Methods and apparatus for estimating and controlling behavior of animatronics units

Abstract

A method for determining behavior of an animatronics unit includes receiving animation data comprising artistically determined motions for at least a portion of an animated character, determining a plurality of control signals to be applied to at least the portion of the animatronics unit in response to the animation data, estimating the behavior of at least the portion of the animatronics unit in response to the plurality of control signals by driving a software simulation of at least the portion of the animatronics unit with the plurality of control signals, and outputting a representation of the behavior of at least the portion of the animatronics unit to a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for determining behavior of an animatronics unit comprising:
 receiving animation data comprising artistically determined motions for at least a portion of an animated character;   determining a plurality of control signals to be applied to the portion of the animatronics unit in response to the animation data;   estimating the behavior of at least the portion of the animatronics unit in response to the plurality of control signals by driving a software simulation of at least the portion of the animatronics unit with the plurality of control signals; and   outputting a representation of the behavior of at least the portion of the animatronics unit to a user.