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.

The present disclosure according to at least one embodiment relates to, in the learning process of a child using smart toys, a method and system for providing an interactive service by using a smart toy, which provide more accurate classified emotional state of the child based on at least one or more sensed data items of an optical image, a thermal image, and voice data of the child, as well as adaptively provide a flexible and versatile interactive service according to classified emotions.

An item storage, display, and play system is provided comprising a vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork with item retention features. The vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork is a multi-dimensional artwork scaled to correspond with a size of one or more items and forms a storage and display area which also functions as a play area for items. The items are integrated into one or more scenes on the vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork. A series of strategically placed item retention features are provided on the vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork. A device for hanging the vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork is also provided.

An item storage, display, and play system is provided comprising a vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork with item retention features. The vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork is a multi-dimensional artwork scaled to correspond with a size of one or more items and forms a storage and display area which also functions as a play area for items. The items are integrated into one or more scenes on the vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork. A series of strategically placed item retention features are provided on the vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork. A device for hanging the vertically hanging, interactive graphic artwork is also provided.

A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification board with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification board with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided, and includes a housing, an inner object (which may, in some embodiments, be a toy character) inside the housing, a tether, and a breakout motor. The breakout motor is operatively connected to the tether such that operation of the breakout motor drives the tether to rip a hole in the housing to open the housing.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided and includes a toy assembly that includes a housing, a toy character inside the housing, and a breakout member that is operable to impact the housing so as to break the housing to expose the toy character. The housing includes a breakage zone for impact and breakage by the breakout member. In the breakage zone, the housing is formed from a polymer composition that includes a base polymer, an organic acid metal salt; and an inorganic filler.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided and includes a toy assembly that includes a housing, a toy character inside the housing, and a breakout member that is operable to impact the housing so as to break the housing to expose the toy character. The housing includes a breakage zone for impact and breakage by the breakout member. In the breakage zone, the housing is formed from a polymer composition that includes a base polymer, an organic acid metal salt; and an inorganic filler.