Patent ID: 7062073

Claim:
An interactive entertainment apparatus operable to biometrically identify an imaged one of a plurality of animate or inanimate objects having facial or face-like characteristics by measuring the facial or face-like characteristics of the imaged object, the interactive entertainment apparatus comprising: an entertainment device positionable in proximity to said plurality of animate or inanimate objects, the entertainment device being capable of providing entertaining interaction with said plurality of animate or inanimate objects; an acquisition device associated with said entertainment device, said acquisition device being adapted to acquire a representation of a facial characteristic of an object in proximity to said entertainment device, and said acquisition device being adapted to produce a signal relative to the acquired representation; and a processor associated with said acquisition device in a manner to receive the produced signal from said acquisition device, said processor being adapted to compare the produced signal relative to data stored in memory and to provide an output signal indicative of a facial recognition of a particular one of said animate or inanimate objects; wherein the entertainment device provides said entertaining interaction in response to said output signal indicative of recognition.