Abstract: A method for directing information to a plurality of users, the method including enabling a plurality of users to access a shared web resource having multiple functional capabilities, automatically monitoring interactions of the plurality of users with the shared web resource, automatically analyzing results of the monitoring to ascertain at least one shared characteristic of the plurality of users and employing results of the analyzing to selectively direct non-user originated information to the plurality of users while the plurality of users is accessing the shared web resource.

Abstract: A maneuverable figure assembly toy including a modeling material at least partially covering a maneuverable skeleton, where the skeleton includes a plurality of connector parts connected by a plurality of maneuverable joints, where each of the joints includes a first joint part and a second joint part connected with a snap fit action, and where at least one of the joint parts includes a receptacle for connecting to at least one of the connector parts.

Abstract: A method for mutually interactive Internet activities including connecting a plurality of user clients, which together represent a group, to at least one Internet activity server, supplying to each of the plurality of user clients representing the group at least partially identical content from the at least one Internet activity server, whereby each of the plurality of users in the group has at least partially common shared Internet activity experience and based on information regarding at least one of the users in the group, which information indicates at least one common characteristic of the plurality of users in the group, configuring the at least partially common shared Internet activity experience responsive to the at least one common characteristic.

Abstract: A motion-capture system containing a base-unit and one or more mobile-articles The base-unit contains two or more acoustic transmitters, each transmitting an acoustic signal, an RF transmitter transmitting a synchronization signal, and an RF receiver for receive timing data transmitted from the mobile-articles. The synchronization signal and the acoustic signals are transmitted synchronously, and the timing data contains time measuring information associated with time delay at the mobile-article, between the synchronization signal and the acoustic signals.

Abstract: A method for directing information to a plurality of users, the method including enabling a plurality of users to access a shared web resource having multiple functional capabilities, automatically monitoring interactions of the plurality of users with the shared web resource, automatically analyzing results of the monitoring to ascertain at least one shared characteristic of the plurality of users and employing results of the analyzing to selectively direct non-user originated information to the plurality of users while the plurality of users is accessing the shared web resource.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer systems and methods generally and more particularly to development of interactive constructs, to techniques for teaching such development, and to verbally interactive toys.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for integrating interactive toys with interactive television and cellular communication systems are described. Interactive toys have real time conversations with users, preferably employing speech recognition. Interactive toys are preferably connected to at least one interactive toy server which is preferably connected to entertainment, education, sales promotion and other content providers possibly via Internet communication systems. Such a connection may utilize, for example, telephone lines, cellular communication systems, coaxial cables, satellite, DSL or other broadband systems. Interactive toys may be connected, via a wireless link, to a computing device such as a home computer, an Interactive Television set-top box or a base unit which provides Internet connectivity for the toy. Interactive toys may support mobile cellular or satellite communication. These toys are able to provide entertainment, education, sales promotion and other content to a user.

Abstract: A programmable assembly toy including a multiplicity of toy elements which are joinable to define a player selectable structure including a plurality of controllable toy elements which are joinable by a player with the selectable structure, and a player programmable control system for controlling the operation of the plurality of controllable toy elements.

Abstract: A controllable toy system operative in conjunction with a household audio entertainment player, the system including a controllable toy, and an audio entertainment signal analyzer operative to analyze an audio entertainment signal so as to recognize therewithin predetermined audio entertainment elements and to command the controllable toy to perform at least one action according to the predetermined audio entertainment elements at a time corresponding to a time at which the audio entertainment elements are played by the household audio entertainment player.

Abstract: An adaptive toy system including a multiplicity of interactive toys, each of which is connected to a computer network and adaptive toy operation software which is supplied to the multiplicity of interactive toys via the computer network, the adaptive toy operation software being operative to provide feedback, based on play experience with at least some of the multiplicity of interactive toys, via the computer network and to employ the feedback in adapting itself so as to change the play experience provided thereby.

Abstract: There is provided a method for using a toy for effecting sales over a public network, the method comprising: providing a toy having interactive speaking and listening functionality; connecting the toy via a public network to at least one server having transactional functionality; and effecting sales by employing the transactional functionality via the interactive speaking and listening functionality of said toy.

Abstract: A system for generating scripts having verbal content. The system includes a computer having a user input receiver operative to receive a user's definition of a script for at least one computer-controllable animated physical figure. The script includes a plurality of interconnected script elements each representing an action performable by the computer-controllable animated figure. The script comprises at least one verbal script element representing a verbal action performable by the computer-controllable animated figure. A graphics interface is operative to generate a pictorial image of the script as the script is generated by the user. The graphics interface including a drag and drop facility and a flowchart generating facility.

Abstract: Amusement park apparatus including a first plurality of entertainment providing nodes playing a second plurality of games with a third plurality of players who are simultaneously playing the second plurality of games, a node controller operative to assign each player from among the third plurality of players to an individual game from among the second plurality of games and operative to control each individual node from among the first plurality of nodes such that when the individual node enters into an interaction with an individual player, the node plays, with the individual player, the game assigned to the individual player, and a communication network operative to associate each of the first plurality of nodes with the node controller.

Abstract: A wireless computer controlled household appliance system including a computer system including a first wireless transmitter and a first wireless receiver and operative to transmit a first transmission via the first wireless transmitter, and at least one household appliance including a second wireless transmitter and a second wireless receiver, the household appliance receiving the first transmission via the second wireless receiver and operative to carry out at least one action based on the first transmission, the household appliance being operative to transmit a second transmission via the second wireless transmitter and the computer system is operative to receive the second transmission via the first wireless receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for a wireless computer controlled toy system is disclosed, the apparatus including a computer system operative to transmit a first transmission via a first wireless transmitter and at least one toy including a first wireless receiver, the toy receiving the first transmission via the first wireless receiver and operative to carry out at least one action based on said first transmission. A method for controlling the toy system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A programmable assembly toy including a multiplicity of toy elements which are joinable to define a player selectable structure including a plurality of controllable toy elements which are joinable by a player with the selectable structure, and a player programmable control system for controlling the operation of the plurality of controllable toy elements.

Abstract: A toy with developing skills, the toy including a fanciful figure having a capacity to perform an action, and action control circuitry operative to control the fanciful figure to perform the action at different levels of skill at different times.

Abstract: Apparatus for a wireless computer controlled toy system is disclosed, the apparatus including a computer system operative to transmit a first transmission via a first wireless transmitter and at least one toy including a first wireless receiver, the toy receiving the first transmission via the first wireless receiver and operative to carry out at least one action based on said first transmission. A method for controlling the toy system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A programmable assembly toy including a multiplicity of toy elements which are joinable to define a player selectable structure including a plurality of controllable toy elements which are joinable by a player with the selectable structure, and a player programmable control system for controlling the operation of the plurality of controllable toy elements.

Abstract: Interactive toy apparatus including:a toy having a fanciful physical appearance and including:at least one audio transducer; anda toy transceiver communicating with the audio transducer; anda computer including:a user input receiver;a user information storage unit storing information relating to a user's preferences received from a user via the user input receiver and relating to a user;a computer transceiver;a speech recognition unit receiving speech inputs from the user; andan interactive content controller employing the information relating to the user's preferences received via the user input receiver and stored in the user information storage unit and also employing the speech recognition output for providing interactive audio content to the user at the toy.