Abstract: A system for supplying hot and cold water to users in a building, the system comprising: a first mode for supplying water to users; a second mode for preparing to supply water at a desired temperature by recycling water from the hot water pipe into the cold pipe; a faucet having a mixing chamber; a hot water inlet; a cold water inlet; an outlet; and a mechanism for adapting the system to various types of users including humans and appliances

Abstract: An audio switching system alternately directs an input audio signal to an audio output and to a remote puppet. The system includes an audio switching arrangement with a transmitter and a puppet including a receiver, an amplifier and a speaker. The audio switching arrangement includes an electronic switch electrically switchable between a straight-through state wherein the audio signal from the audio input is transferred to the audio output and a diverted state wherein the audio signal from the audio input is transferred to the transmitter for transmitting to the puppet. A signal processor, associated with the audio input, responds to a predefined actuation signal superimposed on the audio signal as part of the electrical signal from the audio input to switch the electronic switch from the straight-through state to the diverted state. The frequency and/or duration of the actuation signal is preferably chosen to render the actuation signal substantially non-intrusive to the hearing of the user.

Abstract: A story-telling doll includes a doll body (10) which contains a processing system (12) including at least one digital processor, a programmable data storage device (14) and an audio output device (16). At least one user-operable switch (SW1, SW2, SW3) is manually operable by manipulation of at least one region (18, 20, 22) of body (10) to provide an input signal to processing system (12). A communications unit (24), also contained within body (10), is configured to operate under control of processing unit (12) in response to the input signal to: (a) initiate a data communications link via a general purpose communications network with a remote content provider source, (b) transmit to the remote content provider a request for download of at least one data file including audio content, and (c) receive the at least one data file including audio content from the remote content provider.

Abstract: A system for providing a user with water at a desired temperature comprising a piping system that includes a hot water pipe and a cold water pipe, a pump coupled to the piping system and a smart water delivery device coupled to the piping system and to the pump and operative to allow circulation of water from the hot water pipe to the cold water pipe prior to delivery of water at a desired temperature to the user. The smart water delivery device includes two smart valves coupled to hot and cold water inlets, a smart outlet valve coupled to a device outlet, a microcontroller for controlling the actuation of the pump and of the smart valves, and at least one temperature sensor coupled to the microcontroller and used for sensing the water temperature.

Abstract: A system for providing a user with water at a desired temperature comprising a piping system that includes a hot water pipe and a cold water pipe, a pump coupled to the piping system and a smart water delivery device coupled to the piping system and to the pump and operative to allow circulation of water from the hot water pipe to the cold water pipe prior to delivery of water at a desired temperature to the user. The smart water delivery device includes two smart valves coupled to hot and cold water inlets, a smart outlet valve coupled to a device outlet, a microcontroller for controlling the actuation of the pump and of the smart valves, and at least one temperature sensor coupled to the microcontroller and used for sensing the water temperature.