A heartbeat or pulse generator device is provided separately for use in or in combination with a comfort product such as a plush toy. The heartbeat generator device includes an automatic control system that provides for controlled operation of the heartbeat generator while compensating for natural movements during use. The heartbeat generator device contains a pulse generator to create the motion necessary to cause the heart to “beat” twice early in a beat interval. The heartbeat generator device to increase battery longevity by allowing the generator device to selectively shut off when it senses that the animal or other user is no longer interacting with the product. As the animal interacts, the emulated heartbeat continues. When the animal stops interacting for a period of time, the heartbeat will stop, and battery life is preserved. The heart will restart when motion is detected once again. Further, the improved device contains a sensor and control system that can sense physical movement of the heartbeat generator device while at the same time compensating for the physical movement it is itself creating with the motor to emulate a heartbeat.

A heartbeat or pulse generator device is provided separately for use in or in combination with a comfort product such as a plush toy. The heartbeat generator device includes an automatic control system that provides for controlled operation of the heartbeat generator while compensating for natural movements during use. The heartbeat generator device contains a pulse generator to create the motion necessary to cause the heart to “beat” twice early in a beat interval. The heartbeat generator device to increase battery longevity by allowing the generator device to selectively shut off when it senses that the animal or other user is no longer interacting with the product. As the animal interacts, the emulated heartbeat continues. When the animal stops interacting for a period of time, the heartbeat will stop, and battery life is preserved. The heart will restart when motion is detected once again. Further, the improved device contains a sensor and control system that can sense physical movement of the heartbeat generator device while at the same time compensating for the physical movement it is itself creating with the motor to emulate a heartbeat.

A comforting device for soothing and comforting a user includes a shell, which defines an interior space. The shell is pliable and can be grasped by the user. A filler, which is resiliently compressible, is positioned in and substantially occupies the interior space. An audio module, which is positioned in the interior space, selectively emits a first sound, which mimics a heartbeat, and a second sound, which mimics a respiratory sound, such as breath sounds and snoring. The audio module broadcasts the first sound and the second sound to comfort the user.

Speech synthesizing devices and methods are disclosed for using a doll or toy to mimic the voice of a parent or guardian of a child as reading a children's book. A speech synthesizer that employs an artificial neural network can be used to do so, with the artificial neural network being trained using audio recordings of the parent or guardian speaking as well as text corresponding to the words that are spoken by the parent or guardian in the audio recordings. The artificial neural network may then be used to produce various audio outputs in the voice of the parent or guardian as reading a children's book to the parent or guardian's child.

A simulated living entity (SLE) HAS a body formed of cushioned material, a contact area on an surface of the body, a heating panel under the contact area, a microphone positioned proximate one end of the exposed surface, a speaker positioned proximate the microphone, a heartbeat simulator, a breath simulator proximate the microphone and speaker, and a control system within the body comprising a microprocessor, a coupled data repository, a power supply, wireless communication circuitry, and a digital bus. The heating panel heats the contact area, the heartbeat simulator provides feeling and sound of a beating heart, the breath simulator provides air intake and exhaust, and the speaker provides sounds of a person sleeping, synchronized with the breath simulator.

The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for assisting individuals in controlling respiratory rates. For example, a respiratory regulation apparatus is provided in the form of a plush animal toy that operates components to simulate the breathing rate of anxious individuals. The apparatus may include actuators that are controlled by a slotted cam that is dynamically rotated at varying speeds in a determined rotational direction. The actuators move inward and outward in relative directions to move a torso of the plush animal toy to simulate breathing. In certain aspects, actuators may expand outward while at the same time another actuator contracts inward to cause the torso to simulate realistic breathing movements. A processor controls the speed of the cam such that the simulated breathing of the animal toy apparatus can be reduced at a controlled rate to assist an individual in reducing their breathing rate to a calmer state.

A toy with a deformable outer shell including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a hollow interior. The outer shell is substantially covered in a soft material and shaped substantially like an animal. The toy includes more eyes on the upper portion of the outer shell, and an orifice on the lower portion of the outer shell. The orifice can be opened and closed. The toy includes an inner bladder within the deformable outer shell. The inner bladder includes a fluid and is sealed to prevent fluid from leaking from the inner bladder. The inner bladder fills the hollow interior of the deformable outer shell. In response to squeezing of the outer shell, the fluid may force a portion of the inner bladder to expand out of the outer shell though the orifice. The orifice may be invisible to the user while closed.

An interactive augmented reality system for simulating medical procedures for pediatric disease education includes a plush toy having one or more patches disposed on a body of the plush toy in one or more corresponding locations each associated with an area of the body of the plush toy that is comparable to an area of a human body. An interactive medical procedure simulation logic section operable within a mobile device causes a particular patch within a series of live images to be scanned, and initiates an interactive augmented reality experience to simulate a medical procedure for pediatric disease education. Comfort is provided to children struggling with a disease. Children learn how to manage their chronic illness by enabling them to practice their medical procedures and receive feedback related to correct and incorrect care. A low-cost disease education delivery mechanism is provided directly to children through game-play.

A simulated living entity (SLE) HAS a body formed of cushioned material, a contact area on an surface of the body, a heating panel under the contact area, a microphone positioned proximate one end of the exposed surface, a speaker positioned proximate the microphone, a heartbeat simulator, a breath simulator proximate the microphone and speaker, and a control system within the body comprising a microprocessor, a coupled data repository, a power supply, wireless communication circuitry, and a digital bus. The heating panel heats the contact area, the heartbeat simulator provides feeling and sound of a beating heart, the breath simulator provides air intake and exhaust, and the speaker provides sounds of a person sleeping, synchronized with the breath simulator.

Speech synthesizing devices and methods are disclosed for using a doll or toy to mimic the voice of a parent or guardian of a child as reading a children's book. A speech synthesizer that employs an artificial neural network can be used to do so, with the artificial neural network being trained using audio recordings of the parent or guardian speaking as well as text corresponding to the words that are spoken by the parent or guardian in the audio recordings. The artificial neural network may then be used to produce various audio outputs in the voice of the parent or guardian as reading a children's book to the parent or guardian's child.