The present invention describes a container which is capable of creating a sound through the displacement of air within a channel in the container.

The present invention generally relates to display structures, and more particularly to a shadow box device for displaying items of artwork to create an impression that a piece of artwork is three-dimensional. The device may include light and sound modules which may be configured to interact with the surroundings of the device.

An active foodware system includes dining plates having visual stimulating, sensing, and wireless communication components. A visual stimulating component emits light to provide information or entertainment. The sensing component detects characteristics of the food received in the dining plate, such as weight or temperature. Data related to the food may be displayed on the visual stimulating component, or sent by the wireless communication component to a computer or mobile communication device. Computer software may display nutrition information on the visual stimulating component before, during, and after dining, or provide visual and auditory encouragement for children to eat.

A pillow remote controller using acoustic commands includes a pillow defining an open interior compartment configured for housing one or more pressure sensors electrically and operably coupled with an electronics enclosure. The electronics enclosure contains various electronic components including a power control and alarm circuit, an audio receive, de-code and function command circuit, a transmitter selector and interface circuit, and various transmitters for transmitting an operating function to an electronic product. The electronics are operable for receiving an acoustic command, de-coding the acoustic command, and providing a function command to the transmitter selector and interface circuit. The function command is interfaced with a particular type of transmitter and transmitted optically or wirelessly to the electronic product. One or more human presence sensors may be operably coupled with the power control and alarm circuit to provide an assurance of human presence before enabling operation.

Systems are disclosed for producing audio that is audible outside a collection box for delivery items, the collection box including a user-operated door. The system can include a trigger device, a sensor, an audio transducer that generates the produced audio from an audio signal, an audio chip and one or more processors. The sensor can detect the trigger device when the trigger device is in close proximity, and the one or more processors can be operably connected to the sensor and to the audio chip, where the one or more processors signal the audio chip to send the audio signal to the audio transducer. The one or more processors can further receive and record a status signal indicating that the door is in an opened state. Systems can further include an environmental sensor that measures environmental information.

An apparatus for alerting a sleeping subject, the apparatus has a wireless device that stores an application program configurable for control of the apparatus; and a pillow that is configured to be in signal communication with at least the wireless device. The pillow has a charge storage source for storing electrical energy; a control processor that is configured with a set of encoded instructions for maintaining communication between the wireless device and the pillow; and one or more actuators configured to receive a signal from the control processor and respond to provide an awakening stimulus to the sleeping subject.

A vehicular-themed ornamental mailbox includes a storage compartment, a lid, a speaker module, a first ornamentation, a second ornamentation, a third ornamentation, and a fourth ornamentation. The storage compartment includes a top panel, a rear panel, a bottom panel, a left panel, and a right panel thus completing an internal storage area. The lid is hingedly connected to the bottom panel so that the storage area can be closed. The speaker module is connected to the storage compartment and provides a specific sound effect when the lid is opened. The first ornamentation is removably mounted to the top panel. The second ornamentation is removably mounted to the left panel. The third ornamentation is removably mounted to the right panel. The fourth ornamentation is removably mounted to the lid. All four aforementioned ornamentations provide a decorative-theme for the storage compartment.

A beverage container coaster with a coaster housing having a substantially horizontal palm portion that contains a beverage area for supporting a beverage container in a substantially level fashion. At least one finger extension extends from an edge of the palm portion of said coaster housing such that a tip of such finger extension is fixed at, or may be moved to and from, an elevated height with respect to the height of the beverage area. Fingers of the beverage container coaster may be moveable and pliable for changing their position and shape. Sound and/or light generators may also be incorporated into the beverage container coaster and used under the control of an electronic controller contained within the coaster housing.

Disclosed is an intelligent measurement cup, comprising a cup body and a cup cover, which covers the cup body and has an electronic module provided therein. The electronic module comprises a battery, a main control circuit board electrically connected to the battery, and a laser detection unit electrically connected to the main control circuit board. The laser detection unit comprises a laser probe and a transparent shielding sheet which covers the laser probe. The laser probe is arranged at a side facing toward the cup body. A through hole is formed in the cup cover in a manner of corresponding to the laser probe so as to allow light of the laser probe to pass through. A laser emitted from the laser probe penetrates the shielding sheet and is then incident in the cup body in a scattered manner, so as to ensure that sufficient feedback photons are formed. The spectra reflected back through different emission media are different, therefore, the conditions of a liquid, conditions comprising the remaining amount, the type, whether the liquid has deteriorated, etc., in the cup body can be accurately detected.

A beverage container coaster with a coaster housing having a substantially horizontal palm portion that contains a beverage area for supporting a beverage container in a substantially level fashion. At least one finger extension is attached to said coaster housing. The finger extension may be removably attachable to the beverage container coaster housing and may also be rotatably attached and moveable and pliable for changing their position and shape. Sound and/or light generators may also be incorporated into the beverage container coaster and used under the control of an electronic controller contained within the coaster housing.