NUM> and the second control strap <NUM> may be interchangeable between props, such as the backpacks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, the first control strap <NUM> and/or the second control strap <NUM> may include covers that are configured to enable the first control strap <NUM> and/or the second control strap <NUM> to imitate a theme of, and thus be utilized with, various props. For example, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the first control strap <NUM>, the backpack <NUM>, and a cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may include a pattern, print, and/or other aesthetic features that are consistent with a theme of the backpack <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is configured to be disposed over and conceal the first control strap <NUM> to enable the first control strap <NUM> to be utilized with a variety of different themes. As such, the first control strap <NUM> may be formed from a generic material that may be concealed by the cover <NUM> for use with multiple props, costumes, and/or uniforms. Extra themed material may be positioned relative to the control straps <NUM>, <NUM> to further conceal activity. For example, a flap of material may extend over the area proximate the control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> to hide hand movement during actuation of the control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cover <NUM> includes flaps <NUM> (e.g., folds) that are configured to wrap around and/or couple to the first control strap <NUM>. The flaps <NUM> may include fasteners <NUM> (e.g., snaps, Velcro, zippers, and/or buttons) that engage corresponding fasteners <NUM> of the first control strap <NUM> to secure the cover <NUM> to the first control strap <NUM>. As such, the cover <NUM> may enable the first control strap <NUM> to be utilized with a prop, costume, and/or uniform that is consistent with a theme of the puppet <NUM>. Different covers <NUM> may be coupled to the first control strap <NUM>, thereby enabling the first control strap <NUM> to be used with a variety of different themes.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first control strap <NUM> may be secured to the backpack <NUM> at a first interface <NUM> and a second interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first control strap <NUM> may include male plugs <NUM> at a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> of the first control strap <NUM>. The male plugs <NUM> may be configured to be inserted into female receptacles <NUM> of the backpack <NUM> at the first interface <NUM> and the second interface <NUM>. The male plugs <NUM> may include the first connector <NUM> and the female receptacles <NUM> of the backpack <NUM> may be configured to communicatively couple the first controls assembly <NUM> to the puppet <NUM>. As such, the first control strap <NUM> may be connected to the backpack <NUM> via the interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> may be disposed over the first control strap <NUM> to enable the performer <NUM> to begin controlling the puppet <NUM>. In other embodiments, the first control strap <NUM> may be coupled to the backpack <NUM> in another suitable manner (e.g., buckles, clasps, and/or snaps). As should be understood, the backpack <NUM> may include corresponding interfaces for the second control strap <NUM>, which may be coupled to the backpack <NUM> in generally the same manner as the first control strap <NUM>. In other embodiments, rather than male connectors (e.g., male plugs <NUM>), female connectors may be employed, and rather than female connectors (e.g., female receptacles <NUM>), male connectors may be employed. Further, rather than the first strap <NUM> and the second strap <NUM> having corresponding interfaces, the interfaces may be opposite to create a polka yoke configuration. For example, the first strap <NUM> may include two male connectors and the second strap <NUM> may include two female connectors to avoid mistakenly connecting them in an improper arrangement.

For example, <FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the first control strap <NUM>, the second control strap <NUM>, and the puppet <NUM> coupled to the backpack <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the puppet <NUM> may be supported by the backpack <NUM>. In some embodiments, the backpack <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> that may provide support to the puppet <NUM> and/or enable the backpack <NUM> to appear full. In other embodiments, the puppet <NUM> may be configured to be directly supported by the performer <NUM> (e.g., via a shoulder mount) and/or supported by another prop carried and/or worn by the performer <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the body of the backpack may be themed to look like a body of the puppet <NUM>.

The puppet <NUM> may include actuators <NUM> configured to control movement of various portions or parts of the puppet <NUM>. The actuators <NUM> may be coupled (e.g., wired or wirelessly) to the controllers <NUM>, <NUM>. Specifically, for example, the actuators <NUM> may include a wireless transmitter and/or receiver that may be communicatively coupled to a corresponding wireless transmitter and/or receiver of the controllers <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the corresponding wireless transmitter and/or receiver of the controllers <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to the female receptacles <NUM> within the backpack <NUM>. In other embodiments, the corresponding wireless transmitter and/or receiver of the controllers <NUM>, <NUM> is within the control straps <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the backpack may include additional female receptacles <NUM> that are configured to receive additional male plugs <NUM> of the puppet <NUM>. The additional male plugs <NUM> may be coupled to the actuators <NUM>, and thus, establish a connection between the first controls assembly <NUM>, the second controls assembly <NUM>, and the actuators <NUM> via the male plugs <NUM>, the female receptacles <NUM>, and/or additional female receptacles <NUM>. As with all referenced connectors, in other embodiments female and male connectors may be interchangeable.

Further, in some embodiments, the first control strap <NUM>, the second control strap <NUM>, the puppet <NUM>, and/or the backpack <NUM> may include a power supply <NUM> that is configured to provide electrical power to the actuators <NUM> and ultimately drive movement of the puppet <NUM>, emit audio from the puppet <NUM>, and/or generate an effect of the puppet <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may include a battery that is disposed within a portion of the first control strap <NUM>, the second control strap <NUM>, the puppet <NUM>, and/or the backpack <NUM>, and thus, concealed from the audience. The power supply <NUM> may represent multiple power supplies that may be distributed throughout the character control system <NUM> and that may cooperate to provide additional and/or redundant power. The power supply <NUM> may provide electrical power to the first controls assembly <NUM>, the second controls assembly <NUM>, the first controller <NUM>, the second controller <NUM>, and/or another suitable component in addition to the actuators <NUM>. In other embodiments, the character control system <NUM> may include multiple distinct power sources (e.g., a power source for each of the first control strap <NUM>, the second control strap <NUM>, the puppet <NUM>, and/or the backpack <NUM>).

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the puppet <NUM> may be a cat, which may include a head <NUM>, eyes <NUM>, ears <NUM>, a torso <NUM>, legs <NUM>, and a tail <NUM>. In some embodiments, the actuators <NUM> may be configured to move the head <NUM> along a first axis <NUM>, move the head <NUM> along a second axis <NUM>, and/or to rotate the head <NUM> in a circumferential direction <NUM> about the first axis <NUM>. For example, the control pad <NUM> may be used to move the head along the first axis <NUM> and the second axis <NUM>, and the control pad <NUM> may be used to rotate the head about the first axis <NUM>. Further still, the actuators <NUM> may be configured to move the eyes <NUM> (e.g., cause the eyes <NUM> to blink) and/or the ears <NUM> (e.g., move the ears <NUM> back and forth to cause a wiggle motion) via a push of one of the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As set forth above, the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be utilized to enable the control pads <NUM>, <NUM> to switch control from the head <NUM> to the torso <NUM>, the legs <NUM>, and/or the tail <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may actuate a speaker <NUM> included in the puppet <NUM> in order to emit a sound (e.g., a purr) from the puppet <NUM>.

Accordingly, the performer <NUM> utilizes the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> (where provided) to cause the puppet <NUM> to move, emit a sound, and/or generate another effect via the actuators <NUM>. The control of the puppet <NUM> by the performer <NUM> is generally concealed from the audience because the first controls assembly <NUM> and the second controls assembly <NUM> are facing toward the performer and hidden from a view of the audience. In other embodiments, different concealment techniques (e.g., themed material that covers the user's hands near the control assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>) may be included. Thus, while it may appear that the performer <NUM> is holding straps of the backpack <NUM>, the performer <NUM> may be controlling motion of the puppet <NUM>.

While only certain features of the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes.

Claim 1:
A character control system (<NUM>), comprising:
a strap (<NUM>) configured to removably couple to a prop configured to be transported by a performer (<NUM>);
a controls assembly (<NUM>) disposed within a portion of the strap (<NUM>), wherein the controls assembly (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of control features; and
a controller configured to couple to the controls assembly (<NUM>) and an actuator (<NUM>) of a puppet (<NUM>), wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator (<NUM>) to move a part of the puppet (<NUM>) in response to actuation of a control feature of the plurality of control features, and wherein the plurality of control features enable the performer (<NUM>) to control the puppet (<NUM>).