Abstract: A crib mobile responsive to body motion of an infant. The mobile system is based on use of a passive infrared sensor and associated electrical switching of the type employed for security systems that turn on floodlights in response to detection of the presence of an intruder. An A.C. motor, drive shaft, and support rod for the mobile are mounted on an arm that extends from a housing connectable to a ceiling, and the sensor is mounted on another arm. Electrical connection may be made to a conventional A.C. ceiling outlet. The sensor provides a signal to activate the motor when it detects motion above a predetermined level, and it includes a time delay feature that prevents turning the motor off for a period after such motion is no longer detected. Sensitivity of the sensor and the duration of the time delay are adjustable. The mobile structure includes horizontally extending arms for supporting toys or decorative objects for being rotated in a circular path above a crib.

Abstract: A display panel device includes a display panel having a sensor sensitive to light, sound, heat and so on and a recorder/playback combination attached thereto. As an object transparent to or shielding light and generating sound or heat approaches the panel, the sensor is automatically actuated to give an automatic actuation to the recorder/playback combination, thereby reproducing music or sound from the surface of the display panel.

Abstract: An advertising and display device includes apparatus to provide automation so as to interact with persons in the area by means of passive infrared sensing devices. The advertising and display device may take the form of a rotating platform or representation of a being or animal, and may incorporate an audio message delivery system also activated by the physical proximity of persons detected by the infrared sensors. The sensing system may be remotely located to enable the advertising and display device to be placed within an enclosure such as a showroom window, etc., and the display platform may incorporate a photoelectric detector to temporarily stop the drive system when a person is in extremely close proximity in order to allow that person to more closely examine items located on the platform.

Abstract: This invention relates to a namecard holder and in particular to one including an electrical circuit and a control switch disposed at one side of a notch of an open end thereof. The control switch has a conducting plate and a curved spring leaf which are normally in contact with each other. The spring leaf is provided with a lower end for preventing namecards from leaving the holder unintentionally. When a namecard is partially drawn out of the holder, the conducting plate will be separated from the spring leaf thereby activating the electrical circuit and as the namecard is completely drawn out of the holder, the conducting plate will contact the spring leaf again consequently actuating a musical or speech IC and a pressure electrical vocal producer to send out music or speech to appeal the visitor's attention.

Abstract: A combination picture frame and video cassette holder comprising a picture frame having a video cassette holder mounted on the rearward side thereof.

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 nursery mobile having soft, laminated characters. The mobile characters have two soft outer plies of, preferably, a synthetic felt, an inner ply of a non-woven batting which has been treated with a thermoplastic resinous binder to render it heat sealable, and are heat sealed about the periphery. The mobile characters are made by assembling sheets of the plies, heat sealing with a dielectric die, and cutting the mobile character from the sheet-sized assembly.

Abstract: A picture frame enhanced with a light or sound generating device which is activated by a user touching a touch sensitive contact area that is incorporated as a part of the picture frame structure. Contact with the touch sensitve contact area is sensed by control circuitry which responds by activating and controlling the functioning of the light or sound enhancement.

Abstract: An activated work comprising at least two turnable pages pivotably attached to one edge of each of the pages so that the pages are pivotable from a juxtaposed closed position to an adjacent opened position, a visual image display affixed to one of the pages, the visual image display having a first visual activation state at which a visual image is not visible thereon and a second visual activation state at which a visual image is visible thereon, a sound generator attached to the work having a first activation state at which an audible sound is not generated and a second activation state at which an audible sound is generated, connected to the visual display for selectively activating the visual display from one of the visual activation states to another upon pivoting the pages from the open position to the closed position, and connected to the sound generator for selectively activating the sound generator from one of the sound activation states to another upon pivoting the pages from the closed position to t

Abstract: An animated night-light and music-box combination comprises a housing, a pull-cord-type drive assembly mounted in the housing, a rotatable display disc having visual display thereon driven by the drive assembly and mounted in the housing, a music-box assembly driven by the drive assembly and mounted in the housing and a lighting assembly mounted in the housing. The combination device is operable by pulling a pull cord of the drive assembly to withdraw the pull cord from the housing and then releasing the pull cord to actuate the drive assembly. Upon actuation of the drive assembly, the display disc is rotated to animate the display thereon and the music-box assembly is actuated to produce music which accompanies the animated display. The lighting assembly is actuated to illuminate the animated display whenever the pull cord is withdrawn from the housing, and it is manually actuatable when the pull cord is recoiled in the housing on the drive assembly.

Abstract: A sound reproducing mobile for connection to cribs or other structures holding an infant. The mobile includes a housing in which is releasably secured an audio cassette player. The housing includes clamp means for releasably securing the mobile to the structure holding the infant. The cassette player, when operated, reproduces comforting voices via a loudspeaker and at the same time provides electrical power to a motor for causing the movement of overhanging decorative mobile elements. A voice actuated switch is provided to operate the player and mobile in automatic response to the detection of ambient sound. The player can also be operated manually. The cassette player is releasably secured to the mobile so that it can be removed for independent use thereof.

Abstract: A carton for gift merchandise is formed from a single blank that is cut and folded to be set up into a carton having a double-thickness wall between layers of which a battery powered signal generator is concealed and protected. Another wall of the carton, having an integral hinged connection to one of the layers of the double-thickness wall, is arranged to be a closure for the carton which has to be unfolded or swung open for opening of the carton and which has an actuator connection with the generator that starts it when the carton is opened. Blanks for both cube-shaped and pyramidal cartons are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a viewer for reading and/or displaying information recorded on written or printed tape.The viewer includes a supporting housing formed with two seats for removably accommodating two motor-driven rotatable spools or reels, one of which carries a roll of written or printed tape material, e.g. paper, wound thereon, the other being adapted to rewind the tape as it unwinds from the first reel. The tape winding/unwinding on/from the reels is controlled by a drive circuitry for operation by the user, e.g. through a push-button control. Above the tape portion extending between the two reels, there is arranged a magnifying lens for reading the information on the tape. Advantageously, the reel-accommodating seats are located on a drawer structure, which facilitates removal and replacement of the reels.The viewer may be connected to a recorder to create an audio-visual didactic aid therewith.

Abstract: A reflective audio assembly and picture frame defines a personalized audio visual combination. The frame displays a picture and a housing supports the frame in a substantially upright condition on a planar surface such as a table. The housing includes a sound receiving enclosure for receiving the sound from a speaker of a tape sound reproducing assembly which may also be contained in the housing. The sound receiving enclosure includes a front wall having an opening therein which is directed towards the front of the picture and downwardly to deflect the sound toward the planar surface upon which the combination is supported to enhance the tonal and directional qualities of the sound.

Abstract: An improved device for communication of graphic and/or pictorial information. In its simplest form, this device includes a graphic and/or pictorial information display element, a synthesizer element for electronic sound reproduction and a backing plate which couples to the display element and thereby defines a chamber for housing the synthesizer. The audible message produced by the synthesizer can be programmed for enhancement and/or complementary to the graphic and/or pictorial information depicted on the display element. This device can be used as a novelty item, jewelry-like adornments, enhanced security identification badges and various instructional and/or message oriented media.

Abstract: A mobile is rotated by an energy storage device to which energy is periodically transferred by a motor which is in turn controlled by an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit simultaneously controls a loudspeaker to produce a wide variety of music with variations in tune, tonal quality, key, tempo, and loudness.

Abstract: An apparatus for encouraging or instructing personal hygiene having a non-animated character figure of a substantially three-dimensional configuration and an audio producing means in combination with an electrically operated toothbrush. A toothbrush is supported by the character figure. Removal for use of the toothbrush activates the audio producing means for a defined period. The audio producing means recites a melody or message or combination thereof. The audio producing means will continue to operate when deactivated when the toothbrush is returned to the character figure or when the audio producing means is manually deactivated, however, when deactivated the audio producing means continue to the end of the message or melody then in progress.

Abstract: A home entertainment system and lighting cabinet simulates the sound and lighting effects of a discotheque. Light rays from a bank of differently colored lights are directed both to a mirrored rotating globe and to a rear reflecting panel behind the globe. A plurality of reflecting part-spherical domes and pyramidal-like projections are arranged on the rear panel and are configurated to reflect at least some of the impinging light rays back to the globe for subsequent reflection therefrom. The light rays reflected off the globe, domes and projections are projected about the room in which the system is located in a very dense pattern of reflected differently colored images. A stereo music system is mounted on the cabinet to combine a discotheque sound effect with the above-described lighting effect.

Abstract: Audio-visual display device is enclosed terrarium containing living plants of normal size. One or more models on small scale of living creatures are located in the terrarium and are powered to move. The small-scale models of the creatures have the effect of making the plants look larger. A pump to produce simulated rain or a music device to produce music are optional additions to enhance the effect.

Abstract: A miniaturized housing or display device including at least one electric circuit adapted to be connected to an electric current supply. The electric circuit includes at least one switch. The housing further is adapted to receive a mechanical alarm clock that has a movement winder and an alarm winder. A counterweight is attached to hang from each of the winders such that each of the counterweights abuts against a corresponding switch in each of the circuits when the mechanical alarm clock is inserted in the compartment and the counterweights descend as a result of the movement of each of the winders.

Abstract: A combined sound reproducing device for either music or speech, together with a display for an opaque sheet on which an insignia is defined that may be a work of art, photograph, printed material or the like, and the display being a part of a resonator box that not only amplifies the volume of the sound reproducing device, but the resonator box having a number of spaced recesses defined in the upper portion thereof in which merchandise such as cosmetics or the like may be mounted in an attractive manner to encourage the sale thereof. The sound reproducing device may be either a spring actuated music box or a power driven unit in which a cassette may be removably disposed to have a voice message or music reproduced therefrom.

Abstract: A housing contains a rotating platform mounted on a shaft which is driven by a motor which can be operated by a battery, flowers plants and bells are mounted on the platform and a butterfly is mounted through a slot in a collar of the housing surrounding the platform, the wire supporting the butterfly is caused to vibrate by a cog wheel mounted on the shaft which causes cogs to press against the wire supporting the butterfly, another cog wheel mounted on the shaft causes a hammer mounted within the housing to gently hit a bell depending from a support within the housing, causing gentle bell like sounds while the butterfly moves around undulatingly as the platform rotates.

Abstract: An audio reproduction system is provided for use in conjunction with a tombstone for the repeated playback, upon activation, of a prerecorded message. The system comprises a housing which is secured within the tombstone. A prerecorded message on an endless magnetic tape is operatively mounted within a tape playback device which in turn is contained within the interior of the housing. A Hall effect switch wholly contained within the housing activates, upon closure, a time module to operatively connect a self-contained source of electrical power to the tape playback device for the predetermined period of time. A solar cell is also operatively coupled with the electrical power source to supplement the same.

Abstract: Generally speaking the present invention contemplates a kit-type railroad crossing signal device having four red, double lens lights attached to prewired arms, a module for flasher control, a battery box, an automatic controlled battery charger, switching control and, a metal conduit and clamps. A standard railroad signal bell can also be supplied.

Abstract: A combined greeting card and decorative music box structure that includes a flat rectangular box formed from a resilient polymerized resin that is removably closed by a cover that on a first side supports a wind-up music producing mechanism within a confined space defined by the box and cover. A second side of the cover removably supports a greeting card. A panel bearing a decorative insignia is pivotally supported from the box, with the panel when in a first position overlying the cover and concealing the greeting card. When the panel is pivoted to a second position the music producing mechanism is actuated and the greeting card is visible. The panel is illustrated as a picture frame that removably supports a picture defined on a dimensionally stable sheet of material.

Abstract: A toy including a mirror of the type which reflects light from its front surface when there is darkness behind it and which becomes transparent when there is light behind it. A representation, such as of a face, is behind the mirror as is a light source. An electrical sound-producing mechanism is associated with the mirror. The light source is normally deenergized and the sound-producing mechanism inoperative. A switch is provided for simultaneously energizing the light source and for actuating the sound-producing means.