Abstract: A light string includes a plurality of remote units and a control unit. Each of the plurality of remote units includes a microcontroller and is connected to a plurality of lights. Each microcontroller stores one or more programs for controlling the lights in the plurality of lights. The control unit is connected to the plurality of remote units by a power supply line. The control unit sends information via the power supply line to the plurality of remote units. The information indicates a program of the one or more programs to be executed by the microcontroller of each of the remote units to individually control the plurality of lights.

Abstract: An addressable light strand having a controller and a plurality of light modules, with a further plurality of lights. The control module includes a rectifier configured to provide the power output; and a control circuit configured to provide a data output. The plurality of light modules are connected in series. Each of the plural light modules has a zener diode that has an anode and a cathode, the anode is coupled to the power output of the control module and the cathode is coupled to an anode of a next serially connected light module. The light module also includes a semiconductor device having at least a power connection and a ground connection. The power connection is connected to the cathode of the zener diode and the ground connection is coupled to the anode of the zener diode.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing content over the Internet wherein a user accesses a service provider server to view a character icon provided by the service provider to a user interface device. The user will select web site addresses of subscriber target sites where the user can access enhancement content for the character icon to provide functionality to the character icon such as for animating the character icon on the user device. Addresses for such web sites may be provided to the user based on a particular character icon selection which may, in and of itself, signify interests and/or demographic information of the user. Access to enhancement content will be provided by accessing authorization codes present at the target sites. In a preferred embodiment, only certain enhancement content will be operable on certain character icons, thus requiring the user to locate enhancement content that is compatible with the user's character icon.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing content over the Internet wherein a user accesses a service provider server to view a character icon provided by the service provider to a user interface device. The user will select web site addresses of subscriber target sites where the user can access enhancement content for the character icon to provide functionality to the character icon such as for animating the character icon on the user device. Addresses for such web sites may be provided to the user based on a particular character icon selection which may, in and of itself, signify interests and/or demographic information of the user. Access to enhancement content will be provided by accessing authorization codes present at the target sites. In a preferred embodiment, only certain enhancement content will be operable on certain character icons, thus requiring the user to locate enhancement content that is compatible with the user's character icon.

Abstract: An audio-visual display device for pictorial artwork is disclosed. The preferred embodiment has a universal backbox which contains a lightboard capable of lighting up any and/or all sections of a pictorial artwork placed above it, a hidden electric eye for detecting when the viewer wishes to see a snippet of an audio-visual sequence, a speaker, a memory for storing snippets of an audio sequence, and a microprocessor which receives signals from the electric eye and controls the speaker and the lightboard in accordance with an audio-visual sequence which brings to life the pictorial artwork.

Abstract: A controller for controlling decorative light displays includes plural outlet ports for providing power to a plurality of decorative light strings. The controller alternately illuminates and dims the different lights strings according to a variety of synchronized patterns.

Abstract: An amusement device includes a housing (21), a drive disk (30) which is mounted for rotation in the housing (21), a target disk (40) which is mounted for rotation with respect to the drive disk (30), targets (50) which are mounted for rotation on the target disk (40), and a drive unit (20) which can drive the drive disk (30) in either of two rational directions. The target disk (40) is connected to the drive disk (30) so that the target disk (40) rotates synchronously with the drive disk (30) during steady-state rotation of the drive disk (30), and so that the target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to the drive disk when the direction of the rotation of the drive disk (30) is reversed, ans so that targets (50) rotate with respect to the target disk (40) when the target disk (40) rotates with respect to the drive disk (30).

Abstract: A controller for controlling decorative light displays includes plural outlet ports for providing power to a plurality of decorative light strings. The controller alternately illuminates and dims the different lights strings according to a variety of synchronized patterns.

Abstract: A display device for displaying to a viewer a message or a story, preferably accompanied by synchronized sound. The display device comprises a plurality of multi-sided, rotatable display elements, each side or panel bearing a visual image. The display elements are selectively rotated, preferably in groups, according to a predetermined sequence such that a message or story unfolds, step by step, to the viewer as different panels are displayed.

Abstract: An audio-visual display device for pictorial artwork is disclosed. The preferred embodiment has a universal backbox which contains a lightboard capable of lighting up any and/or all sections of a pictorial artwork placed above it, a hidden electric eye for detecting when the viewer wishes to see a snippet of an audio-visual sequence, a speaker, a memory for storing snippets of an audio sequence, and a microprocessor which receives signals from the electric eye and controls the speaker and the lightboard in accordance with an audio-visual sequence which brings to life the pictorial artwork.

Abstract: A display device for displaying to a viewer a message or a story, preferably accompanied by synchronized sound. The display device comprises a plurality of multi-sided, rotatable display elements, each side or panel bearing a visual image. The display elements are selectively rotated, preferably in groups, according to a predetermined sequence such that a message or story unfolds, step by step, to the viewer as different panels are displayed.

Abstract: A display device for displaying to a viewer a message or a story, preferably accompanied by synchronized sound. The display device comprises a plurality of multi-sided, rotatable display elements, each side or panel bearing a visual image. The display elements are selectively rotated, preferably in groups, according to a predetermined sequence such that a message or story unfolds, step by step, to the viewer as different panels are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing content over the Internet wherein a user accesses a service provider server to view a character icon provided by the service provider to a user interface device. The user will select web site addresses of subscriber target sites where the user can access enhancement content for the character icon to provide functionality to the character icon such as for animating the character icon on the user device. Addresses for such web sites may be provided to the user based on a particular character icon selection which may, in and of itself, signify interests and/or demographic information of the user. Access to enhancement content will be provided by accessing authorization codes present at the target sites. In a preferred embodiment, only certain enhancement content will be operable on certain character icons, thus requiring the user to locate enhancement content that is compatible with the user's character icon.

Abstract: A yo-yo has a recess in one of its faces accommodating a timepiece. The yo-yo is be releasably accommodated in a base, and the base may be worn on a user's person by various means including a wristband in the manner of a wristwatch, a fob or a watch chain in the manner of a pocket watch, a necklace in the manner of a necklace watch, or a holster.

Abstract: A modular dynamic dialogue animated display device for recreating a story that is divided into a stored sequence of storyline events which are sequentially retrieved by a processor. Each storyline event comprises at least one of playing a selected audio block or movement of a moveable display element. The processor generates sequential control signals which initiate performance of corresponding storyline events such that precise synchronization between audio and movement is provided. The display includes a universal main assembly which may be manufactured in a single tooling for use with different storylines, and sub-assemblies are mounted to the main assembly in accordance with the particular storyline being depicted. Alternatively, a plurality of individual display devices may be arranged one after another whereby a previous display device actuates performance in a next display device in order to depict different scenes from a single storyline.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative door chime particularly well suited to festive occasions. The chime includes a speaker which is suspended on one side of the door by a strap, and a door-knocker actuated trigger switch suspended on the other side of the door by the strap. The strap encloses the electrical connections between the speaker and the trigger. The sound generator plays songs, tone sequences, recorded voice messages, etc., in response to actuation of the trigger switch.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a spoken audio signal as input data to a computer includes receiving the spoken audio signal at an input device of the computer, receiving a typed first letter of the spoken audio signal at the input device of the computer and searching through entries that begin with the typed first letter in a dictionary in the computer for a best match with the spoken audio signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative door chime particularly well suited to festive occasions. The chime includes a speaker which is suspended on one side of the door by a strap, and a door-knocker actuated trigger switch suspended on the other side of the door by the strap. The strap encloses the electrical connections between the speaker and the trigger. The sound generator plays songs, tone sequences, recorded voice messages, etc., in response to actuation of the trigger switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative door chime particularly well suited to festive occasions. The chime's speaker element is suspended on one side of the door, and a door-knocker actuated trigger switch on the other side of the door, by a strap. The strap encloses the electrical connections between them, hiding and protecting them. A mounting clip is slidably attached to the strap for securing and positioning wreaths and other similar decorations. The sound generator plays songs, tone sequences, recorded voice messages etc. in response to actuation of the trigger switch.