Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover with a cavity and a back plate that fits within the cavity of the cover. The cover has an aperture that displays either the back plate or an electronic device, if an electronic device is housed in the protective case. The cover may contain at least one locking latch with three orientations, the locking latch includes a tab. In the first orientation, the tab protrudes into the cavity, engages the back plate, holding the back plate within the cavity of the cover. The locking latch may slide across a portion of the cover to the second orientation, where the tab continues to protrude into the cavity and engage the back plate. Once in the second position, the locking latch is free to rotate to the third position, where the tab no longer protrudes into the cavity, allowing the back plate to be removed from the cavity.

Abstract: A protective case for a portable electronic device includes a top and a bottom that define an interior configured to receive a portable electronic device. The top and bottom are hingedly coupled to one another along at least one side and removably coupled together by a latch along another side, opposite the hinged side. The latch includes two actuators and in order to open the protective case, both actuators must be actuated simultaneously.

Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover with a cavity and a back plate that fits within the cavity of the cover. The cover has an aperture that displays either the back plate or an electronic device, if an electronic device is housed in the protective case. The cover may contain at least one locking latch with three orientations, the locking latch includes a tab. In the first orientation, the tab protrudes into the cavity, engages the back plate, holding the back plate within the cavity of the cover. The locking latch may slide across a portion of the cover to the second orientation, where the tab continues to protrude into the cavity and engage the back plate. Once in the second position, the locking latch is free to rotate to the third position, where the tab no longer protrudes into the cavity, allowing the back plate to be removed from the cavity.

Abstract: A base with beveled edges for conductive toys is a base for toy objects, such as toy figurines and other hand-held objects, that supports a toy object and encourages a user to grab the toy at or above a top portion of the base. In order to encourage a user to grab a toy that is supported by the base, the base includes a beveled edge, such as an inwardly sloping side wall. Thus, when used in conjunction with a touchscreen device, the base encourages a user to grab a toy supported thereon at a distance from the surface of the touchscreen device.

Abstract: A toy play set with multiple modes and a housing for a touchscreen portable electronic device includes a support structure, a first movable portion defining a housing configured to receive a portable electronic device, and a second movable portion. The first and second movable portions are rotatably coupled to the support structure and movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first movable portion is in an upright orientation and in the second configuration the first movable portion is in a flat orientation. The portable electronic device is configured to provide different game modes depending at least upon the orientation of the first movable portion and the detection of certain toy objects thereon.

Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover and a back plate that are hingedly coupled to one another. The cover has a locking plate hingedly coupled to the top of the cover. A latching mechanism is disposed on the top of the back plate. The locking plate is configured to rotate over the cover and back plate and be engaged by the latching mechanism, locking the cover and back plate together. Furthermore, a portable electronic device is configured to be enclosed by the cover and the back plate, which provide protection for the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for navigating among activity programs in the memory of a portable handheld multifunction electronic system. Simultaneously displaying on contact-sensitive display a plurality of category icons and a subcategory icon associated with a currently selected subcategory, each category icon having a link to one or more activity programs. If a category has been selected, replacing the plurality of displayed category icons with one or more activity program icons, each of the one or more displayed activity program icons corresponding to a separate one of the activity programs belonging to the selected category and to the currently selected subcategory. If another subcategory has been selected, at least changing the link of each separate displayed category icon to a different one or more activity programs, the different one or more activity program being associated the another subcategory and with each category of the category icons being displayed.

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a any of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory modules, at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.

Abstract: A method for navigating among activity programs in the memory of a portable handheld multifunction electronic system. Simultaneously displaying on contact-sensitive display a plurality of category icons and a subcategory icon associated with a currently selected subcategory, each category icon having a link to one or more activity programs. If a category has been selected, replacing the plurality of displayed category icons with one or more activity program icons, each of the one or more displayed activity program icons corresponding to a separate one of the activity programs belonging to the selected category and to the currently selected subcategory. If another subcategory has been selected, at least changing the link of each separate displayed category icon to a different one or more activity programs, the different one or more activity program being associated the another subcategory and with each category of the category icons being displayed.

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 device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a ny of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory, modules; at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.

Abstract: The invention is a valve for a microwavable container having a flexible lid. The valve has two posts extending from one side of a body member, and the posts correspond to two apertures in the lid. The cross-sectional area of the posts are larger than the apertures in the lid, and the distal portions of the posts are larger than the proximal portions. When the posts are engaged with the apertures a liquid-tight seal is formed. One post can be removed from its corresponding aperture to create a vent for microwave cooking, while the other post remains engaged with the lid to anchor the valve to the lid. The body portion of the valve extends beyond the vent post and preferably flares upwardly and fans laterally to form a tab to facilitate opening of the vent. The body portion also preferably has a thin between the posts in a direction substantially perpendicular to the line of the posts to facilitate hinging of the valve.

Abstract: A compact portable transparency illuminator in the form of a thin light board includes a wafer-thin electroluminescent panel as the illuminating element, with the panel being no more than 1/32nd of an inch in thickness in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the panel is driven by an inverter or controller which converts battery power to 1,000-2,000 Hertz 120 volt AC. In general, the frequency at which the panel is driven is more than twice that normally utilized to drive electroluminescent panels in XY matrix displays to bring the color temperature of the light emitted to the 5,000-6,000 degree Kelvin range for true color viewing of the transparencies.