Systems and methods for communication

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for using a toy for communicating with a client terminal. The method comprises encoding at least one interacting information as at least one flickering control instruction and using a toy element having a light emitting unit for emitting light according to the at least one flickering control instruction, thereby transmitting the interacting information to a client terminal. The client terminal is configured for capturing the emitted light using an image capturing device and decoding the at least one interacting information therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for using a reading device for communicating with an appliance, comprising:
 a) using the reading device for reading a unique machine-readable representation associated with an appliance function and a visible indication associated with said function;   b) encoding at least one instruction indicative of said appliance function; and   c) wirelessly transmitting said at least one instruction to the appliance, thereby instructing the appliance to execute said appliance function.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one instruction is a flickering control instruction, said transmitting comprising emitting light according to said flickering control instruction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said appliance is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer (PC), a television (TV), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a set-top box, a game console, a media center console, a mobile telephone, a heater, an air conditioner, a garage door, and a kitchen appliance. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said wirelessly transmitting emulates a remote control transmission. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said visible indication is a graphic icon depicting said function. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting a challenge to a user before said step a), wherein said appliance function is directing said appliance to present a reaction to said challenge. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said reading comprises reading said unique machine-readable representation from a menu comprising a plurality of machine-readable representations associated with a plurality of appliance functions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said unique machine-readable representation comprises a plurality of machine-readable representations associated with keys of a keyboard, and wherein said instructing comprises typing respective said keys. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is at least one of a television, a cellular phone and a set top box, and wherein said appliance function is selected from the group consisting of: changing a television channel, turning on said television, turning off said television, increasing the volume of said television, playing in an interactive gaming session, and participating in an interactive learning session. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a player of a media comprising a plurality of tagged segments, said appliance function is selecting a tagged segment to be played by said player. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transmitting playing information from a first toy to a second toy, comprising:
 allowing a physical contact between the first and second toys;   vibrating the first toy according to playing information;   detecting said vibrations by using said second toy; and   obtaining said playing information from the detected vibrations.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising vibrating the second toy according to said detected vibrations. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said obtaining comprises forwarding said detected vibrations to a client terminal, further comprising using said client terminal for reacting to said playing information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said physical contact is established via a mediating element, wherein said vibrating comprises vibrating said mediating element by vibrating the first toy, said detecting comprises detecting said physical contact vibrations.