Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating speech from text. One of the systems includes one or more computers and one or more storage devices storing instructions that when executed by one or more computers cause the one or more computers to implement: a sequence-to-sequence recurrent neural network configured to: receive a sequence of characters in a particular natural language, and process the sequence of characters to generate a spectrogram of a verbal utterance of the sequence of characters in the particular natural language; and a subsystem configured to: receive the sequence of characters in the particular natural language, and provide the sequence of characters as input to the sequence-to-sequence recurrent neural network to obtain as output the spectrogram of the verbal utterance of the sequence of characters in the particular natural language.

Abstract: A portable packable reusable storage device for attachment to a support structure comprising: an article holding portion; a suspension portion connected with the article holding portion for removably attaching the storage device to the support structure; wherein the device is configured to include a deployed state that includes a deployed state volume for containing articles and the device collapses and packs into a packed state and includes a packed state volume that is about 50 percent or less (e.g. about 40 percent or less, about 30 percent or less, preferably about 20 percent or less, or more preferably about 10 percent or less) of the deployed state volume (e.g., volume as discussed herein is the amount of a fluid that the container can hold rather than the amount of space the container itself displaces); and wherein the suspension portion includes ends that form connection so that the storage device attaches to the support structure.

Abstract: A portable packable reusable storage device for attachment to a support structure comprising: an article holding portion; a suspension portion connected with the article holding portion for removably attaching the storage device to the support structure; wherein the device is configured to include a deployed state that includes a deployed state volume for containing articles and the device collapses and packs into a packed state and includes a packed state volume that is about 50 percent or less (e.g. about 40 percent or less, about 30 percent or less, preferably about 20 percent or less, or more preferably about 10 percent or less) of the deployed state volume (e.g., volume as discussed herein is the amount of a fluid that the container can hold rather than the amount of space the container itself displaces); and wherein the suspension portion includes ends that form connection so that the storage device attaches to the support structure.

Abstract: Interactive electronic book devices and methods relating thereto are described. One embodiment of an electronic book device relates to a book including a plurality of pages, including printed information relating to a story. The electronic book device also includes a housing including a plurality of user interactive controls positioned thereon. At least one of the user interactive controls is selected from the group consisting of a key, a joystick, and a steering wheel. The book is rigidly coupled to the housing. The electronic book device also includes a controller coupled to the housing, the controller adapted to receive input signals related to the story from the user interactive controls, the controller also adapted to transmit output signals related to the story to a display device spaced a distance away from the housing. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and device for electronically telling a story in a predetermined narrative sequence. Alternate story parts may be substituted for each portion of the narrative sequence. Alternate story parts may be selected in accordance with selections made by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, clothing items such as a hat, for example, may be placed on a doll and replaced with different clothing items as the story progresses. As each substitute clothing item is identified, an alternate story part may be selected and substituted for playback in accordance with the identified substitute clothing items. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An interactive vending machine which enables a consumer to view customized products before they are purchased and thereafter enables the consumer to purchase the customized products. The machine also keeps track of inventory so that if a particular item or accessory is out of stock, it will not be displayed on the screen for purchase.

Abstract: An interactive vending machine which enables a consumer to view customized products before they are purchased and thereafter enables the consumer to purchase the customized products. The machine also keeps track of inventory so that if a particular item or accessory is out of stock, it will not be displayed on the screen for purchase.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transporting user-specific information from one personal computer to another are described. One version of the system utilizes pocket-sized USB flash memory devices (USB Drives). When the USB Drive is connected to a first computer, typically the user's everyday computer, user-specific information, such as email account settings, address book, sent and received emails, etc. is captured on the USB Drive. When the USB Drive is plugged into a second computer, typically a publicly-accessible or borrowed computer, and an application is launched, such as Outlook, user-specific information is temporarily loaded from the USB Drive into the Outlook application. Consequently, the user is able to work on the borrowed computer as if he is working on his everyday computer at home or in the office. Updated information, such as new emails received, is automatically saved to the USB Drive for subsequent transport to the everyday computer.

Abstract: A fashion game is operable upon a conventional computer having a display monitor and a printer. A plurality of garment elements and complete garments are stored within the computer and available for display upon the monitor in combinations dictated by the user controlling the computer. As the garment is fabricated and the elements thereof collected, the user is able to select color and pattern to also be applied to the particular garment. The garment as assembled and completed is displayed upon a doll image on the monitor. An additional software program allows the user to select a particular garment or combination of garment elements to be animated upon a displayed animated doll image which carries forward movements such as walking. A plurality of fabric sheets having a supporting backing are fed through the printer to have the patterns corresponding to the selected garment printed thereon.

Abstract: A computer is operatively coupled to a printer and a monitor and includes input devices such as a keyboard and mouse. A CD-ROM disk is loaded into the computer which bears game play software cooperating with desktop publishing type operating software housed within the processor unit of the computer. The game play provided by the game software allows the user to select various design elements for printing upon peel and stick type sticker sheets using the printer. The game play further provides a preview display in which the selected object such as a toy vehicle is displayed having the selected design placed thereon.

Abstract: A computer game for designing and printing nail coverings includes a set of stored software instructions receivable within the processor unit of the computer to control operation of a color printer and a series of displayed images upon the monitor display screen. The user is able to call up an image of a hand which may be personalized to a skin tone matching the user's skin tone or may be colored dramatically different. The user is able to select from various icons displayed on the monitor display screen which may then be applied to each nail of the hand image. In addition, a series of photos provided by a digital camera input to the processor unit may be selected and sized to fit within a reference photo frame for use in printing the photo image upon selected nails. Once the color printer has processed the blank laminated sheet, a plurality of nail covers which are formed of the peel and stick self-adhesive structure of the blank sheet are printed upon each nail cover.

Abstract: A conventional computer is coupled to a data downloading station which in turn receives a downloadable toy. The downloading station includes a data transmitter such as an infrared light emitting diode while the toy includes a corresponding receiver or sensor such as an infrared sensor. Data is selected by the user operating the computer and is downloaded to the toy via the communication link while the toy is situated in proximity to the downloading station. Once the data has been downloaded, it is stored within a memory within the toy. Thereafter, the toy may be removed from the downloading station and operated in response to the stored data while completely independent from the downloading station and the computer. In one embodiment, the data downloading station replicates a miniature computer work station supporting a light emitting diode for transmitting infrared energy and operatively coupled to the computer. A doll having an infrared sensor supported thereon is seatable within the miniature work station.

Abstract: A computer mouse supports a body configured to replicate a miniature automotive vehicle. The vehicle body includes a pair of push buttons for right and left operation. The mouse further includes a conventional trackball unit together with conventional right and left click switches. A selector switch supported upon the vehicle body configures the game play control for operation as a conventional computer mouse or a game play control unit. In the game play control position, a vibrating motor and sound system are operative to provide vehicle sounds and vibrations.

Abstract: A game unit includes a pair of vertical slots within which a pair of toy vehicle carriages each supporting a toy vehicle are movable. An endless belt is supported beneath each of the carriages and secured thereto. The belt is driven by a reversible motor which in turn responds to an operator button to alternatively move the vehicle downward or stop the vehicle motion at a target point. A plurality of flashing lights and numeric scores are arranged in parallel columns adjacent each slot to identify a target zone within which the vehicle is to be stopped.