Interactive animated charater immediately after the title

• US 5,198,893 A
• Filed: 12/10/1991
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CEC Entertainment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Semborg-Recrob Corporation
• Inventors: Lang, Victor H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US07/805,113
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 358/93, 358/210, 358/108, 358/229, 901/1, 901/46, 901/47, 40/411-416, 446/297-303, 446/376, 446/386
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0009 comprising multi-articulated fingers, e.g. resembling a human hand
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0003 Home robots, i.e. small robots for domestic use

Abstract

A system includes a control station for remotely controlling an animated character. Radio frequencies are used to transfer audio, video and other control signals to the animated character to provide speech, hearing, vision and practically any movement in real-time. A camera is used in the head of the animated character, and microphones are used in its ears to provide vision and hearing to a monitoring operator at the control station. A speaker is co-located with the animated character to generate sound from the operator. Servo control units are includes within the animated character to provide a plurality of body movements. Other aspects of the animated character includes a multi-layer skin composite to make it appear more life-like, and an audio driver circuit for controlling the mouth of the animated character in proportion to the level of an audio signal generated at the control station.

Claims

1. An interactive animated character system, comprising:

a control station, responsive to sensor signals, for generating control signals;

an animated character body including

an upper body which is merely controllable in response to the control signals,

a head which is supported by the upper body and is also movably controllable in response to the control signals and which has a face with synthetic skin, and

sensor means for sensing at least one of the following environmental conditions;

sounds and objects;

wherein the sensor means includes means for generating the sensor signals to the control station such that the control station responds to the sensor signals by generating the control signals to interactively move the animated character body.

2. An interactive animated character system, according to claim 1, wherein the animated character body includes a plurality of mechanical servo mechanisms which respond to the control signals for controlling the upper body and head.

3. An interactive animated character system, according to claim 1, wherein the face includes a movably controllable mouth.

4. An interactive animated character system, according to claim 1, wherein the animated character body includes a plurality of mechanical servo mechanisms which respond to the control signals for controlling the upper body and head, and wherein the face includes a movably controllable mouth with at least one mechanical servo mechanism which controls mouth movement.

5. An interactive animated character system, comprising:

a control station, responsive to sensor signals, for generating control signals;

an animated character body including

an upper body which is movably controllable in response to the control signals, said body having a plurality of arm members,

a head which is supported by the upper body and is also movably controllable in response to the control signals and which has a face with synthetic skin, and

a microphone and a video camera for sensing sounds and objects;

wherein the sensor means includes means for generating the sensor signals to the control station such that the control station responds to the sensor signals by generating the control signals to move the animated character body with an audience in real-time.

6. An interactive animated character system, according to claim 5, wherein the animated character body includes a plurality of mechanical servo mechanisms which respond to the control signals for controlling the upper body and head, and wherein the face includes a movably controllable mouth with at least one mechanical servo mechanism which controls mouth movement.

7. An interactive animated character system, according to claim 5, further including a speaker, co-located with the animated character body, for producing sounds generated from the control station.