Patent ID: 7499860

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for enhancing a user experience within a storytelling environment using effects provided by a plurality of network devices, comprising: continuously monitoring the storytelling environment for one or more storytelling cues, wherein the storytelling environment is a room in which one and only one person is telling a fixed-plot story, wherein the storytelling cues are audio cues spoken by the person in association with the narration of the story, and wherein the storytelling cues generate an enhancement of the storytelling environment; and upon receiving a storytelling cue commanding one or more of the networked devices to produce one or more effects corresponding to the received storytelling cue wherein the networked devices operate in a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a packet area network, and wherein the networked devices are located within the storytelling environment, wherein, the environment is initially monitored for an indication that an enhanced user experience is desired and, upon receiving the indication, monitoring for an enhanced experience title and, upon receiving the enhanced title, determining that a script pairing specified cues to specified device-produced effects is present and using the script to provide the enhanced experience.