Abstract: A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle.

Abstract: A game that can be played by a plurality of players. The game includes a tile dispenser that contains a plurality of tiles that each have at least one letter indicia. The tile dispenser can dispense tiles in a manner so that each tile is claimed by one of the players. For example, when a tile is dispensed one of the players may yell “GOT IT” to claim a tile. The game also includes an organizing device that is adapted to organize words from the letter indicia of the dispensed tiles. For example, the organizing device may be a tray with compartments configured to hold a single tile. The game can be played by repeatedly dispensing, claiming and organizing tiles into words until all of the tiles are dispensed from the tile dispenser.

Abstract: A game unit for an electronic device. The game unit includes a tray adapted to receive the electronic device so that a display surface of said electronic device is in a horizontal position. The game unit also includes a plurality of input devices and a communication device that couples the input devices to the electronic device. Multiple users may provide input, individually or simultaneously, for the game through the input devices of the game unit. The game unit thus expands the number of players for a game operated by a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A token game set that includes a game board with a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary and rotating portions each having a plurality of token spaces. The game set also includes a plurality of tokens that are located on the token spaces. The game set can be played by initially placing a plurality of first tokens onto token spaces in a first area of the stationary portion, and a plurality of second tokens onto token spaces in a second area of the stationary portion. The first and second tokens may be moved into the rotating portion. The rotating portion is then rotated to move the positions of the first and second tokens. The game board can be arranged so that the tokens can be moved in accordance with the rules of “Chinese Checkers”.

Abstract: A game set that includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes a first controller that is coupled to a first motion sensor. The first controller causes the transmission of a wireless signal in response to movement of the first unit as sensed by the first motion sensor. The second unit includes a second controller that is coupled to an input device and a speaker The second controller causes the speaker to emit a sound that is a function of an input to the input device and the wireless signals.

Abstract: A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle.

Abstract: A game set that includes a plurality of tiles. Each tile has at least one indicia and at least one attachment feature that allows the tiles to be attached to each other in a three-dimensional manner. The tiles can be attached to create at least one visual image. For example, the indicia may be letters and the tiles can be attached in either horizontal or vertical directions to create words. A player may be provided a score that corresponds to the number of tiles attached by that player. The attachment of tiles allows the three-dimensional game to be played without a game board.

Abstract: An electronic game that awards the last player to correctly answer a question before the expiration of a timer. The game includes a plurality of buttons and corresponding indicators coupled to a housing. Within the housing is a controller that causes a question to be displayed on a screen. A timer also counts to a time interval. The controller activates an indicator associated with a button that was depressed last by a player that provides a correct answer to the question at the expiration of a timer. The last player can then move a token on a board. The player that moves their token to the end of the board wins the game.

Abstract: An electronic game that awards the last player to correctly answer a question before the expiration of a timer. The game includes a plurality of buttons and corresponding indicators coupled to a housing. A question is provided to the players. A timer counts to a time interval. The controller activates an indicator associated with a button that was depressed last by a player that provides a correct answer to the question at the expiration of the timer. The last player can then move a token on a board. The player that moves their token to the end of the board wins the game.

Abstract: An electronic system that includes a working surface and a camera that can capture a plurality of images on the working surface. The system also includes a control station that is coupled to the camera and has a monitor that can display the captured images. The monitor displays a moving graphical image having a characteristic that is a function of a user input on the working surface. By way of example, the graphical image may be a character created from markings formed on the working surface by the user. The system can then “animate” the character by causing graphical character movement.

Abstract: A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic game that awards the last player to correctly answer a question before the expiration of a timer. The game includes a plurality of buttons and corresponding indicators coupled to a housing. Within the housing is a controller that causes a question to be displayed on a screen. A timer also counts to a time interval. The controller activates an indicator associated with a button that was depressed last by a player that provides a correct answer to the question at the expiration of a timer. The last player can then move a token on a board. The player that moves their token to the end of the board wins the game.

Abstract: An electronic game that awards the last player to correctly answer a question before the expiration of a timer. The game includes a plurality of buttons and corresponding indicators coupled to a housing. A question is provided to the players. A timer counts to a time interval. The controller activates an indicator associated with a button that was depressed last by a player that provides a correct answer to the question at the expiration of the timer. The last player can then move a token on a board. The player that moves their token to the end of the board wins the game.

Abstract: A toy game set that includes a plurality of buttons coupled to a housing. The housing includes a processor and speaker that can generate music. The buttons can be depressed by the user to move the figure. The user can move the figure in rhythm with the music. The figure can be a mechanical doll. Alternatively, the figure can be displayed by a screen.

Abstract: An electronic learning and entertainment system that includes a plurality of housings that can be coupled to an electronic module. Each housing has a plurality of input devices. The electronic module can be plugged into one of the housings and generate outputs that are unique to the housing. The input devices and corresponding module outputs may be designed for play by a specific age group. Thus each housing can be operated by a user of a certain age. By way of example, one housing may be designed to by operated by an infant, another housing may be designed to be operated by a user in the 2-5 year age group, etc.

Abstract: A padlock that can display a message. The padlock includes on output device such as a screen that can display the message. The message can be entered through buttons or keys on the padlock. The screen is controlled by a circuit that can store multiple messages. The circuit can be programmed to operate in different modes. For example, in one mode the message is only displayed when a user enters an appropriate code into the padlock.