Abstract: A device and method for transmitting sound waves between a signal source and a user's ears, wherein the sound waves bypass the air. The sound waves are conducted by the user's teeth and bones to the user's ears, where they are perceived as sound. Sound-transmitting toothbrushes and the like are described to transmit and/or conduct sound to the user's ear, while the user is brushing his or her teeth. The toothbrush head and a signal source are configured to produce sound waves for transmission through the toothbrush head to the user's mouth, and a tension controller is configured to control the volume of the sound waves based on the pressure applied by the toothbrush head. The signal source may produce sound waves directly or with the assistance of a transducer. The signal source may be replaceable, connect to a replaceable cartridge, or connect to an adaptor capable of downloading data to allow the signal source data to be replaceable.

Abstract: A video game system including a compact disc programmed with video and audio data and designed to continuously update a player device with informational data to facilitate dynamic sequencing of video tracks during video game play. A unique uncomplicated development methodology is disclosed for the format information on the disc and the programming of the player device providing advantages of achieving strategic video gaming and fast action gaming, exclusively from the manipulation of a user's input during play via six operable navigational buttons. The navigational buttons thus affect the player device selection of video tracks through format information added to image frames of the disc. Numerous benefits are provided including the use of high quality video images and DVD style gaming applications in a low cost system which utilizes inexpensive standard disc media, such game discs are developed at substantially reduced programming cost relative to other game programming technologies.

Abstract: The audio and video information is formatted for right and left stereo tracks of the CD-DA with the bit map video information being stored on one audio channel and the PCM audio being stored on the other stereo channel. The two channels are interleaved and recorded to the CD-DA in a manner similar to CD-DAs that have only audio information recorded thereon. In the preferred embodiment, a CD-DA disc of generally smaller diameter is utilized with the portable reproducing device such that a device of smaller size is realized. The portable reproducing device includes a housing with a display, one or more outputs for communicating audio information to an external device, such as a speaker, a pivoting cover providing access to a loaded CD-DA, and means control the operation of the portable reproducing device.

Abstract: An invented sound and image producing system is disclosed. The system may include a cartridge that stores, processes and controls data representative of sound and/or images, and a player that provides the interface, annunciation and transduction of sound and/or images. The cartridge includes a computer integrated circuit or chip that stores and transmits signals from which sound and/or images may be produced. The system also may include a source of signals representative of sound, an audio port associated with the source and through which signals representative of sound may be sent, and a device configured to receive and store signals representative of sound, and to produce sound from such signals, where the device is configured to connect with the audio port and to receive and store signals representative of sound transmitted from the source through the audio port to the device.

Abstract: A walking platform that achieves automatic self-stabilization includes a motor within the mid-region of the platform that is in communication with a crankshaft. The crankshaft has a connecting rod that is rotatably attached to it. The connecting rod, in turn, has a pole that is rotatably attached to it. There is a foot attached that is capable of supporting the weight of the platform. The motor is powered by a battery that causes the components of the platform to simulate a walking motion. This battery is attached to the lower portion of the platform in order to lower the center of gravity of the platform. The platform also includes at least one levered component that is rotatably attached to the platform, allowing it to pivot freely and dampen oscillations produced by the walking platform.

Abstract: An amusement system includes a cartridge having memory for storing sound data, a processing system to process the sound data and programming executable by the processing system to produce electrical sound signals representative of sound from the sound data. The system further includes a player to receive the electrical sound signals from the cartridge and to produce sound vibrations in an acoustic transducer carried with the player. The cartridge and the player include cooperating sliding electrical connectors carried on respective printed circuit boards in the cartridge and player. Each electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged co-planar in a two-dimensional array, in two rows which are in-line to one another and not staggered.

Abstract: The audio and video information is formatted for right and left stereo tracks of the CD-DA with the bit map video information being stored on one audio channel and the PCM audio being stored on the other stereo channel. The two channels are interleaved and recorded to the CD-DA in a manner similar to CD-DAs that have only audio information recorded thereon. In the preferred embodiment, a CD-DA disc of generally smaller diameter is utilized with the portable reproducing device such that a device of smaller size is realized. The portable reproducing device includes a housing with a display, one or more outputs for communicating audio information to an external device, such as a speaker, a pivoting cover providing access to a loaded CD-DA, and means control the operation of the portable reproducing device.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-synchronized walking and turning includes a first motor that is attached to the apparatus that is in communication with a first limb and a second motor, independent from the first motor, that is attached to the apparatus and is in communication with a second limb. Initially, the lateral phase differential is set at 180 degrees and is maintained by a dampening mechanism that is interposed between the two limbs, or other movable members mechanically linked thereto, making sure that apparatus walks in a straight line. Regulators may forcibly upset this balance by speeding up one of the motors, thereby overcoming the force exerted by the damper mechanism, causing one limb to move faster than the other limb. This results in the apparatus turning in a prescribed radius.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-stabilization while walking comprises two front legs and two rear legs with each leg having three joints including a hip joint, an upper leg joint, and a lower leg joint. Each joint is powered by a motor and is monitored by an encoder, totaling twelve of each for the entire apparatus. Stability is maintained by adding weight to the two front legs and by positioning a separate weight toward the front and middle of the apparatus, thereby moving the center of balance of the apparatus further within the stability envelope of the apparatus. As a result, the apparatus maintains its stability by itself without the need for additional CPU's. The apparatus also includes an animation motor that is capable of causing the apparatus to make non-ambulatory movement and a cartridge slot which allows the user to download new programming which facilitates new behavior being exhibited by the apparatus.

Abstract: A walking platform that achieves automatic self-stabilization includes a motor within the mid-region of the platform that is in communication with a crankshaft. The crankshaft has a connecting rod that is rotatably attached to it. The connecting rod, in turn, has a pole that is rotatably attached to it. There is a foot attached that is capable of supporting the weight of the platform. The motor is powered by a battery that causes the components of the platform to simulate a walking motion. This battery is attached to the lower portion of the platform in order to lower the center of gravity of the platform. The platform also includes at least one levered component that is rotatably attached to the platform, allowing it to pivot freely and dampen oscillations produced by the walking platform.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-synchronized walking and turning includes a first motor that is attached to the apparatus that is in communication with a first limb and a second motor, independent from the first motor, that is attached to the apparatus and is in communication with a second limb. Initially, the lateral phase differential is set at 180 degrees and is maintained by a dampening mechanism that is interposed between the two limbs, or other movable members mechanically linked thereto, making sure that apparatus walks in a straight line. Regulators may forcibly upset this balance by speeding up one of the motors, thereby overcoming the force exerted by the damper mechanism, causing one limb to move faster than the other limb. This results in the apparatus turning in a prescribed radius.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-stabilization while walking comprises two front legs and two rear legs with each leg having three joints including a hip joint, an upper leg joint, and a lower leg joint. Each joint is powered by a motor and is monitored by an encoder, totaling twelve of each for the entire apparatus. Stability is maintained by adding weight to the two front legs and by positioning a separate weight toward the front and middle of the apparatus, thereby moving the center of balance of the apparatus further within the stability envelope of the apparatus. As a result, the apparatus maintains its stability by itself without the need for additional CPU's. The apparatus also includes an animation motor that is capable of causing the apparatus to make non-ambulatory movement and a cartridge slot which allows the user to download new programming which facilitates new behavior being exhibited by the apparatus.

Abstract: A walking platform that achieves automatic self-stabilization includes a motor within the mid-region of the platform that is in communication with a crankshaft. The crankshaft has a connecting rod that is rotatably attached to it. The connecting rod, in turn, has a pole that is rotatably attached to it. There is a foot attached that is capable of supporting the weight of the platform. The motor is powered by a battery that causes the components of the platform to simulate a walking motion. This battery is attached to the lower portion of the platform in order to lower the center of gravity of the platform. The platform also includes at least one levered component that is rotatably attached to the platform, allowing it to pivot freely and dampen oscillations produced by the walking platform.

Abstract: A system of networked terminal apparatus for creating a three dimensional animated work environment wherein terminal users of various levels of immersion are depicted as avatars in the virtual work environment and wherein actions and information of the terminal users is input into the virtual work environment through their corresponding avatars in order to perform complimentary, independent and cooperative tasks in parallel to create simultaneous sets of solutions to problems relating to command, control, communications, cognition and intelligence. In a preferred embodiment, the virtual work environment emulates an actual military command post, with all of the instruments and familiar surroundings emulated in function if not in form. The terminal users of the environment (i.e., the commanders and staff) immerse in this environment via virtual reality displays (audio and video) and inputs (microphone, body encoders and pointing devices) connected to individual personal computers.

Abstract: A toy soldier apparatus includes a toy soldier replica which may support three different simulated firearms. The replica has an electronic circuit contained therein, the electronic circuit including a speaker driver for driving a speaker which is contained within the replica. Connected to the electronic circuit is an optical sensor, which is preferably connected within the eye socket of the replica, and is disguised to appear as one of the replica's eyes. A switch on the replica's body is operably connected to the electronic circuit to allow the user to selectively choose between several operating modes for the apparatus. The different operating modes may be chosen so that the sound emanating from the simulated weapon correspond to the real sounds which emanate from the weapon. Once the operating mode is chosen, the optical sensor may cause activation of the speaker driver to simulate the sound of a weapon firing in response to movement.

Abstract: A device for transmitting sound waves between a signal source and a user's ears, wherein the sound waves bypass the air. The invention generally comprises a signal source configured to produce signals representative of sound, and a sound-transmitting element operatively associated with the signal source to which the signal source can transmit such signals for transmission through the sound-transmitting element to a user's mouth, from which the signals are conducted by teeth and bones to the user's ears to be perceived as sound. The signal source generally comprises an source that may produce sound waves directly or indirectly with the assistance of a transducer. The sound-transmitting element generally comprises any element that may transmit signals representative of sound upon contact with a user's mouth and may include edible substances, eating utensils, and writing implements, among others.

Abstract: A device and method for transmitting sound waves between a signal source and a user's ears, wherein the sound waves bypass the air. The invention generally comprises an edible substance and a signal source operatively associated with the edible substance and configured to produce sound waves for transmission through the edible substance to a user's mouth, from which they are conducted by teeth and bones to the user's ears to be perceived as sound. The signal source may produce sound waves directly, or it may do so with the assistance of a transducer. The invention provides for the construction of a nearly limitless number of novel amusement devices that simultaneously combine appeal to taste and sound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming stabilized thermal images of thermally active objects in an objected scene using a pyroelectric detector and which does not require chopping or rapid panning. The invention includes focusing optics for focusing thermal radiation flux from a thermally active object under investigation onto a pyroelectric detector. The output signal generated by the pyroelectric detector is decoupled of its DC offset component. The output signal is then mixed with the results of the decoupled signal passing through a gain and level control. The result is that the invention acts to track and boost the decay in the pyroelectric image when the detector is staring at a static image. The resulting image is amplified to match the input requirements of a level detector that drives a selected thermal image display. In order to adequately display the thermal center of mass, the thermal image is combined with the visual image of the thermally active object under investigation.

Abstract: A flash device has a flash tube which generates light in response to electrical energy. The amount of light emitted by the flash tube is monitored by a circuit which is connected to means for adjusting the electrical energy supplied to said flash tube when a predetermined amount of light has been emitted to thereby increase the effective life span of the flash tube and maintain intensity level of the flash tube within a given tolerance.

Abstract: A drawing device for providing entertainment as well as promoting the development of children, including a plurality of drawing instruments, such as crayons, a drawing instrument detector for determining the color of the particular crayon selected for use, a pressure sensitive drawing tablet that is responsive to pressure contact from the drawing instrument, and a computer that is adapted drive an audible device, such as a speaker, to generate various audible output, including both speech and melody which, in a preferred embodiment, may vary depending upon movement from the drawing instrument. Various uniquely identified drawing sheets, which may be preprinted with a wide variety of scenes, are included to directly insert into the device and overlay the drawing tablet. In connection with these drawing sheets, the computer may be adapted to further vary the audible output of the speaker dependent upon the identity of the particular drawing sheet that is inserted.