Patent ID: 8332544
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
1. A system for assisting play, comprising: a portable computer including: a user interface configured to receive input from a user; and a computer communication mechanism configured to transmit computer data based, at least in part, on the received user input; and a plurality of portable devices each including: an enclosure; a proximity sensor mechanism within the enclosure and configured to detect proximity of one or more other portable devices of the plurality of portable devices; a device communication mechanism configured to receive the computer data, transmit proximity data to the portable computer based on the detected proximity, and receive proximity data from the portable computer; and an audiovisual output mechanism configured to generate at least one of an audio output and a visual output, wherein: the computer communication mechanism is further configured to receive first proximity data from a first portable device of the plurality of portable devices and transmit the first proximity data to a second portable device of the plurality of portable devices based, at least in part, on the received user input, the computer communication mechanism is further configured to receive second proximity data different from the first proximity data from the second portable device, and transmit the second proximity data to the first portable device based, at least in part, on the received user input, the device communication mechanism of the first portable device is configured to receive the second proximity data from the portable computer, the device mechanism of the second portable device is configured to receive the first proximity data from the portable computer, the audiovisual output mechanism of the first portable device is configured to generate at least one of a first audio output and a first visual output in response to the second proximity data received from the portable computer, and the audiovisual output mechanism of the second portable device is configured to generate at least one of a second audio output and a second visual output in response to the first proximity data received from the portable computer.