Abstract: An image based pairing system to perform operations that include, detecting a peripheral device to be identified for use by a user of the computing device, the peripheral device comprising a display screen that displays a graphical element assigned to a memory location of the peripheral device; identifying the graphical element assigned to the memory location of the peripheral device responsive to the detecting the peripheral device at the client device; causing, by one or more processors of the computing device, display of a presentation of the graphical element assigned to the memory location of the peripheral device among a plurality of graphical elements at the computing device; receiving an input that selects the presentation of the graphical element from among the plurality of graphical elements at the computing device; and establishing a communicative connection between the computing device and the peripheral device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A machine causes a touch-sensitive screen to present a graphical user interface that depicts a slider control aligned with a word that includes a first alphabetic letter and a second alphabetic letter. A first zone of the slider control corresponds to the first alphabetic letter, and a second zone of the slider control corresponds to the second alphabetic letter. The machine detects a touch-and-drag input that begins within the first zone and enters the second zone. In response to the touch-and-drag input beginning within the first zone, the machine presents a first phoneme that corresponds to the first alphabetic letter, and the presenting of the first phoneme may include audio playback of the first phoneme. In response to the touch-and-drag input entering the second zone, the machine presents a second phoneme that corresponds to the second alphabetic letter, which may include audio playback of the second phoneme.

Abstract: A set of letter manipulatives and a board on which said letter manipulatives may be placed, where the board comprises an identification module that can identify the letter manipulatives placed on the board and communicate the identification to a computing device.

Abstract: A machine causes a touch-sensitive screen to present a graphical user interface that depicts a slider control aligned with a word that includes a first alphabetic letter and a second alphabetic letter. A first zone of the slider control corresponds to the first alphabetic letter, and a second zone of the slider control corresponds to the second alphabetic letter. The machine detects a touch-and-drag input that begins within the first zone and enters the second zone. In response to the touch-and-drag input beginning within the first zone, the machine presents a first phoneme that corresponds to the first alphabetic letter, and the presenting of the first phoneme may include audio playback of the first phoneme. In response to the touch-and-drag input entering the second zone, the machine presents a second phoneme that corresponds to the second alphabetic letter, which may include audio playback of the second phoneme.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically identifying an accessory or other peripheral device to be wirelessly paired with a tablet computer or other primary device, wherein the accessory comprises a display screen that displays a quick response (QR) code when the accessory is not paired, and after the QR code is scanned by the tablet computer, which is then wirelessly paired with the accessory, the QR code is replaced on the display screen with an image associated with the user, such as a picture of the user, the users name, or other means of associating the accessory with the user.

Abstract: A phonics learning system, comprising a letter identification board and letter manipulatives that may be placed on the letter identification board by a child, and a computing device connected to the letter identification board that identifies the letters placed on the board, generates a phonetic pronunciation for the combination of letters, and identifies any words or misspelled words.

Abstract: An educational device includes a housing and a computer system disposed within the housing, The computer system comprises at least one processor-readable storage medium, at least one processor in communication with the at least one processor-readable storage medium, and a plurality of sets of processor-executable application instructions. The educational device also includes a display screen that is in operational communication with the at least one processor. A reader is in signal communication with the at least one processor and disposed within the housing, a location of the reader within the housing being indicated on an exterior of the housing by an indicator marker. A plurality of alphabet tags separate from the housing, not connected to a power source, are also provided. When a first alphabet tag of the plurality of alphabet tags is brought proximate to the indicator marker and the location of the reader within the housing, the first alphabet tag transmits first data to the reader.