HAPTIC CONTROL SYSTEM
A haptic system for enhancing the operator interface of winches and other automated stage systems, in particular in a theater, using an input control device which is provided with resistance based on the load on the winch and on other factors. The system detects the condition or state of the load and generates a response that is imparted to the input control device to provide the user with a tactile feedback of that condition.
This application claims priority to provisional application No. 61/865,975, filed Aug. 14, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA theatrical rigging system is a system of lines (e.g., ropes), blocks (e.g., pulleys), counterweights and related devices within a theater that enables a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly (e.g., hoist) items such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and/or people. Such rigging systems are typically designed to fly components between clear view of the audience and out of view, into the large opening (e.g., fly loft) above the stage.
Manually operated counterweight flying systems have traditionally been used in theatres, but automated systems have also been developed. Automated systems can include electrical hoists (also referred to as winches) that can facilitate coordination with cues, move heavy line sets, and significantly limit the number of people required in the fly crew.
One disadvantage of an automated system is that the user loses the sense of “feel” which provides the operator of a manual fly system with tactile information concerning the load being lifted. On a counterweight system, the operator can feel how heavy a piece being lifted is and can also feel when it touches the floor. Heavy pieces are harder to pull, which gives a flyman information regarding the piece being lifted and whether he or she is moving the right piece.
Automated systems are replacing hand controls on other systems, such as stage tracks, stage trucks, lifts and revolves, and provide the same challenge in terms of feedback to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present haptic control system recreates the sense of feeling that a flyman in a theater receives when running a manually operated counterweight flying system, or that a stage technician receives when moving stage trucks, stage tracks, revolves, and other stage equipment by providing tactile feedback to controls operated by a user. For example, resistance can be increased in the system controls as a load on a winch operated by the system is increased and as the end of travel zone is approached. The present system can also mimic a manual sprung joystick, where the resistance to movement increases in proportion to the stroke.
The invention is not limited to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the drawings.
Stage SystemsThe present haptic control system can be used to control a variety of automated stage systems. Such systems include, for example, fly systems, stage tracks, revolves (revolving stages), and stage elevators. Many of these items have in the past been operated mechanically and therefore provide basic mechanical feedback.
Fly systems include a number of components, including winches, battens, and lines. Battens are linear members suspended above a stage to which loads can be attached. Loads mounted to battens include lights, curtains, and scenery, which can then be raised up into the fly space (flown out) or lowered near to the stage floor (flown in) by an associated line set. Another component of fly systems is the lines, i.e. the ropes and cables (wire ropes) that enable a fly system to hoist items. Lines are retained at one end by a winch or hoist, which reels a line in or out in order to move an item. A line is supported by a block or pulley used to support and direct lift and operating lines. A block generally comprises a grooved wheel, known as a sheave. A loft block is an overhead block that supports a single lift line and redirects a lift line from the batten to the head block of a line set. Head blocks are overhead blocks used for the lift lines and operating lines. Head blocks support and redirect the lift lines from loft blocks to items to be hoisted.
Motor-assist fly systems are similar to manually operated counterweight fly systems, except that a motor is used to rotate the drum of a winch. Hoist (e.g., winch) motors can be either fixed speed or variable speed. Fixed speed motors are generally used for heavy-load and/or slow-speed line sets (e.g., for electrics and orchestra shell line sets), while variable speed motors are generally used for line sets requiring dynamic motion that may be viewed by the audience (e.g., drapery and scenery line sets). Scenery hoists commonly allow travel at rates of hundreds of feet per minute.
Haptic System 1 (FIGS. 1-12)Haptic systems provide tactile feedback using the sense of touch of a user, by applying force, vibrations, or motion to the user. The haptic device 1 of the present system comprises a closed-loop (“endless”) belt 40 which can be rotated by the user in order to fly an item in a theater or other setting. The belt however not only controls the hoisting of the item but also provides tactile feedback to the user while being operated. Such feedback is provided by a motor, which for example can provide resistance to the belt in response to predetermined parameters, and/or can provide other tactile stimuli such as vibration or other motion.
An embodiment of the haptic device 1 is illustrated in
The upper surface 15 preferably includes or retains one or more displays 20, such as the medial display 21 and the lateral display 23 shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the displays 21, 23 are positioned at the lateral end 14 of the device 1. Below these displays 20 are buttons 30 which can be used, for example, to control functions of the device 1 and/or input information into the device. Additional buttons 31 and 32, which are located in the illustrated embodiment in the proximal end 12 of the upper surface 15 of the housing 10, are preferably ON and OFF buttons, respectively. Also located on the upper surface 15 of the housing 10 are openings 16 for providing access to belts 42, 44 contained in the housing 10. Each of the openings 16 comprises an elongated shape in order to maximize the surface area of the belt 40 accessible by the user. The openings 16 can extend parallel to each other (where multiple belts are provided), and to the sides 11, 13 (i.e., transverse to the ends 12, 14), so that the belts 40 are operated by moving forward and backward with respect to the user. Or, the openings 16 can extend transverse to the sides 11, 13 (i.e., parallel to the ends 12, 14), so that the belts 40 are operated by moving side-to-side with respect to the user.
As best seen in
For purposes of illustration, the lower portion of the housing 10 is not shown. The lower portion of the housing can comprise a conventional shape, such as an open rectangular box, but it can alternatively comprise any shape adapted to contain the mechanical components of the present device, such as the gear assembly 100, which are located beneath the upper surface 15 and facing the underside 17 of the upper portion 18 of the housing 10.
As best seen in
Turning to
The pulleys 160 also preferably each comprise teeth or other means for providing frictional engagement with the underside of a belt 40 such that movement of the belts also moves the pulleys 160. The belt 40 passes around each pulley 164, 166 and over the top of the upper surface 205 (see
In addition to contacting the two upper pulleys, each belt 40 also passes around a drive pulley 162. The drive pulley 162 can be located downwardly and inwardly with respect to the upper pulleys. Thus, each of the belts 40 passes around three belt pulleys 160 in a triangular configuration such that the underside of each belt 40 is in contact with the outer circumference of each belt pulley 160. More specifically, the first belt 44 passes around the two upper pulleys 164, 166, and the respective drive pulley 162, and the second belt 42 passes around the two upper pulleys 266, 264 and the respective drive pulley 262. The pulleys 164, 166, 162 are all positioned the same way and face the same direction (toward the ends 202, 204), with the axles substantially parallel to one another (transverse to the ends 202, 204), so that they rotate in the same direction and the belt 44 can pass around them. The pulleys 266, 264, 262 are also positioned in the same way and face the same direction, with the axles substantially parallel to one another, so that they rotate in the same direction and the belt 42 can pass around them. The belt pulleys 160 maintain the belts 40 in a tensioned engagement.
Unlike the upper pulleys 164, 166, 266, 264, however, the drive pulley 162, 262 is mechanically connected to a driven gear 150 which provides motion, torque or other force to the drive pulley 162, 262. The driven gear 150 is preferably located medially and coaxially with respect to the drive pulleys 162, 262. The driven gear 150 is itself driven by motion, torque or other force from a drive gear 140. The drive gear 140 is preferably directly connected to the driven gear 150, such as by the meshing of teeth in each of the gears, although other means of mechanically connecting these gears is also possible. The drive gear 140 is provided with motion or other force by a motor 110, such as a stepper motor. For example, the first drive gear 144 drives the first driven gear 154, which in turn drives the first drive pulley 162. The first drive pulley 162 moves the belt 44, which drives the first upper pulleys 164, 166.
In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 100 and each of the gears is retained by a motor mounting plate 120. As best seen in
In addition, a bracing 170 is provided to couple the chassis 214 with the mounting plate 124. The drive pulley bracing 170, in this case the bracing 174, is attached adjacent to the outer faces of the upper pulley 164 and the drive pulley 162 in order to retain the pulleys. More specifically, the bracing 174 is an elongated support plate that extends from the distal upper pulley 164 to the drive pulley 162. One end of the brace 174 is coupled about the drive pulley 162 and the other end of the brace 174 is coupled at the upper pulley 164 to the chassis 214. The middle portion of the brace 174 has an opening and is affixed to a support post that connects the brace 174 to the mounting plate 124. The brace 174 retains the chassis 214 in its position, and the chassis 214 in turn supports the two upper pulleys 164, 166. The second set of pulleys 262, 264, and 266 are equivalent to the first set of pulleys 162, 164, and 166 and are likewise retained on the motor mounting plates 122 and 124 and by the bracing 172, as shown in the drawings.
The present system is not limited to the illustrated configuration for retaining pulleys and other components of the present system. The use of three pulleys in a triangular configuration, however, allows two belts to be disposed in a side-by-side manner in a compact way. As illustrated in the drawings, each motor 110 extends axially away from the drive gear 140 to which it is attached, and occupies space between the pulleys dedicated to the adjacent belt 40. For example, the second motor 113 that drives the second drive pulley 262, is located between the first pulleys 162, 164, and 166 and the first belt 44, while the first motor 111 that drives the first drive pulley 162 is located between the second pulleys 262, 264, and 266 and the second belt 42. This allows two motors to fit next to each other in a compact manner.
As best shown in
Another embodiment of the haptic system 2 in accordance with the present invention is shown in
Referring more specifically to
The mounting plate assembly 310 extends downward from the top surface of the housing 300 and substantially perpendicular thereto. The mounting plate assembly 310 secures the motor 306 and the gear assembly 320, which in turn supports the belt 304. The mounting plate assembly 310 is best shown in
The upper portion of each side wall 309, 340 has a top edge 332. A guide member is formed along the top edge 332. The guide member is elongated and extends outward from the top edge 332 of the side walls. The guide member has a top surface 334 that helps guide the belt 308 and prevent the belt 308 from getting caught in the gear assembly 320. The top surface 334 also supports the belt 308 against pressure from the user's finger. The bottom of the guide member can have cross-supports to stiffen the guide member and provide added support to the belt 308. The top surface 334 of the guide member is smooth so that the belt 308 can ride along the top surface 334 without obstruction. And the guide member is about the same width as the belt 308 to better support the belt 308.
The pulley receptacles 336, 337, 331 are through-holes that are formed in the side plate walls 309, 340. The two upper receptacles 336, 337 are aligned horizontally and receive the upper pulleys 312. The lower receptacle 331 is located downward and between the two upper receptacles 336, 337 and receives the lower pulley 312. The pulleys 312 rotate about a shaft or axle 315, 317. The axles are received in the receptacles 336, 336, 331 so that the pulleys 312 are rotatably mounted to the side walls 309, 340. In addition, the pulleys 312 extend outward from the outer surface 338, 339 of the side walls 309, 340, so that two belts 308 can be provided. It is noted that a single belt configuration can be provided that only has a single wall. The receptacles 336, 336, 331 are configured so that the pulleys 312 form a triangular shape and the belt 308 extends around the pulleys 312, similar to the haptic device 1 of
In addition, an encoder 305 is mounted to the mounting plate assembly 310. For instance, the encoder code wheel 316 can be mounted to the shaft 315, such as by a set screw, which extends through an opening in the second plate 340, a pulley 312, and couples with the first plate 309. The code wheel 316 rotates about the shaft 315 at the same rate as the pulley 312, and therefore the encoder 305 can measure the amount of rotation of the belt 308. Alternatively, the encoder need not be coupled to a shaft, but can be directly coupled with the motor, one of the pulleys, or one of the gears.
The belt 308 has an outer surface with bumps or ridges that extend transversely across the belt 308, the full width of the belt 308. The ridges can be more easily gripped by the user so that the user can better actuate the belt 308 forward and backward, and so the user's finger doesn't slip from the belt during use or when a tactile response is imparted on the belt 308. In addition, the ridges provide a more disguisable tactile response to the user since the user is better able to recognize movement of the belt 308 both visually and by touch. The inner surface of the belt 308 can have teeth to engage the various pulleys 312, as in the haptic device 1 of
Referring to
The processor 54 is located within the housing 10 together with the haptic device 1, and is connected to the sensor 70 by a wire. The processor 54 controls the motor 110 to drive the drive gear 144, which rotates the driven gear 154 and the drive pulley 162 to control movement of the belt 40. The local processing device 54 contains operator software interface. The processor software processes the feedback from the position sensor 70 and issues commands to control the stepper motor 110.
The local processing device 54 (via its software) is connected to the motion controller 58 by a network, such as an Ethernet cable, and can communicate with each other via an industrial networking protocol. The control loop for positioning takes place at the motion controller 58 using closed loop control. The motion controller 58 is connected to a motor drive 64, which in turn is connected to a motor or winch 63, which in turn is connected to a load cell 62 and a position sensor 60 such as an encoder. The motion controller 58 controls the motor drive 64 to drive the motor/winch 63. The load cell 72 and position sensor 60 are associated with a load, such as stage system. The position/speed sensor 60 is configured to detect the position, speed or motion of the load, whereas the load cell 62 is configured to detect the weight of the load 62. The current position/speed and loads of an item (e.g., stage system) being moved are passed back to the local processing device 54, which is controlled by the operator. That information can be displayed on the display devices 20. And, that information is used as feedback to the haptic playback. The position is generated from an encoder or similar device 60, and the load can be derived from measuring the variable speed drive current from the motor drive 64 or and/or from a load cell 62.
Thus, the amount of force/load that is applied to the motor/winch 64, and the position, speed and load from the sensors 60, 62, is fed back from the motion controller 58 to the local processor 54. The local processor 54 controls the haptic input device (i.e., the belt) as an implied spring force which is felt by the operator's fingers. The user can instruct the control system 50 when the current load on the winch (as detected by the load cell 62) is the standard or reference load. Accordingly, when the load deviates from that reference load, the local processor 54 can indicate that change by controlling the belt accordingly. As the deviation from the reference load increases or decreases, the amount of feedback from the local processor can increase or decrease proportionally. Other status information from the winch/motor can also be fed back to the operator at the processing device 54.
The processing devices 54, 58 can each be for instance, a computer, personal computer (PC), server or mainframe computer, or more generally a computing device, processor, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or controller. The processing devices 54, 58 can be provided with one or more of a wide variety of components or subsystems including, for example, a co-processor, register, data processing devices and subsystems, wired or wireless communication links, input devices (such as touch screen, keyboard, mouse) for user control or input, monitors for displaying information to the user, and/or storage device(s) such as memory, RAM, ROM, DVD, CD-ROM, analog or digital memory, flash drive, database, computer-readable media, floppy drives/disks, and/or hard drive/disks. All or parts of the system, processes, and/or data utilized in the invention can be stored on or read from the storage device(s). The storage device(s) can have stored thereon machine executable instructions for performing the processes of the invention. The processing devices 54, 58 can execute software that can be stored on the storage device. The invention can also be implemented by or on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as any tangible medium that can store, encode or carry non-transitory instructions for execution by the computer and cause the computer to perform any one or more of the operations of the invention described herein, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with instructions.
OperationIn use, the user moves the belt 40, 308 in one direction (e.g., toward or away from the distal end 14 of the device). That motion of the belt 40, 308 is detected by the encoder 70, 305, which converts the linear position of the belt 40, 308 to an electronic user input command signal that is communicated to the controller 54. The controller 54 then actuates the motor of a winch (not shown) in the direction and speed indicated by the information received from the linear encoder. This can be done for instance, by any suitable predetermined algorithm. In one embodiment (“joystick mode”), manual control is effected using the belt 40, 308 such that an item can be moved in either direction by manual actuation of the belt 40, 308. In another embodiment (“speed mode”), an item can be programmed to move at a desired speed, with actuation of the belt 40, 308 overriding that speed if required, either by increasing or decreasing the speed.
When a predetermined endpoint of the travel of a line is approached by the load, that condition or state of the load is sensed by the position/speed detector 60, load cell 62, and/or variable speed drive current of the motor drive 64. In response to that signal from the detector 60, cell 62 or drive current, the motion controller 58 sends a signal to the local processing device 54. The local processing device 54 generates a control signal and transmits the control signal to the stepper motor 110, which in turn imparts a tactile signal to the belt 40, 308 that can be detected by the user by touch and/or visual perception. For example, if the weight of the load (stage device) goes up or down, that variation is detected by the load cell 62 and sent to the motion processor 58. The motion processor 58 transmits that information to the local processor 54, which controls the stepper motor 110, 306 to control the drive gear 144, 311 to move the belt 40, 308. For instance, the motor 100, 306 associated with that line can apply increasing levels of resistance to its associated belt 40, 308 to provide feedback to the user regarding the approaching endpoint. Resistance can also be applied at other points in the travel of a line.
Additional tactile information can also be provided by the motor 110, 306. For example, the motor 110, 308 can shake the belts 40, 308, e.g. when a lifted object approaches the top of the fly system. Shaking or other motion or resistance can also be provided when a flown item reaches or passes certain boundaries or zones. In other modes, resistive force applied to the belts can increases as the speed of the device increases, or when the weight load is increased. It should be noted, however, that while the invention is described as having a motor 110, 306 to drive the gears and provide tactile feedback to the belt, other motion generating mechanisms can be utilized and the invention need not include a motor and/or gears. For instance, an electric solenoid or other mechanism can be provided to move or shake the belt. In addition, while a linearly movable belt is utilized, any suitable input device can be provided to control operation to the load, such as a mouse or trackwheel.
Thus, the haptic control system recreates the sense of feeling that a flyman in a theater receives when running a manually operated counterweight flying system, or that a stage technician receives when moving stage trucks, stage tracks, revolves, and other stage equipment by providing tactile feedback to controls operated by a user. For example, resistance can be increased in the system controls as a load on a winch operated by the system is increased and as the end of travel zone is approached. The present system can also mimic a manual sprung joystick, where the resistance to movement increases in proportion to the stroke.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure.
Recitation of value ranges herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A control system comprising:
- an input control device configured to receive a user input and control a load;
- a motion generator coupled with said input control device to impart a response signal to said input control device; and
- a processing device configured to receive a condition signal indicative of a condition of the load, said processing device controlling said motion generator to impart a response signal to said input control device in response to the condition signal.
2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said input control device is a belt that moves linearly.
3. The control system of claim 2, wherein said response signal shakes said belt.
4. The control system of claim 2, wherein said motion generator comprises a motor and said response signal moves said belt linearly.
5. The control system of claim 4, wherein said response signal imparts a tactile feedback to said belt.
6. The control system of claim 2, further comprising a motion sensor configured to detect motion of said belt and generate a motion signal, and wherein said processing device is further configured to receive the motion signal and control the load in response to the motion signal.
7. The control system of claim 1, wherein said processing device imparts a response signal to said input control device in response to a change in the condition of the load.
8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises weight, and said processing device imparts a response signal to said input control device if there is a change in the weight of the load.
9. The control system of claim 8, wherein said processing device determines if there is a change in the weight of the load by setting a reference weight of the load and determining if the detected weight is different than the reference weight.
10. A control system for controlling operation of a load, said control system comprising:
- a mounting plate;
- at least two pulleys rotatably coupled with said mounting plate;
- a belt coupled about said at least two pulleys, said belt configured to move linearly;
- a motor configured to drive said at least two pulleys to move said belt linearly;
- a sensor configured to detect a condition of the load and generate a sensor output signal;
- a processing device in communication with said sensor to receive said sensor output signal, said processing device configured to operate said motor in response to said sensor output signal to impart a tactile feedback to said belt.
11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the condition comprises weight, said sensor comprises a weight sensor that detects a weight of the load, and said processing device operates said motor if there is a change in the weight of the load.
12. The control system of claim 11, wherein said processing device determines if there is a change in the weight of the load by setting a reference weight of the load and determining if the detected weight is different than the reference weight.
13. The control system of claim 10, wherein said sensor comprises a position sensor that detects a position of the load, and said processing device operates said motor if there is a change in the position of the load.
14. The control system of claim 10, wherein said sensor comprises a speed sensor that detects a speed of the load, and said processing device operates said motor if there is a change in the speed of the load.
15. The control system of claim 10, further comprising three pulleys configured in a triangular shape.
16. The control system of claim 10, further comprising a drive gear coupled with said motor, said drive gear being operated by said motor and driving at least one of said at least two pulleys.
17. The control system of claim 10, further comprising a motion sensor coupled to detect movement of said belt and generate a motion output signal, said processing device receiving the motion output signal and controlling operation of the load in response to the motion output signal.
18. A method for controlling operation of a load, said method comprising:
- providing a input control device that is configured to receive a user input command;
- detecting a condition of the load;
- imparting a response to the input control device to provide a tactile feedback to the input control device indicative of the condition of the load.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a motor to move the input control device, the motor providing the tactile feedback.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the condition is weight, position, speed, and/or motion.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 14, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2016
Inventors: James D. LOVE (Lititz, PA), Robert HOMAN (Manheim, PA), Mark AGER (London Greater London)
Application Number: 14/911,615