Stability control mechanism for animated figures/toys.
A stability controlled system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor, a memory storing a software code, a moveable component, and a tilt sensor. The hardware processor executes the software code to monitor the tilt sensor to determine whether the system is at a tilt with respect to a support surface for the system. When the tilt sensor is sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface: when the moveable component is off, the software code prevents the moveable component from turning on, and when the moveable component is on, the software code performs one of (a) turning off the moveable component, and (b) slowing down a regular rate of motion of the moveable component. When the tilt sensor is not sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface, the software code permits the moveable component to be turned on and have the regular rate of motion.
BACKGROUND
An electronics device that is in motion relative to a user of the device can generate pleasing optical effects for the user. For example, a two-dimensional (2D) image rendered on a display screen may appear to a viewer of the display as a three-dimensional (3D) floating image if the display screen is rotated rapidly. However, rapid rotation or other significant movement of an electronics device can result in damage or injury if that movement is not well controlled. In the exemplary use case of the rotating display screen alluded to above, for instance, allowing the display to spin while out of balance may cause a support structure for the display to vibrate or become unstable. At the very least, such instability can negatively affect the visual image being produced. More seriously, however, the unstable display may topple, resulting in damage to the display or injury to the user. Consequently, there is a need in the art for a simple and cost effective solution for preventing damage, to or injury from, a display or other consumer electronics device due to mechanical instability while it is in motion.SUMMARY
There are provided stability controlled systems and methods for their use, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.
1. A system comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code; a moveable component; a tilt sensor communicatively coupled to the computing platform; to the hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: monitor the tilt sensor to determine whether the tilt sensor is indicative of the system being at a tilt with respect to a support surface for the system; when monitoring determines that the tilt sensor is sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface: when the moveable component of the system is off, prevent the moveable component of the system from turning on; and when the moveable component of the system is on, perform one of (a) turning off the moveable component of the system, and (b) slowing down a regular rate of motion of the moveable component of the system; when monitoring determines that the tilt sensor is not sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface, permit the moveable component of the system to be turned on and have the regular rate of motion.
9. A method for use by a system including a computing platform having a hardware processor, a system memory storing a software code, a moveable component, and a tilt sensor communicatively coupled to the computing platform, the method comprising: monitoring, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the tilt sensor to determine whether the tilt sensor is indicative of the system being at a tilt with respect to a support surface for the system; when monitoring determines that the tilt sensor is sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface: when the moveable component of the system is off, preventing, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the moveable component of the system from turning on; and when the moveable component of the system is on, perform one of (a) turning off the moveable component of the system, and (b) slowing down a regular rate of motion of the moveable component of the system by the software code executed by the hardware processor; when monitoring determines that the tilt sensor is not sensing the tilt with respect to the support surface, permitting, by the software code executed by the hardware processor, the moveable component of the system to be turned on and have the regular rate of motion.
17. An entertainment system comprising: a hardware circuitry; at least one pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the hardware circuitry; when the hardware circuitry detects that the at least one pressure sensor is not sensing a pressure indicative of the entertainment system being in contact with the support surface: when a moveable component of the entertainment system is off, the hardware circuitry prevents the moveable component of the entertainment system from turning on; and when the moveable component of the entertainment system is on, the hardware circuitry performs one of (a) turning off the moveable component of the entertainment system, and (b) slowing down a regular rate of motion of the moveable component of the entertainment system; when the hardware circuitry detects that the at least one pressure sensor is sensing the pressure indicative of the entertainment system being in contact with the support surface, the hardware circuitry permits the moveable component of the entertainment system to be turned on and have the regular rate of motion.