CV BRIDLE MONITOR AND MOBILATOR SENSING SYSTEM

1 . A system for monitoring real-time position of a mobile element on a performance stage comprising:

a mobile element;

a computer vision camera that captures images while the mobile element moves into multiple positions about the stage and converts the images to position data;

a control system directing movement of the mobile element using position data.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer vision camera is disposed on the mobile element for movement therewith and the captured images include views of the stage.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the computer vision camera comprises at least two computer vision cameras.

4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising an object located at a known fixed position on the stage, the computer vision camera converting images of the object into position data indicative of the mobile element position relative to the stage.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the object is selected from the list of an object of known shape and size, and a light source.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system receives input data defining a movement plan and the control system compares the position data to the movement plan to direct movement of mobile element consistent with the movement plan.

7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a master control system communicatively coupled to the control system to provide the movement plan to the control system.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to identify moveable objects on the stage from the images, determine position data in relation to the mobile element, and direct mobile element movement to avoid unintended contact with moveable object.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer vision camera is disposed on the stage and the captured images are viewing the mobile element.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising an object located at a known fixed position on the stage, the computer vision camera converting images of the object into position data indicative of the mobile element position relative to the stage.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the control system receives input data defining a movement plan and the control system compares the position data to the movement plan to direct movement of mobile element consistent with the movement plan.

12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a master control system communicatively coupled to the control system to provide the movement plan to the control system.

13 . A method for monitoring the position of a mobile element on a performance stage comprising the steps of:

mounting a computer vision camera on the mobile element that captures images of objects on the stage;

moving the mobile element into multiple positions on the stage as the computer vision camera captures images of objects on the stage; and

converting the computer vision camera images to position data corresponding to the multiple positions on the stage.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of:

providing a control system configured to receive the position data and determine an instruction to cause a desired movement of the mobile element.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the location of objects on the stage is known.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of:

configuring the control system to identify from the images a moveable object on the stage, determine position data for the moveable object in relation to the mobile element, and direct mobile element movement to avoid unintended contact with the moveable object.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the computer vision camara comprises two or more computer vision cameras.