Abstract: An interactive learning system provides activities that combine the use of printed or other visual materials and audio prompts and user response. The system includes removable media such as cards and other devices, content media such as compact discs and other devices, and an interactive device that interacts with both the removable and content media. A user can insert both types of media into the interactive device and respond to output produced by the system.

Abstract: Educational devices, educational systems, and methods of teaching and learning reading are provided. The devices, systems, and methods can include an indicium reader, such as an optical character recognition device, for reading indicium from objects. Such objects can be three-dimensional blocks and the indicium can be a letter, word, sentence, number, or some other type of readable character(s). The devices, systems, and methods can include a display for displaying the read indicium and an audio producing device for producing audio corresponding to the read indicium. The educational devices can be a self-contained, portable unit with the indicium reader, the display, and the audio producing device supported by a housing of the educational devices.

Abstract: A toy scanner is disclosed capable of scanning printed price indicators and audibly and visually displaying the scanned price. The price indicators are printed in carbon ink and the toy scanner includes a conductive rubber strip located on the reading face of the scanner for reading the carbon ink printed price indicators. The scanned price is visually displayed on an LCD display. The scanned price is audibly displayed by a voice synthesizer and loud speaker combination which “talks” the scanned price. A mute switch is included for turning off the talk feature. The scanner also includes a random number generator for generating a random price, which is also audibly and visually displayed, upon activation of a random price activation switch.

Abstract: An educational toy telephone is provided and includes a telephone base and a removable handset. A numerical keypad is provided by which an input telephone number may be entered into said telephone. The telephone further includes a microprocessor and memory associated therewith for controlling the various functions of the toy telephone and storing a user-defined programmed telephone number. A message controller is provided, responsive to an output signal from the microprocessor. The message controller stores at least one pre-recorded message consisting of at least one of individual tones, patterns of tones, and a voice message. The microprocessor compares telephone numbers entered into the keypad against the pre-defined telephone numbers. The message controller, responsive to the microprocessor, audibly reproduces the at least one pre-recorded message when the comparison performed by the microprocessor determines that the input telephone number matches the pre-defined telephone number.