Methods and apparatus for integrating interactive toys with interactive
television and cellular communication systems are described. Interactive
toys have real time conversations with users, preferably employing speech
recognition. Interactive toys are preferably connected to at least one
interactive toy server which is preferably connected to entertainment,
education, sales promotion and other content providers possibly via
Internet communication systems. Such a connection may utilize, for
example, telephone lines, cellular communication systems, coaxial cables,
satellite, DSL or other broadband systems. Interactive toys may be
connected, via a wireless link, to a computing device such as a home
computer, an Interactive Television set-top box or a base unit which
provides Internet connectivity for the toy. Interactive toys may support
mobile cellular or satellite communication. These toys are able to provide
entertainment, education, sales promotion and other content to a user.
Content is provided to users for their toys which enables toys to form
relationships with users. Interactive Toys further utilize user knowledge
bases to match entertainment, education and sales promotion content to
user histories, behaviors and habits. Content is thus personalized to an
individual user as well as to a user's environment including the user's
location and the time at which the toy is used. Integration of content,
such as entertainment, education and sales promotion is provided by
merging Interactive Television techniques with Interactive Toys.
