Abstract: A compressible figure form which includes an air permeable skin and a compressible resilient foam core, wherein the compressible resilient foam core includes resilient mechanical means within a cavity within said core. The resilient mechanical means is comprised of a material or configuration of material which is both more resistant to compression than the foam core and more resilient to expansion than the foam core. Thus, the compressible figure can be readily compacted by compression thereof into a compact form. Unlike traditional compressible figure forms, the release of the compressive forces thereon results in a rapid and unexpected expansion of the mechanical means within the figure, and thereby the full extension of the figure form.

Abstract: A fragrance dispensing device suitable for incorporation into a plush figure. In one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fragrance dispensing device comprises a hollow body in the form of a sphere or a ball having a slit valve or a one-way valve disposed within the wall of the hollow body. A scented cartridge is inserted into the hollow body through the valve or some other resealable opening in the hollow body. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fragrance dispensing device is encompassed within an appendage or the head of a stuffed animal figure. Once the hollow is charged with the fragrance cartridge, it can be compressed so as to force a discrete charge of scented air from within the hollow body, into its surrounding core material which make the filler of the stuffed animal figure. The amount of fragrance dispensed from within the hollow body is based, in part, upon the volume of the hollow body and the partial pressure of the fragrance within the cartridge.

Abstract: A virtual learning system environment which provides for progressive education of children, at their own pace, through enhancement in both language arts (e.g. spelling, reading comprehension) and physical skills (interactive prompts). The system of this invention includes a microphone for sensing an audible word or command, a video camera for sensing bodily movement, and means for effecting a computer generated response to said audible word or command, or said bodily movement, wherein said response includes both graphical depiction of the letters of said audible word or command, an object image corresponding to bodily movement or said audible word or command, and an action or object related to said bodily movement or said audible word or command, or any combination thereof, so as to effect a progressive learning or teaching experience.

Abstract: The system and method of this invention involve creation of a game plan that is implemented in a sporting event to create parity between two mismatched teams in a given competition. In one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the game plan includes a series of counter-measures or tactics to place the competitors in parity with one another, in that the burdened team is still free to use its personnel within the established or traditional structure of the game, and each individual team player can still extend himself up to the limits of his ability within the constraints of the game plan. In one or more alternative embodiments of this invention, parity can be created by alteration in the basic structure or play of the game. In this latter case, the game plan would create a hybrid game structure wherein the teams could have an unequal number of players, and scoring rules biased in favor of the inferior team.

Abstract: Personalized products with a kit which includes a computer software program, preferably including a scanner module, for creation of custom images conforming to the shape of the personalized product or a portion thereof The software, thus, creates an image that can be printed on an appropriate transfer medium (e.g. a sheet of paper having a releasable adhesive and peelable backing sheet for protection of the adhesive surface). In one preferred embodiment, the software created image can be mounted within indented areas on a three-dimensional article, including a picture frame. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the component parts of the product to be created are labeled or identified with machine readable code (e.g. mini-bar code).

Abstract: A fragrance dispensing device suitable for incorporation into a plush figure. In one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fragrance dispensing device comprises a hollow body in the form of a sphere or a ball having a slit valve or a one-way valve disposed within the wall of the hollow body. A scented cartridge is inserted into the hollow body through the valve or some other resealable opening in the hollow body. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fragrance dispensing device is encompassed within an appendage or the head of a stuffed animal figure. Once the hollow is charged with the fragrance cartridge, it can be compressed so as to force a discrete charge of scented air from within the hollow body, into its surrounding core material which make the filler of the stuffed animal figure. The amount of fragrance dispensed from within the hollow body is based, in part, upon the volume of the hollow body and the partial pressure of the fragrance within the cartridge.

Abstract: A Web Browser wherein all of the displayed information on the Web Browser is in the language of preference of the user. The Web Browser is further configured to provide a transparent translation module, which dynamically interacts with the command structure of the Web Page, or default settings established by the user upon initial set-up, to provide, in essentially real-time, for user retrieval, and thus access to, virtually any information source on the web in his language preference, without the intermediate, and often confusing, instructions needed to translate a displayed Web Page from a language foreign to the user into the language preference of the user.

Abstract: A computer system, preferably in the form of a craft kit, is provided for converting a picture composed of color regions distributed throughout the picture into a line drawing in which each of these regions can be delineated to define a zone. The zone can have a symbol which identifies the color. The system includes a computer whose video display terminal is coupled to a printer to print out the displayed image. A digital image is fed into the computer and the image processed to product the line drawing which is displayed on the terminal and transferred by the printer to a sheet. The digital image on the sheet is then transferred to a material, such as a T-shirt, for example by a stencil prepared from the printed sheet.

Abstract: A figurative flying disc toy constituted by an inverted plastic dish having a convex annular rim and soft appendages attached thereto to impart to the toy the form of a humanoid figure. Each appendage is composed of a fabric pouch stuffed with compressible material, the pouch being shaped and printed to simulate in one appendage the head of the figure and in the other appendages, the arms and legs thereof. The appendages can also be hinged to the flying disc toy or be attached to a stretchable fabric cover which fits over the flying disc. To launch the toy, a player grasps one of the appendages which then serves as a handle, and with a flick of the wrist to cause the disc to whirl, the disc is hurled into the air and let fly. The centrifugal forces produced in the flight by the whirling disc causes the hinged appendages to extend outwardly to stabilize the flight.

Abstract: A phonics training system provides immediate, audible and virtual answers to questions regarding various images such as objects, animals and people, posed by a child when the child views such images on a video display terminal of the system. The system provides virtual answers to questions without the need for an instruction or teacher and includes a computer having a video output terminal and an electronic library containing common answers to basic questions.

Abstract: A computer system for converting a colored picture composed of color regions distributed throughout the picture into a line drawing in which each of these regions is delineated to define a zone. The zone bears a symbol which identifies the color to be applied thereto. The system includes a computer whose video display terminal is coupled to a printer to print out the displayed image. Fed into the computer is a digital image of the colored picture to be converted, the image being processed to produce the line drawing which is displayed on the terminal and transferred by the printer to a paper sheet. By applying to the respective zones of the line drawing on the sheet the colors identified by the symbols, the user is then able to recreate the colored picture.

Abstract: A figure-like toy-projectile and launching platform assembly adapted to propel the figure into space by means of an elastic spring concealed in the figure. The figure whose head forms the nose of the projectile includes arms and legs extending from a torso joined to the head, and an elongated cavity in the torso whose front end is an opening in the crotch between the legs and whose rear end lies in an upper region in the torso in line with the head. Received in the cavity is an elastic spring in the form of a condom having a ring and a stretchable shank, the ring being mounted in the crotch opening. The normal length of the shank is such as to create a space between the end of the shank and the end of the cavity to allow for expansion of the shank.

Abstract: An expressive figurine having dynamic facial features and, optionally, verbalization capability. The figurine of this invention can have the appearance of a human, creature, or cartoon character, and more particularly to a figurine whose facial and body features are selected and applied to the figurine by a player. The facial and body features include lenticular image and lens composites that can readily interchanged from a selection of features provided with the figurine. The figurine of this invention is also preferably an interactive toy wherein the player imparts motion or force to the toy in the course of such play interaction. The figurine also may include a motion activated sound synthesizer to create the verbalization capability.

Abstract: A compressible figure form which includes an air permeable skin and a compressible resilient foam core, wherein the compressible resilient foam core includes resilient mechanical means within a cavity within said core. The resilient mechanical means is comprised of a material or configuration of material which is both more resistant to compression than the foam core and more resilient to expansion than the foam core. Thus, the compressible figure can be readily compacted by compression thereof into a compact form. Unlike traditional compressible figure forms, the release of the compressive forces thereon results in a rapid and unexpected expansion of the mechanical means within the figure, and thereby the full extension of the figure form.

Abstract: A package containing a humanoid or animal-like figure or other shaped object whose body is formed of open-cell, flexible-foam plastic material which when compressed then expels air therefrom to cause the body to shrink so that it can be stuffed into a small container. When the body is removed from the container it then inhales air to assume its normal full scale form. To enhance the shrinkability of the body so that it can be stuffed into a smaller container, dispersed throughout the flexible-foam body are air pockets that are much larger than the open cells.

Abstract: A virtual learning system environment which provides for progressive education of children, at their own pace, through enhancement in both language arts (e.g. spelling, reading comprehension) and physical skills (interactive prompts). The system of this invention includes a microphone for sensing an audible word or command, a video camera for sensing bodily movement, and means for effecting a computer generated response to said audible word or command, or said bodily movement, wherein said response includes both graphical depiction of the letters of said audible word or command, an object image corresponding to bodily movement or said audible word or command, and an action or object related to said bodily movement or said audible word or command, or any combination thereof, so as to effect a progressive learning or teaching experience.

Abstract: A phonics training system adapted to teach a pre-school child having a limited vocabulary of words which identify various objects, such as people, animals and things, how each of these words is spelled, thereby making it possible for the child to read these words. The system includes a computer having a video output terminal and a memory in which is digitally stored an electronic dictionary containing the phonetic sounds of the words in the vocabulary and the alphabetic spelling of each of these words. Associated with the computer is image software containing a library of images which illustrate the various objects represented by the words in the phonetics dictionary. The computer is provided with a peripheral in the form of a voice recognition unit into which the child speaks, the unit acting to recognize the distinctive sound pattern of the child's voice and to accommodate the phonetics dictionary to this pattern.

Abstract: A technique for applying to raisins a fat-free coating which not only enhances their nutritional value but also renders the raisins more palatable. In this technique raisins to be coated are deposited in a spinnable panning pot containing the hot liquid and dry ingredients which compose the coating. The pot is then spun until the liquid cools and hardens and there is then formed on the surfaces of the raisins a thin and brittle candy coating which when the raisins are masticated is crunched into small particles, the particles being intermingled with the flesh of the raisins to impart a crunchy sensation to the eating experience.

Abstract: A wrestling doll which functions as an exerciser for a boy playing with the doll and as a surrogate for a wrestling opponent. The doll is composed of a head joined by its neck to a torso from whose shoulder region extend a pair of articulated arm appendages and from whose groin region extends a pair of articulated leg appendages. The wrestling doll is stuffed with compressible material so that it may be comfortably grappled with by the boy player. The head of the doll is spring-biased to resist displacement as are each of the arm and leg appendages. Hence when a boy player free-style wrestles with the doll by manipulating the head as well as the leg and arm appendages, the player exerts various sets of muscles to do so, thereby promoting his general state of fitness.

Abstract: An integrated assembly formed by a backpack that includes a bag having a front section to which shoulder straps are attached to form loops adapted to receive the arms of a wearer, and a raincoat having a rear panel whose upper section is joined to the front section of the bag, a separable front panel to permit the wearer to don the raincoat, and a pair of sleeves. In the passive mode of the assembly, the raincoat is folded to form a flat compact that lies against the front section of the bag and is joined thereto, the compact then being adjacent the back of the wearer of the backpack. In the active mode of the assembly, the compact is unfolded so that the raincoat then depends from the front section of the bag, the sleeves of the compact then being extended through the loops whereby when the wearer dons the raincoat and inserts his arms through the sleeves, the backpack is then carried over the raincoat.