Abstract: A car seat occupancy alert system includes an occupancy sensor imbedded in or positioned atop the seat portion of an infant car seat in a vehicle. The alert system includes an engine sensor configured to detect when a vehicle engine has been turned off. The occupancy sensor may be electrically connected to a controller (e.g. a control circuit or process). When the engine is deactivated, the controller determines if the car seat is still occupied after a predetermined time and, at first, energizes a dash light as a gentle reminder for the driver to retrieve the child and, later, actuates more aggressive audio and visual alarms to alert the driver and public to a child left in the vehicle. The alert system also provides an interrupt so that a user can add additional time before an alarm is actuated.

Abstract: A car seat occupancy alert system includes an occupancy sensor imbedded in or positioned atop the seat portion of an infant car seat in a vehicle. The alert system includes an engine sensor configured to detect when a vehicle engine has been turned off. The occupancy sensor may be electrically connected to a controller (e.g. a control circuit or process). When the engine is deactivated, the controller determines if the car seat is still occupied after a predetermined time and, at first, energizes a dash light as a gentle reminder for the driver to retrieve the child and, later, actuates more aggressive audio and visual alarms to alert the driver and public to a child left in the vehicle. The alert system also provides an interrupt so that a user can add additional time before an alarm is actuated.

Abstract: A game system is provided that is configured for providing a dynamic online and offline interactive experience. The game system includes two portions; an interactive apparatus and an interactive application. The interactive apparatus may be, but is not limited to, toys such as robots, dolls, vehicles, play sets, and board games. The game system is configured such that a user's interactions with one of the interactive apparatus and the interactive application may affect the continuation of the user's interactive experience with the other.

Abstract: USB host controller and USB devices, associated methods and computer products are provide that addresses specifically the limitation of the USB standard for USB device controllers to support other devices on alternative interfaces. The implementation is applicable to most USB host controllers and USB devices, and is particularly applicable to a game system that includes an accessory having a communication port and an interactive apparatus having a communication port operable to mate with the communication port of the accessory. The interactive apparatus is operable to identify a type of accessory coupled to the communication port of the interactive apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for time and space domain shifting of broadcast signals is disclosed. A broadcast station in a first geographic location transmits in a first time frame a broadcast signal to a local receiver also located in the first geographic location. The local receiver encodes the broadcast signal into an encoded signal capable of being transmitted via a world wide network, and then transmits the encoded signal via the world wide network. The transmitted encoded signal is received by a media player located within a second geographic location outside the first geographic location and coupled to the world wide network, and the encoded signal is decoded by the media player such that information contained within the signal is capable of being reproduced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a content player that allows a user to access media content through an information appliance. The content player is suitable for receiving media content from a network, then the media content may be transmitted to various information appliances. The information appliance is suitable for receiving the media content from the content player and conveying the media content. The information appliance, itself, may be capable of controlling the media content transmitted from the content player and received by the information appliance.