Figure Expression Using a Multi-Axis Control

Abstract

Figure expression using a multi-axis control is described. In one or more implementations, a figure (e.g., a ventriloquism figure) includes a head having eyeballs, eyelids, and eyebrows. A multi-axis control is integral with the head and is configured to control the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows responsive to manipulation of the multi-axis control by a hand of a person. In contrast to conventional approaches, the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows of the figure are controlled only by the multi-axis control. Indeed, the multi-axis control is configured to control the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows without application of force by a hand to any other control of the figure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ventriloquism figure comprising:
 a head having eyes; and   a multi-axis control configured to control:
 side-to-side movement of the eyes; 
 up-and-down movement of the eyes; and 
 roll-around movement of the eyes. 
   
     
     
         2 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control the side-to-side movement of the eyes, the up-and-down movement of the eyes, and the roll-around movement of the eyes responsive to application of force by a hand of a person to manipulate the multi-axis control. 
     
     
         3 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 2 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control the side-to-side movement of the eyes, the up-and-down movement of the eyes, and the roll-around movement of the eyes without application of force by a hand of the person to any other controls. 
     
     
         4 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 2 , further comprising one or more tensioners configured to return the eyes to a default expression responsive to removal of all application of force from the multi-axis control. 
     
     
         5 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-axis control is further configured to control blinking of the ventriloquism figure's eyelids. 
     
     
         6 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 5 , wherein the eyelids are fixed to the eyes. 
     
     
         7 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 5 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to lower the eyelids and actuate downward movement of the eyes simultaneously. 
     
     
         8 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-axis control is further configured to control raising and lowering of the ventriloquism figure's eyebrows. 
     
     
         9 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 8 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to raise the eyebrows and actuate upward movement of the eyes simultaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 8 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to lower the eyebrows and actuate downward movement of the eyes simultaneously. 
     
     
         11 . The ventriloquism figure as described in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control all of the side-to-side movement of the eyes, the up-and-down movement of the eyes, the roll-around movement of the eyes, blinking of the ventriloquism figure's eyelids, and raising and lowering of the ventriloquism figure's eyebrows without application of force by a hand of a person to any other controls. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a figure head having eyeballs, eyelids, and eyebrows; and   a multi-axis control integral with the figure head and configured to control the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows responsive to manipulation of the multi-axis control by a hand of a person.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as described in  claim 12 , wherein the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows are controlled only by the multi-axis control. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as described in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control the eyeballs, the eyelids, and the eyebrows without application of force by the hand of the person to any other control. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as described in  claim 12 , further comprising a headstick, wherein:
 the figure head is integral with a superior end of the headstick and the headstick is configured to be held at least partially in fingers of the person's hand; and   the multi-axis control is configured to be manipulated by only a thumb of the person's hand while the headstick is held in the fingers of the person's hand.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as described in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control the eyeballs to move side-to-side, move up-and-down, and roll around. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as described in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control the eyelids to blink. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as described in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-axis control is configured to control the eyebrows to raise and lower. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 biasing eyes, eyelids, and eyebrows of a ventriloquism figure's head in default positions; and   controlling, responsive to manipulation by a person's hand of only a multi-axis control, the eyes, eyelids, and eyebrows simultaneously to produce one or more expressions of the ventriloquism figure's face.   
     
     
         20 . The method as described in  claim 19 , wherein biasing the eyes, eyelids, and eyebrows in the default positions produces a default expression of the ventriloquism figure's face.