US20090104841A1

US20090104841A1 - Toy robot

Info

Publication number: US20090104841A1
Application number: US12/253,915
Authority: US
Inventors: Hung Yen
Original assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-19
Filing date: 2008-10-17
Publication date: 2009-04-23
Also published as: CN101411948A

Abstract

A toy robot includes a storage system, a player, an instruction generator, a drive module, an interface, and an update unit. The storage system is arranged for storing songs and motion control programs corresponding to each song. The player is arranged for playing the songs. The instruction generator is configured for generating motion control instructions based on the motion control programs. The drive module drives movable parts of the toy robot to execute corresponding motion patterns according to the motion control instructions. The interface is arranged for receiving motion control programs from an external electronic device. The update unit is configured for storing the motion control programs to the storage system.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to robots, and particularly to an intelligent toy robot that is capable of moving according to music.
2. Description of Related Art
Robots, particularly intelligent robots, are popular. An intelligent robot is capable of performing programmed tasks, such as moving around, operating a mechanical arm, etc., automatically. Recent intelligent toy robots have the capability of rhythmic dancing. Because motion pattern with respect to a particular rhythm must be predetermined, rhythmic motions of the intelligent toy robot are limited to the corresponding preprogrammed audio output. Thus toy robots pre-programmed with limited and non-interactive motion capability are boring and will attract the interest of the observer only for a limited time.
Therefore, an improved toy robot is needed to address the aforementioned deficiency and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

A toy robot, in accordance with an embodiment, includes a plurality of execution parts, a storage system, a player, an instruction generator, a drive module, an interface, and an update unit. The storage system is arranged for storing a plurality of songs and motion control programs. The player is arranged for playing one of the plurality of songs in response to a selection input. The instruction generator is configured for generating motion control instructions based on one of the plurality of motion control programs in response to the selection input. The one of the plurality of motion control programs is associated with the one of the plurality of songs. The drive module is arranged for driving the plurality of execution parts to execute corresponding motion patterns according to the motion control instructions. The interface is arranged for receiving at least one motion control program from an external electronic device. The update unit is configured for storing the at least one motion control program to the storage system.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a toy robot in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a motion control process of the toy robot of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a toy robot in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a graphical user interface showing a motion design icon in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface of the motion design icon of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a toy robot in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a control method for a toy robot in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

References will now be made to the drawings to describe certain inventive embodiments of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, a toy robot 300 in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The toy robot 300 is capable of playing music, executing a series of complicated moving sequences comprised of many motion patterns according to the music, such as dancing, exercising, practicing Kung fu, etc. The toy robot 300 is further capable of performing programmed motion patterns that is manually arranged/designed. The toy robot 300 may be in the shape of a human being or an animal.
The toy robot 300 may include an input unit 10, a processor 20, a storage system 30, a control unit 40, an instruction generator 50, a drive module 60, a plurality of execution parts 70, an interface 80, an update unit 90, a player 100, and a speaker 110.
The storage system 30 is connected to the control unit 40 and the update unit 90. The storage system 30 may include a music database 32 configured for storing a plurality of songs, and a program database 34 configured for storing a plurality of motion control programs. Each of the plurality of songs may include a song identifier (ID, a song name for example) and audio information. Each of the plurality of motion control programs may include a program identifier (a program name for example), motion patterns, and time information for each motion pattern. Parameters of each of the motion patterns may include a pattern identifier of each of the motion patterns (a pattern name for example), an identifier of one of the plurality of execution parts 70 arranged to execute each of the motion patterns, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period. For example, in a motion pattern named “shake head”, the parameters may include “shake head”, “head”, “left-right rotation”, “a millimeter per second”, and “ten seconds”.
There is a one-to-one relationship between the plurality of motion control programs and the plurality of songs. Each of the plurality of motion control programs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of songs via the program identifier. In this embodiment, the program identifier is the same as the song identifier of an associated song. And the time information for each of the motion patterns is associated with time information of the associated song.
The input unit 10 is arranged for receiving input signals, and is connected to the processor 20. The input signals include selection inputs for selecting one of the plurality of songs and a corresponding/associated motion control program from the storage system 30. In this embodiment, because the program identifier of the motion control program is the same as the song identifier of an associated song, each of the selection inputs may only include the song identifier of the selected song. The input unit 10 may be a keyboard, a touch screen, a handwriting input unit (such as a drawing tablet or a tablet-PC), or a remote control.
The processor 20 is arranged for performing programmed tasks automatically according to the input signals received by the input unit 10. The processor 20 communicates with other components of the toy robot 300 and controls the other components.
The control unit 40 is connected to the processor 20, the storage system 30, the player 100, and the instruction generator 50. The control unit 40 is configured for reading/accessing the selected song and the selected motion control program from the storage system 30 according to the selection input. The control unit 40 is further configured for sending the selected song and the selected motion control program to the player 100 and the instruction generator 50 respectively.
The player 100 is arranged for playing the selected song when enabled. In detail, the player 100 decodes the digital audio information, from the control unit 40, into analog signals and sends the analog signals to the speaker 110. The speaker 110 is configured for converting the analog signals into audible sound.
The instruction generator 50 is further connected to the drive module 60 and the processor 20. The instruction generator 50 is configured for generating motion control instructions based on the selected motion control program. Each of the motion control instructions may include parameters of a motion pattern, and the time information at which the motion pattern is executed. The instruction generator 50 is further configured for generating a finish signal when all the motion control instructions are completed, and sending the finish signal, via the processor 20, to the player 100 and the motion control instructions to the drive module 60. The finish signal is used for signaling the processor 20 to enable the player 100, such that the player 100 starts processing/reproducing the selected song.
In this embodiment, the player 100 and the instruction generator 50 operate synchronously. Each of the motion control instructions is sent according to the time information in the motion control instruction. Whenever the player 100 is disabled, the processor 20 will stop the instruction generator 50.
Referring also to FIG. 2, a diagram showing a motion control process of the toy robot 300 is illustrated. In the motion control process, a time (T) may synchronize with a playing time of a corresponding song. At time point 1 (TP1, 10 seconds for example), a motion control instruction 1 (MCI1), for controlling the toy robot 300 to perform a motion pattern 1 named “lift right leg,” is sent to the drive module 60, and a MCI2 instruction, for controlling the toy robot 300 to perform a motion pattern 2 named “clap hands,” is sent to the drive module 60. At TP2 (20 seconds for example), a MCI3 instruction, for controlling the toy robot 300 to perform a motion pattern 3 named “shake head,” is sent to the drive module 60, and another MCI2 is sent to the drive module 60. At TPN (N could be any whole number, 3 minutes for example), a MCIN instruction, for controlling the toy robot 300 to perform a motion pattern 4 named “hands on hip,” is sent to the drive module 60, and another MCI3 instruction is sent to the drive module 60. Other MCI instructions may also be sent at each time point.
The drive module 60 is arranged for driving the plurality of execution parts 70 to execute corresponding motion patterns according to the motion control instructions. The drive module 60 may include a plurality of motors connected to corresponding execution parts 70. The plurality of execution parts 70 may be limbs or other protuberances or parts of the toy robot 300, such as legs, arms, a head, a mouth, and a waist. The execution parts 70 are rotatably connected with each other.
The interface 80 is arranged for receiving one or more songs and motion control programs corresponding to the one or more songs from an external electronic device 200. The interface 80 may also receive one or more motion control programs from the external electronic device 200 whereby the one or more motion control programs are associated with corresponding song(s) stored in the storage system 30. The external electronic device 200 may be a computer, a memory card, or a mobile hard disk.
The update unit 90 is configured for storing or updating the songs and motion control programs received via the interface to the storage system 30. The update unit 90 may further have a capability of judging whether one of the received motion control programs is associated with one of the plurality of songs stored in the storage system 30 or the external electronic device 200. If not, the update unit 90 may send an alert signal to the processor 20 for controlling the speaker 110 to output an audible alert signal.
To sum up, the toy robot 300 has the capability of executing a series of motion patterns at predetermined time points automatically. The toy robot 300 also has a capability of updating the songs and the corresponding motion control programs stored in the storage system 30. The motion control programs can be designed externally by a user. The motion patterns performed during a song can be updated. Thus, it is more interesting and more life like.
In other embodiments, the toy robot 300 may further include a display for displaying a song name and audio information of a current playing song.
Referring also to FIG. 3, a toy robot 400 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The toy robot 400 has a similar configuration and function to the toy robot 300. In this embodiment, when compared with the toy robot 300, the toy robot 400 may include a program generator 120 and a display unit 130. The storage system 30, in addition to a program database 34 and a music database 32, includes a parameter database 36. The toy robot 400 is capable of playing music and executing a series of complicated moving sequences comprised of many motion patterns according to the music. The toy robot 400 is further capable of generating new motion control programs or editing original motion control programs according to design inputs received via the input unit 10, such that the toy robot 400 can execute new moving sequences.
The parameter database 36 is arranged for storing parameters of a plurality of all kinds of motion patterns. Similar to the toy robot 300, the parameters of each of the motion patterns may include a pattern identifier, an identifier of an execution part 70 arranged to execute the motion pattern, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period.
The program generator 120 is configured for generating new motion control programs and editing original motion control programs in response to the design inputs received through the input unit 10 and storing the generated programs into the program database 34 via the update unit 90. The design inputs may include an identifier input for determining a program identifier, pattern inputs for determining motion patterns, and time inputs for determining time information for each motion pattern. In this embodiment, if the program identifier of the new program is the same as a stored song name of one of the plurality of songs stored in the music database 32, the new program will be associated with the stored song, and the original motion control program associated with the stored song will be replaced with the new program.
Referring also to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the display unit 130 may display a graphical user interface (GUI) showing a song selection icon 132 and a motion design icon 134.
The song selection icon 132 is used for determining one of the plurality of songs that will be processed/reproduced by the player 100, and a corresponding/associated motion control program that will be executed by the instruction generator 50. A song list (not shown) may be shown on the display unit 130 by clicking on the song selection icon 132. The selection input may be generated by clicking on an icon of a song in the song list.
The motion design icon 134 is used for determining the design inputs for generating the new motion control program or editing an original motion control program. Referring also to FIG. 5, another GUI interface 136 may be shown by clicking on the motion design icon 134. In the embodiment, the GUI interface 136 may show three dialog boxes 1360, 1362, 1364, and four control buttons “Save”, “Delete”, “OK”, and “Cancel”. Each of the three dialog boxes has a pull-down menu button. The three dialog boxes 1360, 1362, 1364 are used for selecting a song, selecting a time point, and selecting motion patterns, respectively.
A program generating/editing method may include the following steps.
In a first step, a drop down menu (not shown) showing a song list may be invoked by clicking on the pull-down menu button of the dialog box 1360. A song in the song list may be selected, and the identifier input including a song name of the selected song may be stored in the program generator 120.
In a second step, a drop down menu showing a time schedule may be invoked by clicking on the pull-down menu button of the dialog box 1362. The time schedule corresponds to the play time length of the song selected in the first step. A time point may be selected, and the time input including the selected time point may be generated. In other embodiments, the time point can be inputted by using a number keyboard.
In a third step, a drop down menu showing a motion pattern list may be displayed by clicking on the pull-down menu button of the dialog box 1364. One or more motion patterns may be selected or changed, and the pattern input including the selected motion patterns may be generated.
Whenever a time point and motion patterns to be executed at the time point are determined, the time input and the pattern input may be stored in the program generator 120 by clicking on the control button “Save”, and the processor 20 may access corresponding parameters of the motion patterns in the pattern input and send the parameters to the program generator 120. Other time inputs and pattern inputs can be determined by proceeding to the second and third steps.
In a fourth step, when all the time information and motion patterns for the motion control program are determined, the control button “OK” may be clicked, and the motion control program will be generated according to all the design inputs (including the identifier input, the time inputs, and the pattern inputs) and the parameters of the motion patterns.
In a fifth step, the update unit 90 stores the motion control program in the program database 34.
Similar to the toy robot 300, songs and motion control programs stored in the toy robot 400 may be updated through interface 80 and the update unit 90.
Referring also to FIG. 6, a toy robot 500 in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The toy robot 500 has a similar configuration and function to the toy robot 400. In this embodiment, compared with the toy robot 400, the toy robot 400 may further include a parameter editor 140. The toy robot 500 is further capable of generating new parameters for new motion pattern(s), or amending original parameters of original motion patterns in the storage system 30.
The parameter editor 140 is configured for generating or editing parameters of motion patterns in response to setting inputs received through the input unit 10. The setting inputs may include a pattern identifier of a motion pattern (name of the motion pattern for example), an identifier of an execution part 70 arranged to execute the motion pattern, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period. Thus, the toy robot 500 may execute new motion patterns and bring more fun.
Referring to FIG. 7, a control method for the toy robot 300, or 400, or 500 is illustrated. The control method may include the following steps.
In step 602, a selection input is received via the input unit 10. The selection input includes a name of a song.
In step 604, the control unit 40 reads/accesses the song from the storage system 30.
In step 606, the control unit 40 judges whether there is an associated motion control program in the storage system 30. If not, the procedure proceeds to step 608. If yes, the procedure proceeds to step 610.
In step 608, the song is sent to the player 100, and played by the player 100.
In step 610, the control unit 40 reads/accesses the associated motion control program from the storage system 30, and sends the song and the associated motion control program to the player 100 and the instruction generator 50 respectively.
In step 612, the instruction generator 50 generates motion control instructions according to the motion control program.
In step 614, the player 100 plays the song, and the drive module 60 drives the execution parts 70 to execute corresponding motion patterns according to the motion control instructions.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A toy robot, comprising:

a plurality of execution parts;

a storage system for storing a plurality of songs and a plurality of motion control programs;

a player for playing one of the plurality of songs in response to a selection input;

an instruction generator for generating motion control instructions based on one of the plurality of motion control programs in response to the selection input, the one of the plurality of motion control programs is associated with the one of the plurality of songs;

a drive module for driving the plurality of execution parts to execute corresponding motion patterns according to the motion control instructions;

an interface for receiving at least one motion control program from an external electronic device, the at least one motion control program is associated with a corresponding one or more of the plurality of songs; and

an update unit for storing the at least one motion control program to the storage system.

2. The toy robot as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control unit for accessing the one of the plurality of songs and the one of the plurality of motion control programs in response to the selection input, and sending the one of the plurality of songs and the one of the plurality of motion control programs to the player and the instruction generator respectively.

3. The toy robot as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a processor for enabling the player and for controlling the instruction generator to send the motion control instructions to the drive module when the motion control instructions is completed.

4. The toy robot as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of motion control programs comprises a program identifier, motion patterns, and time information for executing the motion patterns, the program identifier is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of songs.

5. The toy robot as claimed in claim 4, wherein the program identifier of each of the plurality of motion control programs is the same as a song identifier of the corresponding one of the plurality of songs.

6. The toy robot as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the motion control instructions corresponds to one of the motion patterns, comprises parameters of the one of the motion patterns, and comprises of time information for executing the one of the motion patterns.

7. The toy robot as claimed in claim 6, wherein the parameters of the one of the motion patterns comprise a pattern identifier, an identifier of one of the plurality of executing parts arranged to execute the one of the motion patterns, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period.

8. The toy robot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage system further stores parameters of a plurality of motion patterns, parameters of one of the plurality of motion patterns comprise a pattern identifiers, an identifier of one of the plurality of executing parts arranged to execute the one of the plurality of motion patterns, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period.

9. The toy robot as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface showing a motion design icon.

10. The toy robot as claimed in claim 9, wherein three dialog boxes are shown when the motion design icon is clicked, the three dialog boxes are used for selecting one of the plurality of songs from the storage system, selecting a time point, and selecting one or more of the plurality of motion patterns respectively according to design inputs.

11. The toy robot as claimed in claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface further shows a song selection icon.

12. The toy robot as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a program generator for generating motion control programs in response to design inputs.

13. The toy robot as claimed in claim 12, wherein the update unit stores the motion control programs generated by the program generator to the storage system.

14. The toy robot as claimed in claim 12, wherein the design inputs comprise an identifier input for determining a program identifier, pattern inputs for determining motion patterns, and time inputs for determining time information for each motion pattern.

15. The toy robot as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an input unit for receiving the selection input, the selection input comprises a song identifier of the one of the plurality of songs.

16. A toy robot, comprising:

a plurality of execution parts;

a storage system for storing parameters of a plurality of motion patterns, a plurality of songs and a plurality of motion control programs;

an input unit for receiving a selection input and design inputs, the design inputs comprise information of a program identifier, motion patterns, and time information for each motion pattern, the identifier is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of songs;

a player for playing one of the plurality of songs in response to the selection input; an instruction generator for generating motion control instructions based on one of the plurality of motion control programs in response to the selection input, the one of the plurality of motion control programs is associated with the one of the plurality of songs;

a program generator for generating a new motion control program in response to the design inputs; and

an update unit for storing the new motion control program to the storage system.

17. The toy robot as claimed in claim 16, wherein parameters of one of the plurality of motion patterns comprise a pattern identifier, an identifier of one of the plurality of executing parts arranged to execute the one of the motion patterns, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period.

18. The toy robot as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface showing a motion design icon and a song selection icon.

19. The toy robot as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a parameter editor for generating or editing parameters of the plurality of motion patterns in response to setting inputs.

20. The toy robot as claimed in claim 19, wherein the setting inputs comprises information of a pattern identifier of a motion pattern, an identifier of one of the plurality of execution parts arranged to execute the motion pattern, motion trace information, a motion rate, and a motion time period