Abstract: Antenna devices and apparatuses using the antenna devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna device includes a first plate structure and a second plate structure. A conductive member is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the first plate structure at a first capacitance and is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the second plate structure at a second capacitance. The conductive member is adapted to transmit a signal based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance.

Abstract: A print media receiving unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media receiving unit comprises a platform that includes a surface adapted to receive a print medium comprising a spine. The spine may be disposed in a spine receiving portion in the platform. A location detection system capable of determining a location of a selected region of the print medium may be associated with the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an electrographic position sensing system comprises an antenna system and a signal strength detector. In one embodiment, the antenna system comprises two antennas. The detector measures the signal strength from each antenna. A microprocessor contains an algorithm to calculate the position of the detector near the antennas.

Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.

Abstract: A toy is disclosed. In one embodiment, the toy includes a base. A rotating element is on the base and rotates about an axis. A child can cause the rotating element to rotate about the axis by pressing an actuator at the center of the rotating element. A set of image elements can be on the rotating element.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the interactive apparatus includes a base unit. The base unit can has a surface and an array of electrical elements under the surface. A removable template is placed on the base unit and is positioned over the surface. The removable template has a movable element that the user can move and a speaker in the apparatus can produce an audio output in response to the movement of the movable element.

Abstract: A print media receiving unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media receiving unit comprises a platform that includes a surface adapted to receive a print medium comprising a spine. The spine may be disposed in a spine receiving portion in the platform. A location detection system capable of determining a location of a selected region of the print medium may be associated with the platform.

Abstract: An interactive shopping role-play toy comprises a toy item bin, a first set of toy items replicating shopping items, an input device adapted to uniquely identify each of the toy items; and an audio playback device adapted to play an audio acknowledgment associated with the identified toy item. The audio acknowledgement is uniquely associated with the identified toy item. The input device is configured to uniquely identify a toy item when the toy item is within physical proximity of the input device. Each toy item includes an RF identification tag corresponding to a unique electronic identification, and the input device includes an RF identification tag reader.

Abstract: An interactive print media apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, it comprises a platform comprising a surface, an electronic position location system, and a print medium including a prescribed location. A user can write in the prescribed location.

Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sports toy with multiple instructional modalities which combine auditory, visual, and kinesthetic stimulation to teach and reinforce language skills. In one embodiment, a sports toy comprises a goal defining an aperture and a switch associated with the goal for indicating that a goal has been scored. A memory is operatively associated with the switch. A voice synthesizer is operatively associated with the memory and a speaker is in turn operatively associated with the voice synthesizer. Code stored in the memory causes sounds associated with language to sound from the speaker after the switch is activated. The sounds associated with the language include letter names, letter sounds, words, or phonics. The sports toy may also comprise an electronic visual display operatively associated with the memory for displaying stored images, such as letters or words, after the switch is activated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to interactive toys. In one embodiment, the interactive toy includes a housing, and a receiving region on the housing. A detection device including a plurality of detectors is in the receiving region. A processor operatively coupled to the detection device. A solid object is received in the receiving region. The toy could be a toy electronic train, or an interactive book.

Abstract: A portable, hand held interactive learning appliance for assisting a user in learning is disclosed. The interactive learning appliance includes a housing, a processor disposed in the housing, an input device operatively coupled to the processor, an output device operatively coupled to the processor, and a computer readable medium including code for causing the portable, hand held interactive learning appliance to adapt to the user's intelligence or knowledge level by presenting problems that are suitable for the user's intelligence or knowledge level to the user.

Abstract: Infants and toddlers are introduced to learning through musical sounds and visual stimulation related to different fields of experience. A learning center table includes a hinged book moveable to display a first or a second page. Turning the page selects between a first and a second mode of operation. In one embodiment, the first page illustrates learning indicia such as letters or numbers, with child/toy interaction giving rise to stimulus related primarily to the concepts to be learned. In a second mode, the second page illustrates musical indicia such as instruments and notes, and child/toy interaction gives rise to stimulus related primarily to musical concepts such as timbre, melody, and rhythm.

Abstract: A method of using a study aid apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving supplemental information associated with a printed textbook. After receiving the supplemental information, it can be loaded into a portable, study aid apparatus. The study aid apparatus is then used to help learn about subject matter in the textbook.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to educational toys. In one embodiment, the educational toy includes (a) a figure having an exterior surface, and wherein the figure has a chest, hands and feet, (b) at least one indicium on the chest of the figure, (c) switching circuitry coupled to the indicia, (d) a sound synthesizer, (e) a speaker, (f) a memory, (g) a plurality of preprogrammed instruction modalities in the memory, wherein the plurality of preprogrammed instruction modalities comprises a first preprogrammed instruction modality and a second preprogrammed instruction modality, and (h) a logic circuit having a microprocessor, input terminals that are electrically coupled to the switching circuitry, and output terminals electrically coupled to the sound synthesizer and the speaker. The logic circuit controls the interaction between the switching circuitry and the plurality of preprogrammed instruction modalities.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a interactive ball includes (a) a plurality of indicia, (b) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the plurality of indicia, (c) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, (d) a first outer surface; and (e) a second outer surface that is recessed with respect to the first outer surface, wherein the plurality of indicia are present at the second outer surface.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position locating system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional position locating system includes a housing including a substantially planar surface. The housing includes a first antenna element under the substantially planar surface. A stylus including a second antenna element is coupled to the housing. A processor is electrically coupled to the first antenna element and the second antenna element, and a three-dimensional structure overlies the first antenna element. An antenna coupling element is associated with the three-dimensional structure and an output device can be coupled to the processor.

Abstract: An electrographic sensor unit and method for determining the position of a user selected position thereon. The electrographic sensor unit includes a layer of a conductive material having an electrical resistivity and a surface, at least three spaced apart contact points electrically interconnected with a layer of conductive material, a processor connected to the spaced apart contacts and disposed to selectively apply a signal to each of the contact points, and a probe assembly, that includes either a stylus of a flexible conductive layer spaced apart from the layer, coupled to the processor with the stylus disposed to be positioned by a user in vicinity of a user selected position on the surface of the layer, or that position being selected with a user's finger on the flexible layer and to receive signals from the layer when the contact points have signals selectively applied thereto.