Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toy, and methodologies and infrastructures for provision, operation, and utilization thereof, implementable in any configuration (plush, stuffed, doll, character, vehicle, etc.) that is operable to: (a) receive an electronic message (optionally inclusive of media and/or interactive content) from an authorized party, (b) provide at least one visual (and/or audio) indicator to a recipient (e.g., a child) that a message is present (e.g., a toy element or region may light up, flash, emit an audio signal), and (c) vocalize the electronic message to the recipient in response to at least one of: (1) one or more specific actions of the recipient (e.g., moving the toy, picking it up, touching the active indicator, a verbal utterance, etc.), and/or (2) detection of proximal presence of a recipient ready for receipt thereof. The inventive toy and related data processing infrastructures may comprise many additional capabilities and functions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toy, and methodologies and infrastructures for provision, operation, and utilization thereof, implementable in any configuration (plush, stuffed, doll, character, vehicle, etc.) that is operable to: (a) receive an electronic message (optionally inclusive of media and/or interactive content) from an authorized party, (b) provide at least one visual (and/or audio) indicator to a recipient (e.g., a child) that a message is present (e.g., a toy element or region may light up, flash, emit an audio signal), and (c) vocalize the electronic message to the recipient in response to at least one of: (1) one or more specific actions of the recipient (e.g., moving the toy, picking it up, touching the active indicator, a verbal utterance, etc.), and/or (2) detection of proximal presence of a recipient ready for receipt thereof. The inventive toy and related data processing infrastructures may comprise many additional capabilities and functions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toy, and methodologies and infrastructures for prevision, operation, and utilization thereof, implementable in any configuration (plush, stuffed, doll, character, vehicle, etc.) that is operable to: (a) receive an electronic message (optionally inclusive of media and/or interactive content) from an authorized party, (b) provide at least one visual (and/or audio) indicator to a recipient (e.g., a child) that a message is present (e.g., a toy element or region may light up, flash, emit an audio signal), and (c) vocalize the electronic message to the recipient in response to at least one of: (1) one or more specific actions of the recipient (e.g., moving the toy, picking it up, touching the active indicator, a verbal utterance, etc.), and/or (2) detection of proximal presence of a recipient ready for receipt thereof. The inventive toy and related data processing infrastructures may comprise many additional capabilities and functions.