Interactive Toy Systems and Methods

Abstract

An entertainment system, methods and computer software product are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an entertainment system comprises at least one hand held controller with a plurality of accelerometers and a touch screen interface. The system further includes a base station and an accessory box. The base station routs signals containing data and information from the hand held controllers and the accessory box to a computing apparatus that is in communication with a game portal residing on a server on a network. Game play is enabled by the server on the entertainment system. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A method of initiating a game activity, comprising:
 providing a first base station and a first hand-held device that is configured to communicate directly with the first base station;   providing a second base station and a second hand-held device that is configured to communicate directly with the second base station, wherein each of the first and secondhand-held units have a processor and a screen;   providing a server that houses a game;   providing access for the first hand-held device to the game on the server via the first base station;   providing access for the second hand-held device to the game on the server via the second base station; and   displaying the game activity on the screens of the first and second hand-held devices.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further including providing a network which allows the first and second base stations to communicate with the server. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further including providing a separate computing apparatus for each corresponding pair of hand-held devices and base stations, with each base station communicating with the network via its corresponding computing apparatus. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , further including providing a first object and a second object, each object having a memory which stores data relating to the object, and placing the first object in close proximity to the first base station and placing the second object in close proximity to the second base station. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the data includes the identity of the object. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , further including communicating the identity and the data of the first object from the first object to the server via the first base station, and communicating the identity and the data of the second object from the second object to the server via the second base station. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , further including causing an image of the first object to be shown on the screen of the first hand-held device during the game activity, and an image of the first object to be shown on the screen of the first hand-held device during the game activity. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , further including providing a network which allows the first and second base stations to communicate with the server. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , further including providing a separate computing apparatus for each corresponding pair of hand-held devices and base stations, with each base station communicating with the network via its corresponding computing apparatus.