Abstract: A Sender Controlled Media (SCM) platform user is presented incentives for performing rewardable platform activities that result in accruing points in a user-specific account from which points can be redeemed by transfer or cryptocurrency conversion to an external user-designated wallet. A reward received for each instance of a rewardable platform activity is determined based on a range of platform context including a target average points payout, an aggregated total points payout over a distribution period, and a type of rewardable platform activity.

Abstract: A novelty device having a vibrating mechanism that is disposed at least partially within a housing. The vibrating mechanism causes the housing to vibrate when activated. A plurality of elongated elastomeric protrusions are provided that extend outwardly from the housing. The elastomeric protrusions undulate when the housing is vibrated by the vibrating mechanism. The housing can be shaped as a character having a head section. The elastomeric protrusions can be placed on the head section of the character so that the protrusions have the appearance of hair. When the vibrating mechanism is activated, the protrusions undulate wildly, thereby causing the character's hair to appear to be alive.

Abstract: An animation system for animating parts of a novelty object. A novelty object is provided that has movable opposing parts. An electromagnet and another magnetic source are attached to the opposing parts. The electromagnet creates an electromagnetic field when activated that causes movement between the opposing parts. The movement of the opposing parts animates the novelty object. The activation of the electromagnet can be controlled by sound so that the animation is synchronized to audible signals.

Abstract: A flying toy has a handle and a driving mechanism to spin a propeller assembly for launching, the propeller assembly having blades on the top end and a freely rotatable conical sleeve on the bottom end. The handle comprises a plurality of pinch rollers surrounding the driving mechanism such that when the driving mechanism is activated to spin the blades, the pinch rollers are moved inward to engage with the conical sleeve for holding the propeller assembly while the blades are spun, and the pinch rollers are moved away from the conical sleeve for launching the propeller assembly. The flying toy also has a landing platform affixed to the handle, the platform having a funnel-shaped receptacle to receive the bottom end of the propeller assembly. The receptacle wall has soft fins for hampering the spinning of the propeller assembly when receiving a descending propeller assembly.

Abstract: A spinning toy system and its method of providing rotational energy to a spinning toy. A platform is provided having a bottom surface and a friction ring that encircles the bottom surface. A spinning toy assembly is provided that has a point upon which it spins in a balanced condition. The spinning toy assembly is initially set to spin on the platform at a low RPM rate. The platform is then manipulated to cause the spinning toy assembly to repeatedly contact the friction ring. The spinning toy assembly gathers rotational speed as it contacts the moving friction ring and accelerates from its initial RPM rate to a rate much faster. Once up to full speed, the spinning toy assembly can be removed from the platform and used for even more play.

Abstract: A squeeze ball novelty device having an outer elastomeric casing is provided that is filled with a fluid fill composition. A smaller inner elastic casing is provided within the interior of the outer elastic casing. The inner casing is filled with a plurality of secondary objects. The outer elastic casing and the inner elastic casing are separated by a layer of the fluid fill composition. The fluid fill composition is optically opaque. When the squeeze ball is squeezed, the secondary objects in the inner elastic casing cause the inner elastic casing to bulge. As the inner elastic casing bulges, it thins and becomes more transparent. Furthermore, as the inner elastic casing bulges it displaces the opaque fluid fill composition from between the inner and outer elastic casings. The outer casing thins and enables a person to clearly view the secondary objects within the squeeze ball.

Abstract: An internally illuminated toy having a flexible body that is made from an elastomeric gel. The flexible body defines an internal chamber that is accessible through a small access opening. An electronics module is provided that contains a light source. The electronics module is inserted into the internal chamber of the flexible body by hyper-extending the access opening. Once inside the internal chamber, the access opening elastically contracts and the electronics module is trapped within the flexible body. When activated, the electronics module illuminates, thereby internally illuminating the flexible body of the toy.

Abstract: A flying toy has a handle and a driving mechanism to spin a propeller assembly for launching, the propeller assembly having blades on the top end and a freely rotatable conical sleeve on the bottom end. The handle comprises a plurality of pinch rollers surrounding the driving mechanism such that when the driving mechanism is activated to spin the blades, the pinch rollers are moved away from the conical sleeve for launching the propeller assembly. The flying toy also has a landing platform affixed to the handle, the platform having a circular trough to hold a dispensable material such as a bubble solution. The propeller assembly has a plurality of nozzles dimensioned to be seated in the trough for picking up the dispensable material so that the material can be scattered when the propeller assembly is released from the landing platform.

Abstract: A novelty device having a vibrating mechanism that is disposed at least partially within a housing. The vibrating mechanism causes the housing to vibrate when activated. A plurality of elongated elastomeric protrusions are provided that extend outwardly from the housing. The elastomeric protrusions undulate when the housing is vibrated by the vibrating mechanism. The housing can be shaped as a character having a head section. The elastomeric protrusions can be placed on the head section of the character so that the protrusions have the appearance of hair. When the vibrating mechanism is activated, the protrusions undulate wildly, thereby causing the character's hair to appear to be alive.

Abstract: A toy ball assembly that has an outer shell structure of a first material. Open areas are defined on the exterior of the outer shell structure. A supple core is disposed within the outer shell structure. The supple core can be felt through the open areas on the outer shell structure. The supple core is softer than the outer shell structure. Thus, two different materials of differing softness can be present on the exterior of the ball. The supple core can be made from a transparent package that is filled with material. The supple core is therefore both interesting to both view and touch. The presence of supple material on the exterior surfaces of the ball makes the ball easier to grasp.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of construction. The toy figure has a plush structure comprised of fabric material. The plush structure is filled with soft stuffing in the traditional manner of plush toy construction. The plush structure has at least one protruding section, such as a head, that protrudes from the main body of the plush structure. A molded shell of elastomeric gel material is provided. The molded shell is hollow, having an opening that enables the molded shell to be stretched over another object. The molded shell is stretched over the protruding section of the plush structure so that the protruding section is enveloped by the molded shell. The molded shell is molded with external details, such as facial features. The molded shell therefore provides the visual details to the protruding section of the plush structure that it covers.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a plush body made from segments of fabric that are sewn together along seams. The plush body defines an interior region that can be accessed through at least one opening. At least one stretchable extremity is provided. The stretchable extremities serve as the limbs of the toy figure, or another body feature. Each of the stretchable extremities has a first end and a second end. Each stretchable extremity extends through at least one opening in the plush body. Accordingly, each of the stretchable extremities has a second end that is inside the plush body and a first end that extends outside the plush body. A fabric flap is bonded to each stretchable extremity proximate its second end. The fabric flap is sewn to at least one of the seams within the interior of the plush body.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a body structure with an exposed exterior. The exposed exterior of the figure includes at least one first section of fabric material and at least one second section of elastomeric gel material that are joined together along at least one common seam. The common seam can be closed using adhesive, heat bonding or sewing. The sections of the toy figure defined by fabric material are filled with dry fill. The sections of the toy figure defined by elastomeric gel material can be filled with either dry fill or a fluid fill. By forming a toy figure from both fabric material and elastomeric gel, a toy figure is obtained that has external areas having contrasting tactile characteristics, thereby increasing the play value of the toy figure.

Abstract: A novelty item that spins at least one array of lights to produce a predetermined changing pattern of lights. The device has at least one array of lights that is supported by at least one flexible arm. The arms radially extend from a spinning hub. Consequently, when the arms rotate, the various lights in the array of lights rotate about the hub in a variety of circular pathways. A control circuit is provided in the hub that spins with the arms. The lights in the array of lights are coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit selectively flashes the lights in the array of lights in a manner that is synchronous to the speed at which the various lights are traveling in their circular pathways. As a result, the control circuit can cause the spinning array of lights to produce any desired pattern, display or alphanumeric message.