Abstract: Componentry is added to a conventional universal remote device to enable it to cooperate with a set to beacon to position a cursor or arrow on a television or other display screen and to allow the remote control to perform the functions of a conventional personal computer “mouse” in connection with the cursor, such as, for example, “clicking” on icons on the screen. A wide angle sensor and a stepped beacon pulse are used to increase range of the device, and the beacon pulse sent to the infrared sensor is automatically disabled upon detection of activity on the universal remote section.

Abstract: A positioning controller having a receiving side for receiving light from a light source is disclosed. The receiving side includes an axis extending perpendicularly therefrom, and a vertical plane and a horizontal plane intersecting at the axis. The positioning controller includes three sensors. The reference sensor is positioned between the other two sensors, and is masked to receive light within a predetermined range of acute angles measured from the axis. One of the other two sensors is a vertical angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the horizontal plane and from a second side of the horizontal plane. The third sensor is a horizontal angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the vertical plane than from a second side of the vertical plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand attachment for providing command signals to control movement of at least one object responsive to hand movement. The hand attachment includes a glove base assembly having an upper surface including a palm surface and a finger surface. The finger surface has a plurality of finger pads, each depressible by a finger of a user wearing the hand attachment to cause a specific movement of the object. A glove is attached to the glove base assembly such that at least a portion of the glove overlays the palm surface. At least one sensing device detects directional movement of a user's hand relative to the user's arm. Electronics within the glove base assembly convert the detected directional movement to command signals for controlling the movement of the object in directions corresponding to the movement.

Abstract: A positioning controller having a receiving side for receiving light from a light source is disclosed. The receiving side includes an axis extending perpendicularly therefrom, and a vertical plane and a horizontal plane intersecting at the axis. The positioning controller includes three sensors. The reference sensor is positioned between the other two sensors, and is masked to receive light within a predetermined range of acute angles measured from the axis. One of the other two sensors is a vertical angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the horizontal plane and from a second side of the horizontal plane. The third sensor is a horizontal angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the vertical plane than from a second side of the vertical plane.

Abstract: An ergonomic hand-attachable controller for providing command signals to control movement of at least one object responsive to hand movement. The ergonomic hand-attachable controller includes a base with a top surface configured to support a palm of a user's hand. A plurality of planar finger members may be provided which incorporate at least one finger pad which is operable to control movement of a remote object. At attachment member is provided to secure a hand of a user with the top surface of the controller. Electronics within the ergonomic hand-attachable controller convert movement of a user's hand and fingers to command signals for controlling the movement of a remote object.

Abstract: The present invention is a remote control targeting and control system for use with a standard raster scanned television and an associated gaming unit. The remote control system includes a mobile transceiver and a fixed transceiver which communicates with the gaming system. The system implements a simple communication system which allows the mobile transceiver to ordinarily transmit position data and to periodically transmit button press data. The mobile transceiver includes an electro-optic detector for observing when a scan line crosses a target area. Each time a scan line is detected, the mobile transceiver transmits a pulse to the fixed unit, based upon which the gaming unit translate the pulse into position data based on the time of its detection. The button press data is transmitted synchronously with the raster scanned television in that the fixed transceiver is caused to transmit a single pulse during each vertical retrace of the television.

Abstract: A hand-held controller for an electronic gaming system wherein each of one or more players can control two gaming objects at the same time. A joystick-like thumb operated directional switch, mounted in a housing, is used to select or control the movement of a primary object and an optical detection/pointing system, carried in the same housing, is used to select or control the movement a secondary object.

Abstract: The present invention is a remote control targeting and control system for use with a standard raster scanned television and an associated gaming unit. The remote control system includes a mobile transceiver and a fixed transceiver which communicates with the gaming system. The system implements a simple communication system which allows the mobile transceiver to ordinarily transmit position data and to periodically transmit button press data. The mobile transceiver includes an electro-optic detector for observing when a scan line crosses a target area. Each time a scan line is detected, the mobile transceiver transmits a pulse to the fixed unit, based upon which the gaming unit translate the pulse into position data based on the time of its detection. The button press data is transmitted synchronously with the raster scanned television in that the fixed transceiver is caused to transmit a single pulse during each vertical retrace of the television.

Abstract: A doll containing an endless loop tape deck having multiple tracks speaking in a normal tone and volume when a switch in its hand is closed and in a whisper tone and volume when a switch in its chest is closed. Certain tracks of the tape are for whispered message. Other tracks are for normal voice messages. Each of the multiple message segments recorded on the tape may vary in length between segments and between the tracks in a segment. A buffer zone between segments allows all tracks in each segment to que up regardless of the varying length of the messages on each track within the previous segment. A low frequency signal of 40 Hz equalizes the length of the messages on each track within each segment. The low frequency signal overlays the signals on the whisper track. The system will shut off whenever there is more than a short duration of blank space on the track. The 40-Hz signal keeps the tape mechanism active during vocal phrases and during reproduction of the whisper segments.

Abstract: An interactive, articulated talking toy talks and moves certain of its body parts (eyes, mouth, head and arms) under microprocessor control on the basis of the program material selected from a tape storage device incorporated in the body of the toy. The material selected is determined by a human's response to questions asked by the toy. The material stored on tape contains both audio and data. The processor chooses a particular one of a possible three audio tracks stored on tape on the basis of the specific response or nonresponse made by a human. The data track provides data to the processor which causes it to control the toy's body parts in concert with the audio program being reproduced. The toy has limited word recognition capabilities. The result is the appearance of interaction between the toy and a human by the toy's movement of its body parts and its speech seeming to respond to the human's input.

Abstract: A mechanism for animating a doll's jaw, eyes and eyelids. A single motor powers all three movements. The eyes and jaw are connected to the motor such that they continually move while the motor is in operation, while the eylids are connected to the motor such that reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor causes the eyelids to blink once. All movements are therefore controlled by controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the motor. Thus, movement of the jaw can be synchronized with a sound track, the eyes move in an apparently random path, and the eyelids blink at random intervals independent of the other facial features' position or movements.

Abstract: Audio signals and digital commands are encoded into a standard raster format television signal recorded on a casette for play by a home video cassette unit. The audio signals are encoded in the displayable video as modulated carrier pulses separated by return to median intervals with the audio waveforms being tapered near discontinuities. The digital commands are recorded as binary level pulses, one such pulse occupying substantially an entire video line to permit accurate decoding.

Abstract: A compact magnetic tape transport system employing a novel interchangeable tape cartridge and tape drive unit is described. All modes of transport, including forward, fast forward, rewind and pause are accomplished by simply controlling the speed and direction of rotation of a single motor. All access for reading and transporting the tape is provided at the peripheral edges of the tape cartridge. A protective door is automatically placed about the peripheral edges of the tape cartridge upon its removal from the tape drive unit.

Abstract: A system providing user interaction with a video display provided to a standard television set by a home video cassette unit employing a standard video cassette having a video signal recorded thereon, the video signal having four or more audio channels and digital commands encoded therein, the system including apparatus for generating and moving a cursor on the television screen and a digital processor responsive to commands encoded on the cassette, to the cursor position and/or to viewer selections to control the video displayed and the audio output by the television receiver.

Abstract: An animated audio doll whose mouth can be driven by replaceable tape cartridges is provided. The doll has a head member with simulated eyes and mouth that can open and close. Uni-directional direct current motors are provided in the body of the doll and are connected to the respective eyes and mouth through flexible driven links that protect the motor if either the eyes or the mouth are held stationary. The tape cartridge can be encoded with audio signals, a base frequency and a pair of coordinated frequency timing signals. The tape player can convert the frequency timing signals into digital signal levels while a binary switch member can determine when the mouth is in a closed position. A level detector circuit can determine whether the first or second timing signals are present and a logic circuit can, in combination with the timing signals and the output from the binary switch, drive the DC motor connected to the mouth in coordination with the audio sounds.

Abstract: A system and method for adapting a multi-purpose electronic flash for use with an automatic exposure control camera is disclosed. The system responds to a ready signal from the multi-purpose flash and a reference signal from the automatic exposure control camera by providing a signal representative of the correct aperture for a given film speed (ASA) and range of flash to subject distances. Film speed is provided to the system by setting one portion of a variable resistance, while range is provided to the system by setting another portion of the variable resistance which is associated with a graded density optical filter located in front of the photosensor. A bipolar range about the reference signal is established to permit positive or negative signal excursions about the reference signal for indication of correct aperture. A scaling amplifier may also be provided for signal conditioning to ensure compatibility with the camera.

Abstract: A system and method for adapting a multi-purpose electronic flash for use with an automatic exposure control camera is disclosed. The system responds to a ready signal from the multi-purpose flash and a reference signal from the automatic exposure control camera by providing a signal representative of the correct aperture for a given film speed (ASA) and range of flash to subject distances. Film speed is provided to the system by setting one portion of a variable resistance, while range is provided to the system by setting another portion of the variable resistance which is associated with a graded density optical filter located in front of the photosensor. A bipolar range about the reference signal is established to permit positive or negative signal excursions about the reference signal for indication of correct aperture. A scaling amplifier may also be provided for signal conditioning to ensure compatibility with the camera.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system and apparatus for providing an indication of proper photographic exposure for lighting conditions which include both flash and continuous light sources. An optical sensor provides a signal representative of instantaneous existing lighting conditions either to a logarithmic amplifier for continuous lighting condition measurement or to an integrator controlled by a timer for flash ambient lighting condition measurement. A sample and hold circuit receives the integrator output and provides the same to the logarithmic amplifier which is calibrated with respect to the optical sensor. The logarithmic amplifier supplies either continuous or flash exposure indicia to a display, which may comprise either a digital display or a motorized dial. An accessory program input is provided between the logarithmic amplifier and the display to receive compensating signals from optical accessories that may be mated to the optical sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flash adapter system and a plurality of flash adapters thereof having substantial common mechanical and electrical components. Each adapter of the system includes an adaptive circuit module and a sensor circuit providing an input to the adaptive circuit module which may represent light falling upon the adapter. Each adapter may further include innerface circuitry to adapt each adapter to specific and unique camera signals associated with various automatic cameras. A sensitivity adjustment mechanism adjusts the sensitivity of a photosensor in accordance with at least one parameter and may further be adapted to serve as a calculator which relates film sensitivity and camera aperture.