U.S. Pat. No. 11,839,812

LISTING OF DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

Below are reference numerals denoting the same, similar or comparable elements throughout the drawings and detailed description of the invention:

10000an apparatus10010a video game console10012a configurable videogame console10020a participant10030a power user11000an exterior housing12000an interiorcompartment12100electronic circuitry12110an integrated electronichardware system12111an integrated camera12112an integratedmicrophone12113an integrated speaker12114an internal processor12115an internal memory12116an internal powersource12117an integrated datatransfer module12118an integrated inputbutton12119a mini display12119′an illumination device12120an integrated softwareoperating system12130a dataset12132a first profile12134a configurable videogame12136a game configuration13000a data transfer device20000a configuration of anapparatus 1000021000a beginning detection21100detecting the inputbutton being activated21200detecting a commandbeing spoken21300detecting motionproximate the camera22000a beginning response22100playing a greetingidentifying the firstparticipant22200playing an instructioninstructing the firstparticipant to activatethe input button23000a subsequent response23100recording a video of aninteraction of the firstparticipant with theapparatus23200playing instructions23300responding toresponses of the firstparticipant24000an ending detection24100detecting a farewell24200detecting the inputbutton being activated25000an ending response25100playing a replyfarewell to the firstparticipant25200storing a recording ofthe interaction as aninteraction audiovisualfile as a computer-readable file on acomputer-readablestorage medium30000a data transfer device30010a wire cable30020a wireless transceiver31000a data transfer31100electronic data31110a separate devicesoftware application31120an interactionaudiovisual file31130a settings dataset31140an image file31150a video game31160a game configuration32000a video game console32100an internal powersource33000a separate computingdevice34000an external powersource40000a computerenvironment41000a data system42000a network/Internet43000a network connection44000a computing device44100a smart device44200a mobile phone44300a computer45000a social media system45100a social media account45110social media dataselected for delivery touser device50000a data system51000a computing device51010a video game console51100a processor51200a memory51300a volatile memory anda non-volatile memory51400a removable storage51500a non-removablestorage51600a communicationsconnection51700an input device51800an output device52000a network/Internet53000a server54000a database54100a database54200a database54300a database54400a database54500a database54600a database

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to systems, methods and apparatus involving an online gaming platform and an apparatus adapted to operate as a configurable video game console having electronics, such as a keypad, buttons, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and a transceiver, coupled to and controlled by a processor, with the apparatus adapted to be connectable to the online gaming platform, and preferably also connectable to a social media platform or system, in a networked environment.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a system is provided that comprises an online gaming platform that connects the video game console to vendors and users in a networked environment. The online gaming platform system may provide users features such as to share, save, alert, and configure activities of the video game console, including downloading video games and/or game configurations for use with configurable video games. The platform and system may provide a dashboard of, for instance, user activity, video game activity, and video game console status data.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus embodies a video game console. The video game console may include an internal chargeable battery so that it is wireless and portable. With memberships to an online gaming platform, users can play and download video games and game configurations on the video game console. The users may share their video game activities on social media and by other electronic means. For instances, a user might create video game compilations of video games played using game configurations and share such compilations with other users. In some embodiments, video games and game configurations may be educational in nature and function as learning tools to develop, practice, or reinforce a user's skills or knowledge of specific information or content, such as a foreign language.

Numerous possible embodiments of the platform and system are envisioned. Exemplary users may include, for instance, video game players, video game developers, software programmers, video game vendors, adults, children, parents, family, relatives, friends, teachers, schools, and educators. For example, the apparatus may include a video game console, tablet computer, or laptop computer housing a computing device that is operable to play video games when activated by the user. The device may include a chargeable battery for ease of use. The device may connect to the online game platform via the Internet and may download or upload video games, game configurations, and other data or files to one of any number of online destinations, such as a website, a cloud service, a mobile app, and combinations thereof. The device may connect to a social media platform, which may include a membership option for members to obtain additional benefits. A membership option may include enabling access to the videos of video games being played, enabling access to a social media group specific to the user, and enabling access to other content specific to the apparatus. The online gaming platform may provide the membership option, may provide its own social media platform, and may connect to a third-party social media platform, service, or system.

Referring to the Figures, an apparatus may a computing device operable as a video game console, may be connectable to an online gaming platform via a networked environment, and may comprise part of a social media platform or system, which may include a data system, including at least one server and at least one database, and a network system, including computing devices in communication with each other via network connections.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.1shows a block diagram of an apparatus10000adapted to operate as a video game console10010, such as a Nintendo Switch, and more specifically a configurable video game console10012or other configurable gaming device like a laptop computer. The apparatus10000may be configured for interactive communication adapted for entertainment and education of participants10020. As explained below, the apparatus10000may be a part of a larger system, such as an online gaming platform and/or a social media platform system. As depicted, the apparatus10000comprises a video game console10010, having an exterior housing11000, such as that of a configurable video game console10012, and having an interior compartment12000containing electronic circuitry12100. The apparatus10000includes a data transfer device13000adapted to interoperate with the electronic circuitry12100. The electronic circuitry12100includes an integrated electronic hardware system12110and an integrated software operating system12120stored and executable on the integrated electronic hardware system12110. The integrated electronic hardware system12110may include, for instance, an integrated camera12111, an integrated microphone12112, and an integrated speaker12113coupled to an internal processor12114coupled to an internal memory12115an internal power source12116, an integrated data transfer module12117interoperable with the data transfer device13000, and at least one integrated input device12118(e.g., button, keypad, keyboard, joystick, touchpad, etc.) operable from without the exterior housing11000. The software12120and the hardware12110are adapted to enable a power user10030to set up the configurable video game console10012, such as to create in the software12120and store in the memory12115a dataset12130including a first profile12132identifying a first participant10020, and to download, install, select, and play a video game12134and a game configuration12136for, and compatible with, a configurable video game, such as video game12134.

The hardware12110further may include a mini display12119, and wherein the software12120is adapted to render on the display12119, for instance, a video game playing, a settings menu, an audiovisual file, an image file, on-screen text, on-screen text-entry icons, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the display12119is touch-sensitive. Although the display12119may emit light, such as using a backlight or illuminated pixels, the hardware12110further may include a simple illumination device12119′ adapted to illuminate at least a portion of the exterior housing11000. For instance, the illumination device12119′ may include a light emitting diode (LED) adapted to illuminate a portion of the exterior housing11000surrounding the input button12118.

Various data settings of the apparatus10000may include creating the first profile12132to include, for example, entering a first name of the first participant and storing a first face image of a face of the first participant, and the camera12111and the software12120may be adapted to recognize the face of the first participant based on a comparison with the first face image. The user may associate the first face image with the user's profile for inclusion in the user's postings on the online gaming platform or social media system. Moreover, the game configuration12136may be specific to the user's profile and may be configured to load automatically upon recognizing the face of the first participant within a specified distance of the apparatus10000.

Among other possible variations, the software12120may be further adapted to enable the power user10030to select one of a plurality of languages programmed into the software12120; to select one of a plurality of games and game settings programmed into the software12120; to set up the first profile by entering first profile parameters including a first gender, a first age, a first birthdate, a first race, a first ethnicity, or any combination thereof, of the first participant; and to configure the software12120to adjust interaction parameters based on the first profile parameters entered.

Technical variations may include, for example, having the camera12111and the software12120adapted to measure ambient light, motion, or both, such that the apparatus10000may be adapted to alternate between an inactive state and an active state based on measuring a presence or an absence of a minimum threshold of ambient light, motion, or both.

Referring toFIG.2,FIG.2shows a flow diagram of an exemplary implementation of a configuration20000of the apparatus ofFIG.10000according to aspects of the invention. The configuration20000may be adapted to perform, upon detecting a game configuration12136, loading a game configuration beginning detection21000, a game configuration beginning response22000. For example, the beginning detection21000may include detecting the input button being activated (21100), detecting a command being spoken (21200), detecting motion proximate the camera (21300), or any combination thereof. Likewise, the beginning response22000may include using the speaker to play a greeting (22100) identifying the first participant10020, to play an instruction (22200) instructing the first participant10020to activate the input button12118to launch the game configuration12136, or both, upon detecting the beginning detection21000. Following the beginning response22000, the video game console10010may be adapted to perform a subsequent response23000, such as record, as an interaction audiovisual file in the memory, a video (23100) of an interaction (e.g., game being played) of the first participant10020with the video game console10010, during which interaction the video game console10010may use the speaker12113to play a plurality of verbal instructions or other recordings (23200) responsive to verbal responses (23300) of the first participant10020.

The configured apparatus20000may be configured to have the software12120and the hardware12110further be adapted to enable a power user10030to set up the apparatus configuration20000to select an ending detection24000and an ending response25000to the ending detection24000, wherein the apparatus configuration20000further is adapted to perform the ending response25000upon detecting the ending detection24000. The ending detection24000may include, for instance, detecting a farewell being spoken (24100), detecting the input button being activated (24200), or both, and the ending detection24000may initiate the ending response25000that concludes an interaction of the configured apparatus20000with the first participant10020. The ending response25000may include using the speaker to play a reply farewell to the first participant (25100) and storing a recording of the interaction as an interaction audiovisual file as a computer-readable file on a computer-readable storage medium (25200). The ending response25000might also include connecting to the Internet, connecting to a social media platform, and sending an alert to the power user to notify the power user that a participant has interacted with the apparatus20000and that a video of the interaction may be available on the social media platform and/or stored in the video game console.

Referring toFIG.3,FIG.3shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment30000of the present invention specific to a data transfer device13000. A data transfer device30000may be adapted to enable a data transfer31000between a video game console32000and a separate computing device33000, such as a server of an online gaming platform, wherein the data transfer device30000may be adapted to enable the video game console32000to communicate with and transfer electronic data31100to the separate computing device32000and to enable the separate computing device33000to communicate with and transfer electronic data31100to the video game console32000. The data transfer device30000may include, for instance, a wire cable30010, a wireless transceiver30020, or both, wherein the video game console32000may be enabled to transfer to, or receive from, the separate computing device33000, for example, a separate device software application31110and an interaction audiovisual file31120. Likewise, the separate computing device33000may be enabled to transfer to, or receive from, the video game console32000, for instance, a settings dataset31130and an image file31140. For example, an app31110might include a video game31150, and settings31130might include a game configuration31160. In addition, the wire cable30010may be adapted to enable the video game console32000to recharge an internal power source32100when the wire cable30010is coupled to an external power source34000.

Referring toFIGS.4-5below, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a system for interactive communication adapted for entertainment and education of a participant, wherein the system comprises an online gaming platform, and possibly an integrated social media platform, or a third-party social media platform or service, and an apparatus adapted to interact with online gaming platform and the social media platform. The system further may comprise a separate device software application running on at least one separate computing device, wherein the separate device software application may be adapted to enable the separate computing device to interact with the video game console, modify settings of the video game console, upload data and files to the video game console, download data and files from the video game console, and control features and functions of the video game console.

The system further may comprise a remote computing network and a user account platform accessible via the remote computing network and adapted to communicate with and transfer electronic data to and from the online gaming platform and the video game console, adapted to communicate with and transfer electronic data to and from the separate computing device, and adapted to enable the video game console to communicate with and transfer electronic data to and from the separate computing device via the remote computing network. The system further may comprise a user account accessible via the user account platform that enables the power user to log into the user account to remotely manage, view, and share data and settings of the video game console and the user's account on the online gaming platform that are available in the user account via the remote computing network, either because the data and settings have been uploaded to the user account platform, or because the video game console is in communication with the user account platform via the remote computing network while the power user is accessing the user account platform and logged into the user account. In some embodiments, the user account may be adapted to enable the power user to set alert options to have an alert generated and sent to the separate computing device if an interaction with the first participant happens and notification of the interaction has been communicated from a video game console and the user account platform via the remote computing network. The user account further may be adapted to enable the power user to email, upload, download, otherwise electronically share, or any combination thereof, a video game, a game configuration, or other data file, such as an interaction audiovisual file of a recording of an interaction of the first participant with the video game console.

The system further may comprise a game configuration data file stored on the remote computing network and downloadable from the user account platform to the separate computing device and to the video game console, wherein the game configuration data file is adapted to enable the video game console to add further features, perform additional functions, or both. A game configuration may include, for instance, a game map (e.g., an ariel map, a road map, a topography map, a trail map, a resources map, a route map, a perspective view map, a plan view map, a point-of-view map, etc.), a game utility (e.g., switch points of view, reveal details, switch profiles, synchronization of accounts, etc.), a playing terrain (e.g., a city, a town, a village, a planet, a forest, a mountain, an ocean, a valley, a ghetto, a camp, an outpost, a mall, etc.), a playing tool (e.g., a weapon, a vehicle, a unit or type of ammunition, a unit or type of nutrition, etc.), a player capability (e.g., flying, jumping, swimming, telepathy, invisibility, teleportation, etc.), a player avatar (e.g., a warrior, a soldier, a spy, a ghoul, a troll, a giant, an alien, a monster, a vampire, a werewolf, a wizard, a witch, an elf, etc.), and a player utility (e.g., a social media connection, a message feed, etc.). At the level of the video game console, the further features might be selected from the group consisting of further music recordings, further video recordings, further voice recordings, and further illumination patterns; and wherein the additional functions might be selected from the group consisting of additional alert options, additional rules options, additional language options, additional voice recognition options, and additional video recognition options.

A user of the online gaming platform may be a player of video games, a vendor, or both. A user may create and/or distribute a video game, a game configuration, or both, by using the online gaming platform for user-based creation and/or distribution of games and game configurations. Each game configuration may be software code in a configuration file that includes, for instance, one or more of a settings file, a configuration file, a profile file, an applet file, an application file, a plug-in file, an application protocol interface (“API”) file, an executable file, a library file, an image file, a video file, a text file, a database file, a metadata file, and a message file. A user may develop the software code for the game configuration file using, for instance, programming in coding languages, such as JavaScript and HTML, including open-source code, or object-oriented code assembly. The software code would be adapted to be compatible with and executable by the video game software of a video game console on which a compatible video game may be played, with which or within which the game configuration would be used.

Referring toFIG.4,FIG.4shows a diagram of an exemplary computer environment for use with the systems and methods in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and according to aspects of the invention.FIG.4illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer environment40000for creating, receiving, sending, exchanging, updating, and processing data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In the depicted embodiment, computer environment40000includes, inter alia, data system41000, Internet42000, connections43000, and at least one computing device44000, such as computing devices smart device/tablet/phone44100, mobile phone44200, and computer44300. The data system41000may comprise an online gaming platform, possibly with its own integrated social media service, or connectable to a third-party social media system45000. The network42000may connect to a social media system45000that accesses a social media account45100for the transfer of social media account data45110. Computing devices44100,44200, and44300are connected to Internet42000via connections43000, which may be any form of Internet connection known in the art or yet to be invented. Connections43000may include, but are not limited to, telephone lines (xDSL, T1, leased lines, etc.), cable lines, power lines, wireless transmissions, and the like. Computing devices44100,44200, and44300include any equipment necessary (e.g., modems, routers, etc.), as is known in the art, to facilitate such communication with the Internet. Data system41000is also connected to Internet42000using one of the aforementioned methods or other such methods known in the art.

Using an apparatus and a system such as at depicted inFIGS.1,4-5, a user may access the computer environment40000via a computing device connected to Internet42000such as computing device44100,44200, and44300. Such a computing device may be, for instance, the individual's personal computer, an Internet café computer, an Apple iPod™, a computerized portable electronic device (e.g., a personal data assistant, cell phone, etc.), or the like. Using the apparatus and system exemplified inFIGS.1and4-5, such user access may include a download of data to, and/or an upload of data (e.g., an electronic form of information) from, a computing device44100,44200, and44300via Internet42000to data system41000(e.g., server, mainframe, computer, etc.), wherein data system41000is typically provided and/or managed by the entity implementing the process or its affiliate, subcontractor, or the like.

However, alternate embodiments of user access may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, the user transmits the data directly to the entity implementing the process in electronic format without upload (e.g., via electronic mail). Such transmission may also be performed at a computing device44100,44200, or44300via Internet42000, however, in this scenario, manipulation by the entity's staff or systems may be required prior to transferring the information to data system41000.

Although the systems and methods disclosed herein have focused on embodiments in which user access initiates the process, one of skill in the art may easily appreciate that such systems and methods may be equally applied for other scenarios in which the process is not initiated by the user.

Referring toFIG.5,FIG.5shows a block diagram of an exemplary data system for use with systems and methods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, according to aspects of the invention. In addition,FIG.5shows an exemplary set of databases/database tables for use with the exemplary computer environment, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, according to aspects of the invention.FIG.5depicted herein represents an exemplary computing system environment for allowing a user of system50000to perform the methods described with respect toFIGS.1-4.

The depicted computing system environment is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality. Numerous other general-purpose or special-purpose computing system environments or configurations may be used. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers (“PCs”), server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, cell phones, tablets, embedded systems, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer-executable instructions such as program modules executed by a computer may be used. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Distributed computing environments may be used where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network or other data transmission medium. In a distributed computing environment, program modules and other data may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

FIG.5depicts an exemplary system50000for implementing embodiments of the present invention. This exemplary system includes, inter alia, one or more computing devices51000, a network52000, and at least one server53000, which interface to each other via network52000. A computing device51000may include an apparatus of a video game console51010such as described in the embodiments ofFIGS.1-3. In its most basic configuration, computing device51000includes at least one processing unit, processor51100, and at least one memory unit51200. Depending on the exact configuration and type of the computing device, memory51200may be volatile (such as random-access memory (“RAM”)), non-volatile (such as read-only memory (“ROM”), flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated inFIG.5by dashed lines51300. In addition to that described herein, computing devices51000can be any web-enabled handheld device (e.g., cell phone, smart phone, or the like) or personal computer including those operating via Android, Apple, and/or Windows mobile or non-mobile operating systems.

Computing device51000may have additional features/functionality. For example, computing device51000may include additional storage (removable and/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tape, thumb drives, and external hard drives as applicable. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG.5by removable storage51400and non-removable storage51500.

Computing device51000typically includes or is provided with a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computing device51000and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media.

Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory51200, removable storage51400, and non-removable storage51500are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information, and which can accessed by computing device51000. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device51000as applicable.

Computing device51000may also contain a communications connection51600that allows the device to communicate with other devices. Such communications connection51600is an example of communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and/or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (“RF”), infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includes both storage media and communication media.

Computing device51000may also have input device(s)51700such as keyboard, mouse, pen, camera, light sensor, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s)51800such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. All these devices are generally known to the relevant public and therefore need not be discussed in any detail herein except as provided.

Notably, computing device51000may be one of a plurality of computing devices51000inter-connected by a network52000. As may be appreciated, network52000may be any appropriate network and each computing device51000may be connected thereto by way of connection51600in any appropriate manner, and each computing device51000may communicate with one or more of the other computing devices51000in network52000in any appropriate manner. For example, network52000may be a wired network, wireless network, or a combination thereof within an organization or home, or the like, and may include a direct or indirect coupling to an external network such as the Internet or the like. Likewise, the network52000may be such an external network.

Computing device51000may connect to a server53000via such an internal or external network. Server53000may serve, for instance, as an online gaming platform, a social media service/platform, or both. AlthoughFIG.5depicts computing device51000located in close proximity to server53000, this depiction is not intended to define any geographic boundaries. For example, when network52000is the Internet, computing device can have any physical location. For example, computing device may be a tablet, cell phone, personal computer, or the like located at any user's office, home, or other venue, etc. Or computing device could be located proximate to server53000without departing from the scope hereof. Also, althoughFIG.5depicts computing devices51000coupled to server53000via network52000, computing devices may be coupled to server53000via any other compatible networks including, without limitation, an intranet, local area network, or the like.

The system may use a standard client server technology architecture, which allows users of the system to access information stored in the relational databases via custom user interfaces. The application is hosted on a server such as server53000which is accessible via the Internet using a publicly addressable Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). For example, users can access the system using any web-enabled device equipped with a web browser. Communication between software component and sub-systems are achieved by a combination of direct function calls, publish-and-subscribe mechanisms, stored procedures, and direct SQL queries.

In some embodiments, for instance, server53000may be an Edge R200 server as manufactured by Dell, Inc., however, alternate servers may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. System50000and/or server53000utilize a PHP scripting language to implement the processes described in detail herein. However, alternate scripting languages may be utilized without departing from the scope hereof.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may utilize, for instance, a Linux variant messaging subsystem. However, alternate messaging subsystems may be substituted including, without limitation, a Windows Communication Foundation (“WCF”) messaging subsystem of a Microsoft Windows operating system utilizing a .NET Framework 3.0 programming interface.

Also, in the depicted embodiment, computing device51000may interact with server53000via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) communications protocol; however, other communication protocols may be substituted.

Computing devices51000may be equipped with one or more Web browsers to allow them to interact with server53000via a HyperText Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”). HTTP functions as a request-response protocol in client-server computing. For example, a web browser operating on computing device51000may execute a client application that allows it to interact with applications executed by server53000. The client application submits HTTP request messages to the server. Server53000, which provides resources such as HTML files and other content, or which performs other functions on behalf of the client application, returns a response message to the client application upon request. The response typically contains completion status information about the request as well as the requested content. However, alternate methods of computing device/server communications may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof.

In the exemplary system50000, server53000includes one or more databases54000as depicted inFIG.5, which may include a plurality of database tables including, without limitation, Templates, Users, Events, User Uploads, Admin Info, Transactions, Status, Tracking, and/or Location database tables, e.g.,54100through54600. As may be appreciated, database(s)54000may be any appropriate database capable of storing data and it may be included within or connected to server53000or any plurality of servers similar to53000in any appropriate manner.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG.5, database(s)54000may be structured query language (“SQL”) database(s) with a relational database management system, namely, MySQL as is commonly known and used in the art. Database(s)54000may be resident within server53000. However, other databases may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention including, but not limited to, PostgreSQL, Microsoft® SQL Server 2008 MySQL, Microsoft® Access®, and Oracle databases, and such databases may be internal or external to server53000.

The various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, as appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions, scripts, and the like) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject matter.

In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the interface unit generally includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. One or more programs may implement or utilize the processes described in connection with the presently disclosed subject matter (e.g., through the use of an application-program interface (“API”), reusable controls, or the like). Such programs may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

Although exemplary embodiments may refer to utilizing aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter in the context of one or more stand-alone computer systems, the subject matter is not so limited, but rather may be implemented in connection with any computing environment, such as a system50000or a distributed computing environment40000. Still further, aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be implemented across a plurality of devices in system50000. Such devices might include personal computers, network servers, and handheld devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, smartphones, etc.), for example.

In the exemplary embodiment, server53000and its associated databases are programmed to execute a plurality of processes including those shown inFIGS.1-3as discussed in greater detail herein.

Methods in accordance with aspects of the invention include, for instance, a method for interactive communication adapted for entertainment and education of a participant, wherein the method comprises providing an apparatus adapted for interaction with the participant, such as apparatus10000; configuring the apparatus to interact with the participant; enabling the apparatus to interact with the participant; and capturing electronically in the apparatus audio data, video data, or both, of an interaction of the apparatus with the participant. Further embodiments of the method may include performing the actions associated the functionalities set forth inFIGS.1-5, such as within the video game console apparatus10000, within the computing environment40000, and within the system50000.

The foregoing description discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims. Modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methods that fall within the scope of the claimed invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, as defined by the claims that follow hereafter.

In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. Not all possible embodiments of the invention are set forth verbatim herein. A multitude of combinations of aspects of the invention may be formed to create varying embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims hereafter. In addition, specific details well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention protection.