Abstract: An amusement device is in wireless communication with a remote media source via an interface. The amusement device includes a receiver/transmitter for receiving electromagnetic waves indicative of media content signals from the corresponding interface. The amusement device plays media content from the remote media source in conjunction with music or other sounds in response to user input.

Abstract: A toy comprising a mobile device and a plurality of islands, which can be arranged on a surface (e.g., the floor). During play, the mobile device can be selectively moved to a location within a predetermined proximity of each of the islands. An identification tag is associated with each island and contains information to identify the associated island and distinguish it from the other islands. A reader reads the identification tag when the mobile device is placed in the predetermined proximity of the island, and a different output is generated for each island.

Abstract: A game comprising a plurality of stations, each of which recognizes the accomplishment of a task therewith and communicates this accomplishment to at least one other station. In this manner, at least one of the stations can gather information from all of the stations for score-keeping and other purposes. An output can be generated by one, some, or all of the stations based on an accomplishment with a particular station and/or based on the information gathered from all of the stations. The communication between/among the stations is preferably performed wirelessly by infrared light techniques, radio frequency techniques, and/or ultra high-frequency sound techniques.

Abstract: A toy comprising a host structure, a plurality of attachable items which can be selectively attached to the host structure, and a radio frequency identification device. The radio frequency identification device comprises at least one reader and a plurality of tags which, when read by a reader, provide identification information particular to that tag. Each reader is housed by the host structure and the tags are each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items. The reader reads the identification information from a particular tag when the corresponding attachable item is attached to the host structure and a different output is generated depending upon which item has been attached.

Abstract: An audio device having a primary audio purpose of producing a programmed audio output for a listener. The audio device comprises sound-generating components that generate the programmed audio output, and these components include an emitter that audibly emits this programmed output at a playing volume. A proximity sensor senses the distance to the listener, and this sensed distance corresponds to the distance between the listener and the emitter. Volume-adjusting components adjust the playing volume to prevent it from being at an unacceptable level for the sensed distance.

Abstract: A toy comprising a host structure, a plurality of attachable items that can be selectively attached to the host structure, and a radio frequency identification device. The radio frequency identification device comprises at least one reader and a plurality of tags which, when read by a reader, provide identification information particular to each tag. Each reader is housed by the host structure and the tags are each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items. The reader reads the identification information from a particular tag at the time that the corresponding attachable item is attached to the host structure and different outputs are generated depending upon which item is attached.