Patent ID: 6813221
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A home control system with an interface assembly in the form of a speaking, moving, three dimensional animated character/prop operable in response to sensed signals comprising in combination:a three dimensional animatronic character/prop having a plurality of speakers, motors and actuators adapted to deliver system status messages and requested information to a user verbally as a function of input signals from a home control system; the home control system comprising a home security system and a home automation system, the home control system adapted to control and maintain an environment associated with a building as well as survey for occurrences, the home control system having a plurality of inputs from various sensors, relays, thermostats, and user controls, the home control system further having a plurality or outputs to convey messages relating to the environment to the user; a microphone operatively coupled to the home control system and adapted to offer the user hands free operation of the home control system; a logic controlling device having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, the logic controlling device adapted to configure and synchronize message request signals from the home control system with appropriate prerecorded audible words and movement commands from random access storage devices as required to convey messages relating to the environment to the user; a modem/network connection operatively coupled to the logic controlling device and adapted to provide the user access to the worldwide web, email, and networks; an audio component operatively coupled to the logic controlling device, to the character/prop and a movement synthesizer, whereby the audio component produces choreographed word phrases upon receipt of a signal from the logic controlling device and transmits the word phrases to the character/prop to perform, the audio component having text reading capabilities enabling it to convert text into words, the movement synthesizer being operatively coupled to the audio component and a drive converter assembly, the movement synthesizer adapted to produce a choreographed command signal upon receipt of the word phrase; and a drive converter assembly operatively coupled to the movement synthesizer and adapted to receive the command signals, the drive converter assembly further being operatively coupled to the character/prop and adapted to transmit drive signals to the character/prop to perform.