Motorized and non-motorized interactive character

Abstract

An illustrative interactive character is provided having a two section body with a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism. The character may have the capability to move between a variety of positions. Four appendages may be rotatably attached to the two section body with one or more wheels in communication with a lower portion of the appendages. The character may be non-motorized or motorized. A power source may be in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit. At least one sensor may be in communication with the integrated circuit to activate preprogrammed content and software instructions stored therein. A gear train may be configured to transfer power from the drive motor to one of the at least one wheels. The pivot motor may rotate the pivot mechanism to direct character movements and animations.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A motorized interactive character comprising:
 a two section body including a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism about a pivot axis;   four appendages each having an upper portion rotatably attached to the two section body and a lower portion with a wheelbase rotatably attached thereto;   each wheelbase including four wheels rotatably attached thereto, at least one of the wheels further defined as a drive wheel;   a power source in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit;   at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit;   the pivot motor configured to rotate the pivot mechanism;   a gear train positioned within one of the appendages and configured to transfer power from the drive motor to the drive wheel;   a standing position defined by the appendages being at or near perpendicular relative to a surface;   a lowered position defined by the appendages rotated outward such that an underside of the character is closer to the surface than in the standing position; and   the integrated circuit having one or more sets of software instructions including a set of transition software instructions;   wherein the at least one sensor sends a signal to the integrated circuit when triggered to initiate the set of transition software instructions configured to:
 (i) activate the drive motor at a transition speed in a first direction such that the appendages rotate outward directing the character to lower from the standing position to the lowered position; and 
 (ii) activate the drive motor at the transition speed in a second direction such that the appendages rotate inward directing the character to raise from the lowered position to the standing position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The character of  claim 1  wherein a set of movement software instructions is configured to direct the drive motor to power at a movement speed such that the drive wheel directs the character to move without transitioning between positions. 
     
     
         3 . The character of  claim 2  wherein the appendages further include a pivot point below the upper portion of the appendage. 
     
     
         4 . The character of  claim 3  wherein one of the one or more sensors includes a capability to detect audio and send a signal to the integrated circuit to activate software instructions in accordance thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The character of  claim 4  wherein one of the one or more sensors includes a capability to detect an obstacle and send a signal to the integrated circuit to activate software instructions to direct the character to avoid the obstacle. 
     
     
         6 . The character of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a receiver in communication with the integrated circuit; and   a controller having a transmitter with a capability to transmit command signals to the receiver such that the integrated circuit may direct the drive motor and pivot motor to operate in response to the command signals.   
     
     
         7 . A motorized interactive character comprising:
 a two section body including a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism;   four appendages each having an upper portion rotatably attached to the two section body and a lower portion with at least one wheel rotatably attached thereto;   a power source in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit;   at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit;   the pivot motor configured to rotate the pivot mechanism; and   a gear train configured to transfer power from the drive motor to one of the at least one wheels;   wherein upon triggering of the at least one sensor, the integrated circuit is configured to activate the pivot motor and drive motor in accordance with a first set of software instructions to animate the character.   
     
     
         8 . The character of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a standing position defined by the appendages being at or near perpendicular relative to a surface; and 
 a lowered position defined by the appendages rotated outward such that an underside of the character is closer to the surface than in the standing position; 
 wherein a second set of software instructions is configured to direct the drive motor to power at a first speed in a first direction such that the at least one wheel directs the appendages to rotate outward such that the character lowers from the standing position to the lowered position. 
 
     
     
         9 . The character of  claim 8  wherein a third set of software instructions is configured to direct the drive motor to power in the first speed in a second direction such that the at least one wheel directs the appendages to rotate inward such that the character raises from the lowered position to the standing position. 
     
     
         10 . The character of  claim 9  wherein a fourth set of software instructions is configured to direct the drive motor to power at a second speed such that the at least one wheel directs the character to move without transitioning between positions. 
     
     
         11 . The character of  claim 10  wherein the appendages further include a pivot point below the upper portion of the appendage. 
     
     
         12 . The character of  claim 11  wherein one of the one or more sensors includes a capability to detect audio and send a signal to the integrated circuit to activate software instructions in accordance thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The character of  claim 12  wherein one of the one or more sensors includes a capability to detect an obstacle and send a signal to the integrated circuit to activate software instructions to direct the character to avoid the obstacle. 
     
     
         14 . The character of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a receiver in communication with the integrated circuit; and   a controller having a transmitter with a capability to transmit command signals to the receiver such that the integrated circuit may direct the drive motor and pivot motor to operate in response to the command signals.   
     
     
         15 . An articulated electronic interactive character comprising:
 a two section body including a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism;   four appendages each having an upper portion rotatably attached to the two section body and a lower portion with a wheelbase rotatably attached thereto;   each wheelbase including at least one wheel rotatably attached thereto;   at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit;   a standing position defined by the appendages being at or near perpendicular relative to a surface;   a lowered position defined by the appendages rotated outward such that an underside of the character is closer to the surface than in the standing position; and   the integrated circuit having one or more sets of software instructions to initiate a character response;   wherein the at least one sensor sends a signal to the integrated circuit when triggered to activate the set of software instructions to output one or more character responses.   
     
     
         16 . The character of  claim 15 , wherein one of the character responses includes preprogrammed audio content. 
     
     
         17 . The character of  claim 15  further comprising:
 one or more lights in communication with the integrated circuit; 
 wherein one of the character responses includes preprogrammed lighting content to output via the one or more lights. 
 
     
     
         18 . The character of  claim 15 , wherein one of the character responses includes preprogrammed entertainment content. 
     
     
         19 . The character of  claim 15 , wherein one of the at least one sensors is an image capturing sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The character of  claim 15 , wherein one of the at least one sensors is a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The character of  claim 15 , wherein one of the at least one sensors is a microphone. 
     
     
         22 . The character of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a pivot motor configured to rotate the pivot mechanism and in communication with a power source and the integrated circuit;   the one or more wheels further defined as forward roll only wheels such that rotation of the pivot mechanism moves the figure forward as the two section body rotates about the pivot mechanism.