Abstract: Toy vehicle sets may include a toy vehicle with an RFID transponder operable to produce an identification signal to identify the toy vehicle and an RFID reader configured to generate an electromagnetic field, detect an identification signal produced by an RFID transponder, and produce data representative of the identified toy vehicle. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle includes circuitry adapted to convert electromagnetic energy into power to operate the RFID transponder. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle includes a metal chassis with an aperture configured to support the RFID transponder and a transverse slot cut from an outer edge of the chassis to the aperture.

Abstract: A system for digital rights management in a portable digital media device is presented in which the portable digital device obtains a license for a digital media file with the assistance of a proxy application. A license request is formulated in and sent from the portable digital media device to a proxy application residing on a host device. The proxy application forwards the license request to a license server. The license server fulfills the license request and sends the license to the proxy application, which then forwards the license to the portable digital media device. The described digital rights management system implements a method for indirect or modified direct license acquisition.

Abstract: A recirculating water fountain configured for table/desk top use comprises a water reservoir, a plenum mounted above the reservoir and configured to accumulate a substantially still pool of water, and a pump operable to pump water upwardly from the reservoir to form the water pool in the plenum. The recirculating water fountain includes a visually open flow pathway sloping downward from beneath the plenum to receive water from a plenum overflow for return to the reservoir, and a controller for alternately defining a pump-on mode and a pump-off mode. The pump controller functions to define the pump-off mode in response to the water level in the reservoir falling below a first height mark and to prevent resumption of the pump-on mode until the water level in the reservoir exceeds a second height mark.

Abstract: Toy vehicle sets may include a toy vehicle with an RFID transponder operable to produce an identification signal to identify the toy vehicle and an RFID reader configured to generate an electromagnetic field, detect an identification signal produced by an RFID transponder, and produce data representative of the identified toy vehicle. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle includes circuitry adapted to convert electromagnetic energy into power to operate the RFID transponder. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle includes a metal chassis with an aperture configured to support the RFID transponder and a transverse slot cut from an outer edge of the chassis to the aperture.

Abstract: Data is encoded as a number of audio tones forming a leader tone, a series of tones forming a start symbol and a greater number of data symbols following the start symbol which are each formed of a group of audio tones. The information is transmitted from a speaker or similar transducer to a microphone or similar transducer. The microphone is coupled to the input of a personal computer within which software is operative to analyze and decode the information. The leader tone is used to determine any frequency inaccuracies or errors which have occurred in the system. Based upon detected frequency inaccuracy or deviation, a frequency offset is employed within the system upon all received audio tones to adapt the system to the frequency inaccuracies or errors and produce correct data.

Abstract: Magnetic assembly toys including magnetically assembled vehicles to which accessories may be attached. The magnetically assembled toy includes a plurality of components that are adapted to magnetically couple with one another. The toy includes at least one magnetic portion that is affixed to one of the plurality of components. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of components may be adapted to rotate.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer is coupled to a transmitter having a source of ultrasound signal. A receiving ultrasound transducer is coupled to a preamplifier and mixer. The mixer is further coupled to a demodulator and filter which in turn is coupled to an amplifier and a comparator. The comparator output is coupled to a controller which performs edge detection of the comparator output signal. The transmitter produces ultrasound energy which is reflected from an object to the receiving transducer. The shift in frequency between the transmitted ultrasound energy and the reflected ultrasound energy is used to determine the speed of the object by employing doppler effect. Frequency detection is enhanced by mixing the transmitted and reflected ultrasound signals to provide a beat frequency signal.

Abstract: A wrist unit includes a transmitting circuit capable of producing coded radio frequency signals. The wrist unit when worn by the user applies the encoded radio frequency signals to the users body and causes the encoded signal to propagate through the users body as a transferring medium. A cooperating device includes a receiving contact which the user touches to impart the body signal. A receiver and decoder within the cooperating device identify the user and enable a gate circuit which in turn opens access to the user of the microprocessor and cooperating circuitry within the unit. In the absence of a code match, the access to the cooperating device is refused.