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Interactive toy system and methods

Interactive toy system and methods description/claims

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/828,124, filed Jul. 25, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/726,454, filed Mar. 22, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/540,369, filed Sep. 29, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/368,300, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/255,852, filed Oct. 21, 2005. Priority is claimed to these applications and they are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates generally to an interactive system. More particularly the present invention concerns a system, apparatus, and methods for interactive play.

Interactive toys have become increasingly popular in recent times. Children enjoy playing with toys that communicate or respond to different selections or prompts from the player.

For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,663,393 (Ghaly), 5,607,336 (Lebensfeld et al.), 6,648,719 (Chan) and 6,585,556 (Smirnov) all disclose toys, dolls or action figures who act or respond based on some activation by the user, or by the surrounding events.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an entertainment system, methods and computer software product. An exemplary embodiment of a provided entertainment system includes at least one hand held game controller with a touch screen and a number of accelerometers. The accelerometers indicating the movement of the hand held game controller. The controllers are configured with wireless communications transceivers allowing them to communicate to a base station. The system further includes a base station that communicates with the hand held controllers. The base station is further configured with a connector suitable for connection to an accessory box and a second connector suitable for connection to a computing device. The entertainment system optionally includes an accessory box with a connector sufficient for connecting the accessory box to the base station. In some embodiments, the accessory box is configured to allow additional functionality to be imparted to game play. The entertainment system further includes an online game portal hosted on a server on the network. One embodiment provides a method of interactive play. In this embodiment a signal is communicated from at least one hand held game controller to a base station. Like the above embodiment, the hand held controllers contain touch screens and accelerometers. In this embodiment, the base station additionally receives a communications signal from an accessory box. The base station communicates a command to a computing device that is connected to a server over a network. The computing device sends commands, and other information to the server. The server communicates signals back to the computing device which enable game play on the computing device.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a computer software product. The software product is in the form of a computer readable medium. The medium contains processor executable instructions that, when executed by a processor configure a computing apparatus to receive a first communications signal from a base station. This first communications signal includes information received from at least one hand held game controller. The game controller, like the above controllers include a touch screen interface and a number of accelerometers. The configuration additionally includes a configuration to send a second communications signal to a server on a network, the server hosting an online game portal and to receive a third communications signal from the server on the network which enables game play on the computing device, the game play related to a game on the online game portal.

Various embodiments of the present invention taught herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interactive doll system according to one embodiment of the present invention with the doll shown positioned in the doll station;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the doll station of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the doll station of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the base of the doll station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a doll according to one embodiment that can be used with the system of FIG. 1;

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