Animatronic eye with an electromagnetic drive and fluid suspension and with video capability

Number: 10179040
Published: 2019-01-15
Filed: 2014-03-31
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Smoot; Lanny Starkes, Bassett; Katherine May, Hammond; Marcus
CPC: G09B23/30; B29D11/02; A61F2/141; H04N23/50; A63H3/40; A63H33/26
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Animatronic eye with electromagnetic drive/fluid suspension (Smoot watchlist).

Abstract

An animatronic eye with fluid suspension, electromagnetic drive, and video capability. The eye assembly includes a spherical, hollow outer shell that contains a suspension liquid. An inner sphere is positioned in the outer shell in the suspension liquid to be centrally floated at a distance away from the shell wall. The inner sphere includes painted portions providing a sclera and iris and includes an unpainted rear portion and front portion or pupil. The shell, liquid, and inner sphere are have matching indices of refraction such that interfaces between the components are not readily observed. A camera is provided adjacent a rear portion of the outer shell to receive light passing through the shell, liquid, and inner sphere. A drive assembly is provided including permanent magnets on the inner sphere that are driven by electromagnetic coils on the outer shell to provide frictionless yaw and pitch movements simulating eye movements.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) 1. Field of the Description(2) The present description relates, in general, to apparatus for simulating a human or human-like eye such as a robot or animatronic eye or a prosthetic eye, and, more particularly, to an animatronic or prosthetic eye assembly that utilizes fluid-suspension and is electromagnetically driven and that provides optical functions such as video capability.(3) 2. Relevant Background(4) Animatronics are used widely in the entertainment industry to bring mechanized puppets, human and human-like figures, and characters to life. Animatronics are generally thought of as the use of electronics and robotics to make inanimate objects appear to be alive. Animatronics are used in moviemaking to provide realistic and lifelike action in front of the camera as well as in other entertainment settings such as in theme parks, e.g., to provide lifelike characters in a theme ride or a show. Animatronics are often used in situations where it may be too costly or dangerous for a live actor to provide a performance. Animatronics may be computer controlled or manually controlled with actuation of specific movements obtained with electric motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, cable driven mechanisms and the like that are chosen to suit the particular application including the show or ride setting or stage and the specific character parameters and movement requirements.(5) In the field of animatronics, there is a continuing demand to provide animatroni

Claims

1. A prosthetic eye assembly, comprising: a spherical, hollow outer shell for positioning within a human eye socket of a prosthesis recipient, wherein the outer shell includes a front portion transmitting light with a first index of refraction; a suspension liquid contained within the outer shell, the suspension liquid transmitting light with a second index of refraction substantially matching the first index of refraction; a spherical body suspended within the liquid; and a magnetic drive assembly comprising a set of magnetic elements provided on a great circle of the spherical body and a magnetic field generator positioned a distance apart from the outer shell, wherein the magnetic field generator generates magnetic forces rotating the spherical body. 8. A prosthetic eye assembly, comprising: an outer shell; a suspension liquid contained within the outer shell; a spherical body suspended within the suspension liquid; and a magnetic drive assembly comprising magnetic elements on or in the spherical body and a magnetic field generator selectively generating magnetic forces interacting with the magnetic elements to position the spherical body within the outer shell, wherein the magnetic elements comprise a plurality of permanent magnets positioned equidistally on a great circle of the spherical body, and wherein the suspension liquid fills a space between the spherical body and the outer shell and the suspension liquid has a specific gravity to provide a neutral buoyancy to the spherical body. 12. An eye assembly, comprising: a spherical, hollow outer shell for positioning within an eye socket; a suspension liquid contained within the outer shell; a spherical body suspended in the suspension liquid within the outer shell, wherein the suspension liquid has a specific gravity to provide a neutral buoyancy to the spherical body; a magnetic drive assembly comprising one or more magnetic elements on or in the spherical body and a magnetic field generator generating magnetic forces acting on the magnetic elements for rotating the spherical body; means for tracking the movement of the functioning eye; and a frame wearable by the prosthesis recipient, wherein the magnetic field generator and the tracking means are mounted in the frame with the magnetic field generator adjacent the spherical body.