Abstract: A system and method for capturing images of an object upon which retroreflective materials have been applied, wherein at least some of the retroreflective materials appear to glow in the image or video being captured. An array of LEDs is provided that operates in different color frequency ranges. The color frequency ranges correspond to the reflectivity profile of the retroreflective materials that are applied to the object being imaged. The LEDs are attached to the camera, wherein the LEDs shine light in a same direction as the line of sight of the camera. The LEDs being activated during image capture can be varied. The light from the colored sets of LEDs causes retroreflective materials to appear. When recorded with the camera, the resulting images cause the retroreflective materials to glowing brightly in contrast to other objects in the captured image.

Abstract: A pop action toy assembly having a disc with a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral edge. The disc is formed to have a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration, wherein the disc can be inverted between the two stable configurations. The disc assumes the first stable configuration when symmetrically bent around a first axis so that its top surface is concave. The disc assumes its second stable configuration when symmetrically bent around a second axis so that the top surface is convex. The first axis and second axis are in the same plane and are generally perpendicular to each other. The invertible pop action toy is manually set into its second stable configuration. The invertible pop action toy is then dropped against a hard surface. Upon impact with the surface, the invertible pop action toy snaps back into its first stable configuration.

Abstract: A system and method of illuminating a target object even when the target object is otherwise well illuminated by ambient light. Retroreflective material is provided on the exterior of the target object. The retroreflective material is pigmented to primarily reflect light within a predetermined frequency range. An illumination assembly is provided that contains a first light source and a second light source. The first light source and the second light source produce beams of light that are perceived stereoscopically. The primary wavelength of each of the stereoscopic beams of light falls within the predetermined frequency range. When the beams of light strike the retroreflective material, the retroreflective material shines even in bright ambient light.

Abstract: A system and method of illuminating a portable object even when the object is otherwise well illuminated by ambient light. Retroreflective material is provided on the exterior of the portable object. The retroreflective material may be pigmented to absorb most light and reflects only light within a predetermined frequency range. An illumination assembly is provided that contains a first light source and a second light source. The first light source and the second light source are positioned a short distance apart so that they produce stereoscopic beams of light. Each of the stereoscopic beams of light is monochromatic. Furthermore, the frequency of each of the stereoscopic beams of light falls within the predetermined frequency range. When the stereoscopic beams of light strike the retroreflective material, it shines even in bright ambient light.

Abstract: A pop action toy assembly having a disc with a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral edge. The disc is formed to have a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration, wherein the disc can be inverted between the two stable configurations. The disc assumes the first stable configuration when symmetrically bent around a first axis so that its top surface is concave. The disc assumes its second stable configuration when symmetrically bent around a second axis so that the top surface is convex. The first axis and second axis are in the same plane and are generally perpendicular to each other. The invertible pop action toy is manually set into its second stable configuration. The invertible pop action toy is then dropped against a hard surface. Upon impact with the surface, the invertible pop action toy snaps back into its first stable configuration.

Abstract: A system and method of illuminating a target object even when the target object is otherwise well illuminated by ambient light. Retroreflective material is provided on the exterior of the target object. The retroreflective material is pigmented to primarily reflect light within a predetermined frequency range. An illumination assembly is provided that contains a first light source and a second light source. The first light source and the second light source produce beams of light that are perceived stereoscopically. The primary wavelength of each of the stereoscopic beams of light falls within the predetermined frequency range. When the beams of light strike the retroreflective material, the retroreflective material shines even in bright ambient light.

Abstract: An accelerometer assembly and its method of operation. The accelerometer assembly is designed to be very low cost and robust. This enables the accelerometer assembly to be used in traditionally inexpensive consumer products. The accelerometer assembly uses one or more molded elastomeric structures. Each of the elastomeric structures has a flexible neck section and a head section that is supported by the flexible neck section. The head section of the elastomeric structure is placed between a light source and a photodetector. The head section partially obscures the photodetector from the light source. As the elastomeric structure experiences acceleration forces, the neck section flexes and the head section moves. This varies the degree in which the head section obscures the photodetector. The amount of light detected by the photodetector, therefore, becomes a measure of changing acceleration forces.

Abstract: A self-righting toy having a base with a convex-shaped exterior bottom surface. A watertight internal chamber is disposed within the base. Liquid fill material is used to fill the internal chamber. The liquid fill material is visible through the material of the convex bottom surface. Flotsam objects are disposed within the internal chamber that swirl within the liquid fill material when the liquid fill material is disturbed. A toy body section is affixed to the base. The toy body section is lighter than the base. This causes the toy body section to self-right into an upright position when said self-righting toy is placed on a flat surface. In a variation of the self-righting toy, games can be formed within the internal chamber that are played by disturbing the flotsam objects swirling within the internal chamber.

Abstract: A rolling fluid-filled toy novelty having a transparent shell so that the fluid within the toy is visible. The toy novelty has a molded shell. A base is provided that is affixed to the molded shell. Together, the molded shell and base define a watertight internal chamber that is visible through the material of the molded shell. The internal chamber is filled with a liquid. Flotsam objects are disposed within the internal chamber that swirl within the liquid when the liquid is disturbed. A plurality of wheels are provided. The wheels enable the toy novelty to roll freely on a smooth surface. As the toy novelty is pushed, rolls and contacts other objects, the liquid within the toy vehicle becomes disturbed. The flotsam objects therefore swirl within the liquid, making the toy vehicle visually interesting to observe.

Abstract: A system and method of illuminating a portable object even when the object is otherwise well illuminated by ambient light. Retroreflective material is provided on the exterior of the portable object. The retroreflective material may be pigmented to absorb most light and reflects only light within a predetermined frequency range. An illumination assembly is provided that contains a first light source and a second light source. The first light source and the second light source are positioned a short distance apart so that they produce stereoscopic beams of light. Each of the stereoscopic beams of light is monochromatic. Furthermore, the frequency of each of the stereoscopic beams of light falls within the predetermined frequency range. When the stereoscopic beams of light strike the retroreflective material, it shines even in bright ambient light.

Abstract: A ball assembly and the corresponding method used to manufacture the ball assembly. The ball assembly has free-flowing material. The free-flowing material is confined by an inner shell. The inner shell is clear enough so that the free-flowing material can be viewed through the material of the inner shell. The inner shell is encapsulated in a much thicker outer shell. The outer shell is made of a high-resiliency polymer. The outer shell provides the ball assembly with the ability to bounce. Furthermore, the outer shell is preferably clear so that the free-moving material in the center of the ball assembly can be directly viewed through the structure of the ball assembly.

Abstract: A toy water ball assembly and its method of construction. The toy water ball has a transparent shell that defines an enclosed interior space. At least one partition is placed within the interior space. The partition divides the interior space into a plurality of isolated compartments that can be viewed through the material of the shell. Fill material is provided that is comprised primarily of liquid mixed with solid particulate matter. Each of the isolated compartments is filled with fill material, but not the same fill material. The fill material within at least two of the isolated compartments have different appearances when viewed through the transparent shell. The individual compartments may be separable from the whole.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric material. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. Sounding elements are disposed within the interior space of at least some of the secondary objects. The sounding elements are free moving and produce noise within said secondary objects when said novelty device is manually shaken.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.

Abstract: A toy airplane with a specialized launching configuration. The toy airplane has a body that extends between a nose and a tail. A roller assembly is disposed at the nose of the toy airplane. The roller assembly includes a free rotating finger roll that protrudes to the left and to the right of the nose. When a person launches the toy airplane, that person places his/her fingers behind the finger rolls on either side of the nose. As a person makes a throwing motion, the fingers roll off of the finger rolls just as the toy airplane is reaching its maximum velocity. The presence of the finger rolls, therefore, prevents a person from holding onto the toy airplane too long as it is being thrown.

Abstract: A plush toy that has a spinning nose construction. The plush toy includes a plush character form made of a sewn body shell that is filled with soft stuffing. The sewn body shell terminates along open seam edges in a head section. The open seam edges define an opening. A motor is positioned in the head section of the plush character form. The motor is positioned so that the shaft protrudes out of the head section through the opening. To prevent the motor from moving, the open seam edges of the sewn body shell are fastened directly to the motor. A nose structure is provided that is coupled to the motor. The nose structure includes a proboscis and a plurality of elongated elements that radially extend from the proboscis. An array of lights can be attached to at least one of the elongated elements.