A virtual puppeteering system includes a portable device including a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the object animation software code to, using the camera, generate an image in response to receiving an activation input, using the display, display the image, and receive a selection input selecting an object shown in the image. The hardware processor is further configured to execute the object animation software code to determine a distance separating the selected object from the portable device, receive an animation input, identify, based on the selected object and the received animation input, a movement for animating the selected object, generate an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, and render the animation of the selected object.

An automatic mobile robot for facilitating activities to improve both neurotypical and autistic children's intellectual and emotional development is disclosed. The mobile robot has a non-humanoid toy shape but includes an expressive face perceived as friendly and approachable by autistic children. The mobile robot is durable and safe for children. It includes auto-play, game, and occupational therapy modes, each of which may be used by a one or more child users at a time. Games and therapeutic activities may be customized to suit each child user's developmental level. The mobile robot includes multiple sensors and components configured to process and express emotion in response to data received from the sensing units and the patterns of child users' interactions with the robot. The robot is programmed to show only limited amounts of negative behavior or emotions to children so that the children do not become afraid and decide not to interact with the robot.

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.

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 smart toy platform including a plush character configured to receive a computing device having a display screen, such as a tablet computer or smartphone. The plush includes a pocket configured to receive the computing device. The plush can also include one or more display openings associated with the pocket such that, when the computing device is properly positioned within the pocket, at least a portion of the display screen of the computing device is visible from an exterior of the plush through the display opening(s). The plush can include one or more limbs or other appendages (e.g., arm or leg). One or more of the appendages can include one or more sensors that can communicate with the computing device to allow interaction between the user and the plush/computing device.

A smart toy platform including a plush character configured to receive a computing device having a display screen, such as a tablet computer or smartphone. The plush includes a pocket configured to receive the computing device. The plush can also include one or more display openings associated with the pocket such that, when the computing device is properly positioned within the pocket, at least a portion of the display screen of the computing device is visible from an exterior of the plush through the display opening(s). The plush can include one or more limbs or other appendages (e.g., arm or leg). One or more of the appendages can include one or more sensors that can communicate with the computing device to allow interaction between the user and the plush/computing device.

A light-up toy with multiple play components includes an outer toy configured to contain both a viscous, squishy, gooey substance such as slime and a removable inner toy, the inner toy including a flexible sleeve having a toy shape, and the flexible sleeve surrounding a lighting module that includes at least one light source, such as an LED, a power source made up of one or more button cells, and circuitry and components for activating the at least one LED in response to an external stimulus, such as motion or an impact of the outer toy or the removable inner toy against a surface.

A method that provides a virtual presentation includes receiving a user ID on a computer, creating a user account, registering first and second real-world products on the computer responsive to receiving first and second registration codes, and linking the first and second products with the user account. Responsive to the registering, first and second virtual representations of the respective real-world products are simultaneously displayed together in a virtual room. A control interface allows a user provided access via the user ID to select one of the first and second virtual representations for control. Subsequent access to said user account provides access to both first and second virtual representations without subsequent re-entry of either the first or second registration code.

A method that provides a virtual presentation includes receiving a user ID on a computer, creating a user account, registering first and second real-world products on the computer responsive to receiving first and second registration codes, and linking the first and second products with the user account. Responsive to the registering, first and second virtual representations of the respective real-world products are simultaneously displayed together in a virtual room. A control interface allows a user provided access via the user ID to select one of the first and second virtual representations for control. Subsequent access to said user account provides access to both first and second virtual representations without subsequent re-entry of either the first or second registration code.

A playset having a battery housing and a receiving member is disclosed. The battery housing contains a battery and has at least one pair of recessed electrical contacts electrically connected to the battery. The receiving member has a chamber configured to receive the battery housing and an energizable element electrically connected to at least one pair of protruding electrical contacts protruding into the chamber. The battery housing is receivable by the receiving member such that the pair of recessed electrical contacts respectively electrically connect with the pair of protruding electrical contacts to supply power from the battery to the energizable element.