Abstract: One embodiment provides a method comprising generating a conversational interface for display on an electronic device. The conversational interface facilitates a communication session between a user and an automated conversational agent. The method further comprises performing a real-time analysis of a portion of a user input in response to the user constructing the user input during the communication session, and updating the conversational interface to include real-time feedback indicative of whether the automated conversational agent understands the portion of the user input based on the analysis. The real-time feedback allows the user to adjust the user input before completing the user input.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an augmented reality system, a user command to select content associated with at least one of a device and the augmented reality system; receiving, at the augmented reality system, another user command to transfer the content to another device; and transferring, responsive to receiving the another user command to transfer the content, the content to the another device. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for load balancing connections of remote sensors in connection with a control session. A controller device can connect with a self-propelled device and a number of remote sensors. User can operate the self-propelled device to interact with the remote sensors, and such detection event may be logged or tallied in accordance with session rules. Upon detection of one or more additional controller device, the controller device can initiate a negotiation process to hand off one or more of the remote sensors to other controller devices to optimize bandwidth usage.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling an electronic system are provided. An embodiment of a device comprises a spring having a first end with a first handle and a second end with a second handle. A first sensor detects movement of the first end and a second sensor detects movement of the second end. Each sensor provides a control signal to the electronic system such that the electronic system can act according to the varying control signals. A method comprises providing a spring-based musical instrument and providing a computer having a speaker. The spring is altered by the musician in order to generate control signals to the computer. Sound is generated by the speaker and varied by the computer according to the received control signals.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a random input. The data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed wherein a radial offset is measured between a first head and a second head at a plurality of points along a circumference of a corresponding first and second disk surface to generate a first plurality of radial offsets. A first radial offset is determined and a second radial offset is determined based on the first plurality of radial offsets, wherein the first radial offset corresponds to approximately a maximum in the first plurality of radial offsets and the second radial offset corresponds to approximately a minimum in the first plurality of radial offsets. A plurality of access commands are stored in a command queue, and a rotational position optimization (RPO) algorithm is executed to select a next access command to execute from the command queue, wherein the RPO algorithm is responsive to the first and second radial offsets.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a play control input. The data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, one or more memory chips, a display, an audio output, one or more processors, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a reverse input, and a play control input. The one or more memory chips store compressed digitized audio data. The one or more processors are responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to reproduce select rows of compressed digitized audio data stored in the data in an audio format and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, one or more memory chips, a display, an audio output, one or more processors, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a reverse input, and a play control input. The one or more memory chips store compressed digitized audio data. The one or more processors are responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to reproduce select rows of compressed digitized audio data stored in the data in an audio format and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a non-removable data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a random input. The non-removable data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the non-removable data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: Partitioned artificial intelligence (AI) for networked gaming. An exemplary system splits the AI into a computationally lightweight server-side component and a computationally intensive client-side component to harness the aggregate computational power of numerous gaming clients. Aggregating resources of many, even thousands of client machines enhances game realism in a manner that would be prohibitively expensive on the central server. The system is tolerant of latency between server and clients. Deterministic and stateless client-side components enable rapid handoff, preemptive migration, and replication of the client-side AI to address problems of client failure and game exploitation. The partitioned AI can support tactical gaming navigation, a challenging task to offload because of sensitivity to latency. The tactical navigation AI calculates influence fields partitioned into server-side and client-side components by means of a Taylor-series approximation.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a random input. The data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: A personalizable sports themed ice chest having a main ice chest housing and a selectively openable and closable lid member pivotably secured to the housing. The ice chest has a personalizable sports related shape, wheels rotatably secured to the housing, a collapsible pull handle mechanism connected to the housing, and areas on the housing and lid member for the placement of a logo or emblem.

Abstract: An input signal is quantized into a quantization-resultant signal. The quantization-resultant signal is compressed into a compression-resultant signal. The compression-resultant signal is formatted into a formatting-resultant signal corresponding to a predetermined format for a digital recording disc. The formatting-resultant signal includes segments corresponding to user data areas prescribed in the predetermined format. The compression-resultant signal is placed in the segments of the formatting-resultant signal. The formatting-resultant signal is encoded into an encoding-resultant signal of a CD format. The encoding-resultant signal is recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: A Halloween greeting system for prompting young children to remember to say “trick or treat” and “thank you” is provided. The greeting system includes a Halloween treat container that has a voice recorder/audio player; and a remote control unit for triggering the voice recorder/audio player to play a recorded message.

Abstract: A handheld recording device and a method of play that can be played with either one or two recording devices. Each recording device has a microphone for converting sound into an electronic sound signal. The recording device also has a digital memory with a limited sound recording capacity. The digital memory records the sound signal when a record button is pressed. A backward play button is also located on the recording device. The backward play button causes any sound signal recorded in the digital memory to play backward and be broadcast through a speaker. A game is played using one or two of the recording devices. A first player records a message and plays it backwards. The other players can decipher the backward message by recording it in their own recording device and playing the backward message in reverse.

Abstract: An invented sound and image producing system is disclosed. The system may include a cartridge that stores, processes and controls data representative of sound and/or images, and a player that provides the interface, annunciation and transduction of sound and/or images. The cartridge includes a computer integrated circuit or chip that stores and transmits signals from which sound and/or images may be produced. The system also may include a source of signals representative of sound, an audio port associated with the source and through which signals representative of sound may be sent, and a device configured to receive and store signals representative of sound, and to produce sound from such signals, where the device is configured to connect with the audio port and to receive and store signals representative of sound transmitted from the source through the audio port to the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an MPEG portable sound reproducing system and a method for reproducing sound data compressed using the MPEG method.

Abstract: A voice and other sounds to be are selected, the sounds are generated and recorded, the sounds are subjected to spectrum analysis and image processing the image-processed and displayed results of spectrum analysis are recorded on a recording medium. By rubbing the printed parts by a finger, sounds are produced.

Abstract: A method for illuminating a liquid crystal display device, a back-light assembly for performing the same and a liquid crystal display device using the same can improve the front luminance and production yield. Lights from a lamp is incident to a LCD panel side, which are then primarily diffused for a uniformity of the luminous flux of the incident lights. The luminous flux of the primarily diffused lights is condensed with respect to a first orientation component on a plane in parallel with the LCD panel, and then partially and secondarily diffused for extending a view angle of pixels of the LCD panel. After the luminous flux of the secondarily diffused lights is condensed with respect to a second orientation component perpendicular to the first orientation on the parallel plane, the condensed lights are illuminated onto the LCD panel.

Abstract: A toy box includes a lid pivotally attached to a base so as to define an internal cavity which can store one or more toys therein. An audio box is disposed within the cavity for transmitting pre-recorded audio messages through a speaker which encourages the placement of toys within the cavity. A sensor is electronically connected to the audio box for activating the audio box upon a predetermined event, such as the detection of light by the opening of the lid, or placement of toys within the cavity.

Abstract: A method of creating and duplicating recordings of a live performance for virtually immediate distribution to attendees of such live performance includes the pre-sale of such recordings before or during such performance. During the performance, audio analog signals are converted into digital audio signals and stored by a personal computer as a continuous digital recording. During the performance, the digital recording of such performance is sub-divided into tracks and a master disc is created of the sub-divided recording. One or more of such master discs are then inserted into one or more mass disc duplicators for rapidly producing copies thereof. The copies are then distributed to the attendees of the live performance who have purchased such copies in advance.

Abstract: A method of using a personal computer to create a digital recording of a substantially continuous audio performance sub-divided by tracks. Digital audio signals are provided to an input port of the personal computer. A software application program causes the computer screen to display “Record”, “Next”, and “Stop” buttons. Clicking the Record initiates recording and the creation of a first digital audio file. Clicking the Next button ends the current track and immediately starts the recording of a second track on a new digital audio file. Clicking the Stop button stops all recording and closes the currently-opened digital audio file. Created digital audio files corresponding to the created tracks are stored upon the computer's hard drive. Incoming digital audio signals are temporarily stored in RAM to create a time-delay buffer before being included within a digital audio file that is stored upon the hard drive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is improvement of computer-controlled animated talking toy system in which novel methods and apparatus are provided to coordinate and control the sound and animation of a toy figure. Said toy figure has at least one articulated movable portion for providing animation with the actuation thereof provided by a multi-phase electro-mechanical drive device disposed therein which is feasible for digital control by a multimedia computer connected thereto. An audio output device is disposed within the body of said toy figure and is connected to and controlled by the sound subsystem of said computer. The animation of the toy is controlled by said computer according to detailed text content of the toy's audio speech.

Abstract: A voice mail floor mat for greeting guests and allowing them to leave messages if nobody is at home. The voice mail floor mat includes a housing assembly including a housing having a top, wall and a bottom wall and being generally flat and also having a definite thickness; and also includes a voice mail assembly being disposed in the housing and including a voice recorder, a message player, sensors for activating the message player, and a recording switch member for energizing the voice recorder.

Abstract: An improved sound producing elongate member of the type that comprises a sound track thereon, the improvement wherein a ridge extends longitudinally on the surface thereof and the sound track is formed in said ridge.

Abstract: An appliance for recording and playing back audio signals, having a semiconductor memory which stores digital audio signals coded and compressed in a first format, a broadcast radio receiver for digital audio signals coded and compressed in a second format, a controller which is used to store audio signals received by the broadcast radio receiver in the semiconductor memory without recoding, and a playback part which can be used to render the audio signals stored in the semiconductor memory audible.

Abstract: There are provided multi-track recording/reproducing apparatus and method and a multi-track recording/reproducing program, which enable flexible setting of the number of reproducing tracks and that of recording tracks and also facilitates the setting. At least one track for recording is designated from a plurality of tracks, as desired. The number of tracks that can be reproduced is determined in response to the designation of the at least one track for recording. The number of tracks for reproduction is limited to the number of tracks that can be reproduced, by automatically muting at least predetermined one of tracks designated for reproduction, when the number of tracks designated for reproduction is larger than the number of tracks that can be reproduced.

Abstract: An improved sound producing elongate member of the type that comprises a sound track thereon, the improvement wherein a ridge extends longitudinally on the surface thereof and the sound track is formed in said ridge.

Abstract: An interactive system for teaching, entertaining, and habituating a child utilizes an interactive entity such as a doll, the doll having input and output elements and control circuitry adapted for driving the I/O elements, and a bi-directional communication link to a personal computer (PC). Scripted data stored at the computer directs doll activity and verbal articulation, and utilizes response from the child through the doll to the PC in directing output to the doll. The communication between the doll and the PC treats the doll as a peripheral device. In specific embodiments the interactive doll has servo-mechanisms for providing doll motion, such as eye and mouth and limb movement, which may be coordinated with verbalization in different scripts by commands retrieved at the computer and sent to the doll. In a preferred embodiment environments and applications are provided on CD-ROM disks which may also provide the operating application for the interactive doll system.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of controllable objects in the storage and execution of instructions related to a performance of n desired actions comprising the steps of: (a) advising the plurality of objects that a first selected object is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action; (b) storing, in the first object, instructions related to the performance of the first desired action; (c) advising the plurality of objects that the storing of the instructions in the first selected object has been completed; (d) preparing the plurality of objects to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action; (e) storing, in a next selected object, the instructions related to the performance of the next desired action; (f) advising the plurality of objects that the storing of the instructions in the next selected object has been completed; and (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until instructions related to the performance of said n desired actions have been sto

Abstract: A vacuum activated switch for use in or with a drinking container and straw. The switch includes a flexible membrane, a traveling contact which rests on the flexible membrane, and a fixed contact which is mounted on an integrated circuit board. Suction upon the straw creates a partial vacuum, causing the membrane to deflect, thereby carrying with it the traveling contact. This motion will cause the traveling contact to come into electrical contact with the fixed contact, thereby completing a circuit. The integrated circuit board is programmed to initiate an action upon completion of the circuit, such as, preferably, the production of a preselected melody or other sound.

Abstract: A playback mechanism is provided including a housing. Also included is a plurality of components each mounted on the housing. Such components including a speaker for transmitting audible signals via free space and a memory connected to the speaker for transmitting the audible signals therefrom. Connected to the memory is an activation switch for playing back audio signals only during the actuation thereof.

Abstract: A generally circular flat housing supports a handle, a pivotable lever, and a base portion. At the circular portion of the housing, a ring of character segments each having a visually depicted character thereon are supported. A pointer is rotatably supportable upon the housing and is movable to point to a selected one of the characters. A character image is supported on a circular plate at the center of the housing and includes apparatus for moving face components to simulate the speaking action of the image character. An electronic sound module of conventional design is supported within the interior of the housing and is provided with speech or phrase selections by a rotating multiple segment contact pad set together with a pair of contact brushes. When the pivotally mounted handle is pulled down, a gear drive mechanism is configured for operation and energy is stored in a return spring.

Abstract: A bathtub toy has a battery, timing circuit and an audible or visible output. A motion responsive switch closes to connect the battery to the output and start the timing circuit. The timing circuit shuts off the output after an interval until the switch again closes after the interval.

Abstract: A novel system, e.g., an audio cassette player, is provided herein. The system simultaneously provides mechanical motion driven by a rotatable drive shaft which is rotating at a continuous predetermined desired speed, and for generating a voltage output by an electrical generator having a rotor which is rotating at a continuous predetermined desired speed, the rotatable drive shaft being non-concentric with, being laterally-spaced-apart from, and being parallel to the rotor. The system includes a prime mover which comprises a windable driving spring, which, in turn, includes an interconnecting drive train for separately drivably connecting the driving spring both to the rotatable drive shaft and to the rotor of the electrical generator. The interconnecting drive train comprising a gear train, which has a driving section which is connected to the driving spring means and which is common for driving both the rotatable drive shaft and the rotor at the electrical generator.

Abstract: A stick-on audio microchip recorder/playback product for message conveyance-, audio mail-, product promotion and self-reminder purposes. The product enables a user to record a personal (or business-oriented) message or self-reminder, and non-permanently fasten the recorder upon surfaces such as household doors, walls, mirrors; compatible (carry-able) objects such as appointment books or notebooks; or upon interiors of mailing-, packaging- or shipping vessels, in desired temporary locations where the intended recipient would be most likely to encounter it. The recorder is easily removable by the end-user, and reusable. A microchip recording/playback circuit, microphone, speaker, battery and record/playback controls, are secured in a housing. Preferably, the housing has on its underside an attached stick-on fastener, including a stack of "pressure sensitive" peel-off adhesive stickers, each having on their undersurface a medium adhesion substance.

Abstract: A voice emitting pin is provided including a housing with a back opening and an interior space. Further provided is a back cover for releasably engaging the back opening of the housing. Also included is a pin assembly coupled to a rear surface of the back cover with an associated pin, whereby the pin may be releasably coupled to a shirt of a user. A triangular ornament is coupled to the housing. A watch battery is situated within the interior space of the housing. Finally, a voice chip is situated within the interior space of the housing and connected to the battery for powering purposes. The voice chip has a switch for effecting transmission of an audible voice remark upon the depression thereof.

Abstract: An interactive system for teaching, entertaining, and habituating a child utilizes an interactive entity such as a doll, the doll having a microphone, a speaker, and control circuitry adapted for driving the speaker and microphone and a bidirectional communication link to a personal computer (PC). Scripted data stored at the computer directs doll activity and verbal articulation, and utilizes response from the child through the doll to the PC in directing output to the doll. In alternative embodiments the interactive doll has also servo-mechanisms for providing doll motion, such as eye and mouth and limb movement, which may be coordinated with verbalization in different scripts by commands retrieved at the computer and sent to the doll. In a preferred embodiment environments and applications are provided on CD-ROM disks which may also provide the operating application for the interactive doll system.

Abstract: A talking contribution box for receipt of charitable contributions having a visual display of the cause for contribution. The apparatus includes a pedestal with a annular volume for housing a programmable voice driver and a transparent hollow enclosure coupled to the pedestal defining an interior for location of the visual display and further acting as a contribution receiving chamber. Placement of money through a slot provided in the enclosure operates the programmable voice or video driver for acknowledging receipt thereof.

Abstract: A sound-activated playback device which generally includes a sound-activated circuit and an electrically driven playback device which plays a recording on a selected prerecorded medium. The sound-activated circuit includes a noise sensor for sensing the sound of a crying child and activating the playback device. The sound-activated circuit also includes a timer for selecting and limiting the duration of playback of the recording, a timer override switch for overriding the timer, and a prerecorded medium reset for resetting the prerecorded medium after the playback device stops playing. Further, the sound-activated circuit includes a means for turning off the noise sensor until the playback device has finished playing and the prerecorded medium is reset.

Abstract: An electronic musical adaptor for removable attachment to a baby nursing bottle to produce a musical tune to soothe and amuse the baby upon movement of the bottle during the feeding process. The adaptor comprising a cup-shaped housing, a melody producing circuit including an integrated circuit microchip within which is stored musical tune information, a battery power source, a buzzer-type speaker and a motion-activated microswitch for activating the microchip, and a wafer-like container encapsulating the melody producing circuit removably situated within the cup-shaped housing proximate the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A children's music player with control lockout includes a housing supporting a conventional audio music player having a plurality of control arms operable in connection therewith. An on button and an off button are positioned upon the housing to provide access thereto by a child user. The remaining player controls are supported within a control panel having a lockout mechanism utilizing a slide bar which cooperates with locking tabs on the controls to permit adjustment of the controls in one position and preclude adjustment thereof in the lockout position.

Abstract: An audible coin bank includes: a hollow container (1) having a dropping slot (11) formed in an upper portion of the container for dropping coins (3) into the container through the slot (11) and a bottom hole (12) formed in a bottom portion of the container, and a casing (20) having a battery-powered audio-actuating device (2) plugged in the bottom hole (12) of the container, which will receive a sound signal of an impacting sound caused by a coin (3) impacting upon a sensor (21) of the audio-actuating device or caused by a mutual impact of the dropping coin (3) with the other coins deposited in the container for producing a voice or music melody by a voice or music producing integrated circuit for entertaining purpose, and wherein the batteries (26) stored in the casing may be replaced or renewed directly from the casing (20) plugged in the bottom portion of the container for prolonging a service life of the coin bank.

Abstract: A model railroad cattle car sound effects system includes a speech synthesis circuit (FIG. 6) for "playing" selected cow voices stored as digital data in an EPROM (160). In a random mode of operation, a state generator (30) provides a pseudo-random count that is used to select among four different calm cow voices, one of which is silence. The resulting audio output is perceived as random contented cow sounds. A pendulum motion detector (FIG. 8) provides an indication of lateral motion of the system. An up/down motion counter (40) maintains a motion count reflecting the level of excitation of the system (and the cows). The motion counter increments responsive to motion, and decrements gradually in the absence of detected motion. A motion count of at least four invokes a triggered mode of operation, in which the counter output is used to select among four different excited cow voices. The resulting audio output imitates increasingly agitated cows as the motion count further increases.

Abstract: A casing of a sound record playing apparatus includes of an upper body (1B) and a lower body (1A), and a vibration plate (16) is formed by reducing a thickness of a part of the upper body. An inner surface of the vibration plate is in abutment with a pickup (13) to amplify the vibrations of the pickup. Thus, a conical speaker which has been used conventionary can be eliminated, and the thickness of the recording disk reproducing apparatus is reduced. Expansion member (6) includes cam surfaces (71b, 72b) which force the grooved recording disk (2) away from the pickup (13) when the expansion member (6) is rotated conversely.

Abstract: A ceramic or plastic pitcher, in the form of a cow, with a hollow body for the purpose of filling with milk or other liquids with a hollow chamber at the rear end of the body for the purpose of housing a gravity activated electronic switch, whereas the switch will produce the sound of an animal when the pitcher will be lifted and tilted to pour the liquid through the mouth of the animal.

Abstract: A panel piece combination toy includes a panel piece having a predetermined shape and a base plate having a fitting hole into which the piece panel is fitted. The panel piece has a sound generating device built in the panel piece.

Abstract: A casing of a sound record playing apparatus includes an upper body (1B) and a lower body (1A), and a vibration plate (16) is formed by reducing a thickness of a part of the upper body. An inner surface of the vibration plate is in abutment with a pickup (13) to amplify the vibrations of the pickup. Thus, a conical speaker which has been used conventionary can be eliminated, and the thickness of the recording disk reproducing apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: An "audio mailer," including a tape recorder or other sound recording and reproducing device non-removably encased and configured as a mailer, so that a user can conveniently and confidentially send or receive voice or other sound messages through the mail. The mailer may further have a crevice space for an inserted enclosure, such as a letter, document, photograph or other indicia. A customized or commercially available small tape recorder and audiotape sound storage medium may be employed in the preferred embodiment. The audiotape may be either built-in or contained in a removable microcassette. Duplicate removable audiotape microcassettes may be employed to enable a sender to simultaneously record a copy of a mailed audio message and preserve it for future reference. In an alternate embodiment, computer microchip-based sound recording and reproducing technology and storage medium may be employed.