The Animatronic neck-post replaces the standard Gems neck-post allowing any Gems head to be used as an Animatronic head.
The Gaze-Control-unit governs the lifelike movements of the head and simply by adjusting the control knobs different personalities can be modelled.
In addition external devices can initiate one or two triggered behaviors.
The Gaze Control runs off the mains via a low voltage, 12 volt, power-supply which is easily hidden out of sight and the control-unit is normally placed inside the figure or even in a pocket.
2007 version
1995 version
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GEMS Gaze-Control Feb 13
The Gems Gaze-Control unit provides simple automatic variable head
movements for the Gems series of poseable mannequins.
It is a replacement for the standard neck and no modifications are
needed for it to be fitted.
The Gaze-Control unit allows any figures in an existing display to
be easily updated with virtually no disturbance to their setting.
At the simplest the only connection required is a pair of thin
wires for the low voltage power supply to the unit, such wires can
be easily tucked away out of sight.
BEHAVIOURS
When fitted to a figure it allows two lifelike behaviours.
Standard Behaviour -
Rotation of the head from side to side at random intervals and
degree of turn.
The direction of the head's gaze is adjustable from Left to Right
and the random motions are made about the preset direction.
Speed of movement is presetable and the interval between turns and
the degree of turn are scaleable to allow the reproduction of all
behaviours from motionless through barely perceptible and graceful
to agitated.
Triggered Behaviour -
Whilst operating in Standard Behaviour mode the head can be
triggered to look in either of two presetable directions. This is
done by activating one of the two trigger inputs. These inputs are
suitable for connecting to pressure pads, light-beam equipment and
infra-red motion detectors etc. consequently the figure can respond to
the presence of people.
For each input an auxiliary output is activated when the head has
turned to its preset position, this allows triggering of external
equipment such as voice playback for announcements, welcoming
messages, greetings etc..
When the head turns to a preset direction it always does so at
full-speed, regardless of the setting of the Speed-control knob.
Periodic auto triggering can be set for Gaze-1, see below.
OPERATION
Once set up the Gaze-Control needs nothing more than the Low-
voltage-power-supply to be turned on or plugged into the Mains
when it is desired to have the figure operational.
So that it is not running while people are not around it is suggested
that it powered through a Passive-infra-red-controller available as
an optional extra. The Passive-infra-red-controller will sense when
people are near and turn on the power to the Gaze-Control and when
people leave it will turn off the power again.
Also available as an optional extra is a Passive-infra-red-controller
operated Trigger unit which can be plugged into Trig-1 or Trig-2,
see below.
CONTROLS and CONNECTIONS
Controls -
Speed - Sets the speed of movement.
Turn the control fully clockwise for Fast,
anti-clockwise reduces the speed
and fully anticlockwise is for Stopped.
Start with speed set to fast and reduce as desired.
Gaze - Clockwise turns the head to the Right
Anti-clockwise turns the head to the Left.
Start with the control pointing straight up, this
corresponds to the figure looking straight ahead.
Frequency - Fully clockwise sets a quarter of a second delay
between moves, fully anti-clockwise a maximum of
about one minute between moves, the actual delay
will be a random time between a quarter of a
second and the setting of the Frequency control.
Start with this control fully clockwise
and reduce as desired.
Turn - Fully clockwise gives large turns, and fully
anti-clockwise is for stopped. The actual amount
of turn will be a random amount inbetween no turn
and the setting of the Turn control.
Start with this control turned fully clockwise
and reduce as desired.
Gaze-1 - This control works similarly to the Gaze control
but sets the position the head will go to when
Trigger input 1 is activated.
Start with this control set fully clockwise or
fully anticlockwise.
Trigger input 1 has priority over trigger input 2.
If Trigger input 1 is closed on powerup then auto-
trigger is set and the head will go to the Gaze-1
position about every eight moves.
Gaze-2 - This control works similarly to the Gaze control
but sets the position the head will go to when
Trigger input 2 is activated.
Start with this control set fully anti-clockwise
or fully clockwise.
Trigger input 1 has priority over trigger input 2.
Note new settings of the controls are only taken into account
from the start of a new movement, if Speed or Frequency were
turned down then this may take some time, (up to two minutes).
To avoid waiting for the new settings to be read simply unplug
the power connector from the Gaze-Control box wait 5 seconds
and plug it back in, this will start everything off afresh with
the new settings.
Connections -
Power - The lead from the Low Voltage Power Supply Unit plugs
into this socket.
12Vdc, 200mA from the double insulated low voltage
power supply unit, (9 to 16 Vdc unregulated).
2.1mm power connector, centre pin positive.
Head - The lead from the Neck unit plugs in here.
Note there is a bump on the plug which matches the
cutout on the bottom of socket.
The lead from the Neck unit has an extra connector near
the top, this connector is for expansion units.
Trig 1 - Trigger Input 1, when activated the Head goes to the
position set by the Gaze-1 control.
Takes a 3.5mm mono-jack-plug,
requires a No-Volt switch closure,
eg a simple push switch or Pressure-Pad.
(No-Volt switch to be rated above 12Vdc and 100 mA).
Aux 1 - Auxiliary Output 1, takes a 3.5mm mono-jack-plug
When the Head has reached the position set by the
Gaze-1 control an isolated switch will be closed for
5 seconds while the Head remains stationery.
This can be used to trigger other equipment.
Relay contacts rated at 30 V and 1A maximum,
isolation 50V maximum. (ie a No-Volt switch).
Trig 2 - Trigger Input 2, when activated the Head goes to the
position set by the Gaze-2 control.
Takes a 3.5mm mono-jack-plug,
requires a No-Volt switch closure,
eg a simple push switch or Pressure-Pad.
(No-Volt switch to be rated above 12Vdc and 100 mA)
Aux 2 - Auxiliary Output 2, takes a 3.5mm mono-jack-plug
When the Head has reached the position set by the
Gaze-2 control an isolated switch will be closed for
5 seconds while the Head remains stationery.
This can be used to trigger other equipment.
Relay contacts rated at 30 V and 1A maximum,
isolation 50V maximum. (ie a No-Volt switch).
ASSEMBLY
The unit replaces the standard neck post. The cable from the head unit
should be fed down the hole in the body and arranged so that it sits
in the cut-out in the clamping plate. Make sure the cable is not
trapped as the securing nut is tightened.
SETUP
- Mount the Neck-post on the body of the figure as above [ASSEMBLY].
- Connect the Control-box, Neck-post and Power-supply
as above [Connections].
- Turn the 'Gaze' knob so it is pointing straight up, this
corresponds to the figure looking straight ahead.
- Turn the 'Turn' knob fully anticlockwise.
- Wait for the Neck-unit to rotate to its home position.
- Turn off the power, (unplug the power from the Control-box).
- Place the head on the Neck-post so it is looking forwards.
- Turn the 'Gaze' knob so corresponds to the prefered gaze direction.
- Turn the 'Turn' knob to the required level of actuation.
- Turn on the power and watch the head as it moves.
- Adjust the 'Speed', 'Turn', 'Frequency' and 'Gaze' controls
as required.
