Patent Abstract:
A system comprising a plurality of three dimensional artificially animated portraits for performing preprogrammed animations of voice and facial expressions in the form of a scripted dialogue orchestrated by a central source. The system is operable to prepare animations of recorded voice and selected depictions of facial expressions to be transferred to the animated portraits and performed by the animated portraits. The system is operable to combine prepared animations in a scripted dialogue to be performed so as to mimic an interactive conversation.

Full Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims the benefit of previously filed provisional application, Ser. No 60/688,064, filed 07 Jun. 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system of artificially animated portraits and particularly to portraits composed of a plurality of three dimensional figure busts configured to produce voice sounds and movement of facial features, in order to present a scripted dialogue of preprogrammed animations from a central source. 
     Three dimensional figures and figures having a three-dimensional aspect, have long been used to teach, entertain and amuse. Figures may be formed to resemble humans and animals. They can be adapted or clothed with accessories to suggest a resemblance to members of a particular profession or group. Figures can be made to suggest a resemblance to a specific recognizable individual. Figures, or portions of figures may be configured as puppets to aid in the presentation of a dramatic script. 
     For purposes of dramatic presentations, puppet figures have been animated using a variety of methods. Simple methods include the marionette and the hand puppet. Dramatic presentations conveyed the illusion that these animated figures moved and gave voice, to perform activities and engage in dialogue. Advances in technology have made it possible to produce more complex and more realistic figures which are capable of animation and voice. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,589, to Villa demonstrates the use of miniature electronic and mechanical apparatus together with a flexible covering material, to produce a replica of a human face with concealed equipment for life-like movements of the facial features. It is possible to use a figure or a bust incorporating the features as disclosed in the patent to Villa to produce a dramatic reading having a high degree of realism. It is possible that a plurality of such figures could be grouped together to present a dramatic dialogue. 
     It would be a further advantage to have a system which could store voice recordings and movement instructions for a plurality of grouped figure busts or full figures and which could control and operate the figures to present animations in synchronized fashion to simulate interactive dialogue. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a system of one or more electronic portraits for presenting preprogrammed animations including facial expression and voice, wherein each of the electronic portraits consists of a grouping of one or more figure busts disposed within a frame. Each of the figure busts is artificially animated and includes a replica of a face. Each of the replicas of a face is provided with one or more moveable facial features, operably connected mechanical means for moving the facial features, and motive means operably connected to the mechanical means, for actuating the mechanical means. Each of the artificially animated figure busts is provided with sound reproducing means and a first data processing means, programmed and configured for receiving and processing a command signal and for receiving, storing, retrieving, and performing preprogrammed animations. Each of the artificially animated figure busts is provided with means for energizing the motive means, the sound reproducing means and the first data processing means. 
     The system includes a scripting platform and communication channel. The scripting platform includes a second data processing means programmed and configured for preparing, editing, labeling, addressing, storing, and delivering the preprogrammed animations. Each label identifies a particular animation and each address identifies a particular figure bust. The second data processing means is further programmed and configured to prepare, store, and deliver parameters, next animation pointers, animation duration data, and animation lists with addresses, for orchestrating performance of preprogrammed animations by a plurality of figure busts as a scripted dialogue. The scripting platform is electronically linked to each of the artificially animated figure busts, by the communication channel for delivery of the preprogrammed animations, parameters, and animation data. A one of the figure busts is designated as a master figure bust. The master figure bust includes a command package and is electronically linked to all other figure busts by the communication channel. The command package includes command firmware routines programmed on the first data processing means of the master figure bust, a switch, a real time clock, and a microphone. In addition to the animations, the master figure bust receives and stores parameters, next animation pointers, animation duration data, and animation lists with addresses. The command firmware monitors the switch, the real time clock and the microphone to determine an initiation event and executes the command firmware to orchestrate the performance of a scripted dialogue, by performing one or more animations and by issuing one or more command signals to the other figure busts. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of artificially animated figure busts disposed within one or more frames and positioned to suggest interactive dialogue. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of artificially animated figure busts capable of receiving, storing, retrieving and performing preprogrammed animations. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a scripting platform for preparing, storing, and delivering animations, consisting of voice and sets of instructions for positioning facial features, to be addressed to a particular artificially animated figure bust. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a scripting platform for preparing, storing, and delivering parameters and animation duration data for directing the timing, selection, arrangement, and performance of the stored animations, by the artificially animated figure busts. 
     These and other additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be further understood, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a front elevation view of a portrait having a single master figure bust. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a side elevation view of a portrait having a single figure bust. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a rear plan view of the mechanical means for moving the eyeballs of a figure bust. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a vertical cross-section side view of the mechanical means for moving the eyeballs of a figure bust. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a servo mechanism for manipulating a moveable facial feature of a figure bust. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the electrical components of a figure bust. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the scripting platform showing the link with the communication channel. 
         FIG. 7  is a representation of the monitor screen, of the scripting platform, depicting the data processing tools for editing an animation. 
         FIG. 8  is a representation of the monitor screen, of the scripting platform, depicting the data processing tools for formulating the delay parameter of an instruction set. 
         FIG. 9  is a representation of the monitor screen, of the scripting platform, depicting the data processing tools for formulating the next animation pointer parameter of an instruction set. 
         FIG. 10  is a representation of the monitor screen, of the scripting platform, depicting the data processing tools for selecting a component of an animation, for editing. 
         FIG. 11  is a representation of the monitor screen, of the scripting platform, depicting the data processing tools for selecting the initiation event, of an instruction set. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The system of electronic portraits, as depicted in the block diagram of  FIG. 1 , includes a scripting platform  5 , an animated master figure bust  10 , and a plurality of animated slave figure busts  15 . The scripting platform  5 , the master figure bust  10 , and the slave figure busts  15 , are linked by a communication channel  18 , as indicated by arrows, in  FIG. 1 . The master figure bust  10 , is similar to the slave figure busts  15 , but includes a command package. In the preferred embodiment, the command package is integrated into the master figure bust  10 ; however, the command package may be configured as a separate unit, in which case the master figure bust  10  would not differ from the slave figure busts  15  and the command package would require additional separate data processing means. The master figure bust  10  and the slave figure busts  15  each comprise a three dimensional replica of a face  25  with one or more moveable facial features. It is intended that the face  25  be mounted for convenient display. In the preferred embodiment, the face  25  is formed in bas relief on a flat panel and mounted in a picture frame, to give the appearance of a portrait with a three dimensional aspect, as shown in  FIG. 2   a . The face  25  may be formed of molded plastic or other suitable material and has a front surface for display of facial features. It is intended that two dimensional features, such as a neck and shoulders with clothing, are to be added, by painting, attaching fabric cut-outs or other known means to give the appearance of a portrait. In the preferred embodiment, moveable facial features include, the eyebrows  30 , eyelids  35 , eyeballs  40 , nose  45 , upper lip  50 , and lower lip  55 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a , which are constructed to be mechanically isolated and mounted on the face in a manner which allows movement to simulate various facial expressions. Eyebrows  30  are mounted on a control rod, not shown, which passes through a hole provided in the surface of the face  25 . Eyeballs  40  are formed in the shape of a sphere and are mounted in sockets provided in the surface of the face  25 , which permit rotation upward, downward, left and right, through ranges of motion defined by the socket. Eyeballs  40  are provided with eyeball control rods  60  fixed at the rear and extending behind the face  25 . Eyelids  35  are mounted on a pair of pivot pins at the sides of the socket which allow rotation to selectively cover the front surface of the eyeball  40 . The nose  45  is provided with a control rod extending from the rear portion through a slot provided in the surface of the face  25 . The upper lip  50  and lower lip  55  are provided with control rods extending rearward through slots provided in the surface of the face  25 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face  25  may be con structed of flexible material, such as polyvinyl chloride plastic, to make the rendering more realistic. In this version, the facial features may be formed of rig id material, such as plastic or wood, embedded in the flexible material used for construction of the face  25 . In this alternate version, the control rods and eyeball control rods  60  would be attached to the rigid parts such that the flexible material would be stretched as the facial features were moved and a more realistic replica of a face  25  would be achieved. When flexible material is used to form the face  25 , it is intended that the rigid portion of the nose  45  be positioned near the distal end, so as to simulate movement of a lower area of the nose  45 . 
     Mechanical means are provided for moving the facial features and motive means are provided for actuating the mechanical means. Servos and solenoids are suitable motive means. It is preferred that solenoids be used to provide two position movement of a facial feature and that servos be used to provide multiple position movement of a facial feature. In the preferred embodiment, servos are used to actuate eyelids  35 , the nose  45 , the eyebrows  30 , eyeballs  40 , upper lip  50 , and lower lip  55 . An eyelid servo  65  having an actuating arm, is mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel in close proximity to the control rod for the eyelid. The control rod, for the eyelid, is mechanically linked to the actuating arm. Mechanical means for mechanically linking the control rod, for the eyelid, to the actuating arm of the eyelid servo  65  may be provided by conventional materials, such as rigid members connected by moveable joints. Upon being energized, the eyelid servo  65  will shift the eyelids  35  variably between open and closed position. A single servo may be mechanically linked to both eyelids  35 , to provide uniform movement, or as an alternative, separate servos could be linked to each of the eyelids  35  to allow independent movements such as winking. Likewise, a nose servo  70 , having an actuating arm is mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel in close proximity to the nose control rod and is connected in like manner. In a similar fashion, the nose servo  70  may be energized to adjust the position of the nose  45  to any point within a range of motion defined by the slot through which the control rod passes. 
     An eyebrow servo  75 , having an actuating arm, is mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel in close proximity to the control rods for the eyebrows  30 . The actuating arm of the eyebrow servo  75  is mechanically linked to the control rods of the eyebrows  30 , to provide rotation of the control rods of the eyebrows  30 , to any position within the range of motion of the eyebrow servo  75 . 
     A pair of eyeball servos  80 , having actuating arms, are mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel in close proximity to the eyeball control rods  60 . Two slotted plates  85  are slideably mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel. The arrangement of a pair of eyeball servos  80  and two slotted plates  85  is shown in  FIG. 3   a . Each of the slotted plates  85  is configured to allow sliding movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the slots in the plate and each of the slotted plates  85  is retained by guides  87 , such that the sliding movement of one is in a direction perpendicular to that of the other. Each of the eyeball control rods  60  engages a slot in each of the slotted plates  85 , as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . The actuating arm of one of the pair of eyeball servos  80  is mechanically linked to one of the slotted plates  85 , such that both eyeballs  40  may be moved in concert with the sliding movement of the one of said slotted plates  85 . The actuating arm of the other of the pair of eyeball servos  80  is mechanically linked to the other of the slotted plates  85 , in a like manner. Energizing one of the pair of eyeball servos  80  will move both eyeballs  40  left and right to any position in its range of motion. Energizing the other one of the pair of eyeball servos  80  will move both eyeballs  40  up and down to any position in its range of motion. It should be noted that additional servos could be added to provide for independent motion of eyebrows  30  and eyeballs  40 . In an alternative version of the present invention, wire loops may be substituted for the slotted plates  85 . 
     An upper lip servo  90  having an actuating arm is mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel in close proximity to the control rod of the upper lip  50 . The actuating arm of the upper lip servo  90  is mechanically linked to the control rod of the upper lip  50 . The upper lip servo  90  may be energized to move the upper lip  50  to any position within a range of motion defined by the slot through which the control rod of the upper lip  50  passes. 
     A lower lip servo  95  having an actuating arm is mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel in close proximity to the control rod of the lower lip  55 . The actuating arm of the lower lip servo  95  is mechanically linked to the control rod of the lower lip  55 . The lower lip servo  95  may be energized to move the lower lip  55  to any position within a range of motion defined by the slot through which the control rod of the lower lip  55  passes. A cross section of the flat panel showing the position of facial features and actuating means is given in  FIG. 2   b.    
     The servo required, for the present invention, is a small device that incorporates a motor, a gear train, a potentiometer, an integrated circuit, and an output shaft bearing. A suitable servo is the HS-55 sub-micro unit from Hitec RCD USA, Inc. of Poway Calif. The servo, with an actuating arm is depicted in  FIG. 4 . Each servo permits rotation, of the actuating arm from a nominal position to plus or minus ninety degrees and when selectively energized, may place the actuating arm to any position within the range of motion. 
     The master figure bust  10  and each slave figure bust  15  are provided with a first data processing means, preferably a micro controller  100  and a flash memory  105 , which are mounted on the reverse side of the flat panel and electrically connected together, preferably by being integrated onto a circuit board. The flash memory  105  is capable of storing parameters, data, and recorded sound comprising one or more animations. The microcontroller  100  is provided with firmware and is programmed and configured for receiving data, through the communications channel  18 , comprising executable sets of instructions and recorded material, storing data on the flash memory  105 , retrieving data from the flash memory  105  and executing instructions. The microcontroller  100  is provided with a plurality of pulse width modulation output channels for energizing one or more of the figure bust servos according to the sets of instructions. Each servo is electrically connected to one pulse width modulation channel of the microcontroller  100  according to consistent pattern such that, for each figure bust in the system, the corresponding pulse width modulation channel will be connected to the corresponding servo associated with a corresponding facial feature. A suitable microcontroller  100  is the ATmega 128 from Atmel Corporation, of San Jose, Calif. and a suitable flash memory  105  is the M58LW064D, from STMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland. The microcontroller  100  outputs a signal to a servo on a pulse width modulation channel to selectively energize the servo according to the stored instructions and thereby place the actuating arm in a preprogrammed position within its range of motion. The flash memory  105  provides eight megabytes of nonvolatile rewritable storage. 
     The master figure bust  10  and each slave figure bust  15  are each provided with a digital to analog converter  110  which is electrically connected to the microcontroller  100 , and preferably mounted on the circuit board with the microcontroller  100 . The microcontroller  100  is programmed and configured to retrieve audio data from the flash memory  105 , according to preprogrammed instructions, and output audio data to the digital to analog converter  110 . The master figure bust  10  and each slave figure bust  15  are also provided with an audio amplifier  115  and a speaker  120 . The digital to analog converter  110 , the audio amplifier  115  and the speaker  120  are electrically connected in conventional manner such that the analog audio output, from the digital to analog converter  110  is delivered to the audio amplifier  115  and output to the speaker  120 . A suitable digital to analog converter  110  is the MAX503 from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. and a suitable  115  audio amplifier is the MAX4295 from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. Using eight thousand uncompressed eight-bit samples per second, the flash memory  105  provides over fifteen minutes of recorded audio for each animated figure bust, given that a portion of the memory is to be allocated for instruction data for the microcontroller  100 , in addition to the stored audio. It should be noted that the present invention could be adapted, by known means, to make use of compressed audio formats such as MP3, which will permit significantly greater storage capacity for audio data. 
     The command package is preferably integrated with the master figure bust  10 , as indicated, by a dotted outline, in  FIG. 5 , so as to eliminate the need for an additional microcontroller to execute functions of the command package. The command package includes a real time clock  125 , a switch  130 , such as a pushbutton type, and a microphone  135 . The command package also includes command firmware programmed on the microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10 . The real time clock  125 , the switch  130  and the microphone  135 , are electrically connected to inputs on the microcontroller  100 , of the master figure bust  10 , in a conventional manner. The connection is preferably by integrating the components on a circuit board, which is mounted on the flat panel of the master figure bust  10 . The microcontroller  100 , of the master figure bust  10  is programmed and configured to receive and respond to signals input from each of the real time clock  125 , switch  130 , and microphone  135 . A suitable real time clock  125  is the DS1693 from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. The microphone  135  and the switch  130  may of conventional manufacture. It is preferable that the real time clock  125  be provided with an internal crystal and a lithium battery to maintain the time setting in the event that power to the system is interrupted for a period of time. It is preferred that the command firmware include one or more pseudorandom number generator routines that are operable for randomly selecting animations and delay parameters. 
     It is preferred that the components, which are mounted on the flat panel, be enclosed in a box, which may be constructed of rigid sheets formed of cardboard, wood, or plastic, in order to hide the electrical components and provide an attractive appearance. It is also preferred that the box structure be provided with mounting hardware for hanging the portrait on a wall. The face  25  portion of each figure bust may be decorated to provide a realistic effect. Conventional artist supplies are suitable for decorating the figure busts. Three dimensional customization may be accomplished with material such as Claycrete Instant Papier Mache, from American Art Clay Co., Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind. Acrylic or other paints can then be used to match the skin, hair, eye and lip colors. Hair may be attached with glue or other adhesive to augment the realistic look of the face  25 . It is intended that the figure busts may be formed and decorated to resemble specific individuals. 
     The system is intended to mimic a dialogue among two or more figure busts, which may be disposed within the same portrait or may be disposed within separate portraits displaced some distance from each other. The communications channel  18  is provided for transferring data among the displaced portraits. The preferred communications channel  18  uses Power Line Carrier transmission, specifically the industry standard X-10 Home Automation System code format. The system includes a communications transceiver  145  for passing data over a home&#39;s electric power wiring. A suitable communications transceiver  145  is the TW523 from X-10 (USA) Inc. in Closter N.J. The communications transceiver  145  connects to a standard 117 Volt AC power line, using a conventional wall plug and provides a serial RS-232 communications port. Serial data transmitted to the communications transceiver  145  is encoded and superimposed onto the house power wiring. Carrier signals detected on the home power wiring are decoded and output from the communications transceiver  145 , as serial data. The master figure bust  10 , each of the slave figure busts  15  and the scripting platform  5  are provided with a communications transceiver  145 . It should be noted that a suitable communications channel  18  may be provided by other known means, including Bluetooth™, wireless LAN, such as the 802.11 varieties, WiFi, Ultra Wide Band, Zigbee™, other radio frequency communications devices, wired LAN&#39;s and wired serial links. The figure busts are energized by a conventional power supply transformer intended to be connected to standard house power. 
     The scripting platform  5 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , comprises a second data processing means, preferably a personal computer  150  connected to a communications transceiver  145 , preferably by wire connected to a serial port of the personal computer  150 . The personal computer  150  is provided with a standard sound card, a computer microphone  160 , and a computer speaker  165 . The personal computer  150  is programmed and configured to prepare, label, address, and store animations comprising audio data and sets of instructions. Each animated figure bust is identified with a unique corresponding address. The application software is written in a conventional manner to prompt a user to record audio data consisting of voice sounds. It is intended that different individuals would record a series of audio data segments for each of the animated figure busts so as to provide a separate and unique voice for each of the figure busts. Application software, written in a conventional manner, is provided to edit the audio recording. After a raw recording is made, the software is configured to receive input from a conventional input device, such as a mouse, to allow editing of the recording. As shown in  FIG. 7 , an audio edit screen is used to trim the start and end of the recording and to adjust the output level. A representative editing screen is shown in  FIG. 7 . Using a mouse, the user slides the trim bars to clip the start and ending of the recording for use. A slider on the volume control adjusts the sound amplitude level. Each recording is addressed to one of the animated figure busts, and application software, written in a conventional manner, is used to receive input through the mouse to enter facial expressions for the duration of the recording. In order to define the facial expressions, a timeline is shown of the recording&#39;s duration, as depicted in  FIG. 7 . A graphical simulation of the face is depicted on the video screen, and the user clicks on the various facial features, such as the eyelids  35 , the eyebrows  30 , the eyeballs  40 , nose  45  and the upper lip  50  and lower lip  55 , until the desired position for each facial feature is displayed on screen.  FIG. 7  shows only some of the facial features for clarity. Application software, written in a conventional manner, is provided to translate the positions of facial features, as depicted on the edit screen, into sets of instructions readable by the microcontroller  100 , in the figure bust to which the particular animation is addressed, into signals to be output to the various servos to move the facial features to a position within the range of motion which roughly duplicates the position of the corresponding facial feature as depicted on the edit screen, to produce the facial expression as shown. This expression remains in effect until a different position for any facial feature is selected at a later point in the timeline. Vertical bars through the timeline in  FIG. 7 , show where the facial expressions are changed. Clicking on a timeline bar displays the facial expression previously entered for that time. New facial expressions are selected by clicking anywhere on the timeline and changing the positions of the facial features. An alternate version of the present invention may include a selectable instruction for continuous movement of the lips for a duration spanning selected points on the timeline. The user may play back the recording through the computer speaker  165  by clicking the “play” icon and view the motion of the facial features as a video simulation. The vertical double arrow depiction on the timeline in the  FIG. 7  shows time progression through the recording. After interactively viewing and hearing the animation and modifying the facial expressions and sound, the sequence of facial expressions along with the audio recording is stored on the hard drive as an animation, which is marked so as to be labeled for identification and addressed to a particular figure bust. It is preferred that the software also prompt the user to select a delay parameter to be associated with each animation. The personal computer  150  is programmed and configured to display a screen, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The user may enter information and make selections using an input device, such as a mouse and a keyboard, to add a delay parameter to the animation. The delay time may be for a fixed amount of time or randomly selected amount of time to be determined each time the animation is performed. The delay parameter may be stored on the hard drive as part of the animation such that the performance of the animation will be preceded by a time delay, as programmed, to produce a more realistic effect. 
     The personal computer  150  is programmed and configured to add a next animation pointer to each of the stored animations. The software is configured to display a screen as shown in  FIG. 9 , so that the user may select and enter the parameter for instructing the system to perform a next animation. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the user may enter the number of a particular animation to follow next. The user may specify a list of animations to be sequenced in order or specify a list of animations to be sequenced at random. In addition a particular animation may be marked as a last animation intended to form the end of a dialogue sequence by marking the particular animation as a “dialogue end”, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The microcontroller  100  of each figure bust is programmed and configured to perform the animations, as prompted by command signal, one after another according to the sequence determined by the next animation pointer of each animation performed in a sequence. It is preferred that the system provide for the entry of a null recording, lasting zero seconds, which may be used to smoothly progress from one animation to another, as the animations are being performed, by the system. Each stored animation consists of parts, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The parts comprise a delay parameter, the recorded animation consisting of sound and a set of instructions for facial expression, or a null recording and a next animation pointer. Each animation is stored with an identifying number and an address identifying a particular figure bust. 
     A dialogue consists of a sequence of animations determined by the next animation pointer of each animation in the sequence. The sequence may complete with a dialogue end marker, in one of the animations in the sequence or it may be constructed as a continuous loop. It should be appreciated that a dialogue sequence, which contains at least one animation having a random selection as its next animation marker, may proceed through different animations each time the sequence is performed. 
     The personal computer  150  is programmed and configured to prompt the user to select and enter one or more start parameters. The system displays a screen as shown in  FIG. 11 , on which the user selects an event to commence a dialogue sequence. Start times are used to initiate dialogues. Each start time specifies a time-of-day and optionally a day-of-week. An alternate version of the present invention may include a “wait for sound to begin” option. In this version, the system is programmed to recognize a start event, after the start time is reached and only when a sound is detected through the microphone  135  as shown in  FIG. 5 . It is intended that means, such as a checkbox would be provided, on the monitor screen, for a user to select sound activation. The user may enter a starting animation, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . It is intended that a plurality of start parameters may be entered and stored on the hard drive. The personal computer  150  is programmed and configured to assemble starting and next animation pointer parameters and animation duration data and to download parameters and data to the master figure bust  10 , and to download animations to the slave figure busts  15  and to the master figure bust  10 . It is intended that each of the animations will be downloaded to a particular one of the figure busts according to the address. In addition to animations addressed to the master figure bust  10 , the master figure bust  10  will also receive and store data comprising parameters, next animation pointers, animation duration data and an animation list with addresses, for orchestrating performance of animations in scripted dialogue sequence. The animations may be deleted and new or edited animations may be downloaded periodically, as the user desires. The download is completed through the communications channel  18 . During download, any dialogue sequences currently being performed are terminated and animations and parameters are replaced with new data. It is intended that each animation would be stored in the flash memory  105  of the figure bust to which it is addressed, according to a command signal issued by the personal computer  150 . After recording, editing and downloading are complete, the personal computer  150  may be turned off. 
     The command firmware, on the microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  is programmed and configured to monitor the real time clock  125  and microphone  135  to determine the start event, as defined on the starting parameters stored in the flash memory  105 , of the master figure bust  10 . When a match occurs, the microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  retrieves and reads the appropriate start parameter to determine the starting animation. The microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  issues a command signal to the appropriate figure bust, through the communications channel  18  to perform the starting animation or performs an animation addressed to the master figure bust  10 . The microcontroller  100  of the selected figure bust, operates to perform the starting animation. The microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  counts the run time of the starting animation according to the animation duration data, and reads the next animation pointer of the starting animation. The microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  signals the appropriate figure bust to commence the subsequent animation, as determined by the next animation pointer of the starting animation and the sequence continues with each animation being performed by the figure bust as addressed. The command firmware of the master figure bust  10  continues orchestrating the dialogue until the end marker of the dialogue sequence is reached. At that point, the microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  resumes monitoring to determine a match for the next starting parameter. The switch  130 , may be operated to alternately stop and start the system. The microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust  10  is programmed and configured to transmit the stop and start command to all slave figure busts  15  through the communications channel  18 . In an alternate version, the system may include a pause function to enable the user to pause and continue the operation of the system during the performance of an animation or dialogue sequence and the system may include separate volume controls for each of the figure busts. 
     An example of the orchestrating sequence is as follows: 
     startng animation # 1 : next animation pointer=list of # 2 , # 3 , # 4   
     animation # 2 : next animation pointer=# 5   
     animation # 3 : next animation pointer=# 6   
     animation # 4 : next animation pointer=# 7   
     animation # 5 : next animation pointer=# 1   
     animation # 6 : next animation pointer=# 1   
     animation # 7 : next animation pointer=dialogue end 
     then the animations would be performed in the following order:
           1 , 2 , 5 , 1 , 3 , 6 , 1 , 4 , 7 , finished
 
The microcontroller  100  of the master figure bust times the duration of the starting animation and reads the next animation pointer, of the starting animation to determine the next animation. Each time animation number one is performed, the subsequent animation in the next animation pointer list is selected by the firmware of the master figure bust  10 . If the end of the list is reached, the cycle returns to the beginning of the list.
       

     Having fully described the present invention, it may be understood that minor variations may be introduced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6