Abstract: A character skin for a toy robot has an outer cover having an inner surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of a robot body housing of a self-propelled, toy robot. The outer cover can be fitted onto the robot body housing to cover an outer surface thereof and then removed from the housing, preferably with requiring a tool. The outer cover has an identification mechanism that provides an identification of a robot character software program, wherein the identification is electronically detected by the toy robot and in response the robot character software program is executed by the toy robot which changes behavior of the toy robot, whenever the outer cover is fitted onto the robot body housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A learning management system having a teacher terminal. The system obtains, over a wireless computer network and form an educational robot, actual performance data of a lesson performed by a student, where the actual performance data of the lesson includes several instructions that are executed by the educational robot to cause the educational robot to perform a task. The system analyzes the actual performance data according to expected performance data of the lesson. The system determines a proficiency score of the student based on the analyzes of the actual performance data.

Abstract: A character skin for a toy robot has an outer cover having an inner surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of a robot body housing of a self-propelled, toy robot. The outer cover can be fitted onto the robot body housing to cover an outer surface thereof and then removed from the housing, preferably with requiring a tool. The outer cover has an identification mechanism that provides an identification of a robot character software program, wherein the identification is electronically detected by the toy robot and in response the robot character software program is executed by the toy robot which changes behavior of the toy robot, whenever the outer cover is fitted onto the robot body housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A character skin for a toy robot has an outer cover having an inner surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of a robot body housing of a self-propelled, toy robot. The outer cover can be fitted onto the robot body housing to cover an outer surface thereof and then removed from the housing, preferably with requiring a tool. The outer cover has an identification mechanism that provides an identification of a robot character software program, wherein the identification is electronically detected by the toy robot and in response the robot character software program is executed by the toy robot which changes behavior of the toy robot, whenever the outer cover is fitted onto the robot body housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A character skin for a toy robot has an outer cover having an inner surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of a robot body housing of a self-propelled, toy robot. The outer cover can be fitted onto the robot body housing to cover an outer surface thereof and then removed from the housing, preferably with requiring a tool. The outer cover has an identification mechanism that provides an identification of a robot character software program, wherein the identification is electronically detected by the toy robot and in response the robot character software program is executed by the toy robot which changes behavior of the toy robot, whenever the outer cover is fitted onto the robot body housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A robotic activity system, which includes a board and an autonomous robotic device, is described herein. The board may display a line and one or more color patterns. The robotic device may traverse the line using one or more integrated sensors. For example, sensor data may include light intensity data for visible light reflected or emitted by the board. The sensor data may be analyzed to 1) ensure the robotic device follows the line and/or 2) detect color sequences associated with color patterns shown on the board. Upon detection of a color sequence, the robotic device may attempt to match the color sequence with a known color pattern definition. The color pattern definition may be associated with a function to be performed by the robotic device. Using multiple sets of color patterns and associated functions allows the robotic device to move in a variable and potentially unpredictable fashion.

Abstract: A device being in the form of a predetermined animal having a light emitting feature. The animal has at least a head and body. A plurality of light emitting members of varying colors being placed within the body, and a plurality of apertures being formed through the top surface of the body. Each aperture being in the shape of a star, and the placement of the apertures forming the pattern of a predetermined constellation. The light emitting members and apertures being formed in a manner such that light shines through the apertures and projects outwardly when the light emitting members are turned on.

Abstract: A robotic activity system, which includes a board and an autonomous robotic device, is described herein. The board may display a line and one or more color patterns. The robotic device may traverse the line using one or more integrated sensors. For example, sensor data may include light intensity data for visible light reflected or emitted by the board. The sensor data may be analyzed to 1) ensure the robotic device follows the line and/or 2) detect color sequences associated with color patterns shown on the board. Upon detection of a color sequence, the robotic device may attempt to match the color sequence with a known color pattern definition. The color pattern definition may be associated with a function to be performed by the robotic device. Using multiple sets of color patterns and associated functions allows the robotic device to move in a variable and potentially unpredictable fashion.

Abstract: The robotic activity system described herein provides for efficient communications between the robotic device and the board without the establishment of a wired or radio-frequency connection. In particular, through the simulation of touch events by the robotic device on the touch display of the board using capacitive elements on the robotic device, information/data may be communicated from the robotic device to the board, including the location of the robotic device relative to the touch display, the orientation of the robotic device relative to the touch display, status information of the robotic device (e.g., battery level, motor voltages, or wheel speed), and/or other similar pieces of information. Since this information is communicated using the conductive elements, a dedicated data connection, including separate radios and/or interfaces, is not needed. This communicated information may be used for conducting an interactive game involving the robotic device and the board or another activity.

Abstract: A garment having a layer of predetermined clothing having a first section and second section connected to a middle section. A portion of the top edge of the first section connects to a portion of the top edge of the middle section, and a portion of the side edge of the first section connects to a portion of the first edge of the middle section to define a first arm hole between said first section and middle section. A portion of the top edge of the second section connects to a portion of the top edge of the middle section, and a portion of the side edge of the second section connects to a portion of the second edge of the middle section to define a second arm hole between said second section and middle section.

Abstract: A device being in the form of a predetermined animal having a light emitting feature. The animal has at least a head and body. A plurality of light emitting members of varying colors being placed within the body, and a plurality of apertures being formed through the top surface of the body. Each aperture being in the shape of a star, and the placement of the apertures forming the pattern of a predetermined constellation. The light emitting members and apertures being formed in a manner such that light shines through the apertures and projects outwardly when the light emitting members are turned on.