Abstract:
A curling effect is provided via a system, which may be included in an article, via a plurality of links, including distal, proximal, and intermediary links, that each comprise: a base; first and second wings, connected to opposite sides of the base such that each of first and second through-holes are aligned at a first height; and a header, connected between the wings that defines a third through-hole at the first height and a fourth through-hole at a second height different from the first height that is configured to accept a stringer there-through so that a force applied on the stringer in a direction from the distal link towards the proximal link causes rotation of neighboring links relative to one another; the neighboring links being joined via a linking axel disposed on a shared axis through the first, second, and third through-holes of the neighboring links.
Abstract:
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for synchronized robot orientation are described herein. A magnetometer, gyroscope, and accelerometer in a remotely controlled device are used to determine a current orientation of that device, and a command with a specified orientation or location are set to several such devices. The remotely controlled devices self-align based on the specified orientation/location, and when in position, receive swarm commands to perform actions as a group of devices in coordination with one another.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of simulating first-person control of remoted-controlled vehicles are described herein. The system may include one or more of a remote-controlled (RC) vehicle, a display interface, an input interface, and/or other components. The RC vehicle may have an image capturing device configured to capture in-flight images. View information representing the captured images may presented on a display worn and/or otherwise accessible to user. The input interface may allow the user to provide control inputs for dictating a path of the RC vehicle. Augmented reality graphics may be overlaid on the view information presented to the user to facilitate gameplay and/or otherwise enhance a user's experience.
Abstract:
A discharge platform comprises an air propulsion mechanism that propels the discharge platform through the air. The discharge platform also comprises a special effect storage device that stores a special effect and is operably connected to the discharge platform. Further, the discharge platform comprises a processor. In addition, the discharge platform comprises an air delivery special effect mechanism that discharges a special effect from the special effect storage device toward a destination after receiving an instruction from the processor and during propulsion of the discharge platform through the air by the air propulsion mechanism.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of simulating first-person control of remoted-controlled vehicles are described herein. The system may include one or more of a remote-controlled (RC) vehicle, a display interface, an input interface, and/or other components. The RC vehicle may have an image capturing device configured to capture in-flight images. View information representing the captured images may presented on a display worn and/or otherwise accessible to user. The input interface may allow the user to provide control inputs for dictating a path of the RC vehicle. Augmented reality graphics may be overlaid on the view information presented to the user to facilitate gameplay and/or otherwise enhance a user's experience.
Abstract:
A discharge platform comprises an air propulsion mechanism that propels the discharge platform through the air. The discharge platform also comprises a special effect storage device that stores a special effect and is operably connected to the discharge platform. Further, the discharge platform comprises a processor. In addition, the discharge platform comprises an air delivery special effect mechanism that discharges a special effect from the special effect storage device toward a destination after receiving an instruction from the processor and during propulsion of the discharge platform through the air by the air propulsion mechanism.
Abstract:
A system for flock-based control of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system includes UAVs each including a processor executing a local control module and memory accessible by the processor for use by the local control module. The system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The flight plans are stored on the UAVs, and, during flight operations, each of the local control modules independently controls the corresponding UAV to execute its flight plan without ongoing control from the fleet manager module. The fleet manager module is operable to initiate flight operations by concurrently triggering initiation of the flight plans by the multiple UAVs. Further, the local control modules monitor front and back end communication channels and, when a channel is lost, operate the UAV in a safe mode.
Abstract:
A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a ground control system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The system further includes a marionette with a body and articulatable appendages attached to the body. The body and appendages are supported with tether lines extending between the marionette and the UAVs. Then, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans to position and articulate the marionette within a display air space. In some embodiments, the UAVs each is a multicopter, and each of the multicopters includes a local controller operating to move the multicopter through a series of way points defined by the flight plan associated with the multicopter.
Abstract:
A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of UAVs each including a propulsion device and a display payload, and the system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and memory storing a different flight plan and a set of display controls for the UAVs. Then, wherein, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans through operation of the propulsion devices and operate the display payloads based on the display controls. The display payloads each include a lighting assembly and a light controller. The output light is one of a two or more colored light streams, and each of the display payloads further may include a light diffuser with the output light being directed onto a surface of the light diffuser. The light diffuser may include a light diffusing screen extending about the lighting assembly.
Abstract:
A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a ground control system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The system further includes a marionette with a body and articulatable appendages attached to the body. The body and appendages are supported with tether lines extending between the marionette and the UAVs. Then, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans to position and articulate the marionette within a display air space. In some embodiments, the UAVs each is a multicopter, and each of the multicopters includes a local controller operating to move the multicopter through a series of way points defined by the flight plan associated with the multicopter.