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

• US 20070218988A1
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Inventors: Lucich, Nelo
• Application Number:
  US11/706,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20070218988A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi

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.

Claims

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.

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.

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.