Abstract: A mechanical toy incorporating structures that coordinate the positioning and movement of specific body parts for rotating, flipping and grasping movements with programmable systems, methods, and devices within toy structures. Extensions connected to opposite sides of a motive body or head assembly including grasping members and support structures for rotating and/or turning actions about a central body portion including grasping appendages. The toy apparatus may also interact with accessory items to enhance play value.

Abstract: In an aspect, an apparatus and method are provided for creating an illusion of animation of a subject shape. The apparatus includes a screen, an intermediate body, a plurality of lights, and a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of lights. The controller is operable to turn the plurality of lights on and off in at least one of: a selected order, a combination, and a simultaneous operation of all of the lights. The intermediate body and the plurality of lights are positioned relative to said screen such that the intermediate body is positioned between the screen and the plurality of lights and such that said plurality of lights are operable to project a plurality of unique outlines of at least portions of the intermediate body onto the screen to generate an illusion of animation of the subject shape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and decoding audio signals are described. In one embodiment, a first DTMF tone in an audio signal may be identified and decoded. A second DTMF tone in the audio signal may be identified and decoded at a time delay from the first DTMF tone. A requested action is determined for an electronic figurine associated with the first DTMF tone and the second DTMF tone. The second DTMF tone is different than the first DTMF tone. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical image creation mechanism and method is disclosed, which may comprise a screen defining a coordinate system oriented to the screen and having an origin on the screen; a light input signal detection unit, moving with respect to the screen, and which may comprise a light input signal position identifier identifying a light input signal position within the coordinate system; and a light generation unit, moving with respect to the screen, and which may comprise a light initiation mechanism initiating the display of light responsive to the light input signal position within the coordinate system. The light input signal detection unit may comprise a light input signal detector rotating about the origin of the coordinate system of the screen. The light generation unit may comprise a light emitter rotating about the origin of the coordinate system of the screen.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a hand-manipulable interface are described. In one embodiment, a manipulable interface device may have a movable portion and a non-moveable base portion. A position sensing subsystem may be deployed in the manipulable interface device to detect a user interaction based on movement of the movable portion relative to the non-movable portion. A control unit may be coupled to the positioning sensing subsystem to translate the user interaction into an instruction on the manipulable interface device and generate a visual display on the manipulable interface device based on the instruction. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and decoding audio signals are described. In one embodiment, a first DTMF tone in an audio signal may be identified and decoded. A second DTMF tone in the audio signal may be identified and decoded at a time delay from the first DTMF tone. A requested action is determined for an electronic figurine associated with the first DTMF tone and the second DTMF tone. The second DTMF tone is different than the first DTMF tone. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for response authorization. In one embodiment, authorization data and response data may be received over a paging network on a user device. The authorization data may be compared against a device identifier of the user device. A response indicated by the response data may be triggered on the user device based on a comparison of the authorization data to the device identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for content signal encoding and decoding are described. A message to be encoded into a content signal may be accessed. The content signal may include a plurality of frames. One or more symbols to be encoded for the message may be derived in accordance with a message translator. A particular symbol of the one or more symbols may be embedded into at least one frame of the plurality of frames by altering a total pixel variable value of the at least one frame.