Toy for use with vertical surfaces

Abstract

An apparatus and method of interacting with a user is described. The method includes identifying a structure coupled to a base unit, wherein the structure includes a visual identifier. A sound is generated using a speaker of the base unit, wherein the sound is associated with the visual identifier of the structure.

1 . An interactive educational apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a receptacle disposed on said housing and for receiving a structure, wherein said structure comprises a visual identifier;   a processor disposed within said housing and for generating an audio signal; and   an audio output component coupled to said housing and communicatively coupled to said processor, said audio output component for generating sound based upon said audio signal output from said processor, wherein said sound is associated with said visual identifier.   
     
     
         2 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said visual identifier is selected from a group consisting of a letter, a word, a number, a symbol and a picture. 
     
     
         3 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is operable to implement at least one mode of operation for said interactive educational apparatus, and wherein said processor is further operable to generate respective sounds for each of said at least one mode of operation. 
     
     
         4 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a component coupled to said processor and for determining said visual identifier of said structure, and wherein said processor is operable to generate said sound based upon said identified visual identifier.   
     
     
         5 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises an array of switches for activation by a plurality of features of said structure when said structure is placed on said receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is operable to receive said structure in a single orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing further comprises at least one coupling feature for coupling said interactive educational apparatus to a surface. 
     
     
         8 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said coupling feature comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         9 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a component for sensing movement of said structure with respect to said housing. 
     
     
         10 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing and said structure are associated with a common theme. 
     
     
         11 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sound comprises a hint for a user to place said structure in said receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sound comprises a quiz associated with said visual identifier of said structure. 
     
     
         13 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sound is generated in response to placement of said structure in said receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . An interactive educational apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a receptacle disposed on said housing and for receiving a structure, wherein said structure comprises a visual identifier;   an interface component coupled to said housing and for changing an operational mode of said interactive educational apparatus; and   a processor disposed within said housing and for generating an audio signal;   an audio output component coupled to said housing and communicatively coupled to said processor, said audio output component for generating sound based upon said audio signal output from said processor, said audio output component further for generating said sound based upon a current operational mode of said interactive educational apparatus, wherein said sound is associated with said visual identifier.   
     
     
         15 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said visual identifier is selected from a group consisting of a letter, a word, a number, a symbol and a picture. 
     
     
         16 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a component coupled to said processor and for determining said visual identifier of said structure, and wherein said processor is operable to generate said sound based upon said identified visual identifier.   
     
     
         17 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said component comprises an array of switches for activation by a plurality of features of said structure when said structure is placed on said receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said receptacle is operable to receive said structure in a single orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said housing further comprises at least one coupling feature for coupling said interactive educational apparatus to a surface. 
     
     
         20 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said coupling feature comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         21 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a component for sensing movement of said structure with respect to said housing. 
     
     
         22 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said housing and said structure are associated with a common theme. 
     
     
         23 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said sound comprises a hint for a user to place said structure in said receptacle. 
     
     
         24 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said sound comprises a quiz associated with said visual identifier of said structure. 
     
     
         25 . The interactive educational apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said sound is generated in response to placement of said structure in said receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . An interactive educational system comprising:
 a structure comprising a visual identifier; and   a base unit comprising:
 a housing; 
 a receptacle disposed on said housing and for receiving said structure; 
 a processor disposed within said housing and for generating an audio signal; and 
 an audio output component coupled to said housing and communicatively coupled to said processor, said audio output component for generating sound based upon said audio signal output from said processor, wherein said sound is associated with said visual identifier. 
   
     
     
         27 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said base unit further comprises an interface component coupled to said housing and for changing an operational mode of said interactive educational system, and wherein said audio output component is further for generating said sound based upon a current operational mode of said interactive educational system. 
     
     
         28 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said structure comprises at least one magnet for coupling a body of said structure to said receptacle. 
     
     
         29 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said visual identifier is selected from a group consisting of a letter, a word, a number, a symbol and a picture. 
     
     
         30 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said base unit further comprises a component coupled to said processor and for determining said visual identifier of said structure, and wherein said processor is operable to generate said sound based upon said identified visual identifier. 
     
     
         31 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said component comprises an array of switches for activation by a plurality of features of said structure when said structure is placed on said receptacle. 
     
     
         32 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said receptacle is operable to receive said structure in a single orientation. 
     
     
         33 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said housing further comprises at least one coupling feature for coupling said interactive educational system to a surface. 
     
     
         34 . The interactive educational system of  claim 33 , wherein said coupling feature comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         35 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26  further comprising a component for sensing movement of said structure with respect to said housing. 
     
     
         36 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said housing and said structure are associated with a common theme. 
     
     
         37 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said sound comprises a hint for a user to place said structure in said receptacle. 
     
     
         38 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said sound comprises a quiz associated with said visual identifier of said structure. 
     
     
         39 . The interactive educational system of  claim 26 , wherein said sound is generated in response to placement of said structure in said receptacle.