Animated multi-persona toy

Abstract

The present invention provides animated toys adapted to imitate multiple personas.

1 . An animated toy, comprising: 
 a body configured to function in a plurality of modes, including a first mode imitating a first persona, and a second mode imitating a second persona;    a manual actuator configured to change a function of the body among the plurality of modes;    an appendage rotatably connected to the body; and    a motion-generating mechanism configured to move the appendage based, at least in part, on the function of the body.    
   
   
       2 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first mode imitates a pet.  
   
   
       3 . The animated toy of  claim 2 , wherein the second mode imitates a human.  
   
   
       4 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the appendage.  
   
   
       5 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the appendage includes a leg.  
   
   
       6 . The animated toy of  claim 5 , wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the leg.  
   
   
       7 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a speaker configured to generate one or more audio outputs based, at least in part, on the function of the body.  
   
   
       8 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a posterior end, the appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot, and wherein the leg may be rotated to a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.  
   
   
       9 . The animated toy of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is configured to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;    a head; and    a lever assembly operatively connecting the appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the lever assembly is configured to hold the head in a different position relative to the body that is in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.    
   
   
       10 . An animated toy, comprising: 
 a body;    an appendage rotatably connected to the body;    a motion-generating mechanism configured to control movement of the appendage;    a controller configured to function in a plurality of modes, including: 
 a first mode, wherein the controller produces an output signal that drives the motion-generating mechanism causing the toy to imitate a first persona; and  
 a second mode, wherein the controller produces an output signal that drives the motion-generating mechanism causing the toy to imitate a second persona; and  
   at least one manual actuator configured to change a function of the controller among the plurality of modes.    
   
   
       11 . The animated toy of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of modes includes a transition mode, wherein the controller produces an output signal that converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode.  
   
   
       12 . The animated toy of  claim 10 , wherein the first mode imitates a pet.  
   
   
       13 . The animated toy of  claim 12 , wherein the second mode imitates a human.  
   
   
       14 . The animated toy of  claim 10 , wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the appendage.  
   
   
       15 . The animated toy of  claim 10 , wherein the appendage includes a leg.  
   
   
       16 . The animated toy of  claim 15 , wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the leg.  
   
   
       17 . The animated toy of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes a posterior end, the appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot, and wherein the leg may be rotated to a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.  
   
   
       18 . The animated toy of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is configured to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;    a head; and    a lever assembly operatively connecting the appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the lever assembly is configured to hold the head in a different position relative to the body that is in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.    
   
   
       19 . An animated toy, comprising: 
 a body configured to function in a plurality of modes, including a first mode imitating a pet, and a second mode imitating a human;    a manual actuator configured to change a function of the body among the plurality of modes;    an appendage rotatably connected to the body, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the appendage; and    a motion-generating mechanism configured to move the appendage based, at least in part, on the function of the body.    
   
   
       20 . The animated toy of  claim 19 , wherein the body includes a posterior end, the appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot, and wherein the leg may be rotated to a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body, further comprising: 
 a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is configured to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;    a head; and    a lever assembly operatively connecting the to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the lever assembly is configured to hold the head in a different position relative to the body that is in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.