Interactive activity system

• US 20070049384A1
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Landscape Structures Inc.
• Original Assignee: Landscape Structures Incorporated
• Inventors: King, Steve, Felber, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/59
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/00 Amusement arrangements hoop exercising apparatus driven by the user A63B19/00

Abstract

An interactive activity system is disclosed. One embodiment includes a generator configured to produce electrical power based on physical interaction with a human being, a storage component configured to store the electrical power, and at least one play-oriented application configured to utilize a portion of the electrical power for operation. In one embodiment, the interactive activity system is implemented in a traditional, non-electronic playground environment.

Claims

1. A play-oriented activity environment, comprising:

a generator device;

a storage component configured to receive and store electrical power produced as a byproduct of the physical interaction; and

at least one play-oriented application configured to operate utilizing at least a portion of the electrical power; and

at least one non-electronic playground structure.

2. The activity environment of claim 1, further comprising a connector associated with the storage component and providing an electrical path across which at least some of the electrical power can be transferred to a play-oriented application that is physically separate from the generator device and any display associated therewith.

3. The activity environment of claim 1, wherein the play-oriented application includes a plurality of user-selectable games.

4. The activity environment of claim 1, wherein the play-oriented application includes a timer.

5. The activity environment of claim 1, wherein the generator is configured for physical interaction with a user.

6. The activity environment of claim 1, wherein the non-electric playground structure is selected from a list that contains a slide and a ladder.

7. The activity environment of claim 1, wherein the play-oriented application is configured to become non-functional if the electrical power in the storage component drops below a minimum level.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the second play application includes a speaker from which sound is emitted.

8. A play-oriented activity system, comprising:

a generator device configured for physical interaction with a user;

a display associated with the generator device; and

a distribution component configured to distribute electrical power produced as a byproduct of the physical interaction to a play-oriented application that is physically separate from the display.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the play-oriented application is an electronic interactive game.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the distribution component is further configured to distribute electrical power produced as a byproduct of the physical interaction to multiple play-oriented applications that are each physically separate from the display.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the play-oriented application includes at least one light-based component.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the generator device and the play-oriented application are located in separate locations within a single play environment.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the single play environment also includes a non-electronic play structure.

14. A play-oriented activity system, comprising:

a first play application located in a first location within a play environment, the first play application being configured for physical interaction with a user; and

a second play application located in a second location within the play environment, the second play application being configured to receive electrical power produced as a byproduct of the physical interaction with the user.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first play application includes a display and the second play application is physically separate from the display.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second play applications facilitate different interactive activities.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the play environment also includes a non-electronic climbing structure.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the second play application includes a plurality of user-selectable games.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the second play application includes a timer.