Abstract: An interactive toy for interacting with a user while a story is being read aloud from a book or played from a movie/video. The toy includes a speech recognition unit that receives and detects certain triggering phrases as they are read aloud or played from a companion literary work. The triggering phrase read aloud from the book or played in the movie/video may have independent significance or may only have significance when combined with other phrases read aloud from the book or played in the movie/video. In one embodiment, the toy is configured to detect only certain types of triggering prompts in certain states, such as, for example, triggering phrases or triggering terms. In this embodiment, and others, the toy is configured to switch between states such that it can at times respond to triggering terms and at other times respond to triggering phrases.

Abstract: Methods of previewing a representation of a costume are provided. The method includes removably affixing two or more cling elements to a smooth surface in a non-overlapping manner, the two or more cling elements being disposed concurrently on and directly contacting the smooth surface, and the two or more cling elements comprising a portion of the representation of the costume to allow one of the following: a first person to view a semblance of a costumed image comprising a reflection of the first person with the affixed two or more cling elements each positioned over the reflection of the first person, and a second person to view through the smooth surface a portion of the first person with the affixed two or more cling elements each positioned adjacent the portion of the first person viewed through the smooth surface. The method also includes displaying the smooth surface.

Abstract: Methods of previewing a representation of a costume are provided. The method includes removably affixing two or more cling elements to a smooth surface in a non-overlapping manner, the two or more cling elements being disposed concurrently on and directly contacting the smooth surface, and the two or more cling elements comprising a portion of the representation of the costume to allow one of the following: a first person to view a semblance of a costumed image comprising a reflection of the first person with the affixed two or more cling elements each positioned over the reflection of the first person, and a second person to view through the smooth surface a portion of the first person with the affixed two or more cling elements each positioned adjacent the portion of the first person viewed through the smooth surface. The method also includes displaying the smooth surface.

Abstract: A kit for viewing a combined image including a user's reflection, the kit having a number of facial feature elements and/or a number of adornment elements that are removably mountable to a reflective surface using electrostatic or cohesive force, the user being able to view a combined image of the user and appropriately placed elements.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an engine (102) including the steps of sensing a first set of parameters of the engine (102) and determining a modeled value of a first operating characteristic. A second set of parameters of the engine (102) is sensed and used to determined a modeled value of a second operating characteristic. The modeled values are compared to actual values and the engine is responsively diagnosed.

Abstract: An improved turbocharged engine system comprising a piston engine with an inlet manifold, an exhaust manifold, a turbine driven by exhaust gases for transporting a portion of the exhaust gas energy to drive a compressor between a gas intake and the inlet manifold. There is used as the exhaust manifold a first exhaust manifold receiving exhaust gases only from a first set of pistons and a second exhaust manifold receiving exhaust gases only from a second set of pistons. The turbine comprises a first turbine driven by first exhaust manifold exhaust gases. The compressor comprises a first compressor driven by the first turbine. A portion of the exhaust gases from the second exhaust manifold are recycled to the inlet manifold.

Abstract: A straight duct serves as an air flow entry passage to deliver air to a valve in a cylinder head, said valve being located to deliver air tangentially into the cylinder bore. The duct leaves the valve at such an angle that a center line of the duct forms a 30.degree. to 50.degree. angle with the valve axis, an inner wall forms an angle of at least 40.degree. with the valve axis and an outer wall forms an angle of 30.degree. to 50.degree. with the valve axis. The duct has a generally circular or oval cross-section and the inside of the outer wall, if extended in the direction of air flow, would clear the valve seat.

Abstract: A toxic bait for pest species of insects which feed on sweet, water-based solutions, in which the bait contains suspended recrystallized Mirex in a sweet, aqueous solution.