Abstract: A remote control paintball gun system is disclosed which may include a hopper for containing paintballs of different densities, a paint ball gun barrel associated for receiving paintballs, a motorized, wheeled chassis, a cartridge mounted along a side of the gun barrel for powering the gun barrel and a remote control for controlling motion, transfer of the paint balls from the hopper to the gun barrel, and firing of a paintball. The remote control may include a control for selectively transferring a paintball in accordance with the paintball's density, from the first or second plurality of paintballs, to the gun barrel and may control elevation of the gun barrel. A method of playing paintball may include players who carry and fire hand held paintball guns to hit other players and one or more self propelled paintball gun for remote control operation.

Abstract: A quad tracked vehicle may include a forward starboard track arm, an aft starboard track arm, a forward port track arm, and an aft port track arm. Forward track arms may be mounted for rotation about a vehicle body around axis of forward track arm by a forward coaxial transmission and motor, while aft tracks arms may be mounted for rotation about vehicle body around axis of aft extended coaxial transmission by an aft motor. Tracks may be mounted for rotation around track arms and rotate about minor axes. Forward tracks may rotate about forward major axis and aft tracks about aft major axis. Starboard tracks may be rotated by starboard motor, and port tracks by port motor.

Abstract: A dart board game with a rotatable target for magnetic darts may include an target skin easily replaceable or reversible by a game player. Controls for an electric motor for rotating the target may be operable during game play by the magnetic darts when properly thrown may be include buttons for changing speed or direction or doing so randomly. A button may cause the changes to apply for a subsequent player.

Abstract: An electronic game for playing on a portable handheld game unit and on-line includes a dynamic animated virtual character that can be customized and updated both visually and functionally through game play and that can translate from a two dimensional visual presentation on a game unit to a higher order visual presentation in an interactive multi-player virtual world on-line and back while retaining any customization or upgrades is provided. Different versions of the electronic game produce different virtual characters that can interact on-line or through wireless linkage between game units.

Abstract: An animated toy alarm clock resembles a stuffed puppy, kitten, or other lovable creature. When the alarm is armed, the creature rotates or bows its limbs so that its body assumes a sleeping position. It may emit audible purring or other soothing noises for the relaxation of its owner. When the alarm goes off at the preset alarm time, the creature rotates or stretches its limbs so that its body rises into an awake position. It may emit barking, meowing, or other excited noises to awaken its owner to the world. The alarm clock may be conveniently disguised as a pet tag hung around an animal collar.

Abstract: A pivoting mechanism for a vehicle such as a radio control toy vehicle includes a rotating element loosely mounted on a wheel axle and extending slightly beyond the wheel radius. When the vehicle moves forward, the rotating element rotates up out of the way and does not create substantial friction with the ground. When the vehicle moves in reverse, the rotating element catches the ground, which causes the rotating element to kick up underneath the vehicle into a generally downward position, thus raising the vehicle up onto the rotating element rather its associated wheel, which causes the vehicle to turn sharply about the rotating element. A stop prevents the rotating element from rotating past its vertically downward position. When the vehicle moves forward again, the rotating element automatically rotates up again out of the way so that the vehicle drives forward in a substantially straight line.

Abstract: An interactive game system includes a specially prepared DVD game disk with video images such as of a game show, and game data and instructions encoded within the VBI data on the disk. A game control unit receives all of the video signals recorded on from the DVD including both video images and the VBI data, extracts the VBI data, and uses the VBI data in conjunction with a plurality of handheld player inputs to allow users to select and answer game questions. The game control unit keeps track of whether the player inputs were correct or incorrect, the players' cumulative scores in accordance with their answers, and displays the players cumulative scores as video overlay on top of the recorded video images to be sent to a video display such as a standard television set.