Abstract: An information processing system includes an information bearing medium and an information reading unit. The information bearing medium has a two-dimensional array of unit data zones. Marks are provided on some of the unit data zones so as to form a digital code. Mark patterns of any two Y-directional adjacent unit data zone strings based on the arrangement of marks in an X-direction differ from each other. The information reading unit generates a data string on the basis of a unit signal formed from a plurality of signals output from a group of detection units that detect the marks in synchronization and recognizes the digital code of the information bearing medium on the basis of a group of the data strings sequentially obtained from the array of the unit data zones.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least one microphone; audio circuitry connected to the at least one microphone; and a memory connected to the audio circuitry. The audio circuitry is configured to output a first audio track and at least one second audio track. The audio circuitry is configured to form the first audio track from an output signal, provided by the at least one microphone, by processing the output signal with a first audio configuring, and where the audio circuitry is configured to form the at least one second audio track from the output signal, provided by the at least one microphone, without the first audio configuring. The memory is configured to store the first audio track and the at least one second audio track together.

Abstract: A FIPEL device used as an illuminating part for a display.

Abstract: A page designated by a page designation instruction of those included in an electronic book is displayed. When a voice output instruction is input, a page displayed at that input timing is set as a voice output page, and voices corresponding to respective characters in the voice output page are sequentially output in accordance with an arrangement order of the characters. A start character from which a voice output operation is started is determined based on characters in the voice output page, and voices corresponding to characters, which include the start character and subsequent characters, are controlled to be sequentially output in accordance with the arrangement order.

Abstract: A dual sided integral composite image product and method of make same. The image product includes a first support substrate having a separate image layer thereon and a second support substrate having separate image layer thereon. The second support substrate being secured to the first support substrate so as to form the dual sided integral composite image product. A fold line is provided on said image product about which the integral composite image product may be folded.

Abstract: A play cube comprises a set of at least four pictorial representations of different emotional states (e.g., “happy”, “sad”, “angry”, “proud”), with each state depicted on a different face of the cube. One other face of the cube may included a mirrored surface. The cube is used to assist children in learning and identifying emotional states using various processes: visual (seeing lenticular holographic photos), spatial (drawing facial elements of emotional sates), auditory (recording and hearing their own voices depicting emotional states). One embodiment of the inventive play cube includes an embedded game/song element, where the child can respond to different requests within the game/song by touching the associated (matching) face on the cube.

Abstract: This paperless book is portable and uses removable ROM devices to provide the visual and aural information displayed in the paperless book. The book can be read in a visual mode, as print, or in an aural mode, as the spoken word corresponding to the print, or in both visual and aural modes. The display mode may be conveniently shifted back and forth between visual and aural, for use, for example, by a counter who uses the book in the aural mode while driving and switches to the visual mode while riding on a train. In addition, the visual display may be manipulated affecting the appearance, for use, for example, by persons with reduced visual acuity. Movies also may be viewed using the paperless book. Finally, portions of the text may be enhanced by additional visual images, music or other sounds.

Abstract: An electronic toy appliance for use with interchangeable graspable objects such as blocks or tiles, the toy appliance designed to stimulate the development of a child's mind using audio feedback.

Abstract: An electronic toy designed to stimulate the development of a child's mind using audio feedback, the toy comprising an object having a plurality of sides, the object adapted for lateral movement and rotational manipulation by a child on a substantially horizontal surface so that the child can laterally move the object on the substantially horizontal surface and select different sides of the object to face upwardly.

Abstract: An educational system is disclosed for educating learners by having them perform self-directed activities. The preferred system includes a set of distinct pictorial symbols and a training program that trains the learners to associate each of the pictorial symbols with a specific instruction. The system further includes a plurality of activity sheets that each have instructional indicia comprising a plurality of the pictorial symbols arranged to instruct the learners to perform one of the activities. The activity sheets are arranged in sets so that the learners perform a series of activities related in educational content when presented with each set. An educational method is also disclosed. The preferred educational method involves training the learners to associate each of the pictorial symbols with the corresponding instruction, using a plurality of the symbols to instruct the learners to perform the desired educational activity, and having the learners perform the that activity.

Abstract: A device for bulletining posters and the like has a simple construction which eliminates the need for using a base plate, allowing individual posters and the like to be bulletined with an easy mounting operation.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a flash card unit, including: a housing; receiving means to receive in the housing a flash card having thereon at least first and second graphics; illuminating apparatus disposed in the housing to selectively illuminate at least one of the first and second graphics; the first graphic including a problem to be solved; and the second graphic including an answer to the problem.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for presenting highly personal thoughts, sentiments, and engrams of a person in the form of a gift to a loved one. Feelings of an occasion or season are combined with a personal message through a representative embodiment of the season, for example, a Christmas ornament, having audio recording and image display devices therein. A simple photo transparency, such as a color slide, or other image storage device projects the donor's image onto a screen, either formed in a case of a predetermined theme, or onto a wall, thus allowing the donor to simply and easily incorporate his or her own image, and voice, in a personalized way.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a child's toy includes a housing having a window through which is visible a medium on which are displayed changing scenes. A plurality of lights are positioned behind the medium and selectively illuminated to provide animation effects. Different portions of the medium may be selectively illuminated as the scenes are changed in order to vary the animation effects. The medium may be in the form of an at least partially translucent scroll, on which is printed a series of different scenes and which may be moved by a motor, spring, or other winding mechanism arranged to advance the scroll so that a different complete scene appears in the window each time the scroll is advanced.

Abstract: An educational toy (10) having a dodecahedron shape is formed with a different visual display on each planar face (17-28). A position sensing mechanism (50) is oriented inside the toy (10) to inform a microprocessor (62) which one of the planar faces (17-28) is in the “up” position. As the toy (10) is turned or moved a signal is generated to “power on” and a musical tune is played. When one of the planar faces (17-28) is stopped in the “up” position, the position sensing mechanism (50) informs the microprocessor (62) and an aural response corresponding to the visual display is transmitted through a speaker (44). If the toy (10) is left alone for a specified period of time, a warning tune is transmitted. If the toy (10) is still not moved thereafter, the toy (10) will automatically “power off”.

Abstract: The present invention is an interactive system for reading cards. The system comprises a card bearing an image and encoded information and a talking hand-held card reader for reading the encoded information on the card and playing back an audible message associated with the image or encoded information. In one aspect, the invention is also a talking hand-held card reader having a housing which is shaped to resemble a person, place, aspect or thing associated with the image or encoded information on the card being read.

Abstract: An interactive audio-visual toy that includes a base unit that receives removable audio-visual ("AV") cassette. The AV cassette includes a pair of rollers on which a picture scroll is wound. The pictorial scenes of the picture scroll are evident through a transparent viewing window. Moreover, a pre-recorded audio cassette is mounted on its bottom surface. The base unit controls the AV cassette to successively display these pictorial scenes without the use of expensive display hardware and to output audio from the pre-recorded audio cassette tape.

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 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: An electronic talking picture machine is presented which permits human operators to cause speech or sound accompaniment and branching (or alternate) story lines which affect the outcome of a story. In a preferred embodiment, the speech, sound and branching (or alternate) story line information is enclosed as a bar code printed on a picture story belt. The picture story belt is enclosed in a cartridge which contains a mechanism to "roll" the belt from one spool to another so that a sequence of pictures may be viewed. The bar code contains information as to speech, such as conversation narration, questions and answers and sound (other than speech). The information on the bar coded picture story belt is entered into the electronic talking picture machine by inserting the cartridge into a cartridge holding area containing conventional photo optical sensors which "reads" the code when the belt is moved to expose the next picture in the sequence.

Abstract: An electronic learning system that utilizes a plurality of coded cards on which sensory-information representations are provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, in conjunction with a housing that contains card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each individual card slot and a button associated in an equal manner to all card slots, wherein a card may be inserted in each of the card slots. The operator can cause the system to generate unique audible information associated with the sensory-information representation provided on any selected card by pressing the visually and functionally distinctive button associated with the card slot in which the card is inserted.

Abstract: An electronic talking picture machine is presented which permits human operators to cause speech or sound accompaniment and branching (or alternate) story lines which affect the outcome of a story. In a preferred embodiment, the speech, sound and branching (or alternate) story line information is enclosed as a bar code printed on a picture story belt. The picture story belt is enclosed in a cartridge which contains a mechanism to "roll" the belt from one spool to another so that a sequence of pictures may be viewed. The bar code contains information as to speech, such as conversation narration, questions and answers and sound (other than speech). The information on the bar coded picture story belt is entered into the electronic talking picture machine by inserting the cartridge into a cartridge holding area containing conventional photo optical sensors which "reads" the code when the belt is moved to expose the next picture in the sequence.

Abstract: An auditory playing device has a plurality of circular or polygonal tone plates marked with respective identification codes. Each of the tone plates has concentric dark and bright stripes that are placed, one at a time, in a recess defined in a casing substantially in any direction with respect to the recess. The casing houses an array of detectors disposed in the recess for detecting the identification code on the tone plate that is placed in the recess. A microcomputer determines whether a tone plate is placed in the recess based on signals from the detectors. When one of the tone plates is placed in the recess, the microcomputer controls a loudspeaker to produce a sound represented by the identification code on the tone plate placed in the recess. The auditory playing device can easily be handled by children and is effective to train them for sharpening their auditory senses.

Abstract: A device for identifying an object includes a graphic representation of an object and an omnidirectional bar code representing information relative to the object. The bar code is made up of a sequence of light and dark lines arranged as closed concentric curves. The shape of the curves corresponds to the outline of the object. Using a bar code reader connected to a transducer for converting the bar code into humanly detectable signals, the user can scan the bar code in any direction to learn the name of the object or other information about the object.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing image access cards to be used with an image access system. The image access system utilizes a storage medium containing the images and a reference table which includes a series of reference numbers associated with the storage address of each image. The method of making the image access documents utilizes the steps of placing the images on the storage medium, assigning a reference number to each image, and constructing the reference table. Several variations in the construction of the image access document are available. A printer may be used to print a human readable representation of the image and a machine readable form of the reference number directly onto a supportive substrate. Preprinted cards may be provided with the machine readable reference numbers thereon, and the human readable representation may be printed by a printer, hand drawn, or applied by way of a sticker.

Abstract: An image access, retrieval, and display system provides a simplified system for randomly accessing stored images. Image access documents having a human readable representation of an image and machine readable image access information are placed in an image access document reader which transmits the image access information to the image display system causing the image to be displayed.

Abstract: A series of educational blocks for teaching children the correct sounds of each letter of the English language as well as rudimentry words. Touching or depressing a surface of the block provided with particular indicia thereon would produce a sound corresponding to this indicia. This sound is produced utilizing a solid state memory and an associated speech synthesizer.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled game having an optical sensor for reading bar codes on cards. The cards visually depict a combination of number, size, color and shape that is represented by the bar code. Instructions and responses with respect to player card selection are indicated by a synthesized voice chip coordinated with a liquid crystal display facial caricature.

Abstract: An electronic system and method employing a plurality of record sheets or cards, for teaching, training, quizzing, testing and game playing when a person interacts therewith. In one form, a record card containing printed matter is inserted into a recepticle in a support and caused to move along a guide to an operating position where its printed face may be viewed and read. As it so travels, coded information on a border portion of the card is sensed to generate coded electrical signals, which are applied to effect one or more functions such as the programming of a computer, the selection of recordings from a memory, the generation of selected speech signals and sounds thereof, the control of a display or other interactive device or devices, the activation or control of a scoring means or the selective activation of testing electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A teaching machine is used with a card to pose a question to a user of the machine and to accommodate both a first case wherein a voice signal is audibly reproduced before the user enters his answer to the question into the machine and a second case wherein a voice signal is audibly reproduced after the user enters his answer into the machine. The machine includes a signal reproducer that cooperates with a card upon which a control signal, a correct-answer signal encoding a correct answer to the question and a voice signal are recorded and that reproduces the recorded signals from the card. A user of the machine enters a test answer to the question into the machine via a keyboard. A first memory responds to the correct-answer signal as reproduced by the signal reproducer for storing the correct answer, and a second memory responds to the keyboard for storing the test answer.

Abstract: Self-teaching apparatus is disclosed herein having a platform for supporting a card carrying printed indicia and a record disc. Information carried on the disc and the printed area is coordinated so as to be meaningful in practice. Record disc playback mechanism and an operating circuit is intercoupled with an electrical probe actuator so that the auditory instructions or information can be related to the printed indicia. In one form, a solid, pliable platform is employed with a membrane switch included in the circuit and, in another form, holes are placed through the platform for passing an electric tip on the probe for contact with a plate connected to the circuit. The card is provided with holes in the latter form and without holes in the former form.

Abstract: An educational learning aid which obtains its procedural data via bar code or other indicia imprinted on the edge of detachable work book sheets. The aid holds the detachable sheet over a touch sensitive array of switches so that touching or marking of the sheet is sensed by the underlying switches in the aid. The correct content of the answers is communicated to the aid by a bar code or machine readable section either on a work sheet or on a second sheet. In this fashion the operator responds to printed material on the sheet and is verbally reinforced by the learning aid for correct answers. Preferably a running tally of the operator's correct responses is kept and he is informed at the end of the exercise of his score. This score is optionally printed upon the paper upon completion of the exercise.

Abstract: An analogue serial input/output device with two electromagnetic transducer heads is provided to have spellings displayed on an electronic readout and to reproduce pronunciations simultaneously from a flexible card which is mounted with a wide magnetic tape recorded with said both. The device system is capable of translating verbally and by spellings reciprocally among words of several languages.

Abstract: The standard pronunciation of a word in any language is recorded on a segment of wide magnetic tape which is mounted on a flexible card or sheet. For visual reading of the same word, spelling or character is printed on the same card. A device is provided to transport and guide each card so as to have sound recording portions of the card make a sliding contact with the electromagnetic transducer head.