Abstract: A moving, pulsed-light-source light sculpture display with communication between a stationary portion, i.e. the knobs and buttons and their corresponding electronics, and rotating and illuminated PCBs. An optical data link is implemented with an IR LED in the stationary base unit and an IR receiver on the rotating PCB. A user interface allows the user to easily draw in the 3D volume of the display in real time. The portion of the user interface used to create sculptures in the 3D volume of voxels includes multiple physical elements including knobs, pushbuttons, and a multi-position slide switch. Another element of the user interface is a movable blinking cursor in the display volume that indicates the current voxel being manipulated. User interface controls also provide functions for data in memory for saving/recalling user sculptures and animation. Animations are facilitated in which 3D volumes of the volumetric display move in synchronization.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sequence of modules, the sequence including an arbitrary number of modules, can be attached to a base. Each module has an identity. The base initiates an identification sequence, and each module provides its identity. In some embodiments, each module identifies itself in turn, until the end of the sequence is reached. In other embodiments, each module provides its identity substantially simultaneously, and then the identities, in order, are transferred to the base. In this way the number of modules, and the order of the modules in the sequence, can be recognized. The apparatus could be used, for example, as a toy.

Abstract: For toys that respond to touch to trigger a particular response, an activation system utilizes a non-contact capacitive proximity sensing system that permits activation when a finger, lips or other body part is close to a sensing area in the form of a hidden flat conductor under the surface of a toy so that actual touching of the sensor is not required to activate any of the functions of the toy. Low capacitance coaxial cable buried in the toy is used to connect the sensing area to the capacitance detection circuit so that only the capacitance of the sensing area is measured. Proximity sensing activation occurs when there is an increase in capacitance at the sensing area due to the proximity of a body part, with the change in capacitance being detected through the use of an RC circuit in the feedback loop of an oscillator whose frequency decreases when sensed capacitance increases.

Abstract: A rotary control for control surface on a processor, like on a large scale audio mixer or other system, includes an illuminated display for angular position, such as lights arranged in an arcuate pattern indicating the value of a parameter by an angular position, on the top of the knob. By placing the display directly on the top of the knob, a crisp illumination is provided allowing an operator to obtain rapid visual feedback concerning the parameters under control. Furthermore, the display allows a variety of display modes, which are suited to the particular parameter under control. The rotary control comprises a stator mounted on the control surface which has a proximal end adjacent to control surface and a distal end. An array of lights is mounted on the distal end of the stator and arranged in an arcuate pattern. A rotor is mounted on the stator, and operable by an operator. The rotor has a shape near the distal end so that the array of lights is visible to the operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.