A method and system are provided for managing application programs with non-responsive user interfaces, possibly due to a bottleneck in handling events/messages. The method and system make an apparently frozen application user interface responsive so as to permit alternative tasks be executed or close the hung application. This is enabled by implementing routines to (a) detect if an application is hung, (b) replace the user interface for the hung application with a ghost interface, implemented b…

A toy figure, such as a doll, is provided with movable arms and eyes and a movable head. The movable parts of the doll are selectively actuated to move in a reciprocating manner to make such gestures as “yes”, “no” to “wave” to “clap” hands or to “wink” an eye. A manually controlled pneumatic system, including a plurality of bellows mechanisms, is provided for actuating the selected movable part.

A method and system are provided for managing application programs with non-responsive user interfaces, possibly due to a bottleneck in handling events/messages. The method and system make an apparently frozen application user interface responsive so as to permit alternative tasks be executed or close the hung application. This is enabled by implementing routines to (a) detect if an application is hung, (b) replace the user interface for the hung application with a ghost interface, implemented b…

An implantable neurostimulator system for treating psychiatric disorders includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the cingulate gyrus of the brain. Methods for treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, schizophrenia, and autism and other developmental disorders employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce symptoms and address underlying causes of th…

A power supply controller measuring impedance includes a sense circuit coupled to a sense terminal. A regulation circuit is coupled to the sense circuit and is also coupled to regulate the sense terminal to a first voltage level when a current flowing through the sense terminal is less than a first threshold current level. The regulation circuit is further coupled to regulate the sense terminal to a second voltage level when the current flowing through the sense terminal reaches the first thresh…

A photosensor includes a plurality of photosensitive regions including a first photosensitive region connected to a first voltage reference, and at least one additional photosensitive region. A signal collector is connected to the first photosensitive region. At least one switching device is for switching the at least one additional photosensitive region between the first voltage reference and a second voltage reference that is less than the first voltage reference, and for reversibly connecting…

An apparatus–which could be a chair (10), but could also be an apparatus that supports a person in other than a seated position–comprising a moveable platform (including a seat (12) in case of a chair) urged always toward a neutral position when a person is seated or otherwise positioned on the apparatus (10). The motion of the platform/seat (12) toward and away from the neutral position is constrained so that the platform/seat (12) remains at least approximately horizontal in its orientation …

An apparatus, system and method including a latching device for displaceably retaining a panel relative to a frame. The latching device includes at least a bolt which is carried on the latching device and is operatively associated with the panel to prevent disengagement of the panel. The latching device includes at least one pressure responsive device operatively coupled to the bolt to retain the bolt in a desired position and release the bolt when a predetermined pressure differential occurs re…

A toy may include a housing, an electromagnetic-field sensor, an output, a controller, and/or a source of an electromagnetic field. The housing may be adapted to be supported on a support surface. In some examples, the housing may support the field sensor in a fixed orientation or position relative to the support surface. In some examples, the field sensor may be adapted to produce a signal having a magnitude representative of a change in a field passing through the sensor. In some examples the …

The fluorescent response of a UV radiometer to a UV beam is normalized over an entrance aperture area by using a plurality, preferably two, converting plates. The fluorescent response of at least two and preferably a plurality of crystal converting plates is ascertained. Crystal converting plates having complementary responses are selected and placed adjacently in the entrance aperture area such that an incident UV beam will cause a net complementary fluorescent response from the combined first …