Abstract: An electronic substitute bus driver system for school buses to provide improved student safety and student control. The system includes (1) a music module for broadcasting soothing music through a speaker system on the school bus during transit, (2) an announcement module for selectively announcing instructions and student drop off locations through the speaker system, wherein the announcement module automatically overrides the music module, (3) a GPS system integrated with the announcement module to provide the student drop off locations and bus routing information, and (4) a route selection module integrated with the GPS system for providing bus routing information to the driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a message center including a substantially rectangular tray having side walls, a raised peripheral edge adjacent the side walls and at least one raised dividing wall having dividing wall ends, the dividing wall being connected on its ends to the raised peripheral edge defining at least first and second recessed sections. One of the recessed section includes a non-electronic visual display component. A second recessed section includes an audio record/playback device. At least one of the side walls contains an opening for holding a writing utensil. The message center also includes a back cover attached to the tray defining a cavity on an opposite side of the tray from the recessed sections between the back cover and the tray, the back cover including means for attaching the message center to a surface.

Abstract: An audio and visual message center provides a plurality of communication devices for family members, students or co-workers. The message center has one or more visual communication devices selected from an erasable board, a calendar, a pressure sensitive adhesive surface area, a cork board, a felt pad, a clip board, a note pad or a metal surface. The message center provides an audio message communication in a record/playback device.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to methods and systems for printing. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for printing using a disposable substrate containing an essentially dry layer of microcapsules which contain a colorless dye solution in a first substrate region and a substantially dry layer of dye developing compound in a second substrate region. The disposable printing system according to the invention provides a reduced availability for bacterial growth and transfer due to its essentially dry characteristics.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to methods mid systems for printing. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for printing using a disposable substrate containing an essentially dry layer of microcapsules which contain a colorless dye solution in a first substrate region and a substantially dry layer of dye developing compound in a second substrate region. The disposable printing system according to the invention provides a reduced availability for bacterial growth and transfer due to its essentially dry characteristics.

Abstract: A method for producing printed layers of water color inks is disclosed for providing palettes of color which may be wetted and transferred. A specially prepared ink is printed in a typical printing process to produce a palette on a substrate for subsequent re-wetting and transfer by a user. The ink is preferably printed using silk screen or flexographic processes to produce a layer of ink on the palette which is sufficiently thick to allow it to be re-wetted and transferred. The method is particularly useful for preparing limited use palettes for use in painting kits. Such palettes provide water color paints having microencapsulated fragrances for painting "scent pictures". The use of traditional printing processes to provide a transferable palette of colors on substrates such as paper allows the cost of preparing such palettes to be substantially reduced, such that single use, disposable palettes are economically feasible.