Abstract: The present disclosure relates to toy construction kits and assemblies and, more particularly, to connectors that are mechanically attached to and extend from the corners of geometric frame-like modules. The connectors are also adapted to interface with and magnetically connect to linear magnetic modules, whereby a user can create multiple construction platforms upon which a number of diverse and interesting structures can be assembled.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic module assembly having opposing geometric frames and a plurality of connector struts that connect and extend between the geometric frames. Each of the geometric frames has a plurality of segments, with each segment having a magnet enclosure integrated in the segment. The segments are interposed between attachment points formed in the geometric frame, each attachment point having a pair of receptacles that are sized and shaped to receive a corresponding pair of connector pins from a connector strut. The segments of a geometric frame have a larger thickness compared to that of the attachment points, making the attachment points of the frame frangible.

Abstract: A toy construction kit has a plurality of magnetic modules, each with a housing having a plurality of sides, each side having an internal hollow. A magnet is contained within each of the hollows at a given polar orientation relative to the housing and the hollow. The hollow has dimensions that permit the magnet to move within the hollow, but substantially constrains the magnet to the given polar orientation relative to the housing. When a side of a module is placed near a side of another module, they are bound by magnetic attraction by the respective aligned magnets, either because the polar orientations are opposite when they are initially juxtaposed or due to shifting of one or both magnets in their respective hollows to achieve relative polar opposition.

Abstract: A toy construction kit has a plurality of magnetic modules, each with a housing having a plurality of sides, each side having an internal hollow. A magnet is contained within each of the hollows at a given polar orientation relative to the housing and the hollow. The hollow has dimensions that permit the magnet to move within the hollow, but substantially constrains the magnet to the given polar orientation relative to the housing. When a side of a module is placed near a side of another module, they are bound by magnetic attraction by the respective aligned magnets, either because the polar orientations are opposite when they are initially juxtaposed or due to shifting of one or both magnets in their respective hollows to achieve relative polar opposition.

Abstract: An illuminated toy construction kit includes a plurality of illumination modules having various shapes and sizes, and a plurality of non-illumination modules having different shapes and sizes. Each of the illumination modules includes at least one light-emitting element, such as, for example, a color-varying LED. At least some of the non-illumination modules are in the form of couplers which function as mechanical linkages for interconnecting the illumination modules and enabling a user to form a variety of three-dimensional structural shapes. The couplers also function to transmit electric power between the interconnected illumination modules, whereby all of the interconnected modules may be simultaneously illuminated in response to the activation of a single power source connected to at least one of the illumination modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the depolarization efficiency of a environment includes a transmitter, a receiver, and signal processing circuitry. A reference object is located within the environment at a reference distance. The transmitter includes a radiation source providing incident radiation that has an initial polarization as it enters the environment. The receiver receives returned radiation from the reference, which may be diffuse reflection or photoluminescence. The signal processing circuitry calculates the depolarization efficiency of the environment from the initial polarization, luminescence or final polarization, and the reference distance. A method of determining depolarization efficiency includes directing incident radiation having initial polarization through an environment onto a reference, detecting returned radiation from the reference, and calculating the depolarization efficiency using the initial polarization and the luminescence or final polarization.

Abstract: A method and system for investigating properties of an object comprising: a transmitter, including a radiation source, the transmitter providing incident radiation having a plurality of predetermined polarization states; the incident radiation illuminating an object and thereby causing the object to emit photoemission; a receiver, receiving photoemission from the object when the object is illuminated by the incident radiation, the receiver including a detector, the detector providing photoemission intensity data; and signal processing circuitry, in electrical communication with the detector, the signal processing circuitry determining three-dimensional information relating to the object from the photoemission intensity data for each of the plurality of incident polarization states.

Abstract: A system and method of determining three-dimensional data for an object by performing optical flow analysis to calculate surface profile analysis for a group of monocular component images that vary wavelength distribution, and determining three-dimensional data relating to the object from the component images and the surface profile analysis. Stereo image features are obtained from a single monocular polychromatic raw image or multiple monocular grayscale images having known spectral imaging collection data. Apparatus are described which allow three-dimensional data for an object to be determined from one or more two-dimensional images of the object.

Abstract: This invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising fixed-dose combinations of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor and pioglitazone, methods of preparing such pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating Type 2 diabetes with such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A film coating which is an oxygen barrier is applied to a pharmaceutical dosage form to protect the dosage form from atmospheric oxygen. The coating comprises a polymeric binder, an anti-tackifying agent, and an optional dissolution enhancing agent, where the polymeric binder is sodium carboxymethylcellulose, the anti-tackifying agent is talc, and the optional dissolution enhancing agent is sucrose, sodium bicarbonate, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Three-dimensional assemblies include substantially planar structural components having various two-dimensional generally polygonal shapes. Each such structural component includes a plurality of magnets positioned immediately adjacent the polygonal corners of the structural component and in other locations for use in connecting multiple instances of such structural components together, e.g., via the use of interconnecting ferromagnetic balls. Such structural components can also include one or more slots extending peripherally inward from the component edge for use in assembling corresponding structural components together in an interlocking fashion.

Abstract: Magnetic joints for toy figurines are provided. In one embodiment, the joints include a pair of sockets with magnets formed therein and a ball positioned between the sockets, wherein the sockets are magnetically coupled to the ball and allow for rotation and angulation of coupled components. Friction inlays or O-rings could be provided between the ball and the sockets to retain the coupled components in one or more desired positions. In another embodiment, the joints include complementary, generally planar surfaces having magnets embedded therein for coupling the planar surfaces and allowing rotation and indexing of coupled parts. Conductive regions could be provided in the planar surfaces to allow power transmission through the joints. In another embodiment, the joints include a magnetically-coupled peg and socket for providing rotation and indexing of coupled parts.

Abstract: Three-dimensional assemblies include substantially planar structural components having various two-dimensional generally polygonal shapes. Each such structural component includes a plurality of magnets positioned substantially at the midpoints of the polygonal sides of the structural component for use in connecting multiple instances of such structural components together, e.g., via the use of interconnecting ferromagnetic balls sized and configured for efficient interaction with such magnets. Such structural components can also include one or more slots extending inward from the peripheral edge surface of the component for use in assembling corresponding structural components together in an interlocking fashion, e.g., to form cruciform.

Abstract: A construction kit that is suitable for creating a variety of different structures includes a plurality of illuminated elements. Each illuminated element has a light source and is electrically conductive. Tin one embodiment, the kit includes a plurality of connectors for linking the plurality of illuminated elements mechanically and electrically to form an illuminated structure, each connector having at least two apertures and being electrically conductive. The kit can include a power supply for supplying power to one connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the power is transferred from the one connector to each of the plurality of illuminated elements and each of the remaining plurality of connectors, thereby illuminating the structure.

Abstract: A construction kit having various construction elements including truss and joint connectors with each truss connector having a light source associated therewith and each joint connector connectable to a power source so as to energize the various truss connectors directly or indirectly operatively connected thereto. The various construction elements cooperate to be expandable into any of a variety of structural profiles and to provide an attractive illuminated visual display. Additional design/construction flexibility is accomplished via additional connecting elements such as variously shaped panel connectors.

Abstract: A magnetic construction kit is provided for connecting base blocks with a variety of connecting rods. The construction kit includes a base block and a connecting rod having at least one magnetic connector suitable for cooperating with another magnet and/or for holding a spherical object. A stud connector can be included for attachment of the connecting rod to a stud of the base block. The stud connector may mechanically connect onto a stud extending from an exposed surface of the base block. Alternatively, the stud and stud connector may also have a magnetic attachment by providing a magnet in the stud connector and providing a stud made of, or coated with, a ferromagnetic material. The construction kit may also include different connecting rod structures that are suitable for achieving mechanical and/or magnetic connections to different sized base blocks.

Abstract: A magnetic construction module that is suitable for creating a variety of different construction profiles and lengths and that permits the construction of modules where at least some of the members are adapted to be flexible. A rod is attachable to a holder adapted for retaining a magnet. The magnet is retained in a pocket of the holder. The holder can be attached in rods of various lengths, curves, rigidities to conform to the shape desired by the user. An outer surface of the magnet is adapted to provide a magnetic connection to a magnetizeable element such as a metal sphere with which the rod and holder can be operatively associated for a particular construction profile. Moreover, the holder may also be securely, selectively connected to the rod via a male-female connection in order to provide greater construction flexibility.

Abstract: A movable magnetic construction kit that is suitable for creating a variety of different construction profiles and including at least one primary connecting element that can be operatively associated with one or more secondary connecting elements via magnetic and/or mechanical connections. The primary connecting element has at least one aperture therein and a plurality of magnets operatively associated with an edge thereof. The primary connecting element in combination with the secondary connecting elements provides for a movable construction kit for enhanced construction and design capabilities.

Abstract: Magnetic structural components utilized to permit construction of a wide variety of structural profiles and to thereby increase design and/or construction flexibility and choice. The structural components each include a number of magnets operatively associated with a periphery thereof to provide a number of points of magnetic connection. In addition, each structural component has at least one mechanical connector operatively associated therewith to provide at least one point of mechanical connection. The structural components can be magnetically and/or mechanically interconnected to form a variety of different two or three-dimensional structural profiles of varying complexities.

Abstract: A combination pen and walkie-talkie device includes a walkie-talkie incorporated within the housing of a writing pen such that the walkie-talkie function of the device is well concealed. The antenna of the walkie-talkie is concealed by being entirely enclosed within the pen housing. Examples include a combination pen and walkie-talkie device in which the walkie-talkie circuitry operates at a transmit/receive frequency within a range of from about 462 MHz to about 467 MHz, and/or in which the transmit/receive antenna is a half-wavelength antenna having a free length greater than one foot.