Abstract: A system for producing audio output from interaction with printed material and a pen based computer system. The system includes a printed page including a substantially invisible position code and a human viewable image. The system further includes a pen-based computer system for determining a position of the human viewable image in response to interactions there between, e.g., based upon the pen tip's proximity to the image. The pen-based computer is operable to produce a human-audible output corresponding to the human viewable image contemporaneously with the interaction. The human viewable image may be produced independent of the pen based computer and may include a textual word and/or an image. A plurality of pages may be provided in book form allowing a plurality of audio recordings to be rendered in connection with a plurality of images, thusly providing an interactive audio book experience for the user.

Abstract: A system for producing audio output from interaction with printed material and a pen based computer system. The system includes a printed page including a substantially invisible position code and a human viewable image. The system further includes a pen-based computer system for determining a position of the human viewable image in response to interactions there between, e.g., based upon the pen tip's proximity to the image. The pen-based computer is operable to produce a human-audible output corresponding to the human viewable image contemporaneously with the interaction. The human viewable image may be produced independent of the pen based computer and may include a textual word and/or an image. A plurality of pages may be provided in book form allowing a plurality of audio recordings to be rendered in connection with a plurality of images, thusly providing an interactive audio book experience for the user.

Abstract: A system for producing audio output from interaction with printed material and a pen based computer system. The system includes a printed page including a substantially invisible position code and a human viewable image. The system further includes a pen-based computer system for determining a position of the human viewable image in response to interactions there between, e.g., based upon the pen tip's proximity to the image. The pen-based computer is operable to produce a human-audible output corresponding to the human viewable image contemporaneously with the interaction. The human viewable image may be produced independent of the pen based computer and may include a textual word and/or an image. A plurality of pages may be provided in book form allowing a plurality of audio recordings to be rendered in connection with a plurality of images, thusly providing an interactive audio book experience for the user.

Abstract: A computer system for providing a simulated computer environment for young children. A console is coupled to a display, e.g., a television set, for storing and processing a plurality of user selectable programs. User selectable program may be stored on a cartridge and received by the console. The user selectable programs are child oriented, educational, interactive and provide feedback responsive to user interaction. A theme-able wireless keyboard adapted for use by young children with keys larger in size than an adult keyboard is coupled with the console, e.g., infrared. The keyboard excludes a subset of adult oriented function and punctuation keys. A theme-able mouse and a mouse pad that is detachably couple to either the left or the right side of the keyboard may be included. An animated character in a GUI and in the programs interacts, gives user instruction and is the focus of reward in reward oriented programs.

Abstract: An interactive device using removable templates to provide adjustable interactive output is disclosed. The interactive device includes a console unit, a plurality of electronic elements included in the console unit, and a plurality of movable elements included in the console unit. A controller is included in the console unit and is coupled to the electronic elements and is coupled to the movable elements. The controller is adapted to recognize a removable template on the console unit and control the electronic elements to provide an output related to the removable template and an actuation of the movable elements.

Abstract: A reservation system and methodology ensures that all changes to a database in a federation are reliably and immediately communicated to all of the other databases in the federation. The system communicates information concerning hotel reservation transactions. The system comprises multiple applications each associated with one or more databases including hotel reservation data. The databases in the federation reflect transactions that are communicated to other databases and they also employ information received from other databases in determining the transactions that their associated local applications permit and the way in which they are processed. In one embodiment of the invention, communication among databases occurs through the Internet and data storage devices via secure packetized messages addressed to objects that represent the relevant databases.

Abstract: A reservation system and methodology ensures that all changes to a database in a federation are reliably and immediately communicated to all of the other databases in the federation. The system communicates information concerning hotel reservation transactions. The system comprises multiple applications each associated with one or more databases including hotel reservation data. The databases in the federation reflect transactions that are communicated to other databases and they also employ information received from other databases in determining the transactions that their associated local applications permit and the way in which they are processed. In one embodiment of the invention, communication among databases occurs through the Internet and data storage devices via secure packetized messages addressed to objects that represent the relevant databases.

Abstract: A foldable structure is disclosed. The foldable structure includes a foldable body including a front side and a back side, and a plurality of sections. A folding region in the foldable body is between each of pair of adjacent sections. At least one attachment element is on the back side of the foldable body, where the at least one attachment element is capable of coupling the pair of adjacent sections together to form a page of a book. The foldable body is capable of being in an open position or a closed position that forms a book.