USB desktop toy

Abstract

An amusing desktop toy, and methods of its use. The toy, in the shape of a realistic or imaginary creature, is connected to a local computer via a communication port, and is actuated by a local or remote user to move so as to directly express gestures visually in three dimensions. The remote user sends gesture instructions to actuate the toy via a telecommunication mechanism from a remote computer. The remote user can program the gesture instructions via a graphical user interface. Optionally, the toy includes a speaker and/or a UFD.

1 . A system for expressing a gesture in three dimensions, the system comprising: 
 (a) a mechanical device operative to perceptively move at least three parts thereof in response to gesture instructions;    (b) a gesture instruction, for controlling said mechanical device, embedded in a correspondence, said gesture instruction originating from a remote computer;    (c) a local computer for supplying said gesture instruction to said mechanical device during the course of said correspondence between said remote computer and said local computer; and    (d) a gesture instruction interpreter operative to extract said gesture instruction from said correspondence, and convey said gesture instruction to said mechanical device, thereby directly expressing the gesture visually.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (e) a telecommunication mechanism for sending said gesture instruction from said remote computer.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said telecommunication mechanism includes an internet.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said remote computer includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for programming said gesture instruction via said telecommunication mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising: 
 (e) a communication mechanism for sending at least one said gesture instruction from said local computer to said mechanical device.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said communication mechanism is a generic, wired serial port or a wireless port.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising: 
 (e) a UFD housed in said mechanical device for storing and retrieving data to and from said local computer.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said UFD is detachable.  
   
   
       9 . An amusing physical model controlled by a computer, the model comprising: 
 (a) at least three movable parts;    (b) at least one mechanical actuator for moving said at least three movable parts, number of said at least one mechanical actuator less than number of said at least three movable parts; and (c) a communication port for receiving a gesture instruction from the computer for controlling said mechanical actuator to directly express a gesture visually.    
   
   
       10 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein the model is shaped as a realistic creature.  
   
   
       11 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein the model is shaped as a fictitious creature.  
   
   
       12 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein said movable parts represent limbs.  
   
   
       13 . The model of  claim 9 , the model further comprising: 
 (d) a UFD housed in the model for storing and retrieving data to and from said local computer.    
   
   
       14 . The model of  claim 13 , wherein said UFD is detachable.  
   
   
       15 . The model of  claim 9 , the model further comprising: 
 (d) a speaker housed in the model for receiving signals from the computer via said communication port for conveying sound.    
   
   
       16 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein a single said mechanical actuator is operative to move said at least three movable parts using at least one flexible mechanical linkage for controlling the model to express said gesture.  
   
   
       17 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein said mechanical actuator is pneumatically-controlled.  
   
   
       18 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein said mechanical actuator is hydraulically-controlled.  
   
   
       19 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein said mechanical actuator comprises at least one gear for moving said at least three movable parts.  
   
   
       20 . The model of  claim 9 , wherein said communication port is a generic, wired serial port or a wireless port.  
   
   
       21 . The model of  claim 9 , the model further comprising: 
 (d) a computer-readable storage medium that includes a data file of said gesture instruction.    
   
   
       22 . An amusing physical model controlled by a computer, the model comprising: 
 (a) at least three movable parts;    (b) a mechanical actuator for moving said at least three movable parts;    (c) a communication port for receiving a gesture instruction from the computer for controlling said mechanical actuator to directly express a gesture visually; and    (d) a UFD housed in the model for storing and retrieving data to and from the computer via said communication port.    
   
   
       23 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein the model is shaped as a realistic creature.  
   
   
       24 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein the model is shaped as a fictitious creature.  
   
   
       25 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein said movable parts represent limbs.  
   
   
       26 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein said UFD is detachable.  
   
   
       27 . The model of  claim 22 , the model further comprising: 
 (e) a speaker housed in the model for receiving signals from the computer via said communication port for conveying sound.    
   
   
       28 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein a single said mechanical actuator is operative to move said at least three movable parts using at least one flexible mechanical linkage for controlling the model to express said gesture.  
   
   
       29 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein said mechanical actuator is pneumatically-controlled.  
   
   
       30 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein said mechanical actuator is hydraulically-controlled.  
   
   
       31 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein said mechanical actuator comprises at least one gear for moving said at least three movable parts.  
   
   
       32 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein said communication port is a generic, wired serial port or a wireless port.  
   
   
       33 . The model of  claim 22 , wherein the model further comprising: 
 (e) a computer-readable storage medium that includes a data file of said gesture instruction.    
   
   
       34 . A method of directly expressing a gesture of a physical model with at least three movable parts visually in three dimensions by a remote user of a remote computer to a local user of a local computer, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing the local user with a computer-controlled mechanical device operationally connected to the local computer; and    (b) remotely activating said mechanical device to move in a manner that expresses the gesture visually by the remote user to the local user.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said step of activating said mechanical device is effected by an application running on the remote computer.  
   
   
       36 . A method of self-expression through a three-dimensional visual gesture of a physical model with at least three movable parts, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) programming a computer with at least one software module that activates the model to perform the gesture by moving parts of the model;    (b) operationally connecting the model to said computer; and    (c) activating at least one said software module from said computer, thereby directly expressing the gesture.