Abstract: A toy construction system includes a plurality of interconnectable building elements; a control system that generates an electromagnetic signal; a vibration speaker including a moveable permanent magnet; and a support building element mechanically linked to the permanent magnet of the vibration speaker. The vibration speaker includes a coil that is moveable relative to the permanent magnet. One or more of the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate in a manner that is based on the electromagnetic signal. The vibration speaker also includes a sound producer that is mechanically linked to the coil to vibrate with the coil as the coil vibrates. The coil vibrates relative to the permanent magnet to produce an audible sound, and the permanent magnet vibrates to cause the support building element to vibrate and animate interconnectable building elements linked to the support building element.

Abstract: A toy construction system includes a plurality of interconnectable building elements; a control system that generates an electromagnetic signal; a vibration speaker including a moveable permanent magnet; and a support building element mechanically linked to the permanent magnet of the vibration speaker. The vibration speaker includes a coil that is moveable relative to the permanent magnet. One or more of the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate in a manner that is based on the electromagnetic signal. The vibration speaker also includes a sound producer that is mechanically linked to the coil to vibrate with the coil as the coil vibrates. The coil vibrates relative to the permanent magnet to produce an audible sound, and the permanent magnet vibrates to cause the support building element to vibrate and animate interconnectable building elements linked to the support building element.

Abstract: A non-burnout controller for a switching coil is disclosed. The controller has a pulse timer, a relay switch, and an actuation switch. After being reset and actuated, the pulse timer defines a pulse having a predetermined pulse period. The relay switch has a switch actuation input for receiving the pulse and first and second switch outputs for being electrically coupled to first and second taps of the switching coil. The relay switch places a switching voltage across the outputs during the pulse period such that the switching coil has a switching current running therethrough. The relay switch places a substantially zero voltage across the outputs before and after the pulse period such that the switching coil has substantially no switching current running therethrough. The actuation switch has first and second positions. Upon being changed to the first position, the actuation switch resets the timer, whereby the switching coil has substantially no current running therethrough.