BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a human-like face.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for animating facial expression according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the device shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the eyebrows shown in FIG. 1 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for animating facial expression according to the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for animating facial expression according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the eyes shown in FIG. 1 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for animating facial expression according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for animating facial expression according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mouth shown in FIG. 1 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for animating facial expression according to the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mouth shown in FIG. 10 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The device of the invention is used for actuating a facial feature (e.g. eyebrow, eye, or mouth) on a face to exhibit various facial expressions. Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a human-like face 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the human-like face 1 thereon has two eyebrows 10a, 10b, two eyes 20a, 20b, a mouth 30, and a skin 40. To achieve the aforesaid scopes of the invention, there are several embodiments depicted in the following.
First Preferred Embodiment
In this embodiment, the device of the invention is used for actuating the eyebrows 10a, 10b on the human-like face 1. Since the eyebrows 10a, 10b are actuated in the same manner, only the principle of actuating the eyebrow 10a is depicted in the following.
Please refer to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 12a for animating facial expression according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the device 12a shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the eyebrows 10a, 10b shown in FIG. 1 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face 1.
In this embodiment, the device 12a comprises a first resilient member 120, a first actuator 122, and a first resilient enclosure 124. The first resilient enclosure 124 covers the first resilient member 120 to exhibit a first facial feature (i.e. the eyebrow 10a) on the human-like face 1. The first resilient member 120 has a first end 120a and a second end 120b. As shown in FIG. 3, the first end 120a of the first resilient member 120 is pivotally connected to the first actuator 122. The second end 120b of the first resilient member 120 is rotatably fixed to the inner surface of the skin 40 of the human-like face 1. The first actuator 122 is used for actuating the first end 120a of the first resilient member 120 to rotate, so that the first facial feature (i.e. the eyebrow 10a) is capable of exhibiting various facial expressions on the human-like face 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if the first actuator 122 actuates the first end 120a of the first resilient member 120 to rotate toward the direction of the arrow a1, the eyebrow 10a will exhibit the facial expression (arch-shaped) on the human-like face 1 as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the eyebrow 10b can also exhibit the facial expression (arch-shaped) on the human-like face 1 as shown in FIG. 4.
In this embodiment, the first resilient member 120 can be a spring or the like, and the first actuator 122 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the first end 120a of the first resilient member 120.
In this embodiment, the skin 40 of the human-like face 1 can be a resilient skin, and the first resilient member 120 is connected to the resilient skin 40. Accordingly, the resilient skin 40 will be actuated by the first actuator 122 together with the first resilient member 120, so as to exhibit more vivid facial expressions.
In another embodiment, the facial expression shown in FIG. 4 also can be exhibited by connecting the first resilient member 120 to the back of the skin 40 without the first resilient enclosure 124.
Second Preferred Embodiment
Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 12a′ for animating facial expression according to the second embodiment of the invention. The main difference between the device 12a′ and the device 12a is that the device 12a′ further comprises a second actuator 126. The second end 120b of the first resilient member 120 is pivotally connected to the second actuator 126. The second actuator 126 cooperates with the first actuator 122 to actuate the second end 120b of the first resilient member 120 to rotate, so that the first facial feature (i.e. the eyebrow 10a) is capable of exhibiting various facial expressions on the human-like face 1. The principle of the device 12a′ shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the device 12a shown in FIG. 3, and the related description does not be mentioned here again.
In this embodiment, the second actuator 126 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the second end 120b of the first resilient member 120.
Third Preferred Embodiment
In this embodiment, the device of the invention is used for actuating the eyes 20a, 20b on the human-like face 1. Since the eyes 20a, 20b are actuated in the same manner, only the principle of actuating the eye 20a is depicted in the following. As shown in FIG. 1, the eye 20a comprises an upper eyelid 200 and a lower eyelid 202.
Please refer to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 22a for animating facial expression according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the eyes 20a, 20b shown in FIG. 1 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face 1. In this embodiment, the device 22a comprises a first resilient member 220, a first actuator 222, a first resilient enclosure 224, a second resilient member 226, a third actuator 228, and a second resilient enclosure 230. The first resilient enclosure 224 covers the first resilient member 220 to exhibit a first facial feature (i.e. the upper eyelid 200 of the eye 20a) on the human-like face 1. The second resilient enclosure 230 covers the second resilient member 226 to exhibit a second facial feature (i.e. the lower eyelid 202 of the eye 20a) on the human-like face 1. The first resilient member 220 has a first end 220a and a second end 220b. The second resilient member 226 has a third end 226a and a fourth end 226b.
As shown in FIG. 6, the first end 220a of the first resilient member 220 is pivotally connected to the first actuator 222. The second end 220b of the first resilient member 220 is rotatably fixed to the inner surface of the skin 40 of the human-like face 1. The third end 226a of the second resilient member 226 is pivotally connected to the third actuator 228. The fourth end 226b of the second resilient member 226 is rotatably fixed to the inner surface of the skin 40 of the human-like face 1. The first actuator 222 is used for actuating the first end 220a of the first resilient member 220 to rotate, and the third actuator 228 is used for actuating the third end 226a of the second resilient member 226 to rotate, so that the first facial feature (i.e. the eyelid 200 of the eye 20a) and the second facial feature (i.e. the eyelid 202 of the eye 20a) are capable of exhibiting various facial expressions on the human-like face 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if the first actuator 222 actuates the first end 220a of the first resilient member 220 to rotate toward the direction of the arrow a2, and the third actuator 228 actuates the third end 226a of the second resilient member 226 to rotate toward the direction of the arrow a3, the upper eyelid 200 and the lower eyelid 202 of the eye 20a will exhibit the facial expression (opened eye 20a) on the human-like face 1 as shown in FIG. 7. Similarly, the eye 20b can also exhibit the facial expression (opened eye 20b) on the human-like face 1 as shown in FIG. 7.
In this embodiment, the first resilient member 220 or the second resilient member 226 can be a spring or the like. The first actuator 222 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the first end 220a of the first resilient member 220, and the third actuator 228 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the third end 226a of the second resilient member 226.
In this embodiment, the skin 40 of the human-like face 1 can be a resilient skin, and the first and second resilient members 220, 226 are respectively connected to the resilient skin 40. Accordingly, the resilient skin 40 will be actuated by the first and third actuators 222, 228 together with the first and second resilient members 220, 226, so as to exhibit more vivid facial expressions.
Fourth Preferred Embodiment
Please refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 22a′ for animating facial expression according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. The main difference between the device 22a′ and the device 22a is that the device 22a′ replaces the first and third actuators 222, 228 by one actuator 232, so as to actuate the first and second resilient members 220, 226 at the same time. The principle of the device 22a′ shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the device 22a shown in FIG. 6, and the related description does not be mentioned here again.
Fifth Preferred Embodiment
Please refer to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 22a″ for animating facial expression according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. The main difference between the device 22a″ and the device 22a is that the device 22a″ further comprises a second actuator 234 and a fourth actuator 236. The second end 220b of the first resilient member 220 is pivotally connected to the second actuator 234, and the fourth end 226b of the second resilient member 226 is pivotally connected to the fourth actuator 236. The second actuator 234 cooperates with the first actuator 222 to actuate the second end 220b of the first resilient member 220 to rotate, and the fourth actuator 236 cooperates with the third actuator 228 to actuate the fourth end 226b of the second resilient member 226 to rotate, so that the first facial feature (i.e. the upper eyelid 200 of the eye 20a) and the second facial feature (i.e. the lower eyelid 202 of the eye 20a) are capable of exhibiting various facial expressions on the human-like face 1. The principle of the device 22a″ shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the device 22a shown in FIG. 6, and the related description does not be mentioned here again.
In this embodiment, the second actuator 234 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the second end 220b of the first resilient member 220, and the fourth actuator 236 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the fourth end 226b of the second resilient member 226.
In this embodiment, the second and fourth actuators 234, 236 also can be replaced by a single actuator, and it depends on practical applications.
Six Preferred Embodiment
Please refer to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mouth 30 shown in FIG. 1 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the mouth 30 includes an upper lip 300 and a lower lip 302. In this embodiment, the device of the invention for actuating the mouth 30 on the human-like face 1 is the same as the foresaid third embodiment, and the related description does not be mentioned here again. As shown in FIG. 10, when the device of the invention actuates the upper lip 300 and the lower lip 302 to rotate respectively, the mouth 30 will be opened to exhibit various facial expressions.
Seventh Preferred Embodiment
Please refer to FIGS. 6 and 10-12. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 32 for animating facial expression according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mouth 30 shown in FIG. 10 exhibits facial expression on the human-like face 1. The main difference between the device 32 and the device 22a is that the device 32 further comprises a fifth actuator 320, a first linkage set 322, and a second linkage set 324. The first linkage set 322 comprises a first long rod 322a and a first short rod 322b, and the second linkage set 324 comprises a second long rod 324a and a second short rod 324b. As shown in FIG. 11, the first long rod 322a is pivotally connected to the second long rod 324a by a hinge 340a, the first long rod 322a is pivotally connected to the first short rod 322b by a hinge 340b, and the second long rod 324a is pivotally connected to the second short rod 324b by a hinge 340c. The first and second short rods 322b, 324b are respectively connected to a turntable 3200 attached on the fifth actuator 320.
As shown in FIG. 11, the fifth actuator 320 is connected to the first and third actuators 222, 228 via the first linkage set 322 and is connected to the second and fourth actuators 234, 236 via the second linkage set 324. When the fifth actuator 320 actuates the turntable 3200 to rotate, the first and second short rods 322b, 324b respectively drive the first and second long rods 322a, 324a to open or close, so as to adjust the lengths of the first and second resilient members 220, 226. Accordingly, the second facial feature (i.e. the lower lip 302) can cooperate with the first facial feature (i.e. the upper lip 300) to exhibit the facial expression on the human-like face 1 as shown in FIG. 12. The principle of the device 32 shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the device 22a shown in FIG. 6, and the related description does not be mentioned here again.
In this embodiment, the fifth actuator 320 comprises a motor (not shown) for actuating the first linkage set 322 and the second linkage set 324.
In this embodiment, the first and third actuators 222, 228 can be replaced by a single actuator, and/or the second and fourth actuators 234, 236 also can be replaced by a single actuator. It depends on practical applications.
Compared to the prior art, according to the device of the invention, when the actuator actuates the first end of the resilient member to rotate, the resilient member will deform correspondingly. Consequently, various facial expressions can be exhibited on the face. Under different applications, the resilient member of the invention can be decorated as eyebrow, eye, mouth, and so on. Furthermore, the resilient member can cooperate with the resilient skin to exhibit more vivid facial expression. The mechanism of the invention can be easily implemented, and the cost can be reduced correspondingly.
With the example and explanations above, the features and spirits of the invention will be hopefully well described. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teaching of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080050999
