System, method, and apparatus for interactive play

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for interactive play is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an interactive toy is provided. The interactive toy is configured to store a plurality of codes and display codes on a display on the toy. The codes can authenticate the toy and unlock functionality within a virtual world. In one embodiment, the interactive toy is configured to communicate with a user computer. Another embodiment provides methods for interactive play with an interactive toy and a virtual world. A further embodiment provides a computing device configured to participate in the interactive play system. This Abstract is provided for the 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 understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

1 . An interactive toy comprising:
 a toy body, the toy body comprising a display:   a memory within the toy body, the memory comprising a plurality of codes; and   a processor within the toy body, the processor connected to the memory and the display, the processor configured to cause one of the plurality of codes to be displayed on the display.   
     
     
         2 . The interactive toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a set of processor executable instructions stored on the memory, the set of processor executable instructions sufficient to configure the processor to:
 display an initial authentication code on the display; and   periodically display on the display a code from the plurality of codes.   
     
     
         3 . The interactive toy of  claim 2 , wherein the periodic display is in response to an interaction with the toy. 
     
     
         4 . The interactive toy of claim herein the periodic display is on a timed basis. 
     
     
         5 . The interactive toy of  claim 2 , wherein the periodic display is controlled on an achieved point basis, the achieved point basis derived from play with the interactive toy. 
     
     
         6 . The interactive toy of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive toy is configured to interact with an online entertainment world, the online entertainment world comprising a virtual world displayed on a user computer, the computer connected to a network, the network comprising a server that hosts the virtual world. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , wherein the server comprises a set of authentication codes, and the interactive toy is validated by executing a query on the database and comparing the results of the query to the toy's authentication code. 
     
     
         9 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , wherein the virtual world includes a virtual toy with an appearance of the interactive toy. 
     
     
         10 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , further comprising a set of processor executable instructions stored on the memory, the set of processor executable instructions sufficient to configure the processor to:
 display an initial authentication code;   periodically display a code from the plurality of codes in response to an interaction with the toy, and wherein the a user computer comprises a connection to the network and a keyboard allowing a user to enter the code displayed on the display.   
     
     
         11 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , wherein the interactive toy further comprises a communications transceiver within the toy body, and a communications port, the user computer comprises a communications transceiver and a communications port. 
     
     
         12 . The interactive toy of  claim 11 , wherein the interactive toy further comprises a light emitting diode connected to the processor. 
     
     
         13 . The interactive toy of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to illuminate the light emitting diode in response to receiving a signal from the communications port. 
     
     
         14 . The interactive toy of  claim 11 , wherein the interactive toy further comprises a speaker connected to the processor. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The interactive toy of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the toy's communications transceiver to communicate a code through the communications ports and the user's computer is configured to receive the code and communicate it to the server. 
     
     
         19 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , wherein the server comprises a storage medium for storing data related to the interactive toy and the plurality of codes. 
     
     
         20 . The interactive toy of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of codes allows the server to serve to the user computer functionality unique to that code. 
     
     
         21 . The interactive toy of  claim 19 , wherein the functionality unique to that code is served to the user computer when the code is verified on the server. 
     
     
         22 . The interactive toy of  claim 19 , wherein the functionality comprises functionality selected from a group consisting of: additional virtual point totals in a virtual game, access to additional virtual worlds, access to additional virtual objects, access to additional virtual cash, and access to additional virtual games. 
     
     
         23 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , wherein the display of the virtual world on the user computer comprises displaying the virtual world on a web-browser application on the user computer. 
     
     
         24 . The interactive toy of  claim 6 , wherein the virtual world provides a plurality of visual and audible activities to a user on the user computer. 
     
     
         25 - 89 . (canceled)