Abstract: A slim, two-sided remote controlled toy vehicle with high speed, high maneuverability and high shock and crash resistance. A remote control scheme based on digital signals embedded in infrared beams allows improved control and high-speed terrestrial and aerial stunt capabilities. The toy intelligently implements infrared communication, on board micro-control units, flip sensors, sounds, lights and other pre-programmed actions. Various stunt accessories are also provided, to increase the play value of the toy.

Abstract: A toy with folding retractable wings includes a body and wings connected to the body via snap-in pivot articulations that allow the folding of the wings in a space minimizing nesting configuration. Various springs, latches, triggers and stopping mechanisms ensure that the folded wings deploy in a spring-loaded fashion, with minimal user effort. The pivot articulations can release the wings in a non-destructive manner when exposed to high mechanical stress loads, thus preventing destructive wing breakage.

Abstract: An interactive talking toy with moveable and detachable body parts has the ability to talk, sing, move and dance in response to voice input from the user. Various motors, actuators, microphones, speakers and integrated circuit means are used to control and customize the movement of the toy and the accompanying sounds, based on a combination of pre-programmed parameters and real-time input from various sensors. The toy provides the user a high degree of interactivity, as well as humour, spontaneity and unpredictability.

Abstract: A slim, two-sided remote controlled toy vehicle with high speed, high maneuverability and high shock and crash resistance. A remote control scheme based on digital signals embedded in infrared beams allows improved control and high-speed terrestrial and aerial stunt capabilities. The toy intelligently implements infrared communication, on board micro-control units, flip sensors, sounds, lights and other pre-programmed actions. Various stunt accessories are also provided, to increase the play value of the toy.

Abstract: An interactive talking toy with moveable and detachable body parts has the ability to talk, sing, move and dance in response to voice input from the user. Various motors, actuators, microphones, speakers and integrated circuit means are used to control and customize the movement of the toy and the accompanying sounds, based on a combination of pre-programmed parameters and real-time input from various sensors. The toy provides the user a high degree of interactivity, as well as humour, spontaneity and unpredictability.

Abstract: A toy with folding retractable wings includes a body and wings connected to the body via snap-in pivot articulations that allow the folding of the wings in a space minimizing nesting configuration. Various springs, latches, triggers and stopping mechanisms ensure that the folded wings deploy in a spring-loaded fashion, with minimal user effort. The pivot articulations can release the wings in a non-destructive manner when exposed to high mechanical stress loads, thus preventing destructive wing breakage.

Abstract: A toy with sound-activated motion is provided. The toy comprises a toy body, a single motor within the body, adapted to turn in opposite directions in response to changes in electrical polarity, and control means to automatically reverse the polarity of an electrical current being supplied to the motor in response to an acoustical or electromagnetic input signal. The control means is adapted to automatically reverse the polarity in response to a changing acoustical or electromagnetic input signal.

Abstract: A toy with sound-activated motion is provided. The toy comprises a toy body, a single motor within the body, adapted to turn in opposite directions in response to changes in electrical polarity, and control means to automatically reverse the polarity of an electrical current being supplied to the motor in response to an acoustical or electromagnetic input signal.

Abstract: A system and method for demodulating amplitude modulated input signals uses two comparators and a charge pump circuit, which is positioned between the two comparators, to produce a demodulated signal of an amplitude modulated input signal. The two comparators and the charge pump circuit form a demodulating unit that may be a part of an infrared remote control receiver. The first comparator converts the input signal from a waveform to a pulse form. The charge pump circuit then converts the pulse signal into an integrated signal in a triangular pulse form. The second comparator converts the integrated signal from a triangular pulse form to a rectangular pulse form to produce the demodulated signal.

Abstract: A fast-settling digital automatic gain control circuit comprises first and second gain-controllable amplifiers in series. Each amplifier can be digitally switched between minimum and maximum gains by control logic that receives inputs from a multi-level voltage comparator. A peak detector connected to the output of the first gain-controlled amplifier is used to set the overall operating ranges for several threshold detectors. Four reference voltages are generated from the peak detector. The highest reference voltage is used to clock and reset the gain control logic with a hysteresis comparator to the instantaneous input signal from the first gain-controlled amplifier. The three other lower reference voltages are used to provide three-bits of digital input data to the gain control logic. Two digital controls are output, a min/max gain bit for the first gain-controlled amplifier, and a similar min/max gain bit for the second gain-controlled amplifier.

Abstract: An optical receiver has a voltage supply, a first node, and a second node. A first input of a differential amplifier is coupled to the first node and a second input of the differential amplifier is coupled to the second node. A photodetector is coupled between the voltage supply and the first node, which produces a photodetector capacitance. A programmable variable capacitor having a capacitance selectively matched to the photodetector capacitance is coupled between the voltage supply and the second node.

Abstract: A bandgap circuit includes a current mirror that generates a proportional to absolute temperature current at an output node that outputs the bandgap reference voltage. A first current path including a first resistor is coupled between the output node and a first bipolar transistor. The second current path including a second resistor is coupled between the output node and a second bipolar transistor. The first current path is parallel to the second current path. The circuit outputs a bandgap reference voltage.

Abstract: A multi-stage light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit is provided. The circuit includes a driver transistor coupled to an LED. The LED is coupled at a drain of the driver transistor and the driver transistor drives current to the LED. A first transistor stack is coupled between a gate of the driver transistor and ground. A first inverter stage is coupled to a common gate of the first transistor stack. The first inverter stage is further coupled between a high voltage source and ground. A second inverter stage is coupled to a common gate of the first inverter stage. The second inverter stage is further coupled between the high voltage source and ground. The circuit further includes a first transistor coupled between the high voltage source and gate of the driver transistor. The gate of the transistor is coupled to the first inverter stage.

Abstract: Most of the dielectric ceramic compositions consist of three or more different lead-based or non-lead ceramics. These materials and their solid solutions can give high dielectric constants (er>10000) but the disadvantage is large fluctuations in the dielectric constant with increasing or decreasing temperature. Most applications of these materials are therefore concentrated on the utilization of their dielectric constants at a specific temperature. This invention provides a dielectric composite of the general formula (x)[Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3]:(1?x)[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3] having improved stability of dielectric constant in the working temperature range.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a photodetector coupled to a gain section having a variable gain stage. The gain stage provides an output voltage signal. A digital automatic gain control circuit is coupled to the output voltage signal and provides a digital output value to at least the variable gain stage. The gain of the variable gain stage is set according to the digital output value.

Abstract: A circuit has a voltage source, a node, a photodiode electrically coupled between the voltage source and the node, a voltage reference, a resistor electrically coupled between the node and the voltage reference, and a voltage clamp electrically connected to the node.

Abstract: Most of the dielectric ceramic compositions consist of three or more different lead-based or non-lead ceramics. These materials and their solid solutions can give high dielectric constants (er>10000) but the disadvantage is large fluctuations in the dielectric constant with increasing or decreasing temperature. Most applications of these materials are therefore concentrated on the utilization of their dielectric constants at a specific temperature. This invention provides a dielectric composite of the general formula (x)[Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3]:(1?x)[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3] having improved stability of dielectric constant in the working temperature range.

Abstract: Innovative and improved display materials associated with products provide enhanced information to potential or actual purchasers of such products. In an aspect of the invention, electronic product packaging for demonstrative use in association with a product comprises demonstration means adapted to demonstrate visually or audibly the use or capabilities of the product under the control of integrated circuit means.

Abstract: A toy play set comprises: a body portion comprising: sound reproduction means; processing means comprising an integrated circuit comprising pre-programmed data adapted to be converted to audible sounds by said sound reproduction means; a source of electrical power to power said integrated circuit and said sound reproduction means; a base comprising first location means and sensor means; said sensor means adapted for electromagnetic communication with said integrated circuit; a play item comprising: second location means; status means adapted to be sensed by the sensor means; said first location means adapted to cooperate with said second location means to locate the play item adjacent the base; such that when the play item is located adjacent the base and its status means is sensed by the sensor means, said sensor means generates a signal which is particular to said play item, said signal is transmitted to said integrated circuit, said integrated circuit generates a data segment from said pre-programmed data,

Abstract: An interactive electronic doll or toy character comprises receiving means to receive and distinguish normal human speaking voices from whispered human speaking voices, and communication means to communicate to the human speaker that either a normal or a whispered voice has been recognized. The doll or toy character may also comprise sound generation means by which simulated whispered human speech may be generated, and trigger means located on the doll or toy character to trigger the generation of such speech. Normal speech and other sounds can also be generated by the doll of the invention.