Robot device

• US 6,458,011 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Inoue, Makoto, Kato, Emi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US09/743,245
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 180/8.1, 180/8.6, 446/268, 446/376, 446/377, 446/383, 446/384, 901/1
• US Class Current: 446/376
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 11/00 Self-movable toy figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/24 Details or accessories for drive mechanisms, e.g. means for winding-up or starting toy engines
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/006 provided with electrical lighting electrical lighting F21
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/38 Dolls' eyes
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/005 using batteries, e.g. as a back-up power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

A walking-on-four-legs type robot whose body is connected at the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left with legs is adapted so that its action saves the user trouble and increases the user'"'"'s affection for, and curiosity about, the robot.

Claims

1. A four-legged robot whose body is connected at the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left with legs, characterized in that said robot comprises:

driving means for driving the legs separately from each other; and

controlling means for controlling the driving means, and

said controlling means controls the driving means so that when the robot tumbles sideward, the driving means turns the forelegs and hind legs under the body in such directions that the legs open apart from each other and then in such directions that they move away from the body.

2. A four-legged robot whose body is connected at the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left with legs, characterized in that said robot comprises:

driving means for driving the legs separately from each other; and

controlling means for controlling the driving means, and

said controlling means controls the driving means so that when the robot tumbles forward, the driving means turns the legs at the front of the body until they are parallel in front of the body and then turns the legs toward the rear of the body.

3. A four-legged root whose body is connected at the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left with legs, characterized in that said robot comprises:

driving means for driving the legs separately from each other; and

controlling means for controlling the driving means, and

said controlling means controls the driving means so that when the robot tumbles backward, the driving means turns the legs at the rear of the body in such directions that the legs move away from the body until they are almost straight and then turns the legs toward the front of the body.

4. A four-legged robot whose body is connected at the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left with legs, characterized in that said robot comprises:

driving means for driving the legs separately from each other; and

controlling means for controlling the driving means, and

said controlling means controls the driving means so that the driving means opens the legs radially and then bends the legs above the body.

5. A four-legged robot whose body is connected at the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left with legs and provided at the front with a head, characterized in that said robot comprises:

driving means for driving the legs and head separately from each other; and

controlling means for controlling the driving means, and

said controlling means controls the driving means so that the end of one of said legs under the body moves up and down at the back of the head.