Automated parallelized trajectory analysis

Number: 12766720
Published: 2026-10-20
Filed: 2024-12-18
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Jaccoud-Miley; Victor Ross, Haas; Derek Christopher, Lee; Emma Katherine, Warmouth; Sarah Elizabeth, Nathan; Gregory Joseph, Anson; Michael John
CPC: B25J9/1664
Verdict: High Notable software
First reported: 2026-W43 (2026-10-23)
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A physics-simulation method that predicts where an object released from a moving robotic device will land, timing the release across each step of its motion -- handy for tuning a droid's throw or toss gag.

Abstract

A method for determining a trajectory of an object includes: determining, via a processing element, the object of the moving device; generating, via the processing element, a physics model of a moving device including the object; receiving, via the processing element, a motion profile of the moving device; discretizing, via the processing element, the motion profile in time into a plurality of time steps; simulating, via the processing element, a release of the object at each of the plurality of time steps; determining, via the processing element, a trajectory of the object as a result of the release.

Background

BACKGROUND (1) Moving devices and equipment (such as industrial robots, animatronic characters, vehicles, etc.) may sometimes have one or more pieces disconnect or become unassembled while in use. Such pieces may travel away from the device and land at different locations surrounding the device. BRIEF SUMMARY (2) In one embodiment, a method for determining a trajectory includes: generating, via a processing element, a physics model of a moving device; determining, via the processing element, an object of the moving device; determining, via the processing element, a motion profile of the moving device; discretizing, via the processing element, the motion profile in time into a plurality of time steps; simulating, via the processing element, a release of the object from the moving device at each of the plurality of time steps; and determining, via the processing element, a trajectory of the object as a result of the release. (3) Optionally, in some embodiments, the method further includes generating, via the processing element, an alert based on the trajectory. (4) Optionally, in some embodiments, the method further includes determining an envelope for the object for the plurality of time steps, wherein the envelope includes a two-dimensional area or three-dimensional volume beyond which the trajectory of the object is unlikely to reach, for the release at each of the plurality of time steps. (5) Optionally, in some embodiments, the object includes a first object and a second o

Claims

1. A method for determining a trajectory comprising: generating, via a processing element, a physics model of a moving device; determining, via the processing element, an object initially coupled to the moving device; determining, via the processing element, a motion profile of the moving device; discretizing, via the processing element, the motion profile in time into a plurality of time steps; simulating, via the processing element, a release of the object from the moving device at each of the plurality of time steps; and determining, via the processing element, a trajectory of the object as a result of the release. || 11. A system for determining a trajectory comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: generate a physics model of a moving device; determine an object initially coupled to the moving device; determine a motion profile of the moving device; discretize the motion profile in time into a plurality of time steps; simulate a release of the object from the moving device at each of the plurality of time steps; and determine a trajectory of the object as a result of the release.