Portable interactive gamed device with separate console for enhanced features and alternate display capability

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable interactive game device with a separate console that provides enhanced game features and an alternate display for playing a game. The portable interactive game device interacts with the console to display the game on an alternate display connected with the console, such as a television or computer monitor. The console also contains additional game features to enhance the game and keep a user's interest. The portable interactive game device also contains a pedometer that is used in the game to encourage a user to walk around with the portable interactive game device. In one embodiment, the game is a virtual pet game for raising and nurturing a virtual pet that provides additional features of playing games and interacting with the virtual pet on a more complex level.

1 . An interactive entertainment system comprising: 
 a portable electronic game device for playing a game, having a display for displaying a game image and an input device for a user to interact with the game; and    a console, wherein the portable electronic game device is configured to interact with the console to transmit the game image to an alternate display such as a television or computer monitor.    
   
   
       2 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the console is further configured to provide additional game features for a user to play when the portable electronic game device is interacting with the console.  
   
   
       3 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 2 , wherein the console further includes a controller for a user to interact with the game while the portable electronic game device is interacting with the console.  
   
   
       4 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic game device includes a pedometer to measure the steps taken by a user.  
   
   
       5 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 4 , wherein information from the pedometer is linked to the game so that a user is rewarded for walking.  
   
   
       6 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic game device includes a communication apparatus for communicating with another portable electronic game device.  
   
   
       7 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication apparatus is an infrared transmitter and receiver.  
   
   
       8 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the game is a virtual pet game for a user to grow, nurture, and interact with a virtual pet.  
   
   
       9 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 8 , wherein the interaction of the console and the portable electronic game device provides additional game features for a user to play.  
   
   
       10 . A virtual pet game comprising: 
 growing and developing a virtual pet and maintaining the happiness of the pet; and    playing with the pet in a virtual environment.    
   
   
       11 . The virtual pet game of  claim 10 , wherein playing the game will earn points for a user.  
   
   
       12 . The virtual pet game of  claim 11 , wherein a user can play games with another user with a virtual pet on a separate game device.  
   
   
       13 . The virtual pet game of  claim 12 , wherein a user can take photos of the virtual pet and exchange the photos with another user with a virtual pet on a separate game device.  
   
   
       14 . The virtual pet game of  claim 13 , further including a game mode that uses a pedometer to measure the steps taken by a user while walking the virtual pet in the real world.  
   
   
       15 . An interactive entertainment system comprising: 
 a portable electronic game device for playing a game, having a display for displaying a game image and an input device for a user to interact with the game; and    a console, wherein the console is further configured to provide additional game features for a user to play when the portable electronic game device is interacting with the console.    
   
   
       16 . The interactive entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic game device is configured to interact with the console to transmit the game image to an alternate display such as a television or computer monitor.