Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic game, including a housing, electronic circuitry positioned within the housing, and a display unit positioned within the housing and electrically coupled to the circuitry. A first sensor is electrically coupled to the circuitry and when activated initiates a first response from the circuitry. A second sensor electrically coupled to the circuitry and when activated prior to activating the first sensor initiates a second response from the circuitry.

Abstract: Cleats configured to retain objects secured with a packaging tie in association with packaging material.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has first, second and third wheels for movement over a surface. Each of the first, second and third wheels has a respective first, second and third axis of rotation that lies between the remaining two other axes of rotation such that the three axes of rotation are mutually adjoining. Each of the three axes of rotation crosses over the other two axes of rotation such that an angle is formed between each adjoining crossing pair of the axes of rotation where each angle is other than a multiple of 90 degrees. Each wheel is individually powered so that the toy vehicle can translate in any horizontal direction regardless of its facing direction. Two of the wheels can be realigned so their axes of rotation are collinear for conventional movement.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having improved motor assemblies. The vehicles are reduced-scale vehicles, often formed substantially from molded plastic, that are sized for use by children and which include battery-powered motor assemblies. The vehicles may include a noise-suppression device that is adapted to reduce electromagnetic noise, a cutoff device that is adapted to selectively restrict operation of the motor assembly, or both devices. In some embodiments, the cutoff device may be a temperature-sensitive cutoff device and/or a current-sensitive cutoff device. In some embodiments, the device is disposed within a motor housing provided with the vehicle.

Abstract: An interactive electronic device having a master integrated circuit, an analog audio output device and a bus having a single-conductor digital data link and a single-conductor analog data link and a method for transmitting digital data and an associated analog signal are disclosed. The bus is configured to electrically simultaneously couple the master integrated circuit with any combination of a plurality of removable electronic cartridges arranged in any order in any of a plurality of removable cartridge connectors. The master integrated circuit transmits along the digital data link simultaneously to each of the removable cartridge connectors one identification code of a plurality of identification codes, the identification codes being different from any memory address in any of the removable cartridges. The analog data link simultaneously couples all of the removable cartridge connectors with the analog audio output device and transmits analog signal associated with the one identification code.

Abstract: An electronic learning device configured to receive in a predetermined orientation a book having an arrangement of selectable mode icons, selectable content and a page identifier. Non-volatile memory in the electronic learning device has instructions associated with each mode icon, and data associated with the selectable content. A controller is in electrical communication with a page identification sensor and a position sensor for detecting the presence of a selector. The controller is configured a) to operate in accordance with instructions associated with each mode icon, b) to determine the position of the selector when the selector is within the active range of the position sensor, c) to recognize the page identifier, and a selection by the selector of one of the selectable mode icons, the selectable indicia or the selectable content and d) to send to the electronic user interface a signal associated with the selection.

Abstract: A hand held electronic device that includes a main body with a connector adapted to electrically and mechanically connect the main body to an electronic game separate from the device, and a method for using the same. First and second ports of the main body are sized to receive first and second game cartridges of the electronic game, respectively. Each of the first and second ports have an electrical connection that is electrically connectable to the respective first and second game cartridges. The device includes a processor adapted to electrically connect the electronic game to the first and second game cartridges through the first and second ports of the main body.

Abstract: A moving, pulsed-light-source light sculpture display with communication between a stationary portion, i.e. the knobs and buttons and their corresponding electronics, and rotating and illuminated PCBs. An optical data link is implemented with an IR LED in the stationary base unit and an IR receiver on the rotating PCB. A user interface allows the user to easily draw in the 3D volume of the display in real time. The portion of the user interface used to create sculptures in the 3D volume of voxels includes multiple physical elements including knobs, pushbuttons, and a multi-position slide switch. Another element of the user interface is a movable blinking cursor in the display volume that indicates the current voxel being manipulated. User interface controls also provide functions for data in memory for saving/recalling user sculptures and animation. Animations are facilitated in which 3D volumes of the volumetric display move in synchronization.

Abstract: An image projection system includes an image projection device for projecting a light image onto a wall, ceiling or other designated surface. The image projection device includes a housing within which is disposed separately located light sources. The housing further includes a slot for receiving several image slides. Each image slide has multiple, separated, slide image patterns thereon and each slide image pattern is in a different location on the image slide. Each of the light sources is disposed in a light chamber such that light from one of the light sources projects through only one of the separated image patterns on the image slide. Light from light sources passing through respective slide image patterns can then intersect to project multiple superimposed images on an image viewing surface. Furthermore, an electronic controller controls the light intensity and light timing of each individual light source.

Abstract: An adjustable booster-type seat having a base 10 for supporting the seat on a flat surface, a riser 12 mounted for height adjustment on the base, a body support 14 having a seat and back mounted for arcuate motion on the riser 12 for changing the angular position of the body support 14 and being adjustable in height by virtue of the adjustability of the riser on the base. A restraint bar 16 is detachably connected to the body support and in turn adjustably carries a tray 18 enabling the tray to be moved toward and away form the back and to be mounted at different angles with respect to the body support 14.

Abstract: Toy vehicle sets may include a toy vehicle with an RFID transponder operable to produce an identification signal to identify the toy vehicle and an RFID reader configured to generate an electromagnetic field, detect an identification signal produced by an RFID transponder, and produce data representative of the identified toy vehicle. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle includes circuitry adapted to convert electromagnetic energy into power to operate the RFID transponder. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle includes a metal chassis with an aperture configured to support the RFID transponder and a transverse slot cut from an outer edge of the chassis to the aperture.

Abstract: The electronic toy of the present invention utilizes numerous switches to detect (1) the actuation of the toy, (2) the identity of a theme card (containing distinct indicia) inserted into the toy, and (3) the position of an indicia selector in relation to the indicia on the theme card inserted in the toy to produce, card specific, and more specifically, card and indicia specific sensory output.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having an interactive feature, the toy vehicle comprising a body at least two wheels rotatably coupled to the body; and a tongue actuation mechanism moveably coupled to the body, the tongue actuation mechanism including a tongue extender having an engagement portion, the tongue actuation mechanism is adapted to enable selective movement of the tongue extender from a storage position to a capture position, where in the capture position the tongue extender extends downwards approaching a ground surface for capture of an object to the engagement portion of the tongue extender.

Abstract: One example of a toy system includes a first body, at least one accessory having an activation feature, at least one mechanism adapted to alter the first body, and a first sensor adapted to sense the activation feature and to activate selectively the at least one mechanism when the activation feature is sensed. The body may include first and second body elements that are moveable relative to each other, a drive element, and a sensor mounted relative to the body and adapted to be activated by a user. The second body element may also have a characteristic that is changeable. A first mechanism may have a plurality of operative states, and a function may be controlled based on the operating state.

Abstract: Display systems for toys. The display system includes a display stand with an aperture. An anchor member is mounted to the display stand and has an aperture bounded by at least one flange. A supporting member is further included and adapted to support a toy. The supporting member has a protrusion adapted to pass through the apertures in the display stand and the anchor member to engage selectively with the anchor member. In some embodiments, the supporting member has arcuate extensions that support the toy.