Abstract: A three dimensional structure, including but not limited to a playhouse for children, includes at least three interlocking panels that are configured so as to interlock one with at least one other without the use of hand tools. The at least three interlocking panels have an interior surface and an exterior surface, where at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of one or more of the at least three interlocking panels has a first printed pattern applied thereon. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing and selling the three dimensional structure.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sequence of modules, the sequence including an arbitrary number of modules, can be attached to a base. Each module has an identity. The base initiates an identification sequence, and each module provides its identity. In some embodiments, each module identifies itself in turn, until the end of the sequence is reached. In other embodiments, each module provides its identity substantially simultaneously, and then the identities, in order, are transferred to the base. In this way the number of modules, and the order of the modules in the sequence, can be recognized. The apparatus could be used, for example, as a toy.

Abstract: For toys that respond to touch to trigger a particular response, an activation system utilizes a non-contact capacitive proximity sensing system that permits activation when a finger, lips or other body part is close to a sensing area in the form of a hidden flat conductor under the surface of a toy so that actual touching of the sensor is not required to activate any of the functions of the toy. Low capacitance coaxial cable buried in the toy is used to connect the sensing area to the capacitance detection circuit so that only the capacitance of the sensing area is measured. Proximity sensing activation occurs when there is an increase in capacitance at the sensing area due to the proximity of a body part, with the change in capacitance being detected through the use of an RC circuit in the feedback loop of an oscillator whose frequency decreases when sensed capacitance increases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.