Abstract: A trifold presentation board assembly for securing and protecting a display includes a panel that comprises a first section and a pair of second sections. Each second section is hingedly coupled to a respective opposing edge of the first section and is positioned to be pivoted relative to the first section to selectively reposition the panel from an extended configuration to a folded configuration. A forward face of each of the second sections is positioned proximate to a front face of the first section so that the pair of second sections covers the front face of the first section. A plurality of couplers that is coupled to a rear surface of the panel is positioned to be selectively mutually coupled when the panel is in the folded configuration. The panel is configured to shield and protect a display article that is coupled to a front surface of the panel.

Abstract: A portable, retractable writing surface device provides a writing surface that may be extended from a housing and held sufficiently flat by the device to facilitate marking on the writing surface with a writing implement, such as a dry-erase marker, chalk, grease crayon, pencil, pen, permanent marker or the like. The device maintains sufficient rigidity in the extended writing surface, such that the device may be used without an additional support surface, such as a clip board or table. The writing surface may be retracted back into the housing to protect the writing surface and to reduce the size of the device for storage or transport, such as within a pocket or briefcase. Retracting the writing surface may include rolling the writing surface onto a spool, accordion folding the writing surface or otherwise reconfiguring the writing surface to make it fit into a compact space (collectively referred to herein as “compressing” the writing surface).

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: An artistic black/white board with decorative function. The artistic black/white board has an artistic frame. Two reels are hidden in two opposite sides of the frame. At least one picture is extensibly wound on one of the reels. In use, the artistic black/white board serves as a normal black/white board for writing and memorizing things. When not used, the picture is pulled out and unwound from the reel to cover the black/white board to serve as a wall painting for achieving a decorative effect and beautifying the appearance.

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: A printing composition that is adapted for printing on computer printers and the like. The printing composition includes a backing sheet and a printing sheet. The printing sheet includes an electret which is reversibly bound to the backing sheet. In one embodiment of the invention, the printing sheet is coated with an ink absorbing coating. The electret can be constructed from materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene that have been subjected to electrostatic fields.

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: The creation of computer generated lenticular images involves the computer manipulation of at least a first and second image. The images can be sequential in time of the same object or sequential in spatial perspective, or completely unrelated. The images are scanned into a computer memory and then digitally interlaced. The input can be any source of image. Likewise, the output can be manipulated to any resolution. The output interlaced image is then printed onto a substrate, such as the back surface of a lenticular lens. The resolution of the interlaced image can be matched to the geometry of the lenticules. Thus, the viewer will see the first image from a first viewing perspective and the second image from a second viewing perspective.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a lenticular or barrier strip picture with changeable scenes wherein a trimmed lenticular screen or a barrier strip plate is used to view a composite image. On a conventional lenticular picture, the focal plane of the lenticules on the lenticular screen coincides with the backside of the lenticular screen and, therefore, the composite image must be placed in contact with the backside of the lenticular screen. On the lenticular picture according to the present invention, the thickness of the lenticular screen is trimmed such that the focal plane of the lenticules is located further away from the backside of the lenticular screen. In order that a composite image can produce a properly focused composing scene when viewed through the trimmed lenticular screen, it must be positioned on the focal plane of the lenticules away from the backside of the screen, leaving an airgap therebetween. With in such an airgap, a holding plate is disposed to hold down said composite image.

Abstract: Apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a lightweight puzzle game holder, easily held by a game player in one hand, and puzzle game sheets replaceably held in the holder. The holder comprises base and cover components. The cover is hinged to the base and opens and closes to permit loading of a replaceable puzzle game sheet, the latter containing a collection of multiple puzzle games printed on a writable medium such as paper. The cover contains a window dimensioned to frame a single puzzle game in the collection for viewing and solving by a game player. In solving the base player writes on the game. The base contains a platen opposite the cover window, the platen forming a hard backing surface facilitating writing by a game player. In one embodiment, the holder contains a storage compartment beneath the platen, for storing e.g. a pencil sharpener, pencils, etc.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are striped or manipulated, eliminating rows of pixels and replacing them with pixels from other images, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed images can be printed on a viewable surface of the display. A lenticular lens, fresnel lenticular lens plate, lens with a textured surface, plate lens, ultraviolet cured resinous lens, lens with an undercut, cluster of anamorphic lenses, transparent rods, or grid, can be placed in front of the images to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation, morphing or movement as the angle of sight changes. The images can also be printed directly on the back surface of the lens to provide self-contained lenticular graphics.

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: The means for generating a children's weekly interactive scrolling calendar apparatus comprises the use a wall mounted unit that has two vertical spindles mounted on a solid frame made of wood or the like. The spindle contain a roll of paper that is scrolled from one spindle to the other spindle and, at the same time, keeps the paper flat at all times by passing below retaining pieces at each end of the open central area of the apparatus. A sliding guide and indentation markings allows the children to set up a seven day week and record their activities throughout the week and then scroll up the week after it has been concluded. A new week is then prepared. The calendar can then be unrolled at the end of the semester or year and the activities can be reviewed. The apparatus can be replaceably attached to a wall. A method of generating the children's weekly interactive scrolling calendar is also disclosed.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back rearward web. Transparent rods, a plate lens, lenticular lens, a cluster of anamorphic lenses, or a grid, can be placed front of the back web to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation as the angle of sight changes.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. Transparent rods, a plate lens, a cluster of anamorphic lenses, or a grid, can be placed in front of the back web to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation as the angle of sight changes. The special display can be used to provide an attractive container, cup, glass, mug, bottle, package, box, lampshade, magazine, comic book, paper back book, hard bound book, cover, page, envelope, greeting card, compact disc case, laser disc case, brochure, or pamphlet.

Abstract: Writing apparatus includes flexible electret film, capable of being erasably written upon with dry erase markers, as a writing medium. The apparatus includes a roll of electret film in a receptacle, brackets for mounting the receptacle to a wall or a conventional flip chart stand, and a cutter to separate the material into sheets.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. Transparent rods, a plate lens, a cluster of anamorphic lenses, or a grid, can be placed in front of the back web to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation as the angle of sight changes. The special display can be used to provide an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, or toy.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. Transparent rods, a plate lens, a cluster of anamorphic lenses, or a grid, can be placed in front of the back web to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation as the angle of sight changes. The special display can be used to provide an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, or toy.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, a grid and multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The grid can be printed on a front web. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. The display produced by the special process can be used to form an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, toy, box, wrapper and other packaging.

Abstract: A user-propelled toy school bus which as it travels along a playing surface exhibits through its side and rear windows the successive letters of the alphabet. These letters are printed along an endless scroll that is guided in a path running behind the windows, each letter being defined by a series of equi-spaced parallel segments. The scroll is so driven by one set of the bus wheels through a unidirectional drive system that as the bus travels in either direction, the scroll always advances continuously in the same direction. Formed on each window is a parallel array of equi-spaced viewing elements. As the scroll advances behind each window, the segments of each letter alternatively move into registration with the viewing elements to expose the letter, and then the interstices between the segments move into registration with the viewing elements to blank out the letter.

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: An activity kit for drawing, painting, sewing or the like, comprising a rigid case providing a flat activity surface and a cavity within the case for receiving a roll of medium, such as paper on which the activity is to be carried out. Medium from the roll is fed between medium guide positioned on the activity surface adjacent in the direction of dispensing of the medium. A medium dispensing control may be provided to restrict the medium which can be pulled at one time to only so much as would cover the activity surface. The kit according to the present invention provides a portable, compact activity center for young children in which the wastage of medium, such as drawing paper may be minimized through use of the medium dispensing control.

Abstract: A direct reading book having a housing which will contain mounting means for a roll of printed web and a magnifying lens suitably carried above and in a constant predetermined position above the printed web is described. The printing on the print web is caused to move past the magnifying lens to permit the reader to read the printing on the web passing under the lens. The direct reader permits the replacement of a series of books, such as textbooks, with a series of printed webs, relieving the burden of carrying a large number of books.

Abstract: A drawing board type amusement device, comprises a rigid board, a backing sheet overlying the board, and a masking member overlying the backing sheet and including a masking layer of opaque material which flows under the localized pressure of a stylus or finger to expose the underlying backing sheet along the areas in which the localized pressure is applied. The backing sheet is of longer length than the rigid board and is wound between a pair of rotatable spools at the ends of the board to permit different sections of the sheet to be aligned with the masking member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the musical box includes a box-like support structure and a music device disposed in the interior of the structure. A plurality of flexible continuous webs are sized to wrap around the outside of the structure. Each web has, along its outside surface, indicia representative of a particular mathematical data table, such as a multiplication table. One column of the table indicates the mathematical resultant of the remaining laterally displayed data. The resultant is disposed proximate a side of the support structure. A controllably movable strip or continuous web has a window and the window is sized to reveal one mathematical resultant. This continuous windowed web is driven by a gear and knob actuator.

Abstract: A device for checking columnar arranged digits on lotto tickets. Winning number combinations are preset on the device. The preset numbers are linearally arranged at one end of the device for alignment with the digits printed on the lotto tickets. Pre-setting is accomplished by tape and thumbwheel set ups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drawing toy which includes a plurality of light transmitting carriers that are manually movable past a writing platen which supports portions of the carrier. Each carrier has on its surface a series of different figure fragments which inhibit light from passing through the carrier where a figure fragment is displayed. Selectively moving the carriers to the platen positions different figure fragments over the platen. There is a light source adjacent to the platen and on the side of the platen opposite the carrier so that light passes through the platen and then through the carrier. Preferably, a transparent protective member overlies the portion of the carriers supported by the platen, with the carriers being sandwiched between this member and the platen. A translucent sheet of paper is placed over the protective member opposite the platen.

Abstract: An educational device utilizing light as the displaying medium is provided. The device has a light-impervious housing having a hole in the top and a light source therein. There is a plexiglass panel inside said housing, accessible through the hole in the top of the housing. The light source is located directly offset one edge of the plexiglass panel such that light rays from said light source enter the plexiglass panel through this edge and are entrapped therein. The housing also has slits in the sides thereof directly below the plexiglass panel so that paper inserts can be placed inside the housing directly beneath the plexiglass panel. The device is employed by turning on the light and by either inserting materials into the above-described slit or by writing on the outer surface of the plexiglass panel with a grease pencil. The light entrapped in the plexiglass panel will escape thru the top of the plexiglass panel and illuminate the inserts and the writing for the user's viewing.

Abstract: A device for fastening an object to a flat support member is disclosed. The device includes an adhesive coating of at least 0.35 mm which is applied to the support member or the object. The coating may be provided on a table plate, a sideboard or tray as a support. The coating may be applied to a foil element which may be used in different ways in providing a releasably attachable arrangement.

Abstract: A control system utilizing prerecorded photographic film in a miniature mage terminal device as both a display and memory medium for applications requiring interactive operator processing of rigidly structured messages, and particularly, from lists of allowable multiple choice entries.