Abstract: A novelty drinking straw designed to play an electronically recorded voice or other sound when a liquid passes through the straw is disclosed having improved safety and entertainment value. The novelty drinking straw has a detachable sound module and an improved sealing member to prevent damage to the electronic circuitry in the sound module.

Abstract: A flash device has a flash tube which generates light in response to electrical energy. The amount of light emitted by the flash tube is monitored by a circuit which is connected to means for adjusting the electrical energy supplied to said flash tube when a predetermined amount of light has been emitted to thereby increase the effective life span of the flash tube and maintain intensity level of the flash tube within a given tolerance.

Abstract: A flash device has a flash tube which generates light in response to electrical energy. The amount of light emitted by the flash tube is monitored by a circuit which is connected to means for adjusting the electrical energy supplied to said flash tube when a predetermined amount of light has been emitted to thereby increase the effective life span of the flash tube and maintain intensity level of the flash tube within a given tolerance.

Abstract: An imaging device of the present invention utilized for game cards or the like, comprises a passive compliant card scanner having a wide acceptance angle configured for easy insertion of cards. A code sensor is mounted within the passive compliant card scanner and is adapted to read binary zones identifying a code, even when the binary zones are misaligned relative to the code sensor, when the card is fully inserted into the passive compliant card scanner. The passive compliant card scanner has a high tolerance for the position and condition in which the card is inserted. In addition, the imaging device comprises a validation sensor, configured to prevent fraudulent play by a retailer or the like, to pick out winning game cards. The validation sensor is coupled to a voice unit and is adapted to actuate the voice unit to announce a message, upon detecting improper play.

Abstract: A recording target includes targeting information printed on a substrate offset from a visible target and masked from the weapon operator by a thermal clearing masking layer. The operator aims at the visible target and the simulated weapon applies a focussed pulse of intense visible light to the masked targeting information to reveal the relevant targeting information by being converted into infrared radiation, by the thermal clearing masking layer and/or a portion of the masked targeting information thereunder, which clears or renders transparent the portions of the thermal clearing masking layer illuminated by the focussed visible light.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging device and method for developing, duplicating and printing graphic media. The imaging device of the present invention is utilized in devices such as copiers, printers, game cards and the like, and comprises a substrate bearing an infrared image producing layer, a thermal image forming layer and a light source. A brief but intense flash of visible light from the light source causes latent heat properties of the infrared layer to generate heat and convert visible light into far infrared light. This far infrared light develops or marks portions of the thermal layer which are adjacent the infrared layer.

Abstract: An imaging device of the present invention, utilized for game cards or the like, comprises an optical validation sensor configured to prevent fraudulent play by a retailer or the like to pick out winning game cards. The optical validation sensor activates the imaging device only upon sensing a predetermined amount or density of light passing through the game card. The imaging device also comprises a debris slot to prevent debris or the like from collecting therein when accompanied with a card being inserted and improved configurations of the game card.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging device and method for developing, duplicating and printing graphic media. The imaging device of the present invention is utilized in devices such as copiers, printers, game cards and the like, and comprises a substrate bearing an infrared image producing layer, a thermal image forming layer and a light source. A brief but intense flash of visible light from the light source causes latent heat properties of the infrared layer to generate heat and convert visible light into far infrared light. This far infrared light develops or marks portions of the thermal layer which are adjacent the infrared layer.