Abstract: A multi-layer toy having at least one outer layer adjacent a planar layer or a ball where both the outer layer and the adjacent planar layer or ball each contain related information such that, in play, the information on the outer layer is made to align with the related information on the adjacent planar layer or ball. The information can comprise depictions of objects, things, characters, animals, or words, for a matching game, or the information can comprise numbers for a counting or mental math game. The toy is preferably sized to be hand-held.

Abstract: A celestial globe model includes several petal-shaped sheets and two circular sheets fabricated from transparent and flexible material. Each petal-shaped sheet has two opposite end portions respectively defining a notch and two long curved edges interconnected with corresponding long curved edges of an adjacent petal-shaped sheet to form a sphere like body with a circular opening confined by the notches. The inner surface of the sphere like body is formed with the first celestial coordinate pattern. The circular sheets are connected sealing to the peripheries of the notches of the petal-shaped sheets to form the sphere like body once inflated. Each circular sheet has an inner surface formed with the second celestial coordinate pattern. An inflate valve is mounted on one of the circular sheets for inflating and deflating the sphere-like body.

Abstract: A therapeutic tool for use with a patient in psychotherapy is provided, the tool includes a central gyroscopic element, a plurality of concentric rings extending around the central gyroscopic element, and a plurality of outer elements removably disposed on the rings and configured to be movable around the rings, wherein the rings are pivotally associated with the gyroscopic ball, and wherein the gyroscopic element is configured to represent a seeing self of the patient and the rings are configured to represent a plurality of subpersonalities of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments include a light engine to generate pixels and a number of lenses positioned to receive pixels from the light engine and to project the pixels on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field. A method according to embodiments includes generating pixels in a light engine, receiving the pixels from the light engine in a plurality of lenses, and projecting the pixels through the plurality of lenses on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field.

Abstract: A projection apparatus for generating a moving star field and a cloud-like effect comprises a means for generating a cloud-like effect using at least one non-coherent light source, a means for generating a moving star field using at least one coherent light source and a means for regulating and supplying electric power. The means for generating cloud-like effect using at least one non-coherent light source comprises at least one pair of condenser lenses and an interferential filter wheel rotated by a motor, disposed between at least one pair of condenser lenses. The means for generating the moving star field using a coherent light source comprises a grating wheel rotated by a motor and a diffractive optical element disposed between the at least one coherent light source and the grating wheel.

Abstract: Embodiments include a light engine to generate pixels and a number of lenses positioned to receive pixels from the light engine and to project the pixels on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field. A method according to embodiments includes generating pixels in a light engine, receiving the pixels from the light engine in a plurality of lenses, and projecting the pixels through the plurality of lenses on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field.

Abstract: A portable structure, simply constructed with inexpensive and generally lightweight materials, for displaying a selected portion of the night sky and selected planets, satellites, comets and other astronomically observable objects that are visually perceptible within that portion of the night sky. The structure includes a computer having stored signals representing the observable objects, an image projector that converts and projects the stored signals as visually perceptible images, a first curvilinear light-reflecting surface to receive and reflect the visually perceptible images, and a second curvilinear surface to receive and display the visually perceptible images reflected from the first surface. The images may be motionless or may move with passage of time.

Abstract: Featured is a portable planetarium device suitable for use in projecting clear bright images of stars, planets, and other celestial objects onto a curved viewing surface. The portable planetarium devices of the invention comprise a point light source generators, a light dispersing lens assembly, and an opaque enclosure having transparent domains surrounding the light dispersing lens assembly. Also featured is a portable point light source comprising a light source, a light collection element and a light conducting conduit suitable for use in providing high intensity light with a small cross-sectional area.

Abstract: The finished product is a globe, which has been modified/remanufactured to house a light source in the interior of the globe.

Abstract: An interactive astronomical model includes a geocentric module, a heliocentric module, and a housing. The geocentric module has a central body configured to represent earth. The heliocentric module has a central axis configured to represent the sun. A housing is used to couple both the geocentric module and the heliocentric module. The invention also includes a method for generating an interactive astronomical model comprising the steps of providing a geocentric module having a central body configured to represent earth, providing a heliocentric module having a central axis configured to represent a sun; and coupling the geocentric module with the heliocentric module with a shared housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for representing orbital phenomena. It comprises a sphere (20) pivoting about an inclined axis (8) on bearings (38, 60) integral with a support ring (23) mounted adjustable in a slide (26) and locked in the selected position by means of a screw (28), of a local horizon disc (1) pivoting on bearings of the sphere (20), of an ecliptic crown (31) fixed to a ring (21) also pivoting about the globe axis (8), of a drive motoreducer (39) for driving either the ecliptic crown in rotation in the backward direction or the celestial sphere (20) in the direct direction thereby evidencing the referential change and renewing the relationship between apparent motions and real motions. The didactic method implements an observer represented by a figurine (3) placed at the center of the horizon disc (1) itself traversed by the integral axis (8) at 90.degree.

Abstract: A construction kit for building a three-dimensional constellation model is disclosed for viewing of celestial maps. The kit includes a combination of (a) a zenith section having an external shape of a circular form, the back side of said zenith section having a celestial map of the zenith; (b) 6- to 24-in-a-set body plate sections each having a ship's bottom-like shape, each of said body plate sections including an overlap width on its upper edge for bonding to the zenith section, overlap widths on both its right and left edges for forming rib-like projections and an overlap width on its bottom edge for forming an annular flange, each plate section having a celestial map on its back side; (c) a flange-reinforcing plate adapted to bond together the overlap widths provided on the bottom edges of the adjacent body plate sections and (d) reinforcing plates for the rib-like projections to provide greater rigidity and strength to the completed model.

Abstract: A terrestrial globe for observing the polar areas. The globe is made from a pair of semi-spherical members put together along a vertical plane into a spherical body. The globe is supported on a pivotally supported semi-circular member which opens upwardly. The semi-spherical members are rotatable together with each other around a vertical polar shaft, and independently of each other around horizontal rotary shafts. The polar shaft is formed at both ends with eccentric shank portions so as to allow one of the semi-spherical members at one side to rotate freely around the rotary shaft while preventing the one at the other side from rotating around the rotary shaft. When it is desired to turn the spherical body upside down, that is, to reverse the positions of the South Pole and the North Pole, the semi-spherical member at the shank-free side is rotated by 180.degree. around the rotary shaft. Then the spherical body is turned by 180.degree.

Abstract: A hollow transparent sphere has light reflecting spots formed on its surface in positions corresponding to the actual locations of stars in the night sky. The sphere is illuminated from within so that a viewer looking through the globe sees the spots in the same relative locations as stars in the background sky behind the globe. An equatorial band may be marked to correspond to nearby landmarks as an aid to an orientation of the globe.

Abstract: A hemispherical dome of opaque thin material is pierced with small openings in patterns conforming to the appearance of constellations in the sky. Mounted on a rotating cylinder, the dome is turned by an electric motor at adjustable speeds. A light source within the dome casts patterns of the constellations about the room. The control for the motor is wired into an alarm clock so that the speed of rotation may simulate the earths rotation. Turning the alarm on may activate the planetarium upon awakening the user. A "sleep cycle" on the alarm may operate the planetarium for a specified period before turning off automatically allowing the user to fall asleep with the planetarium activated. Opaque mask hemispheres which fit snugly over the planetarium dome are each provided with a single cut-out portion shaped to expose only one constellation at a time for projection. Light bulbs with variously shaped filaments will project the shape of each filament into the room.

Abstract: A portable planetarium is disclosed for ascertaining the position of the sun, the planets and their satellites and the stars throughout the year. The planetarium includes a frame having a configuration defined by a frustrum of a cone with a substantially hemispherical cap attached thereon. A pole is aligned with the center axis of the frustrum of the cone and extends through the top of the hemispherical cap, with the intersection of the pole and the top of the hemispherical cap utilized as a reference point denoting the north star or Polaris. A covering is secured to the frame and a plurality of markings are selectively applied to the covering using Polaris as the reference point. A plurality of adhesive symbols may also be included to form an educational kit to teach the location of stars and the path of the sun and the planets during the course of the year.