Abstract: A floor lamp includes a base, a light-permeable pipe extending upwardly from the base, a light reflecting member movably disposed in the light-permeable pipe, a light source disposed in the base for emitting light toward the light reflecting member, and an air blower disposed in the base for blowing air toward the light reflecting member to float the light reflecting member in the air inside the light-permeable pipe. As a result, the light reflected from the light reflecting member is floating in the air and visible via the light-permeable pipe. The floor lamp of the present invention may additionally include an ambient light located on the top of the light-permeable pipe, so that the floor lamp provides not only the above-described magic floating light for decoration, but also the ambient light for illumination.

Abstract: A coded image display and animation system with an image decoding panel and a coded image panel, one such panel comprising an actuated panel. The image decoding panel comprises a shutter element panel or a lenticular panel. A progressive drive mechanism, such as a sloped surface, advances the actuated panel progressively, and a rapid-return mechanism, such as a biasing member, rapidly retracts the actuated panel when it is periodically freed to move in a longitudinally retracting direction. The sloped surface can be that of a wheel, and the actuated panel can be freed to retract by a ridge in the wheel. The sloped surface can be a helical formation in a rotatable member, and the rapid-return mechanism can be a longitudinal formation in the rotatable member contiguous with the helical formation. The actuated panel can be advanced and retracted by a distance equal to the width of one image cluster.

Abstract: A coded image display and animation system with an illuminated shutter element device that permits the user, by placing individual coded image members and combinations of coded image members upon it, to create collages, puzzles and fantasy worlds that instantly appear to come to life and move realistically. Coded image members can be chosen and selectively repositioned, overlapped, and combined for varying displays and display effects. Larger, window-sized displays with or without coded image portions can be exploited, potentially to provide moving backgrounds, such as falling snow or moving clouds, upon which the coded image members can be positioned thereby permitting the user to create multi-member displays and animations, including animated stories and animated fantasy worlds. Coded image members and non-coded image members can have open portions for permitting the application of images or image portions by users, such as by erasable marking implements.

Abstract: A system is provided for representing an autonomous entity, which may be a winged entity. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a vessel having an interior that is viewable from outside the vessel. The system further includes a rotational drive system, a flexible shaft connected to the rotational drive system for rotation by the rotational drive system, and a display object positioned in the interior of the vessel and connected to the flexible shaft at a position that is spaced from the rotational drive system. In a particular embodiment, the display object has a plurality of wings, including a first wing and a second wing that is generally opposed to the first wing. Rotation of the flexible shaft causes the display object to move within the vessel.

Abstract: A system is provided for representing an autonomous entity, which may be a winged entity. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a vessel having an interior that is viewable from outside the vessel. The system further includes a rotational drive system, a flexible shaft connected to the rotational drive system for rotation by the rotational drive system, and a display object positioned in the interior of the vessel and connected to the flexible shaft at a position that is spaced from the rotational drive system. In a particular embodiment, the display object has a plurality of wings, including a first wing and a second wing that is generally opposed to the first wing. Rotation of the flexible shaft causes the display object to move within the vessel.