Abstract: An aroma visual message carrier is shaped into a card device for carrying multisensory messages to deliver two interchangeable images with a scent releasing mechanism linked to the very act of image change by a recipient. The carrier comprises an image changing frame including a still image member with a first image printed on it and a sliding image member with a second image print partially interlaced with the still image member so that a manual sliding action of the still image member brings the two images interchangeably fade in and out laterally through each other. The still image member has a deposit of scent material formed rearward of its visual side.

Abstract: A light sensitive media packaging with unique shrink-wrap light protection label that works as a light barrier to protect media from light damage.

Abstract: A puzzle device for teaching comprises a base where a slot is provided on one side for inserting at least one image card, and a plurality of rotatable turning parts are provided thereon. A plurality of indicator units is set on each turning part, and a plurality of groups of quiz and question units are set on recto of each image card. Each quiz unit includes a question-description unit and a sign unit of the same group. Besides, the turning parts are set next to the question units respectively. Thereby, a user can find the question-description unit according to the question unit on the image card, and then can turn the turning part according to the indication of the sign unit to match the indicator unit and the sign unit.

Abstract: An interactive device includes a base unit and at least one interchangeable cartridge. The base unit comprises a transparent pressure-sensitive touchscreen overlying the cartridge and a microphone. The cartridge comprises a scroll having a plurality of image frames which are sequentially viewable through the transparent touchscreen and a digital memory. The cartridge is configured to key into a cartridge receptacle in the base unit and couple the memory with a processor in the base unit. The cartridge includes release levers which prevent rotation of the scroll when the cartridge is removed from the base unit.

Abstract: The invention provides an educational globe-like structure for teaching colors and the relationship between different colors, the globe-like structure being arranged to display the interrelationship between colors simultaneously in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions, characterized in that the globe is constructed of at least 15 different colored interlocking toy building blocks, wherein blocks of at least 3 basic colors are disposed around the equator of the globe, and the poles of the globe-like structure are formed, respectively, of 2 further basic colors and the remaining blocks intermediate between the blocks of basic colors represent interim colors between the basic colors.

Abstract: An apparatus for the education and entertainment of infants includes a housing that supports a plurality of objects over a crib or playpen and which rotates the objects in a circle. An audio program includes a recitation of each object when it is disposed proximate an infant disposed in the crib or playpen. Accordingly, the infant learns to associate the speech aspect of the audio presentation with the objects through a pattern of continual visual and synchronized simultaneous audio repetition and reinforcement, thereby optimally learning the names of objects and possibly even contributing to the learning of speech syntax.

Abstract: A teaching aid comprises a frame (1), a plurality of elongate rods (2) mounted horizontally in the frame and spaced vertically from each other and a plurality of polyhedral blocks (3) rotatably mounted on each rod. Means are provided to releasably hold each block (3) in at least three discrete rotary positions on its respective rod (2).

Abstract: An educational device and method for educating a student comprising a plurality of pieces that are pivotally interconnected at a center, enabling pivotal movement of each piece about the center relative to the others from a device stored position, in which all pieces are superposed in stacked alignment, sequentially through partial deployment, to a deployed position. Each piece carries a portion of an educational image, such as a shape, object or color on one side, and educational indicia on the other side illustrating the image.

Abstract: A tactile sensing device allows a user to utilize tactile senses in order to distinguish between a plurality of different surface textures. A body member has a plurality of openings with a plate member rotatably disposed therein. Each plate member has a first surface with a first texture thereon and a second surface with a second texture thereon. Each first texture is unique with respect to each other and each second texture is unique with respect to each other. A magnet is attached to the rim of each opening while each plate member has a magnetically sensitive portion, or vice versa, for limiting plate member rotation. A chamber may be located on at least one end of the body member.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a child's toy includes a housing having a window through which is visible a medium on which are displayed changing scenes. A plurality of lights are positioned behind the medium and selectively illuminated to provide animation effects. Different portions of the medium may be selectively illuminated as the scenes are changed in order to vary the animation effects. The medium may be in the form of an at least partially translucent scroll, on which is printed a series of different scenes and which may be moved by a motor, spring, or other winding mechanism arranged to advance the scroll so that a different complete scene appears in the window each time the scroll is advanced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and tools for teaching rapid and accurate decoding and encoding words. In decoding (reading), the invention delineates the concept of sound units (a combination of blendable letter sounds) and their use to accurately decode words systematically and efficiently. In encoding writing or making words), the invention utilize a combination of wheels to help children with limited motor skills to easily and accurately encode thousands of words and word like combinations so as to learn and familiarize themselves with words and their structures. The same wheels can also be used to create math wheels and sorting wheels that can train children's early math skills in adding, deducting, multiplication, subdivision, and other important abilities.

Abstract: Described herein is a collaborative drawing device having a support surface configured to support a drawing medium for drawing thereupon by a human user. The drawing device includes a printer that prints prepared graphics on the drawing medium and a scanner that scans documents that have been printed, drawn by hand, and annotated by hand.

Abstract: A device which directly displays a steady state sinusoidal wave by positioning a scrolling pattern of alternating stripes (40 and 42) behind a flexible linear body comprising a vibrating rod (36) or string (50). The stripes (40 and 42) cover the outer surface of a moving body, which can be a rotating cylinder (20), spinning disk (74), or traveling belt (94) and are drawn perpendicular to the vibrating rod (36) or string (50). One set of stripes (40) is of a tonality that visually blends with the tonality of the vibrating element, and the alternate set of stripes (42) is of a tonality which contrasts with that of the vibrating element. Each respective stripe, therefore, either obscures or accentuates the segment of the vibrating element which is between it and the viewer. The viewer sees a solid wavy line in the form of a sinusoidal wave by observing the vibrating element with the stripes scrolling behind it.

Abstract: A universal design of a handy rotary keystrokes guide that simplifies the tasks of personal computer users who prepare spreadsheets, documents, graphs, presentations, reports, etc. It reduces the requirement to remember a multitude of keystrokes and mouse clicks needed to perform hundreds of computer operations and tasks. It provides a convenient display of keystrokes and mouse clicks in a unique, compact, shorthand symbology form and format that is always in the field of view of the computer operator. A one piece cradle supports the rotary guide and enables quick, simple interchange of the rotary keystrokes guides unique to various software programs. Line registration or line magnifier is accomplished by simple attachment to the cradle.

Abstract: A reference device for use in indicating prognosis of a physical condition based upon selected diagnostic characteristics of the physical condition. The reference device may include a first panel member having first selected diagnostic characteristics of the physical condition distributed thereon, and a second panel member including second selected diagnostic characteristics of the physical condition distributed thereon as well as prognosis indicators associated with the second selected diagnostic characteristics. The first and second panels are mounted for relative movement whereby a selected one of the first selected diagnostic characteristics may be paired with a selected one of the second diagnostic characteristics and a determinable prognosis is revealed corresponding the specific paired characteristics. The reference device is particularly useful for prognosing melanoma based upon diagnostic characteristics of a skin lesion.

Abstract: An audiovisual device for displaying a visual image while simultaneously sounding out a corresponding audio message. The device includes base unit and a number of cartridges which fit into the base unit. Each of the cartridges includes a housing featuring a window, a pair of substantially parallel rods which are rotatably mounted within the housing, and a printed substrate, such as paper or plastic, mounted on the rods so that the substrate can be scrolled for the purpose of displaying portions of the substrate through the window in the housing. The base unit includes a driving mechanism for engaging and rotating the rods of the cartridge and a frame locator system for accurately locating a selected portion of the substrate in the window. Finally, the base unit includes a suitable speaker for producing sounds corresponding to the displayed portion of the substrate.

Abstract: An improved combination lock comprises any type of conventional combination lock having nonnumerical indicia thereon including a plurality of patches of different daylight fluorescent colors for indicating a predetermined combination. Alternatively, nonnumerical indicia on the lock can comprise pictures of different animals, or different geometrical patterns including sets of at least three parallel lines. One implementation comprises a rotatable inner portion inside an outer housing, with sequential positioning of the inner portion with respect to the outer housing serving to unlock the lock. A second implementation includes a plurality of individually rotatable portions, the rotation of which to a predetermined configuration of relative orientations unlocks the lock.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display device for commercial advertisement and science museum displays is disclosed. Three-dimensional elements are stacked horizontally or vertically along a stationary shaft around which they rotate, and are coupled together in such a way that they perform as a torsional wave medium and chaotic system. Display surfaces can be attached to the three-dimensional rotatable elements such that mirrors, text, imagery, and products can be viewed as the elements rotate. The rotatable elements can be spun by hand. Alternatively, servo motors and computer control permit the device to be choreographed and synchronized to an accompanying audio track.

Abstract: An improved combination lock includes a plurality of patches of different daylight fluorescent colors with or without additional nonnumerical indicia, for indicating a predetermined combination. Alternatively, the patches can all be of the same fluorescent color and used as a contrasting background for the additional nonnumerical indicia. The additional nonnumerical indicia can comprise different geometrical patterns including sets of at least three parallel lines, or pictures of different animals. The indicia are preferably made larger than is conventional.

Abstract: An anatomical display apparatus includes a three-dimensional model simulating at least a portion of a human or animal body and within which is located a body part, region, tissue and/or organ of interest. A plurality of images of the body part, each showing the body part in a different state or condition such, for example, as before, during and/or after a therapeutic treatment, are carried on a movable support disposed within the model. The support is selectively movable under user manipulation or control so as to transport a selected one of the plural images into suitable juxtaposition with an opening or passageway defined in and through the model and thereby permit an observer located externally of the model to view the selected image within the model through the passageway.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a mechanical device that appearing uncrowded with lines, numbers, and other markings, depicts the sun's daily path and gives sunlight information, for any interested latitude, date, and time.A major dial is rotated on a base according to the latitude; a sun-path slider is slid on the major dial according to the date. Then the device depicts a two-dimensional, elevation view of the sun's daily path, as a straight line, through all or some of these five zones in the sky: direct sunlight; civil, nautical, and astronomical twilights; and night.The depicted sun's daily path gives the following sunlight information: the directions and times of sunrise and sunset; the times of the beginnings and endings of the twilights. On the depicted sun's daily path, the sun's position, indicated by a sun-position slider according to the time, gives solar energy quantities and the sun's angular height on the base and the sun's direction on a minor dial.

Abstract: A freestanding visual aid is disclosed which includes instructional material displayed on multiple sufaces of a geometric object to allow the selective display of indicia representing information, on at least one of the surfaces, in a resting position of the geometric object. The indicia displayed by each face of the freestanding object is preferably related to one of a plurality of modes of operation of an apparatus or system with which the visual aid is used. Each surface, for example, may include an explanation of the key functions and command language applicable to a different computer program when the visual aid is used in connection with the operation of a computer or microprocessor system. The freestanding object allows immediate selection of the appropriate instructional information represented by the indicia on a given surface for the particular program employed by the computing system.

Abstract: The present invention enables visualizing, identifying and ordering speed reduction gearing configurations, particularly enclosed worm gear configurations, by a system comprising a mechanical display and a digital computer, which cooperate in a novel manner. The mechanical display includes sequences of adjustable slide media, each having at least a stationary base component and a rotatable disk component of sufficiently large size for convenient visual and manual access. The digital computer includes a host computer and a plurality of dedicated terminals that communicate with the host computer through telephone lines. Each of the terminals contains a programmed read only memory which guides the terminal user, through a sequence of inquiries, to automatically telephone the host computer, to transmit input data from the mechanical display to the host computer, and to display the result data received from the host computer for confirmation or rejection by the user.

Abstract: A wardrobe color coordination kit for enabling men and women to rapidly select color coordinated outfits utilizes numbered tags which are secured to various major clothing items. Short cylindrical numbered tags are also provided for attachment to conventional clothes hangers. A rotary file displays color coordinated clothing combinations through a front transparent window. Numbered blocks within the file are removably retained on an endless link belt which is received around spaced sprockets. A ratchet mechanism is provided to increment the belt to display the next row of color coordinated clothing key numbers through the front transparent window. The numbered blocks are mounted on the link belt so as to be indexable for displaying four different numbered sides of the block. The blocks may also be easily removed and replaced with other differently numbered blocks. A drawer is provided at the lower end of the rotary file for storage of a spare supply of numbered blocks.

Abstract: A puzzle-type game comprises at least five manipulatable members, for example of square or circular cross-section, each formed at one end with fingers, and at the opposite end with a circular recess, such that a plurality of the members may be assembled by the player according to any desired sequence, and to be rotated to any desired angular position with respect to each other. Each member carries on its outer faces indicia representing one element of a valid multi-element relationship produced only when the indicia of all the members are aligned according to a predetermined sequence and a predetermined angular position. In one described example, the indicia represent arithmetical equations, and in other described examples they represent the letters of the alphabet, and a maze.

Abstract: This invention relates to a globe divided by a plurality of symmetrical meridional lines and by an equatorial line and/or by tropical lines in a plurality of spherical triangles and spherical quadrilaterals which are grouped on different colors or which are covered with colored drawings representing colored stories or the world map between two poles. Every couple of symmetrical meridans divides the globe in two hemispheres which can be turned so that one hemisphere changes the poles. The equator divides the globe in other two hemispheres which can rotate independently and the tropical lines divide the globe in zones which also can rotate independently. Combining this plurality of spatial rotations disposed on different angles and on different planes between them, becomes possible to make arrangements of spherical triangles and quadrilaterals to get different symmetrical colored designs or correct drawings according to everyone's ability.