Patent ID: 7846028

Claim:
An interactive apparatus for an infrared (IR) shooting game between a participant and at least one other participant, each having one of said interactive apparatus, said interactive apparatus comprising: a housing configured as an infrared transmitting and receiving toy; an interface including a display and a multiplicity of switches on said housing; an IR transmitter and IR receiver disposed within said housing for transmitting first or second IR data to the IR receiver in the interactive apparatus of the at least one other participant and receiving first or second IR data from the IR transmitter in the interactive apparatus of the at least one other participant, said first IR data comprising tag or hit information, said second IR data comprising special attack information; an information processor coupled to said interface and in communication with said IR transmitter and IR receiver, the information processor also being coupled to a non-volatile memory for storing accumulated gameplay experience and outcomes over a multiplicity of games; said information processor and IR transmitter being able to transmit first IR data indicative of one or more tags or shots being fired in response to user actuation of one or more inputs; said information processor and IR transmitter being able to transmit second IR data indicative of a selected special attack in response to user actuation of one or more inputs; said information processor generating a hit or tag tally upon receiving first IR data; said information processor generating one or more of an activity comprising a video-game or puzzle activity on said interface upon receiving second IR data from said IR receiver; wherein said information processor changes gameplay capability based on the stored accumulated gameplay experience.