Abstract: The Present Invention is for a speaker system both standalone and in a phonograph that greatly reduces sympathetic vibration and feedback due to interaction of sound vibration transmitted from bass speakers to the chassis. The solution is twofold. First, the speakers are mounted in a substantially airtight enclosure. Second, the substantially airtight enclosure is suspended within the sound system chassis using elastic members in tension. A typical elastic member is an extension spring. In a phonograph, the elastic suspension almost completely isolates vibrations of the speaker enclosure from the phonograph chassis, thereby drastically reducing sympathetic vibration and feedback, and accommodating new depths of bass extension.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates an active stylus having switching function including a stylus body, a control apparatus and a pushing member. An accommodating space is formed inside the stylus body that includes a hollow part communicated with the accommodating space. The control apparatus has a circuit board disposed in the accommodating space and is connected electrically with a conductive elastomer of the hollow part. The pushing member is disposed on the surface of the stylus body and has control region thereof. Using the longitudinal displacement of the pushing member outside of the stylus body can change contact status between the conductive elastomer and the stylus body, further drive the circuit board to send different signal to the predetermined touch sensing device for switching touch control operations of different functions, and prevent user from mistakenly touching and opening the unexpected function operation while griping the stylus.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for inter-connectable multi-track media-based cards. There is provided a card for media playback, the card comprising a media output, a memory storing at least one of a plurality of media tracks of a media, a communications interface inter-connectable with one or more additional cards storing other media tracks of the plurality of media tracks of the media, and a media processor. The media processor is configured to detect, via the communications interface, any of the one or more additional cards connected to the communications interface to determine connected cards, and cause a playback of at least one of the plurality of media tracks in the memory in combination with at least one of the other media tracks of the plurality of media tracks on the connected cards. This enables concurrent playback of multi-track media-based trading cards, providing entertainment and collectible value for users.

Abstract: Methods, systems and storage media are disclosed for enhancing the sounds of any vehicle, motorized conveyance, vehicle simulator, video game or vehicle like device by feeding the output of a playback device of the invention fed by a storage medium of the invention containing signals including one or more sounds of an operating DEV of choice and a signal indicating the RPM of the operating vehicle, motorized conveyance, vehicle simulator, video game or vehicle like device into one or more speakers and/or headphones. DEV's (Driving enthusiast vehicles) includes performance vehicles, race cars, trucks, tanks, motorcycles, power boats and the like. Using the invention, a driver or passenger is able to produce, inside the passenger compartment of any vehicle, etc., the sounds that a DEV makes at the corresponding RPM's of the separate engines.

Abstract: An invented sound and image producing system is disclosed. The system may include a cartridge that stores, processes and controls data representative of sound and/or images, and a player that provides the interface, annunciation and transduction of sound and/or images. The cartridge includes a computer integrated circuit or chip that stores and transmits signals from which sound and/or images may be produced. The system also may include a source of signals representative of sound, an audio port associated with the source and through which signals representative of sound may be sent, and a device configured to receive and store signals representative of sound, and to produce sound from such signals, where the device is configured to connect with the audio port and to receive and store signals representative of sound transmitted from the source through the audio port to the device.

Abstract: A voice and other sounds to be are selected, the sounds are generated and recorded, the sounds are subjected to spectrum analysis and image processing the image-processed and displayed results of spectrum analysis are recorded on a recording medium. By rubbing the printed parts by a finger, sounds are produced.

Abstract: A desktop sound producing device for playing audio recordings from pre-recorded media having a plurality of individual selections recorded thereon. The device has a pyramid shaped housing having four side walls extending upward from a bottom wall to an apex forming a cavity therein. A playback mechanism is positioned within the cavity, and includes a means for storing pre-recorded media, and a processing means capable of providing an audio output signal from the pre-recorded median and amplifying the audio output signal for reproduction of the pre-recorded media through a speaker. The processing means can include an optical scanning system for reading pre-recorded media located on a compact disk. A control panel extends outwardly from one of the walls and includes a plurality of depressable keys electrically coupled to the processing means, wherein at least one of the keys is available for playing a single selection from the pre-recorded media.

Abstract: A method for illuminating a liquid crystal display device, a back-light assembly for performing the same and a liquid crystal display device using the same can improve the front luminance and production yield. Lights from a lamp is incident to a LCD panel side, which are then primarily diffused for a uniformity of the luminous flux of the incident lights. The luminous flux of the primarily diffused lights is condensed with respect to a first orientation component on a plane in parallel with the LCD panel, and then partially and secondarily diffused for extending a view angle of pixels of the LCD panel. After the luminous flux of the secondarily diffused lights is condensed with respect to a second orientation component perpendicular to the first orientation on the parallel plane, the condensed lights are illuminated onto the LCD panel.

Abstract: Sound recording and playback device comprising a sound pick-up microphone connected to a recording channel and a playback loudspeaker connected to a channel for playing the recorded sounds, characterised in that the microphone and the loudspeaker consist of one and the same component (5).

Abstract: A method for formatting digital data on an optical disk that represents at least two versions of the same program. Data sequences which are unique to each version and data sequences which are common to the two of them are interleaved in a single data stream. In order to achieve seamless play of both versions on a player that is compatible with the disk format but has limited buffer storage, data which would otherwise be common to both versions is placed redundantly in the data sequences which are unique to both versions.

Abstract: An audio device includes a plurality of control cards and an audio unit. Each control card has an edge margin provided with an identification label for identifying the same. The identification label includes an insulator portion and at least two electrically connected conductive strips on the insulator portion. The audio unit includes an audio housing formed with a card slot to permit extension of the edge margin of one of the control cards into the audio housing, and a memory module disposed in the audio housing for storing digitized audio data corresponding to the control cards therein. A control circuit controls the output of the digitized audio data from the memory module. A plurality of electrically conductive stripes connect the control circuit to the identification label on the edge margin of the control card that is extended into the card slot of the audio housing.

Abstract: A voice interactive sportscard, which through the use of an electronic microchip speech recognition, synthesis, and control processing device, actively draws the attention of the user by generating an interactive and changing conversation with the user, or the user may participate and be in audience between a set of voice interactive sportscards having their own group conversation. Generate physical interaction with the user by the use of a micro-vibrator and protect the voice interactive sportscard artwork from wear by the use of a non-mechanical touch sensitive activation/mode switch.

Abstract: A combination of a book with an audio device includes a book and an audio device attached to the back cover of the book for audibly reproducing predetermined text printed on the pages. Different identification labels are attached to the end edge of the pages. These labels are composed of an insulation tape with an U-shape conductive stripe printed thereon which is different for each page. The audio device includes a ROM memory having the spoken messages corresponding to the printed text on the pages pre-stored therein in digitized form. Other electronic components for audibly reproducing the spoken message are included. A contact plate pivotally secured on a lower section of the audio device contacts the identification labels on the book pages. A plurality of parallel disposed conductive stripes on the inner surface of the contact plate connect to the respective electronic components of the audio device.

Abstract: Program information of plural channels is recorded on an optical magnetic disk in such a manner that the program information can be simultaneously reproduced together from the disk. Once other program information is overwritten on part of any of the recording channels of the disk that has become unnecessary, a UTOC generation/UTOC recording/UTOC memory controlling section generates UTOC information that designates the overwritten section as a position to be reproduced and a section other than the overwritten section as a position to be silenced or muted, and records the generated UTOC information onto the UTOC area of the optical magnetic disk. As reproduction from the optical magnetic disk is performed, the UTOC information is read out so that reproduction signal is output at the position to be reproduced, and silence signal is output at the position to be silenced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a signal compression recording and reproducing method for cases wherein signals of similar frequency ranges occur sequentially. The method compresses a signal to record it without conversion into digital data, and then to reproduce the thus-compressed signal. The signal compression recording method determines a predetermined range, and detects an amplitude of a signal at a starting point, and a continuous period that the amplitude variation quantity from the starting point lasts within the upper and lower deviation limits, thereby recording the amplitude of the signal at the point and the continuous period. The signal reproducing method obtains the amplitude of the next signal and the current signal according to the state value, and reproduces the signal by the equation, ##EQU1## where m=1, 2, 3 . . . , a.sub.m .epsilon.{a.sub.1, a.sub.2, a.sub.3 . . . } (amplitude of the reproduced signal); n.sub.m .epsilon.{n.sub.1, n.sub.2, n.sub.3 . . . } (continuous period of the reproduced signal); N=1, 2 .

Abstract: A pen recorder comprises a hollow pen body having a proximal end and a distal end a solid state audio recorder in its interior. A retractable pen mechanism is mounted on the distal end of the pen body, and a microphone transducer and speaker transducer are mounted at the proximal end. The speaker transducer is transversely mounted across an open proximal end of the pen body so that the interior of the pen body acts as a resonator improving the sound quality of the speaker.

Abstract: An audio device controllable with a card having at least one operation identifying device related to a specific reproduction operation. The card is provided on the respective surfaces thereof with first and second items of visual data corresponding to the reproduction operation. The audio device has a card inlet, an optical sensor for detecting the mark of the card, and a system controller for controlling the device to realize the reproduction operation identified by the mark.

Abstract: A variable weight optical interconnector is disclosed to include a projecting device and an interconnection weighting device remote from the projecting device. The projecting device projects a distribution of interconnecting light beams when illuminated by a spatially-modulated light pattern. The weighting device includes a photosensitive screen provided in optical alignment with the projecting device to independently control the intensity of each projected interconnecting beam to thereby assign an interconnection weight to each such beam. Further in accordance with the present invention, a highly-interconnected optical neural network having learning capability is disclosed as including a spatial light modulator, a detecting device, an interconnector according to the present invention, and a device responsive to detection signals generated by the detecting device to modify the interconnection weights assigned by the photosensitive screen of the interconnector.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a sound system is releasably connected to a sound source such as a portable radio and/or tape player to play actual radio transmissions or prerecorded audio tapes. The toy vehicle will simulate the radio or tape player of an actual vehicle and will allow a child to select any type of music or recorded sounds to be reproduced on the vehicle sound system. The vehicle is provided with an audio mini-jack coupled to one or more small loudspeakers mounted in the vehicle. The portable radio and/or tape player can be clipped to the child's belt or clothing and the toy vehicle can be played with either as an ordinary toy vehicle or as a sound producing vehicle. The vehicle and sound system may be produced in connectable module form whereby the sound system module can be selectively connected to other vehicle components to produce vehicles of various configurations and designs.

Abstract: A mail system includes a selector selectively composing character information, image information and/or audio information; a printer printing the composite information as optically readable bit information in a plurality of recording mediums; a first storage device storing specific information for specifying the receivers of said recording media; a second storage device storing the required items of said receivers; a third storage area storing the information related to the required items of said receivers; a selector selecting information corresponding to the required items of said receivers from the information related to the required items of said receivers; a recorder recording the selected information corresponding to the required items of said receivers as optically readable bit information in at least one of said recording media; and a recorder recording the specific information specifying said receivers in at least one of said recording media.

Abstract: A writing doll having a body portion, a head mounted on top of the body portion, a pair of legs protruding from the bottom of the body portion, and a pair of arms connected to the body portion. The arms include a pair of hands with one hand formed to hold a stylus. The writing doll includes a forearm motion control system mounted in at least one of the arms near the stylus hand for moving the stylus hand along an axis in a X direction. A shoulder motion control system mounted in at least one of the arms near the body portion for moving the stylus hand along an axis in a Z direction, and an elbow motion control system mounted in at least one of the arms between the forearm and shoulder motion control systems for moving the stylus along an axis in a Y direction. The doll also has a control means connected to each motion control system for providing control signals to control the movement of the motion control systems in each of the axis directions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recording and playback of animation control signals, including voice, are disclosed. In accordance with the method, a dual track cassette recording is made, one track consisting of a voice channel and the other track consisting of a plurality of control signals for the control of animation, and in some instances for control of the speaker or speakers through which the voice channel will be played back, whereby two or more animated characters may appear to speak to each other or speak or sing in unison are disclosed. The control signals are pulse width modulated signals to provide, in general, proportional control signals to provide proportional control, through appropriate servo motors and the like, of the animated elements such as mouth, eyes, etc. of the animated character.

Abstract: Card or postal media which comprises a storage member to retain audio information picked up by a microphone, a sound generating member including a speaker, a mode selection signal producing member to allow either record or playback to be selected, a controller performing record or playback according to the mode selection signal from the mode selection signal producing member; converting the audio signal from the microphone from analog to digital and storing it in the storage member when the record mode is selected; retrieving stored information from the storage member, converting it from digital to analog, and outputting the analog signal to the sound generating member when the playback mode is selected, and a card board on which the microphone, speaker, and the other members are mounted.

Abstract: A portable message device comprises a box-like housing, including a channel hook mounting bracket, for detachable mounting on the edge a closure of an automobile, or a building, and includes a cassette tape player mounted within the housing for playing a prerecorded message. In one embodiment, the tape player is mounted on one end of the bracket and the speaker for the player, and an activating switch is mounted on the other so that the player can be secured within an enclosure with the speaker and activating switch being externally accessible. The player is activated by a push button on the exterior of the speaker housing and includes control means that automatically stops the tape at the end of the message.

Abstract: An animated display in the form of a representation of a face, is controlled by an associated audio tape player and a microprocessor-controlled liquid crystal display. The facial features are variable responsively to the audio signals of the tape player as controlled by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A talking book includes front and back panels. A microcassette tape player and logical circuitry with left and right infrared detectors are located at the top of the back panel. A ring binder is located at the left of the back panel adjacent the spline and below the left and right infrared detectors. A housing below the ring binder carries an infrared source that energizes the left and right infrared detectors. The housing also carries a headset jack. A conduit located beside the ring binder accommodates wires between the logical circuitry and the housing.

Abstract: A system for generating audible information from a sound track printed on paper by conventional printing techniques, the sound track consisting of a multiplicity of closely-spaced parallel sound track segments which are curved in a manual scanning direction and oriented generally transverse the manual scanning direction. Also provided is an optical scanner adapted to be manually moved along the sound track in the manual scanning direction, the scanner including means for automatically and continuously sequentially scanning the segments longitudinally to produce electrical signals representative of sound information contained in the sound track, and means for converting the electrical signals into audible sound.

Abstract: A modulation and demodulation system for an optical data recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed in which, in an optical disc having an optical guide track and capable of recording and reproducing optically, the guide track is divided into a plurality of data sectors and the recording or reproduction or reading is effected by data sector. The modulation system for the data field for recording the data is different from that for the identification field containing identification data such as a track address and a sector address in such a way that the identification field is reproduced at high reliability and high demodulation speed while at the same time recording data at high density in the data field.

Abstract: An electronic toy doll including electronic control circuitry responds to selection of one of a plurality of switches on the doll housing and selects associated vocal messages. The control circuitry includes a stored program of instructions and also permits a problem-solution mode of operation where the user is given a message selected by a weighted probability of the occurrence of a problem and then the doll responds according to how the user correctly or incorrectly responds to the various switch response operations possible.