INTERACTIVE APPARATUS

• US 20130178981A1
• Filed: 01/07/2013
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J.T. Labs Limited
• Original Assignee: J.T. Labs Limited
• Inventors: Wong, Tit Shing, Leung, Wai Choi Lewie, Cheung, Kwok Yau
• Granted Patent: US 9,092,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/257
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/04 Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers G05B19/418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A robotic apparatus that interacts with a user and a personal computer (PC) receives inputs from a user and from the PC and reacts and interacts. The interactive apparatus includes a USB interface with the PC to receive power and data such as key strokes, key combinations, email notifications, and web cam events, for example. The interactive apparatus also includes microphones and a phototransistor to detect sounds and movement. The interactive apparatus includes an eye assembly attached to a body and leg, which is responsive to inputs and interactions with the user and PC.

Claims

1. A robotic apparatus comprising:

an interactive figure having a base assembly, a foot assembly coupled to said base assembly, a leg extending upwardly from said base assembly, a knew coupled to said leg, a body assembly coupled to said knee, and an eye assembly on an upper end of said body assembly rotationally coupled with the body assembly for movement about a laterally-extending rotational axis,

said eye assembly having a movable eyelid and an eyelid drive motor coupled to said eyelid for moving the eyelid to a desired position, and

a position sensor for measuring the rotational position of said eyelid about said axis in response to sensed conditions,

a microprocessor control unit coupled to a personal computer to receive commands therefrom and coupled to said drive motor to operate said drive motor in response to commands received from said personal computer.

2. The robotic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an eye assembly drive motor coupled to said eye assembly and responsive to commands received from said microprocessor control unit to pivot said eye assembly back and forth.

3. The robotic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a body assembly drive motor coupled to said body assembly and said knee and responsive to commands received from said microprocessor control unit to pivot said body assembly about a longitudinal axis running through said knee.

4. The robotic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a leg assembly drive motor coupled to said leg assembly and said foot assembly and responsive to commands received from said microprocessor control unit to pivot said leg assembly about a longitudinal axis running through said foot assembly.

5. A robotic apparatus comprising:

an interactive figure having a base, a foot assembly on said base, an upwardly extending leg on said base, a knee on said foot assembly, and a body assembly above said base supported on said leg and rotatable about a transverse axis, and an eye assembly on an upper end of said body rotationally coupled with the body for movement about a laterally-extending rotational axis,

said eye assembly having a movable eyelid, an eyelid drive motor coupled with the eyelid and mounted behind the eyelid for opening and closing the eyelid, and an eyelid position sensor for measuring the rotational position of the eyelid around an axis of rotation thereof, and

means for driving said eye assembly to pivot the eye assembly back and forth in response to triggered commands generated by a microprocessor control unit.