Angstrom Technologies, Inc.

Spin-balls, LLC

David Silverglate

Louis H Liang

Donald Lee Wray

Daniel A Marinello

William J Ryan

Toys, building sets, and toy assemblies are provided which include at least one digit or digit toy. Each digit toy includes a first segment and a second segment connected by a joint comprising a living hinge. Interference members of the joint interfere as the joint transitions between a first state (e.g., an extension state) and a second state (e.g., a flexion state). The first segment and the second segment each optionally include a first retention feature disposed on a same first side thereof, wherein the first retention features reversibly stabilize the first segment to the second segment in the second state.

Interference joint digits, building elements, building systems, and assemblies

A multiple-reader system for authentication of articles uses a first reader (400) which employs predetermined modulated illuminating light (20) and a multiplicity of discriminating variables, such as wavelengths (110), amplitudes (120), and time delays (140) relative to the modulated illuminating light (20) to characterize fluorescent light (70) detected from fluorescent indicia on the articles. The fluorescent indicia may also incorporate spatial distributions such as bar codes as discriminating features. Additional readers (410 and 420), which may be readers of fluorescent marks and/or readers of other indicia, are synchronized with the fluorescence reader by timing signals. The discriminating features may be re-programmed by the user of the authentication system. Thus the discriminating features define a user-determined and programmable encryption of the articles' authentic identity. The outputs provided by individual readers (400, 410 and 420) are combined by a computer (85) programmed to produce the authentication result. The fluorescence authentication reader includes integration and synchronization of multiple readers of various types, an improved coaxial optics subsystem (450), and electronic circuitry with improved time-base stability, which cooperate in enhancing signal/noise ratio. The resultant stable triggering of the authentication output of the individual fluorescence reader, combined with time synchronization of the individual fluorescence reader with other readers, provides a reliable integrated multi-reader authentication system.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

David Silverglate